bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen yield advantage from grass–legume mixtures is robust over a wide range of legume proportions and environmental conditions
Authors: Suter Matthias , Connolly John , Finn John A. , Loges Ralf , Kirwan Laura , Sebastià Maria‐Teresa , Lüscher Andreas
Published: January 2015

Current challenges to global food security require sustainable intensification of agriculture through initiatives that include more efficient use of nitrogen (N), increased protein self‐sufficiency through homegrown crops, and reduced N losses to the environment. Such challenges were addressed in a continental‐scale field experiment conducted over 3 years, in which the amount of total nitrogen yield (Ntot) and the gain of N yield in mixtures as compared to grass monocultures (Ngainmix) was quantified from four‐species grass–legume stands with greatly varying legume proportions. Stands consisted of monocultures and mixtures of two N2‐fixing legumes and two nonfixing grasses. The amount of Ntot of mixtures was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than that of grass monocultures at the majority of evaluated sites in all 3 years. Ntot and thus Ngainmix increased with increasing legume proportion up to one‐third of legumes. With higher legume percentages, Ntot and Ngainmix did not continue to increase. Thus, across sites and years, mixtures with one‐third proportion of legumes attained ~95% of the maximum Ntot acquired by any stand and had 57% higher Ntot than grass monocultures. Realized legume proportion in stands and the relative N gain in mixture (Ngainmix/Ntot in mixture) were most severely impaired by minimum site temperature (R = 0.70, P = 0.003 for legume proportion; R = 0.64, P = 0.010 for Ngainmix/Ntot in mixture). Nevertheless, the relative N gain in mixture was not correlated to site productivity (P = 0.500), suggesting that, within climatic restrictions, balanced grass–legume mixtures can benefit from comparable relative gains in N yield across largely differing productivity levels. We conclude that the use of grass–legume mixtures can substantially contribute to resource‐efficient agricultural grassland systems over a wide range of productivity levels, implying important savings in N fertilizers and thus greenhouse gas emissions and a considerable potential for climate change mitigation.
The impact of ENSO on coral heat stress in the western equatorial Pacific
Authors: Kleypas Joan A. , Castruccio Frederic S. , Curchitser Enrique N. , Mcleod Elizabeth
Published: January 2015

The Coral Triangle encompasses an extensive region of coral reefs in the western tropical Pacific with marine resources that support millions of people. As in all other reef regions, coral reefs in the Coral Triangle have been impacted by anomalously high ocean temperature. The vast majority of bleaching observations to date have been associated with the 1998 La Niña phase of ENSO. To understand the significance of ENSO and other climatic oscillations to heat stress in the Coral Triangle, we use a 5‐km resolution Regional Ocean Model System for the Coral Triangle (CT‐ROMS) to study ocean temperature thresholds and variability for the 1960–2007 historical period. Heat‐stress events are more frequent during La Niña events, but occur under all climatic conditions, reflecting an overall warming trend since the 1970s. Mean sea surface temperature (SST) in the region increased an average of ~ 0.1 °C per decade over the time period, but with considerable spatial variability. The spatial patterns of SST and heat stress across the Coral Triangle reflect the complex bathymetry and oceanography. The patterns did not change significantly over time or with shifts in ENSO. Several regions experienced little to no heat stress over the entire period. Of particular interest to marine conservation are regions where there are few records of coral bleaching despite the presence of significant heat stress, such as in the Banda Sea. Although this may be due to under‐reporting of bleaching events, it may also be due to physical factors such as mixing and cloudiness, or biological factors that reduce sensitivity to heat stress.
Analysis of stable states in global savannas: is the CART pulling the horse? – a comment
Authors: Staver A. Carla , Hansen Matthew C.
Published: January 2015

In their recent paper, Hanan et al. (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2014, 23, 259–263) argue that the use of classification and regression trees (CARTs) to calibrate global remote sensing datasets, including the MODIS VCF tree‐cover dataset, makes these data inappropriate for analysing the frequency distribution of tree cover. While we agree with their most general point – that the use of remote sensing products should be informed and deliberate – their analysis overlooks a few key aspects of the use of CARTs in generating global tree‐cover data. Firstly, while their presentation of flaws in the use of CARTs is compelling, their use of hypothetical data obscures the reasons why CARTs are a useful tool. Secondly, they do not actually examine the error distributions of the MODIS VCF tree‐cover data. Such an analysis, which we perform, revealed the following: (1) the MODIS VCF product may not be useful for differentiating over small ranges of tree cover (less than c. 10%); (2) that the bimodality of low and high tree cover, with a frequency minimum at intermediate tree cover, is not attributable to bias in MODIS VCF tree‐cover calibrations; and (3) that the MODIS VCF is not well‐resolved below c. 20–30% tree cover, such that MODIS cannot be used with any confidence to evaluate multimodality in tree cover in that range. Further validation and calibration are likely to be helpful and, at low tree cover, necessary for improving MODIS VCF tree‐cover estimates. However, the MODIS VCF – which has facilitated major steps in our ability to examine ecological phenomena at global scales – remains a useful tool for well‐informed ecological analysis.
Geo‐awareness, Geo‐enablement, Geotechnologies, Citizen Science, and Storytelling: Geography on the World Stage
Authors: Kerski Joseph J.
Published: January 2015

