bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Projecting trends in plant invasions in Europe under different scenarios of future land‐use change
Authors: Chytrý Milan , Wild Jan , Pyšek Petr , Jarošík Vojtěch , Dendoncker Nicolas , Reginster Isabelle , Pino Joan , Maskell Lindsay C. , Vilà Montserrat , Pergl Jan , Kühn Ingolf , Spangenberg Joachim H. , Settele Josef 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAim  Recent studies of plant invasions in habitat types across different climatic regions of Europe have made it possible to produce a European map of plant invasions. Parallel research led to the formulation of integrated scenarios of future socio‐economic development, which were used to create spatially explicit scenarios of European land‐use change for the 21st century. Here we integrate these two research lines and produce the first spatially explicit projections of plant invasions in Europe for the years 2020, 2050 and 2080.Location  The European Union (except Bulgaria and Romania), Norway and Switzerland.Methods  We used vegetation plots from southern, central and north‐western Europe to quantify mean levels of invasion by neophytes (post‐1500 alien plants) for forest, grassland, urban, arable and abandoned land. We projected these values on the land‐use scenarios for 2020, 2050 and 2080, and constructed maps of future plant invasions under three socio‐economic scenarios assuming: (1) deregulation and globalization, (2) continuation of current policies with standing regulations, and (3) a shift towards sustainable development.Results  Under all scenarios an increase in the level of invasion was projected for north‐western and northern Europe, and under the first two scenarios a decrease for some agricultural areas of eastern Europe where abandonment of agricultural land is expected. A net increase in the level of invasion over Europe was projected under scenarios 2 and 3.Main conclusions  The polarization between more and less invaded regions is likely to increase if future policies are oriented on economic deregulation, which may result in serious future problems in some areas of Europe. However, an implementation of sustainability policies would not automatically restrict the spread of alien plants. Therefore invasions require specific policy approaches beyond the more general ones, which are currently on the policy agenda and were tested in the scenarios.
Dispersal ability links to cross‐scale species diversity patterns across the Eurasian Arctic tundra
Authors: Lenoir Jonathan , Virtanen Risto , Oksanen Jari , Oksanen Lauri , Luoto Miska , Grytnes John‐Arvid , Svenning Jens‐Christian 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAim  The role of dispersal in structuring biodiversity across spatial scales is controversial. If dispersal controls regional and local community assembly, it should also affect the degree of spatial species turnover as well as the extent to which regional communities are represented in local communities. Here we provide the first integrated assessment of relationships between dispersal ability and local‐to‐regional spatial aspects of species diversity across a large geographical area.Location  Northern Eurasia.Methods  Using a cross‐scale analysis covering local (0.64 m2) to continental (the Eurasian Arctic biome) scales, we compared slope parameters of the dissimilarity‐to‐distance relationship in species composition and the local‐to‐regional relationship in species richness among three plant‐like groups that differ in dispersal ability: lichens with the highest dispersal ability; mosses and moss allies with intermediate dispersal ability; and seed plants with the lowest dispersal ability.Results  Diversity patterns generally differed between the three groups according to their dispersal ability, even after controlling for niche‐based processes. Increasing dispersal ability is linked to decreasing spatial species turnover and an increasing ratio of local to regional species richness. All comparisons supported our expectations, except for the slope of the local‐to‐regional relationship in species richness for mosses and moss allies which was not significantly steeper than that of seed plants.Main conclusions  The negative link between dispersal ability and spatial species turnover and the corresponding positive link between dispersal ability and the ratio of local‐to‐regional species richness support the idea that dispersal affects community structure and diversity patterns across spatial scales.
The Access of the Young Graduates in Sciences into R&D Profession: A Switching Model Treatment for the French Case
Authors: Bonnard Claire 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe address the question concerning the choice of graduates in sciences and engineering to look for employment in research and development. We use an endogenous switching regression to avoid the existence of self‐selection biases. The study shows that human capital is decisive where both employment opportunities and remuneration are concerned within, but not without, this sector. The results also suggest that in the early stages of a career, the R&D sector is less rewarding than other types of employment only for doctors and not for graduates from engineering schools.
