bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex, Reproductive Status, and Cost of Tail Autotomy via Decreased Running Speed in Lizards
Authors: Cooper Jr William E. , Wilson Dawn S. , Smith Geoffrey R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAutotomy, voluntary shedding of body parts to permit escape, is a theoretically interesting defense because escape benefit is offset by numerous costs, including impaired future escape ability. Reduced sprint speed is a major escape cost in some lizards. We predicted that tail loss causes decreased speed in males and previtellogenic females, but not vitellogenic females already slowed by mass gain. In the striped plateau lizard, Sceloporus virgatus, adults of both sexes are subject to autotomy, and females undergo large increases in body condition (mass/length) during vitellogenesis. Time required for running 1 m was similar in intact autotomized males and previtellogenic females, but increased by nearly half after autotomy. Vitellogenic females were slower than other lizards when intact, but their speed was unaffected by autotomy. Following autotomy, speeds of all groups were similar. Thus, speed costs of autotomy vary with sex and reproductive condition: decreased running speed is not a cost of autotomy in vitellogenic females or presumably gravid females. Costs of autotomy are more complex than previously known. Speed and other costs might interact in unforseen ways, making it difficult to predict whether strategies to compensate for diminished escape ability differ with reproductive condition in females.
The Time Frame of Partner Choice in the Grooming Reciprocation ofCebus apella
Authors: Schino Gabriele , Di Giuseppe Francesca , Visalberghi Elisabetta 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRecent theoretical and experimental studies argued that reciprocity is constrained by the cognitive limitations of most animals and that, when reciprocation occurs, it should necessarily be short term. In this study, we examined the time frame of partner choice in the reciprocal grooming of captive female tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Female capuchins groomed preferentially those individuals that overall groomed them most. Tufted capuchins did sometimes reciprocate grooming immediately. We quantified the time course and probability of immediate reciprocation, and excluded from the analysis cases of immediate reciprocation. We then showed that, even excluding immediate reciprocation, female capuchins still preferred to groom those individuals that groom them most. Our results show that partner choice is not necessarily based on immediate reciprocation and suggest that capuchins are able to reciprocate over longer time frames. These findings argue against the hypothesis that long‐term reciprocation is absent in species lacking sophisticated cognitive abilities. We suggest that reciprocal altruism over long time frames relies on a system of emotional bookkeeping.
Context, Structural Variability and Distinctiveness of California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) Vocal Duets
Authors: Benedict Lauryn , McEntee Jay P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAvian vocal duets occur when paired birds produce temporally and structurally coordinated vocalizations. Duets are given by members of many species from taxonomically distinct lineages and show great variety in form that often reflects function. By describing the structure of vocal duets we can learn about the diversity of communication signals present in nature and also gain insight into the evolution and operation of those signals. This study quantified the usage patterns and acoustic structure of California towhee duet vocalizations, and tested the distinctiveness of duets among different pairs. California towhee duets consist of a ‘squeal’ vocalization that is highly unlike the species‐typical call note or male advertizement song. California towhees duet an average of three times per hour during the breeding season, and all duets are accompanied by an approach response that brings duetting partners into close spatial proximity. Males and females produce duet contributions with the same syllabic structure. Individual birds produce highly variable squeal vocalizations that are distinctive enough to signal identity. California towhee duet characteristics indicate that the squeal vocalization has evolved separately from other vocal traits in this species and was promoted by natural selection as a duet‐specific vocalization. Duet usage patterns and structure suggest that these communication signals function in a cooperative context.
The Strength of Species Recognition in Captive Female Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata): A Comparison Across Estrildid Heterospecifics
Authors: Campbell Dana L. M. , Shaw Rachael C. , Hauber Mark E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractConspecific recognition is essential for sexually reproducing species. Captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are a model system in which the behavioural, ontogenetic and neurobiological bases of own‐species (conspecific) recognition have been studied in detail. To assess the potential role of phylogeographic effects on species recognition, we examined the spatial preferences of unmated captive‐bred female zebra finches between unfamiliar captive males of conspecific and estrildid heterospecific male stimuli. In accordance with prior studies using domesticated Bengalese finches (Lonchura striatavars.domestica), we found significant spatial and behavioural preference for conspecific males by female zebra finches, irrespective of heterospecific male phylogeographic origin mating status, or individual behaviour. This result has ramifications for the interpretation of social and mate preferences in this model species as it implies a consistency of species discrimination by captive female zebra finches.
