bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the impact of current and future tropospheric ozone on tree biomass, growth, physiology and biochemistry: a quantitative meta‐analysis
Authors: WITTIG VICTORIA E. , AINSWORTH ELIZABETH A. , NAIDU SHAWNA L. , KARNOSKY DAVID F. , LONG STEPHEN P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe northern hemisphere temperate and boreal forests currently provide an important carbon sink; however, current tropospheric ozone concentrations ([O3]) and [O3] projected for later this century are damaging to trees and have the potential to reduce the carbon sink strength of these forests. This meta‐analysis estimated the magnitude of the impacts of current [O3] and future [O3] on the biomass, growth, physiology and biochemistry of trees representative of northern hemisphere forests. Current ambient [O3] (40 ppb on average) significantly reduced the total biomass of trees by 7% compared with trees grown in charcoal‐filtered (CF) controls, which approximate preindustrial [O3]. Above‐ and belowground productivity were equally affected by ambient [O3] in these studies. Elevated [O3] of 64 ppb reduced total biomass by 11% compared with trees grown at ambient [O3] while elevated [O3] of 97 ppb reduced total biomass of trees by 17% compared with CF controls. The root‐to‐shoot ratio was significantly reduced by elevated [O3] indicating greater sensitivity of root biomass to [O3]. At elevated [O3], trees had significant reductions in leaf area, Rubisco content and chlorophyll content which may underlie significant reductions in photosynthetic capacity. Trees also had lower transpiration rates, and were shorter in height and had reduced diameter when grown at elevated [O3]. Further, at elevated [O3], gymnosperms were significantly less sensitive than angiosperms. There were too few observations of the interaction of [O3] with elevated [CO2] and drought to conclusively project how these climate change factors will alter tree responses to [O3]. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the carbon‐sink strength of northern hemisphere forests is likely reduced by current [O3] and will be further reduced in future if [O3] rises. This implies that a key carbon sink currently offsetting a significant portion of global fossil fuel CO2 emissions could be diminished or lost in the future.
Systematic approaches to using the FOX hunting system to identify useful rice genes
Authors: Kondou Youichi , Higuchi Mieko , Takahashi Shinya , Sakurai Tetsuya , Ichikawa Takanari , Kuroda Hirofumi , Yoshizumi Takeshi , Tsumoto Yuko , Horii Yoko , Kawashima Mika , Hasegawa Yukako , Kuriyama Tomoko , Matsui Keiko , Kusano Miyako , Albinsky Doris , Takahashi Hideki , Nakamura Yukiko , Suzuki Makoto , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kojima Mikiko , Akiyama Kenji , Kurotani Atsushi , Seki Motoaki , Fujita Miki , Enju Akiko , Yokotani Naoki , Saitou Tsutomu , Ashidate Kozue , Fujimoto Naka , Ishikawa Yasuo , Mori Yayoi , Nanba Rie , Takata Kazumasa , Uno Kuniko , Sugano Shoji , Natsuki Jun , Dubouzet Joseph Gogo , Maeda Satoru , Ohtake Miki , Mori Masaki , Oda Kenji , Takatsuji Hiroshi , Hirochika Hirohiko , Matsui Minami 
Published: December 2008

SummaryEctopic gene expression, or the gain‐of‐function approach, has the advantage that once the function of a gene is known the gene can be transferred to many different plants by transformation. We previously reported a method, called FOX hunting, that involves ectopic expression of Arabidopsis full‐length cDNAs in Arabidopsis to systematically generate gain‐of‐function mutants. This technology is most beneficial for generating a heterologous gene resource for analysis of useful plant gene functions. As an initial model we generated more than 23 000 independent Arabidopsis transgenic lines that expressed rice fl‐cDNAs (Rice FOX Arabidopsis lines). The short generation time and rapid and efficient transformation frequency of Arabidopsis enabled the functions of the rice genes to be analyzed rapidly. We screened rice FOX Arabidopsis lines for alterations in morphology, photosynthesis, element accumulation, pigment accumulation, hormone profiles, secondary metabolites, pathogen resistance, salt tolerance, UV signaling, high light tolerance, and heat stress tolerance. Some of the mutant phenotypes displayed by rice FOX Arabidopsis lines resulted from the expression of rice genes that had no homologs in Arabidopsis. This result demonstrated that rice fl‐cDNAs could be used to introduce new gene functions in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, these findings showed that rice gene function could be analyzed by employing Arabidopsis as a heterologous host. This technology provides a framework for the analysis of plant gene function in a heterologous host and of plant improvement by using heterologous gene resources.
