bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mating Tactics in Male Grey‐Cheeked Mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena)
Authors: Arlet Małgorzata E. , Molleman Freerk , Chapman Colin A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractReproductive tactics of males can change with individual quality, relatedness and social structure. Here we describe the behaviours of male grey‐cheeked mangabeys towards other males, and females and their offspring (Lophocebus albigena) in relation to male status (high‐ranking/low‐ranking/transient) and group composition in Kibale National Park, Uganda. High‐ranking males had the highest mating success, frequency of loud calls, mate guarding and aggression towards females and males. Only transient males were often observed to be aggressive towards juveniles, while some high‐ranking males provided infant care. Mating tactics of high‐ranking males varied greatly among the five studied groups, probably as a function of the intensity of male–male competition. These results are discussed with regard to the role of male–male competition and behaviours that could affect female mate choice as tactics to obtain reproductive success.
Maternal Epigenetic Transmission of Social Motivation in Birds
Authors: Formanek Laureline , Houdelier Cécilia , Lumineau Sophie , Bertin Aline , Richard‐Yris Marie‐Annick 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBehavioural development is a complex phenomenon involving interactions between genetic constraints and environmental influences. One of the most potent environmental influences during the ontogeny of the behavioural characteristics of young is played by mothers. In particular, mammalian mothers modulate the social competences of their young, influencing all their future social life. Here, we investigated the influence of the social characteristics of adoptive mother birds (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on the social motivation (origin of every social relationship) of the young they reared. We characterized the social behaviour of standard stock chicks reared by female quail, genetically selected either for low (LSR) or high (HSR) levels of social reinstatement (index of treadmill behaviour which combined the tendency to run towards conspecifics with the tendency to move away from them), to investigate epigenetic transmission of social motivation. Our results show that HSR and LSR adoptive mothers partially transmitted their social characteristics to their young: chicks reared by HSR females presented higher levels of social motivation than chicks reared by LSR females. This maternal influence appeared much clearer in young males than in young females. Our study reveals that, as in mammals, bird mothers influence epigenetically the development of the social behaviour of their young.
Going Out to Mate: Excursion Behaviour of Female Roe Deer
Authors: Lovari Sandro , Bartolommei Paola , Meschi Fiora , Pezzo Francesco 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAmong mammals, female searching behaviour for a mate has been poorly investigated in behavioural studies on sexual selection. The social organization of roe deer and its physiological constraints suggest the existence of searching strategies by females. Using radiotracking and direct observation we studied the spatial behaviour and intersexual interactions of 32 roe does during the rut in two areas of Tuscany, central Italy. Respectively, 55% and 33% of females performed excursions outside their usual home ranges during the peak of the rut (15 Jul.–15 Aug.). Excursions ranged from 0.6 to 3.0 km, if measured in a straight line, and lasted 30–52 h. During excursions, females (1) moved quickly in one direction; (2) met and were courted by a male; (3) copulated with a male and (4) returned to their home ranges after mating. Before starting an excursion, roaming females were observed to approach unsuccessfully males already courting other females. Most likely excursions represent a condition dependent mating tactic adopted by a variable proportion of females and involving active searching behaviour.
Pathogenicity of Chalara fraxinea
Authors: Kowalski T. , Holdenrieder O. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe mitosporic fungus Chalara fraxinea (Ascomycota) is associated with dieback of common ash, an emerging disease of Fraxinus excelsior (Oleaceae) in Europe. The pathogenicity of C. fraxinea was demonstrated by field inoculations on young trees.
Analysis of the distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in soil at a disease site in Western Australia using nested PCR
Authors: Williams N. , Hardy G. E. St. J. , O’Brien P. A. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi has infected a very large area of native vegetation in the south western corner of Australia. An important aspect of effective disease management depends on being able to accurately map areas of infestation. For this purpose, we have developed a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the detection of P. cinnamomi in soil. The test uses two sets of primers developed from the rRNA ITS sequences of P. cinnamomi and can detect as little as 1 pg DNA. The degree of sensitivity was reduced with DNA extracted from soil although this depended on the type of soil. Soils with a high organic content, such as eucalypt forest soil and potting mix were more inhibitory than sandy soils. Inhibition by soil DNA could be reduced by the addition of bovine serum albumin and formamide to the reaction. Taq DNA polymerase was very sensitive to inhibitors compared with Tth+ or TaqF1*. In comparison with baiting (0–10% positive samples), nested PCR proved to be a very much more efficient (90–100% positive samples) method for the detection of P. cinnamomi in soil.
