bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating spatial distribution of Atlantic salmon escapement using redd counts despite changes over time in counting procedure: application to the Allier River population
Authors: Dauphin Guillaume J.R. , Brugel Catherine , Hoffmann‐Legrand Marion , Prévost Etienne 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn salmonid species, such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), the most frequent type of data set available related to adult escapements are redd counts. When collected over a broad spatio‐temporal domain, redd counts data are of great interest for tracking the variation through time of the spatial distribution of the potential spawners. This is important for management purposes when the habitat quality is variable across river sections of a catchment or when the spatial distribution can vary depending on management actions or on environmental factors. However, long‐term data sets are prone to changes in data collection methodology. In this article, we present a new hierarchical Bayesian modelling approach that allows both (i) to account for a change in the data collection procedure and (ii) to analyse the variation through time of the potential spawners’ spatial distribution. The value of the proposed approach is demonstrated by its application to the Atlantic salmon redd counts data collected in Allier (France) catchment from 1977 to 2011. The Allier can be divided into three main sections according to management and habitat considerations, and an important change occurred in the redd data collection in 1997: counts by foot or by boat were replaced by counts from a helicopter. A significant effect of this change on methodology is detected: less redds counted when using the helicopter counts. However, its explicit consideration in the modelling makes little difference with regard to the estimates of potential spawner abundance and their associated uncertainty.
Psychosis prediction and clinical utility in familial high‐risk studies: selective review, synthesis, and implications for early detection and intervention
Authors: Shah Jai L. , Tandon Neeraj , Keshavan Matcheri S. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimAccurate prediction of which high‐risk individuals will go on to develop psychosis would assist early intervention and prevention paradigms. We sought to review investigations of prospective psychosis prediction based on markers and variables examined in longitudinal familial high‐risk (FHR) studies.MethodsWe performed literature searches in MedLine, PubMed and PsycINFO for articles assessing performance characteristics of predictive clinical tests in FHR studies of psychosis. Studies were included if they reported on one or more predictive variables in subjects at FHR for psychosis. We complemented this search strategy with references drawn from articles, reviews, book chapters and monographs.ResultsAcross generations of FHR projects, predictive studies have investigated behavioural, cognitive, psychometric, clinical, neuroimaging and other markers. Recent analyses have incorporated multivariate and multi‐domain approaches to risk ascertainment, with generally modest results.ConclusionsAlthough a broad range of risk factors has been identified, no individual marker or combination of markers can at this time enable accurate prospective prediction of emerging psychosis for individuals at FHR. We outline the complex and multi‐level nature of psychotic illness, the myriad of factors influencing its development, and methodological hurdles to accurate and reliable prediction. Prospects and challenges for future generations of FHR studies are discussed in the context of early detection and intervention strategies.
Development of behavioral preferences for the optimal choice following unexpected reward omission is mediated by a reduction of D2‐like receptor tone in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Porter‐Stransky Kirsten A. , Seiler Jillian L. , Day Jeremy J. , Aragona Brandon J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTo survive in a dynamic environment, animals must identify changes in resource availability and rapidly apply adaptive strategies to obtain resources that promote survival. We have utilised a behavioral paradigm to assess differences in foraging strategy when resource (reward) availability unexpectedly changes. When reward magnitude was reduced by 50% (receive one reward pellet instead of two), male and female rats developed a preference for the optimal choice by the second session. However, when an expected reward was omitted (receive no reward pellets instead of one), subjects displayed a robust preference for the optimal choice during the very first session. Previous research shows that, when an expected reward is omitted, dopamine neurons phasically decrease their firing rate, which is hypothesised to decrease dopamine release preferentially affecting D2‐like receptors. As robust changes in behavioral preference were specific to reward omission, we tested this hypothesis and the functional role of D1‐ and D2‐like receptors in the nucleus accumbens in mediating the rapid development of a behavioral preference for the rewarded option during reward omission in male rats. Blockade of both receptor types had no effect on this behavior; however, holding D2‐like, but not D1‐like, receptor tone via infusion of dopamine receptor agonists prevented the development of the preference for the rewarded option during reward omission. These results demonstrate that avoiding an outcome that has been tagged with aversive motivational properties is facilitated through decreased dopamine transmission and subsequent functional disruption of D2‐like, but not D1‐like, receptor tone in the nucleus accumbens.
The robustness of a network of ecological networks to habitat loss
Authors: Evans Darren M. , Pocock Michael J. O. , Memmott Jane 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThere have been considerable advances in our understanding of the tolerance of species interaction networks to sequential extinctions of plants and animals. However, communities of species exist in a mosaic of habitats, and the vulnerability of habitats to anthropogenic change varies. Here, we model the cascading effects of habitat loss, driven by plant extinctions, on the robustness of multiple animal groups. Our network is constructed from empirical observations of 11 animal groups in 12 habitats on farmland. We simulated sequential habitat removal scenarios: randomly; according to prior information; and with a genetic algorithm to identify best‐ and worst‐case permutations of habitat loss. We identified two semi‐natural habitats (waste ground and hedgerows together comprising < 5% of the total area of the farm) as disproportionately important to the integrity of the overall network. Our approach provides a new tool for network ecologists and for directing the management and restoration of multiple‐habitat sites.
