bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly consistent effects of plant litter identity and functional traits on decomposition across a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Makkonen Marika , Berg Matty P. , Handa I. Tanya , Hättenschwiler Stephan , van Ruijven Jasper , van Bodegom Peter M. , Aerts Rien 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPlant litter decomposition is a key process in terrestrial carbon cycling, yet the relative importance of various control factors remains ambiguous at a global scale. A full reciprocal litter transplant study with 16 litter species that varied widely in traits and originated from four forest sites covering a large latitudinal gradient (subarctic to tropics) showed a consistent interspecific ranking of decomposition rates. At a global scale, variation in decomposition was driven by a small subset of litter traits (water saturation capacity and concentrations of magnesium and condensed tannins). These consistent findings, that were largely independent of the varying local decomposer communities, suggest that decomposer communities show little specialisation and high metabolic flexibility in processing plant litter, irrespective of litter origin. Our results provide strong support for using trait‐based approaches in modelling the global decomposition component of biosphere‐atmosphere carbon fluxes.
Think pink: photosynthesis, plasmids and the Roseobacter clade
Authors: Petersen Jörn , Brinkmann Henner , Bunk Boyke , Michael Victoria , Päuker Orsola , Pradella Silke 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis providing additional ATP for a photoheterotrophic lifestyle is characteristic for several representatives of the marine Roseobacter clade. The patchy distribution of photosynthesis gene clusters (PGCs) within this lineage probably results from horizontal transfers and this explanation is supported by two cases of plasmid‐located PGCs. In this study sequencing of the three Sulfitobacter guttiformis plasmids (pSG4, pSG53, pSG118) was initiated with the objective to analyse the 118 kb‐sized photosynthetic replicon, but our annotation revealed several additional important traits including key genes of the primary metabolism. The comparison of the two photosynthesis plasmids from S. guttiformis and Roseobacter litoralis showed that their replication modules are located at precisely the same position within the 45 kb‐sized PGC. However, comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of the non‐homologous replicases (RepB‐III, DnaA‐like I) and the two ParAB partitioning proteins unequivocally document an independent origin of their extrachromosomal replicons. The analogous positioning within the two photosynthesis super‐operons can be explained by a two‐step recombination scenario and seems to be the ultimate result of stabilizing selection. Our exemplary analyses of ‘pink’ plasmids document that chromosomal outsourcing is a common phenomenon in the Roseobacter clade and subsequent horizontal exchanges offer rapid access to the marine pan‐genome.
Antibiofilm polysaccharides
Authors: Rendueles Olaya , Kaplan Jeffrey B. , Ghigo Jean‐Marc 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBacterial extracellular polysaccharides have been shown to mediate many of the cell‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐surface interactions that are required for the formation, cohesion and stabilization of bacterial biofilms. However, recent studies have identified several bacterial polysaccharides that inhibit biofilm formation by a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi both in vitro and in vivo. This review discusses the composition, modes of action and potential biological roles of antibiofilm polysaccharides recently identified in bacteria and eukarya. Some of these molecules may have technological applications as antibiofilm agents in industry and medicine.
Systemic inflammatory response is a predictor of outcome in patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Carruthers R. , Tho L. M. , Brown J. , Kakumanu S. , McCartney E. , McDonald A. C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAim  Current management of locally advanced rectal cancer includes neoadjuvant chemoradiation in selected patients to increase the chance of a tumour‐free circumferential resection margin. There is uncertainty over the role of and selection criteria for additional systemic therapy in this group of patients. In this retrospective study we investigate the association between markers of systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and outcome from treatment.Method  One hundred and fifteen patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing preoperative chemoradiation had recording of full blood count parameters including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR). Postoperative surgical margins (R status) and pathological stage were documented. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS), time to local recurrence (TTLR) and disease‐free survival (DFS). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcome.Results  Only NLR and R status were significant predictors for all outcome measures on univariate and multivariate analysis. Elevated NLR (≥ 5) was associated with decreased OS, [hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI, 7.0 (2.6–19.2)], decreased TTLR [HR 3.8 (1.3–11.2)] and shorter DFS [HR 4.1 (1.7–9.8)]. Median survival for patients with an elevated NLR was 18.8 months compared with 54.4 months without an elevated NLR (P < 0.001).Conclusion  In addition to postoperative R‐status, an elevated NLR is also a valuable prognostic marker in patients undergoing chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal carcinoma. It is associated with worse OS, TTLR and DFS. An elevated NLR may be a useful additional tool in guiding the decision‐making process for adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies.
