bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A missing link between facilitation and plant species coexistence: nurses benefit generally rare species more than common ones
Authors: Soliveres Santiago , Maestre Fernando T. , Berdugo Miguel , Allan Eric 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Positive interactions among plants can increase species richness by relaxing environmental filters and providing more heterogeneous environments. However, it is not known if facilitation could affect coexistence through other mechanisms. Most studies on plant coexistence focus on negative frequency‐dependent mechanisms (decreasing the abundance of common species); here, we test if facilitation can enhance coexistence by giving species an advantage when rare.

To test our hypothesis, we used a global data set from drylands and alpine environments and measured the intensity of facilitation (based on co‐occurrences with nurse plants) for 48 species present in at least 4 different sites and with a range of abundances in the field. We compared these results with the degree of facilitation experienced by species which are globally rare or common (according to the IUCN Red List), and with a larger data base including over 1200 co‐occurrences of target species with their nurses.

Facilitation was stronger for rare species (i.e. those having lower local abundances or considered endangered by the IUCN) than for common species, and strongly decreased with the abundance of the facilitated species. These results hold after accounting for the distance of each species from its ecological optimum (i.e. the degree of functional stress it experiences).

Synthesis. Our results highlight that nurse plants not only increase the number of species able to colonize a given site, but may also promote species coexistence by preventing the local extinction of rare species. Our findings illustrate the role that nurse plants play in conserving endangered species and link the relationship between facilitation and diversity with coexistence theory. As such, they provide further mechanistic understanding on how facilitation maintains plant diversity.
Growth discrepancy between filament and style facilitates self‐fertilization in Brandisia hancei (Paulowniaceae)
Authors: Ren Yong‐Quan , Xu You‐Pin , Zhang Ting , Ma Yong‐Peng , Marczewski Tobias 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSelf‐pollination has been hypothesized to be beneficial in environments where pollinators are rare as it can provide reproductive assurance. This study presents evidence for an autonomous self‐fertilization mechanism in the winter flowering plant, Brandisia hancei. To determine changes in the spatial separation of stigma and anthers, the length of style and stamens was recorded. Additionally, pollination treatments were carried out to test fruit‐set and seed production. Brandisia hancei is herkogamic in the early flowering stages. However, different growth rates of the filament and style lead to contact of stigma and anthers in the later stages, thereby facilitating self‐pollination. The highest seeds number is produced under an out‐crossing scenario but plants produce a considerable number of seeds even when purely selfed. Although pollinators are scarce, autonomous selfing alleviates the pollen limitation in B. hancei. Self‐fertilization in B. hancei seems to be an adaptive strategy to ensure reproduction when pollinators are scarce.
Marine protist diversity in European coastal waters and sediments as revealed by high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Massana Ramon , Gobet Angélique , Audic Stéphane , Bass David , Bittner Lucie , Boutte Christophe , Chambouvet Aurélie , Christen Richard , Claverie Jean‐Michel , Decelle Johan , Dolan John R. , Dunthorn Micah , Edvardsen Bente , Forn Irene , Forster Dominik , Guillou Laure , Jaillon Olivier , Kooistra Wiebe H. C. F. , Logares Ramiro , Mahé Frédéric , Not Fabrice , Ogata Hiroyuki , Pawlowski Jan , Pernice Massimo C. , Probert Ian , Romac Sarah , Richards Thomas , Santini Sébastien , Shalchian‐Tabrizi Kamran , Siano Raffaele , Simon Nathalie , Stoeck Thorsten , Vaulot Daniel , Zingone Adriana , de Vargas Colomban 
Published: June 2015

SummaryAlthough protists are critical components of marine ecosystems, they are still poorly characterized. Here we analysed the taxonomic diversity of planktonic and benthic protist communities collected in six distant European coastal sites. Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) from three size fractions (pico‐, nano‐ and micro/mesoplankton), as well as from dissolved DNA and surface sediments were used as templates for tag pyrosequencing of the V4 region of the 18S ribosomal DNA. Beta‐diversity analyses split the protist community structure into three main clusters: picoplankton‐nanoplankton‐dissolved DNA, micro/mesoplankton and sediments. Within each cluster, protist communities from the same site and time clustered together, while communities from the same site but different seasons were unrelated. Both DNA and RNA‐based surveys provided similar relative abundances for most class‐level taxonomic groups. Yet, particular groups were overrepresented in one of the two templates, such as marine alveolates (MALV)‐I and MALV‐II that were much more abundant in DNA surveys. Overall, the groups displaying the highest relative contribution were Dinophyceae, Diatomea, Ciliophora and Acantharia. Also, well represented were Mamiellophyceae, Cryptomonadales, marine alveolates and marine stramenopiles in the picoplankton, and Monadofilosa and basal Fungi in sediments. Our extensive and systematic sequencing of geographically separated sites provides the most comprehensive molecular description of coastal marine protist diversity to date.
London's Name
Authors: Bynon Theodora 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe present paper was inspired by Richard Coates's 1998 article ‘A new analysis of the name London’, in which he refutes the traditional derivation of the name from the form Londinium recorded in the Classical sources on the grounds that its Old English ancestor Lunden presupposes a British (that is to say, Celtic) source form *[Lōndonjon] with a back vowel in the second syllable. I wish further to clarify the history of this name in two respects by showing that: (i) the British name must have reached western Germanic dialects prior to West Germanic Consonant Lengthening and thus in all probability prior to the Anglo‐Saxon settlements in England, and: (ii) that *Londonion (with a short [o]) belongs to an identifiable British place‐name type, even though the lexical base lond‐ remains rather elusive and information on a native settlement is confined to a single historical source, which locates it to the south of the Thames.
Foaming Properties of Whey Protein Isolate and λ‐Carrageenan Mixed Systems
Authors: Wang Zhengshan , Zhang Sha , Vardhanabhuti Bongkosh 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHeating protein with polysaccharide under neutral or near neutral pH can induce the formation of soluble complex with improved functional properties. The objective of our research was to investigate the effects of λ‐carrageenan (λC) concentrations and pH on foaming properties of heated whey protein isolate (WPI) and λC soluble complex (h‐cpx) in comparison to heated WPI with added λC (pWPI‐λC), and unheated WPI with λC (WPI‐λC). In all 3 WPI‐λC systems at pH 7, increasing λC concentration led to improved foamability until a certain concentration before it decreased. Despite their higher viscosity, both heated systems (pWPI‐λC and h‐cpx) showed significantly better foamability and foam stability compared to WPI‐λC. Rheological results of foams with 0.25% λC suggested that higher elasticity and viscous films were produced in h‐cpx and pWPI‐λC systems corresponding to better foam stability. Foam microstructure images indicated that foams produced from h‐cpx had thicker film and consisted of smaller initial bubble area and more uniform bubble size. Results from the effect of pH (6.2, 6.5, and 7.0) further confirmed that stronger interactions between WPI and λC during heating contributed to the improved foaming properties. Foam stability was higher in h‐cpx system at all 3 pH levels, especially under pH 6.2 where there were strongest interactions between the biopolymers.
