bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of light heterogeneity on growth of a submerged clonal macrophyte
Authors: ZHAO CHUN‐FU , LI HONG‐LI , LUO FANG‐LI 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMany studies have examined the effects of spatial heterogeneity in light supply on clonal plants in terrestrial environments, but few have examined those in aquatic conditions. In a greenhouse experiment, we grew the rhizomatous submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis L. in containers in three homogeneous light treatments (100%, 65%, and 30% of ambient light coded as high, medium, and low light, respectively) and two heterogeneous ones differing in patch scale (small and large patch). The growth of V. spiralis decreased significantly with decreasing light availability. In the low light conditions, V. spiralis allocated greater biomass to shoots and developed elongated leaves. In the patchy treatments, ramets distributed in the light‐rich patches had significant costs in the large patch treatment, but not in the small patch treatment, while both small and large patch treatments had no significant benefits in the light‐poor patches. We conclude that V. spiralis could escape from adverse habitats and occupy the favorable habitats. Providing the same amount of light, responses of V. spiralis to different patch scales were different at the patch level, but not at the whole clone level. Together, growth of V. spiralis could not benefit from different patch scales in heterogeneous environments at the patch as well as the whole clone level.
Sex differences in the impact of diabetes on the risk of geriatric conditions
Authors: Lu Feng‐Ping , Chan Ding‐Cheng , Kuo Hsu‐Ko , Wu Shwu‐Chong 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  To examine whether sex differences exist in the relationship between diabetes and geriatric conditions.Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional analysis of 2629 community‐dwelling older adults, drawn from the 2003 wave of the “Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan.” Selected geriatric conditions included cognitive impairment, depression, falls and urinary incontinence (UI). Diabetes and comorbid conditions (heart disease, hypertension, chronic lung disease, stroke, hip fracture, arthritis, chronic kidney disease and cancer) were assessed using questionnaires.Results:  A greater proportion of older women, compared with men, had cognitive impairment (15.8% vs 7.3%), depression (22.6% vs 10.4%), falls (26.7% vs 16.3%), and UI (20.9% vs 15.1%). After adjustment for basic demographics and comorbid conditions, diabetes was associated with increased risk for cognitive impairment (RR 1.85 [CI 1.12–3.05], P = 0.017), depression (RR 2.03 [CI 1.39–2.97], P = 0.0003) and falls (RR 1.72 [CI 1.2–2.48], P = 0.003), but not UI (RR 1.4 [CI 0.9–2.1], P = 0.067) among older women. However, we did not find any associations in men.Conclusions:  Diabetes was associated with excessive risk for geriatric conditions among older women, but not men. The effect of sex differences on the relationship between diabetes and geriatric conditions requires further exploration. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 116–122.
Experimental climate change weakens the insurance effect of biodiversity
Authors: Eklöf Johan S. , Alsterberg Christian , Havenhand Jonathan N. , Sundbäck Kristina , Wood Hannah L. , Gamfeldt Lars 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEcosystems are simultaneously affected by biodiversity loss and climate change, but we know little about how these factors interact. We predicted that climate warming and CO
2‐enrichment should strengthen trophic cascades by reducing the relative efficiency of predation‐resistant herbivores, if herbivore consumption rate trades off with predation resistance. This weakens the insurance effect of herbivore diversity. We tested this prediction using experimental ocean warming and acidification in seagrass mesocosms. Meta‐analyses of published experiments first indicated that consumption rate trades off with predation resistance. The experiment then showed that three common herbivores together controlled macroalgae and facilitated seagrass dominance, regardless of climate change. When the predation‐vulnerable herbivore was excluded in normal conditions, the two resistant herbivores maintained top‐down control. Under warming, however, increased algal growth outstripped control by herbivores and the system became algal‐dominated. Consequently, climate change can reduce the relative efficiency of resistant herbivores and weaken the insurance effect of biodiversity.
Common and rare plant species respond differently to fertilisation and competition, whether they are alien or native
Authors: Dawson Wayne , Fischer Markus , van Kleunen Mark 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPlant traits associated with alien invasiveness may also distinguish rare from common native species. To test this, we grew 23 native (9 common, 14 rare) and 18 alien (8 common, 10 rare) herbaceous species in Switzerland from six plant families under nutrient‐addition and competition treatments. Alien and common species achieved greater biomass than native and rare species did overall respectively. Across alien and native origins, common species increased total biomass more strongly in response to nutrient addition than rare species did and this difference was not confounded by habitat dissimilarities. There was a weak tendency for common species to survive competition better than rare species, which was also independent of origin. Overall, our study suggests that common alien and native plant species are not fundamentally different in their responses to nutrient addition and competition.
