bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Triple Loss of Function of Protein Phosphatases Type 2C Leads to Partial Constitutive Response to Endogenous Abscisic Acid
Authors: Rubio Silvia , Rodrigues Americo , Saez Angela , Dizon Marie B. , Galle Alexander , Kim Tae-Houn , Santiago Julia , Flexas Jaume , Schroeder Julian I. , Rodriguez Pedro L. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is a key regulator of plant growth and development as well as plant responses to situations of decreased water availability. Protein phosphatases type 2C (PP2Cs) from group A, which includes the ABI1/HAB1 and PP2CA branches, are key negative regulators of ABA signaling. Specifically, HAB1, ABI1, ABI2, and PP2CA have been shown to affect both seed and vegetative responses to ABA. To further understand their contribution to ABA signaling and to unravel possible genetic interactions and functional redundancy among them, we have generated different combinations of double and triple mutants impaired in these PP2Cs. Interestingly, hab1-1pp2ca-1 and abi1-2pp2ca-1 double mutants showed reduced water loss and enhanced resistance to drought stress, which further supports the role of PP2CA in vegetative responses to ABA. Two triple hab1-1abi1-2abi2-2 and hab1-1abi1-2pp2ca-1 mutants were generated, which showed an extreme response to exogenous ABA, impaired growth, and partial constitutive response to endogenous ABA. Thus, transcriptomic analysis revealed a partial up-regulation/down-regulation of a subset of ABA-responsive genes in both triple mutants in the absence of exogenous ABA. Comparison of ABA responses in the different pp2c mutants showed that a progressive increase in ABA sensitivity could be obtained through combined inactivation of these PP2Cs. These results indicate that ABA response is finely tuned by the integrated action of these genes, which is required to prevent a constitutive response to endogenous ABA that might have a deleterious effect on growth and development in the absence of environmental stress.
Different Lepidopteran Elicitors Account for Cross-Talk in Herbivory-Induced Phytohormone Signaling
Authors: Diezel Celia , von Dahl Caroline C. , Gaquerel Emmanuel , Baldwin Ian T. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET), and their interactions mediate plant responses to pathogen and herbivore attack. JA-SA and JA-ET cross-signaling are well studied, but little is known about SA-ET cross-signaling in plant-herbivore interactions. When the specialist herbivore tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) attacks Nicotiana attenuata, rapid and transient JA and ET bursts are elicited without significantly altering wound-induced SA levels. In contrast, attack from the generalist beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) results in comparatively lower JA and ET bursts, but amplified SA bursts. These phytohormone responses are mimicked when the species' larval oral secretions (OSSe and OSMs) are added to puncture wounds. Fatty acid-amino acid conjugates elicit the JA and ET bursts, but not the SA burst. OSSe had enhanced glucose oxidase activity (but not β-glucosidase activity), which was sufficient to elicit the SA burst and attenuate the JA and ET levels. It is known that SA antagonizes JA; glucose oxidase activity and associated hydrogen peroxide also antagonizes the ET burst. We examined the OSMs-elicited SA burst in plants impaired in their ability to elicit JA (antisense [as]-lox3) and ET (inverted repeat [ir]-aco) bursts and perceive ET (35s-etr1b) after fatty acid-amino acid conjugate elicitation, which revealed that both ET and JA bursts antagonize the SA burst. Treating wild-type plants with ethephone and 1-methylcyclopropane confirmed these results and demonstrated the central role of the ET burst in suppressing the OSMs-elicited SA burst. By suppressing the SA burst, the ET burst likely facilitates unfettered JA-mediated defense activation in response to herbivores that otherwise would elicit SA.
Th9 and allergic disease
Authors: Soroosh Pejman , Doherty Taylor A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryHelper CD4+ T‐cell subsets have improved our understanding of adaptive immunity in humans and in animal models of disease. These include T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and the interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) ‐producing population ‘Th17’. Th2 cells have been described as orchestrating the immune response in allergic disease based on studies with patient samples and animal models. The cytokine IL‐9 has largely been regarded as a Th2 cytokine that makes multifocal contributions to allergic disease. Recent data suggest that under certain conditions relevant to chronic disease (IL‐4 and transforming growth factor‐β), a distinct population of IL‐9‐producing ‘Th9’ helper T cells can exist. The contribution of Th9 cells in allergic disease is currently unknown, and this review will propose a model for how these cells may regulate chronic allergic inflammation.
mTOR: taking cues from the immune microenvironment
Authors: Delgoffe Greg M. , Powell Jonathan D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe ultimate outcome of T cell receptor recognition is determined by the context in which the antigen is encountered. In this fashion both antigen‐presenting cells and T cells must integrate multiple environmental cues in the form of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns, cytokines and accessory molecule signals. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays a central role in integrating environmental signals critical to regulating metabolism and cell survival. In this paper we review the data demonstrating that mTOR integrates signals from the immune microenvironment and therefore facilitates the generation of the adaptive immune response. Specifically, we review the role of mTOR in promoting dendritic cell activation and maturation, in regulating full T cell activation versus anergy, and influencing the induction of regulatory T cells.
