bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depth distribution of adults and immatures of two Tribolium Castaneum strains in pure and mixed cultures
Authors: Wool David
Published: August 2008

The distribution of adults and immatures of two Tribolium castaneum strains in plexiglas towers was studied both in single‐strain and in mixed cultures.

The adults of the + + strain tended to be, on the average, deeper in the flour than the bb adults, in pure and in mixed cultures.

Adult distribution was independent of sex.

The correlation between adult and egg distribution was usually negative, due to either adult movement in the flour, or to reduced fecundity and increased cannibalism of eggs where adults were numerous, or both.

Larvae, and especially pupae, of bb were more abundant in the upper sections, and + + in the lower sections, of towers, both in pure and in mixed cultures and, in particular, at the higher density.

In general, the distribution of the strains in the mixed cultures was very similar to the pure cultures, showing a very small effect of the interaction between the two strains, in comparison with GHENT’S results with two species. It seems that the two strains are very much alike in their ability to exploit their environment and therefore their success is the same (when pupal cannibalism is reduced) whether the biological component of the environment is composed of one or two strains.
Energetics of isopod populations in a forest of central Japan
Authors: Saito Susumu
Published: August 2008

Energetics of the populations of three isopods, Armadillidium vulgare, Porcellio scaber and Ligidium japonicum were studied in a warm‐temperate evergreen broadleaved forest of Mt. Kiyosumi in central Japan. The study deals with age composition, survivorship curves, relations of body size to number of eggs or young, and mean growth curves of the populations. Respiratory rates, calorific values and food consumptions of the individual animals were determined in the laboratory.

Population density of A. vulgare was highest of the three species, being about 350/m2 in June 1966. The survivorship curve of the L. japonicum population was more close to L‐type than the others. Average total biomass for populations of A. vulgare, P. scaber and L. japonicum were 3.3 kcal/m2, 0.67 kcal and 0.43 kcal on the monthly basis, respectively. The energy of 35.2 kcal/m2 was estimated to be assimilated by the A. vulgare population, 7.84 kcal by P. scaber and 6.91 kcal by L. japonicum during the period from October 1965 to September 1966.

The relations between assimilation A and production P for fish, grasshopper and isopod populations were found to be expressed as A=aPb. The values of the constant a for the fish, grasshopper and isopod populations seem to be in the range from 10 to 25, from 2 to 7 and from 4 to 8, respectively.

Production efficiencies presented as P/A of A. vulgare, P. scaber and L. japonicum populations were estimated as 19.1%, 15.3% and 13.1%, respectively. The ecological efficiency represented as M/C of these isopod populations was estimated to be in the range from 7.6% to 11. 2%. Reproduction efficiency (Rp/P) of L. japonicum population was 20%, being the highest value of the three isopod species. This may be related to the L‐type survivorship curve of L. japonicum population. Reproduction efficiency, relating closely to the age structure of the population, is important in the investigation of populations of animals, particularly those that have long life span.
Water‐Soluble Contrast Medium (Gastrografin) Value in Adhesive Small Intestine Obstruction (Asio): A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial
Authors: Di Saverio Salomone , Catena Fausto , Ansaloni Luca , Gavioli Margherita , Valentino Massimo , Pinna Antonio Daniele
Published: August 2008

Background

Patients with adhesive small intestine obstruction (ASIO) are difficult to evaluate and to manage and their treatment is still controversial. The diagnostic and therapeutic role of water‐soluble contrast medium (Gastrografin) in ASIO is still debated. This study was designed to determine the therapeutic role of Gastrografin in patients with ASIO.

Methods

The study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled investigation. The primary end points were the evaluation of the operative rate reduction and shortening the hospital stay after the use of Gastrografin. A total of 76 patients were randomized into two groups: the control group received traditional treatment (TT), whereas the study group (GG) received in addition a Gastrografin meal and follow‐through study immediately. Patients with Gastrografin in the colon within 36 hours were considered to be partially obstructed and submitted to nonoperative management. If after 36 hours, the Gastrografin had not entered the colon, the subjects were submitted to laparotomy.

Results

No significant differences were found in age, sex, intravenous administration of prokinetics, incidence and characteristics of the previous procedures in surgical history of the patients, previous episodes of ASIO and surgery for adhesiolysis, or duration of symptoms before admission. In the GG group obstruction resolved subsequently in 31 of 38 cases (81.5%) after a mean time of 6.4 hours. The remaining seven patients were submitted to surgery, and one of them needed bowel resection for strangulation. In the control group, 21 patients were not submitted to surgery (55%), whereas 17 showed persistent untreatable obstruction and required laparotomy: 2 of them underwent bowel resection for strangulation. The difference in the operative rate between the two treatment groups reached statistical significance (p = 0.013). The time from the hospital admission for obstruction to resolution of symptoms was significantly lower in the GG group (6.4 vs. 43 hours; p < 0.01). The length of hospital stay revealed a significant reduction in the GG group (4.7 vs. 7.8 days; p < 0.05). This reduction was more evident in the subset of patients who did not require surgery (3 vs. 5.1 days; p < 0.01). No GG‐related complications or significant differences in major complications and the relapse rate were found (relapse rate, 34.2% after a mean time to relapse of 6.3 months in the GG group vs. 42.1% after 7.6 months in the TT; p = not significant).

