bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactive effects of warming, eutrophication and size structure: impacts on biodiversity and food‐web structure
Authors: Binzer Amrei , Guill Christian , Rall Björn C. , Brose Ulrich 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWarming and eutrophication are two of the most important global change stressors for natural ecosystems, but their interaction is poorly understood. We used a dynamic model of complex, size‐structured food webs to assess interactive effects on diversity and network structure. We found antagonistic impacts: Warming increases diversity in eutrophic systems and decreases it in oligotrophic systems. These effects interact with the community size structure: Communities of similarly sized species such as parasitoid–host systems are stabilized by warming and destabilized by eutrophication, whereas the diversity of size‐structured predator–prey networks decreases strongly with warming, but decreases only weakly with eutrophication. Nonrandom extinction risks for generalists and specialists lead to higher connectance in networks without size structure and lower connectance in size‐structured communities. Overall, our results unravel interactive impacts of warming and eutrophication and suggest that size structure may serve as an important proxy for predicting the community sensitivity to these global change stressors.
Can consumers learn to ask three questions to improve shared decision making? A feasibility study of the ASK (AskShareKnow) Patient–Clinician Communication Model® intervention in a primary health‐care setting
Authors: Shepherd Heather L , Barratt Alexandra , Jones Anna , Bateson Deborah , Carey Karen , Trevena Lyndal J , McGeechan Kevin , Del Mar Chris B , Butow Phyllis N , Epstein Ronald M , Entwistle Vikki , Weisberg Edith 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo test the feasibility and assess the uptake and acceptability of implementing a consumer questions programme, AskShareKnow, to encourage consumers to use the questions ‘1. What are my options; 2. What are the possible benefits and harms of those options; 3. How likely are each of those benefits and harms to happen to me?’ These three questions have previously shown important effects in improving the quality of information provided during consultations and in facilitating patient involvement.MethodsThis single‐arm intervention study invited participants attending a reproductive and sexual health‐care clinic to view a 4‐min video‐clip in the waiting room. Participants completed three questionnaires: (T1) prior to viewing the intervention; (T2) immediately after their consultation; and (T3) two weeks later.ResultsA total of 121 (78%) participants viewed the video‐clip before their consultation. Eighty‐four (69%) participants asked one or more questions, and 35 (29%) participants asked all three questions. For those making a decision, 55 (87%) participants asked one or more questions, while 27 (43%) participants asked all three questions. Eighty‐seven (72%) participants recommended the questions. After two weeks, 47 (49%) of the participants recalled the questions.ConclusionsEnabling patients to view a short video‐clip before an appointment to improve information and involvement in health‐care consultations is feasible and led to a high uptake of question asking in consultations.Practice ImplicationsThis AskShareKnow programme is a simple and feasible method of training patients to use a brief consumer‐targeted intervention that has previously shown important effects in improving the quality of information provided during consultations and in facilitating patient involvement and use of evidence‐based questions.
Correction of image drift and distortion in a scanning electron microscopy
Authors: JIN P. , LI X. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryContinuous research on small‐scale mechanical structures and systems has attracted strong demand for ultrafine deformation and strain measurements. Conventional optical microscope cannot meet such requirements owing to its lower spatial resolution. Therefore, high‐resolution scanning electron microscope has become the preferred system for high spatial resolution imaging and measurements. However, scanning electron microscope usually is contaminated by distortion and drift aberrations which cause serious errors to precise imaging and measurements of tiny structures. This paper develops a new method to correct drift and distortion aberrations of scanning electron microscope images, and evaluates the effect of correction by comparing corrected images with scanning electron microscope image of a standard sample. The drift correction is based on the interpolation scheme, where a series of images are captured at one location of the sample and perform image correlation between the first image and the consequent images to interpolate the drift–time relationship of scanning electron microscope images. The distortion correction employs the axial symmetry model of charged particle imaging theory to two images sharing with the same location of one object under different imaging fields of view. The difference apart from rigid displacement between the mentioned two images will give distortion parameters. Three‐order precision is considered in the model and experiment shows that one pixel maximum correction is obtained for the employed high‐resolution electron microscopic system.
