bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The economic efficiency of a time–area closure to protect spawning bluefin tuna
Authors: Armsworth Paul R. , Block Barbara A. , Eagle Josh , Roughgarden Joan E. 
Published: November 2009

Summary 1. Spatial management measures, such as time–area closures, offer a widely advocated strategy for managing bycatch in fisheries and fisheries that impact particular life‐history stages, like spawning. The effectiveness of proposed management strategies can be evaluated across different policy dimensions of which we focus on one – maximising total profit. We examine whether a time–area closure presents an economically efficient means to manage bycatches of Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus on their spawning ground in the Gulf of Mexico by longline fishermen targeting yellowfin tuna T. albacares. 2. We combine a behavioural representation of bluefin migration with population dynamic models for the two species and an economic representation of relevant fisheries and solve for optimal, equilibrial management strategies. 3. The models predict the western Atlantic bluefin population is close to open access harvesting conditions, and that rebuilding the bluefin population would increase overall economic revenues from the fisheries by 460%, regardless of the specific actions taken in the Gulf. 4. Time–area closures in the Gulf are predicted to be economically costly if there is little scope for recovery of the bluefin stock. However, the models predict such closures would offer limited economic benefits if there were a broader commitment to rebuild the bluefin population. 5. Synthesis and applications. Technological advances and improvements in our understanding of the life history of these and other species make increasingly precise spatial effort control possible in many fisheries. The case study illustrates when such management measures would maximise fisheries profits while accounting for population dynamics and differences in mortality from different fisheries. However, the case study also highlights that the more elementary policy challenge of preventing overfishing has still often to be overcome.
Behavioural responses of invasive American mink Neovison vison to an eradication campaign, revealed by stable isotope analysis
Authors: Bodey Thomas W. , Bearhop Stuart , Roy Sugoto S. , Newton Jason , McDonald Robbie A. 
Published: November 2009

Summary 1. The detrimental impacts of invasive, non‐native species on islands are widely acknowledged and it is often best to act rapidly against such species, even where uncertainty exists over the best way to proceed. If management actions are evaluated and refined, using information learnt from the biology of culled animals, this uncertainty can be gradually reduced, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome. 2. American mink Neovison vison carcasses were collected as part of an eradication campaign on several islands of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and stable isotope analysis was used to describe ecological variation in this invasive non‐native predator. 3. Isotope profiles from individual mink whiskers demonstrated how behaviour at a population level changed markedly over time. As the eradication campaign progressed, mink increased their reliance on marine food sources and focused their activity on the coastline. Stable isotope analyses also demonstrated sex‐related changes in foraging and ranging behaviour in relation to food resource availability on the two main island complexes. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our findings contribute to the refinement of a campaign to extend the successful eradication of mink from Uist and Harris, to the whole of the Outer Hebrides archipelago, UK. They also highlight the potential for stable isotope approaches to provide more detailed postmortem information that can inform adaptive management of wildlife populations for conservation objectives.
Long‐term changes in the flora of the cereal ecosystem on the Sussex Downs, England, focusing on the years 1968–2005
Authors: Potts G. R. , Ewald J. A. , Aebischer N. J. 
