bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hummingbird color preference within a natural hybrid population of Mimulus aurantiacus (Phrymaceae)
Authors: Handelman Corinne , Kohn Joshua R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractHummingbird flowers are typically red in color but the reasons for this are not well understood. Relatively few studies have examined hummingbird flower color preferences under natural conditions in which flower color varies within a species. We recorded hummingbird visitation rates to flowers that vary in color from yellow to red in a natural hybrid population between red‐ and yellow‐flowered Mimulus aurantiacus subspecies. We also examined whether there were any correlations between color and flower size or nectar content. Finally, we reviewed the literature on hummingbird color choice tests using feeders and flowers. There were no correlations in this population between flower color and flower size, nectar volume, or sugar concentration. Nevertheless, hummingbirds undervisited the two most yellow color classes, overvisited orange flowers, and visited the two most red color classes in proportion to their frequency in the population. While Hummingbirds preferred flowers expressing red pigments to those that did not, the flowers with the most red hue were not the most attractive, as has been observed in similar studies with other species of Mimulus. While feeder studies generally fail to show hummingbird preference for red, all studies using flowers, including those that control all floral traits other than color, find consistent preference for red. Experiments are suggested that might help disentangle hypotheses for why hummingbirds exhibit this preference.
Survey of UK speech and language therapists’ assessment and treatment practices for people with progressive dysarthria
Authors: Collis Jessica , Bloch Steven 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground: Dysarthria knowledge is predominantly impairment‐based. As a result, speech and language therapists (SLTs) have traditionally adopted impairment‐focused management practices. However, guidance for best practice suggests that SLTs should consider the client holistically, including the impact of dysarthria beyond the impairment.Aims: To investigate the current assessment and treatment practices used by UK SLTs with clients with progressive dysarthria and to identify whether these satisfy the needs of SLTs in their everyday practice. To investigate the extent to which they consider oromotor abilities, intelligibility, functional communication, participation and interaction to be important regarding assessment and treatment decisions. To explore whether management decisions are affected by level of clinical experience or settings in which SLTs work.Methods & Procedures: An online survey of UK SLTs working with adults with progressive dysarthria.Outcomes & Results: A total of 119 SLTs completed the survey. Respondents considered that targeting the levels of impairment, activity and participation are important in the management of clients with progressive dysarthria, as recommended by clinical guidelines and recent research. However a particularly high proportion of respondents reported the use of impairment‐based assessments. Respondents reported lacking the necessary tools to target interaction in assessment and intervention. The intervention that respondents use with clients varies according to the progressive disorder and dysarthria severity. There is evidence for a trend that less experienced SLTs and those working predominantly in hospital‐based settings focus on the impairment, whereas more SLTs with more experience and those based in predominantly community‐based settings look beyond the impairment.Conclusions & Implications: The values held by SLTs match guideline recommendations for best practice, however the clinical reality is that the assessment of progressive dysarthria remains predominantly impairment‐focused. New tools need to be developed and integrated into practice to target interaction in assessment and intervention, to reduce the gap between best practice recommendations and clinical reality. Ongoing research into the effectiveness of SLT intervention with clients with progressive dysarthria is required to guide clinical management decisions.
Phonological and phonetic marking of information status in Foreign Accent Syndrome
Authors: Kuschmann Anja , Lowit Anja 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground:Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a motor speech disorder in which a variety of segmental and suprasegmental errors lead to the perception of a new accent in speech. Whilst changes in intonation have been identified to contribute considerably to the perceived alteration in accent, research has rarely focused on how these changes impact on the pragmatic use of intonation. However, a greater understanding of the role of intonational changes in FAS and its impact on the functional use of intonation is fundamental to developing appropriate assessment and subsequently treatment strategies for FAS.Aims:This study investigated intonation patterns in speakers with FAS and matched control participants with regard to their ability to signal new and given information (information status) within sentences. A phonetic and phonological perspective was taken with the aim of identifying the characteristics that were compromised in FAS to convey this linguistic function.Methods & Procedures:Four speakers with FAS and four control participants participated in the speech production experiment. The speech data were assessed perceptually, and examined in relation to the use of the phonetic parameters fundamental frequency (f0), intensity and duration as well as phonological categories, i.e. pitch accents and de‐accentuation, using the autosegmental–metrical (AM) framework of intonational analysis.Outcomes & Results:Both speaker groups employed all three phonetic parameters to differentiate between new and given information. However, groups differed regarding the use of phonological markers, with speakers with FAS frequently placing pitch accents on given information instead of de‐accenting these elements. According to the perceptual evaluation, three of the four speakers with FAS had problems signalling information status.Conclusions & Implications: The fact that speakers with FAS marked information status similarly to control speakers at the phonetic level, but failed to do so using phonological categories highlights the importance of assessing phonetic as well as phonological features to gain detailed information about the functional use of intonation in FAS.
