bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal population dynamics and the genetic structure of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Campos Melina , Spenassatto Carine , de Lourdes da Graça Macoris Maria , Paduan Karina dos Santos , Pinto João , Ribolla Paulo Eduardo Martins 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPopulation genetic studies of insect vectors can generate knowledge to improve epidemiological studies focused on the decrease of pathogen transmission. In this study, we used nine SNPs across the Aedes aegypti genome to characterize seasonal population variations of this important dengue vector. Mosquito samples were obtained by ovitraps placed over Botucatu SP from 2005 to 2010. Our data show that, regardless of the large variation in mosquito abundance (deduced from the number of eggs obtained from ovitraps), the effective population size remained stable over the years. These results suggest that Ae. aegypti is able to maintain a sufficiently large active breeding population during the dry season to keep genetic frequencies stable. These results open new perspectives on mosquito survey and control methods.
Habitat selection and ranges of tolerance: how do species differ beyond critical thresholds?
Authors: Cunningham Mary Ann , Johnson Douglas H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSensitivity to habitat fragmentation often has been examined in terms of thresholds in landscape composition at which a species is likely to occur. Observed thresholds often have been low or absent, however, leaving much unexplained about habitat selection beyond initial thresholds of occurrence, even for species with strong habitat preferences. We examined responses to varying amounts of tree cover, a widely influential measure of habitat loss, for 40 woodland bird species in a mixed woodland/grassland landscape in eastern North Dakota, USA. We used LOESS smoothing to describe incidence for each species at three scales: within 200, 400, and 1200 m around sample locations. For the 200‐m scale, we also calculated the most‐preferred range of tree cover (within which at least half of observations were predicted to occur) for each species. Only 10 of 40 species had occurrence thresholds greater than about 10% tree cover. After initial occurrence, species showed three general patterns: some increased monotonically with tree cover; some increased up to an asymptote; some peaked at intermediate amounts of tree cover and then declined. These patterns approximate selection for interior woodlands and for edge‐rich environments, but incidence plots provide greater detail in landscape‐scale selection than do those categories. For most species, patterns persisted at larger scales, but for some, larger scales had distinctly different patterns than local scales. Preferred ranges of tree cover varied from <20% tree cover (common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula) to >60% (veery, Catharus fuscescens). We conclude that incidence patterns provide more information on habitat selection than do threshold measures for most species: in particular, they differentiate species preferring concentrated woodlands from those preferring mixed landscapes, and they show contrasting degrees of selectiveness. [Correction added on 16 October 2012, after first online publication: the Abstract section has been reworded].
Primate DNA suggests long‐term stability of an African rainforest
Authors: Allen Julie M. , Miyamoto Michael M. , Wu Chieh‐Hsi , E. Carter Tamar , Ungvari‐Martin Judit , Magrini Kristin , Chapman Colin A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRed colobus monkeys, due to their sensitivity to environmental change, are indicator species of the overall health of their tropical rainforest habitats. As a result of habitat loss and overhunting, they are among the most endangered primates in the world, with very few viable populations remaining. Traditionally, extant indicator species have been used to signify the conditions of their current habitats, but they have also been employed to track past environmental conditions by detecting previous population fluctuations. Kibale National Park (KNP) in Uganda harbors the only remaining unthreatened large population of red colobus. We used microsatellite DNA to evaluate the historical demography of these red colobus and, therefore, the long‐term stability of their habitat. We find that the red colobus population throughout KNP has been stable for at least ~40,000 years. We interpret this result as evidence of long‐term forest stability because a change in the available habitat or population movement would have elicited a corresponding change in population size. We conclude that the forest of what is now Kibale National Park may have served as a Late Pleistocene refuge for many East African species.
