bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subordinate plants sustain the complexity and stability of soil micro‐food webs in natural bamboo forest ecosystems
Authors: Shao Yuanhu , Wang Xiaoli , Zhao Jie , Wu Jianping , Zhang Weixin , Neher Deborah A. , Li Yanxia , Lou Yiping , Fu Shenglei 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Subordinate plants have a significant impact on soil organisms in primary successional floodplains and grassland ecosystems, but their role in subtropical forest ecosystems remains unclear.

An experiment was conducted in a subtropical forest to test the hypothesis that removal of shrubs or subordinate arbour tree species would reduce the complexity and stability of the soil micro‐food web. Principal response curves (PRCs) were performed to assess the responses of soil microbial and nematode communities to plant removal compared with a control through time. The effect of plant removal on complexity and stability in the soil micro‐food web was assessed using a suite of indices including ratio of omnivorous‐predatory to herbivorous nematode abundance (OP : H ratio), nematode diversity, resistance and resilience. Furthermore, increments of bamboo productivity among treatments were estimated.

Soil microbial community structure changed in response to plant removal in 2009, but recovered in 2010, and the only change observed was increased soil fungal biomass. In contrast, plant removal had greater impact on soil nematode community composition in 2010 than 2009. Subordinate arbour tree species removal (with or without shrubs) decreased the values of nematode richness, evenness, diversity, ratio of microbial‐feeding to herbivorous nematode abundance (M : H ratios), OP : H ratios and resistance indices in 2010, but only decreased OP : H ratios in 2009 and increased the values of nematode dominance in 2010. Although increments in bamboo productivity were statistically similar among treatments, there was a trend decreasing progressively from control to shrub removal + selective‐cutting of subordinate arbour tree species, shrub removal, and selective‐cutting of subordinate arbour tree species treatments.

Synthesis and applications. Subordinate plants help sustain the complexity and stability of soil micro‐food webs in subtropical bamboo forest ecosystems. Therefore, protection of subordinate plants and maintaining high plant diversity are important parts of a responsible management strategy in subtropical bamboo forests.
The Influence of Respondent Characteristics on the Validity of Self‐Reported Survey Responses
Authors: Guerard Barbara , Omachonu Vincent , Harvey Raymond A. , Hernandez S. Robert , Sen Bisakha 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo examine concordance between member self‐reports and the organization's administrative claims data for two key health factors: number of chronic conditions, and number of prescription drugs.DataMedicare Advantage plan claims data and member survey data from 2011 to 2012.DesignMailed surveys to 15,000 members, enrolled minimum 6 months, drawn from a random sample of primary care physician practices with at least 200 members.MethodsDescriptive statistics were generated for extent of concordance. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the association of selected respondent characteristics with likelihood of concordance.FindingsConcordance for number of chronic conditions was 58.4 percent, with 27.3 percent under‐reporting, 14.2 percent over‐reporting. Concordance for number of prescription drugs was 56.6 percent with 38.9 percent under‐reporting, 4.5 percent over‐reporting. Number of prescriptions and assistance in survey completion were associated with higher likelihood of concordance for chronic conditions. Assistance in survey completion and number of chronic conditions were associated with higher concordance, and age and number of prescriptions were associated with lower concordance, for prescription drugs.ConclusionsSelf‐reported number of chronic conditions and prescription medications are not in high concordance with claims data. Health care researchers and policy makers using patient self‐reported data should be aware of these potential biases.
