bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global shifts towards positive species interactions with increasing environmental stress
Authors: He Qiang , Bertness Mark D. , Altieri Andrew H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe study of positive species interactions is a rapidly evolving field in ecology. Despite decades of research, controversy has emerged as to whether positive and negative interactions predictably shift with increasing environmental stress as hypothesised by the stress‐gradient hypothesis (SGH). Here, we provide a synthesis of 727 tests of the SGH in plant communities across the globe to examine its generality across a variety of ecological factors. Our results show that plant interactions change with stress through an outright shift to facilitation (survival) or a reduction in competition (growth and reproduction). In a limited number of cases, plant interactions do not respond to stress, but they never shift towards competition with stress. These findings are consistent across stress types, plant growth forms, life histories, origins (invasive vs. native), climates, ecosystems and methodologies, though the magnitude of the shifts towards facilitation with stress is dependent on these factors. We suggest that future studies should employ standardised definitions and protocols to test the SGH, take a multi‐factorial approach that considers variables such as plant traits in addition to stress, and apply the SGH to better understand how species and communities will respond to environmental change.
Identifying the cortical substrates of interictal epileptiform activity in patients with extratemporal epilepsy: An EEG‐fMRI sequential analysis and FDG‐PET study
Authors: Donaire Antonio , Capdevila Antoni , Carreño Mar , Setoain Xavier , Rumià Jordi , Aparicio Javier , Campistol Jaume , Padilla Nelly , Sanmartí Francesc , Vernet Oriol , Pintor Luis , Boget Teresa , Ortells Joan , Bargalló Nuria 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeThe aim of this study was to apply sequential analysis of electroencephalography–functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) data to study the cortical substrates related to the generation of the interictal epileptiform activity (IEA) in patients with pharmacoresistant extratemporal epilepsy.MethodsWe analyzed fMRI data from 21 children, adolescents, and young adults patients who showed frequent bursts or runs of spikes on EEG, by using the sequential analysis method. We contrasted consecutive fixed‐width blocks of 10 s to obtain the relative variations in cerebral activity along the entire fMRI runs. Significant responses (p < 0.05, family‐wise error (FWE) corrected), time‐related to the IEA recorded on scalp EEG, were considered potential IEA cortical sources. These results were compared with those from the fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), intracranial EEG (two patients), and surgery outcome (eight patients).Key FindingsThe typical IEA was recorded in all patients. After the sequential analysis, at least one significant blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) response spatially consistent with the presumed epileptogenic zone was found. These IEA‐related activation areas coincided when superimposed with the hypometabolism depicted by the FDG‐PET. These data were also consistent with the invasive EEG findings. Epileptic seizures were recorded in eight patients. A subset of IEA‐associated fMRI activations was consistent the activations at seizure‐onset determined by sequential analysis. The inclusion of the IEA‐related areas in the resection rendered the patients seizure‐free (five of eight operated patients).SignificanceThe EEG‐fMRI data sequential analysis could noninvasively identify cortical areas involved in the IEA generation. The spatial relationship of these areas with the cortical metabolic abnormalities depicted by the FDG‐PET and their intrinsic relationship regarding the ictal‐onset zone could be useful in epilepsy surgery planning.
Topical apigenin improves epidermal permeability barrier homoeostasis in normal murine skin by divergent mechanisms
Authors: Hou Maihua , Sun Richard , Hupe Melanie , Kim Peggy L. , Park Kyungho , Crumrine Debra , Lin Tzu‐Kai , Santiago Juan Luis , Mauro Theodora M. , Elias Peter M. , Man Mao‐Qiang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe beneficial effects of certain herbal medicines on cutaneous function have been appreciated for centuries. Among these agents, chrysanthemum extract, apigenin, has been used for skin care, particularly in China, for millennia. However, the underlying mechanisms by which apigenin benefits the skin are not known. In this study, we first determined whether topical apigenin positively influences permeability barrier homoeostasis, and then the basis thereof. Hairless mice were treated topically with either 0.1% apigenin or vehicle alone twice daily for 9 days. At the end of the treatments, permeability barrier function was assessed with either an electrolytic water analyzer or a Tewameter. Our results show that topical apigenin significantly enhanced permeability barrier homoeostasis after tape stripping, although basal permeability barrier function remained unchanged. Improved barrier function correlated with enhanced filaggrin expression and lamellar body production, which was paralleled by elevated mRNA levels for the epidermal ABCA12. The mRNA levels for key lipid synthetic enzymes also were upregulated by apigenin. Finally, both cathelicidin‐related peptide and mouse beta‐defensin 3 immunostaining were increased by apigenin. We conclude that topical apigenin improves epidermal permeability barrier function by stimulating epidermal differentiation, lipid synthesis and secretion, as well as cutaneous antimicrobial peptide production. Apigenin could be useful for the prevention and treatment of skin disorders characterized by permeability barrier dysfunction, associated with reduced filaggrin levels and impaired antimicrobial defenses, such as atopic dermatitis.
