bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the bottleneck size in Florida panthers
Authors: Culver M. , Hedrick P. W. , Murphy K. , O'Brien S. , Hornocker M. G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe have estimated the extent of genetic variation in museum (1890s) and contemporary (1980s) samples of Florida panthers Puma concolor coryi for both nuclear loci and mtDNA. The microsatellite heterozygosity in the contemporary sample was only 0.325 that in the museum samples although our sample size and number of loci are limited. Support for this estimate is provided by a sample of 84 microsatellite loci in contemporary Florida panthers and Idaho pumas Puma concolor hippolestes in which the contemporary Florida panther sample had only 0.442 the heterozygosity of Idaho pumas. The estimated diversities in mtDNA in the museum and contemporary samples were 0.600 and 0.000, respectively. Using a population genetics approach, we have estimated that to reduce either the microsatellite heterozygosity or the mtDNA diversity this much (in a period of c. 80 years during the 20th century when the numbers were thought to be low) that a very small bottleneck size of c. 2 for several generations and a small effective population size in other generations is necessary. Using demographic data from Yellowstone pumas, we estimated the ratio of effective to census population size to be 0.315. Using this ratio, the census population size in the Florida panthers necessary to explain the loss of microsatellite variation was c. 41 for the non‐bottleneck generations and 6.2 for the two bottleneck generations. These low bottleneck population sizes and the concomitant reduced effectiveness of selection are probably responsible for the high frequency of several detrimental traits in Florida panthers, namely undescended testicles and poor sperm quality. The recent intensive monitoring both before and after the introduction of Texas pumas in 1995 will make the recovery and genetic restoration of Florida panthers a classic study of an endangered species. Our estimates of the bottleneck size responsible for the loss of genetic variation in the Florida panther completes an unknown aspect of this account.
Estimating the population size of an endangered shorebird, the Madagascar plover, using a habitat suitability model
Authors: Long P. R. , Zefania S. , Ffrench‐Constant R. H. , Székely T. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe Madagascar ploverCharadrius thoracicusis a shorebird endemic to western Madagascar, currently classified as globally vulnerable. It is restricted to specialized wetland habitats that are increasingly threatened by humans. To inform future conservation measures for this poorly known species, we develop a predictive habitat suitability map and use this map to estimate the size of the Madagascar plover population. We integrate spatially referenced presence‐only observations of Madagascar plovers with Landsat data, elevation data and measures of distance to settlements and the coast to produce a habitat suitability model using ecological niche factor analysis. Validation of this model using a receiver operating characteristic plot suggests that it is at least 84% accurate in predicting suitable sites. We then use our estimate of total area of suitable habitat above a critical suitability threshold and data on Madagascar plover density in suitable sites to estimate the total population size to derive a total population estimate of 3100±396 standard error individuals. Finally, we explore the conservation applications of our model.
EEG correlates of emotions in dream narratives from typical young adults and individuals with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Daoust Anne‐Marie , Lusignan Félix‐Antoine , Braun Claude M. J. , Mottron Laurent , Godbout Roger 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe relationship between emotional dream content and Alpha and Beta REM sleep EEG activity was investigated in typical individuals and in Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dream narratives of persons with ASD contained fewer emotional elements. In both groups, emotions correlated positively with slow Alpha (8.0–10.0 Hz) spectral power over parieto‐occipital and left central regions, as well as with a right occipital EEG asymmetry. Slow Alpha activity in ASD individuals was lower over midline and parasagittal areas and higher over lateral areas compared to controls. Both groups displayed a right‐biased slow Alpha activity for midparietal and occipital (significantly higher in control) sites. Results indicate that Alpha EEG activity may represent a neurophysiological substrate associated with emotional dream content. Distinctive Alpha EEG patterns and asymmetries suggest that dream generation implies different brain connectivity in ASD.
