bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the Growth Rate vs. Geochemical Hypothesis for latitudinal variation in plant nutrients
Authors: Lovelock C. E. , Feller I. C. , Ball M. C. , Ellis J. , Sorrell B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTwo hypotheses have been proposed to explain increases in plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations with latitude: (i) geochemical limitation to P availability in the tropics and (ii) temperature driven variation in growth rate, where greater growth rates (requiring greater nutrient levels) are needed to complete growth and reproduction within shorter growing seasons in temperate than tropical climates. These two hypotheses were assessed in one forest type, intertidal mangroves, using fertilized plots at sites between latitudes 36º S and 27º N. The N and P concentrations in mangrove leaf tissue increased with latitude, but there were no trends in N : P ratios. Growth rates of trees, adjusted for average minimum temperature showed a significant increase with latitude supporting the Growth Rate Hypothesis. However, support for the Geochemical Hypothesis was also strong; both photosynthetic P use efficiency and nutrient resorption efficiency decreased with increasing latitude, indicating that P was less limiting to metabolism at the higher latitudes. Our study supports the hypothesis that historically low P availability in the tropics has been an important selective pressure shaping the evolution of plant traits.
PROCESSION AND SYMBOLISM AT TARA: ANALYSIS OF TECH MIDCHÚARTA (THE ‘BANQUETING HALL’) IN  THE CONTEXT OF THE SACRAL CAMPUS
Authors: NEWMAN CONOR 
Published: October 2007

Summary.  New analysis explores Tech Midchúarta (the ‘Banqueting Hall’) from the point of view of a sacral, processional approach to the summit of the Hill of Tara, the pre‐eminent cult and inauguration site of prehistoric and early medieval Ireland. It is suggested that aspects of its architectural form symbolize the liminal boundary between the human world and the Otherworld of Tara, and that in so far as Tech Midchúarta is also designed to control and manipulate how the ceremonial complex is disclosed to the observer, it assembles the existing monuments into one, integrated ceremonial campus. It is argued that Tech Midchúarta is one of the later monuments on the Hill of Tara and that it may date from the early medieval period. Using the evidence of documentary sources and extant monuments, a possible processional route from Tech Midchúarta to Ráith na Ríg is described.
Immráidem fós Long na Láech frisanabar Barc Ban mbáeth. Tech na Fían, nirbo long lec, co cethri doirsib deac. Let us consider too the Hall of the Heroeswhich is called the Palace of Vain Women;the House of Warriors, it was no mean hall,with fourteen doors.(Gwynn 1903–35, Metrical Dindshenchas III, 18)
On consumer trust and product loyalty
Authors: Alhabeeb M.J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractUsing a multidimensional conceptualization and drawing on previous theoretical frameworks, this study identifies the dynamic relationships between consumer trust and product loyalty, and explores the mechanism, by which these constructs are formed. It further examines the nature and direction of the chain of effects related to the formation of consumer trust and loyalty and their links, all in the context of the core relationship between consumers and firms from the production to consumption, and back to production again. This analysis implies that blind consumer loyalty to a product may lead to the elevation of producer's power and give a blank card for setting prices, adjusting quality and altering services, and ultimately reversing consumer sovereignty. The analysis also implies that consumer satisfaction domain spans much more over and beyond the consumption of a product and the consumer–firm relationship extends way beyond having the product and paying for it.
Consumer overindebtedness: a review of the quality of money advice services in Scotland
Authors: Brennan Carol , Gallagher Kelly 
Published: October 2007

AbstractLevels of consumer borrowing and debt in the UK and globally continue to rise. Credit makes a vital contribution to the success of the UK economy by driving economic activity and allowing consumers flexibility in how they choose to access the marketplace and manage their finances. Although most consumers manage their borrowing effectively, for a minority, the ease of access to credit results in overindebtedness. As a consequence, the need for money advice is prevalent. In the UK in recent years, services have been developed to assist consumers in financial difficulty. In Scotland, additional funding has been made available to enable further service developments in local government or voluntary sector provision. This paper reviews the literature on consumer overindebtedness, the development of money advice services and discusses the quality of these services in Scotland. It is likely to be of interest in other countries where consumer overindebtedness is rising and where money advice services are being developed to assist those experiencing problems. The review found that the rising levels of overindebtedness justify the case for developing money advice services but that there are many quality issues which require to be managed. Implications for the money advice profession were identified together with suggestions for the development of services in other countries.