Blood safety strategies for human T‐cell lymphotropic virus in Europe
Authors: Laperche S. , Worms B. , Pillonel J. ,   for the European Network of Transfusion Medecine Societies and the Steering Committee of the Epidemiological Surveillance of Blood Donors in France
Published: December 2008

Background  To prevent the blood transmission of human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), different countries have introduced anti‐HTLV blood screening. Furthermore, leucoreduction of blood components has been implemented to preclude the transmission of infectious agents present in white blood cells.Study Design and Methods  To evaluate the current European strategies adopted to ensure the blood safety for HTLV, a European investigation spanning a period from 2003 to 2008 was carried out.Results  In 2003, of the 23 included countries, 11 performed anti‐HTLV screening, four of which (Scandinavian countries) only did it on first‐time donors. Norway and Finland stopped it in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Two groups may be defined according to increasing prevalence rates per 10 000 donations in first‐time donors: Scandinavia and Ireland (0 to 0·17), France, the Netherlands and UK (0·45 to 0·48); Romania was clearly apart from all other participating countries (5·33). HTLV‐positive donors (88·6%) either come from endemic areas (82·3%) or declare to have a sexual partner coming from endemic areas (6·3%). Of the 283 HTLV‐positive donations that could be characterized, 6·6% were HTLV‐II. Fourteen of 22 countries currently use systematic leucoreduction, at least in cellular blood components. Six countries perform both universal anti‐HTLV screening and blood cell leucoreduction.Conclusion  The implementation of leucoreduction did not modify the blood HTLV‐screening policy, except for Norway and Finland. Several screening strategies in low endemic countries performing leucoreduction were discussed. However, the withdrawal of anti‐HTLV screening should be decided after assessing the remaining HTLV transfusion risk.
CONFIDENCE INTERVALS UTILIZING PRIOR INFORMATION IN THE BEHRENS–FISHER PROBLEM
Authors: Kabaila Paul , Tuck Jarrod 
Published: December 2008

SummaryConsider two independent random samples of size f + 1, one from an N (μ1, σ21) distribution and the other from an N (μ2, σ22) distribution, where σ21/σ22∈ (0, ∞). The Welch ‘approximate degrees of freedom’ (‘approximate t‐solution’) confidence interval for μ1−μ2 is commonly used when it cannot be guaranteed that σ21/σ22= 1. Kabaila (2005, Comm. Statist. Theory and Methods 34, 291–302) multiplied the half‐width of this interval by a positive constant so that the resulting interval, denoted by J0, has minimum coverage probability 1 −α. Now suppose that we have uncertain prior information that σ21/σ22= 1. We consider a broad class of confidence intervals for μ1−μ2 with minimum coverage probability 1 −α. This class includes the interval J0, which we use as the standard against which other members of will be judged. A confidence interval utilizes the prior information substantially better than J0 if (expected length of J)/(expected length of J0) is (a) substantially less than 1 (less than 0.96, say) for σ21/σ22= 1, and (b) not too much larger than 1 for all other values of σ21/σ22. For a given f, does there exist a confidence interval that satisfies these conditions? We focus on the question of whether condition (a) can be satisfied. For each given f, we compute a lower bound to the minimum over of (expected length of J)/(expected length of J0) when σ21/σ22= 1. For 1 −α= 0.95, this lower bound is not substantially less than 1. Thus, there does not exist any confidence interval belonging to that utilizes the prior information substantially better than J0.
A REGRESSION APPROACH TO THE ESTIMATION OF THE FINITE POPULATION MEAN IN THE PRESENCE OF NON‐RESPONSE
Authors: Singh Housila P. , Kumar Sunil 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThis paper presents various estimators for estimating the population mean of the study variable y using information on the auxiliary variable x in the presence of non‐response. Properties of the suggested estimators are studied and compared with those of existing estimators. It is shown that the estimators suggested in this paper are among the best of all the estimators considered. An empirical study is carried out to demonstrate the performance of the suggested estimators and of others, and it is found that the empirical results support the theoretical study.
Statistical Analysis of Randomized Experiments with Non-Ignorable Missing Binary Outcomes: An Application to a Voting Experiment
Authors: Imai Kosuke 
Published: December 2008

SummaryMissing data are frequently encountered in the statistical analysis of randomized experiments. I propose statistical methods that can be used to analyse randomized experiments with a non-ignorable missing binary outcome where the missing data mechanism may depend on the unobserved values of the outcome variable itself even after taking into account the information in the fully observed variables. The motivating empirical example is a German election experiment where researchers are worried that the act of voting may increase the probability of participation in the post-election survey through which the outcome variable, turnout, was measured. To address this problem, I first introduce an identification strategy for the average treatment effect under the non-ignorability assumption and compare it with the existing alternative approaches in the literature. I then derive the maximum likelihood estimator and its asymptotic distribution and discuss possible estimation methods. Furthermore, since the identification assumption proposed is not directly verifiable from the data, I show how to conduct a sensitivity analysis based on the parameterization that links the key identification assumption with the causal quantities of interest. Finally, the methodology proposed is extended to the analysis of randomized experiments with non-compliance. In addition, although the method that is introduced may not directly apply to randomized experiments with non-binary outcomes, I briefly discuss possible identification strategies in more general situations.
The Rehabilitation of Common Sense: Social Representations, Science and Cognitive Polyphasia
Authors: JOVCHELOVITCH SANDRA 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTIn Psychoanalysis, its image and its public (PIP) Moscovici introduced the theory of social representations and took further the project of rehabilitating common sense. In this paper I examine this project through a consideration of the problem of cognitive polyphasia, and the continuity and discontinuity between different systems of knowing. Focusing on the relations between science and common sense. I ask why, despite considerable evidence to the contrary, the scientific imagination tends to deny its relation to common sense and believe that can displace it. I argue that the psychosocial dynamic between common sense and science is revealing of how heavily they are entangled in, and indeed indebted to each other. Even more, this dynamic allows for a full appreciation of what the theory of social representations calls states of cognitive polyphasia. Different systems of thinking and knowing do not displace each other but live side by side, co‐existing in a variety of ways, fulfilling different functions and answering different needs in social life.
The Epistemological Significance of the Theory of Social Representations
Authors: MARKOVÁ IVANA 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe theory of social representations must be understood in terms of its proper epistemology so that it can accomplish its full potential in social sciences. This is often difficult to achieve because researchers comprehend it in terms of concepts that are part of static and individualistic Newtonian epistemology rather than in terms of dynamic and relational Einsteinian epistemology. This article considers three signposts that Moscovici identifies and analyses in the theory of relativity, namely the relation between epistemology and science, theory and method, and the argument against the explanation of effects by their causes. The following question is posed: are these signposts also characteristic of the theory of social representations? This question is examined focusing on interactional epistemology, theory and method and the diversity of natural thinking and communication. Moscovici'sPsychoanalysisshows that natural thinking appears in a plurality of modes according to the situation in which it takes place and according to social groups towards which it is directed. Natural thinking is controversial and communication‐centred. Different professionals, groups and lay people use different kinds of speaking and different communicative genres when they try to resolve “the same” problem. The article suggests that bringing together dialogicality, dialogical linguistics and the theory of social representations may open up new possibilities for theoretical developments in social psychology.
