bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seedling Mortality and Herbivory Damage in Subtropical and Temperate Populations: Testing the Hypothesis of Higher Herbivore Pressure Toward the Tropics
Authors: del‐Val Ek , Armesto Juan J. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTHerbivory rates are generally thought to be higher in tropical than in temperate forests. Nevertheless, tests of this biogeographic prediction by comparing a single plant species across a tropical‐temperate range are scarce. Here, we compare herbivore damage between subtropical and temperate populations of the evergreen tree Aextoxicon punctatum (Olivillo), distributed between 30° and 43° S along the Pacific margin of Chile. To assess the impact of herbivory on Olivillo seedlings, we set up 29 experimental plots, 1.5 × 3 m: 16 in forests of Fray Jorge National Park (subtropical latitude), and 13 in Guabún, Chiloé Island (temperate latitude). Half of each plot was fenced around with chicken wire, to exclude small mammals, and the other half was left unfenced. In each half of the plots we planted 16 seedlings of Olivillo in December 2003, with a total of 928 plants. Seedling survival, leaf production and herbivory by invertebrates were monitored over the next 16 mo. Small mammal herbivores killed ca 30 percent of seedlings in both sites. Nevertheless, invertebrate herbivory was greater in the temperate forest, thus contradicting the expected trend of increasing herbivore impact toward the tropics. Seedling growth was greater in subtropical forest suggesting better conditions for tree growth or that higher invertebrate herbivory depressed seedling growth in the temperate forest. Invertebrate herbivory increased toward temperate latitudes while small mammal herbivory was similar in both sites. We suggest that comparison of single species can be useful to test generalizations about latitudinal patterns and allow disentangling factors controlling herbivory patterns across communities.
MAPPING THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE ON CONSUMER LIKING AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR YOGURT
Authors: CARLUCCI A. , MONTELEONE E. , BRAGHIERI A. , NAPOLITANO F. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT Preference mapping identified different groups of consumers on the basis of their disconfirmations (occurring when the product is either better or worse than expected) and assimilations (occurring when actual liking [L] moves toward the expectations). The negative disconfirmation of a group of consumers (Group 1) was based on the information about animal welfare (the products were worse than expected because the information about animal welfare induced high expectations), whereas in Group 2 the sensory properties of the products prevailed in orienting consumer disconfirmation (products were worse than expected because the sensory properties of low‐fat yogurt were disliked). The map of assimilation showed that consumers from Group 1 had higher assimilation for plain yogurt associated with high welfare standards as a consequence of the high discrepancy between blind and expected L for these products. A similar behavior was observed for Group 2 (higher discrepancy between blind and expected L corresponding to higher assimilation for low‐fat yogurt paired with high welfare standards). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSConsumers based their choices both on sensory properties (plain yogurts were preferred to low‐fat yogurts) and on information about animal welfare (products associated with high welfare standards were preferred to the others). Preference mapping was able to identify groups of consumers behaving differently, as compared with the general trend, on the basis of their disconfirmations and assimilations.Consumer willingness to pay reflected the hedonic behavior, thus validating the auction procedure for food liking evaluation purposes and providing a useful tool to obtain information about the real value (i.e., in monetary terms) consumers give to animal welfare.
Improving the School Environment to Reduce School Violence: A Review of the Literature*
Authors: Johnson Sarah Lindstrom 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: School violence can impact the social, psychological, and physical well‐being of both students and teachers and disrupt the learning process. This review focuses on a new area of research, the mechanisms by which the school environment determines the likelihood of school violence.METHODS: A search for peer‐reviewed articles was made in six databases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's report on school‐violence interventions. Twenty‐five articles that attempted to understand the influence of either the school social or physical environment in determining teacher and student perceptions of safety and experiences of violence were included.RESULTS: Most of the included articles were cross‐sectional surveys of junior high or high school students and staff. As articles used different measures of the school physical and social environment, a classification system was created. Using this system, studies show that schools with less violence tend to have students who are aware of school rules and believe they are fair, have positive relationships with their teachers, feel that they have ownership in their school, feel that they are in a classroom and school environment that is positive and focused on learning, and in an environment that is orderly.CONCLUSION: The school social and physical environment appears to offer intervention opportunities to reduce school violence. However, the lack of consistency in school environment variables as well as the lack of longitudinal and experimental research designs limits the applicability of these findings.
