bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial diversity of topographical gradient profiles in Fushan forest soils of Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Shu‐Hsien , Selvam Ammaiyappan , Yang Shang‐Shyng 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the microbial diversity of Fushan forest soils, the variation of soil properties, microbial populations, and soil DNA with soil depth in three sites of different altitude were analyzed. Microbial population, moisture content, total organic carbon (Corg), and total nitrogen (Ntot) decreased with increasing soil depth. The valley site had the lowest microbial populations among the three tested sites due to the low organic matter content. Bacterial population was the highest among the microbial populations. The ratios of cellulolytic microbes to the total bacteria in organic layers were high, implying their roles in the carbon cycle. The microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen (Nmic) contents ranged from 130.5 to 564.1 μg g−1and from 16.7 to 95.4 μg g−1, respectively. The valley had the lowest Cmicand Nmic. The organic layer had the highest Cmicand Nmicand decreased with soil depth. Analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons of 16S rDNA showed that the bacterial diversity of the three sites were very similar to each other in the major bands, and the variation was in the minor bands. However, the patterns in PCR‐DGGE profile through gradient horizons were different, indicating the prevalence of specific microbes at different horizons. These results suggest that the microbial diversity in the deeper horizons is not simply the diluted analogs of the surface soils and that some microbes dominate only in the deeper horizons. Topography influenced the quantity and diversity of microbial populations.
Tunable self-assembly of one-dimensional nanostructures with orthogonal directions
Authors: Allan Milan P. , Berner Simon , Corso Martina , Greber Thomas , Osterwalder Jürg 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
High-temperature exposure of a Mo(110) surface to borazine (HBNH)3leads to the formation of two distinctly different self-assembling nanostructures. Depending on the substrate temperature during preparation, either well-aligned, ultra-thin boron nanowires or a single-layer stripe structure of hexagonal boron nitride forms. Both structures show one-dimensional (1D) characteristics, but in directions perpendicular to each other. It is also possible to grow the two phases in coexistence. The relative weights are controlled by the sample temperature during preparation.
Increased circulating concentrations and augmented myocardial extraction of osteoprotegerin in heart failure due to left ventricular pressure overload
Authors: Helske Satu , Kovanen Petri T. , Lindstedt Ken A. , Salmela Kaija , Lommi Jyri , Turto Heikki , Werkkala Kalervo , Kupari Markku 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundOsteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL), two cytokines regulating bone remodeling, have recently been raised as potential pathogenetic factors in cardiovascular diseases. We have studied circulating and myocardial OPG and RANKL in patients having severe aortic stenosis (AS) with or without heart failure (HF).MethodsWe studied 131 adults with AS. Blood was sampled from the aortic root, coronary sinus, and femoral vein at cardiac catheterization. LV myocardial biopsies were taken at surgery. Plasma OPG and soluble (s)RANKL were analyzed by ELISA, and myocardial OPG and RANKL by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry.ResultsCirculating OPG was elevated in AS patients with HF, the association being independent of age, sex, and presence of coronary artery disease (β=0.17, p=0.033). Elevated plasma OPG decreased after valve replacement in patients with preoperative HF (p=0.0005). Relative to its concentration in the aortic root, plasma OPG was reduced in the coronary sinus (p<0.05) and in the femoral vein (p<0.001), these arteriovenous gradients being accentuated in HF (p=0.003).ConclusionsHF due to LV pressure overload in AS increases circulating OPG and augments OPG extraction by the heart and peripheral tissues. OPG may be involved in the pathogenesis of HF and could serve as a useful biomarker in HF due to LV pressure overload.
STURM–LIOUVILLE PROBLEMS WITH REDUCIBLE BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: Binding Paul A. , Browne Patrick J. , Watson Bruce A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe regular Sturm–Liouville problem$$ \tau y:=-y''+qy=\lambda y\quad\text{on }[0,1],\ \lambda\in\CC, $$is studied subject to boundary conditions$$ P_j(\lambda)y'(j)=Q_j(\lambda)y(j),\quad j=0,1, $$where $q\in L^1(0,1)$ and $P_j$ and $Q_j$ are polynomials with real coefficients. A comparison is made between this problem and the corresponding ‘reduced’ one where all common factors are removed from the boundary conditions. Topics treated include Jordan chain structure, eigenvalue asymptotics and eigenfunction oscillation.
‘Bones of contention’: a donor register for temporal bone donation?
