bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Temperature on Activity Patterns in a Small Andean Rodent: Behavioral Plasticity and Intraspecific Variation
Authors: Sassi Paola L. , Taraborelli Paula , Albanese Soledad , Gutierrez Andrea 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe activity rhythm of a species is ruled by internal signals as well as external factors. Among them, ambient temperature strongly influences the amount, duration, and distribution of an organism's activities throughout the day. The result is a pattern of activity that, between certain limits, can be flexible to deal with seasonal and spatial thermal heterogeneity. The range of behavioral plasticity increases with environmental variability and could be beneficial for a species' persistence under novel conditions. Thus, the goal of this study was to experimentally explore the behavioral plasticity in Phyllotis xanthopygus, a rodent species inhabiting an altitudinal gradient in the Central Andes Mountains of Argentina. In the laboratory, we assessed activity rate and pattern under different temperatures by comparing groups of individuals collected at different altitudes. All animals were acclimated to subsequent thermal treatments in a paired design. As expected, P. xanthophygus showed changes in activity under different temperatures, and animals from diverse altitudes were differently affected. In particular, animals from mid‐altitudes and high altitudes reduced their activity under high temperatures. Intraspecific differences across the altitudinal gradient suggest that animals from mid‐altitudes and high altitudes are less heat tolerant than those from lower sites, in spite of acclimation to equal conditions. We propose that climate ranges experienced in the field possibly promote this different response. Our results are discussed in light of recent forecasts of temperature rises in the region, which could constrain P. xanthophygus activity in space and time.
Sickness Absence and the Court of Justice: Examining the Role of Fundamental Rights in EU Employment Law
Authors: Bell Mark 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBeing absent from work due to sickness is a critical issue for individuals and their employers, but it has traditionally fallen outside the scope of EU employment legislation. This article argues that this is changing; it examines case‐law under the Working Time and Employment Equality Directives. The article considers the justifications that the Court of Justice has advanced to explain this expansion in EU employment law. It finds that the Court has, at times, invoked fundamental social rights as a basis for interpreting employment legislation in a manner favourable to workers. Yet the way in which the Court deploys rights‐based reasoning can be difficult to anticipate, not least the countervailing weight attached to the interests of employers. The case studies indicate that fundamental rights discourse offers a possible foundation for more extensive readings of employment legislation, but it is not a simple ‘trump card’ for advocates of stronger worker protection.
Maize Genotypes Differing in Salt Resistance Vary in Jasmonic Acid Accumulation During the First Phase of Salt Stress
Authors: Shahzad A. N. , Pitann B. , Ali H. , Qayyum M. F. , Fatima A. , Bakhat H. F. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPlant hormones are considered to play an important role in plant adaptation to drought and salt stress. The objective of the study was to investigate the changes in endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) in relation to differences in the salt resistance of maize genotypes. Two maize genotypes (SR 03 and Across 8023) were compared for changes in water relations, growth and tissue JA levels in response to 100 mm NaCl. Salt stress significantly reduced the shoot growth of both genotypes; however, SR 03 exhibited significantly less reduction in relative shoot fresh weight than Across 8023. Both genotypes showed an identical response to salt stress regarding plant water relations; therefore, genotypic differences in the salt resistance could not be attributed to changes in shoot turgor and these results were further confirmed by the response of both genotypes under equiosmotic stress (−0.49 MPa) of either 100 mm NaCl or PEG‐6000. GC‐MS/MS analysis showed that salt stress did not alter shoot JA levels of both genotypes, however significantly increased the root JA levels of Across 8023. In contrast, root JA levels of salt‐resistant SR 03 did not change by salt stress. Increase in root JA levels in response to stress treatments does not coincide with the growth inhibition of shoot in Across 8023. In contrast, both PEG and NaCl did not change the JA concentrations in both root and shoot tissues of SR 03. Growth assays with maize seedlings showed that JA supply in root medium inhibits shoot extension growth and both maize genotypes were sensitive to the inhibitory effects of JA. These results suggest that maize genotypes differ in JA accumulation during the first phase of salt stress and JA may indirectly be involved in leaf growth inhibition of the salt‐sensitive genotype. In addition, our results also showed that treatment of salt‐stressed plants with exogenous JA improved the Na+ exclusion by decreasing the Na+ uptake at the root surface.
