bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landscape-scale relationships between the exotic invasive shrub Lantana camara and native plants in a tropical deciduous forest in southern India
Authors: Prasad Ayesha E. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:Understanding exotic–native plant relationships within the context of landscape-scale environmental factors such as rainfall, topography, disturbance and forest structure, is important for distinguishing the role of invasions in native plant community change. In this study, the relationship between Lantana camara invasion and native forest understorey vegetation was described after accounting for environmental influences. Rainfall, terrain slope, altitude and fire frequency were measured from GIS layers, and tree density, dry above-ground L. camara biomass, and native plant abundance and species richness were measured in nested plots (four 1 × 1-m plots for grass, tree seedlings and L. camara within one 5-m-radius plot for tree saplings and herbs and shrubs within one 10-m-radius plot for trees) at 80 locations distributed across Bandipur Tiger Reserve, a tropical deciduous forest in southern India. Relationships between environmental factors and L. camara abundance were described using a multiple regression. Further, the role of L. camara abundance in explaining residual variation in native vegetation, after accounting for environmental influences, was described using linear models. Lantana camara abundance decreased with increasing tree density, supporting the notion that it thrives in disturbed forest with fewer trees. Whereas native tree seedling and herb and shrub density showed no relationship to L. camara abundance, both tree sapling density and grass volume decreased under L. camara biomass exceeding 2 kg m−2. These data suggest that, by association with grass decline and decreased recruitment of tree saplings, L. camara may be linked to the gradual transition of these tropical deciduous forests into exotic-dominated shrubland, and overall native biodiversity loss.
Cross-habitat predation in Nepenthes gracilis: the red crab spider Misumenops nepenthicola influences abundance of pitcher dipteran larvae
Authors: Ling Chua Trina Jie , Min Lim Matthew Lek 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:Phytotelmata (plant-held waters) are useful ecological models for studying predator–prey interactions. However, the ability of terrestrial predators to influence organism abundance within phytotelmata remains poorly studied. We investigated the predation of two pitcher-dwelling spiders, the red crab spider Misumenops nepenthicola and the yellow crab spider Thomisus nepenthiphilus (Araneae: Thomisidae) on dipteran larval abundance by manipulating their presence in the pitcher Nepenthes gracilis. Lower abundance in the larvae of the mosquito Tripteriodes spp. and increased spider mass were recorded after M. nepenthicola was introduced into laboratory-maintained pitchers (n = 10); T. nepenthiphilus did not affect larval abundance and a decrease in spider mass was recorded. Further investigations on two other dipteran larval species, the scuttle fly Endonepenthia schuitemakeri and gall midges Lestodiplosis spp., reported reduced numbers with the introduction of M. nepenthicola. We further tested this predation on dipteran larval abundance by its introduction, removal, and re-introduction to pitchers in the field (n = 42) over 1 mo. The spider's absence and presence significantly influenced larval numbers: all four dipteran species reported a significant decrease in numbers after M. nepenthicola was introduced. These results are one of the first to demonstrate the influence of a terrestrial phytotelm forager on the abundance of pitcher organisms via direct predation, reiterating the ecological importance of terrestrial phytotelm predators on phytotelm community structure and dynamics.
Which is important for preschoolers' production and repair of statements: What the listener knows or what the listener says?
Authors: NILSEN ELIZABETH S. , MANGAL LEILANI 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThree- and four-year-olds participated in a referential communication task wherein they requested stickers from a knowledgeable or ignorant adult to complete a card. Following inadequate initial requests children were provided with three different feedback types: goal substitution (i.e. an incorrect sticker was provided), explicit statement of misunderstanding (‘I don't know which one you mean’), and vague feedback (‘Huh?’). Preschoolers' initial statements revealed sensitivity to the listener's perspective: more descriptors were provided when the listener did not have visual access to the card. Although listener's knowledge did not affect children's repair statements following feedback, the feedback type did: goal substitution elicited more repairs that included new descriptors, whereas vague responses elicited more repetition of initial requests than other feedback types. Children's age and verbal skills were related to the specific repair strategies used. Results demonstrate that preschoolers' use of cues from a conversational partner depends on the type of communicative task.
A Moufang loop's commutant
Authors: GAGOLA STEPHEN M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe commutant of a loop is the set of elements which commute with all of the elements in the loop. The commutant of a Moufang loop is a subloop, but it has been an open problem to classify the Moufang loops for which the commutant is normal. It was S. Doro [3] who conjectured that a Moufang loop, under certain conditions, has a normal commutant. We settle this conjecture here by proving that the commutant of any Moufang loop is always a normal subloop.