Five converging global trends – geo‐awareness, geo‐enablement, geotechnologies, citizen science, and storytelling– have the potential to offer geography a world audience – attention from education and society that may be unprecedented in the history of the discipline. Issues central to geography are now part of the global consciousness. Everyday objects are rapidly becoming locatable, and thus able to be monitored and mapped. Many tools and data sets that were formerly used and examined only by geographers and other earth and environmental scientists are now in the hands of the general public. Citizens outside academia are becoming involved in contributing data to the scientific community. Multimedia and cloud‐based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have greatly multiplied the attraction that maps have had for centuries to tell stories. But despite these trends bringing opportunity to geography, is geoliteracy becoming increasingly valued? How can educators, researchers, and practitioners seize the opportunity that these trends seem to present to actively promote geographic content knowledge, skills, and perspectives throughout education and society?
Leaf age, leaf blade portion and light intensity as determinants of leaf photosynthesis in Panicum maximum Jacq.
Authors: Pedreira Bruno C. , Pedreira Carlos G. S. , Lara Márcio A. S.
Published: January 2015

The objective in this research was to identify photosynthetic responses of three leaf age groups measured in three portions of the leaf blade of two morphologically contrasting genotypes of Panicum maximum. Photosynthetic rate (PR) varied across leaf age groups and among leaf portions. Highest PR (20.6 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) was recorded on the youngest fully expanded leaf, followed by the oldest green leaf and the expanding leaf. The middle and apical portions of the leaf had, on average, the highest PR (24.2 and 26.3 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, respectively). In both ‘Massai’ and ‘Tobiatã’ cultivars the photosynthetic response was dependent upon leaf age groups and portions of the blade, with highest rates measured on the middle portion of the youngest fully expanded leaf. The P. maximum had similar parameters for the light response curve suggesting similar photosynthetic light response to light intensity across genotypes.
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐3α promotes angiogenic activity of pulmonary endothelial cells by repressing the expression of the VE‐cadherin gene
Authors: Kobayashi Satomi , Yamashita Toshiharu , Ohneda Kinuko , Nagano Masumi , Kimura Kenichi , Nakai Hideto , Poellinger Lorenz , Ohneda Osamu
Published: January 2015

The variants of the hypoxia‐inducible factor‐3α gene HIF‐3α and NEPAS are known to repress the transcriptional activities driven by HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α. Although NEPAS has been shown to play an important role in vascular remodeling during lung development, little is known about the roles of HIF‐3α in adult lung function. Here, we examined pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from wild‐type (WT) and HIF‐3α functional knockout (KO) mice. The expression levels of angiogenic factors (Flk1, Ang2 and Tie2) were significantly greater in the HIF‐3α KO ECs than those in the WT ECs irrespective of oxygen tension. However, the HIF‐3α KO ECs showed impaired proliferative and angiogenic activities. The impaired EC function was likely due to the excess vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin, an inhibitor of Flk1/PI3 kinase/Akt signaling, as treatment of the cells to a neutralizing antibody partly restored the phenotype of the HIF‐3α KO ECs. Importantly, we found that the mRNA levels of HIF‐2α and Ets‐1 were significantly increased by HIF‐3α ablation. Given that both factors are known to activate the VE‐cadherin gene, the transcriptional repression of these factors by HIF‐3α might be important for silencing the irrelevant expression of the VE‐cadherin gene. Collectively, these data show novel and unique roles of HIF‐3α for angiogenic gene regulation in pulmonary ECs.
Doing Authenticity: The Gendered Construction of Authentic Leadership
Authors: Liu Helena , Cutcher Leanne , Grant David
Published: January 2015

Authenticity has been a focus of much leadership research in recent years. Despite this interest, there has been a dearth of studies that explore the role of gender in the social construction of authenticity. To date, authentic leadership theories have tended to be either gender neutral or, where gender has been considered, it is argued that women as ‘outsiders’ are less likely to be accepted by their followers as authentic leaders. In this study we examine the media representations of theCEOs— one male, one female — of two major Australian retail banks during the global financial crisis. Our approach enables us to show that authenticity is something leaders ‘do’ rather than something they ‘have’ or ‘are’, and that being constructed as authentic depends on the leader performing authenticity in line with gender norms deemed appropriate for the socially constructed context in which they are expected to lead.
Women's Experience of Workplace Interactions in Male‐Dominated Work: The Intersections of Gender, Sexuality and Occupational Group
Authors: Wright Tessa
Published: January 2015

