North American

Purpose – To draw the frontiers of the functional food universe, to identify concepts that should be included in a broadly accepted functional food definition and to propose a definition. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a review of the literature and the Delphi technique with a group of North American and European experts. Findings – Four concepts were identified: the nature

Elucidating the role of pyrogenic carbon (C pyr) as a global pool for CO 2 sequestration in temperate ecosystems requires information on the contribution of C pyr to soil organic carbon (SOC) across different climatic regions. We investigated the effect of climate and basic soil properties on the accumulation of C pyr in surface soils across the native North American prairies. Topsoil samples (0-10 cm) of 18 native grassland sites along temperature and precipitation transects from central Saskatoon, Canada, to south Texas, USA, were analyzed for benzenecarboxylic acids as molecular markers for C pyr after nitric acid oxidation in the bulk soil (<2 mm), clay-(<2 mm) and silt-sized (2-20 mm) separates. C pyr contributed between 4 and 18% to SOC, the major proportions of C pyr being mostly found in the clay and silt fractions. C pyr in soil did not correlate with basic inorganic soil properties such as pH or clay content, but it increased significantly as SOC contents increased (r 2 = 0.78; P < 0.001). Obviously, C pyr co-accumulated with dead biomass. Since this accumulation depends on climate, also C pyr contents in soil depend on climate and may be predicted by the logarithm of the ratio of mean annual temperature (MAT) to mean annual precipitation (MAP) (P < 0.05). We conclude that the natural potential of soils to sequester C pyr reflects both, (1) higher C pyr production at sites with high plant biomass in moist climates, and (2) lower C pyr residence time at soils acting as a CO 2 source in warm climates.

Over the past decade, Web-based learning management systems, such as Blackboard and WebCT, have been gradually integrated into college education. The strategic use and effectiveness of such systems have been investigated to a large extent. What is less covered is what students really think about such learning management systems. Understanding students&#x27; evaluations can shed light on the development, selection, training, maintenance, use, and investment on such systems. In this paper, we report a longitudinal ...

A serologic survey of anti-Brucella spp. antibodies was undertaken on 2,470 samples of 14 North American marine mammal species collected between 1984-97. Serum or blood from eight species of cetaceans and six species of pinnipeds was sampled from Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans. Two competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (C-ELISA's), using specific monoclonal antibodies to Brucella abortus cell wall components, were used to detect anti-Brucella spp. antibodies in the samples. Sera from 33 cetaceans and 61 pinnipeds gave inhibition values, in one or both of the tests, which exceeded the threshold that indicates Brucella spp. exposure in cattle. Seropositive animals were identified from Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans. While Brucella spp. was not isolated, differences in the response of seropositive cetacean and pinniped sera in the two assays suggest that two antigenically distinct species or biovars of Brucella spp. are present. No pathology consistent with clinical brucellosis was noted in any of the animals tested although detailed examination was not conducted on all carcasses.

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Since Þrst discovered in the New York City area in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has become established over much of the continental United States and has been responsible for Ͼ10,000 cases of severe disease and 400 human fatalities, as well as thousands of fatal infections in horses. To develop appropriate surveillance and control strategies, the identiÞcation of which mosquito species are competent vectors and how various factors inßuence their ability to transmit this virus must be determined. Therefore, we evaluated numerous mosquito species for their ability to transmit WNV under laboratory conditions. This report contains data for several mosquito species not reported previously, as well as a summary of transmission data compiled from previously reported studies.

Atlantic salmon and brown trout frequently cooccur in the same habitats and juveniles of both species are difficult to discriminate. Hybridization between the two taxa has also been widely documented especially in endangered populations hence the need for species-specific molecular markers. Here we show that the microsatellite marker SsAD486 has two species-specific alleles allowing the identification of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and their hybrids throughout the European range of these species. Since this marker is polymorphic in Atlantic salmon populations from Western Atlantic, it could also help discriminating between North American and European salmon.

