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Selected AbstractsPARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS: ENGAGING RURAL AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES IN BASIC RESEARCH AND THE STRONG AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES PREVENTIVE INTERVENTION PROGRAMJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 3 2004Velma McBride Murry The Center for Family Research has implemented the first family-community preventive intervention program designed specifically for rural African American families and youths. Basic information garnered during a decade of research in rural African American communities formed the theoretical and empirical foundations for the program, which focuses on delaying the onset of sexual activity and discouraging substance use among youths. The Center's researchers have formulated future directions for engaging rural families in basic research and preventive intervention programs. [source] Gonadal structure of the serial-sex changing gobiid fish Trimma okinawaeDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 1 2005Yasuhisa Kobayashi In order to obtain basic information about the role played by endogenous sex hormones in bringing about sex changes in the serial-sex changing gobiid fish Trimma okinawae, the gonadal structure of male and female phases were observed histologically. Steroid-producing cells (SPC; Leydig cells in a testis) were observed ultrastructurally in the ovaries and testes of both female-phase and male-phase fish. In addition, gonadal expression of P450 cholesterol side-chain-cleavage (scc) was examined immunohistochemically. Gonads of fish in female and male phases were observed to have both ovaries and testes simultaneously. Female-phase fish had matured with many developed vitellogenic oocytes, while male-phase individuals had immature ovaries with many numbers of previtellogenic oocytes at the perinucleolus stage. Testes of fish in different sexual phases had active spermatogenic germ cells. Organellae of SPC in the ovaries of female-phase fish had active structures of steroid production. In contrast, SPC in the ovaries of male-phase fish did not show active structures of steroid production. Immunopositive reactions against the scc antibody in the ovaries of female-phase fish were very strong, but immunoreactions in the ovaries of male-phase fish were very weak. In the testis, moderate immunopositive signals were obtained from dual-phase male/females. [source] The epidemiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A public health viewDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 3 2002Andrew S. Rowland Abstract Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. However, basic information about how the prevalence of ADHD varies by race/ethnicity, sex, age, and socio-economic status remains poorly described. One reason is that difficulties in the diagnosis of ADHD have translated into difficulties developing an adequate case definition for epidemiologic studies. Diagnosis depends heavily on parent and teacher reports; no laboratory tests reliably predict ADHD. Prevalence estimates of ADHD are sensitive to who is asked what, and how information is combined. Consequently, recent systematic reviews report ADHD prevalence estimates as wide as 2%,18%. The diagnosis of ADHD is complicated by the frequent occurrence of comorbid conditions such as learning disability, conduct disorder, and anxiety disorder. Symptoms of these conditions may also mimic ADHD. Nevertheless, we suggest that developing an adequate epidemiologic case definition based on current diagnostic criteria is possible and is a prerequisite for further developing the epidemiology of ADHD. The etiology of ADHD is not known but recent studies suggest both a strong genetic link as well as environmental factors such as history of preterm delivery and perhaps, maternal smoking during pregnancy. Children and teenagers with ADHD use health and mental health services more often than their peers and engage in more health threatening behaviors such as smoking, and alcohol and substance abuse. Better methods are needed for monitoring the prevalence and understanding the public health implications of ADHD. Stimulant medication is the treatment of choice for treating ADHD but psychosocial interventions may also be warranted if comordid disorders are present. The treatment of ADHD is controversial because of the high prevalence of medication treatment. Epidemiologic studies could clarify whether the patterns of ADHD diagnosis and treatment in community settings is appropriate. Population-based epidemiologic studies may shed important new light on how we understand ADHD, its natural history, its treatment and its consequences. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:162,170. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Pharmacogenomics in Cardiovascular MedicineDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004John F. Carlquist Abstract The completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) holds promise for further insight into how genetic differences contribute to an individual's response to a medicine(s). Even before the completion of the HGP, cardiovascular medicine was thrust into the arena of pharmacogenomics by the observation that many drugs, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular, promote cardiac arrhythmias. It is now recognized that these adverse responses as well as beneficial responses to cardiovascular medicines can be influenced by alterations in the genes for metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and drug targets. To the present, much basic information regarding gene,drug interactions has accumulated, but translation to clinical care has been slow. It is anticipated that the pace of clinical cardiovascular pharmacogenomics will increase as the result of better-designed studies and technological advances. The final adoption of this area of investigation into clinical practice will also be influenced by financial, psychosocial, and legal factors. Drug Dev. Res. 62:180,190, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Molecular cloning of CYP1A gene and its expression by benzo(a)pyrene from goldfish (Carassius auratus)ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Seung-Min Oh Abstract We cloned and sequenced the cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) gene from goldfish (Carassius auratus). It has a 1581 bp open reading frame that encodes a 526 amino acid protein with a theoretical molecular weight of 59.02 kDa. The CYP1A amino acid sequence clusters in a monophyletic group with other fish CYP1As, and more closely related to zebrafish CYP1A (91% identity) than to other fish CYP1As. Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) by intraperitoneal injection increased biliary BaP metabolites and liver CYP1A gene expression. BaP exposure also increased CYP1A gene expression in extrahepatic organs, including intestine, and gill, which are sensitive to aqueous and dietary exposure to Arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists. Therefore, goldfish CYP1A identified in this study offers basic information for further research related to biomarker use of CYP1A of goldfish. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009. [source] A thermodynamics-based estimation model for adsorption of organic compounds by carbonaceous materials in environmental sorbentsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2003Paul C. M. van Noort Abstract A model was developed to estimate Langmuir affinities for adsorption of low-polarity organic compounds from either water or air by carbonaceous sorbents. Sorption enthalpies and entropies provided the basic information for the description of sorption affinities in terms of the entropy of melting and either solubility in water or vapor pressure. For m -xylene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorobenzenes on 10 different sorbents, 80% of the measured sorption affinities fall within a factor of four of the model estimates. Equations for the limiting distribution coefficients in terms of either octanol,air (KOA) or octanol,water partition (Kow) coefficients were derived from regressions of calculated affinities combined with an estimated relation between experimental Langmuir sorption capacities and Kow. Estimated soot,water distribution coefficients were within a factor of three of measured data for polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and lower molecular weight PAHs on automotive soot samples and captured the dependence of PCB distribution coefficients on the extent of ortho substitution. For higher molecular weight PAHs, sorption was underestimated. For soot in sediment,water distribution coefficients of PAHs and PCBs, estimated values captured both the trend of measured data with Kow and the dependence on sorbate planarity. Tentative application to aerosol,air distribution explained the observed independence of distribution coefficient,KOA relations for PCBs on the extent of ortho substitution and suggested nonequilibrium conditions for PAHs in comparison with recent measurements. [source] Vocalizations of Amazon River Dolphins, Inia geoffrensis: Insights into the Evolutionary Origins of Delphinid WhistlesETHOLOGY, Issue 7 2002Jeffrey Podos Oceanic dolphins (Odontoceti: Delphinidae) produce tonal whistles, the structure and function of which have been fairly well characterized. Less is known about the evolutionary origins of delphinid whistles, including basic information about vocal structure in sister taxa such as the Platanistidae river dolphins. Here we characterize vocalizations of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), for which whistles have been reported but not well documented. We studied Inia at the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve in central Brazilian Amazônia. During 480 5-min blocks (over 5 weeks) we monitored and recorded vocalizations, noted group size and activity, and tallied frequencies of breathing and pre-diving surfaces. Overall, Inia vocal output correlated positively with pre-diving surfaces, suggesting that vocalizations are associated with feeding. Acoustic analyses revealed Inia vocalizations to be structurally distinct from typical delphinid whistles, including those of the delphinid Sotalia fluviatilis recorded at our field site. These data support the hypothesis that whistles are a recently derived vocalization unique to the Delphinidae. [source] Present status, and social and economic significance of inland fisheries in GermanyFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 4-5 2001H. Wedekind The Federal Republic of Germany is situated in the central part of Europe and covers an area of 358 000 km2. The climate is maritime in the north and continental in the south with precipitation varying between 600 and 2000 mm year,1. Lakes and farm ponds are common in the north-eastern part of the country and in the alpine and pre-alpine regions to the south. A great number of small natural and artificial water bodies exist all over the country. There are about 800 000 ha of inland waters. The population of 82 million people are concentrated around a number of large conurbations. Over the last 150 years, intense use of the water resources by industry led to pollution and a severe decrease in river and lake fisheries. Only 587 inland fishing enterprises still existed in the early 1990s. Catches from commercial fisheries are decreasing with a total of 3469 t being caught in 1998. The Lake Constance fishery, which landed about 840 t in 1998, is an exception to the general trend. Strong competition for the aquatic resource is affecting commercial fisheries, whilst recreational fisheries have gained increasing importance over the last decades. Recent studies provided basic information on anglers' habits, social structure and economic significance as well as their effects on the waters. Aquaculture mainly produces rainbow trout, Oncoryhnchus mykiss (Walbaum) 20 000 t and carps (12 000 t) e.g. Cyprinus carpio L. Despite pressures from industry and conservation movements, regional support for fisheries and their development has intensified, leading to improved water quality. There are even attempts to re-establish abandoned fisheries. Co-operation with conservationists provides an opportunity for the future survival and development of fisheries. The fisheries and aquaculture sectors changed drastically after the reunification of Germany. The collapse of the infrastructure in the eastern part of Germany led to a decline in production and to a special investigation on recent developments of this sector. [source] Growth and reproduction of three cladoceran species from a small wetland in the south-eastern U.S.A.FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003A. M. Lemke SUMMARY 1.,Growth, reproduction and life-history parameters were measured for three cladoceran species from a small south-eastern wetland, U.S.A. Simocephalus serrulatus, Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Scapholeberis mucronata juveniles were reared at temperatures between 10 and 25 °C on natural food resources. 