bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vertebral and rib anatomy in Caperea marginata: Implications for evolutionary patterning of the mammalian vertebral column
Authors: Buchholtz Emily A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe pygmy right whale, Caperea marginata, is a rare mysticete cetacean with an unusual suite of axial skeletal characters. Distally expanded first ribs, a long thorax with broadly overlapping vertebral transverse processes, plate‐like posterior ribs, and a short tail contrast with other cetaceans and suggest unique developmental patterning. Twenty‐four individuals of diverse ontogenetic age were available for analysis. Multiple, variable examples of incomplete rib fusion in dependent calves indicate that the first rib of adults is an ontogenetic fusion product of ribs 1 and 2. The composite rib articulates by way of its anterior (Rib1) component to the sternum and by way of its posterior (Rib2) component with thoracic vertebra 2. Thoracic vertebra 1 lacks rib articulations. When rib fusion is taken into account, the most frequent column formulas are C7T18L1Cd16–17 = 42–43 and C7T17L1Cd16–18 = 41–43. Thoracic and lumbar series are not reciprocal in count, arguing against their developmental linkage. Instead, parallel reduction in both lumbar and caudal counts supports the existence of neocete patterning in Caperea, as in all other living cetaceans. Ontogenetic vertebral column elongation is most marked in the posterior thorax, lumbos, and anterior tail. Vertebrae in these column regions are excellent predictors of total body length.
Coastal, offshore, and migratory movements of South African right whales revealed by satellite telemetry
Authors: Mate B. R. , Best P. B. , Lagerquist B. A. , Winsor M. H. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn September 2001, 21 satellite‐monitored radio tags were deployed on southern right whales in South African waters, 15 of which transmitted for 25–161 d. Most coastwise movement on the south coast occurred in a westerly direction with cow‐calf pairs moving slowest. Three whales tagged on the west coast and one tagged on the south coast moved north into St Helena Bay, a probable feeding ground, where residence times were 36–100 d. Five animals tracked after leaving the coast maintained a bearing of 201°–220° before branching out over the southeast Atlantic from 37° to 60°S and between 13°W and 16°E, traveling 3,800–8,200 km over the ensuing 53–110 d before transmissions ceased. Their locations were categorized as migrating or nonmigrating based on the relative orientation of the track and net speed. An average of 42% of nonmigrating locations were between 37°S and 45°S, and 53% were south of 52°S, possibly associated with the Subtropical Convergence and Antarctic Polar Front, respectively. Whaling data suggest right whales fed largely on copepods at the former and euphausiids at the latter. If the nonmigrating locations represented feeding at these frontal zones, switching between them would seem to have obvious cost‐benefit implications.
Latitudinal variation in diet and patterns of human interaction in the marine otter
Authors: Mangel J. C. , Whitty T. , Medina‐Vogel G. , Alfaro‐Shigueto J. , Cáceres C. , Godley B. J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe marine otter (Lontra felina) inhabits patches of rocky coastline from central Peru to southern Chile and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Given the limited information available about the species, we set out to assess marine otter diet with a view to detecting latitudinal differences, and to assess marine otter activity budgets and interspecific interactions (including anthropogenic) at Peruvian fishing villages and to compare results with similar Chilean studies. Nine study sites from central Chile to southern Peru were sampled for otter spraints to assess relative frequency of prey types and two fishing ports in southern Peru were monitored through focal and scan observations to assess activity patterns, interspecific interactions, habitat use patterns, and dive durations. Results indicate that toward the northern part of its range, crustaceans become less important and fish more important in the diet. Interactions were observed between marine otters and other species, including stray dogs and cats. The strong dependence of marine otters on the availability of safe rocky shelters, and the species’ apparent tolerance to living alongside humans raise conservation concerns about vulnerability to anthropogenic threats. These factors, if not correctly managed, could turn some of these rocky seashore patches into population sinks.
Effect of Agglomeration on Flowability of Baby Food Powders
Authors: Szulc Karolina , Lenart Andrzej 
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the wet agglomeration in a fluidized bed on flowability of agglomerated products, such as baby food powders. The agglomeration process was performed in the fluidized bed. The wetting liquid used to the process was: water, 2% lecithin solution, and 50% sugar solution. Food powders flowability was expressed as: Hausner Ratio, pouring time, angles of sliding and of repose and flow function. The composition of materials, used to prepare mixtures, has a significant influence on tested properties. The higher milk powder of the mixtures caused decreasing of their flowability. Wet agglomeration of baby food powders caused an increase in the mean diameter of particles, which made it possible to receive agglomerates with good flowability and decreased bulk density. The increase of milk powder content from 0 to 73% in the mixture before the agglomeration contributed to improve its flowability. Wet agglomeration with 2% lecithin solution and 50% sugar solution reduced particle size and bulk density, improved flowability of received agglomerates in relation to agglomerates received with water as a wetting liquid.Practical Application:  Agglomeration of baby food powders increases particle size of received agglomerates with a tendency to reduce their bulk density. Agglomerates flowability determined by using practical tests (Hausner ratio, pouring time, angles of sliding and of repose) is not sufficient for a comprehensive assessment of powdered deposit. For complex flow behavior, like that of agglomerated baby food powders, the Jenike shear test only remains as an acceptable test of flowability.