Trophic complementarity drives the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship in food webs
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Mouquet Nicolas , Gravel Dominique 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationship is central in community ecology. Its drivers in competitive systems (sampling effect and functional complementarity) are intuitive and elegant, but we lack an integrative understanding of these drivers in complex ecosystems. Because networks encompass two key components of the BEF relationship (species richness and biomass flow), they provide a key to identify these drivers, assuming that we have a meaningful measure of functional complementarity. In a network, diversity can be defined by species richness, the number of trophic levels, but perhaps more importantly, the diversity of interactions. In this paper, we define the concept of trophic complementarity (TC), which emerges through exploitative and apparent competition processes, and study its contribution to ecosystem functioning. Using a model of trophic community dynamics, we show that TC predicts various measures of ecosystem functioning, and generate a range of testable predictions. We find that, in addition to the number of species, the structure of their interactions needs to be accounted for to predict ecosystem productivity.
Response diversity to land use occurs but does not consistently stabilise ecosystem services provided by native pollinators
Authors: Cariveau Daniel P. , Williams Neal M. , Benjamin Faye E. , Winfree Rachael 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMore diverse biological communities may provide ecosystem services that are less variable over space or time. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are rarely investigated empirically in real‐world ecosystems. Here, we investigate how a potentially important stabilising mechanism, response diversity, the differential response to environmental change among species, stabilises pollination services against land‐use change. We measured crop pollination services provided by native bees across land‐use gradients in three crop systems. We found that bee species responded differentially to increasing agricultural land cover in all three systems, demonstrating that response diversity occurs. Similarly, we found response diversity in pollination services in two of the systems. However, there was no evidence that response diversity, in general, stabilised ecosystem services. Our results suggest that either response diversity is not the primary stabilising mechanism in our system, or that new measures of response diversity are needed that better capture the stabilising effects it provides.
Roles of the ubiquitin peptidase USP18 in multiple sclerosis and the response to interferon‐β treatment
Authors: Malhotra S. , Morcillo‐Suárez C. , Nurtdinov R. , Rio J. , Sarro E. , Moreno M. , Castilló J. , Navarro A. , Montalban X. , Comabella M. 
Published: May 2013

Background and purposeUbiquitin specific peptidase 18 (USP18) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that functions as a negative regulator of the type I interferon (IFN) signalling pathway and is specifically induced by type I IFNs. In the present study, previous observations by our group were expanded suggesting an implication of USP18 in multiple sclerosis (MS) based on the finding of a deficient expression of the gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS patients compared with healthy controls.MethodsTwo polymorphisms, rs2542109 (intronic) and rs9618216 (promoter), were genotyped in a cohort of 691 relapse‐onset MS patients and 1028 healthy controls and in 225 MS patients treated with IFNβ and classified into responders and non‐responders after 2 years of treatment according to clinical criteria. Correlations between genotypes and expression levels for USP18 and its target ISG15 were performed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsTwo USP18 haplotypes were significantly associated with MS, TG and CG. Additional experiments revealed that CG carriers were characterized by lower USP18 gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and higher clinical disease activity. Finally, AA homozygosis for the intronic polymorphism rs2542109 was associated with the responder phenotype; however, USP18 expression levels induced by IFNβ did not differ amongst MS patients carrying different rs2542109 genotypes.ConclusionsAltogether, these results point to a role of USP18 in MS pathogenesis and the therapeutic response to IFNβ.
The Protection of Traditional Foods in the EU: Traditional Specialities Guaranteed
Authors: Tosato Andrea 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSince the dawn of the common market, the European Union has enacted abundant legislation regulating the employment of specific food names. This process has led to the introduction of a regulatory framework for wines and spirits, and four quality schemes for food products: protected denominations of origin (PDO), protected geographical indications (PGI), traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG), and optional quality terms (OQT). This paper focuses on the TSG. It will first determine the collocation of this quality scheme in the EU legal framework; second, it will conduct a legal exegesis of the norms regulating the TSG under the previous Regulation 509/06 and analyse the ways in which they have been interpreted and applied; third, it will suggest reasons for the limited success of this scheme in the past; and fourth, it will explore the recently enacted Regulation 1151/12, seeking to establish whether it addresses the pre‐existing flaws that fettered the TSG.
