Ready

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  • Selected Abstracts


    ASSESSMENT OF A WASH TREATMENT WITH WARM CHLORINATED WATER TO EXTEND THE SHELF,LIFE OF READY,TO,USE LETTUCE

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 3 2003
    J.A. ODUMERU
    There was a significant difference in psychrotrophic counts (P<0.0001) of warm chlorine (100 ppm) washed lettuce at 47 ± 2C for 30 s, 60 s, and 180 s exposure from days 1 to 10 of storage at 4C compared with cold chlorine (100 ppm) washed lettuce at 4 ± 1C for 30 s. There were no significant differences in psychrotrophic counts between wash treatments of 30 s and 60 s during 17 days storage (P < 0.05). The EN detected initially high levels of volatiles in this group compared with cold treatment. Lettuce samples treated with cold or warm chlorine wash water showed no differences in the presence/absence or levels of Listeria monocytogenes. The warm chlorine washed lettuce samples were rated acceptable upon sensory evaluation up to day 14. [source]


    Ready to drinks are associated with heavier drinking patterns among young females

    DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2008
    TAISIA HUCKLE
    Abstract Aim. To report patterns of use of ready to drinks (RTDs) and to assess if RTD consumers have heavier drinking patterns. RTDs were introduced in 1995. Method. Data from a general population sample of 7201 respondents aged 14,65 years, in New Zealand in 2004, were modelled. Results. Nineteen per cent of respondents consumed RTDs. Respondents aged 14,17 and 18,24 years and females were the largest consumers of RTDs. Compared to beer, wine or spirits, being an RTD consumer predicted (1) higher typical occasion quantities for respondents aged 14,17, 18,24 and 25+ years and (2) heavier drinking for those aged 14,17 and 18,24 years. When amounts of beverages consumed were modelled, quantity of RTDs predicted higher typical occasion quantities among females of all ages. Among males beer was more predictive. Similar results were found for the heavier drinking measure. For 14,17-year-old females, RTDs consumption predicted higher annual frequency, but for the other females and males the amount of wine or beer consumed predicted higher frequency. Conclusion. RTDs were most popular among young people aged 14,17 years, and females. RTDs predicted higher typical occasion alcohol consumption and heavier drinking better than any other beverage for females aged 14,17 years. For the other age and gender groups, other beverages predicted higher quantity and frequency consumption. [source]


    Computer and Electronics Product Stewardship: Are We Ready for the Challenge?

    ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2001
    Cate Gable
    The PC revolution continues to produce faster and smarter machines at a stunning pace. Almost forgotten in the rush are the millions of nearly new, but suddenly outdated, computers that are abandoned every year. Can product stewardship offer life-after-end-of-life for this growing mountain of "attic-ware," while averting a costly,and potentially toxic,waste disposal crisis? © 2001 by Cate Gable, Axioun Books. Used with permission. [source]


    Ready, willing and able to change: motivational aspects of the assessment and treatment of eating disorders

    EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2001
    Janet Treasure
    This paper focuses on motivational aspects in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. Measurement issues and therapeutic implications are reviewed as will be the limitations of the motivational model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


    Directed Thinking and Readiness to Change Self-Beneficial Behaviors: Are You Ready for Some Studying?

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
    Heather A. Labansat
    Previous research has suggested that intentions to engage in studying and other self-beneficial activities might be promoted more by thinking about actions one could take than by thinking about reasons for doing so. The present experiments assessed whether the relative efficacy of actions vs. reasons might depend on individuals' readiness to change. Consistent with previous findings on the processes of change most relevant in different stages, the benefits of self-generated actions were more pronounced for participants who were in the later stages of change. This "matching-to-stage" relationship occurred in 2 experiments that differed in stage measurement, how thinking was directed, and which outcomes were measured. The results have both practical and theoretical implications for attempts to change self-beneficial behaviors. [source]


    Editorial Commentary:Ready to Burst?

    JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2002
    J. A. Russell
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Recombinant DNA in meat additives: Specific detection of Roundup ReadyÔ soybean by nested PCR

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 10 2007
    Fábio CA Brod
    Abstract Soybean proteins are widely used by the meat industry as technological coadjutor when producing processed products such as emulsified and ground meat products. Since regulations for the use and labeling of GMOs and derived ingredients are in force in Brazil, a PCR-based method capable of detecting Roundup ReadyÔ (RR) soybean was employed for meat additives. Thirty-two samples of meat additives containing soy proteins were tested for the presence of soybean amplifiable DNA and RR soybean DNA. Twenty-five samples gave a positive signal for the lectin gene, confirming the presence of soybean amplifiable DNA and 15 samples returned a positive signal for specific RR detection confirming the presence of genetically modified soy. These results demonstrate for the first time the presence of RR soybean in meat additives. This method may be useful for meat industries interested in controlling the presence of RR soybean in additives used for meat products manufacture. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    E-Democracy: Ready or Not, Here It Comes

    NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2000
    Tracy Westen
    First page of article [source]


    From Vietnam to Kosovo Is The Diet-Coke Generation: Ready for the Real Thing?

    NEW PERSPECTIVES QUARTERLY, Issue 5 2000
    Article first published online: 28 JUN 200
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Getting Ready for Day One: Taking Advantage of the Opportunities and Minimizing the Hazards of a Presidential Transition

    PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 4 2008
    Martha Joynt Kumar
    Presidential transitions make a difference to the quality of the start a chief executive has coming into office. With formal presidential transitions a reality since 1952, we have sufficient experience to identify some of the elements of an effective transition. This article focuses on how a president-elect can minimize the hazards and take advantage of the opportunities transitions offer. Opportunities and hazards can be found in the actions and commitments candidates take during their presidential campaigns, the information they gather on past transitions and on the actions of the incumbent president, the coordination they do with those in the Washington community, and their capacity to identify and take advantage of the early goodwill that exists when a new president comes into office. [source]


    Maintenance Steroid Therapy for Kidney Recipients,Not Ready for Relegation

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2009
    N. M. Desai
    The recent report of the first randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of steroid withdrawal in kidney transplant recipients demonstrated equivalent patient and graft survival, but rejection and fibrosis were increased in the steroid-free recipients. [source]


    SBIRT in Emergency Care Settings: Are We Ready to Take it to Scale?

    ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009
    Edward Bernstein MD
    Abstract This article summarizes a panel discussion on "SBIRT in the emergency care setting: are we ready to take it to scale?" Dr. Edward Bernstein commented on the historical developments of emergency department (ED) screening, brief intervention (BI), and referral to treatment (SBIRT) research, practice, and knowledge translation. Dr. Jack Stein addressed SBIRT grant program progress to date, the reimbursement stream, SBIRT lessons learned, and unanswered questions. Dr. Richard Saitz reviewed the limitations of the evidence for alcohol and drug ED screening and BI and cautioned on the danger of proceeding to practice and broad dissemination without evidenced based on randomized controlled trials with sufficient sample size and clinically important outcomes. [source]


    Ready or Not ,? Teen Sexuality and the Troubling Discourse of Readiness

    ANTHROPOLOGY & EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2006
    Catherine Ashcraft
    In this article, I explore how talk about being "ready" or "not ready" for sex shapes teen and adult understandings of sexuality. I argue that this "discourse of readiness" poses serious threats to teens' identity development, sexual decision making, and educators efforts to help them through these processes. To illustrate, I draw from my nine-month ethnography, examining how participants used readiness discourses to make sense of their sexualities. I suggest implications for educators, policy makers, and researchers in anthropology and education. [source]


    Evaluation of cottonseed meal derived from genetically modified cotton as feed ingredients for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

    AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 6 2008
    M.H. LI
    Abstract Three laboratory experiments were conducted to assess nutritional quality of cottonseed meals from genetically modified (GM) cotton crops, Roundup Ready® Flex, Bollgard® × Roundup Ready, Bollgard II® × Roundup Ready, and Bollgard II × Roundup Ready Flex for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus using Good Laboratory Practices. Growth, feed efficiency, survival, and fillet composition of catfish fed diets containing 20% cottonseed meal from these cotton products were compared with that of catfish fed diets containing cottonseed meals from the near-isogenic, non-GM control and non-GM commercial varieties. Juvenile catfish (mean weights of 4.1, 5.0, and 0.6 g per fish for Experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively) were stocked in each of 80-L aquaria and fed experimental diets for 8 weeks. Although there were slight variations in proximate composition, amino acids, and gossypol concentrations, the GM cottonseed meals were not significantly different from the conventional control and the reference cottonseed meals. Weight gain, feed conversion, survival, and fillet composition of catfish fed GM cottonseed meals appeared similar to that of either the control or the commercial cottonseed meals. Results from the present study demonstrate that these GM cottonseed meals are nutritionally equivalent to conventional non-GM cotton varieties when fed to catfish at 20% of the diet. [source]


