The CGIAR Virtual Library: A Vital Tool to Enhance Access to Agricultural Research

Literature searching instruments are available via the Internet, but one has to conduct several individual searches to retrieve relevant scholarly materials for research. This scenario led information experts from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) to find ways to make life easier for scientists. The collaboration among Information and IT managers resulted in the launch of the CGIAR Virtual Library (CGVLibrary) in 2006. CGIAR supports 15 diverse international centers, located worldwide, which generate scholarly research results that are considered as public goods and must be shared freely with the international community. The CGVLibrary enables federated searching of catalogs and databases and carries hyperlinks to full-text CGIAR documents. This article provides an analysis of the content of the CGVLibrary, of the various information avenues it opens for improving access to agricultural research, and of how the tool is being improved and marketed to promote awareness and worldwide use.     

The mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common, morbid, and frequently lethal malignancy. To uncover its mutational spectrum, we analyzed whole-exome sequencing data from 74 tumor-normal pairs. The majority exhibited a mutational profile consistent with tobacco exposure; human papillomavirus was detectable by sequencing DNA from infected tumors. In addition to identifying previously known HNSCC genes (TP53, CDKN2A, PTEN, PIK3CA, and HRAS), our analysis revealed many genes not previously implicated in this malignancy. At least 30% of cases harbored mutations in genes that regulate squamous differentiation (for example, NOTCH1, IRF6, and TP63), implicating its dysregulation as a major driver of HNSCC carcinogenesis. More generally, the results indicate the ability of large-scale sequencing to reveal fundamental tumorigenic mechanisms.     

Cocoa Flavanols Protect Human Endothelial Cells from Oxidative Stress

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Oxidative stress may cause functional disorders of vascular endothelia which can lead to endothelial apoptosis and thus alter the function and structure of the...     

Roadrunners: activity of captive individuals

Two roadrunners, Geococcyx californianus, readily accepted an activity wheel as an outlet for locomotor activity. The birds were strictly diurnal and tended to be most active per unit of time in the predusk hours. There was less activity on partly overcast days than on clear days. Dim light and darkness were strongly inhibitory, even during daytime hours; bright light was stimulatory, even during nighttime hours. These findings appear to open the way for quantitative comparative studies of the influences of environmental factors on the activity of cursorial birds.     

Size measurement and nutritional condition evaluation methods in sandfish (Holothuria scabra Jaeger)

The aims of this study were to establish an accurate size measurement method and a nutritional condition evaluation method of Holothuria scabra (Jaeger). Although 0.5% KCl and 0.05% MgSO₄ did not induce anaesthesia, 2% menthol–ethanol for 20 min was found to be effective and harmless. The anaesthetization significantly reduced the coefficient of variation of the mean body length and weight by 68% and 43% respectively. During starvation, body size and weight decreased concomitantly, resulting in an unchanged condition factor (body weight/volume), suggesting that the condition factor cannot be used as an index of nutritional condition. Protein, cholesterol and carbohydrate concentrations in the body fluid were analysed to study the relationship with starvation. As the protein and cholesterol concentrations initially increased and then decreased during the starvation period, it is difficult to use them as an index of nutritional condition. The carbohydrate concentration showed a gradual one‐fold increase during 10 days of starvation, and it may be used as a proxy for nutritional condition; however, further physiological studies are needed. Body fluid density and volume relative to body size gradually increased and decreased, respectively, during starvation. These methods may be used to correctly monitor the conditions of H. scabra in studies for aquaculture and stock enhancement techniques.     

Modelling the reestablishment of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Klamath River tributaries after dam removal

The planned removal of four dams on the Klamath River (anticipated 2024) will be the largest river restoration effort ever undertaken on the planet. Dam removal will restore access to >50 km of the Klamath River mainstem for coho salmon, but mainstem habitat may not be suitable for rearing juvenile coho salmon. Instead, small tributaries may provide most rearing habitat for reestablishing coho salmon. We used four approaches to evaluate six Klamath River tributaries above existing dams to assess their potential to support juvenile coho salmon: (1) We measured summer temperature regimes and evaluated thermal suitability. (2) We applied an Intrinsic Potential (IP) model to evaluate large-scale geomorphological constraints on coho salmon habitat. (3) We used the Habitat Limiting Factors Model (HLFM) to estimate rearing capacity for juveniles given current habitat conditions. (4) We developed an occupancy model using data from reference tributaries to predict coho salmon rearing distribution. All six streams had summer temperatures cooler than the mainstem Klamath River. However, five of the streams have barriers that will restrict coho salmon to within 5 km of the confluence with the Klamath River and two were disconnected mid-summer. Despite these constraints, the tributaries will likely produce coho salmon. Most streams had high IP in their lower reaches, the HLFM model estimated a total capacity of 105,000 juvenile coho salmon, and the occupancy model predicted juvenile coho salmon will rear throughout the accessible reaches. Protection and habitat enhancement for these tributaries will be important for coho salmon reestablishment post-dam removal.     

The effects of constant and oscillating temperature on embryonic development and early larval morphology in longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes)

Constant and oscillating egg incubation temperatures on embryonic development and early larval morphology were studied in longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes). We investigated the effects of constant temperatures from 16 to 32°C on embryo development and larval morphology at hatch, and whether oscillating temperature during embryogenesis could lead to larval morphological variations. After hatching, larval morphology and development during yolk sac (YS) utilization were examined in larvae at constant temperatures and larvae at 25°C that had oscillating temperature during egg incubation. Hatching rates were > 75%, only decreasing to ~ 50% at 30°C. At constant temperatures, the largest larvae occurred at 22 and 24°C. The oscillating temperature did not affect the timing of embryo development but resulted in larger and smaller larvae with a smaller and bigger YS, respectively, with a similar hatching time. Therefore, a growth response occurred in embryos during a window of development before hatching, depending on the adaptive response to temperature (spawn‐specific). After hatching, most of the YS was absorbed within 24 hr in all treatments, and the growth of the larval head was a priority with an optimal development at 26°C. There was compensatory growth in smaller larvae resulting in similar sizes after YS utilization, but larvae showed variations in body structure that could be important in further aquaculture research.