Relative left frontal activation to appetitive stimuli: Considering the role of individual differences
Authors: Gable Philip , Harmon‐Jones Eddie 
Published: February 2008

AbstractExperiments examining asymmetrical frontal activity in response to affective pictures have produced inconsistent results. These inconsistencies may have occurred because the pictorial stimuli may not have evoked strong emotional or motivational tendencies for all individuals. In the current study, participants were asked to indicate their liking for dessert and the time since they had last eaten to assess individual differences in emotion and motivation. Then, they were shown dessert pictures or neutral pictures while EEG activity was recorded. Results indicated that the individual differences predicted greater left than right frontal activity (inverse of the alpha power) within the first second as well as all 12 s of viewing of the dessert pictures.
A salivary collection method for young children
Authors: Zimmermann Laura K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSalivary assays are a major physiological measure in studies of child development. Traditional collection techniques have generally involved children chewing on sterile dental cotton rolls. However, research suggests that, for an accurate assay, potential contaminants need to be minimized, both from oral stimulants and the collection device. Moreover, the use of cotton requires that additional saliva be collected to compensate for the amount absorbed by the cotton itself. For these reasons I adapted the passive drooling collection protocol for use with young children. To this end, a game was created which involves frog puppets constructed so that a funnel, which serves as the frog's mouth, connects to a cryogenic vial housed in the frog's body. Details on the specifics of this methodology as well as the effectiveness of this approach are discussed.
Spectral characteristics and linear–nonlinear synchronization changes of different EEG frequency bands during the CNV
Authors: Molnár Márk , Csuhaj Roland , Gaál Zsófia Anna , Czigler Balázs , Ulbert István , Boha Roland , Kondákor István 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDuring the CNV recorded in a simple auditory working memory task, task‐specific decrease of the relative delta band and a transient increase of the absolute theta band were seen, accompanied by an increase of the absolute alpha1 and alpha2 bands in the posterior region. The decreased delta power probably corresponds to increased task‐evoked arousal, whereas the transient theta power increase corresponds to working memory demand and possibly to the orienting response. The increased alpha1 and alpha2 power may be a manifestation of a top‐down mechanism revealing control over the execution of a response. The area‐specific, task‐related, and frequency‐dependent changes of EEG complexity measures indicate frontally increasing complexity during the early part of the CNV in the beta frequency bands, which underscores the importance of this region in the mechanisms of anticipatory behavior.
Oxytocin and cortisol in romantically unattached young adults: Associations with bonding and psychological distress
Authors: Gordon Ilanit , Zagoory‐Sharon Orna , Schneiderman Inna , Leckman James F. , Weller Aron , Feldman Ruth 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDespite extensive research on the involvement of oxytocin (OT) in mammalian bonding, less is known about its role in human social affiliation across the life cycle. Forty‐five romantically unattached young adults participated. Plasma oxytocin and salivary cortisol were assessed using enzyme immuno‐assay, and self‐report measures of bonding, attachment, anxiety, and depression were collected. Oxytocin was associated with bonding to own parents and inversely related to psychological distress, particularly depressive symptoms. Cortisol was related to attachment anxiety. Regression analysis indicated that the adult's representations of bonding to parents predicted OT levels above and beyond cortisol, psychological distress, and attachment. Findings are consistent with antistress models of oxytocin and suggest that oxytocin may play a role in bonding‐related cognitions across the life span.
Consumer preferences for rockmelons in Australia
Authors: Khatri Yunus , Wei Sherrie , Wei Fengheng 
Published: February 2008

AbstractOn the demand side, consumer's decision choice for rockmelon is often compounded by a number of factors including quality, which is often not related to the visual characteristics observed in fruits such as bananas or mangoes. On the supply side, there is a general lack of understanding of consumer response towards rockmelon attributes in Australia and consequently, great fluctuations of demand and hence supply of the fruit. Thus, objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare analytical measures by instruments and sensory assessments by consumers based on sweetness levels (8–13 oBrix) of rockmelons. Results indicated that there was a large variation in texture, juiciness and flavour for each oBrix level. A significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.829) was obtained between analytical and sensory measures for sweetness. High organoleptic scores for flavour were noted among the higher sweetness levels. It is recommended that due to the change in consumer acceptability, marketing of rockmelons should not be solely based on oBrix levels; other attributes such as flavour, texture and juiciness should be utilized.
