bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐2α: effect on radiation sensitivity and differential regulation by an mTOR inhibitor
Authors: Bhatt Rupal S. , Landis Daniel M. , Zimmer Michael , Torregrossa Joelle , Chen Shaoyong , Sukhatme Vikas P. , Iliopoulos Othon , Balk Steve , Bubley Glenn J. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine the role of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐2α (HIF2α) on the sensitivity of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines to ionizing radiation and to determine if the mTOR antagonist, rapamycin, could decrease HIF2α protein levels.MATERIALS AND METHODSCell lines expressing stable short‐hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) encoding HIF2α shRNAs or an empty vector were transfected with a hypoxia responsive element (HRE)‐driven firefly luciferase reporter gene. Two separate paired cell lines were assayed for their response to increasing doses of ionizing radiation. Proliferation and cell cycle kinetics were compared for cell lines expressing HIF2α shRNAs and empty vectors. The effect of an mTOR antagonist, rapamycin on HIF1α and HIF2α proteins levels was also assessed.RESULTSWe confirmed that the 786‐O RCC lines with stably integrated shRNAs against HIF2α had decreased activation of a plasmid with a HRE‐driven firefly luciferase reporter gene. Lines from two separate cell clones with decreased HIF2α levels showed a significant increase in radiation sensitivity and an increase in G2 cell cycle arrest. Rapamycin, while effective in decreasing HIF1α protein levels, did not affect HIF2α levels in either of the RCC cell lines.CONCLUSIONSThese results show that decreasing levels of HIF2α leads to an increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. This finding may explain in part, the known resistance of RCC to radiation therapy. Although mTOR antagonists are approved for the treatment of RCC, these agents do not decrease HIF2α levels and therefore might not be effective in enhancing the radio‐sensitivity of these tumours.
Allocating Resources in an Uncertain World: Water Management and Endangered Species
Authors: Woodward Richard T. , Shaw W. Douglass 
Published: April 2008