2.,Growth rate increased with temperature and decreased with individual size for all three species. Maximum somatic growth rate was higher for Simocephalus (49,72% day,1) and Diaphanosoma (21,91% day,1) than for Scapholeberis (11,45% day,1). Multiple regression equations were developed which predict temperature- and mass-specific growth rates for each species. 3.,Scapholeberis egg production was positively related to temperature; however, maximum egg production occurred at intermediate temperatures for Simocephalus and Diaphanosoma. Mean cumulative egg production was higher for Scapholeberis (28,92 eggs per female) than for Simocephalus (18,25 eggs per female) and Diaphanosoma (1,41 eggs per female), and was related to differences in reproductive strategy and survival. 4.,Survival was inversely related to temperature in most cases. For all three cladocerans, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0) increased with temperature, whereas generation time (G) decreased. Greater egg production by Scapholeberis compared with the other two cladocerans was consistent with higher R0 values for Scapholeberis at any given temperature. Although r was very similar among species, G was typically longer for Scapholeberis than for Simocephalus and Diaphanosoma. 5.,This analysis provides basic information about the population parameters of these coexisting wetland species, and the growth rate models can be applied to field data to determine production dynamics. [source] Linking biological and artificial olfaction: biomimetic quartz crystal microbalance odor sensorsIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2009Bartosz Wyszynski Non-member Abstract Biological olfaction is a powerful system enabling acquisition and processing of various chemical information from environment. Vast significance of the sense of smell is reflected in attempts to create instrumental techniques mimicking the biological system,artificial/machine olfaction. Following the biological systems, the artificial olfaction relies on arrays of gas sensors with broad specificities to odorants. Arguably, among available gas-sensing technologies, the most suitable choices for artificial olfaction are acoustic wave sensors, including quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) gas/odor sensors. The short review herein presents basic information on organization and principles of biological and artificial olfaction systems as well as several methods for fabrication of biomimetic or bioinspired (QCM) sensors for artificial olfaction. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] A study of endodontic treatment carried out in dental practice within the UKINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001S. M. Jenkins Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to gather both qualitative and quantitative information on the nature of root canal treatment carried out by a group of dentists working within the United Kingdom. Methodology A two-part questionnaire was posted to 720 dentists who graduated from the Dental School, Cardiff, Wales, UK. The first part requested basic information regarding age, year of qualification, field of practice, etc. The second part consisted of 15 questions on endodontic practice and root canal treatment. Results The response rate was 41.5%. Two hundred and ninety-nine questionnaires contained useful information. The majority of practitioners did not use rubber dam during root canal treatment. The vast majority (89%) exposed a radiograph with an instrument of known length in situ to gauge the ,working length', a small number relied upon tactile sensation. Most practitioners used local anaesthetic solution as an irrigant during instrumentation of the root canal. A wide variety of instruments were used for root canal treatment; a stepback technique was preferred by almost half the practitioners. Antiseptic solution was preferred as an interappointment dressing. More than half of the respondents used laterally condensed gutta-percha to obturate root canals in anterior teeth but only one-third used the same technique in posterior teeth. Less than half the respondents exposed a radiograph to check the fit of the master point prior to obturation. Two-thirds of practitioners used a zinc oxide based material as their root canal sealer. Three-quarters of the practitioners exposed a post obturation radiograph. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that although some dentists are using the techniques taught during their undergraduate careers, a large percentage now use techniques with no evidence of clinical effectiveness. [source] Understanding consumers' perspectives on food labelling in IndiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 6 2009Jabir Ali Abstract This study aims at identifying the factors influencing consumers' perception on food labelling and its impact on food purchase decision making, through personal interviews of 631 respondents using a structured questionnaire. To analyse the consumers' perceptions on food labelling, factor analysis has been carried out to identify the underlying dimensions among a set of food labelling attributes using the principal component analysis. Based on factor analysis, four sets of components/factors have emerged, that is, (i) serving method; (ii) quality and nutrition; (iii) production and storage; and (iv) product identification, which explain 66.271% of the variance. Logit regression analysis indicates that among the socio-demographic indicators, the estimated coefficients for gender, education, income and location of residence are statistically significant. Similarly, information on quality and nutrition, production and storage processes, and basic information of the product is found to be significant, implying that these factors are more likely to influence the use of food labels in making informed purchase decisions by the consumers. The findings of the study give practical insights on food labelling issues for the food processors and policy makers. [source] Formation of Lipid Emulsions and Clear Gels by Liquid Crystal EmulsificationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007T. Suzuki Recently developed emulsion technologies for the formation of fine emulsions, lipid emulsions and clear gels by liquid crystal emulsification were reviewed. As a basic information on liquid crystal emulsification, the structures and characteristic behaviours of lyotropic liquid crystals were summarized. Formation of a liquid crystalline phase was often seen in emulsions and biological systems. The significance of liquid crystal formation during emulsification was analysed by comparing the states and stabilities of emulsions prepared by different processes. Then uses of liquid crystals for formation of the characteristic emulsions and gels were also discussed. In liquid crystal emulsification, an oil phase is dispersed directly into the lamellar liquid-crystalline phase composed of surfactant, glycerol and water to prepare a gel-like oil-in-liquid crystal emulsion. This is followed by dilution with the remaining water to produce an emulsion. From the phase behaviour during emulsification and analysis of the local motion of the liquid crystal membrane by fluorometry, it was confirmed that the interaction between surfactant and a polyol molecule such as glycerol promotes hydrogen bonding and enhances the strength of the lamellar liquid crystal membranes, which results in the formation of oil-in-liquid crystal emulsions. The interaction between the liquid crystal and oil was analysed from the changes in molecular motion of the membrane at the oil-liquid crystal interface using the spin label technique of electron spin resonance (ESR). The fluidity of the liquid crystal membrane did not change when oil was added, and therefore oil-in-liquid crystal emulsions of various oils were prepared by the identical process. This lack of dependence of the liquid crystal membrane on oil results in the unique properties of liquid crystal emulsification, which can be used for oils of various polarity and different molecular constituents. When a self-organizing artificial stratum corneum lipid containing pseudo-ceramide was used as a principal component of the oil, a multilamellar emulsion of concentric lamellar structure was formed. The multilamellar emulsion supplements the physiological function of stratum corneum by the identical mechanism as natural intercellular lipids. High-pressure treatment of the lipid emulsion produced a gel-like emulsion crystal, in which the homogeneous nanoemulsion droplets were arranged in a hexagonal array. This review paper was presented at the Conference of the Asian Societies of Cosmetic Scientists 2005 in Bangkok. [source] Fabrication of Direct Fiber-Reinforced Posts: A Structural Design ConceptJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2001DOUGLAS A. TERRY DDS ABSTRACT As the clinician continues the quest for optimal functional and esthetic success of a tooth-restorative complex, the current selection of restorative materials and techniques may prove overwhelming. Although no single system provides the ideal restorative solution for every clinical circumstance, understanding of general design criteria and the components for the various post and core systems available allow the clinician to appropriately select the method and materials compatible with the existing tooth structure and desired result. This article provides a discussion of the various post and core systems, the methods and materials inherent in these systems, and general design principles. Using that basic information and clinical experience, the authors offer an alternative procedure for the rehabilitation of the intraradicular anatomy of the post-endodontic channel with a direct composite resin,the fiber-reinforced post and core system. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Using improved restorative materials that simulate the physical properties and other characteristics of natural teeth in combination with the proper design principles, the clinician can develop a tooth-restorative complex with optimal functional and esthetic results. [source] Detection system for electro-separation analytical methodsJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 12 2005Radek Abstract The paper provides information about the on-line monitoring of components analysed by capillary electrophoresis. For this purposes we developed a whole-capillary transverse scanning detection system, which helps to improve and control the separation processes. A picture from a colour line scanner was used as a source of basic information for autonomous control of the separation process by regulation of the high voltage source. The application and algorithms for machine vision were designed in the progressive graphic development system LabVIEW. Real-time control of the separation process was implemented in a compact control process logic controller. The performance of the detection system was evaluated and the function of the overall system was tested by performing isotachophoretic analysis of a model mixture. [source] Comparison of plastic films with different optical properties for soil covering in horticulture: test under simulated environmental conditionsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2005Adolf Heißner Abstract Covering the soil with plastic film is an important method to modify soil temperature and improve the conditions for plant growth. For the optimal use of films in horticulture, it is necessary to quantify this effect, which depends particularly on the optical properties of the film. Five films, used mainly for soil covering in asparagus cultivation, were tested by measuring the soil temperature as well as the transmittance and reflectance in the short- and long-wavelength bands: ,Taschenfolie schwarz/weiß', a film with black and white surfaces and pockets for fastening; ,Antitaufolie', a film with anti-condensation coating, ,Solartherm plus Folie', a film with black top and transparent sides; ,MaterBi Folie', a biodegradable film; and ,Thermoplus Folie', a black polyethylene with transparent sides. All films were produced in Germany. The temperature measurements were carried out under controlled irradiation (short-wavelength band) and ambient temperature conditions in the laboratory: first, 182 W m,2 and 11 °C at a depth of 0.4 m, and second, 340 W m,2 at 20 °C. A significant relationship between the temperature increase or decrease by covering the soil with the film and the calculated apparent quantities of the reflectance in the short and long-wavelength band was derived (r2 = 0.85, n = 12). Furthermore, first tests with a physical model were carried out to obtain basic information, which should be used in the development of strategies for film management in the field. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] The EuroPrevall surveys on the prevalence of food allergies in children and adults: background and study methodologyALLERGY, Issue 10 2009I. Kummeling Background:, The epidemiological surveys in children and adults of the EU-funded multidisciplinary Integrated Project EuroPrevall, launched in June 2005, were designed to estimate the currently unknown prevalence of food allergy and exposure to known or suspected risk factors for food allergy across Europe. We describe the protocol for the epidemiological surveys in children and adults. This protocol provides specific instructions on the sampling strategy, the use of questionnaires, and collection of blood samples for immunological analyses. Methods:, The surveys were performed as multi-centre, cross-sectional studies in general populations. Case,control studies were nested within these surveys. The studies in children aged 7,10 years and adults aged 20,54 years were undertaken in eight centres representing different social and climatic regions in Europe. Results:, After a community-based survey collecting basic information on adverse reactions to foods, all those stating they had experienced such reactions, as well as of a random sample of those stating ,no reactions' to foods, completed a detailed questionnaire on potential risks and exposures. Also a blood sample was taken to allow serological analysis to establish patterns of food and aeroallergen sensitization. We also included a questionnaire to schools on their preparedness for dealing with food allergy amongst pupils. Subjects reporting adverse reactions to foods and sensitized to the same food(s) were called in for a full clinical evaluation that included a double blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), following a protocol which is described in detail elsewhere. Conclusions:, The outcome of these studies will help to improve our understanding of several important aspects of food allergies in the European Community, providing for more well-informed policies and effective measures of disease prevention, diagnosis and management. [source] Proteomic identification of peroxiredoxin 6 for host defence against Opisthorchis viverrini infectionPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010J. KHOONTAWAD Summary Opisthorchis viverrini infection causes opisthorchiasis and is a risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma via chronic inflammation. To investigate the mechanism of O. viverrini -induced liver disease, we applied a proteomic approach to examine alterations in hepatic protein levels in O. viverrini -infected hamsters. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) revealed that O. viverrini infection induced upregulation (1·5- to 4·3-fold) of 25 proteins and downregulation (1·5 to 2·5-fold) of 24 proteins compared with uninfected animals. Expression of proteins related to stress response, DNA replication and repair, and cell structure was significantly increased, whereas that of proteins associated with normal liver function, such as metabolism, blood volume maintenance and fatty acid cycle was decreased. Among the upregulated proteins, a 2·7-fold increase in peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), an antioxidant protein, was confirmed by 2DE and immunoblot analysis, Western blot and quantitative PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Prdx6 expression was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells. These results suggest that Prdx6 is important for host defence against O. viverrini infection. This study provides basic information for Prdx6 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for opisthorchiasis. [source] Inheritance of beta-cypermethrin resistance in the housefly Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 2 2008Lan Zhang Abstract BACKGROUND: Beta-cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was applied frequently in the control of health pests including houseflies, Musca domestica L., in China. However, different levels of resistance to beta-cypermethrin were monitored in field strains of houseflies. A strain of M. domestica, 4420-fold resistant to beta-cypermethrin after continuous 25 generations of selection, was used in this paper to determine the mode of inheritance of pyrethroid resistance. RESULTS: The estimated realized heritability (h2) of beta-cypermethrin resistance was 0.30 in this resistant strain. Results of bioassays showed no significant difference in values of LD50 and slope of log dose-probit lines between reciprocal progenies F1 and F,1, and yielded values of , 0.10 (F1) and , 0.11 (F,1) for the degree of dominance (D). Chi-square analysis from responses of self-bred and backcross progenies (F2, BC1 and BC2 respectively) indicated that the null hypothesis, a single gene responsible for resistance, was accepted. The minimum number of independent segregation genes was 0.93 for F1 by Lande's method. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that beta-cypermethrin resistance in the housefly was inherited as a single, major, autosomal and incompletely recessive factor. These results would provide the basic information for pest management programmes. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Restoring Stream Ecosystems: Lessons from a Midwestern StateRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Ashley H. Moerke Abstract Reach-scale stream restorations are becoming a common approach to repair degraded streams, but the effectiveness of these projects is rarely evaluated or reported. We surveyed governmental, private, and nonprofit organizations in the state of Indiana to determine the frequency and nature of reach-scale stream restorations in this midwestern U.S. state. For 10 attempted restorations in Indiana, questionnaires and on-site assessments were used to better evaluate current designs for restoring stream ecosystems. At each restoration site, habitat and water quality were evaluated in restored and unrestored reaches. Our surveys identified commonalities across all restorations, including the type of restoration, project goals, structures installed, and level of monitoring conducted. In general, most restorations were described as stream-relocation projects that combined riparian and in-stream enhancements. Fewer than half of the restorations conducted pre- or post-restoration monitoring, and most monitoring involved evaluations of riparian vegetation rather than aquatic variables. On-site assessments revealed that restored reaches had significantly lower stream widths and greater depths than did upstream unrestored reaches, but riparian canopy cover often was lower in restored than in unrestored reaches. This study provides basic information on midwestern restoration strategies, which is needed to identify strengths and weaknesses in current practices and to better inform future stream restorations. [source] Population of Follicles and Luteal Structures during the Oestrous Cycle of Mares Detected by Three-Dimensional Internal Structure MicroscopyANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 3 2009Y. Hirano Summary The structure of the equine ovary is different from that of other mammals in its extremely large size, the presence of ovarian fossa and the inverted location of its cortex and medulla. A three-dimensional internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM), which consists of a computer-controlled slicer, a CCD camera, a laser disc recorder and a PC, is very useful for the observation of the internal structures in equine ovaries. In addition, the three-dimensional images of follicles and corpus luteum (CL) reconstructed by the segmentation technique can clarify the spatial arrangement in the equine ovary. In this study, to understand the changes in the ovarian internal structures of the mare during the oestrous cycle, the size and numbers of follicles and luteal structures were analysed by 3D-ISM in addition to the concentrations of progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17,. As a result, many small follicles (<10 mm in diameter) were detected. It was recognized that the luteal structures were distinguished into three types, such as the corpus haemorragicum (CH), which is formed by blood elements at the cavity after ovulation, CL and corpus albican (CA). There were some CHs and CL in the group, which had the concentration of P4 > 1 ng/ml. CHs were also observed in the group, which had low level of P4 (P4 < 1 ng/ml). CAs were found regardless of the P4 level. In conclusion, 3D-ISM enabled the internal observation of the ovarian structures in detail, and estimation of the stage of the ovarian cycle with complementary physiological information. The findings by 3D-ISM provide basic information for clinical applications. [source] Establishment of a strain inheriting a sex-linked SNP marker in Patagonian pejerrey (Odontesthes hatcheri), a species with both genotypic and temperature-dependent sex determinationANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2010R. S. Hattori Summary The Patagonian pejerrey Odontesthes hatcheri is an atherinopsid species presenting genotypic sex determination (GSD) at intermediate temperatures and temperature-dependent sex determination at the low and high ranges of thermal tolerance. A recent study revealed the presence of a sex-linked SNP marker in some males of this species, but a strain which inherits the marker faithfully has not been established. This research was conducted to develop such a strain, for use as a tool to study the molecular mechanisms of gonadal sex differentiation and sexual dimorphism, and to obtain basic information on the GSD mode in this species. For these purposes, we performed backcrosses and full-sibling crosses using males and females whose presumptive genotypic sex was inferred from the presence of the sex-linked SNP marker. Four backcrosses between SNP, daughters and their SNP+ father generated balanced sex ratios with the phenotypic sex matching the genotypic sex in most cases (98.21%) at an intermediate, sexually neutral temperature (21 °C). Full-sibling crosses between these four SNP, females and their SNP+ brothers produced three progenies with balanced sex ratios and one with 94.4% males. The results of this study confirm that a strain inheriting the sex-linked SNP marker was successfully developed. Moreover, the inheritance pattern of the marker and the sex ratios of the progenies provide strong evidence that the GSD mode in O. hatcheri is the XX,XY system. [source] A quantitative study on arginine catabolism by mixed ruminal bacteria, protozoa and their mixture in vitroANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003Halima SULTANA ABSTRACT The catabolism of arginine (Arg) by mixed rumen bacteria (B), mixed rumen protozoa (P), and their mixture (BP) was quantitatively investigated in an in vitro system in order to confirm the metabolic pathway of Arg and provide basic information for enzymatic and molecular studies as well as an understanding of the quantitative distribution of metabolites. Rumen microbial suspensions (B, P, and BP) collected from fistulated goats were anaerobically incubated with or without 1 mmol/L Arg at 39°C for 12 h. Arg and other related compounds such as citrulline (Cit), ornithine (Orn), proline (Pro) and 5-aminovaleric acid (5AV) in both supernatant and hydrolyzates of B, P, and BP suspensions were analyzed by HPLC. The metabolic pathways of Arg in mixed rumen bacteria and mixed rumen protozoa were considered to be as follows: rumen bacteria, Arg , Cit , Orn , Pro , 5AV , VFAs + NH3; rumen protozoa, Arg , Cit , Orn , Pro , 5AV. The disappearance of Arg (1 mmol/L) was approximately 52.9 and 88.2% in B, 33.9 and 55.6% in P, and 52.8 and 85.2% in BP during 6 and 12 h incubations, respectively. When expressed in units of ,per gram (g) of microbial nitrogen (MN)', the net degradation rate of Arg in BP (50.3 µmol/g MN/h) was approximately 46% lower than that of B during a 12 h incubation period. The presence of protozoa tended to inhibit the production of Orn from Cit and the production of 5AV from Pro which were thought to be rate-limiting steps of Arg metabolism in rumen microorganisms. As a result, protozoa appeared to have a saving effect on Arg metabolism, that is, protozoa protected Arg from wasteful exhaustion in the rumen. [source] PUTTING THE CIVIL SOCIETY SECTOR ON THE ECONOMIC MAP OF THE WORLDANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2010Lester M. Salamon ABSTRACT,:,The past twenty-five years have witnessed a spectacular expansion of