bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventing desert locust plagues: optimizing management interventions
Authors: Van Huis Arnold , Cressman Keith , Magor Joyce I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSolitarious desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), inhabit the central, arid, and semi‐arid parts of the species’ invasion area in Africa, the Middle East, and South‐West Asia. Their annual migration circuit takes them downwind to breed sequentially where winter, spring, and summer rains fall. In many years, sparse and erratic seasonal rains support phase change and local outbreaks at only a few sites. Less frequently, seasonal rains are widespread, frequent, heavy, and long lasting, and many contemporaneous outbreaks occur. When such seasonal rains fall sequentially, populations develop into an upsurge and eventually into a plague unless checked by drought, migration to hostile habitats, or effective control. Increases in the proportion of gregarious populations as the plague develops alter the effectiveness of control. As an upsurge starts, only a minority of locusts is aggregated into treatable targets and spraying them leaves sufficient unsprayed individuals to continue the upsurge. Spraying all individuals scattered within an entire infested zone is arguably both financially and environmentally unacceptable. More of the population gregarizes and forms sprayable targets after each successive season of good rains and successful breeding. Eventually, unless the rains fail, the entire upsurge population becomes aggregated at high densities so that the infested area diminishes and a plague begins. These populations must continue to increase numerically and spread geographically to achieve peak plague levels, a stage last reached in the 1950s. Effective control, aided by poor rains, accompanied each subsequent late upsurge and early plague stage and all declined rapidly. The control strategy aims to reduce populations to prevent plagues and damage to crops and grazing. Differing opinions on the optimum stage to interrupt pre‐plague breeding sequences are reviewed.
Botanophila flies on Epichloë host species in Europe and North America: no evidence for co‐evolution
Authors: Leuchtmann Adrian 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSpecies of Epichloë (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae), which infect grasses, maintain an obligate symbiotic relationship with flies of the genus Botanophila (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Sexual reproduction of the fungus usually requires a visit by Botanophila, which serves to ‘pollinate’ the fungus with spermatia of the opposite mating type; the flies in turn deposit their eggs on fungal tissues upon which the larvae feed. For a molecular phylogenetic study, a total of 108 fly larvae were collected from 10 different Epichloë species on various grasses in Europe and North America. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COII) detected six distinct Botanophila taxa that were associated with Epichloë. Three were restricted to samples from Europe, two to samples from North America, and one was present on both continents. In North America the common taxon [identified as Botanophila lobata (Collin)] was found on Epichloë hosts of native grasses and on Epichloë typhina (Pers.: Fr.) Tul. and Epichloë festucae Leuchtm., Schardl and M.R. Siegel of the introduced grasses Dactylis glomerata L. and Festuca rubra L., respectively. In a maximum likelihood phylogram, one of the American taxa was most basal, while the other was nested within the European taxa, suggesting that European and American taxa of Epichloë‐associated Botanophila spp. may not have separate origins. Analyses of the fly populations further indicated that up to four different Botanophila taxa can be present at a single location. On taxon level there was no specificity of flies for Epichloë host species (except taxon 6 that was found only on Epichloë glyceriae Schardl & Leuchtmann), although several taxa appeared to prefer some hosts over others. Comparison of molecular phylogenetic relationships of Botanophila species with those of the associated Epichloë hosts did not suggest co‐evolution of the fungus and the fly. Thus, associations between Botanophila flies and Epichloë hosts may have arisen independently more than once.
Protein Changes in Response to Pyrene Stress in Maize (Zea mays L.) Leaves
Authors: Xu Sheng‐You , Chen Ying‐Xu , Wu Wei‐Xiang , Zheng Shao‐Jian , Xue Sheng‐Guo , Yang Shi‐Ying , Peng Yi‐Jin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPhytoremediation is a relatively new approach to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the environment. When plants are grown under pyrene treatment, they respond by synthesizing a set of protective proteins. To learn more about protein changes in response to pyrene treatment, we extracted total proteins from the leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) 1 week after pyrene treatment. The proteins extracted were separated with two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. In total, approximately 54 protein spots were found by comparing gels from treated and control groups. According to the isoelectric point, molecular weight, and abundance of these protein spots, 20 pyrene‐induced proteins were found to have changed abundance. Of these, 15 protein spots were increased and five protein spots were newly appeared in pyrene‐treated plant leaves. Six model upregulated protein spots of different molecular weights were excised from the gels and subjected to trypsin digestion followed by peptide separation using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Peptide masses were used to search the matrix‐science database for protein identification. Two of the proteins were identified on the basis of the homology of their peptide profiles with existing protein sequences as pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase and the ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit. These proteins are involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and energy metabolism. The present study gives new insights into the pyrene stress response in maize leaves and demonstrates the power of the proteomic approach in phytoremediation of PAHs.