Affiliations between bacteria and marine fish leeches (Piscicolidae), with emphasis on a deep‐sea species from Monterey Canyon, CA
Authors: Goffredi S. K. , Morella N. M. , Pulcrano M. E. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryLeeches within the Piscicolidae are of great numerical and taxonomic importance, yet little is known about bacteria that associate with this diverse group of blood‐feeding marine parasites of fish and elasmobranchs. We focused primarily on the bacteria from a deep‐sea leech species of unknown identity, collected at ∼ 600 m depth in Monterey Canyon, CA, along with two shallow‐living leech genera, Austrobdella and Branchellion, from Los Angeles Harbor, CA. Molecular analysis of all five leech species revealed a dominance of gammaproteobacteria, which were distinct from each other and from previously reported freshwater leech symbionts. Bacteria related to members of the genus Psychromonas (99% similarity in 16S rRNA) were dominant in the deep‐sea leech species (80–94% of recovered ribotypes) collected over 19 months from two different locations. Psychromonas was not detected in cocoons or 2–16 week‐old juveniles, suggesting that acquisition is via the environment at a later stage. Transmission electron microscopy did, however, reveal abundant bacteria‐like cells near areas of thinning of the juvenile epithelial surface, as well as Psychromonas sparsely distributed internally. Electron and fluorescence in situ microscopy of adults also showed Psychromonas‐like bacteria concentrated within the crop. Despite the apparent non‐transient nature of the association between Psychromonas and the deep‐sea leech, their functional role, if any, is not known. The prevalence, however, of an abundant bacterial genus in one piscicolid leech species, as well as the presence of a dominant bacterial species in singular observations of four additional marine species, suggests that members of the Piscicolidae, possibly basal within the class Hirudinea, form specific alliances with microbes.
EXISTENCE: WHO NEEDS IT? THE NON‐IDENTITY PROBLEM AND MERELY POSSIBLE PEOPLE
Authors: WEINBERG RIVKA 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTIn formulating procreative principles, it makes sense to begin by thinking about whose interests ought to matter to us. Obviously, we care about those who exist. Less obviously, but still uncontroversially, we care about those who will exist. Ought we to care about those who might possibly, but will not actually, exist?Recently, unusual positions have been taken regarding merely possible people and the non‐identity problem. David Velleman argues that what might have happened to you – an existent person – often doesn't merit moral consideration since the alternative person one would have been had what might have happened actually happened is a merely possible person about whom one has no reason to care. He argues that his way of thinking can eliminate the non‐identity problem. Caspar Hare argues that merely possible people have interests and are morally relevant. He argues that we can solve the non‐identity problem by rejecting the view that merely possible people are morally irrelevant. Both Hare and Velleman argue that focusing on one's de dicto rather than on one's de re children can help us avoid the non‐identity problem.I analyze the role that merely possible, nonexistent hypothetical entities ought to play in our moral reasoning, especially with regard to procreation. I refute both Velleman's and Hare's views and demonstrate the difficulties we encounter when we try to apply their views to common non‐identity cases. I conclude with the common‐sense view regarding who matters, morally: only those who do, did, or will exist.
Social workers' attitudes towards the unemployed in the Nordic countries
Authors: Kallio Johanna , Blomberg Helena , Kroll Christian 
Published: June 2012

Kallio J, Blomberg H, Kroll C. Social workers' attitudes towards the unemployed in the Nordic countriesIn recent decades, municipal social workers have become the implementers of new types of social policy measures aimed at activating the unemployed. These policies put a greater emphasis on the individual's own responsibility for being unemployed. Little is known, however, about how social workers view the unemployed – one factor that might influence how policies are in fact implemented. Therefore, our purpose was to analyse Nordic social workers' attitudes towards the unemployed and their determinants: Do social workers' attitudes correspond with a more individualistic view on unemployment? We utilised the data from surveys of professional social workers in four Nordic countries. Our analyses showed that individualistic attitudes towards the unemployed appeared to be rather rare among Nordic social workers. However, attitudinal differences were found between and within countries.