Combined Solution‐Phase, Solid‐Phase and Phase‐Interface Anion Binding and Extraction Studies by a Simple Tripodal Thiourea Receptor
Authors: Bose Purnandhu , Dutta Ranjan , Santra Saikat , Chowdhury Bijit , Ghosh Pradyut 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (tren) based 4‐cyanophenyl‐substituted tripodal L, tris{[(4‐cyanophenyl)amino]ethyl}thiourea receptor, was synthesized and explored thoroughly for anion recognition in solution by NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) as well as in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Anion recognition properties of L were further exploited toward the extraction of sulfate as well as fluoride from aqueous media using a liquid–liquid extraction technique. A solution‐state anion binding study using NMR spectroscopy in [D6]DMSO and ITC measurements in dry acetonitrile show a relatively higher association constant of L with halides (F– and Cl–) over oxyanions (H2PO4– and HSO4–). The single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis of complex 1 reveals a monotopic encapsulation of fluoride in L through six N–H···F– interactions with a distorted trigonal‐prismatic geometry, whereas sulfate and carbonate induce dimeric assemblies of L in complexes 2 and 3, respectively. In the case of sulfate, a tight dimeric capsular assembly of ca. 9.5 Å is observed through 15 N–H···O interactions, whereas carbonate forms a sandwich‐like dimeric molecular aggregation through 14 N–H···O interactions. In the presence of tetrabutylammonium iodide as the phase transfer agent, L has shown ca. 70 % extraction of fluoride (based on L) and ca. 40 % extraction of sulfate (based on L) from aqueous solutions using an anion‐exchange‐based liquid–liquid extraction strategy. Extraction of these anions is unambiguously demonstrated by 1H NMR, 19F NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, PXRD and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.
Auto‐Tandem Catalysis: Synthesis of Acridines by Pd‐Catalyzed C=C Bond Formation and C(sp2)–N Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Huang Zhongxing , Yang Yang , Xiao Qing , Zhang Yan , Wang Jianbo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA facile palladium‐catalyzed synthesis of acridines has been realized by consecutive C=C double bond formation and C–N cross‐coupling. A variety of functionalized acridines can be accessed from easily available o‐dihalobenzenes and N‐tosylhydrazones in a single operation. This one‐pot protocol has a wide scope with respect to both coupling partners, and provides an efficient route to functionalized acridine derivatives, which are generally difficult to synthesize by previously known methods.
An Asymmetric Organocatalytic Approach to Michael Reactions of Thiazolones and Nitroalkenes: Preparation of Compounds with Anti‐Cancer Potency
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Song Hongjin , Chen Qiao , Li Wenyi , Yin Wen , Kai Ming , Wang Rui 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe present a highly efficient strategy for obtaining a series of chiral 2,4‐disubstituted thiazolone derivatives with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities through the creation of carbon‐ and nitrogen‐substituted quaternary carbon stereocenters. With the chiral tertiary amine‐thiourea catalyst developed by our group, the reactions could be performed smoothly at 1 mol‐% catalyst loadings without any additive. Preliminary biological evaluation demonstrated that these analogues could inhibit cell proliferation in vitro significantly.
Silver Solid Amalgam Electrode as a Tool for Monitoring the Electrochemical Reduction of Hydroxocobalamin
Authors: Bandžuchová Lenka , Šelešovská Renáta , Navrátil Tomáš , Chýlková Jaromíra 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe voltammetric behavior of hydroxocobalamin (OH‐Cbl), one form of vitamin B12, has been studied using two modifications of silver solid amalgam electrode: polished (p‐AgSAE) and mercury meniscus modified (m‐AgSAE). All results were compared with these achieved using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Various voltammetric methods, like cyclic voltammetry, DC voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and elimination voltammetry with linear scan, were applied to investigate the electrochemical behavior of OH‐Cbl. Working conditions of differential pulse voltammetry were found and the achieved limits of detection (LD=1.5 nmol L−1 (m‐AgSAE) and 3.3 nmol L−1 (p‐AgSAE)) proved high sensitivity. The applicability of the proposed method was verified by analysis of vitamin preparation.
