bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change exacerbates interspecific interactions in sympatric coastal fishes
Authors: Milazzo Marco , Mirto Simone , Domenici Paolo , Gristina Michele 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Biological responses to warming are presently based on the assumption that species will remain within their bioclimatic envelope as environmental conditions change. As a result, changes in the relative abundance of several marine species have been documented over the last decades. This suggests that warming may drive novel interspecific interactions to occur (i.e. invasive vs. native species) or may intensify the strength of pre‐existing ones (i.e. warm vs. cold adapted). For mobile species, habitat relocation is a viable solution to track tolerable conditions and reduce competitive costs, resulting in ‘winner’ species dominating the best quality habitat at the expense of ‘loser’ species.

Here, we focus on the importance of warming in exacerbating interspecific interactions between two sympatric fishes. We assessed the relocation response of the cool‐water fish Coris julis (a potential ‘loser’ species in warming scenarios) at increasing relative dominance of the warm‐water fish Thalassoma pavo (a ‘winner’ species). These wrasses are widespread in the Mediterranean nearshore waters. C. julis tolerates cooler waters and is found throughout the basin. T. pavo is common along southern coasts, although the species range is expanding northwards as the Mediterranean warms.

We surveyed habitat patterns along a thermo‐latitudinal gradient in the Western Mediterranean Sea and manipulated seawater temperature under two scenarios (present day vs. projected) in outdoor arenas. Our results show that the cool‐water species relocates to a less‐preferred seagrass habitat and undergoes lower behavioural performance in warmer environments, provided the relative dominance of its warm‐water antagonist is high.

The results suggest that expected warming will act synergistically with increased relative dominance of a warm‐water species to cause a cool‐water fish to relocate in a less‐preferred habitat within the same thermal environment.

Our study highlights the complexity of climate change effects and has broad implications for predictive models of responses to warming. To achieve more accurate predictions, further consideration is needed of the pervasive importance of species interactions. We believe these fundamental issues to be addressed to understand the biotic consequences of climate change.
Assembly history alters alpha and beta diversity, exotic–native proportions and functioning of restored prairie plant communities
Authors: Martin Leanne M. , Wilsey Brian J. 
Published: October 2012

