bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twenty‐two polymorphic microsatellite loci aimed at detecting illegal trade in the Cape parrot,Poicephalus robustus(Psittacidae, AVES)
Authors: PILLAY KERUSHA , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , HORSBURGH GAVIN J. , PERRIN MIKE R. , BURKE TERRY , TAYLOR TIAWANNA D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTwenty‐two polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized in the Cape parrot,Poicephalus robustus. Nineteen loci were newly isolated from two Cape parrot genomic libraries, and three loci isolated from other parrot species. Loci were characterized in 40 unrelated captive Cape parrots held by aviculturalists. The loci displayed between two and 24 alleles, with the observed heterozygosities ranging between 0.10 and 0.94. This locus set is suitable for identifying clarifying parentage (parentage exclusion probabilities ofPE1 = 0.0004 andPE2 = 0.000001). Candidate parents for any Cape parrot individual can now be genotyped to distinguish between individuals, which are truly captive bred and those suspected of being wild‐caught birds. Cross‐species analysis found up to 31 loci to be polymorphic across 24 additional parrot species tested.
Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer
Authors: Takeuchi H , Saikawa Y , Kitagawa Y 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe sentinel node (SN) concept has revolutionized how the surgical staging of both melanoma and breast cancer are approached. Applying this concept can yield benefits for the patient by avoiding various complications relating to unnecessary prophylactic regional lymph node dissection in cases with negative SN for cancer metastasis. Clinical application of SN mapping for early gastric cancer had been controversial for years. However, single institutional results of laparoscopic SN mapping for early gastric cancer are considered acceptable in terms of detection rate and accuracy in determining lymph node status. For early stage gastric cancer such as cT1N0M0 – in which a better prognosis was generally achieved through conventional surgical approaches – an individualized, minimally invasive surgery that might retain the patient's quality of life should be established as the next surgical challenge. Although there are many issues still to resolve, laparoscopic minimized gastrectomy with SN navigation surgery or combined endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection has the potential to achieve this goal.
Recent interpretations of Denonvilliers' fascia and the lateral ligament of the rectum
Authors: Sakai Y , Nomura A , Masumori K , Kawamura J , Nagayama S 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe terms “Denonvilliers' fascia” and “lateral ligament of the rectum” will be very familiar to colorectal surgeons. However, how these structures are conceptualized remains controversial. Here, we review past and recent interpretations of these two terms. Denonvilliers' fascia is likely derived from the fusion of the two walls of an embryonic cul‐de‐sac to form a clear boundary between the neurovascular bundle and the mesorectum. When performing anterior dissection for mobilization of the rectum, it remains unclear whether the optimal dissection plane is in front of or behind Denonvilliers' fascia. Anatomical studies have shown that the lateral ligament may not be a clearly definable structure and that the middle rectal artery is not clinically significant. In the future, careful laparoscopic observations will give us a better understanding of these currently controversial anatomical features.
Efficacy of preoperative gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist therapy for laparoscopic myomectomy
Authors: Kotani Y , Shiota M , Umemoto M , Tobiume T , Shimaoka M , Hoshiai H 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective: In this article, we evaluate efficacy of preoperative gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy prior to laparoscopic myomectomy (LM).Materials and Methods: There were 161 subjects who underwent LM between 1995 and 2007. They were divided into two groups: group A (58 cases), who underwent four to six cycles of preoperative GnRHa therapy, and group B (103 cases), the untreated group. To determine the efficacy of preoperative GnRHa therapy, the recurrence rate after LM was evaluated by comparing the number of myoma confirmed on the preoperative MRI and the number actually enucleated. For this purpose, the cases were divided into the matched group (group I) and the discrepancy group (group II) whose enucleated number was smaller than the estimated number.Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between groups A and B in the surgical performance. The 4 year cumulative recurrence rate was estimated to be 27.3% for group A and 25.8% for group B without any significant difference. In group A, the postoperative recurrence rate was statistically significantly higher in group II (44.4%) than in group I (12.1%). While in group I, it was 12.1% in group A and 14.3% in group B without a statistically significant difference.Discussion: Preoperative GnRHa therapy did not compromise surgical outcome or recurrence rate, rather it acted as an effective pretreatment for LM in terms of expanding its indications. Also, completing surgery by enucleating all the myomas without any left in situ, as confirmed by the precise preoperative myoma status on the MRI, contributes to a reduction in the postoperative recurrence rate.
Different Fecal Microbiotas and Volatile Organic Compounds in Treated and Untreated Children with Celiac Disease
Authors: Di Cagno Raffaella , Rizzello Carlo G. , Gagliardi Francesca , Ricciuti Patrizia , Ndagijimana Maurice , Francavilla Ruggiero , Guerzoni M. Elisabetta , Crecchio Carmine , Gobbetti Marco , De Angelis Maria 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the fecal microbiotas of children with celiac disease (CD) before (U-CD) and after (T-CD) they were fed a gluten-free diet and of healthy children (HC). Brothers or sisters of T-CD were enrolled as HC. Each group consisted of seven children. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis with V3 universal primers revealed a unique profile for each fecal sample. PCR-DGGE analysis with group- or genus-specific 16S rRNA gene primers showed that the
Lactobacillus
community of U-CD changed significantly, while the diversity of the
Lactobacillus
community of T-CD was quite comparable to that of HC. Compared to HC, the ratio of cultivable lactic acid bacteria and
Bifidobacterium
to
Bacteroides
and enterobacteria was lower in T-CD and even lower in U-CD. The percentages of strains identified as lactobacilli differed as follows: HC (ca. 38%) > T-CD (ca. 17%) > U-CD (ca. 10%).
Lactobacillus brevis
,
Lactobacillus rossiae
, and
Lactobacillus pentosus
were identified only in fecal samples from T-CD and HC.
Lactobacillus fermentum
,
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
, and
Lactobacillus gasseri
were identified only in several fecal samples from HC. Compared to HC, the composition of
Bifidobacterium
species of T-CD varied, and it varied even more for U-CD. Forty-seven volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to different chemical classes were identified using gas-chromatography mass spectrometry-solid-phase microextraction analysis. The median concentrations varied markedly for HC, T-CD, and U-CD. Overall, the
r
2
values for VOC data for brothers and sisters were equal to or lower than those for unrelated HC and T-CD. This study shows the effect of CD pathology on the fecal microbiotas of children.
The anterior cruciate ligament injury controversy: is “valgus collapse” a sex-specific mechanism?
Authors: Quatman C E , Hewett T E 
Published: April 2009

