bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoting group talk and higher‐order thinking in pupils by ‘coaching’ secondary English trainee teachers
Authors: Sutherland Julia 
Published: June 2006

AbstractOne hundred and eighty British secondary school pupils aged 11–12 and their six trainee teachers in five schools participated in an action research project, designed to improve the quality of children's group talk in English lessons, particularly their engagement in higher‐order thinking through ‘exploratory’ talk. The programme, supported by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA), now Training and Development Agency, was devised by a team of mentors and an Initial Teacher Educator from Sussex University. It aimed to develop the trainees' skills both in planning challenging tasks for, and sustaining effective group talk, using ‘ground rules’ and varied teacher discourse strategies. The data include qualitative comparative analysis of discourse audiotaped before and after the intervention, taken from 66 pupils. Findings indicate a clear improvement in the quality of talk, in terms of pupils' collaborative engagement in higher‐order thinking. Further evidence from observations and interviews with all participants suggests confirmation of the programme's effectiveness in improving trainees' and pupils' skills in, and understanding of how to use group talk to reason.
The problem with English: the exploration and development of student teachers' English subject knowledge in primary classrooms
Authors: Twiselton Samantha 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between student teachers' behaviour and their underlying thoughts and beliefs as they learn to teach English in the primary school. It draws on data from a study involving student teachers at a range of points in their Initial Teacher Education programmes at a university in England. It uses these data to explore the knowledge frameworks that appear to underpin the actions that participants take in the classroom as they teach primary English. This is related to an exploration of the values, beliefs and professional identity held by the student teachers, and conclusions are drawn concerning key factors to be considered in the construction of Initial Teacher Education programmes.
Linking literacy teaching with assessment: a continuing professional development initiative for secondary schools
Authors: Fisher Douglas , Lapp Diane , Flood James , Moore Kelly 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAs part of a professional development initiative helping secondary school teachers use assessment data to guide their instruction, teachers in this study changed their knowledge, skills and dispositions. Over time, they were able to identify assessments, administer these assessments, interpret the results and plan instruction. As a result, the students who were tutored by these teachers increased their achievement compared with a control group.
Non‐intrusive monitoring of otters (Lutra lutra) using infrared technology
Authors: Garcia de Leaniz C. , Forman D. W. , Davies S. , Thomson A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractRemote, non‐intrusive monitoring of elusive mammals remains problematic, particularly in running waters. The utility of using submerged infrared counters for monitoring non‐intrusively the activity of Eurasian ottersLutra lutrawas assessed in three tributaries of the River Dee (Beltie, Cattie, Feardar; Scotland) during 2003–2004. Otters passing through the infrared counters were strongly nocturnal and displayed a bimodal diel activity pattern. Seasonal activity indices varied fourfold between tributaries and peaked during the salmonid breeding season. The median time elapsing between consecutive night visits was 2.02±0.79 days and did not differ between tributaries. The median head–body length of adult otters was estimated at 75.0±1.1 cm, whereas median upstream swimming speed was calculated at 0.97±0.01 m s−1. Minimum census estimates revealed the activity of at least two adults in the Beltie, two adults and three juveniles in the Cattie, and two adults with one juvenile in the Feardar. Our study indicates that, under suitable conditions, infrared technology can be used effectively to examine non‐intrusively the activity of free‐ranging otters in running waters, offering some advantages over previous, more intrusive techniques that relied on the collection of spraints, the use of radioisotopes or the tracking of marked individuals.
A genetic study of sika (Cervus nippon) in the New Forest and in the Purbeck region, southern England: is there evidence of recent or past hybridization with red deer (Cervus elaphus)?
Authors: Diaz A. , Hughes S. , Putman R. , Mogg R. , Bond J. M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSika Cervus nippon are native to Japan and East Asia but are now naturalized in many parks of the world, including Britain. In contrast to the substantial body of research on the extent of hybridization between sika and red deer Cervus elaphus in Scottish populations, there has been little genetic analysis of the English populations of sika. Sika in England still have a patchy and discontinuous distribution; populations are thus still genetically isolated and may be expected to show higher variability in genetic type. The current paper uses DNA‐based techniques to explore the genetic composition of sika in the New Forest (Hampshire) and that of sika from the largest population in England, in the Purbeck region (Dorset). The study aims were to determine whether New Forest sika show signs of recent interbreeding with New Forest red deer populations, whether New Forest sika are genetically distinct from Purbeck sika, and whether New Forest and Purbeck sika show evidence of past hybridization or whether they are pure (non‐hybrid) strains. Microsatellite analysis was used to compare the genetic profiles of individual deer. Results showed that sika and red deer in the New Forest were genetically distinct, indicating that there is no large‐scale in situ hybridization occurring between these feral populations. In terms of overall genetic composition, there was no significant difference between the sika in the New Forest and Purbeck. However, a more detailed analysis found that New Forest sika showed a lower level of introgression with red deer compared with the Purbeck sika. We conclude that, overall, the New Forest sika deer do appear to be more genetically pure bred than the Purbeck sika.
