bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semi‐automated assignment of vegetation survey plots within an a priori classification of vegetation types
Authors: Oliver Ian , Broese Elizabeth A. , Dillon Martin L. , Sivertsen Dominic , McNellie Megan J. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Assignment of large numbers of vegetation plots to a priori vegetation classifications is increasingly being required to support natural resource management, monitoring and conservation at regional scales. Several automated systems have been developed that use quantitative synoptic tables and algorithm‐based plot‐to‐type assignment. However, where synoptic tables do not exist, and qualitative species lists characterise vegetation type classifications, existing systems may not apply. In these situations, vegetation experts may resort to manual assignment processes that can be slow, subjective and fraught with difficulties.
This study combines repeatable and objective quantitative analyses, with new software, to deliver a semi‐automated plot‐to‐type assignment process appropriate for a priori classifications based on qualitative species lists. The flexible semi‐automated assignment program (SAAP) calculates a quantitative goodness‐of‐fit score between plots and types, based on the species that characterise each a priori vegetation type, and the species that characterise groups of plots derived from quantitative analyses.
We applied the SAAP to a case‐study of 630 native vascular plant species from 930 plots, and an a priori classification of 99 vegetation types. We varied vegetation data set transforms [cover per cent (0–100%), cover score (0–6) and presence–absence (1, 0)] and analysis settings and tested the degree to which the SAAP provided plot‐to‐type assignment concordant with manual expert assignment.
Results provided clear evidence supporting the choice of particular data set transformations and analysis settings to maximise concordance. The SAAP allocated up to 50% of plots to the same expert‐assigned vegetation type, and more than 70% of plots to an expert‐assigned vegetation type ranked in the top five by the SAAP.
When coupled with repeatable and objective quantitative analyses, the SAAP provides vegetation experts with a new semi‐automated and quantitative decision support tool to assist with the assignment of vegetation plots within a priori vegetation classifications defined by characteristic species lists.
Tracing the history and biogeography of the Australian blindsnake radiation
Authors: Marin Julie , Donnellan Stephen C. , Blair Hedges S. , Doughty Paul , Hutchinson Mark N. , Cruaud Corinne , Vidal Nicolas 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimWe investigated the biogeographical history of Australian blindsnakes (Ramphotyphlops) with reference to Australia's palaeoclimatic history over the past 20 Myr, particularly the development of an extensive arid zone over this period. Terrestrial vertebrate lineages dating back to the Miocene or earlier are predicted to display some or all of the following patterns: (1) for taxa including mesic, arid and monsoonal representatives, a mesic distribution should be phylogenetically ancestral; (2) mesic and monsoon tropical lineages should have diverged before the onset of aridification (with arid lineages appearing later); and (3) refuges may have allowed local persistence and diversification of lineages in the monsoon tropical and mesic zones since the mid‐Miocene.LocationContinental Australia.MethodsWe compiled a molecular data set comprising one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes for 107 individuals belonging to 28 blindsnake species. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference withRAxMLandMrBayes, respectively. Divergence times were assessed usingmultidivtime. Ancestral habitat states (arid and non arid) were reconstructed using the maximum likelihood method implemented inMesquite.ResultsThe age of the AustralianRamphotyphlopsradiation was estimated at 21.9 Ma (95% credibility interval: 30.2–15.1 Ma). Mesic and monsoon tropical lineages are older than the onset of aridification, with mesic distribution appearing as ancestral on phylogenies. After the onset of aridification, lineages persisted and diversified in mesic, tropical and/or rocky refugia. Arid lineages diversified more recently (< 5 Ma).Main conclusionsAustralian blindsnakes join several other Australian squamate lineages with tropical‐mesic origins that successfully adapted to the expansion of aridity since the mid‐Miocene (c. 17 Ma) and now show evidence of multiple relatively recent evolutionary radiations across Australia. We further demonstrate that localized refugia permitted persistence and diversification of mesic taxa, with arid lineages diversifying much later (< 5 Ma) when the arid zone was well established.
Guidelines for management of androgenetic alopecia based on BASP classification–the Asian consensus committee guideline