Getting People into Work: What (if Anything) Can Justify Mandatory Activation of Welfare Recipients?
Authors: Molander Anders , Torsvik Gaute 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSo‐called activation policies aiming at bringing jobless people into work have been a central component of welfare reforms across OECD countries during the last decades. Such policies combine restrictive and enabling programs, but their characteristic feature is that enabling programs are also mandatory, and non‐compliers are sanctioned. There are four main arguments that can be used to defend mandatory activation of benefit recipients. We label them efficiency, sustainability, paternalism, and justice. Each argument is analysed in turn. First we clarify which standards it invokes, thereafter we evaluate each argument according to its own standards and introduce competing normative concerns that have to be taken into account.
Real‐World Love Drugs: Reply to Nyholm
Authors: Naar Hichem 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn a recent article, Sven Nyholm argues that the use of biomedical enhancements (BE) in our romantic relationships would fail to secure the final value we attribute to love. On Nyholm's view, one thing we desire for its own sake is to be at the origin of the love others have for us. The satisfaction of this desire, he argues, is incompatible with the use of BE insofar as they are responsible for the attachment characteristic of love. In particular, the use of BE in order to create and sustain the sort of attachment characteristic of love would be less desirable than the creation and sustainment of it by more ordinary means. If one needs such enhancements in order for one's love to be created or sustained, then one's love is of lesser quality than the love we want. In this reply, I raise doubts about the argument.
Revisiting Jevons’ Paradox with System Dynamics: Systemic Causes and Potential Cures
Authors: Freeman Rachel , Yearworth Mike , Preist Chris 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThis article examines the dynamic relationship between the consumption of goods and services, technological efficiency, and associated resource use, as described by the theory of Jevons’ Paradox (JP). A theory is presented about what causes JP, in which resource efficiency savings are eventually overtaken by increases in consumption to produce a net increase in resource use and therefore environmental impacts. An application of the theory was carried out using system dynamics, modeling carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2‐eq) emissions from private road transport in the UK between 1970 and 2010. The model results indicate the approximate impact of JP within the historical period: a rise in travel consumption of approximately one half and a rise in CO2‐eq emissions of approximately one third. The model was used to estimate whether the European Union (EU) goal of a 40% drop in CO2‐eq emissions by 2030 is achievable in the road transport sector, by adding interventions, and the results indicate that higher increases in fleet efficiency than are currently forecast, costlier travel, and a reduction in travel consumption would all be required. The theory and model presented in this article highlight the need to implement a system of interventions that can influence the strength and direction of each of the feedback loops within the system being intervened with, if CO2‐eq emissions are to be more reliably reduced than they are at present. Further, because the system is constantly evolving, intervening with it requires a responsive, holistic approach, while maintaining focus on a long‐term goal.
Observing practice leadership in intellectual and developmental disability services
Authors: Beadle‐Brown J. , Bigby C. , Bould E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundImproving staff performance is an issue in services for people with intellectual disability. Practice leadership, where the front line leader of a staff team focuses on service user outcomes in everything they do and provides coaching, modeling, supervision and organisation to the team, has been identified as important in improving staff performance. To date this finding is based only on self‐report measures.MethodsThis paper describes and tests an observational measure of practice leadership based on an interview with the front‐line manager, a review of paperwork and observations in 58 disability services in Australia.ResultsThe measure showed good internal consistency and acceptable inter‐rater reliability. Practice leadership was associated with staff practice and outcomes for service users. The observed measure of practice leadership appears to be a useful tool for assessing whether leadership within a service promotes enabling and empowering support by staff. It was found to discriminate higher and lower performing services in terms of active support.ConclusionsThe measure had good reliability and validity although some further testing is required to give a complete picture of the possible uses and reliability of the measure. The measure is potentially useful in contexts of both research and service development. The confirmation of previous findings from self‐report measures that practice leadership is related to the quality of staff practice and outcomes for service users has implications for policy and practice in terms of the training of managers and structures for organisational management.
M2 macrophages and inflammatory cells in oral lesions of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis
Authors: de Carli Marina Lara , Miyazawa Marta , Nonogaki Suely , Shirata Neuza Kasumi , Oliveira Denise Tostes , Pereira Alessandro Antônio Costa , Hanemann João Adolfo Costa 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundParacoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and associated with deficient cellular immune response, which is modulated by inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages, and cytokines. Recently, the comprehension of the macrophage polarization mediated by Th1 and Th2 cytokines has contributed to elucidate the immune response that takes part in some diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of Th1‐ and Th2‐immune response and also Pb counting in oral lesions of chronic PCM.MethodsForty‐eight cases of chronic PCM oral lesions were included. All cases were classified as loose or dense granulomas. S100 protein, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, CD163 and CD68 immunoexpressions, and Pb localization were evaluated. The fungi present in the tissue were quantified by anti‐Pb antibody.ResultsMost patients were white men with mean age of 47 years old and showed higher incidence of multiple lesions. Loose granulomas were predominant and exhibited a great amount of M2 macrophages, which were visualized with anti‐CD163 antibody. The expression for CD163 and CD68 was similar (P = 0.05), highlighting the predominance of M2 macrophages in PCM. IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α immunoexpression did not significantly change with CD163, CD68, and S100 protein. The number of fungi was significantly higher in cases with intense IL‐1β immunoexpression (P = 0.003).ConclusionsM2‐activated macrophages were the majority among inflammatory cells in chronic PCM, characterizing the action of a Th2‐immune response. Nevertheless, Th1 cytokines were also found; mainly IL‐1β, which was associated with fungi counting in oral lesions.
Evolution of hypsodonty reveals a long‐standing ecological separation in theJapanese shrew‐moles
Authors: Sansalone G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHabitat segregation has been reported for theJapanese shrew‐moles by several studies. However, there is a lack of surveys aimed at characterizing the ecological separation occurring betweenUrotrichus talpoidesandDymecodon pilirostris. In this paper, possible reasons for this ecological separation are proposed for the first time. A geometric morphometrics analysis was performed on first lower molars and mandibles of both fossil and extant specimens. The results evidenced thatU. talpoidesevolved a hypsodont configuration and a more robust mandible bearing an enlarged second incisor, whileD. pilirostrismaintained the primitive brachyodont morphology and a slender mandible. The fossil specimens proved to be very similar to their extant relatives. The shape analyses of m1 and the mandible suggest thatU. talpoidespossesses a more efficient feeding behaviour compared with that ofD. pilirostris. Moreover, the derived state of the mandible morphology, associated with a larger size, suggests thatU. talpoideslargely displacedD. pilirostrisand confined it to isolated highland areas by means of competition for food resources.
Transient elastography and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio predict liver injury in paediatric intestinal failure
Authors: Hukkinen Maria , Kivisaari Reetta , Lohi Jouko , Heikkilä Päivi , Mutanen Annika , Merras‐Salmio Laura , Pakarinen Mikko P. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsWe aimed to evaluate the value of AST to platelet ratio (APRI) and transient elastography (TE) as predictors of liver histopathology in children with intestinal failure (IF).MethodsAltogether 93 liver biopsies from 57 children with parenteral nutrition (PN) duration ≥3 months were analysed. APRI measurement and TE (n = 46) were performed at the time of biopsy.ResultsIF was caused by short bowel syndrome in 75% of patients. At the time of liver biopsy, PN dependent patients (n = 42) were younger with longer PN duration compared to those weaned off PN (n = 51) (2.2 vs. 7.6 years, P < 0.001; 26 vs. 10.5 months, P = 0.043). Elevated transaminase or bilirubin levels were found in 51%, splenomegaly in 26%, and oesophageal varices in 3.5%. Histological fibrosis was present in 61% (Metavir stage F1; 27%, F2; 26%, F3–4; 9%), cholestasis in 25% and steatosis in 22% of biopsy specimens. TE was superior to APRI in prediction of any liver histopathology (fibrosis, cholestasis or steatosis) with areas under the receiving operating curve (AUROC) of 0.86 (95% CI 0.74–0.97) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.58–0.78) respectively. For prediction of ≥F1 and ≥F2 fibrosis, AUROC values for TE were 0.78 (95% CI 0.64–0.93) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.59–0.88), whereas APRI did not correlate with fibrosis stages. For detection of histological cholestasis, the AUROC for APRI was 0.77 (95% CI 0.64–0.89).ConclusionsBoth TE and APRI are promising noninvasive methods for monitoring the development of IF‐related liver histopathology. TE values reflected the degree of fibrosis better while APRI detected histological cholestasis more accurately.
Mating with an allopatric male triggers immune response and decreases longevity of ant queens
Authors: Schrempf A. , von Wyschetzki K. , Klein A. , Schrader L. , Oettler J. , Heinze J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn species with lifelong pair bonding, the reproductive interests of the mating partners are aligned, and males and females are expected to jointly maximize their reproductive success. Mating increases both longevity and fecundity of female reproductives (queens) of the antCardiocondyla obscurior, indicating a tight co‐evolution of mating partners. Here, we show that mating with a male from their own population increases lifespan and reproductive success of queens more than mating with a male from a different population, with whom they could not co‐evolve. A comparison of transcriptomes revealed an increased expression of genes involved in immunity processes in queens, which mated with males from a different population. Increased immune response might be proximately associated with decreased lifespan. Our study suggests a synergistic co‐evolution between the sexes and sheds light on the proximate mechanisms underlying the decreased fitness of allopatrically mated queens.
Candida albicans chronic colonisation in cystic fibrosis may be associated with inhaled antibiotics
Authors: Noni Maria , Katelari Anna , Kaditis Athanasios , Theochari Ioanna , Lympari Ioulia , Alexandrou‐Athanassoulis Helen , Doudounakis Stavros‐Eleftherios , Dimopoulos George 
Published: June 2015

SummaryCandida albicans is increasingly recognised as a coloniser of the respiratory tract in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Yet, the potential role, if any, of the micro‐organism in the progress of the disease remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between inhaled antibiotics and C. albicans chronic colonisation in patients with CF. A cohort of 121 CF patients born from 1988 to 1996 was, respectively, studied. The medical records of each patient were reviewed from the first time they attended the CF Centre until the occurrence of C. albicans chronic colonisation or their last visit for the year 2010. Chronic colonisation was defined as the presence of C. albicans in more than 50% of cultures in a given year. A number of possible confounders were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify an independent association between inhaled antibiotics and C. albicans chronic colonisation. Fifty‐four (44.6%) of the 121 patients enrolled in the study developed chronic colonisation by the micro‐organism. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the independent effect of inhaled antibiotic treatment on the odds of chronic colonisation (OR 1.112, 95% CI [1.007–1.229], P = 0.036). Candida albicans chronic colonisation may be associated with the duration of inhaled antibiotic treatment.
RNA–protein interactions in plant disease: hackers at the dinner table
Authors: Spanu Pietro D. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryPlants are the source of most of our food, whether directly or as feed for the animals we eat. Our dinner table is a trophic level we share with the microbes that also feed on the primary photosynthetic producers. Microbes that enter into close interactions with plants need to evade or suppress detection and host immunity to access nutrients. They do this by deploying molecular tools – effectors – which target host processes. The mode of action of effector proteins in these events is varied and complex. Recent data from diverse systems indicate that RNA‐interacting proteins and RNA itself are delivered by eukaryotic microbes, such as fungi and oomycetes, to host plants and contribute to the establishment of successful interactions. This is evidence that pathogenic microbes can interfere with the host software. We are beginning to see that pathogenic microbes are capable of hacking into the plants' immunity programs.

Contents

Summary
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I.
Introduction: effectors – from affectation to explanation
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II.
From manipulating hardware, to interfering with software
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III.
Delivering the message
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IV.
Conclusion
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References
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Transcriptional landscape of trans‐kingdom communication between Candida albicans and Streptococcus gordonii
Authors: Dutton L.C. , Paszkiewicz K.H. , Silverman R.J. , Splatt P.R. , Shaw S. , Nobbs A.H. , Lamont R.J. , Jenkinson H.F. , Ramsdale M. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryRecent studies have shown that the transcriptional landscape of the pleiomorphic fungus Candida albicans is highly dependent upon growth conditions. Here using a dual RNA‐seq approach we identified 299 C. albicans and 72 Streptococcus gordonii genes that were either upregulated or downregulated specifically as a result of co‐culturing these human oral cavity microorganisms. Seventy‐five C. albicans genes involved in responses to chemical stimuli, regulation, homeostasis, protein modification and cell cycle were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) upregulated, whereas 36 genes mainly involved in transport and translation were downregulated. Upregulation of filamentation‐associated TEC1 and FGR42 genes, and of ALS1 adhesin gene, concurred with previous evidence that the C. albicans yeast to hypha transition is promoted by S. gordonii. Increased expression of genes required for arginine biosynthesis in C. albicans was potentially indicative of a novel oxidative stress response. The transcriptional response of S. gordonii to C. albicans was less dramatic, with only eight S. gordonii genes significantly (P ≤ 0.05) upregulated at least two‐fold (glpK, rplO, celB, rplN, rplB, rpsE, ciaR and gat). The expression patterns suggest that signals from S. gordonii cause a positive filamentation response in C. albicans, whereas S. gordonii appears to be transcriptionally less influenced by C. albicans.
Association analysis of five candidate genes with plant height and dry matter yield in perennial ryegrass
Authors: Statkevičiūté Gražina , Aleliūnas Andrius , Kemešyté Vilma , Pašakinskiené Izolda , Lübberstedt Thomas , Brazauskas Gintaras 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFive candidate genes LpIAA1, LpRUB1, LpBRI1, LpSHOOT1 and LpTB1 with putative function in plant architecture were allele sequenced in a panel of 96 diploid perennial ryegrass genotypes of diverse origin. The total length of the non‐redundant genomic DNA alignment was 5425 bp and revealed 270 polymorphic sites in total. A negative significant Tajima's D value was detected in LpTB1 gene, suggesting selection pressure for low‐frequency alleles in this gene. All 96 genotypes were evaluated for plant height and dry matter yield over two years. Marker–trait associations were calculated between polymorphic sites and both phenotypic traits. Three indels and three single nucleotide substitutions in LpTB1 gene were significantly (P < 0.05, q < 0.05) associated with plant height, while one indel was associated with dry matter yield. The results suggest putative role of LpTB1 gene in plant height determination in perennial ryegrass and provide means for target allele selection.
Contrastivism About Reasons and Ought
Authors: Snedegar Justin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractContrastivismabout some concept says that the concept is relativized to sets of alternatives. Relative to some alternatives, the concept may apply, but relative to others, it may not. This article explores contrastivism about the central normative concepts of reasons and ought. Contrastivism about reasons says that a consideration may be a reason for an actionArather than one alternative,B, but may not be a reason forArather than some other alternative,C. Likewise, contrastivism about ought says that it might be that you ought to perform actionArather than actionB, while it is not the case that you ought to performArather than some other alternative,C. It explores the shape and motivations for, and the relationship between, these contrastivist theories.