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Marking
Selected AbstractsSURGICAL SITE MARKING DOES NOT AFFECT STERILITYANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 8 2008John Rooney Background: In 2005, surgical site marking became mandatory in Australia, with the introduction of the first Australian guidelines to prevent wrong site surgery. It has been our experience that most surgical site marking occurs with the use of a non-sterile marking pen, which has been used on multiple patients and there is little information in the published work about the effects of surgical site marking carried out in this fashion. Our aim was to determine whether the sterility of a surgical site was affected by surgical site marking with a non-sterile surgical marking pen. Methods: Both forearms of 20 volunteers would simulate surgical sites. Surgical site marking was carried out on right forearms with the same non-sterile surgical marking pen, whereas left forearms were unmarked controls. Microbiology swabs were taken from both forearms before, and after, skin sterilization with 10% povidone,iodine. Routine cultures were carried out on the swabs after sodium thiosulphate was used to deactivate residual iodine. Cultures were assessed for growth after 5 days. Results: One of the 20 marked forearms and 15 of the 20 unmarked forearms had bacterial growth on cultures before skin sterilization (P < 0.1). After sterilization with iodine, no bacterial growth occurred in the cultures of the swabs taken from the marked or control arms. Conclusion: Surgical site marking carried out with a non-sterile surgical marking pen did not contaminate the surgical site. We recommend the practice of surgical site marking. [source] The North Atlantic subpolar gyre and the marine migration of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar: the ,Merry-Go-Round' hypothesisJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010M. J. Dadswell One model for marine migration of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar proposes that North American and southern European stocks (<62° N) move directly to feeding grounds off west Greenland, then overwinter in the Labrador Sea, whereas northern European stocks (>62° N) utilize the Norwegian Sea. An alternate model proposes that both North American and European stocks migrate in the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (NASpG) where S. salar enter the NASpG on their respective sides of the Atlantic, and travel counterclockwise within the NASpG until returning to natal rivers. A review of data accumulated during the last 50 years suggests a gyre model is most probable. Freshwater parr metamorphose into smolts which have morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations of epipelagic, marine fishes. Former high-seas fisheries were seasonally sequential and moved in the direction of NASpG currents, and catches were highest along the main axis of the NASpG. Marking and discrimination studies indicate mixed continental origin feeding aggregations on both sides of the Atlantic. Marked North American smolts were captured off Norway, the Faroe Islands, east and west Greenland, and adults tagged at the Faroes were recovered in Canadian rivers. Marked European smolts were recovered off Newfoundland and Labrador, west and east Greenland, and adults tagged in the Labrador Sea were captured in European rivers. High Caesium-137 (137Cs) levels in S. salar returning to a Quebec river suggested 62·3% had fed at or east of Iceland, whereas levels in 1 sea-winter (SW) Atlantic Canada returnees indicated 24·7% had fed east of the Faroes. Lower levels of 137Cs in returning 1SW Irish fish suggest much of their growth occurred in the western Atlantic. These data suggest marine migration of S. salar follows a gyre model and is similar to other open-ocean migrations of epipelagic fishes. [source] Welding and Marking of Plastics with LasersLASER TECHNIK JOURNAL, Issue 5 2010New absorbers increase possibilities for application Today laser radiation as a tool for The Authors welding, cutting and marking in manufacturing of plastic components and products has achieved a good market acceptance. It offers an alternative to conventional processes such as ultrasonic, vibration or friction welding, mechanical cutting, milling or water jet cutting, tampon printing or ink jet printing. Main advantages for laser marking are flexibility and a contact free process [1]. Laser welding of plastics offers advantages in case of cleanness of processed components, low thermal and mechanical stress to components and inner sensitive parts as well as flexibility [2]. Although laser beam welding seems to be a relatively expensive processing method, savings can be achieved by entirely consideration of production process and logistics. [source] Laser Induced Marking of Polymer Chains with Radical Spin TrapsMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 6 2008Thomas Junkers Abstract A pathway for marking of polymer chains with radical spin traps during pulsed laser polymerization in free radical polymerization is presented. By introducing a so-called marker that forms a non-propagating radical at (or shortly after) the incidence of a laser pulse, a polymer subdistribution is generated by specifically terminating propagating radicals via combination with such a marker radical. The generated polymer subdistribution can subsequently be imaged by modern soft-ionization mass spectrometry. Herein, the general methodology of the method in which such marker is generated via reaction of an initiating