bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Closing the Knowing–Doing Gap in Invasive Plant Management: Accessibility and Interdisciplinarity of Scientific Research
Authors: Matzek Virginia , Covino Justin , Funk Jennifer L. , Saunders Martin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractLike many conservation disciplines, invasion biology may suffer from a knowing–doing gap, where scientific research fails to inform management actions. We surveyed California resource managers to evaluate engagement with scientific research and to identify research priorities. We examined managers’ access to information, judgment of the usefulness of existing research, ability to generate scientific information, and priorities for future research. We found that practitioners rely on their own experience, and largely do not read the peer‐reviewed literature, which they regard as only moderately useful. Less than half of managers who do research carry out experiments conforming to the norms of hypothesis testing, and their results are not broadly disseminated. Managers’ research needs are not restricted to applied science, or even basic ecology, but include social science questions. Scientists studying invasions can make their research more useful by crossing disciplinary boundaries, sourcing research questions from practitioners, and reporting results in accessible venues.
A Transparent Process for “Evidence‐Informed” Policy Making
Authors: Dicks Lynn V. , Hodge Ian , Randall Nicola P. , Scharlemann Jörn P.W. , Siriwardena Gavin M. , Smith Henrik G. , Smith Rebecca K. , Sutherland William J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPolitical institutions are keen to use the best available scientific knowledge in decision‐making. For environmental policy, relevant scientific evidence can be complex and extensive, so expert judgment is frequently relied upon, without clear links to the evidence itself. We propose a new transparent process for incorporating research evidence into policy decisions, involving independent synopsis of evidence relating to all possible policy options combined with expert evaluation of what the evidence means for specific policy questions. We illustrate the process using reforms of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy currently being negotiated. Under the reform proposals, 30% of direct payments to farmers will become conditional upon three “compulsory greening measures.” Independently, we compiled and evaluated experimental evidence for the effects of 85 interventions to protect wildlife on northern European farmland, 12 of which correspond to aspects of the compulsory greening measures. Our evaluation clearly indicates evidence of consistent wildlife benefits for some, but not all, of the greening measures. The process of evidence synopsis with expert evaluation has three advantages over existing efforts to incorporate evidence into policy decisions: it provides a clear evidence audit trail, allows rapid response to new policy contexts, and clarifies sources of uncertainty.
Reduced brain corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor activation is required for adequate maternal care and maternal aggression in lactating rats
Authors: Klampfl Stefanie M. , Neumann Inga D. , Bosch Oliver J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe brain corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) system triggers a variety of neuroendocrine and behavioural responses to stress. Whether maternal behaviour and emotionality in lactation are modulated by CRF has rarely been investigated. In the present study, we measured CRF mRNA expression within the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus in virgin and lactating Wistar rats bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety‐related behaviour or non‐selected for anxiety (NAB). Further, we intracerebroventricularly infused synthetic CRF or the CRF receptor (CRF‐R) antagonist D‐Phe to manipulate CRF‐R1/2 non‐specifically in lactating HAB, LAB, and NAB dams, and monitored maternal care, maternal motivation, maternal aggression, and anxiety. The CRF mRNA expression in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus was higher in HAB vs. LAB rats independent of reproductive status. The lactation‐specific decrease of CRF mRNA was confirmed in LAB and NAB dams but was absent in HAB dams. Intracerebroventricular CRF decreased maternal care under basal conditions in the home cage in all breeding lines and reduced attack behaviour in HAB and LAB dams during maternal defence. In contrast, D‐Phe rescued maternal care after exposure to maternal defence in the home cage without influencing maternal aggression. Furthermore, D‐Phe decreased and CRF tended to increase anxiety in HAB/NAB and LAB dams, respectively, suggesting an anxiogenic effect of CRF in lactating females. In conclusion, low CRF‐R activation during lactation is an essential prerequisite for the adequate occurrence of maternal behaviour.
