bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of benthic algae and cyanobacteria along twin‐stressor gradients of nutrients and fine sediment: a stream mesocosm experiment
Authors: Wagenhoff Annika , Lange Katharina , Townsend Colin R. , Matthaei Christoph D. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

The factors underlying population and community dynamics are almost invariably multivariate, and ecosystems worldwide are affected by many anthropogenic stressors. Inorganic dissolved nutrients and deposited fine sediment are common stressors in agricultural streams and can be expected to influence benthic algae and cyanobacteria.

We determined population‐ and community‐level responses of phototrophic periphyton along twin‐stressor gradients of dissolved nutrients and deposited fine sediment after 20 days of exposure in stream mesocosms. Multiple linear regression and an information‐theoretic approach were used to select the best predictive models for each response variable, accounting for potential subsidy‐stress responses for each stressor (where at low stressor levels, an ecological variable responds positively up to an inflection point, beyond which the effect is negative) and for multiple‐stressor interactions. This approach enabled us to test the subsidy‐stress hypothesis for each stressor and to investigate whether the two stressors operated singly or in concert (additively or with an interaction) on periphyton attributes.

Focussing further on three ecological guilds of periphyton (low profile, high profile, motile), we also tested the specific hypotheses, that sediment augmentation would produce a proportional increase in motile and a decrease in high‐profile forms, and that nutrient augmentation would produce proportional increases in both motile and high‐profile forms.

Unimodal subsidy‐stress patterns along the sediment gradient were found only for densities of two common Nitzschia species. By contrast, unimodal patterns along the nutrient gradient occurred frequently at both population and community levels, supporting the subsidy‐stress hypothesis for nutrient enrichment. Some single‐stressor responses were observed, but the twin stressors sediment and nutrients mainly acted in a simple, additive way, probably because their modes of action are different. As a notable exception from this rule, potentially harmful cyanobacteria (Phormidium and Oscillatoria species) responded synergistically to the stressors. Our hypothesis about the representation of ecological guilds across the sediment gradient was fully supported, whilst the hypothesis regarding nutrients received partial support.

Categorisation of periphyton taxa into physiognomic guilds revealed predictable response patterns to the stressors. The prevalence of motile taxa in stream communities may be suitable for detecting sedimentation impacts and early signs of nutrient enrichment. Finally, based on periphyton response shapes along the nutrient gradient, thresholds could be identified at which community variables changed abruptly.
Ecological niche shifts of understorey plants along a latitudinal gradient of temperate forests in north‐western Europe
Authors: Wasof Safaa , Lenoir Jonathan , Gallet‐Moron Emilie , Jamoneau Aurélien , Brunet Jörg , Cousins Sara A. O. , De Frenne Pieter , Diekmann Martin , Hermy Martin , Kolb Annette , Liira Jaan , Verheyen Kris , Wulf Monika , Decocq Guillaume 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimIn response to environmental changes and to avoid extinction, species may either track suitable environmental conditions or adapt to the modified environment. However, whether and how species adapt to environmental changes remains unclear. By focusing on the realized niche (i.e. the actual space that a species inhabits and the resources it can access as a result of limiting biotic factors present in its habitat), we here examine shifts in the realized‐niche width (i.e. ecological amplitude) and position (i.e. ecological optimum) of 26 common and widespread forest understorey plants across their distributional ranges.LocationTemperate forests along a ca. 1800‐km‐long latitudinal gradient from northern France to central Sweden and Estonia.MethodsWe derived species' realized‐niche width from a β‐diversity metric, which increases if the focal species co‐occurs with more species. Based on the concept that species' scores in a detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) represent the locations of their realized‐niche positions, we developed a novel approach to run species‐specific DCAs allowing the focal species to shift its realized‐niche position along the studied latitudinal gradient while the realized‐niche positions of other species were held constant.ResultsNone of the 26 species maintained both their realized‐niche width and position along the latitudinal gradient. Few species (9 of 26: 35%) shifted their realized‐niche width, but all shifted their realized‐niche position. With increasing latitude, most species (22 of 26: 85%) shifted their realized‐niche position for soil nutrients and pH towards nutrient‐poorer and more acidic soils.Main conclusionsForest understorey plants shifted their realized niche along the latitudinal gradient, suggesting local adaptation and/or plasticity. This macroecological pattern casts doubt on the idea that the realized niche is stable in space and time, which is a key assumption of species distribution models used to predict the future of biodiversity, hence raising concern about predicted extinction rates.
Species richness–phosphorus relationships for lakes and streams worldwide
Authors: Azevedo Ligia B. , van Zelm Rosalie , Elshout Pieter M. F. , Hendriks A. Jan , Leuven Rob S. E. W. , Struijs Jaap , de Zwart Dick , Huijbregts Mark A. J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimWe investigated the patterns of autotrophic and heterotrophic relative species richness along a total phosphorus (TP) concentration gradient. The relative species richness–TP relationships were calculated separately for four different regions [(sub)tropical, xeric, temperate and cold] and two types of water bodies (lakes and streams).LocationGlobalMethodsUsing data from peer‐reviewed articles reporting the occurrence of freshwater species at specific TP concentrations, we determined the species richness along a TP gradient. Using log‐logistic regressions, we then estimated the TP concentration at which the potential decrease of relative species richness (RSR) equals 0.5 and the slope at which the decrease occurs (β). The RSR is given as the ratio of species richness to maximized species richness along a TP gradient.ResultsThe RSR of streams generally decreased more rapidly than that of lakes with increasing P, as illustrated by the steeper slope of the log‐logistic functions for streams (βlakes < βstreams). Although there was no consistent trend between autotrophs and heterotrophs in the different regions, we found that the TP concentration at which the RSR equals 0.5 was lower in cold regions (0.04–0.22 mg P/L) than in warmer regions (0.28–1.29 mg P/L).Main ConclusionsThe log‐logistic relationships between RSR and TP concentration vary considerably among regions of the world, between freshwater types (lakes and streams) and between species groups (autotrophs and heterotrophs). This variability may be attributed to differences between the two freshwater types in respect to their species groups and evolutionary patterns, nutrient demand, biogeochemical and hydrological processes. We were not able to derive log‐logistic regressions for all combinations of freshwater type or species type and region [e.g. (sub)tropical lakes]. For other areas, our results can be used to assess the potential impact of phosphorus eutrophication on freshwater biota.
Democracy or autonomy? Indymedia and the contradictions of global social movement networks
Authors: WOLFSON TODD 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn this article, I examine the indymedia movement as exemplar of a transnational network where the dynamics of democracy and local autonomy come into tension. Indymedia was launched during the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle in 1999. Since 1999, indymedia has mushroomed into a transnational social movement based network. Through the lens of indymedia's networked structure, I examine the tension between participatory decision‐making and local autonomy. In specific I look at the decision of the global indymedia network to reject a large grant from the Ford Foundation because of Ford's history in the Argentine dirty wars. The heated episode, which almost forced the growing network to shut down, brings to the fore the complex contradictions of local autonomy and shared decision‐making in the age of networks. Moreover, this episode and indymedia in general, brings to light the inability of decentralized networks to build proactive power, highlighting the disorganizing and at times debilitating logic of contemporary social movements.
Health‐related quality of life in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors on prophylaxis with anti‐inhibitor complex concentrate: results from the Pro‐FEIBA study
Authors: Gringeri A. , Leissinger C. , Cortesi P. A. , Jo H. , Fusco F. , Riva S. , Antmen B. , Berntorp E. , Biasoli C. , Carpenter S. , Kavakli K. , Morfini M. , Négrier C. , Rocino A. , Schramm W. , Windyga J. , Zülfikar B. , Mantovani L. G. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryPatients with haemophilia A and inhibitors are at high risk for severe bleeding, progression of joint disease and deterioration of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). To determine the impact of prophylaxis with an activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) on HRQoL, HRQoL was assessed using the Short‐Form (SF)‐36 Health Survey and the EQ‐5D questionnaire in subjects ≥14 years participating in a prospective, randomized, crossover study comparing 6 months of aPCC prophylaxis with 6 months of on‐demand therapy. Eighteen of 19 patients completed the survey or questionnaire before and after the on‐demand therapy and prophylaxis periods. A general trend towards improved HRQoL after prophylaxis was observed for the 18 evaluable patients in all SF‐36 dimensions except for vitality/energy and physical functioning. After prophylaxis, ‘good responders,’ defined as patients experiencing ≥50% reduction in bleeding, exhibited statistically and clinically significant differences in the physical component score (P = 0.021), role – physical (P = 0.042), bodily pain (P = 0.015), and social functioning (P = 0.036). Similarly, the EQ‐5D health profile showed a trend towards improvement after prophylaxis in all evaluable patients. Among the good responders, improvements did not differ from those observed after on‐demand treatment. EQ visual analogue scale values were slightly improved following prophylaxis for all evaluable patients and the EQ‐5D utility index improved in the good responders only. During prophylaxis, patients missed significantly fewer days from school or work because of bleeding than during on‐demand treatment (P = 0.01). In conclusion, by significantly reducing bleeding frequency in good responders, aPCC prophylaxis improved HRQoL compared with on‐demand treatment.
HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in 6384 umbilical cord blood units and transplantation matching and engraftment statistics in the Zhejiang cord blood bank of China
Authors: Wang F. , He J. , Chen S. , Qin F. , Dai B. , Zhang W. , Zhu FM. , Lv HJ. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryUmbilical cord blood (UCB) is a widely accepted source of progenitor cells, and now, many cord blood banks were established. Here, we analysed the HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies, HLA matching possibilities for searching potential donors and outcome of UCB transplantations in Zhejiang cord blood bank of China. A total of 6384 UCB units were characterized for 17 HLA‐A, 30 HLA‐B and 13 HLA‐DRB1 alleles at the first field resolution level. Additionally, B*14, B*15 and B*40 were typed to the second field level. A total of 1372 distinct A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes were identified. The frequencies of 7 haplotypes were more than 1%, and 439 haplotypes were <0.01%. A*02‐B*46‐DRB1*09, A*33‐B*58‐DRB1*03 and A*30‐B*13‐DRB1*07 were the most common haplotypes, with frequencies of 4.4%, 3.3%, and 2.9%, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium(LD) analysis showed that there were 83 A‐B, 106 B‐DRB1, 54 A‐DRB1 haplotypes with positive LD, in which 51 A‐B, 60 B‐DRB1, 32 A‐DRB1 haplotypes exhibited a significant LD (P < 0.05). In 682 search requests, 12.9%, 40.0% and 42.7% of patients were found to have 6 of 6, 5 of 6 and 4 of 6 HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 matching donors, respectively. A total of 30 UCB units were transplanted to 24 patients (3 patients not evaluated due to early death); 14 of 21 patients (66.7%) engrafted. This study reveals the HLA distribution and its transplantation application in the cord blood bank of Zhejiang province. These data can help to select potential UCB donors for transplantation and used to assess the scale of new cord blood banking endeavours.
The nature and course of illness perception following cardiac pacemaker implantation: A self‐regulatory approach
Authors: Rakhshan Mahnaz , Hassani Parkhideh , Ashktorab Tahereh , Majd Hamid Alavi 
Published: June 2013

This study was designed to explore the relationship between illness perceptions and educational intervention based on the Leventhal's model in pacemaker patients.Fifty‐one consecutive patients who were admitted for implantation of permanent cardiac pacemaker were recruited to receive an educational intervention, which consisted of two sessions delivered in the hospital and clinic, respectively. Participants completed a pacemaker‐specific Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) twice, one prior to educational intervention and the other 10 weeks following the pacemaker implantation.Data regarding the dimensions of cognitive and emotional representations based on the Leventhal's model have demonstrated the relationship between the patients’ perception before and after the educational intervention. Overall, after the educational intervention, the patients have considered the illness as having a moderate impact on their life and have known their illness as a chronic condition that was responsive to treatment and influenced by personal behavior. Participants believed they had a good understanding of their illness and had less ‘concern’ and ‘emotional representation’.Based on the results of the present study, pacemaker patients had a more benign view about their illness after educational intervention compared with before this intervention. These explanations might affect the acceptance and treatment seeking and even lead to lower complications.
Sildenafil in the treatment of pressure ulcer: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Farsaei Shadi , Khalili Hossein , Farboud Effat S , Khazaeipour Zahra 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPressure ulcer (PrU)‐related hospitalisation and mortality are critical issues in medical and surgical patients. Although animal studies have suggested the beneficial effects of sildenafil on wound healing, related clinical data are lacking. This is the first clinical study that has evaluated the effects of topical sildenafil on PrU healing in human subjects. Enrolled patients were randomly allocated to receive topical sildenafil (10%) ointment or placebo daily. Wound healing was assessed visually and photographically by the change in wound score according to two‐digit Stirling scale. Decreases in grades of the PrUs were significantly higher in sildenafil group compared with placebo group (P < 0·001). In addition, surface areas of ulcers in sildenafil group were significantly reduced compared to the control group at day 14 of intervention (P = 0·007). It appears that these effects may be mediated by improvement of microvascular reperfusion in the skin and soft tissue. Further study to emphasise the role of topical sildenafil in the prevention or treatment of PrUs in hospitalised patients is required.
The prevalence of childhood asthma in Costa Rica
Authors: SOTO‐QUIROS M. , BUSTAMANTE M. , GUTIERREZ I. , HANSON L. Å. , STRANNEGÅRD I.‐L. , KARLBERG J. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe prevalence of asthma in children between the ages of 5 and 17 years in Costa Rica was determined using a large sample (n = 2682). The definition of asthma was based on a combination of a physician's diagnosis and a symptom score, using information from a questionnaire given to the parents. An overall asthma prevalence as high as 23·4% was found. Sex, age, urban/rural location, or rain precipitation did not show any association with the diagnosis of asthma. The presence of smokers in the home was found to be an important risk factor (odds ratio = 1·6). Another identified risk factor was a high yearly average outside temperature, i.e. above 25°C (odds ratio = 1·8). Furthermore, the proportion of children with more than four upper respiratory infections during the preceding year was found to be significantly increased in children with asthma (odds ratio = 4·3). The non‐asthma group seemed to use equal amounts of drugs for the treatment of asthma as the asthma group. For a country like Costa Rica with limited economic resources the current work indicates two important issues for consideration in the future; firstly, to try to define the cause(s) of asthma and secondly, to continuously inform the physicians about the best way of diagnosing and treating asthmatic patients to ensure optimal handling of this large patient group.
Estimation of Poverty in Greater Cairo: Case Study of Three ‘Unplanned’ Areas
Authors: Iwasaki Erina , El‐Laithy Heba 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis paper aims to evaluate the poverty situation in the unplanned areas in Cairo as a case study. The unplanned areas, which are considered low‐income areas, make up the majority of Cairo, and they have attracted the interest of policymakers and researchers because of their huge size and the political upheavals that have occurred since the 1990s. However, there have been no studies on poverty in these areas owing to a lack of data. The originality of this paper lies in employing three concepts of poverty: consumption‐based poverty, a multidimensional poverty index (MPI), and subjective poverty. By using these different concepts of poverty, this paper contributes to the understanding of the nature of poverty and the interrelationship between these three measures of poverty in Greater Cairo. The main finding is that the three types of poverty are different. Households can be poor according to the MPI measure or can consider themselves to be poor, even though they are not objectively poor on the consumption‐based measure. This implies that policies aiming at improving living standards in these areas should address and design strategies according to the types of poverty that are prevalent.
No place called home: the causes and social consequences of the UK housing ‘bubble’
Authors: Bone John , O'Reilly Karen 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the key causes and social consequences of the much debated UK ‘housing bubble’ and its aftermath from a multidimensional sociological approach, as opposed to the economic perspective of many popular discussions. This is a phenomenon that has affected numerous economies in the first decade of the new millennium. The discussion is based on a comprehensive study that includes exhaustive analysis of secondary data, content and debate in the mass media and academia, primary data gathered from the monitoring of weblogs and forums debating housing issues, and case histories of individuals experiencing housing difficulties during this period. This paper is intended to provide a broad overview of the key findings and preliminary analysis of this ongoing study, and is informed by a perspective which considers secure and affordable housing to be an essential foundation of stable and cohesive societies, with its absence contributing to a range of social ills that negatively impact on both individual and collective well being. Overall, it is argued that we must return to viewing decent, affordable housing as an essential social resource, that provides the bedrock of stable individual, family and community life, while recognizing that its increasing treatment as a purely economic asset is a key contributor to our so‐called ‘broken society’.
The political mobilization of corporate directors: socio‐economic correlates of affiliation to European pressure groups
Authors: Bond Matthew , Glouharova Siana , Harrigan Nicholas 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBusiness has played a central role in the debate over Britain's place in the European Union. This paper examines the socio‐economic characteristics of directors of Britain's largest corporations who affiliated either to Business for Sterling or Britain in Europe. It reports associations between directors' social backgrounds and their probabilities of affiliation. Elite university education, club membership, wealth and multiple directorships were all associated with higher propensities to affiliate. The associations are consistent with the idea that directors' social resources allow them to overcome collective action problems as well as supplying them with the motivations to affiliate. They also indicated that directors form a privileged group in that they have a number of very powerful actors who can take unilateral political actions.
Education and occupational status in 14 countries: the role of educational institutions and labour market coordination
Authors: Andersen Robert , Van De Werfhorst Herman G. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article explores the role of national institutional factors – more specifically, the level of skill transparency of the education system and labour market coordination – in accounting for cross‐national differences in the relationship between education and occupational status. Consistent with previous research, our findings suggest that skill transparency is the primary moderator. Countries with a highly transparent educational system (i.e., extensive tracking, strong vocational orientation, limited tertiary enrolment) tend to be characterized by a strong relationship between education and occupational status. These findings hold even after controlling for the level of labour market coordination. Nevertheless, we also find that labour market coordination plays an independent role by dampening the effect of education on occupational status. Taken together, these results suggest two quite different policy implications: (1) strengthening the skill transparency of the education system by increasing secondary and tertiary‐level differentiation may strengthen the relationship between education and occupation, regardless of the level of coordination, and (2) increasing labour market coordination could lead to improved social inclusion and a reduction in inequalities related to educational attainment.