bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change mitigation through reforestation in Godavari mangroves in India
Authors: Rao Raghavendra G. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to emphasise mangrove reforestation as a countermeasure for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Godavari Delta in India.Design/methodology/approachRestoration of the mangrove forest in the Godavari Delta near Kakinada town in the south‐eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is carried out with participatory involvement of local communities depending for their livelihood on the mangrove forest. The extent of habitat restoration through reforestation in this area is explored. The possible contribution of restored mangroves in minimising the impacts of sea‐level rise due to climate change is highlighted. Reforestation information from 1999 to 2006 is collected from available published work and the Forest Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.FindingsThe positive result of reforestation since the past few years is seen as an increase in mangrove vegetation. The changing landscape due to restoration could stop erosion and salt water incursion up to some extent and help in maintaining the biodiversity of this place.Practical implicationsA long‐term monitoring with ethnobiological study is required for managing such projects in future.Originality/valueThe Godavari Delta mangroves are rich in biodiversity and offer a wide range of ecological services. Adding to habitat degradation, predicted sea‐level rise is likely to affect the local human communities. The role of mangroves as an economically viable barrier against sea‐level rise has been recognised in other Asian countries. The results from this case study too could be disseminated to various stakeholders involved in sustainable development. The focus of the paper on India is particularly relevant, as the country is going to be integral in climate change debates.
Communicating climate change in regional news media
Authors: Fugl Eskjaer Mikkel 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate regional variations in the international news coverage of climate change by comparing news reporting in two regional media systems.Design/methodology/approachA case study of how COP14 and a European union (EU) summit on climate change are covered by three Middle Eastern and one Danish newspaper.FindingsThe paper shows significant regional differences in the media coverage of climate change both in terms of quantity (numbers of news articles) and quality (editorial variations, sources, framing, use of graphics). Overall, the study suggests that regional differences in climate change coverage can be traced back to the financial resources, institutional practices and journalistic fields of different regional media systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is a pilot project designed to test the analytical significance of regional variations in international media coverage of climate change.Originality/valueWhereas global variations in climate change coverage have mostly been documented by (quantitative) content analysis, less research has been devoted to qualitative differences on how the media approach and frame climate change. Numerical analysis only tells half the story as qualitative differences, such as editorial priorities, or journalistic practices, can either increase or decrease the significance of quantitative variations. By acknowledging the importance of regional differences in international news reporting, this paper emphasises the role and function of regional media systems in conditioning media coverage of climate change.
Shaping sustainable development strategies in Chile through CDM
Authors: Karakosta Charikleia , Doukas Haris , Psarras John 
Published: October 2009

PurposeSustainable development (SD) in developing countries is mentioned as one of the main aims of the Kyoto protocol's clean development mechanism. However, in the present context, uncertainty prevails to whether the (CDM) is actually procuring its aims in terms of achieving SD and to what extent. Chile, which has an open market economy, could risk becoming “locked” into a carbon intensive future, due to the recently discovered coal reserves and plans of large utilities to move to coal technology and not necessarily clean‐coal technology. The aim of this paper is to assist Chile in finding ways of encouraging technology transfer of energy technologies that would contribute to a low‐carbon sustainable energy development.Design/methodology/approachIn order to be able to identify potential CDM projects facilitating SD in developing countries, through technology transfer from developed ones and, thus, to formulate a series of possible investment strategies with a SD component, it is crucial to establish a clear understanding of the host country's needs and priorities and the suitable energy technologies to meet these needs.FindingsThis paper presents results obtained from an elaborated stakeholders' assessment on Chile's high priority energy needs, sustainable energy technologies fulfilling these needs and opportunities and barriers related with the implementation of these technologies in the particular market.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful results that could facilitate Chile's designated national authority as well as future project investors to put on the map the most suitable sustainable energy technologies, based on the country's SD needs and priorities, to transfer and implement via CDM. The above is particularly important for Chile since recent coal discoveries could risk becoming “locked” into a carbon intensive future.
Emissions trading: what makes it work?
