bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small‐scale spatial dynamics of vegetation in a grazed Uruguayan grassland
Authors: TEXEIRA MARCOS , ALTESOR ALICE 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe explored the small‐scale plant species mobility in a subhumid native grassland subjected to grazing by cattle in south‐western Uruguay. We established four permanent plots of 40 × 40 cm, divided in 16 × 16 cells. In each cell, the presence of species was seasonally recorded for 2 years and annually recorded for 4 years. By nesting the cells, we studied the mobility at different scales, from 6.25 cm2 to 400 cm2. At each scale we measured species richness, cumulative richness and the turnover rates of the dominant species. We found that the cumulative species richness was an increasing power function, with higher accumulation rates with smaller spatial scale. Although species richness showed seasonal fluctuations, the mean species richness was constant during the study period. We detected significant spatio‐temporal variability in mobility patterns among species. Certain species showed a high capacity to colonize new sites, whereas other species rotate among sites that they previously occupied. Grazed communities in Uruguayan Campos are structured as a dense matrix of perennials grasses and forbs, where vegetative propagation is the main form of growth of the species. The small‐scale dynamics and the high variability in the mobility characteristics could be linked with the diversity of growth forms and spatial strategies of the species in this community. We believe that a high degree of small‐scale spatial dynamics contribute to explain the species coexistence and the apparent stability of communities at local scales.
Invasion by Rattus rattus into native coastal forests of south‐eastern Australia: are native small mammals at risk?
Authors: STOKES VICKI L. , BANKS PETER B. , PECH ROGER P. , WILLIAMS RICHARD L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe black rat, Rattus rattus, is an alien rodent in Australian ecosystems where niche overlap with native small mammals may lead to competition for resources and displacement of native species. In coastal habitats surrounding Jervis Bay in south‐eastern Australia, R. rattus co‐occurs with the native bush rat, Rattus fuscipes, and brown antechinus, Antechinus stuartii. Relative distributions and abundances, and fine‐scale space use suggest invasive and native rodents compete for use of space and habitat. Such competitive interactions were not evident between R. rattus and native A. stuartii, which was negatively influenced more by disturbance to habitat. Differences in rodent communities between spatially separate forests forming the northern and southern peninsulas of Jervis Bay potentially reflect symmetrical competition and differences in competitive outcomes. In southern forests, R. rattus was largely restricted to patches of disturbed forest associated with campgrounds. Competitive interference by native rodent populations inhabiting surrounding intact forests may have so far limited R. rattus colonization of these areas. In northern forests, R. rattus was the predominant rodent irrespective of disturbance, while populations of R. fuscipes were unusually low seemingly due to poor juvenile recruitment. Native individuals avoided areas frequented by adult R. rattus and given that species did not partition use of microhabitats, R. rattus most likely precluded R. fuscipes from suitable habitat and in doing so limited native populations. We discuss how natural disturbance of habitat and human activity have potentially facilitated successful invasion by R. rattus of the northern forests. Studies that manipulate rodent populations are required to support these interpretations of observed patterns.
Densities of polychaetes in habitat fragments depend on the surrounding matrix but not the complexity of the remaining fragment
Authors: COLE VICTORIA J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBiogenically engineered habitats are constantly changing in space and time, resulting in changes to the landscape and the ecology of associated taxa. Using patchily distributed biogenic habitats on intertidal rocky shores the influences of different aspects of the landscape were investigated, that is, the surrounding matrix and the habitat itself. Experiments to test the effect of the matrix were carried out by transplanting assemblages in artificial habitats from one type of biogenically engineered matrix (created by the tubeworm Galeolaria caespitosa) to another (created by the oyster Saccostrea glomerata). Change to the surrounding matrix resulted in the densities of polychaete worms in central fragments of habitat changing to become more similar to their new surroundings. To test how the habitat influenced predator–prey interactions, polychaetes were transplanted from a complex habitat (created by the turfing alga Corallina officinalis) to less complex habitat (created by the tubeworm G. caespitosa), with or without the presence of the predatory polychaete, Perinereis amblyodonta. This experiment also tested the influence of habitat replacement on densities of polychaetes, regardless of any new interactions between species. Despite coralline turf being a much more complex habitat than Galeolaria, P. amblyodonta successfully preyed on other species of polychaetes in both habitats. Furthermore, in the absence of P. amblyodonta, survival of polychaetes did not differ between the habitats. These types of experiments will be useful for testing similar hypotheses in different landscapes and will assist in gaining a more general understanding of habitat modification.