When the development of gap models began about three decades ago, they became a new category of forest productivity models. Compared with traditional growth and yield models, which aim at deriving empirical relationships that best fit data, gap models use semi-theoretical relationships to simulate biotic and abiotic processes in forest stands, including the effects of photosynthetic active radiation interception, site fertility, temperature and soil moisture on tree growth and seedling establishment. While growth and yield models are appropriate to predict short-term stemwood production, gap models may be used to predict the natural course of species replacement for several generations. Because of the poor availability of historical data and knowledge on species-specific allometric relationships, species replacement and death rate, it has seldom been possible to develop and evaluate the most representative algorithms to predict growth and mortality with a high degree of accuracy. For this reason, the developers of gap models focused more on developing simulation tools to improve the understanding of forest succession than predicting growth and yield accurately.

The previously unknown preorbital part of the skull of Patriomanis americanus shows that by the end of the Eocene, this North American pangolin was already like all extant pangolin species in being completely edentulous. The skull, like the postcranial skeleton, has defining pangolin characters imposed on a morphology that is otherwise quite generalized and primitive. The absence of teeth in Patriomanis reinforces its close relationship to living pangolins, but also means that some morphologic information that might have shed light on the question of pangolin origins is absent.

Soils of many potential soybean fields in Africa are characterized by low levels of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) activities and often cannot support high soybean yields without addition of inorganic N fertilizers or external application of soybean rhizobia. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to determine the bradyrhizobial populations that nodulate TGx soybean genotypes (a cross between nonpromiscuous North American soybean genotypes and promiscuous Asian soybean genotypes), cowpea or North American soybean cv. Clark IV, in soils from 65 sites in 9 African countries. The symbiotic effectiveness of isolates from these soils was compared to that of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA110. The bradyrhizobial population sizes ranged from 0 to 10 4 cells g À1 soil. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were detected in 72% and B. japonicum (Clark) in 37% of the soil samples. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were generally low, and significantly less than that of the cowpea bradyrhizobial populations in 57% of the samples. Population sizes of less than 10 cells g À1 soil were common as these were detected in at least 43% of the soil samples. B. japonicum (Clark) occurred in higher population densities in research sites compared to farmers' fields. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were highly correlated with biotic but not abiotic factors. The frequent incidence of low Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations is unlikely to support optimum BNF enough for high soybean yields while the presence of B. japonicum (Clark) in research fields has the potential to compromise the selection pressure anticipated from the indigenous Bradyrhizobium spp. (Vigna) populations. Bradyrhizobium isolates could be placed in four symbiotic phenotype groups based on their effectiveness on a TGx soybean genotype and the North American cultivar Clark IV. Symbiotic phenotype group II isolates were as effective as B. japonicum strain USDA110 on both soybean genotypes while isolates of group IV were effective on the TGx soybean genotype but not on the Clark IV. The group IV isolates represent a unique subgroup of indigenous bradyrhizobia that can sustain high soybean yields when available in sufficient population densities.

To mitigate global climate change, a portfolio of strategies will be needed to keep the atmospheric CO 2 concentration below a dangerous level. Here a carbon sequestration strategy is proposed in which certain dead or live trees are harvested via collection or selective cutting, then buried in trenches or stowed away in above-ground shelters. The largely anaerobic condition under a sufficiently thick layer of soil will prevent the decomposition of the buried wood. Because a large flux of CO 2 is constantly being assimilated into the world's forests via photosynthesis, cutting off its return pathway to the atmosphere forms an effective carbon sink. It is estimated that a sustainable long-term carbon sequestration potential for wood burial is 10 ± 5 GtC y-1 , and currently about 65 GtC is on the world's forest floors in the form of coarse woody debris suitable for burial. The potential is largest in tropical forests (4.2 GtC y-1), followed by temperate (3.7 GtC y-1) and boreal forests (2.1 GtC y-1). Burying wood has other benefits including minimizing CO 2 source from deforestation, extending the lifetime of reforestation carbon sink, and reducing fire danger. There are possible environmental impacts such as nutrient lock-up which nevertheless appears manageable, but other concerns and factors will likely set a limit so that only part of the full potential can be realized. Based on data from North American logging industry, the cost for wood burial is estimated to be $14/tCO 2 ($50/tC), lower than the typical cost for power plant CO 2 capture with geological storage. The cost for carbon sequestration with wood burial is low because CO 2 is removed from the atmosphere by the natural process of photosynthesis at little cost. The technique is low tech, distributed, easy to monitor, safe, and reversible, thus an attractive option for large-scale implementation in a worldwide carbon market.

