bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A RANGELAND MANAGEMENT PATTERN BASED ON FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION IN THE NORTHERN TIBETAN REGION OF CHINA
Authors: Liu X. Y. , Liang T. G. , Guo Z. G. , Long R. J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTRangeland degradation not only affects animal production but also threatens ecological quality throughout the world. In this study, a functional classification index (FCIi) for rangelands was designed to determine the management pattern of different sub‐rangeland vegetation types this index combines the productive value (GPi), ecological services value (GEi), ecological sensitivity (ESIi) and seasonal grazing importance (SGIi) of each rangeland subtype and can be used for coordinating the relationships between animal production and ecological conservation. On the basis of the FCIi of each rangeland subtype, the northern Tibetan rangelands were classified into a conservation sector, mixed sector and production sector. The conservation sector covering 0·47 million ha accounted for 13·9 per cent of the total rangeland area, and this had significant ecological and social values but was of low productivity. In the conservation sector, grazing should be forbidden so that degraded rangelands can be restored. The mixed sector covered 2·16 million ha, 63·9 per cent of the total rangeland area, and offered multiple benefits, in which increasing the number of head of livestock for sale would improve the income of local herders. A 0·75 million ha production sector accounted for 22·2 per cent of the total rangeland area and was applied to maximise economic benefits by establishing modern pasture systems to increase the income of local herders and thus partly offset the losses arising from the conservation sector. This study suggested that the area of the three functional sectors should be adjusted at appropriate times according to the changes in productivity and ecological values of each rangeland subtype. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining urinary urgency: Patient descriptions of “gotta go”
Authors: Coyne Karin S. , Harding Gale , Jumadilova Zhanna , Weiss Jeffrey P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimsUrgency is a key symptom in the diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB), yet its definition and measurement are subject to continuing debate whether urinary urgency is a pathologic sensation or an intensification of normal desire to pass urine. The objective of this research was to explore the concept of urgency among participants with OAB symptoms and to evaluate the content validity of the urinary sensation scale (USS).MethodsTwo qualitative studies were conducted among participants with OAB symptoms. For both studies, participants were interviewed on the USS to ascertain their ability to complete and interpret each response. Study 2 included open‐ended questions to explore the concept of urgency with participants asked to describe “normal urge” and “urgency.”ResultsThirty‐one men and women (Study 1, n = 12; Study 2, n = 19) participated. Nearly all participants (n = 29) thought the word descriptions for the 1–5 scale were easy to comprehend and were able to differentiate among ratings by degree of severity. Study 2 noted little difference between continent (n = 9) and incontinent (n = 10) participant descriptions of “urge or desire to urinate” and “typical sensation.” The majority of the continent (n = 6) and incontinent (n = 7) participants stated they have both “regular” sensations to urinate and “urgent” sensations to urinate.ConclusionsThis qualitative research provides evidence that men and women with OAB symptoms can distinguish between “normal” urge (desire) to urinate and “urgency” suggesting that urinary urgency is a continuum, rather than an all‐or‐none phenomenon. The USS demonstrated content validity and was acceptable to patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:455–459, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The validity of trait, symptom and prototype approaches for describing borderline and antisocial personality disorders
Authors: Yalch Matthew M. , Thomas Katherine M. , Hopwood Christopher J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTDetermining the relative validity of trait, symptom and prototype approaches to rating personality disorders (PDs) is a pressing concern given that each of these approaches has been considered for the DSM‐5. However, as of yet, there is limited empirical evidence to guide this decision. In this study, we compared the proposed DSM‐5 traits, DSM‐IV symptoms and diagnostic prototypes that were initially slated for inclusion in the DSM‐5 for assessing antisocial and borderline PDs. Trait and symptom count models converged with one another within diagnoses more than either did with the prototypes but also showed more overlap across diagnoses than the prototypes. The traits generally showed superior criterion validity relative to the symptoms, which were superior to the prototypes, with the exception that symptoms were more valid than traits for predicting externalizing problems. This pattern suggests that traits are the single most effective method for describing antisocial and borderline PDs but that combining traits and symptoms, as currently proposed for the DSM‐5, may be the best combination of these three approaches to assessing personality pathology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of poly(alkylene oxide)s to achieve fast and controlled photochromic switching in rigid matrices
