bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subversion of cytokine networks by virally encoded decoy receptors
Authors: Epperson Megan L. , Lee Chung A. , Fremont Daved H. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryDuring the course of evolution, viruses have captured or created a diverse array of open reading frames, which encode for proteins that serve to evade and sabotage the host innate and adaptive immune responses that would otherwise lead to their elimination. These viral genomes are some of the best textbooks of immunology ever written. The established arsenal of immunomodulatory proteins encoded by viruses is large and growing, and includes specificities for virtually all known inflammatory pathways and targets. The focus of this review is on herpes and poxvirus‐encoded cytokine and chemokine‐binding proteins that serve to undermine the coordination of host immune surveillance. Structural and mechanistic studies of these decoy receptors have provided a wealth of information, not only about viral pathogenesis but also about the inner workings of cytokine signaling networks.
Farther, slower, stronger: how the plant genetic background protects a major resistance gene from breakdown
Authors: Quenouille Julie , Montarry Josselin , Palloix Alain , Moury Benoit 
Published: October 2012

SummaryGenetic resistance provides efficient control of crop diseases, but is limited by pathogen evolution capacities which often result in resistance breakdown. It has been demonstrated recently, in three different pathosystems, that polygenic resistances combining a major‐effect gene and quantitative resistance controlled by the genetic background are more durable than monogenic resistances (with the same major gene in a susceptible genetic background), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using the pepper–Potato virus Y system, we examined three mechanisms that could account for the greater durability of the polygenic resistances: (i) the additional quantitative resistance conferred by the genetic background; (ii) the increase in the number of mutations required for resistance breakdown; and (iii) the slower selection of adapted resistance‐breaking mutants within the viral population. The three mechanisms were experimentally validated. The first explained a large part of the variation in resistance breakdown frequency and is therefore expected to be a major determinant of resistance durability. Quantitative resistance factors also had an influence on the second mechanism by modifying the virus mutational pathways towards resistance breakdown and could also have an influence on the third mechanism by increasing genetic drift effects on the viral population. The relevance of these results for other plant–pathogen systems and their importance in plant breeding are discussed.
Towards an understanding of West African montane forest response to climate change
Authors: Lézine Anne‐Marie , Assi‐Kaudjhis Chimène , Roche Emile , Vincens Annie , Achoundong Gaston 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimOur aims were to provide a detailed chronology of past vegetation changes in the tropical mountains of west‐central Africa since the Last Glacial Maximum and to discuss montane forest responses to climate change in terms of distribution and biodiversity.LocationLake Bambili, western Cameroon (05°56′ N, 10°14′ E, 2273 m a.s.l.).MethodsFossil pollen was extracted from a long, continuous and well‐dated sedimentary sequence extending back 20,000 years. Pollen diversity and evenness estimates were based on rarefaction analysis and on Simpson's (1/D) index.ResultsForest was nearly absent from high elevations during the last glacial period. It expanded gradually from 18.4 cal. kyr bp, interrupted only by reversals coincident with the Heinrich 1 (H1) and Younger Dryas (YD) climatic events, and then suddenly collapsed at 3.3 cal. kyr bp. This switch from forest to grassland communities occurred within a time span of three centuries. After 3.3 cal. kyr bp only short and taxon‐poor forest phases are recorded, specifically between 2.7 and 1 cal. kyr bp and in recent centuries.Main conclusionsOur data indicate that the mountain forests of Cameroon are recent, resulting from plant migrations from various sources from 18.4 cal. kyr bp onwards. Their progressive development closely followed intensification of the Atlantic monsoon, leading to the formation of a dense forest between 11.7 and 3.3 cal. kyr bp. The composition of this forest included the co‐occurrence of species whose ranges do not overlap today, and indicates the potential for the development of unique iterations of climax forests through time. These forests appear to be very sensitive to Northern Hemisphere climate change, with phases of expansion/contraction coeval with the boreal deglacial signal, including widely recognized events such as H1, the YD and the 8.2 ka event. From 8.2 cal. kyr bp onwards, the progressive opening of the canopy is likely to reflect increased seasonality in rainfall related to more frequent El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. The final step of this history was the collapse of the montane forest at 3.3 cal. kyr bp. During the last millennium, very severe disruptions have meant that only the most rapidly dispersing species could spread, contributing to a drastic loss of forest biodiversity that has been accentuated by human impact in the last few centuries.