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a devastating injury that puts an athlete at high risk of future osteoarthritis. Identification of risk factors and development of ACL prevention programmes likely decrease injury risk. Although studies indicate that sagittal plane biomechanical factors contribute to ACL loading mechanisms, it is unlikely that non-contact ACL injuries occur solely in a sagittal plane. Some authors attempt to ascribe the solely sagittal plane injury mechanism to both female and male ACL injuries and rebuff the concept that knee “valgus” is associated with isolated ACL injury. Prospective studies that utilise coupled biomechanical and epidemiological approaches demonstrated that frontal knee motions and torques are strong predictors of future non-contact ACL injury risk in female athletes. Video analysis studies also indicate a frontal plane “valgus collapse” mechanism of injury in women. As load sharing between knee ligaments is complex, frontal as well as sagittal and transverse plane loading mechanisms likely contribute to non-contact ACL injury. The purpose of this review is to summarise existing evidence regarding ACL injury mechanisms and to propose that sex-specific mechanisms of ACL injury may occur, with women sustaining injuries by a predominantly “valgus collapse” mechanism.Conclusion:Prevention programmes and interventions that only target high-risk sagittal plane landing mechanics, especially in the female athlete, are likely to be less effective in ameliorating important frontal and transverse plane contributions to ACL injury mechanisms and could seriously hamper ACL injury prevention efforts. Programmes that target the reduction of high-risk valgus and sagittal plane movements will probably prove to be superior for ACL injury prevention.
Flowering period, thermogenesis, and pattern of visiting insects in Arisaema triphyllum (Araceae) in Quebec
Authors: Barriault Isabelle , Gibernau Marc , Barabé Denis 
Published: April 2009

