bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical and current records of aquarium cetaceans in China
Authors: Zhang Peijun , Sun Ni , Yao Zhiping , Zhang Xianfeng
Published: June 2011

The number of cetaceans housed in aquariums in China is increasing. Detailed information on the historical and current population status has not been reported, despite its importance for successful breeding and population management. Questionnaires were conducted between December 2006 and May 2009, and the information was used to construct studbooks. Our survey showed that 10 species had been introduced to aquariums since 1978, including 26 (with 15 in the current population) finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides), 5 (5) false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), 94 (80) common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 48 (30) Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), 36 (32) beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), 10 (10) pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), 8 (8) Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), 2 (2) short‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), 2 (2) Pacific white‐sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and 5 (0) baiji dolphins (Lipotes vexillifer). The number of cetaceans has increased markedly in the past 32 years, especially since 1995. Currently, 184 individuals are under human care throughout China, a number larger than any other country with an International Species Information System membership. In addition, the Annual Survival Rates of bottlenose dolphins (0.959) and beluga whales (0.968) were found higher than those reported previously (0.93–0.951 and 0.94–0.954, respectively). Zoo Biol 31:336–349, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of combination birth control on estrous behavior in captive western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Authors: Sarfaty Anna , Margulis Susan W. , Atsalis Sylvia
Published: June 2011

Combination birth control pills (CBC) are one of the most common birth control methods used for western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in zoos. Since zoos are interested in maintaining as many natural behaviors as possible, it is important to know how contraception may affect social and sexual interactions among group members. Although some data are available regarding the influence of the pill on sexual behavior in human females, no data are available on its effects on gorilla estrous behavior. We examined temporal trends of estrous, aggressive, affiliative, and activity budget data in four females on CBC at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. Behavioral data were collected using point sampling, all‐occurrence records, and one‐zero sampling. Estrous behavior occurred in less than 1% of observations. Using all‐occurrence and one‐zero sampling, estrous behavior occurred more frequently in week one of the cycle than any other week. The focal females exhibited affiliative, aggressive, and activity budget data evenly across their cycles. There were also no temporal trends in proximity to the silverback. Females varied by the types of estrous behavior they exhibited. We give a hormonal explanation for the prevalence of estrous behaviors in week one, and recommendations for effective behavioral sampling of gorilla estrous behavior. Zoo Biol 31:350–361, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can zoo records help answer behavioral research questions? The case of the left‐handed lemurs (Lemur catta)
Authors: Hosey Geoff , Hill Sonya P. , Lherbier Mary L.
Published: June 2011

Most zoos keep comprehensive records, which potentially form a database for use in answering some research questions, such as in veterinary and population management research. They have not, however, been widely used to answer questions about animal behavior and welfare. Here we try to assess the usefulness to behavioral research of two sorts of zoo records (ARKS, the Animal Records Keeping System, and student dissertations held on file) to test the hypothesis that ring‐tailed lemurs with a left limb preference experience more negative social lives. We found that, as predicted, lemurs with a left limb preference (LH) received more aggression and were involved in less grooming than nonleft‐preferent lemurs (NLH), though the differences were not statistically significant. Contrary to prediction, LH lemurs had fewer reported woundings than NLH lemurs, but again the difference was not statistically significant. We found that the ARKS reports did not contain sufficient quantified and systematic behavioral data for our purposes, although otherwise they provided an excellent context for interpreting results. The student dissertations were also of limited use, primarily because of the small time frame in which they were carried out. Because of these shortcomings we were unable to distinguish whether our inability to find significant effects was due to biological (perhaps hand preference had no consequences for the lemurs) or data reasons. We suggest that closer liaison between zoo research staff, zoo record keepers and academic supervisors could help to improve the usefulness of zoo records for behavioral research. Zoo Biol 31: 189–196, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Denning ecology of Molina's hog‐nosed skunk in a farmland area in the Pampas grassland of Argentina
Authors: Castillo Diego F. , Lucherini Mauro , Casanave Emma B.
Published: June 2011

This paper reports the very first data on the denning habits of the little‐studied Molina's hog‐nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga). We identified and characterized 240 (males: n = 92, females: n = 148) den sites used by nine radio‐tracked skunks from November 2002 to October 2003 and from December 2005 to October 2007. Most dens were found in underground burrows and we found no variation in dimensions of den entrances across seasons. On average, 24.1% of the den sites were reused by C. chinga. Den sites were not homogeneously distributed within an animal's home range, being the density in core areas greater than in proximity to the borders of home ranges. C. chinga selected specific habitat characteristics for their den sites, such as high shrub and grass cover. Accordingly, the habitats preferred by skunks were native grasslands and pastures. Also, C. chinga preferred den sites located close to fences, roads, and grass patches. We argue that these preferences for den sites may provide two, not mutually exclusive, advantages: access to consistent and predictable sources of food, and protection from predators. Our results suggest that availability of semi‐natural grassland and pasture areas may favor the conservation of C. chinga in the human‐modified landscapes of the Pampas.
Lost in elimination: mechanisms of axonal loss
Authors: Misgeld T.
Published: June 2011

