Notable Differences (notable + difference)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Participation of Children with and without Disabilities in Social, Recreational and Leisure Activities

JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2010
Abbie Solish
Background, One method of promoting children's friendship development is through activity participation with peers. However, children with disabilities seem to engage in fewer of these activities, and when they do participate often do so primarily with adults. Materials and Methods, This study compared activity participation and friendship in typically developing (TD) children (n = 90), children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 65), and children with an intellectual disability (n = 30) between the ages of 5 and 17 years. Parents completed a questionnaire about their child's participation in social, recreational and leisure activities. Results, The TD children participated in significantly more social and recreational activities and had more friends than the children with disabilities. Notable differences emerged among groups in the percentage of activities the children participated in with peers, parents and/or other adults. Some significant differences were noted between the ASD and intellectual disability groups. Conclusions, Research concerning activity participation should continue to take into account not only whether children are engaging in activities, but explore more precisely ,with whom' these activities are occurring. [source]


Role of Wnt signaling in the biology of the periodontium

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2010
Scott M. Rooker
Abstract Continuously erupting teeth have associated with them a continuously regenerating periodontal ligament, but the factors that control this amazing regenerative potential are unknown. We used genetic strategies to show that the periodontal ligament arises from the cranial neural crest. Despite their histological similarity, the periodontal ligament of continuously erupting incisor teeth differs dramatically from the periodontal ligament of molar teeth. The most notable difference was in the distribution of Wnt responsive cells in the incisor periodontal ligament, which coincided with regions of periodontal ligament cell proliferation. We discuss these findings in the context of dental tissue regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 239:140,147, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Charge parameterization of the metal centers in cytochrome c oxidase

JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008
Mikael P. Johansson
Abstract Reliable atomic point charges are of key importance for a correct description of the electrostatic interactions when performing classical, force field based simulations. Here, we present a systematic procedure for point charge derivation, based on quantum mechanical methodology suited for the systems at hand. A notable difference to previous procedures is to include an outer region around the actual system of interest. At the cost of increasing the system sizes, here up to 265 atoms, including the surroundings achieves near-neutrality for the systems as well as structural stability, important factors for reliable charge distributions. In addition, the common problem of converting between CH bonds and CC bonds at the border vanishes. We apply the procedure to the four redox-active metal centers of cytochrome c oxidase: CuA, haem a, haem a3, and CuB. Several relevant charge and ligand states are considered. Charges for two different force fields, CHARMM and AMBER, are presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008 [source]


Models of Quality-Adjusted Life Years when Health Varies Over Time: Survey and Analysis

JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 2 2006
Kristian Schultz Hansen
Abstract., Quality-adjusted life year (QALY) models are widely used for economic evaluation in the health care sector. In the first part of the paper, we establish an overview of QALY models where health varies over time and provide a theoretical analysis of model identification and parameter estimation from time trade-off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) scores. We investigate deterministic and probabilistic models and consider five different families of discounting functions in all. The second part of the paper discusses four issues recurrently debated in the literature. This discussion includes questioning the SG method as the gold standard for estimation of the health state index, re-examining the role of the constant-proportional trade-off condition, revisiting the problem of double discounting of QALYs, and suggesting that it is not a matter of choosing between TTO and SG procedures as the combination of these two can be used to disentangle risk aversion from discounting. We find that caution must be taken when drawing conclusions from models with chronic health states to situations where health varies over time. One notable difference is that in the former case, risk aversion may be indistinguishable from discounting. [source]


Intrinsic Elastic, Dielectric, and Piezoelectric Losses in Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics Determined by an Immittance-Fitting Method

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2002
Takaaki Tsurumi
The material coefficients of "soft" and "hard" lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were determined as complex values by the nonlinear least-squares-fitting of immittance data measured for length-extensional bar resonators. The piezoelectric d -constant should be a complex value to obtain a best fitting between observed and calculated results. Because the elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric losses determined in this process were not "intrinsic" losses, a calculation process to evaluate the "intrinsic" losses was proposed. It was confirmed that the intrinsic losses were smaller than the corresponding extrinsic losses. The intrinsic piezoelectric loss existed in both soft and hard PZTs; ,50% of the loss of piezoelectric d -constant was derived from the elastic and dielectric losses. The most notable difference between the soft and hard PZTs was observed in their elastic losses. [source]


Even Lawyers Get the Blues: Gender, Depression, and Job Satisfaction in Legal Practice