Apolipoprotein E/C1/C4/C2 Gene Cluster Diversity in Two Native Andean Populations: Aymaras and Quechuas
Authors: Gayà‐Vidal Magdalena , Athanasiadis Georgios , Carreras‐Torres Robert , Via Marc , Esteban Esther , Villena Mercedes , Vasquez René , Dugoujon Jean‐Michel , Moral Pedro 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe APOE/C1/C4/C2 gene cluster presents high relevance in lipid metabolism and, therefore, has important epidemiological implications. Here, we study for the first time the variation patterns of 25 polymorphisms (10 short tandem repeats, STRs, and 15 single nucleotide polymorphismas, SNPs) in two native Andean samples from Bolivia (45 Aymaras and 45 Quechuas) as well as one European sample (n = 41) as external reference. We estimated diversity parameters, linkage disequilibrium patterns, population structure, and possible selective effects. In general, diversity was low and could be partly attributed to selection (probably due to its physiological importance), since the APOE/C1/C4/C2 region was highly conserved compared to the flanking genes in both Bolivians and Europeans. Moreover, the lower gene diversity in Bolivians compared to Europeans for some markers might indicate different demographic histories. Regarding the APOE isoforms, in addition to ɛ3 (94%) and ɛ4 (5%), isoform ɛ2 (1%) was also detected in Bolivians. In relation to previous hypotheses, our results support that genetic drift or founder effects rather than selection for increased cholesterol absorption are the main factors that have shaped the distribution of APOE isoforms observed in South America.
A Functional Genetic Variation of the 5‐HTR2A Receptor Affects Age at Onset in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Manna Ida , Labate Angelo , Mumoli Laura , Palamara Grazia , Ferlazzo Edoardo , Aguglia Umberto , Quattrone Aldo , Gambardella Antonio 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe 1354C>T polymorphism of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A gene (5‐HTR2A) was implicated in human memory performance. We investigated the relationship between this polymorphism and cognitive function in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We also evaluated if this polymorphism could influence the phenotype. There were 138 patients with TLE: 25% (34/138) of them found to be cognitively impaired, while the remaining 104 of 138 (75%) were found to be cognitively preserved after a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. dHPLC followed by DNA sequencing was used to detect the genetic variation. The distribution of 1354C>T did not differ between these two TLE groups, both in the comparison of genotype distribution (P= 0.177) and allele frequencies (P = 0.065). Nonetheless, patients with the T allele had a significantly earlier age at onset of the disease (P= 0.006). This effect was even stronger in patients with impaired memory (P= 0.00015). A second independent sample of 86 individuals with TLE satisfactorily confirmed the relationship between T allele and age at epilepsy onset. The results of this study have demonstrated that the T variant of 5‐HTR2A may influence an earlier age of onset of TLE, especially in those with impaired memory. Nonetheless, this polymorphism has no major impact on memory functions in such TLE patients.
Musical training facilitates the neural discrimination of major versus minor chords in 13‐year‐old children
Authors: Virtala P. , Huotilainen M. , Putkinen V. , Makkonen T. , Tervaniemi M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMusic practice since childhood affects the development of hearing skills. An important classification in Western music is the chords’ major‐minor dichotomy. Its preattentive auditory discrimination was studied here using a mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm in 13‐year‐olds with active hobbies, music‐related (music group) or other (control group). In a context of root major chords, root minor chords and inverted major chords were presented infrequently. The interval structure of inverted majors differs more from root majors than the interval structure of root minors. However, the identity of the chords is the same in inverted and root majors (major), but different in root minors. The deviant chords introduced no new frequencies to the paradigm. Hence, an MMN caused by physical deviance was prevented. An MMN was elicited by the minor chords but not by the inverted majors. The MMN amplitude in the music group was larger than in the control group. Thus, the conceptual discrimination skills are present already in the preattentive processing level of the auditory cortex, and musical training can advance these skills.
Interactional influence of fatigue and task difficulty on cardiovascular response: Demonstrations involving an aerobic exercise challenge
Authors: Wright Rex A. , Shim Jin Joo , Hogan Beverly K. , Duncan Jessica , Thomas Casey 
Published: June 2012

AbstractExperiments were executed to provide new evidence relevant to the recent suggestion that fatigue should augment or retard cardiovascular response depending on the difficulty of the challenge at hand. Participants walked on a treadmill while wearing a vest fitted with 5 or 25 pounds of weight. Later, they mounted a recumbent stationary bicycle and were asked to pedal with the chance to earn a modest incentive if they attained a low or high cycling standard (i.e., if they met an easy or difficult cycling challenge). Analysis of CV responses during the cycling period indicated expected interactions for systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Whereas responses were stronger for the Heavy‐Vest (i.e., high‐fatigue) group when the standard was low, they were weaker for this group when the standard was high. Experiments 2 and 3 evaluated a nonfatigue interpretation of the main results and yielded findings that supported the fatigue interpretation.