Authors: Lee W.S. , Lee H.J. , Choi G.S. , Cheong W.K. , Chow S.K. , Gabriel M.T. , Hau K.L. , Kang H. , Mallari M.R. , Tsai R.Y. , Zhang J. , Zheng M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground  Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or pattern hair loss, is a common disorder in both Asian men and women. There are several guidelines for the treatment of AGA which are suitable for Caucasian patients; however, each of these has some limitations. Furthermore, in comparison with Caucasian patients, Asian patients with AGA have different types of hair loss and family histories which may alter the treatment response. There is currently no published AGA guideline for Asian patients.Objectives  The Asian Consensus Committee for Androgenetic Alopecia aimed to develop an algorithmic guideline, based on the basic and specific (BASP) classification, for the treatment of AGA especially in Asian patients.Methods  The committee collaborated extensively on reviewing available literature on AGA treatment in order to formulate an algorithmic guideline on AGA management.Results  Previously published guidelines based on pre‐existing classifications of AGA cannot easily classify the patterns of AGA that are more frequently seen in Asians. The BASP classification not only facilitates the development of a unified and simplified algorithm, but also overcomes the disadvantages of previously reported classification systems.Conclusions  The proposed treatment guideline for AGA based on the BASP classification may be useful for dermatologists in their approach to treating Asian patients with AGA in clinical practice. Ideally, clinicians should try to utilize this guideline consistently in their practice to monitor treatment response with the goal of enhancing successful outcomes. This will help boost patients' confidence and self‐esteem, thus improving patients compliance with the prescribed treatments.
The impact of MRI on stroke management and outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Burke James F , Gelb Douglas J , Quint Douglas J , Morgenstern Lewis B , Kerber Kevin A 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in stroke evaluation and is superior to computed tomography for the detection of acute ischaemia. We sought to evaluate the evidence that conventional MRI influences doctor management or patient outcomes in routine care.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMED, EMBASE and proceedings of the International Stroke Conference. Studies were included if they included patients presenting with possible stroke syndromes and they reported MRI results and resulting changes in management or outcome. Multiple reviewers determined inclusion/exclusion for each study, abstracted study characteristics and assessed study quality.ResultsOf 1813 articles screened, nine studies met inclusion criteria. None were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies or case‐control studies. We found little evidence that MRI affects outcomes – one single‐centre case series presented three patients. The remaining articles were studies of diagnostic tests or vignette‐based studies that described changes in doctor management attributed to MRI.In the studies that suggested MRI influenced management, it did so in two ways. First, MRI distinguished stroke from mimics (e.g. brain tumours), thus enabling more appropriate selection of therapies. Second, even when MRI confirmed a suspected stroke diagnosis, it sometimes provided information (on stroke mechanism, localization, timing or pathophysiology) that influenced management.ConclusionsThe impact of MRI on management and outcomes in stroke patients has been inadequately studied. Further research is needed to understand how MRI may productively affect stroke management and outcomes.
Heat and Flow Properties of a Temperature Dependent Viscoplastic Fluid Including Viscous Dissipation
Authors: Labsi Nabila , Benkahla Youb Khaled , Boutra Abdelkader , Ammouri Abdellah 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe present study concerns the numerical analysis using the finite volume method, of laminar forced convection flow of a viscoplastic fluid. The flow takes place in a circular pipe maintained at uniform wall temperature. The fluid consists of the sloe fruit juice with low pulp and pectin contents which obeys the rheological model of Bingham. The Nusselt number and the friction factor when both viscous dissipation and variability of the viscosity upon temperature for heating and cooling cases are taken into account are calculated and compared to those obtained for an isothermal flow when viscous dissipation is neglected. The results show that neglecting both viscous dissipation and the temperature dependency of viscosity leads to underestimate heat transfer and pressure drop.Practical ApplicationsHeat transfer and pressure drop are important parameters in industries dealing with fluids, especially food industry. These parameters are used to predict the fluid's flow behavior and to estimate energy needed to for heating and transporting. A miscalculation of these parameters, when neglecting some factors in calculation such as the temperature dependency of viscosity or viscous dissipation, may result in significant errors in equipment design. The results obtained from the present study give an idea on how much heat transfer and pressure drop are underestimated when neglecting either the viscous dissipation or the temperature dependence of the fluid viscosity or both of them, when dealing with viscoplastic fluids such as fruit juices.