European pear rust onJuniperus excelsaL. in south‐western Turkey
Authors: Doğmuş‐Lehtijärvi H. T. , Lehtijärvi A. , Aday A. G. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn this study, the frequency of European pear rust (Gymnosporangium fuscum) lesions onJuniperus excelsawas investigated both on seedlings in a nursery and on forest trees in six juniper stands located in south‐western Turkey. In the nursery, lesions occurred on 0.7% of 5510 1‐year‐old seedlings and 29% of 200 2‐year‐old potted seedlings. In each of the juniper forests, 50 trees were chosen within a square of approximately 400 m2in size. In general, rust lesions were common on the trees. On average, 49.0% of the trees had lesions; on 17.3% of the trees, the lesions were located on the trunk, on 43.3% on the branches and on 11.7% on both. In lesion‐bearing trees, the average number of lesions was 1.47–3.59 and the maximum number of lesions per tree were six to 11. Most of the lesions (85.1%) were on branches. There were significant differences between the stands, which can be attributed to different age of the trees, site factors and the presence of alternate hosts. The rust identified from stem lesions in forest trees and from nursery seedlings was European pear rust (G. fuscum), but possible co‐occurrence of otherGymnosporangiumspp. cannot be excluded.
Leisure and ageing: The leisure experiences of older Italians in an Australian community
Authors: Pereira Robert Bernard 
Published: August 2008

Background:  A search of the occupational therapy literature revealed a paucity of research on how older adults make use of their leisure time, what meaning these pursuits have to them, and whether their chosen leisure occupations are health enhancing. Occupational therapy literature on how people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds understood leisure was also lacking.Aim:  This thesis documented a qualitative research study that aimed to discover how Italians aged 65 years and older living in the City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, Australia engaged in leisure occupations, the meanings that were derived from leisure engagement, and whether such subjective experiences of leisure produced health benefits.Methods and results:  A phenomenological study design was utilised, and data were collected through semistructured interviews and a reflective journal. Participants engaged in numerous meaningful leisure occupations that directly impacted on positive subjective experiences and health outcomes. The subjective experiences found concurred with current research, and were categorised under the three main constructs of leisure theory: ‘intrinsic motivation’, ‘internal control’ and ‘suspension from reality’.Conclusion:  Leisure was found to promote positive subjective experiences, health benefits and successful ageing for the participants. It is suggested that the subjective experiences categorised under the ‘intrinsic motivation’ construct of leisure theory is the main determinant of positive leisure experiences. Furthermore, culturally meaningful leisure occupations were highlighted, and the ‘Leisure Engagement Model’ is proposed to demonstrate the power of leisure on people's lives and on their sense of health towards continued leisure engagement and health promotion.
Activity in the superior colliculus reflects dynamic interactions between voluntary and involuntary influences on orienting behaviour
Authors: Bell Andrew H. , Munoz Douglas P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPerformance in a behavioural task can be influenced by both bottom‐up and top‐down processes such as stimulus modality and prior probability. Here, we exploited differences in behavioural strategy to explore the role of the intermediate and deep layers of the superior colliculus (dSC) in covert orienting. Two monkeys were trained on a predictive cued‐saccade task in which the cue predicted the target’s upcoming location with 80% validity. When the delay between cue and target onset was 250 ms, both monkeys showed faster responses to the uncued (Invalid) location. This was associated with a reduced target‐aligned response in the dSC on Valid trials for both monkeys and is consistent with a bottom‐up (i.e. involuntary) bias. When the delay was increased to 650 ms, one monkey continued to show faster responses to the Invalid location whereas the other monkey showed faster responses to the Valid location, consistent with a top‐down (i.e. voluntary) bias. This latter behaviour was correlated with an increase in activity in dSC neurons preceding target onset that was absent in the other monkey. Thus, using the information provided by the cue shifted the emphasis towards top‐down processing, while ignoring this information allowed bottom‐up processing to continue to dominate. Regardless of the selected strategy, however, neurons in the dSC consistently reflected the current bias between the two processes, emphasizing its role in both the bottom‐up and top‐down control of orienting behaviour.
Excitability of pontine startle processing neurones is regulated by the two‐pore‐domain K+ channel TASK‐3 coupled to 5‐HT2C receptors
Authors: Weber Maruschka , Schmitt Angelika , Wischmeyer Erhard , Döring Frank 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe mammalian startle reflex is a fast response to sudden intense sensory stimuli that can be increased by anxiety or decreased by reward. The cellular integration of sensory and modulatory information takes place in giant neurones of the caudal pontine reticular formation (PnC). The startle reflex is known to be enhanced by 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT); however, signalling mechanisms that change the excitability of the PnC giant neurones are poorly understood. Possible molecular candidates are two‐pore‐domain K+ (K2P) channels that generate a variable K+ background conductance and control neuronal excitability upon activation of G‐protein‐coupled receptors. We demonstrate by in situ hybridization that the K2P channel TASK‐3 is substantially expressed in PnC giant neurones. Brain slice recordings revealed a corresponding background K+ current in these cells that forms about 30% of the outward current at −30 mV. Inactivation of TASK‐3 at pH 6.4 and by ruthenium red depolarized the cells by about 7 mV and increased the action potential frequency as well as duration. Specific activation of Gαq‐coupled 5‐HT2 receptors with α‐methyl 5‐HT evoked a similar increase of neuronal excitability. Consistently, we measured afferent synaptic inputs from serotonergic raphe neurones and detected 5‐HT2C receptors in PnC giant neurones by immunohistochemistry. Thus, neuronal excitability of PnC giant neurones in vivo is most likely increased by serotonergic projections via the K2P channel TASK‐3.