Ankle‐brachial index long‐term outcome after first‐ever ischaemic stroke
Authors: Milionis H. , Vemmou A. , Ntaios G. , Makaritsis K. , Koroboki E. , Papavasileiou V. , Savvari P. , Spengos K. , Elisaf M. , Vemmos K. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeAnkle‐brachial blood pressure index (ABI) is a clinical tool to identify the presence of peripheral artery disease. There is a scarcity of data associating ABI with long‐term outcome in patients with IS. The association between ABI and long‐term outcome in patients with first‐ever acute IS was assessed.MethodsAnkle‐brachial blood pressure index was assessed in all consecutive patients with a first‐ever acute IS admitted at Alexandra University hospital (Athens, Greece) between January 2005 and December 2010. ABI was considered normal when > 0.90 and ≤ 1.30. The Kaplan–Meier product limit method was used to estimate the probability of 5‐year composite cardiovascular event‐free (defined as recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death) and overall survival. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess whether ABI is an independent predictor of 5‐year mortality and dependence.ResultsAmongst 653 patients, 129 (19.8%) with ABI ≤ 0.9 were identified. Five‐year cumulative composite cardiovascular event‐free and overall survival rates were better in normal ABI stroke patients (log‐rank test: 7.22, P = 0.007 and 23.40, P < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in 5‐year risk of stroke recurrence between low and normal ABI groups (hazard ratio, HR = 1.23, 95%CI 0.68–2.23). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of 5‐year mortality included age (HR = 2.55 per 10 years, 95%CI 1.86–3.48, P < 0.001), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (per point increase HR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.08–1.16, P < 0.001), and low ABI (HR = 2.22, 95%CI 1.22–4.03, P = 0.009). Age (HR = 1.21 per 10 years, 95%CI 1.01–1.45, P = 0.04) and low ABI (HR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.11–2.67, P = 0.01) were independent predictors of the composite cardiovascular end‐point.ConclusionsLow ABI in patients with acute IS is associated with increased 5‐year cardiovascular event risk and mortality. However, ABI does not appear to predict long‐term stroke recurrence.
Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis in a community‐based population of Chinese adults
Authors: Zhang S. , Zhou Y. , Zhang Y. , Gao X. , Zhang Q. , Wang A. , Jia Z. , Wu S. , Zhao X. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeIntracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of ischaemic stroke in Asia. Knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic ICAS is limited. The prevalence of ICASwas therefore investigated and its risk factors in a Chinese community‐based population were explored.MethodsFrom 2010 to 2011, a stratified (by sex and age) random sample of 5440 participants aged 40 years or older were enrolled in the study. ICAS was assessed using transcranial Doppler. Logistic regression was used to evaluate potential risk factors associated with ICAS in participants.ResultsIn total, 13.2% (95% CI 12.3–14.1) of the subjects had ICAS, and women were more likely than men to have ICAS in the 40–49 year age group. Hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 2.23, 95%CI 1.87–2.66], diabetes (OR = 1.99, 95%CI 1.62–2.45), left ventricular hypertrophy (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.18–2.34) and elevated high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.19–2.02) were independently associated with higher prevalence of ICAS after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status and other covariates. Of the 716 ICAS individuals, 90.6% had one or more of these risk factors. Amongst the subjects who had at least one risk factor, 15.2% had ICAS.ConclusionsIntracranial artery stenosis is common in the Chinese population. Individuals who had one or more risk factors were more likely to have ICAS, suggesting more aggressive risk factor management.
Midbrain atrophy is not a biomarker of progressive supranuclear palsy pathology
Authors: Whitwell J. L. , Jack C. R. , Parisi J. E. , Gunter J. L. , Weigand S. D. , Boeve B. F. , Ahlskog J. E. , Petersen R. C. , Dickson D. W. , Josephs K. A. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeMidbrain atrophy is a characteristic feature of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), although it is unclear whether it is associated with the PSP syndrome (PSPS) or PSP pathology. The aim of the present study was to determine whether midbrain atrophy is a useful biomarker of PSP pathology, or whether it is only associated with typical PSPS.MethodsAll autopsy‐confirmed subjects were identified with the PSP clinical phenotype (i.e. PSPS) or PSP pathology and a volumetric MRI. Of 24 subjects with PSP pathology, 11 had a clinical diagnosis of PSPS (PSP‐PSPS), and 13 had a non‐PSPS clinical diagnosis (PSP‐other). Three subjects had PSPS and corticobasal degeneration pathology (CBD‐PSPS). Healthy control and disease control groups (i.e. a group without PSPS or PSP pathology) and a group with CBD pathology and corticobasal syndrome (CBD‐CBS) were selected. The midbrain area was measured in all subjects. [Correction added on 21 June 2013, after first online publication: the abbreviation of corticobasal degeneration pathology was changed from CBD‐PSP to CBD‐PSPS.]ResultsThe midbrain area was reduced in each group with clinical PSPS (with and without PSP pathology). The group with PSP pathology and non‐PSPS clinical syndromes did not show reduced midbrain area. Midbrain area was smaller in the subjects with PSPS than in those without PSPS (P < 0.0001), with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.99 (0.88, 0.99). A midbrain area cut‐point of 92 mm2 provided optimum sensitivity (93%) and specificity (89%) for differentiation.ConclusionMidbrain atrophy is associated with the clinical presentation of PSPS, but not with the pathological diagnosis of PSP in the absence of clinical PSPS. This finding has important implications for the utility of midbrain measurements as diagnostic biomarkers for PSP pathology.
Access to Documents, Accountability and the Rule of Law—Do Private Watchdogs Matter?