Axonal loss is an important process both dur­ing development and diseases of the ner­vous system. While the molecular mecha­nisms that mediate axonal loss are largely elusive, modern imaging technology affords an increasingly clear view of the cellular processes that allow nerve cells to shed individiual axon branches or even dismantle entire parts of their axonal projections. The present review discusses the characteristics of post-traumatic Wallerian degeneration, the process of axonal loss currently best understood. Subsequently, the properties of a number of recently discovered axonal loss phenome­na are described. These phenomena explain some of the axonal loss that occurs locally after axon transection, during neuro-inflammatory insults, and as part of normal neurode­velopment.
BI-MAGIC AND OTHER GENERALIZATIONS OF SUPER EDGE-MAGIC LABELINGS
Authors: LÓPEZ S. C. , MUNTANER-BATLE F. A. , RIUS-FONT M.
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we use the product ⊗hin order to study super edge-magic labelings, bi-magic labelings and optimalk-equitable labelings. We establish, with the help of the product ⊗h, new relations between super edge-magic labelings and optimalk-equitable labelings and between super edge-magic labelings and edge bi-magic labelings. We also introduce new families of graphs that are inspired by the family of generalized Petersen graphs. The concepts of super bi-magic andr-magic labelings are also introduced and discussed, and open problems are proposed for future research.
Baire's category in existence problems for non-convex lower semicontinuous evolution differential inclusions
Authors: De Blasi F.S. , Pianigiani G.
Published: June 2011

The existence of mild solutions to the non-convex Cauchy problem

is investigated. Here A is the infinitesimal generator of a C0-semigroup in a reflexive and separable Banach space $\mathbb{E}$, F is a Pompeiu–Hausdorff lower semicontinuous multifunction whose values are closed convex and bounded sets with non-empty interior contained in $\mathbb{E}$, and ∂F(t, x(t)) denotes the boundary of F(t, x(t)). Our approach is based on the Baire category method, with appropriate modifications which are actually necessary because, under our assumptions, the underlying metric space that naturally enters in the Baire method, i.e. the solution set of the convexified Cauchy problem (CF), can fail to be a complete metric space.
Identification of the environmental factors which drive the botanical and functional composition of permanent grasslands
Authors: MICHAUD A. , PLANTUREUX S. , AMIAUD B. , CARRÈRE P. , CRUZ P. , DURU M. , DURY B. , FARRUGGIA A. , FIORELLI J. L. , KERNEIS E. , BAUMONT R.
Published: June 2011

Managed grasslands provide environmental and agronomic services that can be predicted from the botanical and functional composition of the vegetation. These are influenced by management, edaphic and climatic factors. The present report set out to estimate and analyse the relative importance of management, soil and climate factors on botanical and functional characteristics of grassland vegetation. A set of 178 French grasslands having a large pedoclimatic and management gradient was selected, and information collected on botanical composition, pedoclimatic factors and management. Six vegetation characteristics were considered: two botanical (floristic composition and species dominance) and four functional (proportion of entomophilous species, number of oligotrophic species, leaf dry matter content and date of flowering). First, the links between the characteristics of the vegetation were analysed to check for any redundancy among them; all were kept. Second, it was demonstrated that botanical and functional characteristics were not driven by the same factors: functional composition was characterized by management, edaphic and climatic factors, whereas botanical composition was influenced mainly by climatic and edaphic factors plus other factors. Interactions between factors also have to be taken into consideration to predict botanical and functional composition of grasslands. Functional and botanical characteristics of vegetation help to predict ecosystem services delivered by grasslands and may be used in combination.
Effect of antioxidants on the clinical outcome of patients with nasal polyposis
Authors: Sagit M , Erdamar H , Saka C , Yalcin S , Akin I
Published: June 2011

Aim:

To investigate the therapeutic effects of antioxidants on the clinical and biochemical outcome of patients with nasal polyposis.

Methods:

Thirty-four patients with nasal polyposis were divided into two groups receiving either intranasal steroid or intranasal steroid plus per-oral vitamins A, C and E and selenium. Paranasal sinus computed tomography, endoscopy, and polyp tissue and serum sampling were conducted pre- and post-therapy. Serum levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, nitrite and myeloperoxidase and tissue levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were measured. Group results were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

Both groups had significantly lower tissue parameters, computed tomography scores and serum malondialdehyde levels, comparing pre- versus post-treatment results. Post-treatment, the steroid plus antioxidant group had significantly lower tissue malondialdehyde levels and a greater fall in tissue and serum malondialdehyde, compared with the steroid group.