radical with a nitrone is demonstrated on the examples of BA and VAc. [source] The Facilitative Role of L1 Influence in Tense,Aspect Marking: A Comparison of Hispanophone and Anglophone Learners of FrenchMODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008JESÚS IZQUIERDO English learners of French whose first language (L1) does not mark the perfective/imperfective distinction have shown verb semantic influence and an overall preference for perfective over imperfective in their use of second language (L2) tense,aspect markers. This study investigated whether learners whose L1 marks the perfective/imperfective distinction would exhibit similar acquisition profiles. Hispanophones (n= 17) and Anglophones (n= 15) at similar levels of French L2 proficiency completed a 68-item cloze task with equal numbers of perfective and imperfective contexts distributed across 4 semantic categories: stative, activity, accomplishment, and achievements. In a 20-minute retrospective interview, a subsample of the participants (8 Hispanophones, 11 Anglophones) commented on factors influencing their tense,aspect choices. An ANOVA of 1,012 predicates revealed that unlike the Anglophones, the Hispanophones did not prefer perfective over imperfective, and they were also less influenced by verb semantics. The learners' comments suggest that the Hispanophones made effective use of L1,L2 similarities, whereas the Anglophones appealed to verb semantics and partially understood pedagogical rules, which were frequently associated with inappropriate uses of the forms. [source] Software validation for medical device manufacturingQUALITY ASSURANCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2003Randy D. Jones Abstract The recent guidance on 21 CFR 11, the upcoming deadline for European CE Marking, and the needs of quality system regulation (QSR) have generated much discussion about approaches to software validation. In this article, a view of software validation by the design team of a QSR medical device manufacturer of precision glycohemoglobin/hemoglobin variant high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument platforms is provided. The software includes manufacturing, accounting and customer modules in one application. The unique aspect of this manufacturer's approach was to start with a risk analysis and a quality assurance audit plan to check software modules. The article also shows how a quality assurance unit should be prepared to contribute regulatory expertise for software validations that incorporate GMP, ICH, GLP, ISO and accounting standards. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Success of Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Intravenous Access with Skin MarkingACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 8 2008Jessica R. Resnick MD Abstract Objectives:, The most effective technique for ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous access (USGPIVA) is unknown. In the traditional short-axis technique (locate, align, puncture [LAP]), the target vessel is aligned in short axis with the center of the transducer. The needle is then directed toward the target under real-time ultrasound (US) guidance. Locate, align, mark, puncture (LAMP) requires the extra step of marking the skin at two points over the path of the vein and proceeding with direct visualization as in LAP. The difference in success between these two techniques was compared among variably experienced emergency physician and emergency nurse operators. Methods:, Subjects in an urban academic emergency department (ED) were randomized to obtain intravenous (IV) access using either LAP or LAMP after two failed blind attempts. Primary outcomes were success of the procedure and time to complete the procedure in variably experienced operators. Results:, A total of 101 patients were enrolled. There was no difference in success between LAP and LAMP, even among the least experienced operators. Of successful attempts, LAMP took longer than LAP (median 4 minutes, interquartile range [IQR] 4,10.5 vs. median 2.9 minutes, IQR 1.6,7; p = 0.004). Only the most experienced operators were associated with higher levels of success (first attempt odds ratio [OR] 6.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2 to 22). Overall success with up to two attempts was 73%. Complications included a 2.8% arterial puncture rate and 12% infiltration rate. Conclusions:, LAMP did not improve success of USGPIVA in variably experienced operators. Experience was associated with higher rates of success for USGPIVA. [source] Injecting 1000 Centistoke Liquid Silicone With Ease and PrecisionDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2003Anthony V. Benedetto DO, FACP BACKGROUND Since the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the 1000 centistoke liquid silicone, Silikon 1000, for intraocular injection, the off-label use of this injectable silicone oil as a permanent soft-tissue filler for facial rejuvenation has increased in the United States. Injecting liquid silicone by the microdroplet technique is the most important preventive measure that one can use to avoid the adverse sequelae of silicone migration and granuloma formation, especially when injecting silicone to improve small facial defects resulting from acne scars, surgical procedures, or photoaging. OBJECTIVE To introduce an easy method for injecting a viscous silicone oil by the microdroplet technique, using an inexpensive syringe and needle that currently is available from distributors of medical supplies in the United States. METHOD We suggest