Published: November 2009

Summary 1. There has been a surge of interest in the effects of modern agriculture on biodiversity but studies of farmland flora have lacked continuity and historical context. Here we present the results of 38 years of annual monitoring of the weed flora of cereal crops on the Sussex Downs. 2. This study investigates the long‐term changes in abundance of 214 weed species, two subspecies and one forma found in the cereal fields of a 62‐km2 area of the Sussex Downs. Species occurrence and weed abundance were recorded annually in June from 1970 to 2005 inclusive. Stubbles were surveyed in 1968, 1971, 2004 and 2005. 3. Annual archaeophytes and perennial natives predominated and the community belonged to the Papaver rhoeas–Silene noctiflora association (OV16) of the UK National Vegetation Classification. 4. Overall, 97% of fields were treated with herbicides prior to sampling, reducing dicotyledonous weed abundance by 64% and taxon occurrence by 52%. From 1970 to 2005 there was no trend in overall abundance of dicotyledons, although monocotyledons decreased by 13% relative to the early 1970s. 5. Of 66 taxa monitored from 1970 to 2005, 18 increased, 38 rose and fell (or vice versa) and 10 showed no trend. Annuals increased until the early 1980s, when many were not susceptible to herbicides, before levelling off or declining slightly as the efficacy of herbicides expanded. 6. Perennial dicotyledons increased steadily throughout the study. This latter change was due to the loss of traditional leys, not to changes in herbicide efficacy. 7. Ninety‐two species of dicotyledons were found on stubbles, with no significant overall change in occurrence from 1968–1971 to 2004–2005. In both stubbles and crops, species uncommon at the start have tended to increase whereas common species have tended to decrease. 8. Combining this study with earlier records, we estimate that 16 weed species have been lost from the study area and 15 gained. Before 1970, the loss rate of archaeophytes and the gain rate of neophytes were both higher than for other species. Most species lost were historically uncommon whereas many of the species gained are now common. 9. Synthesis and applications. The soil seed bank remains sufficient to enable a rapid restoration of the pre‐herbicide flora where needed for wildlife conservation purposes, without ‘enhancement’, i.e. seeding. The means to do this are available through the UK’s agri‐environment ‘in‐field measures’, but these are very unpopular with farmers. Incentives need to be much improved to ensure the future conservation of the traditional arable flora.
Population dynamics of the West Indian sweetpotato weevil Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire): a simulation analysis
Authors: Sato Y. , Miyai S. , Haraguchi D. , Ohno S. , Kohama T. , Kawamura K. , Yamagishi M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe West Indian sweetpotato weevil Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) is a major pest of the sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. and this weevil is a target of an eradication program using the Sterile Insect Technique in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Understanding the population ecology is essential in the planning of an eradication program; hence, a host‐plant infestation survey and light trap survey have been conducted to monitor the population dynamics of the weevil on Kume Island (Okinawa Prefecture), which is the target area of the trial weevil eradication project. Seasonal tendencies of weevil density were found in these field surveys, but the tendency found in the host‐plant infestation survey was not seen every year, and the effectiveness of the light trap is somewhat suspect. To confirm the reliability of the tendency observed in these field surveys, the present study attempted to explain the tendency by a seasonal temperature change using a temperature‐based model of weevil population dynamics. The seasonal changes of weevil density differed according to host plants and host‐plant fields. The seasonal changes of weevil density inside the host plant Ipomoea indica and outside the host plants in I. indica fields were consistent with those predicted by the model. However, those inside the host plant Ipomoea pes‐caprae in the host‐plant infestation survey were contrary to the predicted ones, and those observed outside host plants in I. pes‐caprae fields by the light trap survey were not in good agreement with the predicted ones. It was concluded that the seasonal change of the weevil density observed in I. indica and I. indica fields can be explained by a seasonal temperature change, but factors other than seasonal temperature change are needed to explain those in I. pes‐caprae and I. pes‐caprae fields.
