bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The vomeronasal organ and associated structures of the fetal African elephant,Loxodonta africana(Proboscidea, Elephantidae)
Authors: Göbbel Luminita , Fischer Martin S. , Smith Timothy D. , Wible John R. , Bhatnagar Kunwar P. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemosensory structure of the nasal septum found in most tetrapods. Although potential behavioural correlates of VNO function have been shown in two of the three elephant species, its morphology inLoxodonta africanahas not been studied. The development of the VNO and its associated structures in the African elephant are described in detail using serially sectioned material from fetal stages. The results show that many components of the VNO complex (e.g. neuroepithelium, receptor‐free epithelium, vomeronasal nerve, paravomeronasal ganglia, blood vessels, vomeronasal cartilage) are well developed even in a 154‐day‐old fetus, in which the VNO opens directly into the oral cavity with only a minute duct present. However, the vomeronasal glands and their ducts associated with the VNO were developed only in the 210‐day‐old fetus. Notably, in this fetus, the vomeronasal–nasopalatine duct system had acquired a pathway similar to that described in the adult Asian elephant; the VNOs open into the oral cavity via the large palatal parts of the nasopalatine ducts, which are lined by a stratified squamous epithelium. The paired palatal ducts initially coursed anteriorly at an angle of 45° from the oral recess and/or the oral cavity mucosa, and merged into the vomeronasal duct. This study confirms the unique characteristics of the elephant VNO, such as its large size, the folded epithelium of the VNO tube, and the dorsomedial position of the neuroepithelium. The palatal position and exclusive communication of the VNO with the oral cavity, as well as the partial reduction of the nasopalatine duct, might be related to the unique elephantid craniofacial morphogenesis, especially the enormous growth of the tusk region, and can be seen as autapomorphies.
Fine structure and development of Triaenophorus nodulosus (Cestoda) during metamorphosis: a review
Authors: Korneva J. V. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe results of long‐term investigations of tissue differentiation during metamorphosis in the pseudophyllidean cestode Triaenophorus nodulosus are discussed. The process of tissue reorganization during transformation of the free‐swimming coracidium of T. nodulosus to a parasitic procercoid are studied and the development of all specialized systems (tegumental, muscular, excretory, nervous and glandular) are described and compared. As a consequence, the general cytological mechanism of differentiation has been identified in T. nodulosus. The cytodifferentiation processes are characterized by autophagy of the initial specialized cell population and its replacement by a second population with other morphological and functional potentials. The change in specialized cell populations during morphogenesis is caused by a change in the functional requirements of organs. The primitive nature of the differentiation processes in T. nodulosus at the initial stages of tissue formation is confirmed. It is supposed that destruction of the primary cell populations is the result of apoptosis or genetically programmed suicide.
Bridging the Idiographic‐Nomothetic Divide in Ratings of Self and Others on the Big Five
Authors: Grice James W. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractRecent discussions of the idiographic‐nomothetic debate were initially reviewed in this paper. Three important issues stemming from this debate were then expounded within the context of Personal Construct Theory and evaluated in an empirical study. Participants were required to rate themselves and people they knew on 25 marker items for the Big Five personality traits and on 12 of their own unique personal constructs. The ratings were analyzed using a number of novel statistical methods, including a simple type of confirmatory factor analysis and an informative graphing procedure. Results indicated that at least half of the statistical information derived from the idiographic, personal construct ratings was unique when compared to ratings on the nomothetic Big Five items. The implications of these methods and results for person‐centered and trait conceptualizations of personality were discussed.
High Self‐Control Predicts Good Adjustment, Less Pathology, Better Grades, and Interpersonal Success
Authors: Tangney June P. , Baumeister Roy F. , Boone Angie Luzio 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWhat good is self‐control? We incorporated a new measure of individual differences in self‐control into two large investigations of a broad spectrum of behaviors. The new scale showed good internal consistency and retest reliability. Higher scores on self‐control correlated with a higher grade point average, better adjustment (fewer reports of psychopathology, higher self‐esteem), less binge eating and alcohol abuse, better relationships and interpersonal skills, secure attachment, and more optimal emotional responses. Tests for curvilinearity failed to indicate any drawbacks of so‐called overcontrol, and the positive effects remained after controlling for social desirability. Low self‐control is thus a significant risk factor for a broad range of personal and interpersonal problems.