Changes in Psychosocial Factors and Physical Activity Frequency Among Third‐ to Eighth‐Grade Girls Who Participated in a Developmentally Focused Youth Sport Program: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Debate Rita D. , Pettee Gabriel Kelley , Zwald Marissa , Huberty Jennifer , Zhang Yan 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Despite the numerous physiological, psychological, and academic benefits of physical activity (PA), declines in PA levels among girls have been observed over the last decade. The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the short‐term changes pertaining to Girls on the Run and Girls on Track developmentally focused youth sport programs (DYS) on global self‐esteem, body image, commitment to PA, and PA frequency.METHODS: This preliminary study employed a nonexperimental, one‐group, pre‐ and postintervention study design using a 29‐item paper‐and‐pencil assessment tool (n = 1034).RESULTS: Paired sample t‐tests from pre‐ to postintervention revealed statistically significant differences in self‐esteem (p < .001), body size satisfaction (p < .001), and vigorous PA frequency (p < .001). Stratification by the number of times participating in the intervention revealed the greatest changes at first participation followed with continued improvements in self‐esteem (p = .013) and body size satisfaction (p < .001) for those participating in a second time. Age differences were also observed between participants ≤10 years old and 11–15 years; in that significant improvements in commitment to PA (p = .003) were observed for the older girls.CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest DYS programs Girls on the Run and Girls on Track may produce beneficial changes in self‐esteem, body size satisfaction, PA commitment, and PA frequency. Although the findings from the current report are preliminary, they suggest that DYS programs designed exclusively for girls may provide the necessary framework to promote PA to achieve the numerous associated benefits.
Female scent mobilizes leukocytes to airways in BALB/c male mice
Authors: LITVINOVA Ekatherina A. , MOSHKIN Mikhail P. , GERLINSKAYA Ludmila A. , NAGATOMI Ryoichi , ZHANG Xiumin , MATSUO Kaori , SHIKANO Shuichi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe scent of receptive females as a signal to reproduction stimulates male mice to olfactory search of a potential breeding partner. This searching behavior is coupled with infection risk due to bacterial contamination of the fecal and urine scent marks. We hypothesized that sniffing of female soiled bedding induced the migration of immuno‐competent cells into airways as a possible adaptation to breeding‐related infection. Using bronchoalveolar lavage in a study on mice, we found the number of leukocytes to be significantly higher in male mice that were provided new portions of soiled bedding daily from female cages, in comparison with male mice that were kept in isolation from female scent. The number of leukocytes in blood was equal in both groups. However, monocytes were fewer in number in male mice exposed to female scent than in male mice isolated from female mice. Scent‐induced migration of leukocytes was accompanied by typical behavioral (increased sniffing activity and aggressiveness) and morphological (increase preputial glands and seminal vesicles) responses to olfactory sexual stimulus.
Using presence signs to discriminate between similar species
Authors: SANTOS Sara M. , MIRA António P. , MATHIAS Maria Luz 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe Lusitanian and the Mediterranean pine voles (Microtus lusitanicus Gerbe, 1879 and Microtus duodecimcostatus de Selys‐Longchamps, 1839) are fossorial sister species and have an allopatric pattern of distribution in Portugal, which includes a potential sympatry area in the centre of the country. The present study aimed to determine the validity of using presence signs in the field for discrimination of the two species in an area of sympatry (Northern Alentejo) and the characteristics that achieve the best classification accuracy. A total of 175 trapping plots were sampled across the study area. Prior to the set up of traps, ten presence signs were randomly selected for measurements of four variables: proportion of soil mounds, mean diameter of mounds, proportion of burrow openings and mean diameter of burrow openings. On the basis of a classification tree analysis, results showed that presence signs can be used to discriminate plots inhabited by one or the other species in the studied sympatry area. The characteristic that most accurately enables species identification is the proportion of burrow openings: for every ten presence signs found in a plot, if more than eight have an opening, then it is inhabited by M. lusitanicus (i.e. mostly burrow openings with few or no mounds present); if eight or fewer have an opening, M. duodecimcostatus is present (i.e. mostly mounds with few or no burrow openings).
Molecular analysis of the sex chromosomes of the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus: Towards the identification of a new type of master sexual regulator in vertebrates
Authors: BÖHNE ASTRID , SCHULTHEIS Christina , GALIANA‐ARNOUX Delphine , FROSCHAUER Alexander , ZHOU Qingchun , SCHMIDT Cornelia , SELZ Yvonne , OZOUF‐COSTAZ Catherine , DETTAI Agnès , SEGURENS Béatrice , COULOUX Arnaud , BERNARD‐SAMAIN Sylvie , BARBE Valérie , CHILMONCZYK Stefan , BRUNET Frédéric , DARRAS Amandine , TOMASZKIEWICZ Marta , SEMON Marie , SCHARTL Manfred , VOLFF Jean‐Nicolas 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn contrast to mammals and birds, fish display an amazing diversity of genetic sex determination systems, with frequent changes during evolution possibly associated with the emergence of new sex chromosomes and sex‐determining genes. To better understand the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms driving this diversity, several fish models are studied in parallel. Besides the medaka (Oryzias latipes Temminck and Schlegel, 1846) for which the master sex‐determination gene has been identified, one of the most advanced models for studying sex determination is the Southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus, Günther 1966). Xiphophorus maculatus belongs to the Poeciliids, a family of live‐bearing freshwater fish, including platyfish, swordtails and guppies that perfectly illustrates the diversity of genetic sex‐determination mechanisms observed in teleosts. For X. maculatus, bacterial artificial chromosome contigs covering the sex‐determination region of the X and Y sex chromosomes have been constructed. Initial molecular analysis demonstrated that the sex‐determination region is very unstable and frequently undergoes duplications, deletions, inversions and other rearrangements. Eleven gene candidates linked to the master sex‐determining gene have been identified, some of them corresponding to pseudogenes. All putative genes are present on both the X and the Y chromosomes, suggesting a poor degree of differentiation and a young evolutionary age for platyfish sex chromosomes. When compared with other fish and tetrapod genomes, syntenies were detected only with autosomes. This observation supports an independent origin of sex chromosomes, not only in different vertebrate lineages but also between different fish species.