A Survey of Nursing Home Organizational Characteristics Associated with Potentially Avoidable Hospital Transfers and Care Quality in One Large British Columbia Health Region
Authors: McGregor Margaret J. , Baumbusch Jennifer , Abu-Laban Riyad B. , McGrail Kimberlyn M. , Andrusiek Dug , Globerman Judith , Berg Shannon , Cox Michelle B. , Salomons Kia , Volker Jan , Ronald Lisa 
Published: December 2011

RÉSUMÉL’hospitalisation des résidents en maisons de soins infirmiers peut être futile aussi bien que coûteux, et il y a maintenant des preuves qui indiquent que le traitement des résidents des maisons de soins infirmiers en place donne de meilleurs résultats pour certaines conditions. Nous avons examiné les caractéristiques organisationnelles des installations que des récherches précédentes ont montré sont associées à des transferts de l’hôpital potentiellement évitables et avec une meilleure qualité de soins. En conséquence, nous avons mené une enquête transversale de l’administration des maisons de soins infirmiers dans Vancouver Coastal Health, une grande région sanitaire en la Colombie-Britannique. Le sondage portait sur les niveaux de dotation de personnel et l’organisation, l’accès aux médecins, les soins au fin de vie, et les facteurs influençant transferts de l’installation à l’hôpital. Un bon nombre des caractéristiques organisationnels modifiables, associés dans la littérature avec les transferts hospitaliers potentiellement évitables, et de meilleure qualité de soins, sont présents dans les maisons de soins infirmiers en la Colombie-Britannique. Cependant, leur présence n’est pas universelle, et certaines fonctionnalités sont particulièrement en défaut, en particulier l’organisation des soins médicaux et le planification et les services pour la fin de vie.
Concepts Mapping in the Legal Domain: Some Reflections
Authors: Peruginelli Ginevra 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper, by Ginevra Peruginelli, examines the general issue of mapping concepts of different legal orders, with a focus on legal terminology and semantics of the law. Interoperability between legal thesauri is a possible operative solution in so far as it meets two important functions: cross-collection retrieval and cross-language retrieval. At a practical level a feasibility study, carried out by the Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques of the National Research Council of Italy is described. The study aims at aligning a number of thesauri used in e-government services within the EU, while testing new methods of automatic mapping.
A simple statistical test to infer the causality of target/phenotype correlation from small molecule phenotypic screens
Authors: Wei Xin , Hoffman Ann F. , Hamilton Shannon M. , Xiang Qing , He Yang , So W. Venus , So Sung-Sau , Mark David 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Cell-based phenotypic screens using small molecule inhibitors is an important technology for early drug discovery if the relationship between the disease-related cellular phenotype and inhibitors' biological targets can be determined. However, chemical inhibitors are rightfully believed to be less specific than perturbation by biological agents, such as antibody and small inference RNA. Therefore, it is often a challenge in small molecule phenotypic screening to infer the causality between a particular cellular phenotype and the inactivation of the responsible protein due to the off-target effect of the inhibitors.
Results: In this article, we present a Roche in-house effort of screening 746 structurally diverse compounds for their cytotoxicity in HeLa cells measured by high content imaging technology. These compounds were also systematically profiled for the targeted and off-target binding affinity to a panel of 25 pre-selected protein kinases in a cell-free system. In an effort to search for the kinases whose activities are crucial for cell survival, we found that the simple association method such as the chi-square test yields a large number of false positives because the observed cytotoxic phenotype is likely to be the result of promiscuous action of less specific inhibitors instead of true consequence of inactivation of single relevant target. We demonstrated that a stratified categorical data analysis technique such as the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test is an effective approach to extract the meaningful biological connection from the spurious correlation resulted from confounding covariates. This study indicates that, empowered by appropriate statistical adjustment, small molecule inhibitor perturbation remains a powerful tool to pin down the relevant biomarker for drug safety and efficacy research.
