bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of the Local Deformation Behaviour of Engineering Plastics Rolls
Authors: Berer M. , Major Z.
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  Previous research on the ‘Characterization of the global deformation behaviour of engineering plastics rolls’ investigated the deformation behaviour of loaded Polyoxymethylene (POM) and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rolls regarding global considerations only. This study concentrates on the analysis of the local strain distribution in these rolls. For this purpose, the former component rolling tests were repeated and images of the front side of the rolls were taken. A full‐field strain analysis of the images was conducted for the static stage and the rolling process. The different behaviour of POM and PEEK under the investigated loading conditions, which has been discovered previously, could be confirmed in the local scale. Moreover, the results permit conclusions concerning the material behaviour under these loading conditions: Whilst POM shows typical viscoelastic properties, the behaviour of PEEK can be interpreted as elastic‐plastic combined with time dependence of the irreversible deformation part.
Circulating nitric oxide products do not solely reflect nitric oxide release in cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Afzelius Pia , Bazeghi Nassim , Bie Peter , Bendtsen Flemming , Vestbo Jørgen , Møller Søren
Published: July 2011

Background: Patients with cirrhosis often develop a systemic vasodilatation and a hyperdynamic circulation with activation of vasoconstrictor systems such as the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), and vasopressin. Increased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis has been implicated in the development of this state of vasodilation and pulmonary dysfunction including increased exhaled NO concentrations. Circulating metabolites (NOx) may affect the systemic and pulmonary NO‐generation. However, the relations of these abnormalities to the haemodynamic changes remain unclear.

Aims: The aims of the present study were to measure changes in exhaled NO in relation to circulating NOx, RAAS, and haemodynamics.

Methods: Twenty patients (eight child class A and 12 class B patients) underwent a liver vein catheterization with determination of splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics. Circulating NOx and exhaled NO were determined in the supine and sitting positions and related to haemodynamics, RAAS and lung diffusing capacity (DLCO). Eight matched healthy individuals served as controls.

Results: All patients with cirrhosis had portal hypertension. We found no significant difference in exhaled NO between patients and controls and no changes from the supine to the sitting position. Exhaled NO in the patients correlated significantly with plasma volume, heart rate and DLCO. NOx concentrations were not significantly increased in the patients. NOx correlated with portal pressure and haemodynamic indicators of vasodilatation, but not with exhaled NO concentrations.

Conclusion: In patients with moderate cirrhosis, exhaled NO is normal. Circulating NOx do not seem to reflect pulmonary and systemic NO release, but NOx seems to reflect systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic changes in cirrhosis.
Conceptual relevance of new‐onset epilepsy
Authors: Pohlmann‐Eden Bernd
Published: July 2011

The definitions of “first seizure” and “new‐onset epilepsy” are arbitrary and rather simple for use to describe the beginning of a complex brain disease in which seizures are only one symptom. A diligent study of early stages in epilepsy including detailed clinical information, psychiatric comorbidities, sophisticated advanced neuroimaging, and timely functional brain tests may provide a better understanding of epileptogenesis. The goal will be to understand the process of evolution to chronic epilepsy and eventually to prevent refractory epilepsy.
Neuroimaging predictors of AED resistance in new‐onset epilepsies
Authors: Cendes Fernando
Published: July 2011

The best prognostic factors in early‐onset epilepsies are the response to the first antiepileptic drug (AED) trial, age at seizure onset, number of seizures prior to treatment, and the presence of a lesion or abnormal neurologic examination. However, early and adequate response to AED is most likely an epiphenomenon reflecting the nature of underlying epileptogenicity, which may be defined as a complex interaction of underlying pathology, genetics, and environment. Patients with the same type of epileptogenic lesion, for example, hippocampal sclerosis, may have a varying response to AED. Modern neuroimaging, in particular quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques may be helpful to better understand this complex interaction of factors leading to refractoriness. Patients who respond well to AEDs have no or minor MRI abnormalities, and among those with underlying lesions there is an inverse correlation between outcome and the extent of MRI‐defined neuronal damage outside the main lesion, which may be undetectable by visual analyses of routine MRI. The extent of neuronal damage appears to be related to the severity of initial precipitating injuries, probably interacts with genetic factors, and may progress over time when seizures are uncontrolled. The presence and extent of abnormalities detected by quantitative MRI may also be helpful to guide AED withdrawal in those patients who are seizure free for >2 years. Combined MRI measures may have potential clinical value for predicting AED response in near future.
The role of magnetoencephalography in “nonlesional” epilepsy
Authors: Funke Michael E. , Moore Kevin , Orrison Jr William W. , Lewine Jeffrey David
Published: July 2011