Aspen was heat-treated at high temperature in a laboratory thermogravimetric analyzer. The high temperature wood treatment technology is new in North America and needs to be adapted to the North American species. The objective of this study is to understand how the treatment affects the mechanical properties of aspen such as hardness, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, and, consequently, the quality of the product. The wood samples were heated in an inert gas environment under different operating conditions. The parameters studied are the final treatment temperature, heating rate, holding time, and the gas humidity. The weight loss and the temperature history of wood were monitored during the treatment. After the experiments, the properties of the samples were measured, and the effects of the above parameters on the properties were analyzed. The weight loss increased with increasing temperature, heating rate, holding time, and gas humidity. Increasing temperature caused an increase in MOE and a decrease in MOR. Overall hardness decreased with increasing temperature above 160°C and it increased with increasing holding time and heating rate whereas it decreased with increasing gas humidity. Holding time and heating rate did not seem to affect MOE. Gas humidity increased MOE. MOR increased with holding time and decreased with heating rate and gas humidity.

Conservation of fauna breeding in vernal pools is challenging given their complex life histories. Many species, including the widespread North American Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), require both aquatic and terrestrial habitat, yet insufficient information exists about movements between these environments, nor fine-scale selection patterns within them. To inform conservation planning, we conducted a radio-telemetry study of seasonal patterns of Wood Frog movements and habitat selection in southern Maine. Forty-three frogs were tracked an average of 25.6 days each, April to November 2003. In early spring, Wood Frogs generally selected damp leaf litter retreats on the margins of breeding pools. Following breeding, frogs selected forested wetlands (9.3% of the landscape) over forested uplands (90.7% of the landscape) in 75.3% of radio locations (N 5 544). Postbreeding movements from breeding pools to nearby, closed-canopy, forested wetlands ranged from 102-340 m (median 169m, N 5 8) and included stopovers in upland forest floors ranging from one to 17 days (median two days, N 5 7). Summer refugia were characterized by shady, moist (nonaquatic), and sphagnum-dominated microhabitats. In urbanizing areas, we recommend a shift from a core-habitat conservation model to a spatially explicit approach that considers pool-breeding amphibian habitat as a network of migration-connected habitat elements (e.g., breeding pools, upland forest, nearby forested wetlands). In our study, this approach reduced the amount of land potentially requiring protection by . 2/3 from that of core habitat models. With the rapid dissemination of GIS technology, spatially explicit planning for pool-breeding amphibians is increasingly feasible.

The emergence of b-lactamase-mediated resistance to b-lactam antibiotics among key respiratory tract pathogens has threatened the usefulness of the b-lactam agents familiar to physicians as being clinically effective and well tolerated. This article reassesses the clinical usefulness of ampicillin when administered in combination with the b-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam, either intravenously or orally (as the mutual prodrug sultamicillin), in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Numerous clinical studies and several meta-analyses indicate that ampicillin/sulbactam and sultamicillin are clinically effective and well tolerated in both adults and children, in agreement with published North American and European guidelines.

