bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in determinants of weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut
Authors: Kanaan Mona N , Afifi Rema A 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between self-esteem, physical activity, engaging in risky behaviours, social and cultural capital, attitudes towards thinness, parental and personal characteristics with weight-control behaviours among adolescents in Beirut, Lebanon.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study. A stratified cluster sampling design was used and information gathered by means of a questionnaire. Associations were investigated using multinomial logistic regression, accounting for the survey design. Odds ratios were calculated for trying to lose weight, or trying to gain weight, compared with no weight-control behaviour.SettingThe study was conducted in three underprivileged urban areas of Beirut in 2003.SubjectsThe sample size was 1294 adolescents aged 13–19 years.ResultsDeterminants of weight-control behaviour among girls included their attitudes towards thinness (ORloss= 4·29, ORgain= 0·38), dissatisfaction with weight (ORloss= 10·9, ORgain= 9·63), engaging in physical activity (ORloss= 2·22), smoking (ORloss≈3) and the mother working (ORloss= 2·77). Determinants of weight-control behaviour in boys included their attitudes towards thinness (ORloss= 14·7, ORgain= 0·35), dissatisfaction with weight (ORloss= 15·6, ORgain= 17·7), being involved in a cultural activity (ORgain= 2·51), engaging in a fight (ORloss= 5·25, ORgain= 1·64) and engaging in physical activity (ORloss= 2·56, ORgain= 2·17).ConclusionsAttitudes towards thinness, weight dissatisfaction and physical activity are common determinants for weight-control among boys and girls, although to varying degrees of influence. Self-esteem, social capital, cultural capital and parental characteristics were not significant predictors when accounting for the other variables.
The Earth as an extrasolar planet: the vegetation spectral signature today and during the last Quaternary climatic extrema
Authors: Arnold Luc , Bréon François-Marie , Brewer Simon 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe so-called vegetation red-edge (VRE), a sharp increase in the reflectance around 700 nm, is a characteristic of vegetation spectra, and can therefore be used as a biomarker if it can be detected in an unresolved extrasolar Earth-like planet integrated reflectance spectrum. Here, we investigate the potential for the detection of vegetation spectra during the last Quaternary climatic extrema, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the Holocene optimum, for which past climatic simulations have been made. By testing the VRE detectability during these extrema, when Earth's climate and biomes maps were different from today, we are able to test the vegetation detectability on a terrestrial planet different from our modern Earth. Data from the Biome3.5 model have been associated to visible Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) spectra for each biome and cloud cover to derive Earth's integrated spectra for given Earth phases and observer positions. The VRE is then measured. Results show that the vegetation remains detectable during the last climatic extrema. Compared to the current Earth, the Holocene optimum, with a greener Sahara, slightly increases the mean VRE on one hand, while on the other hand, the large ice cap over the northern hemisphere during the LGM decreases vegetation detectability. We finally discuss the detectability of the VRE in the context of recently proposed space missions.
Organic broccoli production on transition soils: Comparing cover crops, tillage and sidedress N
Authors: Schellenberg Daniel L. , Morse Ronald D. , Welbaum Gregory E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLittle information is available about how farmers in transition to organic practices should manage short- and long-term N fertility. The objectives of this research were (1) to evaluate the leguminous cover crops lablab (Dolichos lablabL.), soybean (Glycine maxL.), sunn hemp (Crotalaria junceaL.) and a mixture of sunn hemp and cowpea (Vigna sinensisEndl.) as N sources; (2) to compare N availability and broccoli yield when cover crops were incorporated with conventional tillage (CT) or retained as a surface mulch using no-tillage (NT) practices; and (3) to quantify the amount of supplemental sidedress nitrogen required to maximize the yield of organic broccoli (Brassica oleraceaGroup Italica) on transition soils. Broccoli was grown during the first year after organic transition in the spring and fall of 2006 at the Kentland Agricultural Research Farm near Blacksburg, VA. Spring (P<0.001) and fall (P<0.001) broccoli yield increased as the rate of sidedress N was increased up to 112 kg N ha−1, and showed a quadratic correlation with leaf N (P=<0.001,R2=0.80 andP=<0.001,R2=0.38, respectively). There was no difference in spring broccoli yield between CT and NT; however, CT produced the highest yield in the fall crop. At low sidedress N rates, leaf N was highest in CT plots, but tillage had no effect on N uptake at high N rates. This indicates that early season and perhaps total plant-available mineralized N was greater in CT than NT; however, potential N deficiency in NT soil may be compensated by sidedress N. Broccoli yield was not affected by leguminous cover crop, even though the quantity of cover crop biomass and N contribution was different among species. This suggests that N availability from leguminous cover crops may be impacted by other ecological processes such as soil microbial activity. This study shows that organic CT and NT growers can maximize broccoli yield in transition soils low in N availability, by using leguminous cover crops in combination with moderate amounts of sidedress N.