Conclusions

Data showed that the use of Gastrografin in ASIO is safe and reduces the operative rate and the time to resolution of obstruction, as well as the hospital stay.
Identification of Monosialylated N-glycoforms in the CDG Urinome by Ion Mobility Tandem Mass Spectrometry: The Potential for Clinical Applications
Authors: Vakhrushev Sergey Y. , Langridge James , Campuzano Iain , Hughes Chris , Peter-Katalinić Jasna
Published: August 2008

Introduction

A novel approach of ion mobility tandem mass spectrometry (IMS-MS/MS) is applied to analysis of human glycourinome to obtain carbohydrate pattern data of congenital disorders of glycosylation patient. Overlapping of the complex carbohydrate mass range landscape has been highly reduced upon IMS-MS procedure, allowing more efficient identification by mapping and sequencing of glycan precursor ions, following their separation by mobility, according to difference in drift time through the traveling wave IMS cell. Intact and truncated N- and O-glycan structures modified by sialylation and fucosylation were identified according to their drift time separated molecular ions and submitted to fragmentation in a narrow mass window.

IMS CID MS/MS Analysis

The fragmentation spectra generated from the IMS separated precursor ions contain series of fragment ions maintaining the same mobility as their parent ions, and the assignment accuracy can be significantly enhanced.

Conclusion

According to the specific fragment ion patterns, carbohydrate epitopes described to be involved in pathological processes were assigned. A high potential of this glycomics-based strategy for clinical applications can be presented.
Why embarrassment inhibits the acquisition and use of condoms: A qualitative approach to understanding risky sexual behaviour
Authors: Bell Jo
Published: August 2008

This article is based on research commissioned by the UK Government's Teenage Pregnancy Unit. The Living on the Edge (LOTE) study qualitatively explored factors that shape young people's experiences and attitudes towards sexual behaviour and young parenthood in three linked seaside and rural areas in England. It identifies embarrassment as a key risk factor in young people's sexual behaviour and demonstrates why engaging in protective behaviour and seeking information and advice, can be constrained by fear of embarrassment and concerns about how they are regarded by others. This paper also argues that embarrassment around condom use is not necessarily restricted to adolescence. Embarrassment is a deeply unpleasant experience for everyone and people (young and old) are motivated to avoid it. Implications and recommendations for future policy and service provision are highlighted.
Molecular and ultrastructural characterization of endothelial cells differentiated from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Jazayeri Maryam , Allameh Abdolamir , Soleimani Masoud , Jazayeri Seyed Hamid , Piryaei Abbas , Kazemnejad Somaieh
Published: August 2008

In this study characterization of endothelial cells differentiated from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMCs) was investigated in relation to their capillary network formation potential. Differentiation was performed in presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). A panel of cellular and molecular markers was used for characterization of the endothelial cells. The cells were strongly positive for von Willebrand factor (vWF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) when measured at protein and mRNA levels. Development of endothelial cells was found to be associated with formation of typical organelles such as Weibel Palade (WP) bodies, Cavealae and pinocytic vesicles. Early vessel growth was also evidenced by showing specific junctions between the cells. The migratory and angiogenic properties of the cells were confirmed by showing capillary network formation in vitro. These results indicate that the capacity of endothelial cells differentiated from hBMSCs in formation of vascular system is consistent with molecular and structural development.
Characterization of water of hydration fractions in rabbit skeletal muscle with age and time of post‐mortem by centrifugal dehydration force and rehydration methods
Authors: Cameron Ivan L. , Short Nicholas J. , Fullerton Gary D.
Published: August 2008

Centrifugal dehydration force (CDF) and rehydration isotherm (RHI) methods were used to measure and characterize hydration fractions in rabbit psoas skeletal muscle. The CDF method assessed fluid flow rate from rabbit muscle and hydration capacity of the fractions. Bulk and multiple non‐bulk water fractions were identified. The non‐bulk water was divisible into the following fractions: two outer non‐bulk fractions, a main chain proteins backbone or double water bridge fraction, and a single water bridge fraction. The total non‐bulk water amounts to about 85% of the total water in the muscle. The sizes of the water fractions (in g water/g dry mass) agree with a recently proposed molecular stoichiometric hydration model (SHM) applicable to all proteins in and out of cells (Fullerton GD, Cameron IL. Water compartments in cells. Methods Enzymol, 2007; Cameron IL, Fullerton GD. Interfacial water compartments on tendon/collagen and in cells. In: Pollack GH, Chin WC, editors. Phase transitions in cells. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, 2008). Age of the rabbit significantly slowed the flow rate of the outer non‐bulk water fraction by about 50%. Also, muscle of the older rabbit (26 weeks vs. 12 weeks old) had less bulk water and less outer non‐bulk water but the same amount of main chain backbone water compared to muscle of the younger rabbit. Increase in time post‐mortem from 30 min to 4 h resulted in rigor mortis and a significantly slower flow rate of water from the outer non‐bulk water fraction, which is attributed to muscle contraction, increased packing of contractile elements and increased obstructions to flow of fluid from the muscle fibers.
Reciprocal pathway between medullary visceral zone and hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus involved in hyperosmotic regulation
Authors: Yang Zhijun , Rao Zhiren , Jiang Xiaodan , Yuan Hua , Duan Li , Chen Liangwei , Wang Ying , Xu Ruxiang , Zeng Yanjun
Published: August 2008

