bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innate Differences in the Expression of Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Regions Within the Extended Amygdala Between Alcohol Preferring and Nonpreferring Rats
Authors: Prakash Anand , Zhang Huaibo , Pandey Subhash C. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Animal lines such as alcohol‐preferring (P) and nonpreferring (NP) rats appear to be suitable animal models to investigate the biological basis of alcohol‐drinking behaviors. The extended amygdala serves as a neuroanatomical substrate for alcohol‐drinking behaviors. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the amygdala has been implicated in alcohol‐drinking behaviors; however, its expression in the extended amygdala of P and NP rats is unknown. Therefore, we examined the basal expression of BDNF in the extended amygdala of alcohol naïve P and NP rats.Methods:  We determined the basal mRNA and protein levels of BDNF by in situ RT‐PCR and immuno‐histochemical procedure, respectively, in the amygdaloid [central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), medial nucleus of amygdala (MeA), and basolateral amygdala (BLA)], nucleus accumbal (NAc shell and core), and bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) [lateral BNST (lBNST), medial BNST (mBNST), and ventral BNST (vBNST)] brain structures of P and NP rats. In addition, we examined the localization of BDNF in neurons using double‐immunofluorescence labeling of BDNF with neuron‐specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and also determined the number of NeuN‐positive neurons in the amygdaloid structures of P and NP rats.Results:  The mRNA and protein levels of BDNF were found to be significantly lower in both the CeA and MeA, but not in the BLA, of P compared with NP rats. We also found that BDNF was expressed in neurons in the amygdaloid structures of P and NP rats. In addition, we found that the number of NeuN‐positive neurons was similar in the amygdaloid structures of P and NP rats. Interestingly, the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF were also significantly lower in the lBNST, mBNST, and vBNST of P compared with NP rats. On the other hand, mRNA and protein levels of BDNF were similar in the NAc shell and core structures of P and NP rats.Conclusions:  P and NP rats are selectively bred for higher and lower alcohol preference, respectively; therefore it is possible that lower BDNF levels in the amygdaloid and BNST structures may be associated with the excessive alcohol‐drinking behaviors of P rats.
Smart Labels for Waste and Resource Management
Authors: Binder Claudia R. , Quirici Raffaele , Domnitcheva Svetlana , Stäubli Beat 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis article explores the potential of RFID (radio frequency identification device) for improving the current waste and resource management system in Switzerland. It presents the following three possible options for utilizing RFID tags to support waste management processes: “at source automation” (using a “smart” trash can), “end of pipe I” (combination of the current system with an additional separation of recyclables before incineration), and “end of pipe II” (replacement of the current recycling infrastructure by sorting at the incineration plant). These options tackle the waste and resource management chain during different processes (i.e., waste generation, waste separation, and treatment). Based on an MFA (material flow analysis), we performed a multicriteria assessment of these options with experts from the waste management sector.The assessment of ten experts in the waste management field regarding the proposed options for batteries and electrical appliances showed that, from an ecological perspective, the implementation of RFID in waste management would be desirable and would lead to an improvement in the current recycling rate in Switzerland for the goods studied. From an economic perspective, new investments would be required in the range of 1 to 5 times the maintenance costs of the current separate collection system. From a social perspective, the utilization of RFID tags in the waste management process was ambiguous. In particular, the end of pipe II option would, on the one hand, significantly improve convenience for consumers. On the other hand, experts see privacy and, what is more, social responsibility as being under threat. The experts considered the ecological and social aspects to be more relevant than the economic ones, preferring the end of pipe I option over the other options and the status quo.
Effect of fibroblast growth factor‐1 on the expression of early growth response‐1 in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Tamura I. , Chaqour B. , Howard P. S. , Ikeo T. , Macarak E. J. 