the use of a Becton Dickinson 3/10 cc insulin U-100 syringe to inject Silikon 1000. This syringe contains up to 0.3 mL of fluid, and its barrel is clearly marked with an easy-to-read scale of large cross-hatches. Each cross-hatch marking represents either a unit value of 0.01 mL or a half-unit value of 0.005 mL of fluid, which is the approximate volume preferred when injecting liquid silicone into facial defects. Because not enough negative pressure can be generated in this needle and syringe to draw up the viscous silicone oil, we describe a convenient and easy method for filling this 3/10 cc diabetic syringe with Silikon 1000. RESULTS We have found that by using the Becton Dickinson 3/10 cc insulin U-100 syringe, our technique of injecting minute amounts of Silikon 1000 is facilitated because each widely spaced cross-hatch on the side of the syringe barrel is easy to read and measures exact amounts of the silicone oil. These lines of the scale on the syringe barrel are so large and clearly marked that it is virtually impossible to overinject the most minute amount of silicone. CONCLUSION Sequential microdroplets of 0.01 cc or less of Silikon 1000 can be measured and injected with the greatest ease and precision so that inadvertent overdosing and complications can be avoided. [source] An in vivo comparison of photoactivatable fluorescent proteins in an avian embryo modelDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 6 2007Danny A. Stark Abstract Tracing the lineage or neighbor relationships of cells in a migratory population or deep within an embryo is difficult with current methods. The recent explosion of photoactivatable fluorescent proteins (PAFPs) offers a unique cell labeling tool kit, yet their in vivo performance in intact embryos and applicability have not been thoroughly explored. We report a comparison study of PAGFP, PSCFP2, KikGR, and Kaede analyzed in the avian embryo using confocal and 2-photon microscopy. PAFPs were introduced into the chick neural tube by electroporation and each photoconverted in the neural crest or cells in the neural tube with exposure to 405 nm light, but showed dramatic differences in photoefficiency and photostability when compared at the same 2% laser power. KikGR and Kaede photoconverted with ratios only slightly lower than in vitro results, but cells rapidly photobleached after reaching maximal photoefficiency. PSCFP2 had the lowest photoefficiency and photoconverted nearly 70 times slower than the other dual-color PAFPs tested, but was effective at single-cell marking, especially with 2-photon excitation at 760 nm. The dual-color PAFPs were more effective to monitor cell migratory behaviors, since non-photoconverted neighboring cells were fluorescently marked with a separate color. However, photoconverted cells were limited in all cases to be visually distinguishable for long periods, with PSCFP2 visible from background the longest (48 hr). Thus, photoactivation in embryos has the potential to selectively mark less accessible cells with laser accuracy and may provide an effective means to study cell,cell interactions and short-term cell lineage in developmental and stem cell biology. Developmental Dynamics 236:1583,1594, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Understanding of speaker certainty and false-belief reasoning: a comparison of Japanese and German preschoolersDEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Tomoko Matsui It has been repeatedly shown that when asked to identify a protagonist's false belief on the basis of his false statement, English-speaking 3-year-olds dismiss the statement and fail to attribute to him a false belief. In the present studies, we tested 3-year-old Japanese children in a similar task, using false statements accompanied by grammaticalized particles of speaker (un)certainty, as in everyday Japanese utterances. The Japanese children were directly compared with same-aged German children, whose native language does not have grammaticalized epistemic concepts. Japanese children profited from the explicit statement of the protagonist's false belief when it was marked with the attitude of certainty in a way that German children did not , presumably because Japanese but not German children must process such marking routinely in their daily discourse. These results are discussed in the broader context of linguistic and theory of mind development. [source] The Role of Explicit Information in Instructed SLA: An On-Line Study with Processing Instruction and German Accusative Case InflectionsDIE UNTERRICHTSPRAXIS/TEACHING GERMAN, Issue 1 2009Hillah Culman The present study reports the findings of an experiment on the effects of explicit information on the learning of German case markings. Fifty-nine learners of first- and second-year German received computer-based processing instruction on German accusative case marking and word order. These learners were divided into two groups: one received explicit information on the nature and form of case marking in German prior to the treatment, and one group did not. We measured the effects of explicit information by tracking correct responses on the computer as participants made their way through the activities. Analyses revealed that explicit information had an effect: those who received explicit information began to correctly respond to stimulus sentences (i.e., began to correctly indicate who did what to whom) sooner than those who did not. These results contradict previous research and suggest a hidden role for explicit information within processing