The surgical management of neocortical epilepsy is challenging because many patients are without obvious structural lesions, or lesions are small and easily overlooked during routine clinical interpretation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Even when functional imaging data suggest focal epileptiform pathology, in the absence of a concordant structural lesion, invasive monitoring is often required to confirm that an appropriate surgical target has been identified. This study sought to determine the extent to which knowledge of magnetoencephalography (MEG) data can augment the MRI‐based detection of structural brain lesions. MRI and whole‐head MEG data were obtained from 40 patients with neocortical epilepsy. As a result of MEG data, 29 cases were sent for MRI reevaluation. In seven of these cases, MEG‐guided review led to specification of now clear, but previously unidentified, lesions. There were two additional cases for which follow‐up high‐resolution imaging did not confirm structural abnormalities. In patients with neocortical epilepsy, MEG is a useful adjunct to MRI for the identification of structural lesions.
The methylation hypothesis: Do epigenetic chromatin modifications play a role in epileptogenesis?
Authors: Kobow Katja , Blümcke Ingmar
Published: July 2011

Any structural brain lesion can provoke epilepsy, although onset and progression of seizures as well as response to antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment remain difficult to predict in each patient. Tremendous work has focused on the development of new AED compounds with the intention to treat seizures. However, these efforts have not yet discovered a “magic bullet” that cures epilepsy in every patient or modifies disease progression. With the “methylation hypothesis” we propose that epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in epileptogenesis in patients with structural lesions. “Epigenetics” is defined as information that is heritable during cell division other than the DNA sequence itself, that is, DNA methylation or histone tail modifications, which can produce lasting alterations in chromatin structure and gene expression. They are increasingly recognized as fundamental regulatory processes in central nervous system development, synaptic plasticity, and memory, and also play a role in neurologic disorders such as schizophrenia and spinal muscular atrophy. The methylation hypothesis suggests that seizures by themselves can induce epigenetic chromatin modifications, thereby aggravating the epileptogenic condition. The impact of the methylation hypothesis for new‐onset epilepsy will be discussed. Unravelling of epigenetic pathomechanisms will also open new strategies to identify molecular targets for pharmacologic treatment in epilepsies.
Unveiling epileptogenic lesions: The contribution of image processing
Authors: Bernasconi Andrea , Bernasconi Neda
Published: July 2011

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a pivotal component in the investigation of patients with any form of epilepsy because of its unmatched ability in visualizing structural brain pathology. The MRI signature of newly diagnosed epilepsy is not yet fully defined, mainly because of the lack of a cohesive methodology to evaluate structural changes in the early stages of the disease. By revealing subtle lesions that previously eluded visual inspection in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy, quantitative computer‐assisted image analysis has clearly demonstrated increased sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional techniques. Therefore, the application of image processing methods in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy promises to reduce the trial–error period in potential surgical candidates, provide solid biomarkers for monitoring the disease and identifying treatment responders. A clearer understanding of brain pathology at the early stages of the disorder will help clinicians to develop better criteria for identifying patients who are at risk of secondary brain damage and for timely intervention that achieves seizure control.
Language reorganization in early onset temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Federico Paolo
Published: July 2011

Behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have consistently shown abnormalities of language function or cortical organization in patients with well‐established temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, whether these changes are present in new‐onset TLE has not been studied to date. Studying such changes in new‐onset TLE would provide valuable insight into the timing and factors that affect language deficits in TLE and may unmask fundamental differences in brain organization in persons who have TLE and those who do not.
Neuroimaging in epilepsy: The state of the art
Authors: Schmidt Matthias H. , Pohlmann‐Eden Bernd
Published: July 2011

Our understanding of epileptogenesis is still limited. Knowledge is increasing with regard to structural and functional changes in chronic stages of epilepsy. At the same time, we have to appreciate that there is a significant lack of such information in new‐onset epilepsy. The First Halifax International Epilepsy Conference tried to fill this gap, focusing on the contribution of advanced neuroimaging in early stages of epilepsy. The following article aims to synthesize the themes that emerged from this meeting. Participants agreed that (1) there is a need for a unified theory of epileptogenesis, addressing the interplay of functional and structural brain changes; (2) neuroimaging reveals widespread brain alterations in epilepsy; (3) advances in neuroimaging challenge the concept of “MRI‐negative” (magnetic resonance imaging negative) focal epilepsy; (4) methodologic limitations and potential confounders must be considered in the translation of innovative imaging approaches to clinical practice; and (5) there is an urgent need for longitudinal studies that begin early in the disease process.
Antecedents and Results of Emotional Capability in Software Development Project Teams*
Authors: Akgün Ali E. , Keskin Halit , Byrne John C. , Gunsel Ayse
Published: July 2011