Regulation of human DNA polymerase delta in the cellular responses to DNA damage
Authors: Lee Marietta Y.W.T. , Zhang Sufang , Lin Szu Hua Sharon , Chea Jennifer , Wang Xiaoxiao , LeRoy Christine , Wong Agnes , Zhang Zhongtao , Lee Ernest Y.C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe p12 subunit of polymerase delta (Pol δ) is degraded in response to DNA damage induced by UV, alkylating agents, oxidative, and replication stresses. This leads to the conversion of the Pol δ4 holoenzyme to the heterotrimer, Pol δ3. We review studies that establish that Pol δ3 formation is an event that could have a major impact on cellular processes in genomic surveillance, DNA replication, and DNA repair. p12 degradation is dependent on the apical ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) kinase and is mediated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Pol δ3 exhibits properties of an “antimutator” polymerase, suggesting that it could contribute to an increased surveillance against mutagenesis, for example, when Pol δ carries out bypass synthesis past small base lesions that engage in spurious base pairing. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and examination of the spatiotemporal recruitment of Pol δ to sites of DNA damage show that Pol δ3 is the primary form of Pol δ associated with cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer lesions and therefore should be considered as the operative form of Pol δ engaged in DNA repair. We propose a model for the switching of Pol δ with translesion polymerases, incorporating the salient features of the recently determined structure of monoubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen and emphasizing the role of Pol δ3. Because of the critical role of Pol δ activity in DNA replication and repair, the formation of Pol δ3 in response to DNA damage opens the prospect that pleiotropic effects may ensue. This opens the horizons for future exploration of how this novel response to DNA damage contributes to genomic stability. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Argentina adulterina (Rosaceae‐Potentilleae), a new species from New Guinea
Authors: Soják Jiří 
Published: October 2012

AbstractArgentina adulterina Soják sp. nova from New Guinea (Irian Jaya) is described and compared with allied species. Habitually it is similar to A. irianensis, but in leaflet dentation it agrees with A. biloba. Leaves and leaflets of these three species are illustrated and a depiction of calyces of A. adulterina and A. irianensis is presented (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Differential glial activation during the degeneration of Purkinje cells and mitral cells in the PCD mutant mice
Authors: Baltanás Fernando C. , Berciano María T. , Valero Jorge , Gómez Carmela , Díaz David , Alonso José R. , Lafarga Miguel , Weruaga Eduardo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurkinje Cell Degeneration (PCD) mice harbor a nna1 gene mutation which leads to an early and rapid degeneration of Purkinje cells (PC) between the third and fourth week of age. This mutation also underlies the death of mitral cells (MC) in the olfactory bulb (OB), but this process is slower and longer than in PC. No clear interpretations supporting the marked differences in these neurodegenerative processes exist. Growing evidence suggests that either beneficial or detrimental effects of gliosis in damaged regions would underlie these divergences. Here, we examined the gliosis occurring during PC and MC death in the PCD mouse. Our results demonstrated different glial reactions in both affected regions. PC disappearance stimulated a severe gliosis characterized by strong morphological changes, enhanced glial proliferation, as well as the release of pro‐inflammatory mediators. By contrast, MC degeneration seems to promote a more attenuated glial response in the PCD OB compared with that of the cerebellum. Strikingly, cerebellar oligodendrocytes died by apoptosis in the PCD, whereas bulbar ones were not affected. Interestingly, the level of nna1 mRNA under normal conditions was higher in the cerebellum than in the OB, probably related to a faster neurodegeneration and stronger glial reaction in its absence. The glial responses may thus influence the neurodegenerative course in the cerebellum and OB of the mutant mouse brain, providing harmful and beneficial microenvironments, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thinking through health capacity development for Fragile States
Authors: Mark Annabelle , Jones Mike 
Published: October 2012

