bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population size of threatened and endemic birds of the Cerrado in Estação Ecológica de Itirapina, a fragmented area in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: KANEGAE MIEKO FERREIRA 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe pressures for land use change have led to an increasing isolation of habitat remnants throughout the world. The goal of this study was to estimate the population size and density of some endemic and threatened species in a nature reserve in the Cerrado biome. One hundred and thirty four point transects were undertaken at the Estação Ecológica de Itirapina (EEI), one of the last natural grassland savannah remnants in São Paulo state, in the south-east of Brazil between September and December 2006 and densities estimated for seven species (four endemic to the Cerrado, one near-endemic and two grassland specialists). Neither species reached the minimum viable population size of 500-5000 individuals. Four species, White-banded Tanager, White-rumped Tanager, Black-throated Saltator and Sharp-tailed Tyrant have populations ranging from 112 to 248 individuals, while the other species have a low population (< 60 individuals). The mean densities of Sharp-tailed Tyrant and Cock-tailed Tyrant in the EEI grassland showed similar values to those observed in larger areas of the Cerrado, which may indicate that the EEI grassland area is well conserved. In spite of the restricted size of the EEI, small areas can maintain some endemic and threatened bird populations, thus contributing to local biodiversity and the ecological processes in the region. The capacity of fragments of Cerrado (~ 2,000 ha) to maintain populations of endemic and threatened bird species is unlikely to be effective in the long term.
Market-consistent valuations and Solvency II: Implications of the recent financial crisis ‐ Summary of the London discussion
Authors: Foroughi Kamran 
Published: June 2012

This summary relates to the following paper:ForoughiKMarket-consistent valuations and Solvency II: Implications of the recent financial crisis. British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321712000025
An executive's handbook for understanding and risk managing unit linked guarantees ‐ Abstract of the Edinburgh discussion
Authors: Maher James 
Published: June 2012

This abstract relates to the following paper:MaherJ., CorriganJ., BentleyA., and DiffeyW.An executive's handbook for understanding and risk managing unit linked guarantees. British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321712000013
Flour fortification with iron has no impact on anaemia in urban Brazilian children
Authors: Assunção Maria CF , Santos Iná S , Barros Aluísio JD , Gigante Denise P , Victora Cesar G 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo verify the impact of flour fortification on anaemia in Brazilian children. The survey also investigated the role of Fe deficiency as a cause of anaemia and estimated the bioavailability of the Fe in the children's diet. This local study was complemented by a nationwide survey of the types of Fe compounds added to flour.DesignSeries of population-based surveys conducted in 2004 (baseline study), 2005, 2006 and 2008.SettingPelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.SubjectsChildren under 6 years of age residing in the urban area of the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil (n 507 in 2004; n 960 in 2005; n 893 in 2006; n 799 in 2008). In 2008, a sub-sample of children (n 114) provided venous blood samples to measure body Fe reserve parameters (ferritin and transferrin saturation).ResultsWe found no impact of fortification, with an increase in anaemia prevalence among children under 24 months of age. Hb levels decreased by 0·9 g/dl in this age group between 2004 and 2008 (10·9 g/dl to 10·0 g/dl; P < 0·001). Roughly 50 % of cases of anaemia were estimated to be due to Fe deficiency. Half of the mills surveyed used reduced Fe to fortify wheat flour. Total Fe intake from all foodstuffs was adequate for 88·6 % of the children, but its bioavailability was only 5 %.ConclusionsThe low bioavailability of the Fe compounds added to flours, combined with the poor quality of children's diets, account for the lack of impact of mandatory fortification.