Efficacy of low‐dose i.v. iron therapy in haemodialysis patients
Authors: PARK JONGHA , CHANG JAI WON , LEE JONG SOO , CHUNG HYUN CHUL , YANG WON SEOK , LEE SANG KOO , PARK SU‐KIL , PARK JUNG SIK 
Published: November 2009

SUMMARY:Aim:  i.v. iron therapy is more effective in maintaining adequate iron status in haemodialysis (HD) patients than oral iron therapy (OIT). However, data on lower doses of i.v. iron therapy are insufficient.Methods:  A non‐randomized, open‐label study was performed to compare the efficacy of low‐dose (≤50 mg/week of iron sucrose) i.v. iron therapy (LD‐IVIT) with OIT in HD patients with 100–800 µg/L serum ferritin levels over 4 months.Results:  Eighty‐nine patients in the LD‐IVIT group (40 men, 49 women; aged 61 ± 13 years) and 30 patients in the oral iron therapy group (17 men, 13 women; aged 59 ± 7 years) were evaluated. After 4 months of each treatment, serum ferritin levels increased from 398 ± 137 to 529 ± 234 µg/L in the LD‐IVIT group (P < 0.01) but decreased from 351 ± 190 to 294 ± 175 µg/L in the OIT group (P < 0.01). In the LD‐IVIT group, transferrin saturation (from 28% ± 11% to 30% ± 14%, P = 0.49), weekly doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (from 5822 ± 2354 to 5636 ± 2306 IU/week, P = 0.48) and haemoglobin (from 101 ± 9 to 103 ± 9 g/L, P = 0.15) levels remained stable.Conclusion:  LD‐IVIT may be one of the regimens that may be considered for maintaining iron status in HD patients. However, efficacy of LD‐IVIT should be verified by further randomized study.
Growth responses of African savanna trees implicate atmospheric [CO2] as a driver of past and current changes in savanna tree cover
Authors: KGOPE BARNEY S. , BOND WILLIAM J. , MIDGLEY GUY F. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAtmospheric CO2 has more than doubled since the last glacial maximum (LGM) and could double again within this century, largely due to anthropogenic activity. It has been suggested that low [CO2] contributed to reduced tree cover in savanna and grassland biomes at LGM, and that increasing [CO2] over the last century promoted increases in woody plants in these ecosystems over the past few decades. Despite the implications of this idea for understanding global carbon cycle dynamics and key global role of the savanna biome, there are still very few experimental studies quantifying the effects of CO2 on tree growth and demography in savannas and grasslands. In this paper we present photosynthetic, growth and carbon allocation responses of African savanna trees (Acacia karroo and Acacia nilotica) and a C4 grass, Themeda triandra, exposed to a gradient of CO2 concentrations from 180 (typical of LGM) to 1000 µmol mol−1 in open‐top chambers in a glasshouse as a first empirical test of this idea. Photosynthesis, total stem length, total stem diameter, shoot dry weight and root dry weight of the acacias increased significantly across the CO2 gradient, saturating at higher CO2 concentrations. After clipping to simulate fire, plants showed an even greater response in total stem length, total stem diameter and shoot dry weight, signalling the importance of re‐sprouting following disturbances such as fire or herbivory in savanna systems. Root starch (per unit root mass and total root starch per plant) increased steeply along the CO2 gradient, explaining the re‐sprouting response. In contrast to the strong response of tree seedlings to the CO2 gradient, grass productivity showed little variation, even at low CO2 concentrations. These results suggest that CO2 has significant direct effects on tree recruitment in grassy ecosystems, influencing the ability of trees to recover from fire damage and herbivory. Fire and herbivore regimes that were effective in controlling tree increases in grassy ecosystems could thus be much less effective in a CO2‐rich world, but field‐based tests are needed to confirm this suggestion.
Recovery of understorey vegetation after release from a long history of sheep grazing in a herb‐rich woodland
Authors: PRICE JODI N. , WONG NATHAN K. , MORGAN JOHN W. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe effects of stock grazing on native grassy ecosystems in temperate southern Australia are well documented. However, less is known about the potential of ecosystems to recover after a long history of stock grazing and, in particular, whether the removal of stock will have positive, negative or neutral impacts on biodiversity. We examined the response of understorey vegetation to the removal of sheep grazing in a herb‐rich Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red gum) woodland in western Victoria. Using a space‐for‐time chronosequence, woodlands were stratified into groups based on their time‐since‐grazing removal; these were long‐ungrazed (>20 years), intermediate‐time‐since‐grazing (9–14 years), recently ungrazed (5 years) and continuously grazed. We found significantly higher species density in long‐ungrazed sites relative to sites with a more recent grazing history. No differences were found in species density between continuously grazed sites and those ungrazed in the previous 14 years. Species composition differed with time‐since‐grazing removal and indicator species analysis detected several native species (including tall native geophytes and herbs) associated with long‐ungrazed sites that were absent or in low abundance in the more recently grazed sites. Seven of the eight species significantly associated with continuously grazed sites were exotic. Removal of sheep grazing in red gum woodlands can have positive benefits for understorey diversity but it is likely that recovery of key indicators such as native species will be slow.