Physiological and Molecular Features of Puccinellia tenuiflora Tolerating Salt and Alkaline‐Salt Stress
Authors: Zhang Xia , Wei Liqin , Wang Zizhang , Wang Tai 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSaline‐alkali soil seriously threatens agriculture productivity; therefore, understanding the mechanism of plant tolerance to alkaline‐salt stress has become a major challenge. Halophytic Puccinellia tenuiflora can tolerate salt and alkaline‐salt stress, and is thus an ideal plant for studying this tolerance mechanism. In this study, we examined the salt and alkaline‐salt stress tolerance of P. tenuiflora, and analyzed gene expression profiles under these stresses. Physiological experiments revealed that P. tenuiflora can grow normally with maximum stress under 600 mmol/L NaCl and 150 mmol/L Na2CO3 (pH 11.0) for 6 d. We identified 4,982 unigenes closely homologous to rice and barley. Furthermore, 1,105 genes showed differentially expressed profiles under salt and alkaline‐salt treatments. Differentially expressed genes were overrepresented in functions of photosynthesis, oxidation reduction, signal transduction, and transcription regulation. Almost all genes downregulated under salt and alkaline‐salt stress were related to cell structure, photosynthesis, and protein synthesis. Comparing with salt stress, alkaline‐salt stress triggered more differentially expressed genes and significantly upregulated genes related to H+ transport and citric acid synthesis. These data indicate common and diverse features of salt and alkaline‐salt stress tolerance, and give novel insights into the molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant salt and alkaline‐salt tolerance.
Dermabrasion may repigment vitiligo through stimulation of melanocyte precursors and elimination of hyperkeratosis
Authors: Awad Sherif Shoukry 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe observation of successful repigmentation of recalcitrant vitiligo patches in spite of rejection of epithelial grafts from the dermabraded skin presented a query about possible efficiency of dermabrasion itself in the repigmentation process.ObjectivesThe aim of this work is to investigate the possible effectiveness of dermabrasion alone in managing stable vitiligo.MethodsTen patients with vitiligo were candidates in this study. Superficial dermabrasion was carried out using proper diamond fraises. Biopsy was obtained after 10 days of the procedure and examined pathologically. The patients were followed up for 3 months.ResultsDermabrasion was able to repigment vitiliginous patches completely in six patients and partially in two patients, while two cases failed to repigment at all. Spindle melanocyte precursors were demonstrated in the epidermis 10 days after abrasion with regaining normal thickness of keratin layers.ConclusionDermabrasion can repigment vitiligo through stimulation of melanocyte stem cells and elimination of hyperkeratosis.
The tolerability profile of clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% gel vs. adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for facial acne: results of a randomized, single‐blind, split‐face study
Authors: Gonzalez Pablo , Vila Ricardo , Cirigliano Marcela 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundTopical combination therapy, such as that with fixed‐dose clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or adapalene/BPO, is the recommended first‐line approach for the treatment of facial acne.AimsTo compare the tolerability of clindamycin 1%/BPO 5% gel vs. adapalene 0.1% BPO 2.5% gel for the first 2 weeks of treatment in patients with facial acne.Patients/MethodsUsing a randomized, single‐blind, split‐face method, 48 patients with acne received both clindamycin/BPO and adapalene/BPO once daily for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was investigator‐assessed tolerability. Treatment efficacy, patient‐assessed tolerability and satisfaction, and safety were also investigated.ResultsForty‐five patients completed treatment. Investigator‐rated scores for erythema, dryness, and peeling were significantly higher with adapalene/BPO than clindamycin/BPO. Patients rated clindamycin/BPO as significantly more tolerable than adapalene/BPO for redness, dryness, burning, itching, and scaling. Investigator Static Global Assessment scores and lesion counts improved with both products, with no significant difference between treatments. Patients' Global Change Assessment showed a statistically significant difference in favor of clindamycin/BPO at week 1, but not week 2. Overall, >80% of patients were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with treatment at week 2, but 63% of patients stated that they preferred clindamycin/BPO. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (AEs), but a post hoc analysis indicated that treatment‐related AEs, including irritation, dryness and erythema, were significantly less common with clindamycin/BPO.ConclusionsClindamycin/BPO had a better tolerability profile than adapalene/BPO during 2 weeks of split‐face treatment. Treatment satisfaction was highest with clindamycin/BPO.
Prevalence of β‐lactamase‐producing bacteria in human periodontitis
Authors: Rams T. E. , Degener J. E. , van Winkelhoff A. J. 
Published: November 2012