LAW & SOCIETY REVIEW, Issue 1 2007
John Hagan
It is an intriguing puzzle that women lawyers, despite less desirable working conditions and blocked career advancement, report similar satisfaction as men lawyers with their legal careers. The paradoxical work satisfaction reported by women and men lawyers obscures a more notable difference in their depressed or despondent feelings. Using a panel study of women and men lawyers practicing in Toronto since the mid-1980s, we find at least three causal pathways through which gender indirectly is connected to job dissatisfaction and feelings of despondency. The first path is through gender differences in occupational power, which lead to differential despondency. The second path is through differences in perceived powerlessness, which directly influence job dissatisfaction. The third path is through feelings of despondency that result from concerns about the career consequences of having children. The combined picture that results illustrates the necessity to include measures of depressed affect in studies of dissatisfaction with legal practice. Explicit measurement and modeling of concerns about the consequences of having children and depressed feelings reveal a highly gendered response of women to legal practice that is otherwise much less apparent. Women are more likely to respond to their professional grievances with internalized feelings of despondency than with externalized expressions of job dissatisfaction. That is, they are more likely to privatize than publicize their professional troubles. [source]


N -(2-Carboxy­benzoyl)- l -leucine methyl ester

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 5 2006
Alvaro B. Onofrio
The title compound (with the systematic name 2-{[(1S)-1-(methoxy­carbonyl)-3-methyl­butyl]amino­carbonyl}benzoic acid), C15H19NO5, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21, with two independent mol­ecules per asymmetric unit. The most notable difference between the two mol­ecules is in the dihedral angles between the planes of the carboxyl group and the benzene ring, which are 3.5,(3) and 25.7,(1)°. This difference may account for the fact that two competing reactions are observed in aqueous solution, namely cyclization to form the imide N -phthaloyl­leucine and hydrolysis of N -(2-carboxy­benzoyl)- l -leucine methyl ester to phthalic acid and leucine. [source]


Obsessive-compulsive disorder among African Americans and blacks of Caribbean descent: results from the national survey of American life,

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 12 2008
Joseph A. Himle Ph.D.
Abstract Background: There is limited research regarding the nature and prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among various racial and ethnic subpopulations within the United States, including African Americans and blacks of Caribbean descent. Although heterogeneity within the black population in the United States has largely been ignored, notable differences exist between blacks of Caribbean descent and African Americans with respect to ethnicity, national heritage, and living circumstances. This is the first comprehensive examination of OCD among African Americans and blacks of Caribbean descent. Methods: Data from the National Survey of American Life, a national household probability sample of African Americans and Caribbean blacks in the United States, were used to examine rates of OCD among these groups. Results: Lifetime and 12-month OCD prevalence estimates were very similar for African Americans and Caribbean blacks. Persistence of OCD and rates of co-occurring psychiatric disorders were very high and also similar between African American and Caribbean black respondents. Both groups had high levels of overall mental illness severity and functional impairment. Use of services was low for both groups, particularly in specialty mental health settings. Use of anti-obsessional medications was also rare, especially among the Caribbean black OCD population. Conclusions: OCD among African Americans and Caribbean blacks is very persistent, often accompanied by other psychiatric disorders, and is associated with high overall mental illness severity and functional impairment. It is also likely that very few blacks in the United States with OCD are receiving evidence-based treatment and thus considerable effort is needed to bring treatment to these groups. Depression and Anxiety, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


STUDENTS, PERCEPTIONS OF WORKSHOP BASED INTRODUCTORY MACROECONOMICS TUTORIALS: A SURVEY

ECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue 3 2006
AMEETA JAIN
The declining popularity of Economics courses, evident in the last decade, has fuelled a debate on the nature of Economics units and the way in which they are taught in tertiary institutions. The effectiveness of traditional teaching methods has been questioned as ,lecturers search for alternative ways of presenting material and engaging students. In recent times, workshop-based/cooperative tutorials have become more popular in promoting deeper learning. This paper assesses the application of such an approach at a large tertiary institution. It evaluates student perceptions of this tutorial method in an Introductory Macroeconomics first-year unit. An anonymous questionnaire was used. Whilst the sample size is small (n = 56), the results are important in that this is the first such study in Macroeconomics. Students found workshop-based tutorials useful, preferred them over lecture style tutorials, and found that they fostered inclusivity. The importance of tutorials per se, is reiterated. Students state that tutorials are an important adjunct to lectures. This study also looks at students' study habits: finding that on average they spend less than one hour per week studying Economics and most prepare only occasionally for tutorials. The sample studied indicates that there are notable differences in the perceptions of tutorials and teaching methods between the genders and between local and international students. This may impact on the way in which tutorials are conducted effectively. [source]


Understanding anorexia nervosa through analysis of thematic content of letters in an adolescent sample

EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 5 2006
Glen Freedman
Abstract Objective Positive and negative themes about their illness have been identified in an adult population with anorexia nervosa. It was our goal to explore the thematic content of the letters written by an adolescent population in order to better our understanding of how this different population relates to the illness. Method Twenty-seven adolescents with anorexia nervosa were asked to write two letters to their eating disorder, one addressing it as a friend and the other, as an enemy. The coding scheme initially developed by Serpell and Treasure, with minor adjustments, was used to code the letters by two trained raters, with high inter-rater reliability. Results Many similarities and a few notable differences between the adolescent population and an adult population were noted. Compared to an adult population, adolescents valued to a greater degree the sense of feeling looked after by the disorder and the increased attention that they felt the disorder provided. In contrast, they did not view loss of periods as a benefit. Regarding perceived costs of anorexia nervosa, adolescents described a greater degree of psychological distress in relation to the disorder, and a greater sense of having been tricked by the disorder. They did not describe as much frustration with preoccupation with thoughts about food or of being controlled by food. All other themes were not considered appreciably different in terms of percentage of statements or of subjects. Discussion An understanding of how adolescents relate to their illness in terms of themes can help to provide the therapist with a sense of where a patient is in terms of motivation and readiness for recovery. This in turn can aid in the determination of an appropriate treatment approach that is most likely to foster an optimal therapeutic alliance and to enhance motivation to recover. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source]


Transcription factor Fli-1 expression by bone marrow cells in chronic myeloproliferative disorders is independent of an underlying JAK2 (V617F) mutation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Oliver Bock
Abstract:,Objectives:,Friend leukemia integration-1 (Fli-1), a member of the Ets gene family of transcription factors, has been demonstrated to be a target of a leukaemia inducing virus in mice, and is known to be part of a fusion gene in Ewings' sarcoma in humans. Wild-type Fli-1 is involved in lineage commitment of megakaryocytes and myeloid progenitors through induction of Janus kinases (JAKs) following ligand binding to cytokine and growth factor receptors. Proliferation of atypical megakaryocytes is a predominant histopathological feature in Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders (Ph, CMPD) and a potential aberrant expression of Fli-1 has not been investigated so far. Methods:,Fli-1 expression was investigated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in bone marrow cells derived from Ph, CMPD (n = 80) and non-neoplastic haematopoiesis (n = 21) following determination of the JAK2 status. Results:,Fli-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) with JAK2 (V617F) compared with other Ph, CMPD and control (P < 0.001). By immunohistochemistry, Fli-1 protein could be detected in nuclei of atypical megakaryocytes in Ph, CMPD and, less accentuated, in non-neoplastic megakaryocytes. Fli-1 protein expression by myeloid progenitors was considerably heterogenous in Ph, CMPD independent of an underlying JAK2 (V617F) mutation and without notable differences to non-neoplastic haematopoiesis. Conclusion:,Fli-1 is rather constitutively expressed by bone marrow cells in Ph, CMPD independent of the underlying JAK2 status. The overall stronger labelling for Fli-1 in megakaryocytes in Ph, CMPD most likely reflects the degree of polyploidisation but aberrant activation of nuclear target genes can not be excluded. [source]


Comparative development of fiber in wild and cultivated cotton

EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2001
Wendy L. Applequist
SUMMARY One of the most striking examples of plant hairs is the single-celled epidermal seed trichome of cultivated cotton. The developmental morphology of these commercial "fibers" has been well-characterized in Gossypium hirsutum, but little is known about the pattern and tempo of fiber development in wild Gossypium species, all of which have short, agronomically inferior fiber. To identify developmental differences that account for variation in fiber length, and to place these differences in a phylogenetic context, we conducted SEM studies of ovules at and near the time of flowering, and generated growth curves for cultivated and wild diploid and tetraploid species. Trichome initiation was found to be similar in all taxa, with few notable differences in trichome density or early growth. Developmental profiles of the fibers of most wild species are similar, with fiber elongation terminating at about two weeks post-anthesis. In contrast, growth is extended to three weeks in the A- and F-genome diploids. This prolonged elongation period is diagnosed as a key evolutionary event in the origin of long fiber. A second evolutionary innovation is that absolute growth rate is higher in species with long fibers. Domestication of species is associated with a further prolongation of elongation at both the diploid and allopolyploid levels, suggesting the effects of parallel artificial selection. Comparative analysis of fiber growth curves lends developmental support to previous quantitative genetic suggestions that genes for fiber "improvement" in tetraploid cotton were contributed by the agronomically inferior D-genome diploid parent. [source]


The crystal structure of a xyloglucan-specific endo-,-1,4-glucanase from Geotrichum sp.

