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Kinds of Clear Terms modified by Clear Selected AbstractsSynthesis of peptide sequences related to thrombospondin: factors affecting aspartimide by-product formationCHEMICAL BIOLOGY & DRUG DESIGN, Issue 6 2003J. Cebrián Abstract:, Aspartimide formation is one of the most common secondary reactions on solid phase peptide synthesis. In the present work, we describe the optimization of the synthesis of two thrombospondin fragments containing an Asp-Gly sequence that show a strong tendency to form cyclic aspartimide derivatives in an unusual high percentage. Several different strategies were applied changing type of resin, Fmoc-deprotection reagents, coupling additives, resin cleavage cocktails and the use of Hmb-Gly derivative to minimize the extension of this byproduct. Best results were obtained with cross-linked ethoxylate acrylate (CLEAR® -cross-linked ethoxylate Acrylate Resin)-type resin and pip/dimethylformamide deprotection. Besides, as in biological assays the aspartimide containing sequence resulted to be more active than the linear one, the optimization of its synthesis was also carried out. [source] Detection of environmental androgens: A novel method based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of spiggin, the stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) glue proteinENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2002Ioanna Katsiadaki Abstract We report the development and validation of a novel in vivo biomarker test for waterborne androgens. During breeding, male sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) manufacture a glue protein, spiggin, in their kidneys that they use to build their nests. Spiggin production is under the control of androgens. Until now, however, it has only been possible to quantify its production by measurement of the height of kidney epithelial cells. In the present study, we report the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for spiggin and demonstrate its application to the measurement of spiggin in the kidneys of female sticklebacks that have been exposed to androgens in water. Results from the ELISA procedure revealed a strong correlation with measurement of kidney epithelial cell height (r2 = 0.93). However, the ELISA was much quicker and had a considerably higher response range (100,000-fold vs fourfold). Clear, graded responses in spiggin production were obtained by exposing intact females to increasing concentrations of 17,-methyltestosterone and 5,-dihydrotestosterone over three-week test periods. The lowest effective concentrations for these two steroids were 100 ng/L and 3 ,g/L, respectively. Female sticklebacks that were exposed to pulp mill effluent also produced spiggin in their kidneys. Possession of an androgen-regulated protein by the female stickleback makes it a unique bioassay organism for detecting androgenic contamination in the aquatic environment. [source] Safety of efalizumab in adults with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: A phase IIIb, randomized, controlled trialINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Kim A. Papp MD Background, To provide safety data for efalizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody, in adults with chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods, A 12-week, Phase IIIb, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. At 58 study sites in the USA and Canada, 686 patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis received an initial conditioning dose of efalizumab 0.7 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) followed by either 11 weekly doses of efalizumab 1 mg/kg SC or matching placebo. Main outcome measures were safety and tolerability outcomes (primary) and efficacy outcomes (secondary). Results, During 12 weeks of therapy with efalizumab or placebo, the incidence of clinical adverse events was 82.2% and 72.9%, respectively; the incidence of serious adverse events was 1.8% and 3.4%, respectively; and the incidence of nonserious adverse events leading to withdrawal was 1.8% and 1.7%, respectively. In the efalizumab group, there were no clinically significant changes in vital signs or laboratory parameters and no evidence of end-organ toxicities. A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving efalizumab than those receiving placebo achieved , 75% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (P < 0.001), , 50% improvement in PASI (P < 0.001), and a static Physician's Global Assessment rating of Minimal or Clear (P < 0.001). The mean improvement in the Psoriasis Symptom Assessment was significantly greater in the efalizumab group (P < 0.001). Conclusions, Efalizumab treatment SC for 12 weeks was safe, well tolerated, and effective in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. [source] Physical Properties of Co-crystalline Sugar and HoneyJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005A.P.E. Maulny ABSTRACT: Clear and partially granulated honeys, were co-crystallized with sucrose in 3 proportions, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, respectively. The products obtained by centrifugal filtration from both honeys were found by high-performance liquid chromatography to contain between 1% and 2% of honey. The moisture content of the products increased with the amount of honey added, whereas their powder flowability decreased. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a decrease in the overall crystallinity of the solidified products with an increase in the amount of honey added. Neither crystalline fructose nor glucose was detected by powder X-ray diffraction in any of the co-crystalline products. Glucose monohydrate crystallized on storage in some co-crystalline materials prepared from granulated honey. [source] A classifying procedure for signalling turning pointsJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 3 2004Lasse Koskinen Abstract A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is used to classify an out-of-sample observation vector into either of two regimes. This leads to a procedure for making probability forecasts for changes of regimes in a time series, i.e. for turning points. Instead of estimating past turning points using maximum likelihood, the model is estimated with respect to known past regimes. This makes it possible to perform feature extraction and estimation for different forecasting horizons. The inference aspect is emphasized by including a penalty for a wrong decision in the cost function. The method, here called a ,Markov Bayesian Classifier (MBC)', is tested by forecasting turning points in the Swedish and US economies, using leading data. Clear and early turning point signals are obtained, contrasting favourably with earlier HMM studies. Some theoretical arguments for this are given. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Biorelevant dissolution media: Aggregation of amphiphiles and solubility of estradiolJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006David Ilardia-Arana Abstract Biorelevant dissolution media containing bile salt and lecithin at concentrations appropriate for fed and fasted state are useful when testing oral solid formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs. Dilution of amphiphile solutions affects the aggregation state of the amphiphiles because bile salt is partitioned between the aqueous phase and the aggregates. The aim of the investigation was to study the effect of dilution on the size distribution of aggregates and its effect on the solubilization capacity. Clear buffered solutions of four intestinal amphiphiles (sodium glycocholate, lecithin, monoolein, and oleic acid) and a combination of these were prepared at high bile salt concentration. Micelles in the glycocholate solutions decreased in size when diluted. The addition of insoluble amphiphiles led to bigger micelles with no clear correlation between size of the micelles and amphiphile concentration. Dilution of the two- and four component media caused enlargement of the mixed micelles and formation of vesicles. The solubility of estradiol in the buffer solution was increased with addition of the amphiphiles. A good correlation (R2,=,0.987) was found between estradiol solubility and mass concentration of the amphiphiles. The results demonstrate that, in the case of estradiol, the concentration of amphiphiles rather than the aggregation state determines the solubilization capacity of the medium. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 95:248,255, 2006 [source] An analysis of the factory model for chromosome replication and segregation in bacteriaMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2001James Sawitzke Recent advances in microscopy have given us important clues as to the nature of chromosome segregation in bacteria. Most current observations favour the view that the process is co-replicational: DNA replication forks are anchored at the cell centre, and the newly replicated DNA is moved towards the cell poles. This scheme can account for orderly segregation even at high growth rates where multiple replication cycles overlap. We argue that there are five distinct activities directly involved in co-replicational segregation dynamics. These we refer to as Push, Direct, Condense, Hold and Clear. We attempt to assign one of these roles to each protein implicated in chromosome segregation. The proposed process is very different from mitosis in eukaryotic cells and perhaps more closely resembles the formation of separate sister chromatids during DNA replication. [source] Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: the Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2010PGF Swift Swift PGF, Skinner TC, de Beaufort CE, Cameron FJ, Åman J, Aanstoot H-J, Castaño L, Chiarelli F, Daneman D, Danne T, Dorchy H, Hoey H, Kaprio EA, Kaufman F, Kocova M, Mortensen HB, Njølstad PR, Phillip M, Robertson KJ, Schoenle EJ, Urakami T, Vanelli M, Ackermann RW, Skovlund SE for the Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes. Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: the Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005. Objective: To evaluate glycaemic targets set by diabetes teams, their perception by adolescents and parents, and their influence on metabolic control. Methods: Clinical data and questionnaires were completed by adolescents, parents/carers and diabetes teams in 21 international centres. HbA1c was measured centrally. Results: A total of 2062 adolescents completed questionnaires (age 14.4 ± 2.3 yr; diabetes duration 6.1 ± 3.5 yr). Mean HbA 1c = 8.2 ± 1.4% with significant differences between centres (F = 12.3; p < 0.001) range from 7.4 to 9.1%. There was a significant correlation between parent (r = 0.20) and adolescent (r = 0.21) reports of their perceived ideal HbA1c and their actual HbA1c result (p < 0.001), and a stronger