bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of fine‐scale edaphic heterogeneity on tree species assembly in a central African rainforest
Authors: Vleminckx Jason , Drouet Thomas , Amani Christian , Lisingo Janvier , Lejoly Jean , Hardy Olivier J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractQuestionsSoil properties have been shown to partially explain tree species distribution in tropical forests. Locally, species turnover across space can result not only from edaphic heterogeneities but also from limited seed dispersal. To characterize the contribution of each process, contact areas between contrasted soil types offer ideal settings. In the present study, we aimed to test species and species assemblage responses to a sharp edaphic discontinuity in a tropical forest tree community.LocationYoko forest reserve (6975 ha), Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsWe set up four 500–600‐m long parallel transects crossing two contrasted edaphic habitats, one lying on clayey soil and the other on sandy soil. The canopy and subcanopy trees were identified and geo‐referenced along the transects over a width of 50 m and 5 m, respectively, and soil samples were collected every 50 m to characterize each habitat.ResultsCorrespondence analyses indicated a clear differentiation of tree communities between sandy and clayey soils. Using a torus‐translation method combined with Chi‐squared non‐parametric tests, we observed that ca. 40% and 18% of the species represented by at least 12 individuals displayed significant density differences according to habitat in the canopy and subcanopy, respectively, although very few species displayed significant differences in their relative abundance. Nevertheless, whole community tests of differentiation (in species relative abundances) between soil types were significant in both strata, even after removing individual species or families displaying a significant habitat preference.ConclusionWhile only a minority of species displayed a clear habitat preference, we still observed a community‐wide impact of the edaphic discontinuity on species assemblages at a local scale. Our results provide further evidence for the major contribution of environmental heterogeneity in maintaining biodiversity in tropical forests.
Using imaging spectroscopy to predict above‐ground plant biomass in alpine grasslands grazed by large ungulates
Authors: Schweiger Anna K. , Risch Anita C. , Damm Alexander , Kneubühler Mathias , Haller Rudolf , Schaepman Michael E. , Schütz Martin 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimsImaging spectroscopy enables measurement of vegetation optical properties to predict vegetation characteristics that are important for a wide range of ecological applications. Our aim was to predict fresh above‐ground biomass of heterogeneous alpine grasslands in two areas and at two ecological scales. We assessed model plausibility for an intensively studied alpine grassland site (plant community scale) having distinct biomass and ungulate grazing patterns.LocationAlpine grasslands in the Swiss National Park.MethodsBiomass data were collected in 51 plots and combined with imaging spectroscopy data to establish simple ratio models. We analysed the predictive power and transferability of models developed in two areas (Val Trupchun, Il Fuorn) and at two ecological scales (regional, local). In a next step, we compared our results to the broadband normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Finally, we assessed the correlations between model predictions and plant biomass distribution at the plant community scale.ResultsThe best local simple ratio models yielded a model fit of R2 = 0.60 and R2 = 0.30, respectively, the best regional model a fit of R2 = 0.44. NDVI model performance was weaker for the regional and one local area, but slightly better for the other local area. However, at the plant community scale only the local model showed a significant positive correlation (RS = 0.39) with the known biomass distribution. Further, predictive power decreased when models were transferred from one local area to another or from one ecological scale to another.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that imaging spectroscopy is generally useful to predict above‐ground plant biomass in alpine grasslands with distinct grazing patterns. Site‐specific local models based on simple ratio indices performed better than the NDVI or regional models, suggesting that standardized approaches might not be adequate, particularly in heterogeneous grasslands inhabited by large ungulates. We emphasize the importance of collecting ground reference data covering the expected range of productivity and plant species composition. Moreover, plant community‐scale data from a previous study proved to be extremely valuable to test model plausibility.
Linguistic Fieldwork and IRB Human Subjects Protocols
Authors: DiPersio Denise 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLinguistic fieldwork generally requires an approved protocol from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). A carefully‐prepared protocol – in addition to being a useful planning tool – is likely to secure IRB approval since most fieldwork plans are well within the purview of federal human subjects regulations. This paper reviews the development of the current IRB system and its shortcomings with respect to social science research generally. The notion of a ‘fieldwork problem’ and IRB reviews is then explored with a discussion of the areas that should be addressed with particular care in fieldwork proposals. This is followed by a description of the Linguistic Data Consortium's IRB experience as an example of how linguists can approach the IRB process for a protocol that meets federal requirements and serves research goals. The final section contains a list of IRB resources for linguists available online.
