bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial haplotypes reveal a strong genetic structure for three Indian sheep breeds
Authors: Pardeshi V. C. , Kadoo N. Y. , Sainani M. N. , Meadows J. R. S. , Kijas J. W. , Gupta V. S. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThis survey represents the first characterization of mitochondrial DNA diversity within three breeds of Indian sheep (two strains of the Deccani breed, as well as the Bannur and Garole breeds) from different geographic regions and with divergent phenotypic characteristics. A 1061‐bp fragment of the mitochondrial genome spanning the control region, a portion of the 12S rRNA gene and the complete phenyl tRNA gene, was sequenced from 73 animals and compared with the corresponding published sequence from European and Asian breeds and the European Mouflon (Ovis musimon). Analysis of all 156 sequences revealed 73 haplotypes, 52 of which belonged to the Indian breeds. The three Indian breeds had no haplotypes in common, but one Indian haplotype was shared with European and other Asian breeds. The highest nucleotide and haplotype diversity was observed in the Bannur breed (0.00355 and 0.981 respectively), while the minimum was in the Sangamneri strain of the Deccani breed (0.00167 and 0.882 respectively). All 52 Indian haplotypes belonged to mitochondrial lineage A. Therefore, these Indian sheep are distinct from other Asian and European breeds studied so far. The relationships among the haplotypes showed strong breed structure and almost no introgression among these Indian breeds, consistent with Indian sheep husbandry, which discourages genetic exchange between breeds. These results have implications for the conservation of India's ovine biodiversity and suggest a common origin for the breeds investigated.
Development of the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire: finding out how children are affected by foot and ankle problems
Authors: Morris C. , Liabo K. , Wright P. , Fitzpatrick R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground  A large number of children are affected by foot and ankle problems owing to congenital deformities, clinical syndromes, neuromuscular conditions or trauma. This study aimed to identify how children's lives are affected by foot and ankle problems from the child's perspective as the first stage in developing a family‐assessed instrument.Methods  This was a qualitative study using focus groups involving children with a variety of foot and ankle problems aged 5–7, 8–11 and 12–15 years, and separate concurrent groups for their parents. The focus groups were child‐centred and involved creative activities; there were two main exercises. The first activity involved agreeing or disagreeing with several statements about children with foot and ankle problems; the second activity explored a typical ‘day in the life’ of a child with a foot or ankle problem. All the groups were audio‐recorded and transcribed; grounded theory and comparative content analysis were used to identify and code themes participants reported as important.Results  The groups ran successfully with children in all ages. Consistent themes identified by all groups were; (i) specific activities that were more difficult; (ii) physical symptoms; (iii) reduced participation in certain life situations; and (iv) self‐consciousness. There were few differences in the issues raised by each age group although the life situations children encounter tend to become more complex as they get older; there is also the difficulty of negotiating a larger school campus at senior compared with junior school. There were no differences in the issues raised by children and their parents.Conclusions  Focus groups involving creative child‐centred activities were used successfully to elicit children's experience of their health problems. In addition to expected activity limitations and physical symptoms some children with foot or ankle problems endure participation restrictions and self‐consciousness that are exacerbated by the behaviour of other people or their environment, particularly at school. The findings of this study informed the development of a questionnaire to measure how severely children are affected by foot or ankle problems from the child's perspective.
Reliability of assessing the sensory perception of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: a case study
Authors: Vlaskamp C. , Cuppen‐Fonteine H. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground  This study describes preliminary stages of developing a checklist to enable practitioners to determine the behavioural responses of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities to sensory stimuli. Reliability of currently used checklists is low, with a focus on the child's sensory integration instead of perception.Methods  The inter‐rater reliability of a checklist was determined, and adjustments were made to improve reliability.Results  Strikingly, the reliability decreased for all components after adjustment. The effect of a smaller item pool was ruled out. The effect of familiarity of teachers as raters was examined.Conclusions  Results show that teachers who know a child well could interpret that child's behaviour more accurately than persons who were unfamiliar with the child. However, reliability of the checklist remains a problem.