    Detection of transgenic DNA in tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT strain) fed genetically modified soybeans (Roundup Ready)

    AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2009
    Tao Ran
    Abstract We used nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Roundup Ready soybean in aquatic feeds and feeding tilapias. A template concentration of 10,10 g ,L,1 DNA solution could be detected with a dilute degree of 0.01%. Most (90.6%) of the aquatic feeds containing soybean byproduct included exogenous DNA segments. We also compared genetically modified (GM) soybean with non-GM soybean diets in feeding tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT strain) and examined the residual fragments (254 bp) of GM soybeans. Tilapias receiving GM soybean diets had DNA fragments in different tissues and organs, indicating that exogenous GM genes were absorbed systemically and not completely degraded by the tilapia's alimentary canal. [source]


    Editorial: Ready for an orange revolution in biotechnology?

    BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006
    Jean-Yves Thuret
    [source]


    Forging the new talent compact

    BUSINESS STRATEGY REVIEW, Issue 2 2009
    Douglas Ready
    It is difficult to attract and keep top talent, acknowledges Douglas Ready, but he believes that your company's culture and climate are key to creating a system that works. [source]


    Agricultural Economics in Canada: Ready to Step Up or Fall Back?

    CANADIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2006
    Alfons Weersink
    First page of article [source]


    Psychiatric Nosology Is Ready for a Paradigm Shift in DSM-V

    CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009
    Jack D. Maser
    Data since 1980 demonstrate that the DSM-III model requires revisions in its assumptions and format. Problems inherent in the DSM-III model are considered and a paradigm shift toward a mixed categorical,dimensional classification system for DSM-V is recommended. This will reduce comorbidity, allow symptom weighting, introduce noncriterion symptoms, eliminate NOS categories, and provide new directions to biological researchers. We suggest reevaluating the threshold concept and use of quality-of-life assessment. A framework for such a revision is presented. Drawbacks to change include retraining of clinicians, administrative and policy changes, and possible reinterpretation of data collected under the DSM-III model. Nevertheless, clinicians and clinical researchers are ready for a diagnostic system that more accurately reflects the patients that they treat and study. [source]


    Policy related to abdominoplasty in publicly funded elective surgery programs: a systematic review

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2009
    Alan Pearson RN, DipNEd
    Abstract Objectives, This systematic review set out to establish best practice in relation to policy for the inclusion/exclusion of abdominoplasty procedures within public health systems. Inclusion criteria, The review considered any studies relating to abdominoplasty that addressed issues of inclusion/exclusion from public funded health systems including criteria for clinical need, contraindications, fit/ready for surgery, policy compliance and issues in relation to surgical training. Search strategy, The search strategy sought to find published and unpublished studies and papers limited to English. An initial search of Medline and CINAHL was undertaken, followed by an analysis of keywords contained in the title, abstract and index terms. A second comprehensive search was then undertaken using Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, AUSTROM, Health Business, and FullTEXT Elite and PsycINFO. The search was restricted to the period 1995,2005. Methodological quality, Each paper identified was assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality before inclusion in the review using an appropriate critical appraisal instrument from the Joanna Briggs Institute System for the Unified Management and Assessment Review Instrument package. Results, A total of 19 papers were included in the review. Owing to the diverse nature of the papers no meta-analysis or meta-synthesis was able to be used to pool studies. The results are therefore presented in a narrative form. The papers identified were mainly retrospective audits and discussion/opinion papers. The main issues addressed were criteria to establish clinical need, contraindications and policy compliance. Conclusion, There are clinical indicators, mainly in relation to physical symptoms/dysfunction, to support exemption of some cases of abdominoplasty. For abdominoplasty to be conducted clinical need must be assessed and formally documented. Where clinical need is primarily based on psychological distress/dysfunction a formal psychiatric assessment should be used to justify surgery. [source]


    Towards a framework and a benchmark for testing tools for multi-threaded programs

    CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 3 2007
    Yaniv Eytani
    Abstract Multi-threaded code is becoming very common, both on the server side, and very recently for personal computers as well. Consequently, looking for intermittent bugs is a problem that is receiving more and more attention. As there is no silver bullet, research focuses on a variety of partial solutions. We outline a road map for combining the research within the different disciplines of testing multi-threaded programs and for evaluating the quality of this research. We have three main goals. First, to create a benchmark that can be used to evaluate different solutions. Second, to create a framework with open application programming interfaces that enables the combination of techniques in the multi-threading domain. Third, to create a focus for the research in this area around which a community of people who try to solve similar problems with different techniques can congregate. We have started creating such a benchmark and describe the lessons learned in the process. The framework will enable technology developers, for example, developers of race detection algorithms, to concentrate on their components and use other ready made components (e.g. an instrumentor) to create a testing solution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    A new task scheduling method for distributed programs that require memory management

    CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 9 2006
    Hiroshi Koide
    Abstract In parallel and distributed applications, it is very likely that object-oriented languages, such as Java and Ruby, and large-scale semistructured data written in XML will be employed. However, because of their inherent dynamic memory management, parallel and distributed applications must sometimes suspend the execution of all tasks running on the processors. This adversely affects their execution on the parallel and distributed platform. In this paper, we propose a new task scheduling method called CP/MM (Critical Path/Memory Management) which can efficiently schedule tasks for applications requiring memory management. The underlying concept is to consider the cost due to memory management when the task scheduling system allocates ready (executable) coarse-grain tasks, or macro-tasks, to processors. We have developed three task scheduling modules, including CP/MM, for a task scheduling system which is implemented on a Java RMI (Remote Method Invocation) communication infrastructure. Our experimental results show that CP/MM can successfully prevent high-priority macro-tasks from being affected by the garbage collection arising from memory management, so that CP/MM can efficiently schedule distributed programs whose critical paths are relatively long. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Using hybrid alignment for iterative sequence database searches

    CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 9 2004
    Yuheng Li
    Abstract Progressive sequence model refinement by means of iterative searches is an effective technique for high sensitivity database searches and is currently employed in popular tools such as PSI-BLAST and SAM. Recently, a novel alignment algorithm has been proposed that offers features expected to improve the sensitivity of such iterative approaches, specifically a well-characterized theory of its statistics even in the presence of position-specific gap costs. Here, we demonstrate that the new hybrid alignment algorithm is ready to be used as the alignment core of PSI-BLAST. In addition, we evaluate the accuracy of two proposed approaches to edge effect correction in short sequence alignment statistics that turns out to be one of the crucial issues in developing a hybrid-alignment based version of PSI-BLAST. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Physiological and Behavioral Differences in Magellanic Penguin Chicks in Undisturbed and Tourist-Visited Locations of a Colony

    CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
    BRIAN G. WALKER
    corticoesterona; ecoturismo; perturbación humana; Spheniscus magellanicus Abstract:,Studies examining anthropogenic effects on wildlife typically focus on adults and on behavioral responses rather than the physiological consequences of human disturbances. Here we examined how Magellanic Penguin ( Spheniscus magellanicus) chicks living in either tourist-visited or undisturbed areas of a breeding colony were affected by human visitation by comparing the baseline and stress-induced levels of corticosterone during three periods of the breeding season. Newly hatched chicks in visited areas had higher corticosterone stress responses than newly hatched chicks in undisturbed areas (p =0.007), but baseline levels were similar (p =0.61). By 40,50 days of age and around fledging time, both visited and undisturbed chicks showed a robust corticosterone stress response to capture. Tourist-visited chicks did not flee when approached by humans, however, whereas undisturbed chicks fled significantly sooner (i.e., when approached no closer than 9 m; p < 0.0001). Although it is unknown whether Magellanic Penguin chicks raised in visited areas suffer negative consequences from the elevation of the corticosterone stress response at hatching, they do exhibit behavioral habituation to human contact by the time they are ready to fledge. Unlike adults living in tourist areas, however, fledging chicks in visited areas do not have a decreased stress response to capture and restraint. Our results show that the coupling of behavioral and physiological habituation in Magellanic Penguins is complex and life-history context may greatly affect the ability of wildlife to adapt to anthropogenic disturbances. Resumen:,Los estudios de los efectos antropogénicos sobre la vida silvestre se centran típicamente en adultos y en las respuestas conductuales en lugar de las consecuencias fisiológicas de las perturbaciones humanas. Aquí examinamos el efecto de la visita de humanos sobre pollos de pingüino (Spheniscus magellanicus) en áreas visitadas por turistas o no perturbadas mediante la comparación de los niveles, base e inducidos por estrés, de corticoesterona durante tres períodos de la temporada reproductiva. Los pollos recién eclosionados en áreas visitadas tuvieron mayor respuesta de la corticoesterona al estrés que los pollos recién eclosionados en áreas no perturbadas (p =0.007), pero los niveles básicos fueron similares (p =0.61). A los 40,50 días y en la etapa de volantón, los pollos visitados y no perturbados mostraron una marcada respuesta de la corticoesterona al estrés al ser capturados. Sin embargo, los pollos visitados por turistas no huyeron cuando se les acercaron humanos, mientras que los pollos no perturbados huyeron significativamente antes (i.e., acercamiento a más de 9 m; p < 0.0001). Aunque se desconoce si los pollos de pingüino criados en áreas visitadas sufren consecuencias negativas por la elevación de la corticosterona en respuesta al estrés al eclosionar, si presentan acostumbramiento conductual al contacto con humanos al momento que están listos para dejar el nido. Sin embargo, a diferencia de adultos que viven en áreas turísticas, los pollos volantones en las áreas visitadas no tienen una disminución en la respuesta al estrés cuando son capturados y sujetados. Nuestros resultados muestran la complejidad de la combinación del acostumbramiento conductual y fisiológico en Spheniscus magellanicus y que el contexto de la historia de vida puede afectar a la habilidad de la vida silvestre para adaptarse a las perturbaciones antropogénicas. [source]