Published: April 2008

Background and Objectives: Early growth response‐1 is a nuclear transcription factor implicated in regulating cell proliferation. Fibroblast growth factor‐1 is the prototypic fibroblast growth factor involved in the proliferation and differentiation of various cell types. Expression of early growth response‐1 induced by fibroblast growth factor‐1 thus may be very important for cell growth, during both development and wound healing in oral tissue. However, little is known about the expression and kinetics of early growth response‐1 in fibroblast growth factor‐1‐stimulated oral cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor‐1 on the expression of early growth response‐1 in human periodontal ligament cells.Material and Methods: Periodontal ligament cells were cultured in medium containing 1, 10 or 100 ng/mL of fibroblast growth factor‐1 for 45 min or with 10 ng/mL of fibroblast growth factor‐1 for 15, 30, 45, 60 or 120 min. The proliferation of periodontal ligament cells was evaluated by measuring 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation. The expression of early growth response‐1 mRNA and protein, and the localization of early growth response‐1 protein, were examined by western blotting, northern blotting and immunocytostaining.Results: 5‐Bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation correlated directly with increases in fibroblast growth factor‐1 concentration, and 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation peaked 45 min after starting treatment. Early growth response‐1 protein was expressed in response to a concentration of fibroblast growth factor‐1 as low as 1 ng. Peak expression of early growth response‐1 mRNA was observed at 15 min and that of early growth response‐1 protein at 60 min. The 140‐kDa early growth response‐1 protein was not detected in the nuclear fraction, and the peak expression of the 80‐kDa early growth response‐1 protein occurred at 60 min. Early growth response‐1 localized in or around the nucleus at 30 min.Conclusion: These results show that a concentration of fibroblast growth factor‐1 as low as 1 ng induces the expression of early growth response‐1 protein, and that the 80‐kDa early growth response‐1 protein functions in the nucleus of periodontal ligament cells treated with fibroblast growth factor‐1.
Polyphagy and Obligate Myrmecophily in the Butterfly Hallonympha paucipuncta (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) in the Neotropical Cerrado Savanna
Authors: Kaminski Lucas A. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis study analyzes host plant use and obligate myrmecophily in Hallonympha paucipuncta, an endemic butterfly of the Cerrado. Larvae of H. paucipuncta are polyphagous, using at least 19 species of plants in 10 families. All larvae found were being tended by Crematogaster ants. Spatial distribution of larvae and tending ants were strongly aggregated, suggesting an influence of ants on oviposition and/or larval survival. Implications of obligate myrmecophily in the evolution of polyphagy in Riodinidae are discussed.
Functional Significance of Interspecific Variation inBurmeisteraFlower Morphology: Evidence from Nectar Bat Captures in Ecuador
Authors: Muchhala Nathan 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTWhat causes flowers to diverge? While a plant's primary pollinator should strongly influence floral phenotype, selective pressures may also be exerted by other flower visitors or competition with other plants for pollination. Species of the primarily bat‐pollinated genusBurmeistera(Campanulaceae) frequently cooccur, with up to four species in a given site, and broadly overlap in flowering phenology, typically flowering throughout the year. The genus displays extensive interspecific variation in floral morphology in the degree that the reproductive parts (anthers and stigma) are exserted outside of the corolla, and species can be roughly classified as either long or short‐exserted. I tested two hypotheses regarding the functional significance of such variation: (1) exsertion lengths correspond to pollination by bat species of different sizes; and (2) variation serves to partition pollinator's bodies spatially and thus reduces interspecific pollen transfer. I captured bats in Ecuador to evaluate the identity and location of theBurmeisterapollen they were carrying. Results show that exsertion does not correspond to specialization on different pollinators; different bat species carried pollen of both flower types just as frequently. In support of the second hypothesis, pollen from flowers of different exsertion lengths was found to occur on different regions of bats' heads. This may serve to reduce competition for pollination among coexistingBurmeistera.
Reduced Photoperiod Induces Partially Synchronous Flowering in an Understory Rain Forest Herb, Begonia urophylla in Costa Rica
Authors: Rivera Jeanette , Cozza John 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe monoecious understory herb Begonia urophylla blooms in the dry season at Las Cruces, Costa Rica, and bloom is partially synchronized. A laboratory experiment investigated reduced photoperiod as an unambiguous cue for flowering. The inductive period was 3 weeks for flowers but less for bud formation. Variation in bloom time may be an adaptation to enhance fitness gain of plants, such as B. urophylla, with sequential male and female phases.