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2009
M128 xyloglucanase reveals a key amino acid residue for substrate specificity
Geotrichum sp. M128 possesses two xyloglucan-specific glycoside hydrolases belonging to family 74, xyloglucan-specific endo-,-1,4-glucanase (XEG) and oligoxyloglucan reducing-end-specific cellobiohydrolase (OXG-RCBH). Despite their similar amino acid sequences (48% identity), their modes of action and substrate specificities are distinct. XEG catalyzes the hydrolysis of xyloglucan polysaccharides in endo mode, while OXG-RCBH acts on xyloglucan oligosaccharides at the reducing end in exo mode. Here, we determined the crystal structure of XEG at 2.5 Å resolution, and compared it to a previously determined structure of OXG-RCBH. For the most part, the amino acid residues that interact with substrate are conserved between the two enzymes. However, there are notable differences at subsite positions ,1 and +2. OXG-RCBH has a loop around the +2 site that blocks one end of the active site cleft, which accounts for its exo mode of action. In contrast, XEG lacks a corresponding loop at this site, thereby allowing binding to the middle of the main chain of the substrate. At the ,1 site in OXG-RCBH, Asn488 interacts with the xylose side chain of the substrate, whereas the ,1 site is occupied by Tyr457 in XEG. To confirm the contribution of this residue to substrate specificity, Tyr457 was substituted by Gly in XEG. The wild-type XEG cleaved the oligoxyloglucan at a specific site; the Y457G variant cleaved the same substrate, but at various sites. Together, the absence of a loop in the cleft and the presence of bulky Tyr457 determine the substrate specificity of XEG. [source]


Interactions between TLR7 and TLR9 agonists and receptors regulate innate immune responses by astrocytes and microglia,

GLIA, Issue 6 2010
Niranjan B. Butchi
Abstract Toll-like receptors 7 (TLR7) and 9 (TLR9) are important mediators of innate immune responses. Both receptors are located in endosomal compartments, recognize nucleic acids, and signal via Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). In the current study, we analyzed TLR7 and TLR9 induced activation of astrocytes and microglia, two cell types that contribute to innate immune responses in the CNS. TLR7 and TLR9 agonists induced similar cytokine profiles within each cell type. However, there were notable differences in the cytokine profile between astrocytes and microglia, including the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and antiapoptotic cytokines G-CSF and IL-9 by microglia but not astrocytes. Costimulation studies demonstrated that the TLR7 agonist, imiquimod, could inhibit TLR9 agonist-induced innate immune responses, in both cell types, in a concentration-dependent manner. Surprisingly, this inhibition was not mediated by TLR7, as deficiency in TLR7 did not alter suppression of the TLR9 agonist-induced responses. The suppression of innate immune responses was also not due to an inhibition of TLR9 agonist uptake. This suggested that imiquimod suppression may be a direct effect, possibly by blocking CpG-ODN binding and/or signaling with TLR9, thus limiting cell activation. An antagonistic relationship was also observed between the two receptors in microglia, with TLR7 deficiency resulting in enhanced cytokine responses to CpG-ODN stimulation. Thus, both TLR7 and its agonist can have inhibitory effects on TLR9-induced cytokine responses in glial cells. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Modelling the behaviour of an embankment on soft clay with different constitutive models

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 10 2006
M. Karstunen
Abstract The paper investigates the effect of constitutive models on the predicted response of a simplified benchmark problem, an embankment on soft soil. The soft soil is assumed to have the properties of POKO clay from Finland and five different constitutive models are used to model the deposit. Two of the models are isotropic models, i.e. the Modified Cam Clay model and the Soft-Soil model. The other models are recently proposed constitutive models that account for plastic anisotropy. The S-CLAY1 and S-CLAY1S models are embedded in a standard elasto-plastic framework and account for anisotropy via a rotational hardening law. In addition, the S-CLAY1S model accounts for bonding and destructuration. In contrast, the Multilaminate Model for Clay (MMC) accounts for plastic anisotropy by utilizing so-called multilaminate framework. The results of numerical simulations show that accounting for anisotropy results in notable differences in the predicted settlements and horizontal movements compared to the predictions using the isotropic models. There are also significant differences in the K0 predictions by the different constitutive models and this has a significant impact on the results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Schizophrenia, Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) and number needed to treat: how can CATIE inform clinicians?