In this study we try to simultaneously investigate the response of neurons and astrocytes of rats following hyperosmotic stimulation and test the possibility that the reciprocal pathways between medullary visceral zone (MVZ) and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) or supraoptic nucleus (SON). Hyperosmotic pressure animal model was established by administering 3% sodium chloride as drinking water to rats. The distribution and expression of the HRP retrogradely labeled neurons, Fos, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or vasopressin (VP) positive neuron and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes in the MVZ, SON and PVN were observed by quadruplicate‐labeling methods of WGA‐HRP retrograde tracing combined with anti‐Fos, TH (or VP) and GFAP immunohistochemical technique. Fos positive neurons within the MVZ, PVN and SON increased markedly. There were also a large number of GFAP positive structures in the brain and their distribution pattern was fundamentally similar or analogous to Fos positive neurons in the above‐mentioned areas. The augmented GFAP reactivities took on hypertrophic cell bodies, thicker and longer processes. Quadruplicate immunohistochemical staining showed that a neuron could be closely surrounded by many astrocytes and they formed neuron–astrocytic complex (N–ASC). Fos+/TH+/HRP+/GFAP+ and Fos+/VP+/HRP+/GFAP+ quadruplicate labeled N–ASC could be found in the MVZ, PVN and SON, respectively. The present results indicated that the neurons and astrocytes might be very active following hyperosmotic pressure and N–ASC as a functional unit might serve to modulate osmotic pressure. There were reciprocal osmoregulation pathways between the MVZ and SON or PVN in the brain.
Sympathomimetic inefficiency in restoring contractility in the acute or chronic β‐blocker‐treated ischaemic heart: Comparison with a new agent
Authors: Mattera Giovan Giuseppe , Vanoli Emilio , Gagnol Jean‐Pierre , Loi Francesca Maria Paola , Borsini Franco , Carminati Paolo
Published: August 2008

Background:

Adequate pharmacologic cardiac support in acute myocardial infarction (MI), as well as in chronic MI patients under β‐blocker therapy, is problematic due to the impaired cardiac response to β‐adrenergic agonists. New therapeutic approaches could resolve this problem. Istaroxime (ISTA) is a new Na+,K+‐ATPase inhibitor and SERCA2 agonist.

Aims:

To evaluate: 1) the effects of dobutamine (DOB) on left ventricular function in early (48–72 h) and late (14 days) phases of a post‐MI canine model, compared to ISTA, and 2) the efficacy of DOB in chronic left ventricular dysfunction (6 months post‐MI) in dogs pre‐treated or not with a β‐blocker, compared with ISTA and milrinone (MIL).

Results:

When compared to the effects in healthy animals, DOB increased contractility only slightly in the first 48–72 h post‐MI, whereas its efficacy recovered partially by day 14 and fully by 6 months after MI. ISTA had a greater effect on contractility than DOB and improved relaxation, while DOB did not. Moreover, β‐adrenergic blockade inhibited the inotropic action of DOB, without altering the effect of ISTA. Surprisingly, ß‐adrenergic blockade blunted the effects of MIL.

Conclusion:

ISTA may represent a novel strategy for enhancing left ventricular performance even in the context of acute MI and/or concomitant β‐adrenergic blockade.
Effectiveness of a behaviour graded activity program versus conventional exercise for chronic neck pain patients
Authors: Vonk Frieke , Verhagen Arianne P. , Twisk Jos W. , Köke Albère J.A. , Luiten Marlies W.C.T. , Koes Bart W.
Published: August 2008

Chronic neck pain is a common complaint in the Netherlands with a point prevalence of 14.3%. Patients with chronic neck pain are often referred to physiotherapy and, nowadays, are mostly treated with exercise therapy. It is, however, unclear which type of exercise therapy is to be preferred. Therefore, this study evaluates the effectiveness of behaviour graded activity (BGA) compared with conventional exercise (CE) for patients with chronic neck pain.

Eligible patients with non‐specific chronic neck were randomly allocated to either BGA or CE. Primary treatment outcome is the patient's global perceived effect concerning recovery from complaint and daily functioning. Outcome assessment was performed at baseline, and at 4, 9, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. Effectiveness was examined with general estimating equations analyses.