Religion as a Sociolinguistic Variable
Authors: Yaeger‐Dror Malcah 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWhen considering variables that are rarely coded for in sociolinguistic studies, we discovered that general demographic studies [e.g., the census, Pew Research studies] have only recently realized that the question sets provided for demographic information rarely permit coding of religion, or when they do, provide only coarse‐grained coding; yet recent studies in sociolinguistics and social anthropology have demonstrated that fine‐grained distinctions in religious identification are necessary to account for sociolinguistic variation. This paper reviews the information from both sociolinguistic studies and demographic studies which should be considered when developing a protocol for analysis of speech variation. The paper also points out that the variation is often due to network effects from the ‘community of practice’, but at least some of the variation can be traced to ideological positions or choice of referee, both of which appear to influence language use.
African American and Black as Demographic Codes
Authors: Blake Renée 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis article addresses the semantics of ethnicity/race and ethnic/racial categorization in the United States and its role in sociolinguistic inquiry. The focus is on scholars' ethnic/racial coding of African American, which is used interchangeably with the label Black. While there has been a growing body of research that shows African American English (AAE) varies both regionally and across social lines (e.g., age, gender, class), slow to follow is work addressing variation within the ethnic/racial category African American/Black in and of itself. This paper argues the field of sociolinguistics and related fields are at a crossroads in terms of how we categorize people within ethnically diverse African American/Black communities in the United States and offers methodological solutions.
Antenatal iron–folic acid supplementation reduces risk of low birthweight in Pakistan: secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey 2006–2007
Authors: Nisar Yasir Bin , Dibley Michael J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to examine the impact of antenatal iron–folic acid (IFA) supplementation on perceived birth size and birthweight in Pakistan over a 5‐year period from 2002 to 2006. The data source was the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2006–2007. Information from 5692 most recent live‐born infants within 5 years prior to the survey was examined. The primary outcomes were maternal perception of birth size and birthweight, and the main exposure was any use of antenatal IFA supplements. Birthweight was reported for only 10% of the live births in the PDHS 2006–2007. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was adjusted for the cluster sampling design and for 13 potential confounders. The risk of having smaller than average birth size newborn was significantly reduced by 18% (adjusted odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.71, 0.96) for mothers who used any IFA supplements compared with those who did not. A similar (18%), but non‐significant reduction in the risk of low birthweight, was found with the maternal use of IFA supplements. The risk of having smaller than average birth size babies was significantly reduced by 19% in those women who started IFA in the first trimester of pregnancy. About 11% of babies with smaller than average birth size were attributed to non‐use of antenatal IFA supplements. Antenatal IFA supplementation significantly reduces the risk of a newborn of smaller than average birth size in Pakistan. Universal coverage of supplementation would improve birth size.
Deciphering life history transcriptomes in different environments
Authors: Etges William J. , Trotter Meredith V. , de Oliveira Cássia C. , Rajpurohit Subhash , Gibbs Allen G. , Tuljapurkar Shripad 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe compared whole transcriptome variation in six pre‐adult stages and seven adult female ages in two populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis reared on two host plants to understand how differences in gene expression influence standing life history variation. We used singular value decomposition (SVD) to identify dominant trajectories of life cycle gene expression variation, performed pairwise comparisons of stage and age differences in gene expression across the life cycle, identified when genes exhibited maximum levels of life cycle gene expression, and assessed population and host cactus effects on gene expression. Life cycle SVD analysis returned four significant components of transcriptional variation, revealing functional enrichment of genes responsible for growth, metabolic function, sensory perception, neural function, translation and ageing. Host cactus effects on female gene expression revealed population‐ and stage‐specific differences, including significant host plant effects on larval metabolism and development, as well as adult neurotransmitter binding and courtship behaviour gene expression levels. In 3‐ to 6‐day‐old virgin females, significant upregulation of genes associated with meiosis and oogenesis was accompanied by downregulation of genes associated with somatic maintenance, evidence for a life history trade‐off. The transcriptome of D. mojavensis reared in natural environments throughout its life cycle revealed core developmental transitions and genome‐wide influences on life history variation in natural populations.
Relocation, high‐latitude warming and host genetic identity shape the foliar fungal microbiome of poplars
Authors: Bálint Miklós , Bartha László , O'Hara Robert B. , Olson Matthew S. , Otte Jürgen , Pfenninger Markus , Robertson Amanda L. , Tiffin Peter , Schmitt Imke 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMicro‐organisms associated with plants and animals affect host fitness, shape community structure and influence ecosystem properties. Climate change is expected to influence microbial communities, but their reactions are not well understood. Host‐associated micro‐organisms are influenced by the climate reactions of their hosts, which may undergo range shifts due to climatic niche tracking, or may be actively relocated to mitigate the effects of climate change. We used a common‐garden experiment and rDNA metabarcoding to examine the effect of host relocation and high‐latitude warming on the complex fungal endophytic microbiome associated with leaves of an ecologically dominant boreal forest tree (Populus balsamifera L.). We also considered the potential effects of poplar genetic identity in defining the reactions of the microbiome to the treatments. The relocation of hosts to the north increased the diversity of the microbiome and influenced its structure, with results indicating enemy release from plausible pathogens. High‐latitude warming decreased microbiome diversity in comparison with natural northern conditions. The warming also caused structural changes, which made the fungal communities distinct in comparison with both low‐latitude and high‐latitude natural communities, and increased the abundance of plausible pathogens. The reactions of the microbiome to relocation and warming were strongly dependent on host genetic identity. This suggests that climate change effects on host–microbiome systems may be mediated by the interaction of environmental factors and the population genetic processes of the hosts.