Social Actors and Social Groups: A Return to Heterogeneity in Social Psychology
Authors: DUVEEN GERARD 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTFor the contemporary reader ofPsychoanalysis: Its Image and Its Publicthe analyses of communicative systems in the book provides a challenging occasion for reconsidering current social psychological thinking about the character of social groups. In Moscovici's careful delineation of the communicative systems of diffusion, propagation and propaganda through his content analysis of the French press, one can also see the description of different types of group structured through distinctive social psychological organisations. Moscovici himself suggests that the genres of diffusion, propagation and propaganda are each linked to the construction of a specific type of social‐psychological object, opinion, attitude and stereotype respectively. But one can also identify different forms of affiliation corresponding to each communicative genre, and consequently also different representations of the people who constitute both the in‐group and the out‐group in each instance. The affiliative bonds might be described as forms ofsympathy, communionandsolidarity.
Children’s responses to daily social stressors: relations with parenting, children’s effortful control, and adjustment
Authors: Valiente Carlos , Lemery‐Chalfant Kathryn , Swanson Jodi 
Published: December 2008

Background:  We examined children’s coping and involuntary stress responses as mediators of the relations between parenting or children’s effortful control (EC) and adjustment.Method:  Two hundred and forty primarily Mexican American 7‐ to 12‐year‐old children reported on their EC, coping, involuntary stress responses, and problem behaviors. Teachers reported on children’s academic competence. Parents reported on their reactions to children’s negative emotions and on children’s EC, problem behaviors, and academic competence.Results:  There were significant zero‐order relations between parents’ affective responses to children’s negative emotions, children’s EC, engagement coping, disengagement coping, involuntary stress responses, and adjustment. Consistent evidence emerged that children’s engagement coping and involuntary stress‐responses mediate the relations between parenting or EC and adjustment.Conclusions:  Results highlight the utility of assessing stress responses in a multidimensional manner and have implications for intervention programs.
Evaluation of consensus methods in predictive species distribution modelling
Authors: Marmion Mathieu , Parviainen Miia , Luoto Miska , Heikkinen Risto K. , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAim  Spatial modelling techniques are increasingly used in species distribution modelling. However, the implemented techniques differ in their modelling performance, and some consensus methods are needed to reduce the uncertainty of predictions. In this study, we tested the predictive accuracies of five consensus methods, namely Weighted Average (WA), Mean(All), Median(All), Median(PCA), and Best, for 28 threatened plant species.Location  North‐eastern Finland, Europe.Methods  The spatial distributions of the plant species were forecasted using eight state‐of‐the‐art single‐modelling techniques providing an ensemble of predictions. The probability values of occurrence were then combined using five consensus algorithms. The predictive accuracies of the single‐model and consensus methods were assessed by computing the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver‐operating characteristic plot.Results  The mean AUC values varied between 0.697 (classification tree analysis) and 0.813 (random forest) for the single‐models, and from 0.757 to 0.850 for the consensus methods. WA and Mean(All) consensus methods provided significantly more robust predictions than all the single‐models and the other consensus methods.Main conclusions  Consensus methods based on average function algorithms may increase significantly the accuracy of species distribution forecasts, and thus they show considerable promise for different conservation biological and biogeographical applications.
Population structure and introduction history of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, in China
Authors: Liu Yu‐Di , Wu Kong‐Ming , Guo Yu‐Yuan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a cotton pest probably native to Indo‐Pakistan, invaded China at the beginning of the 20th century. Chinese P. gossypiella have been assumed to be the result of indiscriminate introductions from Pakistan and America by transport of cotton seed. We tested this long‐held hypothesis and genotyped a total of 527 individuals from 14 sites at 13 microsatellite loci. We analyzed these data with traditional statistics as well as with Bayesian methods. The loci were, for the most part, highly polymorphic. The allelic richness of Chinese populations at six loci was greater than those of the Pakistani and American populations. Significant deficits of heterozygotes were recorded for all 14 populations, and null alleles were the most probable factor contributing to these deficits. Pairwise FST estimates showed that there was significant differentiation among the pooled Chinese, Pakistani, and American populations, and there was structure within most of the Chinese populations. The Bayesian analysis revealed that the combined Chinese, American, and Pakistani populations formed separate clusters, and the nine Chinese populations were divided into two clusters. Allelic frequency distributions showed that private and shared alleles within Chinese P. gossypiella were derived only partly from the Pakistani and American populations. The microsatellite‐based genetic analyses suggested that the Chinese P. gossypiella populations originated from multiple sources.
