bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frog oocyte in vitro maturation test as a method to investigate Ni2+ toxicity
Authors: Zenkevičs Henriks , Vose Vija 
Published: October 2011

Frog oocyte in vitro maturation test as a method to investigate Ni2+ toxicity
The ability of gonadotropic hormone (GTH) of sturgeon fish Acipenser göldenstödti Br. to initiate a specific stimulatory effect on grass frog Rana temporaria L. oocytes, producing its in vitro maturation, was employed as a method to investigate the effect of nickel ion concentration on test oocytes in a highly sensitive test system, "Oocyte-GTH". Oocytes of four frogs with different hormone sensitivity were used in the investigation. It was shown that Ni2+ at a concentration of 0.1 mg/L produced a considerable stimulatory effect only in test frog oocytes with low hormonal sensitivity and maturation activity, while a Ni2+ concentration over 0.25 mg/L caused a significant decrease and produced even total blocking of the hormonal sensitivity and maturation ability of all oocytes, regardless of their initial hormonal sensitivity. The frog oocyte maturation test was shown to be a useful method to assess toxic effect of Ni2+ on water frog reproduction.
Ground Water in the City of Varanasi, India: present status and prospects
Authors: Mohan Kshitij , Srivastava Ajai , Rai Praveen 
Published: October 2011

Ground Water in the City of Varanasi, India: present status and prospects
The city of Varanasi is short of water. The city obtains a total of 270 million litres water from the river Ganga and tubewells. Yet every fifth citizen lacks drinking water. The ground water is polluted due to nitrate and faecal coliform. A further problem is the plan to settle the growing population in a new township nearby under the integrated development plan of Greater Varanasi, a part of the Jawajarlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. To fulfill the growing demand of fresh water, new water bearing horizon of the most affected part of the city i.e. southern part is to be identified. This paper reports a study of the variation in the grain size attributes of an aquifer material taken from different depths from the affected region in order to establish the generalized hydrological properties and recommend the depth of the well accordingly. From the grain size analysis and hydrological study it may be concluded that water bearing zones are mainly found in three horizons at the depths 44-56 m; 56-87 m; and 87-165 m. The third water bearing horizon (total thickness being 78 m) can act as a good potential ground water horizon for a new township. Due to its greater depth, the water would be relatively fresh being characterized by very low concentration of dissolved solids. Therefore, this horizon is strongly recommended for utilizing the water resource for the township.
First records of Oecismus monedula (Hagen, 1859) and Oecetis testacea Curtis, 1834 (Trichoptera) from Ukraine
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof 
Published: October 2011

First records of Oecismus monedula (Hagen, 1859) and Oecetis testacea Curtis, 1834 (Trichoptera) from Ukraine
In Zakarpatie adults of two species of caddisflies new to the fauna of Ukraine were found: Oecismus monedula (Hagen, 1859) (Sericostomatidae) and Oecetis testacea Curtis, 1834 (Leptoceridae) (Trichoptera).
Records and descriptions of Neotropical Megalota Diakonoff (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Razowski Józef , Becker Vitor 
Published: October 2011

Records and descriptions of Neotropical Megalota Diakonoff (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Twelve species of Megalota are reported from the Neotropics; four of them (M. platanillana sp. n. from Mexico, M. belemana sp. n., M. lacertospina sp. n. and M. bahia sp. n. from Brazil) are described as new.