Counting the cost of healthy eating: a Swedish comparison of Mediterranean‐style and ordinary diets
Authors: Rydén Petra , Sydner Ylva Mattsson , Hagfors Linda 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe aim of this research was to examine the cost of a diet generally regarded as healthy, a Swedish version of the Mediterranean diet, and to compare it with the cost of an ordinary Swedish diet. A total of 30 individuals provided detailed dietary data collected in a randomized intervention study, examining the effect of dietary change to a Mediterranean‐style diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Mediterranean group, n = 16, control group, n = 14). The data, covering 1‐month dietary intake, were examined with three different diet quality indicators to see whether the Mediterranean group consumed a healthier diet than the control group. All diet quality indicators showed that the Mediterranean group consumed a healthier diet than the control group. Consumer food prices were used to analyse the cost of the different diets. In immediate consumer cost terms, eating a healthier diet was more expensive when differences in energy intake were discounted. However, non‐energy adjusted costs showed no significant difference between the groups. Hence, if one of the reasons for choosing a healthier diet is to achieve weight loss – by consuming less energy – it is possible that healthier eating is not more expensive.
Older people and convenience in meal preparation: a European study on understanding their perception towards vegetable soup preparation
Authors: Saba Anna , Messina Federico , Turrini Aida , Lumbers Margaret , Raats Monique M. ,   the Food in Later Life Project Team
Published: February 2008

AbstractA sample of 768 seniors over 65 years, living in eight European countries, was interviewed to investigate perceptions, preferences and attitudes towards convenience in preparation of vegetable soups. In each country, a range of seven vegetables soups varying in preparation levels required before consumption was identified. The first part of the interview (in‐depth interview) was carried out by using the Repertory Grid Method, an effective method to describe perceptions of foods using consumers' own language. Overall, vegetable‐related foods with convenience in preparation were perceived in similar ways across the countries. Older adults tended to describe ready vegetable soups mainly making associations related to preparation, rather than on their own preferences and evaluations. Conversely, fresh vegetables requiring all preparation or considerable preparation (cut fresh vegetables) were mainly associated with attributes such as taste, freshness, health benefits and familiarity with the product. The second session of the interview was based in part on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. A component measuring the extent to which it is felt necessary to eat convenience foods (perceived need) was assessed as well. Generally speaking, older people did not seem to view positively the consumption of convenience foods. Additionally, they did not feel the need to consume these products nor do they have the intention to consume them in the forthcoming month. Pleasure associated with performance of the behaviour was the most important determinant of intention to eat convenience foods in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. Perceived need was the most important factor in determining the intention to eat convenience foods in the UK, Poland and Portugal. Perceived control and subjective norms were the most important factors influencing the intention to eat convenience foods in Italy. The encouragement of consuming ‘ready‐meals’ might represent an opportunity to have healthier food choices and to reduce the risk a monotonous diet for older people who cannot or do not know how to cook, combined with a low interest in food‐related activities such as cooking.