Corporate Incentives to Disclose Carbon Information: Evidence from the CDP Global 500 Report
Authors: Luo Le , Lan Yi‐Chen , Tang Qingliang 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe investigate how the Global 500 companies respond to the challenge of climate change with regard to their carbon disclosure strategies. This paper is motivated by a growing body of research that examines the role of large companies in carbon disclosure responsibility and practices. We consider the impact of social, financial market, economic, regulatory, and institutional factors on the motivation to voluntarily participate in the 2009 Carbon Disclosure Project. We find that economic pressure is significantly associated with the decision. That is, companies facing direct economic consequence are more likely to disclose. Companies in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensive sectors show the same tendency. In addition, big companies have a higher propensity for disclosing, suggesting that social pressure plays an important role. We also provide possible explanations as to why a large proportion of our sample firms refuse to disclose. Furthermore, our results suggest that the proxies for information needs of investors are not associated with a higher propensity to disclose the amount of their emission footprints. In sum, it appears that the major driving force for climate change disclosure comes from the general public and government rather than from the other major stakeholders such as shareholders and debtholders. Our results are robust after controlling for other influences.
Stock Options and Firm Performance: New Evidence from the French Market
Authors: Triki Thouraya , Ureche‐Rangau Loredana 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of stock option‐based compensation on the short‐term and long‐term performance of French companies. To the best of our knowledge, we provide the first empirical evidence describing the market reaction following initiations and renewals of Employee Stock Option (ESO) plans in France. We find that the French market reacts positively to initiations of ESO plans but does not consider their renewal as relevant information. Our results on the long‐term effect of ESO plans suggest that neither the size nor the value of the grants affect the firm's accounting and market performance. Similarly, corporate performance prior to the grant has no explanatory power of the size or value of the grant. This implies that, over our sample period, the relationship between option‐based compensation and corporate performance in France was inexistent, regardless of the direction considered.
The impact of childhood obesity on morbidity and mortality in adulthood: a systematic review
Authors: Park M. H. , Falconer C. , Viner R. M. , Kinra S. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence on whether childhood obesity is a risk factor for adult disease, independent of adult body mass index (BMI). Ovid MEDLINE (1948–May 2011), EMBASE (1980–2011 week 18) and the Cochrane Library (1990–2011) were searched for published studies of BMI from directly measured weight and height in childhood (2–19 years) and disease outcomes in adulthood. Data were synthesized in a narrative fashion. Thirty‐nine studies (n 181–1.1 million) were included in the review. There was evidence for associations between childhood BMI and type 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Few studies examined associations independent of adult BMI; these showed that effect sizes were attenuated after adjustment for adult BMI in standard regression analyses. Although there is a consistent body of evidence for associations between childhood BMI and cardiovascular outcomes, there is a lack of evidence for effects independent of adult BMI. Studies have attempted to examine independent effects using standard adjustment for adult BMI, which is subject to over‐adjustment and problems with interpretation. Studies that use more robust designs and analytical techniques are needed to establish whether childhood obesity is an independent risk factor for adult disease.
‘I Might not Live That Long!’ A Study of Young Women's Pension Planning in the UK
Authors: Foster Liam 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThere has been considerable concern about levels of pension saving especially given increases in longevity and rising pension deficits. In particular, the prospects of many future female pensioners have been questioned. As pensions are determined by contributions throughout the life course it is imperative to comprehend the attitudes, knowledge, expectations and savings habits of people from an early age to explore why under‐saving occurs. This is particularly pertinent given recent governments' emphasis on individual responsibility for financial provision in retirement. However, there is little research which focuses specifically on young women's attitudes or planning towards pensions despite considerable concern about the future of women's pensions. This article considers young women's (18–30) attitudes towards pensions and whether they differ according to socio‐economic status by using interviews with 15 women (five in routine and manual occupations, five intermediate, five professional and managerial) about how knowledge and choice, trust, responsibility, risk and uncertainty impact on their pension decisions. It is evident that the ability and willingness of people to contribute to a pension depends, among other things, on the pension offered by employers, the pension requirements in place and immediate financial needs. Therefore this article shows that pension policy needs to take into account women's employment histories, which are often fragmented and diverse, when considering young women's attitudes towards pension saving.
The Gendered Production–Consumption Relation: Accounting for Employment and Socioeconomic Hierarchies in the Colombian Cut Flower Global Commodity Chain
Authors: Patel‐Campillo Anouk 
Published: July 2012

AbstractScholarly analyses of the transnationalisation of economic activity have placed women workers as active agents in the production of agro‐export commodities for world markets. Less explored, however, are the roles that women and men play according to specific employment and socioeconomic hierarchies in the production, circulation and consumption of export commodities, and their influence on regime transformation. Building on the literatures on Global Commodity Chains (GCCs) and hegemonic masculinities, I examine the production–consumption relation of export‐oriented cut flowers; I suggest that a gender analysis that accounts for the roles that women and men play in the production, circulation and consumption of this export commodity elucidates the ways in which the gendered production–consumption relation is constituted; and how it is used to reproduce as well as contest the norms and practices associated with neoliberal agriculture, or what is termed the third corporate food regime. As transnational capital seeks to expand into new and emerging markets, understanding the gendered production–consumption relation associated with particular commodities is of utmost importance for creating advocacy campaigns that resonate with citizen‐consumers across the world. This article draws on field research, and on critical interpretations of secondary data.