instruction. [source] Scent-Marking of Giant Otter in the Southern Pantanal, BrazilETHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Caroline Leuchtenberger Giant otters live in social groups, consisting of a mating pair and one or two litters. Groups are territorial and mark their territories often with scent-marks. Our objectives were to evaluate the frequencies of marking and over-marking according to the social status of the individuals and to define the different postures used during the marking. We observed four groups, totaling 25 individuals (five alpha males, four alpha females, seven adult females, one adult male and eight juveniles) with group size ranging between four and 13 individuals. The study was conducted between July 2006 and July 2007 in the Vermelho River and in a stretch of the Miranda River, in the Southern Pantanal. We observed the groups for a total of 2006 min and recorded 95 events of marking totaling 84.9 min. Time spent marking varied between groups and ranged from 4.3 to 44.7 min. The alpha males marked more frequently (62% of marking events, 55 min) than the alpha females (17% of marking events, 13.6 min). Of the 59 events of scent-marking by the alpha males, 32 over-marked the marks of other individuals from the group. Of the 16 events of scent-marking of the alpha females, five over-marked that of other females from the same group. When scent-marking, alpha males used the ,stepping' posture most frequently (63%), then ,fore-paw rubbing' (24%), ,latrine use' (7%), and ,body rubbing' (6%). Alpha females used the ,stepping' posture most frequently (65%), then ,latrine use' (19%) and ,fore-paw rubbing' (12%), with only one event of ,body rubbing' observed during marking. Subordinate females used the ,stepping' posture (76%) and ,latrine use' (24%) during marking. Scent-marking can play many roles in mammals and for giant otters, and the main roles appear to be communication of social and sexual status and territorial defense. [source] Scent Marking in Female Prairie Voles: a Test of Alternative HypothesesETHOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Jerry O. Wolff We conducted three experiments with females in different stages of reproductive condition to test alternative hypotheses for the function of scent marking in female prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster. The three reproductive categories were isolated females prior to sexual stimulation (anoestrous), sexually stimulated (oestrous) and lactating. Females in different reproductive condition were given the opportunity to scent mark clean unmarked substrate or areas that had previously been marked by adult females or adult males. The numbers of scent marks deposited by females did not differ statistically for females in different reproductive condition. However, there was a trend for anoestrous females to mark the most, oestrous females less, and lactating females the least. The lack of scent marking by lactating females might be to reduce conspicuousness to conspecifics or predators. Oestrous females tended to mark the most in the area marked previously by males, although the difference was not statistically significant. Our results provide some support for a mate-attraction hypothesis and a territorial-defense hypothesis, but were most consistent with a self-advertisement hypothesis. Over marking was uncommon and did not differ by experiment or sex of previous donor. Our results suggest that the number and placement of scent marks by females are highly variable and function primarily to convey individual identity. [source] Genetic and phenotypic effects of phonological short-term memory and grammatical morphology in specific language impairmentGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2008M. Falcaro Deficits in phonological short-term memory and aspects of verb grammar morphology have been proposed as phenotypic markers of specific language impairment (SLI) with the suggestion that these traits are likely to be under different genetic influences. This investigation in 300 first-degree relatives of 93 probands with SLI examined familial aggregation and genetic linkage of two measures thought to index these two traits, non-word repetition and tense marking. In particular, the involvement of chromosomes 16q and 19q was examined as previous studies found these two regions to be related to SLI. Results showed a strong association between relatives' and probands' scores on non-word repetition. In contrast, no association was found for tense marking when examined as a continuous measure. However, significant familial aggregation was found when tense marking was treated as a binary measure with a cut-off point of ,1.5 SD, suggestive of the possibility that qualitative distinctions in the trait may be familial while quantitative variability may be more a consequence of non-familial factors. Linkage analyses supported previous findings of the SLI Consortium of linkage to chromosome 16q for phonological short-term memory and to chromosome 19q for expressive language. In addition, we report new findings that relate to the past tense phenotype. For the continuous measure, linkage was found on both chromosomes, but evidence was stronger on chromosome 19. For the binary measure, linkage was observed on chromosome 19 but not on chromosome 16. [source] Transgenic expression of Cre recombinase in mitral/tufted cells of the olfactory bulbGENESIS: THE JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005Yumiko Nagai Abstract Olfactory information is conveyed from the periphery to the olfactory cortices