bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental management control of Opuntia dillenii Haw. and Agave americana L. in Teno Rural Park, Canary Islands
Authors: Arévalo José R. , Fernández‐Lugo Silvia , Mellado Miguel , de la Concepción Tamar
Published: April 2014

Invasion biology is an important element of global environmental change and represents one of the main threats to biodiversity. American species were introduced to Tenerife after the Spanish conquest during the eighteenth century, as is the case for Agave americana and Opuntia dillenii. The long period of naturalization and adaptation of these species has led them to become two of the most dispersed introduced species of the archipelago. We analyzed several eradication management processes in an area intensively invaded by both O. dillenii and A. americana. Three treatments were randomly applied: mechanical removal, use of herbicide (glyphosate at 10% volume), and mechanical and herbicide applied together. Both the effectiveness of the treatments to remove the target exotic species biovolume and the impact of the eradication methods on species richness and species composition of the area were analyzed. We found that the treatments had an impact on species composition but not on species richness. Species composition was mainly affected by mechanical treatment. The effect caused by the mechanical removal of the exotic target species in species composition is minor after 4 years, and is related to a higher dominance of shrub species typical of coastal shrubland and of annual or pioneer species. The control of O. dillenii and A. americana is evident from insignificant recovery 4 years after treatment application. A mechanical and herbicide treatment together, allowed not only the immediate removal of large individuals but also the herbicidal control of smaller ones.
Post‐dispersal seed predation and its relations with seed traits: a thirty‐species‐comparative study
Authors: Gong Hede , Tang ChaoZhi , Wang Bo
Published: April 2014

Post‐dispersal seed predation is a key process determining the variability in seed survival in forests, where most seeds are handled by rodents. Seed predation is thought to affect seedling regeneration, colonization ability and spatial distribution of plants. Basic seed traits are the essential factors affecting rodent foraging preferences and thus seed survival and seedling recruitment. Many studies have discussed several seed traits and their effects upon seed predation by rodents. However, the results of those previous studies are usually equivocal, likely because few seed traits and/or plant species tend to be incorporated into these studies. In order to elucidate the relationships between seed predation and seed traits, we surveyed the predation of 48 600 seeds in a natural pine forest, belonging to 30 species, for three consecutive years. The results demonstrated that: (i) seed size and seed coat hardness did not significantly affect seed predation; (ii) total phenolics had a negative effect upon seed predation; (iii) positive effects of nitrogen content upon seed predation were found. From our study, it seems that the better strategy to prevent heavy predation is for plants to produce seeds with higher total phenolics content rather than physical defenses (i.e. hard seed coat) or larger seeds. Additionally, rodent foraging preference may depend more on Nitrogen content than other nutrient content of seeds.
Transdermal clonidine in the treatment of severe hyperemesis. A pilot randomised control trial: CLONEMESI
Authors: Maina A , Arrotta M , Cicogna L , Donvito V , Mischinelli M , Todros T , Rivolo S
Published: April 2014

Objective

To study the efficacy of transdermal clonidine in the treatment of severe refractory hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), the most severe illness of pregnancy.

Design

The study had a randomised, double ‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over design (RCT).

Setting

Single tertiary referral hospital after admission of patients.

Sample

Twelve women of gestational age 6–12 weeks and a major grade of HG clinical severity who were unresponsive to standard antiemetic treatment.

Methods

The patients were randomly treated with and without the active drug (5 mg patch) for two consecutive periods of 5 days. The patients were allocated to a random list to receive first placebo and then active drug or the other way round. Other antiemetic drugs were administered on a scheduled or as‐needed basis. All patients received intravenous hydration and thiamine supplementation.

Main outcome measures

Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) and visual analog scale (VAS) clinical scores, positive morning urine ketonuria, number of doses of standard antiemetic drugs required, and number of days off intravenous therapy were compared in the two periods.

Results

Transdermal clonidine led to a significantly greater improvement compared with placebo of the primary (PUQE score P = 0.026 CI 0.43–3.24; VAS score P = 0.010 CI 2.17–12.83) and secondary outcome measures. A reduction of blood pressure was reported for systolic 6 mmHg P = 0.01 and diastolic 3 mmHg P = 0.055.

Conclusions

This preliminary RCT demonstrates the efficacy of transdermal clonidine in the treatment of severe HG, leading to a significant reduction of symptoms and reducing the need for other supportive measures and medications.
The relationship between potential contaminant exposure from fish and nutrient intakes in Australian women by pregnancy status
Authors: Taylor Aimee L. , Collins Clare E. , Patterson Amanda J.
Published: April 2014

Aim

To report fish and potential mercury intakes in women of child‐bearing age and the impact on nutrient intakes.

Methods

Women (n = 7486) aged 25–30 years who participated in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were categorised according to pregnancy status. Daily fish and nutrient intakes were compared with national recommendations and Nutrient Reference Values. Estimated exposure to fish contaminants was modelled from the National Residue Survey and compared with Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes.