SUMMARYThe purpose of this paper is to consider capacity development for healthcare in Fragile States and its roles, for example, in securing civil and political stability, as well as improved health, within the various contexts prevailing in fragile settings across the world. As a precursor to this, however, it is important to understand how, in rapidly changing environments, the role and contribution of different donors will have an impact in different ways. This paper sets out to interpret these issues, and what becomes apparent is the need to develop an understanding of the value base of donors, which we demonstrate through the development of a value‐based framework. This highlights the separate motivations and choices made by donors, but what is apparent is that all remain within the positivist perspective perhaps for reasons of accountability and transparency. However, the emergence of new interpretations drawing on systems thinking, and followed by complexity theory more recently, in understanding contexts, suggests that the favouring of any one of these perspective can be counterproductive, without a consideration of the contexts in which they occur. In seeking an explanation of these environmental contexts, which also address the perspectives in use, we suggest the use of wider multi‐ontology sense‐making framework such as Cynefin. Through this approach, analytical insights can be given into the interpretation, decision and intervention processes available in these different and often changing environments, thus enabling greater coherence between donor values and recipient contexts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ON RAINWATER HARVESTING AND CONSERVATION BY THE WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION
Authors: Sanewe A. J. , Backeberg G. R. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTSouth Africa's dryland cropping potential is small due to a combination of low, erratic and inefficient rainfall and poor quality soils. Several management strategies have been used in the country to improve rainwater productivity in dryland cropping, among them deep trenching and rainwater harvesting, both of which are micro‐catchment methods. The in‐field rainwater harvesting and conservation (IRWH&C) technique falls within the category of on‐farm methods, such as contour ridges and runoff strips. This innovation is a result of investment in research and development over a period of more than 15 years. Throughout the early stages of research on IRWH&C, a concerted effort was made to gain social acceptance of IRWH&C in homestead gardens, as measured by the indicators of enhanced levels of mobilization, capacity building, empowerment and community participation. The success recorded with rainwater harvesting for crop production presents the opportunity of upscaling from household food gardens to communal croplands. Following many years of research investment in IRWH&C, innovations have been successfully developed and applied, capacity building carried out and training and extension manuals produced. Lessons for future action are to strengthen the links between research, extension and training. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy analysis and mapping the biodistribution of inhaled carbon nanotubes in the lungs and blood of mice
Authors: Ingle Taylor , Dervishi Enkeleda , Biris Alexandru R. , Mustafa Thikra , Buchanan Roger A. , Biris Alexandru S. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBecause of their small size, robust structure and unique characteristics, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are increasingly being used in a variety of biomedical applications, materials and products. As their use increases, so does the probability of their unintended release and human exposure. Therefore, it is important to establish their potential biodistribution and biopersistence to better understand the potential effects of their exposure to humans. This study examines the distribution of CNTs in CD‐1 mice after exposure by inhalation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and investigates the possibility that inhaled nanoparticles could enter the circulatory system via the lungs. Raman spectroscopy was employed for the detection of CNTs in lung tissue and blood based on their unique spectroscopic signatures. These studies have important implications concerning the potential effects of exposure to SWCNTs and their use as potential transport vehicles in nanomedicine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonredundant structure dataset for benchmarking protein‐RNA computational docking
Authors: Huang Sheng‐You , Zou Xiaoqin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractProtein–RNA interactions play an important role in many biological processes. The ability to predict the molecular structures of protein–RNA complexes from docking would be valuable for understanding the underlying chemical mechanisms. We have developed a novel nonredundant benchmark dataset for protein–RNA docking and scoring. The diverse dataset of 72 targets consists of 52 unbound–unbound test complexes, and 20 unbound–bound test complexes. Here, unbound–unbound complexes refer to cases in which both binding partners of the cocrystallized complex are either in apo form or in a conformation taken from a different protein–RNA complex, whereas unbound–bound complexes are cases in which only one of the two binding partners has another experimentally determined conformation. The dataset is classified into three categories according to the interface root mean square deviation and the percentage of native contacts in the unbound structures: 49 easy, 16 medium, and 7 difficult targets. The bound and unbound cases of the benchmark dataset are expected to benefit the development and improvement of docking and scoring algorithms for the docking community. All the easy‐to‐view structures are freely available to the public at http://zoulab.dalton.missouri.edu/RNAbenchmark/. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Removal of chromium(VI) from the leachate of electronic scrap using non‐ionic Amberlite XAD‐7HP resin