Summary
Restorations provide a test of community assembly history theory, and practitioners require information on how assembly history might help to restore diverse native species communities. Variation in community assembly history (historical order of species arrival) is hypothesized to generate beta diversity by producing alternate states, but restorations are hindered because there have been few tests using long‐term field experiments.
We experimentally altered assembly history of native species into formerly exotic‐dominated grassland sites while simultaneously removing dispersal limitation to test whether alternate states or a single equilibrium would develop and whether alternate states would generate varying ecosystem‐level effects. Assembly history was altered by varying the identity of early‐emerging species, timing of seed additions after disturbance (early‐emerging species added in spring or summer) and priority effects (common 30‐species seed mixture added either at the same time or after an early‐emerging species canopy developed). The experiment was conducted at two sites that differed in productivity.
Altering timing and priority effects during assembly history had large effects on species composition and diversity. On average, diversity was highest, and the proportion of exotic species was lowest in plots seeded in spring and without priority effects. Identity of early‐emerging species did not significantly affect community structure.
Differences in species composition affected fuel mass, fire temperatures and peak above‐ground primary productivity, key ecosystem processes in tallgrass prairie.
Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate that grassland communities can reach alternate exotic‐ or native‐dominated states in uniform environments when perennial exotic species are present. These states were strongly affected by timing of native species arrival and priority effects. Thus, assembly history is a key process that can give rise to beta diversity, and our results suggest that native species should be established early in the restoration process before exotics become fully established.
The effectiveness of classical biological control of invasive plants
Authors: Clewley Gary D. , Eschen René , Shaw Richard H. , Wright Denis J. 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Invasive alien plants have serious economic and ecological impacts, for example, by displacing native plants and invertebrates, and their management is often costly and ineffective in the long term. Classical biological control using specialized, coevolved natural enemies from the native region of the invader is often advocated as a preferred alternative to chemical and mechanical control, but there is a lack of quantitative assessment of control of the target species and subsequent establishment of native vegetation and invertebrates.
Meta‐analyses were carried out combining the results of 61 published studies (2000–2011) that quantified the impact of classical biocontrol at the level of individual target plants, target populations or non‐target vegetation. Factors associated with the control programmes (invasive region, native region, plant growth form, target longevity, control agent guild, taxonomy and study duration) were analysed to identify patterns in control success.
On average, biocontrol agents significantly reduced plant size (28 ± 4%), plant mass (37 ± 4%), flower and seed production (35 ± 13% and 42 ± 9%, respectively) and target plant density (56 ± 7%). Beetles in the Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae families were more effective at reducing plant size than other groups.
Non‐target plant diversity significantly increased by 88 ± 31% at sites where biocontrol agents were released, but it was largely unclear whether the replacement plant species were native or invasive.
Synthesis and applications. The number of studies that provide quantitative indications of the effectiveness of biocontrol and the response of non‐target taxa has increased over the past decade, but remains small compared to the total number of publications on the classical biocontrol of invasive plants. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates the positive impacts of classical biocontrol and the re‐establishment of native plants in a broad range of systems and establishes the value of classical biocontrol for the control of invasive alien plants. The Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae families were the most effective agents and we recommend these be prioritized in cases where potential agents of different taxa have also been identified. In addition, data on the recovery of native plant species and the invertebrate community remain sparse and it is recommended that future studies report the identity of plant species that replace target species as well as invertebrate community responses.
Percutaneous coronary intervention or prehospital thrombolysis? What is the preferred treatment in S‐T elevation myocardial infarction?
Authors: Hiscock M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThere is no situation in medicine where outcome is so utterly dependent on time than in the treatment of patients with S‐T elevation myocardial infarction. This life‐threatening situation accounts for 30% of acute coronary syndromes. Prompt myocardial reperfusion saves lives, but health services need to be thoroughly organised to achieve this outcome. Unfortunately, a minority of patients in Australia present within 2 h of symptom onset and most patients receive reperfusion 3–4 h after. So health professionals begin at a disadvantage.A novel approach to this problem has been to give thrombolysis at first contact with the patient, before admission to hospital. A French study has assessed this practice against the gold standard treatment for S‐T elevation myocardial infarction with some very interesting results. The implications of this study now challenge well‐entrenched guidelines for the management of patients with this condition.
The Convergent Conceptions of Being in Mainstream Analytic and Postmodern Continental Philosophy
Authors: Barris Jeremy 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis article argues that there is ultimately a very close convergence between prominent conceptions of being in mainstream Anglo‐American philosophy and mainstream postmodern Continental philosophy. One characteristic idea in Anglo‐American or analytic philosophy is that we establish what is meaningful and so what we can say about what is, by making evident the limits of sense or what simply cannot be meant. A characteristic idea in Continental philosophy of being is that being emerges through contrast and interplay with what it is not, with what has no being at all and so is beyond sense. The two traditions consequently conceive being in significantly related ways. As a result, what the Continental tradition gets at with “the meaning of being as such and in general,” and how it gets at it, has much in common with what the Anglo‐American tradition gets at, and how it gets at it, by establishing “what can be meaningfully said.”
Assessing the Impacts of Pillar 1 and 2 Subsidies on TFP in French Crop Farms
Authors: Mary Sébastien 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis article analyses the impact of common agricultural policy (CAP) subsidies on total factor productivity using a FADN dataset of French crop farms between 1996 and 2003. We first estimate a production function using a system GMM approach and then recover farm‐level total factor productivity (TFP). Further, the impact of Pillar 1 and 2 subsidies on TFP is investigated and results show that several subsidies have a negative impact on productivity during the period covered in the dataset. CAP reforms have also had an impact on the relationship between subsidies and productivity.
Reduction in the attraction of males to females after mating in the rice leaf bug Trigonotylus caelestialium
Authors: Yamane Takashi 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe influence of mating on the extent to which males are attracted to females in Trigonotylus caelestialium (Heteroptera: Miridae) was examined. No differences in attraction of males to mated and virgin females were observed within 3–5 h of mating, but males became less attracted to females 1 to 2 days after the first mating. The difference in male attraction to mated vs virgin females disappeared at 4 days after mating. These results indicate that reduced attraction of males to mated females occurs after a certain time interval, and persists for a few days. Furthermore, males were less attracted to females that had mated with virgin vs recently mated males, i.e. males that had just mated with another female at 1 and 2 days after mating. The ejaculate expenditure of recently mated males was less than that of virgin males. Hence, the amount of male ejaculate transferred to females during mating, rather than the act of mating, might influence the attraction of males to females. The results demonstrate that mating reduces the attraction of males to females in T. caelestialium on the basis of direct observation of male behavior.
Outcomes After Unplanned Admission to Hospital in Older People: Ill‐Defined Conditions as Potential Indicators of the Frailty Trajectory
Authors: Walsh Bronagh , Addington‐Hall Julia , Roberts Helen C. , Nicholls Peter G. , Corner Jessica 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo describe outcomes after unplanned hospital admission in older people and to determine whether disease trajectories in those admitted with ill‐defined conditions (symptoms and signs) are distinct from other diagnostic groups and consistent with known disease trajectories.DesignLongitudinal follow‐up after a retrospective cross‐sectional study of emergency admissions to general internal and geriatric medicine units in one hospital.SettingAcute hospital in southern England.ParticipantsAll people aged 65 and older with unplanned admissions to general internal and geriatric medicine inpatient units during 2002 (N = 5,312).MeasurementsAge, sex, comorbidity, presence of cognitive and mood disorders, residence, and primary diagnostic group at discharge. Outcomes were death up to 36 months from admission, any readmission, and readmission for ill‐defined conditions up to 36 months after discharge.ResultsThere were significant differences in death rates between the diagnostic groups, with mortality being highest in individuals with a primary diagnosis of cancer and lowest in the ill‐defined conditions group. Nearly 83% of the ill‐defined conditions group survived the follow‐up period. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models indicated that, when age, sex, comorbidity, residence, and cognitive and mood disorders were accounted for, the ill‐defined condition group had a lower risk of death but a higher risk of subsequent readmissions for ill‐defined conditions than any other group. Overall readmission risk was highest for individuals admitted for a respiratory condition but was similar in all other diagnostic groups.ConclusionThe lower mortality risk associated with ill‐defined conditions is consistent with chronic rather than acute needs, but the pattern of mortality and readmission is more consistent with the frailty than the chronic organ system failure illness trajectory, suggesting that functional support needs may be more important in this group of individuals.
Use of amphoteric rinsing solution for treatment of ocular tissues exposed to nitrogen mustard
Authors: Goldich Yakov , Barkana Yaniv , Zadok David , Avni Isaac , Berenshtein Eduard , Rosner Mordechai , Chevion Mordechai 
Published: October 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  Ocular exposure to mustard agents may cause severe and prolonged injury to the anterior segment tissues. Effective decontamination of the external eye surface after exposure is of paramount importance. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of Diphoterine rinsing solution (DRS) in reducing ocular damage after exposure to nitrogen mustard (NM) and to compare it with normal saline solution.Methods:  One eye of 16 New Zealand albino rabbits was exposed to 2% NM. Immediate thorough irrigation was performed with either 500 ml of DRS (treated group) or with 500 ml of normal saline (control group). The magnitude of ocular injury and response to treatment were assessed by examiners masked to the treatment assignment during 22 days following the exposure.Results:  Immediate ocular irrigation with DRS was more effective compared with saline in reducing corneal, iris and anterior chamber injury. In the DRS‐treated group, the corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization were less severe, and development of iris atrophy was delayed. Intraocular pressure (mmHg) was better maintained when compared to the control group (day 7 24.3 versus 14.8, p = 0.003; day 12 28 versus 15, p = 0.003; day 22 33.5 versus 21.8, p = 0.014, respectively). Systemic oxidative stress associated with exposure to NM was significantly higher in the saline‐treated group than in DRS‐treated group (p < 0.011).Conclusions:  The findings of this study indicate the effectiveness of DRS in reducing of NM‐induced ocular injuries. Its use should be considered as an immediate treatment modality following exposure to mustard agents to reduce potential ocular injury.
Total Shoulder Arthroplasty or Hemiarthroplasty: A Comparison of Complication Rates in the English National Health Service
Authors: Jameson Simon S. , Ahmad Sarfraz , James Philip , Reed Mike R. , McVie James L. , Rangan Amar 
Published: October 2012