Results

Mean fish intake for pregnant women was 28.2 g/day, and for women who had given birth within the last 12 months, 27.8 g/day. Both were significantly lower than ‘other’ women, consuming 33.0 g/day (P = 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively), and well below the latest suggested intakes by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand. Pregnant women and women who had recently given birth also had significantly lower consumption of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids than ‘other’ women (P < 0.01 for both) and no groups met suggested dietary targets. Fish can provide up to 915% of a pregnant woman's Adequate Intake for long‐chain omega‐3s. Contamination of Australian fish is low, with estimated maximum weekly exposure to mercury below the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake.

Conclusions

Limiting fish intake during pregnancy to minimise exposure to mercury may compromise nutritional adequacy and increase the risk of inadequate intakes of nutrients essential for maternal health and fetal growth and development. Public health recommendations need to balance the risks and benefits of fish consumption within specific countries.
GRASr2 Evaluation of Aliphatic Acyclic and Alicyclic Terpenoid Tertiary Alcohols and Structurally Related Substances Used as Flavoring Ingredients
Authors: Marnett Lawrence J. , Cohen Samuel M. , Fukushima Shoji , Gooderham Nigel J. , Hecht Stephen S. , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M. , Smith Robert L. , Adams Timothy B. , Bastaki Maria , Harman Christie L. , McGowen Margaret M. , Taylor Sean V.
Published: April 2014

This publication is the 1st in a series of publications by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Assoc. summarizing the Panel's 3rd re‐evaluation of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status referred to as the GRASr2 program. In 2011, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re‐evaluate the safety of more than 2700 flavor ingredients that have previously met the criteria for GRAS status under conditions of intended use as flavor ingredients. Elements that are fundamental to the safety evaluation of flavor ingredients include exposure, structural analogy, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Flavor ingredients are evaluated individually and in the context of the available scientific information on the group of structurally related substances. Scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of the use of aliphatic acyclic and alicyclic terpenoid tertiary alcohols and structurally related substances as flavoring ingredients are evaluated. The group of aliphatic acyclic and alicyclic terpenoid tertiary alcohols and structurally related substances was reaffirmed as GRAS (GRASr2) based, in part, on their rapid absorption, metabolic detoxication, and excretion in humans and other animals; their low level of flavor use; the wide margins of safety between the conservative estimates of intake and the no‐observed‐adverse effect levels determined from subchronic studies and the lack of significant genotoxic and mutagenic potential.
Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Evaluation of Tortillas Produced by Microwave Heating during Alkaline‐Cooking of Aflatoxin‐Contaminated Maize
Authors: Vázquez‐Durán Alma , Díaz‐Torres Roberto , Ramírez‐Noguera Patricia , Moreno‐Martínez Ernesto , Méndez‐Albores Abraham
Published: April 2014

In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induction by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from maize (ME) and tortillas (TE) produced by microwave nixtamalization were investigated in monkey kidney (Vero cells) using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the oxidative damage by means of glutathione (GSH) depletion, and the Salmonella‐microsomal screening system (Ames test). Our results showed that, at higher concentrations, both ME and TE extracts that contained varying amounts of aflatoxin caused a considerable decrease in Vero cell viability (up to 37%) after 4 h of exposure. Aflatoxins from ME induced greater oxidative damage by enhancing lipid peroxidation (up to 6.05 ± 0.14 μmol/mg protein) as compared to TE; however, TE also induced significant malondialdehyde formation in particular at the higher aflatoxin concentration tested (up to 2.7 ± 0.19 μmol/mg protein). The decrease in GSH level was also more pronounced in ME as compared to TE. Moreover, the Ames test results indicated that the mutagenic activity of TE was greatly reduced compared with that of ME based on his− → his+ reversions in the Salmonella TA100 strain. According to these results, it is concluded that the microwave nixtamalization procedure reduced aflatoxins and their in vitro toxicity and mutagenic activity.

Practical Application

In Mexico, aflatoxins are often found in maize destined for the tortilla industry; consequently, tortilla consumption invariably leads to an important intake of intact and/or modified aflatoxin molecules caused by the thermal‐alkaline treatment used during production. Therefore, it is of the highest importance to check whether such intake has the potential to lead to higher risk for adverse human health effects. In view of these considerations, in vitro tests may thus be useful for predicting the potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of tortillas produced for human consumption using aflatoxin‐contaminated maize.
Bacterial Communities of Traditional Salted and Fermented Seafoods from Jeju Island of Korea Using 16S rRNA Gene Clone Library Analysis
Authors: Kim Min‐Soo , Park Eun‐Jin
Published: April 2014