Electron energy loss spectroscopy on semiconductor heterostructures for optoelectronics and photonics applications
Authors: ELJARRAT A. , LÓPEZ‐CONESA L. , ESTRADÉ S. , PEIRÓ F. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIn this work, we present characterization methods for the analysis of nanometer‐sized devices, based on silicon and III‐V nitride semiconductor materials. These methods are devised in order to take advantage of the aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope, equipped with a monochromator. This set‐up ensures the necessary high spatial and energy resolution for the characterization of the smallest structures. As with these experiments, we aim to obtain chemical and structural information, we use electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The low‐loss region of EELS is exploited, which features fundamental electronic properties of semiconductor materials and facilitates a high data throughput. We show how the detailed analysis of these spectra, using theoretical models and computational tools, can enhance the analytical power of EELS. In this sense, initially, results from the model‐based fit of the plasmon peak are presented. Moreover, the application of multivariate analysis algorithms to low‐loss EELS is explored. Finally, some physical limitations of the technique, such as spatial delocalization, are mentioned.
Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is targeted to postsynaptic specializations and interacts with the Fezzin ProSAPiP1/Lzts3
Authors: Dolnik Anna , Kanwal Noreen , Mackert Sarah , Halbedl Sonja , Proepper Christian , Bockmann Juergen , Schoen Michael , Boeckers Tobias M , Kühl Susanne J , Schmeisser Michael J 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRap GTPase‐activating proteins (RapGAPs) are essential for synaptic function as they tightly regulate synaptic Rap signaling. Among the most abundant synaptic RapGAPs in brain are the Spine‐associated RapGAPs (SPARs) Sipa1l1/SPAR and Sipa1l2/SPAR2, whereas nothing has been reported on Sipa1l3/SPAR3. In this study, we show that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is conserved across species, has a distinct expression pattern in the developing rat brain and is localized at excitatory postsynapses. We further demonstrate that the Sipa1l3/SPAR3 C‐terminus is required for postsynaptic targeting and represents an interaction module for Fezzins such as ProSAPiP1/Lzts3, a binding partner of the postsynaptic scaffold protein Shank3. Taken together, our data imply that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is a hitherto unknown synaptic RapGAP, which is targeted to postsynaptic specializations and interacts with Fezzins.
imageSpine‐associated RapGAPs (SPARs) are essential modulators of synaptic signaling. Our study is the first to characterize the SPAR family member Sipa1l3/SPAR3 in neuronal tissue. We show that Sipa1l3/SPAR3 is conserved across species, has a distinct expression pattern in brain and is localized to excitatory postsynapses via its C‐terminus, which represents an interaction module for other postsynaptic proteins including the Fezzin ProSAPiP1/Lzts3.
Novel synthetic sulfoglycolipid IG20 facilitates exocytosis in chromaffin cells through the regulation of sodium channels
Authors: Crespo‐Castrillo Andrea , Punzón Eva , de Pascual Ricardo , Maroto Marcos , Padín Juan Fernando , García‐Álvarez Isabel , Nanclares Carmen , Ruiz‐Pascual Lucía , Gandía Luis , Fernández‐Mayoralas Alfonso , García Antonio G. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn search of druggable synthetic lipids that function as potential modulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity, we synthesized sulfoglycolipid IG20, which stimulates neuritic outgrowth. Here, we have explored its effects on ion channels and exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells. IG20 augmented the rate of basal catecholamine release. Such effect did not depend on Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores; rather, IG20‐elicited secretion entirely dependent on Ca2+ entry through L‐subtype voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels. Those channels were recruited by cell depolarization mediated by IG20 likely through its ability to enhance the recruitment of Na+ channels at more hyperpolarizing potentials. Confocal imaging with fluorescent derivative IG20‐NBD revealed its rapid incorporation and confinement into the plasmalemma, supporting the idea that IG20 effects are exerted through a plasmalemmal‐delimited mechanism. Thus, synthetic IG20 seems to mimic several physiological effects of endogenous lipids such as regulation of ion channels, Ca2+ signaling, and exocytosis. Therefore, sulfoglycolipid IG20 may become a pharmacological tool for investigating the role of the lipid environment on neuronal excitability, ion channels, neurotransmitter release, synaptic efficacy, and neuronal plasticity. It may also inspire the synthesis of druggable sulfoglycolipids aimed at increasing synaptic plasticity and efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain–spinal cord injury.image
The novel synthetic sulfoglycolipid IG20 mimics several physiological effects of endogenous lipids such as regulation of ion channels, Ca2+ signaling, and exocytosis. This profile may eventually drive enhanced synaptic plasticity and efficacy.