Is realised connectivity among populations of aquatic fauna predictable from potential connectivity?
Authors: HUGHES JANE M. , HUEY JOEL A. , SCHMIDT DANIEL J. 
Published: January 2013

Summary1. Effective management of aquatic fauna requires knowledge of the ways in which populations in different catchments and sub‐catchments are connected. A powerful way to estimate this is using genetic markers, which provide information on the average amount of genetic connectivity among populations over generations. Although many studies of genetic connectivity have appeared in the literature, there are innumerable species that have not been studied.2. This study explores whether it is possible to make broad generalisations about population connectivity, based on readily available information in the form of species life history and architecture of the aquatic habitat.3. A number of models have been proposed to explain the pattern of connectivity shown by aquatic species with different life‐history characteristics, for example, the stream hierarchy model, Isolation by Distance, the Death Valley Model, the headwater model and panmixia.4. In this study, we propose a dichotomous key to assign species to different models of potential connectivity. The key is based on a few very simple questions about the life history of the species and the geographical arrangement of study sites. We then assessed the performance of the key with 109 data sets of Australian fish and macroinvertebrates, using genetic data to provide an estimate of realised connectivity.5. The realised connectivity fitted the proposed potential connectivity model in over 70% of cases, and we suggest this might be a useful initial approach for managers where empirical data are lacking.
Climate change and broadacre livestock production across southern Australia. 1. Impacts of climate change on pasture and livestock productivity, and on sustainable levels of profitability
Authors: Moore Andrew D. , Ghahramani Afshin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBroadacre livestock production is a major but highly diverse component of agriculture in Australia that will be significantly exposed to predicted changes in climate over coming decades. We used the GRAZPLAN simulation models to assess the impacts of climate change under the SRES A2 scenario across southern Australia. Climate change impacts were examined across space (25 representative locations) and time (1970–99, 2030, 2050 and 2070 climate) for each of five livestock enterprises. Climate projection uncertainty was considered by analysing projections from four global circulation models (GCMs). Livestock production scenarios were compared at their profit‐maximizing stocking rate, constrained to ensure that risks of soil erosion were acceptable. Impacts on net primary productivity (ANPP) varied widely between GCM projections; the average declines from historical climate were 9% in 2030, 7% in 2050 and 14% in 2070. Declines in ANPP were larger at lower‐rainfall locations. Sensitivity of ANPP to changes in rainfall ranged from 0.4 to 1.7, to temperature increase from −0.15 to +0.07 °C−1 and to CO2 increase from 0.11 to 0.32. At most locations the dry summer period lengthened, exacerbating the greater erosion risk due to lower ANPP. Transpiration efficiency of pastures increased by 6–25%, but the proportion of ANPP that could safely be consumed by livestock fell sharply so that operating profit (at constant prices) fell by an average of 27% in 2030, 32% in 2050 and 48% in 2070. This amplification of ANPP reductions into larger profitability declines is likely to generalize to other extensive livestock systems. Profit declines were most marked at drier locations, with operating losses expected at 9 of the 25 locations by 2070. Differences between livestock enterprises were smaller than differences between locations and dates. Future research into climate change impacts on Australian livestock production needs to emphasise the dry margin of the cereal‐livestock zone.
Evaluation of Brix and sugar content in stem juice from sorghum varieties
Authors: Kawahigashi Hiroyuki , Kasuga Shigemitsu , Okuizumi Hisahito , Hiradate Syuntaro , Yonemaru Jun‐ichi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractSorghum accumulates sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) in the stem after anthesis. Brix is commonly used to indicate total sugar content; however, the relationship between Brix and specific sugar components has not been sufficiently investigated in sorghum juice in Japan. In this study, we measured the sugar components of sorghum juices from 109 varieties using capillary electrophoresis, which can quantify each sugar component in crude juice without further purification. The results indicated that the Brix of sorghum juice was proportional to the total sugar and sucrose concentrations (r = 0.900 and r = 0.894, P < 0.01, respectively). Glucose concentration had a significant positive correlation with fructose concentration (r = 0.964, P < 0.01), but no correlation was detected between Brix and the two hexose sugars, glucose and fructose. Our results showed that sucrose comprised approximately 75% of the total sugar in varieties with Brix values greater than 15. These findings may be applied in sorghum breeding efforts to develop varieties that accumulate high levels of sugars in the juicy stems of sorghum plants.
Stratum corneum fatty acids: their critical role in preserving barrier integrity during cleansing
Authors: Ananthapadmanabhan K.P. , Mukherjee S. , Chandar P. 