AbstractInstream flows may be essential in protecting aquatic species that are threatened or endangered. An economic model of the optimal allocation of water under pure uncertainty is developed, with particular attention paid to the situation when a species characterized by critical depensation is affected by instream flows. We adopt the notion of pure uncertainty that Frank Knight and Daniel Ellsberg intended, which applies when decision makers cannot reduce their uncertainty to a unique probability distribution. Following recent work by Hansen, Sargent, and others, we employ robust control as a way to deal with this problem.
Water Markets and Third‐Party Effects
Authors: Bourgeon Jean-Marc , Easter K. William , Smith Rodney B.W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examine potential third‐party effects arising from trading water from one region (rural) to another (urban). Using labor, water and heterogeneous land, rural agents produce a traded agricultural good and nontraded service good. Absent job market frictions, increased water trading improves per capita regional welfare, but aggregate service income can increase (decrease) while individual land rents decrease (increase). If labor experiences job market frictions, water trading can trigger socially inefficient land fallowing, and a decrease in per capita regional welfare. Simulation results confirm the no‐job‐market‐friction model predictions.
Economic Development Prospects of Forest‐Dependent Communities: Analyzing Trade‐offs Using a Compromise‐Fuzzy Programming Framework
Authors: Krcmar Emina , van Kooten G. Cornelis 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMany aboriginal communities look to forest resources for short‐ and long‐term employment, adequate timber for mills, an even flow of wood fiber for community stability, and financial returns for economic diversification. We address these conflicting objectives using multiple‐objective programming. We show how compromise programming can be used to set bounds on fuzzy membership functions, and illustrate the difference between crisp and fuzzy weighting of objectives. Economic development outcomes obtained using compromise and fuzzy programming greatly improve upon those associated with the even‐flow of timber rule of thumb. Yet, timber extraction is an inadequate driver of economic development in rural communities.
The Electoral Impact of Direct‐Democratic Practices
Authors: ANDUIZA EVA , FONT JOAN , MAS PAU , DE MAYA SERGI 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn recent years there has been a growing interest in the integration of mechanisms of direct citizen participation in the institutional structure of representative democracy, particularly at the local level. This essay examines the electoral impact of mechanisms of direct citizen participation. Although it is often considered that participatory schemes can be a means to achieve electoral success in the hands of politicians seeking re‐election, quantitative analyses of 65 Spanish municipalities demonstrate that electoral success is far from being an immediate consequence of direct democratic practices (DDPs). The qualitative analysis of four cases shows that electoral consequences directly attributable to participatory devices depend on their design and on how they fit into the whole political process. Participatory processes that are too rigid and those, especially, that generate expectations that cannot be translated into real policies may end up having a negative effect. On the other hand, DDPs may account for network‐building and improved information among citizens that, in turn, may have electoral consequences. DDPs are thus neither a blessing nor a cure per se in their electoral effects. Instead, as with representative democracy, their consequences and success will ultimately depend upon their procedural dimension.Résumé Ces dernières années ont connu un intérêt croissant pour l’intégration de mécanismes de participation directe des citoyens dans le cadre institutionnel de la démocratie participative, notamment au niveau local. Cet article examine l’impact électoral des mécanismes de participation directe. Même si on estime souvent que les systèmes participatifs peuvent permettre la victoire d’hommes politiques en quête de réélection, des analyses quantitatives sur 65 municipalités espagnoles montrent que le succès électoral est loin de résulter automatiquement des pratiques de démocratie directe (PDD). L’analyse qualitative de quatre cas révèle que les incidences électorales imputables directement aux dispositifs participatifs dépendent du concept utilisé et de la manière dont ceux‐ci s’intègrent dans le processus politique global. Si les démarches participatives sont trop rigides, et notamment si elles suscitent des attentes qui ne peuvent se traduire dans des politiques publiques concrètes, elles sont susceptibles d’avoir, en fin de compte, un effet négatif. En revanche, les PDD peuvent expliquer la construction de réseaux et l’amélioration de l’information entre les citoyens, ce qui peut influer sur des élections. Les PDD ne sont donc ni une bénédiction ni une malédiction en termes d’incidences électorales. A l’instar de celles de la démocratie représentative, leurs conséquences et leur réussite vont finalement dépendre de leur dimension procédurale.
Association between oral lichenoid reactions and amalgam restorations
Authors: Pezelj‐Ribarić S , Prpić J , Miletić I , Brumini G , Šoškić M Šimunović , Anić I 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  The aim of this study was to perform a clinical assessment of the association between oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) and amalgam restorations and to determine the salivary concentrations of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐8 before and after replacement of the amalgam restorations.Methods  The study included 20 patients with OLR and 20 healthy volunteers, who were examined between 2001 and 2005 at the Oral Medicine Unit of the Medical Faculty University of Rijeka. All patients were skin patch tested by an experienced physician. Saliva samples were collected, prepared and analysed for IL‐6 and IL‐8 concentrations using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results  Sixteen out of 20 patch‐tested patients showed a sensitization to inorganic mercury or amalgam. Total replacement of all amalgam fillings was carried out on 20 patients with fillings based on composite resin, gold, porcelain or a combination of these. Sixteen out of 20 patients showed complete healing of OLR; three patients had marked improvement, whereas one patient showed no improvement. Levels of IL‐6 detected before replacement were significantly higher than IL‐6 levels following the replacement (P = 0.003). The IL‐8 levels measured before replacement procedure were significantly higher than the IL‐8 levels after replacement of the fillings (P < 0.001).Conclusions  On the basis of clinical observations, restorative therapy resulted in tissue healing. Following the replacement of amalgam fillings with fillings based on other restorative materials, levels of both IL‐6 and IL‐8 shifted towards normal, as measured in healthy subjects.
II. Contributions to the Ornithology of the East African Islands
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe sea‐bird breeding stations in East African waters are enumerated. Between the Lamu archipelago, where many species nest, and the Rovuma the most important station is Latham Island with its Booby colony (S. dactylatra melanops), which existed at least 115 years ago. Less than half a dozen terneries (mainly S. dougallii and S. fuscata) are known, and no gullery. Reef‐Herons, the only sea‐birds to breed on bush‐covered islets or in mangroves, are more widespread than the other species. The Terns lay about July, the Reef‐Herons a month earlier, and the Gannets about four months later in most years.Early records of birds in Zanzibar and Pemba are discussed specifically. The recent extinction of Francolins in Zanzibar is taken as proved.The land‐birds of Mafia and the neighbouring islets are listed and discussed, mainly on the basis of a recent collection. The avifauna is purely East African, devoid of endemics, and, considering the size of Mafia and its proximity to the mainland, astonishingly depauperate in some respects. Thirteen families (including Psittacidæ, Coliidæ, Picidæ, Alaudidæ, Timaliidæ, and Zosteropidæ) and several other coastal species are not represented. The phenology is discussed.
XII.—Numerical Data on African Birds' Behaviour at the Nest.—II. Psalidoprocne holomelæna massaica Neum., the Rough‐wing Bank‐Martin
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPsalidoprocne holomelæna makes a pad of beard lichen (Usnea) on a ledge or in a narrow natural hole at any depth up to about 2 feet. The numerical data are derived from 800 hours' observations at Amani divided between seven nests. There is no proof that both members of a pair share brooding or feeding duty.The incubation period is 19 days, the fledging 24–27.The extent to which the eggs were incubated varied from 31 to 66 per cent., apparently without relation to temperature. The frequency curves of duration of spells on eggs, and of intervals when the eggs were uncovered, contrast strikingly with those of Hirundo smithii. In Psalidoprocne both spells and intervals are much longer, most of them being between 8 and 20 minutes. Absences exceeding 30 minutes are rare, but 84 minutes has been recorded.For the first week after hatching the young are brooded as much as the eggs, but after that date the amount of brooding they get varies widely from nest to nest.During the last half of the fledging period the normal brood of two young receives 12 to 20 visits, presumably with food, per 200 minutes (only one‐fifth as many as a brood of two Hirundo smithii). A solitary Psalidoprocne, nestling got 80 per cent, as much attention as a pair.Nearly all the young leave the nest‐hole within three hours of sunrise. They fly in the absence of their parents, and efficiently from the first moment.
The Breeding Birds of Orkney
Authors: Lack David 
Published: April 2008