Sulforaphane is anticonvulsant and improves mitochondrial function
Authors: Carrasco‐Pozo Catalina , Tan Kah Ni , Borges Karin 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2) has been previously identified to protect the brain against various impacts. Here, we investigated the effect of the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane in various seizure models and hippocampal mitochondrial bioenergetics. We found that daily injections of sulforaphane for 5 days elevated the seizure thresholds to 6 Hz stimulation and fluorothyl‐, but not pentylenetetrazole‐induced tonic seizures and protected mice against pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Also, sulforaphane increased the antioxidant defences within hippocampal formations and blood plasma. In addition, sulforaphane treatment reduced the extent of hippocampal lipid peroxidation 24 h post‐SE and protected hippocampal mitochondria against SE‐induced reduction in state 2 and uncoupler‐stimulated state 3 respiration. SE‐mediated partial loss of rotenone‐sensitive and complex II‐driven respiration was reduced, consistent with the enhanced activities of complexes I and II in sulforaphane‐treated SE mice. In mitochondria isolated from both no SE and SE mice, sulforaphane increased state 3 respiration and respiration linked to ATP synthesis, which may contribute to its anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects by providing more ATP for cellular vital and protective functions. However, sulforaphane did not prevent SE‐induced hippocampal cell death. In conclusion, sulforaphane and/or Nrf2 activation are viable anticonvulsant strategies, which are antioxidant and enhance mitochondrial function, especially the ability to produce ATP.
imageSulforaphane was anticonvulsant in two acute mouse models of epilepsy and protected mice against pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). We also found antioxidant effects of sulforaphane in mouse plasma and hippocampal formations, exhibited by increased catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as increased abilities of hippocampal mitochondria to produce ATP. These effects likely underlie sulforaphane's anticonvulsant mechanisms of action.
Effect of smoking cessation for 1 year on periodontal biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Liu K. H. , Hwang S. J. 
Published: September 2015

Background and ObjectiveThe aim of this 12 mo prospective study was to assess the effect of smoking cessation on periodontal tissue without periodontal intervention, using matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9 and interleukin (IL)‐1ß in gingival crevicular fluid, and nicotine and cotinine in saliva.Material and MethodsOf the 122 male smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation clinic, 11 quitters, nine non‐quitters, six oscillators and 13 non‐smokers participated in all experiments done at follow‐up week 2, and follow‐up months 2, 4, 6 and 12. The following were measured: gingival index; dental plaque index and sites of 3.5 mm < probing depth < 5.5 mm using a WHO probe for the full mouth; amounts of MMP‐8, MMP‐9 and IL‐1β in gingival crevicular fluid of the upper anterior teeth area using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; and concentrations of nicotine, cotinine and hydroxycotinine in saliva using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsNo significant differences in MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in gingival crevicular fluid were detected between smokers, quit‐smokers, oscillators and non‐smokers for 1 year. Only the amount of IL‐1β showed that smokers (90.14 ± 65.32 pg/mL) had a significantly higher value compared with non‐smokers (37.70 ± 40.90 pg/mL), quit‐smokers (32.11 ± 40.50 pg/mL) and oscillators (11.90 ± 12.46 pg/mL) at 2 mo follow‐up (p = 0.007). IL‐1β had a positive correlation with nicotine (r = 0.351) and the cotinine (r = 0.376), nicotine (r = 0.492) and hydroxycotinine (r = 0.358), and hydroxycotinine (r = 0.413) levels at 2 wk and 4 and 6 mo follow‐up, respectively.ConclusionsThis 1‐year prospective smoking cessation study without nonsurgical periodontal therapy shows IL‐1β in gingival crevicular fluid could have a positive relationship with the nicotine and cotinine levels in saliva.