Measurements of tropospheric nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) made in continental North America should exhibit a common pattern determined by photochemical removal and dilution acting upon the typical North American urban emissions. We analyze 11 data sets collected in the United States in the context of this hypothesis, in most cases by analyzing the geometric mean and standard deviations of ratios of selected NMHCs. In the analysis we attribute deviations from the common pattern to plausible systematic and random experimental errors. In some cases the errors have been independently verified and the specific causes identified. Thus this common pattern provides a check for internal consistency in NMHC data sets. Specific tests are presented which should provide useful diagnostics for all data sets of anthropogenic NMHC measurements collected in the United States. Similar tests, based upon the perhaps different emission patterns of other regions, presumably could be developed. The specific tests include (1) a lower limit for ethane concentrations, (2) specific NMHCs that should be detected if any are, (3) the relatively constant mean ratios of the longer-lived NMHCs with similar atmospheric lifetimes, (4) the constant relative patterns of families of NMHCs, and (5) limits on the ambient variability of the NMHC ratios. Many experimental problems are identified in the literature and the Southern Oxidant Study data sets. The most important conclusion of this paper is that a rigorous field intercomparison of simultaneous measurements of ambient NMHCs by different techniques and researchers is of crucial importance to the field of atmospheric chemistry. The tests presented here are suggestive of errors but are not definitive; only a field intercomparison can resolve the uncertainties.

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Hadrurus arizonensis is a large, long-lived species of North American desert scorpion with lengthy, stereotyped courtship behaviors that lead to sperm transfer via an external spermatophore. Courtship and mating behaviors in H. arizonensis and other members of the Iuridae family have not been described. H. arizonensis has reproductive behavior similar to that of other scorpions, including the promenade a deux, but with some unique components described here for the first time. Courtship and mating behaviors of H. arizonensis are presented in a flowchart to emphasize its stereotypical nature and suitability for experimental manipulation in field and laboratory studies.

This study examined the role and perceived value of public relations in institutional ethics initiatives. The findings of a survey of ethics officers in North American institutions reveal that public relations professionals are not playing key roles in the institutionalization of ethics and that public relations remains a relatively untapped resource in ethics programs.

The subspecies composition of migratory sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) which stage and winter along the Lower Columbia River in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington is uncertain, but may include all 3 using the Pacific Flyway: lesser (G. c. canadensis), Canadian (G. c. rowani), and greater (G. c. tabida). However, the status of rowani has been debated. During 2001-02, we captured and marked 8 cranes using a noose line trapping technique, and attached Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTTs) to 6 to ascertain locations of their breeding areas, migration corridors and winter sites. Morphometric data were collected for subspecies determination. From measurements and their summer distribution, we conclude that they are likely the intermediate rowani form. Because of their limited numbers, distinct coastal migration path, and habitat issues at breeding, staging, and wintering areas, we recommend that conservation efforts be increased and that they be managed as a unique population. ...

The Romeral Fault System (RFS) extends 1600 km from Barranquilla-Colombia to Talara city-Peru and before the Pliocene. In the Middle Eocene RFS defi ned the northwestern border of the South America plate, being originated by a triple junction rift- rift- rift occurred from lower to middle Jurassic, when the South American sector separated from Chortis, Oaxaca and Yucatan blocks. From Late Mesozoic until Early Paleocene, the Paleo Pacifi c plate converged on NW South America corner being subducted when an anomalous thick oceanic crust, represented by the Caribbean plate, was accreted extinguishing gradually from the North of Peru to the North of Colombia. The collision generated a transtensive fi eld stress in back arc region, due to the ancestral Central Cordillera rising in continental border. The RFS rocks suffered low grade metamorphism and some rocks of extinct subduction zone suffered metamorphic inversion. During Late Paleogene until Early Miocene, the convergence South Americ...

