bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resilience in urban socioecological systems: residential water management as a driver of biodiversity
Authors: Katti Madhusudan , Schleder Bradley 
Published: January 2010

AbstractCities are unique ecosystems where human social-economic-cultural activities prominently shape the landscape, influencing the distribution and abundance of other species, and consequent patterns of biodiversity. The long-term sustainability of cities is of increasing concern as they continue to grow, straining infrastructure and pushing against natural resources constraints. A key resource is water, esp. in the more rapidly urbanizing arid regions. Understanding water management is thus critical for a deeper theoretical understanding of urban ecosystems and for effective urban policy. Landscaping and irrigation at any urban residence is a product of local geophysical/ecological conditions, homeowners’ cultural preferences, socioeconomic status, neighborhood dynamics, zoning laws, and city/state/federal regulations. Since landscape structure and water availability are key determinants of habitat for other species, urban biodiversity is strongly driven by the outcome of interactions between these variables. Yet the relative importance of ecological variables vs human socioeconomic variables in driving urban biodiversity remains poorly understood. Here we analyze data from the Fresno Bird Count, a citizen science project in California’s Central Valley, to show that spatial variation in bird diversity is best explained by a multivariate model including significant negative correlations with % building and grass cover, and positive correlations with interactions between irrigation intensity, median family income, and grass height. We discuss implications of our findings for urban water management policies in general, and for Fresno’s planned switch to metering water use in 2013. Ecological theory, conservation, and urban policy all benefit if we recognize cities as coupled socioecological systems.
Multiplexed transposon-mediated stable gene transfer in human cells
Authors: Kahlig Kristopher M. , Saridey Sai K. , Kaja Aparna , Daniels Melissa A. , George Alfred L. , Wilson Matthew H. 
Published: January 2010

Generation of cultured human cells stably expressing one or more recombinant gene sequences is a widely used approach in biomedical research, biotechnology, and drug development. Conventional methods are not efficient and have severe limitations especially when engineering cells to coexpress multiple transgenes or multiprotein complexes. In this report, we harnessed the highly efficient, nonviral, and plasmid-based
piggyBac
transposon system to enable concurrent genomic integration of multiple independent transposons harboring distinct protein-coding DNA sequences. Flow cytometry of cell clones derived from a single multiplexed transfection demonstrated approximately 60% (three transposons) or approximately 30% (four transposons) stable coexpression of all delivered transgenes with selection for a single marker transposon. We validated multiplexed
piggyBac
transposon delivery by coexpressing large transgenes encoding a multisubunit neuronal voltage-gated sodium channel (SCN1A) containing a pore-forming subunit and two accessory subunits while using two additional genes for selection. Previously unobtainable robust sodium current was demonstrated through 38 passages, suitable for use on an automated high-throughput electrophysiology platform. Cotransfection of three large (up to 10.8 kb)
piggyBac
transposons generated a heterozygous SCN1A stable cell line expressing two separate alleles of the pore-forming subunit and two accessory subunits (total of four sodium channel subunits) with robust functional expression. We conclude that the
piggyBac
transposon system can be used to perform multiplexed stable gene transfer in cultured human cells, and this technology may be valuable for applications requiring concurrent expression of multiprotein complexes.