Informal workplace interactions are powerful organizational processes producing inequalities in male‐dominated work, where sexuality is frequently employed as a means of control over women. The article considers whether women can derive support from interactions with male and female colleagues, drawing on qualitative research with women working in the UK construction and transport sectors. The article contributes an empirical application of McCall's intercategorical intersectional approach, examining gender, sexuality and occupational group. It highlights the benefits and challenges of extending McCall's multi‐group method to qualitative analysis. Stereotypical associations of lesbians with ‘masculine’ work are challenged, showing how gendered and heterosexual norms constrain workplace interactions for both heterosexual women and lesbians. Therefore organizational measures should address not only formal workplace processes, but the informal interactions affecting women's survival in male‐dominated work.
Reducing unacceptable missed doses: pharmacy assistant-supported medicine administration
Authors: Baqir Wasim , Jones Kate , Horsley William , Barrett Scott , Fisher David , Copeland Richard , Campbell David , Stephenson Rosemary
Published: January 2015

Objectives

The potential harm from omitted and delayed medicines for hospital inpatients was highlighted by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). Despite evidence of omitted doses, few interventional studies have been reported on preventing the problem. This study aimed to assess the impact on omitted doses when medicine administration was supported by pharmacy assistants (PAs).

Methods

PAs were trained to support nurses on medicine administration rounds. Using stratified random sampling, two intervention and control wards were selected. Three study groups were defined: (A) intervention group (PA-supported medicine administration); (B) intra-ward control group; and (C) inter-ward control group. Primary outcome measure was number of patients with unacceptable omitted doses (UODs) in group A versus C. Secondary outcome measures were patients with critical UOD (cUOD), as defined by the NPSA, in groups A, B and C and UODs in group B versus A and C. Data were collected over 2 weeks (December 2011 and February 2012).

Key findings

Using aggregated data over 2 weeks, 778 patients were assessed; 308 were male (40%). The overall proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 12.4% (n = 96). The proportion of patients with ≥1 UOD was 1.1% (n = 2) in group A (intervention) and 18.5% (n = 68) in group C (control). There were significantly fewer patients with cUOD in group A (1.1%; n = 2) compared with group C (7.4%; n = 27).

Conclusion

PA-supported medication rounds can significantly reduce the rate of omitted doses. This study provides evidence for a potential solution to the problem of omitted doses for hospital inpatients.
Evaluation of a consultant audit and feedback programme to improve the quality of antimicrobial prescribing in acute medical admissions
Authors: Roberts Elaine , Dawoud Dalia M , Hughes Dyfrig A , Cefai Christopher
Published: January 2015

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship intervention, consisting of consultant performance audit and feedback, on antimicrobial prescribing quality.

Methods

From October 2010 to September 2012, the prescribing performance of medical consultant teams rotating on the acute medical admissions unit was measured against four quality indicators. Measurements were taken at baseline then at quarterly intervals during which time consultants received feedback. Proportion of prescriptions adhering to each indicator was compared with baseline using paired sample z-test (significance level P < 0.01, Bonferroni corrected). Consultants’ views were explored using anonymous questionnaires.

Key findings

Overall, 2609 antimicrobial prescriptions were reviewed. Improvement from baseline was statistically significant in all follow-up periods for two indicators: ‘antimicrobials should have a documented indication in the medical notes’ and ‘antimicrobials should adhere to guideline choice or have a justification for deviation’, reaching 6.0% (95% CI 2.5, 9.6) and 8.7% (95% CI 3.7, 13.7), respectively. Adherence to the indicator ‘antimicrobials should have a documented stop/review prompt’ improved significantly in all but the first follow-up period. For the indicator: ‘antimicrobial assessed by antimicrobial specialists as unnecessary’, improvement was statistically significant in the first (−4.7%, 95% CI −8.0, −1.4) and fourth (−4.2%, 95% CI −7.7%, −0.8%) periods. Service evaluation showed support for the pharmacist-led stewardship activities.

Conclusions

There were significant and sustained improvements in prescribing quality as a result of the intervention. Consultants’ engagement and acceptance of stewardship activities were demonstrated.
Patient expectations and willingness to use primary care pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hasan Sanah , Sulieman Hana , Stewart Kay , Chapman Colin B , Kong David C M
Published: January 2015

Objectives

No previous studies have investigated patients’ expectations of, or interest in, using primary care pharmacy services in the UAE. The study investigated primary care services that patients would use if they were provided through community pharmacies.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed in English and translated to Arabic. Participants were asked to rate their likelihood of using future primary care services on a three-point Likert-type scale (very likely–unlikely). Services included screening for disease, monitoring of disease control, health advice and referral, lifestyle and preventive care, supply of printed information, counselling on medication use and side effects, patient record keeping, and pharmacist intervention in chronic disease. The questionnaire was distributed to patrons of public places by hand to eligible participants: ≥21 years, taking at least one scheduled prescription medication and having adequate Arabic or English proficiency.

Key findings

Areas of most interest were as follows: the pharmacist explaining how to use medications (Median = 3, interquartile range (IQR) = 1), the pharmacist advising on side effects of medications (Median = 3, IQR = 1), receiving advice on how to use devices (Median = 3, IQR = 1) and receiving printed information about medications (Median = 3, IQR = 1). Participants were least supportive of pharmacists keeping medication records (Median = 2, IQR = 1) and intervening in chronic disease management (Median = 2, IQR = 1). Participants anticipated a caring professional service by pharmacists and a pharmacy layout that allows private communication.

