bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Biennial Fire and Clipping on Woody and Herbaceous Ground Layer Vegetation: Implications for Restoration and Management of Oak Barren Ecosystems
Authors: Petersen Sheryl M. , Drewa Paul B. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSavannas and oak barrens are threatened in North America, due, in part, to removal of natural disturbance regimes. However, the periodic prescribed fires used in savanna and oak barren management sometimes accelerate the formation of a shrub layer, which can displace herbaceous species. This may be because periodic low severity fires act much like clipping, topkilling shrubs, yet allowing them to accumulate reserves in intervals without fire for more vigorous sprouting. To test this, we compared biennial dormant season burn prescriptions to a fire surrogate (clipping) using three oak barrens sites in the Bluegrass Region of southern Ohio. Fire and clipping treatments did little to suppress the resprouting ability of shrubs (woody stems <2 cm dbh), which regrew rapidly and in equivalent densities following treatment. However, both treatments reduced shrub cover, resulting in a 35% decrease in shrub cover over the course of the study. In contrast, non‐manipulated plots experienced a 44% increase in shrub cover over the same time period. Despite this reduction in shrub cover, treatments had no effect on herbaceous plant cover, richness, diversity, or evenness. These results suggest that the use of biennial prescribed dormant season fire, as employed in this study, is equivalent to clipping, and although effective at temporarily reducing shrub cover, is not effective in reducing shrub densities or resprouting potential. Thus, burning during marginal conditions should be avoided for achieving a short‐term restoration goal of shrub removal, but can be effective for maintaining the current shrub layer.
Do Tree Canopies Enhance Perennial Grass Restoration in California Oak Savannas?
Authors: Stahlheber Karen A. , D'Antonio Carla M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractScattered trees in grass‐dominated ecosystems often act as islands of fertility with important influences on community structure. Despite the potential for these islands to be useful in restoring degraded rangelands, they can also serve as sites for the establishment of fast growing non‐native species. In California oak savannas, native perennial grasses are rare beneath isolated oaks and non‐native annual grasses dominate. To understand the mechanisms generating this pattern, and the potential for restoration of native grasses under oaks, we asked: what are the effects of the tree understory environment, the abundance of a dominant non‐native annual grass (Bromus diandrus), and soils beneath the trees on survival, growth, and reproduction of native perennial grass seedlings? We found oak canopies had a strong positive effect on survival ofStipa pulchraandPoa secunda. Growth and reproduction was enhanced by the canopy forPoabut negatively impacted forStipa. We also found thatBromussuppressed growth and reproduction inStipaandPoa, although less so forStipa. These results suggest the oak understory may enhance survival of restored native perennial grass seedlings. The presence of exotic grasses can also suppress growth of native grasses, although only weakly forStipa. The current limitation of native grasses to outside the canopy edge is potentially the result of interference from annual grasses under oaks, especially for short‐statured grasses likePoa. Therefore, control of non‐native annual grasses under tree canopies will enhance the establishment ofS. pulchraandP. secundawhen planted in California oak savannas.
Accounting for Multiple Foundation Species in Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits
Authors: Gedan Keryn B. , Kellogg Lisa , Breitburg Denise L. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMany coastal habitat restoration projects are focused on restoring the population of a single foundation species to recover an entire ecological community. Estimates of the ecosystem services provided by the restoration project are used to justify, prioritize, and evaluate such projects. However, estimates of ecosystem services provided by a single species may vastly under‐represent true provisioning, as we demonstrate here with an example of oyster reefs, often restored to improve estuarine water quality. In the brackish Chesapeake Bay, the hooked mussel Ischadium recurvum can have greater abundance and biomass than the focal restoration species, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. We measured the temperature‐dependent phytoplankton clearance rates of both bivalves and their filtration efficiency on three size classes of phytoplankton to parameterize an annual model of oyster reef filtration, with and without hooked mussels, for monitored oyster reefs and restoration scenarios in the eastern Chesapeake Bay. The inclusion of filtration by hooked mussels increased the filtration capacity of the habitat greater than 2‐fold. Hooked mussels were also twice as effective as oysters at filtering picoplankton (1.5–3 µm), indicating that they fill a distinct ecological niche by controlling phytoplankton in this size class, which makes up a significant proportion of the phytoplankton load in summer. When mussel and oyster filtration are accounted for in this, albeit simplistic, model, restoration of oyster reefs in a tributary scale restoration is predicted to control 100% of phytoplankton during the summer months.