Trends in cerebral palsy among infants of very low birth weight (<1500 g) or born prematurely (<32 weeks) in 16 European centres: a database study
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: August 2007

.

Platt M. J.,
Cans C.,
Johnson A.,
Surman G.,
Topp M.,
Torrioli M. G. &
Krageloh‐Mann I.
(
2007
)

,
369
,
43
–
50
.
Background  The risk of cerebral palsy, the commonest physical disability of children in western Europe, is higher in infants of very low birth weight (VLBW) – those born weighing less than 1500 g – and those from multiple pregnancies than in infants of normal birth weight. An increasing proportion of infants from both of these groups survive into childhood. This paper describes changes in the frequency and distribution of cerebral palsy by sex and neurological sub‐type in infants with a birth weight below 1000 g and from 1000 to1499 g in the period 1980–1996.Methods  A group of 16 European centres, Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe, agreed on a standard definition of cerebral palsy and an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data for children with cerebral palsy born in the years 1980–1996 were pooled. The data were analysed to describe the distribution and prevalence of cerebral palsy in VLBW infants. Prevalence trends were expressed as both per 1000 live births and per 1000 neonatal survivors.Findings  There were 1575 VLBW infants born with cerebral palsy; 414 (26%) were of birth weight less than 1000 g, and 317 (20%) were from multiple pregnancies. One thousand four hundred twenty‐six (94%) had spastic cerebral palsy, which was unilateral (hemiplegic) in 336 (24%). The birth prevalence fell from 60.6 (99% CI 37.8–91.4) per 1000 liveborn VLBW infants in 1980 to 39.5 (28.6–53.0) per 1000 VLBW infants in 1996. This decline was related to a reduction in the frequency of bilateral spastic cerebral palsy among infants of birth weight 1000–1499 g. The frequency of cerebral palsy was higher in male than in female babies in the group of birth weight 1000–1499 g [61.0 (53.8–68.2) vs. 49.5 (42.8–56.2) per 1000 live births; P = 0·0025], but not in the group of birth weight below 1000 g.Interpretation  These data from a large population base provide evidence that the prevalence of cerebral palsy in children of birth weight less than 1500 g has fallen, which has important implications for parents, health services and society.
Effects of mute swan grazing on a keystone macrophyte
Authors: O’HARE MATTHEW T. , STILLMAN RICHARD A. , MCDONNELL JO , WOOD LAURA R. 
Published: August 2007

Summary1. This study describes the early summer foraging behaviour of mute swans (Cygnus olor) on the River Frome, a highly productive chalk stream in southern England in which Ranunculus penicillatus pseudofluitans is the dominant macrophyte.2. A daily maximum of 41 ± 2.5 swans were present along the 1.1 km study reach during the study period (late May to the end of June). The river was the primary feeding habitat. Feeding activity on the river at dawn and dusk was much lower than during daylight, but we cannot rule out the possibility that swans fed during the hours of darkness.3. The effects of herbivory on R. pseudofluitans biomass and morphology were quantified. Biomass was lower in grazed areas and swans grazed selectively on leaves in preference to stems. A lower proportion of stems from grazed areas possessed intact stem apices and flowering of the plant was reduced in grazed areas.4. A model, based on the swans’ daily consumption, was used to predict the grazing pressure of swans on R. pseudofluitans. The model accurately predicted the number of bird days supported by the study site, only if grazing was assumed to severely reduce R. pseudofluitans growth. The proportion of the initial R. pseudofluitans biomass consumed by a fixed number of swans was predicted to be greater when the habitat area was smaller, initial R. pseudofluitans biomass was lower and R. pseudofluitans was of lower food value.5. We concluded that the flux of N and P through the study reach was largely unaffected by swan activity. The quality of R. pseudofluitans mesohabitat (the plant as habitat for invertebrates and fish) was significantly reduced by grazing which also indirectly contributed to reduced roughness (Manning's n) and by inference water depth. Wetted habitat area for fish and invertebrates would also be lowered over the summer period as a consequence of the reduction in water depth. It was estimated that, while grazing, an individual swan may eat the same mass of invertebrates per day as a 300‐g trout.6. There is a need to manage the conflict between mute swans and the keystone macrophyte, R. pseudofluitans, in chalk streams, and the modelling approach used here offers a potentially useful tool for this purpose.
