bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term trends of heron and egret populations in Italy, and the effects of climate, human‐induced mortality, and habitat on population dynamics
Authors: Fasola Mauro , Rubolini Diego , Merli Enrico , Boncompagni Eleonora , Bressan Umberto 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFactors affecting bird population dynamics include climate, harvesting by humans, and habitat changes. Here, we describe the long‐term (1972–2006) population trends of seven heron species in NW Italy, an area holding important European breeding populations of these species. Grey (Ardea cinerea), purple (Ardeapurpurea), and squacco (Ardeola ralloides) herons, and little egrets (Egretta garzetta) exhibited a strong logistic increase, leveling off around year 2000 at 3–23 times their initial level. Black‐crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) began by increasing like the former species but then dropped to initial levels. Such trends were found to be influenced by several candidate ecological factors, as assessed by ARIMA models. Specifically, grey herons increased following a decrease in human‐induced mortality, as quantified by an index of hunting pressure, and an increase in winter temperatures. Little egrets increased mainly with the increase of the extent of ricefields, whereas squacco herons increased with increasing rainfall in the African wintering range. Black‐crowned night herons were also positively affected by increasing African rainfall, but only during 1972–1988, whereas in later years competition with other herons could have affected the species’ decline. The improved protection of colony sites by special reserves was unlikely to be the primary trigger of the observed increase, although obviously important for the long‐term population persistence. In conclusion, our study shows that heron populations of southern Europe are sensitive to environmental and climatic changes, as well as to temporal variation in human disturbance and changes in foraging habitats, though the importance of the different factors differs among species.
Synthesis of Tapered CdS Nanobelts and CdSe Nanowires with Good Optical Property by Hydrogen-Assisted Thermal Evaporation
Authors: Wang Min , Fei Guang Tao 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires were prepared by hydrogen-assisted thermal evaporation method. Different supersaturation leads to two different kinds of 1D nanostructures. The PL measurements recorded from the as-prepared tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires show only a bandgap emission with relatively narrow full-width half maximum, which means that they possess good optical property. The as-synthesized high-quality tapered CdS nanobelts and CdSe nanowires may be excellent building blocks for photonic devices.
Comparative Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions in Cancer-Associated Genes
Authors: Guda Purnima , Chittur Sridar V. , Guda Chittibabu 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have been widely studied to understand the biological processes or molecular functions associated with different disease systems like cancer. While focused studies on individual cancers have generated valuable information, global and comparative analysis of datasets from different cancer types has not been done. In this work, we carried out bioinformatic analysis of PPIs corresponding to differentially expressed genes from microarrays of various tumor tissues (belonging to bladder, colon, kidney and thyroid cancers) and compared their associated biological processes and molecular functions (based on Gene Ontology terms). We identified a set of processes or functions that are common to all these cancers, as well as those that are specific to only one or partial cancer types. Similarly, protein interaction networks in nucleic acid metabolism were compared to identify the common/specific clusters of proteins across different cancer types. Our results provide a basis for further experimental investigations to study protein interaction networks associated with cancer. The methodology developed in this work can also be applied to study similar disease systems.
Role of Positive Selection Pressure on the Evolution of H5N1 Hemagglutinin
Authors: Duvvuri Venkata R.S.K. , Duvvuri Bhargavi , Cuff Wilfred R. , Wu Gillian E. , Wu Jianhong 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) helps the influenza A virus to evade the host immune system by antigenic variation and is a major driving force for viral evolution. In this study, the selection pressure on HA of H5N1 influenza A virus was analyzed using bioinformatics algorithms. Most of the identified positive selection (PS) sites were found to be within or adjacent to epitope sites. Some of the identified PS sites are consistent with previous experimental studies, providing further support to the biological significance of our findings. The highest frequency of PS sites was observed in recent strains isolated during 2005–2007. Phylogenetic analysis was also conducted on HA sequences from various hosts. Viral drift is almost similar in both avian and human species with a progressive trend over the years. Our study reports new mutations in functional regions of HA that might provide markers for vaccine design or can be used to predict isolates of pandemic potential.