Recent demographic history of cactophilic Drosophila species can be related to Quaternary palaeoclimatic changes in South America
Authors: Franco Fernando Faria , Manfrin Maura Helena 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of this paper is to investigate the influence and extent of past climatic changes on South American biota. To this end, we establish phylogeographical hypotheses for a monophyletic group of four cactophilic species of Drosophila (the Drosophila serido haplogroup) found in xeromorphic vegetation in Brazil. The effects of Quaternary palaeoclimatic oscillations on the demographic fluctuations of our biological model and its sister group Drosophila antonietae are investigated.LocationAreas of eastern Brazil with open vegetation, including seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) areas and montane savannas, which are disjunctly distributed in eastern Brazil. We also analysed populations of sand dune vegetation from littoral areas in Brazil.MethodsNucleotide information from 630 bp of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene from 441 individuals was used to perform a series of statistical analyses to infer a phylogeographical hypothesis for each species and to date the divergence time between the D. serido and D. antonietae haplogroups.ResultsAll of the analysed species experienced population expansion during the Pleistocene, probably following the historical migratory routes that have been proposed for the expansion of SDTFs in Brazil. A bottleneck event in the Holocene was inferred for Drosophila seriema, probably due to ecological factors related to the geographical distribution of the host plant. The divergence time for the D. serido and D. antonietae haplogroups was calculated to have occurred during the early Pleistocene.Main conclusionsGeographical and chronological evidence suggests that the major vicariant events between the D. serido and D. antonietae haplogroups, as well as the demographic fluctuations in each of the species within these lineages, could be related to the causal effects of Quaternary palaeoclimatic changes on the spatial dynamics of the SDTFs in Brazil.
Effects of controlled discontinuation of long‐term used antipsychotics for behavioural symptoms in individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: de Kuijper G. , Evenhuis H. , Minderaa R. B. , Hoekstra P. J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundAntipsychotics are frequently and often long‐term used for challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability (ID), but the evidence base for this is meagre. As these agents may cause harmful side effects, discontinuation should be considered. Previous studies regarding discontinuation of long‐term used antipsychotics mostly were uncontrolled and involved small numbers.The primary objective was to investigate the effects of controlled discontinuation of antipsychotics prescribed for challenging behaviour. Secondary objectives were to compare the results of two discontinuation time schedules, to compare groups of participants who had and had not achieved complete discontinuation, and to identify patient and medication characteristics that might predict the outcomes. Our hypothesis was that discontinuation of antipsychotics used for behavioural symptoms would not lead to worsening in behaviour.MethodsThis was a multi‐centre parallel‐group study comparing two discontinuation schedules of 14 and 28 weeks. Allocation to the two discontinuation schedules took place in a 1:1 ratio. Antipsychotics were tapered off every 2 or 4 weeks with approximately 12.5% of the initial dosage. Follow‐up was 12 weeks after the scheduled complete discontinuation, that is, 26 or 40 weeks after the first dose reduction, respectively. Discontinuation was stopped in case of significant behavioural worsening.Participants were 98 residents with ID of three care providing organisations in the Netherlands, aged 15–66 year, who had used for more than 1 year one or more of the six most frequently prescribed antipsychotics for challenging behaviour. Main outcome measure was the total score of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC); also ABC sub‐scales were used.ResultsOf 98 participants, 43 achieved complete discontinuation; at follow‐up 7 had resumed use of antipsychotics. Mean ABC ratings improved significantly for those who achieved complete discontinuation (directly after discontinuation, P < 0.01 and at follow‐up, P = 0.03), and at follow‐up (P = 0.03) for those who had not achieved complete discontinuation. Similar results were found with respect to most ABC sub‐scales, including the ‘irritability’ sub‐scale. There were no significant differences in improvement of ABC ratings between both discontinuation schedules. Higher ratings of extrapyramidal and autonomic symptoms at baseline were associated with less improvement of behavioural symptoms after discontinuation; higher baseline ABC rating predicted higher odds of incomplete discontinuation.ConclusionsDiscontinuation of antipsychotics prescribed for challenging behaviour in patients with ID is associated with improved behavioural functioning. There is no need to taper off in a time frame longer than 14 weeks.