When is stream invertebrate drift catastrophic? The role of hydraulics and sediment transport in initiating drift during flood events
Authors: GIBBINS CHRIS , VERICAT DAMIÀ , BATALLA RAMON J. 
Published: August 2007

Summary1. The term ‘catastrophic drift’ is used to describe the large‐scale displacement of invertebrates that occurs during periods of increased river discharge. However, the physical processes that lead to animals entering the water column at such times remain poorly understood. Specifically, the hypothesis that the movement of bed sediments during floods triggers a large increase in drift has lacked a rigorous field test.2. Using a portable flume, the hydraulic conditions and rates of bedload transport associated with small, frequent floods were createdin situwithin a reach of a gravel bed river. Experiments focussed on the patches of fine sediment which are the dominant source of bed material transported during small floods. The flume produced near bed velocities of up to 2 m s−1over the patches, increasing shear stress, initiating sediment transport and causing invertebrates to enter the drift.3. The total number of individuals lost from the bed, as well as the taxonomic composition of the drift, were influenced strongly by shear stress and bedload. The rate of loss from the bed was low at shear stresses <9 dynes cm−2(0–4 individuals min−1from the 0.5 m2flume bed area). Once shear stress exceeded 9 dynes cm−2, the threshold that resulted in consistent bedload transport from the patches, the rate of loss of animals increased to a maximum of 56 individuals min−1. When bedload transport rates were at their highest, the taxonomic composition of the drift was more similar to the benthos than it was to the drift observed when bed material was stable.4. Absolute rates of bedload transport created by the manipulations were extremely low (<7 g m−1 s−1) and typical of those measured during small, frequent floods. Events of this magnitude do not break up the armour layer across the reach as a whole and so exposed patches of fine sediment are the principal source of bedload material. Consequently, discharge events not considered as disturbances in geomorphic terms may initiate frequent episodes of so‐called ‘catastrophic drift’ from patches of stream bed.
An oxygen‐mediated positive feedback between elevated carbon dioxide and soil organic matter decomposition in a simulated anaerobic wetland
Authors: WOLF AMELIA A. , DRAKE BERT G. , ERICKSON JOHN E. , MEGONIGAL J. PATRICK 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe examined the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil carbon decomposition in an experimental anaerobic wetland system. Pots containing either bare C4‐derived soil or the C3 sedge Scirpus olneyi planted in C4‐derived soil were incubated in greenhouse chambers at either ambient or twice‐ambient atmospheric CO2. We measured CO2 flux from each pot, quantified soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization using δ13C, and determined root and shoot biomass. SOM mineralization increased in response to elevated CO2 by 83–218% (P<0.0001). In addition, soil redox potential was significantly and positively correlated with root biomass (P= 0.003). Our results (1) show that there is a positive feedback between elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations and wetland SOM decomposition and (2) suggest that this process is mediated by the release of oxygen from the roots of wetland plants. Because this feedback may occur in any wetland system, including peatlands, these results suggest a limitation on the size of the carbon sink presented by anaerobic wetland soils in a future elevated‐CO2 atmosphere.
