bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature‐driven flower longevity in a high‐alpine species of Oxalis influences reproductive assurance
Authors: Arroyo Mary T. K. , Dudley Leah S. , Jespersen Gus , Pacheco Diego A. , Cavieres Lohengrin A. 
Published: August 2013

Summary

How high‐alpine plants confront stochastic conditions for animal pollination is a critical question. We investigated the effect of temperature on potential flower longevity (FL) measured in pollinator‐excluded flowers and actual FL measured in pollinated flowers in self‐incompatible Oxalis compacta and evaluated if plastically prolonged potential FL can ameliorate slow pollination under cool conditions.

Pollinator‐excluded and hand‐pollinated flowers were experimentally warmed with open‐top chambers (OTCs) on a site at 3470 m above sea level (asl). Flower‐specific temperatures, and pollinator‐excluded and open‐pollination flower life‐spans were measured at six alpine sites between 3100 and 3470 m asl. Fruit set was analyzed in relation to inferred pollination time.

Warming reduced potential FL. Variable thermal conditions across the alpine landscape predicted potential and actual FL; flower senescence was pollination‐regulated. Actual FL and potential FL were coupled. Prolonged potential FL generally increased fruit set under cooler conditions.

Plastic responses permit virgin flowers of O. compacta to remain open longer under cooler temperatures, thereby ameliorating slow pollination, and to close earlier when pollination tends to be faster under warmer conditions. Plastic potential FL provides adaptive advantages in the cold, thermally variable alpine habitat, and has important implications for reproductive success in alpine plants in a warming world.
Regulation of ABA dependent wound induced spreading cell death by MYB108
Authors: Cui Fuqiang , Brosché Mikael , Sipari Nina , Tang Saijun , Overmyer Kirk 
Published: August 2013

Summary

Wounding results in the controlled cell death of a few rows of cells adjacent to disrupted cells resulting in physical wound closure, which combined with phenolic compound deposition, prevents water loss and pathogen entry. The control of these processes remains uncharacterized.

Cell death in a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana lacking BOTRYTIS SENSITIVE1/MYB108 (BOS1/MYB108) function was characterized utilizing physiological, cell biological and genetic methods.

The bos1 mutant has a wound induced runaway cell death that includes enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that followed the extent of enhanced cell death. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) enhanced wound induced cell death in Col‐0 plants and was sufficient to trigger cell death in bos1. Uncontrolled cell death was dependent of the production and perception of ABA. Furthermore, bos1 had altered sensitivity to and accumulation of ABA.

Arabidopsis possesses a genetic program controlling the extent of wound inducible cell death. BOS1 acts as a negative regulator of ABA induced cell death, which functions in the control of this wound sealing program. This program is distinct from other known cell death programs in that it is ABA dependent, but independent of salicylate biosynthesis, ethylene, jasmonate, metacaspases and ROS derived from RBOHD and RBOHF.
Novel Collimated Beam Setup to Study the Kinetics of VUV‐Induced Reactions
Authors: Duca Clara , Imoberdorf Gustavo , Mohseni Madjid 
Published: August 2013