Comparisons of complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6–23 months in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries
Authors: Issaka Abukari I. , Agho Kingsley E. , N. Page Andrew , L. Burns Penelope , Stevens Garry J. , Dibley Michael J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractStunting, a consequence of suboptimal complementary feeding practices, continues to be a significant public health problem in West Africa. This paper aimed to compare rates of complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6–23 months between four Anglophone and seven Francophone West African countries. The data used for this study were the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of the various countries, namely Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone (Anglophone countries), Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal (Francophone countries) conducted between 2006 and 2013. The analyses were limited to last‐born children aged 6–23 months and covered 34 999 children: 12 623 in the Anglophone countries and 22 376 children in the Francophone countries. Complementary feeding indicators were examined using the method proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008. Introduction of solid, semi‐solid or soft foods among children aged 6–23 months in the Anglophone countries ranged from 55.3% (Liberia) to 72.6% (Ghana). The corresponding rates for the Francophone countries ranged from 29.7% (Mali) to 65.9% (Senegal). The average rate of minimum dietary diversity for the Anglophone countries was 32.0% while that of the Francophone countries was only 10.6%. While the minimum meal frequency rates ranged between 42.0% (Sierra Leone) and 55.3% (Nigeria) for the Anglophone countries, the corresponding rates for the Francophone countries ranged between 25.1% (Mali) and 52.4% (Niger). Both the Anglophone and the Francophone countries reported alarmingly low rates of minimum acceptable diet, with the two groups of countries averaging rates of 19.9% (Anglophone) and 5.5% (Francophone). The rates of all four complementary feeding indicators across all the 11 countries fell short of the WHO's requirement for optimal complementary feeding practices. Intervention studies using cluster‐randomised controlled trials are needed in order to improve the nutritional status of young children in West Africa.
Helicobacter pylori strains vary cell shape and flagellum number to maintain robust motility in viscous environments
Authors: Martínez Laura E. , Hardcastle Joseph M. , Wang Jeffrey , Pincus Zachary , Tsang Jennifer , Hoover Timothy R. , Bansil Rama , Salama Nina R. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe helical shape of the human stomach pathogen Helicobacter pylori has been suggested to provide mechanical advantage for penetrating the viscous stomach mucus layer. Using single‐cell tracking and quantitative morphology analysis, we document marked variation in cell body helical parameters and flagellum number among H. pylori strains leading to distinct and broad speed distributions in broth and viscous gastric mucin media. These distributions reflect both temporal variation in swimming speed and morphologic variation within the population. Isogenic mutants with straight‐rod morphology showed 7–21% reduction in speed and a lower fraction of motile bacteria. Mutational perturbation of flagellum number revealed a 19% increase in speed with 4 versus 3 median flagellum number. Resistive force theory modeling incorporating variation of both cell shape and flagellum number predicts qualitative speed differences of 10–30% among strains. However, quantitative comparisons suggest resistive force theory underestimates the influence of cell body shape on speed for helical shaped bacteria.