Soil organic carbon stocks in China and changes from 1980s to 2000s
Authors: XIE ZUBIN , ZHU JIANGUO , LIU GANG , CADISCH GEORG , HASEGAWA TOSHIHIRO , CHEN CHUNMEI , SUN HUIFENG , TANG HAOYAN , ZENG QING 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe estimation of the size and changes of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is of great importance for decision makers to adopt proper measures to protect soils and to develop strategies for mitigation of greenhouse gases. In this paper, soil data from the Second State Soil Survey of China (SSSSC) conducted in the early 1980s and data published in the last 5 years were used to estimate the size of SOC stocks over the whole profile and their changes in China in last 20 years. Soils were identified as paddy, upland, forest, grassland or waste‐land soils and an improved soil bulk density estimation method was used to estimate missing bulk density data. In the early 1980s, total SOC stocks were estimated at 89.61 Pg (1 Pg=103 Tg=1015 g) in China's 870.94 Mha terrestrial areas covered by 2473 soil series. In the paddy, upland, forest and grassland soils the respective total SOC stocks were 2.91 Pg on 29.87 Mha, 10.07 Pg on 125.89 Mha, 34.23 Pg on 249.32 Mha and 37.71 Pg on 278.51 Mha, respectively. The SOC density of the surface layer ranged from 3.5 Mg ha−1 in Gray Desery grassland soils to 252.6 Mg ha−1 in Mountain Meadow forest soils. The average area‐weighted total SOC density in paddy soils (97.6 Mg ha−1) was higher than that in upland soils (80 Mg ha−1). Soils under forest (137.3 Mg ha−1) had a similar average area‐weighted total SOC density as those under grassland (135.4 Mg ha−1). The annual estimated SOC accumulation rates in farmland and forest soils in the last 20 years were 23.61 and 11.72 Tg, respectively, leading to increases of 0.472 and 0.234 Pg SOC in farmland and forest areas, respectively. In contrast, SOC under grassland declined by 3.56 Pg due to the grassland degradation over this period. The resulting estimated net SOC loss in China's soils over the last 20 years was 2.86 Pg. The documented SOC accumulation in farmland and forest soils could thus not compensate for the loss of SOC in grassland soils in the last 20 years. There were, however, large regional differences: Soils in China's South and Eastern parts acted mainly as C sinks, increasing their average topsoil SOC by 132 and 145 Tg, respectively. In contrast, in the Northwest, Northeast, Inner Mongolia and Tibet significant losses of 1.38, 0.21, 0.49 and 1.01 Pg of SOC, respectively, were estimated over the last 20 years. These results highlight the importance to take measures to protect grassland and to improve management practices to increase C sequestration in farmland and forest soils.
Earlier onset of the spring phytoplankton bloom in lakes of the temperate zone in a warmer climate
Authors: PEETERS FRANK , STRAILE DIETMAR , LORKE ANDREAS , LIVINGSTONE DAVID M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe decoupling of trophic interactions is potentially one of the most severe consequences of climate warming. In lakes and oceans the timing of phytoplankton blooms affects competition within the plankton community as well as food–web interactions with zooplankton and fish. Using Upper Lake Constance as an example, we present a model‐based analysis that predicts that in a future warmer climate, the onset of the spring phytoplankton bloom will occur earlier in the year than it does at present. This is a result of the earlier occurrence of the transition from strong to weak vertical mixing in spring, and of the associated earlier onset of stratification. According to our simulations a shift in the timing of phytoplankton growth resulting from a consistently warmer climate will exceed that resulting from a single unusually warm year. The numerical simulations are complemented by a statistical analysis of long‐term data from Upper Lake Constance which demonstrates that oligotrophication has a negligible effect on the timing of phytoplankton growth in spring and that an early onset of the spring phytoplankton bloom is associated with high air temperatures and low wind speeds.
Biomarker‐assisted diagnosis of ovarian, cervical and pulmonary small cell carcinomas: the role of TTF‐1, WT‐1 and HPV analysis
Authors: Carlson J W , Nucci M R , Brodsky J , Crum C P , Hirsch M S 
Published: August 2007

Aims:  Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic‐type (SCCOH) is morphologically similar to small cell carcinomas from other sites. The aims of this study were to (i) determine if a biomarker panel would distinguish small cell carcinomas of the ovary, cervix (SCCCx) and lung (SCCLu) and (ii) potentially determine the histogenesis of SCCOH.Methods and results:  Nine ovarian small cell carcinomas (seven hypercalcaemic type; two pulmonary type), eight SCCCx and 22 SCCLu were immunostained for thyroid transcription factor (TTF)‐1, WT‐1, p16, cKIT and OCT3/4; a subset of cases were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV). WT‐1 was diffusely positive in 6/7 SSCOH versus two of 33 other small cell carcinomas (P ≤ 0.001). TTF‐1 was diffusely positive in 20/22 SCCLu and 1/8 SCCCx, and negative in all SCCOH. p16 and cKIT demonstrated variable patterns of immunoreactivity in all cases. HPV was identified in 5/6 SCCCx; SCCOH and SCCLu were negative for HPV.Conclusions:  Combined staining with WT‐1 and TTF‐1 will distinguish SCCOH from SCCLu and SCCCx with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 97%. HPV is specific for tumours of cervical origin, but p16 immunohistochemistry is not useful for this purpose. The presence of diffuse WT‐1 supports a Müllerian origin for SCCOH, whereas the absence of cKIT and OCT3/4 argues against a germ cell origin.
Sea‐level changes, river capture and the evolution of populations of the Eastern Cape and fiery redfins (Pseudobarbus afer and Pseudobarbus phlegethon, Cyprinidae) across multiple river systems in South Africa
Authors: Swartz Ernst R. , Skelton Paul H. , Bloomer Paulette 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAim  The phylogeography of the two closely related species Pseudobarbus afer and Pseudobarbus phlegethon was investigated to assess the association of evolutionary processes, inferred from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation, with hypothetical palaeoriver systems and other climatic and landscape changes.Location  One western and several southern river systems in South Africa.Methods  We sampled known populations and confirmed known distribution gaps. This was followed by an assessment of mtDNA control region sequence variation for 31 localities across 17 river systems across the range of the species complex. A map of possible offshore drainage patterns during the last major regression event was constructed based on bathymetry and geological studies.Results  The genetic distinction of four major lineages of P. afer strongly correspond with proposed palaeoriver systems. However, a western ‘Forest’ lineage, is widespread across two such proposed systems and is closely related to P. phlegethon on the west coast of South Africa. Both the ‘Krom’ and ‘St Francis’ lineages were identified in the single palaeoriver system proposed for St Francis Bay. A fourth ‘Mandela’ lineage is restricted to the one or two palaeoriver systems proposed for Nelson Mandela Bay. Four minor lineages were identified within the Forest lineage and two within the Mandela lineage.Main conclusions  The close relationship between P. phlegethon and the Forest lineage of P. afer can only be explained by a series of river captures. We suggest the Gourits River system as a historical link that could account for this relationship. On the south coast, lower sea levels than at present allowed confluence between currently isolated river systems, offering opportunities for dispersal among these populations. At present, isolation between different river systems rather than dispersal appears to have a dominant influence on mtDNA diversity.
Ecological niches and potential geographical distributions of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa)
Authors: De Meyer M. , Robertson M. P. , Peterson A. T. , Mansell M. W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAim  To predict and compare potential geographical distributions of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) and Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa).Location  Africa, southern Europe, and worldwide.Methods  Two correlative ecological niche modelling techniques, genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction (GARP) and a technique based on principal components analysis (PCA), were used to predict distributions of the two fly species using distribution records and a set of environmental predictor variables.Results  The two species appear to have broadly similar potential ranges in Africa and southern Europe, with much of sub‐Saharan Africa and Madagascar predicted as highly suitable. The drier regions of Africa (central and western regions of southern Africa and Sahelian zone) were identified as being less suitable for C. rosa than for C. capitata. Overall, the proportion of the region predicted to be highly suitable is larger for C. capitata than for C. rosa under both techniques, suggesting that C. capitata may be tolerant of a wider range of climatic conditions than C. rosa. Worldwide, tropical and subtropical regions are highlighted as highly suitable for both species. Differences in overlap of predictions from the two models for these species were observed. An evaluation using independent records from the adventive range for C. capitata and comparison with other predictions suggest that GARP models offer more accurate predictions than PCA models.Main conclusions  This study suggests that these species have broadly similar potential distributions worldwide (based on climate), although the potential distribution appears to be broader for C. capitata than for C. rosa. Ceratitis capitata has become invasive throughout the world, whereas C. rosa has not, despite both species having broadly similar potential distributions. Further research into the biology of these species and their ability to overcome barriers is necessary to explain this difference, and to better understand invasion risk.