Tight junctions contain oligomeric protein assembly critical for maintaining blood–brain barrier integrity in vivo
Authors: McCaffrey Gwen , Staatz William D. , Quigley Carolyn A. , Nametz Nicole , Seelbach Melissa J. , Campos Chris R. , Brooks Tracy A. , Egleton Richard D. , Davis Thomas P. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTight junctions (TJs) are major components of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that physically obstruct the interendothelial space and restrict paracellular diffusion of blood‐borne substances from the peripheral circulation to the CNS. TJs are dynamic structures whose intricate arrangement of oligomeric transmembrane and accessory proteins rapidly alters in response to external stressors to produce changes in BBB permeability. In this study, we investigate the constitutive trafficking of the TJ transmembrane proteins occludin and claudin‐5 that are essential for forming the TJ seal between microvascular endothelial cells that inhibits paracellular diffusion. Using a novel, detergent‐free OptiPrep density‐gradient method to fractionate rat cerebral microvessels, we identify a plasma membrane lipid raft domain that contains oligomeric occludin and claudin‐5. Our data suggest that oligomerization of occludin involves disulfide bond formation within transmembrane regions, and that assembly of the TJ oligomeric protein complex is facilitated by an oligomeric caveolin scaffold. This is the first time that distribution of oligomeric TJ transmembrane proteins within plasma membrane lipid rafts at the BBB has been examined in vivo. The findings reported in this study are critical to understand the mechanism of assembly of the TJ multiprotein complex that is essential for maintaining BBB integrity.
Serotoninergic modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission in developing rat CA3 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Choi In‐Sun , Cho Jin‐Hwa , Kim Jung‐Tak , Park Eun‐Joo , Lee Maan‐Gee , Shin Hong‐In , Choi Byung‐Ju , Jang Il‐Sung 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSerotoninergic modulation of GABAergic mIPSCs was investigated in immature (postnatal 12–16‐days old) rat CA3 pyramidal neurons using a conventional whole‐cell patch clamp technique. Serotonin or 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) (10 μmol/L) transiently and explosively increased mIPSC frequency with a small increase in the current amplitude. However, 5‐HT did not affect the GABA‐induced postsynaptic currents, indicating that 5‐HT acts presynaptically to facilitate the probability of spontaneous GABA release. The 5‐HT action on GABAergic mIPSC frequency was completely blocked by 100 nmol/L MDL72222, a selective 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, and mimicked by mCPBG, a selective 5‐HT3 receptor agonist. The 5‐HT action on GABAergic mIPSC frequency was completely occluded either in the presence of 200 μmol/L Cd2+ or in the Na+‐free external solution, suggesting that the 5‐HT3 receptor‐mediated facilitation of mIPSC frequency requires a Ca2+influx passing through voltage‐dependent Ca2+channels from the extracellular space, and that presynaptic 5‐HT3 receptors are less permeable to Ca2+. The 5‐HT action on mIPSC frequency in the absence or presence of extracellular Na+ gradually increased with postnatal development. Such a developmental change in the 5‐HT3 receptor‐mediated facilitation of GABAergic transmission would play important roles in the regulation of excitability as well as development in CA3 pyramidal neurons.