Authors: Leong A C , Aldren C 
Published: January 2007

Introduction: Temporal bone dissection is essential training for otological surgery. Organ retention scandals have made it difficult to obtain consent for cadaveric temporal bone removal. The current literature does not address the means of acquiring a steady supply of cadaveric temporal bones for medical education and training. The US national temporal bone registry has established a temporal bone donor bank for medical education and research. Could a similar programme in the UK be an answer to the paucity of temporal bones?Objectives: (1) To ascertain the degree of interest amongst our regional patient population in a ‘living will’ pledge for temporal bone donation for medical education and research. (2) To delineate a demographic profile of potential temporal bone donors.Design, setting and participants: One thousand questionnaires were distributed to patients and relatives attending out-patient clinics; 920 people responded.Results: Seventy per cent of respondents supported temporal bone donation for medical education and research. Potential temporal bone donors tended to be ENT clinic attenders, to suffer from hearing difficulties or to have had previous ear surgery (p<0.001). Strong support also came from non-ENT clinic attenders.Conclusions: There was strong support amongst our regional patient population for a ‘living will’ pledge for temporal bone donation for medical education and research. Based on our donor profile, we propose a temporal bone donor programme, starting on a regional basis with possible expansion nationwide. This programme would recruit donors from amongst patients attending ENT out-patient clinics, as a long term solution to improve the supply of temporal bones.
Photolabelling the urotensin II receptor reveals distinct agonist- and partial-agonist-binding sites
Authors: Holleran Brian J. , Beaulieu Marie-Eve , Proulx Christophe D. , Lavigne Pierre , Escher Emanuel , Leduc Richard 
Published: January 2007

The mechanism by which GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) undergo activation is believed to involve conformational changes following agonist binding. We have used photoaffinity labelling to identify domains within GPCRs that make contact with various photoreactive ligands in order to better understand the activation mechanism. Here, a series of four agonist {[Bpa1]U-II (Bpa is p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine), [Bpa2]U-II, [Bpa3]U-II and [Bpa4]U-II} and three partial agonist {[Bpa1Pen5D-Trp7Orn8]U-II (Pen is penicillamine), [Bpa2Pen5D-Trp7Orn8]U-II and [Pen5Bpa6D-Trp7Orn8]U-II} photoreactive urotensin II (U-II) analogues were used to identify ligand-binding sites on the UT receptor (U-II receptor). All peptides bound the UT receptor expressed in COS-7 cells with high affinity (Kd of 0.3–17.7 nM). Proteolytic mapping and mutational analysis led to the identification of Met288 of the third extracellular loop of the UT receptor as a binding site for all four agonist peptides. Both partial agonists containing the photoreactive group in positions 1 and 2 also cross-linked to Met288. We found that photolabelling with the partial agonist containing the photoreactive group in position 6 led to the detection of transmembrane domain 5 as a binding site for that ligand. Interestingly, this differs from Met184/Met185 of the fourth transmembrane domain that had been identified previously as a contact site for the full agonist [Bpa6]U-II. These results enable us to better map the binding pocket of the UT receptor. Moreover, the data also suggest that, although structurally related agonists or partial agonists may dock in the same general binding pocket, conformational changes induced by various states of activation may result in slight differences in spatial proximity within the cyclic portion of U-II analogues.
Doing the right thing with water: combining market-based principles with policy intervention for the sustainable management of water in agriculture.
Authors: Msangi S. , Ringler C. , Rosegrant M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The increasing importance of sustainability in natural resource management is drawing increasing attention, worldwide, to the role that policies can play in enhancing the management and allocative efficiency of water. Looking at various examples from the literature, we discuss some best practices that have been applied in a variety of empirical settings, while highlighting some of the pitfalls to avoid. We discuss the role that assigning water rights can play in creating the necessary incentives for market-based mechanisms of re-allocation to work for water management. We also emphasize the role that remains for centralized regulatory authority, and the need for collective action to ensure that essential ecosystem requirements are met. Among the variety of examples cited are those of inter-sectoral transfers, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater and tradable permit mechanisms for which we also highlight the enabling institutional requirements.
Cloning livestock.