Authors: Malic Nino , Evans Richard A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe report a conjugation system for the enhancement of photochromic dye performance in rigid matrices using widely available, cheap, chemically robust and compatible polymeric starting materials, namely poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and poly(1,2‐butylene oxide). Conjugation of these soft (low Tg) polymers to an indeno‐fused naphthopyran photochromic dye, in a telechelic geometry, gives access to a wide range of accelerated and tuned fade speeds (decoloration) via variation in molecular weight. The t1/2 and t3/4 fade speeds for PPO conjugates (polymer molecular weights ranging between ca. 425 and 2000) are accelerated by 35–58 and 51–76%, respectively, compared with the nonconjugated control dye. Longer oligomers provide faster decoloration approaching that obtained in solution. The stability of the polyethers allows functionalization using a wide variety of chemistries, including harsh acid catalyzed transformations, providing an overall facile synthesis of photochromic dye‐polymer conjugates in high yield and purity. In addition, these polymers give easy access to conjugates with star‐type architectures, which provide an even further improvement in performance compared with their linear counterparts with less conjugated polymer needed per dye to achieve a given fade speed. © 2012 Commonwealth of Australia. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Electrical switching of microgel swelling and collapse for display applications
Authors: Cook Joseph P. , Riley D. Jason 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe investigate whether a high‐contrast electronic paper can be formed using a microgel dispersion in which the particles reversibly swell and collapse on cycling the pH. An aqueous dispersion of particles of poly(2‐vinylpyridine) crosslinked with divinylbenzene is studied. It is demonstrated that the pH of the dispersion, and hence the state of the microgel particles, can be potentiostatically controlled using a polyaniline electrode. Electrochemical switching of the dispersion from highly scattering to transparent for all visible wavelengths is achieved. Modification of cell and electrode design is required to reduce the switching time, presently greater than 10 min. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Basic Preexaminations of Inline Monitoring of Process Sprays by Statistical Extinction Method
Authors: Dannigkeit Florian , Steinke Lars , Ripperger Siegfried 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study is to develop a sensor which is able to monitor spray processes by measuring a mean droplet size as well as the droplet concentration. To minimize the manipulation of the spray by the sensor, an optical measurement principle which is called statistical extinction method is used. The sensor can be constructed lanceolate because only one laser beam is necessary to illuminate the spray, and the intensity of the laser beam has to be measured at only one place behind the measurement volume. Consequently, the sensor can be inserted in the spray tower through only one notch with a diameter of about 50 mm. The laser beam can be shielded using adaptable sheaths, which can spatially limit the measuring volume. In addition, the optical components of the sensor can be protected against fouling by a rinse volume flow through the sheaths in direction of the measuring volume.To prove suitability of this measuring principle for the monitoring of spray processes, droplet sizes of different sprays are measured by a prototype of the sensor. The measuring principle, the construction of the sensor, and measurement results are presented and discussed in this paper.
Assessing the effects of three potential chemical repellents to prevent bird damage to corn seeds and seedlings
Authors: Esther Alexandra , Tilcher Ralf , Jacob Jens 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Bird damage to seeds and seedlings of maize (Zea mays) and other crops is widespread, especially in organic farming, because no adequate seed protection is available. In this study, the effect of seed treatments with three substances likely to affect bird feeding behaviour (anthraquinone, pulegone and methyl anthranilate) was tested. Their repellent effect was tested in food and seedling choice (treated versus untreated) experiments with feral pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) in aviaries. Most efficient variants were additionally tested in the field, where wild birds had unlimited access.RESULTS: In aviaries, untreated seeds were clearly preferred over treated seeds by pigeons. The highest feeding deterrence effect occurred with the treatment variants pulegone 1.4 mL kg−1 and methyl anthranilate 0.085 mL kg−1. In contrast, there was no repellent effect if seedlings were offered to the pigeons in aviaries. The same applies to the number of maize seeds and seedlings grown from treated and untreated seeds, which were damaged in the field mainly by pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).CONCLUSION: The study shows that the chemicals failed to repel feeding by birds in Germany. Further studies should concentrate on alternative, systemic effective substances possibly based on plant secondary metabolites to yield a bird repellent usable in organic farming. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Dietary traces of neonicotinoid pesticides as a cause of population declines in honey bees: an evaluation by Hill's epidemiological criteria
Authors: Cresswell James E , Desneux Nicolas , vanEngelsdorp Dennis 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Honey bees are important pollinators of both crops and wild plants. Pesticide regimes that threaten their sustainability should therefore be assessed. As an example, evidence that the agricultural use of neonicotinoid pesticides is a cause of the recently observed declines in honey bees is examined. The aim is to define exacting demographic conditions for a detrimental factor to precipitate a population decline, and Hill's epidemiological ‘causality criteria’ are employed as a structured process for making an expert judgement about the proposition that trace dietary neonicotinoids in nectar and pollen cause population declines in honey bees.RESULTS: In spite of the absence of decisive experimental results, the analysis shows that, while the proposition is a substantially justified conjecture in the context of current knowledge, it is also substantially contraindicated by a wide variety of circumstantial epidemiological evidence.CONCLUSION:It is concluded that dietary neonicotinoids cannot be implicated in honey bee declines, but this position is provisional because important gaps remain in current knowledge. Avenues for further investigations to resolve this longstanding uncertainty are therefore identified. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Antifeedant activity of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach senescent leaf extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their potential use as synergists