The metabolic syndrome and schizophrenia
Authors: Meyer J. M. , Stahl S. M. 
Published: December 2008

Objective:  To summarize the accumulated data on metabolic syndrome prevalence in patients with schizophrenia, examine evidence for a biological contribution of the mental illness to metabolic risk and review novel options available for management of prediabetic states.Method:  A Medline search using metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity cross‐referenced with schizophrenia was performed on articles published between 1990 and May 2008.Results:  Recent evidence indicates that schizophrenia increases predisposition towards metabolic dysfunction independent of environmental exposure. Both fasting and non‐fasting triglycerides have emerged as important indicators of cardiometabolic risk, while metformin, thiazolidinediones and GLP‐1 modulators may prove promising tools for managing insulin resistance.Conclusion:  Because of lifestyle, disease and medication effects, schizophrenia patients have significant risk for cardiometabolic disease. Routine monitoring, preferential use of metabolically neutral antipsychotics and lifestyle education are critical to minimizing risk, with a possible role for antidiabetic medications for management of insulin resistant states that do not respond to other treatment strategies.
Lycanthropy alive in Babylon: the existence of archetype
Authors: Younis A. A. , Moselhy H. F. 
Published: December 2008

Objective:  Lycanthropy is the belief in the capacity of human metamorphosis into animal form. It has been recorded in many cultures. Apart from historic description of lycanthropy, there has been several case reports described in the medical literature over the past 30 years.Method:  We identified eight cases of lycanthropy in 20 years, mainly in the area of Babylon, Iraq.Results:  The most commonly reported diagnosis was severe depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms. The type of animal that the patients changed into were mainly dogs (seven cases) and only one case changed into a cow for the first time to report.Conclusion:  Lycanthropy delusion is a rare delusion but appears to have survived into modern times with possible archetypal existence.
Anti‐interleukin‐31‐antibodies ameliorate scratching behaviour in NC/Nga mice: a model of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Grimstad Øystein , Sawanobori Yasushi , Vestergaard Christian , Bilsborough Janine , Olsen Uffe Bang , Grønhøj‐Larsen Christian , Matsushima Kouji 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Interleukin‐31 (IL‐31), a novel cytokine, is upregulated in atopic dermatitis skin lesions in humans and skin lesions in the NC/Nga mice, a murine model for atopic dermatitis.Objective:  Here, we investigated the effect of a monoclonal IL‐31 antibody on scratching behaviour, weight gain and dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.Methods:  Mice were divided into three groups, n = 10 in each group. Mice were given monoclonal IL‐31 rat‐anti‐mouse antibody 10 mg/kg or albumin intraperitoneally every fifth day for seven weeks. In addition, the mice in one group were not exposed to any form of intervention. The dermatitis score was clinically assessed twice a week. The scratching behaviour was automatically detected and objectively evaluated.Results:  Intervention with IL‐31 antibody 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally every fifth day in NC/Nga mice from age 7 weeks reduced the scratching behaviour, but did not have any impact on weight gain or dermatitis.Conclusion:  IL‐31 antibody reduces scratching behaviour in an atopic dermatitis‐like murine model during the onset of clinical skin manifestations. Our findings suggest IL‐31 antibody as a new potential therapeutic approach for pruritus in atopic dermatitis and other pruritic diseases.