Environment and host genotype determine the outcome of a plant–virus interaction: from antagonism to mutualism
Authors: Hily Jean‐Michel , Poulicard Nils , Mora Miguel‐Ángel , Pagán Israel , García‐Arenal Fernando 
Published: September 2015

Summary

It has been hypothesized that plant–virus interactions vary between antagonism and conditional mutualism according to environmental conditions. This hypothesis is based on scant experimental evidence, and to test it we examined the effect of abiotic factors on the Arabidopsis thaliana–Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) interaction.

Four Arabidopsis genotypes clustering into two allometric groups were grown under six environments defined by three temperature and two light‐intensity conditions. Plants were either CMV‐infected or mock‐inoculated, and the effects of environment and infection on temporal and resource allocation life‐history traits were quantified.

Life‐history traits significantly differed between allometric groups over all environments, with group 1 plants tolerating abiotic stress better than those of group 2. The effect of CMV infection on host fitness (virulence) differed between genotypes, being lower in group 1 genotypes. Tolerance to abiotic stress and to infection was similarly achieved through life‐history trait responses, which resulted in resource reallocation from growth to reproduction. Effects of infection varied according to plant genotype and environment from detrimental to beneficial for host fitness.

These results are highly relevant and demonstrate that plant viruses can be pleiotropic parasites along the antagonism–mutualism continuum, which should be considered in analyses of the evolution of plant–virus interactions.
Legal strategies and tools for mitigating legal risks associated with oil and gas investments in Africa
Authors: Olawuyi Damilola S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAfrica provides unique opportunities for international oil and gas companies to spearhead oil exploration and production in emerging markets, and to acquire interests in fields with unexplored economic potentials. Despite these investment opportunities, entrants into oil and gas markets in Africa often face legal risks that pose monumental threats to the economic viability of oil and gas investments. These include resource nationalism; lopsided contractual provisions in oil production contracts that confer unfair advantages on national oil companies; arbitrary change in contract terms; delays in operational approvals, complex local content requirements and high corruption potentials, among others. If not properly considered and managed, these risks may reduce the positive economic prospects and gains in a hitherto profitable investment enterprise; they may also frustrate a first time investor. While these legal risks have been perceived as disincentives to oil and gas investments in Africa, this paper takes the view that these risks do not call for surrender, rather they could be efficiently managed at contract negotiation phases.This paper draws examples from key resource‐based African countries to provide an overview of the commonly encountered legal risk points in African oil and gas investments. The paper provides suggestions on how to effectively deal with these risks as early as possible through extensive due diligence and diligent contract negotiations.
Oil price uncertainty and savings in South Africa
Authors: Dave Diksha , Aye Goodness C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractOil prices have become increasingly important to determine indicators such as inflation; this in turn affects savings and investments. This paper investigates the impact of the volatility of oil prices on savings in South Africa using quarterly data covering the period 1960–2014. The study used the GARCH‐in‐mean VAR model. This model also provides a way of examining the effect of a negative and positive shock in oil prices on savings. The outcome of this study proves that oil price uncertainty which is measured as the conditional standard deviation of a one‐step‐ahead forecast error of the change in oil price affects South Africa's savings in a negative way. The responses of savings to a positive and negative oil price shocks are symmetric in both direction and magnitude.
The electricity consumption, employment and growth nexus: evidence fromLebanon
Authors: Fakih Ali , Marrouch Walid 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe causal relationship between electricity consumption and growth inLebanon is examined using aggregate employment in a trivariate setting for the period 1980–2011. We test the main hypothesis that electricity is an input in the aggregate production function. Our results reject the input hypothesis inLebanon in both the short run and long run. However, electricity is found to be a by‐product only when we employ a stronger test forGranger causality. These results seem to suggest that electricity conservation strategies should be easier to implement without additional sacrifices to growth inLebanon. By contrast, we find evidence of a long‐run relationship between employment and growth. We offer some specific detailed strategy toLebanon that provides support for carrying out policies that increase the level of labour‐promoting investments in the country.