AbstractVacuum UV (VUV) process is an incipient advanced oxidation process, which can be used for water treatment. This process relies on the formation of hydroxyl radicals through the VUV‐induced photolysis of water. In particular, the use of ozone‐generating mercury vapor lamps, which emit 10% of the radiation at 185 nm and 90% at 254 nm, is showing very promising results for the degradation of micropollutants. The kinetics of VUV process has been studied in batch‐ and flow‐through reactors, but the effect of 254 and 185 nm photons cannot be isolated, mass transfer resistances can take place and the interpretation of the results is complex. In this technical note, a new VUV collimated beam to conduct kinetic tests is presented, which offers several advantages: (1) it allows the irradiation of samples with 185, 254 nm photons, or both, (2) the concentration of reagents is uniform in the reaction volume and (3) it allows to change the fluence rate by changing the distance between the lamp and the photoreactor. Details of the geometry are presented, as well as an analysis of the collimation and uniformity of the radiation of the new VUV‐collimated beam setup.
Shifting and extension of phenological periods with increasing temperature along elevational transects in southern Bavaria
Authors: Schuster C. , Estrella N. , Menzel A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe impact of global warming on phenology has been widely studied, and almost consistently advancing spring events have been reported. Especially in alpine regions, an extraordinary rapid warming has been observed in the last decades. However, little is known about phenological phases over the whole vegetation period at high elevations. We observed 12 phenological phases of seven tree species and measured air temperature at 42 sites along four transects of about 1000 m elevational range in the years 2010 and 2011 near Garmisch‐Partenkirchen, Germany. Site‐ and species‐specific onset dates for the phenological phases were determined and related to elevation, temperature lapse rates and site‐specific temperature sums. Increasing temperatures induced advanced spring and delayed autumn phases, in which both yielded similar magnitudes. Delayed leaf senescence could therefore have been underestimated until now in extending the vegetation period. Not only the vegetation period, but also phenological periods extended with increasing temperature. Moreover, sensitivity to elevation and temperature strongly depends on the specific phenological phase. Differences between species and groups of species (deciduous, evergreen, high elevation) were found in onset dates, phenological response rates and also in the effect of chilling and forcing temperatures. Increased chilling days highly reduced forcing temperature requirements for deciduous trees, but less for evergreen trees. The problem of shifted species associations and phenological mismatches due to species‐specific responses to increasing temperature is a recent topic in ecological research. Therefore, we consider our findings from this novel, dense observation network in an alpine area of particular importance to deepen knowledge on phenological responses to climate change.
Brominated Flame Retardants in Breast Milk and Behavioural and Cognitive Development at 36 Months
Authors: Adgent Margaret A. , Hoffman Kate , Goldman Barbara Davis , Sjödin Andreas , Daniels Julie L. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent flame retardants found in the environment, in household dust, and in humans. Breast feeding is a prominent route of exposure in infancy. PBDEs adversely affect neurodevelopment in animals. Here, we estimate associations between PBDEs in breast milk and behaviour and cognitive skills in children at 36 months of age.MethodsWe prospectively studied 304 mothers and their children. We measured PBDEs in breast milk collected at 3 months postpartum. At 36 months, we measured child behaviour with the parent‐rated Behavioral Assessment System for Children 2 (n = 192), and cognitive skills with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (n = 184). We analysed data with robust regression.ResultsWe detected BDE‐28, ‐47, ‐99, ‐100, and ‐153 in >70% of milk samples. For each congener, the highest quartile of breast milk PBDE concentration, vs. the lowest, was associated with more anxious behaviour, after confounder adjustment. Select congeners were associated with increased withdrawal (BDE‐28) and improved activity of daily living skills (BDE‐153). Cognitive skills tended to be positively associated with PBDEs, especially language and fine motor skills. However, most estimates were imprecise.ConclusionsHere, lactational PBDE exposure was modestly and imprecisely associated with anxiety and withdrawal, but was also associated with improved adaptive and cognitive skills. Positive factors associated with breast feeding may have mitigated some of the hypothesised adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with PBDEs. Further research is needed to inform our understanding of PBDE neurotoxicity and how sources of exposure might confound neurodevelopmental studies.