Soil fertility and crop growth under poultry/crop integration
Authors: Hilimire Kathleen , Gliessman Stephen R. , Muramoto Joji 
Published: June 2012

AbstractInnovative sources of soil fertility are of utmost importance to growers in light of rising fertilizer costs and environmental concerns. Integrating livestock and crop production is one channel by which agricultural practitioners can enhance soil fertility. For this research, soil fertility was analyzed in pastured poultry/crop agroecosystems to determine whether free-ranging birds and pasture could be used to replace or supplement non-manure-based fertilizers. Soils from adjacent cropped areas were compared to plots with a recent history of pastured poultry use on two farms, and crop plants were grown in each type of soil in a replicated greenhouse experiment. Spatial variation in soil fertility was also assessed relative to location of poultry coops. Pastured poultry plots had elevated soil total C, total N, NH4+–N, NO3−–N, Olsen P, exchangeable K, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity relative to the control of typically managed organic farm soils without pastured animal inputs. These soil fertility changes conferred greater biomass and height to sunflowers and beans grown in these soils relative to control soils for most treatments. Results suggest that pastured poultry can effectively fertilize soil for certain crops but that a need exists for more research into (1) phosphorus management and (2) ensuring a spatially uniform distribution of manure.
CATEGORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS OR HOW TO PROVIDE FOUNDATIONS FORABSTRACTMATHEMATICS
Authors: MARQUIS JEAN-PIERRE 
Published: June 2012

AbstractFeferman’s argument presented in 1977 seemed to block any possibility for category theory to become a serious contender in the foundational game. According to Feferman, two obstacles stand in the way: one logical and the other psychological. We address both obstacles in this paper, arguing that although Feferman’s argument is indeed convincing in a certain context, it can be dissolved entirely by modifying the context appropriately.
Consistent estimates from satellites and models for the first aerosol indirect forcing
Authors: Penner Joyce E. , Zhou Cheng , Xu Li 
Published: June 2012

Satellite‐based estimates for the aerosol indirect forcing are consistently smaller than those from models due, in part, to the use of present‐day results that do not capture the temporal changes between present day and pre‐industrial conditions. Here, we use results from a coupled aerosol‐climate model to pick regions and seasons that are sufficiently pristine to represent pre‐industrial conditions. Then we use results from MODIS and CERES to estimate the forcing between present and pre‐industrial conditions. The estimated forcing in the North Pacific Ocean region ranges from −1.8 to −2.2 Wm−2 from observations. This range is similar to our modeled forcing for this region, −2.65 Wm−2, but is smaller than the modeled forcing using the same methodology as that used with the satellite observations, −3.6 W/m2. Nevertheless, a previous estimate based on satellite observations was a factor of 10 smaller, −0.2 to −0.5 Wm−2. Results demonstrate that while the estimated forcing from models may be somewhat larger than estimates based on satellite data, a judicious choice of analysis methods, yields results that are much closer than previous satellite and model‐based comparisons.
AMP-activated protein kinase: new regulation, new roles?
Authors: Carling David , Thornton Claire , Woods Angela , Sanders Matthew J. 
Published: June 2012

The hydrolysis of ATP drives virtually all of the energy-requiring processes in living cells. A prerequisite of living cells is that the concentration of ATP needs to be maintained at sufficiently high levels to sustain essential cellular functions. In eukaryotic cells, the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) cascade is one of the systems that have evolved to ensure that energy homoeostasis is maintained. AMPK is activated in response to a fall in ATP, and recent studies have suggested that ADP plays an important role in regulating AMPK. Once activated, AMPK phosphorylates a broad range of downstream targets, resulting in the overall effect of increasing ATP-producing pathways whilst decreasing ATP-utilizing pathways. Disturbances in energy homoeostasis underlie a number of disease states in humans, e.g. Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer. Reflecting its key role in energy metabolism, AMPK has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. In the present review we examine the recent progress aimed at understanding the regulation of AMPK and discuss some of the latest developments that have emerged in key areas of human physiology where AMPK is thought to play an important role.