Roles of Water and Solids Composition in the Control of Glass Transition and Stickiness of Milk Powders
Authors: Silalai Nattiga , Roos Yrjö H. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract:  Plasticization and glass transition of amorphous components in food powders often result in stickiness and caking. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of milk powders was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a viscometer method was used to determine sticky‐point temperatures. Water sorption isotherms were established for varying solids compositions. Lactose contents were analyzed by high‐performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAE‐PAD) and proteins were identified using SDS‐PAGE gel electrophoresis. Solids composition and water affected both the Tg and stickiness behavior. Stickiness was governed by carbohydrates and water plasticization. At low protein contents, precrystallization of lactose decreased the sticky point temperature, but increasing protein content in all milk powders decreased stickiness at all water activities. The results showed that glass transition can be used to describe time‐dependent stickiness and crystallization phenomena, and it can be used as a parameter to control and reduce stickiness of dairy solids with various compositions.Practical Application:  Glass transition of component sugars in milk powders with various water contents was responsible for a solid‐liquid transformation which resulted in their viscous flow at particle surfaces and stickiness of the powders. Stickiness leads to wall deposition in dehydration and caking of powders in storage when the amorphous carbohydrate‐rich components gain liquid characteristics. High protein contents in milk powders decreased stickiness, but precrystallization of lactose prior to spray drying increased stickiness at low protein content. Milk powders in storage gained higher water contents with increasing protein contents, but stickiness was reduced and lactose crystallization was delayed which improved storage stability.
Analysis of tidal breathing flow volume loop in dogs with tracheal masses
Authors: Adamama‐Moraitou KK , Pardali D , Prassinos NN , Papazoglou LG , Makris D , Gourgoulianis KI , Papaioannou N , Rallis TS 
Published: September 2010

Objectives To investigate whether there are any changes in the tidal breathing flow volume loop (TBFVL) in calm, non‐dyspnoeic dogs with intratracheal masses.Methods We compared 4 dogs with intratracheal masses (group 1) with 10 healthy dogs (group 2). Routine clinical and laboratory examinations of the dogs were unremarkable, except for episodic upper respiratory obstructive signs in the dogs in group 1. Lateral radiography of the neck and thorax showed that group 1 dogs had masses that appeared to protrude into the tracheal lumen. Tracheoscopy and surgery or necropsy was performed to confirm the presence of the mass. Arterial blood gas and TBFVL analysis was carried out in all dogs to assess respiratory status.Results The shape of the TBFVL for dogs in group 1 was narrower and ovoid compared with that for the group 2 dogs. Tidal volume and expiratory and inspiratory times were significantly reduced, whereas the respiratory rate was increased for dogs in group 1 compared with dogs in group 2. Arterial blood gas analysis was unremarkable for all dogs.Conclusions TBFVL is a non‐invasive technique that is easy to perform and well tolerated by dogs. In the absence of abnormalities detected by routine diagnostic evaluations and arterial blood gas analysis in dogs with intratracheal masses, the TBFVL contributes to the definition of the physiologic status of the airways at the time of testing, and results suggests that these dogs breathe quite normally when they are calm and non‐dyspnoeic.
Reproductive history and absence of predators are important determinants of reproductive fitness: the cheetah controversy revisited
Authors: Wachter Bettina , Thalwitzer Susanne , Hofer Heribert , Lonzer Johann , Hildebrandt Thomas B. , Hermes Robert 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRe‐introduction programs rely on reproductively sound individuals and high offspring survival once captively bred species are released into their natural habitat. Some species involved in captive breeding programs reproduce poorly: one prominent example is the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Here we use the cheetah as a case study to test predictions from all current hypotheses explaining this phenomenon by monitoring postemergence cub survival and assessing the reproductive status of free‐ranging and captive female cheetahs in Namibia with ultrasonography. We show that reproductive activity and health of cheetah females is determined by reproductive history and age rather than innate rhythms, captive stress, or lack of genetic diversity, and that postemergence cub survival under natural conditions in a predator‐free habitat is high. Our results suggest that management practices of captive breeding and re‐introduction programs should encourage early reproduction in females to induce long‐lasting and healthy reproductive performance. With this practice, re‐introduction projects might increase their chances of success.
