bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of stranger fear in infancy and toddlerhood: normative development, individual differences, antecedents, and outcomes
Authors: Brooker Rebecca J. , Buss Kristin A. , Lemery‐Chalfant Kathryn , Aksan Nazan , Davidson Richard J. , Goldsmith H. Hill 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDespite implications that stranger fear is an important aspect of developing behavioral inhibition, a known risk factor for anxiety, normative and atypical developmental trajectories of stranger fear across infancy and toddlerhood remain understudied. We used a large, longitudinal data set (N = 1285) including multi‐trait, multi‐method assessments of temperament to examine the normative course of development for stranger fear and to explore the possibility that individual differences exist in trajectories of stranger fear development between 6 and 36 months of age. A latent class growth analysis suggested four different trajectories of stranger fear during this period. Stable, high levels of stranger fear over time were associated with poorer RSA suppression at 6 months of age. Rates of concordance in trajectory‐based class membership for identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins, along with associations between atypical stranger fear development and greater anxiety‐related maternal characteristics, suggested that individual differences in developmental trajectories of stranger fear may be heritable. Importantly, trajectories of stranger fear during infancy and toddlerhood were linked to individual differences in behavioral inhibition, with chronically high levels of stranger fear and sharp increases in stranger fear over time related to greater levels of inhibition than other developmental trajectories.
The effect of early visual deprivation on the development of face detection
Authors: Mondloch Catherine J. , Segalowitz Sidney J. , Lewis Terri L. , Dywan Jane , Le Grand Richard , Maurer Daphne 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe expertise of adults in face perception is facilitated by their ability to rapidly detect that a stimulus is a face. In two experiments, we examined the role of early visual input in the development of face detection by testing patients who had been treated as infants for bilateral congenital cataract. Experiment 1 indicated that, at age 9 to 20, patients' accuracy and response times on a Mooney face detection task were normal. Experiment 2 revealed that the neural mechanisms underlying face detection in a similar group of adult patients are abnormal: the amplitude of both the P100 and N170 event‐related potential were larger in patients than in visually normal controls, and the extent of augmentation was related to the duration of deprivation. Thus, early visual experience is necessary for the establishment of normal neural networks for face detection; abnormalities at these early processing stages may contribute to the deficits we previously reported in configural face processing for this patient cohort.
The early development of human mirror mechanisms: evidence from electromyographic recordings at 3 and 6 months
Authors: Turati Chiara , Natale Elena , Bolognini Nadia , Senna Irene , Picozzi Marta , Longhi Elena , Cassia Viola Macchi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn primates and adult humans direct understanding of others' action is provided by mirror mechanisms matching action observation and action execution (e.g. Casile, Caggiano & Ferrari, 2011). Despite the growing body of evidence detailing the existence of these mechanisms in the adult human brain, their origins and early development are largely unknown. In this study, for the first time, electromyographic (EMG) measures were used to shed light on the emergence of mirror motor mechanisms in infancy. EMG activity was recorded while 6‐ and 3‐month‐old infants watched two videos displaying an agent reaching for, grasping and bringing an object either to the mouth or to the head. Results indicate that the motor system of 6‐month‐olds, but not 3‐month‐olds, was recruited and selectively modulated during observation of the goal‐directed actions, favoring the idea that mirror mechanisms driving action understanding gradually emerge during early development.
Controlled ingestion of kaolinite (5%) modulates enteric nitrergic innervation in rats
Authors: Voinot Florian , Fischer Caroline , Schmidt Camille , Ehret‐Sabatier Laurence , Angel Fabielle 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe have previously shown that kaolinite slowed down gastric emptying and intestinal transit and induced changes in enteric mechanical activities. As gastric emptying and intestinal transit have been shown to be regulated by nitric oxide (NO), the effect of an imposed ingestion of kaolinite on enteric nitrergic innervation was determined. Kaolinite has also been shown to increase plasmatic levels of leptin. Therefore, the responses of enteric neurons in the presence of leptin after kaolinite ingestion were determined, and a possible role of nitrergic neurons was evaluated in rats using organ bath technique. Our results showed that kaolinite modulates activities of enteric nerves at 14 days of ingestion. Exogenous l‐NNA produced a decrease in nerve stimulation (NS)‐induced relaxation in both jejunum and colon of control groups. At 14 days of kaolinite ingestion, this effect of l‐NNA was significantly reduced only in the jejunum. Although l‐NNA did not affect NS‐induced contraction in jejunum and colon of control animals, it increased the amplitude of the NS‐induced contraction in the colon of rats at 14 days of kaolinite ingestion. Leptin inhibitory effects on ENS in the jejunum were also altered at 14 days of ingestion. These differences were masked in the presence of l‐NNA. Our data give evidence that changes in mechanical activities induced by kaolinite might be due to alterations in inhibitory (nitrergic and/or other) innervation at 14 days of kaolinite ingestion and to modifications of leptin effects on the responses to intramural nerve stimulation.