Recognition of cyclic steps in sandy and gravelly turbidite sequences, and consequences for the Bouma facies model
Authors: Postma George , Kleverlaan Kick , Cartigny Matthieu J. B. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPreservation of cyclic steps contrasts markedly with that of subcritical‐flow bedforms, because cyclic steps migrate upslope eroding their lee face and preserving their stoss side. Such bedforms have not been described from turbidite outcrops and cores as yet. A conceptual block diagram for recognition of cyclic steps in outcrop has been constructed and is tested by outcrop studies of deep water submarine fan deposits of the Tabernas Basin in south‐eastern Spain. Experimental data indicate that depositional processes on the stoss side of a cyclic step are controlled by a hydraulic jump, which decelerates the flow and by subsequent waxing of the flow up to supercritical conditions once more. The hydraulic jump produces a large scour with soft‐sediment deformation (flames) preserved in coarse‐tail normal‐graded structureless deposits (Bouma Ta), while near‐horizontal, massive to stratified top‐cut‐out turbidite beds are found further down the stoss side of the bedform. The architecture of cyclic steps can best be described as large, up to hundreds of metres, lens‐shaped bodies that are truncated by erosive surfaces representing the set boundaries and that consist of nearly horizontal lying stacks of top‐cut‐out turbidite beds. The facies that characterize these bedforms have traditionally been described as turbidite units in idealized vertical sequences of high‐density turbidity currents, but have not yet been interpreted to represent bedforms produced by supercritical flow. Their large size, which is in the order of 20 m for gravelly and up to hundreds of metres for sandy steps, is likely to have hindered their recognition in outcrop so far.
Longitudinal change in working memory as a function of APOE genotype in midlife and old age
Authors: Greenwood Pamela M. , Espeseth Thomas , Lin Ming‐Kuan , Reinvang Ivar , Parasuraman Raja 
Published: May 2014

Previous investigations into whether the APOE‐ε4 allele exerts cognitive effects at midlife have been inconclusive. We have advanced a “cognitive phenotype” hypothesis arguing that the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is associated with lower efficiency of neuronal plasticity thereby resulting in poorer cognitive performance independently of the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (Greenwood et al., ). This hypothesis is best tested at midlife, prior to the neuron loss associated with AD diagnosis. This hypothesis predicts that the ε4 allele would alter cognition regardless of age through plasticity mechanisms, but would not induce longitudinal decline in midlife. The alternative “prodrome” hypothesis predicts that the APOE‐ε4 allele would be associated with longitudinal cognitive decline as early as midlife due to prodromal effects of AD. We tested these hypotheses with a working memory task in a large cross‐sectional sample of cognitively screened APOE‐ε4 carriers and non‐carriers and also in a small longitudinal sample over 3 years. The sample was divided into middle‐aged (mean age 50, range 40–59) and older (mean age 69, range 60–84) individuals. Cross‐sectionally, we observed that older, but not middle‐aged, APOE‐ε4 carriers had lower accuracy than ε4 non‐carriers, mainly under the hardest discrimination condition. Longitudinally, we observed increases in accuracy in middle‐aged APOE‐ε4 carriers, suggesting a cognitive phenotype that includes ability to benefit from experience. We observed a longitudinal decrease in older APOE‐ε4 carriers, suggesting an AD prodrome.
