bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When to Run and When to Hide: The Influence of Concealment, Visibility, and Proximity to Refugia on Perceptions of Risk
Authors: Camp Meghan J. , Rachlow Janet L. , Woods Bonnie A. , Johnson Timothy R. , Shipley Lisa A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAn animal's ability to avoid predation likely depends on its ability to detect approaching predators, conceal itself, and seek refuge or protection from predators. Habitat, especially vegetation structure, can influence all of these factors concurrently. Binary categorical assessments of habitat as ‘open’ or ‘closed’, however, confound at least two functions of habitat structure that could influence the perceived risk of predation: concealment, which functions to hide an individual, and visibility, which enhances detection of a potential predator. Both can influence predation risk independently and simultaneously. In this study, we decoupled these functional properties of vegetation and studied the effects of concealment, visibility, and proximity to a refuge on the distance at which pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) fled from an approaching threat (flight initiation distance; FID). Concealment by vegetation decreased perceptions of risk; however, pygmy rabbits exhibited elevated risk at high levels of visibility, regardless of the amount of concealment. Proximity to burrow entrances also influenced perceptions of risk, such that risk was significantly lower when rabbits were on or near burrow systems. Disentangling the functional properties of habitat can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence perceived risk and escape behaviors of prey and provide insight into how habitat structure mechanistically relates to predation risk.
Management of severe epidermolysis bullosa by haematopoietic transplant: principles, perspectives and pitfalls
Authors: Tolar Jakub , Wagner John E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPeople with severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) develop widespread blistering and progressively debilitating multisystem complications that may result in a shortened lifespan. As some wounds in EB individuals are difficult or impossible to access with topical therapy, we examined the potential of systemic therapy with normal haematopoietic stem cells. In both animal models and children with EB, healthy donor cells from the haematopoietic graft migrated to the injured skin; simultaneously, there was an increase in the production of skin‐specific structural proteins deficient in EB, increased skin integrity and reduced tendency to blister formation. Even though the majority of evaluable individuals have had a positive response in skin healing, frequently changing their quality of life, the improvement in lifestyle has been varied and the overall clinical response incomplete. To change the current amelioration of disease into a full cure, we propose to (i) increase safety as well as efficacy of haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) using co‐infusion of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells with haematopoietic stem cells and non‐myeloablative conditioning for transplant; (ii) optimize homing of donor cells into the skin erosions in animal models of EB; and (iii) discover and test new drugs for EB therapy using patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells. We conclude that although HCT has always been a risky treatment restricted to those with serious life‐threatening or debilitating diseases, by most benchmarks, the results of HCT in EB have shown that HCT has the potential of being a durable, systemic therapy for people with severe forms of EB.
Higher temperature reduces the effects of litter quality on decomposition by aquatic fungi
Authors: FERNANDES ISABEL , PASCOAL CLÁUDIA , GUIMARÃES HELENA , PINTO RUTE , SOUSA INÊS , CÁSSIO FERNANDA 
Published: August 2012

Summary1. We investigated the effects of riparian plant diversity (species number and identity) and temperature on microbially mediated leaf decomposition by assessing fungal biodiversity, fungal reproduction and leaf mass loss.2. Leaves of five riparian plant species were first immersed in a stream to allow microbial colonisation and were then exposed, alone or in all possible combinations, at 16 or 24 °C in laboratory microcosms.3. Fungal biodiversity was reduced by temperature but was not affected by litter diversity. Temperature altered fungal community composition with species of warmer climate, such as Lunulospora curvula, becoming dominant.4. Fungal reproduction was affected by litter diversity, but not by temperature. Fungal reproduction in leaf mixtures did not differ or was lower than that expected from the weighted sum of fungal sporulation on individual leaf species. At the higher temperature, the negative effect of litter diversity on fungal reproduction decreased with the number of leaf species.5. Leaf mass loss was affected by the identity of leaf mixtures (i.e. litter quality), but not by leaf species number. This was mainly explained by the negative correlation between leaf decomposition and initial lignin concentration of leaves.6. At 24 °C, the negative effects of lignin on microbially mediated leaf decomposition diminished, suggesting that higher temperatures may weaken the effects of litter quality on plant litter decomposition in streams.7. The reduction in the negative effects of lignin at the higher temperature resulted in an increased microbially mediated litter decomposition, which may favour invertebrate‐mediated litter decomposition leading to a depletion of litter stocks in streams.