Labor law violations in Japanese public hospitals from March 2002 to March 2011
Authors: Ehara Akira 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundAccording to the Japan Pediatric Society, the mean extra work hours of hospital pediatricians in 2010 was approximately 80 h per month, which is the certification criterion for Karoshi (death from overwork), but there is no precise picture of personnel management at hospitals because the labor authorities do not disclose detailed statistics concerning labor law violations to the public.MethodsMost local governments have a disclosure system, and the local governments that operate public hospitals were requested to disclose warning documents issued by the labor authorities from March 2002 to March 2011.ResultsA total of 208/369 public hospitals (56.4%) with ≥200 beds in Japan were warned of labor law violations. Offenses included exceeding the limit of working hours (177 hospitals) and non‐payment of increased wages for night and holiday work (98 hospitals).ConclusionsMany public hospitals in Japan did not always pay workers including physicians for increased workload because they do not regard night and holiday duties as work hours.
Spontaneous tension pneumothorax: what is it and does it exist?
Authors: Simpson G. , Vincent S. , Ferns J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTension pneumothorax is variously defined but is generally thought of as a pneumothorax in which the pressure of intrapleural gas exceeds atmospheric pressure, producing adverse effects, including mediastinal shift associated with cardiovascular collapse, often attributed to reduced venous return and kinking of the great vessels. The mechanism of tension pneumothorax is said to be a valvular defect in the visceral pleura such that air enters the pleural space in inspiration but cannot exit in expiration, leading to a progressive increase in pressure. However, as the driving pressure forcing air into the pleura in inspiration is atmospheric pressure, the pleural pressure can never exceed 1 atm during inspiration in a spontaneously breathing subject. Furthermore, all pneumothoraces must have pressures greater than atmospheric during expiration, or conventional treatment with intercostal tube drainage would not work. Pilot experiments have failed to show any re‐entry of pleural gas into the lung in patients with persistent air leaks but no evidence of tension, suggesting these behave as valvular pneumothoraces. Case reports of tension pneumothorax in spontaneously breathing patients are rare, and most patients have other explanations for clinical deterioration. Although a large and rapidly expanding pneumothorax may require urgent intervention, it is unlikely that the effects are mediated by high intrapleural pressures. The term tension pneumothorax in spontaneously breathing patients should be reconsidered.
Deficits in volitional oculomotor control align with language status in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Kelly David J. , Walker Robin , Norbury Courtenay Frazier 
Published: October 2012

AbstractEye‐tracking paradigms are increasingly used to investigate higher‐level social and cognitive processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the integrity of the oculomotor system within ASD is unclear, with contradictory reports of aberrant eye‐movements on basic oculomotor tasks. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether reducing population heterogeneity and distinguishing neurocognitive phenotypes can clarify discrepancies in oculomotor behaviour evident in previous reports. Reflexive and volitional eye‐movement control was assessed in 73 children aged 8–14 years from four distinct groups: Autism Language Normal (ALN), Autism Language Impaired (ALI), non‐autistic Language Impaired (LI) and Typically Developing (TD). Eye‐movement control was measured using pro‐ and antisaccade tasks and a novel ‘search distracter’ task to measure distractibility. Reflexive eye‐movements were equivalent across groups, but deficits in volitional eye‐movement control were found that aligned with language status, and were not specific to ASD. More than 80% of ALI and LI children presented error rates at least 1.5 SDs below the TD mean in an antisaccade task. In the search distracter task, 35.29% of ALI children and 43.75% of LI children had error rates greater than 1.5 SDs compared with 17.64% of ALN children. A significant proportion of children with neurodevelopmental disorders involving language function have pronounced difficulties suppressing reflexive saccades and maintaining fixations in the presence of competing stimuli. We extend the putative link between ALI and LI populations to non‐language tasks, and highlight the need to account for co‐morbidity in understanding the ontogenesis of ASD.