Planning and prioritization strategies for phased highway mitigation using wildlife‐vehicle collision data
Authors: Ford Adam T. , Clevenger Anthony P. , Huijser Marcel P. , Dibb Alan 
Published: October 2011

AbstractMitigation measures to reduce wildlife‐vehicle collisions (WVCs) on highways are becoming an established practice in many jurisdictions. Most highway mitigation projects occur while roads are being upgraded, enlarged or repaired. Many smaller highways may not be subject to these types of upgrades in the near future but are nonetheless problematic for causing WVCs. Thus, it is important to find cost effective ways to locate and prioritize stretches of highway for mitigation. We present several criteria that can be used to assist in prioritizing the location of wildlife‐proof fencing along a 94‐km stretch of road in one of Canada's National Parks. We considered temporal consistency of WVC occurrences, conservation value (i.e. reduction in WVC rates), economic benefits (i.e. cost of mitigation vs benefits in WVC reduction), and a combined approach to prioritize management actions. We compared the efficacy of four different lengths of fencing (i.e. phase lengths) at meeting these criteria: 2 km, 5 km, 10 km and 25 km. We used 1,244 WVC records from a long‐tem monitoring program (1981‐2005) as data to assess mitigation effectiveness. We found that longer fences best address conservation concerns, but all fencing sections, irrespective of length, rarely captured > 50% of WVC locations by species. We found that shorter fences were more economically efficient, but also more variable in performance, than longer fences. Lastly, we found that longer fence lengths tend to produce the best results for the combined metric criteria. Clearly defined management goals will determine the extent to which a phased approach to highway mitigation is viable.
Bird feeders may sustain feral Rose‐ringed parakeets Psittacula krameri in temperate Europe
Authors: Clergeau Philippe , Vergnes Alan 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe Rose‐ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri, a bird species of subtropical origin, has established feral populations in temperate Europe. We analysed the feeding habits of Rose‐ringed parakeets near Paris, France, in order to assess if food provided by humans might contribute to the success of this invasive bird species. We considered 87 feeding events performed during 2002 ‐ 2007 and 247 feeding events performed during March ‐ November 2008. We recorded the consumption of seeds, buds and fruits from many native and introduced shrubs and trees, and the use of bird feeders in private and public gardens throughout the year. We followed four radio‐equipped birds for 150 hours during September ‐ December 2008, which spent about half of their feeding time at bird feeders. This confirmed the importance of bird feeders in the diet of the Rose‐ringed parakeet. Our study underlines the opportunistic granivorous‐frugivorous character of this parakeet species and the possible role of human food sources in the success of its establishment in many cities across temperate Europe.
Inter‐insular variation of the diet of osprey Pandion haliaetus in the Canarian archipelago
Authors: Siverio Manuel , Rodríguez Beneharo , Rodríguez Airam , Siverio Felipe 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe studied the diet of the osprey Pandion haliaetus in the Canary Islands during 1997‐2008 using prey remains under perches and nests, and direct observations. We collected data both in breeding territories and in non‐breeding areas. We counted a minimum of 307 fish individuals as prey remains (both during breeding and non‐breeding seasons), and identified another 78 during 433 hours of field observations. According to our results, ospreys consumed at least 15 taxa belonging to 12 families. We found slight differences in the spatial (both intra and inter insular) and temporal diet composition. During the breeding season, the main prey species were flying fishes (belonging to the family Exocoetidae) and needlefishes (belonging to the family Belonidae) according to the two employed methods (i.e. prey remains and direct observations). In the non‐breeding period, the diet was composed primarily of non‐autochthones freshwater fishes such as common carp Cyprinus carpio and goldfish Carassius auratus. In general, the diet diversity was similar to the diversity reported in other breeding populations of subtropical areas, and being less diverse than those of tropical areas. More precise studies evaluating the effect of fish availability in marine reserves, overfishing areas or fish farms on the demographic parameters are necessary for the management and conservation of threatened Canarian ospreys.
Population management as a tool in the recovery of the critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus in Senegal, Africa
Authors: Koláčková Karolína , Hejcmanová Pavla , Antonínová Markéta , Brandl Pavel 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus derbianus, representing < 200 wild individuals, undoubtedly needs a coordinated conservation programme. To promote the survival of this subspecies, a single worldwide semi‐captive population was established in Senegal in 2000, with one male and five female founders transferred from the Niokolo Koba National Park. To determine a long‐term conservation strategy, we used demographic and pedigree data based on continuous monitoring of reproduction during 2000 ‐ 2009 in breeding enclosures in the Bandia and Fathala Reserves, in conjunction with modelling software. In 2009, the semi‐captive population consisted of 54 living individuals (26 males and 28 females), managed using the minimal kinship strategy. The female breeding probability was 84%, annual calf and adult mortality rates were 5.09% and 3.27%, respectively, and the annual population growth rate was 1.36. As the population grew, the animals were progressively separated into five herds within two reserves. A pedigree analysis revealed an effective population size of 6.72 and an Ne/N ratio of 0.13. The population retained 77% of the gene diversity (GD). The founder genome equivalent (FGE = 2.21) was relatively low due to the overrepresentation of one founder male. Although the mean level of inbreeding (F) reached 0.119, a significant potential GD (92%) was still retained. In this article, we predict GD development in this population in the next 100 years with the inclusion of new founders. If the whole wild population were included, we could maintain 90% of GD. As this option is not practically feasible, we present three options with the goal of maintaining 75% GD. We highly recommend capturing new founders from the remaining wild population to ensure the survival of the subspecies at least in semi‐captivity, which could allow possible reinforcement of the wild population or reintroduction in the future. The semi‐captive population, if appropriately constituted and genetically managed, could play a considerable role in Western Derby eland conservation.
Fine‐scale spatio‐temporal variation in tiger Panthera tigris diet: effect of study duration and extent on estimates of tiger diet in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Authors: Kapfer Paul M. , Streby Henry M. , Gurung Bhim , Simcharoen Achara , McDougal Charles C. , Smith James L. D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAttempts to conserve declining tiger Panthera tigris populations and distributions have experienced limited success. The poaching of tiger prey is a key threat to tiger persistence; a clear understanding of tiger diet is a prerequisite to conserve dwindling populations. We used unpublished data on tiger diet in combination with two previously published studies to examine fine‐scale spatio‐temporal changes in tiger diet relative to prey abundance in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and aggregated data from the three studies to examine the effect that study duration and the size of the study area have on estimates of tiger diet. Our results correspond with those of previous studies: in all three studies, tiger diet was dominated by members of Cervidae; small to medium‐sized prey was important in one study. Tiger diet was unrelated to prey abundance, and the aggregation of studies indicates that increasing study duration and study area size both result in increased dietary diversity in terms of prey categories consumed, and increasing study duration changed which prey species contributed most to tiger diet. Based on our results, we suggest that managers focus their efforts on minimizing the poaching of all tiger prey, and that future studies of tiger diet be of long duration and large spatial extent to improve our understanding of spatio‐temporal variation in estimates of tiger diet.
Intensifier l'agriculture en Afrique, réponse aux défis alimentaires et environnementaux ?
Authors: Vergez Antonin 
Published: October 2011

Résumé Pour le continent africain, le secteur agricole se trouve à la confluence de débats alimentaires, économiques et environnementaux. L’agriculture africaine pourra-t-elle à la fois nourrir une population croissante et préserver les environnements local et global ? Quelle(s) trajectoire(s) privilégier ? Faut-il des politiques publiques favorisant l’augmentation des rendements (intensification) ou des superficies cultivées (extensification) pour minimiser l’impact environnemental des accroissements de productions agricoles à venir ? Présentation d’une controverse.
La libéralisation agricole post-apartheid en Afrique du Sud
Authors: Ducastel Antoine , Anseeuw Ward 
Published: October 2011

Résumé Au lendemain de l’apartheid, le secteur agricole sud-africain a connu un processus de dérégulation sans précédent. Cette libéralisation agricole se traduit par la montée en puissance de « macro-acteurs » – entre autres des banques commerciales (ABSA, Standard), des entreprises d’ingénierie agricole et des fonds d’investissement. De nouveaux modèles de production et de financement apparaissent. On observe une mainmise par quelques macro-acteurs (souvent non agricoles, à structures capitalistes globalisées) sur la production agricole, considérée comme une denrée de spéculation sur les marchés financiers. Sont posés des enjeux sur le statut des producteurs agricoles, la souveraineté alimentaire et la régulation du secteur.
Regulatory Role of Vγ1 γδ T Cells in Tumor Immunity through IL-4 Production
Authors: Hao Jianlei , Dong Siyuan , Xia Siyuan , He Weifeng , Jia Hao , Zhang Song , Wei Jun , O’Brien Rebecca L. , Born Willi K. , Wu Zhenzhou , Wang Puyue , Han Jihong , Hong Zhangyong , Zhao Liqing , Yin Zhinan 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
It has been demonstrated that the two main subsets of peripheral γδ T cells, Vγ1 and Vγ4, have divergent functions in many diseases models. Recently, we reported that Vγ4 γδ T cells played a protective role in tumor immunity through eomesodermin-controlled mechanisms. However, the precise roles of Vγ1 γδ T cells in tumor immunity, especially whether Vγ1 γδ T cells have any interaction with Vγ4 γδ T cells, remain unknown. We demonstrated in this paper that Vγ1 γδ T cells suppressed Vγ4 γδ T cell-mediated antitumor function both in vitro and in vivo, and this suppression was cell contact independent. Using neutralizing anti–IL-4 Ab or IL-4−/− mice, we determined the suppressive factor derived from Vγ1 γδ T cells was IL-4. Indeed, treatment of Vγ4 γδ T cells with rIL-4 significantly reduced expression levels of NKG2D, perforin, and IFN-γ. Finally, Vγ1 γδ T cells produced more IL-4 and expressed significantly higher level of GATA-3 upon Th2 priming in comparison with Vγ4 γδ T cells. Therefore, to our knowledge, our results established for the first time a negative regulatory role of Vγ1 γδ T cells in Vγ4 γδ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity through cell contact-independent and IL-4–mediated mechanisms. Selective depletion of this suppressive subset of γδ T cells may be beneficial for tumor immune therapy.
Disruption of Nitric Oxide Signaling by Helicobacter pylori Results in Enhanced Inflammation by Inhibition of Heme Oxygenase-1
Authors: Gobert Alain P. , Asim Mohammad , Piazuelo M. Blanca , Verriere Thomas , Scull Brooks P. , de Sablet Thibaut , Glumac Ashley , Lewis Nuruddeen D. , Correa Pelayo , Peek Richard M. , Chaturvedi Rupesh , Wilson Keith T. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
A strong cellular cross-talk exists between the pathogen Helicobacter pylori and high-output NO production. However, how NO and H. pylori interact to signal in gastric epithelial cells and modulate the innate immune response is unknown. We show that chemical or cellular sources of NO induce the anti-inflammatory effector heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in gastric epithelial cells through a pathway that requires NF-κB. However, H. pylori decreases NO-induced NF-κB activation, thereby inhibiting HO-1 expression. This inhibitory effect of H. pylori results from activation of the transcription factor heat shock factor-1 by the H. pylori virulence factor CagA and by the host signaling molecules ERK1/2 and JNK. Consistent with these findings, HO-1 is downregulated in gastric epithelial cells of patients infected with cagA+ H. pylori but not in gastric epithelial cells of patients infected with cagA– H. pylori. Enhancement of HO-1 activity in infected cells or in H. pylori-infected mice inhibits chemokine generation and reduces inflammation. These data define a mechanism by which H. pylori favors its own pathogenesis by inhibiting HO-1 induction through the action of CagA.
Ethical Gerrymandering in Science
Authors: Marino Lori 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Satz posed the term "legal gerrymandering for human interest," referring to the redrawing of the natural baseline of protections for other animals to further human use of them. One of the domains where this exists most clearly is in scientific research on animal models. An animal model is sufficiently like humans in anatomy, physiology, or psychology to be used in research considered too harmful or risky for humans. I argue that the use of animal models is, by its very nature, ethical gerrymandering and a corruption of the self-correcting component of the scientific process.