Woodpecker pecking: how woodpeckers avoid brain injury
Authors: Gibson L. J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWoodpeckers are capable of repeated pecking on a tree at remarkably high decelerations (on the order of 10 000 m s−2 or 1000 g). In this paper, I re‐examine previous studies of pecking and scaling effects in brain injury. I find that there are three keys to woodpeckers' ability to withstand high decelerations: their small size, which reduces the stress on the brain for a given acceleration; the short duration of the impact, which increases the tolerable acceleration; and the orientation of the brain within the skull, which increases the area of contact between the brain and the skull.
Variation of cranial and dental measurements and dental correlations in the pampean fox (Dusicyon gymnocercus)
Authors: Prevosti F. J. , Lamas L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe knowledge of the craniodental variability of South American canids is mainly anecdotal, and the variability and dental correlation of living canids have only been studied in several species of holarctic foxes (Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes lagopus and Urocyon cinereoargeteus) and Canis lupus. These studies have shown that the last molars, canines and incisors are the most variable and the central molars and premolars are the least variable, and that correlations are highest among the posterior premolars. This pattern has been accounted for by developmental factors, functional utility and tooth complexity. In this paper the pattern of dental correlation and variability of craniodental measurements in the South American fox Dusicyon gymnocercus is studied, with the aim of checking the extension of the pattern observed in other species and contrasting previous hypotheses. The most variable in D. gymnocercus measurements are some cranial widths, width of the incisors, lower canine and lower last molar, whereas others such as width of the braincase, length of the upper carnassials, and first and second lower and upper molars have lower variability. The premolar region is the most correlated, in terms of values and number of significant correlation coefficients. The results show that measurement error is negatively correlated with size of the variables, which could explain the bias found in this index as earlier authors have suggested, but the pattern captured by this index cannot be completely considered to be an artefact. The observed results confirm that the patterns of variability and correlation found in holarctic foxes are widespread in the family Canidae, and suggest the presence of an evolutionary constraint.
Implication of the proprotein convertase NARC‐1/PCSK9 in the development of the nervous system
Authors: Poirier Steve , Prat Annik , Marcinkiewicz Edwige , Paquin Joanne , Chitramuthu Babykumari P. , Baranowski David , Cadieux Benoit , Bennett Hugh P. J. , Seidah Nabil G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractNeural apoptosis‐regulated convertase‐1/proprotein convertase subtilisin‐kexin like‐9 (NARC‐1/PCSK9) is a proprotein convertase recently described to play a major role in cholesterol homeostasis through enhanced degradation of the low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and possibly in neural development. Herein, we investigated the potential involvement of this proteinase in the development of the CNS using mouse embryonal pluripotent P19 cells and the zebrafish as models. Time course quantitative RT–PCR analyses were performed following retinoic acid (RA)‐induced neuroectodermal differentiation of P19 cells. Accordingly, the mRNA levels of NARC‐1/PCSK9 peaked at day 2 of differentiation and fell off thereafter. In contrast, the expression of the proprotein convertases subtilisin kexin isozyme 1/site 1 protease and Furin was unaffected by RA, whereas that of PC5/6 and PC2 increased within and/or after the first 4 days of the differentiation period respectively. This pattern was not affected by the cholesterogenic transcription factor sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐2, which normally up‐regulates NARC‐1/PCSK9 mRNA levels in liver. Furthermore, in P19 cells, RA treatment did not affect the protein level of the endogenous LDLR. This agrees with the unique expression pattern of NARC‐1/PCSK9 in the rodent CNS, including the cerebellum, where the LDLR is not significantly expressed. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization revealed that the pattern of expression of zebrafish NARC‐1/PCSK9 is similar to that of mouse both in the CNS and periphery. Specific knockdown of zebrafish NARC‐1/PCSK9 mRNA resulted in a general disorganization of cerebellar neurons and loss of hindbrain–midbrain boundaries, leading to embryonic death at ∼ 96 h after fertilization. These data support a novel role for NARC‐1/PCSK9 in CNS development, distinct from that in cholesterogenic organs such as liver.