What Drives the Demand for Temporary Agency Workers?
Authors: Jahn Elke J. , Bentzen Jan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAs part of the general trend towards increased employment flexibility temporary agency employment has grown steadily in most European countries. The paper examines, first, whether the deregulation of temporary agency employment is responsible for the growth of the flexible staffing industry. Second, we investigate the cyclical behavior of temporary agency employment. Using monthly data for Germany, we show that the liberalization of the law regulating the sector is not the main reason for the surge of this employment form. Our analysis reveals, moreover, that temporary agency employment exhibits strong cyclical behavior and correlates with main economic indicators in real time.
Induced first abortion rates before and after HIV diagnosis: results of an Italian self‐administered questionnaire survey carried out in 585 women living with HIV
Authors: Ammassari A , Cicconi P , Ladisa N , Di Sora F , Bini T , Trotta MP , D'Ettorre G , Cattelan AM , Vichi F , d'Arminio Monforte A ,   the DiDi Study Group
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate whether HIV diagnosis affected reproductive planning over time and to assess independent predictors of abortion overall and following HIV diagnosis.MethodsDonne con Infezione da HIV (DIDI) is an Italian multicentre study based on a questionnaire survey carried out in 585 HIV‐positive women between November 2010 and February 2011. The incidence and predictors of abortion were measured by person‐years analysis and Poisson regression.ResultsThe crude incidence rate of abortion was 18.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.5–21.4] per 1000 person‐years of follow‐up (PYFU). Compared with women who terminated their pregnancy before HIV diagnosis, women who terminated their pregnancy after HIV diagnosis but before 1990 showed a 2.56‐fold (95% CI 1.41–4.65) higher risk. During 1990–1999 and 2000–2010, HIV diagnosis was not significantly associated with outcome [adjusted rate ratio (ARR) 0.93 (95% CI 0.55–1.59) and ARR 0.69 (95% CI 0.32–1.48), respectively]. Age [ARR 0.96 (95% CI 0.94–0.99) per 1 year older] and injecting drug use [ARR 1.38 (95% CI 0.98–1.94)] were found to be predictors of abortion overall. After HIV diagnosis, being on combination antiretroviral therapy [ARR 0.54 (95% CI 0.28–1.02)], monthly income < €800 [ARR 1.76 (95% CI 0.99–3.12)], younger age [ARR 0.95 (95% CI 0.91–1.00) per 1 year older] and fear of vertical transmission [ARR 1.95 (95% CI 1.04–3.67)] were found to be independently associated with abortion.ConclusionsWe observed a higher incidence of abortion compared with data available for the general Italian population. Awareness of HIV diagnosis was predictive of abortion only in the 1980s. Women with HIV infection are still worried about vertical HIV transmission. Interventions promoting HIV screening among women who plan to have an abortion and informative counselling on motherhood planning in the setting of HIV care are needed.
Planning, facilitating and evaluating a bereavement group for adults with learning disabilities living in the community
Authors: Borsay Clare , Halsey Mary , Critoph Amy 
Published: June 2012

Accessible SummaryAdults with learning disabilities sometimes find it hard to cope when someone they care about dies.This report talks about an 8‐week group that was run to help four adults with learning disabilities cope with their bereavements.We asked group members to fill in questionnaires and talked to them about what they liked and did not like about the group.Everyone found it helpful to share their experiences and learn new ways of coping with their bereavements.SummaryThis study evaluates the usefulness of a bereavement group for four adults with learning disabilities. Drawing on the work of Boydenet al. (2009), the current authors planned and facilitated an 8‐week group, held in the local community. Qualitative and quantitative feedback was collected from participants, which indicated that they valued the group as a safe and useful space to talk about their bereavements and to learn skills to manage difficult emotions. This study reports and reflects on the process of establishing the group, developing the session plans, delivering the intervention and collecting feedback.
Audit of group‐based activities in an inpatient assessment and treatment unit for individuals with learning disabilities
Authors: Reynolds Philip , Field Lauren 
Published: June 2012

Accessible summary
A series of stand‐alone groups were offered on an assessment and treatment ward for adults with learning disabilities.
The group ran for 9 weeks and involved session themes of relaxation, sensory and physical activities.
All individuals involved reported to have found the sessions useful and enjoyable.