Emotional capability is considered an emerging phenomenon in the group behavior literature. However, little attention is given to the role of emotional capability in heterogeneous work groups in general and cross‐functional product development teams in particular in an empirical context. In this study, the antecedents and results of the emotional capability in software development project teams using Huy's (1999) dynamics of encouragement, displaying freedom, playfulness, experiencing, reconciliation, and identification constructs were investigated. By studying 95 software development project teams in the IT departments of 52 firms, it was found, on the basis of using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method, that the dynamics of encouragement is positively related to the speed‐to‐market, and the dynamics of encouragement and experiencing is positively related to the market success of new software products. In addition, it was demonstrated that team autonomy has a positive influence on the dynamics of encouragement; collaboration among team members has a positive impact on the dynamics of encouragement and experiencing; and team experience has a positive effect on the dynamics of experiencing. This study has several theoretical and managerial implications. In terms of theoretical implications, this study enhances the empathy concept by operationalizing it at the team level, i.e., collective empathy, and tests its impact on the project performance. This study also highlights the roles of collective hope, joy, and enthusiasm in a project's performance by empirically demonstrating the benefits of working in a fun environment. Further, this study empirically shows that team emotional capability mediates the relationship between collaboration among team members and market success of the software products, indicating that management and regulation of the emotions acts as a platform to actualize the joint behavior toward some goal of common interest for the successful products. In terms of managerial implications, this study suggests that managers should enhance the team's emotional capability to enhance the project performance. In particular, managers should promote courage, joy, and hope, and increase communication among people to develop collective empathy and the “liking” of one party for the other. Managers should also promote collaboration and mutual interaction among team members; give autonomy to project team members to make important decisions about the software product; keep control of the project's process to some level; and encourage people to use their previous experience during the projects to increase the team's emotional capability.
Predictive Cross‐validation for the Choice of Linear Mixed‐Effects Models with Application to Data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Authors: Braun Julia , Held Leonhard , Ledergerber Bruno
Published: July 2011

SummaryModel choice in linear mixed‐effects models for longitudinal data is a challenging task. Apart from the selection of covariates, also the choice of the random effects and the residual correlation structure should be possible. Application of classical model choice criteria such as Akaike information criterion (AIC) or Bayesian information criterion is not obvious, and many versions do exist. In this article, a predictive cross‐validation approach to model choice is proposed based on the logarithmic and the continuous ranked probability score. In contrast to full cross‐validation, the model has to be fitted only once, which enables fast computations, even for large data sets. Relationships to the recently proposed conditional AIC are discussed. The methodology is applied to search for the best model to predict the course of CD4+ counts using data obtained from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.
A Powerful and Robust Test Statistic for Randomization Inference in Group‐Randomized Trials with Matched Pairs of Groups
Authors: Zhang Kai , Traskin Mikhail , Small Dylan S.
Published: July 2011

Summary For group‐randomized trials, randomization inference based on rank statistics provides robust, exact inference against nonnormal distributions. However, in a matched‐pair design, the currently available rank‐based statistics lose significant power compared to normal linear mixed model (LMM) test statistics when the LMM is true. In this article, we investigate and develop an optimal test statistic over all statistics in the form of the weighted sum of signed Mann‐Whitney‐Wilcoxon statistics under certain assumptions. This test is almost as powerful as the LMM even when the LMM is true, but it is much more powerful for heavy tailed distributions. A simulation study is conducted to examine the power.
Environmental modulation of self‐organized periodic vegetation patterns in Sudan
Authors: Deblauwe Vincent , Couteron Pierre , Lejeune Olivier , Bogaert Jan , Barbier Nicolas
Published: July 2011

Spatially periodic vegetation patterns in arid to semi‐arid regions have inspired numerous mechanistic models in the last decade. All embody a common principle of self‐organization and make concordant, hence robust, predictions on how environmental factors may modulate the morphological properties of these patterns. Such an array of predictions still needs to be corroborated by synchronic and diachronic field observations on a large scale. Using Fourier‐based texture analysis of satellite imagery, we objectively categorized the typical morphologies of periodic patterns and their characteristic scales (wavelength) over extensive areas in Sudan. We then analyzed the environmental domain and the modulation of patterns morphologies at different dates to test the theoretical predictions within a single synthetic and quantitative study. Our results show that, below a critical slope gradient which depends on the aridity level, pattern morphologies vary in space in relation to the decrease of mean annual rainfall in a sequence consistent with the predictions of self‐organization models: gaps, labyrinths and spots with increasing wavelengths. Moreover, the same dynamical sequence was observed over time during the Sahelian droughts of the 1970s and 1980s. For a given morphology, the effect of aridity is to increase the pattern wavelength. Above the critical slope gradient, we observed a pattern of parallel bands oriented along the contour lines (the so called tiger‐bush). The wavelength of these bands displayed a loose inverse correlation with the slope. These results highlight the pertinence of self‐organization theory to explain and possibly predict the dynamics of these threatened ecosystems.
Persistent photodamage following drug photosensitization in a lung‐transplant recipient
Authors: Sailer Eva , Kamarachev Jivko , Boehler Annette , Speich Rudolf , Hofer Markus , Benden Christian , French Lars E. , Hofbauer Günther F. L.
Published: July 2011