Effects of the deletion and over‐expression of Fusarium graminearum gene FgHal2 on host response to mycovirus Fusarium graminearum virus 1
Authors: Yu Jisuk , Lee Kyung‐Mi , Son Moonil , Kim Kook‐Hyung 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe mycovirus Fusarium graminearum virus 1 (FgV1) is associated with reduced virulence (hypovirulence) of Fusarium graminearum. Transcriptomic and proteomic expression profiling have shown that many F. graminearum genes are differentially expressed as a consequence of FgV1 infection. Several of these genes may be related to the maintenance of the virus life cycle. The host gene, FgHal2, which has a highly conserved 3′‐phosphoadenosine 5′‐phosphatase (PAP phosphatase‐like) domain or inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) superfamily domain, shows reduced expression in response to FgV1 infection. We generated targeted gene deletion and over‐expression mutants to clarify the possible function(s) of FgHal2 and its relationship to FgV1. The gene deletion mutant showed retarded growth, reduced aerial mycelia formation and reduced pigmentation, whereas over‐expression mutants were morphologically similar to the wild‐type (WT). Furthermore, compared with the WT, the gene deletion mutant produced fewer conidia and these showed abnormal morphology. The FgHal2 expression level was decreased by FgV1 infection at 120 h post‐inoculation (hpi), whereas the levels were nine‐fold greater for both the virus‐free and virus‐infected over‐expression mutant than for the WT. FgV1 RNA accumulation was decreased in the deletion mutant at 48, 72 and 120 hpi. FgV1 RNA accumulation in the over‐expression mutant was reduced relative to that of the WT at 48 and 120 hpi, but was similar to that of the WT at 72 hpi. The vertical transmission rate of FgV1 in the gene deletion mutant was low, suggesting that FgHal2 may be required for the maintenance of FgV1 in the host cell. Together, these results indicate that the putative 3′(2′),5′‐bisphosphate nucleotidase gene, FgHal2, has diverse biological functions in the host fungus and may affect the viral RNA accumulation and transmission of FgV1.
Discovering intergenerativity: an evaluation of learning partnerships between student nurses and older adults
Authors: Reitmaier Amy , Davies Susan , Reveling Smith Linda , Mangan‐Danckwart Deborah , Hongerholt Kayla , Klinkner Jacqueline 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundThe benefits of intergenerational contact between older and younger adults have been demonstrated, yet nursing programmes have generally failed to build upon this potential. Nursing students have been deterred from identifying gerontological nursing as a career choice because of poor placement experiences, suggesting a need to develop practicum placements that reveal the potential impact of nursing when working with older adults. This study describes an evaluation of a partnership approach to learning involving nursing students and older adults.Aims and objectivesTo explore the ways in which the practicum component of a course in gerontological nursing, incorporating sequential visits with an older adult, contributes to undergraduate nursing students’ and older adults’ understanding of experiences of ageing. To identify the benefits and challenges of participating in the course from the perspective of student nurses and older adults.DesignIlluminative evaluation.MethodsData were drawn from the experiences of two cohorts of students who completed the programme in 2010/2011. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 students and with 22 older adults who participated in the programme. Eighty reflective journals completed by a sample of 59 students following visits with their designated older adult were also analysed. All data were analysed using the ‘framework’ approach.ResultsFour shared themes were identified across the data sets: becoming aware of generational experiences, seeing the unique person, valuing the relationship and discovering intergenerativity. These themes illuminated the shared benefits of the practicum experience.ConclusionsStructured conversations between nursing students and older adults within the context of a focused course in gerontological nursing enable the development of mutually beneficial intergenerational relationships.Implications for practiceInvolving older adults as education partners in undergraduate nursing programmes has benefits for all participants and could form a valuable component of any undergraduate nursing programme.
Kinetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Spinal Degeneration: a Systematic Review
Authors: Lao Li‐feng , Zhong Gui‐bin , Li Qian‐yi , Liu Zu‐de 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical use of kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI) in spinal degenerative diseases.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and ISI databases for articles that had been published between January 1978 and February 2013 concerning patients who had undergone kMRI for spinal problems was performed. All selected patients had undergone kMRI in neutral, flexion, and extension weight‐bearing positions. Evaluation of cervical and lumbar degeneration by kMRI was analyzed. kMRI showed significant reduction of mobility in cervical segments of patients with severe disc degeneration; in addition, it was more severely reduced in patients with severe cord compression than in those without it. In the cervical spine, it was found that although disc height, translational motion, and angular variation were significantly affected at the level of disc herniation, no significant changes were apparent in adjacent segments. kMRI also showed that lumbar degeneration is closely associated with disc degeneration, facet joint osteoarthritis and the pathological characteristics of the interspinous ligaments, ligamentum flavum and paraspinal muscles.ResultsEleven articles (4162 patients) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. It was found that kMRI is more specific and sensitive than conventional MRI regarding relating patients' symptoms to objective findings on imaging that demonstrate pathology and biomechanics. In the kinetic position, kMRI improves detection of disc herniation by 5.78%–19.46% and thus provides a new means of studying the biomechanical mechanism(s) in degenerative spines.ConclusionKinetic MRI is effective for diagnosing, evaluating, and managing degenerative disease within the spine; however, it still has some limitations.
Transient expression assays in grapevine: a step towards genetic improvement
Authors: Jelly Noémie S. , Valat Laure , Walter Bernard , Maillot Pascale 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIn the past few years, the usefulness of transient expression assays has continuously increased for the characterization of unknown gene function and metabolic pathways. In grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), one of the most economically important fruit crops in the world, recent systematic sequencing projects produced many gene data sets that require detailed analysis. Due to their rapid nature, transient expression assays are well suited for large‐scale genetic studies. Although genes and metabolic pathways of any species can be analysed by transient expression in model plants, a need for homologous systems has emerged to avoid the misinterpretation of results due to a foreign genetic background. Over the last 10 years, various protocols have thus been developed to apply this powerful technology to grapevine. Using cell suspension cultures, somatic embryos, leaves or whole plantlets, transient expression assays enabled the study of the function, regulation and subcellular localization of genes involved in specific metabolic pathways such as the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids. Disease resistance genes that could be used for marker‐assisted selection in conventional breeding or for stable transformation of elite cultivars have also been characterized. Additionally, transient expression assays have proved useful for shaping new tools for grapevine genetic improvement: synthetic promoters, silencing constructs, minimal linear cassettes or viral vectors. This review provides an update on the different tools (DNA constructs, reporter genes, vectors) and methods (Agrobacterium‐mediated and direct gene transfer methods) available for transient gene expression in grapevine. The most representative results published thus far are then described.
Modifying plants for biofuel and biomaterial production
Authors: Furtado Agnelo , Lupoi Jason S. , Hoang Nam V. , Healey Adam , Singh Seema , Simmons Blake A. , Henry Robert J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe productivity of plants as biofuel or biomaterial crops is established by both the yield of plant biomass per unit area of land and the efficiency of conversion of the biomass to biofuel. Higher yielding biofuel crops with increased conversion efficiencies allow production on a smaller land footprint minimizing competition with agriculture for food production and biodiversity conservation. Plants have traditionally been domesticated for food, fibre and feed applications. However, utilization for biofuels may require the breeding of novel phenotypes, or new species entirely. Genomics approaches support genetic selection strategies to deliver significant genetic improvement of plants as sources of biomass for biofuel manufacture. Genetic modification of plants provides a further range of options for improving the composition of biomass and for plant modifications to assist the fabrication of biofuels. The relative carbohydrate and lignin content influences the deconstruction of plant cell walls to biofuels. Key options for facilitating the deconstruction leading to higher monomeric sugar release from plants include increasing cellulose content, reducing cellulose crystallinity, and/or altering the amount or composition of noncellulosic polysaccharides or lignin. Modification of chemical linkages within and between these biomass components may improve the ease of deconstruction. Expression of enzymes in the plant may provide a cost‐effective option for biochemical conversion to biofuel.
Michelin Tire Baby Syndrome: A Review of the Literature and a Proposal for Diagnostic Criteria with Adoption of the Name Circumferential Skin Folds Syndrome
Authors: Rothman Ilene L. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe term Michelin tire baby (MTB), named for the cartoon mascot of the Michelin Tire Company, has been used to describe babies with multiple symmetric circumferential rings of folded skin. In those reported with this phenotype who had skin biopsies, pathology has shown nevus lipomatosis, smooth muscle hamartoma, degenerative collagen, and scarring. Others did not undergo biopsy or had normal skin. Many individuals with the MTB phenotype have had a variety of other congenital anomalies. I review the literature on MTB and the history of the designation Michelin tire baby Syndrome (MTBS). Because the term MTBS has been poorly defined or not defined at all, I propose strict criteria for diagnosis. In doing so, it is recommended that the syndrome be renamed to avoid further confusion.