    Do early therapeutic alliance, motivation, and stages of change predict therapy change for high-risk, psychopathic violent prisoners?

    CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2010
    Devon L. L. Polaschek
    Background,Examination of the extent of offenders' engagement in change, and in rehabilitation programmes, is important to understanding success or failure following rehabilitation. In treatment programmes, the alliance between therapist and offender, and the therapy process itself appear central to progress offenders make that may reduce their criminal risk. But research with offenders seldom has measured therapeutic alliance and clinical writing suggests that it is difficult to form an alliance with those not ready to change their behaviour; especially with higher risk and psychopathic offenders. Aims and Methods,This study outlines the course of the therapeutic alliance in an 8-month treatment programme for high-risk, PCL-psychopathic violent prisoners. It examines relationships between early-treatment therapeutic alliance, therapists' global ratings of motivation to change, and initial stage of change on dynamic risk factors. In addition, it investigates which factors best predict who will complete treatment and change behaviourally during treatment. Conclusion,In this challenging, high-needs client group, early-programme stage of change, therapists' perceptions of motivation, therapeutic alliance and psychopathy did not predict how much change prisoners made. Regardless of initial levels, prisoners whose alliance increased the most over the course of treatment made the most change. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Barrett's esophagus: current and future role of endosonography and optical coherence tomography

    DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2004
    S. A. Faruqi
    SUMMARY., This paper reviews the role of endosonography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging of Barrett's esophagus (BE). The routine use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to screen patients with BE is neither justified nor cost effective. EUS does appear to have a role in patients who have BE and high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma, in whom a non-operative therapy is being contemplated. For patients with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer with or without BE, EUS is superior to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for assessing esophageal wall penetration and for detecting regional lymph node involvement. In its current state, OCT is not yet ready for application in clinical practice. However, given its superior resolution compared with other modalities such as EUS, OCT has great potential as a powerful adjunct to standard endoscopy in surveillance of BE and may enhance the ability of endoscopists to detect high-grade dysplasia at an early stage. With further technical refinement, this technique may become a mainstay in the surveillance of BE and other premalignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. [source]


    Ready to drinks are associated with heavier drinking patterns among young females

    DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2008
    TAISIA HUCKLE
    Abstract Aim. To report patterns of use of ready to drinks (RTDs) and to assess if RTD consumers have heavier drinking patterns. RTDs were introduced in 1995. Method. Data from a general population sample of 7201 respondents aged 14,65 years, in New Zealand in 2004, were modelled. Results. Nineteen per cent of respondents consumed RTDs. Respondents aged 14,17 and 18,24 years and females were the largest consumers of RTDs. Compared to beer, wine or spirits, being an RTD consumer predicted (1) higher typical occasion quantities for respondents aged 14,17, 18,24 and 25+ years and (2) heavier drinking for those aged 14,17 and 18,24 years. When amounts of beverages consumed were modelled, quantity of RTDs predicted higher typical occasion quantities among females of all ages. Among males beer was more predictive. Similar results were found for the heavier drinking measure. For 14,17-year-old females, RTDs consumption predicted higher annual frequency, but for the other females and males the amount of wine or beer consumed predicted higher frequency. Conclusion. RTDs were most popular among young people aged 14,17 years, and females. RTDs predicted higher typical occasion alcohol consumption and heavier drinking better than any other beverage for females aged 14,17 years. For the other age and gender groups, other beverages predicted higher quantity and frequency consumption. [source]