association between parents' (r = 0.39) and adolescents' (r = 0.4) reports of the HbA1c they would be happy with and their actual HbA1c result. There were significant differences between centres on parent and adolescent reports of ideal and happy with HbA1c (8.1 < F > 17.4;p < 0.001). A lower target HbA1c and greater consistency between members of teams within centres were associated with lower centre HbA1c (F = 16.0; df = 15; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Clear and consistent setting of glycaemic targets by diabetes teams is strongly associated with HbA1c outcome in adolescents. Target setting appears to play a significant role in explaining the differences in metabolic outcomes between centres. [source] Ruth Millikan's On Clear and Confused Ideas,PHILOSOPHY AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002DAVOOD PAPINEAU First page of article [source] On Integrating Immigrants in GermanyPOPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, Issue 3 2006Article first published online: 8 SEP 200 Immigration to Germany in the decades following World War II made the Federal Republic the host of the largest number of immigrants in Europe. The size of the population with an immigration background is on the order of 15 million, nearly one-fifth of the total population. (Many of these are ethnic German returnees.) Although restrictive policies and a less dynamic economy in recent years slowed the annual number of immigrants and asylum seekers, the interrelated demographic influences of very low fertility, negative natural population increase, and population aging make continuing future immigration likely and, judged by influential domestic interests, desirable. Anxieties about inadequate integration of immigrants in German society are, however, apparently strongly felt by large segments of the native population. The "Grand Coalition" government that took office in November 2005 considers the formation of an effective policy of integration a high priority. On 14 July 2006 an "Integration Summit" was convened in the Chancellery with the active participation of representatives of immigrant groups. Chancellor Angela Merkel called the Summit "an almost historical event." Reproduced below in full is a non-official English translation of a government statement (entitled "Good coexistence,Clear rules") presented to the participants at the opening of the meeting. Intended as a "start of the development of a national integration plan," the statement highlights existing deficiencies of integration, especially problems with second- and third-generation immigrants: lack of mastery of the German language, weaknesses in education and training, high unemployment, lack of acceptance of the basic rules of coexistence, and violation of the law. The importance of these issues is underlined by a demographic fact noted in the statement: by 2010 it is expected that in Germany's large cities 50 percent of the population under age 40 will have an immigrant background. The statement recognizes the government's responsibility to help immigrants learn German and become better informed about the country's laws, culture, history, and political system. In turn, it demands reciprocal efforts from migrants living permanently and lawfully in Germany. The original German text of the statement is available at the Bundeskanzleramt home page: «http://www.bundesregierung.d» [source] Quantitative analysis of pre- and postsynaptic sex differences in the nucleus accumbensTHE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 8 2010Paul M. Forlano Abstract The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a central role in motivation and reward. While there is ample evidence for sex differences in addiction-related behaviors, little is known about the neuroanatomical substrates that underlie these sexual dimorphisms. We investigated sex differences in synaptic connectivity of the NAc by evaluating pre- and postsynaptic measures in gonadally intact male and proestrous female rats. We used DiI labeling and confocal microscopy to measure dendritic spine density, spine head size, dendritic length, and branching of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc, and quantitative immunofluorescence to measure glutamatergic innervation using pre- (vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and 2) and postsynaptic (postsynaptic density 95) markers, as well as dopaminergic innervation of the NAc. We also utilized electron microscopy to complement the above measures. Clear but subtle sex differences were identified, namely, in distal dendritic spine density and the proportion of large spines on MSNs, both of which are greater in females. Sex differences in spine density and spine head size are evident in both the core and shell subregions, but are stronger in the core. This study is the first demonstration of neuroanatomical sex differences in the NAc and provides evidence that structural differences in synaptic connectivity and glutamatergic input may contribute to behavioral sex differences in reward and addiction. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:1330,1348, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] London After the RainARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 5 2009Nic Clear Abstract Imagine London amid the ruins, an Arcadian ghost town in which the derelict skyline of Canary Wharf is set in the city's natural landscape of rolling hills. Here Nic Clear presents the eerie but strangely beautiful vision that Ben Marzys created as the collage storyboards for his film. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Measurement Entering the 21st Century: A Clear or Blocked Road Ahead?AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING REVIEW, Issue 21 2000MALCOLM C. MILLER While progress has been made in rendering financial statements more relevant by the inclusion of current value information, a piecemeal standard-by-standard approach has resulted in a lack of consistency in the specification of the valuation bases. At the international level there is disagreement between standard- setters on a unifjing concept, with some advocating value to the entity and others favouring fair value. The IASC has a high-level steering committee addressing the key issues related to financial performance and it will be interesting to see if it can facilitate the progressive swing to current value by providing a sensible framework within which to report value changes. [source] Clear as mud: results and the use of mixed methodsAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2010John Lowe No abstract is available for this article. [source] Review: An overview about the structure,function relationship of marine sulfated homopolysaccharides with regular chemical structures,BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 8 2009Vitor H. Pomin Abstract Efforts in both structural and biological studies of sulfated polysaccharides from marine organisms have increased significantly over the last 10 years. Marine invertebrates have been demonstrated to be a source of glycans with particularly well-defined chemical structures, although ordered structural patterns can also be found occasionally in algal sources such as red seaweeds. Clear and regular structural features are essential for a good understanding of the biological activities of these marine homopolysaccharides of which sulfated fucans and sulfated galactans are the most studied. Herein, the main structural features (sugar type, sulfation and glycosylation sites, and orientational binding preferences) of both sulfated fucans and galactans are individually reviewed with regard to their specific contributions to two frequently described biological functions: the acrosome reaction (a physiological event of sea-urchin fertilization), and the anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities (an alternative and highly desirable pharmacological application). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 601,609, 2009. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The "Published Online" date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com [source] Clear reticulated cytoplasm of human eccrine sweat glands: immunohistochemical differentiation from pathological degenerationBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Article first published online: 23 FEB 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Stable stylized wireframe renderingCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2010Chen Tang Abstract Stylized wireframe rendering of 3D model is widely used in animation software in order to depict the configuration of deformable model in comprehensible ways. However, since some inherent flaws in traditional depth test based rendering technology, shape of lines can not been preserved as continuous movement or deformation of models. There often exists severe aliasing like flickering artifact when objects rendered in line form animate, especially rendered with thick or dashed line. To cover this artifact, unlike traditional approach, we propose a novel fast line drawing method with high visual fidelity for wireframe depiction which only depends on intrinsic topology of primitives without any preprocessing step or extra adjacent information pre-stored. In contrast to previous widely-used solutions, our method is advantageous in highly accurate visibility, clear and stable line appearance without flickering even for thick and dashed lines with uniform width and steady configuration as model moves or animates, so that it is strongly suitable for animation system. In addition, our approach can be easily implemented and controlled without any additional preestimate parameters supplied by users. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Guidelines for treatment of neonatal jaundice.ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2001Is there a place for evidence-based medicine? Treatment of neonatal jaundice continues to be a controversial issue. Arguments that traditional practice results in over-treatment have led to the adoption of more liberal guidelines in some countries. The importation of liberal guidelines from one country to the next, however, is fraught with danger, because differences in epidemiology, sociology and healthcare delivery systems between countries may not be adequately reflected. The unreflected extension of liberalization to non-target groups of patients can expose the latter to significant risk. It is not clear that the evidence on which guidelines for treatment of neonatal jaundice are based satisfy the requirements for evidence-based medicine. Evidence of adequate quality may be hard to obtain. Conclusions: Introduction of more liberal guidelines for the treatment of neonatal jaundice, if at all contemplated, must be adapted to local circumstances, and any available evidence pertaining to local