Sales and Use Tax Simplification and Voluntary Compliance
Authors: Cornia Gary C. , Sjoquist David L. , Walters Lawrence C. 
Published: February 2004

Because of difficulties collecting sales taxes on Internet sales, several states have engaged in an effort (the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, SSTP) to simplify their sales tax systems. One hope among SSTP proponents is that a simplified system will result in Internet vendors voluntarily collecting the sales tax. We address two issues:

Will states adopt the extensive reforms proposed by the SSTP?
Will vendors voluntarily collect the sales tax?

We argue that states are unlikely to adopt extensive reforms, but if they did, many vendors would voluntarily collect sales taxes.
Influences on Release‐Site Fidelity of Translocated Elk
Authors: Larkin Jeffery L. , Cox John J. , Wichrowski Michael W. , Dzialak Matthew R. , Maehr David S. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractSeveral eastern states are considering the restoration of free‐ranging elk populations via translocation from western populations. Optimal habitat immediately surrounding release sites has been found to enhance elk reintroduction success in western states. Little information exists, however, to aid eastern managers in identifying release sites with the highest chance of restoration success. We monitored the movements of 415 translocated elk released at three sites in southeastern Kentucky to identify landscape characteristics that enhance release‐site fidelity. The distance elk moved after release differed among sites (F2,322 = 4.63,p = 0.01), age classes (F2,322 = 4.37,p = 0.01), and time intervals (F2,322 = 40.74,p < 0.001). At 6 and 12 months post‐release, adults (15.81 ± 17.32 and 16.38 ± 20.29) and yearlings (13.91 ± 16.44 and 14.61 ± 21.11) moved farther than calves (8.06 ± 14.03 and 9.37 ± 14.40). The release site with the highest fidelity was privately owned, 15% open, and had the highest amount of edge compared with the other release sites. The two remaining sites contained large amounts of expansive openland or forest cover with lower amounts of edge. Additionally, both sites were publicly owned and experienced a higher degree of human‐generated disturbance compared with the site to which elk were most faithful. When selecting release sites, managers should avoid areas dominated by a single cover type with little interspersion of other habitats. Rather, areas with high levels of open‐forest edge (approximately 5.0 km/km2) and limited‐human disturbance will likely enhance release‐site fidelity and promote restoration success.
An Experimental Evaluation of Different Methods of Restoring Phyllospadix torreyi (Surfgrass)
Authors: Bull J. Scott , Reed Daniel C. , Holbrook Sally J. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract The surfgrass Phyllospadix torreyi is an abundant seagrass found on rocky exposed shores of the Pacific coast of North America. In southern California surfgrass populations are adversely affected by a range of natural events and anthropogenic activities. Few attempts have been made to develop restoration methods for surfgrass, and none have investigated the efficacy of using different life stages. We evaluated several techniques for restoration in intertidal and subtidal habitats using: (1) laboratory‐reared seedlings transplanted to the field (2) sprigs (short lengths of rhizome containing a few shoots) transplanted from undisturbed populations, and (3) plugs (a cohesive clump of shoots and rhizomes) transplanted from undisturbed populations. We calculated the net change in the aerial coverage of surfgrass after 6 months, taking into account the recovery or additional losses from the donor population, and amount of effort involved in transplanting. Transplanted seedlings survived poorly and had minimal rhizome growth at both the intertidal and the subtidal sites, yet the individuals that did survive showed a 275% increase in leaf number. Survivorship of transplanted plugs was high in both habitats; however, physical disturbances to the donor populations exacerbated damage sustained at the time of collecting, yielding a substantial net loss in surfgrass. Sprigs transplanted to the subtidal had higher survivorship (71 versus 48%) and a greater increase in the aerial coverage of rhizome (86 versus 42%) than those transplanted to the intertidal. Of the three techniques, transplanted sprigs had the greatest overall increase in aerial coverage per unit effort, suggesting that this method may be the most effective approach for restoring P. torreyi.