Photosensitivity is a well‐known complication of treatment with quinolone antibiotics. Several transient phototoxic drug reactions have been described. We report a case of a persistent phototoxic reaction to ciprofloxacin in a lung‐transplant recipient on a long‐term immunosuppressive drug regimen.
The impact of different fluence rates on pain and clinical outcome in patients with actinic keratoses treated with photodynamic therapy
Authors: Apalla Zoi , Sotiriou Eleni , Panagiotidou Despina , Lefaki Ioanna , Goussi Christina , Ioannides Demetris
Published: July 2011

Background/purpose: Literature data suggest that lower fluence rates are preferable in terms of clinical response and tolerability for treating patients with actinic keratoses (AKs). We aimed to clarify the impact of different fluence rates on pain during photodynamic therapy (PDT) for AKs, as well as on treatment outcome.

Methods: Individuals with at least three discrete AKs were recruited. Each lesion was randomly allocated to 25, 50 or 75 mW/cm2 of topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) PDT, using non‐coherent light source. Primary end point was pain during illumination, evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary end points were clinical outcome and adverse events.

Results: Fifty adults, with 150 AKs lesions were recruited in the study. Mean VAS score did not significantly differ between the groups of 25 and 50 mW/cm2 (P=0.714). However, mean VAS was significantly higher at the group of 75 mW/cm2 in comparison to the former ones (P=0.000). With respect to the clinical outcome and adverse events during the first year of follow‐up, no differences were observed between the three groups. Comparison between the 25 and the 50 mW/cm2 (P=0.749), as well as between the former and the 75 mW/cm2, did not show a dependence of complete response rate on fluence (P=0.749 and P=1.000, respectively).

Conclusions: According to our observations a fluence rate between 25 and 50 mW/cm2 is effective and better tolerated by patients treated with topical 5‐ALA PDT for AKs.
Differences in sun exposure habits between self‐reported skin type and ultraviolet sensitivity measured by phototest
Authors: Falk Magnus
Published: July 2011

Background: Traditionally, classification of skin reactivity to ultraviolet (UV) light is based on self‐estimation of tendency to burn and tan (Fitzpatrick's classification). Although widely accepted, the model has shown to correlate poorly with actual UV sensitivity, measured by phototest. The aim of the present study was to investigate how self‐estimated skin type, according to Fitzpatrick, and actual UV sensitivity measured by phototest correlate with sun exposure and protection.

Methods: One hundred and sixty‐six voluntary patients visiting their general practitioner for investigation of suspicious skin tumours were recruited for the study, and filled out a questionnaire, mapping sun habits and sun protection behaviour, based on five‐point Likert responses. The patients reported their skin type (I–VI) according to Fitzpatrick, and a phototest was performed to determine the minimal erythema dose.

Results: For most of the questions, high self‐estimated UV sensitivity, according to Fitzpatrick, appeared to be associated with a higher level of sun avoidance/protection (P<0.05). For actual UV sensitivity, however, the difference in response distribution was only significant for sunscreen use, and did not show a similar apparent association related to the degree of UV sensitivity.

Conclusion: Self‐estimated skin UV sensitivity, according to Fitzpatrick's classification, appears to be a stronger predictor of sun exposure and protection than actual UV sensitivity measured by phototest.
Omega‐3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids are associated with depression in adolescents with eating disorders and weight loss
Authors: Swenne Ingemar , Rosling Agneta , Tengblad Siv , Vessby Bengt
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To study the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) status and depression in adolescents with eating disorders (ED) and weight loss.

Methods:  Erythrocyte membranes from 217 adolescents (209 girls, eight boys) with ED were analysed for fatty acids (FA). ED and depression were diagnosed by clinical interviews and supported by self‐report instruments.

Results:  Adolescents with ED and depression did not differ from those with ED only in terms of age, BMI, weight loss and duration of disease. In their FA profile, depressed adolescents had lower proportions of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), the end products of the ω3 PUFA series. The ratio of long‐chain (>18 carbons) ω6/ω3 PUFA was therefore higher in depressed adolescents. Indices of desaturase activities did not differ between depressed and not depressed adolescents.