Conclusions

Participants were interested in accessing enhanced primary care services by community pharmacists. Participants were more supportive of receiving information about medications, help in self-management and monitoring, and advice about disease prevention than management of chronic disease.
Differences and similarities in monetary benefits for informal care in old and new EU member states
Authors: Riedel Monika , Kraus Markus
Published: January 2015

This article presents an overview of the monetary benefits available in the context of long‐term care provided by family or other informal carers in 11 old and 10 new EU member states. All but one country in our sample offer at least some monetary benefits that can be used to help finance informal care. Old EU member states tend to direct benefits to individuals in need of care, whereas new EU member states place more emphasis on benefits for carers. Among new EU member states, monetary benefits are less often means‐tested and tend to be lower compared with benefits in old EU member states. Because social policies in many countries increasingly rely on monetary benefits rather than on benefits in kind and because the share of informal care in the overall provision of elderly care will scarcely decline, monetary benefit incentives for labour market participation need to be carefully monitored.
Australian case managers' perceptions of mental health consumers use of antipsychotic medications and associated side‐effects
Authors: Morrison Paul , Meehan Tom , Stomski Norman Jay
Published: January 2015

The present study explores Australian case managers' perceptions of mental health consumers' use of antipsychotic medications and the side‐effects resulting from these medications. Semistructured interviews were used to elicit material from nine case managers in a community care setting in South–East Queensland, Australia. Content analysis was used to examine the transcripts, and the audio‐recordings were replayed to identify important contextual cues. The analysis identified several main themes, including perceptions of the use of antipsychotic medications and associated side‐effects, the provision of information about antipsychotic medication side‐effects; the assessment of antipsychotic medication side‐effects; and the promotion of effective management of antipsychotic medication side‐effects. The participants believed that antipsychotic medication provided clear benefits to mental health consumers. Most participants believed that consumers adapted to side‐effects and came to accept them. The case managers themselves often felt poorly informed about antipsychotic medication side‐effects, leading them to request more succinct types of information. It was notable to find that there was a lack of systematic approach to the assessment of side‐effects. This finding highlighted the need to incorporate the routine structured assessment of antipsychotic medication side‐effects in providing care to mental health consumers in the community.
Therapeutic relationships and involuntary treatment orders: Service users' interactions with health‐care professionals on the ward
Authors: Wyder Marianne , Bland Robert , Blythe Andrew , Matarasso Beth , Crompton David
Published: January 2015

There is increasing evidence that an involuntary hospital admission and treatment can undermine the therapeutic relationship. While good relationships with staff are important factors influencing long‐term recovery, there is little information on how people experience their relationships with staff while under an involuntary treatment order (ITO). Twenty‐five involuntary inpatients were interviewed about their experiences of an ITO. The interviews were analysed by a general inductive approach. Participants described the following themes: (i) the ITO admission was a daunting and frightening experience; (ii) staff behaviours and attitudes shaped their experiences in hospital; (iii) importance of staff listening to their concerns; (iv) importance of having a space to make sense of their experiences; (v) importance of staff ability to look beyond their illness and diagnosis; and (vi) importance of staff working in partnership. These findings highlight that when using recovery principles, such as an empathic engagement with the patients' lived experience, forging partnerships with patients in treatment decision‐making to enhance agency, an involuntary treatment order does not have to limit the ability to establish positive relationships.
Melting and Crystallization of Silicate Systems Relevant to Thermal Barrier Coating Damage
Authors: Zaleski Elisa M. , Ensslen Charlotte , Levi Carlos G.
Published: January 2015

The melting and crystallization behaviors of model calcium–magnesium–alumino‐silicate (CMAS) compositions relevant to the degradation of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were investigated. A primary goal was to establish a baseline for studies on CMAS reactions with TBC materials, reported separately, and their potential to mitigate degradation. Ternary calcium alumino‐silicate (CAS) compositions investigated melt below their equilibrium solidus owing to their metastable phase constitution. Additions of MgO or FeOx have significant effects on the melting behavior, depending on the C:A:S proportions. Amorphization on cooling is commonplace, with MgO, AlO1.5, and especially FeOx promoting crystallization. The behaviors of amorphous and crystalline versions of the same CMAS are different and depend on heating/cooling rates, with attendant implications for their interaction with TBCs.
Fire and climate: contrasting pressures on tropical Andean timberline species
Authors: Bush Mark B. , Alfonso‐Reynolds Andrea M. , Urrego Dunia H. , Valencia Bryan G. , Correa‐Metrio Y. Alexander , Zimmermann Michael , Silman Miles R.
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim was to test competing hypotheses regarding migration of the Andean timberline within the last 2000 years.

Location

The upper forest limit in Manu National Park, Peru.

Methods

A randomized stratified design provided 21 soil profiles from forested sites just below the timberline, 15 from puna grassland sites just above the timberline and 15 from the transitional habitat at the puna–forest boundary. From each profile a surface sample (hereafter modern) and a sample from the base of the organic horizon (hereafter historical) were collected. Pollen and charcoal were analysed from the modern and historical layers of the 51 soil profiles. A chronological framework was provided by 24 14C dates. Data were ordinated as modern and historical groups and the temporal trends illustrated by Procrustes rotation.