‘It's about me’ – a narrative analysis of female smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relationship to smoking
Authors: Nykvist Maria , Larsson EvaLena , Dahlborg Lyckhage Elisabeth 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundChronic obstructive lung disease is a disease that is common among the smoking population. In Sweden, more women than men are smokers. The most effective treatment to improve the symptoms of COPD is to quit smoking but still many women continue to smoke, despite their illness.AimThe aim of this study was to describe how a group of smoking women with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) experienced their everyday life and their relationship to smoking.MethodA qualitative study based on narratives from six women with COPD was conducted. The narratives focused on the women′s everyday life and their relationship to smoking. The interviews were analysed into four themes and a new story, based on these themes were constructed.FindingsThe new story describes a woman with COPD that knows what she must do but cannot find the power within herself to take action. She talks about herself like a young bird that is going fly for the first time.ConclusionThe study indicates that these women need some form of individual help to find the inner strength that they lack. Their self‐respect as well as their self‐image needs to be boosted in order to strengthen their belief that they are going to cope without the cigarette.
Values and Identities in Ireland's Peace Policy: Four Centuries of Norm Continuity and Change
Authors: Devine Karen 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis article seeks to solve the puzzle of what explains Irish peace policy norm consistency for over three centuries and the recent reversal of these norms. The methodology analyses values and identities in Irish leaders' foreign policy discourses and practices, producing evidence that Irish peace policy norms are consistently: independence and neutrality for Ireland in the cause of peace and security; self‐determination; anti‐imperialism; third world solidarity; and resistance to famine and slavery. In the early 1900s, after Ireland gained statehood, the addition of: institutional cooperation; a constitutional commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes; armed neutrality; UN peacekeeping; and an explicit subordination of material interests for moral, justice‐based norms, made this small postcolonial state an historically‐driven Natural Born Peacemaker. Elite‐led norm reversals consolidated in the 2000s suggests a vital explanatory relationship with elite corruption and associated specific personality characteristics, and the need to revise elite socialisation theory to incorporate these variables.
Nine things to remember about human genome diversity
Authors: Barbujani G. , Ghirotto S. , Tassi F. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractUnderstanding how and why humans are biologically different is indispensable to get oriented in the ever‐growing body of genomic data. Here we discuss the evidence based on which we can confidently state that humans are the least genetically variable primate, both when individuals and when populations are compared, and that each individual genome can be regarded as a mosaic of fragments of different origins. Each population is somewhat different from any other population, and there are geographical patterns in that variation. These patterns clearly indicate an African origin for our species, and keep a record of the main demographic changes accompanying the peopling of the whole planet. However, only a minimal fraction of alleles, and a small fraction of combinations of alleles along the chromosome, is restricted to a single geographical region (and even less so to a single population), and diversity between members of the same population is very large. The small genomic differences between populations and the extensive allele sharing across continents explain why historical attempts to identify, once and for good, major biological groups in humans have always failed. Nevertheless, racial categorization is all but gone, especially in clinical studies. We argue that racial labels may not only obscure important differences between patients but also that they have become positively useless now that cheap and reliable methods for genotyping are making it possible to pursue the development of truly personalized medicine.
Annexin A11 gene polymorphism (R230C variant) and sarcoidosis in a Portuguese population