Conclusion:  Low ω3 status is related to depression in adolescents with ED. This cannot be explained by differences in weight (loss) and duration of disease, nor by differences in PUFA processing by desaturases. Data suggest a lower dietary intake of ω3 PUFA in those with depression. Further investigations should determine whether ω3 PUFA status improves by refeeding only or whether supplementation with PUFA is warranted.
Impact of the new european paediatric regulatory framework on ethics committees: overview and perspectives
Authors: Altavilla A , Manfredi C , Baiardi P , Dehlinger‐Kremer M , Galletti P , Pozuelo A Alemany , Chaplin J , Ceci A
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To evaluate the impact of the new European paediatric regulatory framework on the activities of Ethics Committees operating in Europe and to assess their involvement and interest in paediatric research.

Methods:  Task‐force in Europe for Drug Development for the Young Network of Excellence and Relating Expectations and Needs to the Participation and Empowerment of Children in Clinical Trials project set up an inventory of Ethics Committees existing in Europe and conducted a survey on their approach to paediatric trials.

Results:  Ethics Committees operating in 22 European Countries participated in this survey. Results showed a high lack of knowledge, understanding and awareness of the current European paediatric regulatory framework and a lack of involvement of Ethics Committees in paediatric research, especially in terms of training and education, demonstrated also by the decreasing number of Ethics Committees answering exhaustively to the whole questionnaire. The majority of participating Ethics Committees expressed interest in future initiatives related to paediatric research.

Conclusions:  Despite a limited knowledge and understanding of the current paediatric regulatory framework, a significant number of Ethics Committees operating in Europe show interest in initiatives related to paediatric research. Networking may be an essential tool to be used to enhance Ethics Committees role in supporting paediatric research. Any initiative should be undertaken at European level in collaboration with European Union Institutions.
Veg‐X – an exchange standard for plot‐based vegetation data
Authors: Wiser Susan K. , Spencer Nick , De Cáceres Miquel , Kleikamp Martin , Boyle Brad , Peet Robert K.
Published: July 2011

Question: Collaborative research efforts and synthetic vegetation analyses are often limited by difficulties in sharing or combining datasets. Can we facilitate these activities by means of an exchange standard for plot‐based vegetation data?

Methods: In 2003, the Ecoinformatics Working Group and the Council of the International Association for Vegetation Science endorsed the development of a standard exchange schema for vegetation‐plot data. In 2007, a first workshop was held to formulate a common set of goals, concepts, and terminology for plot‐based vegetation data. At a second workshop in 2008, this ontology was developed into an XML (extensible markup language) schema representation designed to be maximally compatible with existing standards and databases.

Results: The exchange standard for plot‐based vegetation data (Veg‐X) allows for observations of vegetation at both individual plant and aggregated observation levels. It ensures that observations are fixed to physical sample plots at specific points in space and time, and makes a distinction between the entity of interest (e.g. an individual tree) and the observational act (i.e. a measurement). The standard supports repeated measurements of both individual organisms and plots, allows observations of entities to be grouped following predefined or user‐defined criteria, and ensures that the connection between the entity observed and taxonomic concept associated with that observation are maintained.

Conclusions: Establishment of exchange standards followed by development of ecoinformatics tools built around those standards should allow scientists to efficiently combine plot data over extensive spatial and temporal gradients in order to perform analyses and make predictions of vegetation change and dynamics at local and global scales.
The Global Index of Vegetation‐Plot Databases (GIVD): a new resource for vegetation science
Authors: Dengler Jürgen , Jansen Florian , Glöckler Falko , Peet Robert K. , De Cáceres Miquel , Chytrý Milan , Ewald Jörg , Oldeland Jens , Lopez‐Gonzalez Gabriela , Finckh Manfred , Mucina Ladislav , Rodwell John S. , Schaminée Joop H. J. , Spencer Nick
Published: July 2011

Question: How many vegetation plot observations (relevés) are available in electronic databases, how are they geographically distributed, what are their properties and how might they be discovered and located for research and application?

Location: Global.

Methods: We compiled the Global Index of Vegetation‐Plot Databases (GIVD; http://www.givd.info), an Internet resource aimed at registering metadata on existing vegetation databases. For inclusion, databases need to (i) contain temporally and spatially explicit species co‐occurrence data and (ii) be accessible to the scientific public. This paper summarizes structure and data quality of databases registered in GIVD as of 30 December 2010.

Results: On the given date, 132 databases containing more than 2.4 million non‐overlapping plots had been registered in GIVD. The majority of these data were in European databases (83 databases, 1.6 million plots), whereas other continents were represented by substantially less (North America 15, Asia 13, Africa nine, South America seven, Australasia two, multi‐continental three). The oldest plot observation was 1864, but most plots were recorded after 1970. Most plots reported vegetation on areas of 1 to 1000 m2; some also stored time‐series and nested‐plot data. Apart from geographic reference (required for inclusion), most frequent information was on altitude (71%), slope aspect and inclination (58%) and land use (38%), but rarely soil properties (<7%).