Jeotgal, which is widely consumed as a nutritional supplement in Korea, is traditional type of preserved seafood that is prepared by salting and fermenting. Here, we report on the bacterial community structure and diversity of jeotgal obtained from the Korean island of Jeju, which has a subtropical climate. Two samples of Jeotgal were collected from Jeju, made from either damselfish (Chromis notata; jari‐dom‐jeot, J1 and J2) or silver‐stripe round herring (Spratelloides gracilis; ggot‐myulchi‐jeot, K1 and K2). The physical characteristics (pH and salinity) were assessed and the bacterial communities characterized using 16S rRNA gene‐clone library analysis and cultural isolation. No difference was found in the community composition between the J and K fermented seafoods. Both fermented seafoods had relatively high salinity (26% to 33%) and high pH values (pH 6.08 to 6.72). Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, the halophilic lactic‐acid bacteria Tetragenococcus halophilus and T. muriaticus were observed to be dominant in the J and K fermented seafoods, accompanied by halophilic bacteria including Halanaerobium spp., Halomonas spp., and Chromohalobacter spp. When compared with 7 other types of fermented seafood from a previous study, the communities of the J and K fermented seafoods were separated by the most influential group, the genus Tetragenococcus. The results suggest that these 2 types of traditional salted fermented seafood from Jeju have distinct communities dominated by Tetragenococcus spp., which are derived from the raw ingredients and are dependent on the physical conditions. This may explain how the seafoods that are made in Jeju may differ from other jeotgals.
Effect of Blood Removal Protocol and Superchilling on Quality Parameters of Prerigor Filleted Farmed Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Rotabakk Bjørn Tore , Bleie Hogne , Stien Lars Helge , Roth Bjorn
Published: April 2014

A total of 40 farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were in 2 groups either fillet directly after stunning and spray washed or produced into fillets according to traditional slaughter methods including exsanguination for 30 min, gutting and washing. Both groups were either stored superchilled or traditionally on ice. After 7 d postmortem color (CIE L*, a*, b*) and fillet shrinkage was measured by computer imaging along with drip loss and texture hardness. Results show that superchilled fillets had significant lower core temperature than fillets stored on ice during the entire 7 d storage period. This resulted in reduced fillet shrinkage from 14.7% to 6.9% and less drip loss dropping from 9.45% to 3.99% in average. Processing the fish directly into fillets resulted in satisfactory blood drainage, where all groups were in particularly well exsanguinated with a* values below zero. No color difference was observed between filleting groups or chilling methods. Spray washing of the fillets resulted in water uptake and higher drip loss in interaction with chilling method. We conclude that filleting farmed fish in one step is feasible.

Practical Application

Traditionally farmed fish are slaughtered and processed over several steps, which often include live chilling, stunning, exsanguination, chilling, gutting, rinsing, decapitation, filleting before the fillets are packed into polystyrene boxes and shipped with ice. These processes are often time, laboring, space, and energy consuming. A novel processing line for filleting of farmed fish is gutting and filleting the fish directly after decapitation and replacing exsanguination with spray washing the fillets. In addition, all the cooling steps are replaced by superchilling the fillets. This novel process line gives fillets with comparable if not superior quality compared to the traditional process.
Cost‐effective enrichment hybridization capture of chloroplast genomes at deep multiplexing levels for population genetics and phylogeography studies
Authors: Mariac Cédric , Scarcelli Nora , Pouzadou Juliette , Barnaud Adeline , Billot Claire , Faye Adama , Kougbeadjo Ayite , Maillol Vincent , Martin Guillaume , Sabot François , Santoni Sylvain , Vigouroux Yves , Couvreur Thomas L. P.
Published: April 2014

Biodiversity, phylogeography and population genetic studies will be revolutionized by access to large data sets thanks to next‐generation sequencing methods. In this study, we develop an easy and cost‐effective protocol for in‐solution enrichment hybridization capture of complete chloroplast genomes applicable at deep‐multiplexed levels. The protocol uses cheap in‐house species‐specific probes developed via long‐range PCR of the entire chloroplast. Barcoded libraries are constructed, and in‐solution enrichment of the chloroplasts is carried out using the probes. This protocol was tested and validated on six economically important West African crop species, namely African rice, pearl millet, three African yam species and fonio. For pearl millet, we also demonstrate the effectiveness of this protocol to retrieve 95% of the sequence of the whole chloroplast on 95 multiplexed individuals in a single MiSeq run at a success rate of 95%. This new protocol allows whole chloroplast genomes to be retrieved at a modest cost and will allow unprecedented resolution for closely related species in phylogeography studies using plastomes.
Existence of species complex largely reduced barcoding success for invasive species ofTephritidae: a case study inBactroceraspp.
Authors: Jiang F. , Jin Q. , Liang L. , Zhang A. B. , Li Z. H.
Published: April 2014