Handmade: A Critical Analysis of John of Damascus’ Justification for Venerating Icons
Authors: Rhodes Michael Craig 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe essay is an analysis of John of Damascus’ justification for venerating the icons. Under the subtitle ‘reasoning for venerating the icons’ the essay conducts the analysis in three parts. First, John's definition of ‘veneration’ is presented and examined. Second, the OT ‘veneration’ passages he cites are critically evaluated. Third, the apparent incoherence of John's case is demonstrated from the Eastern Orthodox notion of scripture. This is a follow‐up study to a previous essay (i.e., ‘Handmade: a critical analysis of John of Damascus’ reasoning for making icons’) which analyzes a problem in Orthodox aesthetics closely related to the one I examine here.
The gift in interaction: a study of ‘picking‐up the bill’
Authors: Llewellyn Nick 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper analyses the phenomenon of ‘picking up the bill’, thereby contributing to a resurgence of sociological interest in gift exchange. Drawing on ethnomethodology, it describes and locates a distinctive theoretical approach. Utilizing video recordings, the analysis considers the interactional constitution of gifts and how gift exchange is locally invoked via the norm of reciprocity. Recurrent practices are described, through which gifts are brought into being, with reciprocity invoked, by benefactor and beneficiary alike, to manage social problems of acceptance, rather than to sanction insufficient contributions. The study describes the social character of what are perhaps the preeminent gifts exchanged in modern societies; where one person pays for another's consumption.
Worldwide prevalence and risk factors for myopia
Authors: Pan Chen‐Wei , Ramamurthy Dharani , Saw Seang‐Mei 
Published: December 2011

Citation information: Pan C‐W, Ramamurthy D & Saw S‐M. Worldwide prevalence and risk factors for myopia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 3‐16. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00884.xAbstractBackground:  Myopia, the most common type of refractive error, is a complex trait including both genetic and environmental factors. Numerous studies have tried to elucidate the aetiology of myopia. However, the exact aetiology of myopia is still unclear.Purpose:  To summarize the worldwide patterns and trends for the prevalence of myopia and to evaluate the risk factors for myopia in population‐based studies.Recent findings:  The prevalences of myopia vary across populations of different regions and ethnicities. In population‐based studies on children, the prevalence of myopia has been reported to be higher in urban areas and Chinese ethnicity. The regional and racial difference is not so obvious in adult populations aged over 40 years. More time spent on near work, less time outdoors, higher educational level and parental history of myopia have been reported to increase the risk of myopia.Conclusions:  Environmental factors play a crucial role in myopia development. The effect of gene‐environment interaction on the aetiology of myopia is still controversial with inconsistent findings in different studies. A relatively hyperopic periphery can stimulate compensating eye growth in the centre. Longitudinal cohort studies or randomized clinical trials of community‐based health behaviour interventions should be conducted to further clarify the aetiology of myopia.
Tactics, traditions and opportunities: British and French crop‐trashing actions in comparative perspective
Authors: DOHERTY BRIAN , HAYES GRAEME 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis article compares the tactic of trashing genetically modified crops in activist campaigns in Britain and France. In Britain, most crop trashing was carried out covertly, while in France most activists undertook open, public actions. In seeking an explanation for this, the article shows that the analysis of political opportunities, dominant in comparative studies of social movements, can only take us so far. While it helps explain the occurrence of direct action, it is much less useful in explaining the tactical differences between each country. It is argued that a fuller explanation requires an understanding of how action was shaped by different activist traditions. In France, action was staged as a demonstration of serious, responsible, collective Republican citizenship; in the United Kingdom, activists combined a sceptical view of legality developing from anarchist individualism with an explicitly non‐threatening, playful, ethos. The article concludes that a focus on activist traditions can provide an effective bridge between structural and cultural approaches to understanding the determinants of social movement action.