Conclusions: The vegetation plot data in GIVD constitute a major resource for biodiversity research, both through the large number of species occurrence records and storage of species co‐occurrence information at a small scale, combined with structural and plot‐based environmental data. We identify shortcomings in available data that need to be addressed through sampling under‐represented geographic regions, providing better incentives for data collection and sharing, developing user‐friendly database exchange standards, as well as tools to analyse and remove confounding effects of sampling biases. The increased availability of data sets conferred by registration in GIVD offers significant opportunities for large‐scale studies in community ecology, macroecology and global change research.
Ecoinformatics and global change – an overdue liaison
Authors: Dengler Jürgen , Ewald Jörg , Kühn Ingolf , Peet Robert K.
Published: July 2011

The field of ecoinformatics provides concepts, methods and standards to guide management and analysis of ecological data with particular emphasis on exploration of co‐occurrences of organisms and their linkage to environmental conditions and taxon attributes. In this editorial, introducing the Special Feature ‘Ecoinformatics and global change’, we reflect on the development of ecoinformatics and explore its importance for future global change research with special focus on vegetation‐plot data. We show how papers in this Special Feature illustrate important directions and approaches in this emerging field. We suggest that ecoinformatics has the potential to make profound contributions to pure and applied sciences, and that the analyses, databases, meta‐databases, data exchange formats and analytical tools presented in this Special Feature advance this approach to vegetation science and illustrate and address important open questions. We conclude by describing important future directions for the development of the field including incentives for data sharing, creation of tools for more robust statistical analysis, utilities for integration of data that conform to divergent taxonomic standards, and databases that provide detailed plot‐specific data so as to allow users to find and access data appropriate to their research needs.
Collisional evolution of near-Earth asteroids and refreshing of the space-weathering effects
Authors: Dell’Oro A. , Marchi S. , Paolicchi P.
Published: July 2011

Collisions among near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are less frequent than those involving pairs of main belt (MB) objects; however, the orbits of many NEAs are partially within the MB. Thus the collisional evolution of NEAs is often dominated by collisions with MB asteroids and, thus, these collisions are not less intense than collisions among MB bodies. In particular, the relative velocity of collisions is usually larger. In this Letter we discuss the dependence of collisional processes of NEAs on their orbital parameters, showing that the collisions are more frequent for low inclinations and for semimajor axes and eccentricities entailing an aphelic distance of about 2.75 au. The collisions may also affect the space-weathering processes: the surface involved in an impact and, eventually, in the re-accumulation of the related ejecta, is somehow refreshed, and the spectral reddening – in particular of the S-complex asteroids – is slowed down. This process may complement the already known refreshing due to close planetary passes.

If the process is relevant, an anticorrelation between the visible spectral slope of S-complex NEAs and the estimated intensity of collisional processes should be found. An analysis of the available data confirms the suggested anticorrelation.
Experimental Study of ERT Monitoring Ability to Measure Solute Dispersion
Authors: Lekmine Grégory , Pessel Marc , Auradou Harold
Published: July 2011

This paper reports experimental measurements performed to test the ability of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) imaging to provide quantitative information about transport parameters in porous media such as the dispersivity α, the mixing front velocity u, and the retardation factor Rf associated with the sorption or trapping of the tracers in the pore structure. The flow experiments are performed in a homogeneous porous column placed between two vertical set of electrodes. Ionic and dyed tracers are injected from the bottom of the porous media over its full width. Under such condition, the mixing front is homogeneous in the transverse direction and shows an S‐shape variation in the flow direction. The transport parameters are inferred from the variation of the concentration curves and are compared with data obtained from video analysis of the dyed tracer front. The variations of the transport parameters obtained from an inversion performed by the Gauss–Newton method applied on smoothness‐constrained least‐squares are studied in detail. While u and Rf show a relatively small dependence on the inversion procedure, α is strongly dependent on the choice of the inversion parameters. Comparison with the video observations allows for the optimization of the parameters; these parameters are found to be robust with respect to changes in the flow condition and conductivity contrast.
Improving the NQO1‐Inducing Activities of Phenolic Acids from Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza: a Methylation Strategy
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Song Zhihang , Xu Jinzhong , Ma Zhongjun
Published: July 2011

NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) is an important detoxification enzyme that can protect mammalian cells against toxic quinones and reduce the risk of tumorigenesis. In this study, it was found that salvianolic acid B (SaB), lithospermic acid (LA), and rosmarinic acid (RA), three main hydrophilic constituents in Danshen, conjugated with glutathione (GSH) easily in vitro but exhibited no NQO1‐inducing activities in Hepa 1c1c7 cells, which might attribute to their poor absorptions. After a simple methylation strategy that aimed at improving the liposolubility, both the NQO1‐inducing activities and the absorptions in cells of the phenolic acids improved obviously, without losing the GSH‐conjugating abilities. The concentration to double the specific activity of NQ01 values of methylated products of lithospermic acid and rosmarinic acid were 17.86 ± 2.34 μg/mL and 11.97 ± 0.60 μg/mL, respectively. The findings indicated that methylation is an effective strategy to improve the NQO1‐inducing activities of phenolic acids in Danshen.
The status of the Hainan gibbon Nomascus hainanus and the Eastern black gibbon Nomascus nasutus
Authors: MOOTNICK A. R. , CHAN B. P. L. , MOISSON P. , NADLER T.
Published: July 2011