Origin of the neuro‐sensory system: new and expected insights from sponges
Authors: RENARD EMMANUELLE , VACELET Jean , GAZAVE Eve , LAPÉBIE Pascal , BORCHIELLINI Carole , ERESKOVSKY Alexander V. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe capacity of all cells to respond to stimuli implies the conduction of information at least over short distances. In multicellular organisms, more complex systems of integration and coordination of activities are necessary. In most animals, the processing of information is performed by a nervous system. Among the most basal taxa, sponges are nerveless so that it is traditionally assumed that the integrated neuro‐sensory system originated only once in Eumetazoa, a hypothesis not in agreement with some recent phylogenomic studies. The aim of this review is to show that recent data on sponges might provide clues for understanding the origin of this complex system. First, sponges are able to react to external stimuli, and some of them display spontaneous movement activities. These coordinated behaviors involve nervous system‐like mechanisms, such as action potentials and/or neurotransmitters. Second, genomic analyses show that sponges possess genes orthologous to those involved in the patterning or functioning of the neuro‐sensory system in Eumetazoa. Finally, some of these genes are expressed in specific cells (flask cells, choanocytes). Together with ultrastructural data, this gives rise to challenging hypotheses concerning cell types that might play neuro‐sensory‐like roles in sponges.
Darwin and the cirripedes: Insights and dreadful blunders
Authors: DEUTSCH Jean S. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCharles Darwin's favorite animals were cirripedes (barnacles). Indeed, he worked intensively on cirripedes during the years he was maturing his thoughts regarding his theory, which eventually led to the publication of The Origin of Species. Here I present some of Darwin's achievements in the morphology, systematics and biology of these small marine invertebrates, and also, in light of our present knowledge, some mistakes he made.
Fluticasone Propionate Aerosol is More Effective for Prevention than Treatment of Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Authors: Robinson N.E. , Berney C. , Behan A. , Derksen F.J. 
Published: September 2009

Background:Efficacy of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) for management of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) has only been evaluated after several weeks' treatment.Objectives:To compare efficacy of (1) 3‐day treatments with FP to dexamethasone (DEX) for management of RAO; and (2) FP and DEX to no treatment in prevention of acute RAO exacerbations.Animals:Nine RAO affected horses.Methods:Crossover studies in RAO‐affected horses compared (a) 3‐day treatment of RAO exacerbation with FP (3 and 6 mg q12h) and DEX (0.1 mg/kg q24h) and (b) FP (6 mg q12h) and DEX (0.1 mg/kg q24h) to no treatment for prevention of acute exacerbations of RAO. Treatment efficacy and unwanted effects were judged from maximal change in pleural pressure (ΔPplmax), serum cortisol (COR), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, and subjective scores for respiratory distress and lameness.Results:In treatment trial, DEX and FP (6 mg) significantly decreased ΔPplmaxby 48 and 72 hours, respectively; FP (3 mg) had no significant effect. DEX decreased COR more than did FP. In prevention trial, both DEX and FP (6 mg) prevented the increase in ΔPplmaxthat occurred in untreated horses. Both treatments decreased COR to the same degree. FP and DEX had no effects on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology and there was no evidence of laminitis.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:FP (6 mg q12h) is as effective as DEX for prevention of acute exacerbations of RAO and lower doses should be evaluated. High‐dose FP is not as effective as DEX for treatment of RAO exacerbations.
Infectious Agents Detected in the Feces of Diarrheic Foals: A Retrospective Study of 233 Cases (2003–2008)
Authors: Frederick J. , Giguère S. , Sanchez L.C. 