through mitral and tufted (M/T) cells in the olfactory bulb. A mouse with a specific expression of Cre recombinase in M/T cells is essential for genetic marking of M/T cells and manipulating their properties. Protocadherin 21 (Pcdh21) expression is highly restricted to M/T cells. Here we report a transgenic mouse line, Pcdh21-Cre, in which ,10-kb mouse Pcdh21 promoter drives the expression of Cre recombinase. In Pcdh21-Cre mice, Cre recombinase activity is predominantly detected in M/T cells, visualized with the anti-CFP immunostaining in offspring of a cross between Pcdh21-Cre and the reporter Rosa26-loxP-stop-loxP-CFP strain. These results demonstrate that the ,10-kb Pcdh21 promoter can drive transcription in M/T cells and Pcdh21-Cre mice can be used to excise floxed DNA fragments in M/T cells, which provides a valuable tool to reveal the structure and function of the central olfactory circuits. genesis 43:12,16, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Social biology of rodentsINTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2007Jerry O. WOLFF Abstract Herein, I summarize some basic components of rodent social biology. The material in this paper is summarized and condensed from a recent book "Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective" edited by J. O. Wolff and P. W. Sherman (2007). I describe the four basic spacing patterns and illustrate how female territoriality is a function of offspring defense and male mating tactics are a function of female defensibility. The vulnerability of young to infanticide shapes female spacing and mating behavior. Food does not appear to be a defensible resource for rodents, except for those species that larder hoard nonperishable items such as seeds. Philopatry and the formation of kin groups result in genetic sub-structuring of the population, which in turn affects effective population size and genetic diversity. Dispersal is male biased and typically involves emigration from the maternal site to avoid female relatives and to seek unrelated mates. Scent marking is a major form of communication and is used in reproductive competition and to assess prospective mates, but it is also eavesdropped by predators to locate prey. Females do not appear to alter the sex ratio of litters in response to maternal condition but among arvicoline rodents daughters appear to be favored in spring and sons in autumn. Rodents are relatively monomorphic; however, females tend to be larger than males in the smallest species and smaller in the larger species. Predation risk results from an interaction among foraging time and vulnerability and in turn affects behavioral and life history characteristics. [source] Performance analysis of relative service using TCP-aware marking and dynamic WREDINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 3 2009Christos Bouras Abstract The implementation of successful assured forwarding (AF) services according to the DiffServ framework remains a challenging problem today, despite the numerous proposals for assured forwarding per-hop-behaviour (AF PHB) mechanisms and AF-based service implementations. The interaction of the TCP and UDP traffic under an AF-based service and a number of relative issues such as fairness among flows, achievable bandwidth guarantees and qualitative performance have been taken into consideration in this work in order to address the existing limitations. We propose two modules, the TCP-window aware marker (TWAM) and the dynamic WRED (WRED) mechanism for implementing the differentiated services (DiffServ) AF PHB. We provide analytical models and an experimental evaluation in order to demonstrate how they succeed in enhancing the quality, improving the performance and easing the deployment of a production level AF-based service. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Histogenesis of Abrikossoff tumour of the oral cavityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 1 2010F Haikal Abstract:, Background:, Abrikossoff or granular cell tumour (GCT) is a relatively rare neoplasia, benign in most of the cases. It may occur in any part of the human body, but it has an oral location in 70% of the cases. Its origin has been discussed for decades, and it is not yet definitively determined. Immunohistochemical techniques suggest its origin in the Schwann cells, while more recent studies with new markers indicate an origin related to neuroendocrine cells. Objective:, Contribute to the clarification of histogenesis of oral Abrikossoff tumour studying immunohistochemical marking of 11 oral Brazilian cases. Materials and methods:, Samples of tissues from the oral mucosa, tongue and lips placed in paraffin blocks, from eleven patients with a histopathological diagnosis of benign GCT were studied. Four different anti-serums (S-100, vimentin, PGP9.5 and ENE) were used for immunoperoxydase technique. Results:, A clear positivity for S-100 protein and vimentin was observed, with markers indicating origin from the Schwann cells. Less intense positivity was found in some cases, for ENE and PGP9.5, which suggests a neuroendocrine origin. Conclusions:, The results obtained suggest an origin from Schwann cells, but also arise the possibility of neuroendocrine origin. New methods and more specific immunohistochemical markers are needed to elucidate the origin of the Abrikossoff tumour. [source] Generalized state equation of Petri Nets with priorityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 11 2003Gi Bum Lee This article presents a new way of generating a generalized state equation that is useful