Altered expression of intestinal human leucocyte antigen D-related and immune signalling molecules in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Arvonen M , Vähäsalo P , Turunen S , Salo H M , Mäki M , Laurila K , Vaarala O , Karttunen T J 
Published: August 2012

SummaryWe aimed to study intestinal immune activation status in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) by assessing intestinal human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II expression and the mRNA expression levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and pattern recognition receptors. HLA-D-related (HLA-DR) expression was assessed using immunohistochemical staining of frozen sections in 11 children with JIA and 17 controls. The gene expression levels of the anti- and proinflammatory cytokines, lymphocyte recognition receptors and pattern recognition receptors were studied with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in 14 children with JIA and 12 controls. All subjects had various gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms indicating endoscopic examinations, but eventually were not diagnosed with GI disease. In JIA patients, the expression of HLA-DR was increased in the crypt epithelial cells and in the epithelial basement membrane of the ileum when compared with the controls. Positive HLA-DR staining in the ileal mucosa was associated with the presence of high clinical disease activity of JIA and low mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Low ileal expression of interleukin (IL)-10, TGF-β, FoxP3, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and TLR-4 transcripts correlated significantly with a high clinical disease activity in the JIA patients. The increased HLA-DR expression suggests enhanced intestinal antigen presentation in JIA. A correlation between clinical disease activity and low gene expression of tolerogenic mediators in the ileum supports the hypothesis that a link exists between the gut immune system and JIA.
Connecting dynamic vegetation models to data – an inverse perspective
Authors: Hartig Florian , Dyke James , Hickler Thomas , Higgins Steven I. , O’Hara Robert B. , Scheiter Simon , Huth Andreas 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDynamic vegetation models provide process‐based explanations of the dynamics and the distribution of plant ecosystems. They offer significant advantages over static, correlative modelling approaches, particularly for ecosystems that are outside their equilibrium due to global change or climate change. A persistent problem, however, is their parameterization. Parameters and processes of dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) are traditionally determined independently of the model, while model outputs are compared to empirical data for validation and informal model comparison only. But field data for such independent estimates of parameters and processes are often difficult to obtain, and the desire to include better descriptions of processes such as biotic interactions, dispersal, phenotypic plasticity and evolution in future vegetation models aggravates limitations related to the current parameterization paradigm. In this paper, we discuss the use of Bayesian methods to bridge this gap. We explain how Bayesian methods allow direct estimates of parameters and processes, encoded in prior distributions, to be combined with inverse estimates, encoded in likelihood functions. The combination of direct and inverse estimation of parameters and processes allows a much wider range of vegetation data to be used simultaneously, including vegetation inventories, species traits, species distributions, remote sensing, eddy flux measurements and palaeorecords. The possible reduction of uncertainty regarding structure, parameters and predictions of DVMs may not only foster scientific progress, but will also increase the relevance of these models for policy advice.
Temperature dependence of the reproduction niche and its relevance for plant species distributions
Authors: Bykova Olga , Chuine Isabelle , Morin Xavier , Higgins Steven I. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe distribution and abundance of plant species are intimately related to their reproductive success, which in turn is affected by a large number of environmental variables. Yet, reproductive success is rarely taken into account in species distribution models (SDMs). In this paper we examine the extent to which consideration of the reproduction niche and its relationship with temperature could improve SDMs. We review the literature on plant reproductive responses to temperature and the influence of these relationships on species range delimitation. We define the reproduction niche and discuss how temperature influences several stages of the reproductive process. Furthermore, we review examples that illustrate how the reproduction niche influences species distributions and discuss how aspects of the reproduction niche could be considered in SDMs. We show that the reproduction niche fundamentally influences species distributions and that in principle it is easy to include aspects of the reproduction niche in SDMs, although sufficient data are only available for a restricted number of species. Bayesian methods and inverse parameterization may be the most efficient way to use existing data.
Response to breast health screening program at a not‐for‐profit clinic for working poor, uninsured, ethnically diverse women
Authors: Morrison Theresa L 
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  Examine the effect of an ongoing breast health screening program, at a not‐for‐profit, non‐government assisted, volunteer clinic, specifically examining mammography usage and to discover variables to improve the rate of mammography.Background.  Detection of breast cancer in women of low socio‐economic status, lacking health insurance, can be improved by increasing annual mammography rates, yet little is known about their screening behaviour.Design.  Quantitative, retrospective subject‐controlled study.Methods.  Subject‐controlled, longitudinal study of English and Spanish‐speaking women 40 years old and over, working poor, and uninsured, who participated in a comprehensive screening program that included a 7‐minute breast health educational DVD (n = 223).Results.  Radiology records, breast health behaviours and beliefs indicated 76% of women invited for a second test completed it over a year after viewing the educational DVD. Chi‐square and t‐test indicated two significant findings for completing annual mammography in the 12th month: receiving a reminder postcard and scoring lower on perceptions of breast cancer susceptibility. Two significant findings for completing annual mammography even if late are knowledgeable about screening recommendations and ethnically identifying as Hispanic.Conclusions.  This study shows statistically significant actions that can be undertaken to strengthen programs: reminder postcards, assessing susceptibility score and screening recommendation education.Relevance to clinical practice.  Simple, inexpensive interventions encourage working, uninsured, Hispanic women to complete mammography.