Occasional intraguild predation structuring small mammal assemblages: the marsupial Didelphis aurita in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil
Authors: MOURA MAÍRA C. , VIEIRA MARCUS V. , CERQUEIRA RUI 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe didelphid marsupial, Didelphis aurita, is suggested as an intraguild predator and as key‐species in small mammal assemblages of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The field experiments required to test this hypothesis are complex to implement, but the recent revival of regression methods offers a viable alternative. Here we use the dynamic and static regression methods to determine the importance of D. aurita as a competitor and intraguild predator. Capture–recapture data from two localities in the Rio de Janeiro State were used, Garrafão (municipality of Guapimirim), a coastal forest of the Serra do Mar, and Barra de Maricá, a costal sand dune vegetation. Population and microhabitat variables were monitored from April 1997 to April 2003 in Garrafão, and from January 1986 to July 1990 in Barra de Maricá. Microhabitat variables were related to Canopy, Plant, Litter and Rock covers, Obstruction from 0 to 1.5 m, and Number of logs. Exploitation competition was tested by the dynamic method, which models the effects of D. aurita on the per capita growth rate of a species. Interference by predation or competition was tested by the static method, where the abundance of D. aurita at trap stations was regressed against the abundance of other small mammals, after removal of any variation associated with microhabitat factors. Exploitation competition was not detected, but the interference of D. aurita was pervasive, affecting all small mammals studied in the two localities. The clear avoidance of D. aurita by all small mammals tested in two localities of different physiognomies indicates that it functions as an intraguild predator, even if actual predation by D. aurita is an occasional event.
Do virus‐resistant plants pose a threat to non‐target ecosystems? I. Evidence from an Australian pathosystem based on glasshouse challenge experiments
Authors: GODFREE ROBERT C. , WOODS MATTHEW J. , LOPEZ‐LAVALLE AUGUSTO BECERRA , BROADHURST LINDA M. , THRALL PETER H. , YOUNG ANDREW G. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractOne key environmental risk associated with the release of novel disease‐resistant plants is the potential for non‐target host populations to acquire resistance genes and undergo enemy release, leading to damage to associated native plant populations in high conservation‐value ecosystems. Unfortunately, the dynamics of most natural pathosystems are poorly understood, and risk assessment of disease‐resistant plants remains a challenge. Here we describe the first stage of a multi‐tiered risk assessment strategy aimed at quantifying potential ecological release in a model pathosystem (the weedy pasture species Trifolium repens infected with Clover yellow vein virus; ClYVV) in order to assess the level of risk posed by genetically modified and conventionally bred disease‐resistant host genotypes to non‐target plant communities in south‐eastern Australia. Glasshouse inoculation and growth experiments using 14 ClYVV isolates and 20 wild T. repens lines collected from high conservation‐value montane grassland and woodland communities show that viral infection reduces the survival and growth of host plants by on average 10–50%. However, T. repens lines exhibited variable levels of resistance and tolerance to virus infection and ClYVV isolates differed in infectivity and aggressiveness, with grassland isolates having a greater pathogenic effect on associated host plants than woodland isolates. We conclude that ClYVV potentially plays an important role in limiting the size of T. repens populations in some at‐risk non‐target ecosystems and that second‐tier field experiments are required to adequately quantify the risk associated with the commercial release of V‐R T. repens genotypes in Australia.