Jack-in-the-Pulpit ( Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Torr.) is a perennial forest herb of southern Canada and the eastern United States. The flowering periods of male and female inflorescences in relation to the temperature of the inflorescence and the activity pattern of visiting insects were studied in one population in western Montreal Island (Quebec, Canada). The flowering period of A. triphyllum was long (20 d in male and female plants), which is unusual in temperate Aroideae. This floral trait could have evolved secondarily as an adaptation to increase pollination efficiency under highly variable weather conditions at high latitude. In male and female plants, no significant temperature increase of the appendix was recorded. The warming effect of sunlight during the day could be sufficient for the emission of the attractive odour. Two Dipteran families, the Mycetophilidae and the Cecidomyiidae, were the most frequent insect visitors of A. triphyllum. Our observations showed that odour production is linked with the pollination activity beginning with insect visits.
Hybrid intermediacy between pollination syndromes inPenstemon, and the role of nectar in affecting hummingbird visitation
Authors: Wilson Paul , Jordan Elizabeth Anne 
Published: April 2009

Flower size dimensions, colour, and nectar quantities potentially account for differences in pollinator species between Penstemon centranthifolius (Benth.) Benth. (tubular, red, nectar-rich, hummingbird pollinated) and Penstemon spectabilis Thurber (wide, purple, nectar-poor, hymenopteran pollinated). For this study, floral characters and pollinator attraction were measured for the two species, F1hybrids, and backcrosses. Floral dimensions, nectar characters, and color spectra combined in the hybrids in a largely linear fashion, consistent with an interpretation of net additive gene expression. In other words, the changes from one pollination syndrome to another appeared to be quantitative. There were some deviations from linearity, but not so much as to obscure the linear effect. Generally, backcrosses were not more variable than F1hybrids or pure parents. Hummingbirds preferred P. centranthifolius over P. spectabilis. The strength of this preference varied by year, and the birds did not respond to hybrids in a strictly linear fashion. When there was a preference, adding nectar hourly to under-visited plants quickly changed the foraging of hummingbirds. Bees in the genus Ceratina preferred the bee-pollination syndrome of P. spectabilis.
Modèle topologique de la structure d’un antiport vacuolaire de type NHX chez la vigne cultivée (Vitis vinifera)
Authors: Hanana Mohsen , Cagnac Olivier , Mliki Ahmed , Blumwald Eduardo 
Published: April 2009

After identifying and isolating a grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) NHX vacuolar antiporter and before initializing functional genomic studies, we juged necessary to acquire a minimum of knowledge about the VvNHX1 protein. Thus, we realized a bioinformatic analysis to determine its basic characteristics and to get structural informations that could guide us through the functional characterization. We have determined important physico-chemical parameters (molecular mass, isoelectric point, hydrophobic regions, etc.) and obtained interesting structural data (primary, secondary, and tertiary structures; conserved domains and interaction motives; etc.). The VvNHX1 gene, which encodes this 541 amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 60 kDa, is made of 14 exons and measures 6.5 kb. The amino-acidic composition of this protein is very important, in particular, for the establishment of the α-helix structure, which represents more than 50% of the protein, but also for charge distribution, which generates critical electrostatic interactions for the ionic flux. The secondary structure of VvNHX1 contains multiple transmembrane α-helix segments that are made of hydrophobic amino-acid residues, thus facilitating its insertion in the membrane. Globally, VvNHX1 has one hydrophobic N-terminal region, made of 10 transmembrane segments with 440 amino-acid residues, and one hydrophilic C-terminal region, made of 100 residues. The region located between the fourth and fifth transmembrane segments represents, with its structure mainly helicoidal and the presence of a favourable electrostatic environment, the pore where cation flux is performed across the membrane. VvNHX1 contains various interaction domains as well as several putative posttranslational modification sites, mainly at the C-terminus but also at the N-terminus, that play an important part in regulating protein activities, influence protein structural stability, or interact with other proteins or signalling molecules.
The disinfection efficacy of chlorine and chlorine dioxide as disinfectants of Bacillus globigii, a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, in water networks: A comparative studyA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.
Authors: Hosni Ahmed A. , Shane William T. , Szabo Jeffery G. , Bishop Paul L. 
Published: April 2009