The North American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is one of two living species of paddlefishes, the other being the Chinese paddlefish, Psephurus gladius. Although P. spathula was once abundant throughout the Mississippi River basin, since the beginning of the 20th century populations have declined dramatically in most areas (Graham, 1997). Polyodon spathula is successfully reared in aquaculture, and, like sturgeon, is highly valued for its grayish-black roe (which is processed into caviar) and for its boneless firm white meat (Mims, 2001). Polyodon spathula is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its international trade is restricted under Appendix II of the CITES (since 11 June 1992).

Sampling efficiency of two oyster fishing gears, patent tongs and an oyster dredge, were compared in reference to diver-harvested quadrats in Chesapeake Bay, which supports im portant harvests of eastem oyster Crassosrrea virginica. Mean densities ofspat (0$35 mm), small oysters (>35 mm to 75 mm), marketable oysterS (>75 mm), and all oysters (three size-groups combined) estimated from patent tong samples were not significantly different from those derived from diver-harvested quadrat samples. In contrast, the densities estimated from dredge samples were low, only 2-32% of the diver estimates. Accordingly, patent tongs are reeommended as the sampling gear for estimating eastem oyster stock abundance in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay.

Although cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in most nations, the spectrum of cancer occurrence varies substantially worldwide. Most previous epidemiologic studies investigating cancer etiology were conducted in North American and western European countries that are relatively homogenous in terms of cancer spectrums and many lifestyle exposures. These limitations may have hindered these studies from evaluating some important etiologic hypotheses. From 1996 to 2000, the Shanghai Women's Health Study recruited 74,942 adult Chinese women from selected urban communities, with a 92% response rate. All participants completed a detailed baseline survey and anthropometrics. Approximately 88% of cohort members donated a urine sample (n ¼ 65,755) and a blood (n ¼ 56,832) or exfoliated buccal cell (n ¼ 8,934) sample. Noteworthy characteristics of this cohort include low consumption of alcohol (1.9%) and use of tobacco (2.4%); high intake of fish (mean, 50.8 g/day), soy foods (mean, 142.3 g/day), and certain vegetables; low prevalence of obesity (5.1%); and nearly 100% employment outside the home. Currently, this cohort of women is being followed via biennial in-person recontact and periodic linkage to cancer and vital statistics registries. The resources from the cohort will be valuable in future studies of environmental exposures and biomarkers for the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. cohort studies; diet; neoplasms; nutrition; occupations Abbreviation: SWHS, Shanghai Women's Health Study.

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the toxicity, behavior, blood glucose stress response, and disease susceptibility in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus following un-ionized ammonia (UIA) exposure. The acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia to Nile tilapia was measured in a 96-h static test. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was 1.46 mg/L UIA at 24 and 48 h postexposure, 1.33 mg/ L at 72 h postexposure, and 0.98 mg/L at 96 h postexposure. No mortalities were noted in unexposed (0 mg/ L) control fish or fish exposed to 0.5 mg/L UIA. However, 93-100% mortalities were observed within 24 h among fish exposed to 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 mg/L UIA. In additional UIA exposure experiments, Nile tilapia were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.32-0.37 mg/L UIA) for 24 h and then administered an intraperitoneal injection with 750 colony-forming units (CFU) of Streptococcus agalactiae per fish. Mortalities of UIAexposed and control fish were not significantly different 21 d postchallenge. Blood glucose levels were not significantly different between exposed and control fish 24 h after the beginning of UIA exposure or between preexposure fish and 24-h postexposure fish. Glucose levels in both groups increased significantly after UIA exposure and subsequent bacterial challenge, suggesting that Nile tilapia experienced handling or infection stress and not necessarily UIA exposure stress alone. During a time course study with 24-h UIA exposure, sequential blood glucose samples indicated acute stress responses 1-4 h postexposure that decreased by 24 h postexposure. The results of this study indicate that exposure to increased UIA concentrations alone had acute, transient effects on stress responses in Nile tilapia and that 24-h exposure to sublethal UIA concentrations up to 0.37 mg/L did not increase susceptibility to S. agalactiae.