Ecohydrological effects of grazing‐induced degradation in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina
Authors: BISIGATO ALEJANDRO JORGE , LAPHITZ RITA MARÍA LOPEZ 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWater‐limited ecosystems have undergone rapid change as a consequence of changing land use and climate. The consequences of these changes on soil quality and vegetation dynamics have been documented in different regions of the world. In contrast, their effects on soil water, the most limiting resource in these environments, have received less attention, although in recent years increasing efforts have been made to relate grazing, soil water and vegetation functioning. In this paper, we present the results of field observations of plant phenology and soil water content carried out during two successive years at four sites along a degradation gradient caused by grazing in the Patagonian Monte, Argentina. We also developed a simplified soil water balance model to evaluate how changes in plant cover could affect water balance. Our field observations showed that the soil water content in the soil layer where roots of grasses are abundant (0–25 cm) was higher and the growing cycles were longer in degraded than in preserved sites. Similarly, our modelling approach showed that the deep soil (depth > 10 cm) was wetter in the degraded than in the preserved situation. Simulation also suggested a switch from transpiration to a direct evaporation dominance of water losses with degradation. Although reductions in plant cover related to grazing degradation were associated with a decrease in annual transpiration, the simulated soil water loss by transpiration was higher during summer in the degraded than in the well preserved situation. Thus, our field observations seem to be a consequence of ecohydrological changes causing an accumulation of water in the soil profile during the cold season and its transpiration during summer. In conclusion, our results showed that changes in plant cover caused by grazing disturbance can alter the soil water balance, which in turn can affect vegetation function.
Associations between vascular calcification, arterial stiffness and bone mineral density in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Aoki Akiko , Kojima Fumiko , Uchida Keiko , Tanaka Yoshiko , Nitta Kosaku 
Published: May 2009

Aim:  The aim of our study was to examine the associations between vascular calcification, arterial stiffness and bone mineral density (BMD) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients.Methods:  The study subjects were 83 (70 men and 13 women) HD patients. All patients had computed tomography (CT) to determine aortic calcification index (ACI), pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a volume‐plethysmographic apparatus, and BMD estimated by digital image processing (DIP).Results:  Patients, 84.3% male, 38.6% diabetic, had a mean age of 59.3 ± 11.2 years. In univariate linear regression analysis, ACI correlated positively with age (r = 0.586, P < 0.0001), dialysis vintage (r = 0.47, P = 0.002), pulse pressure (r = 0.311, P = 0.004), C‐reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.226, P = 0.0397) and PWV (r = 0.422, P < 0.0001). There was no significant association between ACI and serum markers of mineral metabolism. There was also a positive association between PWV and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0004) or pulse pressure (P < 0.0001), and a trend towards greater PWV with increasing age (r = 0.494). In multivariate regression analysis only increasing age, pulse pressure, serum levels of albumin and CRP were significantly associated with ACI and PWV. Mean BMD on DIP was 2.7 ± 0.4 mmAL. ACI was inversely correlated with BMD (r = −0.234, P = 0.0331).Conclusions:  Vascular calcification is closely associated with arterial stiffness in HD patients. BMD is inversely correlated with ACI, suggesting that measurement of hand BMD by DIP is a useful tool for assessment of renal bone disease in these patients.
The functions of sleep
Authors: Franken Paul , Kopp Caroline , Landolt Hans‐Peter , Lüthi Anita 
Published: May 2009

AbstractHere we report on The Satellite Symposium on Sleep Function that was held in Lausanne during 6th FENS forum and brought together neuroscientists from basic and clinical sleep research. We illustrate the principal questions that arose during this interdisciplinary gathering and introduce the contents of nine review articles on aspects of sleep that are contained in this Special Issue of the European Journal of Neuroscience.
Nine decades of decreasing phenotypic variability in Atlantic cod
Authors: Olsen Esben Moland , Carlson Stephanie M. , Gjøsæter Jakob , Stenseth Nils Chr. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractChanges in phenotypic variability in natural populations have received little attention in comparison with changes in mean trait values. This is unfortunate because trait diversity may influence adaptive evolutionary change and population stability. We combine two unique data sets to illuminate complex trait changes in Atlantic cod along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast: (i) an annual beach seine survey starting in 1919, monitoring juvenile body size and abundance and (ii) capture–mark–recapture data from which we estimated selection on juvenile body size and growth. We demonstrate that the variability of juvenile size has been steadily decreasing across nine decades, with no evidence for a similar trend in mean size. We also report that small, slow‐growing fish as well as large, fast‐growing fish are selected against. Together, these results suggest long‐term stabilizing selection acting on Atlantic cod, and emphasize the need for further studies evaluating the full complexity of trait changes in wild populations.