Genetic Structure in Remnant Populations of an Endangered AndeanMagnolia
Authors: López‐A Diana M. , Bock Brian C. , Bedoya Gabriel 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTBy genetically characterizing adult individuals, we documented the presumed prefragmentation population structure of an endangered Andean tree,Magnolia espinalii. Our sample included all known surviving individuals for this species. Genetic diversity was high, but genetic distance was not related to geographic distance between sites.Magnolia espinaliiapparently was originally distributed in numerous semi‐isolated demes. The lack of evidence of recruitment around most adults in this species suggests a fragmentation‐related disruption of their reproductive ecology. Artificial propagation projects should obviously attempt to involve all 23 known surviving trees.
Stationary‐Increment Variance‐Gamma and t Models: Simulation and Parameter Estimation
Authors: Finlay Richard , Seneta Eugene 
Published: April 2008

Summary We detail a method of simulating data from long range dependent processes with variance‐gamma or t distributed increments, test various estimation procedures [method of moments (MOM), product‐density maximum likelihood (PMLE), non‐standard minimumχ2and empirical characteristic function estimation] on the data, and assess the performance of each. The investigation is motivated by the apparent poor performance of the MOM technique using real data (Tjetjep & Seneta, 2006); and the need to assess the performance of PMLE for our dependent data models. In the simulations considered the product‐density method performs favourably.
Tests of Bivariate Exchangeability
Authors: Modarres Reza 
Published: April 2008

Summary We discuss the hypothesis of bivariate exchangeability and show that testing bivariate exchangeability is related to the two‐sample testing of equality of distribution functions. We consider three test statistics based on the ordering of the Euclidean interpoint distances. The runs test of exchangeability counts the runs among the observations and their mirror images on the minimal spanning tree. The nearest neighbour test of exchangeability is based on the number of nearest neighbour type coincidences among the observations and their folded images on the plane. The rank test of exchangeability compares the within and between ranks of the interpoint distances. We also consider the sign test of exchangeability, which uses the signs of the observations in specific regions, and a bootstrap test of exchangeability based on the maximum distance between the mirror images. We compare the power of these methods in a Monte Carlo study which shows different power orderings of the methods, depending on the alternative hypothesis.
The Child Welfare System and State Intervention in Families: From Historical Patterns to Future Questions
Authors: Reich Jennifer A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe child welfare system remains one of the most important welfare institutions in regulating family life and meanings of gender. However, it has largely escaped sociological analysis. This article provides a framework for thinking about the meanings of state intervention in family life and describes the legal and procedural machinations of the system by providing an overview of the history of the system. In doing so, this article elucidates the complex and contradictory mandates the child‐protective services system and its actors face and raises several questions or quandaries that remain under‐explored and deserving of analytical attention.
Special Issue: Evolutionary perspectives on salmonid conservation and management
Authors: Waples Robin S. , Hendry Andrew P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis special issue of Evolutionary Applications comprises 15 papers that illustrate how evolutionary principles can inform the conservation and management of salmonid fishes. Several papers address the past evolutionary history of salmonids to gain insights into their likely plastic and genetic responses to future environmental change. The remaining papers consider potential evolutionary responses to climate warming, biological invasions, artificial propagation, habitat alteration, and harvesting. All of these papers consider how such influences might alter selective regimes, which should then favour plastic or genetic responses. Some of the papers then go on to document such responses, at least some of which are genetically based and adaptive. Despite the different approaches and target species, all of the papers argue for the importance of evolutionary considerations in the conservation and management of salmonids.