Convergence on Sustainable Lifestyles? Mechanisms of Change and Resistance in a French Allotment
Authors: Farges Géraldine 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis article aims to contribute to understanding convergence on sustainable lifestyles in relation to recent governmental promotion of sustainability. We analyse the effects of inducement to pro‐environmental practices in amateur gardeners on an allotment, a group of plots of land collectively managed in an urban context. We examine the conditions in which allotment gardeners integrate practices and norms on sustainability. Through a one‐year ethnographic research project consisting of observations and repeat interviews with gardeners, we demonstrate that while they adopt new cultural techniques for their plots, the meanings of their gardening practices differ, as do their relationships with the environment. We identify three ideal types of gardeners and show that the diffusion of pro‐environmental practices is not systematically related to shared concerns and that the meaning of practices can be interpreted differently by policymakers and lay individuals.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: 10 years after
Authors: Trifilio S. , Mehta J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundAntimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended for all patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Evidence‐based guidelines recently have been updated to incorporate the results from recent clinical studies.MethodsAn antimicrobial prophylaxis survey was conducted during the 2013 ASBMT Tandem Meetings to discern the degree of concordance between transplant centers and society guidelines.ResultsThe results show significant differences in prescribing practices among transplant institutions and variance with evidence‐based guidelines.ConclusionThe clinical significance of this discordance is unknown.
South–South Trade and Skill Premia
Authors: Khalifa Sherif 
Published: May 2014

AbstractContrary to the predictions of the 2 × 2 × 2 Heckscher–Ohlin model, empirical evidence shows that the skill premium increased in some developing countries and decreased in others after trade liberalisation. This paper attempts to reconcile the empirical evidence with the theoretical predictions by introducing a model where South–South trade can produce the observed patterns of skill premia in the South. In this context, South–South trade expands the import range of the country that reduces the tariff. This increases the demand for and the cost of skilled workers in the other country. This also leads the country that reduces the tariff to expand its export range and reduce its import range. Therefore, the country that reduces the tariff experiences an increase in its export range, which leads to an increase in the skill premium. As the impact on the import range is ambiguous, it is possible that the other country experiences a decline in the skill premium. Thus, trade liberalisation between Southern countries can cause an increase in the skill premium in one and a decrease in the skill premium in another.
Complications of negative pressure wound therapy: A mini review
Authors: Li Zonghuan , Yu Aixi 
Published: May 2014

AbstractNegative pressure wound therapy, with its wide indications and narrow contraindications, has been widely used for various complicated wounds. Despite its excellent properties in promoting wound healing, there are sporadic but increasing reports on the complications. These complications included bleeding, infection, pain, rupture of the heart, and death in the short term. When used for the long term, the therapy may decrease life quality, increase anxiety, and lead to malnutrition. In this review, we briefly summarize the complications of negative pressure wound therapy.
Airway Microbiome Dynamics in Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Huang Yvonne J. , Sethi Sanjay , Murphy Timothy , Nariya Snehal , Boushey Homer A. , Lynch Susan V. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Specific bacterial species are implicated in the pathogenesis of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, recent studies of clinically stable COPD patients have demonstrated a greater diversity of airway microbiota, whose role in acute exacerbations is unclear. In this study, temporal changes in the airway microbiome before, at the onset of, and after an acute exacerbation were examined in 60 sputum samples collected from subjects enrolled in a longitudinal study of bacterial infection in COPD. Microbiome composition and predicted functions were examined using 16S rRNA-based culture-independent profiling methods. Shifts in the abundance (≥2-fold,
P
< 0.05) of many taxa at exacerbation and after treatment were observed. Microbiota members that were increased at exacerbation were primarily of the
Proteobacteria
phylum, including nontypical COPD pathogens. Changes in the bacterial composition after treatment for an exacerbation differed significantly among the therapy regimens clinically prescribed (antibiotics only, oral corticosteroids only, or both). Treatment with antibiotics alone primarily decreased the abundance of
Proteobacteria
, with the prolonged suppression of some microbiota members being observed. In contrast, treatment with corticosteroids alone led to enrichment for
Proteobacteria
and members of other phyla. Predicted metagenomes of particular microbiota members involved in these compositional shifts indicated exacerbation-associated loss of functions involved in the synthesis of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory products, alongside enrichment in functions related to pathogen-elicited inflammation. These trends reversed upon clinical recovery. Further larger studies will be necessary to determine whether specific compositional or functional changes detected in the airway microbiome could be useful indicators of exacerbation development or outcome.
Rapid Detection and Identification of Mucormycetes in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples from Immunocompromised Patients with Pulmonary Infiltrates by Use of High-Resolution Melt Analysis
Authors: Lengerova Martina , Racil Zdenek , Hrncirova Kristyna , Kocmanova Iva , Volfova Pavlina , Ricna Dita , Bejdak Petr , Moulis Mojmir , Pavlovsky Zdenek , Weinbergerova Barbora , Toskova Martina , Mayer Jiri 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Rapid differential diagnostics of pulmonary infiltrates suspected of invasive fungal disease in an immunocompromised host and early initiation of effective antifungal therapy are crucial for patient outcomes. There are no serological tests available to detect mucormycetes; therefore, PCR-based methods are highly suitable. We validated our previously published PCR followed by high-resolution melt analysis (PCR/HRMA) to detect
Rhizopus
spp.,
Rhizomucor pusillus
,
Lichtheimia corymbifera
, and
Mucor
spp. in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from immunocompromised patients who were at risk of invasive fungal disease. All PCR/HRMA-positive samples were retested using novel real-time quantitative PCR (RQ PCR) assays specific to the species identified. In total, between January 2009 and December 2012 we analyzed 99 BAL samples from 86 patients with pulmonary abnormalities using PCR/HRMA. Ninety (91%) BAL samples were negative, and 9 (9%) samples were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR/HRMA were 100% and 93%, respectively. By combining the positive results of PCR/HRMA with positive RQ PCR results, the specificity was raised to 98%. PCR/HRMA, due to its high negative predictive value (99%), represents a fast and reliable tool for routine BAL sample screening for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients for the four most clinically important mucormycetes.
Comparative Evaluation of Two Chromogenic Tests for Rapid Detection of Carbapenemase in Enterobacteriaceae and in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates
Authors: Huang Te-Din , Berhin Catherine , Bogaerts Pierre , Glupczynski Youri 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

We compared the performance of the Carba NP test and the Rosco Rapid CARB screen kit for detecting carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Both tests are rapid and highly sensitive; however, the Carba NP test showed superior specificity, and several uninterpretable results were observed with the Rapid CARB screen.
Interaction between Hantavirus Nucleocapsid Protein (N) and RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) Mutants Reveals the Requirement of an N-RdRp Interaction for Viral RNA Synthesis
Authors: Cheng Erdong , Wang Zekun , Mir Mohammad A. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Viral ribonucleocapsids harboring the viral genomic RNA are used as the template for viral mRNA synthesis and replication of the viral genome by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Here we show that hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N protein) interacts with RdRp in virus-infected cells. We mapped the RdRp binding domain at the N terminus of N protein. Similarly, the N protein binding pocket is located at the C terminus of RdRp. We demonstrate that an N protein-RdRp interaction is required for RdRp function during the course of virus infection in the host cell.
Identification of 10 Cowpox Virus Proteins That Are Necessary for Induction of Hemorrhagic Lesions (Red Pocks) on Chorioallantoic Membranes
Authors: Xu Zhiyong , Zikos Dimitrios , Tamošiūnaitė Aistė , Klopfleisch Robert , Osterrieder Nikolaus , Tischer B. Karsten 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Cowpox viruses (CPXV) cause hemorrhagic lesions (“red pocks”) on infected chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of embryonated chicken eggs, while most other members of the genus
Orthopoxvirus
produce nonhemorrhagic lesions (“white pocks”). Cytokine response modifier A (CrmA) of CPXV strain Brighton Red (BR) is necessary but not sufficient for the induction of red pocks. To identify additional viral proteins involved in the induction of hemorrhagic lesions, a library of single-gene CPXV knockout mutants was screened. We identified 10 proteins that are required for the formation of hemorrhagic lesions, which are encoded by
CPXV060
,
CPXV064
,
CPXV068
,
CPXV069
,
CPXV074
,
CPXV136
,
CPXV168
,
CPXV169
,
CPXV172
, and
CPXV199
. The genes are the homologues of
F12L
,
F15L
,
E2L
,
E3L
,
E8R
,
A4L
,
A33R
,
A34R
,
A36R
, and
B5R
of vaccinia virus (VACV). Mutants with deletions in
CPXV060
,
CPXV168
,
CPXV169
,
CPXV172
, or
CPXV199
induced white pocks with a comet-like shape on the CAM. The homologues of these five genes in VACV encode proteins that are involved in the production of extracellular enveloped viruses (EEV) and the repulsion of superinfecting virions by actin tails. The homologue of
CPXV068
in VACV is also involved in EEV production but is not related to actin tail induction. The other genes encode immunomodulatory proteins (
CPXV069
and
crmA
) and viral core proteins (
CPXV074
and
CPXV136
), and the function of the product of
CPXV064
is unknown.

IMPORTANCE
It has been known for a long time that cowpox virus induces hemorrhagic lesions on chicken CAM, while most of the other orthopoxviruses produce nonhemorrhagic lesions. Although cowpox virus CrmA has been proved to be responsible for the hemorrhagic phenotype, other proteins causing this phenotype remain unknown. Recently, we generated a complete single-gene knockout bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of cowpox virus Brighton strain. Out of 183 knockout BAC clones, 109 knockout viruses were reconstituted. The knockout library makes possible high-throughput screening for studying poxvirus replication and pathogenesis. In this study, we screened all 109 single-gene knockout viruses and identified 10 proteins necessary for inducing hemorrhagic lesions. The identification of these genes gives a new perspective for studying the hemorrhagic phenotype and may give a better understanding of poxvirus virulence.
Effects of Toll-Like Receptor Stimulation on Eosinophilic Infiltration in Lungs of BALB/c Mice Immunized with UV-Inactivated Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus Vaccine
Authors: Iwata-Yoshikawa Naoko , Uda Akihiko , Suzuki Tadaki , Tsunetsugu-Yokota Yasuko , Sato Yuko , Morikawa Shigeru , Tashiro Masato , Sata Tetsutaro , Hasegawa Hideki , Nagata Noriyo 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTSevere acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is an emerging pathogen that causes severe respiratory illness. Whole UV-inactivated SARS-CoV (UV-V), bearing multiple epitopes and proteins, is a candidate vaccine against this virus. However, whole inactivated SARS vaccine that includes nucleocapsid protein is reported to induce eosinophilic infiltration in mouse lungs after challenge with live SARS-CoV. In this study, an ability of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to reduce the side effects of UV-V vaccination in a 6-month-old adult BALB/c mouse model was investigated, using the mouse-passaged Frankfurt 1 isolate of SARS-CoV. Immunization of adult mice with UV-V, with or without alum, resulted in partial protection from lethal doses of SARS-CoV challenge, but extensive eosinophil infiltration in the lungs was observed. In contrast, TLR agonists added to UV-V vaccine, including lipopolysaccharide, poly(U), and poly(I·C) (UV-V+TLR), strikingly reduced excess eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs and induced lower levels of interleukin-4 and -13 and eotaxin in the lungs than UV-V-immunization alone. Additionally, microarray analysis showed that genes associated with chemotaxis, eosinophil migration, eosinophilia, and cell movement and the polarization of Th2 cells were upregulated in UV-V-immunized but not in UV-V+TLR-immunized mice. In particular, CD11b+cells in the lungs of UV-V-immunized mice showed the upregulation of genes associated with the induction of eosinophils after challenge. These findings suggest that vaccine-induced eosinophil immunopathology in the lungs upon SARS-CoV infection could be avoided by the TLR agonist adjuvants.IMPORTANCEInactivated whole severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies in mouse models; however, they also cause increased eosinophilic immunopathology in the lungs upon SARS-CoV challenge. In this study, the ability of adjuvant Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to reduce the side effects of UV-inactivated SARS-CoV vaccination in a BALB/c mouse model was tested, using the mouse-passaged Frankfurt 1 isolate of SARS-CoV. We found that TLR stimulation reduced the high level of eosinophilic infiltration that occurred in the lungs of mice immunized with UV-inactivated SARS-CoV. Microarray analysis revealed that genes associated with chemotaxis, eosinophil migration, eosinophilia, and cell movement and the polarization of Th2 cells were upregulated in UV-inactivated SARS-CoV-immunized mice. This study may be helpful for elucidating the pathogenesis underlying eosinophilic infiltration resulting from immunization with inactivated vaccine.