Background and ObjectiveBeta‐lactam antibiotics prescribed in periodontal therapy are vulnerable to degradation by bacterial β‐lactamases. This study evaluated the occurrence of β‐lactamase‐positive subgingival bacteria in chronic periodontitis subjects of USA origin, and assessed their in vitro resistance to metronidazole at a breakpoint concentration of 4 μg/mL.Material and MethodsSubgingival plaque specimens from deep periodontal pockets with bleeding on probing were removed from 564 adults with severe chronic periodontitis before treatment. The samples were transported in VMGA III and then plated onto: (i) nonselective enriched Brucella blood agar (EBBA) and incubated anaerobically for 7 d; and (ii) selective trypticase soy‐bacitracin‐vancomycin (TSBV) and incubated for 3 d in air + 5% CO2. At the end of the incubation periods, the bacterial test species were identified and quantified. Specimen dilutions were also plated onto EBBA plates supplemented with 2 μg/mL of amoxicillin, a combination of 2 μg/mL of amoxicillin plus 2 μg/mL of the β‐lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid, or 4 μg/mL of metronidazole, followed by anaerobic incubation for 7 d. Bacterial test species presumptively positive for β‐lactamase production were identified by growth on EBBA primary isolation plates supplemented with amoxicillin alone and no growth on EBBA primary isolation plates containing both amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. A subset of such isolates was subjected to nitrocefin‐based chromogenic disk testing to confirm the presence of β‐lactamase activity. In vitro resistance to 4 μg/mL of metronidazole was noted when growth of test species occurred on metronidazole‐supplemented EBBA culture plates.ResultsTwo‐hundred and ninety‐four (52.1%) of the study subjects yielded β‐lactamase‐producing subgingival bacterial test species, with Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, Fusobacterium nucleatum and other Prevotella species most frequently identified as β‐lactamase‐producing organisms. Of the β‐lactamase‐producing bacterial test species strains recovered, 98.9% were susceptible in vitro to metronidazole at 4 μg/mL.ConclusionThe occurrence of β‐lactamase‐positive subgingival bacterial species in more than half of the subjects with severe chronic periodontitis raises questions about the therapeutic potential of single‐drug regimens with β‐lactam antibiotics in periodontal therapy. The in vitro effectiveness of metronidazole against nearly all recovered β‐lactamase‐producing subgingival bacterial species further supports clinical periodontitis treatment strategies involving the combination of systemic amoxicillin plus metronidazole.
Fine‐scale environmental control of hybridization in oaks
Authors: Lagache Lélia , Klein Etienne K. , Guichoux Erwan , Petit Rémy J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNatural hybridization is attracting much interest in modern speciation and conservation biology studies, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear why environmental changes often increase hybridization rates. To study this question, we surveyed mating events in a mixed oak stand and developed a spatially explicit individual‐based hybridization model. This model, where hybridization is frequency‐dependent, pollen is nonlimiting and which allows immigrant pollen to compete with local pollen, takes into account species‐specific pollen dispersal and sexual barriers to hybridization. The consequences of pollen limitation on hybridization were studied using another simple model. The results indicate that environmental changes could increase hybridization rates through two distinct mechanisms. First, by disrupting the spatial organization of communities, they should decrease the proportion of conspecific pollen available for mating, thus increasing hybridization rates. Second, by decreasing the density of conspecifics, they should increase pollen limitation and thus hybridization rates, as a consequence of chance pollination predominating over deterministic pollen competition. Altogether, our results point to a need for considering hybridization events at the appropriate level of organization and provide new insights into why hybridization rates generally increase in disturbed environments.
Sustainable Public Debt and Economic Growth under Wage Rigidity
Authors: Greiner Alfred 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe analyse the effects of public debt on economic growth in a basic endogenous growth model with persistent unemployment due to wages rigidities. We show that there exists either a unique balanced growth path or there are two balanced growth paths depending on structural parameters and on the flexibility of the labour market. Further, public debt does not affect long‐run growth and employment but only stability of the economy. Stability is more likely when governments put a high weight on stabilizing the debt to GDP ratio.
A novel method for efficient in vitro germination and tube growth of Arabidopsis thaliana pollen
Authors: Rodriguez‐Enriquez M. J. , Mehdi S. , Dickinson H. G. , Grant‐Downton R. T. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