Development of microsatellite markers for the grapevine fungal pathogen Phaeomoniella chlamydospora
Authors: SMETHAM GABRIELLE , ADES PETER , FORD REBECCA 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTwenty polymorphic microsatellite markers from microsatellite‐enriched genomic DNA of the grapevine fungal pathogen, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, were developed and characterized. The markers were used to genotype isolates from Australia and from Europe/Eurasia. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 11. Gene diversity per locus ranged from 0.08 to 0.63 among Australian isolates, and from 0.2 to 0.77 among isolates from Europe/Eurasia, demonstrating the suitability of these markers for population genetic studies of P. chlamydospora. Eighteen of the 20 markers also amplified a product in the closely related Phaeoacremonium aleophilum.
FORECASTING THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY WITH GIBBS SAMPLED BVECMs
Authors: Gupta Rangan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe paper uses the Gibbs sampling technique to estimate a heteroscedastic Bayesian Vector Error Correction Model (BVECM) of the South African economy for the period 1970:1‐2000:4, and then forecasts GDP, consumption, investment, short and long term interest rates, and the CPI over the period of 2001:1 to 2005:4. We find that a tight prior produces relatively more accurate forecasts than a loose one. The out‐of‐sample‐forecast accuracy resulting from the Gibbs sampled BVECM is compared with those generated from a Classical VECM and a homoscedastic BVECM. The homoscedastic BVECM is found to produce the most accurate out of sample forecasts.
ADJUSTING SOUTH AFRICA'S FISCAL BALANCE FOR TERMS‐OF‐TRADE EFFECTS
Authors: Swanepoel Jan A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStandard output gap‐based calculations and interpretations of the cyclical component of the fiscal balance may convey a misleading picture in countries such as South Africa which experience substantial movements in their terms of trade. This paper therefore adjusts South Africa's general government primary balance for terms‐of‐trade effects by means of an alternative calculation of the transitory component based on a measure of the real income gap rather than the real output gap. The results indicate that measures of the cyclical component of the budget balance based on real income and real output gaps generally yield broadly similar results over history, but during exceptional periods of rapid changes in commodity prices, the measures can be very different.
CURRENCY BOARD ARRANGEMENTS AS A SUPER‐FIXED ALTERNATIVE IN THE CHOICE OF EXCHANGE RATE REGIME1
Authors: Wessels Buks 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCurrency board arrangements (CBAs) are currently widely proposed as a super‐fixed exchange rate solution to exchange rate volatility. This paper researches the nature, operation, benefits and disadvantages of CBAs. Benefits comprise improved policy credibility, lower inflation and interest rate levels, increased economic growth, increased foreign capital flows, and sharply reduced currency speculation. These are compared with the shortcomings of CBAs, such as the absence of a lender of last resort, real exchange rate misalignments and their consequences for the economy. The paper identifies the type of country that would be the most likely candidate to benefit from a CBA.
The "Smeared" Property Technique for the FE Vibration Analysis of
Printed Circuit Cards
Authors: Pitarresi J. M. , Caletka D. V. , Caldwell R. , Smith D. E. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the accuracy of the finite element (FE) smeared properties approach for the determination of the mode shapes and frequencies of a printed wiring board (PWB) populated with electronic modules. Smearing of the material and/or structural properties is a recognized means of reducing a complicated structure to a less complicated approximation. Comparisons of both the natural frequencies and mode shapes are made between the smeared FE model and those obtained from vibration testing. The extent of correlation between the mode shapes is characterized by the modal assurance criterion (MAC). Since the intent of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the smearing technique, free boundary conditions are assumed. It is shown that the smearing technique can produce good correlation of both natural frequencies and mode shapes of PWBs populated with modules. A case study of a PWB with both surface mount technology (SMT) and pin-in-hole (PIH) components is presented.
Reliability Monitoring in Drilling Electronic Circuit
Boards
Authors: Hocheng H. , Jiaa C. L. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to provide a monitoring scheme for evaluating the reliability of drilling of electronic circuit board (ECB) made of FR4 composite materials. The ECB is a laminated mechanical structure. Delamination often occurs at the hole exit during drilling. The resulted delamination deteriorates the long-term performance of the ECB when subject to mechanical and/or thermal loading. Acoustic emission can monitor the extent of this damage. A linear relationship exists between the size of delamination and the energy level of emitted signal when the proposed signal processing technique is used. The results contribute to higher quality ECB’s and can be applied in the manufacturing stage in an automated manner.
Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Mullis T C , Tang X , Chong K T 
Published: April 2008

Background:Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), a multifunctional protein that regulates cell growth and differentiation, is known to play an important role in tumourigenesis of several human malignancies. However, CCN2 expression or its potential role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not known, even though HNSCC is one of the most common cancers worldwide.Aims:To investigate CCN2 expression in primary HNSCC and to correlate CCN2 mRNA expression level with one of its upstream regulators, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).Methods:Tissue specimens of HNSCC (n = 22) and normal oral mucosa (n = 8) were analysed by real-time, quantitative PCR assays for CCN2 and TGF-β1 expression. Tissue localisation of CCN2 protein was analysed by immunohistochemistry.Results:Primary HNSCC expressed high levels of CCN2 mRNA. CCN2 protein was localised in stromal fibroblasts, tumour and vascular endothelial cells.Conclusions:Results show that CCN2 mRNA and protein are overexpressed in HNSCC, suggesting that CCN2 expression should be further evaluated for a possible role in HNSCC growth and progression.
Cereal cyst nematode resistance conferred by theCre7 gene fromAegilops triuncialisand its relationship withCregenes from Australian wheat cultivars
Authors: Montes M. J. , Andrés M. F. , Sin E. , López-Braña I. , Martín-Sánchez J. A. , Romero M.D. , Delibes A. 
Published: April 2008

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN; Heterodera avenae Woll.) is a root pathogen of cereal crops that can cause severe yield losses in wheat ( Triticum aestivum ). Differential host–nematode interactions occur in wheat cultivars carrying different CCN resistance (Cre) genes. The objective of this study was to determine the CCN resistance conferred by the Cre7 gene from Aegilops triuncialis in a 42-chromosome introgression line and to assess the effects of the Cre1, Cre3, Cre4, and Cre8 genes present in Australian wheat lines on Spanish pathotype Ha71. Inhibition of nematode reproduction was rank-ordered as Cre1 ≥ Cre4 ≥ Cre7 >> Cre8 > Cre3. Lines carrying Cre1, Cre4, or Cre7 exhibited a significantly higher level of resistance than those carrying Cre8 or Cre3. Allelism tests indicated that Cre7 segregated independently of Cre1 on chromosome 2BL and Cre4 on chromosome 2DL, and these genes could consistently be combined in the same genotype, inducing a more durable resistance. Tests to determine the chromosomal location of Cre7 using addition lines were inconclusive.
Molecular and cytological characterization of 5S rDNA inOryzaspecies: genomic organization and phylogenetic implications
Authors: Zhu Xiao-Yan , Cai De-Tian , Ding Yi 
Published: April 2008

We investigated the molecular characteristics and chromosomal organization of 5S rDNA in the genus Oryza , including diploid and tetraploid species. A phylogenetic tree of Oryza species was constructed based on the non-transcribed spacer sequences of 5S rDNA, and some novel relationships were discovered. Specifically, comparative sequence analysis of 5S rDNA in several wild rice species showed unique characteristics inconsistent with the model of concerted evolution: (1) multiple distinct 5S rDNA types were detected within a species, leading to intraspecific divergence of 5S rDNA; (2) multiple identical 5S rDNA types were shared among species, resulting in interspecies clustering of 5S rDNA types; and (3) intraspecific nucleotide diversity was detected within a 5S rDNA class. Our results obtained by fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that each rice species studied contained only one 5S rDNA locus with two hybridization sites, which were located on either chromosome 7 or chromosome 11. These results suggest that different 5S rDNA classes within the rice genome were arranged together and that one pair of 5S rDNA loci from a diploid progenitor of the tetraploid species might have been lost during evolution. Taken together, our data show that 5S rDNA in rice species is more informative at the gene level than at the chromosome level.