Critical role of ABCA1 transporter in sphingosine 1‐phosphate release from astrocytes
Authors: Sato Koichi , Malchinkhuu Enkhzol , Horiuchi Yuta , Mogi Chihiro , Tomura Hideaki , Tosaka Masahiko , Yoshimoto Yuhei , Kuwabara Atsushi , Okajima Fumikazu 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is accumulated in lipoproteins, especially high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), in plasma. However, it remains uncharacterized how extracellular S1P is produced in the CNS. The treatment of rat astrocytes with retinoic acid and dibutyryl cAMP, which induce apolipoprotein E (apoE) synthesis and HDL‐like lipoprotein formation, stimulated extracellular S1P accumulation in the presence of its precursor sphingosine. The released S1P was present together with apoE particles in the HDL fraction. S1P release from astrocytes was inhibited by the treatment of the cells with glybenclamide or small interfering RNAs specific to ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). Astrocytes from Abca1−/− mice also showed impairment of retinoic acid/dibutyryl cAMP‐induced S1P release in association with the blockage of HDL‐like lipoprotein formation. However, the formation of either apoE or lipoprotein itself was not sufficient, and additional up‐regulation of ABCA1 was requisite to stimulate S1P release. We conclude that the S1P release from astrocytes is coupled with lipoprotein formation through ABCA1.
Signal transduction in Alzheimer disease: p21‐activated kinase signaling requires C‐terminal cleavage of APP at Asp664
Authors: Nguyen Thuy‐Vi V. , Galvan Veronica , Huang Wei , Banwait Surita , Tang Huidong , Zhang Junli , Bredesen Dale E. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe deficits in Alzheimer disease (AD) stem at least partly from neurotoxic β‐amyloid peptides generated from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP may also be cleaved intracellularly at Asp664 to yield a second neurotoxic peptide, C31. Previously, we showed that cleavage of APP at the C‐terminus is required for the impairments seen in APP transgenic mice, by comparing elements of the disease in animals modeling AD, with (platelet‐derived growth factor B‐chain promoter‐driven APP transgenic mice; PDAPP) versus without (PDAPP D664A) a functional Asp664 caspase cleavage site. However, the signaling mechanism(s) by which Asp664 contributes to these deficits remains to be elucidated. In this study, we identify a kinase protein, recently shown to bind APP at the C‐terminus and to contribute to AD, whose activity is modified in PDAPP mice, but normalized in PDAPP D664A mice. Specifically, we observed a significant increase in nuclear p21‐activated kinase (isoforms 1, 2, and or 3; PAK‐1/2/3) activation in hippocampus of 3 month old PDAPP mice compared with non‐transgenic littermates, an effect completely prevented in PDAPP D664A mice. In contrast, 13 month old PDAPP mice displayed a significant decrease in PAK‐1/2/3 activity, which was once again absent in PDAPP D664A mice. Similarly, in hippocampus of early and severe AD subjects, there was a progressive and subcellular‐specific reduction in active PAK‐1/2/3 compared with normal controls. Interestingly, total PAK‐1/2/3 protein was increased in early AD subjects, but declined in moderate AD and declined further, to significantly below that of control levels, in severe AD. These findings are compatible with previous suggestions that PAK may be involved in the pathophysiology of AD, and demonstrate that both early activation and late inactivation in the murine AD model require the cleavage of APP at Asp664.
Binding of zinc(II) and copper(II) to the full‐length Alzheimer’s amyloid‐β peptide
Authors: Tõugu Vello , Karafin Ann , Palumaa Peep 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThere is evidence that binding of metal ions like Zn2+ and Cu2+ to amyloid beta‐peptides (Αβ) may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Cu2+ and Zn2+ form complexes with Αβ peptides in vitro; however, the published metal‐binding affinities of Αβ vary in an enormously large range. We studied the interactions of Cu2+ and Zn2+ with monomeric Αβ40 under different conditions using intrinsic Αβ fluorescence and metal‐selective fluorescent dyes. We showed that Cu2+ forms a stable and soluble 1 : 1 complex with Αβ40, however, buffer compounds act as competitive copper‐binding ligands and affect the apparent KD. Buffer‐independent conditional KD for Cu(II)‐Αβ40 complex at pH 7.4 is equal to 0.035 μmol/L. Interaction of Αβ40 with Zn2+ is more complicated as partial aggregation of the peptide occurs during zinc titration experiment and in the same time period (within 30 min) the initial Zn‐Αβ40 complex (KD = 60 μmol/L) undergoes a transition to a more tight complex with KD ∼ 2 μmol/L Competition of Αβ40 with ion‐selective fluorescent dyes Phen Green and Zincon showed that the KD values determined from intrinsic fluorescence of Αβ correspond to the binding of the first Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions to the peptide with the highest affinity. Interaction of both Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions with Αβ peptides may occur in brain areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease and Zn2+‐induced transition in the peptide structure might contribute to amyloid plaque formation.