In addition to its importance in studies of plant reproduction and fertility, pollen is as widely employed as a model system of cell growth and development. This work demands robust, reproducible methods to induce pollen germination and morphologically normal growth of pollen tubes in vitro. Despite numerous advantages of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant, such experiments on pollen germination and pollen tube growth have often proved challenging.

Our new method employs a physical cellulosic membrane, overlying an agarose substrate. By modulating the substrate composition, we provide important insights into the mechanisms promoting pollen growth both in vitro and in vivo.

This effective new technical approach to A. thaliana pollen germination and tube growth results in swift, consistent and unprecedented levels of germination to over 90%. It can also promote rapid growth of long, morphologically normal pollen tubes.

This technical development demonstrates that exogenous spermidine and a cellulosic substrate are key factors in stimulating germination. It has potential to greatly assist the study of reproduction in A. thaliana and its closest relatives, not only for the study of germination levels and pollen tube growth dynamics by microscopy, but also for biochemical and molecular analysis of germinating pollen.
An algorithm to derive the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by photosynthetic elements of the canopy (FAPARps) from eddy covariance flux tower data
Authors: Ogutu Booker O. , Dash Jadunandan 
Published: November 2012

Summary

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) is a key vegetation biophysical variable in most production efficiency models (PEMs). Operational FAPAR products derived from satellite data do not distinguish between the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by nonphotosynthetic and photosynthetic components of vegetation canopy, which would result in errors in representation of the exact absorbed PAR utilized in photosynthesis.

The possibility of deriving only the fraction of PAR absorbed by photosynthetic elements of the canopy (i.e. FAPARps) was investigated.

The approach adopted involved inversion of net ecosystem exchange data from eddy covariance measurements to calculate FAPARps. The derived FAPARps was then related to three vegetation indices (i.e. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)) in an attempt to determine their potential as surrogates for FAPARps. Finally, the FAPARps was evaluated against two operational satellite data‐derived FAPAR products (i.e. MODIS and CYCLOPES products).

The maximum FAPARps from the inversion approach ranged between 0.6 and 0.8. The inversion approach also predicted site‐specific Q10‐modelled daytime respiration successfully (R2 > 0.8). The vegetation indices were positively correlated (R2 = 0.67–0.88) to the FAPARps. Finally, the two operational FAPAR products overestimated the FAPARps. This was attributed to the two products deriving FAPAR for the whole canopy rather than for only photosynthetic elements in the canopy.