epidemiology, sociology and healthcare organization has to be carefully weighed and incorporated. The time is ripe for a joint international effort to secure adequate funding for basic and applied research within the mechanisms of bilirubin encephalopathy in the newborn. [source] Limiting light-induced lipid peroxidation and vitamin loss in infant parenteral nutrition by adding multivitamin preparations to IntralipidACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2001KM Silvers Parenteral lipids are susceptible to light-induced peroxidation, particularly under phototherapy. Ascorbic acid is protective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dark delivery tubing and/or coadministration of multivitamin preparations could prevent peroxidation of Intralipid without undue vitamin loss. In experiments carried out on the benchtop, lipid peroxidation occurred in ambient light and was more extensive under phototherapy. Dark tubing decreased peroxide formation, but only by about 65%. In simulated clinical conditions in which solutions were pumped through standard clear or dark minibore plastic tubing, Intralipid accumulated lipid peroxides as measured by the FOX assay (280 ,M) or as triglyceride hydroperoxides (52 ,M). Multivitamin preparations (MVIP or Soluvit/Vitlipid) inhibited peroxide formation almost completely, and were fully protective when used with dark tubing. There was loss of riboflavin (65% from Soluvit and 35% from MVIP) in clear tubing but this was decreased to 18% and 11%, respectively, in dark tubing. Ascorbate loss was 20% (MVIP) and 50% (Soluvit) and only slightly less in dark tubing. Ascorbate loss was also seen in the absence of Intralipid and is due to riboflavin-induced photo-oxidation. Conclusion: Multivitamin preparations protect Intralipid against light-induced formation of lipid hydroperoxides, and administering multivitamins with Intralipid via dark delivery tubing provides a practical way of preventing peroxidation of the lipid while limiting vitamin loss. This procedure should be considered for routine use as well as with phototherapy. [source] Semi-Automatic Time-Series Transfer Functions via Temporal Clustering and SequencingCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2009Jonathan Woodring Abstract When creating transfer functions for time-varying data, it is not clear what range of values to use for classification, as data value ranges and distributions change over time. In order to generate time-varying transfer functions, we search the data for classes that have similar behavior over time, assuming that data points that behave similarly belong to the same feature. We utilize a method we call temporal clustering and sequencing to find dynamic features in value space and create a corresponding transfer function. First, clustering finds groups of data points that have the same value space activity over time. Then, sequencing derives a progression of clusters over time, creating chains that follow value distribution changes. Finally, the cluster sequences are used to create transfer functions, as sequences describe the value range distributions over time in a data set. [source] Foetal size to final heightACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2000J Karlberg It is well known that some adult diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, may be programmed during foetal life. It is not clear, however, whether final height may be predicted from foetal growth. A longitudinal cohort of full-term healthy Swedish babies (n = 3650) was followed up from birth to maturity in a population-based growth study. Length or height and its changes were analysed from birth to 18 y of age; 2807 children, with data available on birth length, final height and parental height, were included in this analysis. The result clearly shows that length at birth relates to final height. In terms of standard deviation scores (SDS), the mean difference in length at birth from the mean was greatly decreased in final height, but retained the same order as was seen at birth. In terms of centimeter difference from the reference mean values, the difference in length at birth remained roughly stable into final height. For instance, babies 5 cm above or below the mean birth length will end up approximately 5 cm above or below the mean in final height. Parental height,a surrogate value of the genetic final height potential of an individual,is shown to influence postnatal growth in height strongly. However, the difference from the mean in length at birth remained into adulthood within the same midparental height group. Conclusion: This study reveals that trends in foetal linear growth continue into maturity. Foetal growth is a significant predictor of postnatal growth. Final height is dependent on both the magnitude of foetal growth and the genetic potential in stature, and appears to some extent to be programmed from foetal growth. [source] Checking ownership and confinementCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 7 2004Alex Potanin Abstract A number of proposals to manage aliasing in Java-like programming languages have been advanced over the last five years. It is not clear how practical these proposals are, that is, how well they relate to the kinds of programs currently written in Java-like languages. To address this problem, we analysed heap snapshots from a corpus of Java programs. Our results indicate that object-oriented programs do in fact