Published: September 2009

Background:Diarrhea is common in foals but there are no studies investigating the relative prevalence of common infectious agents in a population of hospitalized diarrheic foals.Objectives:To determine the frequency of detection of infectious agents in a population of hospitalized foals with diarrhea and to determine if detection of specific pathogens is associated with age, outcome, or clinicopathologic data.Animals:Two hundred and thirty‐three foals ≤ 10 months of age with diarrhea examined at a referral institution.Methods:Retrospective case series. Each foal was examined forSalmonellaspp., viruses,Clostridium difficiletoxins,Clostridium perfringensculture,C. perfringensenterotoxin,Cryptosporidiumspp., and metazoan parasites in feces collected at admission or at the onset of diarrhea.Results:At least 1 infectious agent was detected in 122 foals (55%). Rotavirus was most frequently detected (20%) followed byC. perfringens(18%),Salmonellaspp. (12%), andC. difficile(5%). Foals < 1 month of age were significantly more likely to be positive forC. perfringens(odds ratio [OR] = 15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.5–66) or to have negative fecal diagnostic results (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.7–5.2) than older foals. Foals > 1 month of age were significantly more likely to haveSalmonellaspp. (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–6.0), rotavirus (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 5.3–33), and parasites (OR = 23, 95% CI = 3.1–185) detected compared with younger foals. Overall 191 of the 223 foals (87%) survived. The type of infectious agent identified in the feces or bacteremia was not significantly associated with survival.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:In the population studied, foals with diarrhea had a good prognosis regardless of which infectious agent was identified in the feces.
Patterns of genetic differentiation between two co-occurring demersal species: the red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and the striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus)
Authors: Galarza J. A. , Turner G. F. , Macpherson E. , Rico C. 
Published: September 2009

The accurate identification of genetic partitioning is of primarily importance when devising conservation management strategies for today’s marine resources. The great variety of genetic structure displayed by demersal species underscores the need for the identification of common patterns that can be found across species. Here, we analyse allele frequency variation at 10 microsatellite loci of two congener demersal fish, the red mullet ( Mullus barbatus ) and the striped red mullet ( Mullus surmuletus ), from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The results indicate that two different gene flow patterns exist between these species. The red mullet’s genetic distribution was found to be highly structured, resembling that of a metapopulation composed by independent, self-recruiting subpopulations with some connections between them. The striped red mullet displayed less genetic heterogeneity within the Mediterranean Sea and a substantial gene flow reduction between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Our results indicate that gene flow patterns in the demersal environment can be substantially different between closely related species with highly comparable biology, suggesting that biogeographic boundaries can affect demersal species in a different way despite common ecological features and spatial overlap. We conclude that the delimitation of such boundaries could be determined by the fine differences in life history traits between species.
In situ dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release by submerged macrophyte–epiphyte communities in southern Quebec lakes
Authors: Demarty M. , Prairie Y. T. 
Published: September 2009

We studied the in situ release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by growing a submerged freshwater macrophyte–epiphyte complex. Incubations with benthic chambers in five southeastern Quebec lakes show a net DOC production for different communities of Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton spp. Daytime DOC release rates range from undetectable to 9.7 mg C·m–2·h–1. Although DOC release was restricted to daylight hours and thus suggestive of a photosynthesis-related process, we found no strong link between DOC release rates and concurrent illumination or temperature. We found no difference in DOC release rates between the three main colonizing species of the studied region. The overall mean DOC release rate was 4.57 mg C·m–2·h–1(standard deviation (SD), ±0.65) or 56 µg C·g dry weight–1·h–1(SD, ±8), which we suggest can be used for extrapolations at the lake scale.
Mechanisms regulating oocyte recruitment and skipped spawning in Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Skjæraasen Jon Egil , Kennedy James , Thorsen Anders , Fonn Merete , Strand Bente Njøs , Mayer Ian , Kjesbu Olav Sigurd 
Published: September 2009

To examine mechanisms that affect fecundity, atresia, and skipped spawning in Northeast Arctic cod ( Gadus morhua ), we conducted an experiment where wild-caught cod (>60 cm) kept under restricted food regimes were subjected to monthly biopsies and hormonal and physical measurements. The power of body weight as a fecundity proxy increased until the presumed end of follicle proliferation in early November; thereafter, it remained stable. Atresia occurred in most females, but for maturing females, mainly close to spawning. Eighteen percent of the females had small gonads with predominantly previtellogenic oocytes at sacrifice in January. These females were past-spawners, verified by postovulatory follicles in their gonads. These “skippers” had lower condition than maturing cod from December, smaller livers upon sacrifice, and lower plasma 17β-estradiol values from early November. Until November, oocytes developed similarly for all females, but in November, oocyte development was arrested at the early cortical alveoli stage and atresia occurred in all skippers. In summary, fecundity and skipped spawning seem highly influenced by energy reserves during early vitellogenesis and was limited to females only. Finally, skippers were identifiable long before the predicted onset of spawning, which could have implications for forecasting of egg production and hence stock–recruitment relationships.