Sand Dune Restoration in North Brittany, France: A 10‐Year Monitoring Study
Authors: Rozé Françoise , Lemauviel Servane 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Dunes, which account for 13% of the Ille et Vilaine north Brittany coast, France, were degraded by high tourist pressure, and they were restored from 1988 onward. Ten years after commencing work an assessment of the restoration was made on three dunes: Les Chevrets, L'Anse Du Guesclin, and Le Verger. Annual monitoring of the vegetation and dune morphology provided an opportunity to study the restoration process. The dune front, which is similar to a reference pioneer dune, lies in front of the mobile dune. The highest part of the dune is an advanced stage of mobile dune. The restoration of the fixed rear dune was accomplished neither in terms of vegetation composition nor in terms of species richness. The vegetation parameter study allows differentiation between the dune front, the dune summit, and the rear dune. The variation in species richness and floristic composition from one zone to another can be explained by abiotic factors such as salinity and the accretion of sand. The restoration was satisfactory in terms of the geomorphology. Marram grass is a good tool for restoring the topography, but it will take a very long time to restore the conservation value of the dune.
Structural Attributes of Schizachyrium scoparium in Restored Texas Blackland Prairies
Authors: Derner Justin D. , Polley H. Wayne , Johnson Hyrum B. , Tischler Charles R. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Structural attributes of the C4, perennial bunchgrass Schizachyrium scoparium in restored prairies may be affected by the time since restoration. One hundred plants each in 8‐, 17‐, and 23‐year‐old restored prairies and a native Texas Blackland prairie were assessed for the presence/absence and diameter of a hollow crown (i.e., dead center portion), degree of fragmentation, plant height, and tiller density. Structural attributes of S. scoparium plants were generally (1) different between recent (8 years) and older (17 and 23 years) restored prairies (2) similar between the 17‐ and 23‐year‐old restored prairies, and (3) more similar between the 8‐ and 17‐year restored prairies and the native, remnant prairie than between the 23‐year restored prairie and the native prairie. Plants were shorter in restored prairies, regardless of time since restoration, than in the native prairie. Mean basal area of plants was 80–163% greater in the 17‐ and 23‐year restored prairies compared with the native and 8‐year restored prairies. Percentage of hollow crowns and fragmentation was smallest in the 8‐year restored prairie, largest in the 17‐ and 23‐year restored prairies, and intermediate in the native prairie. Tiller density exhibited inverse second‐order polynomial decreases with increasing plant basal area for all prairies. In contrast to tiller density, diameter of hollow crowns increased logarithmically with increasing plant basal area. Structural attributes of S. scoparium in restored prairies changed predictably with age, despite growing in different communities.
Can Carbon Addition Increase Competitiveness of Native Grasses? A Case Study from California
Authors: Corbin Jeffrey D. , D'Antonio Carla M. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract There is growing interest in the addition of carbon (C) as sucrose or sawdust to the soil as a tool to reduce plant‐available nitrogen (N) and alter competitive interactions among species. The hypothesis that C addition changes N availability and thereby changes competitive dynamics between natives and exotics was tested in a California grassland that had experienced N enrichment. Sawdust (1.2 kg/m) was added to plots containing various combinations of three native perennial bunchgrasses, exotic perennial grasses, and exotic annual grasses. Sawdust addition resulted in higher microbial biomass N, lower rates of net N mineralization and net nitrification, and higher concentrations of extractable soil ammonium in the soil. In the first year sawdust addition decreased the degree to which exotic annuals competitively suppressed the seedlings of Nassella pulchra and, to a lesser extent, Festuca rubra, both native grasses. However there was no evidence of reduced growth of exotic grasses in sawdust‐amended plots. Sawdust addition did not influence interactions between the natives and exotic perennial grasses. In the second year, however, sawdust addition did not affect the interactions between the natives and either group of exotic grasses. In fact, the native perennial grasses that survived the first year of competition with annual grasses significantly reduced the aboveground productivity of annual grasses even without sawdust addition. These results suggest that the addition of sawdust as a tool in the restoration of native species in our system provided no significant benefit to natives over a 2‐year period.