for analyzing the token flow of the Petri Net (PN) with priority. The transition values in the firing vector as used in the conventional state equation are replaced with transition variables, which are generated by multiplying a series of firing condition functions taking the weighted inhibitor arc into account. The actual value of a transition variable is determined by taking priority and the present marking into account. The proposed state equation generalizes the conventional one by using the transition variable form and by containing the formulation of priority. Given the initial marking, the subsequent marking evolution can be determined successively from the generalized state equation as the simultaneous firings occur. A PN with deadlock is analyzed as an example to establish the validity of the generalized state equation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Spatial organization, group living and ecological correlates in low-density populations of Eurasian badgers, Meles melesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Eloy Revilla Summary 1,Territoriality and group living are described in a low-density population of Eurasian badgers, Meles meles L., by studying the patterns of spatial grouping and territory marking, as well as the differences between individuals in some of their characteristics (body condition and dispersal) and in their space use (seasonally, periods of activity and interaction between pairs of individuals) under strong seasonal fluctuations in the availability of the key resource (young rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus L.). Finally, the role of the spatial distribution of the main prey (young rabbits) in the development of sociality was also studied in order to test some of the assumptions and predictions of the resource dispersion hypothesis (RDH). 2,Badgers were territorial, showing a flexible system of territory marking, which includes the marking of the most used areas (sett-latrines at the centres of activity) and additionally, at the smaller territories, a system of border-latrines in the areas of contact between territories. The maximum use of border-latrines was associated with the reproductive season, and that of sett-latrines with the season of food scarcity. 3,In the study area where badgers had rabbits as main prey, territories were occupied by small groups of animals, formed by one adult female who reproduced, one adult male who also showed signs of reproductive activity, the cubs of the year (if there was reproduction) and some animals born during previous years, which remained in their natal territory until their dispersal (normally during the mating season of their third or fourth year of life). This system was not strictly fixed as males, given the opportunity, expanded their territories to encompass additional females. Territories in another study site were occupied by one adult female (marked), plus the cubs of the year and another adult individual (unmarked). 4,In winter and spring dominant females and subordinates used only a small fraction of their territories, moved short distances, at a low speed and covering small areas per night. These seasons corresponded with the reproduction of rabbits (highest food availability). Dominant females were the only individuals using all the territory available in the summer (lowest food availability), when badgers had the worst body condition. Food availability increased again in autumn, as did body condition, while range sizes were again reduced. Dominant males used the same proportion of their territories over all seasons. However, in winter (reproductive season) they moved faster, over longer distances, and covered larger areas per period of activity. These results indicate that use of space by dominant males was affected by different factors from that of dominant females and subordinates. 5,RDH does not seem to explain group living in our populations because: (a) territoriality in each pair of primary animals was driven by different factors (trophic resources for females and females for males); (b) dominant males acted as expansionists; and (c) territory size was related to its richness and not to patch dispersion. 6,We propose an integrative hypothesis to explain not only group formation but also interpopulation variability in the social organization of badgers within ecological, demographic and behavioural constraints and in the light of current theory on delayed dispersal. [source] Sex-biased juvenile survival in a bird with extreme size dimorphism, the great bustard Otis tardaJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Carlos A. Martín We explored sex-biased mortality patterns in a species showing the most extreme sexual dimorphism among birds, the great bustard Otis tarda. Between 1991 and 2005 we studied juvenile and immature survival in a sample of 361 great bustards radio-tagged at two different populations in Spain, Villafáfila and Madrid. Mortality decreased with age, from high rates during the first year (0.70), to 0.10 in the second year. Using the known-fate model in program MARK we found that monthly survival increased throughout the first year. Offspring showing higher body mass at marking, i.e. those hatched earlier in the season and those with better body condition, survived in higher proportion. This was probably related to the earlier breeding dates of more experienced mothers, as well as to the observed decrease in food availability as the season progresses. Monthly survival estimates were higher in females than in males, which suggests that