bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Is “Regime Change From Within?” Unpacking the Concept in the Context of Iran
Authors: Sheehan Ivan Sascha 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe use of the phrase “regime change from within” has surged in recent years in media, policy, and opposition discourse, especially in relation to the Islamic Republic of Iran. But what does “regime change from within” actually mean? Is it just a script to encourage the aspirations of a people, or can it be defined with more specificity? This article argues that to be of value as a concept and the basis for articulate policy, “regime change from within” needs to be better defined. To bring greater clarity to the term, the article tries to unpack the concept by disaggregating it into three analytically separable problem components: the “regime,” “change,” and “from within.” Drawing on the case of Iran, I argue that although most of the current debate around the concept is on the “from within” component, the definitional choices that need more discussion are the “regime” and “change” aspects of the phrase.
Beyond carbon sequestration: soil as conduit of solar energy
Authors: Janzen H. H. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe prospect, so alluring, of sequestering carbon (C) to mitigate CO2 build‐up in air has prompted a flurry of soil studies, but questions still linger about whether early optimism was fully justified. My objectives are to review briefly the mechanisms of carbon accrual, consider constraints on soil C sequestration for mitigating climate, and contemplate questions for further collective conversation. Carbon in soil is ever in flux; not a stagnant reservoir, but a stream of atoms flowing through. Its instantaneous stock can be increased by adding more atoms to the stream or by slowing their rate of flow to CO2. The latter (decay) is influenced by intrinsic recalcitrance of the substrate, by protective interactions of carbon with the mineral matrix, and by the favourability of localized conditions for biological activity. Together, these mechanisms create a continuum of susceptibility to decay. Although many practices can abet carbon accrual, their effectiveness is constrained by the finitude of carbon gain, possible effects on other greenhouse gas emissions, susceptibility to future loss, the difficulty of measuring gains precisely, and the complexity of landscape‐scale dynamics. In the light of these problems and prospects, I propose, as a working hypothesis, that we focus less on carbon, and more on using wisely the energy it carries; in other words, maximizing carbon ‘stocks’ is less critical than maintaining ‘flows’ to sustain the manifold functions performed by ecosystems. Among its implications, this hypothesis (i) enforces an ecosystem perspective, considering all inevitable trade‐offs in the use of finite energy, (ii) emphasizes the importance of sustaining energy capture via photosynthesis, (iii) promotes a long view, evaluating carbon flows over several decades or longer and (iv) enfolds human aspirations, which ultimately shape carbon flows by demands on lands. Far from deflating the urgency of soil carbon research, this reoriented perspective may move soil carbon beyond a segregated stock to its central place as a dynamic hub in the energy cycles of our ecosystems.
Recognition and Response to Native and Novel Predators in the Largespring mosquitofish, Gambusia geiseri
Authors: Blake Chelsea A. , Alberici da Barbiano Laura , Guenther Jessica E. , Gabor Caitlin R. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe introduction of predator species into new habitats is an increasingly common consequence of human activities, and the persistence of native prey species depends upon their response to these novel predators. In this study, we examined whether the Largespring mosquitofish, Gambusia geiseri exhibited antipredator behavior and/or an elevation of circulating stress hormones (cortisol) to visual and chemical cues from a native predator, a novel predator, or a non‐predatory control fish. Prey showed the most pronounced antipredator response to the native predator treatment, by moving away from the stimulus, while the prey showed no significant changes in their vertical or horizontal position in response to the novel or non‐predator treatments. We also found no significant difference in water‐borne cortisol release rates following any of the treatments. Our results suggest the prey did not recognize and exhibit antipredator behavior to the novel predator, and we infer that this predator species could be detrimental if it expands into the range of this prey species. Further, our study demonstrates prey may not respond to an invasive predator that is phylogenetically, behaviorally, and morphologically dissimilar from the prey species' native predators.