The impacts of rising CO2 concentrations on Australian terrestrial species and ecosystems
Authors: HOVENDEN MARK J. , WILLIAMS AMITY L. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe increasing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide ([CO2]) contributes to global warming and the accompanying shifts in climate. However, [CO2] itself has the potential to impact on Australia's terrestrial biodiversity, due to its importance in the photosynthetic process, which underlies all terrestrial food webs. Here, we review our knowledge regarding the impacts of elevated [CO2] on native terrestrial species and ecosystems, and suggest key areas in which we have little information on this topic. Experimental information exists for 70 (or less than 0.05%) of Australia's native terrestrial plant and animal species. Of these, 68 are vascular plants. The growth of Australian woody species is more reliably increased by elevated [CO2] than it is in grasses. At the species level, the most overwhelming responses to increased [CO2] are a reduction in plant nitrogen concentration and an increase in the production of secondary metabolites. This is of particular concern for Australia's unique herbivorous and granivorous marsupials, for which no information is available. While many plant species also displayed increased growth rates at higher [CO2], this was far from universal, indicating that changes in community structure and function are likely, leading to alterations of habitat quality. Future research should be directed to key knowledge gaps including the relationship between [CO2], fire frequency and fire tolerance and the impacts of increasing [CO2] for Australia's iconic browsing mammals. We also know virtually nothing of the impacts of the increasing [CO2] on Australia's unique shrublands and semi‐arid/arid rangelands. In conclusion, there is sufficient information available to be certain that the increasing [CO2] will affect Australia's native biodiversity. However, the information required to formulate predictions concerning the long‐term future of almost all organisms is far in excess of that currently available.
Analysing Texts in Context: Current Practices and New Protocols for Critical Discourse Analysis in Organization Studies
Authors: Leitch Shirley , Palmer Ian 
Published: November 2009

abstractCritical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in organization studies would be strengthened by an increased focus on a central CDA tenet that texts should be analysed in context. Context has, for the most part, been afforded a taken‐for‐granted status that is misplaced because of the diverse ways in which it may be defined and applied. These generally unacknowledged differences relate to whether context is treated as space, time, practice, change, or frame. The result is a confusing array of studies claiming some degree of CDA status without core agreement – or acknowledgement of disagreements – about what is meant by context or how it should be linked to texts. To remedy this situation we identify in this Point article nine methodological protocols related to conceptual definitions, data selection, and data analysis which we argue benefit the consistency and rigour with which CDA in organization studies is applied. Use of these protocols may also serve as criteria against which the rigour of CDA research papers may be assessed.
Defensin promoters as potential tools for engineering disease resistance in cereal grains
Authors: Kovalchuk Nataliya , Li Ming , Wittek Finni , Reid Nicolas , Singh Rohan , Shirley Neil , Ismagul Ainur , Eliby Serik , Johnson Alex , Milligan Andrew S. , Hrmova Maria , Langridge Peter , Lopato Sergiy 
Published: November 2009

SummaryEngineering of plant protection in cereals requires well characterized tissue‐specific and wounding/pathogen‐inducible promoters for targeted expression of pathogen responsive and resistance genes. We describe the isolation of seven wheat and rice defensin genes expressed in early developing grain and during grain germination, two developmental stages that are particularly vulnerable to pathogens and insects. Comparison of three‐dimensional (3D) models of these rice and wheat PRPI defensins indicated variations in spatial architectures that could reflect their functional diversities. Wheat and rice were stably transformed with promoter–GUS fusion constructs and the spatial and temporal activities of four promoters were studied using whole‐mount and histological assays. PRPI promoters were active before and at anthesis in both transgenic wheat and rice with activity mainly in the ovary. In rice, GUS activity was also observed in vascular tissue of the lemma, palea and anthers. After fertilization, GUS was strongly expressed in the outer cell layers of the pericarp and in the main vascular bundle of the grain. During, and a short time after, seed germination, wheat promoters were active in transgenic rice embryos, roots and/or coleoptiles. All wheat and rice promoters were strongly induced by wounding in leaf, stem and grain of transgenic rice plants. These results suggest that PRPI promoters will be useful for specific targeting and accumulation of proteins conferring resistance to pathogens in vulnerable tissues of developing and germinating grain.