Authors: Wells D. N. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
An efficient animal cloning technology, using the procedure of nuclear transfer (NT), would provide many new opportunities for livestock agriculture, animal conservation and biomedicine. Although it is 10 years since the birth of Dolly, the first animal to be cloned from an adult cell, it is still remarkable that NT using differentiated donor cells can produce physiologically normal cloned animals. But the process is very inefficient, poorly understood and appears highly prone to epigenetic errors. With the present technology, only up to 6% of the embryos transferred to the reproductive tracts of recipient females typically result in long-term surviving clones. Not only are there high losses throughout gestation, during birth and in the immediate post-natal period, but also throughout adulthood. Many of the pregnancy losses relate to failure of the placenta to develop and function correctly. Placental dysfunction may also have an adverse influence on postnatal viability and health. These anomalies are probably due to incorrect epigenetic reprogramming of the donor genome following NT, leading to inappropriate patterns of gene expression during the development of clones. While some physiological tests on surviving clones suggest normality, other reports indicate a variety of post-natal clone-associated abnormalities. Importantly, it appears that these clone-associated phenotypes are not transmitted to offspring following sexual reproduction. This indicates that they represent epigenetic errors which are corrected during gametogenesis. While this requires molecular confirmation, it provides initial confidence in the first application of NT in agriculture, namely, the production of small numbers of cloned sires from genetically elite males, for natural mating, to effectively disseminate genetic gain. Considerably more efficient cloning methods will be required for large-scale dissemination of whole genotypes of elite livestock from nucleus herds directly to commercial producers. The continual advances in animal genomics towards the identification of genes that influence livestock production traits and human health serve to increase the ability to genetically modify cultured cells, prior to NT, to generate livestock with increased productivity or that produce superior quality food and biomedical products for niche markets. The potential opportunities for animal agriculture are more challenging because of the greater demands on cost, efficiency, consumer acceptance and relative value of the product to be viable in contrast to biomedical applications. Hence, the integration of this technology into practical farming systems remains some time in the future.
Assessing public perception of landscape: past, present andfuture perspectives.
Authors: Scott A. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Academics and policy-makers seeking to assess public perception and preferences of landscape face major challenges conceptually, methodologically and institutionally. The terms landscape, public and perception are contested and generate their own discourses and extensive literature. However, set within multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary blends of natural and social scientificresearch, considerable progress has been made on all fronts. This paper seeks to untangle the complex array of conceptual and methodological frameworks that have evolved in landscape perception. In such respects, special attention has been placed on the cultural, humanistic and visual approaches set within an emerging landscape science. The paper also assesses the extent to which developments in research have been translated into policy. The paper concludes that although progress has been made there are still significant institutional barriers and inertia preventing a change of landscape culture that is now required.
New weed threats: extent, origins, and proper management.
Authors: Weber E. , Schrader G. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Weed problems continue to be an obstacle in plant protection and in natural areas, causing high costs of control and asking for adequate prevention measures. New weed problems in any given area (risk area) may arise from three basic sources: by introduction and naturalization of new weedy plant species, by increasing spread of weedy taxa that are already present in the risk area, and by the evolution of new weedy taxa in the risk area. Introduction and subsequent naturalization of new plant species is taking place worldwide and the number of alien plant species being introduced is steadily increasing. Newly recorded alien plant species prevail in disturbed sites and semi-natural habitats, increasing the risk for new plant invasions into areas of high conservation value. New weed problems in agroecosystems are associated with recently naturalized species, with adaptation and evolution of plant species, but also due to land use change, global warming, and changes in the environmental conditions. These may affect the dynamics of weed populations, triggering sudden range expansion and abundance increase. Evolution of new weedy taxa involves crop/weed hybridization, hybridization between native and alien plants in the risk area, and hybridization between formerly separated taxa that co-occur in the risk area. Evolution of herbicide resistance is another source of new weed taxa. A literature survey revealed more than 40 new weed species of agroecosystems within the last 20 years and about 35 new plant species invading natural and semi-natural habitats during the last ten years. Measures towards mitigating problems associated with new weeds includes regular monitoring and risk assessments, aiming at preventing entry of new weeds and prioritizing weed species for control.
Crop diversification through halophyte production on salt-prone land resources.
Authors: Khan M. A. , Ansari R. , Gul B. , Qadir M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Rapid population growth in the less developed countries of arid and semiarid regions and concomitant decline in productivity of agricultural lands due to shortage of good-quality irrigation water and increasing soil salinity, are exerting enormous pressure on the dwindling supplies of human consumption for food. Equally or even more affected in some cases are other resources, such as fodder for animals and fuel wood for the rural poor. There is growing evidence that this trend is unlikely to reverse at least in the near future. The last quarter of the 20th century has seen an explosion of information leading to a better understanding of the biology of salt tolerance in plants. Most conventional crops have marginal salt tolerance and there is a need to explore alternate options for utilization of salt-affected lands and saline water resources. Research has indicated the potential of many halophytes to withstand high soil salinity and saline water irrigation, some even with seawater. This tolerance is achieved through a number of adaptations such as selective uptake and transport of ions, localization of ions in vacuoles, synthesis of compatible organic solutes for cytoplasmic balancing and protection of enzyme systems. As a consequence, these plants are able to reduce damage and exhibit sustained growth by establishing homeostatic conditions. A wealth of halophytic flora exists which can be exploited for an array of uses like food, fodder, fuel wood, oilseed, medicines, chemicals, landscaping, ornamentals, and environment conservation through carbon sequestration.