Democratic Legitimacy in the Bund or ‘Federation of States’: the Cases of Belgium and the EU
Authors: Rummens Stefan , Sottiaux Stefan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractCarl Schmitt developed the concept of the ‘federation of states’ (Bund) in order to characterise intermediate constitutional systems which are integrated beyond the level of a confederation (Staatenbund) without, however, acquiring the level of integration of an actual federal state (Bundesstaat). In this paper we analyse the constitutional specificity of the ‘federation of states’ and present three normative principles for assessing the democratic legitimacy of the decision‐making procedures within such a federation. We argue that both the European Union and Belgium can be analysed as instances of such a federation of states and show how this characterisation improves our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of both polities and the constitutional and democratic challenges they are facing.
The Temporal Paradox of Regions in the EU Seeking Independence: Contraction and Fragmentation versus Widening and Deepening?
Authors: Chamon Merijn , Van der Loo Guillaume 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article investigates the possibility of regional entities within EU Member States to become EU Member States in their own right following their secession from their mother state. International law does not automatically allow such regions to remain EU Member States since it refers this issue back to the constituent instruments of international organisations and a reading of both the EU Treaties and the ECJ's jurisprudence seems to preclude such a ‘continued membership’. The article then further explores the legal issues which could arise during the accession process of the newly independent state. After suggesting solutions to bridge the gap between its secession and its own EU membership, it is argued that the key challenge for such a region would be to ensure a smooth transition, without the loss of prerogatives under EU law, from being an EU region to an EU Member State proper.
Conceptualizing Pronunciation As Part of Translingual/Transcultural Competence: New Impulses for SLA Research and the L2 Classroom
Authors: Müller Mareike 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article aims to reconceptualize pronunciation teaching and learning according to the tenets of the 2007 MLA Report and its call for translingual/transcultural competence. The critical discussion of current teaching and research practices shows that the realm of pronunciation has benefitted little from debates on intercultural language learning. In order to link the teaching of pronunciation with learner needs in intercultural encounters, this article develops the concept of pronunciation‐as‐language. The theoretical exploration of this concept is supported by a narrative analysis of study‐abroad learners' accounts, contrasting learners' perceptions of teaching practices with the complex role pronunciation plays in second language‐mediated interactions. The results underline the importance of pedagogical approaches that encourage the critical reflection on and creative use of pronunciation beyond structural elements and native‐speaker norms.
Bilingual Vocabulary Knowledge and Arrival Age Among Japanese Heritage Language Students at Hoshuukoo
Authors: Mori Yoshiko , Calder Toshiko M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis study examines bilingual vocabulary knowledge in relation to arrival age among first language (L1) Japanese students attending hoshuukoo (i.e., supplementary academic schools for Japanese‐speaking children) in the United States. It also examines the relationship between L1 Japanese and English as a second language (L2), as motivated by Cummins's (1979, 1991) notion of linguistic interdependence. One hundred and twenty‐two high school students ages 15–18 from eight hoshuukoo took Japanese and English vocabulary tests designed by Ono (1989). Students who came to the United States by age 9 or younger were three grades behind in L1 Japanese and were either ahead of or at their U.S. grade level in English. In contrast, those who arrived at age 10 or older were just one grade behind in Japanese and were two to five years behind in English. High vocabulary knowledge in one language was associated with low knowledge in the other, and the negative correlation between L1 and L2 became statistically nonsignificant when arrival age was controlled. Consequently, arrival age remains an important factor in accounting for hoshuukoo students' bilingual vocabulary learning, and the notion of linguistic interdependence must be reexamined in factors in addition to vocabulary knowledge.
Major element variation of the Skaergaard pyroxene and its petrologic implications
Authors: Jang Yun‐Deuk , Naslund H. Richard 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPyroxenes from the Layered Series (LS), Upper Border Series (UBS), and Marginal Border Series (MBS) of the Skaergaard intrusion were analyzed using electron microprobe and mineral separation techniques to examine geochemical variations. In general, pyroxenes from all three series show similar trends in major elements vs % crystallization: SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, and TiO2 progressively decrease, FeO and MnO progressively increase, and CaO, Fe2O3, and P2O5 do not change systematically with differentiation. Pyroxenes in the LS and MBS follow a trend similar to that reported by Wager and Brown. The estimated crystallization temperatures closely follow the general trends of published temperature estimates. Major element variation in Skaergaard pyroxenes shows smooth variations with increasing differentiation, indicating that there was no volumetrically significant injection of new magma into the chamber after the initial emplacement. These results strongly support the idea that the Skaergaard intrusion represents in situ crystallization under a closed system magma chamber.