Bioinformatics challenges for genome-wide association studies
Authors: Moore Jason H. , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Williams Scott M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMotivation: The sequencing of the human genome has made it possible to identify an informative set of &gt;1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome that can be used to carry out genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The availability of massive amounts of GWAS data has necessitated the development of new biostatistical methods for quality control, imputation and analysis issues including multiple testing. This work has been successful and has enabled the discovery of new associations that have been replicated in multiple studies. However, it is now recognized that most SNPs discovered via GWAS have small effects on disease susceptibility and thus may not be suitable for improving health care through genetic testing. One likely explanation for the mixed results of GWAS is that the current biostatistical analysis paradigm is by design agnostic or unbiased in that it ignores all prior knowledge about disease pathobiology. Further, the linear modeling framework that is employed in GWAS often considers only one SNP at a time thus ignoring their genomic and environmental context. There is now a shift away from the biostatistical approach toward a more holistic approach that recognizes the complexity of the genotype–phenotype relationship that is characterized by significant heterogeneity and gene–gene and gene–environment interaction. We argue here that bioinformatics has an important role to play in addressing the complexity of the underlying genetic basis of common human diseases. The goal of this review is to identify and discuss those GWAS challenges that will require computational methods.Contact: jason.h.moore@dartmouth.edu
Medicinal plants of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda with particular reference to their conservation
Authors: Oryema Christine , Ziraba Remigius Bukenya , Omagor Nelson , Opio Alfonse 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA medicinal plant study was carried out in eighteen parishes and 54 villages of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda. Parishes and villages were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interviews and discussions with the local people were used to obtain information on the names of the plants, their medicinal uses and conservation methods. The number of the medicinal plants species used was 180 belonging to 144 genera and 57 families of flowering plants. The major families recorded for medicinal purpose included Fabaceae (37 species), Asteraceae (26 species), Euphorbiaceae (eleven species), Vitaceae (eight species), Verbenaceae (seven species), Poaceae (six species), Solanaceae (five species), and Rubiaceae (four species). There is a need for putting in place measures to conserve these plants. Unfortunately, most of the healers or users were not interested in cultivation of the plants. The situation could worsen with the social changes and demand for land for agriculture in the district.
A low oxygen consumption pneumatic ventilator for emergency construction during a respiratory failure pandemic*
Authors: Williams D. , Flory S. , King R. , Thornton M. , Dingley J. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe UK influenza pandemic plan predicts up to 750 000 additional deaths with hospitals prioritising patients against inadequate resources. We investigated three prototype low‐cost, gas‐efficient, pneumatic ventilators in a test lung model at different compliance and rate settings. Mean (SD) oxygen consumption was 0.913 (0.198) and 1.119 (0.267) l.min−1 at tidal volumes of 500 ml and 700 ml respectively. Values of FIo2 increased marginally as lung compliance reduced, reflecting the increased ventilator workload and consequent increased enrichment of breathing gas by waste oxygen from the pneumatic mechanism. We also demonstrated that a stable nitric oxide concentration could be delivered by this design following volumetric principles. It is possible to make a gas‐efficient ventilator costing less than £200 from industrial components for use where oxygen is available at 2‐4 bar, with no pressurised air or electrical requirements. Such a device could be mass‐produced for crises characterised by an overwhelming demand for mechanical ventilation and a limited oxygen supply.
Construction of integrated genetic linkage maps of the tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) using microsatellite and AFLP markers
Authors: You E.‐M. , Liu K.‐F. , Huang S.‐W. , Chen M. , Groumellec M. L. , Fann S.‐J. , Yu H.‐T. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe linkage maps of male and female tiger shrimp (P. monodon) were constructed based on 256 microsatellite and 85 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Microsatellite markers obtained from clone sequences of partial genomic libraries, tandem repeat sequences from databases and previous publications and fosmid end sequences were employed. Of 670 microsatellite and 158 AFLP markers tested for polymorphism, 341 (256 microsatellite and 85 AFLP markers) were used for genotyping with three F1 mapping panels, each comprising two parents and more than 100 progeny. Chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit test (χ2) revealed that only 19 microsatellite and 28 AFLP markers showed a highly significant segregation distortion (P < 0.005). Linkage analysis with a LOD score of 4.5 revealed 43 and 46 linkage groups in male and female linkage maps respectively. The male map consisted of 176 microsatellite and 49 AFLP markers spaced every ∼11.2 cM, with an observed genome length of 2033.4 cM. The female map consisted of 171 microsatellite and 36 AFLP markers spaced every ∼13.8 cM, with an observed genome length of 2182 cM. Both maps shared 136 microsatellite markers, and the alignment between them indicated 38 homologous pairs of linkage groups including the linkage group representing the sex chromosome. The karyotype of P. monodon is also presented. The tentative assignment of the 44 pairs of P. monodon haploid chromosomes showed the composition of forty metacentric, one submetacentric and three acrocentric chromosomes. Our maps provided a solid foundation for gene and QTL mapping in the tiger shrimp.