juvenile males are more vulnerable to reduced food availability and other factors due to their much faster growth rates. The proportion of non-natural deaths increased with age, and was higher in the Madrid population, where illegal hunting and collision with powerlines showed a high incidence. The male-biased mortality found in young birds in this study explains the female-biased population sex ratios observed in great bustard populations. The different degrees of incidence of human-induced causes of mortality found between both populations studied suggest that such differences may contribute to the variation observed in the adult sex ratio among populations. [source] Assessment of Rhodamine B for labelling the plague reservoir Rattus rattus in MadagascarAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Soanandrasana Rahelinirina Abstract The black rat is the main plague reservoir in rural foci in Madagascar, inside the villages as well as in the cultivated areas around. We have evaluated the potentialities of mass-marking of rats, using baits containing Rhodamine B (RB) in order to get a tool to study the movements of rats and to understand the spread of plague. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that: (i) rats were more attracted by the rodent granules and peanut butter; (ii) incorporation of RB in baits did not reduce their appetence; (iii) RB lasted for 60 days in rat vibrissae and 180 days in rat hairs; and (iv) consumption of baits during a week was under the lethal dose. Field tests have been realized comparatively among 24 highland villages where plague is endemic, in different contexts: baits inside houses or around the village, baits with and without RB, rats captured 1, 2 and 3 months after the marking. No negative effect of the RB on population dynamics of rats or fleas on them was observed. The effectiveness of the marking was comparable between males and females. This technique of collective marking appears very valuable for monitoring rat movements in plague foci. Résumé Le rat noir est le principal réservoir de la peste dans les foyers ruraux de Madagascar, dans les villages comme dans les zones cultivées environnantes. Nous avons évalué les potentialités de marquage en masse de rats avec des appâts contenant de la Rhodamine B (RB) afin de disposer d'un outil pour étudier les déplacements des rats et de comprendre la dispersion de la peste. Les expériences en laboratoire ont montré que : (i) les rats étaient plus attirés par les granulés pour rongeurs et le beurre de cacahuète; (ii) l'adjonction de RB dans les appâts ne réduisait pas leur appétence; (iii) la RB persistait pendant 60 jours dans les vibrisses des rats, et 180 jours dans leurs poils; et (iv) la consommation des appâts pendant une semaine restait en dessous de la dose létale. Des tests sur le terrain dans 24 villages des hauts plateaux où la peste est endémique étaient réalisés dans différents contextes: appâts dans les maisons et autour des villages, appâts avec ou sans RB, rats capturés un, deux ou trois mois après le marquage. Aucun effet négatif de la RB sur la dynamique de population des rats ou des puces qui les parasitent n'a été observé. L'efficacité du marquage était comparable chez les mâles et les femelles. Cette technique de marquage collectif apparaît très intéressante pour suivre les déplacements des rats dans les foyers de peste. [source] Imprinting centers, chromatin structure, and diseaseJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2005Hidenobu Soejima Abstract Two regions that best exemplify the role of genetic imprinting in human disease are the Prader,Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) region in 15q11-q13 and the Beckwith,Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) region in 11p15.5. In both regions, cis-acting sequences known as imprinting centers (ICs) regulate parent-specific gene expression bidirectionally over long distances. ICs for both regions are subject to parent-specific epigenetic marking by covalent modification of DNA and histones. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of IC function and IC modification in these two regions. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An osmotic induction method for externally marking saltwater fishes, Stigmatopora argus and Stigmatopora nigra, with calceinJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010J. E. Smith Calcein marking via osmotic induction and overnight immersion was compared in saltwater fishes. Immersion in a salt solution for 10 min followed by 30 min in a 500 mg l,1 calcein solution produced the highest fluorescent mark in 40 min with no effect on survival. [source] Transgenerational marking of marine fish larvae: stable-isotope retention, physiological effects and health issuesJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009D. H. Williamson This study examined the toxicological and physiological responses of a commercially important coral-reef grouper, Plectropomus leopardus (Serranidae), to injection of enriched stable-isotope barium chloride (BaCl2) solution. Thirty adult P. leopardus were subject to one of two 138BaCl2 injection treatment groups (corresponding to dosage rates of 2 and 4 mg 138Ba kg,1 body mass), and a control group in which fish were injected with 0·9% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Fish from each group were sampled at post-injection intervals of 48 h and 1, 3, 5 and 8 weeks, at which time blood and tissue samples were removed from each fish. Residual concentrations of Ba and 138Ba:137Ba ratios were measured