Crested gibbons Nomascus spp are the rarest genus of the family Hylobatidae, and the Hainan gibbon Nomascus hainanus is the rarest primate in the world, numbering around 20 individuals. The Eastern black gibbon Nomascus nasutus, also known as Cao Vit gibbon, numbers <110 individuals in their native habitat. Both gibbon species are Critically Endangered and neither of these species is maintained in captivity. Conservation efforts for these species are currently under way. However, there is an urgent need for additional surveys, reforestation programmes, increased educational outreach to people living near the forests' edges and the creation of additional protected areas, in order for these two species to have any chance of long‐term survival.
The role of sanctuaries in integrated conservation: the Endangered Asian Species Trust linking Monkey World – Ape Rescue, UK and Pingtung Rescue Centre, Taiwan, with the Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre in Vietnam
Authors: KENYON M. , CRONIN A. , JAI-CHYI PEI KURTIS , VAN THANH TRAN
Published: July 2011

The Endangered Asian Species Trust, founded by Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, United Kingdom, organizes the rehabilitation and release of threatened South Vietnamese primates at the new Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre in Cat Tien National Park Vietnam. This work supports the Vietnamese Government to enforce laws on stopping the trade in threatened primates, by providing a place for confiscated animals and facilitating the return to the wild of suitable candidates, boosting wild populations and working towards founding new populations in areas where they have become extinct, such as in regenerating lowland forests.
Proposed guidelines forin situgibbon rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction
Authors: CHEYNE S. M. , CAMPBELL C. O. , PAYNE K. L.
Published: July 2011

Sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres must strive to demonstrate not only a welfare benefit to individuals but also a measurable contribution to the conservation of species. We will discuss how to carry out the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of gibbons and the rationale behind the process, based on what is known and is being learnt about rehabilitating these species. This document is focused on guidelines forin siturescue, rehabilitation and release, to account for the limitations in access to resources in developing countries. Some of the suggestions mentioned here may not be practical for all rehabilitation centres. This essay is not designed to be a complete guide to the rehabilitation and welfare of gibbons but should be used as a template. It is intended to be the beginnings of a living document and is formed from personal observations and, where noted, from procedures being used at the Kalaweit Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Kalimantan, Indonesia, from the Javan Gibbon Centre in Java, Indonesia, and from an extensive search of the literature. Standardizing procedures across allin siturehabilitation centres will help to prevent the repetition of mistakes and ensure that all centres follow similar medical and husbandry procedures for these threatened species.
Cost‐effectiveness of treating first‐episode psychosis: five‐year follow‐up results from an Italian early intervention programme
Authors: Angelo Cocchi , Vittorio Mapelli , Anna Meneghelli , Antonio Preti
Published: July 2011

Aim: Early intervention programmes are expected to result in the reduction of illness severity in patients with schizophrenia, and contain health‐care costs by reducing hospital admissions and improving the social functioning of patients. This study aimed to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of treatment in an early intervention programme in comparison to standard care.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data prospectively recorded in an urban area (Milan, Italy). Twenty‐three patients from an early intervention programme and 23 patients from standard care with first‐episode psychosis were evaluated on their use of services over a 5‐year period. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scale was used to measure clinical status.

Results: Significant changes with respect to initial assessment were recorded on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale, with larger effect sizes in the early intervention programme than in the standard care group. Consequently, the cost‐effectiveness ratio per reduced score of severity was lower in the early intervention programme than in standard care (€ 4802 vs. € 9871), with an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio, or net saving of €−1204 for every incremental reduced score of severity. Over time, greater recourse to hospital and residential facilities to obtain comparable improvement in symptoms resulted in a steady cost increase for the patients in standard care.