Arginase enzymes in the human prostate: expression of arginase isoenzymes and effects of arginase inhibitors on isolated human prostate tissue
Authors: Kedia George T. , Sonnenberg Joachim E. , Kuczyk Markus A. , Ückert Stefan 
Published: September 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?A previous study by Lexander et al. in 2005, using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, demonstrated the expression of arginase type II in the different anatomical regions of the prostate; however, to date, no study has addressed, using an in vitro approach, the role of arginase isoenzymes in the human prostate.The results of the present study demonstrate that: both arginase isoenzymes, Arg I and Arg II, are expressed in the transition zone of the human prostate; the inhibition of arginase antagonized, to a certain degree, the tension brought about by noradrenaline in isolated human prostate tissue; exposure of human prostate tissue to arginase inhibitors enhanced the local production of cyclic GMP; and inhibition of arginase enzymes in the human prostate may augment the activity of the nitric oxide/cyclicGMP pathway.OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of arginase isoenzymes type I (Arg I) and type II (Arg II) in the transition zone of the human prostate and the functional significance of arginase enzymes in the control of prostate smooth muscle.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Human prostate tissue was obtained from male patients who had undergone pelvic surgery.
The expression of Arg I and Arg II was investigated using Western blot analysis.
Using the organ bath technique, the effects of cumulative administration of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), H‐Orn‐OH × HCl, H‐Ile‐OH and N‐ω‐hydroxy‐nor‐L‐arginine (nor‐NOHA; 1 nM–10 µM) on the tension induced by noradrenaline in isolated prostate tissue were assessed.
Tissue strips were also exposed to arginase inhibitors and the production of cyclic GMP was determined.
RESULTS
Western blot analysis showed the expression of Arg I and Arg II in the transition zone of the prostate.
The tension induced by noradrenaline was antagonized by the drugs in the following rank order of efficacy: H‐Orn‐OH × HCl ≥ H‐Ile‐OH ≥ DFMO > nor‐NOHA; however, the maximum reversion of tension recorded ranged from only −25 to −13%.
The enhancement in cyclic GMP production registered in the presence of the arginase inhibitors ranged from four‐ to 14‐fold.
CONCLUSIONS
Arg I and Arg II are expressed in the transition zone of the human prostate.
Isometric tension studies and measurement of cyclic GMP showed that inhibition of arginase can reverse, to a certain degree, the tension of human prostate tissue induced by the activation of α‐adrenoceptors and enhance the accumulation of cyclic GMP.
Future studies should explore further the role of arginase enzymes in the relaxation mediated by nitric oxide in prostate smooth muscle.
Population Density, House Prices and Mortgage Design
Authors: Miles David 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWhether house prices rise faster or slower than average incomes affects the level of home ownership and the riskiness of different means of financing house purchase. This study develops a model of the housing market with the property that the major determinant of house price rises relative to incomes is the evolution of population density. The model implies that if population density is on an upward trajectory, rises in population and in incomes increasingly generate price responses and diminishing rises in the stock of housing. Rises in population density make high and rising levels of house prices likely; this makes alternatives to standard debt financing of home ownership become more desirable. The impact this has on the structure of risk‐sharing contracts between providers of outside equity and homeowners is analysed.
Prog Imperfective Drift in Ancient Greek? ReconsideringEimi‘Be’ with Present Participle1
Authors: Bentein Klaas 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this article, I reconsider the diachrony of the Ancient Greek periphrastic construction ofeimi‘I am’ with present participle by means of Bertinetto’s recently proposed model for the development of progressive grammatical morphemes (grams) (a process called ‘progimperfective drift’). While Bertinetto’s proposal sheds new light on the diachronic development of the construction, at the same time the evidence from Ancient Greek brings to light the need for modification and further refinement of the model (most importantly with regard to the role of what I call the ‘stative’ aspectual function, next to the diachronic source(s) of the construction). I furthermore show thateimi‘I am’ with present participle never fully developed a (focalised) progressive function, which can be explained in terms of ‘constructional competition.’