Identification of target genes and pathways associated with chicken microRNA miR‐143
Authors: Trakooljul N. , Hicks J. A. , Liu H.‐C. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryMicroRNA (miRNA) is a family of small regulatory RNAs that post‐transcriptionally regulate many biological functions including growth and development. Recently, the expression of chicken miRNA miR‐143 was identified by using a deep sequencing approach. In other vertebrate species, miR‐143 functions as a regulator of adipocyte differentiation and as a tumour suppressor. However, little is known about the biological function(s) of miR‐143 in chickens. To study the functions of chicken miR‐143, DNA microarray analysis and a dual luciferase reporter assay were employed to identify genes directly targeted by miR‐143 as well as other biologically relevant genes. Microarray analysis indicated that 124 genes were differentially expressed upon in vitro anti‐miR‐143 treatment in embryonic chick splenocytes (P‐value cutoff <0.01). Many of these genes are associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumourigenesis. Six of the up‐regulated genes possess at least one potential miR‐143 binding site in their 3′UTRs, of these the binding sites of PYCR2, PSTPIP1 and PDCD5 were validated by an in vitro luciferase reporter assay. In addition, several potential targets with important biological functions were identified by the miRanda algorithm and experimentally confirmed. These targets include KLF5, MAP3K7, TARDBP and UBE2E3, which have conserved miR‐143 binding sites across multiple vertebrate species. Potential chicken specific miR‐143 target sites were also validated for LPIN1, PCK2, PYCR2, METTL14, SLC2A2 and TNFSF10. Overall, the current study suggests that miR‐143 is ubiquitously expressed among tissues and is likely to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Acute human parvovirus B19 infection and nephrotic syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Quek Lynn , Sharpe Claire , Dutt Neelanjana , Height Sue , Allman Marlene , Awogbade Moji , Rees David C , Zuckerman Mark , Thein Swee Lay 
Published: January 2010

SummaryAcute Human Parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) infection is the major cause of transient red cell aplasia (TRCA) and acute anaemia in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We report three cases of patients who developed nephrotic syndrome (NS) with chronic sequelae after initially presenting with HPV B19‐associated TRCA. There was no correlation between evidence of HPV B19 infection and impaired renal function in our cohort of adult sickle cell patients. This is consistent with a view that although NS is potentially a rare complication of symptomatic acute HPV B19 infection, exposure to HPV B19 is not associated with an increased risk of renal disease.
The effect of Phelipanche ramosa infection on the quality of tomato fruit
Authors: LONGO A M G , LO MONACO A , MAUROMICALE G 
Published: January 2010

Longo AMG, Lo Monaco A & Mauromicale G (2010). The effect of Phelipanche ramosa infection on the quality of tomato fruit. Weed Research50, 58–66.SummaryThe influence of the root holoparasite Phelipanche ramosa on the physical characteristics and chemical composition of greenhouse‐grown tomato fruits was studied over two growing seasons. The presence of the parasite significantly reduced fruit fresh and dry weight, mesocarp thickness, fruit colour, firmness and titratable acidity. The content of reducing sugars, soluble solids, ash and ascorbic acid was also reduced, but the number of seeds per fruit increased with the parasite. Since some of these traits are important determinants of fruit quality from the consumers’ point of view, it is clear that P. ramosa infection reduces the marketable value of tomato. The deterioration in fruit quality worsens over time and hence, by inference, with the intensity of the parasite infection.
Current statistical issues inWeed Research
Authors: ONOFRI A , CARBONELL E A , PIEPHO H‐P , MORTIMER A M , COUSENS R D 
Published: January 2010

OnofriA, CarbonellEA, PiephoH‐P, MortimerAM & CousensRD (2010). Current statistical issues inWeed Research.Weed Research50, 5–24.SummaryThe correct design of experimental studies, the selection of the appropriate statistical analysis of data and the efficient presentation of results are key to the good conduct and communication of science. The last Guidance for the use and presentation of statistics inWeed Researchwas published in 1988. Since then, there have been developments in both the scope of research covered by the journal and in the statistical techniques available. This paper addresses the changes in statistics and provides a reference work that will aid researchers in the design and analysis of their work. It will also provide guidance for editors and reviewers. The paper is organised into sections, which will aid the selection of relevant paragraphs, as we recognise that particular approaches require particular statistical analysis. It also uses examples, questions and checklists, so that non‐specialists can work towards the correct approach. Statistics can be complex, so knowing when to seek specialist advice is important. The structure and layout of this contribution should help weed scientists, but it cannot provide a comprehensive guide to every technique. Therefore, we provide references to further reading. We would like to reinforce the idea that statistical methods are not a set of recipes whose mindless application is required by convention; each experiment or study may involve subtleties that these guidelines cannot cover. Nevertheless, we anticipate that this paper will help weed scientists in their initial designs for research, in the analysis of data and in the presentation of results for publication.
Polyphyletic distribution of bristle formation in Chlorellaceae: Micractinium, Diacanthos, Didymogenes and Hegewaldia gen. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Pröschold Thomas , Bock Christina , Luo Wei , Krienitz Lothar 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYIn the traditional sense, several families of Chlorococcales sensu lato, such as Golenkiniaceae, Micractiniaceae, and Scenedesmaceae contained taxa with bristle formation, whereas the Chlorellaceae contained only genera without bristles. However, phylogenetic analyses of the small subunit (SSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences have shown that the genera Micractinium, Diacanthos (formerly Micractiniaceae) and Didymogenes (formerly Scenedesmaceae) are closely related to the genus Chlorella. The bristle formation within the Chlorella‐clade is originated independently in four lineages: Micractinium pusillum, Diacanthos belenophorus, Didymogenes anomala, and Micractinium parvulum (also known as Golenkinia minutissima). The latter species is to exclude from the genus Micractinium. Consequently, we proposed the new genus Hegewaldia and transferred M. parvulum to this genus. In contrast, Diacanthos belenophorus is closely related to Micractinium pusillum. As a result, the new combination (Micractinium belenophorum comb. nov.) is proposed. Comparisons of the secondary structure of ITS‐1 and ITS‐2 rDNA sequences among the strains of Didymogenes and Hegewaldia are provided to support the species concept in these genera.
First record ofPalisada maris‐rubri(Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea along with three proposed transfers to the genusPalisada
Authors: Serio Donatella , Cormaci Mario , Furnari Giovanni , Boisset Fernando 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYThe first occurrence ofPalisada maris‐rubri(K.W. NametSaito) K.W. Nam (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae) from the Mediterranean Sea, is reported. To date the species was known only from tetrasporic specimens from the type locality (Ras Muhammed, Sinai, Egypt, Red Sea). Mediterranean thalli share nearly all vegetative and reproductive features with Red Sea specimens showing more robust thalli with axes to 3 mm broad and ultimate branchlets to 1000 µm broad, absence of intercellular spaces between medullary cells and epidermal cells in transverse section with a palisade arrangement. Male and cystocarpic thalli are recorded for the first time. Moreover, the analysis of characters of three species ofChondrophycuspreviously known from the Mediterranean Sea (C. patentirameus(Montagne) K.W. Nam,C. tenerrimus(Cremades) G. Furnariet al.andC. thuyoides(Kützing) G. Furnari) led us to conclude that they belong to the genusPalisada. The following new combinations are formally proposed:P. patentiramea(Montagne) Serioet al., P. thuyoides(Kützing) Serioet al., P. tenerrima(Cremades) Serioet al.
Seasonal variation of phlorotannin in sargassacean species from the coast of the Sea of Japan
Authors: Kamiya Mitsunobu , Nishio Takeshi , Yokoyama Asami , Yatsuya Kousuke , Nishigaki Tomokazu , Yoshikawa Shinya , Ohki Kaori 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYVariations in phlorotannin concentrations among the developmental stages of brown algae have been reported; however, the phlorotannin concentration plasticity associated with fluctuations in environmental factors make it difficult to determine the essential ontogenetic variation. The phlorotannin concentrations in five perennial sargassacean species where newly sprouted branches appear in summer and become fertile the following spring were examined every month during a year; and correlation with the developmental or seasonal environmental factors was determined. Although the phlorotannin fluctuated greatly throughout the year, the fluctuation patterns were relatively similar among the five species: phlorotannin showed a peak during July and August; gradually decreased in the winter; and increased in April. Performing a multiple regression analysis, the phlorotannin concentration did not correlate with thallus size in all species; and phlorotannin amounts were significantly affected by ambient abiotic factors in some species. The phlorotannin contents in newly sprouted branches were always higher than those in the long main branches during all seasons. When the phlorotannin contents were determined monthly for S. fulvellum (Turner) C. Agardh where the thalli were cultured from embryos in outdoor tanks, the phlorotannin concentrations were 3–4% of the dry matter (DM) in the juveniles and decreased to less than 1% of the DM in thalli >7.5 cm in length. However, the phlorotannin in these cultured thalli suddenly increased to 5.3% DM after being transplanted to the inshore coast; and then the concentration gradually decreased. The data show higher phlorotannin concentrations in younger sargassacean algae thalli and fluctuation of the phlorotannin amounts with extrinsic environmental factors.
Minimally invasive surgery using ablative modalities for the localized renal mass
Authors: Kimura Masaki , Baba Shiro , Polascik Thomas J 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDue to a number of evolving devices and modalities to treat the small, localized renal mass, the physician and patient have the opportunity to choose an appropriate therapy from several treatment options. Minimally invasive surgery to ablate a localized renal tumor is an alternative strategy to nephron‐sparing surgery for the small renal mass. Even though partial nephrectomy has been established as an optimal technique for nephron‐sparing surgery, patients who have comorbidities and renal insufficiency would potentially benefit from less invasive treatment. With respect to those concerns, several articles are discussed here regarding thermal ablative therapy for the small renal mass along with oncological outcomes and complications among these modalities compared to conventional procedures. In this review, a comprehensive PubMed search was conducted. For the purposes of reviewing the current status of thermal ablative modalities for the small renal mass, only articles written in English published from 1992 to 2009 were considered. Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation are the most utilized and potentially promising therapies that are evolving as nephron‐sparing minimally invasive surgery for patients with a localized renal tumor. High‐intensity focused ultrasound, a relatively new modality to treat the renal mass, needs further study. All modalities require long‐term follow up with unified reporting methods in terms of patient selection, pre‐ and post‐treatment evaluation, treatment description, and analysis of outcome.
Service user involvement in undergraduate mental health nursing in New Zealand
Authors: Schneebeli Carole , O'Brien Anthony , Lampshire Debra , Hamer Helen P. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a service user role in the mental health component of an undergraduate nursing programme in New Zealand. The paper provides a background to mental health nursing education in New Zealand and discusses the implications of recent reforms in the mental health sector. The undergraduate nursing programme at the University of Auckland has a strong commitment to service user involvement. The programme aims to educate nurses to be responsive and skilful in meeting the mental health needs of service users in all areas of the health sector and to present mental health nursing as an attractive option for nurses upon graduation. We outline the mental health component of the programme, with an emphasis on the development of the service user role. In the second half of the paper, we present a summary of responses to a student satisfaction questionnaire. The responses indicate that the service user role is an important element of the programme and is well received by a substantial proportion of students. We consider the implications for nursing education and for recruitment into mental health nursing. Finally, we discuss some issues related to service user involvement in the development of new models of mental health service delivery.