Soil amoebae rapidly change bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rosenberg Katja , Bertaux Joanne , Krome Kristin , Hartmann Anton , Scheu Stefan , Bonkowski Michael 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
We constructed an experimental model system to study the effects of grazing by a common soil amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii, on the composition of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana. Amoebae showed distinct grazing preferences for specific bacterial taxa, which were rapidly replaced by grazing tolerant taxa in a highly reproducible way. The relative proportion of active bacteria increased although bacterial abundance was strongly decreased by amoebae. Specific bacterial taxa had disappeared already two days after inoculation of amoebae. The decrease in numbers was most pronounced in Betaproteobacteria and Firmicutes. In contrast, Actinobacteria, Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia and Planctomycetes increased. Although other groups, such as betaproteobacterial ammonia oxidizers and Gammaproteobacteria did not change in abundance, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis with specific primers for pseudomonads (Gammaproteobacteria) revealed both specific changes in community composition as well as shifts in functional genes (gacA) involved in bacterial defence responses. The resulting positive feedback on plant growth in the amoeba treatment confirms that bacterial grazers play a dominant role in structuring bacteria–plant interactions. This is the first detailed study documenting how rapidly protozoan grazers induce shifts in rhizosphere bacterial community composition.
Quantitative population dynamics of microbial communities in plankton-fed microbial fuel cells
Authors: White Helen K , Reimers Clare E , Cordes Erik E , Dilly Geoffrey F , Girguis Peter R 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
This study examines changes in diversity and abundance of bacteria recovered from the anodes of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in relation to anode potential, power production and geochemistry. MFCs were batch-fed with plankton, and two systems were maintained at different potentials whereas one was at open circuit for 56.8 days. Bacterial phylogenetic diversity during peak power was assessed from 16S rDNA clone libraries. Throughout the experiment, microbial community structure was examined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. Changes in cell density of key phylotypes, including representatives of δ-, ɛ-, γ-proteobacteria and Flavobacterium-Cytophaga-Bacteroides, were enumerated by quantitative PCR. Marked differences in phylogenetic diversity were observed during peak power versus the final time point, and changes in microbial community structure were strongly correlated to dissolved organic carbon and ammonium concentrations within the anode chambers. Community structure was notably different between the MFCs at different anode potentials during the onset of peak power. At the final time point, however, the anode-hosted communities in all MFCs were similar. These data demonstrate that differences in growth, succession and population dynamics of key phylotypes were due to anode potential, which may relate to their ability to exploit the anode as an electron acceptor. The geochemical milieu, however, governs overall community diversity and structure. These differences reflect the physiological capacity of specific phylotypes to catabolize plankton-derived organic matter and exploit the anode of an MFC for their metabolism directly or indirectly through syntrophy.
Horizontal gene transfer between Ralstonia solanacearum strains detected by comparative genomic hybridization on microarrays
Authors: Guidot Alice , Coupat Bénédicte , Fall Saliou , Prior Philippe , Bertolla Franck 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The plant pathogenic Betaproteobacterium Ralstonia solanacearum is a complex species in that most of the strains share the common characteristic of being naturally transformable. In this study, we used a new approach based on comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on microarrays to investigate the extent of horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) between different strains of R. solanacearum. Recipient strains from phylotypes I, II and III were naturally transformed in vitro by genomic DNA from the GMI1000 reference strain (phylotype I) and the resulting DNAs were hybridized on a microarray representative of the 5120 predicted genes from the GMI1000 strain. In addition to transfer of the antibiotic resistance marker, in 8 of the 16 tested transformants, CGH on microarrays detected other transferred GMI1000 genes and revealed their number, category, function and localization along the genome. We showed that DNA blocks up to 30 kb and 33 genes could be integrated during a single event. Most of these blocks flanked the marker gene DNA but, interestingly, multiple DNA acquisitions along the genome also occurred in a single recombinant clone in one transformation experiment. The results were confirmed by PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing and Southern blot hybridization. This represents the first comprehensive identification of gene acquisitions and losses along the genome of the recipient bacterial strain during natural transformation experiments. In future studies, this strategy should help to answer many questions related to HGT mechanisms.