Results

The organic layer from the soil profiles represented the last 600–2000 years. Fire was much more abundant in all habitat types (puna, transitional and forested) in the modern compared with the historical groups. Samples that had historically been in puna just above the timberline showed encroachment by woody species. Samples that had been forested were still classified as forest but their composition had become more transitional. Sites that were transitional appeared to represent a new or expanded class of sites that was far less abundant historically.

Main conclusions

Our results are consistent with ongoing warming causing an upslope migration of species, although not necessarily of the timberline. Weedy fire‐tolerant species are spreading upslope, creating a transitional forest, softening the boundary between forest and puna. Simultaneously, fire introduced to improve grazing outside the park has increasingly penetrated the forest and is causing the upper timberline to shift towards more fire‐tolerant and weedy species. Consequently, both the form of the ecotone between forest and grassland and the species composition of these forests is changing and is expected to continue to change, representing a shifting baseline for what is considered to be natural.
Diets and trophic‐guild structure of a diverse fish assemblage in Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A.
Authors: Buchheister A. , Latour R. J.
Published: January 2015

Dietary habits and trophic‐guild structure were examined in a fish assemblage (47 species) of the Chesapeake Bay estuary, U.S.A., using 10 years of data from >25 000 fish stomachs. The assemblage was comprised of 10 statistically significant trophic guilds that were principally differentiated by the relative amounts of Mysida, Bivalvia, Polychaeta, Teleostei and other Crustacea in the diets. These guilds were broadly aggregated into five trophic categories: piscivores, zooplanktivores, benthivores, crustacivores and miscellaneous consumers. Food web structure was largely dictated by gradients in habitat (benthic to pelagic) and prey size. Size classes within piscivorous species were more likely to be classified into different guilds, reflecting stronger dietary changes through ontogeny relative to benthivores and other guilds. Relative to predator species and predator size, the month of sampling had negligible effects on dietary differences within the assemblage. A majority of sampled fishes derived most of their nutrition from non‐pelagic prey sources, suggesting a strong coupling of fish production to benthic and demersal food resources. Mysida (predominantly the opossum shrimp Neomysis americana) contributed substantially to the diets of over 25% of the sampled predator groups, indicating that this species is a critical, but underappreciated, node in the Chesapeake Bay food web.
Development and Evaluation of Silver Zeolite Antifouling Coatings on Stainless Steel for Food Contact Surfaces
Authors: Griffith Alexander , Neethirajan Suresh , Warriner Keith
Published: January 2015

The majority of foodborne illness outbreaks can be linked to cross‐contamination events through contact with contaminated surfaces. Consequently, there is a sustained interest in developing antimicrobial coatings such as silver zeolite to reduce contamination levels. In this study, we examined the efficacy of silver zeolite for preventing biofilm formation by common foodborne pathogens such as Listeria innocua Seeliger and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Biofilm formation was assessed by cresyl violet assay, quantification of colony‐forming units and scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. For silver zeolite suspended in growth media, concentrations of 0.3% w/v were effective at reducing bacterial growth of L. innocua after 8 h. For E. coli incubated with silver zeolite, there was a dose‐dependent reduction in bacteria after 4 h. When coated stainless steel coupons were incubated with Listeria and E. coli, significant reductions in bacterial growth were achieved. Coating stainless steel food processing surfaces with silver zeolite may provide a means of reducing cross‐contamination events of pathogens and spoilage microbes. The ability of the surface to resist the attachment of biofilms provides a complementary approach to chemical sanitation.

Practical Applications

Antimicrobial coatings are gaining importance for the food manufacturing and food processing industries for food safety applications. The results of this study demonstrate that the silver zeolite could inhibit foodborne pathogenic biofilm formation and could potentially serve as an effective antimicrobial coating for food contact surfaces. The methodology for impregnating the silver zeolite in polymers followed by coating on stainless steel surface provides detailed procedure for preparing the antimicrobial surfaces.
Melatonin enhances L‐DOPA therapeutic effects, helps to reduce its dose, and protects dopaminergic neurons in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced parkinsonism in mice
Authors: Naskar Amit , Prabhakar Visakh , Singh Raghavendra , Dutta Debashis , Mohanakumar Kochupurackal P.
Published: January 2015