Published: January 2013

SynopsisStratum corneum (SC) bilayer lipids, specifically fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol, contribute to the permeability barrier function of the skin. Normal skin cleansing is associated with damage to the SC lipids because cleanser surfactants, in addition to providing the desired effect of solubilizing and facilitating the removal of sebum and skin soils, have a propensity to disrupt bilayer lipids by extracting endogenous skin lipids or intercalating into the bilayer. Disrupted SC lipids are associated with a variety of pathological skin conditions, as well as with dry skin induced by harsh cleansing. In an attempt to preserve the barrier and mitigate the damage caused by frequent normal cleansing, the incorporation of physiologically relevant lipids into skin cleansers has become common in leading cleansing products. It has been noted that fatty acids are more susceptible to surfactant‐induced removal than other lipids (eg, ceramides), an observation that may form the basis for a critically important strategy for replenishing SC lipids. This review will focus on the role of fatty acids in the structure and function of the SC, and the rationale for incorporation of stearic acid into moisturizing body cleansers to minimize their extraction by surfactants and replenish lost fatty acids to promote skin barrier preservation.
Expression and functional role of β3‐adrenoceptors in the human ureter
Authors: Matsumoto Rikiya , Otsuka Atsushi , Suzuki Takahisa , Shinbo Hitoshi , Mizuno Takuji , Kurita Yutaka , Mugiya Soichi , Ozono Seiichiro 
Published: January 2013

ObjectivesTo investigate the presence of β‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the human ureter, and to examine whether β3‐adrenoceptors modulate relaxation of the human ureter.MethodsExpression of messenger ribonucleic acid of β‐adrenoceptors in the human ureter was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and distribution of β‐adrenoceptors was examined by immunohistochemistry. In functional studies, the relaxant effects of isoproterenol, procaterol, TRK‐380, salbutamol and BRL 37344 on KCl‐induced contraction of the human ureter were evaluated, and the inhibitory effects of isoproterenol, procaterol and TRK‐380 on electrical field stimulation‐induced contractions were determined.ResultsExpression of β1‐, β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor messenger ribonucleic acid in the human ureter was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive staining for β1‐, β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor was identified not only in smooth muscle, but also in the urothelium of the human ureter. All β‐adrenoceptor agonists decreased the tone of KCl‐induced contractions of the human ureter with a rank order of relaxant effects of isoproterenol > procaterol > TRK‐380 > salbutamol > BRL 37344. Furthermore, isoproterenol, procaterol and TRK‐380 significantly decreased the amplitude of electrical field stimulation‐induced contractions with a rank order of inhibitory effects of isoproterenol > procaterol > TRK‐380.ConclusionsHuman ureteral relaxation is mediated by both β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor stimulation. β3‐Adrenoceptor agonists have the potential to relax the human ureter, and their clinical application in the treatment of ureteral stones is expected.
Essential elements of discourse for advancing the modelling of species' current and potential distributions
Authors: Kriticos Darren J. , Le Maitre David C. , Webber Bruce L. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA recent review by Dormann et al. (2012, Journal of Biogeography, 39, 2119–2131) has proposed that methods for the modelling of species distributions be considered as a continuum. We disagree with this thesis, and contend that attempting to present the diverse range of methods as a continuum is unhelpful and ultimately not convincing. It adds to the confusion about the strengths and weaknesses of the diversity of available modelling methods, what exactly it is that they model, and the most appropriate applications. We highlight variation within and between modelling methods that is obscured by the continuum framework and propose that context of application and clarity of method are critical elements for future discourse on the topic.
Resignation of a First Sea Lord: Mountbatten and the 1956 Suez Crisis
Authors: Smith Adrian 
Published: January 2013

AbstractDuring the Suez crisis the head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord Mountbatten, twice appeared to offer his resignation, fearing Sir Anthony Eden favoured a military resolution of Britain's dispute with President Nasser over Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal. Mountbatten believed that an Anglo‐French seizure of the Canal Zone would destabilize the Middle East, undermine the authority of the UN, divide the Commonwealth and diminish Britain's global standing. Within the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and in advice to cabinet, the First Sea Lord voiced his fears, querying what the exit strategy was. The parallels with the Iraq war are striking, except that in 1956 the White House opposed military intervention, compounding Mountbatten's unease by deploying the US Navy to delay its erstwhile allies' taskforce en route to Port Said. Mountbatten believed his unique status as royal confidant and imperial consul, and presumed close friend of the prime minister, allowed him to buck constitutional convention and complement military advice with keenly felt political opinion. Yet at the same time he prepared the Royal Navy for war with characteristic professionalism and thoroughness, finding himself party to the collusion with Israel which he later condemned. How did Mountbatten reconcile genuine dissent with a state servant's obvious sense of duty, and was this achieved through constructing an alternative version of events that ran counter to actuality? From a contemporary perspective what insight does this episode offer into the historic relationship between executive and chiefs of staff within the British model of civil–military relations?