Soil moisture's underestimated role in climate change impact modelling in low‐energy systems
Authors: le Roux Peter Christiaan , Aalto Juha , Luoto Miska 
Published: June 2013

AbstractShifts in precipitation regimes are an inherent component of climate change, but in low‐energy systems are often assumed to be less important than changes in temperature. Because soil moisture is the hydrological variable most proximally linked to plant performance during the growing season in arctic‐alpine habitats, it may offer the most useful perspective on the influence of changes in precipitation on vegetation. Here we quantify the influence of soil moisture for multiple vegetation properties at fine spatial scales, to determine the potential importance of soil moisture under changing climatic conditions. A fine‐scale data set, comprising vascular species cover and field‐quantified ecologically relevant environmental parameters, was analysed to determine the influence of soil moisture relative to other key abiotic predictors. Soil moisture was strongly related to community composition, species richness and the occurrence patterns of individual species, having a similar or greater influence than soil temperature, pH and solar radiation. Soil moisture varied considerably over short distances, and this fine‐scale heterogeneity may contribute to offsetting the ecological impacts of changes in precipitation for species not limited to extreme soil moisture conditions. In conclusion, soil moisture is a key driver of vegetation properties, both at the species and community level, even in this low‐energy system. Soil moisture conditions represent an important mechanism through which changing climatic conditions impact vegetation, and advancing our predictive capability will therefore require a better understanding of how soil moisture mediates the effects of climate change on biota.
In vitrodegradation of grass fructan by equid gastrointestinal digesta
Authors: Ince J. C. , Longland A. C. , Moore‐Colyer M. J. S. , Harris P. A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractLaminitis is a debilitating disease of the equid foot and appears to result from altered metabolism due to insulin resistance (IR) or hindgut acidosis. These disorders may be elicited by high intakes of simple sugars or fructans in pasture grasses. The aim was to determinein vitro(i) whether grass fructan is degraded in the equid foregut and (ii) the fermentation kinetics and organic acid production in cultures containing grasses differing in fructan content incubated with an equid hindgut microbial inoculum. When grass fructan was incubated with equid gastric and small intestinal digesta, polymeric fructan was partially degraded to oligo‐fructan. When incubated with small intestinal digesta, but not gastric digesta, there was limited net loss of total fructan (oligomeric + polymeric fructan). WhenLolium perenneof elevated (PRGH) or moderate (PRGL) fructan content was incubated with an equine hindgut microbial inoculum, the rate of fermentation and accumulation of lactate 6 and 9 h post‐inoculation were significantly greater forPRGHthan forPRGL(P < 0·05). This may suggest that grass fructan ingested by grazing horses is incompletely digested in the foregut and passes into the hindgut, resulting in elevated production of lactate, which may indirectly lead to metabolic disorders such as laminitis.
Quality and germination capacity of seed material harvested from an Arrhenatherion meadow
Authors: Haslgrübler P. , Krautzer B. , Blaschka A. , Graiss W. , Pötsch E. M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractArrhenatherion meadows are an endangered type of semi‐natural grassland in Europe, and their conservation and restoration is an important policy objective. Recent research has led to development of techniques for harvesting seed material from regional donor sites and strategies for re‐establishment of species‐rich grassland, but their practical application requires that consumers are guaranteed sufficient seed quality of directly harvested material. Methods for the evaluation of purity, thousand seed weight (TSW) and germination capacity were developed and tested, a pre‐condition to define the optimal seeding rate for this vegetation type (2000–3000 seeds m−2). The assessment was based on seed obtained by two harvesting techniques: on‐site threshing (OST) and seed stripping (SS). Materials from both methods obtained 63% pure seeds. The TSW differed significantly between harvesting methods: the OST provided greater seed weight (1·057 g) than the SS (0·84 g). Two trials were implemented to define criteria for the germination capacity test. Organic growing media obtained the best and most homogenous results in a first comparative germination test. In the second trial, different dormancy‐breaking treatments were compared, each with and without pre‐chilling, namely: addition of potassium nitrate (KNO3), addition of gibberellic acid (GA3) and without addition of chemicals (WA). The germination capacity of the treated variants KNO3, GA3 and pre‐chilling was lower than that for WA. The harvesting method significantly influenced quality and quantity of the seed material, whereas the substrate and dormancy‐breaking treatments had no effect.