Research Priorities for Conservation of Metallophyte Biodiversity and their Potential for Restoration and Site Remediation
Authors: Whiting S. N. , Reeves R. D. , Richards D. , Johnson M. S. , Cooke J. A. , Malaisse F. , Paton A. , Smith J. A. C. , Angle J. S. , Chaney R. L. , Ginocchio R. , Jaffré T. , Johns R. , McIntyre T. , Purvis O. W. , Salt D. E. , Schat H. , Zhao F. J. , Baker A. J. M. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Plants that have evolved to survive on metal‐rich soils—metallophytes—have key values that must drive research of their unique properties and ultimately their conservation. The ability of metallophytes to tolerate extreme metal concentrations commends them for revegetation of mines and metal‐contaminated sites. Metallophytes can also be exploited in environmental technologies, for example, phytostabilization, phytoremediation, and phytomining. Actions towards conserving metallophyte species are imperative, as metallophytes are increasingly under threat of extinction from mining activity. Although many hundreds of papers describe both the biology and applications of metallophytes, few have investigated the urgent need to conserve these unique species. This paper identifies the current state of metallophyte research, and advocates future research needs for the conservation of metallophyte biodiversity and the sustainable uses of metallophyte species in restoration, rehabilitation, contaminated site remediation, and other nascent phytotechnologies. Six fundamental questions are addressed: (1) Is enough known about the global status of metallophytes to ensure their conservation? (2) Are metallophytes threatened by the activities of the minerals industry, and can their potential for the restoration or rehabilitation of mined and disturbed land be realized? (3) What problems exist in gaining prior informed consent to access metallophyte genetic resources and how can the benefits arising from their uses be equitably shared? (4) What potential do metallophytes offer as a resource base for phytotechnologies? (5) Can genetic modification be used to “design” metallophytes to use in the remediation of contaminated land? (6) Does the prospect of using metallophytes in site remediation and restoration raise ethical issues?
The Otx binding site is required for the activation of HpOtxL mRNA expression in the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus
Authors: Hayashibara Yasunori , Mitsunaga‐Nakatsubo Keiko , Sakamoto Naoaki , Shimotori Taishin , Akasaka Koji , Yamamoto Takashi 
Published: February 2004

Two distinct types of orthodenticle‐related (HpOtxE and HpOtxL) mRNA are transcribed from a single HpOtx gene by altering the transcription start site and by alternative splicing, and their expressions are differentially regulated during early development of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. To understand the mechanism of this regulation, we screened for the enhancer element involved in the stage‐specific expression of HpOtxL mRNA. Different portions of the HpOtx gene, including the 5′‐flanking region and the first intron, were ligated to the minimal HpOtxL promoter driving a luciferase gene, and their constructs were introduced into fertilized eggs using a particle gun. The enhancer element responsible for proper expression consistent with that of the endogenous HpOtxL was found in the first intron of the HpOtx gene. External and internal deletion analyses showed that the 334 bp region (from +8838 bp to +9171 bp) was required for enhancer activity. In addition, deletion of an Otx binding site within the 334 bp region markedly reduced reporter expression. These results suggest that the Otx binding site within the HpOtxL enhancer is required for the activation of HpOtxL mRNA expression. The promoter preference of the HpOtxL enhancer is also discussed.