A study of nanoellipsoids for thin-film plasmonic solar cell applications
Authors: Ji Alok , Sangita  , Sharma R P 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) support surface plasmon modes, which are used to couple light into the underlying optical modes of a semiconductor. In this paper, we investigate the suitability of localized surface plasmons to enhance the scattering efficiency of incident light from a silver nanoellipsoid and hence its absorption into silicon solar cells. Light scattering efficiency of the silver nanoellipsoid was calculated based on a quasi-static approximation. We found that the silver nanoellipsoid may be tuned to have higher scattering efficiency in the near infrared region. In this work the particle size, shape, aspect ratio and the distance of the nanoellipsoid from the substrate were varied to study their impact on light trapping in solar cells. We found that the nanoellipsoid (oblate) is more suitable to tune the resonance near the band gap of silicon as compared with a nanosphere. Calculations show that the desired resonance (around 1000 nm) can be achieved with aspect ratio lying in the domain 0.3–0.4 with a particle size of 15 nm and distance between substrate and nanoellipsoid of around 2–3 nm.
Dynamics of ionization wave splitting and merging of atmospheric-pressure plasmas in branched dielectric tubes and channels
Authors: Xiong Zhongmin , Robert Eric , Sarron Vanessa , Pouvesle Jean-Michel , Kushner Mark J 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAtmospheric-pressure fast ionization waves (FIWs) generated by nanosecond, high voltage pulses are able to propagate long distances through small diameter dielectric tubes or channels, and so deliver UV fluxes, electric fields, charged and excited species to remote locations. In this paper, the dynamics of FIW splitting and merging in a branched dielectric channel are numerically investigated using a two-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics model with radiation transport, and the results are compared with experiments. The channel consists of a straight inlet section branching 90° into a circular loop which terminates to form a second straight outlet section aligned with the inlet section. The plasma is sustained in neon gas with a trace amount of xenon at atmospheric pressure. The FIW generated at the inlet approaches the first branch point with speeds of ≈108 cm s−1, and produces a streamer at the inlet–loop junction. The induced streamer then splits into two FIW fronts, each propagating in opposite directions through half of the loop channel. The FIWs slow as they traverse the circular sections due to a shorting of the electric field by the other FIW. Approaching the loop–outlet junction, the two FIW fronts nearly come to a halt, induce another streamer which goes through further splitting and finally develops into a new FIW front. The new FIW increases in speed and plasma density propagating in the straight outlet channel. The electrical structure of the FIWs and the induced streamers during the splitting and merging processes are discussed with an emphasis on their mutual influence and their interaction with the channel wall. The FIW propagation pattern is in good agreement with experimental observations. Based on numerical and experimental investigations, a model for the splitting and merging FIWs in the branched loop channel is proposed.
Nanomechanical properties of lithiated Si nanowires probed with atomic force microscopy
Authors: Lee Hyunsoo , Shin Weonho , Choi Jang Wook , Park Jeong Young 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The nanomechanical properties of fully lithiated and pristine Si nanowires (NWs) deposited on a Si substrate were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Si NWs were synthesized using the vapour–liquid–solid process on stainless-steel substrates using an Au catalyst. Fully lithiated Si NWs were obtained using the electrochemical method, followed by drop-casting on a Si substrate. The roughness of the Si NWs, which was derived from AFM images, is greater for the lithiated Si NWs than for the pristine Si NWs. Force spectroscopy was used to study the influence of lithiation on the tip–surface adhesion force. The lithiated Si NWs revealed a smaller tip–surface adhesion force than the Si substrate by a factor of two, while the adhesion force of the Si NWs is similar to that of the Si substrate. Young's modulus, obtained from the force–distance curve, also shows that the pristine Si NWs have a relatively higher value than the lithiated Si NWs due to the elastically soft and amorphous structures of the lithiated region. These results suggest that force spectroscopy can be used to probe the degree of lithiation at nanometer scale during the charging and discharging processes.