All staff involved reported that the sessions were helpful for the participants.
The sessions helped individuals to improve their mood following the session.
The sessions provided a practical way of introducing therapeutic activity to the ward and developing therapeutic relationships.
SummaryThis audit is intended to investigate the effectiveness of a series of stand‐alone groups delivered on an inpatient unit for individuals with learning disabilities. Our ward is a specialist assessment and treatment unit that provides brief admissions for clients with a learning disability, mental health difficulties and/or challenging behaviour. The aim of the unit is to develop an understanding of the presenting difficulties, formulate an appropriate intervention plan and implement this with the aim of successfully discharging the client back into the community following the shortest possible admission. Group interventions facilitated on the unit were drawn from a variety of evidence and best practice guidelines relating to specific interventions for individuals with a learning disability (Adv Psychiatr Treat, 11, 2005, 355) and more general interventions within inpatient settings (Clin Psychol Forum, 2009, 200). Nine sessions focused on a variety of relaxation, sensory and physical activity tasks. The objective of the audit is to investigate to what extent these interventions are perceived as helpful and enjoyable by clients and by staff, to investigate any positive effect on client's mood and to determine whether any particular activities were rated more favourably than others. Additional aims of the audit are to further understand some of the practical issues related to delivering group‐based interventions in an inpatient environment, to engage ward staff in the delivery of therapeutic activity and to investigate the use of groups as an effective way of developing therapeutic relationships.
Typhoid Mary in the frogpond: can we use native frogs to disseminate a lungworm biocontrol for invasive cane toads?
Authors: Pizzatto L. , Shine R. 
Published: June 2012

Read the Commentaries on this Feature Paper: Is Typhoid Mary a good role model? ; Benefits and costs of using a lungworm parasite to control invasive toads in AustraliaResponse from the authors: New methods in the battle against cane toads: when should we move from research to implementation?
Applying the tools of ecological immunology to conservation: a test case in the Galapagos sea lion
Authors: Brock P. M. , Hall A. J. , Goodman S. J. , Cruz M. , Acevedo‐Whitehouse K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractInfectious disease threatens biodiversity and human health on a global scale, and disease emergence may become more common as humans further encroach on habitats and modify environments. To accurately assess the risk of disease emergence in free‐ranging populations of vertebrates, we require an understanding of the dynamics of immunity in the wild. We applied techniques from the emergent discipline of ecological immunology to describe immune activity and dynamics in the endangered Galapagos sea lion Zalophus wollebaeki, which is threatened simultaneously by disease from domestic animals and fluctuations in food supply driven by unpredictable environmental variation. We compared immune activity from shortly after birth until 2 years of age between two Galapagos sea lion colonies: one heavily influenced by humans and the other on an uninhabited island, using a generalized linear model framework. Controlling for development, immune activity was higher in the human‐impacted colony, as assessed with both humoural and cellular immune components and cumulative and snapshot measures of immune activity. We discuss the possibility that sea lions in the human‐impacted colony are under greater immunostimulatory pressure than those in the comparison colony, which could have implications for individual fitness, colony stability and the risk of disease emergence. The study demonstrates the utility of a generalized and widely applicable approach to quantifying immune activity in wild vertebrates, as it highlights important aspects of the system for targeted analysis and further study.
Constant breeding and low survival rates in the subtropical Striped Frog in southern Brazil
Authors: Hiert C. , Roper J. J. , Moura M. O. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSurvival and consequent implications for population dynamics in the subtropical Striped Frog Hypsiboas leptolineatus was studied for 1 year in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná. By means of capture‐marking‐recapture, we estimated survival and capture probabilities in an open population. A total of 583 captures of 374 individuals, comprising 96% male (n = 353) and 4% females (n = 21), resulted in daily survival estimates ranging from 0.808 to 0.998 day−1. The number of individuals captured per capture session varied from 8 to 37 (mean = 21) and was correlated with night length, after a two session lag time (r = 0.78). Males were found vocalizing throughout the year, while females were less common and gravid females were only found in November, March and June. Recapture probability was relatively constant at 25% for males, 24% for females and, overall, 29% of males were recaptured at least once. Young individuals were encountered in all months but one and, being extremely small, were impossible to quantify. Thus, the Striped Frog is active and breeding year‐round as indicated by the constant singing of adult males, the few gravid females found at different times and the frequent encounters of young frogs at all times of year. While survival and captures varied throughout the year, the only seasonality was in the number of captures that increased during longer nights. Nonetheless, recapture probability was constant. These dynamics contrast strongly with most anuran species and especially subtropical and temperate species in other places. This first detailed study of population parameters of a subtropical species with its unusual dynamics may suggest that once studied, other species of anurans may also have surprising population dynamics.