miR‐30c and miR‐193 are a part of the TGF‐β‐dependent regulatory network controlling extracellular matrix genes in liver fibrosis
Authors: Roy Sanchari , Benz Fabian , Vargas Cardenas David , Vucur Mihael , Gautheron Jeremie , Schneider Anne , Hellerbrand Claus , Pottier Nicolas , Alder Jan , Tacke Frank , Trautwein Christian , Roderburg Christoph , Luedde Tom 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as novel regulators in liver fibrosis. miR‐30c and miR‐193 are involved in fibrotic remodeling processes and cancer development, respectively. This study aimed to explore the role of miR‐30c and miR‐193 in liver fibrosis.MethodsThe regulation of miRNAs in carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver fibrosis was analyzed by microarray. Expression patterns of miR‐193 and miR‐30c were further confirmed in fibrotic liver samples obtained from two murine models of hepatic fibrosis and human tissues. On a functional level, miRNA levels were analyzed in the context of transforming growth factor (TGF‐β) mediated activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Finally, predicted targets were assessed for their roles in fibrosis by transfecting murine HSCs with miRNA mimics.ResultsMicroarray analysis in murine fibrotic livers revealed a panel of 44 dysregulated miRNAs. In addition to previously established miRNAs known to be regulated in liver fibrosis in a TGF‐β‐dependent manner (e.g., miR‐29, miR‐133), miR‐193 and miR‐30c were observed to be specifically downregulated not only in experimental hepatofibrogenesis but also in human liver fibrosis, while they showed a reciprocal expression pattern after recovery from liver fibrosis. Functional experiments confirmed the TGF‐β‐dependent downregulation of these respective new miRNAs in HSCs. Finally, we identified TGF‐β2 and SNAIL1, important regulators of extracellular matrix, as potential target genes of miR‐193 and miR‐30 in liver fibrosis.ConclusionThese results suggest that miR‐30 and miR‐193 are members of a network of miRNAs modifying the TGF‐β‐dependent regulation of extracellular matrix‐related genes in HSCs in the manifestation and resolution of liver fibrosis.
A Better Measure of Institutional Informed Trading
Authors: Guo Hui , Qiu Buhui 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAlthough many studies show that the presence of institutional investors facilitates the incorporation of accounting information into financial markets, the evidence of informed trading by institutions is rather limited in the extant literature. We address these inconsistent findings by proposing PC_NII, percentage changes in the number of a stock's institutional investors, as a novel informed trading measure. PC_NII is better able to detect informed trading than are changes in institutional ownership (ΔIO)—the measure commonly used in previous studies—because (i) entries and exits are usually triggered by substantive private information and (ii) only a small fraction of institutions have superior information. As conjectured, PC_NII subsumes the information content of ΔIO and other institutional trading and herding measures in the forecast of stock returns, and its strong predictive power for stock returns reflects mainly its close correlation with future earnings surprises. We also show that PC_NII helps address empirical issues that require a reliable measure of institutional informed trading.
Differences in Auditors' Materiality Assessments When Auditing Financial Statements and Sustainability Reports
Authors: Moroney Robyn , Trotman Ken T. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWith increased interest in voluntary sustainability reports from investors and other stakeholders, more companies are having these reports assured. The issue of what is considered material in these assurance engagements is important, and yet research on materiality has focused only on financial statement audits. This article reports the results of an experiment where auditors assess the materiality of audit differences in the same magnitude for both a financial audit and a sustainability (water) assurance engagement. Two factors, the risk of breaching a contract and community impact, are manipulated between‐subjects. We find that auditors assess the materiality of an audit difference significantly higher for a financial case than for a water case. This difference is significantly greater when there is no risk of breaching a contract than when there is a risk of breaching a contract. The risk of breaching a contract has a stronger effect on the difference in auditors' materiality assessments when there is no community impact than when there is a community impact. Overall our findings suggest that qualitative factors have a greater impact on sustainability (water) materiality assessments than on financial statement materiality assessments when an audit difference is between 5 percent and 10 percent of a relevant base. Understanding the factors that impact material judgments in sustainability reports is important as these factors affect the reliability of the reported disclosures.
Age‐dependent decline in fin regenerative capacity in the short‐lived fish Nothobranchius furzeri
Authors: Wendler Sebastian , Hartmann Nils , Hoppe Beate , Englert Christoph 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe potential to regenerate declines with age in a wide range of organisms. A popular model system to study the mechanisms of regeneration is the fin of teleost fish, which has the ability to fully regrow upon amputation. Here, we used the short‐lived killifish Nothobranchius furzeri to analyse the impact of aging on fin regeneration in more detail. We observed that young fish were able to nearly completely (98%) regenerate their amputated caudal fins within 4 weeks, whereas middle‐aged fish reached 78%, old fish 57% and very old fish 46% of their original fin size. The difference in growth rate between young and old fish was already significant at 3 days post amputation (dpa) and increased with time. We therefore hypothesized that early events are crucial for the age‐related differences in regenerative capacity. Indeed, we could observe a higher percentage of proliferating cells in early regenerating fin tissue of young fish compared with aged fish and larger fractions of apoptotic cells in aged fish. Furthermore, young fish showed peak upregulation of several genes involved in fgf and wnt/β‐catenin signalling at an earlier time point than old fish. Our findings suggest that regenerative processes are initiated earlier and that regeneration overall is more efficient in younger fish.