L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA) reduces symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but suffers from serious side effects on long‐term use. Melatonin (10–30 mg/kg, 6 doses at 10 hr intervals) was investigated to potentiate L‐DOPA therapeutic effects in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced parkinsonism in mice. Striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, TH, and phosphorylated ser 40 TH (p‐TH) protein levels were assayed on 7th day. Nigral TH‐positive neurons stereology was conducted on serial sections 2.8 mm from bregma rostrally to 3.74 mm caudally. MPTP caused 39% and 58% decrease, respectively, in striatal fibers and TH protein levels, but 2.5‐fold increase in p‐TH levels. About 35% TH neurons were lost between 360 and 600 μm from 940 μm of the entire nigra analyzed, but no neurons were lost between 250 μm rostrally and 220 μm caudally. When L‐DOPA in small doses (5–8 mg/kg) failed to affect MPTP‐induced akinesia or catalepsy, co‐administration of melatonin with L‐DOPA attenuated these behaviors. Melatonin administration significantly attenuated MPTP‐induced loss in striatal TH fibers (82%), TH (62%) and p‐TH protein (100%) levels, and nigral neurons (87–100%). Melatonin failed to attenuate MPTP‐induced striatal dopamine depletion. L‐DOPA administration (5 mg/kg, once 40 min prior to sacrifice, p.o.) in MPTP‐ and melatonin‐treated mice caused significant increase in striatal dopamine (31%), as compared to L‐DOPA and MPTP‐treated mice. This was equivalent to 8 mg/kg L‐DOPA administration in parkinsonian mouse. Therefore, prolonged, effective use of L‐DOPA in PD with lesser side effects could be achieved by treating with 60% lower doses of L‐DOPA along with melatonin.
A cognitive‐behavioral model of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents
Authors: Ishikawa Shin‐ichi
Published: January 2015

This study investigated a cognitive‐behavioral model of anxiety disorders in Japanese children and adolescents. Participants comprised 532 children from elementary schools and 751 adolescents from junior high schools as a community group, and 41 children and adolescents who fulfilled the criteria for childhood anxiety disorders as a clinical group. All participants completed three questionnaires about anxiety symptoms, self‐statements, and cognitive errors. While the clinical group showed more anxiety symptoms, negative self‐statements, and cognitive errors than the community group, there was no significant difference in positive self‐statements. Multigroup structural equation modeling found the presence of cognitive links for the community and clinical groups. Specifically, cognitive errors generated negative self‐statements, exacerbating a higher‐order factor (childhood anxiety) affecting six anxiety symptoms corresponding to the diagnostic criteria of psychological disorders. Mediated relationships were supported in only the community sample. Clinical implications for prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are discussed.
ATP and related purines stimulate motility, spatial congregation, and coalescence in red algal spores
Authors: Huidobro‐Toro Juan P. , Donoso Verónica , Flores Verónica , Santelices Bernabé
Published: January 2015

Adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) is a versatile extracellular signal along the tree of life, whereas cAMP plays a major role in vertebrates as an intracellular messenger for hormones, transmitters, tastants, and odorants. Since red algal spore coalescence may be considered analogous to the congregation process of social amoeba, which is stimulated by cAMP, we ascertained whether exogenous applications of ATP, cAMP, adenine, or adenosine modified spore survival and motility, spore settlement and coalescence. Concentration‐response studies were performed with carpospores of Mazzaella laminarioides (Gigartinales), incubated with and without added purines. Stirring of algal blades released ADP/ATP to the cell media in a time‐dependent manner. 10–300 μM ATP significantly increased spore survival; however, 1,500 μM ATP, cAMP or adenine induced 100% mortality within less than 24 h; the exception was adenosine, which up to 3,000 μM, did not alter spore survival. ATP exposure elicited spore movement with speeds of 2.2–2.5 μm · s−1. 14 d after 1,000 μM ATP addition, spore abundance in the central zone of the plaques was increased 2.7‐fold as compared with parallel controls. Likewise, 1–10 μM cAMP or 30–100 μM adenine also increased central zone spore abundance, albeit these purines were less efficacious than ATP; adenosine up to 3,000 μM did not influence settlement. Moreover, 1,000 μM ATP markedly accelerated coalescence, the other purines caused a variable effect. We conclude that exogenous cAMP, adenine, but particularly ATP, markedly influence red algal spore physiology; effects are compatible with the expression of one or more membrane purinoceptor(s), discarding adenosine receptor participation.
The hidden complexity of multi‐species interactions
Authors: Roxburgh Stephen H.
Published: January 2015

In this issue of the Journal of Vegetation Science, Michalet et al. used species removal experiments to detect direct and indirect species interactions in a sub‐alpine grassland. They found evidence for competition, facilitation and a range of indirect interactions at the species level, but no measurable effects when aggregated at the community level. Their results raise fundamental questions regarding the role and importance of indirect interactions in structuring ecological communities.
Temperature and sheltering determine patterns of seedling establishment in an advancing subtropical treeline
Authors: Greenwood Sarah , Chen Jan‐Chang , Chen Chaur‐Tzuhn , Jump Alistair S.
Published: January 2015

Questions

An advance of high‐altitude treelines has been reported in response to warming climate throughout the globe. Understanding local controls on the establishment of seedlings above the treeline is essential for predicting wider patterns of treeline response from a process‐based perspective. Here we investigate patterns of seedling establishment in relation to microsite conditions in an advancing treeline ecotone in the subtropics, using climate data recorded at the plant‐relevant scale. We sought to determine which temperature factors were of importance, if sheltering plays an important role in seedling establishment and if the response varied with seedling age.

Location

The Abies kawakamii treelines of the Central Mountain Range, Taiwan, 2800 to 3275 m a.s.l.