Fruit flies in the family Tephritidae are the economically important pests that have many species complexes.DNAbarcoding has gradually been verified as an effective tool for identifying species in a wide range of taxonomic groups, and there are several publications on rapid and accurate identification of fruit flies based on this technique; however, comprehensive analyses of large and new taxa for the effectiveness ofDNAbarcoding for fruit flies identification have been rare. In this study, we evaluated theCOIbarcode sequences for the diagnosis of fruit flies using 1426 sequences for 73 species ofBactroceradistributed worldwide. Tree‐based [neighbour‐joining (NJ)]; distance‐based, such as Best Match (BM), Best Close Match (BCM) and Minimum Distance (MD); and character‐based methods were used to evaluate the barcoding success rates obtained with maintaining the species complex in the data set, treating a species complex as a single taxon unit, and removing the species complex. Our results indicate that the average divergence between species was 14.04% (0.00–25.16%), whereas within a species this was 0.81% (0.00–9.71%); the existence of species complexes largely reduced the barcoding success for Tephritidae, for example relatively low success rates (74.4% based onBMandBCMand 84.8% based onMD) were obtained when the sequences from species complexes were included in the analysis, whereas significantly higher success rates were achieved if the species complexes were treated as a single taxon or removed from the data set –BM(98.9%),BCM(98.5%) andMD(97.5%), orBM(98.1%),BCM(97.4%) andMD(98.2%).
De novo assembly and characterization of the skeletal muscle and electric organ transcriptomes of the African weakly electric fish Campylomormyrus compressirostris (Mormyridae, Teleostei)
Authors: Lamanna Francesco , Kirschbaum Frank , Tiedemann Ralph
Published: April 2014

African weakly electric fishes (Mormyridae) underwent an outstanding adaptive radiation (about 200 species), putatively owing to their ability to communicate through species‐specific weak electric signals. The electric organ discharge (EOD) is produced by muscle‐derived electrocytes organized in piles to form an electric organ. Despite the importance of this trait as a prezygotic isolation mechanism, genomic resources remained limited. We present here a first draft of the skeletal muscle and electric organ transcriptomes from the weakly electric fish species Campylomormyrus compressirostris, obtained using the Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing technology. Approximately 6.8 Gbp of cDNA sequence data were produced from both tissues, resulting in 57 268 109 raw reads for the skeletal muscle and 46 934 923 for the electric organ, and assembled de novo into 46 143 and 89 270 contigs, respectively. About 50% of both transcriptomes were annotated after protein databases search. The two transcriptomes show similar profiles in terms of Gene Ontology categories composition. We identified several candidate genes which are likely to play a central role in the production and evolution of the electric signal. For most of these genes, and for many other housekeeping genes, we were able to obtain the complete or partial coding DNA sequences (CDS), which can be used for the development of primers to be utilized in qRT‐PCR experiments. We present also the complete mitochondrial genome and compare it to those available from other weakly electric fish species. Additionally, we located 1671 SSR‐containing regions with their flanking sites and designed the relative primers. This study establishes a first step in the development of genomic tools aimed at understanding the role of electric communication during speciation.
Analysis of BIM (BCL‐2 like 11 gene) deletion polymorphism in Chinese non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Zhong Jia , Li Zheng‐Xiang , Zhao Jun , Duan Jian‐Chun , Bai Hua , An Tong‐Tong , Yang Xiao‐Dan , Wang Jie
Published: April 2014

Background

Drug resistance significantly weakens the efficacy of cancer treatment, and the BIM (also known as the BCL2L11 gene) deletion polymorphism has been identified as a potential biomarker for drug resistance. In this retrospective study, we included a total of 290 patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) and chemotherapy.

Methods

The BIM deletion polymorphism of each patient was detected by polymerase chain reaction. EGFR mutations were detected by denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography methods and the amplification refractory mutation system.

Results

The BIM deletion polymorphism was detected in 45/290 (15.5%) Chinese NSCLC patients. No associations were observed between the BIM deletion and clinic‐pathologic characteristics of patients. The BIM deletion polymorphism was predictive of shorter progression‐free survival in Chinese patients with EGFR‐mutant adenocarcinoma and who were treated with EGFR‐TKIs (7.30 vs. 9.53 months, P = 0.034). Additionally, we found that the BIM deletion polymorphism was an effective predictor of short progression‐free survival in individuals with EGFR‐mutant NSCLC and treated with chemotherapy containing pemetrexed (3.32 vs. 5.30, P = 0.012) or second‐/beyond‐line chemotherapy containing taxanes (1.53 vs. 2.61 months, P = 0.025). The BIM deletion was not correlated with overall survival.

Conclusion

The BIM deletion polymorphism occurs in 15.5% of Chinese NSCLC patients, and is a biomarker for resistance to TKIs and chemotherapy. However, BIM deletion was not a decisive factor in overall survival.
Primary choriocarcinoma in mediastinum with multiple lung metastases in a male patient: A case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Zhang Song , Gao Hui , Wang Xin‐an , Liang Bin , Li Dao‐wei , Shao Yang , Jiang Shu‐juan
Published: April 2014