Summary

A brief description is given of the islands, the main habitats and their characteristic birds.
Twenty per cent of the Caithness avifauna is not established in Orkney, and 32 per cent, of the Orkney breeding birds are not established in Shetland. The same species fall away much more gradually to the north in Scandinavia.
Inter‐island distributions are tabulated.
Birch‐forest grew in Orkney in post‐Glacial times, but has now nearly vanished.
The bird races of the Outer Hebrides are related to those of Ireland. Orkney races have not been adequately studied.
At the present day 92 species breed regularly in Orkney, six formerly regular are extinct, and a number more have bred irregularly or doubtfully.
Points of biological interest in the annotated species list include (i.) marked fluctuations in many species; (ii.) recent colonization of Orkney in 26 species, mainly woodland birds and ducks; (iii.) marked habitat adaptations in Linnet, Rock‐Pipit, Song‐Thrush, Blackbird, Ring‐Dove and Fulmar; (iv.) habitat differences between Herring and Lesser Black‐backed Gulls; (v.) distribution of the two phases of the Arctic Skua.
The Ornithology of the Kaonde‐Lunda Province, Northern Rhodesia. Part I. Climate and Ecology
Authors: White C. M. N. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

The geographical aspects of the three districts of the Kaonde‐Lunda Province of Northern Rhodesia are described and the climates of the three districts compared.
The main biota are classified. Of particular interest are the ever‐green forests of Mwinilunga and the distinctive vegetation west of the Zambesi River. The Cryptmepalurn woodland is avifaunally disappointing.
Attention is drawn to some of the more striking instances of fauniatic elements derived from Angola and the and south‐west.

A systematic account of the species occurring will follow in due course.
Snipe in Eastern Africa
Authors: Mackworth‐Praed C. W. , Grant C. H. B. 
Published: April 2008

Summary— The Jack Snipe is a very distinctive bird and should not be confused with the other four species. Its flight also is slower and more butterfly‐like.The Pintail Snipe is not readily distinguishable in the field from the Common Snipe, but in the hand the extraordinarily thin outer tail feathers are unmistakable.The Common Snipe is easily distinguishable by the outer tail feathers, which can be seen at close quarters when the bird is in flight. It also has a more rapid flight than either the Double or African Snipe, and looks rather smaller on the wing.The African Snipe has a heavier and rather slower flight than the Common Snipe and usually looks larger on the wing. The much narrower white outer tail feathers are the most outstanding character.The Double Snipe is the one that is usually confused with the African Snipe, as its general appearance and*outer tail feathers are much the same when seen in flight. In the hand the barred belly is a most distinctive character. The outer tail feathers are broader than those of the African Snipe. It should not be confused with the Common Snipe, and certainly not with the Pintail Snipe.When a bag of mixed Double and African Snipe are laid out, the white unbarred belly of the latter is very apparent.
ASPECTS OF EVOLUTION IN THE PARROT GENUS AGAPORNIS
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Agapornis, an African genus of parrots allied to Loriculus of Asia, has usually been classified in nine species.Their geographical, altitudinal and ecological ranges are described and their temperature relations are worked out. There is a general agreement with Bergmann's rule.Only two of the Agapornids appear to be in any respect ecologically specialized: to A. swinderniana, the only one confined to tropical evergreen forest, the seeds of figs may be an essential food; and A. pullaria is more or less completely dependent on the nests of arboreal insects for nesting‐sites. The other seven Agapornids are birds of dry country with a wide range of food and are indiscriminate hole‐nesters.All nine birds are practically allopatric. The four closely allied birds in East Africa, which produce fertile hybrids very freely in captivity, seem nowhere actually to meet in nature. Certain vegetation types, especially Brachystegia‐Isoberlinia woodland, appear to be an effective barrier, for reasons not clear.Comparisons are made of colour, size and proportions, degree of sexual dimorphism, juvenile plumages, hybridization and breeding biology. Special points of interest are:—

The existence of well‐developed sexual dimorphism and juvenile plumage in some Agapornids and their total absence in others.
The development of contrasting eye‐rings; in two forms from feathers, in four others from naked white skin; that is, using two different physiological bases.
The persistence of certain features in the tail pattern throughout the genus, in contrast to the variability of other parts of the plumage.
The existence of two pairs of allopatric forms, each consisting of one pink‐headed and one containing more melanin; but the distribution of the melanin being very different in the two “melanic” forms.
The fact that some forms of Agapornis carry their nesting‐material in their contour feathers (a habit otherwise known only in Loriculus) and others do not.