    Egg maturation strategy and its associated trade-offs: a synthesis focusing on Lepidoptera

    ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
    Mark A. Jervis
    Abstract., 1.,Insects vary considerably between and within orders, and even within the same genus, in the degree to which the female's lifetime potential egg complement is mature when she emerges as an adult. 2.,The ,ovigeny index' (OI) , the number of eggs females have ready to lay divided by the lifetime potential fecundity , quantifies variation in the degree of early life concentration of egg production, and also variation in initial reproductive effort. 3.,Here, an integrated set of hypotheses is presented, based on a conceptual model of resource allocation and acquisition, concerning trade-offs at the interspecific level between initial investment in egg production (as measured by OI) and other life-history traits in holometabolous insects. 4.,The evidence supporting each of these hypotheses is reviewed, and particular attention is paid to the Lepidoptera, as relevant life-history data are rapidly accumulating for this ecologically and economically important group. 5.,There is evidence at the interspecific level supporting: (i) a link between OI and a trade-off between soma and non-soma in Trichoptera and Hymenoptera (the proportionate allocation to soma decreases with increasing OI); (ii) a negative correlation between OI and dependency on external nutrient inputs (via adult feeding) in Hymenoptera and in Lepidoptera; (iii) a negative correlation between OI and the degree of polyandry (and nuptial gift, i.e. spermatophore, use) in Lepidoptera; (iv) negative correlations between OI and resource re-allocation capabilities (egg and thoracic musculature resorption) in Hymenoptera and in Lepidoptera; (v) a negative correlation between lifespan and OI in Trichoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, indicating a cost of reproduction; (vi) a link between winglessness and an OI of one in Lepidoptera; (vii) a negative correlation between OI and the degree of female mobility in winged Lepidoptera; and (viii) a negative correlation between OI and larval diet breadth (as mediated by oviposition strategy) in Lepidoptera. [source]


    Capillary electrophoretic study of the binding of zinc(II) ion to bacitracin A1 in water-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol

    ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 10 2003
    Massimo Castagnola
    Abstract Binding of Zn2+ to bacitracin A1 was studied by capillary electrophoresis in water/2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (70/30 v/v) at different apparent pH values in order to estimate the association constant of metal, the acidic dissociation constants and the Stokes radii of both free and bounded peptide in apolar environment. The Stokes radii of the free peptide species were compared with those in aqueous solution, as obtained in a recent study performed by our group, indicating that apolar environment stabilizes bacitracin A1 in a conformational structure with the lateral chain of apolar amino acids exposed on the external surface. This conformation of the macrocyclic dodecapeptide is ready to interact with Zn2+ ion, as pointed out by the strong increase of the association constant measured in water/2,2,2-trifluoroethanol with respect to the value obtained in aqueous solution. In addition, whereas Zn2+ ion binding in aqueous solution provides a sensible reduction of peptide Stokes radius, no sensible variations following to ion binding were observed in hydro-organic solution. The present results suggest that the apolar environment, rather than the metal ion binding, could be responsible for the conformational transition that brings bacitracin A1 towards its biologically active structure.* [source]


    Anaphylaxis: Clinical concepts and research priorities

    EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 2 2006
    Simon GA Brown
    Abstract Anaphylaxis is a severe immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction characterized by life-threatening upper airway obstruction bronchospasm and hypotension. Although many episodes are easy to diagnose by the combination of characteristic skin features with other organ effects, this is not always the case and a workable clinical definition of anaphylaxis and useful biomarkers of the condition have been elusive. A recently proposed consensus definition is ready for prospective validation. The cornerstones of management are the supine position, adrenaline and volume resuscitation. An intramuscular dose of adrenaline is generally recommended to initiate treatment. If additional adrenaline is required, then a controlled intravenous infusion might be more efficacious and safer than intravenous bolus administration. Additional bronchodilator treatment with continuous salbutamol and corticosteroids are used for severe and/or refractory bronchospasm. Aggressive volume resuscitation, selective vasopressors, atropine (for bradycardia), inotropes that bypass the ,-adrenoreceptor and bedside echocardiographic assessment should be considered for hypotension that is refractory to treatment. Management guidelines continue to be opinion- and consensus-based, with retrospective studies accounting for the vast majority of clinical research papers on the topic. The clinical spectrum of anaphylaxis including major disease subgroups requires clarification, and validated scoring systems and outcome measures are needed to enable good-quality prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials. A systematic approach with multicentre collaboration is required to improve our understanding and management of this disease. [source]