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 8 2006
L. CITROME
Summary The schizophrenia medication study conducted as part of the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) provided a large quantity of data. However, placing these data into a clinically meaningful context for the individual practitioner has been challenging. Effectiveness and safety outcome data were extracted from the three principal publications that documented the results of phases 1 and 2 of the CATIE schizophrenia study. Number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed to harm (NNH) were calculated from the categorical results, together with their confidence intervals. Olanzapine and clozapine demonstrated advantages over comparators in terms of all-cause discontinuation, largely driven by efficacy advantages. NNT for olanzapine compared with perphenazine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone ranged from 5.5 to 10.1 in phase 1. NNT for clozapine compared with risperidone or quetiapine was approximately 3 in phase 2. There were marked differences in association with weight gain and metabolic effects, with olanzapine demonstrating a NNH ranging from 12.4 to 17.7 in terms of discontinuation of treatment in phase 1 because of these effects. Results from phase 2 reflect phase 1 in this regard, and demonstrated an advantage for ziprasidone in terms of discontinuation because of weight gain or metabolic effects, with NNT ranging from 10.6 to 20.8. However, these notable differences in association with weight gain and metabolic effects did not seem to drive the differences in overall time to all-cause discontinuation. NNT and NNH can help place the wide array of CATIE results into clinical context, and permits quantification of the differences observed between the antipsychotics that were tested. [source]


Interest rate transmission in the UK: a comparative analysis across financial firms and products

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE & ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2009
Ana-Maria Fuertes
Abstract This paper differentiates itself from the existing literature by testing for heterogeneities in the interest rate transmission mechanism using a large sample of 662 monthly retail rate histories (1993,2004) on seven key deposit and loan products. Error correction models are estimated to analyse the long-run pass-through, the long-run mark-up and the short-run speed of adjustment. The prediction that the official and retail rates move together in the long run is supported by the data. The evidence suggests weak between-product heterogeneity but notable differences were found between financial firms in the way they adjust their rates, which could hinder the achievement of monetary policy objectives. Consumer responses to official rate changes could therefore be more phased and intricate than hitherto believed. Heterogeneity in adjustment is found to be linked to menu costs and key financial ratios under managerial control. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Importance of Perceived Personnel Selection System Fairness Determinants: Relations with Demographic, Personality, and Job Characteristics

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 1-2 2004
Chockalingam Viswesvaran
This study explored the relative importance attached to various perceived personnel selection fairness determinants (e.g., selection system content-based variables, features of selection system administration). We investigated how demographic variables (ethnicity and gender), individual differences characteristics (the Big Five and cognitive ability) and job characteristics (job complexity and domestic/expatriate assignment status) relate to the importance of ratings of perceived personnel selection system determinants. The results, especially for race/ethnicity analyses indicated that there might be differences across demographic groups in importance placed on different aspects of selection system characteristics. The magnitudes of the relationships were small to moderate for Asian,White and Hispanic,White comparisons. Asian,Hispanic and gender differences in importance assessments were small. Few individual differences variables (i.e., personality and cognitive ability) were associated with importance placed on various aspects of selection system characteristics. Notable exceptions were moderate positive relationships between general mental ability and importance of content-based selection system characteristics, and moderate negative relationships between emotional stability, conscientiousness and cognitive ability, and importance of selection system context variables. The complexity levels of the jobs held by respondents did not appreciably affect the importance placed on the different selection system characteristics. There were few notable differences between importance assessments for domestic versus expatriate positions. Implications for practice, especially managing cultural diversity in organizations, and for theory development are discussed. [source]


The impact of international experience on student nurses' personal and professional development

INTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 2 2004
BA (hons), Cert Ed, N.-J. Lee PhD
Abstract Background:, Many student nurses undertake international clinical experience during their education programmes, which raises the question ,How do these experiences impact on students nurses' personal and professional development?' Method:, A case study was conducted in one School of Nursing in the United Kingdom. Student nurses participating in a new module, International Nursing and Health Care, which included clinical experience overseas, gave qualitative accounts of their international experiences and subsequent learning. Their accounts were also compared with the perceptions and expectations of the module facilitators. Findings:, While there were some similarities in student experience and facilitator expectations, there were also notable differences. The students believed that their international experiences had a deep impact on their personal development, helping them make the transition from student to qualified nurse. The case study raised further questions about the acquisition of cultural knowledge and the facilitation and provision of learning from experience. [source]


Morphology and function of the forelimb in arboreal frogs: specializations for grasping ability?

JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 3 2008
Adriana S. Manzano
Abstract Frogs are characterized by a unique morphology associated with their saltatory lifestyle. Although variation in the form and function of the pelvic girdle and associated appendicular system related to specialized locomotor modes such as swimming or burrowing has been documented, the forelimbs have typically been viewed as relatively unspecialized. Yet, previous authors have noted versatility in forelimb function among arboreal frogs associated with feeding. Here we study the morphology and function of the forelimb and hand during locomotion in two species of arboreal frogs (Litoria caerulea and Phyllomedusa bicolor). Our data show a complex arrangement of the distal forelimb and hand musculature with some notable differences between species. Analyses of high-speed video and video fluoroscopy recordings show that forelimbs are used in alternating fashion in a diagonal sequence footfall pattern and that the position of the hand is adjusted when walking on substrates of different diameters. Electromyographic recordings show that the flexors of the hand are active during substrate contact, suggesting the use of gripping to generate a stabilizing torque. Measurements of grasping forces in vivo and during stimulation experiments show that both species, are capable of executing a so-called power grip but also indicates marked differences between species, in the magnitude of forces generated. Stimulation experiments showed an increased control of digit flexion in the more specialized of the two species, allowing it to execute a precision grip paralleled only by that seen in primates. [source]


Exploring the Afromontane centre of endemism: Kniphofia Moench (Asphodelaceae) as a floristic indicator

JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 12 2008
Syd Ramdhani
Abstract Aim, The genus Kniphofia contains 71 species with an African,Malagasy distribution, including one species from Yemen. The genus has a general Afromontane distribution. Here we explore whether Kniphofia is a floristic indicator of the Afromontane centre of endemism and diversity. The South Africa Centre of diversity and endemism was explored in greater detail to understand biogeographical patterns. Location, Africa, Afromontane Region, southern Africa, Madagascar and Yemen. Methods, Diversity and endemism for the genus were examined at the continental scale using a chorological approach. Biogeographical patterns and endemism in the South Africa Centre were examined in greater detail using chorology, phenetics, parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and mapping of range-restricted taxa. Results, Six centres of diversity were recovered, five of which are also centres of endemism. Eight subcentres of diversity are proposed, of which only two are considered subcentres of endemism. The South Africa Centre is the most species-rich region and the largest centre of endemism for Kniphofia. The phenetic analysis of the South Africa Centre at the full degree square scale recovered three biogeographical areas that correspond with the subcentres obtained from the chorological analysis. The PAE (at the full degree square scale) and the mapping of range-restricted taxa recovered two and six areas of endemism (AOEs), respectively. These latter two approaches produced results of limited value, possibly as a result of inadequate collecting of Kniphofia species. Only two AOEs were identified by PAE and these are embedded within two of the six AOEs recovered by the mapping of range-restricted taxa. All the above AOEs are within the three subcentres found by chorological and phenetic analysis (at the full degree square scale) for the South Africa Centre. Main conclusions, The centres for Kniphofia broadly correspond to the Afromontane regional mountain systems, but with some notable differences. We regard Kniphofia as a floristic indicator of the Afromontane Region sensu lato. In southern Africa, the phenetic approach at the full-degree scale retrieved areas that correlate well with those obtained by the chorological approach. [source]


How neighborhoods matter for rural and urban children's language and cognitive development at kindergarten and Grade 4,

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Jennifer E.V. Lloyd
The authors took a population-based approach to testing how commonly studied neighborhood socioeconomic conditions are associated with the language and cognitive outcomes of residentially stable rural and urban children tracked from kindergarten (ages 5,6) to Grade 4 (ages 9,10). Child-level kindergarten Early Development Instrument (EDI) data were probabilistically linked to scores on Grade 4's Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), 4 years later, and to socioeconomic data describing the children's residential neighborhoods. Multilevel analyses were performed for a study population of 5,022 children residing in 105 neighborhoods across British Columbia, Canada: 635 children in 20 rural neighborhoods and 4,825 children in 85 urban neighborhoods. Concentrated immigration consistently predicted better child outcomes. Moreover, the determinants of children's language and cognitive outcomes analyzed cross-sectionally differed from the determinants of outcomes analyzed longitudinally. Furthermore, there were notable differences in the extent of the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic conditions and rural and urban children's outcomes over time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Effect of GDF-7 deficiency on tail tendon phenotype in mice