UNDIGNIFIED BIOETHICS
Authors: COCHRANE ALASDAIR 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThe concept of dignity is pervasive in bioethics. However, some bioethicists have argued that it is useless on three grounds: that it is indeterminate; that it is reactionary; and that it is redundant. In response, a number of defences of dignity have recently emerged. All of these defences claim that when dignity is suitably clarified, it can be of great use in helping us tackle bioethical controversies. This paper rejects such defences of dignity. It outlines the four most plausible conceptions of dignity: dignity as virtuous behaviour; dignity as inherent moral worth; Kantian dignity; and dignity as species integrity. It argues that while each conception is coherent, each is also fundamentally flawed. As such, the paper argues for a bioethics without dignity: an ‘undignified bioethics.’
A Thin Spot1
Authors: SANDELANDS LLOYD E. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTA “thin spot” in thinking about business endangers our human being. This article traces a change in business thinking over the last generations to note how, under the spell of the scientific method and the thrall to utilitarian values, our understanding of our self has grown harder, more determined, and less sympathetic. Bringing together ideas about the meaning of self from the study of semiotics and from the author's own religious faith, this article describes how we can reclaim our human being by grounding thinking about business in faith that reaches to God.
Using Exemplary Business Practices to Identify Buddhist and Confucian Ethical Value Systems1
Authors: WEBER JAMES 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTInitially, a brief history of Buddhism and Confucianism describes for the reader a framework developed to determine right versus wrong action and to guide followers of these religions to do the right thing in social or business practice. In addition, this article uncovers exemplary business practices grounded in Buddhist and Confucian ethical values system and practiced in the global business arena and uses these discoveries to describe an application of Buddhist and Confucian ethical values systems. The result is the recognition that these ethical values systems have an honorable and moral place in global business practice.
International Business, Human Rights, and Moral Complicity: A Call for a Declaration on the Universal Rights and Duties of Business
Authors: HOFFMAN W. MICHAEL , MCNULTY ROBERT E. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to call for the formulation and adoption of a declaration on the universal rights and duties of business. We do not attempt to define the specific contents of such a declaration, but rather attempt to explain why such a declaration is needed and what would be some of its general characteristics. The catalyst for this call was the recognition that even under optimal conditions, good companies sometimes are susceptible to moral lapses, and when companies undertake ventures in authoritarian countries with poor human rights records, even those with the best intentions may find themselves drawn into complicity in human rights abuses. There, market exigencies may persuade them to leave their codes of ethics and commitments to human rights at home. Pragmatism, it would seem, requires thatthey accept the ethical inconsistencies that follow from a “When in Rome, do as they Romans do” outlook. When facing the moral dilemma about whether or not to invest in human rights abusing countries, companies are offered two alternatives: they can operate in those countries and accept potential complicity or they can stay away. We suggest, however, that a preferable option is to address the underlying problem, and to this end we advocate the promulgation of a declaration for business that is comparable to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our proposed name for this is the “Declaration on the Universal Rights and Duties of Business.” To be effective, such a declaration would require enforcement mechanisms. To illustrate this issue, we focus on China, not because China is unique in its human rights abuses, but because China occupies such a central place in the globalization efforts of the major companies from around the world. A robust international declaration is needed to provide a common framework for the practice of consistent and fair business competition everywhere.