A hybrid heterojunction with reverse rectifying characteristics fabricated by magnetron sputtered TiOx and plasma polymerized aniline structure
Authors: Sarma Bimal K , Pal Arup R , Bailung Heremba , Chutia Joyanti 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
A TiO
x
film produced by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering without substrate heating or post-deposition annealing and a plasma polymerized aniline (PPA) structure deposited in the same reactor by a radio-frequency glow discharge without the assistance of a carrier gas are used for the fabrication of a heterojunction. The gas phase discharge is investigated by a Langmuir probe and optical emission spectroscopy. The individual layers and the heterojunction are characterized for structural and optoelectronic properties. PPA has polymer-like structure and texture and is characterized by saturated–unsaturated, branched and crosslinked networks. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a slightly reduced TiO
x
surface, which exhibits near band edge luminescence. The free radicals trapped in PPA readily react with oxygen when exposed to atmosphere. The heterojunction shows reverse rectifying characteristics under dark and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The energy levels of TiO
x
and PPA might exhibit reverse band bending and electrons and holes are accumulated on both sides of the heterojunction. The charge accumulation phenomena at the interface may play a key role in the device performance of a hybrid heterojunction. The current–voltage characteristic of the heterojunction is sensitive to UV light, so the structure may be used for photo-sensing applications.
Joint estimation of habitat dynamics and species interactions: disturbance reduces co‐occurrence of non‐native predators with an endangered toad
Authors: Miller David A. W. , Brehme Cheryl S. , Hines James E. , Nichols James D. , Fisher Robert N. 
Published: June 2012

Summary1. Ecologists have long been interested in the processes that determine patterns of species occurrence and co‐occurrence. Potential short‐comings of many existing empirical approaches that address these questions include a reliance on patterns of occurrence at a single time point, failure to account properly for imperfect detection and treating the environment as a static variable.2. We fit detection and non‐detection data collected from repeat visits using a dynamic site occupancy model that simultaneously accounts for the temporal dynamics of a focal prey species, its predators and its habitat. Our objective was to determine how disturbance and species interactions affect the co‐occurrence probabilities of an endangered toad and recently introduced non‐native predators in stream breeding habitats. For this, we determined statistical support for alternative processes that could affect co‐occurrence frequency in the system.3. We collected occurrence data at stream segments in two watersheds where streams were largely ephemeral and one watershed dominated by perennial streams. Co‐occurrence probabilities of toads with non‐native predators were related to disturbance frequency, with low co‐occurrence in the ephemeral watershed and high co‐occurrence in the perennial watershed. This occurred because once predators were established at a site, they were rarely lost from the site except in cases when the site dried out. Once dry sites became suitable again, toads colonized them much more rapidly than predators, creating a period of predator‐free space.4. We attribute the dynamics to a storage effect, where toads persisting outside the stream environment during periods of drought rapidly colonized sites when they become suitable again. Our results support that even in highly connected stream networks, temporal disturbance can structure frequencies with which breeding amphibians encounter non‐native predators.5. Dynamic multi‐state occupancy models are a powerful tool for rigorously examining hypotheses about inter‐species and species–habitat interactions. In contrast to previous methods that infer dynamic processes based on static patterns in occupancy, the approach we took allows the dynamic processes that determine species–species and species–habitat interactions to be directly estimated.
Measuring ectomycorrhizal fungal dispersal: macroecological patterns driven by microscopic propagules
Authors: PEAY KABIR G. , SCHUBERT MAX G. , NGUYEN NHU H. , BRUNS THOMAS D. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDispersal plays a prominent role in most conceptual models of community assembly. However, direct measurement of dispersal across a whole community is difficult at ecologically relevant spatial scales. For cryptic organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, the scale and importance of dispersal limitation has become a major point of debate. We use an experimental island biogeographic approach to measure the effects of dispersal limitation on the ecological dynamics of an important group of plant symbionts, ectomycorrhizal fungi. We manipulated the isolation of uncolonized host seedlings across a natural landscape and used a range of molecular techniques to measure the dispersal rates of ectomycorrhizal propagules and host colonization. Some species were prolific dispersers, producing annual spore loads on the order of trillions of spores per km2. However, fungal propagules reaching host seedlings decreased rapidly with increasing distance from potential spore sources, causing a concomitant reduction in ectomycorrhizal species richness, host colonization and host biomass. There were also strong differences in dispersal ability across species, which correlated well with the predictable composition of ectomycorrhizal communities associated with establishing pine forest. The use of molecular tools to measure whole community dispersal provides a direct confirmation for a key mechanism underlying island biogeography theory and has the potential to make microbial systems a model for understanding the role of dispersal in ecological theory.