Background There is debate regarding the benefit of glenoid resurfacing in shoulder arthroplasty. The present study aimed to compare the complication rates of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA). This is the first study to compare complication rates on a national scale. Methods Data were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics database for patients who underwent planned TSA or HA between 2005 and 2008 in the English National Health Service. Medical and surgical complications, as well as 18-month revision rates, were analysed for the whole cohort (9804 patients). A subset of 939 with longer follow-up was examined for 5-year revision rates. Results The 18-month revision rate was significantly higher in the TSA group (3.03% versus 1.76%; odds ratio = 1.75; 95% confidence interval = 1.33 to 2.28) but, at 5 years, there was no difference (3.85% versus 3.67%; odds ratio = 0.95; confidence interval = 0.46 to 1.91). The overall in-hospital 90-day mortality rate was 0.43%. There were no significant differences in 30-day readmission, wound complication and reoperation rates. The incidence of medical problems was low. Conclusions Despite concerns regarding osteolysis around the glenoid component after TSA, the present study reports no significant differences in complication rates between the groups at 5 years. However, the controversy surrounding glenoid resurfacing is likely to continue.
Species interactions: estimating per‐individual interaction strength and covariates before simplifying data into per‐species ecological networks
Authors: Wells Konstans , O'Hara Robert B. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryEcological network models based on aggregated data from species interactions are widely used to make inferences about species specialization, functionality and extinction risk. While increasing number of network data are available and are used in comparative studies, data quality and uncertainty have received little attention. Moreover, key individual‐level information such as the proportion of individuals not involved in interactions and underlying processes driving interactions are ignored by aggregated data analysis.We suggest an individual‐level hierarchical interaction model as a more flexible approach to considering uncertainty, sampling effort and conditions under which interactions take place and from which network attributes can be derived. We performed a simulation exercise to compare inference under different sample sizes and from aggregated data matrices to those from our individual‐level model.Formalizing the process of network formation in an individual‐level model made clear that per‐species interaction frequencies are not independent of sample size and population pools and also ignore important information given by the proportion of non‐interacting individuals. Hierarchical linear models are a possible solution to infer community‐level attributes of network formation and allow various kinds of comprehensive model extensions to capture variation of per‐individual interactions in space and time that shape upper level organization.Individual‐level hierarchical models provide the link between individual behaviour and interactions under variable environmental conditions and can be summarized into networks in a conceptually neat way. Such models may not only help to account for various sources of variation but also conceptualize aspects overlooked in aggregated data. In particular, the quantification of per‐individual interactions under different sampling scenarios emphasizes that per‐species interaction frequencies at the species level are not necessarily a surrogate of species abundance in natural systems under investigation.
Review of alternative approaches to calculation of a confidence interval for the odds ratio of a 2 × 2 contingency table
Authors: Ruxton Graeme D. , Neuhäuser Markus 
Published: October 2012