CD74 expression is increased in high‐grade, invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Choi Jung‐Woo , Kim Younghye , Lee Ju‐Han , Kim Young‐Sik 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study aimed to identify the clinicopathological features of bladder cancer patients with high CD74 expression, as milatuzumab humanized anti‐CD74 antibody is being evaluated in clinical trials for hematological malignancies. Expression of CD74 was examined in 342 urothelial carcinomas of the bladder, and two urothelial carcinoma cell lines by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively. CD74 was overexpressed in 192 (56.1%) of the 342 cancer tissues, although it was not expressed in the cancer cell lines. CD74 staining was intense in tumor cells and inflammatory cells in the tumor stroma, but not in normal urothelium. CD74 expression was significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (≥68 years, P = 0.048), high World Health Organization grade (P = 0.019), advanced stages (P = 0.001) and non‐papillary growth pattern (P = 0.040). CD74 expression was also correlated with the absence of tumor‐infiltrating inflammatory cells (P < 0.001) and the presence of tumor‐associated inflammatory cells (P = 0.017). However, CD74 expression was not related to recurrence‐free and overall survivals in primary and subgroup analyses. In conclusion, urothelial bladder carcinomas with high CD74 expression are characterized by older age, high World Health Organization grade, non‐papillary growth and advanced stages.
Where do adaptive shifts occur during invasion? A multidisciplinary approach to unravelling cold adaptation in a tropical ant species invading the Mediterranean area
Authors: Rey Olivier , Estoup Arnaud , Vonshak Merav , Loiseau Anne , Blanchet Simon , Calcaterra Luis , Chifflet Lucila , Rossi Jean‐Pierre , Kergoat Gaël J. , Foucaud Julien , Orivel Jérôme , Leponce Maurice , Schultz Ted , Facon Benoit 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEvolution may improve the invasiveness of populations, but it often remains unclear whether key adaptation events occur after introduction into the recipient habitat (i.e. post‐introduction adaptation scenario), or before introduction within the native range (i.e. prior‐adaptation scenario) or at a primary site of invasion (i.e. bridgehead scenario). We used a multidisciplinary approach to determine which of these three scenarios underlies the invasion of the tropical ant Wasmannia auropunctata in a Mediterranean region (i.e. Israel). Species distribution models (SDM), phylogeographical analyses at a broad geographical scale and laboratory experiments on appropriate native and invasive populations indicated that Israeli populations followed an invasion scenario in which adaptation to cold occurred at the southern limit of the native range before dispersal to Israel. We discuss the usefulness of combining SDM, genetic and experimental approaches for unambiguous determination of eco‐evolutionary invasion scenarios.
Weekend gold returns in bull and bear markets
Authors: Blose Laurence E. , Gondhalekar Vijay 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study examines the weekend effect in gold returns during bull and bear markets over the period 1975 through 2011. It shows that gold returns from close on Friday to close on Monday are significantly lower than returns during the rest of the week. This result is due largely to gold returns during bear markets. During gold bull markets, gold weekend returns are not significantly different from weekday returns. The study shows that the effect has substantial economic implications for gold investors. The effect is shown to be related to a significantly negative skewness in the weekend returns.
Bank Branch Geographic Location Patterns in Spain: Some Implications for Financial Exclusion
Authors: Alamá Luisa , Tortosa‐Ausina Emili 
Published: August 2012

AbstractOver the last 20 years, the Spanish banking industry has undergone a profound reshaping in several respects. One of the factors that has allowed this has been the geographic expansion of most savings banks into other regions outside their regions of origin that has been taking place at a significant pace since 1989. Almost simultaneously, the Spanish economy has grown at remarkable annual rates, a growth pattern that came to an abrupt halt in 2008. Under these circumstances, this paper analyzes the geographic expansion patterns of Spanish financial institutions during the postderegulation period. This goal extends previous analyses in two main ways: by considering a broader set of variables affecting bank branch location and by using a quantile regression in order to obtain results that go beyond conditional mean models. Results indicate that 1) location and geographic diversification patterns vary mostly across firms and by type of firm; 2) the evaluation of growth and financial development at municipal level indicates that some communities have experienced financial exclusion; and 3) it is difficult to establish a linear relationship to explain bank branch geographic diversification strategies.