Binding of transcription factor activating protein 2 γ on the 5′‐proximal promoter region of human porcine endogenous retrovirus subgroup A receptor 2/GPR172B
Authors: Nakaya Yuki , Shimode Sayumi , Kobayashi Takeshi , Imakawa Kazuhiko , Miyazawa Takayuki 
Published: June 2012

Nakaya Y, Shimode S, Kobayashi T, Imakawa K, Miyazawa T. Binding of transcription factor activating protein 2γ on the 5′‐proximal promoter region of human porcine endogenous retrovirus subgroup A receptor 2/GPR172B. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 177–185. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background:  Xenotransplantation is one of the solutions for the shortage of organ donors, and pigs have been considered to be the most suitable animal donors. Specific pathogen‐free pigs are utilized in the xenotransplantation; however, pigs have infectious gammaretroviruses, named porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in their genome. Of them, PERV‐A and PERV‐B can infect human cells in vitro and potentially induce diseases like other gammaretroviruses. The human cellular receptors for PERV‐A were identified and named human PERV‐A receptor (HuPAR)‐1 and HuPAR‐2 (also called as GPR172A and GPR172B, respectively). We have recently reported that HuPAR‐2 expression was regulated by epigenetic modification and preferentially expressed in placenta. However, the detailed mechanisms of HuPAR‐2 expression have not been fully characterized. In this study, we analyzed molecular mechanisms associated with HuPAR‐2 transcription through the identification of transcription factors that bind to the promoter region of HuPAR‐2.Methods:  In situ hybridization was performed to identify the cells expressing HuPAR‐2 in placental tissues. Transcriptional activities were measured by dual‐luciferase reporter assay using serial deletion mutants of HuPAR‐2 5′‐flanking region. To identify the transcription factors bound to the promoter region, in silico analysis, electrophoresis mobility shift assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were conducted. The effect of the transcription factor transcription factor activator protein (TFAP)‐2γ on the promoter activities was investigated by overexpression of the factor.Results:  We identified that HuPAR‐2 was specifically expressed in villous trophoblast cells. We also identified that a region spanning from −126 to −32 had proximal promoter activities and TFAP‐2γ bound to a region spanning from −58 to −35 in vitro and in vivo. The overexpression of TFAP‐2γ also augmented the proximal promoter activity.Conclusion:  We demonstrated that TFAP‐2γ is one of the transcription factors involved in the HuPAR‐2 expression in human villous trophoblast cells. By studying transcriptional factors involved in the expression of HuPAR‐2, we may find a clue to control the potential risks caused by PERV‐A infection in xenotransplantation.
Health workforce changes and the roles of information technology associated with these changes. “The Times They Are A‐Changin' ” (Bob Dylan, 1964)
Authors: Hannan T. , Brooks P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHealthcare is considered a service profession and most of what clinicians do is manage information. Thus, information is not a necessary adjunct to care. It is care and effective patient management that require effective management of patients' clinical data. This perspective is supported by the World Health Organisation in its use of the quotation from Gonzalo Vecina Neto, head of the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency, ‘There is no health without management, and there is no management without information’.This opinion paper discusses how traditional clinical decision‐making led ‘by the doctor’ is unsustainable in the modern era and how e‐technologies will facilitate distributed effective decision‐making and new divisions of labour across the health workforce.