The orientation and depth of deformation in the Earth is characterized by seismic anisotropy 1 -variations in the speed of passing waves caused by the alignment of minerals under strain into a preferred orientation. Seismic anisotropy in the western US has been well studied 2-11 and anisotropy in the asthenosphere is thought to be controlled by plate motions and subduction 6-9 . However, anisotropy within the crust and upper mantle and the variation of anisotropy with depth are poorly constrained. Here, we present a three-dimensional model of crustal and upper mantle anisotropy based on new observations of ambient noise 12 and earthquake 13 data that reconciles surface wave and body wave 9 data sets. We confirm that anisotropy in the asthenosphere reflects a mantle flow field controlled by a combination of North American plate motion and the subduction of the Juan de Fuca and Farallon slab systems 6-9 . We also find that seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle and crust are largely uncorrelated: patterns of anisotropy in the crust correlate with geological provinces, whereas anisotropy in the upper mantle is controlled by temperature variations. We conclude that any coupling between anisotropy in the crust and mantle must be extremely complex and variable.

As corporations attempt to move toward environmental sustainability, management must extend their efforts to improve environmental practices across their supply chain. The literature characterizing environmental management within the supply chain has been slowly building but remains sparse. Using a survey of North American manufacturers, this paper examines the impact of collaborative green supply chain practices (GSCP) on manufacturing performance. Collaborative GSCP were defined to include the interactions between organizations in the supply chain, including such aspects as joint environmental goal setting, shared environmental planning, and working together to reduce pollution or other environmental impacts. These practices can be directed either upstream toward suppliers or downstream toward customers. The influence of collaboration in each direction was empirically assessed for multiple objective and perceptual measures of manufacturing performance using a sample of plants in the package printing industry. Generally, the benefits of collaborative green practices were broadest with suppliers. In contrast, collaboration with customers yielded mixed outcomes. Overall, evidence emerged that upstream practices were more closely linked with process-based performance, while downstream collaboration was associated with product-based performance.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in North American men. Currently available prognostic factors inadequately predict which cancers will be aggressive and which will lead an indolent course. This study was aimed at investigating the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in prostate cancer disease-free survival. We correlated MMP-2 expression by malignant prostatic epithelium and stromal cells with prostate cancer disease-free survival in 187 stage pT3NxM0 prostate carcinomas using immunohistochemistry. MMP-2 was expressed by cancer cells in 131 cases (70.0%) and by stromal cells in 142 cases (75.9%). MMP-2 expression by stromal cells was not associated with progression (P = 0.7270). However, in multivariate analyses, adjusting for the Gleason score, tumor-node-metastasis stage, and initial serum prostate-specific antigen, MMP-2 expression by &gt;50% of malignant epithelial cells was associated with decreased disease-free survival (hazard ratio, 4.267; P = 0.0012). Increase...

Trap nets of varying design are commonly used to assess fish populations, but the effect of the design on gear selectivity is not well known. In particular, it may be advantageous to use multiple net designs with different mesh and throat sizes to maximize the catch of specific length-classes and to minimize the risk of predation on small fish by larger fish. We compared the species composition, catch rate, and length distribution of fishes caught by three trap net designs with dimensions differing only in mesh size and throat size (0.6-cm delta mesh and 3.8-cm ϫ 3.8cm square throats, 1.3-cm square mesh and 7.6-cm ϫ 7.6-cm square throats, or 2.5-cm square mesh and 12.7-cm ϫ 12.7-cm square throats). A total of 3,473 fish of 18 species were captured from Sandy Lake, Portage County, Ohio, during 24 sample dates from June to August 1999. The large net design had a significantly higher average number of species captured (mean ϭ 11) than the medium or small net design (means ϭ 9 and 8, respectively). Whereas nets with larger mesh and throat size combinations typically caught larger fish for the six most commonly captured species, only rarely did nets capture fish as large or as small as possible based on their physical dimensions. Specific length-classes of some species were not captured in the nets or were very net design specific, indicating a possible difference in trap net vulnerability of different ontogenetic stages. We conclude that data from trap nets with different mesh and throat sizes should not be directly compared with each other, and that multiple net mesh and throat sizes (or even multiple gear types) should be used when a more complete picture of fish length and abundance is desired.