Identification of Physiological Traits Underlying Cultivar Differences in Drought Tolerance in Rice and Wheat
Authors: Praba M. L. , Cairns J. E. , Babu R. C. , Lafitte H. R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRice is used as a model cereal to study drought response at the molecular level, with the goal of applying results to other cereals. To assess the relevance of results from rice to other species, the kinetics of drought development and plant response of tolerant and susceptible tropical rice (Oryza sativa L.) and subtropical wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were compared under vegetative and reproductive stage drought in pot experiments. Water was withheld during reproductive stage until plant available soil moisture content was 30 % of field capacity (FC) or leaf wilting was observed, and then reapplied. Rice reached 30 % FC 9 days after withholding water and wheat after 13 days. Before rewatering, both species reached leaf water potentials of −12 bars and similarly low transpiration rates. Stress reduced leaf relative water content, leaf elongation and membrane stability. When water stress was imposed during reproductive stage, pollen fertility was most affected in wheat, while panicle exsertion and anther dehiscence were severely affected in rice. When water stress was imposed during vegetative stage, wheat was less affected to vegetative stage drought than rice. The nature of differences between tolerant and susceptible cultivars was similar for the two species. However, the differential growth habitats and growth rate of plants needs to be considered in these kinds of experiments.
Soil Temperature and Planting Depth Effects on Tef Emergence
Authors: Evert S. , Staggenborg S. , Olson B. L. S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an annual C4 grass crop that originated in Ethiopia. It has potential as a grain crop in the Great Plains because of its tolerance to drought and high temperatures. In Ethiopia, tef seed is typically broadcast on the soil surface and lightly incorporated. Shallow planting depths are used because the seed is very small and emergence can be limited by soil crusting. If planting equipment is to be used, planting depth may be important for successful tef production. The objective of this study was to identify optimal depths and soil temperatures to aid in developing tef planting recommendations for the central Plains. Tef was planted at five depths (0, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5 and 5.0 cm) in pots filled with a silt loam soil, and pots were placed in growth chambers at four temperature regimes (day/night: 15/19 °C; 19/23 °C; 23/27 °C and 27/31 °C). No plants emerged from the 5.0‐cm depth, so this depth was not included in the analysis. Emergence was greatest for planting depths of 0.6 and 1.3 cm and lower at 0 and 2.5 cm depths. Temperature did not affect final emergence, measured 21 days after planting (DAP), but did influence emergence rates during the first 9 DAP. Plant dry matter production increased as planting depth increased, but plant dry matter per pot was not different among planting depths greater than 0.9 cm, suggesting that compensation between plants across different plant densities began early in the plants’ life cycles. Our results show that tef seed can emerge from depths between 0.6 and 1.3 cm and that soil temperatures below 19 °C can slow emergence but should not affect final stands.
Evaluation of Yield Criteria for Drought and Heat Resistance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.)
Authors: Canci H. , Toker C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) is usually grown under rainfed, rather than irrigated conditions, where drought accompanied by heat stress is a major growth constraint. The aim of this study was to select chickpea genotypes having resistance to drought/heat stress and to identify the most appropriate selection criteria for this. A total of 377 chickpea accessions were sown 2 months later than normal for the Antalya region (Turkey) to increase their exposure to the drought and high‐temperature conditions of a typical summer in this part of the world. Interspersed between every 10 test genotypes as benchmark genotypes, were plants of the two known genotypes ILC 3279 (drought‐susceptible) and ILC 8617 (drought‐susceptible), while ICC 4958 (known drought‐resistant) and ICCV 96029 (known very early, double‐podded) were also sown for confirmation. All plants were subsequently screened for drought and heat stress resistance. Soon after the two known susceptible genotypes had died, evaluations of the entire trial were made visually on a scale from ‘1’ (free from drought/heat damage) to ‘9’ (all plants died from drought/heat). Yield loss in many of the test genotypes and in the two known susceptible genotypes (ILC 3279 and ILC 8617) rose to 100 %. The desi chickpeas (smaller, dark seeds) were generally more drought‐ and heat‐resistant than the kabuli chickpeas (larger, pale seeds). Two desi chickpeas, ACC 316 and ACC 317, were selected for drought and heat (>40 °C) resistance under field conditions. Seed weight was the trait least affected by adverse environmental conditions and having the highest heritability, and it should be used in early breeding selections. When breeding drought‐ and heat‐resistant chickpeas, path and multivariate analyses showed that days to the first flowering and maturity to escape terminal drought and heat stresses should be evaluated ahead of many other phenological traits, and harvest index, biological yield and pods per plant for increased yield should also be considered.