Primary choriocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, particularly in men. The tumor, mostly found in the gastrointestinal system and mediastinum, often metastasizes early with poor therapeutic effects and prognosis. Herein, we present a male patient with primary mediastinum choriocarcinoma and widespread lung metastases. The disease progressed rapidly with little therapeutic effect from chemotherapy. The patient died of this disease 75 days after initial symptom presentations. Literature review found only 41 cases of primary choriocarcinoma reported in the mediastinum. This case highlights the importance of keeping primary choriocarcinoma in the differentials for mediastinum tumors in young men. Sex hormone testing is helpful to confirm diagnosis. Early biopsy should be performed to confirm pathologic diagnose, and early surgery and chemotherapy should be considered to improve the cure rate of this disease.
Age at First Drink, Drinking, Binge Drinking, and DSM‐5 Alcohol Use Disorder Among Hispanic National Groups in the United States
Authors: Caetano Raul , Mills Britain A. , Vaeth Patrice A. C. , Reingle Jennifer
Published: April 2014

Background

This article examines age at first drink and adult drinking, binge drinking and DSM‐5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) among U.S. Hispanic national groups.

Methods

Respondents come from 2 independent studies. The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey used a multistage cluster sample design to interview 5,224 individuals 18 years of age and older selected from the household population in Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. Respondents in the border area (N = 1,307) constituted a household probability sample of Mexican Americans living on U.S. counties that border Mexico. In both surveys, data were collected during computer‐assisted interviews conducted in respondents’ homes. The Hispanic American Baseline Alcohol Survey and the border sample response rates were 76 and 67%, respectively.

Results

U.S.‐born Hispanics begin drinking at a younger age than those who are foreign‐born, independent of national group. Among foreign‐born Hispanics, age of arrival in the United States is not associated with age at first drink. Results support the hypothesis that a younger age at first drink is associated with a higher mean volume of drinking, a higher probability of bingeing, and a higher probability of DSM‐5 AUD. But the results do not show a clear pattern by which a particular national group would consistently show no associations or stronger associations between age at first drink and the alcohol‐related outcomes under consideration.

Conclusions

An earlier age at first drinking is positively associated with heavier drinking patterns among U.S. Hispanics. However, as in other areas of alcohol epidemiology, here too there is considerable variation in age at first drink and drinking across Hispanic national groups.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein‐1 in Alcoholics: Support for a Neuroinflammatory Model of Chronic Alcoholism
Authors: Umhau John C. , Schwandt Melanie , Solomon Matthew G. , Yuan Peixiong , Nugent Allison , Zarate Carlos A. , Drevets Wayne C. , Hall Samuel D. , George David T. , Heilig Markus
Published: April 2014

Background

Liver inflammation in alcoholism has been hypothesized to influence the development of a neuroinflammatory process in the brain characterized by neurodegeneration and altered cognitive function. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1/chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (MCP‐1/CCL2) elevations have been noted in the alcoholic brain at autopsy and may have a role in this process.

Methods

We studied cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of MCP‐1 as well as interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α in 13 healthy volunteers and 28 alcoholics during weeks 1 and 4 following detoxification. Serum liver enzymes were obtained as markers of alcohol‐related liver inflammation.

Results

Compared to healthy volunteers, MCP‐1 levels were significantly higher in alcoholics both on day 4 and day 25 (p < 0.0001). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that MCP‐1 concentrations were positively associated with the liver enzymes gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT; p = 0.03) and aspartate aminotransferase/glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST/GOT; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neuroinflammation as indexed by CSF MCP‐1 is associated with alcohol‐induced liver inflammation, as defined by peripheral concentrations of GGT and AST/GOT.
Understanding the mechanisms behind road effects: linking occurrence with road mortality in owls
Authors: Grilo C. , Reto D. , Filipe J. , Ascensão F. , Revilla E.
Published: April 2014

Several studies suggest that species' mortality rates are positively related with local population abundances. Because owls have shown both high road mortality rates and road avoidance behaviours, we hypothesize that road‐kill likelihood is not always directly linked to their occurrence. In this study, we examined the relationship between the likelihood of species occurrence in the vicinity of major roads and the road‐kill risk for barn owls Tyto alba, tawny owls Strix aluco and little owls Athene noctua. Specifically, we address: (1) the role of road‐related features on spatial patterns of species' occurrence and road kills; (2) the composition of road kills and their distribution throughout the year; (3) the relationship between species' occurrence likelihood and mortality risk. Our findings show that changes in movement patterns is probably the main behavioural mechanism that threatens owls in roaded landscapes. The high mortality risk of barn owls in autumn and winter seasons, after the peak of dispersal period, provides support for the hypotheses of expanding movements because of lack of food. However, mortality because of high occurrence likelihood seems to also explain tawny owls' response towards roads. The high occurrence likelihood of little owls combined with low mortality rate also suggests avoidance of road crossings. Although, it is clear that within species there is variation according to age‐ and territory‐holding status, closely related species have different sensitivities to roads as a function of their varying food preferences. We believe that linking species distribution with mortality risk may be more effective in focus conservation efforts. Therefore, we suggest measures should be applied to reduce prey availability close to roads and in road verges. This is particularly important for barn owls, for which foraging in the vicinity of roads during the cold season is especially risky.
Effects of depressive symptoms on antecedents of lapses during a smoking cessation attempt: an ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: Brodbeck Jeannette , Bachmann Monica S. , Brown Anna , Znoj Hans Joerg
Published: April 2014

Aims

To investigate pathways through which momentary negative affect and depressive symptoms affect risk of lapse during smoking cessation attempts.