Authors: Bullangpoti Vasakorn , Wajnberg Eric , Audant Pascaline , Feyereisen René 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: To reduce rates of synthetic insecticide applications, natural product alternatives and synergists are needed. A study has been made of the toxicity of ethanolic senescent leaf extracts (SLEs) of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach on larvae of the noctuid pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Their effects as syngergists and inhibitors of several enzyme activities are also reported.RESULTS: When added to the diet, M. azedarach SLE showed lower toxicity than J. gossypifolia SLE. However, after 2 weeks on the diet, the M. azedarach SLE proved to be lethal to 100% of the larval population. Artificial diets with both SLEs have an antifeedant effect on armyworm larvae. Acute toxicity after topical application in a dipping assay was relatively low for both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs (LC50 of 2.6 and 1.4 g L−1, respectively, after 24 h). However, mixtures of the SLEs of M. azedarach and J. gossypifolia had a strong synergistic effect with cypermethrin. Synergism was higher with the J. gossypifolia SLE, perhaps because it contains several natural products with a methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. Both extracts inhibited P450, general esterase and acetylcholinesterase activities in vitro and in vivo.CONCLUSION: Both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs are antifeedants to armyworm larvae when present in the food, and also have a synergistic effect with cypermethrin in topical assays. Although the synergistic effect is less than with piperonyl butoxide, both SLEs have some inhibitor activity against detoxification enzymes and acetylcholinesterase. Thus J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs may be considered as ecofriendly approaches for the control of S. frugiperda in order to reduce cypermethrin usage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Possible DNA damage by oxidation products of guanine: A density functional and electron propagator theoretical study
Authors: Pacheco‐Ortín Sandy , Gaitán Lozano Ricardo , Agacino Valdés Esther 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe stability and reactivity of seven guanine oxidation products (GOP), which contain 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine (8‐oxoG) have been studied and compared with the four nucleobases, such as adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. It has been possible with the use of density functional theory and electron propagator theory (EPT), to evaluate their relation with certain ionization induced process, which produce damage to DNA. Using the application of Koopmans's theorem, EPT provides alternatively a reliable way to calculate the vertical ionization potential (VIP) and vertical electron affinity (VEA). This process has been used to obtain other reactivity indexes, such as: electronegativity and hardness. In the nucleobases and the GOP studies, we observed the following: guanine and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine were the lowest VIP, and 8‐oxoG was the lowest hardness. This let us confirm that these species are the most susceptible to change their electron densities and transform in other GOP. Particularly, the GOP, Sp(R), Sp(S), and Z were the highest VIP. It allows us to say that they are the most stable. Z and Iz were the highest VEA; this suggests that they have a big capacity to accept electrons and form anionic centers in DNA. The GOP, which was considered in this study, showed hardness values between 9.1 and 10.4 because of π‐conjugation; therefore, these GOP could be good candidates to participate in DNA transversions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RIVERBED DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS AS A TOOL FOR HOLISTIC RIVER MANAGEMENT: MOTUEKA RIVER, NELSON, NEW ZEALAND
Authors: Fuller I. C. , Basher L. R. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTRiver management in New Zealand's laterally active gravelly rivers has permitted floodplain development and protection of agricultural resources and infrastructure. Management of these dynamic systems has been hailed as a success for the approaches adopted, namely straightening and confining the river using bank protection and managing riverbed levels by gravel extraction. However, this activity also impacts river morphological/habitat diversity and potential gravel resource, by replacing broad riparian corridors with narrower channels and reducing lateral connectivity with the floodplain. This paper quantifies river behaviour in three laterally confined reaches in the upper Motueka River over a 7‐year period, using annual high‐resolution ground surveys to address the nature of morphological change and associated sediment flux in these reaches with a view to informing management of the gravel resource. Surveys between 2004 and 2010 acquired data to construct digital elevation models (DEMs) of the active riverbed in three ~1‐km‐long reaches. Morphological budgeting based on differencing between successive DEM surfaces reveals complex spatial and temporal patterns of erosion and deposition, demonstrating complex reach dynamics. Overall, volumetric changes suggest these narrowed reaches have been net exporters of sediment, associated with continued channel degradation. This has left bar features, traditionally the focus of gravel extraction in the reaches, relatively isolated from all but extreme flows, limiting replenishment of the gravel resource. The paper demonstrates the utility of riverbed DEMs as a potential tool to frame river character and behaviour at the reach scale in gravel‐bed rivers, thereby providing an important contribution to holistic river management in these systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroethics
Authors: Levy Neil 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNeuroethics is a new sub‐discipline of philosophy, with two broad focuses. The first, which has come to be called the ethics of neuroscience, concerns the assessment of ethical issues arising from neuroscience, its practice and its applications; the second, which has come to be called the neuroscience of ethics, concerns the ways in which the sciences of the mind can illuminate longstanding issues within philosophy. Especially in its guise as the neuroscience of ethics, neuroethics cannot sharply be distinguished from the naturalistic trend in philosophy which attempts to bring to bear data to the resolution of philosophical problems. It is distinctive only inasmuch as it is motivated by practical, and especially moral, concerns to a greater degree than empirical philosophy more generally. This article illustrates the practice and typical concerns of neuroethics with two case studies, one from each of its branches. The ethics of neuroscience is illustrated with the issue of cognitive enhancement, and the neuroscience of ethics is illustrated by discussion of free will. With regard to both issues, neuroethicists hope to advance beyond intuition and armchair argument by careful attention to the data emerging from the cognitive sciences.WIREs Cogn Sci2012, 3:143–151. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1157This article is categorized under:Philosophy > Action
The benefits of reflecting on and discussing purpose in life in emerging adulthood
Authors: Bundick Matthew J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe benefits of understanding and pursuing one's purposes in life are well documented. However, few studies have addressed potential interventions for enhancing purpose. This article presents the results of an empirical investigation testing whether reflecting on and discussing one's core values, life goals, and purposes in life has benefits for later purpose, as well as later life satisfaction. The study involved a pretest/posttest experimental design with 102 college students, with posttest measures administered nine months later. Results showed that those who engaged in the guided discussion of their values, life goals, and purpose (compared to those who did not) benefited in terms of their goal directedness and life satisfaction and that the benefits for life satisfaction were partially attributable to changes in goal directedness. The article concludes by highlighting implications for practitioners of all kinds, including parents, with recommendations for implementing the purpose discussion in a variety of youth settings.
Extended uterine receptivity for blastocyst implantation and full‐term fetal development in mice with vitrified–warmed ovarian tissue autotransplantation
Authors: Matsumoto Hiromichi , Ezoe Kenji , Mitsui Akinori , Fukui Emiko , Ochi Masanori , Yoshizawa Midori 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurposeOur previous study demonstrated that vitrified–warmed ovarian tissue autotransplantation (VOAT) into estrus cycle‐ceased ovariectomized mice restored fertility to achieve full‐term fetal development for transferred embryos, while less steroidogenesis in the corpus luteum was observed in VOAT mice. It has been reported that the window of uterine receptivity for blastocyst implantation is extended at lower estrogen levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that duration of the window in VOAT mice could be extended.MethodsBlastocysts were transferred into VOAT mice on day 5 of pseudopregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the potential in VOAT ovarian tissues.ResultsThe rate of live birth pups from embryos transferred on day 5 of pseudopregnant VOAT mice was not different from that of embryos transferred on day 4 of pseudopregnancy in VOAT mice, while embryo transfer on day 5 into intact mice showed no pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis of the corpus luteum of day 8 pseudopregnant VOAT mice with uteri having decidualization induced on day 5 showed less steroidogenesis and blood vessel formation as compared to intact mice.ConclusionsUterine receptivity was extended in VOAT mice. Less steroidogenesis and blood vessel formation in the transferred ovarian tissues may be associated with the extended uterine receptivity.
Pneumoperitoneum Post-Fluoroscopic Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy Insertion: Computed Tomography and Clinical Evaluation
Authors: Stoneham Grant , Burbridge Brent , Pinilla Jaime , Gourgaris Andrea , Astrope Valerie , Gordon Heather 
Published: January 2012

Introduction To assess the incidence and clinical significance of pneumoperitoneum after radiologic percutaneous gastrojejunostomy (PGJ) tube insertion. Methods Sixteen subjects were prospectively assessed after imaging-guided PGJ tube insertion to discern the incidence of pneumoperitoneum related to specific clinical signs and symptoms. Computed tomography of the abdomen and the pelvis was performed immediately after PGJ insertion. A clinical evaluation, including history, general and abdominal physical examination, temperature, complete blood cell count, abdominal pain, and abdominal tension, was performed on days 1 and 3, and at the discretion of the nutritional support team on day 7 after PGJ insertion. Results Fifteen of the 16 subjects demonstrated imaging findings of pneumoperitoneum after the PGJ-tube insertion. Only a small amount of pneumoperitoneum was demonstrated in 10 of the subjects, whereas a large volume of gas was detected in 2 of the subjects. The only altered clinical findings encountered were increased white blood cell count and fever. These abnormal clinical data were most frequently seen immediately after feeding-tube placement. Discussion Pneumoperitoneum was a common finding after PGJ-tube placement in our study population. There were no statistically significant abnormal clinical parameters, in the presence or absence of pneumoperitoneum, for any of the subjects after PGJ-tube insertion. Conservative management of pneumoperitoneum after PGJ is warranted.