Genetic variants of milk proteins and their effects on the yieldand quality of cheese.
Authors: Ng-Kwai-Hang K. F. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Milk protein genes, which are inherited by simple Mendelian genetics, could be used as marker traits for production and milk compositional traits. Genetic variants of certain milk proteins have been shown to be associated with coagulating properties of milk, cheese yield and cheese composition. In most of the cases, the observed differences in cheesemaking properties between some genetic variants are the result of their associations with the levels of fat and casein in the milk, which significantly influence cheese yield and composition. However, in some instances, differences between genetic variants are the result of the direct effect as a result of substitution of amino acids along the polypeptide chain leading to a change in the conformation and hence altering the physiochemical properties of the protein. Differences in heat stability, protein/protein interactions, and rate of proteolysis of different genetic variants are some examples of the direct effects in some cheese varieties. In bovine species, most studies have demonstrated that the B variant of κ-casein and the B variant of β-lactoglobulin (which are associated with higher levels of fat and casein in the milk) give higher cheese yield and better cheese composition than the A variant of the two proteins. Most research on caprine milk has concentrated on the αas1-casein loci. Variant A, which is associated with higher levels of synthesis of αs1-casein and total casein, is more suitable for cheese production than either variant E or F. In the ovine species, it has been shown that variant D of αs1-casein is not favourable for cheesemaking, while β-lactoglobulin A milk is more suitable than β-lactoglobulin B for the making of cheese.
Perspectives on the development of genetically modified arthropodnatural enemies for agricultural pest management programmes.
Authors: Hoy M. A. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The history of genetic improvement of arthropod natural enemies is reviewed briefly and I describe the successful genetic improvement and deployment in California almond orchards of a pesticide-resistant predatory mite. Lessons learned from our efforts to deploy this and other natural enemies in alfalfa [lucerne], citrus and walnuts from several genetic improvement projects conducted over the past 30 years are described, because they may provide useful lessons for future projects. Gaps in our knowledge are identified, especially in deploying such genetically modified natural enemies, and recommendations are made regarding how to plan such projects. Finally, issues of risk and regulation are discussed based on our experiences with a short-term field trial of a transgenic predatory mite in Florida.
Interactions between fire, climate change and forest biodiversity.
Authors: Nitschke C. R. , Innes J. L. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The interactions between climate change, fire and forest biodiversity can be characterized as a cascading relationship. Changes in climate directly affect fire frequency and severity. As a result of climate change, a significant increase in fire occurrence and behaviour is predicted to occur over the next 70 years. Climate change will also directly impact the composition of current ecosystems by shifting the fundamental niche of species to higher elevations and/or latitudes, with the changes being most apparent in temperate and boreal latitudes and on mountains in the tropics and subtropics. The alteration and shift of forest ecosystems will be facilitated by an increase in the frequency and severity of forest fires, as these ecosystem disturbances will create the opportunity for the development of new ecosystems. Warmer, drier conditions, coupled with a change in fire behaviour will reduce the resilience of existing ecosystems. The reduced ability to resist and/or recover from disturbance will result in the reduction or complete loss of ecosystem structures required by the fauna and flora that constitute the biodiversity we currently know today. Areas of climatic refuge that exist within landscapes may maintain the ecosystem structures required for some species in the face of direct climate change impacts. Areas that act as both fire and climatic refugia will provide habitat for biodiversity associated with late-successional forests. Species that require late-successional habitat in ecosystems that are intolerant of fire or drought are at greatest risk to climate change and its interaction with fire. The current composition of biodiversity within forested landscapes will change over time and space as species and habitat are both lost and gained in direct or indirect response to climate change.
Lycopene: prospects for chemoprevention and treatmentof prostate cancer.
Authors: Heath E. , Sahin K. , Seren S. , Kucuk O. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Lycopene is a carotenoid compound found in certain fruit, such as tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava in high concentrations. Dietary intake of lycopene is inversely associated with the risk of prostate cancer (Pca). Preclinical studies show that lycopene has potent
in vitro
and
in vivo
anti-tumour effects on Pca cells suggesting potential preventive and therapeutic roles for this phytochemical. However, the small number and size of clinical trials conducted with lycopene preclude firm conclusions with regard to its use in Pca prevention and treatment in humans. Further research, including hypothesis-driven mechanistic studies as well as larger randomized clinical intervention trials with lycopene in Pca patients, are warranted.