Although certain of the tectonic and climatic changes in Pleistocene Africa would, by sundering populations, have facilitated evolution of the existing forms, the isolating mechanism so provided seems inadequate.Most of the Agapornids fall into two groups, the older comprising the West African, Abyssinian and Madagascar forms. Main trends of evolution in the genus have been to eliminate (a) the habit of carrying material in the contour feathers, and (b) sexual dimorphism, partly by “grading up” the female plumage of the fore‐parts and partly by eliminating the black under wing‐coverts of the male.A proper picture of relationships within the genus demands the use of the newer taxonomic categories, cline, semispecies and superspecies, in addition to the species and subspecies.The genus provides a good field for genetical analysis. At least five sharply characterized forms, including subspecies, semispecies and full species, readily produce fertile hybrids, and one of the five has the habit of carrying material in the contour feathers.
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE FOOD OF BIRDS*
Authors: Hartley P. H. T. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Qualitative knowledge of the food of many birds is fairly complete, but on the quantitative aspects of the problem there is little exact information. The materials available for the study of bird foods include not only stomach contents and pellets, but also dung, the rejectamenta of meals, accumulated stores, the field notes of observers and photographs. The sampling in many studies has been irregular or inadequate. In a number of species the collection of statistically satisfactory samples of stomach contents from any one locality or habitat may be impossible. Foods may be assessed by frequency of occurrence, by enumeration, by weight or by volume. The weights or volumes may be measured “as found” or by approximations to the weight or volume of the food at the time of ingestion. There is no one ideal method, and the food of each species or group of species should be investigated and assessed by the methods which seem to be most appropriate. Published records and summaries should be in such form that they can readily be combined with the results of other investigations. The lack of fundamental ecological knowledge makes it impossible to pronounce upon the “economic status” of any species, save in a few very obvious cases.
AN ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE BIRDS OF THE CRATER HIGHLANDS AND RIFT LAKES, NORTHERN TANGANYIKA TERRITORY.
Authors: ELLIOTT H. F. I. , FUGGLES‐COUCHMAN N. R. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.Bird‐plant communities are described. Moorland: effect of incomplete forest barrier in extending population as compared with Kilimanjaro. Upland grasslands: four subdivisions with distinctive avifauna tabularly compared. Upland bushland: two subdivisions. Evergreen forest. Upland waters. Intermediate scattered‐tree grasslands: lodgment of distinctive populations. Ground‐water forest. Lake and swamp: comparison between populations of Lakes Natron, Manyara and Embagai; analysis of migrant movements and biotic preferences among waterfowl.Breeding seasons: contrast between upper and lower zones, in some cases implying biological races of common species.Evolutionary significance of population; probable recent development of the four or five endemics; very mixed affinities of the remainder, which include forms associated with Kilimanjaro, Chyulu, Kenya Highlands, Lake Victoria basin, Uganda and S.W. Tanganyika, considered to indicate rather recent colonization, but in some instances survival from an earlier epoch.Systematic notes on 23 species of special interest, including a review of the East African races of Colius striatus, field‐notes on newly described races of Pinarochroa sordida and Cisticola hunteri, and a first account of the nesting of Nectarinia johnstoni.
THE CAPE ST. MARY GANNET COLONY, NEWFOUNDLAND.
Authors: Davies O. J. H. , Keynes R. D. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

A census of the Cape St. Mary gannet colony was taken in July 1939 by a direct count after the colony had been divided up into areas for counting. There were found to be 4394 pairs, with a probable error of 369 pairs.
The proportion of nests at which there were two birds was found to be 15%.
Examination of the gonads of specimens collected on the mainland showed that there were some birds in mature plumage which were not in full breeding condition.
The number of birds occupying the mainland standing areas was over 2000 in the morning, but decreased steadily during the day. Absence of birds from the mainland could not be correlated with locally increased fishing activity. The unoccupied birds do not roost at the colony.
Attempts have regularly been made at nesting on the mainland since 1931, but none have yet been successful.
The chief cause of mortality in this colony is persecution by the fishermen. There is no oiling.