COMPUTER PROGRAMS: onesamp: a program to estimate effective population size using approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: TALLMON DAVID A. , KOYUK ALLY , LUIKART GORDON , BEAUMONT MARK A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe estimation of effective population size from one sample of genotypes has been problematic because most estimators have been proven imprecise or biased. We developed a web‐based program, onesamp that uses approximate Bayesian computation to estimate effective population size from a sample of microsatellite genotypes. onesamp requires an input file of sampled individuals’ microsatellite genotypes along with information about several sampling and biological parameters. onesamp provides an estimate of effective population size, along with 95% credible limits. We illustrate the use of onesamp with an example data set from a re‐introduced population of ibex Capra ibex.
Gut content identification of larvae of the Anopheles gambiae complex in western Kenya using a barcoding approach
Authors: GARROS C. , NGUGI N. , GITHEKO A. E. , TUNO N. , YAN G. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAlthough larvae feeding and food source are vital to the development, survival and population regulation of African malaria vectors, the prey organisms of Anopheles gambiae larvae in the natural environment have not been well studied. This study used a molecular barcoding approach to investigate the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in western Kenya. Gut contents from third‐ and fourth‐instar larvae from natural habitats were dissected and DNA was extracted. The 18S ribosomal DNA gene was amplified, the resulting clones were screened using a restriction fragment length polymorphism method and nonmosquito clones were sequenced. Homology search and phylogenetic analyses were then conducted using the sequences of non‐mosquito clones to identify the putative microorganisms ingested. The phylogenetic analyses clustered ingested microorganisms in four clades, including two clades of green algae (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae Class, Chlamydomonadales and Chlorococcales families), one fungal clade, and one unknown eukaryote clade. In parallel, using the same approach, an analysis of the biodiversity present in the larval habitats was carried out. This present study demonstrated the feasibility of the barcoding approach to infer the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae larvae. Our analysis suggests that despite the wide range of microorganisms available in natural habitats, mosquito larvae fed on specific groups of algae. The novel tools developed from this study can be used to improve our understanding of the larval ecology of African malaria vectors and to facilitate the development of new mosquito control tools.
A robotic molecular method for in situ detection of marine invertebrate larvae
Authors: JONES WILLIAM J. , PRESTON CHRISTINA M. , MARIN III ROMAN , SCHOLIN CHRISTOPHER A. , VRIJENHOEK ROBERT C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractKnowledge of the temporal and spatial abundance of invertebrate larvae is critical to understanding the dispersal capabilities and recruitment potential of marine and aquatic organisms. Traditional microscopic analyses are time‐consuming and difficult given the diversity of larval species and a frequent lack of discriminating morphological characteristics. Here, we describe a sensitive rRNA targeted sandwich hybridization assay (SHA) that uses oligonucleotide probes to detect and enumerate the larvae of invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas), native blue mussels (Mytilus), native barnacles (Balanus) and polychaetes (Osedax and Ophelia) that occur in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California. Laboratory‐based assays demonstrate specificity, high sensitivity, and a quantitative response to cultured samples from three of the target organisms. Oligonucleotide probes were then printed in arrays on nitrocellulose membranes and deployed in our robotic Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) to detect larvae in situ and autonomously. We demonstrate that the SHA‐detection method and ESP robot can be used for near real‐time, in situ detection of larval species in the marine environment.