Pudendal motoneurons of the rat located in separated spinal nuclei possess nicotinic acetylcholine receptors having distinct pharmacological profiles
Authors: Ogier R. , Tribollet E. , Bertrand D. , Raggenbass M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPudendal motoneurons are located in the ventral horn of the caudal lumbar spinal cord and innervate striated pelvic muscles implicated in sexual and eliminative functions. In rats they are distributed in the dorsomedial (DM) and dorsolateral (DL) nucleus. In male rats, dorsomedial motoneurons innervate the bulbocavernosus, the levator ani and the external anal sphincter, whereas dorsolateral motoneurons control the ischiocavernosus and external urethral sphincter. Using spinal cord slices of young male rats and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings, we investigated the sensitivity of pudendal motoneurons to nicotinic cholinergic agonists. Motoneurons were identified following 1,1′‐dilinoleyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine, 4‐chlorobenzenesulphonate retrograde labelling. In the presence of atropine, both dorsomedial and dorsolateral motoneurons responded to acetylcholine (ACh) by generating a rapidly activating inward current. By using selective nicotinic antagonists and a nicotinic positive allosteric modulator, we found that nicotinic ACh receptors present in dorsomedial and dorsolateral motoneurons display distinct pharmacological profiles. Whereas the former are of the heteromeric type, the latter are predominantly of the α7‐containing type. These data were confirmed by light microscopic autoradiography. In young rats, a ligand for heteromeric nicotinic receptors labelled all laminae of the central grey matter, whereas in the ventral part of the central grey, a ligand selective for α7‐containing nicotinic receptors labelled the DL but not the DM. Dorsolateral and dorsomedial motoneurons innervate two distinct groups of pelvic muscles. A difference in their nicotinic pharmacology may be clinically relevant, as it might allow a selective pharmacological intervention in view of influencing the activity of one or the other set of muscles.
Activation of Fyn tyrosine kinase in the mouse dorsal hippocampus is essential for contextual fear conditioning
Authors: Isosaka Tomoko , Hattori Kotaro , Kida Satoshi , Kohno Tomoko , Nakazawa Takanobu , Yamamoto Tadashi , Yagi Takeshi , Yuasa Shigeki 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFyn‐tyrosine‐kinase‐deficient mice exhibit defects in the Morris water maze test and long‐term potentiation (LTP) induction in the hippocampus, and given that LTP has been postulated as the neural basis for memory formation, Fyn may be required for hippocampus‐dependent memory formation. However, how Fyn is involved in the process of memory formation is unclear. To investigate the role of Fyn in hippocampal memory formation, we first tested the behavior of Fyn‐deficient mice by contextual fear conditioning. A mouse was placed in a context and a foot shock was delivered, so that the mouse associated the context with the shock. We found that the freezing response of Fyn‐deficient mice to the context was impaired at 24 h after conditioning. We then measured freezing at 1 h after conditioning, and found that their short‐term contextual fear memory was also impaired. We used Western blotting to examine the mode of Fyn activation in dorsal hippocampal tissue following contextual fear conditioning. Fyn activation peaked as early as 5–10 min after contextual fear conditioning and persisted for at least 40 min. Concomitant increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including NR2B, were also observed, but no increases in tyrosine phosphorylation were observed in Fyn‐deficient mice. Thus, both short‐term and long‐term (24‐h) contextual fear memory were impaired in Fyn‐deficient mice, and Fyn activation in the dorsal hippocampus transiently increased after contextual fear conditioning. These findings strongly suggest that activation of the Fyn signaling pathway is involved in hippocampus‐dependent formation of contextual fear memory.