Diallel analysis of sugar composition of 10 vegetable soybean lines
Authors: Mebrahtu T. , Devine T. E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractFew studies have evaluated vegetable soybean for sugar content at the green pod stage. Information on combining ability and type of gene action that governs inheritance of seed traits can help breeders to select suitable parents and devise an appropriate breeding strategy. Ten vegetable soybean accessions were crossed in a complete diallel mating design. Parent lines and F2 and F3 progenies were evaluated for two nutritional components. In this study, both general and specific combining ability and reciprocal effects were significant for sucrose and total sugar. Cultivars ‘Kanrich’, ‘Pella’, ‘Verde’ and V81‐1603 had good general combining ability for high sucrose. In general, high sucrose content was observed in progeny of the early maturity group genotypes ‘Kanrich’, ‘Pella’ and ‘Verde’. The best combiners for high total sugar content were ‘Verde’, V81‐1603 and PI 399055. These genotypes could serve as genetic sources in a vegetable soybean breeding programme.
Follicle Dynamics and its Relation with Plasma Concentrations of Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Estradiol during the Egg‐Laying Cycle in Ostriches
Authors: Bronneberg RGG , Vernooij JCM , Stegeman JA , Taverne MAM 
Published: December 2008

ContentsThe aims of this study were (i) to describe the changes in the volume of large ovarian follicles (diameter >3 cm) during the 48 h egg laying cycle in farmed ostriches, and (ii) to quantify factors affecting the volume of the largest measured follicle and the plasma concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol‐17β (E2β). In eight egg‐producing birds, which all ovulated during the study period, transcutaneous ultrasound scanning and blood sampling was performed at 3 h intervals. The average volume of the total number of visualized large follicles (Vtotal), the largest measured follicle (VF1), the second largest follicle (VF2) and of all follicles smaller than F2 (VF3–Fn) were each higher before than after oviposition.Vtotal,VF2andVF3–Fnnearly doubled in the 24‐h period before oviposition, whileVF1remained at an equal, rather high level until oviposition. Immediately after ovipositionVtotal, as well as the volume of the other follicle categories, decreased within 6 h, i.e. around the moment of ovulation. By performing statistical analysis on the basis of linear mixed‐effects modelling, we quantified that: (i)VF1was 13.2% higher before than after oviposition and increased with 6.5% when LH increased with 1 ng/ml; (ii) P4levels were 93.2% higher before than after oviposition and increased with 43.1% for every 3 h closer to oviposition; when LH and E2β levels andVF1increased with 1 ng/ml, 10 pg/ml and 10 ml, respectively, P4increased with 116.6%, 50% and 6.1%; and (iii) E2β levels were 35.6% higher before than after oviposition, increased with 2.7% for every 3 h closer to oviposition and increased with 14.6% when LH increased with 1 ng/ml. It is concluded that during the egg‐laying cycle in ostriches: (i) follicular mass, as estimated by the volume of visualized follicles larger than 3 cm, increases before and decreases after ovulation, and (ii) follicular dynamics and its accompanying endocrine plasma hormone profiles during the egg‐laying cycle in ostriches follow a pattern similar to that in chickens.
Medical experts and the law: Safeguarding children, the public and the profession
Authors: Skellern Catherine 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPaediatricians working in child protection are sometimes required to act as expert witnesses in legal proceedings. Given the significant influence of opinion evidence on the jury, it is imperative that they understand their responsibilities to the court in this medico‐legal interface and recognise their boundaries of expertise. Recent cases in the United Kingdom and in Australia have thrown the spotlight on paediatricians working as forensic experts in legal proceedings which has led to much public scrutiny and intervention by medical disciplinary bodies placing practice sanctions on child protection paediatricians. These decisions have had a significant impact on the workforce, with fewer paediatricians and those in training now willing to work in the field because of fears of disciplinary sanctions being instigated by those adversely affected by unfavourable forensic opinions. This article includes a detailed summary of these cases including excerpts from legal judgments, which highlight critical issues for the expert witness, which have had a significant impact on individuals, the profession and impacted on public confidence in the profession. In Australia, it is timely that we reflect on these lessons learnt and look to development of educational standards and forensic credentialing to enable continuity of a skilled paediatric workforce in child protection.