Induction of microglial apoptosis by corticotropin‐releasing hormone
Authors: Ock Jiyeon , Lee Heasuk , Kim Sangseop , Lee Won‐Ha , Choi Dong‐Kug , Park Eun Jung , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Kim In Kyeom , Suk Kyoungho 
Published: June 2006

AbstractNeuropeptides are short‐chain peptides found in brain tissue, some of which function as neurotransmitters and others as hormones. Neuropeptides may directly or indirectly modulate glial functions in the CNS. In the present study, effects of various neuropeptides on the viability and inflammatory activation of cultured microglia were investigated. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y did not affect microglial cell viability, whereas corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) induced a classical apoptosis of mouse microglia in culture as shown by nuclear condensation and fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling, and cleavage of caspase 3 and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase protein. CRH, however, did not influence nitric oxide production or expression of inflammatory genes including those encoding cytokines and chemokines, indicating that CRH did not affect the inflammatory activation of microglia. The CRH‐induced microglial apoptosis appeared to involve a mitochondrial pathway and reactive oxygen species, based on the mitochondrial membrane potential change, caspase 9 activation and sensitivity to antioxidants. Taken together, our results indicate that the stress neuropeptide CRH may regulate neuroinflammation by inducing the apoptosis of microglia, the major cellular source of inflammatory mediators in the CNS.
Region‐specific regulation of glucocorticoid receptor/HSP90 expression and interaction in brain
Authors: Furay A. R. , Murphy E. K. , Mattson M. P. , Guo Z. , Herman J. P. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is involved in negative feedback regulation of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and is believed to transduce the deleterious effects of glucocorticoids in depression and age‐related memory loss. Regulation and intracellular trafficking of the GR are critical determinants of GR action in both health and disease. Here, we show dynamic regulation of GR and its interaction with its principal intracellular chaperone, heat‐shock protein (HSP) 90, across the circadian cycle. Our initial experiments indicate that cytosolic hippocampal GR protein is elevated in the evening (PM), whereas nuclear GR and cytosolic HSP90, HSP70 and heat‐shock cognate 70 (HSC70), are unchanged. In contrast, there are no changes in examined proteins in the hypothalamus. Immunoprecipitation experiments reveal increased GR–HSP90 associations in the hippocampus in the PM, whereas binding in the hypothalamus is decreased in the PM. Given that GR requires HSP90 for ligand binding, the data suggest that circadian GR signaling capacity is regulated in a region‐specific pattern.
Short interfering RNA‐induced gene silencing is transmitted between cells from the mammalian central nervous system
Authors: Zhao Tian‐Yong , Zou Shi‐Ping , Alimova Yelena V. , Wang Guoying , Hauser Kurt F. , Ghandour M. Said , Knapp Pamela E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlthough short interfering RNA (siRNA)‐induced gene silencing can be transmitted between cells in plants and in Caenorhabditis elegans, this phenomenon has been barely studied in mammalian cells. Both immortalized oligodendrocytes and SNB19 glioblastoma cells were transfected with siRNA constructs for phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) or Akt/protein kinase B (Akt). Co‐cultures were established between silenced cells and non‐silenced cells which were hygromycin resistant and/or expressed green fluorescent protein. After fluorescence sorting or hygromycin selection to remove the silenced cells, the expression of PTEN or Akt genes in the originally unsilenced cells was in all cases significantly decreased. Importantly, silencing did not occur in transwell culture studies, suggesting that transmission of the silencing signal requires a close association between cells. These results provide the first direct demonstration that an siRNA‐induced silencing signal can be transmitted between mammalian CNS cells.
Copper‐dependent co‐internalization of the prion protein and glypican‐1
Authors: Cheng Fang , Lindqvist Josefin , Haigh Cathryn L. , Brown David R. , Mani Katrin 
Published: June 2006

AbstractHeparan sulfate chains have been found to be associated with amyloid deposits in a number of diseases including transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Diverse lines of evidence have linked proteoglycans and their glycosaminoglycan chains, and especially heparan sulfate, to the metabolism of the prion protein isoforms. Glypicans are a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored, heparan sulfate‐containing, cell‐associated proteoglycans. Cysteines in glypican‐1 can become nitrosylated by endogenously produced nitric oxide. When glypican‐1 is exposed to a reducing agent, such as ascorbate, nitric oxide is released and autocatalyses deaminative cleavage of heparan sulfate chains. These processes take place while glypican‐1 recycles via a non‐classical, caveolin‐associated pathway. We have previously demonstrated that prion protein provides the Cu2+ ions required to nitrosylate thiol groups in the core protein of glypican‐1. By using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and immunomagnetic techniques, we now show that copper induces co‐internalization of prion protein and glypican‐1 from the cell surface to perinuclear compartments. We find that prion protein is controlling both the internalization of glypican‐1 and its nitric oxide‐dependent autoprocessing. Silencing glypican‐1 expression has no effect on copper‐stimulated prion protein endocytosis, but in cells expressing a prion protein construct lacking the copper binding domain internalization of glypican‐1 is much reduced and autoprocessing is abrogated. We also demonstrate that heparan sulfate chains of glypican‐1 are poorly degraded in prion null fibroblasts. The addition of either Cu2+ ions, nitric oxide donors, ascorbate or ectopic expression of prion protein restores heparan sulfate degradation. These results indicate that the interaction between glypican‐1 and Cu2+‐loaded prion protein is required both for co‐internalization and glypican‐1 self‐pruning.