Authors: Chevallier Julien 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically discuss the main advantages of introducing environmental regulation tools such as tradable permits markets.Design/methodology/approachCurrent climate policies, the negotiations under way at the international level, and past experiences with emissions trading in the USA and Europe are critically reviewed.FindingsThe creation of emissions trading schemes such as the European Union emissions trading scheme plays a key role in the preservation of the global public good that constitutes the climate.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper calls for the wider development of emissions trading schemes in climate change policy, given a careful design and regulatory appraisal from past experiences.Originality/valueThis paper reveals that the introduction of a tradable permits market (such as in Europe on 1 January 2005) which provides incentives to take early abatement measures, may be seen as a decisive first step to fight climate change.
Activation of PERK kinase in neural cells by proteasome inhibitor treatment
Authors: Zhang Le , Ebenezer Philip J. , Dasuri Kalavathi , Bruce‐Keller Annadora J. , Fernandez‐Kim Sun Ok , Liu Ying , Keller Jeffrey N. 
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 238–245.AbstractInhibition of the proteasome proteolytic pathway occurs as the result of normal aging, as well as in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, and is believed to promote cellular toxicity in each of these conditions through diverse mechanisms. In the present study, we examined whether proteasome inhibition alters the protein kinase receptor‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK). Our studies demonstrate that proteasome inhibitors induce the transient activation of PERK in both primary rat neurons as well as the N2a neural cell line. Experiments with siRNA to PERK demonstrated that the modulation of PERK was not significant involved in regulating toxicity, ubiquitinated protein levels, or ribosome perturbations in response to proteasome inhibitor treatment. Surprisingly, PERK was observed to be involved in the up‐regulation of p38 kinase following proteasome inhibitor treatment. Taken together, these data demonstrate the ability of proteasome inhibition to activate PERK and demonstrate evidence for novel cross‐talk between PERK and the activation of p38 kinase in neural cells following proteasome inhibition. Taken together, these data have implications for understanding the basis by which proteasome inhibition alters neural homeostasis, and the basis by which cell signaling cascades are regulated by proteasome inhibition.
Effect of Glycosylation and Additional Domains on the Thermostability of a Family 10 Xylanase Produced by
Thermopolyspora flexuosa
Authors: Anbarasan Sasikala , Jänis Janne , Paloheimo Marja , Laitaoja Mikko , Vuolanto Minna , Karimäki Johanna , Vainiotalo Pirjo , Leisola Matti , Turunen Ossi 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

The effects of different structural features on the thermostability of
Thermopolyspora flexuosa
xylanase XYN10A were investigated. A C-terminal carbohydrate binding module had only a slight effect, whereas a polyhistidine tag increased the thermostability of XYN10A xylanase. In contrast, glycosylation at Asn26, located in an exposed loop, decreased the thermostability of the xylanase. The presence of a substrate increased stability mainly at low pH.
Insights into the Evolution of Macrolactam Biosynthesis through Cloning and Comparative Analysis of the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for a Novel Macrocyclic Lactam, ML-449
Authors: Jørgensen Hanne , Degnes Kristin F. , Dikiy Alexander , Fjærvik Espen , Klinkenberg Geir , Zotchev Sergey B. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

A new compound, designated ML-449, structurally similar to the known 20-membered macrolactam BE-14106, was isolated from a marine sediment-derived
Streptomyces
sp. Cloning and sequencing of the 83-kb ML-449 biosynthetic gene cluster revealed its high level of similarity to the BE-14106 gene cluster. Comparison of the respective biosynthetic pathways indicated that the difference in the compounds' structures stems from the incorporation of one extra acetate unit during the synthesis of the acyl side chain. A phylogenetic analysis of the β-ketosynthase (KS) domains from polyketide synthases involved in the biosynthesis of macrolactams pointed to a common ancestry for the two clusters. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated the formation of a macrolactam-specific subclade for the majority of the KS domains from several macrolactam-biosynthetic gene clusters, indicating a closer relationship between macrolactam clusters than with the macrolactone clusters included in the analysis. Some KS domains from the ML-449, BE-14106, and salinilactam gene clusters did, however, show a closer relationship with KS domains from the polyene macrolide clusters, suggesting potential acquisition rather than duplication of certain PKS genes. Comparison of the ML-449, BE-14106, vicenistatin, and salinilactam biosynthetic gene clusters indicated an evolutionary relationship between them and provided new insights into the processes governing the evolution of small-ring macrolactam biosynthesis.