Intentional contamination of drinking water with anthrax spores is a concern to water utilities. The spores may become embedded in the distribution pipe corrosion and biofilm, where they will be protected from residual disinfectants. This paper compares the disinfection effectiveness of chlorine and chlorine dioxide on Bacillus globigii , a surrogate for B. anthracis . Batch experiments were performed using both disinfectants. Data was analyzed using the delayed Chick-Watson model to determine the corresponding CTlag (CT = concentration × time) values and Watson plots, which indicate the dominant factors affecting disinfection kinetics. Chlorine dioxide had CTlag values almost one tenth of those observed for chlorine. However, Watson plots showed that exposure time and disinfectant concentrations have equal weights on the inactivation rate of both disinfectants.
Comparative study on the behavior of square foundations resting on confined sand
Authors: Eid Hisham T. , Alansari Omar A. , Odeh Abdelfattah M. , Nasr Mohannad N. , Sadek Husam A. 
Published: April 2009

The behavior of shallow foundations resting on laterally and (or) vertically confined sand has been investigated using physical and numerical modeling. The models were designed to simulate the frequently constructed raft foundations that are surrounded by sheet-pile walls to support excavation sides of sand underlain by a rock bed. Laboratory tests were carried out utilizing a square foundation model surrounded by rigid steel walls with different depths, resting on sand that was underlain by a rough rigid layer. Varying sand-layer thicknesses and relative densities were utilized. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was conducted to verify the physical-model test results and to infer the performance of full-scale foundations. Based on the results of the experimental and numerical analyses, charts are presented to estimate the enhanced bearing capacity of square foundations resting on confined sand. These charts are presented in terms of bearing capacity of the surface foundation resting on extended sand, sand relative density, wall width to foundation width ratio, and rigid layer depth. Charts are also presented to estimate settlement reductions due to the bearing sand lateral and (or) vertical confinement.
Does thinning affect litterfall, litter decomposition, and associated nutrient release inAcacia mangiumstands of Kerala in peninsular India?
Authors: Kunhamu T.K. , Kumar B.M. , Viswanath S. 
Published: April 2009

Litter plays a vital role in the nutrient cycling of plantations and agroforests. Silvicultural interventions can alter litter production and decay rates, thereby varying nutrient fluxes. We evaluated the effect of various thinning densities on litter dynamics of 9-year-old Acacia mangium Willd. stands. To quantify litterfall, we placed traps at four random grid points in 24 plots in which none, one-third, one-half, or two-thirds of stems had been removed. In each plot, 48 litterbags were also placed to evaluate litter decay. Annual litterfall ranged from 5.73 (two-thirds thinning) to 11.18 Mg·ha−1(unthinned) and showed a significant linear relationship to basal area (p < 0.0001). Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations were highest during the wet season, when litterfall production was low, implying an inverse relationship between litterfall quality and quantity. The highest annual N, P, and K additions (82.9, 3.3, and 71.9 kg·ha−1, respectively) occurred in the unthinned stands. High thinning intensities resulted in accelerated decay rates, which we attribute to changes in microenvironment. Soil N concentrations were highest in the one-half thinning treatment, followed by the two-thirds treatment, signifying a trade-off between litterfall production and decay. The highest soil organic C concentrations were in the unthinned stands, reflecting the potential of high stand densities for promoting C sequestration.
Basal medium improvement for routine micropropagation of Olea maderensis: physiological comparative studies
Authors: Brito Gina , Santos Conceição 
Published: April 2009