Summary

A common situation in biology is where we have count data and wish to explore whether there is an association between two categorical variables, each with two levels (a 2 × 2 contingency table). The size of the association can be measured using the odds ratio, with a confidence interval for this measure enclosing unity suggesting no evidence of an association. However, there is no universally agreed method for calculating such a confidence interval.

Here, we provide a review of some commonly used and recently suggested methods.

Of all of the methods currently available, the unconditional approach based on the score statistic was consistently closest to the nominal type I error level in our investigations, and this is the method we generally recommend. This method also offers good agreement with P‐values from null hypothesis testing using the method of Fisher‐Boschloo.

However, some scientists may prefer the recently developed minlike or
Blaker methods, which offered better agreement with P‐values calculated using Fisher's Exact test or Blaker's Exact test, respectively.

Lastly, where calculation without use of a computer is required, we recommend the Woolf method with Haldane‐Anscombe correction.
Resistance evaluation of wheat germplasm containing Dn4 or Dny against Russian wheat aphid biotype RWASA3
Authors: Tolmay V. L. , Jankielsohn A. , Sydenham S. L. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHost plant resistance can effectively manage Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia) Kurdjumov (Homoptera: Aphididae) in areas where it is an economically important pest of wheat. However, biotypes of D. noxia virulent on wheat containing resistance gene Dn4 have been reported in both the United States and South Africa. Thirty wheat genotypes, including susceptible Yuma, resistant CItr2401, as well as 25 genotypes containing Dn4 and three genotypes containing Dny were planted under greenhouse conditions in Bethlehem, South Africa, and screened with D. noxia biotype RWASA3. RWASA3 caused susceptible damage symptoms in MTRWA92‐145, Ankor, Halt, Bond CL, 18FAWWON‐SA 262, Prowers99, 18FAWWON‐SA 264, Hatcher, Yumar, Corwa and Thunder CL all reported to contain the Dn4 resistance gene. Genotypes PI586956, Stanton and 18FAWWON‐SA 257, containing the Dny‐resistance gene were susceptible to RWASA3. Similarly, coinciding development of virulence to resistance genes Dn4 and Dny was reported in the United States. However, in this study, 13 Dn4‐containing genotypes showed moderate resistance when screened with RWASA3 alluding to a more complex biotype‐gene‐interaction. These findings could indicate that Dn4 and Dny may be related and possibly share a similar or common resistance factor. Further studies will be aimed at explaining these results investigating the possibility of an allelic cluster or series for Dn4, possibly including Dny.