Grassland responses to grazing disturbance: plant diversity changes with grazing intensity in a desert steppe
Authors: Deng L. , Sweeney S. , Shangguan Z.‐P. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis study quantifies the impact of four different grazing regimes (heavy, moderate, light and ungrazed) on the vegetation dynamics of rangeland ecosystems along the southern boundary area of the Mu Us Desert, China. As the grazing intensities decreased, the soil quality, canopy cover, height, density, above‐ and below‐ground biomass, litter, root/shoot ratio and native plant (Aneurolepidium dasystachys) and grass abundances significantly increased; the above‐ground biomass of grasses increased, but the above‐ground biomass of forbs decreased. Ungrazed grassland has significantly improved from grasslands experiencing three other levels of grazing pressure, especially in the grassland biomass. Species richness increased as the grazing intensity decreased in the grazing grasslands, but peak species richness appeared under moderate and light grazing against lower productivity. Grazing exclusion causes desirable transitions in plant communities of desert steppe rangelands. Therefore, appropriate and efficient grazing exclusion is an available way to counteract local grassland degradation and promote rangeland sustainability.
Assessing population maturity of three perennial grass species: Influence of phenology and tiller demography along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients
Authors: Rossignol N. , Andueza D. , Carrère P. , Cruz P. , Duru M. , Fiorelli J.‐L. , Michaud A. , Plantureux S. , Pottier E. , Baumont R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractTo assess the whole‐sward maturity, which is a primary concern for grassland managers, we studied three forage grass species with contrasting phenology over a range of climatic conditions among sites. We considered two main issues: (i) How is grass population maturity related to population phenology, and is this relation affected by environmental factors? and (ii) Is the sum of temperatures a good index to describe phenological development under contrasting climates? To explore the role of temperature accumulation in species population development, we described the phenological development of populations of three grass species along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients at eight locations across France. We used a numerical index of tiller development to quantify sward morphological structure and discriminate phenological peak from average maturity. We report that phenological development rates were similar among sites for each species, but required fewer growing degree days to start at higher latitudes and altitudes. However, we found that population maturity and phenological peak differed significantly due to among‐site variability in vegetative tiller percentage in whole‐population biomass. Our results underlined the importance of considering tiller distribution among phenological stages, especially tiller development synchrony, together with phenology to assess sward maturity in semi‐natural permanent grasslands.
Genetic connections among Turkic‐speaking Iranian ethnic groups based on HLA class II gene diversity
Authors: Farjadian S. , Safi S. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryIran is a linguistically heterogeneous nation where Persian, Turkic and Arabic are the three main language families spoken. Based on their linguistic properties, Qashqais, Turkmens and Azeris are Turkic‐speaking people. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any genetic relationship exists among the Turkic‐speaking Iranian subpopulations based on HLA class II gene diversity. HLA‐DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were identified by PCR‐based methods in 100 Qashqais and 66 Turkmens, and the results were compared with our previously published HLA data for Azeris. Despite a number of allelic and haplotypic similarities, Qashqais, Turkmens and Azeris were not in the same clade of the phylogenetic tree. However, based on the results of principal coordinates analysis, they are grouped together with Kurds and Bakhtiaris. Contrary to their common linguistic features, the Turkic‐speaking people of Iran are closer to other Iranian subpopulations than to the people of Turkey and central Asia. Overall, it seems that linguistic criteria alone are not able to determine the relationships among these populations, and a combination of different kinds of anthropological information should be used to determine their actual phylogenetic relationships.
Gendered Perspectives on Integration Discourses and Measures
Authors: Kofman Eleonore , Saharso Sawitri , Vacchelli Elena 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article focuses on gendered discourses in integration policy and the problems immigrants pose in the reproduction of inequalities in a number of European countries. There has been little consideration of how gender categories operate in relation to broader political discourses around the construction of ‘us’ and ‘them’ and the constitution of national social and political communities and identities. Yet gender issues have become significant in the backlash against multiculturalism and gender and sexual relations have moved to the centre of debates about the necessity to enforce integration, if not assimilation. The first section outlines recent developments in the immigration‐integration nexus in different European states. The second section draws out some of the reasons for the focus on family migration and spouses who are seen as the main importers of the ‘backward’ practices and with ‘doubtful’ parenting practices for future generations of citizens. The third section tackles the shift of current debates about integration of migrant women from the periphery, where they were largely invisible or mere appendages of men, to the centre, where they have acquired in the process a heightened, though not necessarily positive, visibility. Too often, representations of migrant women are based on a homogenised image of uneducated and backward migrants as victims of patriarchal cultures, legitimizing in this way the use of immigration controls to reduce the numbers entering and to tackle broader social issues, as has clearly been the case with forced marriages. Furthermore, the more discourses focus on Muslim women and Islam as inimical to European societies, the more the debate becomes culturalised and marginalises the socio‐economic dimension of integration and the structural inequalities migrants face. Thus pre‐entry tests may have less to do with integration than with a desire to reduce the flow of marriage migrants or to raise their human capital.