Consumers that are not ‘ideal’ or ‘free’ can still approach the ideal free distribution using simple patch‐leaving rules
Authors: Griffen Blaine D. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. The ideal free distribution (IFD) has been widely used to determine whether consumers distribute themselves optimally. However, this theory is based on three assumptions that are clearly violated in many systems. The theory assumes that all individuals know the quality of each available site, are equally free to move between all sites, and have equal competitive abilities.2. I examine the utility of this theory to predict the distribution of the invasive European green crabCarcinus maenas, a species that likely violates all of these assumptions. I demonstrate three main findings.3. First, understanding how density‐dependent interference and size alter individual foraging behaviour is important for understanding the density and biomass distribution ofC. maenasin invaded habitats.4. Second, once behavioural mechanisms of crab foraging are accurately included in the model, the IFD does a good job of predicting the distribution ofC. maenas, even thoughC. maenasviolates the theory’s fundamental assumptions.5. Third,C. maenas’ distribution can be obtained using simple decision rules and reasonable movement patterns.
The treatment of challenging behaviour in intellectual disabilities: cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Romeo R. , Knapp M. , Tyrer P. , Crawford M. , Oliver‐Africano P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  Antipsychotic drugs are used in the routine treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and challenging behaviour in the UK despite limited evidence of their effectiveness. There is no evidence on their cost‐effectiveness.Methods  The relative cost‐effectiveness of risperidone, haloperidol and placebo in treating individuals with an ID and challenging behaviour was compared from a societal perspective in a 26‐week, double‐blind, randomised controlled trial. Outcomes were changes in aggression and quality of life. Costs measured all service impacts and unpaid caregiver inputs.Results  After 26 weeks, patients randomised to placebo had lower costs compared with those in the risperidone and haloperidol treatment groups. Aggression was highest for patients treated with risperidone and lowest for patients treated with haloperidol; however, quality of life was lowest for patients treated with haloperidol and highest for patients treated with risperidone.Conclusion  The treatment of challenging behaviour in ID with antipsychotic drugs is not a cost‐effective option.
Funding for rural health research from the Australian Research Council: A missed opportunity?
Authors: McDonald John 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective:  To determine the number of projects, and level of funding, for rural health research from the Australian Research Council (ARC). Design:  Analyses of ARC searchable datasets of completed, and new and ongoing projects from 2001 to 2008. Main outcome measures:  Number of rural health research projects as a proportion of total funding; level of funding for rural health research projects as a proportion of total funding. Results:  Only 46 of 6498 ARC completed projects were classified as rural health research projects. This represents 0.7% of the total number of projects, and 0.39% of the total funding allocated. Only 25 of 4659 ARC new and ongoing projects were classified as rural health research projects. This represents 0.54% of the total number of projects, and 0.27% of the total funding allocated. None of the 832 completed fellowships were classified as rural health. Only five (0.52%) of the 953 new and ongoing fellowships were classified as rural health. Conclusions:  The level of under‐funding for rural health research could be partially addressed by directing applications towards the ARC, in addition to the National Health and Medical Research Council. With a few exceptions, rural health researchers are not yet competitive in the national funding arena.
Loss of income and levels of scholarship support for students on rural clinical placements: A survey of medical, nursing and allied health students
Authors: Schofield Deborah , Keane Sheila , Fletcher Susan , Shrestha Rupendra , Percival Richard 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective:  To quantify the financial impact of rural clinical placements on medical, nursing and allied health students in rural Australia. Design:  The Careers in Health Tracking Survey provided data on whether students were employed, usual weekly hours of employment and a range of covariates, such as age, sex, course of study, marital status, dependants and rural or urban origin. Participants:  A total of 121 students from a range of health professions completed the Careers in Health Tracking Survey while on rural placement at the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health. Outcome measures:  Survey data. Results:  Forty‐one per cent of respondents were working immediately before their clinical placements. Nursing students worked the longest hours by far and were significantly more financially disadvantaged than both medical and allied health students (P < 0.01). Scholarship support was unevenly distributed, with nursing and allied health students being relatively under‐supported in relation to lost earnings.Conclusion:  Recruitment of students can be an effective strategy to address the rural health workforce shortage throughout Australia. However, there are a number of financial disincentives for students to undertake rural clinical placements. Additional support for some disciplines is needed to provide equitable distribution of scholarship support to offset this financial burden. Establishing an employment scheme for students on rural clinical placements and a scholarship for income replacement where employment is not available would also alleviate income loss.