Free Trade Agreements after the Treaty of Lisbon in the Light of the Case Law of the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Van Waeyenberge Arnaud , Pecho Peter 
Published: October 2014

AbstractFree Trade Agreements (FTAs) are increasingly employed by the European Union (EU) as a tool of its internal market and external relations policy. This article addresses the evolution of FTAs through the jurisprudential lens of the Court of Justice of the EU. To this end, and after clarifying key constitutional issues (competence, substance and hierarchy), it discusses the Court's case‐law on the direct effect of certain measures, and addresses a selection of cross‐functional questions regarding the interpretation of material law founded in the Court's case‐law. As a matter of general tendency, the jurisprudence takes a rather liberal stance in recognising direct effects of FTAs concerning analogical interpretation of economic freedom. By contrast, a more restrictive approach appears to have been applied to the interpretation of provisions having an impact on the possibility of third states' citizens to reside in the EU.
EU South African Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement: Bane or Boon for Socio‐Economic Rights under the South African Constitution?
Authors: Smis Stefaan , Kingah Stephen 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHow does the EU–South African Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement serve as a tool to ensure that basic services recognised under the South African Constitution are secured and reinforced so that the most vulnerable are protected? Benefits under the agreement will be hardly maximised by South Africans if political institutions and those who serve in them fail to duly channel the benefits of the agreement to the people while at the same time minimising potential deleterious effects of the liberalisation fallout engendered by the agreement.
Co‐management in Latin American small‐scale shellfisheries: assessment from long‐term case studies
Authors: Defeo Omar , Castrejón Mauricio , Pérez‐Castañeda Roberto , Castilla Juan C , Gutiérrez Nicolás L , Essington Timothy E , Folke Carl 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCo‐management (Co‐M), defined as the sharing of management tasks and responsibilities between governments and local users, is emerging as a powerful institutional arrangement to redress fisheries paradigm failures, yet long‐term assessments of its performance are lacking. A comparative analysis of five small‐scale Latin American shellfisheries was conducted to identify factors suggesting success and failure. In Chile, Uruguay and Mexico Co‐M produced positive effects, including stabilization of landings at low levels, increase in abundance, CPUE, unit prices and revenues per unit of effort, and reduced interannual variability in several fishery indicators, particularly in landings. Co‐M was successful because it was mainly bottom‐up implemented and accompanied by‐catch shares (spatial property rights and community quotas). By contrast, Co‐M implementation was unable to prevent the collapse of the Galapagos sea cucumber fishery, as reflected by a decrease in abundance and CPUE. Negative effects were also observed in the Galapagos spiny lobster fishery during Co‐M implementation. However, recovery was observed in recent years, reflected in a stabilization of fishing effort and the highest CPUE and economic revenues observed since the beginning of the Co‐M implementation phase. The combined effects of market forces, climate variability and a moratorium on fishing effort were critical in fishery recovery. We conclude that Co‐M is not a blueprint that can be applied to all shellfisheries to enhance their governability. These social–ecological systems need to be managed by jointly addressing problems related to the resources, their marine environment and the people targeting them, accounting for their socioeconomic and cultural contexts.
Plant dispersal systems in Neotropical forests: availability of dispersal agents or availability of resources for constructing zoochorous fruits?