ABC Transporters Involved in Export of Cell Surface Glycoconjugates
Authors: Cuthbertson Leslie , Kos Veronica , Whitfield Chris 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY
Complex glycoconjugates play critical roles in the biology of microorganisms. Despite the remarkable diversity in glycan structures and the bacteria that produce them, conserved themes are evident in the biosynthesis-export pathways. One of the primary pathways involves representatives of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. These proteins are responsible for the export of a wide variety of cell surface oligo- and polysaccharides in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Recent investigations of the structure and function of ABC transporters involved in the export of lipopolysaccharide O antigens have revealed two fundamentally different strategies for coupling glycan polymerization to export. These mechanisms are distinguished by the presence (or absence) of characteristic nonreducing terminal modifications on the export substrates, which serve as chain termination and/or export signals, and by the presence (or absence) of a discrete substrate-binding domain in the nucleotide-binding domain polypeptide of the ABC transporter. A bioinformatic survey examining ABC exporters from known oligo- and polysaccharide biosynthesis loci identifies conserved nucleotide-binding domain protein families that correlate well with themes in the structures and assembly of glycans. The familial relationships among the ABC exporters generate hypotheses concerning the biosynthesis of structurally diverse oligo- and polysaccharides, which play important roles in the biology of bacteria with different lifestyles.
Origins and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Davies Julian , Davies Dorothy 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY
Antibiotics have always been considered one of the wonder discoveries of the 20th century. This is true, but the real wonder is the rise of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, communities, and the environment concomitant with their use. The extraordinary genetic capacities of microbes have benefitted from man's overuse of antibiotics to exploit every source of resistance genes and every means of horizontal gene transmission to develop multiple mechanisms of resistance for each and every antibiotic introduced into practice clinically, agriculturally, or otherwise. This review presents the salient aspects of antibiotic resistance development over the past half-century, with the oft-restated conclusion that it is time to act. To achieve complete restitution of therapeutic applications of antibiotics, there is a need for more information on the role of environmental microbiomes in the rise of antibiotic resistance. In particular, creative approaches to the discovery of novel antibiotics and their expedited and controlled introduction to therapy are obligatory.
Equilibrium studies of triphenyltin(IV) complexes with glycine, glycyl-glycine, and glycyl-glycyl-glycine in different aqueous solutions of ethanol
Authors: Jabbari Morteza , Gharib Farrokh 
Published: September 2010

The protonation equilibria of glycine (gly), glycyl-glycine (gly-gly), and glycyl-glycyl-glycine (gly-gly-gly) and their formation constants with triphenyltin(IV) chloride were studied over a wide pH range (pH 1–11), using a combination of spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods at constant temperature (25 °C), different ethanol–water mixtures (50%–80%, v/v), and constant ionic strength (0.1 mol dm–3 NaClO4). Least-squares regression calculations are consistent with the formation of ph3SnHL+, ph3SnL, and ph3SnH–1L– complex species, where L– represents the fully dissociated form of each ligand. The stability constant of the formed complexes in different media were analyzed in terms of Kamlet, Abboud, and Taft (KAT) parameters. Single-parameter correlations of the stability constants versus α (hydrogen-bond donor acidity), β (hydrogen-bond acceptor basicity), and for π* (dipolarity/polarizability) are relatively poor in all solutions, but multi-parameter correlations represent significant improvements with regard to the single- and dual-parameter models. Linear correlation is observed when the experimental logβxyz values are plotted versus the calculated ones, while all the KAT parameters are considered. Also, the stability constant values of the formed complexes are determined in zero percent of organic solvent using the Yasuda–Shedlovsky extrapolation approach. Finally, the results are discussed in terms of the effect of solvent on complexation.
Stand-level spatial dependence in an old-growth Jeffrey pine – mixed conifer forest, Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Mexico
Authors: Fry Danny L. , Stephens Scott L. 
Published: September 2010

Descriptions of spatial patterns are important components of forest ecosystems, providing insights into functions and processes, yet basic spatial relationships between forest structures and fuels remain largely unexplored. We used standardized omnidirectional semivariance modeling to examine the spatial pattern of fuels and forest structure measured in a systematic nested plot grid covering 144 ha. Forest structure variables were spatially dependent at scales ranging from 62 to 572 m. Cross-variograms of fuels and forest structure showed both positive and negative correlations, ranging from 0.04 to 0.67. Notably, fine fuels were correlated positively and negatively with forest structure variables of white fir ( Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.) and Jeffrey pine ( Pinus jeffreyi Balf.), respectively. Old-growth Jeffrey pine – mixed conifer forest within the study area exhibited both identifiable spatial correlations and high stand-level spatial heterogeneity, as demonstrated by the influence of outliers on the underlying spatial pattern. The spatial dependency of fuels with species-specific variables suggests that less common species may have a large influence in the characterization of forest attributes and that fuel classifications may be improved by accounting for the spatial distributions of overstory species. Spatial correlations have many applications to forest management, including the classification and mapping of forest structure, establishing guidelines for fuel treatments, and restoration of old-growth forest ecosystems.