Baseline demographics and patient characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. Mean age was 45.7 (SD 12.4) years and the median duration of complaints was 60 months. The mean number of treatments was 6.6 (SD 3.0) in BGA and 11.2 (SD 4.1) in CE. No significant differences between treatments were found in their effectiveness of managing patients with chronic neck pain. In both BGA and CE some patients reported recovery from complaints and daily function but the proportion of recovered patients did not exceed 50% during the 12‐month follow‐up period. Both groups showed clinically relevant improvements in physical secondary outcomes. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN88733332.
Homeothermy in neonatal chicks exposed to low environmental temperature with or without intracerebroventricular administration of corticotropin‐releasing factor
Authors: Mujahid Ahmad , Furuse Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2008

To determine the mechanism of sensitivity to low‐temperature exposure (20 °C for 3 h) and corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) induced increased homeothermy, we investigated gene transcripts of putative thermogenic proteins and mitochondrial fatty acid (FA)‐oxidation enzymes in neonatal chicks. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in low‐temperature‐exposed neonatal chicks was activated by central administration of CRF. Neonatal chicks showed hypothermia on exposure to low‐temperature, with no enhancement of HPA axis and gene transcripts of avian adenine nucleotide translocator, avian uncoupling protein, avian peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ co‐activator‐1α, and mitochondrial FA transport and oxidation enzymes in vital organs. However, central administration of CRF activated the HPA axis under low environmental temperature and induced increased homeothermy that was associated with the enhancement of gene transcripts and activities of mitochondrial FA‐oxidation enzymes in the liver and heart.
Epigenetic regulation of human buccal mucosa mitochondrial superoxide dismutase gene expression by diet
Authors: Thaler Roman , Karlic Heidrun , Rust Petra , Haslberger Alexander G.
Published: August 2008

The impact of nutrition on the epigenetic machinery has increasingly attracted interest. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of various diets on methylation and gene expression. The antioxidative enzyme mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was chosen as the model system because epigenetic regulation has been previously shown in cell lines for this gene. Promoter methylation and gene expression of MnSOD in buccal swabs from three sample groups were analysed. The three groups included: (1) forty vegetarians (aged 20–30 years); (2) age-matched omnivores; (3) elderly omnivores (aged>85 years). A 3-fold increase in the expression of the MnSOD gene was associated with decreased CpG methylation of the analysed promoter region in the vegetarian group compared with the age-matched omnivores group. Expression and promoter methylation of the MnSOD gene in elderly omnivores showed no significant differences compared with younger omnivores. In accordance with previous findings in various tissues, DNA global methylation was found to be significantly higher (30 %) in buccal swabs of younger subjects (independent of the diet), than in those of elderly omnivores. In the control experiment which was designed to verify the findings of the human buccal swab studies, the Caco-2 cell line was treated with zebularine. Results of the control study showed a 6-fold increase of MnSOD expression, an approximately 40 % decreased methylation of specified CpG in the MnSOD promoter and a 50 % reduction of global DNA methylation. These results indicate that diet affects the epigenetic regulation of human MnSOD.
Upper Ordovician ostracods from the Cautley district, northern England: Baltic and Laurentian affinities
Authors: WILLIAMS MARK , STONE PHILIP , SIVETER DAVID J. , TAYLOR PAULINE
Published: August 2008

The Cautley Mudstone Formation and Cystoid Limestone Member of the Ashgill
Formation (Windermere Supergroup; Ashgill Series), from the Cautley district of northern England,
has yielded an ostracod fauna of more than 30 species. Many of these have short ranges, permitting
recognition of stratigraphically successive Pusgillian–lower Cautleyan, middle–upper Cautleyan, and
Rawtheyan ostracod faunas. Several species are also known from the upper Ordovician of North
America (Anticosti Island), Scotland (Girvan district) and the Baltic region (Estonia, glacial erratic
boulders of northern Germany), providing evidence to correlate upper Ordovician successions in these
areas. The ostracods include abundant podocopes, at some horizons accounting for more than 80% of
the fauna. Binodicopes are also common, but palaeocopes are rare. Assemblages are typical of a clastic
dominated open marine shelf setting. Diversity at most horizons is low (c. 3–5 species), but reaches
a peak of between 13–14 species in middle Cautleyan horizons. Lower diversity at Pusgillian and
Rawtheyan horizons coincides with the encroachment of deeper marine-shelf facies which were probably
hostile to Ordovician benthonic ostracods. Some of the ostracods (particularly Aechmina) have
distributions suggesting tolerance of a range of mid- to deep shelf benthonic palaeoenvironments, but
none were pelagic. During Ashgill times the Cautley district (part of palaeocontinental Avalonia) was
replete with ostracod genera and species which also occur in the Baltic region (palaeocontinental
Baltica; more than 90% generic similarity) and to a lesser, but nonetheless significant extent in North
America and Scotland (parts of palaeocontinental Laurentia). Such trans-Tornquist Sea and Iapetus
Ocean distributional patterns add to previous ostracod data that support models which show palaeogeographical
proximity of Avalonia and Baltica, and Avalonia and Laurentia, by Ashgill times. The
widely cited observation, that trans-Iapetus ostracod faunas remained strictly provincial until the mid-or
late Silurian, cannot be sustained.
Farming systems methodology for efficient resource management at the farm level: a review from an Indian perspective
Authors: BEHERA U. K. , YATES C. M. , KEBREAB E. , FRANCE J.
Published: August 2008