The effect of pH and calcium ion on rheological behaviour of β‐lactoglobulin‐basil seed gum mixed gels
Authors: Rafe Ali , Razavi Seyed M. A. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryEffect of pH (4.5–7.5) and Ca2+ (0.01–0.5 m) on gelation of single and mixed systems of 10% β‐lactoglobulin (BLG) and 1% basil seed gum (BSG) was investigated. The gelling point of BLG and BSG gels was strongly pH‐dependent, and stiffer gels formed at higher pH. The BLG gels were formed upon heating to 90 °C and reinforced on cooling to 20 °C; however, the gelation of BSG occurred at temperatures below 70 °C. By increasing Ca2+ concentration, storage modulus of BLG and BSG gels were increased, although pH had a greater effect than Ca2+. In contrast, mixed systems showed two distinct types of behaviour: BLG gel formation and BSG network, suggesting that phase‐separated gels were formed. In addition, higher strength was obtained for BLG‐BSG mixture at higher Ca2+ concentration.
Are disulphide bonds formed during acid gelation of preheated milk?
Authors: Famelart Marie‐Hélène , Le Ngoc Huyen Tran , Croguennec Thomas , Rousseau Florence 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe role of thiol/disulphide exchanges during acid gelation of preheated milk was studied with milk samples with or without N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM), a thiol‐blocking agent, and acidified to pH 4 by the addition of glucono‐delta‐lactone at 20 °C. Active or total thiol groups, particle size with light scattering measurements in a dissociating solvent or by SDS‐agarose electrophoresis were determined on acidified milk samples. Diffusing wave spectroscopy and rheology in low strain were applied during acidification of sample, while rheology in large strain was applied on final acid gels. The only effect of the presence of NEM was a reduced firmness of acid gels as measured at large strain and a reduced tendency to form large aggregates at pH<5.5. In conclusions, thiol/disulphide exchanges during acidification of milk played only a minor role in the building of acid gel networks from heated milk.
Optimisation of ultrasound extraction for flavonoids from semen astragali complanati and its identification by HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Qing‐An , Fan Xue‐Hui , Li Tao , Zhang Zhi‐Qi , Liu Ying‐Kun , Li Xiao‐Ping 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe optimisation of ultrasound extraction of semen astragali complanati flavonoids was studied by measuring characteristic absorbance at 266 nm as the response and using response surface methodology (four‐variable, three‐level Box–Behnken design, BBD) in this article. The optimal conditions were obtained as 52 °C, 34 min, 26:1 (mL:g) and 100 mesh (0.120–0.150 mm) for extraction temperature, extraction time, solvent‐to‐sample ratio as well as particle size, respectively. Under these conditions, validation experiments were carried out and the experimental value of A266 was 0.9907 ± 0.032 (n = 3), which corresponded to an experimental extraction yield of 7.08%. Compounds in the extracts obtained with the optimum extraction conditions were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC–DAD–MS). Among the 14 compounds that were tentatively identified in the extracts according to their ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and related literature reports, four were reported for the first time.
The effect of linseed and psyllium fibre on the gelling properties of unwashed mince from farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius)
Authors: Cardoso Carlos , Mendes Rogério 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe gelling properties of farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius) mince mixed with linseed and/or psyllium fibres (up to 4.0%, w/w) were studied. The effects of chilled storage time (15 days vs. 1 day) and cold gelling (setting at 2 ± 2 °C) were measured. Linseed addition increased ω3 PUFA content and worsened the gel products' texture. Psyllium functional fibre addition had only a negative effect upon breaking force and deformation, not affecting the remaining textural properties and improving water‐holding capacity (WHC) from 61–77 to 70–85%. The incorporation of 4.0% (w/w) psyllium seems to be advisable. Quality of heat‐induced meagre gels was unaffected by chilled storage time. Production of an acceptable cold set gel is feasible provided that enough time is allowed for completion of the setting process. Overall results showed a potential for combining small‐sized meagre (<2 kg) and psyllium fibres to produce high added‐value functional foods.
Enzymatic grafting of gallate ester onto chitosan: evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities
Authors: Itzincab‐Mejía Lidia , López‐Luna Alberto , Gimeno Miquel , Shirai Keiko , Bárzana Eduardo 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe antioxidant octyl gallate (OG) has been successfully grafted onto chitosan by means of horseradish peroxidase biocatalyst. The maximum gallate incorporation onto chitosan determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy was up to 16 molar%. The resulting materials displayed antioxidant capacities with DPPH radical inhibition percentage up to 23% upon the assay conditions. The grafting of the antioxidant on chitosan enhanced its antimicrobial activity. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Escherichia coli was 0.5 g L−1. The native medium molecular weight chitosan alone or grafted with the lowest OG incorporation (ca. 11 molar%) attained 100% inhibition of E. coli, whereas lower inhibition was observed for all other materials 50.7–68.9% corresponding a reduction in the counts from 10.6 to 5.23–3.30 Log CFU mL−1. The inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes was significantly higher (59.8–100%) than that with the Gram negative bacterium reaching the MIC at 0.25 g L−1 with a reduction in the counts from 12.6 Log CFU mL−1 to 5.06–0 Log CFU mL−1.