philanthropy, volunteering, and civil society organizations throughout the world. Indeed, we seem to be in the midst of a ,global associational revolution,' a worldwide upsurge of organized private voluntary activity. Despite the promise that this development holds, however, the nonprofit or civil society sector remains the invisible subcontinent on the social landscape of most countries, poorly understood by policymakers and the public at large, often encumbered by legal limitations, and inadequately utilized as a mechanism for addressing public problems. One reason for this is the lack of basic information on its scope, structure, financing, and contributions in most parts of the world. This lack of information is due in part to the fact that significant components of the nonprofit sector fall within the non-observed, or informal, economy, and in part to the way even the observed parts of this sector have historically been treated in the prevailing System of National Accounts (SNA). This paper provides an overview of a series of steps that have been taken over the past 20 years by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University in cooperation with colleagues around the world and, more recently, with officials in the United Nations Statistics Division and the International Labour Organization to remedy this situation, culminating in the issuance and initial implementation of a new United Nations Handbook on Nonprofit Institutions in the System of National Accounts and the forthcoming publication of a new International Labour Organization Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work. Taken together, these efforts point the way toward putting the civil society sector on the economic map of the world for the first time in a systematically comparative way. [source] CR11 PATIENT RECALL OF INFORMED CONSENT INFORMATION PRIOR TO COLONOSCOPYANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 2007I. G. Thomson Purpose To determine if patients presenting for colonoscopy can remember information discussed in the informed consent process. Focusing on whether patients know of the possible risks. Methodology A prospective study of patients presenting for elective colonoscopy through the Colorectal Unit. Patients were consented in outpatient clinics prior to the procedure using the colonoscopy consent form supplied by Queensland Health. On the day of the procedure a 2 page questionnaire with 13 questions was completed by the patient prior to their colonoscopy. Indications for colonoscopy date of consent & procedure and seniority of consenting doctor were obtained from medical records. Results 100 patients completed the questionnaire. 94% of patients could correctly identify colonoscopy as the procedure being undertaken. 45% of patients were able to identify that there were any risks involved with the procedure. Only 28% of patients could name perforation as a possible risk. h regard to other investigative options 83% could not identify any from a list of three. Despite this 92% felt they were given enough information and were happy to proceed. Conclusion This study highlights room for improvement in the current informed consent process. The current process falls short in educating patients of the possible serious risks involved. Patients do not recall other therapeutic options given. The consent process does convey basic information allowing the patient to identify the name of the investigation and anatomical area investigated. Despite these shortcomings most patients felt they were given enough information to proceed. [source] Population genetic structure of sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus in Korea using microsatellite markersAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2008Mi-Jung Kim Abstract Sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is a commercially valuable species in Korea. We examined the genetic characteristics of sea cucumber populations in Korea using microsatellite markers. A total of 144 sea cucumbers from five populations were typed for nine polymorphic microsatellite loci. A total of 139 different alleles were found over all loci and many alleles were unique. The average number of allele per locus ranged from 6 to 18.4. The average observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.532 to 0.626 and from 0.719 to 0.789 respectively. All populations showed significant departure from Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium at almost all loci except one (Psj2409). This deviation was in the direction of heterozygote deficit. A phylogenetic tree revealed two distinct clusters. One cluster was formed by the eastern sea population. A second cluster consisted of the subpopulations of the western and southern sea populations. The eastern sea population showed genetic differences such as a larger number of alleles per locus, a larger number of unique alleles and a smaller number of the most common alleles, suggesting a higher genetic diversity in this population. These results provide basic information on natural population genetic structure of S. japonicus in Korea. [source] Seasonal pattern of insect abundance in the Brazilian cerradoAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002F. Pinheiro Abstract In Brazil, a severe dry season lasting for approximately 5 months and frequent fires make life difficult for cerrado insects. In certain aspects, the cerrado can be considered to be an understudied ecosystem; even basic information such as knowledge about the annual peak in abundance of different insect orders is unknown. Insect abundance patterns have only been investigated for a few groups in the cerrado region. Thus, our study concerns the temporal distribution of insect abundance in the savanna-like vegetation of the central Brazilian cerrado (sensu stricto) in Distrito Federal. The region has a well-defined, long dry season between May and September. The insects were sampled by window, malaise tent and pitfall traps within 1 year. We used a multiple linear regression to analyse the relationship between abundance of insects of each order and climate variables. A total of 50 127 individuals from 15 orders was collected. The orders were Coleoptera (26%), Hymenoptera (23%), Diptera (20.5%), Isoptera (20%), Homoptera (4%), Lepidoptera (4%), Orthoptera (1.5%) and Hemiptera (1%). The abundance of Diptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera was randomly distributed over time, Isoptera peaked in the first half of the wet season, Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the second half of the wet season and Hymenoptera in each season. A significant correlation was found only between Coleoptera and delayed climatic variables. There were no obvious trends that might help explain the abundance patterns observed. The study provides baseline information about phenological patterns of insect abundance and permits evaluation of this group as a resource for various food chains and different trophic levels. [source] Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in boreal forest soils: a mycorrhizal ecosystems perspectiveBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 2 2007Susan J. Robertson Abstract The importance of developing multi-disciplinary approaches to solving problems relating to anthropogenic pollution is now clearly appreciated by the scientific community, and this is especially evident in boreal ecosystems exposed to escalating threats of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination through expanded natural resource extraction activities. This review aims to synthesize information regarding the fate and behaviour of PHCs in boreal forest soils in both ecological and sustainable management contexts. From this, we hope to evaluate potential management strategies, identify gaps in knowledge and guide future research. Our central premise is that mycorrhizal systems, the ubiquitous root symbiotic fungi and associated food-web communities, occupy the structural and functional interface between decomposition and primary production in northern forest ecosystems (i.e. underpin survival and productivity of the ecosystem as a whole), and, as such, are an appropriate focal point for such a synthesis. We provide pertinent basic information about mycorrhizas, followed by insights into the ecology of ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal systems. Next, we review the fate and behaviour of PHCs in forest soils, with an emphasis on interactions with mycorrhizal fungi and associated bacteria. Finally, we summarize implications for ecosystem management. Although we have gained tremendous insights into understanding linkages between ecosystem functions and the various aspects of mycorrhizal diversity, very little is known regarding rhizosphere communities in PHC-contaminated soils. This makes it difficult to translate ecological knowledge into environmental management strategies. Further research is required to determine which fungal symbionts are likely to survive and compete in various ecosystems, whether certain fungal - plant associations gain in ecological importance following contamination events, and how PHC contamination may interfere with processes of nutrient acquisition and exchange and metabolic processes. Research is also needed to assess whether the metabolic capacity for intrinsic decomposition exists in these ecosystems, taking into account ecological variables such as presence of other organisms (and their involvement in syntrophic biodegradation), bioavailability and toxicity of mixtures of PHCs, and physical changes to the soil environment. [source] Vp/Vs Anisotropy and Implications for Crustal Composition Identification and Earthquake PredictionACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 4 2009Qian WANG Abstract: The ratio of P- to S-wave velocities (Vp/Vs) is regarded as one of the most diagnostic properties of natural rocks. It has been used as a discriminant of composition for the continental crust and provides valuable constraints on its formation and evolution processes. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal changes in Vp/Vs before and after earthquakes are probably the most promising avenue to understanding the source mechanics and possibly predicting earthquakes. Here we calibrate the variations in Vp/Vs in dry, anisotropic crustal rocks and provide a set of basic information for the interpretation of future seismic data from the Wenchuan earthquake Fault zone Scientific Drilling (WFSD) project and other surveys. Vp/Vs is a constant (,0) for an isotropic rock. However, most of crustal rocks are anisotropic due to lattice-preferred orientations of anisotropic minerals (e.g., mica, amphibole, plagioclase and pyroxene) and cracks as well as thin compositional layering. The Vp/Vs ratio of an anisotropic rock measured along a selected pair of propagation-vibration directions is an apparent value (,ij) that is significantly different from the value for its isotropic counterpart (,0). The usefulness of apparent Vp/Vs ratios as a diagnostic of crustal composition depends largely on rock seismic anisotropy. A 5% of P- and S-wave velocity anisotropy is sufficient to make it impossible to determine the crustal composition using the conventional criteria (Vp/Vs,1.756 for felsic rocks, 1.756 Neuroscience, education and special educationBRITISH JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2004Usha Goswami The discipline of neuroscience draws from the fields of neurology, psychology, physiology and biology, but is best understood in the wider world as ,brain science'. Of particular interest for education is the development of techniques for ,imaging' the brain as it performs different cognitive functions. Cognitive neuroimaging has already led to advances in understanding some of the basic functions involved in learning and raised implications for education and special education in particular. For example, neuroimaging has enabled scientists to study the very complex processes underpinning speech and language, thinking and reasoning, reading and mathematics. In this article, Professor Usha Goswami of the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education first reviews basic information on brain development. She provides a brief introduction to the tools used in neuroimaging then considers recent findings from neuroscience that seem relevant to educational questions. Professor Goswami uses this review to suggest particular ways in which neuroscience research could inform special education. In its closing sections, this article provides authoritative perspectives on some of the ,neuromyths' that seem to have taken root in the popular imagination and argues for increased dialogue, in the future, between the disciplines of neuroscience and education. [source]
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