Farming systems research is a multi-disciplinary holistic approach to solve the problems of small farms. Small and marginal farmers are the core of the Indian rural economy constituting 0·80 of the total farming community but possessing only 0·36 of the total operational land. The declining trend of per capita land availability poses a serious challenge to the sustainability and profitability of farming. Under such conditions, it is appropriate to integrate land-based enterprises such as dairy, fishery, poultry, duckery, apiary, field and horticultural cropping within the farm, with the objective of generating adequate income and employment for these small and marginal farmers under a set of farm constraints and varying levels of resource availability and opportunity. The integration of different farm enterprises can be achieved with the help of a linear programming model. For the current review, integrated farming systems models were developed, by way of illustration, for the marginal, small, medium and large farms of eastern India using linear programming. Risk analyses were carried out for different levels of income and enterprise combinations. The fishery enterprise was shown to be less risk-prone whereas the crop enterprise involved greater risk. In general, the degree of risk increased with the increasing level of income. With increase in farm income and risk level, the resource use efficiency increased. Medium and large farms proved to be more profitable than small and marginal farms with higher level of resource use efficiency and return per Indian rupee (Rs) invested. Among the different enterprises of integrated farming systems, a chain of interaction and resource flow was observed. In order to make farming profitable and improve resource use efficiency at the farm level, the synergy among interacting components of farming systems should be exploited. In the process of technology generation, transfer and other developmental efforts at the farm level (contrary to the discipline and commodity-based approaches which have a tendency to be piecemeal and in isolation), it is desirable to place a whole-farm scenario before the farmers to enhance their farm income, thereby motivating them towards more efficient and sustainable farming.
An evaluation of resource partitioning between two billfish, Tetrapturus belone and Xiphias gladius, in the central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Romeo Teresa , Consoli Pierpaolo , Castriota Luca , Andaloro Franco
Published: August 2008

The present study attempts to give information on the resource partitioning between the Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone) and the swordfish (Xiphias gladius). The contents of 53 T. belone and 95 X. gladius non-empty stomachs were analysed from specimens caught in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina), from 2004 to 2006, by the harpoon fishery. Daily catches (expressed as number of fish) showed the contemporary occurrence of both species in the studied area then allowing direct comparison of diets. Epipelagic fish were the dominant prey (%IRI = 99.1) of T. belone. Eight families were identified among them, with the dominance of Belonidae and Clupeidae, which represented 40.9% and 36.8%, respectively, of the total preyed items in terms of %IRI and were mostly composed of Sardinella aurita and Belone belone.

Xiphias gladius preyed mainly on teleosts and cephalopods, which represented 59% and 39.1%, respectively, of the total preyed items in terms of %IRI. Eleven teleost and five cephalopod families were recognized among them with the dominance of Trichiuridae (IRI% = 30.5) and Ommastrephidae (IRI% = 27.6). The first was represented only by Lepidopus caudatus (IRI% = 30.5), while the latter by the squid Todarodes sagittatus (IRI% = 21.1) and Illex coindettii (IRI% = 6.5). Results of a multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that the dietary compositions differed significantly between swordfish and spearfish. Diet overlap analysed with the Schoener and Horn indices showed low values (0.23 and 0.21 for the two indices) underlining a food partitioning that prevents competitive exclusion. Our results highlight a feeding strategy that is more related to the habitat of the species than to the food availability. In fact, migration patterns of the two predators are quite different. Swordfish show vertical migrations from 0 to 800 m while spearfish are characterized by limited migrations, ranging between 0 and 200 m depths. The observation of specific prey items in the stomach content of both billfish confirmed the bathymetric range of their migrations.
When successful conservation breeds conflict: an economic perspective on wild goose management
Authors: MacMillan Douglas C. , Leader-Williams Nigel
Published: August 2008

Wild bird conservation in the UK is a widely regarded as a success story. The populations of many endangered species have grown or at least stabilised, birds that were last seen in the UK over 100 years ago have been successfully re-introduced, and bird watching makes an increasingly important contribution to the rural economy in terms of employment and income. Nevertheless, some wild birds also generate costs and some deep rooted conflicts persist with other rural activities such as farming and game shooting. This paper describes a conceptual framework for understanding the costs and benefits of wild birds and, using wild goose conservation in the island of Islay as a case study, explores whether continued public investment in wild goose conservation is worthwhile from an economic perspective. The paper concludes with a discussion about future options for integrating wild bird conservation with sustainable rural development.
Estimating bird abundance: making methods work
Authors: Buckland Stephen T. , Marsden Stuart J. , Green Rhys E.
Published: August 2008

