bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships of native trees with grasses in a temperate, semi‐arid sandy ecosystem of northern China
Authors: Yang Hongxiao , Chu Jianmin , Lu Qi , Gao Ting 
Published: September 2013

AbstractQuestionAfforestation is a controversial method for restoring semi‐arid sandy ecosystems to control desertification. We studied how native elm trees (Ulmus pumila L.) interact with grasses in the semi‐arid sandy ecosystem of the Otindag, and how the trees should be arranged to promote ecological restoration.LocationOtindag Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, northern China.MethodsUsing 40 adult elms, we investigated and compared root depths of the native trees with those of neighbouring grasses. The shallowest elm roots and the deepest grass roots were analysed. Using four singleton elms, we also examined how soil moisture in the different soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm) and grass biomass density changed with distance from the corresponding tree trunks in four directions within 19 m.ResultsOn average, the shallowest elm roots were 17.6 cm deep at 1 m from the elm trunks, and 24.5 cm at 3 m from the elm trunks, whereas the deepest grass roots were 14 cm deep at 1 m from the trunks, and 16.3 cm deep at 3 m from the trunks. The moisture content in the 0–20 cm layers decreased with distance from 1 to 19 m from the singleton elms, but increased along the same distance gradient in the 20–40 cm layers. Grass biomass density decreased along the distance gradient, and a logistic model fits this tendency well, which indicates that the grass biomass density levels off at distances of >ca. 9 m.ConclusionsGiven the vertical divergence of roots and the horizontal pattern of soil moisture, the adult native trees do not compete for much moisture with grasses. The adult native trees have the potential to facilitate the growth and biomass accumulation of nearby grasses. In the semi‐arid sandy ecosystem of the Otindag, native elms can be planted for ecological restoration at intervals of up to 18 m.
Why the Extractive Industry Should Support Mandatory Transparency: A Shared Value Approach
Authors: Topal Julien , Toledano Perrine 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe Transparency Amendment, included in the Dodd‐Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, can be an important tool in curtailing the resource curse that so heavily burdens resource‐rich developing countries by shedding light on opaque payments between the extractive sector and host countries. From the get‐go, however, extractive industry companies have fiercely opposed the new mandatory disclosure requirements as set out in this regulation. The corporate opposition is for the largest part motivated by the fear of a competitive disadvantage that derives from the fact that the amendment is housed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and thus only holds jurisdiction over those that report to the SEC. Although on the one hand watering down these corporate fears, this article draws on the “shared value approach” and empirical evidence to argue that there is a business case for transparency. This refreshing take on transparency regulation invites corporate leaders to reassess their current oppositional stance and to embrace new initiatives like the Transparency Amendment and to take a proactive stance in building a convincing global regulatory system of transparency.
Structural insights into the arms race between host and virus along RNA silencing pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Guo Wei , Liew Jia Yee , Yuan Y. Adam 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTRNA silencing refers to a conserved sequence‐specific gene‐regulation mechanism mediated by small RNA molecules. In plants, microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) represent two major types of small RNA molecules which play pivotal roles in plant developmental control and antiviral defences. To escape these plant defences, plant viruses have encoded a vast array of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) to attack the host antiviral silencing pathway by interfering with small RNA processing, RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) assembly, viral mRNA cleavage etc. Transgenic plants expressing distinct VSRs often show developmental aberrations that resemble the phenotype of miRNA‐deficient mutants, implying a potential intrinsic link between VSRs and the miRNA pathway (at least in Arabidopsis thaliana) even though their pathogenic mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarise our current structural understandings of the arms race between the host and virus along the RNA silencing pathway in A. thaliana by focusing on several important ribonucleoprotein (RNP) structures involved in RNA silencing and unique structural features adopted by VSRs.
Family Context, Mexican‐Origin Adolescent Mothers' Parenting Knowledge, and Children's Subsequent Developmental Outcomes
Authors: Jahromi Laudan B. , Guimond Amy B. , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. , Updegraff Kimberly A. , Toomey Russell B. 
Published: September 2013

This study examined parenting knowledge among Mexican‐origin adolescent mothers (N = 191; Mage = 16.26 years), family contextual factors associated with adolescents' parenting knowledge, and toddlers' (Mage = 2.01 years) subsequent developmental outcomes. Data came from home interviews and direct child assessments. Adolescents both underestimated and overestimated children's developmental timing, and showed differences in their knowledge of specific developmental domains. Instrumental support from mother figures was positively linked to adolescents' knowledge accuracy, whereas emotional support was negatively related to adolescents' knowledge confidence. Furthermore, whereas mother figures' autonomy granting was positively linked to knowledge confidence, psychological control was associated with less accurate adolescent parenting knowledge. Toddlers of adolescents with more accurate knowledge showed positive developmental functioning. Intervention implications are discussed.
Evaluation of an oral health promotion program at the time of birth on dental caries in 5‐year‐old children in Vorarlberg, Austria
Authors: Wagner Y. , Greiner S. , Heinrich‐Weltzien R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an early oral health promotion program (OHPP) on oral health of 5‐year‐old children in Austria by providing new mothers with dental health counseling.MethodsQualified dental health educators visited all mothers at time after birth in regional hospitals in Vorarlberg and counseled them regarding the oral health of their children as a one‐off intervention. Mothers were given comprehensive oral hygiene instructions for their children and themselves (daily use of fluoride toothpaste, restoration of own caries lesions), which included practical tooth brush training and dietary counseling by the use of brief motivational interviewing and anticipatory guidance approaches. After 5 years, a case–cohort study was conducted to evaluate the program with annual dental check‐ups of 471 children and a parent survey. Dental caries was scored using WHO diagnostic criteria at dentine level without radiography. To compare oral health parameters (dmfs/dmft, care index), children were allocated to intervention and control group and matched on basis of age, sex, ethnicity, and socio‐economic status (SES) and analyzed statistically.ResultsChildren whose mothers participated in the OHPP showed significantly lower caries prevalence and experience (33.2%; 3.2 ± 7.4 d3–4mfs/1.5 ± 2.5 d3–4mft) than children whose mothers did not participate (42.6%; 5.2 ± 6.4 d3–4mfs/2.4 ± 4.1 d3–4mft). Bivariate analysis showed that ethnicity, SES, age at which toothbrushing started, supervision of toothbrushing, use of fluoride salt, and use of fluoride toothpaste were significantly related to d3–4mft.ConclusionsThe OHPP was an effective community‐based preventive approach for improving oral health in preschool children.
Monoclonal antibodies in treatment of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rommer P S , Dudesek A , Stüve O , Zettl UK 
Published: September 2013

Summary
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are used as therapeutics in a number of disciplines in medicine, such as oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and transplant rejection prevention. Since the introduction and reintroduction of the anti-alpha4-integrin mAb natalizumab in 2004 and 2006, mAbs have gained relevance in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). At present, numerous mAbs have been tested in clinical trials in relapsing–remitting MS, and in progressive forms of MS. One of the agents that might soon be approved for very active forms of relapsing–remitting MS is alemtuzumab, a humanized mAb against CD52. This review provides insights into clinical studies with the mAbs natalizumab, alemtuzumab, daclizumab, rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.
Autism assessment in children with optic nerve hypoplasia and other vision impairments
Authors: Williams Marian E , Fink Cassandra , Zamora Irina , Borchert Mark 
Published: September 2013

AimThis study examined the utility of standard autism diagnostic measures in nine children (aged 5–9y) with severe vision impairment and a range of social and language functioning.MethodThe Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI‐R) were systematically modified and used to assess symptoms of autism in children with vision less than or equal to 20/800, the majority of whom had optic nerve hypoplasia. The results of the assessments, including analysis of symptom patterns, were compared with expert autism diagnoses.ResultsModified autism measures demonstrated good agreement with clinical diagnoses. Symptoms found to be most and least reliable in discriminating autism from behaviors common to most children with congenital vision impairment are described. Comparisons of current behavior with parent‐reported behaviors from a younger age suggested that some symptoms of autism in very young children who are congenitally blind may improve with age.InterpretationTheADOSandADI‐R are useful for clinical assessment and for advancing research efforts to understand autism symptoms in children with vision impairment. However, some autistic symptoms in very young children may change over time, and developmental changes should be closely monitored.
The accommodative process in children with cerebral palsy: different strategies to obtain clear vision at short distance
Authors: Pansell Tony , Hellgren Kerstin , Jacobson Lena , Brautaset Rune , Tedroff Kristina 
Published: September 2013

AimAccommodation is the ability of the eye to change focus in order to maintain a sharp image of objects at various distances. The accommodative process is largely unknown in children and requires new assessment techniques. The aim of the study was to investigate this process in children with and without cerebral palsy (CP).MethodIn a descriptive case–control study, children with CP (n=15; nine females, six males; median age 14y) and 21 typically developing children (11 females, 10 males; median age 12y) underwent standard ophthalmological examination and examination by the PowerRefractor. Six of the children had spastic bilateral CP, five had spastic unilateral CP, and four had dyskinetic CP. The children's Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were as follows: level I, seven children; level II, two children; level III, three children; and level IV, three children. The PowerRefractor measures accommodation in response to minus lens stimuli. Continuous measurements of refraction/accommodation, eye position, and pupil size are obtained. The Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann–Whitney U test were used for between‐group analysis (α=0.05), and Friedman ANOVA was used for within‐group analysis.ResultsThe stimuli–response gain (input/output) was approximately 80% in typical children inducing a focusing error (0.2–0.5D) increasing with minus lens power. Children with CP accommodated significantly less (gain: ~30%; p<0.001), inducing a larger focusing error (1.1–1.7D) increasing with minus lens power. The accommodative response was slower and more variable in children with CP. The pupil response did not mirror the accommodative response.InterpretationChildren with CP exhibit problems in generating an appropriate accommodative response. This can affect everyday living and reading skills.
An incubation study on the stability and biological effects of pyrogenic and hydrothermal biochar in two soils
Authors: Bamminger C. , Marschner B. , Jüschke E. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe success and feasibility of CO2‐sequestration through incorporation of biochar into soils depends strongly on the long‐term biochar stability and on the improvements of physical and microbial soil properties. In this study, the stability of two maize‐derived biochars (from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization) and of a compost‐biochar mixture and their effects on microbial biomass and enzyme activity were determined in two soils during a 57‐day incubation. Soil samples amended with biochar increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by 20 or 40%. Samples amended with hydrothermal biochar showed the largest respiration rates and the largest increase in microbial and enzymatic activity compared with the untreated controls. Carbon and 13C mass balances showed that between 13 and 16% of the added hydrochar was mineralized within 8 weeks. In the arable soil, hydrochar additions greatly stimulated the degradation of SOC, thus inducing positive priming effects. The mineralization of pyrogenic biochar (pyrochar and a pyrochar‐compost mixture) was significantly less (1.4–3%) and comparable to the SOC mineralization in the control soils.
Codes of Conduct as Private Legal Transplant: The Case of European Extractive MNEs
Authors: Ferrando Tomaso 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCorporate social responsibility is a dynamic area that cuts across a multitude of disciplines. This paper combines the notion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the theory of legal transplant, and claims that Codes of Conduct can be interpreted as proxies of unilateral legal dissemination throughout the entrepreneurial network. By using as example four European extractive Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) (ENI SpA., Total S.A., Repsol YPF, British Petroleum), the article analyses the content of the Codes, the mechanisms and spaces of circulation, and asks questions like whether they are stretching European Union law beyond its traditional boundaries. Exposed to the legal and political relevance of MNEs, the reader is confronted with a global framework characterised by increased complexity, the continuous redefinition of internal and external spaces, deep inconsistencies and unexpressed potential. Therefore, the recognition of the current theoretical weaknesses becomes a fundamental step to critically engage with the production of new legal territories.
Going from One Extreme to the Other: Food Security and Export Restrictions in the EU–CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement
Authors: Gruni Giovanni 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBetween 2007 and 2008, the price of several basic food products spiked suddenly, leaving millions of people without economic access to sufficient food. During the crisis, World Trade Organization (WTO) law was unable to avoid that the use of export restrictions by influential exporting countries jeopardises food security in vulnerable states. A recent trade agreement between the EU and a group of Caribbean countries includes innovative clauses that prohibit export restrictions altogether. This article argues that the prohibition to use export restrictions contained in this agreement is an excessively restrictive solution that does not solve the problems that emerged during the global food crisis. The article concludes with a reflection on the limits of WTO law and the trade policy of the EU with regard to the improvement of food security in vulnerable countries.
Implications of sex‐specific selection for the genetic basis of disease
Authors: Morrow Edward H. , Connallon Tim 
Published: September 2013

AbstractMutation and selection are thought to shape the underlying genetic basis of many common human diseases. However, both processes depend on the context in which they occur, such as environment, genetic background, or sex. Sex has widely known effects on phenotypic expression of genotype, but an analysis of how it influences the evolutionary dynamics of disease‐causing variants has not yet been explored. We develop a simple population genetic model of disease susceptibility and evaluate it using a biologically plausible empirically based distribution of fitness effects among contributing mutations. The model predicts that alleles under sex‐differential selection, including sexually antagonistic alleles, will disproportionately contribute to genetic variation for disease predisposition, thereby generating substantial sexual dimorphism in the genetic architecture of complex (polygenic) diseases. This is because such alleles evolve into higher population frequencies for a given effect size, relative to alleles experiencing equally strong purifying selection in both sexes. Our results provide a theoretical justification for expecting a sexually dimorphic genetic basis for variation in complex traits such as disease. Moreover, they suggest that such dimorphism is interesting – not merely something to control for – because it reflects the action of natural selection in molding the evolution of common disease phenotypes.
Continuous digital hypothermia initiated after the onset of lameness prevents lamellar failure in the oligofructose laminitis model
Authors: van Eps A. W. , Pollitt C. C. , Underwood C. , Medina‐Torres C. E. , Goodwin W. A. , Belknap J. K. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyProphylactic digital hypothermia reduces the severity of acute laminitis experimentally but there is no evidence for its efficacy as a treatment once lameness has already developed.ObjectivesTo investigate the therapeutic effects of digital hypothermia, applied after the onset of lameness, in an experimental acute laminitis model.Study designRandomised, controlled (within subject), blinded, experimental trial.MethodsEight Standardbred horses underwent laminitis induction using the oligofructose model. Once lameness was detected at the walk, one forelimb was continuously cooled (CRYO), with the other forelimb maintained at ambient temperature (NON‐RX). Dorsal lamellar sections (proximal, middle and distal) harvested 36 h after the onset of lameness/initiation of cryotherapy were analysed by 2 blinded observers: laminitis pathology was scored (0 [normal] to 4 [severe]) and morphometric analyses performed.ResultsMedian (interquartile range) histological scores were greater (P<0.05) in NON‐RX (proximal 2.8 [2.5–4]; middle 3.5 [2–4]; distal 2.5 [2–3.8]) compared with CRYO limbs (proximal 0.5 [0.5–1.4]; middle 1 [0.6–1]; distal 0.75 [0.5–1]). There was complete physical separation of lamellar dermis from epidermis (score of 4) in 4 of the NON‐RX feet at one or more section level(s), which was not observed in any CRYO sections. Histomorphometry was thus limited to sections that remained intact; there was a trend of increased total (TELL) and secondary (SELL) epidermal lamellar length and decreased secondary epidermal lamellar width (SELW) in NON‐RX limbs compared with CRYO at all 3 levels; differences were significant (P<0.05) for SELL and SELW in the distal sections.ConclusionsDigital hypothermia reduced the severity of lamellar injury and prevented lamellar structural failure (complete dermoepidermal separation) when initiated at the detection of lameness in an acute laminitis model. This study provides the first evidence to support the use of therapeutic digital hypothermia as a treatment for acute laminitis.
Do by‐catch reduction devices in longline fisheries reduce capture of sharks and rays? A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Favaro Brett , Côté Isabelle M 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBy‐catch in marine fisheries, particularly those using pelagic and demersal longlines, is a major driver of declines in abundance of sharks and rays around the world. A wide variety of by‐catch reduction devices (BRDs), that is, modified gears designed to reduce incidental captures of a variety of marine species while maintaining target catch rates, have been proposed, but the extent to which BRDs actually reduce the risk of catching sharks and rays remains unclear. We performed a meta‐analysis of 27 publications that reported the capture of sharks and rays and, in some cases, of targeted teleosts in longline gear deployed with and without BRDs. The risk of shark and ray capture differed between types of BRDs, but only one BRD type, longlines raised off the bottom, reduced by‐catch significantly. Circle hooks did not reduce the risk of capturing sharks and rays but might improve discard survival and are inexpensive, which might make them effective in reducing the detrimental effects of longlining on these species. In addition to being generally ineffective, some devices, such as electropositive and magnetic repellents, are expensive and have inherent construction drawbacks that are likely to make them unsuitable for commercial use. Overall, most BRDs did not affect the likelihood of catching targeted teleosts, but a substantial number of studies did not adequately assess target catch. We identified two poorly studied classes of BRD gear (i.e. raised demersal longlines, and monofilament nylon leaders), which represent promising directions for future research.
Fluctuations of perch populations in Lake Geneva from 1984 to 2011 estimated from the number and size of egg strands collected in two locations exposed to different fishing practices
Authors: Gillet C. , Lang C. , Dubois J. P. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractFluctuations in the number and size of spawning perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Lake Geneva were evaluated and compared each year from 1984 to 2011 in two locations. This evaluation was based on: (1) each mature female lays only one egg strand per year and (2) the number and size of mature females are well correlated with those of their egg strands. Egg strands were counted and measured at two locations in France and in Switzerland. The collection of egg strands from either artificial substrates (France) or by direct sampling of the natural lake bottom by a diver (Switzerland) did not seem to affect the results. In most years the number and mean width of egg strands fluctuated in the same way in both locations. In addition, yearly perch catches were correlated with the number of egg strands at both locations. However, more small egg strands were found in France than in Switzerland, whereas the reverse was true of large egg strands. Fishing pressure concentrated to a greater extent on small perch in France than in Switzerland could explain this difference.
Riverine and fjord migration of wild and hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts
Authors: Urke H. A. , Kristensen T. , Ulvund J. B. , Alfredsen J. A. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractMigration timing, speed, survival and effects of environmental parameters on migration, between wild and hatchery produced Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts in the River Lærdalselva were studied. Hatchery‐reared (n = 40) and wild pre‐smolts (n = 40) were tagged with acoustic tags, and an array of receivers along the migration route was deployed. In all, 77 and 85% of the fish from the two groups, respectively, were recorded as migrating smolts, that is, predation rate and/or numbers of fish opting to remain in the river were low. Hatchery‐reared smolts showed a migration pattern, speed and migration route similar to wild smolts, even though the time period between river release and onset of migration was relatively short. Both groups of smolt showed high migration speed through both the river and the fjord compared with other studies.