Lone Parents and Welfare‐to‐Work in England: A Spatial Analysis of Outcomes and Drivers
Authors: Whitworth Adam 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMirroring changes across nations of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, recent UK governments have redrawn lone parents' entitlement to social assistance benefits ever tighter around participation in the labour market. A radical shift since 2008 has been the gradual transfer of most non‐employed lone parents into the ‘activating’ Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) regime. The enhanced conditionality requirements of this JSA regime have been justified by both paternalistic and contractualist arguments but, however justified, are built on the premise that behavioural factors drive lone parent employment outcomes, a view made increasingly forcefully under the current Coalition government. This article uses up‐to‐date administrative data at local authority level across England to provide a geographical perspective into the sub‐national changes in lone parent employment outcomes since the transfer to JSA from 2008, as well as the relevant importance of the alternative structural and behavioural accounts to these outcomes. The findings suggest that the JSA transfer has increased lone parent employment, that structural rather than behavioural drivers are more relevant causal factors and that there is good reason to be concerned about the effect of the reforms on the well‐being of lone parents and their children.
Attributing Outcomes to Social Policy Interventions – ‘Gold Standard’ or ‘Fool's Gold’ in Public Policy and Management?
Authors: Bovaird Tony 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn recent years there has been increased interest in outcome‐based social policy‐making and management. TheUKhas been in the forefront of this movement but similar movements have been identified internationally. This interest in outcome‐based decision‐making has been given particular impetus through the ‘results’‐based movement in evaluation and performance management since the 1980s, which has increased in scope over time, slowly changing its emphasis from cost reduction and measuring outputs to measuring outcomes. This change has been widely welcomed by policymakers, practitioners and academics. However, there is evidence that the reality is often rather less than the rhetoric. Moreover, the ‘attribution problem’ of attributing changes in outcomes to specific social policies has remained a major issue. The conceptual solution of constructing ‘cause‐and‐effect’ models, imported from the policy evaluation field, has only recently become common for operationalising these models. This article outlines the evolution of interest in outcome‐based social policy‐making up to recent times and the growing realization of the importance of the attribution problem. It then outlines both how the ‘cause‐and‐effect’ policy modelling approach can partially tackle the attribution problem, but also its inherent limitations. Lastly, the article uses several case studies in currentUKsocial policy‐making to demonstrate the potential importance of the reasoning embedded within cause‐and‐effect models but also the dangers in policy‐making which adopts this approach without understanding its conceptual basis or in fields where it is inappropriate, given the current state of our knowledge of social policy systems.
Slope Analysis of Fuzzy Surfaces
Authors: Caha Jan , Tuček Pavel , Vondráková Alena , Paclíková Lenka 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAnalysis of the slope is one of the fundamental analyses within geoinformatics, especially its initial calculation. Slope analysis is usually used as the first step in much more sophisticated analyses as well as in complex models of natural phenomena. Fuzzy surfaces provide representation of geographical phenomena with all aspects of the uncertainty (i.e. both in terms of the description of reality or the uncertainty of measurement). The uncertainty in the input surface is crucial for analysis of slope. A high level of uncertainty can significantly affect the result of slope analysis. The Neighbourhood method was utilized for calculating with fuzzy numbers and to perform slope analysis of the fuzzy surface. The main reason for choosing this method is that it belongs to the most common tools in GIS software (e.g. both ArcGIS and GRASS). The computation with fuzzy numbers instead of crisp numbers allows evaluation of uncertainty of the resultant slope. The aim of this article is to present the process of slope calculation with fuzzy numbers as well as all necessary algorithms that are needed for such calculation. The further analysis of uncertainty provides important information for the process of decision making. The level of uncertainty in the results of the above‐mentioned analysis can be as important as the actual result. It is especially important in situations where the amount of uncertainty varies at higher values.