exhibit symptoms of encapsulation in practice, and that proposed models of uniqueness, ownership, and confinement can usefully describe the aliasing structures of object-oriented programs. Understanding the kinds of aliasing present in programs should help us to design formalisms to make explicit the kinds of aliasing implicit in object-oriented programs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] (Re)designing mediation to address the nuances of power imbalanceCONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2001Ilan G. Gewurz This paper addresses the complex relationship between negotiating power and mediation. It begins with the premise that to say in absolute terms that mediation is or is not an effective way of dealing with power imbalance is to ignore the complexity of both the concept of power and the range of processes that can be deemed mediation. This article examines sources of power in an effort to develop a clear, yet thorough, understanding of negotiating power. It then turns to the scholarship on mediation, highlighting key characteristics that distinguish mediation approaches from one another and advancing the debate on what constitutes mediation. Finally, the article highlights bow a specific style of mediation may be appropriate for a given situation, depending on the existing power dynamics between the disputing parties. [source] Shade-Coffee Plantations as Refuges for Tropical Wild Orchids in Central Veracruz, MexicoCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005LISLIE SOLIS-MONTERO biología reproductiva; epifitas vasculares; estratificación vertical; estructura poblacional; limitación de polinizador Abstract:,In central Veracruz, Mexico, coffee plantations have replaced large areas of lower montane cloud forest. Shade-coffee plantations with high levels of structural diversity provide refuge for forest-dependent biota (e.g., birds and insects). Orchids typical of natural forest may also be found in the canopy of shade-coffee agroecosystems. It is not known, however, whether these are relicts from the original forest vegetation or if the plantations themselves provide the necessary conditions to support a self-sustained orchid population. We studied the population structure of the epiphytic orchids Jacquiniella teretifolia (Sw.) Britton & Willson, Scaphyglottis livida (Lindl.) Schltr., and Maxillaria densa Lindl. in a shade-coffee plantation (commercial polyculture) in central Veracruz. We also studied the previously undescribed reproductive biology of the latter two species. Our results show that the three orchid species had high population densities (>800 plants/ha). In our study site, 50% to 68% of the orchid plants of the target species were young individuals (less than five shoots). Reproductive structures were present in 80% of individuals larger than 30 shoots in the three species. M. densa is self-incompatible, and the fruit set obtained from cross pollination (42.7%) was higher than that obtained from natural pollination (18.2%), suggesting that this species could be pollinator limited. S. livida is autocompatible, not autogamous, and was not pollinator limited. Our results show that the coffee plantation had abundant orchid populations with log-normal size/age structures. Two of the target species, M. densa and S. livida, depend on pollinators to reproduce. It is clear that pollinators that allow orchids to set a high proportion of fruits persist in shade-coffee plantations. Coffee plantations may not replace the original conditions of a forest, but it is possible that these and other orchid species survive and reproduce in coffee plantations that provide appropriate microclimate conditions for the plants, including pollinators. Resumen:,En el centro de Veracruz, México, las plantaciones de café han reemplazado a extensas áreas de bosque nublado montano. Las plantaciones cafetaleras de sombra con altos niveles de diversidad estructural proporcionan refugio a biota dependiente de bosques (e. g., aves e insectos). En el dosel de agroecosistemas de café de sombra también se pueden encontrar orquídeas típicas de bosques naturales. Sin embargo, no se conoce si son relictos de la vegetación del bosque original o si las plantaciones mismas proporcionan los recursos necesarios para soportar a una población de orquídeas auto sostenida. Estudiamos la estructura de la población de orquídeas epifitas Jacquiniella teretifolia (Sw.) Britton & Willson, Scaphyglottis livida (Lindl.) Schltr y Maxillaria densa Lindl en una plantación de café de sombra (policultivo comercial) en el centro de Veracruz. También estudiamos la biología reproductiva, no descrita previamente, de las últimas dos especies. Nuestros resultados muestran que las tres especies de orquídea tuvieron densidades poblacionales altas (>800 plantas/ha). En nuestro sitio de estudio, entre 50% y 68% de las plantas de las especies estudiadas eran individuos jóvenes (menos de cinco rebrotes). En las tres especies hubo presencia de estructuras reproductivas en 80% de los individuos con más de 30 rebrotes. M. densa es auto incompatible, y el conjunto de frutos obtenido por polinización cruzada (42.7%) fue mayor que el obtenido por polinización natural (18.2%), lo que sugiere que esta especie puede estar limitada por polinizadores. S. livida es autocompatible no autogama, y no fue limitada por polinizadores. Nuestros resultados muestran que la plantación de café tenía poblaciones de orquídeas