Background: Recent reports indicate that male breast cancer rates are increasing in North America. While there have been numerous large-scale studies examining women's experiences with breast cancer, to date there have been no North American studies examining what a man experiences with a breast cancer diagnosis. The objective of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of a sample of Canadian men diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: After written informed consent, unstructured audio-taped interviews were conducted with 20 men. Since little is known about a man's experience with breast cancer, an exploratory qualitative approach was utilized. Results: Participants experienced concerns related to the lack of awareness of male breast cancer within both public and health professional groups. Many men suffered stress related to the cancer diagnosis, body image concerns and role strain. The lack of male-specific breast cancer information was identified as a major concern. All denied interest in traditional support groups. In retrospect, a number of men felt the breast cancer experience vastly improved their lives. Conclusions: Needs identified by participants include increased public and health professional awareness of male breast cancer, written information specific for men, and male participation in breast cancer research. Further study is also necessary to identify supports considered helpful by men with breast cancer and other malignancies.

In this chapter, we review empirical evidence for stronger allelopathic effects of exotic European invaders on North American natives than on other European species. We argue that this evidence provides critical insights into the impor- tance of coevolutionary relationships within plant communities. We discuss how the disruption of these and other biochemical coevolutionary relation- ships may lead to the success

We compare quantitatively eight stochastic models explaining improvements in mortality rates in England and Wales and in the United States. On the basis of the Bayes Information Criterion (BIC), we find that, for higher ages, an extension of the Cairns-Blake-Dowd (CBD) model that incorporates a cohort effect fits the England and Wales males data best, while for U.S. males data, the Renshaw and Haberman (RH) extension to the Lee and Carter model that also allows for a cohort effect provides the best fit. However, we identify problems with the robustness of parameter estimates under the RH model, calling into question its suitability for forecasting. A different extension to the CBD model that allows not only for a cohort effect, but also for a quadratic age effect, while ranking below the other models in terms of the BIC, exhibits parameter stability across different time periods for both datasets. This model also shows, for both datasets, that there have been approximately linear improvements over time in mortality rates at all ages, but that the improvements have been greater at lower ages than at higher ages, and that there are significant cohort effects. 1 All models are described in the paper at the outset. However, the new models (labeled M6-M8) were developed in response to perceived problems with the original five models (M1-M5) as well as building on the strengths of these models. 2 An earlier version of this paper, with the same title, looked in more detail at the underlying data and empirical illustrations of the cohort effect. See

We describe six patients with hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT1 A) deficiency who are members of a large extended Hutterite kindred living in widely scattered communities in the United States and Canadian Prairies. Two patients have significant neurological impairment due to severe recurrent hypoglycemic crises. The remaining four patients with earlier detection and treatment have near normal outcomes. The Canadian and American Hutterite families share two common ancestors who married in 1812, about 60 years before the Hutterites arrived in North America and prior to their subdivision into the three groups (Schmiedeleut, Dariusleut, and the Lehrerleut). These patients share a common haplotype on chromosome 11q13 and are all homozygous for a common CPT1 A G710E mutation, suggesting a founder effect. The clustering of such a rare disorder of fatty acid oxidation prompted us to initiate a pilot DNA-based neonatal screening program to determine the carrier frequency of this mutation in Hutterite newborns with the participation and support of the community. To date our carrier frequency is 1/16, close to the predicted frequency based on diag-nosed patients and number of births. We believe our newborn screening program for CPT1 A deficiency in the Hutterite community will serve as a prototype model for delivery of targeted genetic services to other similar unique genetic isolates.