Authors: Correa Diego F. , Álvarez Esteban , Stevenson Pablo R. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimWe used abiotic and biotic factors as predictors of the proportions of different dispersal systems in Neotropical forests, to test whether the geographical patterns in dispersal systems are mostly related to the availability of resources for constructing zoochorous fruits or to the availability of dispersal agents.Location101 one‐hectare vegetation plots established in eight Holdridge life‐zones in Colombian Neotropical forests.MethodsWe assigned dispersal systems to 2262 species and 1210 morphospecies, using the relative frequency and relative abundance of endozoochory, synzoochory, anemochory and hydrochory per plot as response variables. We assessed the relationships between dispersal systems and ecological factors (elevation, climatic and edaphic variables, raw and weighted richness of potential frugivores, biomass of primates, wind speed, flooding regime and fragmentation), controlling for spatial autocorrelation and phylogenetic constraints.ResultsEndozoochory was highly represented in all plots. High levels of rainfall and low precipitation seasonality were associated with high proportions of zoochory (endozoochory and synzoochory) and low proportions of anemochory. The biomass of primates was positively associated with the relative abundance of endozoochory, and the weighted richness of frugivores was positively associated with the relative frequency of endozoochory. Contrary to the resource‐availability hypothesis, synzoochory (the most expensive dispersal system in terms of plant investment in fruit mass) was most common in soils with low carbon densities. Finally, the proportions of anemochory and hydrochory were highest in windy areas and flooded forests, respectively.Main conclusionsAlthough there is a relationship between rainfall, zoochory and anemochory, the absence of any positive relationships between zoochory, temperature, soil total nitrogen density and soil carbon density shows that the proportions of dispersal systems in Colombian Neotropical forests are mostly related to the availability of dispersal agents.
Prevalence of HLA‐DQA1 alleles and haplotypes in blood donors resident in Wales
Authors: Lemin A. J. , Darke C. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryTwo hundred and fifty‐four normal blood donors, from a largely UK European population, were sequence‐based typed for HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C, HLA‐DRB1, HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DQB1. The fit to Hardy–Weinberg expectations was good for all loci (all P values >0.5). Fifteen DQA1 alleles were identified to the second field. DQA1 carriage, allele and DQA1–DQB1 and DRB1–DQA1–DQB1 haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibria and related values are presented.
Morphological integration and pleiotropy in the adaptive body shape of the snail‐feeding carabid beetleDamaster blaptoides
Authors: Konuma Junji , Yamamoto Satoshi , Sota Teiji 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe snail‐feeding carabid beetleDamaster blaptoidesexhibits diverse head and thorax morphologies, and these morphotypes are linked with two alternative feeding behaviours. Stout‐shaped beetles feed on snails by crushing the shells, whereas slender‐shaped beetles consume snails by inserting their heads into the shells. A trade‐off exists between these feeding strategies. Because intermediate‐shaped beetles are less proficient in these two behaviours, stout–slender morphological divergence occurs between related species feeding on land snails. To examine the genetic basis of these morphotypes, we conducted morphological analyses and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping using backcross offspring between the stout and slender subspecies. The morphological analyses showed that the width and length of the beetle body parts were correlated with each other; in particular, the head width (HW) and thorax length (TL) were strongly negatively correlated.QTLmapping showed thatQTLs forHWandTLare located in close proximity to one another on the longest linkage group and that they have positive and negative additive genetic effects. Our results suggest that the adaptive phenotypic sets of a wide head and short thorax and a narrow head and long thorax are based on the closeness of theseQTLs. Morphological integration between the head and thorax may play an important role in the adaptive divergence of these beetles.
Population genetic structure and direct observations reveal sex‐reversed patterns of dispersal in a cooperative bird
Authors: Harrison Xavier A. , York Jennifer E. , Young Andrew J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSex‐biased dispersal is pervasive and has diverse evolutionary implications, but the fundamental drivers of dispersal sex biases remain unresolved. This is due in part to limited diversity within taxonomic groups in the direction of dispersal sex biases, which leaves hypothesis testing critically dependent upon identifying rare reversals of taxonomic norms. Here, we use a combination of observational and genetic data to demonstrate a rare reversal of the avian sex bias in dispersal in the cooperatively breeding white‐browed sparrow weaver (Plocepasser mahali). Direct observations revealed that (i) natal philopatry was rare, with both sexes typically dispersing locally to breed, and (ii), unusually for birds, males bred at significantly greater distances from their natal group than females. Population genetic analyses confirmed these patterns, as (i) corrected Assignment index (AIc), FST tests and isolation‐by‐distance metrics were all indicative of longer dispersal distances among males than females, and (ii) spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated stronger within‐group genetic structure among females than males. Examining the spatial scale of extra‐group mating highlighted that the resulting ‘sperm dispersal’ could have acted in concert with individual dispersal to generate these genetic patterns, but gamete dispersal alone cannot account entirely for the sex differences in genetic structure observed. That leading hypotheses for the evolution of dispersal sex biases cannot readily account for these sex‐reversed patterns of dispersal in white‐browed sparrow weavers highlights the continued need for attention to alternative explanations for this enigmatic phenomenon. We highlight the potential importance of sex differences in the distances over which dispersal opportunities can be detected.
Detection of dopa‐positive cells in mouse ovaries in response to ocular exposure to ultraviolet B rays
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Yamate Yurika , Kawanishi Shosuke 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundIt is known that the levels of hormones secreted from the pituitary gland are increased by ultraviolet B (UVB) eye irradiation. The ovaries are affected by the hormones secreted from the pituitary gland. Therefore, we observed the influence of UVB eye irradiation on the ovaries.MethodsIn this study, a 2.5 kJ/m2 dose of UVB irradiation was delivered by a sunlamp to the eye or the ear of C57BL/6j female mice. Five days after UVB irradiation, we removed the ovaries.ResultsThe plasma levels of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and β‐endorphin were increased 24 h after UVB irradiation of either the eye or the ear. The amounts of ACTH and α‐MSH were decreased 5 days after UVB irradiation. However, the β‐endorphin level 5 days after UVB eye irradiation did not decrease. In addition, UVB eye irradiation increased the expression of dopa‐positive cells, tyrosinase, and dopa decarboxylase, and also increased the immunoreactivity of melanocortin‐1 receptor in the ovaries. The dopamine content in the plasma was also increased.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the melanin and dopamine systems of the ovary are affected by UVB eye irradiation, and the synthesized dopamine is maintained at high levels as β‐endorphin.
Disappointment and regret enhance corrugator reactivity in a gambling task
Authors: Wu Yin , Clark Luke 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis study investigated how the corrugator and zygomaticus respond to decision outcomes (i.e., gains and losses). We used a gambling task in which participants were presented with obtained followed by non‐obtained outcomes. Activity at the corrugator site was sensitive to decision outcomes, such that higher obtained losses (disappointment) and higher non‐obtained gains (regret) both heightened corrugator reactivity. Activity at the zygomaticus site was not responsive to obtained or non‐obtained outcomes, but did show sensitivity to emotional images in the same participants, in the form of a positive linear relationship with self‐reported emotional valence. Corrugator activity was negatively related to emotional valence. The findings indicate the sensitivity of corrugator to objective decision outcomes and also counterfactual comparisons, highlighting the utility of facial electromyography in research on decision making and gambling behavior.
Telomerase gene mutations and telomere length shortening in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a Chinese population
Authors: Dai Jinghong , Cai Hourong , Zhuang Yi , Wu Yongzheng , Min Haiyan , Li Jinheng , Shi Yi , Gao Qian , Yi Long 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age‐related disease and the most common manifestation of telomere‐mediated disorders.MethodsWe collected detailed medical histories and DNA samples from 100 IPF patients seen at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University. All patients had sporadic IPF, with no family history reported. We screened all patients for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA component (TERC) variants, and measured their telomere lengths in lymphocytes.ResultsSix novel telomerase gene mutations were identified in six IPF patients enrolled in the studies. They were two heterozygous mutations in TERC (257 G>A and 108 C>T) and four in TERT (R622H, T644M, V777L and F1032I). IPF patients with TERT/TERC mutations had significant thrombocytopaenia (160.167 ± 28.089 × 109) compared with the non‐mutation groups (191.018 ± 71.187 × 109, P = 0.047). All IPF patients with TERT/TERC mutations had shortened telomeres (0.656 ± 0.125) compared with the patients lacking TERT/TERC mutations (1.080 ± 0.6819, P = 0.0184). IPF patients lacking TERT or TERC mutations (1.080 ± 0.6819) had significantly shorter telomeres compared with age‐matched healthy controls (1.244 ± 0.5890, P = 0.0355).ConclusionsSix novel mutations in the telomerase genes were identified for the first time in individuals diagnosed with sporadic IPF in a Chinese Han population. Shorter telomeres and mild thrombocytopaenia could be clues to association with telomerase gene mutation and sporadic IPF.