The routine micropropagation of Olea maderensis (Lowe) Rivas Mart. & Del Arco requires an adequate basal medium. To find the optimal basal medium, shoots were grown on four different media: olive medium (OM) and three modified OM media enriched with 2, 4, and 10 times the iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) concentrations of the OM medium, respectively (OMG, OMG4, and OMG10). For the elongation–proliferation stage, media were supplemented with 9.12 µmol·L–1 zeatin. Doubling the Fe, Mg, and Mn concentrations (OMG) provided green and healthy shoots, while in other media leaf chlorosis or necrosis and abscission occurred because of either deficiency (OM) or toxicity of the elements (OMG4 and OMG10). Shoots grown in the OMG medium also had the highest elongation–proliferation rates. Physiological studies were then performed only between OMG- and OM-grown shoots. Chlorophyll a and b contents and fluorescence (Fv, Fm) were higher in OMG-grown shoots. Doubling the concentration of Fe, Mg, and Mn (which are important in photosynthesis) stimulated leaf survival and photosynthesis. OMG-grown leaves had higher Mg, Fe, and Mn levels. Compared with field leaves, in vitro leaves had higher protein contents. Other physiological parameters (membrane integrity, water content, and osmolality) did not differ between the two media. The best rooting rates were obtained for shoots grown in OMG (>85%), and plants were successfully acclimatized. These studies improved the efficiency and quality of micropropagation of O. maderensis, thereby allowing germplasm preservation of this endangered species.
The effect of site quality on growth efficiency of upper crown class Picea rubens and Abies balsamea in Maine, USAPublication 3046 of the Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
Authors: DeRose R. Justin , Seymour Robert S. 
Published: April 2009

The influence of site index on growth efficiency was studied for 411 dominant and codominant Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and Picea rubens Sarg. from 10 sites across Maine, USA. Young A. balsamea (n = 204) were from stands precommercially thinned 15–20 years ago and ranged in site index from 18.4 to 24.3, while the older P. rubens (n = 207) were from stands that were not precommercially thinned and ranged in site index from 13.1 to 17.8. We hypothesized that site index positively influences growth efficiency. The results showed that volume increment – leaf area relationships and growth efficiency increased significantly with site index for A. balsamea but were unaffected by site index for P. rubens. A monotonic decreasing pattern of growth efficiency over increasing leaf area was found for both species. When standardized per unit site index, growth efficiency behaved nonlinearly for both species.
ON n-PERFECT RINGS AND COTORSION DIMENSION
Authors: BENNIS DRISS , MAHDOU NAJIB 
Published: April 2009

A ring is called n-perfect (n ≥ 0), if every flat module has projective dimension less or equal than n. In this paper, we show that the n-perfectness relates, via homological approach, some homological dimensions of rings. We study n-perfectness in some known ring construction. Finally, several examples of n-perfect rings satisfying special conditions are given.
Developments in Education and Vocational Training in Britain: Background Note on Recent Research
Authors: Prais S. J. 
Published: April 2009

The past decade has seen fundamental policy initiatives at a national level intended to improve vocational skills and to raise school-leaving standards — particularly in mathematics. These initiatives centred on:(i)the formation of a National Council for Vocational Qualifications with the object of re-designing, and imposing fundamentally greater coherence into, our previous ‘jungle’ of vocational qualifications, thereby raising their level of recognition both by employers and by potential trainees, and consequently encouraging a greater volume and higher levels of training to accredited standards of qualification;(ii)the specification of a National Curriculum for schools, stipulating the main subjects to be taught, the standards which teachers need to aim for in respect of the majority of each age-group, and associated nationwide attainment-tests to be taken by all pupils at several stages in their schooling. A detailed teaching scheme, the National Numeracy Strategy, was laid down nationally for teaching primary-school mathematics (based on the Improving Primary Mathematics scheme developed in Barking and Dagenham together with NIESR using a Continental model) together with a similarly detailed scheme for teaching basic literacy.
Gays and the Cuban Revolution
Authors: Ocasio Rafael 
Published: April 2009

Persecution of homosexuals has been, to a great extent, a war waged by the Castro government in efforts to destroy the most resistant kind of social bond in the nation: resistant, because for centuries it has been accustomed to survive under repressive circumstances, because its natural environment has been secrecy. —Ana María Simó and Reinaldo García Ramos Literature is queer stuff, and I am truly a queer. -Virgilio Piñera