Dynamics of immune effector mechanisms during infection with Mycobacterium avium in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Haug Markus , Awuh Jane A. , Steigedal Magnus , Frengen Kojen June , Marstad Anne , Nordrum Ivar S. , Halaas Øyvind , Flo Trude H. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryOpportunistic infections with non‐tuberculous mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium are receiving renewed attention because of increased incidence and difficulties in treatment. As for other mycobacterial infections, a still poorly understood collaboration of different immune effector mechanisms is required to confer protective immunity. Here we have characterized the interplay of innate and adaptive immune effector mechanisms contributing to containment in a mouse infection model using virulent M. avium strain 104 in C57BL/6 mice. M. avium caused chronic infection in mice, as shown by sustained organ bacterial load. In the liver, bacteria were contained in granuloma‐like structures that could be defined morphologically by expression of the antibacterial innate effector protein Lipocalin 2 in the adjoining hepatocytes and infiltrating neutrophils, possibly contributing to containment. Circulatory anti‐mycobacterial antibodies steadily increased throughout infection and were primarily of the IgM isotype. Highest levels of interferon‐γ were found in infected liver, spleen and serum of mice approximately 2 weeks post infection and coincided with a halt in organ bacterial growth. In contrast, expression of tumour necrosis factor was surprisingly low in spleen compared with liver. We did not detect interleukin‐17 in infected organs or M. avium‐specific T helper 17 cells, suggesting a minor role for T helper 17 cells in this model. A transient and relative decrease in regulatory T cell numbers was seen in spleens. This detailed characterization of M. avium infection in C57BL/6 mice may provide a basis for future studies aimed at gaining better insight into mechanisms leading to containment of infections with non‐tuberculous mycobacteria.
Multi‐functional plasmacytoid dendritic cells redistribute to gut tissues during simian immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Li Haiying , Gillis Jacqueline , Johnson R. Paul , Reeves R. Keith 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the systemic effects of chronic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). pDCs play a critical role in antiviral immunity, but current data are conflicting on whether pDCs inhibit HIV/SIV replication, or, alternatively, contribute to chronic immune activation and disease. Furthermore, previous pDC studies have been complicated by incomplete descriptions of generalized depletion during HIV/SIV infection, and the effects of infection on pDCs outside peripheral blood remain unclear. In scheduled‐sacrifice studies of naive and chronically SIV‐infected rhesus macaques we evaluated the distribution and functionality of pDCs in multiple tissues using surface and intracellular polychromatic flow cytometry. As previously observed, pDCs were reduced in peripheral blood and spleens, but were also depleted in non‐lymphoid organs such as the liver. Interestingly, pDCs accumulated up to fourfold in jejunum, colon and gut‐draining lymph nodes, but not in peripheral lymph nodes. Most unexpectedly, SIV infection induced a multi‐functional interferon‐α, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β cytokine secretion phenotype, whereas in normal animals these were generally distinct and separate functions. Herein we show a systemic redistribution of pDCs to gut tissues and gut‐draining lymph nodes during chronic SIV infection, coupled to a novel multi‐functional cytokine‐producing phenotype. While pDC accumulation in the mucosa could aid in virus control, over‐production of cytokines from these cells could also contribute to the increased immune activation in the gut mucosa commonly associated with progressive lentivirus infections.
Counting pandemic deaths: comparing reported numbers of deaths from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 with estimated excess mortality
Authors: Gran Jon Michael , Kacelnik Oliver , Grjibovski Andrei M. , Aavitsland Preben , Iversen Bjørn G. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundDuring the wave 1 of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, Norway appeared to be suffering from high mortality rates. However, by the end of the pandemic, it was widely reported that the number of deaths were much lower than previous years.ObjectivesThe mortality burden from influenza is often assessed by two different approaches: counting influenza‐certified deaths and estimating the mortality burden using models. The purpose of this study is to compare the number of reported deaths with results from two different models for estimating excess mortality during the pandemic in Norway. Additionally, mortality estimates for the pandemic season are compared with non‐pandemic influenza seasons.MethodsNumbers on reported influenza A(N1h1)pdm09 deaths are gived by the Cause of Death Registry at Statistics Norway and an ad hoc registry at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Overall and Pnemumonia and Influenza certified mortality is modeled using Poission regression, adjusting for levels of reported influenza‐like illness and seasonal and year‐to‐year variation.Results and conclusionsModelling results suggest that the excess mortality in older age groups is considerably lower during the pandemic than non‐pandemic seasons, but there are indications of an excess beyond what was reported during the pandemic. This highlights the benefits of both methods and the importance of explaining where these numbers come from.