DISSECTING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO PHOSPHORUS STRESS IN MARINE SYNECHOCOCCUS ISOLATES (CYANOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Mazard Sophie , Wilson William H. , Scanlan Dave J. 
Published: December 2011

Marine Synechococcus is ubiquitous in aquatic environments. However, distinct phylogenetic lineages of this genus have a complex ecological distribution that is not fully explained. Here, we undertook a broad study of the phosphorus (P)–related behavior of marine Synechococcus isolates from all previously described ribotypes (sensu Fuller et al. 2003). A wide variability in P‐related physiology was noted among members of this genus, particularly in the utilization of organic P sources. However, some characteristics (e.g., cell size change during P limitation and the ability to accumulate polyphosphate) were largely consistent with their phylogenetic lineage and inferred ecology, with clear distinctions between oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and opportunistic lineages. Similarly, the ability to induce protein expression in response to P limitation was consistent with the presence/absence of phoB/R regulatory capacity of the corresponding strain. Taxonomic differences in P uptake, storage, and utilization strategies could explain the ubiquitous distribution of marine Synechococcus throughout the world’s oceans and explain the coexistence and/or ecological partitioning of multiple phototrophic taxa in the photic zone of tropical and subtropical oligotrophic oceans.
WBC reduction filtration efficacy performed at varying time intervals post‐collection
Authors: Hinojosa Ricardo , Bryant Barbara J. 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: A multisite blood center experienced unacceptable post‐leukoreduction filtration white blood cell (WBC) counts at a few centers. Since prefiltration storage time and temperature were suspect, whole blood (WB) units were stored in transport shippers for at least 2 hours, cooling toward 1‐6°C, before filtration. This study compared the effect of storage times in transport shippers on the residual WBC counts of leukoreduced units.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Collection and filtration of WB units were accomplished with the use of the Fenwal Express System with Integral Sepacell RZ‐2000 WB Leukocyte Reduction Filter. Units were collected and placed in transport shippers containing ice. Leukoreduction filtration was performed at designated intervals post‐collection. Acceptable leukoreduction was defined as <5 × 106 residual WBC.RESULTS: Fifty donor units were selected randomly over 3 months. Units were held in transport shippers, and WBC reduction was performed at designated post‐collection intervals. Storage times ranged from 28 to 458 minutes. All residual WBC counts were acceptable.CONCLUSION: Storage time of WB units in transport shippers did not play a role in the efficacy of the leukoreduction. This study demonstrated the 2‐hour storage time before leukoreduction filtration could be eliminated resulting in time savings and increased efficacy in the component production laboratory.
Grain Size Effects on the Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of Na0.5K0.5NbO3 Ceramics Prepared by Pechini Method
Authors: Huo Shaoxin , Yuan Songliu , Tian Zhaoming , Wang Chuanhui , Qiu Yang 
Published: December 2011

A series of lead‐free ceramics of Na0.5K0.5NbO3 with different grain sizes (800–2000 nm) were synthesized by Pechini method, and the effects of grain size on the microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties were investigated. It was found that all the ceramics are of single phase with orthorhombic crystal structure at room temperature. The Curie temperature, dielectric constant, ferroelectric polarization, and piezoelectric constant were all strongly dependent on the grain sizes. It was observed that all the samples exhibited two‐phase transitions above room temperature: the paraelectric cubic to ferroelectric tetragonal phase transition (TC) and the ferroelectric tetragonal to orthorhombic transition (TO‐T). As the grain size increased, the TC increased from 357°C to a maximum value of 402°C, and then it decreased slightly with the further increase in grain size. However, the TO‐T exhibited an opposite variation. Moreover, the nature of the grain size effects on the electrical properties has been discussed.