In vivo metabolic tracking of 14C-radiolabelled isoflavones in kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) extracts
Authors: Mun Jonathan G. , Grannan Michael D. , Lachcik Pamela J. , Reppert Adam , Yousef Gad G. , Rogers Randy B. , Janle Elsa M. , Weaver Connie M. , Lila Mary Ann 
Published: July 2009

Absorption, distribution and elimination of 14C-labelled isoflavone-containing extracts from kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root culture and red clover (Trifolium pratense) cell culture were investigated in an in vivo rat model. The predominant isoflavones in the kudzu extract were the glycosides puerarin, daidzin and malonyl daidzin, while in the red clover extract, the major isoflavones were formononetin and its derivatives, genistein and biochanin A, with radioactivities of 3·770 and 7·256 MBq/g, respectively. Male Sprague–Dawley rats, implanted with a jugular catheter and a subcutaneous ultrafiltrate probe, were orally administered with 14C-labelled isoflavone extracts from either kudzu or clover cell cultures. Serum, interstitial fluid (ISF), urine and faeces were collected using a Culex® Automated Blood Collection System for 24 h. Analysis of bone tissues revealed that radiolabel accumulated in the femur, tibia and vertebrae at 0·04, 0·03 and 0·01 % of the administered dose, respectively, in both kudzu and red clover treatments. The liver accumulated the greatest concentration of radiolabel among the tissues tested, at 1·99 and 1·54 % of the administered kudzu and red clover extracts, respectively. Serum and ISF analysis showed that both extracts were rapidly absorbed, distributed in various tissues, and largely eliminated in the urine and faeces. Urine and faeces contained 8·53 and 9·06 % of the kudzu dose, respectively, and 3·60 and 5·64 % of the red clover dose, respectively. Serum pharmacokinetics suggest that extracts from kudzu may undergo enterohepatic circulation.
The failure to discriminate: superparasitism ofTrichoplusia niHübner by a generalist tachinid parasitoid
Authors: Caron V. , Myers J.H. , Gillespie D.R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractParasitoids are dependent on their hosts, which provide all of the resources for larval development. Parasitoid fitness, therefore, is directly related to the host quality, as determined by host size, age and health (e.g. parasitisation status); and this can only be assessed by the female parasitoid during host selection. Most studies of parasitoid-host interactions have focused on hymenopteran parasitoids rather than dipterans that are believed to be less discriminating during host selection. We assessed the impact of host quality and superparasitism on parasitoid fitness inCompsilura concinnataMeigen, a gregarious tachinid dipteran parasitoid, and its lepidopteran host the cabbage looper,Trichoplusia niHübner.FemaleC. concinnataparasitised all host stages ofT. nithat were presented to them, but emergence rates were higher from older hosts. Females readily superparasitised hosts. The number of flies emerging was higher from hosts parasitised at later instars, and flies emerged earlier from heavily superparasitised hosts. Superparasitism decreased parasitoid pupal weight and development time, indicating intra-host competition between parasitoid larvae and skewed the parasitoid sex ratio in favour of males.Host discrimination does not seem to be well developed inC. concinnata. Hosts are superparasitised despite the effects of superparasitism on offspring and sex ratio. This could be due to the wide host range ofC. concinnata; avoiding high superparasitism could occur naturally due to host switching and, therefore, developing host discrimination mechanisms for one host species may not be crucial.
Molecular signature of epistatic selection: interrogating genetic interactions in thesex-ratiomeiotic drive ofDrosophila simulans
Authors: CHEVIN LUIS-MIGUEL , BASTIDE HÉLOÏSE , MONTCHAMP-MOREAU CATHERINE , HOSPITAL FRÉDÉRIC 
Published: July 2009

SummaryFine scale analyses of signatures of selection allow assessing quantitative aspects of a species' evolutionary genetic history, such as the strength of selection on genes. When several selected loci lie in the same genomic region, their epistatic interactions may also be investigated. Here, we study how the neutral polymorphism pattern was shaped by two close recombining loci that cause ‘sex-ratio’ meiotic drive inDrosophila simulans, as an example of strong selection with potentially strong epistasis. We compare the polymorphism data observed in a natural population with the results of forward stochastic simulations under several contexts of epistasis between the candidate loci for the drive. We compute the likelihood of different possible scenarios, in order to determine which configuration is most consistent with the data. Our results highlight that fine scale analyses of well-chosen candidate genomic regions provide information-rich data that can be used to investigate the genotype–phenotype–fitness map, which can hardly be studied in genome-wide analyses. We also emphasize that initial conditions and time of observation (here, time after the interruption of a partial selective sweep) are crucial parameters in the interpretation of real data, while these are often overlooked in theoretical studies.
Correlation measures for linkage disequilibrium within and between populations
Authors: SVED J. A. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryCorrelation statistics can be used to measure the amount of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between two loci in subdivided populations. Within populations, the square of the correlation of gene frequencies,r2, is a convenient measure of LD. Between populations, the statisticrirj, for populationsiandj, measures the relatedness of LD. Recurrence relationships for these two parameters are derived for the island model of population subdivision, under the assumptions of the linked identity-by-descent (LIBD) model in which correlation measures are equated to probability measures. The recurrence relationships closely predict the build-up ofr2andrirjfollowing population subdivision in computer simulations. The LIBD model predicts that a steady state will be reached withr2equal to 1/[1+4Nec(1+(k−1)ρ)], wherekis the number of island populations,Neis the effective local population (island) size, and ρ measures the ratio of migration (m) to recombination (c) and is equal tom/[c(k−1)+m]. For low values ofm/c, ρ=0, andE(r2) is equal to 1/(1+4Nec). For high values ofm/c, ρ=1, andE(r2) is equal to 1/(1+4kNec). The value ofrirjfollowing separation eventually settles down to a steady state whose expectation,E(rirj), is equal toE(r2) multiplied by ρ. Equations predicting the change inrirjvalues are applied to the separation of African (Yoruba – YRI) and non-African (European – CEU) populations, using data from Hapmap. The primary data lead to an estimate of separation time of less than 1000 generations if there has been no migration, which is around one-third of minimum current estimates. Ancient rather than recent migration can explain the form of the data.
Bayesian prediction of breeding values by accounting for genotype-by-environment interaction in self-pollinating crops
Authors: BAUER A. M. , HOTI F. , REETZ T. C. , SCHUH W.-D. , LÉON J. , SILLANPÄÄ M. J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn self-pollinating populations, individuals are characterized by a high degree of inbreeding. Additionally, phenotypic observations are highly influenced by genotype-by-environment interaction effects. Usually, Bayesian approaches to predict breeding values (in self-pollinating crops) omit genotype-by-environment interactions in the statistical model, which may result in biased estimates. In our study, a Bayesian Gibbs sampling algorithm was developed that is adapted to the high degree of inbreeding in self-pollinated crops and accounts for interaction effects between genotype and environment. As related lines are supposed to show similar genotype-by-environment interaction effects, an extended genetic relationship matrix is included in the Bayesian model. Additionally, since the coefficient matrixCin the mixed model equations can be characterized by rank deficiencies, the pseudoinverse ofCwas calculated by using the nullspace, which resulted in a faster computation time. In this study, field data of spring barley lines and data of a ‘virtual’ parental population of self-pollinating crops, generated by computer simulation, were used. For comparison, additional breeding values were predicted by a frequentist approach. In general, standard Bayesian Gibbs sampling and a frequentist approach resulted in similar estimates if heritability of the regarded trait was high. For low heritable traits, the modified Bayesian model, accounting for relatedness between lines in genotype-by-environment interaction, was superior to the standard model.
Embryonic development and protein content of the embryos and intracapsular liquid of Melongena melongena (Caenogastropoda: Melongenidae)
Authors: Noriega Nicida , Miloslavich Patricia 
Published: July 2009

Eggs of Melongena melongena develop inside round, flat egg capsules which contain a gelatinous intracapsular fluid. To determine if this gel represents a nutritional source for the developing embryos, we measured the amount of proteins of the embryos throughout their development from the egg to the hatching stage as well as the protein content of the intracapsular liquid at the same stages of development. Egg capsules of M. melongena were collected at Golfete de Cuare, Venezuela between 1–2 m depth. Uncleaved eggs measured 352–480 μm and contained 8–15 μg of protein/egg. This amount of protein was not significantly different at the trochophore, veliger and pediveliger stages, however, it decreased significantly at the hatching stage to 6 μg/hatchling. About 95–98% of the eggs develop to the hatching stage, the remaining 2–5% remain intact in the egg capsule. Hatching takes place as a pediveliger measuring around 720 μm in shell length. The protein concentration of the intracapsular liquid was 0.18 μg/μl at the egg stage and it reached 0.13 μg/μl at the prehatching stage; however, the total amount of protein in the intracapsular fluid was not significantly different throughout the development from one stage to another. Results indicate that embryos of M. melongena use neither the intracapsular liquid as an extraembryonic food source, nor nurse eggs.
Clinical psychopharmacology: some current problems
Authors: Lader M. H. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYSome current problems in clinical psychopharmacology are examined and pharmacological approaches towards their elucidation outlined and discussed. Particular topics reviewed include the concepts of potency and maximum effect, the balance between wanted and unwanted effects, and the problems of heterogeneity and variability as they apply to patients and their responses to psychotropic drugs. Types of methods for the assessment of drug effects are listed and the growing importance and relevance of pharmacokinetic studies stressed. A more general and intensive use of the pharmacological approach is urged in order to acquire much-needed basic data on psychotropic drug action in man.
Comparison of bulimic and non-bulimic anorexia nervosa patients during treatment
Authors: Eckert Elke D. , Halmi Katherine A. , Marchi Peggy , Cohen Jacob 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisBulimic and non-bulimic anorexics were compared on psychological variables during a hospital treatment study. Although before treatment bulimic anorexics displayed more overall psychopathology than non-bulimics, many of the differences disappeared with treatment. There was no difference in severity of depression or body size estimation in these groups both before and with treatment. There was no difference in treatment response as measured by rate of weight gain. More expression of discomfort by bulimic anorexics during the acute phase of illness may in part account for some described differences in these two groups.
Relationship of skin conductance activity to clinical features in obsessive-compulsive ritualizers
Authors: Lelliott P. T. , Noshirvani H. F. , Marks I. M. , Monteiro W. O. , Basoglu M. , Cohen S. D. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisBefore treatment 49 obsessive-compulsive (o-c) ritualizers were presented with two series of brief stimuli – 15, 100db tones (brief neutral) and 15 presentations of a ritual-evoking object (brief aversive). Habituation of skin conductance (SC) responses to the tones was reduced compared with that previously found in normal subjects. Neither habituation rates to tones nor aversive stimuli were related to coexisting anxiety or depression or to the severity of o-c symptoms. The increased arousal induced by the aversive stimuli was sustained, that induced by the tones was short-lived and SC level and subjective anxiety had returned to resting levels by the end of the tone series. Concordance between SC activity and subjective anxiety was much greater during and after the presentations of ritual evoking stimuli than of tones. There were few correlations between SC and clinical measures, though patients who strongly resisted and were able to control their compulsive urges were more aroused.
Depression and disability in Parkinson's disease: a follow-up of 132 cases
Authors: Brown R. G. , Maccarthy B. , Gotham A.-M. , Der G. J. , Marsden C. D. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisPatients with Parkinson's disease, 132 in number, were followed up after approximately one year, and measures of depression and disability re-administered. Depression was common on both occasions, and was characterized by dysphoria, pessimism and somatic symptoms, but not guilt or self-blame. Depression and disability were associated on both occasions. The relationship between changes in disability and depression across time was complex. In trying to understand changes in depression, the absolute change in disability may be less important than the relative change and rate of change. The results were discussed in relation to findings from other disease groups, and the implications for the clinical management of depression in Parkinson's disease.
Suicide, age and marital status
Authors: Kreitman Norman 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA new data set concerning suicide in relation to marital status for Scotland, 1973–83, is presented. The effects of age-standardization on marital status rates and of marital status standardization on age-specific rates are both elucidated. The difficulties of drawing conclusions from marital status rates for suicide are outlined. Nevertheless, the data suggest that the importance of the widowed state has been underestimated and that it appears that the relative risk for suicide associated with divorce has probably been decreasing among Scottish men over the study period.
Anorexia nervosa: a psychiatric case register study from Aberdeen
Authors: Szmukler George , McCance Colin , McCrone Lesley , Hunter David 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe results of an examination of the 238 cases of anorexia nervosa on the Aberdeen Psychiatric Case Register for the period 1965–82 are reported. A highly significant increase in the number of cases over time was found. The average annual incidence rate for the period 1978–82 was 4·06 per 100000 population. The case notes of every second patient on the register were inspected to assess diagnostic reliability, to define patient characteristics further and to look for changes in these over time. The diagnosis was highly suspect in 5% of cases. A social class bias was found, with an over-representation of classes I and II but an under-representation of social class III. Few significant changes were noted in the patients over time. The utilization of services was also examined, and it was found that 24% of the patients remained in contact for 4 years or more.
Controlled and automatic information processing in senile dementia: a review
Authors: Jorm A. F. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe evidence on cognitive decline in senile dementia is reviewed with respect to the distinction between controlled and automatic processing. It is argued that controlled processing, which requires the attentional resources of the individual, declines in early senile dementia. However, automatic processing, which does not require attentional resources, is well maintained until late in the disorder. Implications of this view are drawn for the development of effective screening instruments which can be used for the early detection of dementia in the general population.
Transmissible and non-transmissible neurodegenerative disease: similarities in age of onset and genetics in relation to aetiology
Authors: Ridley R. M. , Baker H. F. , Crow T. J. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn only a few cases is transmissible dementia known to have been acquired by infection from a source outside the individual; the remaining cases can be classified as sporadic, loosely familial, or autosomal dominant. Each group has a characteristic mean age of onset. A range of neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer-type dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) can also be classified in this way, with similar characteristic mean ages of onset. The emergence of these diseases in later middle age, and the interdependence of age of onset and the type of familial occurrence suggest that these pathological processes are related to those genetic mechanisms which determine senescence. It is argued that the majority of cases of transmissible dementia arise, not from infection, but from the expression of endogenous virogene sequences as part of the aging processes.
Computerized tomographic scan changes in early schizophrenia – preliminary findings
Authors: Turner Stuart W. , Toone Brian K. , Brett-Jones Jane R. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThirty patients who fulfilled DSM–III criteria for schizophrenia but who were within 2 years of presentation were compared with 26 age–matched normal volunteers with respect to CT scan appearances. In the index group the ventricle–brain ratio (VBR) was significantly greater. The VBR values were positively correlated with average alcohol intake and with early physical trauma, and negatively correlated with a family history of schizophrenia. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the present uncertainty about the meaning of CT scan findings in schizophrenia.