Conclusion:

Serum and tissue levels of malondialdehyde (an oxidative marker) were significantly decreased by adding antioxidants to standard therapy. This is the first report of the positive effects of adding antioxidants to steroid therapy for nasal polyposis.
Approaches to intestinal failure in Crohn's disease
Authors: Calvert C. R. , Lal S.
Published: June 2011

Crohn's disease is one of the leading causes of intestinal failure. The term ‘type 2’ intestinal failure is used to describe the relatively rare type of intestinal failure that occurs in association with septic, metabolic and complex nutritional complications, typically following surgical resection and/or laparostomy for intra-abdominal sepsis. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with type 2 intestinal failure is crucial, and it is helpful to approach patient care in a structured manner using the ‘sepsis-nutrition-anatomy-plan’ algorithm: resolution ofsepsis is required before adequate nutritional repletion can be achieved, and it is crucial to optimise nutritional status, and define intestinal anatomy before delineating a definitive medical or surgical plan. A structured approach to the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who have developed type 2 intestinal failure, should reduce the likelihood of these patients developing ‘type 3’ intestinal failure, which is characterised by the need for long-term parenteral nutrition. However, Crohn's disease is still the commonest indication for home parenteral nutrition in the UK.
Self-rating scales assessing subjective well-being and distress correlate with rCBF in PTSD-sensitive regions
Authors: Nardo D. , Högberg G. , Flumeri F. , Jacobsson H. , Larsson S. A. , Hällström T. , Pagani M.
Published: June 2011

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in occupational-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subjects and to seek possible correlations between brain perfusion and self-rating scales (SRS) in order to cross-check their diagnostic value and to look for their neural correlates.

Method

A total of 13 traumatized underground and long-distance train drivers developing (S) and 17 not developing (NS) PTSD who had experienced a ‘person under train’ accident or who had been assaulted at work underwent clinical assessment and99mTc-HMPAO SPECT imaging during autobiographical trauma scripts. Statistical parametric mapping was applied to analyse rCBF changes in S as compared with NS and to search for correlations between rCBF and the administered SRS scores, modelling age, months to SPECT and the ratio ‘grey matter/intra-cranial volume’ as nuisance variables.

Results

Significantly higher activity was observed during trauma script in left posterior and anterior insula, posterior cingulate, inferior parietal lobule, precuneus, caudate and putamen in PTSD subjects as compared with the trauma-exposed control group. Impact of Event Scale and World Health Organisation (10) Well-Being Index scores highly correlated with tracer uptake to a great extent in the same regions in which rCBF differences between S and NS were found.

Conclusions

These findings support the involvement of insular, cingulate and parietal cortices (as well as the basal ganglia) in the pathogenesis of PTSD and in the processing of related subjective well-being and distress.
A baker's funerary relief from Rome
Authors: Wilson Andrew , Schörle Katia
Published: June 2011

Questo articolo presenta un rilievo di travertino di epoca romana che mostra scene di lavorazione del pane. Il rilievo, finora inedito, è attualmente conservato nel ristoranteRomoloin Trastevere a Roma. Presumibilmente esso è appartenuto ad un monumento funerario, forse situato nelle vicinanze, e potrebbe essere datato genericamente, in base al materiale e allo stile, tra la tarda età repubblicana e il periodo flavio. Da sinistra a destra mostra due uomini che consegnano sacchi di grano, un uomo che carica grano in una macina a trazione animale, tre uomini che impastano la pasta per il pane con le mani, altri tre che fanno pagnotte e uno che mette le pagnotte in un forno. L'articolo discute confronti con altri rilievi di panettieri e sottolinea l'importanza di questo per l'evidenza che fornisce circa la misura della divisione del lavoro in un panificio di scala abbastanza ampia, in cui il processo di panificazione è diviso in stadi, ognuno dei quali condotto da gruppi diversi di individui.
Trajanic building projects on base-metal denominations and audience targeting
Authors: Marzano Annalisa
Published: June 2011

La monetazione imperiale è generalmente riconosciuta come uno dei mezzi usati dall'amministrazione centrale per diffondere messaggi ideologici specifici, anche se la misura in cui messaggi particolari potevano essere compresi dall'ampio spettro della società romana rimane oggetto di dibattito. Ancora più problematica resta la questione se specifici tipi monetali erano scelti in base alle differenti denominazioni (metalli preziosi rispetto a metalli vili), quindi tenendo in conto il sostrato sociale e geografico del potenziale fruitore delle monete. Lo studio vuole indagare la possibilità dello sviluppo di messaggi diversi a seconda delle utenze nelle monete traianee recanti tipi architettonici della zecca di Roma, e quindi compara queste questioni con monete simili emesse sotto gli imperatori Flavii e Adriano. L'analisi spiega come i progetti edilizi che avevano una rilevanza primaria per la popolazione di Roma, come il restauro del Circo Massimo, furono ricordati solo su monete di metallo non preziosi, mentre progetti che avevano una più ampia risonanza nell'impero, come è il caso del Foro di Traiano, furono rappresentati su monete di metalli preziosi, mostrando quindi che in casi specifici può essere individuato un chiaro modello dello sviluppo di messaggi diversi a seconda delle utenze.
Medieval wall painting in the church of Santa Maria in Pallara, Rome: the use of objective dating criteria
Authors: Marchiori Laura
Published: June 2011