In many bird monitoring surveys, no attempt is made to estimate bird densities or abundance. Instead, counts of one form or another are made, and these are assumed to correlate with bird density. Unless complete counts on sample plots are feasible, this approach can easily lead to false conclusions, because detectability of birds varies by species, habitat, observer and many other factors. Trends in time of counts often reflect trends in detectability, rather than trends in abundance. Conclusions are further compromised when surveys are conducted at unrepresentative sites. We consider how to avoid these problems. We give a brief description of distance sampling methods, which allow detectability to be estimated. We consider strategies to ease their implementation, to enhance their reliability, to adapt the methods for difficult species, and to deal with circumstances in which representative sampling is problematic. We also consider some of the common problems encountered, and suggest solutions.
The role of science and advocacy in the conservation of Southern Ocean albatrosses at sea
Authors: Croxall John P.
Published: August 2008

Mortality of albatrosses (and petrels) as bycatch in longline fisheries is one of the most important and pervasive sources of mortality for many species and is often closely linked to observed population declines. In the area of the Southern Ocean managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which includes the waters around South Georgia, Prince Edward Islands, Iles Crozet and Kerguelen (the most important sub-Antarctic breeding sites for many albatross - and petrel - species), such bycatch was reduced to negligible levels (in demographic terms) over the last decade. The process by which this was achieved, in terms of data, policy and practice, together with an assessment of the main drivers and obstacles, is described. The extent to which the CCAMLR example is a model for other Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) (and even for states with jurisdiction in relevant coastal waters) is assessed. Some current actions and priorities for further action in relation to seabird bycatch are summarised.
The generation and use of bird population indicators in Europe
Authors: Gregory Richard D. , Vořišek Petr , Noble David G. , Van Strien Arco , Klvaňová Alena , Eaton Mark , Gmelig Meyling Adriaan W. , Joys Andrew , Foppen Ruud P. B. , Burfield Ian J.
Published: August 2008

Global and regional targets to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss bring with them the need to measure the state of nature and how it is changing. A number of different biodiversity indicators have been developed in response and here we consider bird population indicators in Europe. Birds are often used as surrogates for other elements of biodiversity because they are so well known and well studied, and not for their unique intrinsic value as environmental indicators. Yet, in certain situations and at particular scales, trends in bird populations correlate with those of other taxa making them a valuable biodiversity indicator with appropriate caveats. In this paper, we look at two case studies, in the UK and Europe as a whole, where headline bird indicators, that is, summary statistics based on bird population trends, have been developed and used to inform and assist policy makers. Wild bird indicators have been adopted by many European countries and by the European Union as indicators of biodiversity and of sustainable development. In the discussion, we review the strengths and weaknesses of using bird populations in this way, and look forward to how this work might be developed and expanded.
Red List Indices to measure the sustainability of species use and impacts of invasive alien species
Authors: Butchart Stuart H. M.
Published: August 2008

After habitat loss and degradation, the leading threats to biodiversity are over-exploitation and invasive alien species. For birds, newly synthesised data using the standard classification schemes for utilisation and threat types for the IUCN Red List allow novel analyses on the importance of these threats and permit the calculation of Red List Indices (RLIs) to show trends in the status of birds driven by these factors. At least 45.7% of extant bird species (4,561 species) are used by humans, principally for pets (37.0%) and for hunting for food (14.2%), but other uses include sport hunting, ornamentation and traditional medicine. Much of this use drives trade at an international scale, involving at least 3,337 species (33.9%, substantially higher than previous estimates), mostly for the pet trade. RLIs show that although successful control and management of use and trade have led to some species improving in status, this has been outweighed by the number of species deteriorating in status owing to unsustainable exploitation. Overall, the RLI showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to use shows a negative slope: human use of birds is currently unsustainable. Similarly, and of relevance to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the RLI for internationally traded bird species showing trends in extinction risk driven by issues related to international trade is also declining: international trade remains a threat to the world's birds. Invasive species impact at least one third of the world's threatened bird species (398 species, 32.6%), with mammals being the most important (impacting 81.1%), particularly through predation by carnivores and rodents. The RLI illustrating impacts of invasive species shows that they are driving a deterioration in the status of the world's birds. RLIs for the impacts of use and invasive species will be important indicators to help track progress towards the target of significantly reducing biodiversity loss by 2010.
Using endogenous and exogenous markers in bird conservation
Authors: Hobson Keith A.
Published: August 2008

Understanding how avian populations are structured spatially and temporally is fundamental to their effective conservation. Protecting migratory species in one jurisdiction or period of the annual cycle may be ineffective if they periodically move to areas where they are not protected or are exposed to factors that limit populations or cause their decline. Unfortunately, for most species, our understanding of connectivity between breeding, wintering or stopover sites during the annual cycle are poorly understood and there is an urgent need to define such connections in order to achieve more effective conservation. This paper provides an overview of the methods used to mark individuals in order to track their movements. Passive exogenous markers such as numbered rings or bands are typically ineffective for most avian species. Active exogenous markers such as satellite tags have provided significant breakthroughs but are still prohibitive financially and still cannot be applied to species under 200g. Endogenous markers such as DNA markers, trace elements and stable isotopes show significant promise as a means of moving forward the field of animal tracking. The advantage of these endogenous approaches is that they depend only on sampling a population once and so are not biased by limitations of mark-recapture methods. Nonetheless, all methods have disadvantages and the path ahead must consider multiple approaches to tracking avian populations.
Bird atlases – how useful are they for conservation?
Authors: Pomeroy Derek , Tushabe Herbert , Cowser Richard
Published: August 2008

In this paper, we argue that bird atlases, and the databases from which they are produced, are becoming increasingly valuable resources – but only in some parts of the world. There is a striking lack of atlases for almost all of the world's species-rich areas, most notably tropical America and tropical Asia. Yet even comparatively modest data sets (we take Uganda as an example) can be used to create an atlas. Further, their data can yield interesting information with clear value for conservation planning. For instance, we can see that Uganda's main savanna parks are quite well-placed in relation to raptor species richness, whilst other species of conservation concern are less well covered. In contrast, the fine-scale data-rich atlas projects in many American and European countries provide detailed information of great value. Taking examples from England, we show some of their uses in planning both for physical developments and for conservation. Repeating atlas projects after an interval of several years highlights changing distributions and, increasingly, changing levels of abundance. We believe that every encouragement should be given to new (and repeat) atlasing projects - but most especially in the tropics.
Automated sound recording and analysis techniques for bird surveys and conservation
Authors: Scott Brandes T.
Published: August 2008

There is a great need for increased use and further development of automated sound recording and analysis of avian sounds. Birds are critical to ecosystem functioning so techniques to make avian monitoring more efficient and accurate will greatly benefit science and conservation efforts. We provide an overview of the hardware approaches to automated sound recording as well as an overview of the prominent techniques used in software to automatically detect and classify avian sound. We provide a comparative summary of examples of three general categories of hardware solutions for automating sound recording which include a hardware interface for a scheduling timer to control a standalone commercial recorder, a programmable recording device, and a single board computer. We also describe examples of the two main approaches to improving microphone performance for automated recorders through small arrays of microphone elements and using waveguides. For the purposes of thinking about automated sound analysis, we suggest five basic sound fragment types of avian sound and discuss a variety of techniques to automatically detect and classify avian sounds to species level, as well as their limitations. A variety of the features to measure for the various call types are provided, along with a variety of classification methods for those features. They are discussed in context of general performance as well as the monitoring and conservation efforts they are used in.
The Ethnogenesis of the Crimean Tatars. An Historical Reinterpretation
Authors: Williams Brian Glyn
Published: August 2008

With the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe the west has been confronted with the existence of several, little-understood Muslim ethnic groups in this region whose contested histories can be traced back to the Ottoman period and beyond. Previously overlooked Muslim ethnies, such as the Bulgarian Turks, Bosniaks, Pomaks, Kosovars, Chechens, and Crimean Tatars, have begun to receive considerable attention from both western scholars and the general public. Much of the interest revolves around the question of the identity of these Muslim communities and the history of their formation as distinct ethnic groups. The history of the formation of these groups has in many cases been contested terrain as Bulgarian authorities, for example, attempted in the 1980s to prove that the Bulgarian Turks were actually “Turkified Bulgarians”, as the Greek government sought to demonstrate that the Pomaks (Slavic Muslims) were actually Islamicized Greeks, and as Bosniaks were labelled “Turks” by their Serbian nationalist foes in spite of their Slavic background.
Returning to Europa: can traces of surficial life be detected?
Authors: Chela-Flores J. , Kumar N.
Published: August 2008

There is at present a possibility for returning to Europa with LAPLACE, a mission to Europa and the Jupiter System for European Space Agency's Cosmic Vision Programme. The question of habitability by the identification of reliable bio-indicators is a major priority. We explain the options for approaching the question of selecting the right instrumentation for measuring the more abundant sulphur isotope, in spite of the fact that32S is isobaric (samem/z) with16O2. Two technologies are available for investigating the possible biogenicity of the surficial sulphur on the icy patches discovered by the Galileo mission. We argue that there is a need to use higher-order statistics in the data that are to be gathered with the instruments chosen for the payload (ion-traps for orbital measurements, or penetrators for surficial measurements). In particular, we argue in favour of data analysis taken from an orbital spacecraft that addresses fluctuations of the data retrieved, rather than the mean. For this purpose, we reconsider the significance of deviations of sulphur abundances relative to normal (meteoritic) values. In the present work, we consider the experimentally testable possibility of biogenically driven isotopic anomalies in the light of statistical data analysis. The fluctuation test that is being proposed in the context of future missions to Europa may well be appropriate to a laboratory experiment with sulphur-reducing bacteria with the corresponding isotopic fractionation.
Bayesian deduction for redundancy detection in groundwater quality monitoring networks
Authors: Ammar Khalil , Khalil Abedalrazq , McKee Mac , Kaluarachchi Jagath
Published: August 2008