Vascular patterns of nonpigmented tumoral skin lesions: confocal perspectives
Authors: Incel P. , Gurel M. S. , Erdemir A. V. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundThe characteristic vascular patterns of nonpigmented skin tumors have been established by dermoscopy. Recently, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has become an established method for the noninvasive examination of skin tumors.ObjectivesDetermination of the value of RCM on the vascularity of nonpigmented skin tumors.MethodsOne hundred and twenty two tumoral lesions have been evaluated by RCM in terms of their vascular structures. They were classified in five groups as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), seborrheic keratosis (SK), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)/keratoacanthoma, actinic keratosis (AK)/Bowen disease and others. Vascular morphologies were investigated as curved linear, straight linear, branching, tubular/canalicular, round and polymorphic vessels in six types.LimitationsRelatively, small number of patients with some tumor subgroups is limitation. Larger prospective studies are required before firm conclusions can be drawn.ResultsExcellent compliance was obtained in interobserver analysis. Branching vessels had a high predictive value for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with RCM (P < 0.001). Also vascular polymorphism was more frequently (69.4%) seen in malignant nonpigmented tumors (P < 0.05) than benign nonpigmented tumors (30.6%). Furthermore, vessels with opposite flows had high predictive value for malignant tumors (P < 0.05) compared with benign tumors.ConclusionVascular properties can be evaluated in the diagnosis of nonpigmented tumoral skin lesions via RCM.
Mortality risk factors among HIV‐exposed infants in rural and urban Cameroon
Authors: Boerma Ragna S. , Wit Ferdinand W. N. M. , Orock Sammy Oben , Schonenberg‐Meinema Dieneke , Hartdorff Caroline M. , Bakia Affuenti , van Hensbroek Michael Boele 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectivesHIV‐exposed infants, including those who do not become infected, have higher morbidity and mortality rates than HIV unexposed infants. The underlying mechanisms of this difference are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for mortality among HIV‐exposed (infected as well as uninfected) infants in a prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) programme in Cameroon.MethodsWe analysed the data from 319 mother‐infant pairs included in a PMTCT programme at a rural and an urban hospital between 2004 and 2012. The programme offered free formula feeding, monthly follow‐up visits and antiretroviral therapy (ART) according to national PMTCT guidelines. Mother‐infant pairs were divided in three study groups, based on year of recruitment and study site: (I) rural hospital, 2004–07; (II) rural hospital, 2008–12; (III) urban hospital, 2008–12.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty‐five medical records were included in the final analysis. Infant mortality rates were 23.9%, 20.0% and 5.3% in group I, II and III, respectively (P = 0.02). Hazard ratios of infant mortality were 6.4 (P < 0.001) for prematurity, 4.6 (P = 0.04) for no maternal use of ARTs, 5.6 (P = 0.025) for mixed feeding, 2.7 for home deliveries (P = 0.087) and 0.4 (P = 0.138) for urban study group.ConclusionsIn this programme, prematurity, no ART use, and the practice of mixed feeding were independent predictors of infant mortality. Mixed feeding and not using ART increased the hazard of death, probably through its increased risk of HIV infection. Although mortality rates were significantly higher in the rural area, rural setting was not a risk factor for infant mortality. These findings may contribute to the development of tailor‐made programmes to reduce infant mortality rates among HIV‐exposed infants.