Phorbol ester induced trafficking‐independent regulation and enhanced phosphorylation of the dopamine transporter associated with membrane rafts and cholesterol
Authors: Foster James D. , Adkins Steven D. , Lever John R. , Vaughan Roxanne A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe examined the mechanisms involved in protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent down‐regulation of dopamine transporter (DAT) activity and cell surface expression by treating heterologously expressing cells with the clathrin‐mediated endocytosis inhibitor concanavalin A (Con A) or the cholesterol depleter/membrane raft disrupter methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβC) prior to treatment with the PKC activator phorbol 12‐myristate, 13‐acetate (PMA). Con A blocked PMA‐induced surface reductions of DAT but only partially inhibited down‐regulation, while MβC partially blocked down‐regulation but did not inhibit loss of cell surface DAT, demonstrating that PKC‐induced DAT down‐regulation occurs by a combination of trafficking and non‐trafficking processes. Using density‐gradient centrifugation, we found that DATs are distributed approximately equally between Triton‐insoluble, cholesterol‐rich membrane rafts and Triton‐soluble non‐raft membranes. DATs in both populations are present at the cell surface and are active for dopamine and cocaine binding. PMA‐induced loss of cell surface DAT occurred only from non‐raft populations, demonstrating that non‐raft DATs are regulated by trafficking events and indicating the likelihood that the cholesterol‐dependent non‐trafficking regulatory mechanism occurs in rafts. PMA did not affect the DAT raft‐non‐raft distribution but stimulated the phosphorylation of DAT to a substantially greater level in rafts than non‐rafts. These findings reveal a previously unknown role for cholesterol in DAT function and demonstrate the presence of distinct subcellular DAT populations that possess multiple regulatory differences that may impact dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Directing traffic in neural cells: determinants of receptor tyrosine kinase localization and cellular responses
Authors: Romanelli Robert J. , Wood Teresa L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe trafficking of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) to distinct subcellular locations is essential for the specificity and fidelity of signal transduction and biological responses. This is particularly important in the PNS and CNS in which RTKs mediate key events in the development and maintenance of neurons and glia through a wide range of neural processes, including survival, proliferation, differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and synaptogenesis. The mechanisms that regulate the targeting of RTKs to their subcellular destinations for appropriate signal transduction, however, are still elusive. In this review, we discuss evidence for the spatial organization of signaling machinery into distinct subcellular compartments, as well as the role for ligand specificity, receptor sorting signals, and lipid raft microdomains in RTK targeting and the resultant cellular responses in neural cells.
GAT‐1 regulates both tonic and phasic GABAA receptor‐mediated inhibition in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Bragina Luca , Marchionni Ivan , Omrani Azar , Cozzi Andrea , Pellegrini‐Giampietro Domenico E. , Cherubini Enrico , Conti Fiorenzo 
Published: February 2008

Abstractγ‐Aminobutyric acid 1 (GAT‐1) is the most copiously expressed GABA transporter; we studied its role in phasic and tonic inhibition in the neocortex using GAT‐1 knockout (KO) mice. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemical studies showed that GAT‐2 and GAT‐3 levels in KOs were unchanged and that GAT‐3 was not redistributed in KOs. Moreover, the expression of GAD65/67 was increased, whereas that of GABA or VGAT was unchanged. Microdialysis studies showed that in KOs spontaneous extracellular release of GABA and glutamate was comparable in WT and KO mice, whereas KCl‐evoked output of GABA, but not of glutamate, was significantly increased in KOs. Recordings from layer II/III pyramids revealed a significant increase in GABAAR‐mediated tonic conductance in KO mice. The frequency, amplitude and kinetics of spontaneous inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (IPSCs) were unchanged, whereas the decay time of evoked IPSCs was significantly prolonged in KO mice. In KO mice, high frequency stimulation of GABAergic terminals induced large GABAAR‐mediated inward currents associated with a reduction in amplitude and decay time of IPSCs evoked immediately after the train. The recovery process was slower in KO than in WT mice. These studies show that in the cerebral cortex of GAT‐1 KO mice GAT‐3 is not redistributed and GADs are adaptively changed and indicate that GAT‐1 has a prominent role in both tonic and phasic GABAAR‐mediated inhibition, in particular during sustained neuronal activity.