Genotype‐dependent priming to self‐ and xeno‐cannibalism in heterozygous and homozygous lymphoblasts from patients with Huntington's disease
Authors: Mormone Elisabetta , Matarrese Paola , Tinari Antonella , Cannella Milena , Maglione Vittorio , Farrace Maria Grazia , Piacentini Mauro , Frati Luigi , Malorni Walter , Squitieri Ferdinando 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn the present work, we studied the mitochondrial function and cell death pathway(s) in heterozygous and homozygous immortalized cell lines from patients with Huntington's disease (HD). Heterozygosis was characterized by specific alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential, a constitutive hyperpolarization state of mitochondria, and was correlated with an increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Lymphoblasts from homozygous patients, on the other hand, were characterized by a significant percentage of cells displaying autophagic vacuoles. These cells also demonstrated a striking attitude towards significant cannibalistic activity. Considering the pathogenic role of cell death in HD, our study provides new and useful insights into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction, i.e. hyperpolarization, in hijacking HD heterozygous cells towards apoptosis and HD homozygous cells towards a peculiar phenotype characterized by both self‐ and xeno‐cannibalism. These events can, however, be viewed as an ultimate attempt to survive rather than a way to die. The present work underlines the possibility that HD‐associated mitochondrial defects could tentatively be by‐passed by the cells by activating cellular ‘phagic’ activities, including so‐called ‘mitophagy’ and ‘cannibalism’, that only finally lead to cell death.
Characterization of the potent neuroprotective properties of the natural vitamin E α‐tocotrienol
Authors: Khanna Savita , Roy Sashwati , Parinandi Narasimham L. , Maurer Mariah , Sen Chandan K. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe natural vitamin E tocotrienols possess properties not shared by tocopherols. Nanomolar α‐tocotrienol, not α‐tocopherol, is potently neuroprotective. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. We sought to dissect the antioxidant‐independent and ‐dependent neuroprotective properties of α‐tocotrienol by using two different triggers of neurotoxicity, homocysteic acid (HCA) and linoleic acid. Both HCA and linoleic acid caused neurotoxicity with comparable features, such as increased ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathionone GSSG/GSH, raised intracelular calcium concentration and compromised mitochondrial membrane potential. Mechanisms underlying HCA‐induced neurodegeneration were comparable to those in the path implicated in glutamate‐induced neurotoxicity. Inducible activation of c‐Src and 12‐lipoxygenase (12‐Lox) represented early events in that pathway. Overexpression of active c‐Src or 12‐Lox sensitized cells to HCA‐induced death. Nanomolar α‐tocotrienol was protective. Knock‐down of c‐Src or 12‐Lox attenuated HCA‐induced neurotoxicity. Oxidative stress represented a late event in HCA‐induced death. The observation that micromolar, but not nanomolar, α‐tocotrienol functions as an antioxidant was verified in a model involving linoleic acid‐induced oxidative stress and cell death. Oral supplementation of α‐tocotrienol to humans results in a peak plasma concentration of 3 μm. Thus, oral α‐tocotrienol may be neuroprotective by antioxidant‐independent as well as antioxidant‐dependent mechanisms.
Movement patterns of Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra in Europe
Authors: NEWTON IAN 
Published: June 2006

Over much of Europe, Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra depend primarily on the seeds of Norway Spruce Picea abies, and their breeding and movement patterns are governed largely by the cropping patterns of this tree species. Good cone crops occur only every few years in particular areas, but in different years in different areas. The main period of movement is in summer, when the previous year's crop is coming to an end, and a new crop is forming in different areas. In years when the Norway Spruce crop is poor over a wide area, and when Common Crossbills are abundant, they leave the boreal forest in large numbers, and appear as irruptive migrants in southwest Europe, with at least 40 invasions reaching Britain in the 120‐year period 1881–2000. On irruptions the main migration axis is from northeast to southwest or west. Recoveries of birds ringed mainly in Germany confirm that these birds do not return to the boreal forest in northern Russia in the same calendar year as their irruption, but do so only in a later calendar year, when a new Norway Spruce crop is becoming available. The findings agree with an earlier interpretation of Common Crossbill movements, but not with an alternative hypothesis that irrupting Common Crossbills return to their region of origin in the same calendar year as the outward movement. Recoveries also suggest that some individual Common Crossbills may have bred in widely separated localities in different years (records up to 3170 km apart), and sometimes in localities far removed from their natal sites (records up to 2950 km apart).