bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limitations of mitochondrial gene barcoding in Octocorallia
Authors: McFADDEN CATHERINE S. , BENAYAHU YEHUDA , PANTE ERIC , THOMA JANA N. , NEVAREZ P. ANDREW , FRANCE SCOTT C. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe widespread assumption that COI and other mitochondrial genes will be ineffective DNA barcodes for anthozoan cnidarians has not been well tested for most anthozoans other than scleractinian corals. Here we examine the limitations of mitochondrial gene barcoding in the sub‐class Octocorallia, a large, diverse, and ecologically important group of anthozoans. Pairwise genetic distance values (uncorrected p) were compared for three candidate barcoding regions: the Folmer region of COI; a fragment of the octocoral‐specific mitochondrial protein‐coding gene, msh1; and an extended barcode of msh1 plus COI with a short, adjacent intergenic region (igr1). Intraspecific variation was <0.5%, with most species exhibiting no variation in any of the three gene regions. Interspecific divergence was also low: 18.5% of congeneric morphospecies shared identical COI barcodes, and there was no discernible barcoding gap between intra‐ and interspecific p values. In a case study to assess regional octocoral biodiversity, COI and msh1 barcodes each identified 70% of morphospecies. In a second case study, a nucleotide character‐based analysis correctly identified 70% of species in the temperate genus Alcyonium. Although interspecific genetic distances were 2× greater for msh1 than COI, each marker identified similar numbers of species in the two case studies, and the extended COI + igr1 + msh1 barcode more effectively discriminated sister taxa in Alcyonium. Although far from perfect for species identification, a COI + igr1 + msh1 barcode nonetheless represents a valuable addition to the depauperate set of characters available for octocoral taxonomy.
New primers for sex identification in the Chinese Egret and other ardeid species
Authors: WANG ZENG , ZHOU XIAOPING , LIN QINGXIAN , FANG WENZHEN , CHEN XIAOLIN 
Published: May 2010

AbstractUsing the universal P2/P8 primers, we were able to obtain the gene segments of chromo‐helicase‐DNA binding protein (CHD)‐Z and CHD‐W from ten species of ardeid birds including Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes), little egret (E. garzetta), eastern reef egret (E. sacra), great egret (Ardea alba), grey heron (A. cinerea), Chinese pond‐heron (Ardeola bacchus), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), black‐crowned night‐heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), cinnamon bittern (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) and yellow bittern (I. sinensis). Based on conserved regions inside the P2/P8‐derived sequences, we designed new PCR primers for sex identification in these ardeid species. Using agarose gel electrophoresis, the PCR products showed two bands for females (140 bp derived from CHD‐W and the other 250 bp from CHD‐ZW), whereas the males showed only the 250 bp band. The results indicated that our new primers could be used for accurate and convenient sex identification in ardeid species.
Raising Voice – Securing a Livelihood: The Role of Diverse Voices in Developing Secure Livelihoods in Pastoralist Areas in Ethiopia
Authors: Brocklesby Mary Ann , Hobley Mary , Scott‐Villiers Patta 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThis paper is concerned with the workings of voice among pastoralists in Ethiopia. It documents how diverse pastoralist men and women – young and old, rich and poor – call on one another and on representatives and officials in efforts to achieve cooperation and influence. Diverse pastoralists explain how successful voice is the result of interconnectedness and opportunity. Individual influence varies with a speaker's social and political connections, with his or her determination, skill and experience, and as a consequence of geography and politics.In this study we learned that to be successful as a pastoralist in Ethiopia is to be ‘competent’ and to be competent is to have voice. People want to build capabilities to develop and manage assets, make demands, and secure and give support. Competence can be appreciated in their mobility, visibility, audibility and action: moving to watering and grazing places at the right time, bringing up children and managing the household well, being seen doing business in town, speaking effectively at clan and government meetings, being generous in welfare and wise in justice. Competence and voice are the basis of wealth and a bulwark against hard times, going beyond ideas of social, economic or political capital to embrace Amartya Sen's notion of capability and agency, constantly renewed in interconnection and discussion (Sen 1999).In speaking, people are seeking binding responses, although often all they get are false assurances or rebuff. Poor pastoralists, clustering in increasing numbers around the edges of settlements, say that they are becoming powerless objects of state welfare, disconnected and unable to regain competence, still less contribute to society's wellbeing. The response of pastoralist leaders has been to increase the level of engagement between different pastoralists, while increasing the intensity of their public engagements with the state.