Carboxylate Transporter Gene
JEN1
from the Entomopathogenic Fungus
Beauveria bassiana
Is Involved in Conidiation and Virulence
Authors: Jin Kai , Zhang Yongjun , Fang Weiguo , Luo Zhibing , Zhou Yonghong , Pei Yan 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Beauveria bassiana
is an important entomopathogenic fungus widely used as a biological agent to control insect pests. A gene (
B. bassiana JEN1
[
BbJEN1
]) homologous to
JEN1
encoding a carboxylate transporter in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
was identified in a
B. bassiana
transfer DNA (T-DNA) insertional mutant. Disruption of the gene decreased the carboxylate contents in hyphae, while increasing the conidial yield. However, overexpression of this transporter resulted in significant increases in carboxylates and decreased the conidial yield.
BbJEN1
was strongly induced by insect cuticles and highly expressed in the hyphae penetrating insect cuticles not in hyphal bodies, suggesting that this gene is involved in the early stage of pathogenesis of
B. bassiana
. The bioassay results indicated that disruption of
BbJEN1
significantly reduced the virulence of
B. bassiana
to aphids. Compared to the wild type, Δ
BbJEN1
alkalinized the insect cuticle to a reduced extent. The alkalinization of the cuticle is a physiological signal triggering the production of pathogenicity. Therefore, we identified a new factor influencing virulence, which is responsible for the alkalinization of the insect cuticle and the initiation of fungal pathogenesis in insects.
Investigation of Food and Environmental Exposures Relating to the Epidemiology of
Campylobacter coli
in Humans in Northwest England
Authors: Sopwith Will , Birtles Andrew , Matthews Margaret , Fox Andrew , Gee Steven , James Sam , Kempster Jeanette , Painter Michael , Edwards-Jones Val , Osborn Keith , Regan Martyn , Syed Qutub , Bolton Eric 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

This study uses multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to investigate the epidemiology of
Campylobacter coli
in a continuous study of a population in Northwest England. All cases of
Campylobacter
identified in four Local Authorities (government administrative boundaries) between 2003 and 2006 were identified to species level and then typed, using MLST. Epidemiological information was collected for each of these cases, including food and recreational exposure variables, and the epidemiologies of
C. jejuni
and
C. coli
were compared using case-case methodology. Samples of surface water thought to represent possible points of exposure to the populations under study were also sampled, and campylobacters were typed with multilocus sequence typing. Patients with
C. coli
were more likely to be older and female than patients with
C. jejuni
. In logistic regression,
C. coli
infection was positively associated with patients eating undercooked eggs, eating out, and reporting problems with their water supply prior to illness.
C. coli
was less associated with consuming pork products. Most of the cases of
C. coli
yielded sequence types described elsewhere in both livestock and poultry, but several new sequence types were also identified in human cases and water samples. There was no overlap between types identified in humans and surface waters, and genetic analysis suggested three distinct clades but with several “intermediate” types from water that were convergent with the human clade. There is little evidence to suggest that epidemiological differences between human cases of
C. coli
and
C. jejuni
are a result of different food or behavioral exposures alone.