Le pitture medievali nella chiesa di Santa Maria in Pallara hanno ricevuto poca attenzione da parte degli studiosi, forse per via dell'incertezza della loro datazione; infatti non si possiede nessuna indipendente documentazione letteraria per la loro realizzazione. Tradizionalmente datati al X secolo, le pitture mostrano un'iconografia più comune nei contesti del XII e XIII secolo, una rappresentazione di Apostoli seduti sulle spalle dei Profeti, che senza dubbio contribuiscono alla loro dimenticanza, visto che i monumenti più tardi sono ben documentati. Comunque, l'iconografia deriva dalle tradizioni romane della decorazione ecclesiastica, tradizioni che possono essere utilizzate in un'analisi delle pitture al fine di arrivare ad una datazione indipendente basata solo sulla loro forma e contenuto. Seguendo una metodologia sviluppata da John Osbornc per la datazione di pitture medievali prive di documentazione a Roma, questo articolo analizza i criteri obicttivi di datazione delle pitture di Santa Maria in Pallara; tali criteri sono la messa in opera, la funzione, il soggetto, le iscrizioni e la tecnica pittorica. Simili analisi suggeriscono che per le pitture è possibile una data al X secolo, che sono ben classificate nella storia della tecnica pittorica di Roma tra monumenti sicuramente datati al IX secolo e quelli datati all'XI e XII secolo.
The Mycenaeans in Italy: a minimalist position
Authors: Blake Emma
Published: June 2011

Gli ultimi cinque decenni hanno visto un forte incremento del numero dei siti che in Italia hanno restituito frammenti di ceramica micenea. L'elevata presenza attribuita ai Micenei ha incoraggiato la teoria che furono loro ad innescare gli sviluppi sociali sperimentati in Italia alla fine dell'età del Bronzo. Concentrandosi sull'evidenza ceramica, questo contributo assume una posizione minimalista, sostenendo che le relazioni tra i Micenei e le genti d'Italia erano infrequenti, di piccola scala e avevano, al massimo, un impatto circoscritto in aree limitate. Comunque, esiste una marcata variabilità nella distribuzione della ceramica micenea in Italia, sia geografica sia cronologica, con nessuna chiara coerenza nelle azioni e risposte micenee e italiche.

L'evidenza suggerisce che i Micenei non trassero molto giovamento dalle visite, che per questo divennero meno frequenti. In aggiunta i Micenei non ebbero la capacità di fare più che commerci di oggetti e prodotti con l'Italia, e così ebbero scarsa influenza su altri settori della vita.
The role of late antique art in early Christian worship: a reconsideration of the iconography of the ‘starry sky’ in the ‘Mausoleum’ of Galla Placidia
Authors: Swift Ellen , Alwis Anne
Published: June 2011

Attingendo alla nozione di Jaś Elsner della ‘visione mistica’ e le contestuali fonti scritte che descrivono la decorazione degli interni della chiesa e l'importanza simbolica della luce e delle stele nell'esegesi paleocristiana, questo articolo riesamina le volte mosaicate con cieli stellati, principalmente quelle all'interno del cosiddetto ‘Mausoleo’ di Galla Placidia a Ravenna. Esso enfatizza il ruolo attivo dello schema decorativo nella tarda antichità; e il ruolo dell'arte non solo come esemplificazione, ma anche come mediazione del culto paleocristiano. La proposta avanzata è che gli effetti visivi esibiti dai mosaici sono strumenteli nel creare una particolare relazione con lo spettatoie antico, relazione in cui le stelle potevano essere state viste non solo come una rappresentazione del cielo, ma come una concreta manifestazione del potere raggiante dei santi nel loro ruolo di intermediari tra la terra e il paradise.
Notes from Rome 2009-10
Authors: Coates-Stephens Robert
Published: June 2011

Questa gazzetta ha lo scopo di presentare ad un lettore fuori Roma notizie della recente attività archeologica (principalmente del 2009, ma anche degli inizi del 2010) tratte da conferenze, convegni, mostre e relazioni sulle riviste.
The responsibility to protect – much ado about nothing?
Authors: REINOLD THERESA
Published: June 2011

Despite its newness, the concept of the responsibility to protect (R2P) looks back at a stellar career. It has been the subject of numerous conferences and academic publications and has been affirmed by the major UN bodies. Indeed, if one were to assess the development of an international norm by the amount of academic attention and general rhetorical support it enjoys, one could be inclined to believe that the responsibility to protect is rapidly evolving into a norm of customary international law.

This article subjects the R2P hype to critical scrutiny and asks probing questions about R2P's viability as a norm. Beneath the thin veneer of rhetorical acceptance of R2P lies a range of hotly disputed issues – in particular but not exclusively regarding the concept's implications for the use of force – which are unlikely to be resolved in the near future. In this article I examine R2P's potential to ‘ripen’ into an international norm. I argue that in the absence of an intersubjective consensus about what R2P actuallymeans, the concept's chances to ‘harden’ into a norm of customary international law are remote. I posit that R2P cannot be considered a ‘new norm’ or an ‘emerging norm’ as it is frequently called, because the vast majority of states simply does not want to be legally bound to save strangers in remote regions of the world.
Global justice, national responsibility and transnational power
Authors: OWEN DAVID
Published: June 2011

This article focuses on David Miller's recent and influential studyNational Responsibility and Global Justice(2007). After outlining Miller's methodological commitments in the book, the article offers an interpretation of the major aspects of Miller's case against ‘Cosmopolitan egalitarianism’ before focusing especially on the issue of migration and refugees. Here the article argues that while membership of a nation is (under certain conditions) of intrinsic value, it is not the only thing that is of intrinsic value – friendship, family and other practices can also be sources of intrinsic value – nor is it necessarily the most important. It is therefore not clear, the article argues, why an account of global justice that seeks to take seriously the existence of national communities on the grounds of their intrinsic value, should propose rules of justice concerning freedom of movement that entail thede jureprivileging of the value of national community over other sources of intrinsic value. The article concludes by assessing how Miller's arguments can support the movement from mere ‘distributivism’ towards political justice, towards an account that more adequately integrates agency, responsibility and power into our account of global justice.
Individual differences in pronoun reversal: Evidence from two longitudinal case studies
Authors: EVANS KAREN E. , DEMUTH KATHERINE
Published: June 2011

Pronoun reversal, the use of you for self-reference and I for an addressee, has often been associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and impaired language. However, recent case studies have shown the phenomenon also to occur in typically developing and even precocious talkers. This study examines longitudinal corpus data from two children, a typically developing girl, and a boy with Asperger's syndrome. Both were precocious talkers who reversed the majority of their personal pronouns for several months. A comparison of the children's behaviors revealed quantitative and qualitative differences in pronoun use: the girl showed ‘semantic confusion’, using second person pronouns for self-reference, whereas the boy showed a discourse–pragmatic deficit related to perspective-taking. The results suggest that there are multiple mechanisms underlying pronoun reversal and provide qualified support for both the Name/Person Hypothesis (Clark, 1978; Charney, 1980b) and the Plurifunctional Pronoun Hypothesis (Chiat, 1982).
NINE NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA (BEGONIACEAE) FROM SOUTH AND WEST SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Authors: Thomas D. C. , Ardi W. H. , Hughes M.
Published: June 2011

Nine new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia comestibilis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. insueta D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. lasioura D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. nobmanniae D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. prionota D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. rantemarioensis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. sanguineopilosa D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. torajana D.C.Thomas & Ardi and B. vermeulenii D.C.Thomas, are described from South and West Sulawesi, Indonesia. All belong to Begonia section Petermannia. Proposed conservation categories for these species are Vulnerable (VU) for Begonia comestibilis, B. nobmanniae, B. prionota, B. sanguineopilosa and B. vermeulenii; Least Concern (LC) for B. lasioura, B. rantemarioensis and B. torajana; and Data Deficient (DD) for B. insueta. An identification key to Begonia in South and West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan and Sulawesi Barat) is provided.
THE CORRECT CITATION AND TYPIFICATION OF THE NAME DESMOS VIRIDIFLORUS (ANNONACEAE)
Authors: Turner I. M.
Published: June 2011

The Indian Desmos viridiflorus (Annonaceae) was first described as Unona viridiflora by Beddome, but this was a later homonym of a species from South America. The correct citation of the species is therefore Desmos viridiflorus Saff. (1912). Unona viridiflora Bedd. is lectotypified.
A FLORISTIC DESCRIPTION OF THE SAN PASTOR SAVANNA, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA
Authors: Hicks J. , Goodwin Z. A. , Bridgewater S. G. M. , Harris D. J. , Furley P. A.
Published: June 2011

A vascular plant species list and description is provided for the San Pastor Savanna, an isolated area of savanna within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize. Of the 126 species recorded, 28 are new records for the Chiquibul Forest Reserve with one previously unrecorded for the country. The maintenance of the current vegetation classification under the Belize Ecosystems Map for the San Pastor Savanna is supported. The coarse-textured soils are typical for extremely seasonal climates with some evidence of prolonged inundation during wet periods and dry seasons affected by burning. Although clear floristic affinities exist with other local and regional savanna areas, the San Pastor Savanna has some unique features and its flora includes national endemics. Although it is currently protected as part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and this status should be maintained, its inaccessible location makes frequent monitoring by the Forest Department problematic. Through providing a source of water and a source of forage for horses, the San Pastor Savanna plays a pivotal role in supporting the illegal Chamaedorea (xaté) palm leaf harvesting industry. This activity has also adversely impacted local wildlife. Like the nearby Mountain Pine Ridge, the San Pastor Savanna has suffered intense pine beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) attack.
FICUS TRIVIA (MORACEAE) REDEFINED
Authors: Berg C. C.
Published: June 2011

Ficus trivia Corner (Moraceae) is redefined, discussed, and compared with related species.
A NEW SPECIES OF SELLIGUEA (POLYPODIACEAE) FROM THAILAND
Authors: Hovenkamp P.
Published: June 2011

A new species is described in the genus Selliguea (Polypodiaceae), Selliguea pui Hovenkamp.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ERIOCAULON (ERIOCAULACEAE) FROM INDIA
Authors: Nampy S. , Manudev K. M. , Pradeep A. K.
Published: June 2011

Two new species of Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae) from India, E. malabaricum Pradeep & Nampy and E. pykarense Nampy & Manudev, are described, illustrated and compared with E. sollyanum Royle and E. ansarii Pradeep & Sunil, respectively.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY SPECIES OF PRIMULA (PRIMULACEAE) FROM CHINA
Authors: Hu C. M. , Hao G.
Published: June 2011

A new species, Primula fenghwaiana C.M.Hu & G.Hao (Primulaceae), from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Primula petelotii W.W.Sm., a species previously known only from one collection from Vietnam, is for the first time found in China. An addendum to the description for this incompletely known species is given.
Flora Malesiana, Series I. Volume 19. Cucurbitaceae . W. J. J. O. de Wilde & B. E. E. Duyfjes.
Authors: Newman Mark
Published: June 2011

..
WHAT IS THE HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL INFINITESIMAL GROUPOID OF A MANIFOLD?
Authors: BORISOV DENNIS
Published: June 2011

The construction (by Kapranov) of the space of infinitesimal paths on a manifold is extended to include higher-dimensional infinitesimal objects, encoding contractions of infinitesimal loops. This full infinitesimal groupoid is shown to have the algebra of polyvector fields as its nonlinear cohomology.
A live vaccine from Brucella abortus strain 82 for control of cattle brucellosis in the Russian Federation
Authors: Ivanov Arkady V. , Salmakov Konstantin M. , Olsen Steven C. , Plumb Glenn E.
Published: June 2011

During the first half of the twentieth century, widespread regulatory efforts to control cattle brucellosis due to Brucella abortus in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were essentially non-existent, and control was limited to selective test and slaughter of serologic agglutination reactors. By the 1950s, 2–3 million cattle were being vaccinated annually with the strain 19 vaccine, but because this vaccine induced strong, long-term titers on agglutination tests that interfered with identification of cattle infected with field strains of B. abortus, its use in cattle was discontinued in 1970. Soviet scientists then began a comprehensive program of research to identify vaccines with high immunogenicity, weak responses on agglutination tests and low pathogenicity in humans, as a foundation for widespread control of cattle brucellosis. While several new vaccines that induced weak or no responses on serologic agglutination tests were identified by experiments in guinea pigs and cattle, a large body of experimental and field studies suggested that the smooth–rough strain SR82 vaccine combined the desired weak agglutination test responses with comparatively higher efficacy against brucellosis. In 1974, prior to widespread use of strain SR82 vaccine, over 5300 cattle farms across the Russian Federation were known to be infected with B. abortus. By January 2008, only 68 cattle farms in 18 regions were known to be infected with B. abortus, and strain SR82 continues to be the most widely and successfully used vaccine in many regions of the Russian Federation.
Staphylococcus aureussmall colony variants (SCVs) and their role in disease
Authors: Atalla Heba , Gyles Carlton , Mallard Bonnie
Published: June 2011

Persistent or difficult-to-treatStaphylococcus aureusinfections in animals and humans may be related to small colony variants (SCVs) that can hide inside host cells and modulate host defenses.S. aureusSCVs have gained much attention in human medicine but have been underestimated and overlooked in veterinary medicine. Recently, an SCV isolated from a dairy cow with a history of chronic mastitis was shown to possess similar phenotypic and transcriptomic properties to those of human SCVs. SCVs form small, colorless, non-hemolytic colonies after 48 h, are only slowly coagulase positive, fail to ferment mannitol, and can revert to the parental phenotype. The phenotype of SCVs is mostly related to alterations in hemin and/or menadione biosynthesis or to thymidine deficiency. Transcriptomic analysis of SCVs shows up-regulation of genes involved in glycolytic and arginine–deiminase pathways, capsular biosynthesis; increased sigma B activity; and down-regulation of genes for α-hemolysin, coagulase and effector molecule RNA III of the global virulence regulatorAgr. Similar results are reported at the protein level. SCVs are less virulent but successful persisters in infection models. SCVs persist longer and at higher numbers within non-phagocytes than do their parents. SCVs survive within spacious vacuoles up to 24 h within cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells, likely due to up-regulation of protective mechanisms that counteract the lethal acidic environment of the phagolysosome. Persistence of SCVs within host cells may explain failures in antimicrobial therapy and vaccinations.
Protein disulphide isomerase promoter sequence analysis of Triticum urartu, Aegilops speltoides and Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Dhanapal Arun Prabhu , Ciaffi Mario , Porceddu Enrico , d'Aloisio Elisa
Published: June 2011

Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) catalyses the formation, reduction and isomerization of disulphide bonds in the newly synthesized secretory proteins. Plant PDIs have been shown to be involved in the folding and deposition of seed storage proteins, which makes this enzyme particularly interesting in wheat, as flour quality is strongly affected by composition and structure of seed storage proteins. In hexaploid wheat cultivar (AABBDD) Chinese Spring (CS), the genomic, complementary DNA and promoter sequences of the three homoeologous gene encoding PDI had been isolated and characterized in a previous study revealing high levels of sequence conservation. In this study, we report the isolation and sequencing of a ~700 bp region, comprising ~600 bp of the putative promoter region and 88 bp of the first exon of the typical PDI gene, in five accessions each from Triticum urartu (AA), Aegilops speltoides (BB) and Aegilops tauschii (DD). Sequence analysis indicated large variation among sequences belonging to the different genomes, while close similarity was found within each species and with the corresponding homoeologous PDI sequences of Triticum aestivum cv. CS (AABBDD) resulting in an overall high conservation of the regulatory motifs conferring endosperm-specific expression.
Design of a coupled antenna array for mobile HyperLAN2 applications
Authors: El Sayed Ahmad Ahmad , Thevenot Marc , Menudier Cyrille , Koubeissi Majed , Arnaud Eric , Monédière Thierry
Published: June 2011

This paper describes the design of a 12-monopole linear array to perform a radiation pattern in the array alignment plane. This antenna can be used for HyperLAN2 telecommunications in transit vehicles. The design is based on a rigorous method which synthesizes the feeds weights by considering the strong cumulative coupling between monopoles. The originality of this paper consists in considering the couplings to obtain the objective pattern. Without this approach, a significant performance alteration is observed. The array and the feed network have been designed and successfully measured.
Sequential Processing of Two-Digit Numbers
Authors: García-Orza Javier , Damas Jesús
Published: June 2011

Two experiments using a number matching task (NMT) explored whether two-digit numbers are processed holistically or in a compositional fashion. In the NMT participants are required to decide whether one of the two numbers initially provided (cues) is presented some milliseconds later or not (probe). Probes which have some arithmetic relationship to the cues (e.g., cues: 2 3, probe: 6) are rejected more slowy than probes unrelated to their cues (e.g., cues: 2 3, probe: 7) – interference effect –, and this is considered as evidence of the automatic activation of that arithmetic relationship. Participants were presented with two-digit cues and probes which had an arithmetic progression relationship only detectable once the numbers were decomposed (Experiment 1: cues: 56 7, probe: 89; Experiment 2: cues: 45 67, probe: 89). Results showed longer response times in these conditions compared to unrelated conditions. Data support componential processing even when the numbers to be matched are presented serially.
Research Spotlight: Model suggests path to ending the ongoing Haitian cholera epidemic
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: June 2011

Since early November 2010 a deadly cholera epidemic has been spreading across the Caribbean nation of Haiti, killing thousands of people and infecting hundreds of thousands. While infection rates are being actively monitored, health organizations have been left without a clear understanding of exactly how the disease has spread across Haiti. Cholera can spread through exposure to contaminated water, and the disease travels over long distances if an infected individual moves around the country. Using representations of these two predominant dispersion mechanisms, along with information on the size of the susceptible population, the number of infected individuals, and the aquatic concentration of the cholera‐causing bacteria for more than 500 communities,Bertuzzo et al. designed a model that was able to accurately reproduce the progression of the Haitian cholera epidemic. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL046823, 2011)
Dietrich receives 2010 G. K. Gilbert Award: Response
Authors: Dietrich William E.
Published: June 2011

William E. Dietrich received the 2010 G. K. Gilbert Award at the 2010 AGU Fall Meeting, held 13–17 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “a scientist who has either made a single significant advance or sustained significant contributions to the field of Earth and planetary surface processes, and who has in addition promoted an environment of unselfish cooperation in research and the inclusion of young scientists into the field.”
Jerolmack receives 2010 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award: Citation
Authors: Mohrig David C.
Published: June 2011

Douglas J. Jerolmack received the 2010 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award at the 2010 AGU Fall Meeting, held 13–17 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “a young scientist for making a significant and outstanding contribution that advances the field of Earth and planetary surface processes.”
Floodplain dynamics included in river model
Authors: Tretkoff Ernie
Published: June 2011

Surface water flow is important to the climate system and to water resources management. Floodplain inundation dynamics is a key part of surface water flow, but most current river routing models do not include realistic representation of floodplain dynamics. A new global river routing model created by Yamazaki et al. does include these dynamics. The researchers tested the model by comparing results of their model simulation with in situ and satellite observations and found that the model improved simulation of river discharge in most of the world's major river basins. (Water Resources Research, doi:10.1029/2010WR009726, 2011)
Ice sheet collapse affects ocean circulation
Authors: Tretkoff Ernie
Published: June 2011

As Earth's climate warms and ice melts, freshwater input to oceans could weaken the large‐scale Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, which acts as an important conveyor of heat and has significant effects on climate. Green et al. used an intermediate complexity climate model to study how freshwater input to oceans can affect the meridional overturning circulation. They applied their model to the collapse of the Barents ice sheet about 140,000 years ago—the first study of this kind for the time period—which resulted in a huge influx of freshwater to the North Atlantic Ocean as large icebergs calved off of the ice sheet. (Paleoceanography, doi:10.1029/2010PA002088, 2011)
Dynamics of Murray‐Darling floodplain forests under multiple stressors: The past, present, and future of an Australian icon
Authors: Mac Nally Ralph , Cunningham Shaun C. , Baker Patrick J. , Horner Gillis J. , Thomson James R.
Published: June 2011

We review the human actions, proximal stressors and ecological responses for floodplain forests Australia's largest river system—the Murray‐Darling Basin. A conceptual model for the floodplain forests was built from extensive published information and some unpublished results for the system, which should provide a basis for understanding, studying and managing the ecology of floodplains that face similar environmental stresses. Since European settlement, lowlands areas of the basin have been extensively cleared for agriculture and remnant forests heavily harvested for timber. The most significant human intervention is modification of river flows, and the reduction in frequency, duration and timing of flooding, which are compounded by climate change (higher temperatures and reduced rainfall) and deteriorating groundwater conditions (depth and salinity). This has created unfavorable conditions for all life‐history stages of the dominant floodplain tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.). Lack of extensive flooding has led to widespread dieback across the Murray River floodplain (currently 79% by area). Management for timber resources has altered the structure of these forests from one dominated by large, widely spreading trees to mixed‐aged stands of smaller pole trees. Reductions in numbers of birds and other vertebrates followed the decline in habitat quality (hollow‐bearing trees, fallen timber). Restoration of these forests is dependent on substantial increases in the frequency and extent of flooding, improvements in groundwater conditions, re‐establishing a diversity of forest structures, removal of grazing and consideration of these interacting stressors.
Up-Regulation of A-Type Potassium Currents Protects Neurons Against Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Deng Ping , Pang Zhi-Ping , Lei Zhigang , Shikano Sojin , Xiong Qiaojie , Harvey Brandon K , London Barry , Wang Yun , Li Min , Xu Zao C
Published: June 2011

Excitotoxicity is the major cause of many neurologic disorders including stroke. Potassium currents modulate neuronal excitability and therefore influence the pathological process. A-type potassium current ( IA) is one of the major voltage-dependent potassium currents, yet its roles in excitotoxic cell death are not well understood. We report that, following ischemic insults, the IA increases significantly in large aspiny (LA) neurons but not medium spiny (MS) neurons in the striatum, which correlates with the higher resistance of LA neurons to ischemia. Activation of protein kinase Cα increases IA in LA neurons after ischemia. Cultured neurons from transgenic mice lacking both Kv1.4 and Kv4.2 subunits exhibit an increased vulnerability to ischemic insults. Increase of IA by recombinant expression of Kv1.4 or Kv4.2 is sufficient in improving the survival of MS neurons against ischemic insults both in vitro and in vivo. These results, taken together, provide compelling evidence for a protective role of IA against ischemia.
Metal Ions: Supporting Actors in the Playbook of Small Ribozymes
Authors: Johnson-Buck Alexander E. , McDowell Sarah E. , Walter Nils G.
Published: June 2011

Since the 1980s, several small RNA motifs capable of chemical catalysis have been discovered. These small ribozymes, composed of between approximately 40 and 200 nucleotides, have been found to play vital roles in the replication of subviral and viral pathogens, as well as in gene regulation in prokaryotes, and have recently been discovered in noncoding eukaryotic RNAs. All of the known natural small ribozymes – the hairpin, hammerhead, hepatitis delta virus, Varkud satellite, and glmS ribozymes – catalyze the same self-cleavage reaction as RNase A, resulting in two products, one bearing a 2′-3′ cyclic phosphate and the other a 5′-hydroxyl group. Although originally thought to be obligate metalloenzymes like the group I and II self-splicing introns, the small ribozymes are now known to support catalysis in a wide variety of cations that appear to be only indirectly involved in catalysis. Nevertheless, under physiologic conditions, metal ions are essential for the proper folding and function of the small ribozymes, the most effective of these being magnesium. Metal ions contribute to catalysis in the small ribozymes primarily by stabilizing the catalytically active conformation, but in some cases also by activating RNA functional groups for catalysis, directly participating in catalytic acid-base chemistry, and perhaps by neutralizing the developing negative charge of the transition state. Although interactions between the small ribozymes and cations are relatively nonspecific, ribozyme activity is quite sensitive to the types and concentrations of metal ions present in solution, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship between cellular metal ion homeostasis and cation requirements of catalytic RNAs, and perhaps RNA in general.
The Spliceosome and Its Metal Ions
Authors: Butcher Samuel E.
Published: June 2011

The spliceosome is a massive complex of 5 RNAs and many proteins that associate to catalyze precursor messenger RNA splicing. The process of splicing involves two phosphoryl transfer reactions that result in intron excision and ligation of the flanking exons. Since it is required for normal protein production in eukaryotic cells, pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step in gene expression. Although high resolution structural views of the spliceosome do not yet exist, a growing body of evidence indicates that the spliceosome is a magnesium-dependent enzyme that utilizes catalytic metal ions to stabilize both transition states during the two phosphoryl transfer steps of splicing. A wealth of data also indicate that the core of the spliceosome is comprised of RNA, and suggest that the spliceosome may be a ribozyme. This chapter presents the evidence for metal ion catalysis by the spliceosome, draws comparisons to similar RNA enzymes, and discusses the future directions for research into the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing.