bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel microwave–freeze drying of onion slices
Authors: Abbasi Soleiman , Azari Sara 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe present study aimed to introduce the capability of a novel dehydration technique. To do so, slices with various thicknesses (3.5 and 7 mm) of white onions were dried using commercial freeze drier (abs. pressure 0.005 mbar, temp. 45 °C), our own designed microwave‐vacuum drier (abs. pressure down to 300 mbar) under various microwave powers (120–1200 W) and microwave‐vacuum–freeze drier (onion slices kept at −20 °C for 2 h). Then, their dehydration rates and some quality parameters, such as rehydration ratio, colour (L*, a* and b*) and micro‐structure were investigated. Our findings showed that microwave‐vacuum–freeze drier is practically a rapid, simple, efficient, economic and novel dehydration technique which can be used for dehydration of mainly foodstuffs. The quality properties of slices produced by this novel method were also completely comparable and competitive with commercial freeze drier with over 96% saving on processing time and enormous amount on energy and capital investments.
Significance of summer fog and overcast for drought stress and ecological functioning of coastal California endemic plant species
Authors: Fischer Douglas T. , Still Christopher J. , Williams A. Park 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim Fog drip is a crucial water source for plants in many ecosystems, including a number of global biodiversity hotspots. In California, dozens of rare, drought‐sensitive plant species are endemic to coastal areas where the dominant summer moisture source is fog. Low clouds that provide water to these semi‐arid ecosystems through fog drip can also sharply reduce evaporative water losses by providing shade. We quantified the relative hydrological importance of cloud shading vs. fog drip. We then examined how both factors influence the range dynamics of an apparently fog‐dependent plant species spanning a small‐scale cloud gradient.Location The study area is on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of southern California. It is near the southern range limit of bishop pine (Pinus muricataD. Don), a tree endemic to the coasts of California and Baja, Mexico.Methods We measured climate across a pine stand along a 7 km, coastal–inland elevation transect. Short‐term (1–5 years) monitoring and remote sensing data revealed strong climatic gradients driven primarily by cloud cover. Long‐term (102 years) effects of these gradients were estimated using a water balance model.Results We found that shade from persistent low clouds near the coast reduced annual drought stress by 22–40% compared with clearer conditions further inland. Fog drip at higher elevations provided sufficient extra water to reduce annual drought stress by 20–36%. Sites located at both high elevation and nearer the coast were subject to both effects. Together, these effects reduced average annual drought stress by 56% and dramatically reduced the frequency of severe drought over the last century. At lower elevation (without appreciable fog drip) and also near the inland edge of the stand (with less cloud shading) severe droughts episodically kill most pine recruits, thereby limiting the local range of this species.Main conclusions Persistent cloud shading can influence hydrology as much as fog drip in cloud‐affected ecosystems. Understanding the patterns of both cloud shading and fog drip and their respective impacts on ecosystem water budgets is necessary to fully understand past species range shifts and to anticipate future climate change‐induced range shifts in fog‐dependent ecosystems.
A hawkmoth crossroads? Species richness, seasonality and biogeographical affinities of Sphingidae in a Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Amorim Felipe W. , DeÁvila Jr Rubem S. , De Camargo Amabílio J. A. , Vieira Antenor L. , Oliveira Paulo E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim  The aim of the study was (1) to describe the biodiversity of the sphingid assemblage in a Cerrado area in the Triângulo Mineiro region, south‐east of Brazil; (2) to evaluate the seasonal variations in species composition; (3) to compare the faunistic relationships between the Cerrado biome and adjacent ecosystems; and (4) to analyse the biogeographical pattern of species distribution in the Neotropical region in a historical context.Location  Panga Ecological Station (PES), 30 km south of the city of Uberlândia, and other areas of the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais state, south‐eastern Brazil.Methods  Moth richness and abundance were monitored monthly at the PES from August 2003 to July 2004, with additional collections at this locality in 2001/2002, 2005 and 2006. Complementary moth richness and abundance data were also collected in other areas of the Triângulo Mineiro region. All collections were made using light traps, and the hawkmoths were mounted and identified. Cluster analysis, rarefaction curves and estimators of total species richness were used to compare the Cerrado hawkmoth assemblage with assemblages derived from other surveys in the Neotropics.Results  In total, 61 hawkmoth species were recorded for the study region and their occurrence was markedly seasonal. The hawkmoth assemblage in the study area presented the closest similarity with rain forest areas and with a tropical dry forest area in Central America. The area shared species with both rain forest and seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) ecosystems, including supposedly endemic species previously recorded only in the latter areas. Rarefaction curves and estimators of the total number of species showed species richness to be comparable with other highly diverse forest areas in the Neotropics, such as the Brazilian Amazon and Costa Rica.Main conclusions  This short‐term study is the first systematic survey of hawkmoths in the Cerrado. It has recorded around 22% of the South American fauna and highlighted the high species richness of the region, which compares favourably with that in other rain forest ecosystems. The survey indicates high regional diversity, and has shown that the Cerrado harbours a hawkmoth fauna comprising both rain forest elements, probably distributed along humid gallery forest corridors, and SDTF elements, supporting the idea of a historical Pleistocene arc connecting the Caatinga domain and other seasonal dry forest areas across the Cerrado region.
A comparative neuropsychological test battery differentiates cognitive signatures of Fragile X and Down syndrome
Authors: Kogan C. S. , Boutet I. , Cornish K. , Graham G. E. , Berry‐Kravis E. , Drouin A. , Milgram N. W. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  Standardised neuropsychological and cognitive measures present some limitations in their applicability and generalisability to individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Alternative approaches to defining the cognitive signatures of various forms of ID are needed to advance our understanding of the profiles of strengths and weaknesses as well as the affected brain areas.Aim  To evaluate the utility and feasibility of six non‐verbal comparative neuropsychological (CN) tasks administered in a modified version of the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus (WGTA) to confirm and extend our knowledge of unique cognitive signatures of Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Down syndrome (DS).Method  A test battery of CN tasks adapted from the animal literature was administered in a modified WGTA. Tasks were selected that have established or emerging brain–behaviour relationships in the domains of visual‐perceptual, visual‐spatial, working memory and inhibition.Results  Despite the fact that these tasks revealed cognitive signatures for the two ID groups, only some hypotheses were supported. Results suggest that whereas individuals with DS were relatively impaired on visual‐perceptual and visual‐spatial reversal learning tasks they showed strengths in egocentric spatial learning and object discrimination tasks. Individuals with FXS were relatively impaired on object discrimination learning and reversal tasks, which was attributable to side preferences. In contrast, these same individuals exhibited strengths in egocentric spatial learning and reversal tasks as well as on an object recognition memory task. Both ID groups demonstrated relatively poor performance for a visual‐spatial working memory task.Conclusion  Performance on the modified WGTA tasks differentiated cognitive signatures between two of the most common forms of ID. Results are discussed in the context of the literature on the cognitive and neurobiological features of FXS and DS.
Sympathetic and cardiovascular activity during cataplexy in narcolepsy
Authors: DONADIO VINCENZO , PLAZZI GIUSEPPE , VANDI STEFANO , FRANCESCHINI CHRISTIAN , KARLSSON TOMAS , MONTAGNA PASQUALE , VETRUGNO ROBERTO , BUGIARDINI ENRICO , MIGNOT EMMANUEL , LIGUORI ROCCO 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAutonomic nervous system activity changes have been described during cataplexy as playing a role in triggering it. To confirm these previous findings, we investigated the time course of sympathetic and cardiovascular activities during cataplexy. We made for the first time microneurographic recordings of 10 cataplectic episodes in three patients with hypocretin‐deficient narcolepsy. During microneurography, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded simultaneously with heart rate (HR), respiratory movements, arterial finger blood pressure (BP), electroencephalography, electro‐oculogram and superficial electromyogram. Results showed no significant autonomic changes before the onset of the cataplectic episodes. Cataplexy was associated with a significant increase in MSNA and BP compared with baseline, whereas HR was markedly decreased. An irregular breathing pattern mainly characterized by apnea typically occurred during the attacks. In conclusion, our findings did not show significant changes in autonomic activity prior to cataplexy onset, ruling out a triggering role of the autonomic system. However, cataplexy was associated with co‐activation of sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems, a pattern reminiscent of that reported during the vigilance reaction in animals.
Heterotrimeric G proteins‐mediated resistance to necrotrophic pathogens includes mechanisms independent of salicylic acid‐, jasmonic acid/ethylene‐ and abscisic acid‐mediated defense signaling
Authors: Trusov Yuri , Sewelam Nasser , Rookes James Edward , Kunkel Matt , Nowak Ekaterina , Schenk Peer Martin , Botella José Ramón 
Published: November 2008

SummaryHeterotrimeric G proteins are involved in the defense response against necrotrophic fungi in Arabidopsis. In order to elucidate the resistance mechanisms involving heterotrimeric G proteins, we analyzed the effects of the Gβ (subunit deficiency in the mutant agb1‐2 on pathogenesis‐related gene expression, as well as the genetic interaction between agb1‐2 and a number of mutants of established defense pathways. Gβ‐mediated signaling suppresses the induction of salicylic acid (SA)‐, jasmonic acid (JA)‐, ethylene (ET)‐ and abscisic acid (ABA)‐dependent genes during the initial phase of the infection with Fusarium oxysporum (up to 48 h after inoculation). However, at a later phase it enhances JA/ET‐dependent genes such as PDF1.2 and PR4. Quantification of the Fusarium wilt symptoms revealed that Gβ‐ and SA‐deficient mutants were more susceptible than wild‐type plants, whereas JA‐ and ET‐insensitive and ABA‐deficient mutants demonstrated various levels of resistance. Analysis of the double mutants showed that the Gβ‐mediated resistance to F. oxysporum and Alternaria brassicicola was mostly independent of all of the previously mentioned pathways. However, the progressive decay of agb1‐2 mutants was compensated by coi1‐21 and jin1‐9 mutations, suggesting that at this stage of F. oxysporum infection Gβ acts upstream of COI1 and ATMYC2 in JA signaling.
Gene silencing by artificial microRNAs in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Zhao Tao , Wang Wei , Bai Xue , Qi Yijun 
Published: November 2008

SummaryChlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga. It is a model system for studying functions of the chloroplast, basal body and flagella. The completion of the Chlamydomonas genome sequence makes it possible to use reverse genetic approaches in this organism. Chlamydomonas contains a set of endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) that down‐regulate their target gene expression through mRNA cleavage. Here we developed an artificial miRNA‐based strategy to knock down gene expression in Chlamydomonas. Using an endogenous Chlamydomonas miRNA precursor as the backbone, we constructed two artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) targeting the MAA7 and RBCS1/2 genes, respectively. When overexpressed, these two amiRNAs could cleave their respective targets precisely at the predicted sites, resulting in greatly decreased accumulation of MAA7 and RBCS1/2 transcripts and expected mutant phenotypes. We further showed that the two amiRNAs could be produced simultaneously from a dimeric amiRNA precursor. We anticipate that the amiRNA technology developed in this study will be very useful in assessing the functions of individual genes and in genome‐wide approaches.
Conserved intragenic elements were critical for the evolution of the floral C‐function
Authors: Causier Barry , Bradley Desmond , Cook Holly , Davies Brendan 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe floral C‐function, which specifies stamen and carpel development, played a pivotal role in the evolution of flowers. An important aspect of this was the establishment of mechanisms regulating the temporal and spatial expression domain of the C‐function genes. Transcription of the Arabidopsis C‐function gene AGAMOUS (AG) is tightly controlled by factors that interact with cis‐elements within its large second intron. Little is known about the regulatory role of intragenic elements in C‐function genes from species other than Arabidopsis. We show that a binding site for the LEAFY (LFY) transcription factor, present in the AG intron, is conserved in the introns of diverse C‐function genes and is positioned close to other conserved motifs. Using an in planta mutagenesis approach, we targeted evolutionarily conserved sequences in the intron of the Antirrhinum PLENA (PLE) gene to establish whether they regulate PLE expression. Small sequence deletions resulted in a novel class of heterochronic C‐function mutants with delayed onset of PLE expression and loss of stamen identity. These phenotypes differ significantly from weak C‐function mutant alleles in Antirrhinum and Arabidopsis. Our findings demonstrate that the PLE intron contains regulatory cis‐elements, including a LFY‐binding site, critical for establishing the correct C‐function expression domain. We show that the LFY site, and other conserved intron elements, pre‐date the divergence of the monocot and dicot lineages, suggesting that they were a determinant in the evolution of the C‐function, and propose a threshold model to explain phenotypic divergence observed between C‐function mutants.
Insecticide, sugar, and diet effects on feeding and mortality in Rhagoletis indifferens (Dipt., Tephritidae)
Authors: Yee W. L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe effects of spinosad bait and various insecticides, the presence of sugar in insecticides, and diet on feeding responses and mortality in western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Dipt., Tephritidae), were determined. Numbers of feeding events on insecticides with sugar were greater than on insecticides alone, but there was only a small effect of diet on feeding responses to insecticides with sugar. Feeding durations on imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid with sugar were shorter than on sugar water and spinosad bait, as the neonicotinoids paralysed flies quickly. Flies that fed on sugar only (nitrogen‐starved) suffered higher mortalities when exposed to spinosad, thiamethoxam and azinphos‐methyl than to imidacloprid, acetamiprid and indoxacarb, and mortality in between these two groups of treatments when exposed to spinosad bait. Mortalities were greater when sugar was added to insecticides, and were higher in nitrogen‐starved than fully‐fed (yeast extract + sugar fed) flies. Flies that fed once on thiamethoxam were killed more quickly than those that fed once on spinosad bait and spinosad. Results suggest that thiamethoxam is comparable to spinosad in its effects on mortality, and that using it with sugar in bait may also have similar results as using spinosad bait or spinosad. One benefit of using thiamethoxam with sugar may be that it kills flies more quickly, before they can oviposit, than spinosad bait, although whether a fly will feed on it may depend on how much sugar or nitrogenous food it has eaten.
Germany/Australia Index of Sperm Sex Sortability in Elephants and Rhinoceros
Authors: Behr B , Rath D , Hildebrandt TB , Goeritz F , Blottner S , Portas TJ , Bryant BR , Sieg B , Knieriem A , Graaf SP de , Maxwell WMC , Hermes R 
Published: November 2008

ContentsFlow cytometric sexing of spermatozoa followed by application in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization provides a unique opportunity to predetermine the sex of offspring and might enhance the conservation management of endangered species in captivity such as the elephant and rhinoceros. To obtain an indication of the sortability of spermatozoa from these species, the relative DNA differences between X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa (fresh, frozen thawed, epididymal) from three rhinoceros species [white (Ceratotherium simum), black (Diceros bicornis), Indian (Rhinoceros unicornis)] and both elephant species, the Asian and the African elephant (Elephas maximus, Loxodonta Africana), were determined through separation of spermatozoa into X and Y chromosome bearing populations, using a modified high speed flow cytometer. The head profile areas of spermatozoa from all five species were measured using light microscopy. By multiplying the relative DNA differences and the head profile areas, the sperm sorting indices were calculated to be 47, 48 and 51 for white, black and Indian rhinoceros respectively. The calculated sorting index for the Asian elephant was 66. In the African elephant, we determined the highest sorting index of 76. These results indicate the practicability of flow cytometric sex sorting of spermatozoa from the tested rhinoceros species and both elephant species. The lower sorting indices in rhinos indicate that sex sorting of spermatozoa from the rhinoceros will be more challenging than in elephants.
Identification of Sperm Subpopulations in Stallion Ejaculates: Changes after Cryopreservation and Comparison with Traditional Statistics
Authors: Ortega‐Ferrusola C , Macías García B , Suárez Rama V , Gallardo‐Bolaños JM , González‐Fernández L , Tapia JA , Rodríguez‐Martinez H , Peña FJ 
Published: November 2008

ContentsIn an attempt to improve the information obtained after computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), data from five stallions (three ejaculates from each) were analysed before (fresh, extended semen) and after cryopreservation using traditional statistics as well as a cluster analysis. The data matrix consisted of 13 987 observations of individual spermatozoa for fresh, extended semen, and 8305 for frozen–thawed samples. As expected, freezing and thawing resulted in a marked decrease of CASA‐derived variables of sperm kinematics. All sperm velocities were significantly lower in frozen–thawed samples than in samples before cooling. Using sperm velocities, six sperm subpopulations were identified in fresh semen (S1–S6). As such, subpopulations S1 and S2 were characterized by low sperm velocities, subpopulations S3 and S4 corresponded to spermatozoa depicting medium speed values, and finally, subpopulations S5 and S6 were those depicting the highest velocities. After freezing and thawing, four sperm subpopulations were identified, listed as nr FT1 to FT4. While subpopulations FT1–FT3 were characterized by low sperm velocities, and thus corresponded speed‐wise to those listed as S1–S4 for fresh, extended semen, the one called number FT4 in frozen semen was characterized by high velocities, of the same range as that of the subpopulations S5 and S6 for fresh spermatozoa. The sperm subpopulation structure varied among stallions, but the cluster analysis hereby assayed was able to provide valuable information about the freezability of the samples that the customary statistics did not reveal.
Factors Affecting Dystocia in Cattle
Authors: Zaborski D , Grzesiak W , Szatkowska I , Dybus A , Muszynska M , Jedrzejczak M 
Published: November 2008

ContentsThe paper reviews the various factors affecting dystocia in cattle. It is based mainly on the recent studies found in the literature of the subject but refers occasionally to some older papers as well. The factors are grouped into four main categories: direct factors, phenotypic factors related to calf and cow, non‐genetic and genetic factors. The first group includes malpresentations and uterine torsion. The second one includes: calf birth weight, multiple calvings, perinatal mortality, cow pelvic area, cow body weight and body condition at calving, gestation length. The non‐genetic factors are: cow age and parity, year and season of calving, place of calving, maintenance practises, disorders, calf sex and nutrition. Other non‐genetic factors are the level of hormones in the periparturient period, in vitro production of embryos and embryo cloning. Finally, the genotypes of cow, bull and calf, inbreeding, muscular hypertrophy, selection and quantitative trait loci form the fourth group of genetic factors.
Development of Procedures for Sex‐sorting Frozen–Thawed Bovine Spermatozoa
Authors: Underwood SL , Bathgate R , Maxwell WMC , Evans G 
Published: November 2008

ContentsDairy bull sperm may be sex‐sorted, frozen and used to artificially inseminate heifers with acceptable fertility if the herd is well‐managed. One drawback to the technology is that donor bulls must be located within a short distance of the sorting facility in order to collect semen, which limits the number of bulls from which sorted sperm are available. A successful method used to overcome this limitation in sheep is sex‐sorting from frozen–thawed semen and refreezing for artificial insemination. This technique is attractive to the dairy industry, and therefore a series of three experiments was designed to investigate the optimal methods to prepare, sex‐sort and re‐freeze frozen–thawed bovine sperm. Sperm were prepared for sorting by density gradient separation in either PureSperm® or BoviPure™, followed by staining in one of three diluents (Androhep®, Bovine Sheath Fluid + 0.3% BSA or TALP buffer). Sperm were sorted and collected into Test yolk buffer, and frozen in an extender containing 0, 0.25, 0.375 or 0.5% Equex STM Paste. Frozen–thawed sperm were better orientated (p = 0.006) and had fewer damaged membranes (8.7 ± 0.6% vs 19.5 ± 2.4%; p = 0.003) after centrifugation in PureSperm® rather than BoviPure™ gradients. Sperm orientation (p < 0.05) and motility (69.9 ± 3.0 vs 55.6 ± 4.0; p < 0.001) were highest after staining in Androhep® rather than in TALP buffer. Sperm were more motile (58.2 ± 4.7 vs 38.7 ± 3.5; p < 0.001) and had better acrosome integrity (74.3 ± 2.9 vs 66.8 ± 2.0; p < 0.001) after freezing in an extender containing 0.375% Equex STM Paste than in extender without Equex. Hence, a protocol has been developed to allow frozen–thawed bull sperm to be sex‐sorted with high resolution between the sexes, then re‐frozen and thawed with retention of motility and acrosome integrity.