abundantes con estructuras tamaño/edad log normales. Dos de las especies, M. densa y S. livida, dependen de polinizadores para su reproducción. Es claro que los polinizadores que permiten una alta proporción de frutos a las orquídeas persisten en las plantaciones. Puede que las plantaciones de café no sustituyan las condiciones originales de un bosque, pero es posible que estas, y otras, especies de orquídeas sobrevivan y se reproduzcan en plantaciones de café que proporcionen condiciones microclimáticas adecuadas, incluyendo polinizadores, para las plantas. [source] Temperate marine reserves: global ecological effects and guidelines for future networksCONSERVATION LETTERS, Issue 6 2009Gavin B. Stewart Abstract Marine reserves, areas closed to all fishing and other extractive activities, provide a refuge for species of commercial and conservation importance. Given the considerable resources committed to designing temperate reserve networks, we synthesized data from temperate reserves worldwide to determine their ecological effects. In common with other studies, we found higher density, biomass, and species richness in temperate marine reserves compared to adjacent exploited areas. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in magnitude of effect among reserves, variability which was largely unexplained by species or reserve characteristics. Our analytical approach allowed for formal power analyses, indicating that detection of large reserve effects in temperate systems globally requires monitoring at least 37 reserves. These results must be qualified by the limitations of data available and will undoubtedly vary at different spatio-temporal scales and for different focal species, but provide guidance for the design and monitoring of future marine conservations plans. International commitments toward establishment of multiple reserves offer a unique opportunity to assess reserve effectiveness; this opportunity can only be realized if reserves are designed to achieve clear and quantifiable objectives and are adequately monitored before and after establishment, based on appropriate power analyses, to assess how well those objectives are achieved. [source] Orexins/hypocretins control bistability of hippocampal long-term synaptic plasticity through co-activation of multiple kinasesACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2010O. Selbach Abstract Aim:, Orexins/hypocretins (OX/Hcrt) are hypothalamic neuropeptides linking sleep,wakefulness, appetite and neuroendocrine control. Their role and mechanisms of action on higher brain functions, such as learning and memory, are not clear. Methods:, We used field recordings of excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSP) in acute mouse brain slice preparations to study the effects of orexins and pharmacological inhibitors of multiple kinases on long-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Results:, Orexin-A (OX-A) but not orexin-B (OX-B) induces a state-dependent long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission (LTPOX) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices from adult (8- to 12-week-old) mice. In contrast, OX-A applied to slices from juvenile (3- to 4-week-old) animals causes a long-term depression (LTDOX) in the same pathway. LTPOX is blocked by pharmacological inhibition of orexin receptor-1 (OX1R) and plasticity-related kinases, including serine/threonine- (CaMKII, PKC, PKA, MAPK), lipid- (PI3K), and receptor tyrosine kinases (Trk). Inhibition of OX1R, CaMKII, PKC, PKA and Trk unmasks LTDOX in adult animals. Conclusion:, Orexins control not only the bistability of arousal states and threshold for appetitive behaviours but, in an age- and kinase-dependent manner, also bidirectional long-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, providing a possible link between behavioural state and memory functions. [source] Behaviour problems in childhood and adolescence in psychotic offenders: an exploratory studyCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2008Kris Goethals Background,Several studies have shown that adults who develop schizophrenia and commit a criminal offence may already have shown behaviour problems in childhood or adolescence. It is less clear whether such problems follow a particular pattern in such patients. Aims,To examine the utility of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) among offenders, to test whether externalizing behaviour problems, as measured by the CBCL, are more frequent in psychotic offenders than in non-offenders with psychosis, and to investigate relationships between early behavioural problems and adult personality disorder in psychotic offenders. Methods,Three groups of violent offenders detained under the Dutch Entrustment Act (TBS-detainees)(n = 78) and one group of psychotic patients in general psychiatry (n = 16) were rated from case records on the CBCL. Results,There was a significant difference between psychotic offenders with a personality disorder (n = 25) and the non-offender patients with psychosis (n = 16) on the ,delinquent behavior' scale, but no such difference between psychotic offenders with (n = 25) and without (n = 21) personality disorder. A hierarchic cluster analysis revealed significantly higher scores for externalizing behaviour in all TBS-detainees with a personality disorder. Those starting to offend early had higher scores for externalizing behaviour than late starters. Conclusions,Psychotic and non-psychotic offenders with personality disorder resemble one another in their early childhood behaviour problems; psychotic offenders without a personality disorder differ from these two groups but resemble non-offenders with psychosis. In contrast to findings in non-forensic populations, there were no differences on other problem scales of the CBCL. Given the small sample sizes, replication is needed, but the findings lend weight to treatment models which focus on the psychosis in the latter two groups but extend also to personality disorder in the former. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Homicide, psychopathology, prosecutorial and jury discretion and the death penaltyCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2000Chief, Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Richard M. Yarvis MD MPH Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Introduction The American preoccupation with the death penalty persists and, in fact, shows no sign of abatement. This is demonstrated not only by attitudinal measures but also by the quickening pace of executions. In California, homicide convictions can result in either 25-year-to-life, life-with-no-possibility-of-parole, or death sentences. The ultimate outcome in any given case is determined by a complex interaction of prosecutorial and jury decisions. Three vignettes illustrate how heinous crimes have been handled quite variably. Method A data set comprising 115 homicide cases was examined. To determine how murderers who qualify for the death penalty differed, if at all, from those who did not so qualify, 52 defendants who met the criteria for a death sentence were compared with 63 who did not. Criteria utilized and ignored by prosecutors in seeking the death penalty were analysed by comparing 39 cases in which death sentences could have been and were sought with 13 cases in which prosecutors chose to seek a lesser penalty instead. Finally, criteria utilized and ignored by juries to reach sentencing decisions were analysed by comparing 25 cases in which juries chose not to hand down death sentences with 14 cases in which they did render death verdicts. Results Special circumstance murderers did not differ significantly on personal variables from ordinary murderers. (1) Special circumstances were invariably charged when more than one criterion for this was present. Robbery and sexual assault usually provoked a special circumstances charge. Mitigating factors did not deter prosecutors from charging a special circumstance. (2) There was no excess of aggravating factors in individuals sentenced to death by juries, indeed there was a trend for the opposite to be the case, but there was a trend for mitigating factors to be commoner in those excused the death penalty. Conclusion It is not clear that the death penalty process in California carries out the legislature's intent but the US Supreme Court's 1976 mandate that mitigating and aggravating factors should provide discretion may be having a modest impact. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND GUN MARKETS: HOW MUCH HAVE RECENT REFORMS OF THE FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSING SYSTEM REDUCED CRIMINAL GUN SUPPLIERS?,CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 2 2002CHRISTOPHER S. KOPER Research Summary: Following reforms of the federal firearms licensing system, nearly 70% of the nation's retail gun dealers active in 1994 dropped out of business by 1998. Dropout dealers supplied one-third of guns recovered and traced by police but were linked to fewer crime guns than were other dealers, most likely because dropouts tended to be lower volume dealers. It is not clear if guns sold by dropouts had a higher probability of being used in crime, but guns supplied by dropouts did not move into criminal channels more quickly. Policy Implications: If federal reforms have reduced the availability of guns to criminals, the effect has probably been more modest than suggested by the overall reduction in dealers. Producing further reductions in the flow of guns to criminals through oversight of gun dealers will require refinement in the identification of problematic gun dealers. [source] Effect of AlN doping on the growth morphology of SiCCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2009N. B. Singh Abstract AlN doped SiC films were deposited on on-axis Si-face 4H-SiC (0001) substrates by the physical vapor transport (PVT) method. Thick film in the range of 20 ,m range was grown and morphology was characterized. Films were grown by physical vapor deposition (PVD) in a vertical geometry in the nitrogen atmosphere. We observed that nucleation occurred in the form of discs and growth occurred in hexagonal geometry. The X-ray studies showed (001) orientation and full width of half maxima (FWHM) was less than 0.1° indicating good crystallinity. We also observed that film deposited on the carbon crucible had long needles with anisotropic growth very similar to that of pure AlN. Some of the needles grew up to sizes of 200 ,m in length and 40 to 50 ,m in width. It is clear that annealing of SiC-AlN powder or high temperature physical vapor deposition produces similar crystal structure for producing AlN-SiC solid solution. SEM studies indicated that facetted hexagons grew on the top of each other and coarsened and merged to form cm size grains on the substrate. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||