A stop‐gain in the laminin, alpha 3 gene causes recessive junctional epidermolysis bullosa in Belgian Blue cattle
Authors: Sartelet Arnaud , Harland Chad , Tamma Nico , Karim Latifa , Bayrou Calixte , Li Wanbo , Ahariz Naima , Coppieters Wouter , Georges Michel , Charlier Carole 
Published: September 2015

SummaryFour newborn purebred Belgian Blue calves presenting a severe form of epidermolysis bullosa were recently referred to our heredo‐surveillance platform. SNP array genotyping followed by autozygosity mapping located the causative gene in a 8.3‐Mb interval on bovine chromosome 24. Combining information from (i) whole‐genome sequencing of an affected calf, (ii) transcriptomic data from a panel of tissues and (iii) a list of functionally ranked positional candidates pinpointed a private G to A nucleotide substitution in the LAMA3 gene that creates a premature stop codon (p.Arg2609*) in exon 60, truncating 22% of the corresponding protein. The LAMA3 gene encodes the alpha 3 subunit of the heterotrimeric laminin‐332, a key constituent of the lamina lucida that is part of the skin basement membrane connecting epidermis and dermis layers. Homozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in this gene are known to cause severe junctional epidermolysis bullosa in human, mice, horse, sheep and dog. Overall, our data strongly support the causality of the identified gene and mutation.
Geoeconomics in the Long War
Authors: Morrissey John 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn Neil Smith's American Empire (2003, University of California Press), he makes the case that the current moment of US global ambition is characterized by a network of imperial power that is “exercised in the first place through the world market and only secondarily, when and if necessary, in geopolitical terms”. For Smith, it was crucial that in the din of US geopolitics in the post‐9/11 period we did not lose sight of “the deeper geo‐economic aspiration for global control”, in a “war on terror” that is really a war to “fill in the interstices of globalization” (p xiv). In American Empire, Smith identified three moments of US global ambition over the last century. In this paper, I extend back the starting point for Smith's third moment to a period in the 1990s when United States Central Command (CENTCOM) became fully operational in the military‐economic securitization of the most pivotal region on earth, what it terms the “Central Region”. By drawing on the concept of “geoeconomics”, which Smith increasingly used in his later writing, I show how CENTCOM's mission from the outset can be most aptly described as one of “geoeconomic deterrence”. I highlight in particular how enabling commercial markets has been a key element of grand strategy in what CENTCOM calls its “long war” in the Middle East and Central Asia. In addition, I outline recent calls for the US military to become further and more broadly involved in what some commentators have called “messy capitalism”. I ask the question what kind of capitalism and in whose interests, before concluding by reflecting upon Neil Smith's assessment of the fated contradictions of contemporary US imperial ambition.
The Tight Dialectic: The Anthropocene and the Capitalist Production of Nature
Authors: Millar Susan W.S. , Mitchell Don 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn this essay we examine the case of Kivalina, Alaska, twice threatened with destruction, in order to understand the importance of the specifically geological concept of the Anthropocene. We argue that the Anthropocene is best understood as part of what Neil Smith called a “tight dialectic” between the history of geography (the production of environmental knowledge) and historical geography (the production of nature and space) as this dialectic is played out within capitalist modes of production. We focus on the relationship between contemporary geo‐engineering and both intentional and unintentional geographical engineering, to make the basic argument that humans have no choice but to produce nature—to engineer environments. The only question is how we shall do so.
Non‐invasive screening of diabetics in primary care for NAFLD and advanced fibrosis by MRI and MRE
Authors: Doycheva I. , Cui J. , Nguyen P. , Costa E. A. , Hooker J. , Hofflich H. , Bettencourt R. , Brouha S. , Sirlin C. B. , Loomba R. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBackgroundCurrent guidelines do not recommend screening for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or advanced fibrosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are known to be at increased risk for NAFLD and advanced fibrosis.AimTo assess the feasibility in diabetics in a primary care setting of screening for NAFLD and advanced fibrosis, by using non‐invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate the hepatic proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to estimate hepatic stiffness.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective study that included 100 (53% men) consecutively enrolled diabetics who did not have any other aetiology of liver disease. All patients underwent a standardised research visit, laboratory tests, MRI‐PDFF, and MRE.ResultsMean (±s.d.) age and body mass index (BMI) was 59.7 (±11.2) years and 30.8 (±6.5) kg/m2, respectively. The prevalence of NAFLD (defined as MRI‐PDFF ≥5%) and advanced fibrosis (defined as MRE ≥3.6 kPa) was 65% and 7.1%, respectively. One patient with advanced fibrosis had definite hepatocellular carcinoma. When compared to those without NAFLD, patients with NAFLD were younger (P = 0.028) and had higher mean BMI (P = 0.0008), waist circumference (P < 0.0001) and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (84.6% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.0001). Only 26% of those with NAFLD had elevated alanine aminotransferase.ConclusionsThis proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that T2DM has significant rates of both NAFLD and advanced fibrosis. Concomitant screening for NAFLD and advanced fibrosis by using MRI‐proton density fat fraction and magnetic resonance elastography in T2DM is feasible and may be considered after validation in a larger cohort.