Authors: Adamski Dariusz 
Published: June 2013

Abstract: The ECJ has not so far developed a single, consistent approach to cases in which the right to access official documents is exercised by individuals and organisations pursuing their individual cause (private watchdogs). While in some cases the Luxembourg jurisprudence has followed a restrictive approach, supporting interests and secondary law provisions conflicting with transparency, in other it has unconditionally endorsed a supreme character of the access right. This contribution confronts both of the approaches whenever the access right exercised by private watchdogs has clashed with confidentiality stemming from secondary law provisions: from state aid, staff rules, data protection, antitrust and beyond. The article argues that most often the judicial standard restricting the access right interferes with a feedback relationship between transparency, accountability and the rule of law. This relationship, when properly construed and appraised, may form a basis for an arguably more uniform and stable judicial standard.
Arthroscopic anatomy of the equine cervical articular process joints
Authors: Pepe M. , Angelone M. , Gialletti R. , Nannarone S. , Beccati F. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryReason for performing studyAlthough arthropathy of the cervical articular process joints (APJs) is common, descriptions of the arthroscopic technique of the cervicalAPJhave not been reported previously.ObjectivesTo develop an arthroscopic approach to theAPJand to describe the arthroscopic anatomy of theAPJ.Study designDescriptive cadaver study and clinical case report.MethodsThe regional anatomy was reviewed and the technique developed on fresh cadaver necks. A series of cadavericAPJarthroscopies fromC2–C3 toC6–C7 were performed to evaluate the procedure, which was then used in 3 clinical cases. A description of the procedure and the potential complications encountered were recorded.ResultsThe equineAPJconsists of cranioventral and caudodorsal recesses; a single entry point at one of these recesses enables almost complete evaluation of cartilage surfaces and the synovial membrane and its villi. Successful entry into bothAPJrecesses was achieved in 22 cadavericAPJs and 5APJs in the 3 clinical cases operated upon. An instrument portal was created to assess the feasibility of surgical arthroscopy. Complications were minor, and dissection of theAPJsfollowing the arthroscopic exploration revealed that the cartilage and periarticular neurovascular structures were not damaged during the procedure.ConclusionsThis study shows that arthroscopic examination of theAPJs of equine cervical vertebra is feasible and can be performed in mature horses. Arthroscopy of theAPJs may provide additional diagnostic information compared to conventional diagnostic techniques.
Investigation of rhythms of secretion and repeatability of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in healthy horses and horses with pituitarypars intermediadysfunction
Authors: Rendle D. I. , Litchfield E. , Heller J. , Hughes K. J. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyThere is little published information on whether measurement of plasmaACTHconcentration at a single timepoint is a repeatable indicator of pituitarypars intermediadysfunction (PPID).ObjectivesTo determine whether ultradian or circadian fluctuations inACTHproduction influence plasmaACTHconcentration in normal horses and horses withPPID.Study designProspective observational study.MethodsPlasmaACTHconcentration in 8 non‐PPIDhorses and 8 horses withPPIDwas measured at 08.00, 11.00, 14.00 and 17.00 h on 5 nonconsecutive days within a 3 week period. In addition, at 08.30 h on one day, 6 samples were collected from each horse at precisely 5 min intervals over a period of 25 min. Descriptive and graphical analysis was performed and a linear mixed effects model was fitted to assess the effect of time of day onACTHconcentration in non‐PPIDandPPIDhorses.ResultsEvidence of ultradian fluctuation inACTHproduction was not identified in either non‐PPIDorPPIDhorses. Evidence for circadian fluctuation was identified in non‐PPIDhorses; plasmaACTHconcentrations were highest at 08.00 h and decreased through the day. There was no evidence of circadian fluctuation inPPIDhorses. In non‐PPIDhorses, the magnitude of circadian changes inACTHconcentration was smaller than variations in concentration that occurred at random. Intrahorse variability ofACTHconcentration was greater inPPIDhorses than in non‐PPIDhorses.ConclusionsUltradian and circadian fluctuations inACTHconcentration are unlikely to influence clinical decision making; however, variations of potential clinical relevance do occur in individual horses, for reasons that remain to be determined, and increase in magnitude with progression ofPPID. Results of the current study indicate that when anACTHconcentration between 19 and 40 pg/ml is measured, further testing should be considered to increase the accuracy ofPPIDdiagnosis.