Contact: xin.wei@roche.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Refeeding Syndrome in Children in Developing Countries Who Have Celiac Disease
Authors: Agarwal Jaya , Poddar Ujjal , Yachha Surender K. , Srivastava Anshu 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:The clinical presentations of celiac crisis and refeeding syndrome in celiac disease are almost similar, but information about refeeding syndrome is scarce. We are reporting for the first time 5 cases of refeeding syndrome in children with celiac disease that could have otherwise been labeled as celiac crisis.Methods:From January to December 2010, a chart review of hospital records of all celiac disease cases was performed, and refeeding syndrome was ascribed in those celiac patients who deteriorated clinically after initiation of a gluten‐free diet and had biochemical parameters suggestive of refeeding syndrome such as hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and hypoalbuminemia.Results:Of the total 35 celiac disease patients, 5 (median age 6.5 [range 2.2–10] years, 3 boys) were identified as having refeeding syndrome. All 5 children were severely malnourished (body mass index <14 kg/m2) and all of them had anemia, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hypocalcemia, meaning that they had the perfect setting for developing refeeding syndrome. At the same time, their clinical features fulfilled the criteria for celiac crisis except that their symptoms have worsened after the introduction of a gluten‐free diet. Nevertheless, instead of using steroids, they were managed as refeeding syndrome in terms of correction of electrolytes and gradual feeding, and that led to a successful outcome in all of them.Conclusions:Severely malnourished patients with celiac disease are at risk of developing potentially life‐threatening refeeding syndrome, which may mimic celiac crisis, especially in developing countries. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are the keys to a successful outcome.
Transcriptional Basis for Hepatic Fibrosis in Cystic Fibrosis–associated Liver Disease
Authors: Pereira Tamara N. , Lewindon Peter J. , Greer Ristan M. , Hoskins Anita C. , Williamson Richard M. , Shepherd Ross W. , Ramm Grant A. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:Liver disease contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Although all patients with CF express the defective CF transmembrane conductance regulator in cholangiocytes, many develop asymptomatic fibrosing liver disease. Only some develop cirrhosis, with pathogenesis remaining enigmatic. Available noninvasive diagnostic tools do not identify patients at risk before development of advanced fibrosis. We conducted a pilot study to identify genes associated with hepatic injury and fibrosis on liver biopsy that may help elucidate determinants of CF‐associated liver disease (CFLD).Methods:Liver tissue from children with CFLD with various stages of hepatic fibrosis was compared with pediatric controls using cDNA array analysis. Differential expression of genes of interest was then assessed relative to pediatric control liver and non‐CF cholestatic disease control liver from patients with biliary atresia, using both real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.Results:cDNA array demonstrated differential expression of numerous genes associated with hepatic fibrogenesis including collagens, matrix metalloproteinases, and chemokines in CFLD versus normal controls, particularly decreased expression in tissue remodeling genes including plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1, up to 25‐fold) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1); this was validated by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (PAI‐1, P = 0.004; TIMP‐1, P = 0.019). No significant decrease in PAI‐1 or TIMP‐1 mRNA was observed in biliary atresia versus normal control. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the decreased expression of hepatic PAI‐1 and TIMP‐1 protein in CFLD versus both normal and biliary atresia disease controls.Conclusions:The coordinated differential expression of these genes associated with liver fibrosis provides evidence for a transcriptional basis for the pathogenesis of CFLD and provides avenues for further study. Clarifying the pathogenesis of CFLD will facilitate techniques for early, precirrhotic detection and targeted interventions.
Expression of Acid‐sensing Ion Channels of Gastric Mucosa From Patients With Henoch‐Schönlein Purpura
Authors: Yuan Li‐ping , Bo Yan , Ming Gui , Zhou Qi‐lian 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAcid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) are members of the voltage‐insensitive, amiloride‐sensitive degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel family of cation channels and have been shown to mediate pain associated with tissue acidosis after inflammation or injury; however, the expression and role of ASICs in gastrointestinal tract of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) patients were still uncertain. The present study was designed to examine the expression and localization of ASICs in gastric mucosa from patients with HSP using immunochemical techniques. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the mean relative optical density of ASIC2 and ASIC3 but not ASIC1a in the lining epithelium and glandular tubes of gastric mucosa from HSP patients with HSP. This finding suggested that ASICs may be related to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with HSP.
The Huntington's Disease health‐related Quality of Life questionnaire (HDQoL): a disease‐specific measure of health‐related quality of life
Authors: Hocaoglu MB , Gaffan EA , Ho AK 
Published: December 2011

Hocaoglu MB, Gaffan EA, Ho AK. The Huntington's disease health‐related quality of life questionnaire: a disease‐specific measure of health‐related quality of life.Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbances, and yet there is no disease‐specific patient‐reported health‐related quality of life outcome measure for patients. Our aim was to develop and validate such an instrument, i.e. the Huntington's Disease health‐related Quality of Life questionnaire (HDQoL), to capture the true impact of living with this disease. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with the full spectrum of people living with HD, to form a pool of items, which were then examined in a larger sample prior to data‐driven item reduction. We provide the statistical basis for the extraction of three different sets of scales from the HDQoL, and present validation and psychometric data on these scales using a sample of 152 participants living with HD. These new patient‐derived scales provide promising patient‐reported outcome measures for HD.
Reducing the incidence of TRALI in the UK: the results of screening for donor leucocyte antibodies and the development of national guidelines
Authors: Lucas G. , Win N. , Calvert A. , Green A. , Griffin E. , Bendukidze N. , Hopkins M. , Browne T. , Poles A. , Chapman C. , Massey E. 
Published: December 2011

Background and Objectives  Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is associated with the passive transfusion of leucocyte antibodies in blood products. Blood Transfusion Services have adopted a number of different strategies for reducing the incidence of TRALI, but, while these have been successful, TRALI has not been completely eliminated. Many Transfusion Services have introduced leucocyte antibody screening of donors to further reduce TRALI. This report describes the results of donor leucocyte antibody screening within NHS Blood and Transplant and the guidelines that have been developed for Transfusion Services within the United Kingdom (UK) to reduce the incidence of TRALI.Materials and Methods  Blood samples from newly recruited female apheresis donors were tested for human leucocyte antigens (HLA) class I and class II antibodies and granulocyte‐specific antibodies.Results  A total of 1157 female donors were evaluated. Three hundred and fifteen (27·23%) donors had HLA class I or II antibodies and were returned to red cell component donation. Fifty‐seven (6·77%) of the remaining 842 donors were found to have granulocyte‐specific antibodies of which 11 (1·31%) had HNA‐specific antibodies. A total of 818 donors (70·70%) were accepted for platelet apheresis, 336 donors (29·04%) were returned to red cell component donation, and three donors with HNA‐3a antibodies (0·26%) were deferred from therapeutic donation.Conclusions  Female donors with leucocyte antibodies were identified in a stratified screening programme. Donors with antibodies were either directed to red cell donation or deferred. This process, combined with other measures that have already been introduced, is anticipated to further reduce the incidence of TRALI.
A Test of Genital Allometry Using Two Damselfly Species does not Produce Hypoallometric Patterns
Authors: Nava‐Bolaños Angela , Córdoba‐Aguilar Alex , Munguía‐Steyer Roberto 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIt is widely admitted that sexual selection is the responsible force behind genital traits. However, the particular mechanisms of genital evolution are still debated. Recently, studies of genital static allometry in insects have been used to elucidate such mechanisms. Insect genital traits are often reported to show negative allometry (i.e., a slope < 1), which has generated a number of ideas on how genital traits are selected. However, many studies that have inferred selection mechanisms have omitted consideration of the function of genital traits, used unreliable indicators of body size, and only rarely included female genitalia in their analysis. We investigated whether negative allometry operates for genitalia in two damselfly species (Protoneura cara and Ischnura denticollis). Damselflies are suitable for genital allometry tests as their genital function and body size indicators (wing length and head width) are relatively well known and established. First, we show that the aedeagus is used to physically remove sperm from both sperm storage organs (bursa and spermatheca) and that wing length and head width correlate positively with other morphological traits for the two study species. Second, we estimated genital allometry by measuring aedeagal length, vaginal length, bursal volume, and spermathecal volume. Our results indicate no consistent allometric pattern. Allometry for aedeagal length and vaginal width was not the same. Thus, there was no support for a negative allometric relationship. We urge researchers investigating allometry to look directly at how genitalia function rather than inferring function from allometric relationships only.
Participatory approach in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding for drought tolerance for southern Ethiopia
Authors: Asfaw Asrat , Almekinders Conny J. M. , Blair Matthew W. , Struik Paul C. 
Published: December 2011

With 3 figures and 4 tablesAbstractThis study employed and compared different methods for capturing farmers’ preference for common bean varieties in southern Ethiopia and tested their expressed preference using active selection of drought‐tolerant genotypes. The results showed considerable variation in farmers’ variety preferences, but the most important variation consistently focused on a fairly consistent set of variety traits. Different methods indicated that farmers considered earliness as the most important trait. Culinary qualities and marketability showed to be at least as important as drought tolerance. Comparing different methods in identifying farmers’ preference indicated that recording farmers rating or ranking for traits in breeding may not be effective or predictive of adoption for new variety and resulting variation among farmers. Real‐time participatory selection was quick, efficient and accurately revealed farmer preference. The relatively high level of coincidence of farmer selections and selections made by breeders and extensionists, combined with the relative consistent set of important traits to consider, suggest that diversity of farmers demand is not the first concern. The challenge of the common bean breeding for southern Ethiopia therefore lies in combining different mechanisms of drought tolerance with culinary attractiveness and marketability. Market in the study region shows to be fairly dynamic and as a consequence farmer preferences for grain types and colour are not static. Breeding that focuses on traditionally grown colours, shapes and sizes may therefore restrict farmers’ access to novel attractive and adapted germplasm.