Conclusions: Allocation of funds to specialized early intervention programmes is the best alternative, as it can save costs by reducing the use of hospitals and residential facilities, and may produce net savings of costs in the long term.
Cosmogenic helium and neon in individual chondrules from Allende and Murchison: Implications for the precompaction exposure history of chondrules
Authors: ROTH A. S. G. , BAUR H. , HEBER V. S. , REUSSER E. , WIELER R.
Published: July 2011

Abstract– We analyzed cosmogenic He and Ne in more than 60 individual chondrules separated from small chips from the carbonaceous chondrites Allende and Murchison. The goal of this work is to search for evidence of an exposure of chondrules to energetic particles—either solar or galactic—prior to final compaction of their host chondrites and prior to the exposure of the meteoroids to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) on their way to Earth. Production rates of GCR‐produced He and Ne are calculated for each chondrule based on major element composition and a physical model of cosmogenic nuclide production in carbonaceous chondrites (Leya and Masarik 2009). All studied chondrules in Allende show nominal exposure ages identical to each other within uncertainties of a few hundred thousand years. Allende chondrules therefore show no signs of a precompaction exposure. The majority of the Murchison chondrules (the “normal” chondrules) also have nominal exposure ages identical within a few hundred thousand years. However, roughly 20% of the studied Murchison chondrules (the “pre‐exposed” chondrules) contain considerably or even much higher concentrations of cosmogenic noble gases than the normal chondrules, equivalent to exposure ages to GCR at present‐day fluxes in a 4π irradiation of up to about 30 Myr. The data do not allow to firmly conclude whether these excesses were acquired by an exposure of the pre‐exposed chondrules to an early intense flux of solar energetic particles (solar cosmic rays) or rather by an exposure to GCR in the regolith of the Murchison parent asteroid. However, we prefer the latter explanation. Two major reasons are the GCR‐like isotopic composition of the excess Ne and the distribution of solar flare tracks in Murchison samples.
Investigation of iron sulfide impact crater residues: A combined analysis by scanning and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: WOZNIAKIEWICZ Penelope J. , ISHII Hope A. , KEARSLEY Anton T. , BURCHELL Mark J. , BLAND Philip A. , BRADLEY John P. , DAI Zurong , TESLICH Nick , COLLINS Gareth S. , COLE Mike J. , RUSSELL Sara S.
Published: July 2011

Abstract– Samples returned from comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust mission provided an unequaled opportunity to compare previously available extraterrestrial samples against those from a known comet. Iron sulfides are a major constituent of cometary grains commonly identified within cometary interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and Wild 2 samples. Chemical analyses indicate Wild 2 sulfides are fundamentally different from those in IDPs. However, as Wild 2 dust was collected via impact into capture media at approximately 6.1 km s−1, it is unclear whether this is due to variation in preaccretional/parent body processes experienced by these materials or due to heating and alteration during collection. We investigated alteration in pyrrhotite and pentlandite impacted into Stardust flight spare Al foils under encounter conditions by comparing scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM, TEM) analyses of preimpact and postimpact samples and calculating estimates of various impact parameters. SEM is the primary method of analysis during initial in situ examination of Stardust foils, and therefore, we also sought to evaluate the data obtained by SEM using insights provided by TEM. We find iron sulfides experience heating, melting, separation, and loss of S, and mixing with molten Al. These results are consistent with estimated peak pressures and temperatures experienced (approximately 85 GPa, approximately 2600 K) and relative melting temperatures. Unambiguous identification of preserved iron sulfides may be possible by TEM through the location of Al‐free regions. In most cases, the Ni:Fe ratio is preserved in both SEM and TEM analyses and may therefore also be used to predict original chemistry and estimate mineralogy.
Clonal structure of Streptococcus sanguinis strains isolated from endocarditis cases and the oral cavity
Authors: Do T. , Gilbert S.C. , Klein J. , Warren S. , Wade W.G. , Beighton D.
Published: July 2011

A collection of Streptococcus sanguinis strains from patients with endocarditis (n = 21) and from the oral cavity (n = 34) was subjected to a multi‐locus sequence typing analysis using seven housekeeping genes, carbamoyl‐phosphate synthetase (carB), Co/Zn/Cd efflux system component (czcD), d‐alanyl‐d‐alanine ligase (ddl), DNA polymerase III (dnaX), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gdh), DNA‐directed RNA polymerase, beta subunit (rpoB) and superoxide dismutase (sodA). The scheme was expanded by the inclusion of two the putative virulence genes, bacitracin‐resistance protein (bacA) and saliva‐binding protein (ssaB), to increase strain discrimination. Extensive intra‐species recombination was apparent in all genes but inter‐species recombination was also apparent with strains apparently harbouring gdh and ddl from unidentified sources and one isolate harboured a sodA allele apparently derived from Streptococcus oralis. The recombination/mutation ratio for the concatenated housekeeping gene sequences was 1.67 (95% confidence limits 1.25–2.72) and for the two virulence genes the r/m ratio was 3.99 (95% confidence limits 1.61–8.72); recombination was the major driver for genetic variation. All isolates were distinct and the endocarditis strains did not form distinct sub‐clusters when the data were analysed using ClonalFrame. These data support the widely held opinion that infecting S. sanguinis strains are opportunistic human pathogens.