Robotic vs open prostatectomy in a laparoscopically naive centre: a matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Rocco Bernardo , Matei Deliu‐Victor , Melegari Sara , Ospina Juan Camilo , Mazzoleni Federica , Errico Giacomo , Mastropasqua Mauro , Santoro Luigi , Detti Serena , De Cobelli Ottavio 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare the early oncological, perioperative and functional outcomes of robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) vs open retropubic RP (RRP) in a laparoscopically naive centre, as robotic assistance aids the laparoscopically naive surgeon in minimally invasive prostate surgery, by offering magnification and superior dexterity.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom 1 November 2006 to 31 December 2007, 120 patients had RARP; this group was followed prospectively and evaluated for early oncological, perioperative and functional outcomes (measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery), and compared to a historical control group of consecutive patients who had RRP from 20 May 2004 to 28 February 2007. All patients were operated by the same laparoscopically naive surgeons. The comparison was by matched‐pair analysis.RESULTSThe baseline characteristics of the two groups were equivalent, although there was a higher percentage of patients with pT3/pT4 disease in the RRP group. As a proxy for oncological outcome, positive surgical margins were equivalent in the two groups (22% RARP vs 25% RRP, P = 0.77). The overall mean (range) surgical duration was significantly longer in RARP group, at 215 (165–450) min vs 160 (90–240) min in the RRP group (P < 0.001). However, RARP had a statistically significant advantage over RRP for estimated blood loss, of 200 vs 800 mL (P < 0.001), duration of catheterization (6 vs 7 days P < 0.001) and length of stay (3 vs 6 days, P < 0.001) The 3, 6 and 12‐month continence rates were 70%, 93% and 97% vs 63%, 83% and 88% after RARP and RRP, respectively (P = 0.15, 0.011 and 0.014). The 3, 6 and 12 month overall potency recovery rate was 31%, 43% and 61% vs 18%, 31% and 41%, after RARP and RRP, respectively (P = 0.006, 0.045 and 0.003).CONCLUSIONOur initial experience showed the feasibility of RARP in a laparoscopically naive centre. RRP seems to be a faster procedure, whereas RARP provided better results in terms of estimated blood loss, hospitalization and functional results. The early oncological outcome seemed to be equivalent in the two groups.
The prevalence of erectile dysfunction among Brazilian men screened for prostate cancer
Authors: Paranhos Mario , Antunes Alberto , Andrade Enrico , Freire Geraldo , Srougi Miguel 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a large cohort of Brazilian men who were screened for prostate cancer, and to determine risk factors in this population, as there are large cultural differences among countries in reporting the frequency of ED, and it is likely that the prevalence of ED among men screened for prostate cancer cannot be generally applied across countries.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe analysis focused on the baseline characteristics of 1008 consecutive South American men from Brazil with no known prostate disease who had routine screening for prostate cancer by urologists. The variables analysed were patient age, urinary symptoms, patient health‐related quality of life (HRQL), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volume and erectile function. To assess lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and HRQL, we used the American Urological Association symptom score and its appended eighth question, respectively. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was defined as a prostate volume of >30 g. Sexual function was assessed using the five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Thus, ED was considered to absent for scores of 22–25, mild for 17–21, mild to moderate for 12–16, moderate for 8–11, or severe for 5–7. Obesity was defined by calculating the body mass index (BMI), and categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (= 30 kg/m2). The mean (sd) PSA level was 4.3 (6.7) ng/mL and the mean prostate volume 37.8 (21.8) mL. The correlation of ED with these variables was estimated using unconditional logistic regression models.RESULTSInformation about erectile function was available for 908 patients. ED was considered to be absent, mild, mild to moderate, moderate and severe in 169 (18.6%), 210 (23.1%), 169 (18.6%), 138 (15.2%) and 222 (24.5%) patients, respectively. The ED was severe in 18.4%, 25.7% and 43.4% of patients with mild, moderate and severe LUTS, respectively (P < 0.001). The answer to the HRQL question was also significantly associated with ED; ED was severe in 16.5% of patients feeling delighted/pleased and in 35.8% of patients feeling unhappy/terrible (P < 0.001). The prostate volume was significantly related to ED. The BMI category showed that normal weight, overweight and obese patients had similar rates of ED (P = 0.415); ED was severe in about a quarter of the patients in each of these categories, and 50% and 24% of patients in the underweight and greater BMI groups had severe ED, respectively.CONCLUSIONSOf men screened for prostate cancer in Brazil, ≈40% have moderate or severe ED. Severe LUTS, higher HRQL scores, a large prostate volume, a low BMI and higher PSA levels might be associated with higher rates of ED. These variables should be considered when analysing the erectile function of patients screened for prostate cancer.