Influence of prey depletion and human disturbance on tiger occupancy in Nepal
Authors: Barber‐Meyer S. M. , Jnawali S. R. , Karki J. B. , Khanal P. , Lohani S. , Long B. , MacKenzie D. I. , Pandav B. , Pradhan N. M. B. , Shrestha R. , Subedi N. , Thapa G. , Thapa K. , Wikramanayake E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTigers are globally endangered and continue to decline due to poaching, prey depletion and habitat loss. In Nepal, tiger populations are fragmented and found mainly in four protected areas (PAs). To establish the use of standard methods, to assess the importance of prey availability and human disturbance on tiger presence and to assess tiger occupancy both inside and outside PAs, we conducted a tiger occupancy survey throughout the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal. Our model‐average estimate of the probability of tiger site occupancy was 0.366 [standard error (se) = 0.02, a 7% increase from the naive estimate] and the probability of detection estimate was 0.65 (se = 0.08) per 1 km searched. Modeled tiger site occupancy ranged from 0.04 (se = 0.05) in areas with a relatively lower prey base and higher human disturbance to 1 (se = 0 and 0.14) in areas with a higher prey base and lower human disturbance. We estimated tigers occupied just 5049 (se = 3) km2 (36%) of 13 915 km2 potential tiger habitat (forests and grasslands), and we detected sign in four of five key corridors linking PAs across Nepal and India, respectively indicating significant unoccupied areas likely suitable for tigers and substantial potential for tiger dispersal. To increase tiger populations and to promote long‐term persistence in Nepal, otherwise suitable areas should be managed to increase prey and minimize human disturbance especially in critical corridors linking core tiger populations.
Over‐expression of HSP70 attenuates caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent pathways and inhibits neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Sabirzhanov Boris , Stoica Bogdan A. , Hanscom Marie , Piao Chun‐Shu , Faden Alan I. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractHSP70 is a member of the family of heat‐shock proteins that are known to be up‐regulated in neurons following injury and/or stress. HSP70 over‐expression has been linked to neuroprotection in multiple models, including neurodegenerative disorders. In contrast, less is known about the neuroprotective effects of HSP70 in neuronal apoptosis and with regard to modulation of programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms in neurons. We examined the effects of HSP70 over‐expression by transfection with HSP70‐expression plasmids in primary cortical neurons and the SH‐SY5Y neuronal cell line using four independent models of apoptosis: etoposide, staurosporine, C2‐ceramide, and β‐Amyloid. In these apoptotic models, neurons transfected with the HSP70 construct showed significantly reduced induction of nuclear apoptotic markers and/or cell death. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HSP70 binds and potentially inactivates Apoptotic protease‐activating factor 1, as well as apoptosis‐inducing factor, key molecules involved in development of caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent PCD, respectively. Markers of caspase‐dependent PCD, including active caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and cleaved PARP were attenuated in neurons over‐expressing HSP70. These data indicate that HSP70 protects against neuronal apoptosis and suggest that these effects reflect, at least in part, to inhibition of both caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent PCD pathways.
Does returning sites of historic peri‐urban waste disposal to vegetable production pose a risk to human health? – A case study near Manchester, UK
Authors: Atkinson N. R. , Young S. D. , Tye A. M. , Breward N. , Bailey E. H. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractUrban waste disposal occurred on fenland to the west of Manchester, England, between 1900 and 1964. The reclaimed fenland, Chat Moss, is now used for mixed arable farming. A total of 1.92 Mt of waste including privy midden, street sweepings, clinkers and slaughterhouse refuse was incorporated into the moss resulting in a modified topsoil with raised pH and reduced organic matter content compared with the subsoil. Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are observed in the topsoil beyond the typical depth of atmospheric contamination; Cd and As concentrations exceed soil guideline values (SGVs) at 1.8 and 43 mg/kg, respectively. Sequential extraction indicates that waste‐derived Pb, Zn and Ni remain predominantly in the residual fraction, whereas Cu was mainly organically bound. Arsenic was predominately found in oxide and organic matter fractions with Cd in carbonate, oxide, organic matter and residual fractions. Pot trials indicated limited uptake of PTEs by vegetables grown on the waste‐amended soil, with the exception of Cd uptake by lettuce (0.22 mg/kg FW) and Pb uptake by radish (0.16 mg/kg FW), which exceeded current EU limits of 0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg FW, respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) identified no risks to adults from consumption of vegetables grown in these soils with the exception of lettuce consumption with a HQ of 1.4. Risks to children were slightly greater with HQs >1 for Cd in lettuce, spinach, carrots and onion, As in lettuce, parsley and onion and for Zn in spinach.