IFN Induces miR-21 through a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3–Dependent Pathway as a Suppressive Negative Feedback on IFN-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Yang Chuan He , Yue Junming , Fan Meiyun , Pfeffer Lawrence M. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The microRNA miR-21 is overexpressed in many human cancers, wherein accumulating evidence indicates that it functions as an oncogene. Here, we report that the cytokine IFN rapidly induces miR-21 expression in human and mouse cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was implicated in this pathway based on the lack of IFN effect on miR-21 expression in prostate cancer cells with a deletion in the STAT3 gene. STAT3 ablation abrogated IFN induction of miR-21, confirming the important role of STAT3 in regulating miR-21. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that STAT3 directly bound the miR-21 promoter in response to IFN. Experiments in mouse embryo fibroblasts with a genetic deletion of the p65 NF-κB subunit showed that IFN-induced miR-21 expression was also dependent on NF-κB. STAT3 silencing blocked both IFN-induced p65 binding to the miR-21 promoter and p65 nuclear translocation. Thus, IFN-induced miR-21 expression is coregulated by STAT3 and NF-κB at the level of the miR-21 promoter. Several cell death regulators were identified as downstream targets of miR-21, including PTEN and Akt. Functional experiments in prostate cancer cells directly showed that miR-21 plays a critical role in suppressing IFN-induced apoptosis. Our results identify miR-21 as a novel IFN target gene that functions as a key feedback regulator of IFN-induced apoptosis. Cancer Res; 70(20); 8108–16. ©2010 AACR.
Pitch Range Variation in English Tonal Contrasts: Continuous or Categorical?
Authors: Dilley Laura C. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The importance of pitch range variation for intonational meaning and theory is well known; however, whether pitch range is a phonetic dimension which is treated categorically in English remains unclear. To test this possibility, three intonation continua varying in pitch range were constructed which had endpoints with contrastive representations under autosegmental-metrical (AM) theory: H* vs. L+H*, H* with ‘peak delay’ vs. L*+H, and %H L* vs. L*. The prediction derived from AM theory was that the reproduction of continuous pitch range variation should show a discrete pattern reflecting a change in the phonological representation of tonal sequences and in the number of tonal targets across each continuum. Participants’ reproductions of each stimulus set showed continuous variation in pitch range, suggesting that pitch range is a gradient phonetic dimension in English conveying semantic contrast, similar to the formant space for vowels. Moreover, the gradience observed in productions across all parts of the pitch range suggests that contours within each series had the same number of tonal targets. The results support a version of AM theory in which rises and falls are usually comprised of two tonal targets, with strictly monotonic f₀ interpolation between them.
No evidence for strategic male mating effort in response to female weight in a bushcricket
Authors: Reinhold Klaus , Sevgili Hasan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTheoretical models predict that males should allocate sperm in response to female quality and empirical studies have shown that fecundity traits including age, mass and mating status can influence male sperm allocation strategies. We tested whether female size has an influence on sperm allocation in the bushcricket Poecilimon jonicus jonicus (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae). Contrary to other studies, we found neither evidence of strategic sperm allocation in response to female size nor an effect of female size on spermatophore size. Male age and mating history was positively related to sperm number during sequential matings, but had no effect on spermatophylax or ampulla weight. Spermatophore weight, but not sperm number, was positively correlated with male body weight. Ampulla weight was positively correlated with spermatophylax weight.
Attenuation and Differential Attenuation of 5-cm-Wavelength Radiation in Melting Hail
Authors: Borowska L. , Ryzhkov A. , Zrnić D. , Simmer C. , Palmer R. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Presented are quantitative estimates of specific attenuation and specific differential attenuation of 5-cm-wavelength radiation (C band) obtained by comparison with measurements at 10-cm wavelength (S band), which are much less affected by attenuation. The data originated from two almost-collocated radars in central Oklahoma. To avoid biases in estimates, the slopes with respect to range of differences in reflectivities and differential reflectivities are assumed to represent the specific attenuations. Observations on a day with no reports of hail on the ground and on a day with large hail are contrasted. A simple one-dimensional model of melting hail is used to qualify these observations. Examples of volumetric fields of the polarimetric variables obtained at the two wavelengths are presented to illustrate that much can be learned about size, orientation, and phase of hydrometeors over volumes that play a role in precipitation formation.