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 6 2008
Borjana Mikic
Abstract The subfamily of growth/differentiation factors (GDFs) known as GDFs 5, 6, and 7 appears to be involved in tendon maintenance and repair, although the precise nature of this role has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of GDF-7 in tendon maintenance by studying tail tendon fascicle gene expression, composition, and material property strain rate dependency in 16-week-old male and female GDF-7 deficient mice. GDF-7 deficiency did not affect the biochemical composition of tail tendon fascicles, nor did it significantly affect the tensile material properties obtained at either slow (5%/s) or fast (50%/s) strain rates. Further, no difference was found between genotypes in the strain rate sensitivity of any tensile material property. Consistent with the compositional analyses, QRT-PCR data did not reveal any differences of twofold or greater in the gene expression levels of collagens I, III, V, nor in the proteoglycans decorin, fibromodulin, lumican, biglycan, versican, or aggrecan. Gdf5 expression was upregulated twofold in GDF-7 deficient tail tendons, and Bmp7 expression was downregulated twofold. No notable differences in expression levels for Bmp1-6 or Gdf6 were detected. GDF-5 protein levels were 50% higher in GDF-7 deficient tail tendon compared to wild type tail tendon. The results of this study support the intriguing possibility that compensation by Gdf-5 may be at least in part responsible for the absence of a strong phenotype in GDF-7 deficient mice. © 2008 Orthopaedic Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:834,839, 2008 [source]


HIGHER PLANT BIOMARKERS IN PALEOGENE CRUDE OILS FROM THE YUFUTSU OIL-AND GASFIELD AND OFFSHORE WILDCATS, JAPAN

JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
S. Yessalina
Geochemical investigation of Paleogene oils from the onshore Yufutsu oil- and gasfield, southern Hokkaido, and from two nearby offshore wells, revealed the presence of numerous biomarkers of higher plant origin. Biomarkers in the oils belong to different groups of both angiosperm and gymnosperm origin; they include bicyclic sesquiterpanes, diterpanes, and triterpanes and their aromatized counterparts, which suggests a terrestrial origin for the oils. The oils were characterized as having a high wax content, a low content of organosulphur compounds, a high pristane/phytane ratio, and a low C27/(C27+C29) sterane ratio. Although the oils from on- and offshore Southern Hokkaido are similar in their geochemical composition, notable differences were observed in the biomarker signature of both saturate and aromatic fractions. The oils from the offshore wells appeared to have a greater abundance of higher plant biomarkers compared to those from the Yufutsu field, suggesting an enrichment in higher plant components. Differences in biomarker fingerprint could not be linked to the maturity effect, since the oils appeared to be of similar maturity levels, corresponding to the late stage of the oil window (0.9,1.2%, Rc). The differences in the biomarker signatures between the oils from the Yufutsu field and the offshore wells are likely to be due to facies variations in source organic matter, resulting from differences in the quantity and quality of land plant input. [source]


Pollen-inferred palaeoclimate reconstructions in mountain areas: problems and perspectives,

JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006
Elena Ortu
Abstract Transfer functions are an efficient tool for the quantitative reconstruction of past climate from low to mid-elevation pollen sites. However, the application of existing methods to high-altitude pollen assemblages frequently leads to unrealistic results. In the aim of understanding the causes of these biases, the standard ,best modern analogue' method has been applied to two high-altitude pollen sequences to provide quantitative climate estimates for the Lateglacial and Holocene periods. Both pollen sequences (Laghi dell'Orgials, 2130,m, SW aspect and Lago delle Fate, 2240,m, E aspect) are located in the subalpine belt, on opposing sides of the St. Anna di Vinadio Valley (Italian Maritime Alps). Different results were obtained from the two sequences. The largest differences occurred in palaeotemperature reconstruction, with notable differences in both the values and trends at each site. These biases may be attributed to: (1) a lack of high elevation ,best modern analogues' in the database of modern samples; (2) the problem of pollen taxa that have multiple climatic significance; (3) problems related to the complexity of mountainous ecosystems, such as the phenomenon of uphill transport of tree pollen by wind. Possible improvements to the reconstruction process are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


SENSORY EVALUATION OF VANILLA-DAIRY DESSERTS BY REPERTORY GRID METHOD AND FREE CHOICE PROFILE

JOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 1 2006
LUIS GONZÁLEZ-TOMÁS
ABSTRACT "Natillas" are semisolid dairy desserts widely consumed in Spain, with notable differences existing between commercial brands in their composition and sensory and physical properties. The repertory grid method, in conjunction with the free choice profile (FCP), was used to provide data on how consumers perceived eight commercial "natillas" samples. The most frequent terms used were: vanilla flavor, sweetness, consistency and liquid texture as described by 77, 67, 57 and 53% of the consumers, respectively. A three-dimensional solution was chosen. Dimension 1 accounted for 27.23% of variance and separated the samples largely by yellow-color intensity and consistency. Dimension 2 (15.88%) was mainly related to the visual attributes of texture, creaminess and different notes of flavor. The third dimension (11.34%) was related to structural-texture attributes, orange-yellow color and acid and artificial flavors. The assessors plot showed two clusters. Analysis of each group data revealed differences in their perception of sample variation, mainly regarding texture and color. [source]