Effects of sociocultural factors on social trends in society
Authors: Goktas Olgun , Tekin Oguz , Canbal Metin , Sencan Irfan , Kunt Seyda , Sahin Ayfer , Cavus Umut 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe aimed to determine the effect of gender, age, marital status, number of the people in the household, number of children, and regular reading habits on social trends by using the social trends scale for adults. Economically independent 290 adults were selected on a volunteer basis by family practitioners. Our findings indicate that violence avoidance and economic status were correlated to book reading and having children; and gender, regular reading, and having children have impact on economic status. We conclude that promoting regular reading in society, efforts on protecting the institution of marriage, and counseling services that assist toward normalization of the number of children and promoting knowledge and awareness of parenthood would be beneficial to the social trends in society.
Perceptions of success and life satisfaction: a gender examination in Taiwan
Authors: Lee I‐Ching 
Published: January 2013

AbstractGender socialization creates an expectation that men should achieve success (regardless of how it is defined), so men are under greater pressure than women when encountering successful persons and, accordingly, experience lower life satisfaction. Two experiments were conducted in Taiwan to test the proposed effects on life satisfaction. Study 1 showed that 149 students were more likely to infer successful targets as male than female. A path model demonstrated that feeling less powerful against ideal same‐sex persons predicted men's (but not women's) lower life satisfaction after they read about successful targets. Study 2 (106 students) showed that reading about successful targets had differential effects for men and women. Implications regarding culture, gender, and life satisfaction were discussed.
When your face doesn't fit: employment discrimination against people with facial disfigurements
Authors: Stone Anna , Wright Toby 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the recruitment prospects of people with facial disfigurement and a contrasting group of wheelchair users, representing a functional impairment with little aesthetic impact. Three applications were made to each of 144 vacancies using three CVs and cover letters rotated around conditions in which one applicant was described as a wheelchair user, another had a noncontagious facial disfigurement, and the third (control condition) had neither. There was evidence of discrimination against people with facial disfigurement in jobs requiring high (but not low) levels of customer contact, and against wheelchair users for jobs entailing high or low‐customer contact. Aesthetic considerations, social norms, and the possibility of stigma by association are discussed as potential underlying factors.
Study Abroad, Foreign Language Use, and the Communities Standard
Authors: Allen Heather Willis , Dupuy Beatrice 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAlthough participation in multilingual communities around the world has been understood to be the raison d'être for foreign language study, the Communities standard has been portrayed as an extracurricular experience and more difficult to weave into instruction than the other standards. This article addresses two questions: (1) Does a study abroad experience facilitate meeting the Communities standard? and (2) How can collegiate foreign language curricula enhance the study abroad experience and fulfillment of the Communities standard? Current trends in study abroad participation by U.S. undergraduates and key research findings on study abroad related to the Communities standard are reviewed. Numerous recommendations for programmatic courses of action at home and abroad targeting a fuller consideration of the Communities standard in collegiate foreign language study are offered.
Nonnative Speaker Teachers of Spanish: Insights From Novice Teachers
Authors: Thompson Amy S. , Fioramonte Amy 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA sizable body of literature has been established surrounding native speaker teachers versus nonnative speaker teachers of English. Presently, a paucity of research exists related to teachers working with languages other than English. In an attempt to fill this research gap, this qualitative research study presents the experiences of novice nonnative speaker teachers of Spanish. Interviews were conducted to explore the teachers' perceptions regarding their own status as nonnative speakers. The interviews revealed several themes, some of which parallel previous findings on nonnative speaker teachers of English and others that diverge; this article reports on three of these themes. A discussion about what the language education field can do to afford nonnative speaker teachers the same status as native speaker teachers concludes the article.
Bedrock/Core, Base, Plus, and Threshold Strategies in the JFL Context
Authors: Grainger P. R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAlthough research into language learning strategies over the past 30 years has provided many insights into how good language learners facilitate the language learning process, few studies have targeted learners of Japanese in a foreign language learning environment. This study sought to (1) identify the spoken communication strategies used by learners of Japanese in foreign language learning environments, and (2) explore Core strategies, Base strategies, and Plus strategies in the Japanese as a foreign language (JFL) context. Information about the language learning strategies used by learners of Japanese was gathered, initially using interviews. These interview data were recorded, analyzed, and compiled into a strategy inventory. The inventory was made available online to students learning Japanese in various institutions in Queensland, Australia. The results of the study show that learners of Japanese in foreign language learning environments frequently use a range of strategies to maintain communication in spoken interactive contexts. There is evidence of the existence of Core, Base, and Plus strategies in Japanese and a subset of these strategies identified as Threshold strategies.