Two New Coumarins from Fraxinus chinensis Rexb.
Authors: Zhang Dong‐Mei , Wang Li‐Li , Li Jia , Hu Li‐Hong 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe ethanol extract of the stem bark of Fraxinus chinensis Roxb. showed good inhibitory bioactivity against VEGF receptor‐1 kinase (IC50: 13.8 μg/mL). In order to find new and bioactive compounds, the chemical constituents of the stem bark of F. chinensis were investigated and two new coumarins, namely 6′‐O‐sinapinoyl esculin (compound 1) and 6′‐O‐vanillyl esculin (compound 2), together with eleven known compounds (compounds 3–13) were isolated. The structures of the two new compounds were identified by their physicochemical properties and spectral analysis, particularly one‐ and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectral methods. The known compound, oleuropein (compound 11), exhibited moderate activity (IC50: (8.7 ± 1.3) μmol/L) to inhibit VEGF receptor‐1 kinase.
New Isoflavonoid Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Iris leptophylla Lingelsh.
Authors: Qin Min‐Jian , Li Rong , Wang Xin , Ye Wen‐Cai 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwo new isoflavonoid glucosides, 5‐hydroxy‐6,7‐methylenedioxy‐isoflavone‐4′‐O‐D‐glucopyranosyl (2→1)‐L‐rham‐noside (irilone‐bioside) (compound 1) and 5,4′‐methoxy‐6,7‐methylenedioxyisoflavone‐3′‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (irisleptophyllidin) (compound 2), together with five known compounds, nigricanin‐ 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (compound 3), irifloside (compound 4), irigenin (compound 5), 5, 3′, 4′‐trimethoxy‐6,7‐methylenedioxyisoflavone (compound 6), and nigricanin (compound 7) were isolated from the alcoholic extract of rhizomes of Iris leptophylla Lingelsh. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.
Varied Transcriptional Efficiencies of Multiple Arabidopsis U6 Small Nuclear RNA Genes
Authors: Li Xia , Jiang Dan‐Hua , Yong Kelan , Zhang Da‐Bing 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Arabidopsis U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) promoters are those transcribed by RNA polymerase III, but all the core elements for transcriptional initiation are located in the 5’promoter region. Previously, three Arabidopsis U6 snRNA genes (U6‐1, U6‐26, and U6‐29) were identified. Herein, we have further identified three new U6 loci (U6‐4, U6‐5, and U6‐6) in the Arabidopsis genome. Alignment of these revealed that the upstream sequence element and TATA elements were contained in six U6 promoters. In addition, a unique, highly conserved element named the “CAT” element was observed in the promoter region. To understand the expression patterns of these U6 genes in Arabidopsis, we fused these promoters to the DNA segment of β‐glucuronidase and then transferred these six constructs into Arabidopsis. Real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis of these fused transcripts indicated that the newly identified U6 genes are active in Arabidopsis and that the U6‐26 promoter seems to have higher transcriptional activity in leaf, stem, flower and silique. These results help to understand the function of these U6 snRNAs in Arabidopsis.
Pollen‐Ovule Ratio and Gamete Investment in Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae)
Authors: Yang Chun‐Feng , Guo You‐Hao 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe Pedicularis species provides ideal materials to study floral evolution because of their substantial flower variation based on a narrow genetic basis, even though they are almost exclusively pollinated by bumblebee. These traits allow us to detect the evolutionary trends of floral parameters without considering genetic background and the difference of pollination vectors. The pollen‐ovule ratio is widely used to estimate the pattern of resource investment in two sexual functions in flowering plants. Forty species representing all of the corolla types in Pedicularis were used to study pollen‐ovule ratio, gamete investment, and their correlations. Results show that pollen‐ovule ratio does not differ among both different corolla types and taxonomic groups. It is therefore suggested that pollen‐ovule ratio should be a parallel evolution. The correlations between pollen‐ovule ratio and pollen size (−), and ovule size (+) can be successfully explained in terms of sex allocation theory. The biological significance of such relationships was also discussed. Additionally, we analyzed the pattern of resource investment into female gamete, which has been somewhat neglected, and found that plants have different patterns of gamete investment between the two sexual functions.
Biotransformation of 4‐Hydroxybenzen Derivatives by Hairy Root Cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.