Design

Ecological momentary assessment was carried out during 2 weeks after an unassisted smoking cessation attempt. A 3‐month follow‐up measured smoking frequency.

Setting

Data were collected via mobile devices in German‐speaking Switzerland.

Participants

A total of 242 individuals (age 20–40, 67% men) reported 7112 observations.

Measurements

Online surveys assessed baseline depressive symptoms and nicotine dependence. Real‐time data on negative affect, physical withdrawal symptoms, urge to smoke, abstinence‐related self‐efficacy and lapses.

Findings

A two‐level structural equation model suggested that on the situational level, negative affect increased the urge to smoke and decreased self‐efficacy (β = 0.20; β = −0.12, respectively), but had no direct effect on lapse risk. A higher urge to smoke (β = 0.09) and lower self‐efficacy (β = −0.11) were confirmed as situational antecedents of lapses. Depressive symptoms at baseline were a strong predictor of a person's average negative affect (β = 0.35, all P < 0.001). However, the baseline characteristics influenced smoking frequency 3 months later only indirectly, through influences of average states on the number of lapses during the quit attempt.

Conclusions

Controlling for nicotine dependence, higher depressive symptoms at baseline were associated strongly with a worse longer‐term outcome. Negative affect experienced during the quit attempt was the only pathway through which the baseline depressive symptoms were associated with a reduced self‐efficacy and increased urges to smoke, all leading to the increased probability of lapses.
Egg mortality in the pine processionary moth: habitat diversity, microclimate and predation effects
Authors: Castagneyrol Bastien , Jactel Hervé , Charbonnier Yohan , Barbaro Luc , Dulaurent‐Mercadal Anne‐Maïmiti
Published: April 2014

Little is known about the relative effect of different mortality factors triggering the population dynamics of outbreaking Lepidoptera (e.g. climate, natural enemies, habitat diversity), especially at the egg stage.

The presence of broadleaved hedgerows bordering pine stands has been shown to reduce infestation by Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller, Lepidoptera). This effect of habitat diversity has been proposed to result from the disruption of visual and chemical cues that the female moth uses to locate its host. In the present study, we further hypothesized that egg mortality was higher behind broadleaved hedgerows because of higher predation or parasitism, or as a result of harsher microclimatic conditions.

A total of 120 egg masses obtained from laboratory rearing were exposed under three exclusion treatments (large predators, predators and parasitoids, no exclusion). Overall egg mortality was 35%. Predation was the main cause of mortality (22%). Mortality as a result of abiotic factors (abortion) was only 12%. Almost no parasitoids were observed.

Overall mortality did not differ between pines bordered (or not) by deciduous hedgerows, nor did mortality differ as a result of predation or abortion.

Despite an important contribution of predation to mortality in T. pityocampa eggs, the effect of deciduous hedgerows on tree infestation by this pest is more likely to result from disruption of female moth behaviour than from differential mortality.
Emerging Roles for Lysophospholipid Mediators in Pregnancy
Authors: Nagamatsu Takeshi , Iwasawa‐Kawai Yuki , Ichikawa Mayuko , Kawana Kei , Yamashita Takahiro , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki , Schust Danny J.
Published: April 2014

Recent progress in lipid research has unveiled new biologic roles for lysophospholipids as mediators of intercellular signaling. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) are representative lysophospholipids. Accumulating evidence suggests that, acting as intercellular mediators, these and other lysophospholipids may play important roles in physiological and pathological situations. This review discusses the possible involvement of LPA and S1P in reproductive processes, with a focus on the regulatory mechanisms of pregnancy maintenance. As LPA promotes prostaglandin synthesis, mediators in the LPA pathway may also play a significant role in implantation and parturition. S1P signaling is thought to be essential in vascular formation within the uteroplacental unit and in fetomaternal immunologic interactions. Derangements in either one of these lysophospholipid signaling pathways could result in pregnancy complications that may include implantation failure, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.
Social vulnerability to climate‐induced natural disasters: Cross‐provincial evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Rubin Olivier
Published: April 2014

This paper conducts an analysis of the socioeconomic determinants of Vietnam's cross‐provincial variations in natural disaster vulnerability. The purpose is twofold: (i) to capture disaggregated vulnerability variations normally obscured by national statistics, thereby providing more nuanced insights into Vietnam's vulnerability to natural disasters; and (ii) to take advantage of the fact that the overall political system and key institutional structures to a large extent are constant across Vietnam's provinces, which makes the analysis a novel addition to the many disaster studies based on cross‐national variations. The paper's analysis indicates that much of Vietnam's cross‐provincial variations in natural disaster fatalities and economic costs can be explained by differences in key socioeconomic factors. High provincial rates of inequality, poverty and infant mortality, for instance, appear to drive up natural disaster fatalities. Local adaptation efforts should focus as much on these broader socioeconomic dimensions as they focus on the geophysical susceptibility to natural hazards of individual areas.
Land/seascapes of exclusion: The new colonial project
Authors: Ryks John Leo
Published: April 2014