Sensitivity of stable isotope mixing models to variation in isotopic ratios: evaluating consequences of lipid extraction
Authors: Tarroux Arnaud , Ehrich Dorothée , Lecomte Nicolas , Jardine Timothy D. , Bêty Joël , Berteaux Dominique 
Published: May 2010

Summary 1. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen are increasingly used in studies of animal diet reconstruction via mixing models. However, isotope ratios of both consumer and source tissues can be altered by various amounts of lipids, potentially leading to biased estimates of diet composition when they are not taken into account. 2. We investigated the consequences of lipid correction on the estimation of diet composition with mixing models. Using empirical data from three northern terrestrial trophic systems, we illustrated the direct effects of lipid extraction (LE) on the δ13C and δ15N of source and consumer tissues and its ultimate effects on the reconstruction of the consumer’s diet. 3. In parallel, we developed a simulation tool in R, called fatsim, to assess sensitivity of mixing models to variation in isotopic ratios of samples from source or consumer tissues. This tool can be used to assess the effect of shifts in isotopic ratios caused by LE, or other sources of variation, in any trophic system and thus aid in decision making regarding lipid removal. 4. Using fatsim, we showed that the potential effects of LE on estimates of diet composition cannot be predicted without simulations, even in relatively simple systems. The sensitivity of a mixing model isotopic shift depends on the complexity of the system (number of sources) and on the relative positions of sources and consumers within the isotopic mixing space. 5. Our study confirms that the presence of lipids in tissues can bias the interpretation of diet reconstruction results. In a given trophic system, testing the sensitivity of a mixing model to LE can help decide whether lipid removal is required in order to avoid this bias.
Comparison of Single-Copy and Multicopy Real-Time PCR Targets for Detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
Authors: Luo Robert F. , Scahill Michael D. , Banaei Niaz 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Real-time PCR can rapidly identify
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in paraffin-embedded tissue in the absence of microbiological culture. In a comparison of single-copy and multicopy PCR targets in 70 tissue samples, the sensitivities were 26% and 54%, respectively, with 100% specificity. Sensitivity was 75% for newer samples and was not decreased for acid-fast bacillus (AFB) stain-negative specimens.
Myocardial Structural, Perfusion, and Metabolic Correlates of Left Bundle Branch Block Mechanical Derangement in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Masci Pier Giorgio , Marinelli Martina , Piacenti Marcello , Lorenzoni Valentina , Positano Vincenzo , Lombardi Massimo , L'Abbate Antonio , Neglia Danilo 
Published: May 2010

Background—
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) influences on regional left ventricular (LV) structure, perfusion, and metabolism have not yet been thoroughly investigated in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Methods and Results—

Eleven dilated cardiomyopathy patients with LBBB (mean±SD age, 62±11 years; LV ejection fraction, 35±8%) and 7 dilated cardiomyopathy patients without LBBB (mean±SD age, 58±9 years; LV ejection fraction, 37±10%) were studied by cardiac magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography. The left ventricle was divided in 3 regions: septum, adjacent (anterior-inferior walls), and lateral. Regional midwall circumferential strain, maximum shortening, and strain rate were obtained from tagged cardiac magnetic resonance. The systolic stretch index was calculated as positive strain rate (stretching) divided by total strain rate. Myocardial metabolic rate of glucose and resting and hyperemic myocardial blood flow were quantified by 2-[
18
F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose and [
13
N]ammonia positron emission tomography, respectively. Compared with non-LBBB patients, LBBB patients showed a highly inhomogeneous systolic deformation pattern that changed gradually, moving from a discoordinate [(systolic stretch index, 0.485 (0.284)] and poorly contracting (maximum shortening, −1.14±0.96%) septum to a coordinate [systolic stretch index, 0.002 (0.168)] and strongly contracting (maximum shortening, −13.63±2.58%) lateral region (both
P
<0.0001). This pattern was closely matched to the myocardial metabolic rate of glucose, disclosing lowest, intermediate, and highest values in the septum, adjacent, and lateral regions, respectively (
P
<0.0001). Septal-to-lateral thickness ratio was lower in LBBB than in non-LBBB patients (
P
=0.03). In both groups, the LV distribution of resting and hyperemic myocardial blood flow and myocardial blood flow reserve did not differ significantly.

Conclusions—
In dilated cardiomyopathy patients, the extensive LV contraction abnormalities induced by LBBB cause regional myocardial metabolic and structural remodeling, without consistent changes in blood flow.
Actus shamimi n. sp. (Nematoda: Mononchida) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, with a key to the species of Actus Baqri & Jairajpuri, 1974
Authors: Chatterjee Amalendu , Ghosh Goutam , Jana Tiasi 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA new predatory nematode species, Actus shamimi n. sp., is described and illustrated. Actus shamimi n. sp. is characterised by medium body length, buccal cavity barrel-shaped with apex of dorsal tooth located at ca 80% from base of cavity and 3-6 subventral denticles present in each latero-subventral row, cardia triangular in shape, amphidelphic gonad with longer oviduct, vagina very short and with distinct pars refringens vaginae containing cuboidal sclerotised pieces, tail elongate-conoid, slightly arcuate ventrally with three caudal glands and prominent terminal spinneret opening. It is similar to A. baqrus but has a smaller body length; absence of advulval papillae and shorter tail. It also differs from A. neocaledonensis in the position of the dorsal tooth apex, length of tail and presence of caudal glands and spinneret. The new species also differs from A. conoidus in the larger buccal cavity; lower lip height; lower c′ value and in having a sphincter at the oviduct-uterus junction; and from A. minutus and A. salvadoricus by longer body, longer buccal cavity, presence of a much more anteriorly located dorsal tooth and much higher c value. The genus Actus is reported for the first time from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. A key to species in the genus is provided.
Acrostichus megaloptae n. sp. (Nematoda: Diplogastridae), a phoretic associate of Megalopta spp. (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Central America
Authors: Thomas Kelley , Giblin-Davis Robin , Wcislo William , Kanzaki Natsumi , Zeng Yongsan , Ye Weimin , Center Barbara , Esquivel Alejandro 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAdults of the dusk-flying and rotting wood-nesting bees Megalopta genalis and/or M. ecuadoria were collected at Barro Colorado Island, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (BCI, STRI), Panama and La Selva, Costa Rica, and examined for nematodes. Nematodes were recovered as dauer juveniles from the Dufour's gland of female bees and aedeagus of male bees. Adult nematodes isolated from M. genalis (BCI and La Selva) and M. ecuadoria (BCI) were successfully cultured and kept in the laboratory. All three populations were used for morphological observations and molecular analyses and were identified as a new species that is described herein as Acrostichus megaloptae n. sp. It is characterised by its stomatal morphology, possession of six triangular cuticle flaps covering stomatal opening, duplicated cheilo- and gymnostomatal walls, large dorsal tooth and sclerotised ventral stegostomatal ridges, female with vulval flap, male spicule and gubernaculum morphology, i.e., relatively straight spicule with oval-shaped manubrium, rounded flap-like rostrum and separated and strongly ventrally curved spicule with bifurcate tip, gubernaculum L-shaped in lateral view and anchor-shaped in ventral view, and filiform tail of both sexes. Sequences from the three A. megaloptae n. sp. geographical/host isolates were not significantly different and molecular phylogenetic analysis and biological and morphological comparisons place the new species close to A. halicti from Halictus ligatus and A. puri from Augochlora pura from North America, although the new species is distinguished from A. halicti and A. puri based upon its stomatal morphology of males and females, male spicule and gubernaculum morphology and female vulval structure.
Effect of Fusarium oxysporum endophyte inoculation on the activities of phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes and Radopholus similis numbers in susceptible and tolerant East African Highland bananas
Authors: Coyne Daniel , Dubois Thomas , Paparu Pamela , Viljoen Altus 
Published: May 2010

AbstractPhenylpropanoid pathway enzymes are involved in plant defence pathways leading to lignification, synthesis of secondary metabolites, such as salicylic acid and phytoalexins, wound healing and the oxidative burst. Endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum isolate V5w2 has been reported to show antagonistic effects against Radopholus similis in the screenhouse. An experiment was designed to study root biochemical changes (PAL, POX and PPO activities) and R. similis numbers in susceptible and tolerant bananas following inoculation with isolate V5w2. Constitutive expression of PAL and PPO were similar between the susceptible and tolerant cultivars, while constitutive POX activity was higher in the tolerant cultivar. PAL activity was suppressed in both cultivars 7 days after endophyte inoculation (7 dai), but was significantly up-regulated in the susceptible cv. Nabusa at 30 days post nematode challenge (dpnc) in endophyte-inoculated plants. In the tolerant cultivar, PAL activity was up-regulated in R. similis-challenged plants at 7 and 30 dpnc, irrespective of endophyte inoculation. POX and PPO were transiently up-regulated in cv. Nabusa 7 dai, exceeding levels observed in non-inoculated plants of the same cultivar. POX activity was up-regulated at 7 dpnc in endophyte-inoculated cv. Nabusa plants challenged with R. similis. In the tolerant cultivar, POX and PPO activities were similarly up-regulated in R. similis-challenged plants at 7 dpnc, irrespective of endophyte inoculation. The findings of this study implicate PAL, POX and PPO in banana defence against the root-burrowing nematode R. similis. Our findings further demonstrate the ability of endophytic F. oxysporum isolate V5w2 directly to induce POX and prime PAL in the susceptible cv. Nabusa for greater up-regulation following R. similis challenge.
“Maybe Freedom Will Come from You”: Christian Prophecies and Rumors in the Development of Rural Resistance in South Africa, 1948-1961
Authors: Redding Sean 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn South Africa Christian teachings and texts informed African political activity in the 1950s and 1960s particularly in the rural areas, and rumors predicting both real revolts and fantastic interventions were common. While recent scholarship concerning supernatural beliefs in African political life often analyzes the impact of fears about witchcraft or faith in the ancestors, Christianity of various types was also a significant influence on people’s actions. This paper analyzes the historical background to the revolt against apartheid policies that developed in the Transkeian region of the eastern Cape of South Africa in the mid-twentieth century and pays special attention to the role of Christian influences. Christianity was consequential both in terms of how people understood their grievances and also in the kinds of predictions they made about their political future. Rumors and religion combined with material grievances to create a prophetic moment in which rebellion became a moral choice.
Breeding characteristics of the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus
Authors: Ventura Jacint , Jiménez Laia , Gisbert Julio 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Little is known about the breeding characteristics of the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus, a Terricola representative from south-western Europe. The scarce information on this subject is surprising since, as with other arvicolines, in high population densities these animals can be agricultural pests. In this study we report on the reproduction of the species in a locality of El Bierzo (province of León, northwestern Spain), a zone where this vole frequently damages orchards, crops, and vegetable gardens. The sample analysed consisted of approximately 300 specimens, captured by farmers over several years, which were donated to us for study. Results revealed that reproduction in this population probably occurs all year round, although sexual activity could be slightly lower in winter. In males and females monthly mean of adult body mass did not vary significantly during the year. Sexual monomorphism in adult body size, the relatively small testes of mature males, and the balanced sex ratio observed both in non-mature and mature specimens suggest that in this population M. lusitanicus has a monogamous mating system. In general, mean litter size increased with body mass (age) and showed a seasonal variation, with significantly higher values in spring than in autumn. In comparison with other Microtus species, the mean litter size found in M. lusitanicus was low, indicative of a K-selection pattern.
Fat quill secretion in pigeons: could it function as a cosmetic?
Authors: Peters Anne , Klonczinski Eva , Delhey Kaspar 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
In order to maintain functionality of the plumage, birds apply a variety of fatty substances to the feathers, usually derived from the preen gland. Such secretions could also have cosmetic functions, altering plumage reflectance, and there is indeed some evidence for such cosmetic functions of preen fats. Some birds, noticeably pigeons, use fats derived from modified feathers, so called fat quills, in a presumably similar fashion, but almost nothing is known about their putative functions. Here we present a first test of the possibility that fat quill secretion could function as a cosmetic. As models we used domestic pigeon races that produce fat quills, we first confirm their extensive use in plumage maintenance behaviour. We then assessed the effect of experimental addition and removal fat quill secretion on reflectance of white feathers using reflectance spectrometry and physiological models of avian colour vision. Addition of secretion to cleaned white feathers resulted in a significant, discriminable change in the feather reflectance spectrum, which was strikingly similar to the absorbance spectrum of passerine preen gland secretion. However, like previous studies on preen gland secretion, removal of fats from intact feathers did not significantly alter feather reflectance, indicating that fat quill secretion when present in quantities as applied by the birds does not noticeably affect plumage reflectance. Therefore we conclude that the potential for the fat quill secretion to modify plumage colour appears limited at best, and other functions, such as antibiotic defense against feather-degrading bacteria, should be considered.
Seasonal variation in the diet of Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in the desert of Northwest China
Authors: Song Sen , Zhao Wei , Zhao Jian-You , Shao Ming-qin , Liu Nai-fa 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Regurgitated pellets (n = 584) of Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) were collected for three seasons from Gansu Endangered Animal Research Center, Gansu Province, China. From these pellets, a total of 1011 individual prey items – representing seven species of rodents and two undetermined species of birds and one undetermined sorex-species – were identified. Long-eared Owls depend mainly on small mammals both based on prey numbers (95.5%) and prey biomass (97.0%). The composition of the diet of Long-eared Owls varied significantly among seasons by frequency and by biomass. The individual species groups indicated significant variation among seasons for Mus musculus, Meriones meridianus, Cricetulus barabensis, Phodopus roborovskii, Dipus sagitta and Rattus norvegicus by biomass. And the difference of seasonal variation of prey items were significant but not for Mus musculus by frequency. Based on prey numbers, Mus musculus was the main food item (50.5%) in its diet; this species was most common in autumn (56.9%) and least common during spring (36.7%). Main prey species, based on prey biomass, was Rattus norvrgicus which comprised 27.5% of total biomass from our pellet samples. The mean length of tibias of mammals in pellets of Long-eared Owls was 18.6 ± 5.4 mm. Long-eared Owls utilize a wide range of prey items in respect to their habitats. Results suggest that Long-eared Owls are selective predators at some levels.
Bovine trypanosomosis in Gimbi district of Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Efrem Degneh , Yacob Hailu , Hagos Ashenafi , Basu Asoke 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
A study on the epidemiology of bovine trypanosomosis was conducted from September 2006 to April 2007 in six villages of the Gimbi district in west Wollega zone of Ethiopia. The prevalence of the disease, the apparent densities and distribution of tsetse and other biting flies in two seasons, the dry and rainy, were determined. The results of a questionnaire survey from 80 farmers revealed that trypanosomosis was a major health problem affecting animals and impeding agricultural activities.A total of 568 blood samples were collected from randomly selected animals (280 animals in rainy and 288 in dry season) and revealed the presence of Trypanosoma congolense Broden, 1904 and T. vivax Zieman, 1905 in the area. Trypanosoma congolense was the dominant species that accounted for 66.2% of the infections. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were 22.77% (95% CI =19.99-21.55) in parasitaemic and 25.25% (95% CI=24.88-25.61) in aparasitaemic animals with a significant difference (P<0.005). There was a significant (P<0.012) difference in trypanosome infection between age groups of cattle, being higher in adults. The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis was 12.5%, while the disease prevalence was higher during the rainy season (15 %) than the dry season (10.1%). In three villages of lowland areas (below 1600 meter above sea level), a higher prevalence was recorded 20.9% and 7.9% as compared to three villages of midland areas (≥ 1600 meter above sea level) 11.8% and 8.3% in late rainy and dry season, respectively.A fly-survey was conducted by using 80 monoconical pyramidal traps and revealed that two tsetse species, namely Glossina morsitans submorsitans Newstead and Glossina tachinoides Westwood were found along with other biting flies (Tabanus, Haematopota and Stomoxys species). Higher numerical catches of Glossina were recorded in late rainy season and the apparent density was positively correlated (r=0.5171) with the prevalence of infection.