Geo‐Social Model: A Conceptual Framework for Real‐time Geocollaboration
Authors: Chang Zheng (Eric) , Li Songnian 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSynchronous geocollaboration helps geographically dispersed people to work together in a shared geospatial environment. Its real‐time nature, multiple users' interaction and diversity of work context impose some special social, organizational and technological requirements, making the development of such real‐time geocollaboration systems a challenging task. A conceptual framework is therefore needed to specify and describe what synchronous geocollaboration is, considering its social, spatial and technical aspects. The geo‐social model presented in this article describes a conceptual framework for synchronous geocollaboration systems addressing the above aspects, identifies the core elements of the system and describes how these elements collaborate with each other. This model is presented using application‐level ontology and is then applied to a multi‐agent system based prototype in which multiple users can interact and negotiate in a shared 3D geospatial environment.
PERILOUS WATERS: EARLY MARITIME TRADE ALONG THE WESTERN COAST OF THE BLACK SEA (FIFTH MILLENNIUM BC)
Authors: IVANOVA MARIYA 
Published: October 2012

SummaryA heavy accumulation of exotica and valuables, such as gold, copper, carnelian and Mediterranean shells, distinguishes the Black Sea littoral from other parts of the east Balkans in the fifth millennium BC.1 Recent discoveries shed new light on the trading connections of the coastal communities and indicate that maritime activity was germane to the origin of their extraordinary wealth. This article investigates the involvement of the coastal inhabitants with the sea. It addresses the ecological conditions and the technical parameters of prehistoric seafaring on the west coast of the Black Sea, considers the remains of marine species in the faunal record as an indication of maritime experience, and examines the artefactual record for signs of movement of goods and people between the coastal communities. The combination of these separate lines of evidence points to a maritime trading route joining the resource‐poor north with the resource‐rich south of the littoral in the Chalcolithic period. Moreover, it implies that sea‐borne trade not only enabled the accumulation of material wealth, but also was pivotal for social change.
THE ASTRONOMICAL ORIENTATION OF THE URBAN PLAN OF ALEXANDRIA
Authors: FERRO LUISA , MAGLI GIULIO 
Published: October 2012

SummaryAlexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC. An examination of the topography of the city today allows the identification of the essential elements of the original urban system, and shows that the site was chosen mainly for religious and symbolic reasons. In fact, Alexandria was the prototype of a series of Hellenistic towns designed as ‘king's towns’ that aimed to make explicit the divine power of their founder. We examine the orientation of the orthogonal grid, which was based on a main longitudinal axis, and show that this axis is orientated to the rising sun on the day of Alexander the Great's birth. At the time of foundation, ‘King's Star’ Regulus was also rising along the same direction.
BEYOND THE OPPIDA: POLYFOCAL COMPLEXES AND LATE IRON AGE SOCIETIES IN SOUTHERN BRITAIN
Authors: MOORE TOM 
Published: October 2012

SummaryTerms such as ‘oppida’ have often obscured how we understand the nature and role of the dyke complexes which emerged at the end of the Iron Age. Developing from recent research at the Late Iron Age complex of Bagendon in Gloucestershire, this paper argues that a group of such polyfocal complexes share common characteristics, most significantly a relationship with ‘banjo’ enclosures, as part of wider landscape constructs. The paper suggests that the topography and morphology of these complexes have important implications for understanding the role of these sites and the nature of social change in the Late Iron Age.