A new methodology for designing a network for monitoring ambient, long‐term groundwater quality is presented in this paper. The methodology is based on a sparse Bayesian learning approach known as a relevance vector machine (RVM) which produces probabilistic predictions that quantify the uncertainty in both the data and the model parameters. A reliable and parsimonious network configuration that is pertinent to the physics of the case study, revealed through understanding of the information content of the available data, is sought through application of the RVM. The methodology has been employed to reduce redundancy in the network for monitoring nitrate (NO3−) in the West Bank Palestinian National Authority aquifers to illustrate the potential for use of RVMs in optimal groundwater monitoring and to explore possible trade‐offs between different monitoring objectives, e.g., monitoring cost versus uncertainty in groundwater. A sparse monitoring network configuration produced by the RVM‐based model indicates that only 32% of the existing monitoring sites in the aquifer are sufficient to characterize the nitrate state. Proof of correctness and accuracy using rigorous statistical tests is presented.
Magnetotail dipolarization and associated current systems observed by Cluster and Double Star
Authors: Volwerk M. , Lui A. T. Y. , Lester M. , Walsh A. P. , Alexeev I. , Cao X. , Dunlop M. W. , Fazakerley A. N. , Grocott A. , Kistler L. , Lun X. , Mouikis C. , Pu Z. , Shen C. , Shi J. K. , Taylor M. G. G. T. , Baumjohann W. , Nakamura R. , Runov A. , Vörös Z. , Zhang T. L. , Takada T. , Rème H. , Klecker B. , Carr C. M.
Published: August 2008

A dipolarization and its associated current systems are studied using Cluster, Double Star TC1, and ground‐based observations. The Cluster spacecraft are located approximately 16 RE downtail near 0030 LT. The Double Star TC1 spacecraft is located more earthward at approximately 7 RE just before local midnight. Auroral observations by the Wideband Imaging Camera on the Imager for Magnetopause‐to‐Aurora Global Exploration spacecraft are used to determine the onset times of substorms. It is shown that the magnetic phenomena at the earthward site of a magnetic reconfiguration region are governed by field‐aligned currents, which in their turn generate auroral brightenings near the foot points of the spacecraft. It is also shown that the inward and outward motion of the dipolarization front near Cluster has a direct influence on the parallel plasma flow at TC1, indicating a piston mechanism. Just like a piston, the inward moving dipolarization at Cluster pushes in plasma along with the flux transport, which turns to parallel plasma flow at TC1. When the flow reverses at Cluster, i.e., outgoing flux transport, the plasma gets “sucked out” again, which is directly reflected in the plasma data from TC1.
Application of copper slag in geomagnetic archaeointensity research
Authors: Ben‐Yosef E. , Ron H. , Tauxe L. , Agnon A. , Genevey A. , Levy T. E. , Avner U. , Najjar M.
Published: August 2008

Paleointensity and archaeointensity studies since the 1950s have produced numerous geomagnetic intensity data for the last seven millennia. As a consequence of different experiments and materials, there is a complex and internally inconsistent picture of the geomagnetic field behavior. In this study we present data using a recently developed experimental design on a heretofore unexploited recording medium: copper slag deposits. Our results, based on hundreds of specimens from various archaeometallurgical sites of the Southern Levant, demonstrate the applicability of copper slag material for archaeointensity studies. In addition to frequently exhibiting good experimental behavior, slag has further advantages such as dense multilayer deposits and in cases embedded charcoals, which open the door to data sets with excellent age control and resolution. The data presented here augment the high quality database from the Middle East and support previously observed periods of rapid change of the intensity of the geomagnetic field.
North to south asymmetries in the water‐equivalent hydrogen distribution at high latitudes on Mars
Authors: Feldman W. C. , Bandfield J. L. , Diez B. , Elphic R. C. , Maurice S. , Nelli S. M.
Published: August 2008

Water content and burial depths derived from thermal and epithermal neutron currents measured by the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer are used to determine north to south asymmetries and intercorrelations at high latitudes on Mars. Our goal is to contrast observed asymmetries with predictions based on current climate conditions and potential regolith thermophysical and chemophysical properties. The average mass fraction of water‐equivalent hydrogen within the buried layer is higher on average in the south between 60° and 75° latitude and is strongly anticorrelated with burial depth in both hemispheres. These results argue that the observed water content at high latitudes may require differing north to south thermophysical and/or chemophysical properties of the regolith.