Implications of genetics and current protected areas for conservation of 5 endangered primates in China
Authors: Liu Zhijin , Liu Guangjian , Roos Christian , Wang Ziming , Xiang ZuoFu , Zhu Pingfen , Wang Boshi , Ren Baoping , Shi Fanglei , Pan Huijuan , Li Ming 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMost of China's 24–28 primate species are threatened with extinction. Habitat reduction and fragmentation are perhaps the greatest threats. We used published data from a conservation genetics study of 5 endangered primates in China (Rhinopithecus roxellana, R. bieti, R. brelichi, Trachypithecus francoisi, and T. leucocephalus); distribution data on these species; and the distribution, area, and location of protected areas to inform conservation strategies for these primates. All 5 species were separated into subpopulations with unique genetic components. Gene flow appeared to be strongly impeded by agricultural land, meadows used for grazing, highways, and humans dwellings. Most species declined severely or diverged concurrently as human population and crop land cover increased. Nature reserves were not evenly distributed across subpopulations with unique genetic backgrounds. Certain small subpopulations were severely fragmented and had higher extinction risk than others. Primate mobility is limited and their genetic structure is strong and susceptible to substantial loss of diversity due to local extinction. Thus, to maximize preservation of genetic diversity in all these primate species, our results suggest protection is required for all sub‐populations. Key priorities for their conservation include maintainingR. roxellanain Shennongjia national reserve, subpopulations S4 and S5 ofR. bietiand ofR. brelichiin Fanjingshan national reserve, subpopulation CGX ofT. francoisiin central Guangxi Province, and all 3T. leucocephalussub‐populations in central Guangxi Province.
Orchid conservation in the biodiversity hotspot of southwestern China
Authors: Liu Qiang , Chen Jin , Corlett Richard T. , Fan XuLi , Yu DongLI , Yang HongPei , Gao JiangYun 
Published: September 2015

AbstractXishuangbanna is on the northern margins of tropical Asia in southwestern China and has the largest area of tropical forest remaining in the country. It is in the Indo‐Burma hotspot and contains 16% of China's vascular flora in <0.2% of the country's total area (19,690 km2). Rapid expansion of monoculture crops in the last 20 years, particularly rubber, threatens this region's exceptional biodiversity. To understand the effects of land‐use change and collection on orchid species diversity and determine protection priorities, we conducted systematic field surveys, observed markets, interviewed orchid collectors, and then determined the conservation status of all orchids. We identified 426 orchid species in 115 genera in Xishuangbanna: 31% of all orchid species that occur in China. Species richness was highest at 1000–1200 m elevation. Three orchid species were assessed as possibly extinct in the wild, 15 as critically endangered, 82 as endangered, 124 as vulnerable, 186 as least concern, and 16 as data deficient. Declines over 20 years in harvested species suggested over‐collection was the major threat, and utility value (i.e., medicinal or ornamental value) was significantly related to endangerment. Expansion of rubber tree plantations was less of a threat to orchids than to other taxa because only 75 orchid species (17.6%) occurred below the 1000‐m‐elevation ceiling for rubber cultivation, and most of these (46) occurred in nature reserves. However, climate change is projected to lift this ceiling to around 1300 m by 2050, and the limited area at higher elevations reduces the potential for upslope range expansion. The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is committed to achieving zero plant extinctions in Xishuangbanna, and orchids are a high priority. Appropriate in and ex situ conservation strategies, including new protected areas and seed banking, have been developed for every threatened orchid species and are being implemented.