This paper describes how the transformation of coastal New Zealand is directly connected to the dislocation and marginalisation of many Māori coastal communities. It focuses on how this transformation is played out in text and talk and how certain types of boundaries function as important determinants in the construction and social order of coastal New Zealand. The high value and demand placed on specific, accessible ‘cadastral’ parcels of private coastal property dictates that much of New Zealand's coast is mapped according to constructs of wealth and desirability. In other parts of the country where development pressures on the coast are less prevalent, coastal communities are less evidently connected to markers of affluence and/or ‘whiteness’. In these less disciplined spaces, uncertainty and liminality is more influential in the making of coastal places. Through an analysis of interviews with coastal planners and residents of coastal communities it is revealed that particular hegemonies, through the discourses they produce, attempt to assert a particular socio‐spatial epistemology on counter‐hegemonic groups in an effort to develop and manage the coast. Communities that revealed an alternative social ordering are described as messy and difficult to manage, while other coastal communities are marketed as exclusive, where model residents inhabit model places.
Chinese urban migrants' sense of place: Emotional attachment, identity formation, and place dependence in the city and community ofGuangzhou
Authors: Qian Junxi , Zhu Hong
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study urban migrants' sense of place inGuangzhou,China, focusing on the structural relations between place attachment, identification and dependence as the three key place dimensions. Through both quantitative structural equation modelling and qualitative analysis of in‐depth interviews data, our research suggests that migrants' sense of place demonstrates complex relationships between the three registers of emotional attachment, identity formation and functional dependence. The construction of sense of place is also related to the personal experiences of living as urban ‘outsiders’. Our research also reveals a striking difference between the city and community levels in terms of the ways in which migrants' sense of place is constructed. Urban migrants tend to exploit the functional utilities of microscopic urban spaces to meet their demands for recreation, education and socialisation. On the other hand, their sense of place to the city is largely compromised by their attachment to the hometown and conditioned by their personal identification to the city.
A Nationwide Study of Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Drug Use among Adults in Iceland 2003–2012
Authors: Geirs Drifa Palin , Pottegård Anton , Halldórsson Matthías , Zoëga Helga
Published: April 2014

In this study, we leveraged on complete nationwide prescription data for the total adult population in Iceland (N = 227,000) to examine how attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs have been used over the past decade. In particular, we aimed to describe the prevalence, incidence and duration of use of stimulants and atomoxetine, among adults (≥19 years) in Iceland, with regard to sex, age, type of drug and specialty of the prescribing physician. Our results indicate that the 1‐year period prevalence of ADHD drug use rose, from 2.9 to 12.2 per 1000 adults between 2003 and 2012, with the most pronounced increases among young adults (19–24 years). The annual incidence increased 3 times, similarly among men and women. Extended‐release methylphenidate formulations were the most commonly used ADHD drugs. Specialists in psychiatry initiated treatment in 79% of new adult ADHD drug users. The proportion of users still receiving treatment after 1 year varied from 43.0% (19–24 years), 57.2% (25–49 years) to 47.5% (50+ years). After 3 years, the corresponding proportions still on treatment were 12.4%, 24.5% and 24.3%, and after 5 years 7.9%, 15.9% and 16.8%. These results of increasing ADHD drug use and short treatment durations call for further investigation of the quality of treatment regimens for adults with ADHD and better follow‐up of patients treated with ADHD drugs.
The Impact of NSAID Treatment on Cardiovascular Risk – Insight from Danish Observational Data
Authors: Schjerning Olsen Anne‐Marie , Fosbøl Emil L. , Gislason Gunnar H.
Published: April 2014

This MiniReview describes the present evidence for the relationship between cardiovascular risk and use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with special focus using Danish register‐based data. NSAIDs are among the most widely used drugs worldwide and mainly used for management of pain and inflammatory conditions. Through the past decade, much attention has been given to the cardiovascular safety of these drugs, and several studies have shown increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects associated with NSAID use. Current guidelines discourage any use of NSAIDs in patients with cardiovascular disease, yet over a period of 8–10 years, 35–44% of patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure were exposed to NSAIDs in Denmark. Furthermore, NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of death or myocardial infarction by up to 5 times that of non‐users. There was also a clear indication for a dose‐related response in risk associated with NSAID therapy, supporting a causal association. Notably, the cardiovascular risk associated with NSAID treatment was prevalent at start of treatment, suggesting no safe treatment window for NSAIDs in patients with cardiovascular disease. Thus, evidence from observational studies is accumulating, suggesting that NSAIDs are a major public health concern due to the widespread use of these drugs. Although it seems unlikely that we can completely avoid use of NSAIDs, even among high‐risk patients, these results highlight the importance of balancing the benefit versus the risk of treatment before initiating NSAID treatment.
Three tiers ofCSR: an instructive means of understanding and guiding contemporary company approaches toCSR?
Authors: Aggerholm Helle K. , Trapp N. Leila
Published: April 2014