Does land registration and certification boost farm productivity? Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Melesse Mequanint B. , Bulte Erwin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAccording to economic theory, tenure security is an important determinant of agricultural investment and productivity. Land titling has been at the center stage of development efforts of many African countries to boost tenure security. We investigate the productivity impacts of the Ethiopian land registration and certification program, employing propensity score matching method in an effort to create a credible counterfactual. Consistent with theory, we find land registration and certification has robust positive effects on farm productivity. More tentatively, we identify the assurance effect as one probable channel for impact. Households with land certificates are more likely to adopt soil‐fertility management strategies on their plots than households without certificates.
Gaining a ‘proper sense’ of what happens out there: An ‘Academic Bush Camp’ to promote rural placements for students
Authors: Page Amy T. , Hamilton Sandy J. , Hall Maeva , Fitzgerald Kathryn , Warner Wayne , Nattabi Barbara , Thompson Sandra C. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUndergraduates who undertake rural placements often choose a rural career. Reluctance from universities to send students to rural settings limits placement numbers. The Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) invited allied health and nursing academics and clinical placement coordinators from Western Australian (WA) universities to an Academic Bush Camp. Based on situated learning theory, this camp modelled student programs through experiential learning and structured workshops. It aimed to build relationships and showcase innovative rural learning opportunities.ObjectiveTo build relationships and showcase innovative rural learning opportunities.DesignAn evaluation of a residential camp based on situated learning theory.SettingThe camp stated and finished in Geraldton, WA and was centered in Mt Magnet, WA a remote town 600 kilometres northeast of Perth.ParticipantsWACRH invited allied health and nursing academics and clinical placement coordinators from Western Australian (WA) universities.InterventionThis camp modelled student programs through experiential learning and structured workshops.Online pre‐ and post‐camp questionnaires included open‐ended questions and questions on a 5‐point Likert scale. Responses were analysed in SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Follow‐up phone interviews six months later assessed longer‐term reflections and changes in student placement practice.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measure was whether the camp met participants’ expectations, and their knowledge about and interest in WACRH's programs.ResultsTwelve academics from five WA universities and seven health disciplines attended. Nine had previously lived or worked rurally. The camp met participants’ expectations and all would recommend the opportunity to a colleague. Many valued the interaction with community and clinical placement partners and would have preferred more of this.The camp increased awareness of WACRH's programs and benefits of longer rural placements and a service‐learning environment. Six months later, participants’ familiarity with WACRH's placement model, supports and staff had led to an enhanced willingness to place students.ConclusionRural academics can influence rural placement intentions by demonstrating the infrastructure, learning and academic support available. A camp experience increases metropolitan academics’ awareness of rural placement programs and willingness to encourage student participation. Participants with rural backgrounds appeared more receptive to rural learning possibilities.