Translocation of threatened plants as a conservation measure in China
Authors: Liu Hong , Ren Hai , Liu Qiang , Wen XiangYing , Maunder Michael , Gao JiangYun 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe assessed the current status of plant conservation translocation efforts in China, a topic poorly reported in recent scientific literature. We identified 222 conservation translocation cases involving 154 species, of these 87 were Chinese endemic species and 101 (78%) were listed as threatened on the Chinese Species Red List. We categorized the life form of each species and, when possible, determined for each case the translocation type, propagule source, propagule type, and survival and reproductive parameters. A surprisingly large proportion (26%) of the conservation translocations in China were conservation introductions, largely implemented in response to large‐scale habitat destruction caused by the Three‐Gorge Dam and another hydropower project. Documentation and management of the translocations varied greatly. Less than half the cases had plant survival records. Statistical analyses showed that survival percentages were significantly correlated with plant life form and the type of planting materials. Thirty percent of the cases had records on whether or not individuals flowered or fruited. Results of information theoretic model selection indicated that plant life form, translocation type, propagule type, propagule source, and time since planting significantly influenced the likelihood of flowering and fruiting on the project level. We suggest that the scientific‐based application of species conservation translocations should be promoted as part of a commitment to species recovery management. In addition, we recommend that the common practice of within and out of range introductions in nature reserves to be regulated more carefully due to its potential ecological risks. We recommend the establishment of a national office and database to coordinate conservation translocations in China. Our review effort is timely considering the need for a comprehensive national guideline for the newly announced nation‐wide conservation program on species with extremely small populations, which is expected to stimulate conservation translocations for many species in the near future.
Impact of the introduction of standardised packaging on smokers' brand awareness and identification inAustralia
Authors: Balmford James , Borland Ron , Yong Hua‐Hie 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThe introduction of standardised packaging (SP) inAustralia inDecember 2012 has heightened interest in how image and branding might affect smoking. This paper tests the hypothesis that brand awareness and identification among smokers will decline after the introduction ofSP.Design and MethodsLongitudinal study of three waves of smokers inAustralia, conducted betweenOctober 2011–February 2012 (pre‐SP) (n = 1104),February–May 2013 (post‐SP1) (n = 1093) andAugust–December 2014 (post‐SP2) (n = 1090). We explored the extent of changes in two variables, brand awareness (noticing others with the brand of cigarettes you smoke) and brand identification (perceiving something in common among smokers of your brand), and examined change in a number of other measures of brand appeal, brand characteristics and determinants of brand choice.ResultsBrand awareness ‘at least sometimes’ reduced from 45.3% pre‐SPto 26.9% atpost‐SP2[odds ratio (OR) 0.35 (0.27–0.45)]. Brand identification also decreased from 18.2% to 12.7% [OR0.62 (0.42–0.91)]. Significant decline was also found in measures of perceived brand prestige [OR0.51 (0.39–0.66)] and choice of brand for health reasons [OR0.45 (0.32–0.63)]. Liking the look of the pack was strongly associated with brand identification, but only post‐SP(P = 0.02 for interaction across the three waves).Discussion and ConclusionsThe introduction ofSPof tobacco products inAustralia has been associated with reductions in brand awareness and identification, and changes in related measures. The findings support the notion thatSPhas reduced the capacity for smokers to use pack branding to create and communicate a desired identity. [Balmford J, Borland R, Yong H‐H. Impact of the introduction of standardised packaging on smokers' brand awareness and identification inAustralia.Drug Alcohol Rev2015;00:000–000]
Hemipenes in females of the mexican viviparous lizard Barisia imbricata (Squamata: Anguidae): an example of heterochrony in sexual development