Carbocisteine can scavenge reactive oxygen species in vitro
Authors: NOGAWA Hisashi , ISHIBASHI Yuji , OGAWA Akitsu , MASUDA Kayoko , TSUBUKI Takeshi , KAMEDA Tomoko , MATSUZAWA Shigeki 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases. Carbocisteine, a mucoregulatory drug, is used in the treatment of several disease states but little information is available about its scavenger effects on ROS. The present study was designed to examine the scavenger effects of carbocisteine on ROS.Methods:  The oxidation‐reduction potential of carbocisteine was measured, and its scavenger effects on hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH•) and peroxynitrite (ONOO‐) were examined in cell‐free conditions. The effects of carbocisteine on ROS generated from rat neutrophils, intracellular oxidative stress and release of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐8 and IL‐6) from IL‐1β‐induced airway epithelial cells, NCI‐H292 cells, were investigated.Results:  Carbocisteine provided a reducing stage and showed scavenger effects on H2O2, HOCl, OH• and ONOO‐ in cell‐free conditions. Carbocisteine inhibited ROS generation from rat neutrophils, intracellular oxidative stress and release of IL‐8 and IL‐6 from NCI‐H292 cells. N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine, a radical scavenger, also inhibited these events related to ROS as well as carbocisteine.Conclusions:  These results suggest that carbocisteine could exert anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant effects through directly scavenging ROS in addition to its previously known mucoregulatory effect.
Marine reserve effects on fishery profits: a comment on White et al. (2008)
Authors: Hart Deborah R. , Sissenwine Michael P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA recent study (White et al. 2008) claimed that fishery profits will often be higher with management that employs no‐take marine reserves than conventional fisheries management alone. However, this conclusion was based on the erroneous assumption that all landed fish have equal value regardless of size, and questionable assumptions regarding density‐dependence. Examination of an age‐structured version of the White et al. (2008) model demonstrates that their results are not robust to these assumptions. Models with more realistic assumptions generally do not indicate increased fishery yield or profits from marine reserves except for overfished stocks.
Transcriptional activity of paddy soil bacterial communities
Authors: Shrestha Pravin Malla , Kube Michael , Reinhardt Richard , Liesack Werner 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBulk mRNA was used to explore the transcriptional activity of bacterial communities in oxic versus anoxic paddy soil. Two microbial cDNA libraries were constructed from composite samples using semi‐randomly primed RT‐PCR. cDNAs averaged 500–600 bp in length and were treated as expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Clustering analysis of 805 random cDNAs resulted in 179 and 155 different ESTs for the oxic and anoxic zones respectively. Using an E‐value threshold of e−10, a total of 218 different ESTs could be assigned by blastx, while 116 ESTs were predicted novel. Both the proportion and significance of the EST assignments increased with cDNA length. Taxonomic assignment was more powerful in discriminating between the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial communities than functional inference, as most ESTs in both oxygen zones were putative indicators of similar housekeeping functions, in particular ABC‐type transporters. A few ESTs were putative indicators for community function in a biogeochemical context, such as β‐oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids specifically in the oxic zone. Expressed sequence tags assigned to Alpha‐ and Betaproteobacteria were predominantly found in the oxic zone, while those affiliated with Deltaproteobacteria were more frequently detected in the anoxic zone. At the genus level, multiple assignments to Bradyrhizobium and Geobacter were unique to the oxic and anoxic zones respectively. The phylum‐level affiliations of 93 16S rRNA sequences corresponded well with two taxonomically distinct EST patterns. Expressed sequence tags affiliated with Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi were frequently detected in both oxygen zones. In summary, the soil metatranscriptome is accessible for global analysis and such studies have great potential in elucidating the taxonomic and functional status of soil bacterial communities, but study significance depends on the number and length of cDNAs being randomly analysed.
Candidatus Desulfovibrio trichonymphae, a novel intracellular symbiont of the flagellate Trichonympha agilis in termite gut
Authors: Sato Tomoyuki , Hongoh Yuichi , Noda Satoko , Hattori Satoshi , Ui Sadaharu , Ohkuma Moriya 
Published: December 2008

SummaryRs‐N31, a 16S rRNA phylotype affiliated with the genus Desulfovibrio, has frequently been detected from the gut of the wood‐feeding termite Reticulitermes speratus. In this study, we designed a probe specifically targeting phylotype Rs‐N31 and performed fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify the corresponding cells. The signals were detected exclusively inside the cells of the flagellate Trichonympha agilis, which simultaneously harbours another intracellular bacterium belonging to the candidate phylum Termite Group 1 (TG1). The detected cells were coccoid or short rods and specifically localized in the cortical layer of mainly, the anterior part of the flagellate cell. Approximately 1800 cells were contained in a single host cell, accounting for, in total, 2% of the whole prokaryotic gut microbiota. The genes dsrAB and apsA for sulfate reduction and a gene‐encoding H2‐uptake hydrogenase, both possessing a high sequence identity with those of known desulfovibrios, were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the host cells isolated using a micromanipulator, and their expression was verified by reverse‐transcription PCR. Thus, we suggest that this endosymbiont acts as a sink for the hydrogen generated by both the flagellates and possibly TG1 symbionts. For this uncultured bacterium, we propose a novel species, ‘Candidatus Desulfovibrio trichonymphae’.