Heightened concern with global issues has led to shifts in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. To capture the distinct nature of this global focus, researchers have developed a three‐generationCSRtypology. In this paper, we first evaluate the usefulness of this typology for understanding corporate approaches toCSRby examining how several companies position themselves thematically inCEOintroductions to sustainability reports. On the basis of this, we then evaluate the practical value of this typology for assisting those who work withCSRstrategy. The analysis revealed expressions of all threeCSRgenerations, with third‐generation thinking being apparent, but not dominant. It also verified that the three‐generationCSRtypology can be an instructive means of both evaluating as well as framing a company's approach to sustainability, though with modifications. On the basis of the identified strengths and weaknesses of the typology, we develop a practitioner‐focused, three‐tiered model that can strategically guide the development ofCSRprograms.
Exogenously drivenCSR: insights from the consultants' perspective
Authors: Skouloudis Antonis , Evangelinos Konstantinos
Published: April 2014

This paper offers insights into corporate social responsibility (CSR) consulting inGreece. It sheds light on perspectives of how socially responsible business conduct is shaped by consultancies in a national business environment where such an essential aspect of organizational commitment and behavior exhibits comparatively little resonance among companies and is primarily induced by supranational and international policy schemes as well as foreign competitors. Drawing from long interviews with consulting professionals, we explore key topics: the domesticCSR(consulting) industry's characteristics, issues pertaining to the engagement with clients, the endorsement ofCSRstandards and initiatives, along with the consultants' perspective on institutional dynamics and their prospects with respect to the future ofCSRinGreece. In this context, we aim to indicate trends onCSRimplementation, pressures exerted on consultants, and managerial attitudes towards corporate responsibility. Our findings illustrate an oligopolistically structured market that encourages consultancies to compete intensely, the consultants' limited capacity to influence the business behavior of their clients, with the latter to adopt a promotional communicative approach toCSR, as well as a lack of institutional coordination and mechanisms that will materially embed social responsibility in the strategic management of business.
Ethical and privacy principles for learning analytics
Authors: Pardo Abelardo , Siemens George
Published: April 2014

The massive adoption of technology in learning processes comes with an equally large capacity to track learners. Learning analytics aims at using the collected information to understand and improve the quality of a learning experience. The privacy and ethical issues that emerge in this context are tightly interconnected with other aspects such as trust, accountability and transparency. In this paper, a set of principles is identified to narrow the scope of the discussion and point to pragmatic approaches to help design and research learning experiences where important ethical and privacy issues are considered.
Organizational respect dampens the impact of group‐based relative deprivation on willingness to protest pay cuts
Authors: Osborne Danny , Huo Yuen J. , Smith Heather J.
Published: April 2014

Although group‐based relative deprivation predicts people's willingness to protest unfair outcomes, perceiving that one's subgroup is respected increases employees' support for organizations. An integration of these perspectives suggests that subgroup respect will dampen the impact of group‐based relative deprivation on workers' responses to unfair organizational outcomes. We examined this hypothesis among university faculty (N = 804) who underwent a system‐wide pay cut. As expected, group‐based relative deprivation predicted protest intentions. This relationship was, however, muted among those who believed university administrators treated their area of expertise (i.e., their subgroup) with a high (vs. low) level of respect. Moderated mediation analyses confirmed that group‐based relative deprivation had a conditional indirect effect on protest intentions via participants' (dis)identification with their university at low to moderate, but not high, levels of subgroup respect. Our finding that satisfying relational needs can attenuate responses to group‐based relative deprivation demonstrates the benefits of integrating insights from distinct research traditions.
Race trouble: Attending to race and racism in online interaction
Authors: Durrheim Kevin , Greener Ross , Whitehead Kevin A.
Published: April 2014

This article advocates the concept of race trouble as a way of synthesizing variation in racial discourse, and as a way of studying how social interaction and institutional life continue to be organized by conceptions of ‘race’ and ‘racism’. Our analysis of an online discussion at a South African University about the defensibility of a characterization of (black) student protesters as ‘savages’ revealed a number of familiar strategies: participants avoided explicit racism, denied racism, and denied racism on behalf of others. However, the aim of this analysis was not to identify the ‘real’ racism, but to show how race and racism were used in the interaction to develop perspectives on transformation in the institution, to produce social division in the University, and to create ambivalently racialized and racializing subject positions. We demonstrate how, especially through uses of deracialized discourse, participants’ actions were observably shaped by the potential ways in which others could hear ‘race’ and ‘racism’. Race trouble thus became manifest through racial suggestion, allusion, innuendo, and implication. We conclude with a call to social psychologists to study the ways in which meanings of ‘race’ and ‘racism’ are forged and contested in relation to each other.