Adults with intellectual disability in regional Australia: Incidence of disability and provision of accommodation support to their ageing carers
Authors: Eley Diann , Boyes Joanne , Young Louise , Hegney Desley 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective:  This project aimed to identify a population of adults with intellectual disability and their carers in a defined regional area of Australia to determine their prevalence in this setting, their current accommodation situation and their future accommodation needs. Design:  Mixed method cross‐sectional design employed a survey to collect data from both quantitative (Likert type) and qualitative (free response) questions. Setting:  Regional town and its contiguous shires in Queensland. Participants:  Adults (over 18 years) with an intellectual disability and their primary carers. Main outcome measure:  Identification of adults with intellectual disability and a description of their accommodation situation and perceived needs. Results:  Adults with intellectual disability (n = 156) were male (60%), mean age of 37.2 years (range 18–79). Carers (n = 146) were female (78%), mean age of 61.5 years (range 40–91). The majority of adults with intellectual disability (56%) are cared for at home (mean age = 35 years). Mean age of those who live away from home was 39.8 years. The levels of support required by those living at home and those living away from home were not different, nor were the age ranges of their carers.Conclusions:  Findings show that the majority of primary carers are over the age of 50 years and continue to provide medium–high levels of support within the family home. The advancing age of both carers and the people they support, combined with the location of that support, is a major issue in the provision of adequate services for this population.
The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth of Eucalyptus albens and an exotic annual grass
Authors: SKINNER ALISON K. , LUNT IAN D. , SPOONER PETER , McINTYRE SUE 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMost agricultural land has been compacted to some degree by heavy machinery or livestock trampling. This legacy is expected to influence the success of tree seedling recruits in farmland areas where natural regeneration is being encouraged. We investigated the impact of soil compaction on seedlings of a woodland eucalypt (Eucalyptus albens) and an annual grass competitor (Vulpia myuros) in a laboratory experiment. Replicate soil cores were created at five bulk density levels; 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 Mg m−3 with a soil water content of 20%. The depth of root penetration declined linearly with increasing bulk density, resulting in a decrease in root depth of around 75% in the most compacted soil compared with the least compacted soil for both species. Shoot length and primary root length did not vary between soil bulk density levels for either species, but seedlings responded to increasing levels of compaction with oblique (non‐vertical) root growth. Results suggest that young seedlings of both E. albens and V. myuros will be more susceptible to surface drying in compacted than uncompacted soils and therefore face a greater risk of desiccation during the critical months following germination. Any competitive advantage that V. myuros may have over E. albens is not evident in differential response to soil compaction.
Grazing and landscape controls on nitrogen availability across 330 South African savanna sites
Authors: CRAINE JOSEPH M. , BALLANTYNE FIONA , PEEL MICHAEL , ZAMBATIS NICK , MORROW CARL , STOCK WILLIAM D. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe availability of nitrogen (N) is an important determinant of ecosystem and community dynamics for grasslands and savannas, influencing factors such as biomass productivity, plant and herbivore composition, and losses of N to waters and the atmosphere. To better understand the controls over N availability at landscape to regional scales, we quantified a range of plant and soil characteristics at each of 330 sites in three regions of South Africa: Kruger National Park (KNP), private game reserves adjacent to KNP (private protected areas – PPAs) and Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park (HiP). In comparing regions and sites within regions, grazing appeared to have a strong influence on N availability. Sites in the PPAs adjacent to KNP as well as sodic and alluvial sites in general typically had the highest N availability. The high N availability of these sites was not generally associated with greater potential N mineralization, but instead with less grass biomass and more forb biomass that indicated greater grazing pressure. Whereas sodic sites had a long history of high N availability as evidenced by their high soil δ15N, the greater N availability in the PPAs over the two parks appeared to be relatively recent. Grazer biomass, average potential mineralization rates and grass biomass for HiP were greater than KNP, yet there were no differences in N availability as indexed by soil and foliar δ15N between sites in the two parks. Although the short‐term increase in N availability in PPAs is not necessarily deleterious, it is uncertain whether current productivity levels in those ecosystems is sustainable. With differences in management causing herbivore biomass to be 150% greater in the PPAs than the adjacent KNP, changes in plant communities and nitrogen cycling might lead to long‐term degradation of these ecosystems, their ability to sustain herbivore populations, and also serve as an economic resource for the region.