in muscle, gonad, liver and bone tissues of each experimental fish. Elevated Ba concentrations were detected in all treatment fish tissue samples within 48 h post injection. Residual Ba concentrations decreased throughout the remainder of the 8 week experimental period in all tissues except bone. The BaCl2 injection had no significant effects on measured whole blood variables or on the plasma concentrations of steroid hormones. Enriched Ba stable isotopes can therefore be used at low dosages to mark larvae of commercially important marine fishes, without adverse effects on the health of the fishes or on humans who may consume them. [source] Marking pike fry otoliths with alizarin complexone and strontium: an evaluation of methodsJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001C. Skov Laboratory experiments demonstrated that both alizarin complexone and strontium are useful in mass marking of pike Esox lucius fry otoliths. Visual detection of alizarin complexone marks was considered more reliable than the quantitative analysis of strontium for differentiating marked and unmarked individuals after release in a Danish lake. [source] The Teaching of Denture Marking Methods in Dental Schools in the United Kingdom and the United States,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 6 2009M.Phil, Raymond Richmond B.Sc. Abstract:, Forensic organizations worldwide have recommended that dental prostheses should be marked with, at a minimum, the patient's name and preferably with further unique identifiers such as a social security number. The current study aimed to assess the denture marking practice of dental schools within the United States and the United Kingdom. A questionnaire-based survey was employed to gain both quantitative and qualitative data on the methods, practices, and ethos behind denture marking in 14 U.K. and 32 U.S. dental schools. One hundred percent of U.K. and 87.5% of U.S. schools returned surveys and the results suggest that, for dental schools where there is no legal or legislative need for denture marking, the practice is inconsistently taught and appears to be reliant on internal forces within the school to increase awareness. Among those schools practicing marking, only 18% employ a technique likely to withstand common postmortem assaults; this is a concern. [source] Evidentiality: Authority, Responsibility, and Entitlement in English ConversationJOURNAL OF LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Barbara A. Fox The present study explores the use of evidential markers in English conversation. It seeks to provide evidence that evidential marking in English conversation indexes social meanings and, hence, is sensitive to the relationship between speaker and recipients) and/in a particular context of utterance; and it seeks to demonstrate that it is the social meanings of authority, responsibility, and entitlement that are indexed by evidential marking in English conversation. [source] Genetic marking with the ,LNGFR-gene for tracing goat cells in bone tissue engineering,JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004M. C. Kruyt Abstract The use of bone marrow derived stromal cells (BMSC's) for bone tissue engineering has gained much attention as an alternative for autologous bone grafting. Little is known however, about the survival and differentiation of the cells, especially in the clinical application. The aim of this study was to develop a method to trace goat BMSC's in vivo. We investigated retroviral genetic marking, which allows stable expression of the label with cell division. Goat BMSC's were subjected to an amphotropic envelope containing a MoMuLV-based vector expressing the human low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (,LNGFR). Labeling efficiency and effect on the cells were analyzed. Furthermore, transduced cells were seeded onto porous ceramic scaffolds, implanted subcutaneously in nude mice and examined after successive implantation periods. Flow cytometry indicated a transduction efficiency of 40,60%. Immunohistochemistry showed survival and subsequent bone formation of the gene-marked cells in vivo. Besides, marked cells were also found in cartilage and fibrous tissue. These findings indicate the maintenance of the precursor phenotype following gene transfer as well as the ability of the gene to be expressed following differentiation. We conclude that retroviral gene marking with ,LNGFR is applicable to trace goat BMSC's in bone tissue engineering research. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Manipulating honorifics in the construction of social identities in Japanese television drama1JOURNAL OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS, Issue 4 2010Andrew Barke This study examines culturally-based ideologies concerning the use of Japanese honorifics in the construction of social identities through an analysis of dialogues in a Japanese television drama. The study assumes that the underlying or encoded meaning of Japanese honorific forms is social/psychological distance and considers ways in which speakers utilise differences in the encoded meanings of honorifics to construct a variety of social identities, including those that reflect membership within particular communities of practice. It also looks at how implicatures that arise through marked use of honorific forms are used to achieve specific interactional goals such as the expression of (im)politeness and the marking of change in the speaker's attitude toward the addressee/referent. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||