The onset of microbial associations in the coral Pocillopora meandrina
Authors: Apprill Amy , Marlow Heather Q , Martindale Mark Q , Rappé Michael S 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Associations between healthy adult reef-building corals and bacteria and archaea have been observed in many coral species, but the initiation of their association is not understood. We investigated the onset of association between microorganisms and Pocillopora meandrina, a coral that vertically seeds its eggs with symbiotic dinoflagellates before spawning. We compared the bacterial communities associated with prespawned oocyte bundles, spawned eggs, and week old planulae using multivariate analyses of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms of SSU rRNA genes, which revealed that the composition of bacteria differed between these life stages. Additionally, planulae raised in ambient seawater and seawater filtered to reduce the microbial cell density harbored dissimilar bacterial communities, though SSU rRNA gene clone libraries showed that planulae raised in both treatments were primarily associated with different members of the Roseobacter clade of Alphaproteobacteria. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe suite targeting all bacteria and one oligonucleotide probe targeting members of the Roseobacter clade was used to localize the bacterial cells. Only planulae greater than 3 days old were observed to contain internalized bacterial cells, and members of the Roseobacter clade were detected in high abundance within planula tissues exposed to the ambient seawater treatment. We conclude that the onset of association between microorganisms and the coral P. meandrina appears to occur through horizontal uptake by planulae older than 79 h, and that uptake is preferential to members of the Roseobacter clade and potentially sensitive to the ambient seawater microbial community.
Assembling the Tree of Life in Europe (AToLE)
Authors: Bininda-Emonds Olaf , Bogdanowicz Wieslaw , Borsch Thomas , Delsuc Frederic , Hassanin Alexandre , Jondelius Ulf , Petersen Gitte , Renner Susanne , Savolainen Vincent , Seberg Ole , Smets Erik , Vogler Alfried 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA network of scientists under the umbrella of 'Assembling the Tree of Life in Europe (AToLE)' seeks funding under the FP7-Theme: Cooperation - Environment (including Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation) programme of the European Commission.
Identification of a conserved F-box protein 6 interactor essential for endocytosis and cytokinesis in fission yeast
Authors: Jourdain Isabelle , Spielewoy Nathalie , Thompson James , Dhut Susheela , Yates John R. , Toda Takashi 
Published: February 2009

The F-box domain is a degenerated motif consisting of ∼40 amino acid residues that specifically bind Skp1, a core component of the SCF (Skp1-Cdc53/Cullin 1-F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase. Recent work, mainly performed in budding yeast, indicates that certain F-box proteins form non-SCF complexes together with Skp1 in the absence of cullins and play various roles in cell cycle and signalling pathways. However, it is not established whether these non-SCF complexes are unique to budding yeast or common in other eukaryotes. In the present paper, using TAP (tandem affinity purification) coupled to MudPIT (Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology) analysis, we have identified a novel conserved protein, Sip1, in fission yeast, as an interacting partner of an essential F-box protein Pof6. Sip1 is a large HEAT (huntingtin, elongation factor 3, the PR65/A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A and the lipid kinase Tor)-repeats containing protein (217 kDa) and forms a complex with Pof6 and Skp1. This complex does not contain cullins, indicating that it is a novel non-SCF complex. Like Pof6 and Skp1, Sip1 is essential for cell viability and temperature-sensitive sip1 mutants display cell division arrest as binucleate cells with septa. Sip1 localizes to the nucleus and dynamic cytoplasmic dots, which are shown in the present study to be endocytic vesicles. Consistent with this, sip1 mutants are defective in endocytosis. Furthermore, towards the end of cytokinesis, constriction of the actomyosin ring and dissociation of type II myosin and septum materials are substantially delayed in the absence of functional Sip1. These results indicate that the conserved Sip1 protein comprises a novel non-SCF F-box complex that plays an essential role in endocytosis, cytokinesis and cell division.
Biofuel economics from a US perspective: past and future.
Authors: Zhang Z. B. , Wetzstein M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
With the vast number of government programmes around the world supporting virtually every phase of biofuels, there is a strong commitment towards the development of these fuels. However, our current knowledge base of biofuel production, marketing and environmental impact is filled with uncertainty. To shed light on the uncertainty, especially from a US perspective, this review of the biofuel economic literature attempts to determine the most fruitful areas of economic research. As a foundation, it is currently accepted that the US maize-based ethanol industry is sustainable with present government incentives and regulations, while cellulosic-based ethanol is not. Thus, without major new government incentives it is unlikely the USA will achieve goals set by various energy policy acts. The literature indicates a governmental system approach is required which advances biofuels to markets. Such an approach integrates research, regulatory initiatives and education. In terms of the food versus fuel issue, markets are very responsive to price shocks which will mitigate food inflation. However, market gyrations will occur, which will negatively impact the world's poor. With government incentives and regulations, the short-run future of biofuels is bright, while in the long run, biofuels will contribute to, but are unlikely to dominate, our future fuel supply.