Authors: Martínez‐Torres Martín , Rubio‐Morales Beatriz , Piña‐Amado José Juan , Luis Juana 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYThe sexual development of saurians follows a similar pattern to that described for other amniotes. Changes in the timing or sequence of development events are known as heterochrony. We describe the pattern of sexual development in the viviparous Mexican lizard Barisia imbricata and report heterochrony in the regression of hemipenes in this lizard. We collected gestating females; some lizards were subjected to partial hysterectomy and the embryos were processed using routine histological technique to assess gonadal development; the remaining embryos were used to assess the development of hemipenes. Other pregnant females were kept in captivity in individual terraria until the time of delivery. All neonates were sexed by eversion of hemipenes and some of their body characteristics were recorded. Several neonates were sacrificed and processed to establish gonadal histology and the young of the remaining litters were maintained in captivity to observe the fate of the hemipenes in both sexes. Gonadal development began at embryonic stage 33 and the hemipenes were visible at the same stage. In the neonates, the ovary contained oogonias and ovarian follicles, whereas the testicles showed testicular cords. All neonates had hemipenes and sex could only be established through direct observation of the reproductive ducts and gonadal histology. The hemipenes regression in the females begins after approximately 7 months of postnatal development and concludes at about 15 months of age. We think that the delayed regression of the hemipenes reflects evolutionary differences among reptiles and may be an indication of a stage in the evolutionary process of this species.
Is revascularization of immature permanent teeth an effective and reproducible technique?
Authors: Chen Yu‐Po , Jovani‐Sancho Maria del Mar , Sheth Chirag C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundRevascularization has been proposed as an improved alternative treatment for irreversibly damaged pulp of immature teeth as it has been shown to preserve the potential for continued root growth in treated teeth.AimTo review clinical cases of revascularization in humans to evaluate their utility and reproducibility.Material and methodsA structured electronic search of scientific articles published between 2001 and 2014 was carried out using the following keywords: ‘pulp revascularization’, ‘pulp revitalization’ and/or ‘immature tooth’. Clinical revascularization cases conducted on human subjects were selected, reviewed and organized into two charts including patient information, diagnostic information, treatment and results in follow‐up visits.ResultsNinety‐seven of 101 teeth (96.0%) were successfully treated with the revascularization technique. The range of technique variations available for irrigation, disinfection and blood clot induction have a negligible impact on the clinical outcome variables tested in our analysis. During the follow‐up visits, apical closure was detected in fewer cases (55.4%) as compared to the other apexogenesis phenomena (increased root length, 76.2%; increased root width, 79.2%).ConclusionsThe review shows that the revascularization technique showed marked increase in the root length, width and apical closure in the cases that were reported independently of clinical variables such as operator and material selection and individual differences in protocols.
Problem behaviour and traumatic dental injuries in adolescents
Authors: Ramchandani Damini , Marcenes Wagner , Stansfeld Stephen A. , Bernabé Eduardo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo explore the relationship between problem behaviour and traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 15‐ to 16‐year‐old schoolchildren from East London.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study used data from 794 adolescents who participated in phase III of the Research with East London Adolescents Community Health Survey (RELACHS), a school‐based prospective study of a representative sample of adolescents. Participants completed a questionnaire and were clinically examined for TDI, overjet and lip coverage. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess problem behaviour, which provided a total score and five domain scores (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and pro‐social behaviour). The association between problem behaviour and TDI was assessed in unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models. Adjusted models controlled for demographic (sex, age and ethnicity), socio‐economic (parental employment) and clinical factors (overjet and lip coverage).ResultsThe prevalence of TDI was 17% and the prevalence of problem behaviour, according to the SDQ, was 10%. In the adjusted model, adolescents with problem behaviour were 1.87 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.37) times more likely to have TDI than those without problem behaviour. In subsequent analysis by SDQ domains, it was found that only peer problems were associated with TDI (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01–3.14), even after adjustment for confounders.ConclusionThis study found evidence for a relationship between problem behaviour and TDI among adolescents, which was mainly due to peer relationship problems.