Identification of Catechin as One of the Flavonoids from
Combretum albiflorum
Bark Extract That Reduces the Production of Quorum-Sensing-Controlled Virulence Factors in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1
Authors: Vandeputte Olivier M. , Kiendrebeogo Martin , Rajaonson Sanda , Diallo Billo , Mol Adeline , El Jaziri Mondher , Baucher Marie 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Quorum-sensing (QS) regulates the production of key virulence factors in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and other important pathogenic bacteria. In this report, extracts of leaves and bark of
Combretum albiflorum
(Tul.) Jongkind (
Combretaceae
) were found to quench the production of QS-dependent factors in
P. aeruginosa
PAO1. Chromatographic fractionation of the crude active extract generated several active fractions containing flavonoids, as shown by their typical spectral features. Purification and structural characterization of one of the active compounds led to the identification of the flavan-3-ol catechin [(2
R
,3
S
)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2
H
)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol]. The identity of catechin as one of the active molecules was confirmed by comparing the high-pressure liquid chromatography profiles and the mass spectrometry spectra obtained for a catechin standard and for the active
C. albiflorum
fraction. Moreover, standard catechin had a significant negative effect on pyocyanin and elastase productions and biofilm formation, as well as on the expression of the QS-regulated genes
lasB
and
rhlA
and of the key QS regulatory genes
lasI
,
lasR
,
rhlI
, and
rhlR
. The use of RhlR- and LasR-based biosensors indicated that catechin might interfere with the perception of the QS signal
N
-butanoyl-
l
-homoserine lactone by RhlR, thereby leading to a reduction of the production of QS factors. Hence, catechin, along with other flavonoids produced by higher plants, might constitute a first line of defense against pathogenic attacks by affecting QS mechanisms and thereby virulence factor production.
Contribution of Microbial Activity to Carbon Chemistry in Clouds
Authors: Vaïtilingom Mickaël , Amato Pierre , Sancelme Martine , Laj Paolo , Leriche Maud , Delort Anne-Marie 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

The biodegradation of the most abundant atmospheric organic C
1
to C
4
compounds (formate, acetate, lactate, succinate) by five selected representative microbial strains (three
Pseudomonas
strains, one
Sphingomonas
strain, and one yeast strain) isolated from cloud water at the puy de Dôme has been studied. Experiments were first conducted under model conditions and consisted of a pure strain incubated in the presence of a single organic compound. Kinetics showed the ability of the isolates to degrade atmospheric compounds at temperatures representative of low-altitude clouds (5°C and 17°C). Then, to provide data that can be extrapolated to real situations, microcosm experiments were developed. A solution that chemically mimicked the composition of cloud water was used as an incubation medium for microbial strains. Under these conditions, we determined that microbial activity would significantly contribute to the degradation of formate, acetate, and succinate in cloud water at 5°C and 17°C, with lifetimes of 0.4 to 69.1 days. Compared with the reactivity involving free radicals, our results suggest that biological activity drives the oxidation of carbonaceous compounds during the night (90 to 99%), while its contribution accounts for 2 to 37% of the reactivity during the day, competing with photochemistry.
β-Lactam Resistance in
Salmonella
Strains Isolated from Retail Meats in the United States by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System between 2002 and 2006
Authors: Zhao S. , Blickenstaff K. , Glenn A. , Ayers S. L. , Friedman S. L. , Abbott J. W. , McDermott P. F. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Ampicillin-resistant (Amp
r
)
Salmonella enterica
isolates (
n
= 344) representing 32 serotypes isolated from retail meats from 2002 to 2006 were tested for susceptibility to 21 other antimicrobial agents and screened for the presence of five beta-lactamase gene families (
bla
CMY
,
bla
TEM
, bla
SHV
,
bla
OXA
, and
bla
CTX-M
) and class 1 integrons. Among the Amp
r
isolates, 66.9% were resistant to five or more antimicrobials and 4.9% were resistant to 10 or more antimicrobials. Coresistance to other β-lactams was noted for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (55.5%), ceftiofur (50%), cefoxitin (50%), and ceftazidime (24.7%), whereas less than 5% of isolates were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam (4.9%), cefotaxime (3.5%), ceftriaxone (2%), and aztreonam (1.2%). All isolates were susceptible to cefepime, imipenem, and cefquinome. No
Salmonella
producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases was found in this study. Approximately 7% of the isolates displayed a typical multidrug-resistant (MDR)-AmpC phenotype, with resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide, tetracycline, plus resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, and ceftiofur and with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results showed that several MDR clones were geographically dispersed in different types of meats throughout the five sampling years. Additionally, 50% of the isolates contained
bla
CMY
, 47% carried
bla
TEM-1
, and 2.6% carried both genes. Only 15% of the isolates harbored class I integrons carrying various combinations of
aadA
,
aadB
, and
dfrA
gene cassettes. The
bla
CMY
,
bla
TEM
, and class 1 integrons were transferable through conjugation and/or transformation. Our findings indicate that a varied spectrum of coresistance traits is present in Amp
r
Salmonella
strains in the meat supply of the United States, with a continued predominance of
bla
CMY
and
bla
TEM
genes in β-lactam-resistant isolates.