Viruses transmitted through the food chain: a review of the latest developments.
Authors: Verhoef L. , Boxman I. L. , Koopmans M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Nipah virus and H5N1 has sparked fears of food-borne dissemination of viruses, resulting in an increased focus on microbiological food safety. Norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been recognized as priorities based on their illness burden, and as models for prevention studies. In addition, hepatitis E virus is considered an emerging food-borne pathogen. Systematic surveillance for food-borne viral diseases, where present, has to deal with underreporting, with available data biased towards developed countries, making true estimates of the burden of illness challenging. Nevertheless, food-borne viral outbreaks are often reported, whereas current measures undertaken by food safety management organizations are focused primarily on bacterial contamination and are insufficient for viruses in food. There has been a shift towards molecular techniques for the diagnosis and detection of viruses in food, but a definite link to food is still hard to establish owing to the low levels of viruses in foods. Moreover, multiple strains may be involved in sewage-contaminated foods, with the risk of recombination and development of novel strains after ingestion. To enable monitoring of food and food safety, sensitive routine methods are needed, and methods for detection of NoV and HAV in risk foods (shellfish, soft fruit and leafy greens) are currently validated. Norovirus cannot be cultured, but the murine NoV may be a surrogate for studying NoV survival. In all, significant progress has been made in understanding food-borne viral infections, but clear data gaps still exist and should be the focus of future research.
Control of cell growth by brassinosteroids.
Authors: Pereira-Netto A. B. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Brassinosteroids (BRs) comprise a specific class of low-abundance plant steroids of ubiquitous occurrence in plants. Molecular genetic analysis of mutants defective in BR biosynthesis or response has demonstrated that the ability to synthesize, perceive and respond to BRs is critical for normal plant growth. In the last 10 years, more than a dozen reviews have summarized the impressive progress in our understanding of the BRs metabolism, including its regulation, and also in the identification of the various components of their signal transduction pathway. In this review, an insight into the BR-induced changes in biochemical and molecular mechanisms important to control cell growth is provided. Data presented in this review also demonstrate that BR control of cell growth rely on a broad variety of mechanisms.
Proposed strategies for mitigating the impact of high food prices on nutrition and health in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Authors: Valpiani N. , Thorne-Lyman A. L. , Pee S. de , Godfrey S. , Gentilini U. , Bloem M. W. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
High food prices are expected to have detrimental impacts on the dietary intake of vulnerable populations around the world, exacerbating malnutrition and poor health. Prior to the onset of the price rises, 53 million individuals in Latin America already lacked sufficient daily energy intake, and the rates of anaemia and high child stunting suggest widespread vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Where households cope with high prices by eliminating more expensive, nutrient-dense foods from their diets, the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies will increase, especially among those with the highest nutrient needs: pregnant and lactating women, young children and the chronically ill. Unaddressed, food price increases will stunt the growth and development of a generation. This paper reviews market-based and non-market-based options for augmenting the emergency nutrition safety net in Latin American and Caribbean nations. Because the region has the unique advantage of numerous established conditional cash transfer programmes enabled by political stability and well-functioning market economies, much focus is given to their strengths, weaknesses and potential to mitigate the effects of high food prices. Yet, as these programmes sometimes fail to target the urban poor or reach marginalized rural communities that lack access to infrastructure and markets, food-based interventions remain indispensable for restoring micronutrient and health status across the region. Contextual factors, including the specific nutrient deficiencies of concern and the condition of and access to infrastructure and markets, should inform the combination of interventions selected.
Advances in sea cucumber aquaculture and prospects for commercial culture of
Holothuria scabra
.
Authors: Raison C. M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Sea cucumbers have been consumed for centuries in Asia as traditional medicinal and prestige foods, said to aid wound healing, joint pain, intestinal problems and as a general health tonic. Increasing prosperity in China over the past 30 years has fuelled growing demand for high-value seafood products in the region which has placed severe pressure on traditional sea cucumber fisheries. Despite the emergence of new fishery locations and increasing international trade, supply has been failing to meet demand, resulting in an increasing price trend. There is evidence that wild-sea cucumber populations are under severe pressure with concerns that depleted stocks may take decades to recover with no clear indication that fisheries management is improving. Growing interest in stock restoration as a fisheries management tool has led to significant advances in culture techniques for the more valuable species of sea cucumber, and this in turn has raised the possibility of culturing the most promising species commercially. This review provides an overview of sea cucumber ecology and biology, international trade, fisheries management issues and advances in culture techniques, and then focuses on prospects for commercial culture of
Holothuria scabra
, the most valuable tropical species.