Authors: Yan Chun‐Yan , Yu Rong‐Min , Zhang Zhang , Kong Ling‐Yi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe biotransformation of four 4‐hydroxybenzen derivatives (1,4‐benzenediol (compound 1), 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (compound 2), 4‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol (compound 3) and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (compound 4)) by the hairy root cultures of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. as a new biocatalyst was investigated. It was found that the substrates were transformed to their corresponding glucosides, 4‐hydroxyphenyl β‐D‐glucopyranoside (arbutin, compound 1a), 4‐hydroxymethylphenyl β‐D‐glucopyranoside (gastrodin, compounds 2a, 3a) and 4‐carboxyphenyl α‐D‐glucopyranoside (compound 4a), respectively. In the meantime, the hairy roots of P. multiflorum were able to stereoselectively and regioselectively glucosylate phenolic hydroxyl groups of compounds 1–4, but the cultures could not glucosylate the aldehyde group of compound 2 or the benzylic hydroxyl group of compound 3, and no glucosyl esterification of carboxyl groups of compound 4 was detected. On the other hand, the result also showed that the hairy roots of P. multiflorum were able to reduce the 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde to its corresponding alcohol. This is the first report that substrate 4 has been converted into its α‐D‐glucopyranoside by a plant biotransformation system.
Spatial Distribution of Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks in Relation to Climate and Stand Characteristics: A Dendroecological Analysis
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth M. , Alfaro René I. , Hawkes Brad 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrincipal components analysis, followed by K‐means cluster analysis, was used to detect variations in the timing and magnitude of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. growth releases attributed to mountain pine beetle outbreaks in 31 stands of central British Columbia. Four major growth release patterns were identified from 1970 to 2000. Variations in the timing of growth releases among clustered stands corresponded well to aerial survey data indicating the timing of beetle outbreaks in the study area. Redundancy analysis was used to determine how variations in the timing and magnitude of growth releases attributed to beetle outbreaks changed with variations in climate or stand conditions over the study area. The first RDA axis, which accounted for 39% of the variations in growth patterns among stands, was significantly (P <0.05) correlated with gradients in the percentage of pine in stands killed by mountain pine beetle, summer aridity, variation in summer precipitation, distance from initial infestation site, average pine age, and maximum August temperatures. The second RDA axis explained 6% of the variations and was significantly correlated with gradients in the beetle climate suitability index, extreme cold month temperatures, and site index. Comparisons of growth release patterns with aerial survey data and redundancy analyses indicated that dendrochronological techniques are useful for identifying mountain pine beetle outbreaks in central British Columbia, particularly among stands that had a density high enough to produce a growth release signal. Provided future studies account for interannual weather fluctuations, identification of growth increases due to stand thinning caused by beetle outbreaks will be useful for reconstructing the history of beetle outbreaks over much longer time periods.
Hydrological Response of Populus euphratica Olve. Radial Growth in Ejinaa Banner, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Liu Pu‐Xing , Peng Jian‐Feng , Chen Fa‐Hu 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Populus euphratica Olve. is a dominant tree species in Ejinaa Oasis of the lower reaches of the Heihe River, Inner Mongolia, China. In recent years, the population of this species has shown signs of degradation that are suggested to be probably associated with the decrease of surface water. In this study, the history of river runoff in this region was examined with a dendrochronological study of P. euphratica from four sites. It is found that tree‐ring widths in the all sites have negative correlation with runoffs of all months at the Zhengyixia hydrological station. Principal component (PC) analysis of the tree‐ring chronologies shows that the first PC (PC1) accounts for 49.98% of the total variances. The first PC is found to have a significantly negative correlation with runoffs in March and April (− 0.52 and − 0.43, respectively, P < 0.05). This negative correlation might be related to variations in the depth of underground water.
Age Structure and Growth Pattern of an Endangered Species, Amentotaxus formosana Li
Authors: Lin Chinsu , Chan Ming‐Hsun , Chen Feng‐Sheng , Wang Ya‐Nan 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Amentotaxus formosana Li is a native, tolerant, and under‐wood species in Taiwan. This particular species is only distributed around the Chachayalaishan and Dawushan areas. Because of its rarity, and the endangered and native properties of the species, we explored the regeneration process of the species in the native environment. This paper, therefore, aims to outline the age distribution and growth characteristics of A. formosana in the native stand using the techniques of tree ring analysis. An inventory was conducted in a site at the Chachayalaishan area from 2004 to 2006. According to the inventory, there are 67 trees in the sampling plot among which 16 individual A. formosana trees were counted. This is roughly 24% of the total population. This particular species is distributed around the understory space, while other species such as Litsea spp., Meliosma squamulata Hance, Schefflera octophylla Harms, Elaeocarpus japonicus Sieb et Zucc and Cleyera japonica Thunb are the major species whose canopy occupying the upperstory space of the stand. Results of tree‐ring analysis suggest that the age of most of the trees in the sampling plot is between 31 and 90 years old with an average of 56. For the endangered species, A. formosana, age of the individuals varied from 14 and 126 years old and the average was 58 years old. Age distribution of the species was modeled using the Weibull probability density function and was statistically assessed using Sigmaplot statistical software. The estimate of shape parameter is 1.404 5 indicating a medium regeneration situation. The diameter growth rate of A. formosana is 0.32 cm and ranks 20th among the 26 species in the sampling plot. Using the age as a regressor variable, we can predict the diameter increment of A. formosana efficiently. The coefficient of determination, R2, is 0.832 2. The diameter growth among the trees of the upperstory and understory was competitive. Relationship between the growth change percentage of A. formosana and the surrounding hardwoods is negative.