Presence and Prevalence of Viruses in Local and Migratory Honeybees (
Apis mellifera
) in Massachusetts
Authors: Welch Anna , Drummond Francis , Tewari Sunil , Averill Anne , Burand John P. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
Migratory and local bees in Massachusetts were analyzed for seven viruses. Three were detected: black queen cell virus (BQCV), deformed wing virus (DWV), and sacbrood virus (SBV). DWV was most common, followed closely by BQCV and then by SBV. BQCV and SBV were present at significantly higher rates in the migratory bees assayed, bringing into question the impact that these bees have on the health of local bee populations.
Enteric Viruses in Raw Vegetables and Groundwater Used for Irrigation in South Korea
Authors: Cheong Sooryun , Lee Cheonghoon , Song Sung Won , Choi Weon Cheon , Lee Chan Hee , Kim Sang-Jong 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
Raw vegetables irrigated with groundwater that may contain enteric viruses can be associated with food-borne viral disease outbreaks. In this study, we performed reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and cell culture-PCR to monitor the occurrence of enteric viruses in groundwater samples and in raw vegetables that were cultivated using that groundwater in South Korea. Samples were collected 10 times from three farms located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. RT-PCR and cell culture-PCR were performed to detect adenoviruses (AdVs), enteroviruses (EVs), noroviruses (NoVs), and rotaviruses, followed by sequence analyses of the detected strains. Of the 29 groundwater samples and the 30 vegetable samples, five (17%) and three (10%) were positive for enteric viruses, respectively. AdVs were the most frequently detected viruses in four groundwater and three vegetable samples. EVs and NoVs were detected in only one groundwater sample and one spinach sample, respectively. The occurrence of enteric viruses in groundwater and vegetable samples was not correlated with the water temperature and the levels of indicator bacteria, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that most of the detected AdVs were temporally distributed, irrespective of sample type. Our results indicate that raw vegetables may be contaminated with a broad range of enteric viruses, which may originate from virus-infected farmers and virus-contaminated irrigation water, and these vegetables may act as a potential vector of food-borne viral transmission.
Nonfermentative Thermoalkaliphilic Growth Is Restricted to Alkaline Environments
Authors: McMillan Duncan G. G. , Keis Stefanie , Berney Michael , Cook Gregory M. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT

Caldalkalibacillus thermarum
strain TA2.A1 grew in pH-controlled batch culture containing a fermentable growth substrate (i.e., sucrose) from pH 7.5 to 10.0 with no significant change in the specific growth rate, suggesting that this bacterium was a facultative alkaliphile. However, when strain TA2.A1 was grown on a nonfermentable carbon source, such as succinate or malate, no growth was observed until the external pH was >9.0, suggesting that this bacterium was an obligate alkaliphile. Succinate transport and sucrose transport by strain TA2.A1 showed pH profiles similar to that of growth on these carbon sources, and the molar growth yield on sucrose was higher at pH 9.5 than at pH 7.5, despite the increased energy demands on the cell for intracellular pH regulation. Succinate transport, succinate-dependent oxygen consumption, and succinate dehydrogenase and F
1
F
o
-ATPase specific activities were all significantly lower in cultures of strain TA2.A1 grown at pH 7.5 than in those cultured at pH 9.5. No significant ATP synthesis via the F
1
F
o
-ATP synthase was detected until the external pH was >8.5. On the basis of these results, we propose that nonfermentative thermoalkaliphilic growth is specialized to function at high pH values, but not at pH values near neutral pH.