Strategies for Pathway Analysis from GWAS Data
Authors: Yaspan Brian L. , Veatch Olivia J. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) are a standard approach for investigating the relationship of common variation within the human genome to a given phenotype of interest. However, single‐allele association results published for many GWAS studies represent only the tip of the iceberg for the information that can be extracted from these datasets. The primary analysis strategy for GWAS entails association analysis in which only the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the strongest p values are declared statistically significant due to issues arising from multiple testing and type I error concerns. Factors such as locus heterogeneity, epistasis, and multiple genes conferring small effects contribute to the complexity of the genetic models underlying phenotype expression. Thus, many biologically meaningful associations having lower effect sizes at individual genes are overlooked, as they are difficult to separate from a sea of false‐positive associations. Organizing these individual SNPs into biologically meaningful groups to look at overall effects of minor perturbations to genes and pathways is desirable. This pathway‐based approach provides researchers with insight into the functional foundations of the phenotype being studied and allows testing of various genetic scenarios. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 71:1.20.1‐1.20.15 © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The UCSC Genome Browser
Authors: Karolchik Donna , Hinrichs Angie S. , Kent W. James 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser is a popular Web‐based tool for quickly displaying a requested portion of a genome at any scale, accompanied by a series of aligned annotation “tracks.” The annotations generated by the UCSC Genome Bioinformatics Group and external collaborators include gene predictions, mRNA and expressed sequence tag alignments, simple nucleotide polymorphisms, expression and regulatory data, phenotype and variation data, and pairwise and multiple‐species comparative genomics data. All information relevant to a region is presented in one window, facilitating biological analysis and interpretation. The database tables underlying the Genome Browser tracks can be viewed, downloaded, and manipulated using another Web‐based application, the UCSC Table Browser. Users can upload personal datasets in a wide variety of formats as custom annotation tracks in both browsers for research or educational purposes. This unit describes how to use the Genome Browser and Table Browser for genome analysis, download the underlying database tables, and create and display custom annotation tracks. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 71:18.6.1‐18.6.33 © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Network structure and methanol transport dynamics in poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Ekenseair Adam K. , Peppas Nicholas A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe effect of the polymer network structure on methanol transport dynamics in glassy polymers was investigated in both dry and plasticized disks of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) through gravimetric integral sorption studies. PMMA was synthesized by a controlled free radical polymerization mechanism, crosslinked in bulk with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and swollen in methanol under a variety of conditions. In the Case II transport regime, control over the transport rate was shown to depend on the glassy‐state properties of the polymer, and the Case II front velocity was found to be proportional to the square root of the crosslinking density. Similarities were observed in the penetrant transport behavior of both dry and plasticized samples at high degrees of crosslinking, and the activation energy of methanol transport at low degrees of crosslinking was found to be similar for both Fickian and Case II mechanisms. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
A deleterious founder mutation in the BMPER gene causes diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD)
Authors: Ben‐Neriah Ziva , Michaelson‐Cohen Rachel , Inbar‐Feigenberg Michal , Nadjari Michael , Zeligson Sharon , Shaag Avraham , Zenvirt Shamir , Elpeleg Orly , Levy‐Lahad Ephrat 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDiaphonospondylodysostosis (DSD) is a rare, recessively inherited, lethal skeletal dysplasia, characterized by severe spinal ossification, segmentation defects, and renal cystic dysplasia with nephrogenic rests. We hereby present three affected individuals: two children and a fetus from two unrelated East Jerusalem Arab‐Muslim families. Whereas most fetuses die in utero or perinatally, one of the children survived to 15 months. Homozygosity mapping in the two families demonstrated a single common 3.87 Mb region on chromosome 7, ruling out previously known spondylocostal/spondylothoracic dysostosis loci. The 15 protein coding genes in the region were prioritized, and some were sequenced. A single, novel deleterious mutation, Q104X, was detected in the bone morphogenetic protein‐binding endothelial regulator protein (BMPER) gene, recently reported to be mutated in other DSD patients [Funari et al., 2010]. The novel mutation we identified is an ancestral founder allele, as evidenced by a shared 440 SNP haplotype, and its frequency in the general Arab population is estimated to be <1:123. Our findings confirm loss of BMPER function as a cause of axial versus appendicular skeletal defects, and suggest that less deleterious mutations may be involved in milder axial skeleton abnormalities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.