Authors: Nguyen Nghiem V , Jeong Jinki , Lee Jae‐chun 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn order to recover the valuable metals from the leach liquor of electronic scrap, it is necessary to remove/recover chromium(VI) due to its high toxicity. The non‐ionic ion exchange resin, Amberlite XAD‐7HP has been employed in the present research to remove Cr(VI) as it possesses large surface area and porosity to adsorb chromium selectively from complex leach solutions in the presence of other ionic species.ResultsAmberlite XAD‐7HP resin effectively adsorbed chromium in the range of acidity from 0.3 to 2.0 mol L−1. The sorption capacity was found to be 16.9 mg Cr g−1 resin in 30 min under the experimental conditions used. Studies carried out with actual leach solution containing Cu, Zn, Ni, Sn, Pb, Au, Cd and Cr showed the selective adsorption of both Cr and Au as they are present in the solution in an anionic form. Cr was then selectively eluted with water/dilute sodium hydroxide from the loaded resin. Subsequently, Au could be eluted with mixed solution of hydrochloric acid and acetone to regenerate the resin for recycle.ConclusionAmberlite XAD‐7HP resin is suitable and effective for the removal of Cr(VI) from complex leachate of electronic scrap. The other associated metals in the leach solution could be recovered in subsequent steps generating a final solution which could be discharged to the environment.
Extraction, purification and characterisation of chondroitin sulfate in Chinese sturgeon cartilage
Authors: Zhao Ting , Zhou Ye , Mao Guanghua , Zou Ye , Zhao Jiangli , Bai Shiqi , Yang Liuqing , Wu Xiangyang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDChinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), a rare species, is an important fishery resource in China. To save this species from overfishing, damming and pollution, artificial propagation has been developed rapidly in recent years. However, the cartilage from Chinese sturgeon, which contains an abundance of chondroitin sulfate (CS), is currently discarded as solid waste after consumption of the fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction, purification and characterisation of CS from Chinese sturgeon cartilage.RESULTSThe optimal extraction parameters were a ratio of aqueous NaOH to cartilage powder of 9.2, a concentration of aqueous NaOH of 4.4% and an extraction time of 3.9 h. Under these optimal conditions the yield of crude CS from Chinese sturgeon cartilage was 26.51%, in agreement with the model prediction (26.54%). Purification by DEAE‐52 cellulose and Sephadex G‐100 column chromatography yielded a single fraction, CS‐11. Its characterisation indicated that CS‐11 was consistent with the polysaccharide backbone structure –4GlcAβ–3GalNβ– and was present in the form of chondroitin‐4‐sulfate and chondroitin‐6‐sulfate.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study provide a basis for promoting the utilisation of Chinese sturgeon resources and are significant for the development and utilisation of CS from Chinese sturgeon cartilage in the food industry.
Water‐soluble macromolecular co‐assemblies of star‐shaped polyelectrolytes
Authors: Pergushov Dmitry V , Babin Ivan A , Zezin Alexander B , Müller Axel HE 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis mini‐review reports on complex macromolecular architectures (interpolyelectrolyte complexes) based on star‐shaped polyelectrolytes. These complexes can be prepared in aqueous media via electrostatically driven co‐assembly of star‐shaped polyions (a) with oppositely charged linear homopolyelectrolytes or (b) with oppositely charged double hydrophilic (ionic/non‐ionic) diblock copolymers. In case (a), the complexes can be water‐soluble if the charge of the star‐shaped macromolecule is only partially compensated by a linear polyion. In case (b), the complexes retain their solubility in aqueous media even under a full charge compensation of the polymeric components. In both cases, the complex macromolecular architectures based on star‐shaped polyelectrolytes are characterized by a distinct compartmentalized structure of a micellar (‘core–corona’) type with an insoluble core, which is assembled from coupled monomer units of the oppositely charged polymeric components, and a hydrophilic, either ionic or non‐ionic, corona. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry