bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear effects of consumer density on multiple ecosystem processes
Authors: Klemmer Amanda J. , Wissinger Scott A. , Greig Hamish S. , Ostrofsky Milton L. 
Published: February 2012

Summary1. In the face of human‐induced declines in the abundance of common species, ecologists have become interested in quantifying how changes in density affect rates of biophysical processes, hence ecosystem function. We manipulated the density of a dominant detritivore (the cased caddisfly, Limnephilus externus) in subalpine ponds to measure effects on the release of detritus‐bound nutrients and energy.2. Detritus decay rates (k, mass loss) increased threefold, and the loss of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from detrital substrates doubled across a range of historically observed caddisfly densities. Ammonium and total soluble phosphorus concentrations in the water column also increased with caddisfly density on some dates. Decay rates, nutrient release and the change in total detritivore biomass all exhibited threshold or declining responses at the highest densities.3. We attributed these threshold responses in biophysical processes to intraspecific competition for limiting resources manifested at the population level, as density‐dependent per‐capita consumption, growth, development and case : body size in caddisflies was observed. Moreover, caddisflies increasingly grazed on algae at high densities, presumably in response to limiting detrital resources.4. These results provide evidence that changes in population size of a common species will have nonlinear, threshold effects on the rates of biophysical processes at the ecosystem level. Given the ubiquity of negative density dependence in nature, nonlinear consumer density–ecosystem function relationships should be common across species and ecosystems.
Parenting of children with ADHD in South Korea: the role of socio‐emotional development of children with ADHD
Authors: Oh Won‐Oak , Park Eun Sook , Suk Min Hyun , Song Dong Ho , Im Yeojin 
Published: February 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim was to investigate the factors affecting the self‐esteem and social competence of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Background.  Many studies have reported parenting variables such as parenting attitude and sense of competence have been suggested as significant determinants of socio‐emotional development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In South Korean society, the traditional culture of Confucianism is a strong influence on parenting practices and children’s behaviour. However, there have been few studies that examined the relative significance of the parenting and other associated factors for self‐esteem and social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Korea living in a strict parenting environment.Design.  This study was designed as a cross‐sectional and descriptive survey.Method.  The subjects were 124 pairs of mothers and their children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, recruited from local paediatric psychiatric clinics in South Korea. Data collection was conducted through the use of questionnaires.Results.  Affectionate parenting attitude and co‐morbid condition of the child were the most important predictors of self‐esteem. Rejecting parenting attitude was the most important predictor of social competence.Conclusion.  Higher levels of affectionate parenting attitude of mothers and non‐co‐morbid status of children both contributed unique variance to the overall prediction of higher self‐esteem of children. Higher levels of rejecting parenting attitude of mothers contributed unique variance to the overall prediction of lower social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Relevance to clinical practice.  Parenting attitude is the most important factor to contribute to the healthy socio‐emotional development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Health care providers need to develop and apply a parenting skills improvement program to improve positive parenting attitudes, which will benefit self‐esteem and social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Support groups for caregivers of intellectually disabled family members: effects on physical–psychological health and social support
Authors: Wei Ying‐Shun , Chu Hsin , Chen Chiung‐Hua , Hsueh Yu‐Jung , Chang Yu‐Shiun , Chang Lu‐I , Chou Kuei‐Ru 
Published: February 2012

Aims.  This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of support groups for people caring for family members with intellectual disability with the goal of improving their physical—psychological health and social support.Background.  Little is known about how differences in the support group context influence either the nature of the social support available to caregivers of family member with intellectual disabilities or the effects on caregivers’ physical—psychological health in eastern cultures.Design.  An experimental, preintervention postintervention control group design was used in this study.Methods.  The experimental group received intervention consisting of eight weekly support group meetings for caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities. A total of 72 participants were recruited by permuted block randomisation and evaluated before intervention, after intervention and at four‐week follow‐up. Participants were blinded to the arrangement. Longitudinal effects were analysed by means of generalised estimating equations.Results.  (1) Physical‐psychological health (somatic, depressive and anxiety symptoms) of participants in the experimental group was significantly improved after the intervention and four‐week follow‐up. (2) After the support group, the experimental group scored better than the control group on measures of social support (positive social interaction, emotional, informational and material social support). At four‐week follow‐up, the differences between the two groups persisted except for positive social interaction support, suggesting a continued positive effect of the support group on caregivers of family members with intellectual disabilities.Conclusions.  The results of this study confirm the experimental hypotheses that caregivers benefit from participating in support group interventions.Relevance to clinical practice.  The support group is an effective alternative intervention for promoting caregivers’ physical—psychological health status as well as their social support. Therefore, the support group should become a routine component of the caregiver of people with intellectual disabilities.
Management of acute coronary syndrome: achievements and goals still to pursue. Novel developments in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Boden H. , van der Hoeven B. L. , Karalis I. , Schalij M. J. , Jukema J. W. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  Boden H, van der Hoeven BL, Karalis I, Schalij MJ, Jukema JW (Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands). Management of acute coronary syndrome: achievements and goals still to pursue. Novel developments in diagnosis and treatment (Review). J Intern Med 2012; 271: 521–536.Acute coronary syndromes contribute a substantial part of the global disease burden. To realize a reduction in mortality and morbidity, the management of patients with these conditions involves the integration of several different approaches. Timely delivery of appropriate care is a key factor, as the beneficial effect of reperfusion is greatest when performed as soon as possible. Innovations in antithrombotic therapy have also contributed significantly to improvements in the prevention of ischaemic complications. However, with the use of such treatment, an increase in the risk of bleeding is inevitable. Therefore, the greatest challenge is now to obtain an optimal balance between the prevention of ischaemic complications and the risk of bleeding. In this regard, identification of patients at highest risk of either one is essential.
Epidemiological approaches to measure childhood stress
Authors: Vanaelst Barbara , De Vriendt Tineke , Huybrechts Inge , Rinaldi Sabina , De Henauw Stefaan 
Published: February 2012

SummaryVanaelst B, De Vriendt T, Huybrechts I, Rinaldi S, De Henauw S. Epidemiological approaches to measure childhood stress. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 280–297.The prevalence of childhood stress has repeatedly been shown to be high, with ‘parental separation’ and ‘being bullied at school’ as the most frequently reported stressors in the child's everyday life. This is quite alarming as children are most vulnerable to the adverse psychological and physiological health consequences of chronic stress exposure.Despite growing research interest in this field over the last years, literature falls short in providing an overview of methods to adequately assess stress in elementary school children (6–12 years old). This review describes questionnaires and interviews, as well as laboratory measurements of cortisol in biological samples (serum, urine, saliva and hair) as stress assessment methods in children, with the emphasis on epidemiological research settings. Major characteristics, strengths and limitations of these methods are established, examples of child‐specific stressor questionnaires and interviews are provided and specific recommendations with respect to epidemiological research are formulated. In addition, hair cortisol as a potential biomarker for chronic stress (in children) is discussed more thoroughly.This review is meant to serve as a preliminary guide for health researchers new to this research area by reflecting on theoretical and methodological aspects in childhood stress assessment.
The impact of alcohol dependence on social brain function
Authors: Gizewski Elke R. , Müller Bernhard W. , Scherbaum Norbert , Lieb Bodo , Forsting Michael , Wiltfang Jens , Leygraf Norbert , Schiffer Boris 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe impact of alcoholism (ALC) or alcohol dependence on the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive and affective empathy (i.e. the different routes to understanding other people's minds) in schizophrenic patients and non‐schizophrenic subjects is still poorly understood. We therefore aimed at determining the extent to which the ability to infer other people's mental states and underlying neural mechanisms were affected by ALC. We examined 48 men, who suffered either from ALC, schizophrenia, both disorders or none of these disorders, using functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing on a mind reading task that involves both cognitive and affective aspects of empathy. Using voxel‐based morphometry, we additionally examined whether between‐group differences in functional activity were associated with deficits in brain structural integrity. During mental state attribution, all clinical groups as compared with healthy controls exhibited poor performance as well as reduced right‐hemispheric insular function with the highest error rate and insular dysfunction seen in the schizophrenic patients without ALC. Accordingly, both behavioral performance and insular functioning revealed schizophrenia × ALC interaction effects. In addition, schizophrenic patients relative to non‐schizophrenic subjects (regardless of ALC) exhibited deficits in structural integrity and task‐related recruitment of the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC). Our data suggest that ALC‐related impairment in the ability to infer other people's mental states is limited to insular dysfunction and thus deficits in affective empathy. By contrast, mentalizing in schizophrenia (regardless of ALC) may be associated with insular dysfunction as well as a combination of structural and functional deficits in the left vlPFC.
2,3,4′,5‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside inhibits angiotensin II‐induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation via suppression of the reactive oxygen species–extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 pathway
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Xiang‐Fan , Huang Yan‐Juan , Chen Qing‐Qing , Bao Yuan‐Jian , Zhu Weizhong 
Published: February 2012

Summary
Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) have direct and potent effects on myocardial remodelling by proliferating, differentiating and secreting extracellular matrix proteins. Prolonged activation of CF leads to cardiac fibrosis and reduces myocardial contractile function. In previous studies we showed that 2,3,4′,5‐tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside (TSG) exerts cardiac protection, but the mechanism involved remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of TSG on angiotensin (Ang) II‐induced CF proliferation and to explore the underlying intracellular mechanisms.
Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L)‐induced proliferation of rat neonatal fibroblasts was significantly inhibited by TSG (3–100 μmol/L), as evidenced by investigations of cell numbers and 5‐bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. In addition, 30 μmol/L TSG suppressed AngII‐induced expression of nuclear antigen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9. Moreover, TSG attenuated AngII‐induced activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2.
Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L)‐induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced by 30 μmol/L TSG, as was H2O2‐induced activation of ERK1/2. However, the MEK inhibitor 50 μmol/L PD98059 did not reduce ROS generation, although it did inhibit cell proliferation.
There was a significant correlation between the inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and suppression of cell proliferation by TSG. However, there were no additive effects on either the inhibition of ERK1/2 or the suppression of cell proliferation following treatment of cells with both PD98059 and TSG.
In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that TSG inhibits ERK1/2 activation, likely via buffering of ROS, and consequently suppresses cell proliferation.
European rabbit survival and recruitment are linked to epidemiological and environmental conditions in their exotic range
Authors: FORDHAM DAMIEN A. , SINCLAIR RON G. , PEACOCK DAVID E. , MUTZE GREG J. , KOVALISKI JOHN , CASSEY PHILLIP , CAPUCCI LORENZO , BROOK BARRY W. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, is threatened within its native range, yet it is a highly successful colonizing pest species across its worldwide introduced range, causing large economic losses and widespread environmental degradation. To date, there has been no long‐term empirical evidence documenting the relative roles of climatic, epidemiological and biological factors in limiting life‐history determinants of rabbit range and abundance. Using 12 years of capture–mark–recapture data from their exotic range in Australia, we constructed candidate Cormack–Jolly–Seber models to test the influence of environmental, competition and disease conditions on rabbit survival and recruitment. Our results show that: (i) population‐level disease infection rate has the largest overall impact on rabbit survival, explaining 80% of variance in survival rates; (ii) environmental as well as epidemiological conditions constrain rabbit survival, especially for younger animals; (iii) temporal variation in rabbit kitten recruitment patterns are best described by a combination of climate, competition and disease settings (accounting for 68% of variance), while temperature alone has a strong negative influence on kitten recruitment; and (iv) recruitment responds positively to rabbit haemorrhagic disease, but negatively to myxomatosis – the former, probably being mediated through a disease driven effect on intraspecific competition for food. A strengthened understanding of climate change impacts on rabbit range and abundance can be achieved by accounting explicitly for potential synergisms between disease dynamics and climate. In this analysis, we provide the first step towards such an attempt for this important mammal species. Integrated approaches of this kind are essential for future forecasts of rabbit range and abundance, offsetting the conservation threat faced by O. cuniculus in its native range, and achieving effective management in exotic habitats.
Relative influence of habitat structure, species interactions and rainfall on the post‐fire population dynamics of ground‐dwelling vertebrates
Authors: ARTHUR ANTHONY D. , CATLING PETER C. , REID ALLAN 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe long‐term impacts of wildfires on animal populations are largely unknown. We used time‐series data based on a tracking index, from coastal NSW spanning 28 years after a wildfire, to investigate the relative influence of habitat structure, species interactions and climate on post‐fire animal population dynamics. The fire had an immediate impact on habitat structure, reducing and simplifying vegetation cover, which then underwent post‐fire successional change including an increase and plateau in tree canopy cover; an increase, stabilization and then decline in shrub cover; and an increase in ground litter cover. Population changes of different animal species were influenced by different components of successional change, but there was also evidence that species interactions were important. For example, bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus and Perameles nasuta combined) increased concurrent with an increase in shrub cover then declined at a faster rate than a direct association with senescing shrub cover would suggest, while the feral cat (Felis catus) population changed with the bandicoot population, suggesting a link between these species. Potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) increased 10 years after the fire concurrent with the closing tree canopy, but there was also evidence of a negative association with feral foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Variation in rainfall did not have significant effects on the population dynamics of any species. Our results suggest that changes in habitat structure play a key role in the post‐fire dynamics of many ground‐dwelling animals and hence different fire regimes are likely to influence animal dynamics through their effects on habitat structure. However, the role of predator–prey interactions, particularly with feral predators, is less clear and further study will require manipulative experiments of predators in conjunction with fire treatments to determine whether feral predator control should be integrated with fire management to improve outcomes for some native species.