An innovative water‐soluble biopolymer improves efficacy of ciclopirox nail lacquer in the management of onychomycosis
Authors: Baran R , Tosti A , Hartmane I , Altmeyer P , Hercogova J , Koudelkova V , Ruzicka T , Combemale P , Mikazans I 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  A new 8% ciclopirox‐medicated nail lacquer (P‐3051), based on a new technology, revealed superior properties in terms of affinity to keratin, nail permeation, and ease of use.Objective  This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of P‐3051 vs. the market 8% ciclopirox nail lacquer.Methods  This is a multicentre, randomized, three‐arm, placebo‐controlled, parallel groups, evaluator‐blinded study. Overall, 467 patients with onychomycosis of at least one big toenail were randomized to receive P‐3051, the reference drug or placebo in a 2 : 2 : 1 ratio for a 48‐week treatment by daily application, followed by a 12‐week follow‐up.Results  The study satisfied its objective by demonstrating that P‐3051 was both superior to placebo and non‐inferior to reference in the complete cure rate after a 48‐week active treatment period. Switching the non‐inferiority to superiority hypothesis, the superiority of P‐3051 vs. reference was nearly significant at week 48 (confirmed at week 52), and it was significant at week 60 (cure rate for P‐3051 is 119% higher than reference; P < 0.05). Altogether, the results on primary endpoint exceed expectations; superiority test was performed also on secondary endpoints to confirm the superiority trend of the study. At the end of follow‐up, percentages of patients who achieved the endpoint ‘responder’ in the P‐3051 group were 66% higher than reference (P < 0.05), and those who achieved the endpoint ‘decrease of diseased nail’ were 40% higher (P < 0.05).Conclusion  Ciclopirox 8% hydrolacquer is more active than reference ciclopirox nail lacquer in the treatment of onychomycosis.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
News Framing and Public Support for a Common Foreign and Security Policy*
Authors: DE VREESE CLAES H. , KANDYLA ANNA 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA common EU foreign and security policy (CFSP) can be framed by elites and media as a risk or as an opportunity. This article examines the effects of framing in terms of ‘risk’ and ‘opportunity’ on public support. Moreover, we examine first whether the effect of framing CFSP as a ‘risk for the nation‐state’ has more impact than ‘risk for the EU’ framing, and second whether fear of globalization moderates the effect of news framing at the individual level. Drawing on a survey‐embedded experiment (n = 2,081) we found that participants in the ‘risk’ frame condition showed significantly lower levels of support compared to participants in the ‘opportunity’ condition. Those in the ‘risk for the nation‐state’ condition were significantly less supportive of CFSP than those in the ‘risk for the EU’ condition. The framing effect was moderated by fear of globalization so that individuals more afraid of globalization exposed to the ‘risk’ frame condition were significantly more susceptible to ‘risk’ framing than individuals with low fear of globalization. The results provide insights into the effects of valenced news frames and support for specific EU policies.