The effect of a single burn event on the aquatic invertebrates in artesian springs
Authors: MUNRO NICOLA THERESE , KOVAC KELLI‐JO , NIEJALKE DARREN , CUNNINGHAM ROSS B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractFire can often occur in aquatic ecosystems, which may affect aquatic invertebrates. Despite the importance of aquatic invertebrates to ecosystem function, the effect of fire on these environments has been little studied. We studied the effects of fire on aquatic invertebrates in artesian springs in the arid zone of South Australia. Artesian springs are a unique and threatened ecosystem, containing several rare and endemic species. Evidence suggests these wetlands were routinely burnt by indigenous Aboriginal people before European settlement over 100 years ago. Recently, burning has been suggested as a reinstated management tool to control the dominant reed Phragmites australis. A reduction in the cover of the reed may benefit the threatened flora and fauna through enhancement of water flow. Three artesian springs were burnt and aquatic invertebrates sampled from the burnt and three unburnt springs. A single fire in late winter completely burnt the dominant vegetation, followed by recovery of Phragmites over the following 2 years. A single fire event did not deplete populations of endemic aquatic invertebrates in artesian springs, but probably did not substantially benefit these populations either. Isopods, amphipods, ostracods and three species of hydrobiid snail survived the fire event, and most had increased in number 1 month post fire but then returned to pre‐burnt numbers by 1 year post fire. Morphospecies richness of all identified invertebrates increased over time in all springs, but did not differ appreciably between burnt and unburnt springs. If burning artesian springs is to be adopted as a management tool to suppress the growth of Phragmites australis, we conclude that the endemic aquatic invertebrates will survive a single burn event, without negative effect to their populations.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Linking data from hospital and cancer registry databases: should this be standard practice?
Authors: Field K. , Kosmider S. , Johns J. , Farrugia H. , Hastie I. , Croxford M. , Chapman M. , Harold M. , Murigu N. , Gibbs P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground: Varying amounts of data related to cancer diagnosis, treatment and/or outcome are routinely collected by many disparate groups. Routinely combining data from these sources could improve data quality and utility for audit and research purposes. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the benefits of linkage between oncology databases.Methods: We examined colorectal cancer (CRC) data recorded by the Victorian Cancer Registry and two hospital clinical databases between January 2000 and December 2005. Where data were in common, the completeness and accuracy of each dataset were examined. Where content differed, the potential value of making this additional data available to the other database was examined.Results: Of the 831 cases recorded at the hospitals, 822 (98.9%) were also recorded on the cancer registry. Eight of the 913 cases (0.87%) recorded as having CRC by the registry did not have CRC. Errors in recording of tumour site and tumour or nodal stage were frequent in both databases. Metastasis stage was recorded in only 29 of 822 (3.5%) registry cases examined. Discordance for diagnosis date and death date was also frequent, although the difference was typically minor. Adding additional death data from the registry to the clinical database significantly altered stage‐specific and overall survival figures.Conclusion: A multidirectional flow of data between hospital and registry databases provides multiple opportunities to improve data quality and utility. While issues around data ownership and usage need to be considered, the advantages of routine data linkage are readily apparent.
Fatigue resistance and structure (30 years on)
Authors: PLUMBRIDGE W. J. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTA summary of the findings of the 11 papers reviewed in the original article is presented, and subsequent developments in a selected few are considered from a personal perspective. While there has been substantial progress in some areas (short cracks, time‐dependent effects, fatigue–creep interactions) many challenges remain. New fields of interest (notably the transition towards micro/nano‐integrity and electronics applications) have emerged, and it is contended that the next 30 years will be equally demanding and exciting.
Human sound‐localization behaviour after multiple changes in eye position
Authors: Van Grootel Tom J. , John Van Opstal A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractOrienting the eyes towards a peripheral sound source calls for a transformation of the head‐centred sound coordinates into an oculocentric motor command, which requires an estimate of current eye position. Current models of saccadic control explain spatial accuracy by oculocentric transformations that rely on efference copies of relative eye‐displacement signals, rather than on absolute eye position in the orbit. In principle, the gaze‐control system could keep track of instantaneous eye position by vector addition of intervening eye‐displacement commands. However, given that each motor update is endowed with some noise, the neural estimate of eye orientation is then expected to become noisier with increasing number of intervening saccades. As a consequence, the localization response will also be noisier. According to the alternative, in which target updates rely on feedback of the current eye position, such an increase in errors would be absent. In an attempt to dissociate these hypotheses, we studied the influence of the accumulation of oculomotor commands prior to a sound‐localization response. Head‐restrained subjects generated voluntary eye movements in darkness in random directions for a period between 0.2 and 15 s, after which they rapidly reoriented the eyes towards a brief sound burst. The results demonstrate that the audiomotor system programmes the orienting response on the basis of actual eye position, rather than on an accumulated estimate from intervening eye displacements.