Microscopic Investigation of Nanocrystalline Zeolite L Synthesized from Rice Husk Ash
Authors: Wong Jia‐Tian , Ng Eng‐Poh , Adam Farook 
Published: December 2011

An investigation of aluminosilicate zeolite L (structure code LTL) nanocrystals converted from rice husk ash in template‐free system is reported. Crystallization evolution of the zeolite L was monitored and followed by X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy techniques. It was found that fully crystalline zeolite L (Si/Al = 3.0) with square tablet morphology was nucleated at 4 h, and the crystals with a mean particle size of 210 nm was completely transformed from amorphous silica after 24 h of hydrothermal treatment.
COMPOSITION, ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY AND MAIN FUNGITOXIC COMPONENTS OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF MENTHA PIPERITA L.
Authors: FREIRE MARCELO MOREIRA , JHAM GULAB NEWANDRAM , DHINGRA ONKAR DEV , JARDIM CAROLINA MARANGON , BARCELOS ROSIMEIRE COURA , VALENTE VÂNIA MARIA MOREIRA 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTTwenty‐one components (93.9% of the total chromatographic peak area) were tentatively identified in the essential oil (EO) of Mentha piperita L., based on Kováts retention indices (RIs), a mass spectral database (gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, GC‐MS) and visual comparison of the mass spectra of the sample peaks with those of the database. The presence of 15 compounds (corresponding to 90.7% of the total chromatographic peak area) was confirmed by authentic standards. The EO presented a good activity against the following important postharvest deteriorating fungi: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceous, Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium semitectum. At a concentration of 0.2% of the EO, all the fungi were completely inhibited, except for A. glaucus and C. musae which were inhibited 90 and 98%, respectively. TLC‐bioautography yielded three subfractions that prevented fungal growth, suggesting the presence of antifungals. Bioassay data of the crude EO were compared with those of the three subfractions. Based on these tests, it was concluded that several fungitoxics were responsible for the antifungal activity of M. piperita, with the principal ones being menthone, neomenthol, menthol and carvone. However, participation of other compounds cannot be ruled out. This is the first study in the literature that presents data on the activity of the crude EO against eight important postharvest deteriorating fungi, characterizing the amounts and types of comounds. In addition, also for the first time, the active fractions of the crude EO were isolated, identified and the components quantified. More detailed fungal tests are being conducted to confirm the tentative preliminary antifungal data.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSDeterioration of agricultural products provoked by fungi accounts for considerable loss of crops of economic importance. Presently, these fungi are controlled by toxic synthetic chemicals. The food industry has significantly reduced the use of chemical preservatives. EOs have been known for their biological activities for many decades and they should, in principle, not be toxic to man and could replace toxic synthetic fungicides. This study demonstrates the potential of M. piperita EO as antifungal against C. gloeosporoides, C. musae, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, A. niger, A. flavus and A. glaucus. Further studies are underway to evaluate M. piperita EO as a feed preservative. In addition, its principal active compounds were isolated and characterized. Identification of such components also helps to understand the mode of action of the extract, which can lead to the discovery of new antifungal compounds.
COMPARISON OF EXCISION, SWABBING AND RINSING SAMPLING METHODS TO DETERMINE THE MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BROILER CARCASSES
Authors: ZHANG QIU QIN , YE KE PING , XU XING LIAN , ZHOU GUANG HONG , CAO JIN XUAN 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTSkin excision, swabbing with cotton wool and whole carcass rinse are three common sampling methods of poultry carcasses. The objective of this study was to compare the three different sampling methods for enumeration and monitoring of bacteria on broiler carcasses. Total viable counts, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae recovered by each sampling method were enumerated using the pour plate technique. Rinsing and excision recovered a similar level (P > 0.05) of the total viable counts, whereas swabbing yielded a lower level (P < 0.05). For Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria and B. thermosphacta, rinsing recovered the highest counts, followed by excision and finally the swabbing. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) to detect Enterobacteriaceae by the three methods. Polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) was used to monitor bacterial constituents. Compared with rinsing, the dice coefficient was 69.2% for excision and 32.3% for swabbing. The results revealed that great differences existed among the sensitivity of microorganism detection by the three methods, rinsing > excision > swabbing. Considering the bacterial recovery and DGGE profile, rinsing seems to be the preferable sampling method for enumeration and monitoring of bacteria on broiler carcasses whereas swabbing is poor.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis work compared the efficiency of three sampling methods (excision, swabbing and rinsing) to evaluate bacteria on broilers using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods. The results indicate that whole carcass rinse would be a preferable sampling method to monitor the bacteria on broiler carcasses, especially using the culture‐independent method.