Information flows and option bid/ask spreads

THE JOURNAL OF FUTURES MARKETS, Issue 12 2005
Fredrik Berchtold
This study analyzes two types of information flows in financial markets. The first type represents return information, where informed investors know whether the stock price will increase or decrease. The second type is labeled volatility information, where the direction of the stock price is unknown, but informed investors know that the stock price either will increase or decrease. Both information flows are estimated within the GARCH framework, approximated with the use of Swedish OMX stockindex and options strangle return shocks, respectively. The results show significant conditional stock-index and options strangle variance, although with notable differences. Stock-index return shocks exhibit a high level of variance persistence and an asymmetric initial impact to the variance. Option strangle shocks have a relatively low persistence level, but a higher and more symmetric initial impact. A time-series regression of call and put option bid/ask spreads is performed, relating the spreads to the information flows and other explanatory variables. The results show that call and put option bid/ask spreads are related to stock-index and options strangle return shocks, as well as the conditional stock-index variance. This is consistent with the view that market makers alter option spreads in response to return and volatility information flows, as well as the conditional stock-index variance.© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1147,1172, 2005 [source]


Interpretations of the total energy and rotational energy norms applied to determination of singular vectors

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 566 2000
Ronald M. Errico
Abstract The interpretation of the commonly-used energy norm is examined in the context of a simple vertically-discrete model. The norm is shown to include expressions for kinetic and available potential energy in addition to an expression for a portion of unavailable potential energy. Another norm is then introduced that only includes the rotational-mode contribution to these. The characterization of the two norms in terms of corresponding covariance functions is shown to be quite different, with that for the latter norm looking more like prior error statistics used in synoptic-scale data assimilation. The leading singular vectors are determined for both norms. Those computed for the new norm have slower associated growth. Their corresponding structures are similar at the initial time, however, with some notable differences, but after 24 hours their shapes are almost identical. The new norm has advantages over the old norm for some applications; e.g. for effectively filtering ageostrophic, convectively-driven singular vectors and for being more consistent with a spatially and dynamically correlated error norm. [source]


Structure, function and disease susceptibility of the bovine major histocompatibility complex

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006
Shin-Nosuke TAKESHIMA
ABSTRACT The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of cattle is known as the bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) and is located on chromosome 23. BoLA has been linked to variation in resistance to disease including bovine leukemia virus-induced lymphoma and mastitis. Moreover, BoLA appears to influence other traits such as milk yield, growth and reproduction, which are not often measured in humans, and variations in individual immune response to antigen. The BoLA appears to be organized in a similar way to the MHC region in humans, but there are notable differences. A major rearrangement within the class II region has led to the division of the BoLA into two distinct subregions of chromosome 23 separated by about a third of the chromosome's length. The class IIa subregion contains functionally expressed DR and DQ genes, while the class IIb subregion contains the genes of undefined status such as DYA, DYB, DMA, DMB, DOB, DOA, TAP1, TAP2, LAP2 and LMP7. In addition, one pair of human class II genes (DP) does not appear to have an equivalent in cattle, and there is one pair of DY genes that seem to be found only cattle, sheep and goats. In humans, three classical, polymorphic class I genes (HLA-A, -B and -C,) are each present on all haplotypes. However, in cattle, none of the four (or more) classical class-I genes identified are consistently expressed, and haplotypes differ from one to another in both the gene number and composition. These variations in both class I and II are likely to play an important role in cattle immune responses. This review summarizes current knowledge of the structural and functional features and disease association of BoLA genes. [source]


Longitudinal study of Consumer Price Index (CPI) trends in core and non-core foods in Australia

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 5 2008
Cate Burns
Abstract Objective: This study examined trends in the price of healthy and less-healthy foods from 1989 to 2007 using the Australian Consumer Price Index (CPI). Methods: CPI food expenditure classes were classified as ,core' or ,non-core'. Trends in the CPI were analysed to examine the rise in prices of core compared with non-core foods. Results: On average, the CPI for core foods has risen at a slightly higher, though not statistically significant, rate than non-core foods. Furthermore, selected groupings reveal interesting patterns. ,Bread' has risen in price significantly more than ,cakes and biscuits', and ,milk' has risen in price significantly more than ,soft drinks, waters and juices'. Conclusions and implications: This investigation of food price trends reveals notable differences between core and non-core foods. This should be investigated further to determine the extent to which this contributes to the higher prevalence of diet-related diseases in low socio-economic groups. [source]