High‐level secretion of a recombinant protein to the culture medium with a Bacillus subtilis twin‐arginine translocation system in Escherichia coli
Authors: Albiniak Anna M. , Matos Cristina F. R. O. , Branston Steven D. , Freedman Robert B. , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli , Robinson Colin 
Published: June 2013

The twin‐arginine translocation (Tat) system transports folded proteins across the plasma membrane in bacteria, and heterologous proteins can be exported by this pathway if a Tat‐type signal peptide is present at the N‐terminus. The system thus has potential for biopharmaceutical production in Escherichia coli, where export to the periplasm is often a favoured approach. Previous studies have shown that E. coli cells can export high levels of protein by the Tat pathway, and the protein product accummulates almost exclusively in the periplasm. In this study, we analysed E. coli cells that express the Bacillus subtilis TatAdCd system in place of the native TatABC system. We show that a heterologous model protein, comprising the TorA signal peptide linked to green fluorescent protein (TorA–GFP), is efficiently exported by the TatAdCd system. However, whereas the GFP is exported initially to the periplasm during batch fermentation, the mature protein is increasingly found in the extracellular culture medium. By the end of a 16‐h fermentation, ~ 90% of exported GFP is present in the medium as active mature protein. The total protein profiles of the medium and periplasm are essentially identical, confirming that the outer membrane becomes leaky during the fermentation process. The cells are otherwise intact, and there is no large‐scale release of cytoplasmic contents. Export levels are relatively high, with ~ 0.35 g GFP·L−1 culture present in the medium. This system thus offers a means of producing recombinant protein in E. coli and harvesting directly from the medium, with potential advantages in terms of ease of purification and downstream processing.
Environmental constraints on oviposition of aquatic invertebrates with contrasting life cycles in two human‐modified streams
Authors: Alp Maria , Indermaur Lukas , Robinson Christopher T. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Many streams today have modified channels, substratum composition, flows and temperature regimes. Understanding how these potential stressors affect key processes governing populations is crucial towards counteracting species decline and loss. For aquatic organisms with complex life cycles that include a terrestrial adult stage, successful reproduction involving a transition from the terrestrial to aquatic environment for oviposition can be an important constraint.

Our main goal was to test for the effects of local stream degradation on egg mass densities of macroinvertebrates with different requirements for oviposition habitat. We experimentally manipulated oviposition substrate availability in two Swiss gravel‐bed rivers by adding bricks to stream beds of channelised, restored and near natural reaches differing in their depth profile and availability of large rocks. We followed oviposition on bricks and natural rocks between May and October 2008 and quantified egg mass densities of two aquatic insects with a terrestrial stage (Baetis spp. and Hydropsyche spp.) and an entirely aquatic leech Erpobdella octoculata. Individual and interactive effects of mean water depth fluctuations, depth variability, frequency of large rocks and temperature on egg mass densities were evaluated using a model selection approach.

Response to our manipulation in terms of relative use of bricks for oviposition was strongest in the two insect taxa, whose egg mass densities responded to the presence of large substrata in study reaches. We also found evidence for a weak water level effect on egg mass densities of Baetis, a mayfly that uses protruding rocks for oviposition, in contrast to Hydropsyche, which apparently is capable of diving. While no clear response to our manipulation was found in Erpobdella octoculata, its overall cocoon densities were influenced by the variability of depth profile and increased in reaches with lower streambed heterogeneity.

Our results suggest that stream degradation has high potential to constrain reproduction of many species, in particular those with complex life cycles such as aquatic insects. Investigation in modified riverscapes of the specific effects of different constraints to recruitment processes is a prerequisite for successful management and conservation.
Global drivers and patterns of microbial abundance in soil
Authors: Serna‐Chavez Hector M. , Fierer Noah , van Bodegom Peter M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimWhile soil microorganisms play key roles in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, methodological constraints and sparse data have hampered our ability to describe and understand the global distribution of soil microbial biomass. Here, we present a comprehensive quantification of the environmental drivers of soil microbial biomass.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe used a comprehensive global dataset of georeferenced soil microbial biomass estimates and high‐resolution climatic and soil data.ResultsWe show that microbial biomass carbon (CMic) is primarily driven by moisture availability, with this single variable accounting for 34% of the global variance. For the microbial carbon‐to‐soil organic carbon ratio (CMic/COrg), soil nitrogen content was an equally important driver as moisture. In contrast, temperature was not a significant predictor of microbial biomass patterns at a global scale, while temperature likely has an indirect effect on microbial biomass by influencing rates of evapotranspiration and decomposition. As our models explain an unprecedented 50% of the global variance of CMic and CMic/COrg, we were able to leverage gridded environmental information to build the first spatially explicit global estimates of microbial biomass and quantified the global soil microbial carbon pool to equal 14.6 Pg C.Main ConclusionsOur unbiased models allowed us to build the first global spatially explicit predictions of microbial biomass. These patterns show that soil microbial biomass is not primarily driven by temperature, but instead, biomass is more heterogeneous through the effects of moisture availability and soil nutrients. Our global estimates provide important data for integration into large‐scale carbon and nutrient models that may imply a major step forward in our ability to predict the global carbon balance, now and in a future climate.