Authors: Morais A. , Lima B. , Peixoto M. , Melo N. , Alves H. , Marques J. A. , Delgado L. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA recent genome‐wide association study detected a protective effect for the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele (R230Cvariant) in susceptibility to sarcoidosis. We evaluated the association between rs1049550 C/T and sarcoidosis susceptibility, distinct disease phenotypes and evolution in a Portuguese population. We performed a case–control study of 208 patients and 197 healthy controls. Samples were genotyped for rs1049550 C/T using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the annexin A11 rs1049550*T allele was significantly lower in patients than in controls (33.2 vs 44.9%, P < 0.001). Odds ratio of 0.52 and 0.44 were obtained, respectively for carriers of one (CT) and two (TT) copies normalized to the CC wild‐type genotype (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in patients with and without Löfgren syndrome. A significant increase in the frequency of the T allele was observed in patients with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid neutrophilia (P = 0.04). No significant associations were seen for lung function pattern, radiological stages or different forms of disease evolution. Our study confirms that rs1049550*T allele exerts a significant protective effect on sarcoidosis susceptibility. Given the role of annexin A11 in cell division, apoptosis and neutrophil function, this polymorphism may affect key elements of granulomatous and interstitial inflammation in sarcoidosis.
HIV and Schistosoma haematobium prevalences correlate in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Ndeffo Mbah Martial L. , Poolman Eric M. , Drain Paul K. , Coffee Megan P. , van der Werf Marieke J. , Galvani Alison P. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveEpidemiological studies have observed that genital schistosomiasis increases the risk of HIV infection in Africa. We analysed the correlation between Schistosoma haematobium prevalence and HIV prevalence across sub‐Saharan African countries.DesignRegression analysis of prevalence of HIV and S. haematobium across sub‐Saharan African countries.MethodsUsing compiled country‐level S. haematobium prevalence, HIV prevalence and other demographic and economic data from published sources, we applied univariate and multivariate regression models to assess the correlations between S. haematobium prevalence and HIV prevalence while controlling for risk factors associated with each infection.ResultsIn 43 sub‐Saharan African countries, the mean prevalence of S. haematobium was 22.4% [standard deviation (SD): 9.8%] and for HIV was 6.21% (SD: 5.71%). In multivariate analysis, adjusted for prevalence of male circumcision, years since a country's first HIV/AIDS diagnosis, geographical region and immunization coverage, each S. haematobium infection per 100 individuals was associated with a 2.9% (95% CI: 0.2–5.8%) relative increase in HIV prevalence. S. haematobium was not associated with Schistosoma mansoni, HSV‐2, hepatitis C, malaria or syphilis.ConclusionsSchistosoma haematobium prevalence was associated with HIV prevalence in sub‐Saharan Africa. Controlling S. haematobium may be an effective means of reducing HIV transmission in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Adjunctive cryotherapy for pigmentary keratitis in dogs: a study of 16 corneas
Authors: Azoulay Thierry 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether soft cryotherapy (dimethylether, isobutene, and propane) can remove pigmentation of the cornea that has accumulated under different conditions when conventional therapy has been unsuccessful.Animals studiedNine dogs with unilateral or bilateral corneal pigmentation (16 eyes) were included based on progressive corneal pigmentation that was unresponsive to long‐term etiological treatment. The dogs had keratoconjunctivitis sicca or chronic superficial keratitis.ProceduresA cryogen of 95% dimethylether, 3% isobutane, and 2% propane was applied to the pigmented areas of each cornea under anesthesia. Initial corneal pigmentation and changes were documented over the entire study period using a grading scheme and clinical photographs.ResultsMost of the pigment deposits were gone by 5–15 days after cryosurgery. Postoperatively, the dogs showed some corneal edema and corneo‐conjunctival inflammation, and three dogs had superficial corneal ulcers; these symptoms had resolved by 1 month after the procedure. Follow‐up for more than 90 days was available in five dogs (nine corneas), and we observed total or partial repigmentation when the underlying disease was not controlled. A new cryotherapy procedure was successfully performed in two of these dogs.ConclusionsGiven the sensitivity to cold of melanocytes, cryotherapy is a viable adjunctive treatment for refractory severe corneal pigmentation. Etiological treatment remains necessary to prevent pigmentation from rapidly reappearing. Only a few dogs were followed for more than 90 days; further study is necessary to evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of soft cryotherapy.
More onKena‐passives in Singapore English