Letting the Counties Decide: Voter Turnout and the All‐Mail Option in the State of Washington
Authors: SOUTHWELL PRISCILLA L. 
Published: December 2011

This research examines county‐level voter turnout in the state of Washington—a state where a majority of its counties have chosen to adopt an all‐mail electoral format over the past decade. Using the nearest neighbor match method to control for demographic and partisan variation among counties, this analysis of turnout in eight general and primary elections from 2004 to 2008 suggests that vote‐by‐mail has resulted in a modest boost in voter turnout during presidential election years and for special elections, but has little or no effect in congressional off‐year elections.Este estudio examina la concurrencia de votantes a nivel condado en el estado de Washington—un estado donde la mayoría de sus condados han elegido adoptar un formato electoral por correspondencia durante la última década. Usando el método estadístico NNS para controlar por variaciones demográficas y partidistas entre los condados, este análisis de concurrencia electoral en ocho elecciones generales y primarias de 2004 a 2008 sugiere que el voto por correo ha resultado en un incremento modesto en el número de votantes durante los años de elecciones presidenciales y en elecciones extraordinarias, pero ha tenido poco o nulo efecto en elecciones congresionales.
Administrative Policy Initiatives and the Limits of Change: Lessons from the Implementation of the Bush Faith‐Based and Community Initiative
Authors: PERSONS GEORGIA A. 
Published: December 2011

The Faith‐Based and Community Initiative (FBCI) was one of the most high profile domestic policy initiatives of the G. W. Bush administration and a unique exercise in administrative policy making. This analysis of federal‐level implementation examines the actions taken to operationalize the FBCI and to realize its goals of enabling faith‐based and community organizations (FBCOs) to provide social services with federal funding. Despite being labeled as social welfare policy, the FBCI was more a special‐purpose procurement policy. As an administrative policy initiative, the FBCI succeeded in those areas subject to the greatest level of executive branch influence: administrative rule changes and federal agency spending. These actions made for a legacy of success in establishing a reformed federal procurement environment for FBCOs. However, the FBCI was less successful in substantially altering the position of small, new‐entrant FBCOs in the competitive federal funding process relative to larger secular nonprofits.La iniciativa con base en la fe y la comunidad (FBCI por sus siglas en inglés) fue una de las iniciativas de ley con mayor prominencia pública en la administración de G. W. Bush y un ejercicio único en la elaboración de políticas. Este análisis de una implementación a nivel federal examina las acciones tomadas para llevar a cabo el FBCI y cumplir sus objetivos de permitir que organizaciones comunitarias y religiosas (FBCOs por sus siglas en inglés) fueran capaces de brindar servicios sociales con el financiamiento del estado. A pesar de ser catalogada como una política de bienestar social, la FBCI fue una iniciativa con el propósito de obtener algo en específico. Debido al estatus de iniciativa política administrativa, la FBCI tenía influencia sobre las áreas de mayor autoridad ejecutiva: el cambio de reglas administrativas y el gasto de agencias federales. Estas acciones culminaron en el establecimiento de un sistema federal reformado pasa las FBCOs. Sin embargo, la FBCI tuvo menos éxito para alterar de manera sustancial la posición de nuevas y pequeñas FBCOs en el competitivo proceso de financiamiento federal en relación a organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro seculares.