Reclaiming Degraded Rainforest: A Spatial Evaluation of Gains and Losses in Subtropical Eastern Australia to Inform Future Investment in Restoration
Authors: Shoo Luke P. , Scarth Peter , Schmidt Susanne , Wilson Kerrie A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractForest restoration is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing extinctions driven by deforestation and climate change over the next century. However, spatial and temporal patterns of restoration (both passive and active) are likely to be highly variable depending on degree of land use change as well as levels of forest and soil degradation and residual vegetation. Uncertainties regarding the spatial and temporal reinstatement of forest on degraded land make it difficult to determine where future investment in active restoration should be targeted. We used satellite data to quantify change in the extent and foliage projection cover (FPC) of woody vegetation returning to land previously cleared of subtropical rainforest in eastern Australia. We show a modest recovery of woody vegetation but document high variability in this trend between local areas, expanding by over 5% in some situations but declining by up to 2% in others over the last decade (1999–2009 period). This was accompanied by minor change in average FPC (−0.2 to 4.2%). Overall, decadal expansion in woody vegetation was most apparent in local areas with intermediate levels of existing forest reestablishment and was most likely to occur on steep terrain near existing vegetation. These results provide a valuable first evaluation of where restoration is occurring and the likely time frame required to meet conservation objectives under a business as usual scenario. This knowledge enables returns from current investment to be quantified and can be used to better allocate funds for restoration in the future.
Antiepileptic drugs and the fetal epigenome
Authors: Emes Richard D. , Clifford Harry , Haworth Kim E. , Farrell William E. , Fryer Anthony A. , Carroll William D. , Ismail Khaled M. K. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAntiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can lower maternal folate and increase maternal homocysteine levels, which are known to affect the methyl cycle and hence DNA methylation levels. The influence of in utero exposure to AEDs on fetal DNA methylation was investigated. Genome‐wide fetal epigenomic profiles were determined using the Infinium 27K BeadArray from Illumina (San Diego, CA, U.S.A.). The Infinium array measures approximately 27,000 CpG loci associated with 14,496 genes at single‐nucleotide resolution. Eighteen cord blood samples (nine samples from babies exposed to AEDs and nine controls) from otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies were compared. Unsupervised hierarchic clustering was used to compare the calculated methylation profiles. A clear distinction between the methylation profiles of samples from babies exposed to AEDs in utero compared with controls was detected. These data provide evidence of an epigenetic effect associated with antenatal AED and high‐dose folate supplementation during pregnancy. The differences in fetal DNA methylation of those exposed to AEDs shows that a genome‐wide effect of methylation is evident. In addition, the epigenetic changes observed appear to be, in this limited sample, independent of extremes of birth weight centiles. These preliminary data highlight possible mechanisms by which AEDs might influence fetal outcomes and the potential of optimizing AED‐specific folate supplementation regimens to offset these effects.
Do plant functional traits determine spatial pattern? A test on species‐rich shrublands, Western Australia
Authors: Perry George L.W. , Enright Neal J. , Miller Ben P. , Lamont Byron B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractQuestionsA species' spatial pattern is the outcome of a series of filters: demographic, disturbance, environmental and functional, all varying over space and time. To evaluate the importance of function as a filter we ask: (1) do a species' functional traits allow prediction of its fine‐scale spatial patterning, and (2) how consistent is the fine‐scale spatial pattern shown by the same species across multiple sites where the properties of the other filters may vary?LocationSpecies‐rich Mediterranean climate shrublands of southwestern Australia's northern sandplains.MethodsUsing fully mapped plots at four sites (each >10 000 individuals, 74–112 species), we characterized individual species spatial patterning using point pattern analyses. We classified species spatial patterns in three ways: (1) whether they departed from a null model controlling for first‐order effects (i.e. are they aggregated?), (2) parameterization of Thomas cluster processes (what form does any clustering take?), and (3) their position in a multivariate ‘pattern space’ (do species show different types of pattern?). We then explored the extent to which a species' functional traits, abundance and/or the site at which it occurred predicted these three facets of its spatial pattern.ResultsAlthough at all sites most species were aggregated, site was consistently important in predicting a species' spatial pattern. Regenerative response to fire – whether a species is killed by fire and recruits solely via seeds, or survives and resprouts vegetatively after fire – was the functional trait most consistently useful in predicting a species' spatial pattern. Fire‐killed species tended to show more aggregated distributions than resprouters. Species present at multiple sites did not show consistency in their spatial patterns across those sites more than expected by chance alone.ConclusionsAlthough functional traits relating to fire responses and water use predict species spatial distributions at the landscape level, at the fine scales we considered site effects were as important as functional traits in explaining spatial pattern. Within and between site heterogeneity, some of which can be generated by the stochastic properties of fire, may mask the deterministic effects of species functional traits.