The role of sustained posterior brain activity in the serial chaining of two cognitive operations: A MEG study
Authors: Fan Zhao , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh D. , Singh Krish D. , Shapiro Kimron 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA fundamental necessity in human cognition is to link sequential mental operations where appropriate execution of the second task requires input from the first. The present study explores the neural basis of such “chaining” using a novel psychological refractory period (PRP) task. Participants were required to make speeded responses to two sequential visual tasks that were chained or independent.Magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals were recorded simultaneously to reveal the brain's response to these similar but fundamentally different conditions. RTs to Task 1 and 2 were slower in the Chained condition, and their temporal coupling weakened, relative to the Independent condition. MEG analysis of the accompanying event‐related fields (ERFs) revealed an increased sustained posterior component in the Chained condition beginning approximately 350 ms after Task 2 onset and lasting for 450 ms. Beamformer localization of this ERF effect revealed a left hemisphere source near the junction of the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. These results extend our understanding of the behavioral and corresponding neural mechanisms required by everyday decision making.
Eating disorders: challenges in the later phases of the recovery process
Authors: Pettersen Gunn , Thune‐Larsen Kari‐Brith , Wynn Rolf , Rosenvinge Jan H. 
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 92–98

Eating disorders: challenges in the later phases of the recovery process
Little is known about how patients experience the later recovery phases of eating disorders. The aim of this study was to describe such experiences using an explorative and descriptive design based on content analysis. Thirteen female patients participated in qualitative interviews. The analysis resulted in four main categories, that is, (i) realising negative consequences, (ii) searching for alternative coping, (iii) searching for normality and identity and (iv) accepting the losses. The categories represent normal psychological processes related to grief, commitment and reconciliation. Such processes may be functionally or dysfunctionally resolved. The clinical implication is that patients in the later recovery phases may need professional help or counselling to accomplish a functional resolving. While in the initial phases of illness and recovery, a focus is on controlling symptoms and the changing of overvalued ideas about weight and shape, therapy in the later recovery phases should focus on the psychological management of the challenges represented in the four categories resulting from the present study.
Fine mapping of hepatitis B virus pre‐S deletion and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kao Jia‐Horng , Liu Chun‐Jen , Jow Guey‐Mei , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Chen Bing‐Fang 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundNaturally occurring pre‐S deletion mutants have been identified in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).AimsThis study investigated whether specific deletions within the pre‐S region were associated with HCC development.MethodsThe virologic characteristics of 56 HBV chronic carriers and 112 age‐matched patients with HBV‐related HCC were examined.ResultsThe HCC patients had a significantly higher frequency of high viral load, basal core promoter mutation and pre‐S deletion than chronic carriers. Sequencing analysis showed that the deleted regions were clustered mainly in the C terminus of pre‐S1 (70.5%) and the N terminus of pre‐S2 (72.7%) in HCC patients. Immuno‐epitope mapping of these pre‐S deletion sequences showed that all the deletion regions encompassed T‐ and B‐ cell epitopes and the B‐cell epitope at amino acid 1–6 of pre‐S2 was significantly deleted in HCC patients (60.0% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.036). Functional mapping of these deletion mutants showed that most of HCC patients lost one or more functional sites and the deletion of site for viral secretion (aa 1–5 of pre‐S2 domain) was significantly detected in HCC patients than chronic carriers (62.5% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.029). Computational protein function prediction indicated that these mutants may have different molecular functions and participate in other biological processes compared with wild‐type pre‐S.ConclusionsDeletion of B‐cell epitope at amino acid 1–6 of pre‐S2 region and the site for virion secretion are significantly associated with the development of HCC in HBV carriers.
Prognostic indicators of survival in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Zipprich Alexander , Garcia‐Tsao Guadalupe , Rogowski Sebastian , Fleig Wolfgang E. , Seufferlein Thomas , Dollinger Matthias M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsPatients with cirrhosis are classified in a compensated and a decompensated stage. Portal hypertension is responsible for most of the complications of cirrhosis that mark the transition from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis. The objectives of this study were (a) to analyse survival of the different stages and substages of cirrhosis and (b) to examine the prognostic value of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) at each of the stages.MethodsA total of 729 patients with suspected cirrhosis underwent routine measurement of portal pressure and systemic haemodynamics between 11/1995 and 12/2004. The primary end‐point of the study was death, collected until November 30th, 2006. Multivariable analysis was performed using two models to determine predictors of death at each stage.ResultsA total of 443 patients were included in the study. The 1‐year mortality was 5.4% in compensated and 20.2% in decompensated patients. Compensated patients in stage 1 (no varices) had a longer survival than stage 2 patients (varices present) (P = 0.015). In decompensated patients, survival was not different between stage 3 (ascites, with or without varices) and stage 4 (variceal haemorrhage, with or without ascites). Age and HVPG (cut‐off 10 mmHg) were independent predictors of death in compensated patients, whereas MELD was in decompensated patients.ConclusionSurvival rates and predictors of death are different between patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Unlike the Italian cohort staging system, ascites is a better stratifying clinical event than variceal haemorrhage in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The presence of clinically significant portal hypertension has prognostic value in compensated cirrhosis.