Methods

Seedlings were monitored in plots covering a range of treeline structural forms over a period of 2 yrs. Temperatures were recorded at plant‐relevant height (5 cm) above ground and depth below ground with data loggers. Microtopographic sheltering (at a 10‐m scale) and surrounding vegetation were measured. The influence of the above variables on seedling number and growth was investigated using generalized linear models and linear mixed effect models, respectively.

Results

Soil temperatures had more influence on seedling number than air temperature, whilst air temperature was positively associated with subsequent seedling growth. Establishment patterns were found to have a strong relationship with microtopographic sheltering, with more sheltered areas having elevated seedling numbers. Early growth may have significant implications for subsequent plant performance since smaller seedlings were more sensitive to both temperature and microtopography than larger seedlings.

Conclusions

Air and soil temperatures and microtopography determine spatial patterns of seedling establishment. Our results suggest that establishment above the treeline is likely to continue as the climate warms, although advance will not be spatially uniform due to the modifying influence of topography. This variability has important implications for the persistence and extinction of alpine plant communities occurring above treeline in topographically complex systems.
Role of HemF and HemN in the heme biosynthesis of Vibrio vulnificus under S‐adenosylmethionine‐limiting conditions
Authors: Kim Eui‐Jin , Oh Eun Kyoung , Lee Jeong K.
Published: January 2015

Vibrio vulnificus contains two coproporphyrinogen III oxidases (CPOs): O2‐dependent HemF and O2‐independent HemN. The growth of the hemF mutant HF1 was similar to wild‐type cells at pH 7.5 under 2% O2 conditions where HemN was active and had a half‐life of 64 min. However, HF1 did not grow when the medium pH decreased to pH 5.0, where oxidative stress affects endogenous S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) levels. The growth of HF1 was restored not only by elevating the expression of MnSOD but also through the exogenous addition of SAM. For HF1 to grow under these SAM‐limiting conditions, a mutation arose in hemN, encoding HemNY74F. Refolding of the denatured enzymes in vitro revealed that the apparent binding affinity of HemNY74F for the cofactor SAM1, which coordinates the 4Fe‐4S cluster, was approximately sixfold higher than that of HemN. The Km of HemNY74F for the co‐substrate SAM2, which provides radicals for CPO reactions, was threefold lower than that of HemN. Thus, affinities for both SAM1 and SAM2 were higher with the Y74F mutation. Taken together, when SAM is limiting, HemN is apparently nonfunctional, and heme synthesis is continued by HemF.
Weak peristalsis with large breaks in chronic cough: association with poor esophageal clearance
Authors: Almansa C. , Smith J. A. , Morris J. , Crowell M. D. , Valdramidou D. , Lee A. S. , DeVault K. R. , Houghton L. A.
Published: January 2015

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux plays an important role in chronic cough (CC). Whether disturbed esophageal motility contributes to increased esophageal reflux exposure or interferes with swallowed bolus clearance is unclear. This study used high resolution esophageal manometry and impedance (HRIM) together with Chicago Classification, and 24‐h impedance pH (MII/pH) to address these questions in patients with CC compared with heartburn (HB).

Methods

A retrospective review of 32 patients with CC (mean age 57 [95% CI: 52–62] years) and 32 patients with symptoms of HB (55 [52–62] years) referred for HRIM and MII/pH between September 2012 and September 2013 was undertaken.

Key Results

Weak peristalsis with large breaks (WPLBs) was observed in 34% of CC patients compared with only 12% of HB patients (p = 0.027). Pathological acid exposure time (AET) was identified in 81% of CC patients with WPLBs compared with 29% without (p = 0.011). Increased AET was associated with prolonged clearance time of refluxed events (p = 0.006) rather than increased number of events. AET correlated with the percentage of peristaltic events with large breaks in CC (ρ = 0.467, p = 0.007). Similar data were obtained for total bolus (acid and non‐acid) exposure time. Only one of the CC patients with WPLBs exhibited complete bolus transit (CBT) on swallowing compared with 81% without WPLBs (p < 0.001). Moreover, the percentage of peristaltic events associated with CBT negatively correlated with the percentage of peristaltic events with large breaks (r = −0.653, p < 0.001) in CC.

Conclusions & Inferences

One‐third of CC patients exhibit WPLBs, which directly impacts on clearance of refluxed events and bolus's swallowed. These observations may have important implications for esophageal‐bronchial interaction in CC.
Evolutionary Debunking of Moral Realism
Authors: Vavova Katia
Published: January 2015

Evolutionary debunking arguments move from a premise about the influence of evolutionary forces on our moral beliefs to a skeptical conclusion about those beliefs. My primary aim is to clarify this empirically grounded epistemological challenge. I begin by distinguishing among importantly different sorts of epistemological attacks. I then demonstrate that instances of each appear in the literature under the ‘evolutionary debunking’ title. Distinguishing them clears up some confusions and helps us better understand the structure and potential of evolutionary debunking arguments.
Salvianolic Acid B Protects Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts Against Ultraviolet B Irradiation‐Induced Photoaging Through Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase and Activator Protein‐1 Pathways
Authors: Sun Zhengwang , Park Sang‐Yong , Hwang Eunson , Zhang Mengyang , Jin Fengxie , Zhang Baochun , Yi Tae Hoo
Published: January 2015