Seedling emergence and growth of Quercus spp. following severe drought effects on a Pinus sylvestris canopy
Authors: Galiano Lucía , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Eugenio Màrcia , Granzow‐de la Cerda Íñigo , Lloret Francisco 
Published: September 2012

AbstractQuestionsWe addressed the following questions: (1) did defoliation and die‐off of the dominant Pinus sylvestris, induced by an extreme drought episode, favour emergence of other tree species; (2) did the defoliated canopies of P. sylvestris resulting from drought promote radial growth among other pre‐existing tree species seedlings under them?LocationP. sylvestris forest in Central Pyrenees (NE Spain) affected by a severe drought in 2004–2005.MethodsDespite increased focus on climate‐related forest die‐off, studies of the effects on regeneration processes following extreme drought remain scarce. We analysed whether an episode of drought‐induced mortality on the dominant P. sylvestris L. may act as a driver of vegetation shift. Seedlings of Quercus humilis Mill. and Q. ilex L. from 27 plots were sampled under P. sylvestris canopies with <50% and ≥50% defoliation (standing dead trees included) to determine age distribution and radial growth using a retrospective, dendrochronological approach.ResultsDrought‐induced canopy losses appear not to be compensated by regeneration of P. sylvestris. Recruitment of below‐canopy tree species (specifically Q. humilis and Q. ilex) that could potentially become dominant was high in the entire studied area. However, the spatial patterns of Quercus spp. regeneration following the 2004–2005 drought were complex. While the emergence of new Quercus spp. seedlings was reduced under open, drought‐induced canopies, growth of seedlings already established was favoured in open‐canopy conditions.ConclusionsAlthough the effects of extreme drought events may disfavour the establishment of new recruits, enhanced growth responses of a pre‐established seedling bank could still contribute to accelerate forest dynamics under drier conditions. Because of the predicted increases in intensity and frequency of extreme droughts, monitoring studies are key to elucidate whether the initial patterns observed will be maintained in the long term, eventually leading to a vegetation shift.
Stroke Radiology and Distinguishing Characteristics of Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease in Native South Asian Pakistanis
Authors: Khan Maria , Rasheed Asif , Hashmi Saman , Zaidi Moazzam , Murtaza Muhammad , Akhtar Saba , Bansari Lajpat , Shah Nabi , Samuel Maria , Raza Sadaf , Khan Umer Rais , Ahmed Bilal , Ahmed Bilawal , Ahmed Naveeduddin , Ara Jamal , Ahsan Tasnim , Munir S. M. , Ali Shoukat , Mehmood Khalid , Makki Karim Ullah , Ahmed Muhammad Masroor , Sheikh Niaz , Memon Abdul Rauf , Frossard Philippe M. , Kamal Ayeesha Kamran 
Published: September 2012

Background There are no descriptions of stroke mechanisms from intracranial atherosclerotic disease in native South Asian Pakistanis. Methods Men and women aged ≥18 years with acute stroke presenting to four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan were screened using magnetic resonance angiography/transcranial Doppler scans. Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria were applied to identify strokes from intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Results We studied 245 patients with acute stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Two hundred thirty scans were reviewed. Also, 206/230 (89·0%) showed acute ischaemia. The most frequent presentation was with cortically based strokes in 42·2% (87/206) followed by border-zone infarcts (52/206, 25·2%). Increasing degrees of stenosis correlated with the development of both cortical and border-zone strokes ( P = 0·002). Important associated findings were frequent atrophy (166/230, 72·2%), silent brain infarcts (66/230, 28%) and a marked lack of severe leukoaraiosis identified in only 68/230 (29·6%). A total of 1870 arteries were studied individually. Middle cerebral artery was the symptomatic stroke vessel in half, presenting with complete occlusion in 66%. Evidence of biological disease, symptomatic or asymptomatic was identified in 753 (40·2%) vessels of which 543 (72%) were significantly (>50%) stenosed at presentation. Conclusion Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is a diffuse process in Pakistani south Asians, with involvement of multiple vessels in addition to the symptomatic vessel. The middle cerebral artery is the most frequent symptomatic vessel presenting with cortical embolic infarcts. There is a relative lack of leukoaraiosis. Concomitant atrophy, silent brain infarcts and recent ischaemia in the symptomatic territory are all frequently associated findings.