The law of mass action and the pharmacological concentration–effect curve: resolving the paradox of apparently non‐dose‐related adverse drug reactions
Authors: Aronson Jeffrey K. , Ferner Robin E. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundAdverse drug reactions are sometimes described as being ‘non‐dose‐related’ because no relationship has been found between increasing doses and either the intensity of the response or the proportion of individuals in whom the response occurs; furthermore, hypersensitivity reactions are often regarded as being non‐dose‐related, even if different doses have not been studied. However, the law of mass action implies that all pharmacological effects are concentration related and should increase in intensity with increasing dose. We set out to explain this paradox.MethodsWe searched for published adverse drug reactions that have been described as non‐dose‐related and analysed them.ResultsWe identified four categories of explanations that resolve the paradox: (i) the reaction is not real; it may have occurred by chance or there may be methodological problems, such as bias or confounding factors; (ii) the dose–response curve for the adverse effect reaches a maximum at doses lower than were studied (i.e. a hypersusceptibility reaction); this underpins the use of test doses to predict the possibility of an adverse reaction at therapeutic doses; (iii) susceptibility to the adverse reaction differs widely among individuals; and (iv) imprecision or inaccuracy in the measurement of either dose or effect obscures dose responsiveness. This last explanation encompasses: (a) reactions related to cumulative dose; (b) dissociation between dose and concentration through saturable pharmacokinetics; and (c) variability in the measurement of the effect.Conclusions and implicationsIf an adverse drug reaction appears to be non‐dose‐related, the reasons should be sought, having these mechanisms in mind.
Anticholinergic Accumulation: A Slumbering Interaction between Drugs and Food Supplements
Authors: Vrolijk Misha F. , Opperhuizen Antoon , Jansen Eugène H. J. M. , Bast Aalt , Haenen Guido R. M. M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMany compounds display anticholinergic effects which might give rise to cognitive impairment and even delirium. These side effects are caused by their ability to bind to muscarinic receptors in our brain. Especially with combination of compounds, these serious effects are seen. This phenomenon, known as anticholinergic accumulation, is especially seen in the elderly. A classification of drugs for anticholinergic side effects has been made based on clinical observations, the ACB score. Here, we aimed to substantiate this classification by comparing the affinity of numerous drugs for the muscarinic receptors to the ACB score. Additionally, a number of supplements were screened. The affinity of the compounds was determined by their ability to displace the radioligand [3H]pirenzepine of the muscarinic receptor induced by these compounds. Our results show that the affinity of a compound for the muscarinic receptors correlated with its ACB score. Also food supplements appeared to bind to these muscarinic receptors. Moreover, several drug–drug, supplement–supplement and supplement–drug combinations had an affinity that is higher than the affinity of single compounds. This explains the phenomenon of anticholinergic accumulation. In conclusion, care should be taken to drug–drug and supplement–drug combinations with respect to anticholinergic accumulation.
Validation of the ‘drinking expectancy questionnaire for men who have sex with men’ in Peru
Authors: Vagenas Panagiotis , Wickersham Jeffrey A. , Calabrese Sarah K. , Lama Javier R. , Benites Carlos M. , Pun Monica , Sanchez Jorge , Altice Frederick L. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAlcohol use disorders are highly prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated 100‐fold greater among MSM than in the general population. Drinking expectancies have been associated with the intent to drink and engage in high‐risk behaviours. Assessing them in this population may uncover attractive intervention targets that in turn can be used to reduce problematic drinking and risky sexual behaviours. The drinking expectancy questionnaire for MSM (DEQ‐MSM) was developed to accurately measure drinking expectancies, specifically among MSM. This study aimed to validate this instrument for the first time in Spanish, in South America and among MSM in Peru.Design and MethodsTo validate the DEQ‐MSM among Spanish‐speaking MSM in Peru, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 5148 MSM, including 700 transgender women (TGW).ResultsExploratory factor analysis showed a two‐factor structure to the Spanish version of the DEQ‐MSM (DEQ‐MSM‐S), which was similar for MSM and TGW. The reliability of the translated DEQ‐MSM was excellent (α = 0.91).Discussion and ConclusionsThe DEQ‐MSM‐S was shown to be highly reliable in a large population of Peruvian MSM and TGW. This short instrument can be effectively integrated into research or clinical practice, in order to identify alcohol‐consuming, high‐risk MSM, who can then be directed for further screening and/or intervention. Future research should aim to associate the Spanish version of the DEQ‐MSM with risky sexual behaviours among this population, in order to identify potential intervention targets. [Vagenas P, Wickersham JA, Calabrese SK, Lama JR, Benites CM, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Validation of the ‘drinking expectancy questionnaire for men who have sex with men’ in Peru. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015;34:559–66]