Spontaneous depolarization wave in the mouse embryo: origin and large‐scale propagation over the CNS identified with voltage‐sensitive dye imaging
Authors: Momose‐Sato Yoko , Nakamori Tomoharu , Sato Katsushige 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSpontaneous embryonic movements, called embryonic motility, are produced by correlated spontaneous activity in the cranial and spinal nerves, which is driven by brainstem and spinal networks. Using optical imaging with a voltage‐sensitive dye, we have revealed previously that this correlated activity is a widely propagating wave of neural depolarization, which we termed the depolarization wave. We have observed in the chick and rat embryos that the activity spread over an extensive region of the CNS, including the spinal cord, hindbrain, cerebellum, midbrain and forebrain. One important consideration is whether a depolarization wave with similar characteristics occurs in other species, especially in different mammals. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of the depolarization wave in the mouse embryo by showing that the widely propagating wave appeared independently of the localized spontaneous activity detected previously with Ca2+ imaging. Furthermore, we mapped the origin of the depolarization wave and revealed that the wave generator moved from the rostral spinal cord to the caudal cord as development proceeded, and was later replaced with mature rhythmogenerators. The present study, together with an accompanying paper that describes pharmacological properties of the mouse depolarization wave, shows that a synchronized wave with common characteristics is expressed in different species, suggesting fundamental roles in neural development.
Australian school‐based prevention programs for alcohol and other drugs: A systematic review
Authors: TEESSON MAREE , NEWTON NICOLA C. , BARRETT EMMA L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIssues.To reduce the occurrence and costs related to substance use and associated harms it is important to intervene early. Although a number of international school‐based prevention programs exist, the majority show minimal effects in reducing drug use and related harms. Given the emphasis on early intervention and prevention in Australia, it is timely to review the programs currently trialled in Australian schools. This paper reports the type and efficacy of Australian school‐based prevention programs for alcohol and other drugs.Approach.Cochrane, PsychInfo and PubMed databases were searched. Additional materials were obtained from authors, websites and reference lists. Studies were selected if they described programs developed and trialled in Australia that address prevention of alcohol and other drug use in schools.Key Findings.Eight trials of seven intervention programs were identified. The programs targeted alcohol, cannabis and tobacco and most were based on social learning principles. All were universal. Five of the seven intervention programs achieved reductions in alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use at follow up.Conclusion.Existing school‐based prevention programs have shown to be efficacious in the Australian context. However, there are only a few programs available, and these require further evaluative research. This is critical, given that substance use is such a significant public health problem. The findings challenge the commonly held view that school‐based prevention programs are not effective.[Teesson M, Newton NC, Barrett EL. Australian school‐based prevention programs for alcohol and other drugs: A systematic review.Drug Alcohol Rev2012;31:731–736]
The Determinants and the Selection of Mexico–US Migrants
Authors: Ambrosini J. William , Peri Giovanni 
Published: February 2012

AbstractUsing data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS), a panel of Mexican individuals interviewed in 2002 and 2005, we analyse the characteristics of migrants from Mexico to the US relative to non‐migrants and those who migrated and subsequently returned to Mexico. Using pre‐ and post‐migration earnings and their earnings in the US from the American Community Survey (ACS), we characterise the selection of migrants on observable and non‐observable characteristics. Merging the data with US ACS data, we can also measure the expected earnings premium of migration to the US and the earnings premium for those that returned to Mexico. We find that migrants respond to the expected earnings premium to migration, once we control for migration costs. Also, the structure of the premium across skill groups generates negative selection on average and it can explain selection on observable and unobservables. We also find that returnees are more positively selected over skills than migrants to the US. Initial poverty, old age and family ties are strong deterrents of migration to the US, once we account for the skill‐specific migration premium. We also find a strong under‐representation of college educated among migrants to the US, possibly a consequence of the fact that undocumented migration is not an attractive option for those individuals.