Authors: KIM CHONGHYUCK , SATO YOSUKE 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn the so‐calledkena‐passive construction in Singapore English (Bao and Wee), the morphosyntactic realization of the passive feature of irregular verbs is optional (John kena caught/?catch) in contrast to the obligatory realization of the same feature within the English‐derivedbe‐passive (John was caught/*catch). We propose that this asymmetry follows from the hybrid syntactic structures of thekena‐passive construction. Specifically, we argue that the verbkenaallows not only the standard passive structure of the type discussed by Bao and Wee but also the active structure which embeds a sentential complement comprised ofproand the active verb. This analysis is supported by a variety of arguments regarding thekena‐active complement structure independently available in Singapore English (Yap and Lim) as well as Chinese (Feng; Huang) and Baba Malay (Ansaldo and Matthews), which have been hypothesized in the literature as the two major substrate languages of Singapore English.
Saving/damning non‐Muslims through translation
Authors: KHALIL MOHAMMAD HASSAN 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThough most Muslims do not consider translations of the Qur'an to be equivalent to the Arabic original, the overwhelming majority of believers do not understand Arabic and must rely on translators' interpretations. But since the Qur'an is widely considered the revealed word of God, there are great implications attached to any particular translator's word selections and parenthetical insertions. This is especially evident when considering the topic of salvation in Islam, specifically the salvation of Others (i.e. non‐Muslims). In this paper, I explore how two popular yet dissimilar translations approach this consequential topic. The first of these translations is Interpretation of the meaning of the noble Qur'an by the Saudi‐based scholars Muhammad Taqi‐ud‐Din Al‐Hilali and Muhammad Muhsin Khan; the second is The Qur'an: A new translation by the London‐based Egyptian academic M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. Through a careful examination of both sources, one can appreciate the extent to which ideological persuasions lead translators either to conceal or to preserve certain semantic ambiguities.
English in the Roman Catholic liturgy 1969–2002
Authors: WHELAN WINIFRED 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn 1963 the Vatican in Rome, as part of the Second Vatican Council, authorized vernacular languages to be used in Catholic liturgies around the world. For English speaking countries, a commission was formed to translate the Latin into English for the Mass as well as for all of the various rites such as baptism, anointing of the sick, marriage, and the ordination of priests and bishops. An International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) set to work, and by 1970 it had a provisionary translation completed. The commission then set out to revise its work in a more thoughtful and studied manner. These new translations were sent to the English‐speaking bishops all over the world for approval and comment, which were then revised accordingly. This work continued until 2002 when a new regime in Rome revised their instructions for translation, dismissed the work that had been done, and appointed a new international commission. This article documents the history of ICEL from 1969 to 2002.
The role of activator concentration and precipitate formation on optical and dosimetric properties of KCl:Eu2+ storage phosphor detectors
Authors: Hansel Rachael A. , Xiao Zhiyan , Hu Yanle , Green Olga , Yang Deshan , Harold Li H. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose:The activator ion (Eu2+ in KCl:Eu2+) plays an important role in the photostimulated luminescence (PSL) mechanism of storage phosphor radiation detectors. In order to design an accurate, effective, and robust detector, it is important to understand how the activator ion concentration affects the structure and, consequently, radiation detection properties of KCl:Eu2+.Methods:Potassium chloride pellets were fabricated with various amounts of europium dopant (0.01–5.0 mol.% Eu2+). Clinical radiation doses were given with a 6 MV linear accelerator. Radiation doses larger than 100 Gy were given with a 137Cs irradiator. Dose response curves, radiation hardness, and temporal signal stability were measured using a laboratory PSL readout system. The crystal structure of the material was studied using x ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy.Results:The most intense PSL signal was from samples with 1.0 mol.% Eu. However, samples with concentrations higher than 0.05 mol.% Eu exhibited significant degradation in PSL intensity for cumulated doses larger than 3000 Gy. Structural and luminescence spectroscopy showed clear evidence of precipitate phases within the KCl lattice, especially for high activator concentrations. Analysis of PL emission spectra showed that interactions between Eu‐Vc dipoles and Eu‐Vc trimers could explain trends in PSL sensitivity and radiation hardness observations.Conclusions:The concentration of the activator ion (Eu2+) significantly affects radiation detection properties of the storage phosphor KCl:Eu2+. An activator concentration between 0.01 and 0.05 mol.% Eu in KCl:Eu2+ storage phosphor detectors is recommended for linear dose response, good PSL sensitivity, predictable temporal stability, and high reusability for megavoltage radiation detection.