Motivational interviewing with hazardous drinkers
Authors: Beckham Nancy 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurposes: To test the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in a population of hazardous drinkers utilizing community health care centers in rural southeastern Idaho.Data sources: This study targeted rural people at risk for alcohol dependence utilizing low‐income community health care centers in rural southeastern Idaho. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to screen interested clients’ alcohol use. Clients achieving an AUDIT score indicating hazardous alcohol use were recruited into the study and randomized into a control or treatment group. Twenty‐six hazardous drinkers attending five low‐income community health centers participated in the study. The experimental group participated in one motivational interviewing session with the investigator, a family nurse practitioner (NP). The comparison group received no treatment. Alcohol use was tracked for 6 weeks after successful recruitment into the program.Conclusions: Participants in the study significantly decreased their average number of drinks per day. At time 1 (pretreatment), the control group drank 4.37 drinks per day and the treatment group drank 4.65 drinks per day. At time 2 (posttest), the control group drank 3.77 drinks per day and the treatment group drank 1.95 drinks per day. The effects of the motivational interviewing treatment on hazardous drinking also were measured by serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), a liver function test. There was also a significant decrease in the GGT from pretest to posttest in the treatment group.Implications for practice: The results of this investigation found that motivational interviewing shows promise as an effective intervention for hazardous drinkers attending low‐income community clinics. Although other possible explanations could be postulated for the positive changes in sample participants, the data indicate that the motivational interviewing approach was responsible for a significant portion of the positive changes within the current sample. The information collected from the study adds to the literature on hazardous drinking, research, and treatment of this significant problem. Negotiating change in behavior is part of the practice of NPs. People struggling with alcohol use are more likely to encounter NPs, family doctors, or social workers than counselors specializing in alcohol treatment. Motivational interviewing is specifically designed for preparing people for change. Because most people resist being told what to do, that is, “you have to stop drinking,” use of motivational interviewing principles can decrease resistance and optimize change. Additionally, identifying and intervening with hazardous drinking in a primary care setting can reduce healthcare costs and reduce the stigma of specialist care. Adding this valuable communication skill to the competencies of NPs is important to both clients and NPs.
The anti‐emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia™) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe
Authors: De la Puente‐Redondo V. A. , Siedek E. M. , Benchaoui H. A. , Tilt N. , Rowan T. G. , Clemence R. G. 
Published: February 2007

Objectives: The efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia™; Pfizer Inc.) as an anti‐emetic for use in dogs with ongoing emesis was evaluated in a two‐phase multi‐centric study conducted at veterinary clinics in France, Italy, Slovakia and the UK. Methods: In phase I, dogs with ongoing emesis were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either maropitant (32 dogs) or metoclopramide (34 dogs). In phase II, dogs were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to maropitant (77 dogs) or metoclopramide (40 dogs). Maropitant was administered subcutaneously at 1 mg/kg/day for up to five days. Metoclopramide was administered as recommended on the product labels as licensed at 0·5 to 1 mg/kg/day subcutaneously or orally with the daily dose divided over two to three administrations per day for up to three to five days. Results: In phase I, 97 per cent of dogs treated with maropitant and 71 per cent of dogs treated with metoclopramide did not vomit after treatment (P<0·01). The mean number of emetic events after maropitant treatment was significantly reduced compared with that after metoclopramide treatment (P=0·01). In phase II, the occurrence of emesis was lower for maropitant during the first 24 hours (P<0·0001) and for each day thereafter. Clinical Significance: A single daily dose of maropitant was more effective than metoclopramide administered two or three times daily in the treatment of emesis caused by various aetiologies in dogs.
Numerical Model to Predict Unsteady Cavitating Flow Behavior in Inducer Blade Cascades
Authors: Fortes-Patella R. , Coutier-Delgosha O. , Perrin J. , Reboud J. L. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
The cavitation behavior of a four-blade rocket engine turbopump inducer is simulated. A two-dimensional numerical model of unsteady cavitation was applied to a blade cascade drawn from an inducer geometry. The physical model is based on a homogeneous approach of cavitation, coupled with a barotropic state law for the liquid/vapor mixture. The numerical resolution uses a pressure-correction method derived from the SIMPLE algorithm and a finite volume discretization. Unsteady behavior of sheet cavities attached to the blade suction side depends on the flow rate and cavitation number. Two different unstable configurations of cavitation are identified. The mechanisms that are responsible for these unstable behaviors are discussed, and the stress fluctuations induced on the blade by cavitation instabilities are estimated.