New evidence on the systematic and phylogenetic position of Parides burchellanus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: SILVA‐BRANDÃO K. L. , AZEREDO‐ESPIN A. M. L. , FREITAS A. V. L. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Parides burchellanus is considered a rare and threatened swallowtail species restricted to central Brazil. It shows considerable morphological similarity to Parides panthonus jaguarae, with which it shares both geographical range and larval host plant. At present, P. burchellanus and P. panthonus are believed to be distinct species, based on minor differences in male genitalia. In this study, the phylogenetic and systematic position of P. burchellanus in relation to three subspecies of P. panthonus (P. p. jaguarae, P. p. lysimachus and P. p. aglaope) was evaluated using molecular evidence: the complete sequence of the mtDNA genes COI and COII and of the nuclear gene EF‐1α (c. 3300 bp). In addition, the informativeness of the ‘barcode’ region next to the 5′ end of COI (c. 650 bp) was evaluated for delimiting these taxa. Individual analysis by neighbour‐joining, using Kimura 2‐parameter distance model, and by maximum parsimony showed that P. p. jaguarae + P. p. lysimachus + P. p. aglaope + P. burchellanus form a strongly supported monophyletic clade, and all molecular regions consistently recovered P. p. jaguarae and P. burchellanus as sister species. The genetic divergence among the subspecies of P. panthonus and P. burchellanus is equivalent to the divergence among conspecifics of other species of Parides, and smaller than the interspecific divergence among different sister species of this genus. The results support the proposal that P. p. jaguarae and P. burchellanus are likely to be synonymous, and suggest that P. burchellanus can be considered conspecific with P. panthonus. The taxonomic classification of P. burchellanus should be revised on the basis of the molecular data.
Microsatellite DNA markers for the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis)
Authors: WANDELER P. , RAVAIOLI S. R. , BUCHER T. B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA total of 14 dinucleotide microsatellite loci were characterized in the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis). Allelic polymorphism across all loci and 28 individuals representing a single population in the Swiss Alps was high (mean = 10.1 alleles). No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci and no departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found. These loci will be useful for describing mating systems and population structure and to investigate the genetic consequences of a species living in a highly fragmented habitat.
Biosignatures present in a hydrothermal massive sulfide from the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: BLUMENBERG M. , SEIFERT R. , PETERSEN S. , MICHAELIS W. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTMid‐ocean spreading and accompanying hydrothermal activities result in huge areas with exposure of minerals rich in reduced chemicals – basaltic and peridotitic rocks as well as metal sulfide precipitates – to the oxygenated seawater. Oxidation of Fe and S present in these rocks provides an extensive long‐term source of energy to lithotrophs.Investigation of lipid biomarkers and their carbon isotope ratios from a massive iron sulfide of an inactive sulfide mound or inactive chimney sampled at the western flank of the Turtle‐Pits hydrothermal field (Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, 5°S) revealed a unique lipid distribution. The bacterial fauna appears to be dominated by chemolithotrophs with a distinct lipid composition mainly comprising of iso‐branched fatty acids and nonisoprenoidal dialkyl glycerol diethers partially including the very rare macrocyclic cores with 30–35 carbon atoms (including 13,16‐dimethyloctacosane and 5,13,16‐trimethyloctacosane). The Bacteria are accompanied by most likely hydrogen/CO2‐dependent methanogenic Archaea (e.g. Methanococcus) as well as other Archaea with a different life style (e.g. Ferroplasma). Alike some of the bacterial lipids the archaeal lipids predominantly consist of macrocyclic diethers including one C40 and one C41 isoprenoid. Structural homologues of the latter are so far only reported from a methanogenic archaeum and a Pleistocene sulfur deposit. Compound‐specific analyses of the stable isotope ratios revealed δ13C values for the majority of bacterial and archaeal lipid components of about 0‰ (vs. VPDB), indicative for chemolithoautotrophically fixed carbon which is, for distinct pathways, accompanied by only negligible fractionations. However, the presence of methanogenic Archaea is indicated by 13C‐depleted isoprenoidal lipids (δ13C ~ –50‰) characteristic for certain CO2‐reducing methanogens synthesizing lipids via acetyl CoA.