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and decreased collagen synthesis, leading to skin photoaging. Salvianolic acid B (SAB), a polyphenol, was extracted and purified from salvia miltiorrhiza. We assessed effects of SAB on UVB‐induced photoaging and investigated its molecular mechanism of action in UVB‐irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts. Our results show that SAB significantly inhibited the UVB‐induced expression of metalloproteinases‐1 (MMP‐1) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) while promoting the production of type I procollagen and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1). Moreover, treatment with SAB in the range of 1–100 μg/mL significantly inhibited UVB‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 phosphorylation, which resulted in decreasing UVB‐induced phosphorylation of c‐Fos and c‐Jun. These results indicate that SAB downregulates UV‐induced MMP‐1 expression by inhibiting Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) activation. Our results suggest a potential use for SAB in skin photoprotection.
Thalassiosira sundarbana sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), an estuarine diatom from Sundarbans mangrove ecoregion based on morphology and molecular phylogeny
Authors: Samanta Brajogopal , Bhadury Punyasloke
Published: January 2015

A new species of diatom, Thalassiosira sundarbana, is described based on light and scanning electron microscopy along with molecular phylogeny. The specimen was collected from Chemaguri creek of the Indian part of Sundarbans mangroves, and subsequently a clonal culture was established. Thalassiosira sundarbana possess variable numbers of occluded processes, and one labiate process on the valve face. Valve margin is ribbed and areolae are fasciculated on the valve face. Two rings of strutted processes are present on valve face. Strutted processes are also scattered on the valve face apart from the presence of two rings. Valvocopula and copula have rows of pore, and pleurae are hyaline. Bayesian analyses of nuclear encoded small subunit (SSU) rDNA and plastid encoded rbcL gene confirmed that T. sundarbana is phylogenetically novel. Salinity tolerance experiment with the clonal culture of T. sundarbana showed that this isolate can grow in salinity ranging from 10–35 psu. The maximum growth rate was observed in 15 psu salinity (0.5 divisions 24 h−1). On the basis of morphological features and molecular phylogeny, this clonal isolate is considered as a new estuarine species of Thalassiosira.
Insights to technological alliances and financial resources as antecedents of high‐tech firms' innovative performance
Authors: Satta Giovanni , Parola Francesco , Penco Lara , Esposito de Falco Salvatore
Published: January 2015

High‐tech firms are triggered to externally acquire and combine additional supplementary and complementary resources to develop innovative capabilities and generate new knowledge, products, and business ideas. Firms may rely on cooperation, alliances, and other interfirm ties as well as on the external acquisition of the stock of resources and capabilities to foster their innovativeness and support their patent activity. This contribution develops and tests a conceptual framework for assessing external sources of a firm's innovative performance in high‐tech industries. By simultaneously evaluating the explanatory power of technological alliances and financial resources in shaping a firm's innovative performance, measured as new patents registered, the paper provides some original outcomes from both conceptual and methodological perspectives. Research hypotheses are tested performing ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models on 90 European‐listed firms operating in the aerospace and defence industry, engaging over 1,300 technological alliances within the 2007–2011 timeframe. The findings demonstrate that high‐tech firms leverage on technological supplementary alliances to innovate and to create new knowledge embodied in artifacts such as patents. In addition, financial slack is proved to be a prerequisite for a successful patent activity in high‐tech industries. Empirical outcomes, discriminating between small and large firms, bring valuable insights both for academics and practitioners.
Generating new service ideas: the use of hybrid innovation tools to reflect functional heterogeneity of services
Authors: Geum Youngjung , Noh Eunji , Park Yongtae
Published: January 2015

In many cases, new services are developed based on incremental innovation. Thus, how to identify functional characteristics and how to differentiate new service development are two critical questions. However, previous research has ignored the functional heterogeneity of service when using innovation tools for new service development. In response, we suggest a hybrid approach to differentiating the method of generating new service ideas. A Kano model is first employed to identify whether functional characteristics are core or peripheral, after which different methods are applied for each function. For core functions, a case‐based reasoning approach is used, which focuses on identifying similarity; for peripheral functions, we suggest instead a modified zigzagging approach to identify creative functions. To present the working of proposed approach, we conducted a case study using Appstore application, IreaditNow, and show how to generate alternatives for both core services and peripheral services.
He Elationship Between Education and Fertility in the Presence of a Time Varying Frailty Component
Authors: Gottard Anna , Mattei Alessandra , Vignoli Daniele
Published: January 2015

summary

The paper investigates the relationship between fertility and women's education in Italy, using data from the 2009 Household Multipurpose Survey of Family and Social Subjects. We use event history models, adopting a Bayesian approach for inference to study the association between fertility and women's education in the presence of a time varying unobserved component. Our analysis shows that either disregarding the unobserved component or assuming a time constant unobserved heterogeneity can lead to misleading results, at least in the context studied.