Muscle differentiation in tentacles of Sepia officinalis (Mollusca) is regulated by muscle regulatory factors (MRF) related proteins
Authors: Grimaldi Annalisa , Tettamanti Gianluca , Rinaldi Liliana , Brivio Maurizio F. , Castellani Diletta , De Eguileor Magda 
Published: February 2004

The tentacles of Sepia officinalis are muscular structures that can be quickly everted and ‘super‐elongated’ to capture prey. The speed and super‐elongation are achieved by the presence of both cross‐striated and helical muscles. In the present study, the complex organization and differentiation of various fibers of the cuttlefish were examined from an early stage of development (stage 26), when the embryo is still inside the egg gel‐coating, until the juvenile stage (two weeks after hatching).The muscles start to differentiate centrifugally from the area around the axial nervous system where two types of myoblasts can be recognized. Smooth fibers (referred to here as ‘smooth‐like’ fibers because of their similarity to vertebrate smooth fibers) appear first, then bundles and layers of circomyarian helical and cross‐striated fibers differentiate. In Sepia, two muscle‐specific transcription factors (MRF), Myf5‐like and MyoD‐like, have been identified and they are differently expressed during development. Myf5 was detected at first in myoblasts, which give rise to helical smooth‐like fibers, while MyoD was expressed later in the other population of myocytes from which circomyarian helical and cross‐striated fibers derive. The effective role of these two MRF in tentacle muscle differentiation was confirmed by RNA interference experiments. Injection of double stranded (ds)RNA Myf5 inhibited differentiation of smooth‐like fibers, whereas injection of dsRNA MyoD resulted in inhibition of cross‐striated and circomyarian helical fibers.
Developmental regulated expression of syndecan‐1 and glypican in pectoralis major muscle in turkeys with different growth rates
Authors: Liu Xiaosong , McFarland Douglas C. , Nestor Karl E. , Velleman Sandra G. 
Published: February 2004

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, syndecan‐1 and glypican, are low‐affinity receptors for fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Since FGF2 stimulates skeletal muscle cell proliferation but inhibits differentiation, differences in syndecan‐1 and glypican expression might affect muscle development and growth by changing the intensity of FGF2 signaling. In the present study, the pectoralis major muscle from 14 to 24‐day‐old‐embryos, and from 1 to 16‐week‐old birds from a turkey line (F) selected for increased 16‐week bodyweight and its genetic control line (RBC2), were used to address how syndecan‐1 and glypican are expressed during skeletal muscle formation. The expression of syndecan‐1 and glypican was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. For males, the F‐line embryos expressed more syndecan‐1 (days 14 and 16) and glypican (days 14 and 18) than the RBC2 line. Similar line differences for males were observed during posthatch development. The male embryos from both lines expressed more syndecan‐1 at days 18 through 22 and more glypican at days 20 and 22 than the corresponding females. The temporal and spatial distribution of syndecan‐1 and glypican was detected by in situ hybridization. Syndecan‐1 was identified in all muscle fibers at all embryonic stages studied, whereas the glypican was detected from embryonic day 18. The data from the current study provided new information about the expression of syndecan‐1 and glypican as it relates to skeletal muscle growth properties.
Quality of life of adolescents suffering from epilepsy living in the community
Authors: Benavente‐Aguilar I , Morales‐Blánquez C , Rubio EA , Rey JM 
Published: February 2004

Objectives:  To examine the quality of life of a population sample of adolescents suffering from epilepsy.Methods:  All people aged 10−19 years diagnosed with epilepsy and without comorbid conditions in the Spanish province of Huesca were considered for the study. Quality of life was measured with the Spanish version of the Qolie‐AD‐48.Results:  A total of 66 young people with a mean age of 15 years had active epilepsy and agreed to participate; 30.3% had experienced seizures during the previous year. There were some differences in quality of life according to gender and socioeconomic status. Quality of life decreased with increasing severity of epilepsy (r = −0.63, P < 0.01). Medication neurotoxicity was associated with a lower quality of life over and above the effect of severity of the illness (partial r = −0.58, P < 0.01). Quality of life was negatively associated with the number of seizures per year (r = −0.64, P < 0.01), longer duration of the illness (r = −0.36, P < 0.01) and earlier age of onset (r = −0.29, P < 0.05).Conclusions:  The quality of life of young people with epilepsy in community samples varies according to gender and socioeconomic status, but severity of the epilepsy and side‐effects of medication are the main influence. This highlights the importance of optimal control of the seizures with medications with few side‐effects.