HIF‐1 alpha is an essential effector for purine nucleoside‐mediated neuroprotection against hypoxia in PC12 cells and primary cerebellar granule neurons
Authors: Zur Nedden Stephanie , Tomaselli Bettina , Baier‐Bitterlich Gabriele 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) and purine nucleosides adenosine and inosine are critical mediators of physiological responses to acute and chronic hypoxia. The specific aim of this paper was to evaluate the potential role of HIF‐1α in purine‐mediated neuroprotection. We show that adenosine and inosine efficiently rescued clonal rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells (up to 43.6%) as well as primary cerebellar granule neurons (up to 25.1%) from hypoxic insult, and furthermore, that HIF‐1α is critical for purine‐mediated neuroprotection. Next, we studied hypoxia or purine nucleoside increased nuclear accumulation of HIF‐1α in PC12 cells. As a possible result of increased protein stabilization or synthesis an up to 2.5‐fold induction of HIF‐1α accumulation was detected. In cerebellar granule neurons, purine nucleosides induced an up to 3.1‐fold HIF‐1α accumulation in cell lysates. Concomitant with these results, small interfering RNA‐mediated reduction of HIF‐1α completely abolished adenosine‐ and inosine‐mediated protection in PC12 cells and severely hampered purine nucleoside‐mediated protection in primary neurons (up to 94.2%). Data presented in this paper thus clearly demonstrate that HIF‐1α is a key regulator of purine nucleoside‐mediated rescue of hypoxic neuronal cells.
The role of AMPK in psychosine mediated effects on oligodendrocytes and astrocytes: implication for Krabbe Disease
Authors: Giri Shailendra , Khan Mushfiquddin , Nath Narender , Singh Inderjit , Singh Avtar K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractKrabbe disease (KD) is an inherited neurological disorder caused by the deficiency of galactocerebrosidase activity resulting in accumulation of psychosine, which leads to energy depletion, loss of oligodendrocytes, induction of gliosis, and inflammation by astrocytes in CNS. In this study, for the first time, we report the regulation of ‘cellular energy switch,’ AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), by psychosine in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Psychosine treatment significantly down‐regulated AMPK activity, resulting in increased biosynthesis of lipids including cholesterol and free fatty acid in oligodendrocytes cell line (MO3.13) and primary astrocytes. Pharmacological activator of AMPK, 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐4‐ribofuranoside (AICAR) attenuated the psychosine‐mediated down‐regulation of AMPK and restored altered biosynthesis of lipids. AICAR treatment also down‐regulated psychosine induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase in primary astrocytes. However, AICAR treatment had no effect on psychosine induced‐reactive oxygen species generation, arachidonic acid release, and death of oligodendrocytes; suggesting the specific role of AMPK in regulation of psychosine‐mediated inflammatory response of astrocytes but not in cell death of oligodendrocytes. This study delineates an explicit role for AMPK in psychosine induced inflammation in astrocytes without directly affecting the cell death of oligodendrocytes. It also suggests that AMPK activating agents act as anti‐inflammatory agents and can hold a therapeutic potential in Krabbe disease/twitcher disease, particularly when used in combination with drugs, which protect oligodendrocyte cell loss, such as sPLA2 inhibitor [Giri et al., J. Lipid Res. 47 (2006), 1478].
Experiential gaming to facilitate cultural awareness: its implication for developing emotional caring in nursing
Authors: Graham Iain , Richardson Eileen 
Published: February 2008

AbstractFor nurses to deliver effective transcultural care, it must be carried out in a way that recognizes cultural difference and responds sensitively to it. In this study, the authors address the meaning of ‘cultural awareness’ and its place in the development of cultural competence among healthcare professionals. They explore the difficulties of providing effective methods for enabling students to become culturally aware and consider the use of games/simulations, whereby the learning experience emphasizes action and students begin to explore and evaluate through reflection. The focus then turns to using games in promoting cultural awareness based on the authors’ experiences. Over several years, Bournemouth University and other European and American partners have developed and used with effect two particular games specifically tailored for work with healthcare professionals. The content and scope of the games are described which, together with supporting material, constitute a day's workshop and provide an excellent basis for furthering the development of cultural knowledge and skills. The final discussion describes how, with the present trend towards a scientific–technological approach to teaching/learning, the craft of nursing is being lost and therefore the complexity of caring is not being realized. This in turn jeopardizes the students’ emotional learning, thereby negating the strength of nursing and the understanding of nursing as a discipline and practice. We believe that re‐investing in forgotten teaching methods like gaming/simulation may help students interpret nursing as a caring practice that is academically defensible.