Morphology and histology of the larynx of the common toad Rhinella arenarum (Hensel, 1867) (Anura, Bufonidae)
Authors: Hermida Gladys N. , Farías Alejandro 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe structure of the larynx of the toad Rhinella arenarum was exhaustively studied. The laryngeal skeleton consists of three bilaterally symmetrical cartilages: the cricoid and two arytenoids. Internally, each half‐larynx has an anterior and a posterior chamber. The first chamber is delimited by the epithelium covering the arytenoid cartilage and the anterior membrane. The latter consists of fibro‐elastic tissue and contains blood capillaries that, judging by their location and distribution, might serve to maintain vocal cord turgidity. At the level of the cricoid cartilage, two structures are reported here for the first time: the posterodorsal and the anteroventral processes. Both processes are associated with the insertion of the posterior membrane. A cartilaginous rod is located at the free margin of the posterior membrane. This rod appears to support the membrane when the air flows. The distal portion of the larynx communicates with the proximal region of the lung. The epithelium of the laryngeal mucosa contains ciliated cells, goblet cells, secretory cells with short microvilli and neuroendocrine cells immunopositive to PGP 9.5. The results obtained in this study provide new information about the internal organization of the larynx in anurans, which could serve as additional morphological characters for phylogenetic relationships.
Molecular phylogeny of the genus Rotylenchus (Nematoda, Tylenchida) and description of a new species
Authors: Vovlas Nicola , Subbotin Sergei A. , Troccoli Alberto , Liébanas Gracia , Castillo Pablo 
Published: August 2008

A description of a new species of plant parasitic nematodes of the genus Rotylenchus from the family Hoplolaimidae is given and a recognition of Rotylenchus jaeni comb. n., previously known as subspecies R. magnus jaeni, as separate species is proposed. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is characterized by a hemispherical lip region with six rarely seven annuli, stylet 33–37 µm, female tail rounded, regularly annulated tip with 12–18 annuli and phasmid located 2–9 annuli anterior to anus. Rotylenchus montanus sp. n. is close to species of the monosexual group R. arsenjevi, R. corsicus, R. fragaricus, R. helicus, R. indorobustus and R. neorobustus, by a number of specific characteristics resulting from its specific matrix code: A5, B1, C1, D4, E2, F2, G3, H2, I2, J2, K2. Molecular characterization of R. montanus sp. n. and other Rotylenchus species are provided using D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S and the ITS1 of rRNA genes. The D2–D3 of 28S rRNA and the ITS1–rRNA sequences of R. montanus sp. n. differed in one nucleotide and in 16–20 nucleotides from those of an unidentified Rotylenchus species from Russia, respectively. Molecular analysis of populations of R. magnus and R. jaeni comb. n. demonstrated differences in the D2–D3 and the ITS1–rRNA sequences. These genetic differences together with some minor morphological characters support that both subspecies should be considered as two cryptic sibling species and warranted their elevation to species rank. The result of phylogenetic analysis of Hoplolaimidae for 45 sequences of the D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene using Bayesian inference analysis under the complex model is presented. Phylogenetic tree of Rotylenchus species represents seven moderate to highly supported lineages. Grouping of Rotylenchus species within other hoplolaimids and analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Rotylenchus using the ITS1 of rRNA gene sequences are also discussed.
Firm foundations? Contingent labour and employers' provision of training in the UK construction sector
Authors: Forde Chris , MacKenzie Robert , Robinson Andrew 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTBased on an original survey of the UK construction industry this article examines the training disadvantages faced by contingent labour. This article addresses two key questions: first, is the provision of training different for directly employed labour and different forms of contingent labour? Second, what structural and organisational factors shape the provision of training to different contingent labour forms? The article finds that fewer firms provide training for agency, self‐employed and subcontract labour, compared to directly employed workers. Training for subcontract labour seems to reflect a longer‐term perspective towards the use of this labour form, while decisions to train agency and self‐employed labour appears to be driven by more short‐term considerations.
Struggles in optimal labelling: how different consumers react to various labels for genetically modified foods
Authors: Teisl Mario F. , Radas Sonja , Roe Brian 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods is an important policy issue, as consumers' attitudes towards these foods appear to be quite sensitive to information about their potential benefits and risks. Because it is difficult for labels to differ across consumers, differences in reactions to label information could lead to conflicts across consumer groups or to different market outcomes. Using factor and cluster analysis, we uncover three consumer segments with different attitudes to the risks and benefits of GM foods. Our segmentation‐based analysis on consumer reactions to information points out important differences across consumers. Not only did we find differences across segments in how they view the credibility of GM‐related information, we also find differences in how information influences segments' perceptions of the product, and in their likelihood to buy.
The perceived credibility of quality labels: a scale validation with refinement
Authors: Moussa Salim , Touzani Mourad 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we present quality labels as signals that reduce problems that arise under asymmetric information. We propose to closely scrutinize the concept of signal credibility, which is a key determinant of signalling effectiveness. In order to assess the perceived credibility of a quality label, we offer a revisited version of a scale originally proposed by Larceneux. The data used in this paper involve three different labels and were collected using self‐report surveys administered to 602 respondents. Based on findings from a variety of reliability and validity tests, the scale demonstrates good psychometric properties. Both theoretical and managerial implications are discussed, along with limitations and future research directions.