bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New coupled model used inversely for reconstructing past terrestrial carbon storage from pollen data: validation of model using modern data
Authors: WU HAIBIN , GUIOT JOËL , PENG CHANGHUI , GUO ZHENGTANG 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe knowledge of potential impacts of climate change on terrestrial vegetation is crucial to understand long‐term global carbon cycle development. Discrepancy in data has long existed between past carbon storage reconstructions since the Last Glacial Maximum by way of pollen, carbon isotopes, and general circulation model (GCM) analysis. This may be due to the fact that these methods do not synthetically take into account significant differences in climate distribution between modern and past conditions, as well as the effects of atmospheric CO2 concentrations on vegetation. In this study, a new method to estimate past biospheric carbon stocks is reported, utilizing a new integrated ecosystem model (PCM) built on a physiological process vegetation model (BIOME4) coupled with a process‐based biospheric carbon model (DEMETER). The PCM was constrained to fit pollen data to obtain realistic estimates. It was estimated that the probability distribution of climatic parameters, as simulated by BIOME4 in an inverse process, was compatible with pollen data while DEMETER successfully simulated carbon storage values with corresponding outputs of BIOME4. The carbon model was validated with present‐day observations of vegetation biomes and soil carbon, and the inversion scheme was tested against 1491 surface pollen spectra sample sites procured in Africa and Eurasia. Results show that this method can successfully simulate biomes and related climates at most selected pollen sites, providing a coefficient of determination (R) of 0.83–0.97 between the observed and reconstructed climates, while also showing a consensus with an R‐value of 0.90–0.96 between the simulated biome average terrestrial carbon variables and the available observations. The results demonstrate the reliability and feasibility of the climate reconstruction method and its potential efficiency in reconstructing past terrestrial carbon storage.
Global climate patterns explain range‐wide synchronicity in survival of a migratory seabird
Authors: JENOUVRIER STEPHANIE , THIBAULT JEAN‐CLAUDE , VIALLEFONT ANNE , VIDAL PATRICK , RISTOW DIETRICH , MOUGIN JEAN‐LOUIS , BRICHETTI PIERANDREA , BORG JOHN J. , BRETAGNOLLE VINCENT 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTo predict the impact of climate change over the whole species distribution range, comparison of adult survival variations over large spatial scale is of primary concern for long‐lived species populations that are particularly susceptible to decline if adult survival is reduced. In this study, we estimated and compared adult survival rates between 1989 and 1997 of six populations of Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) spread across 4600 km using capture–recapture models. We showed that mean annual adult survival rates are different among populations along a longitudinal gradient and between sexes. Variation in adult survival is synchronized among populations, with three distinct groups: (1) both females and males of Corsica, Tremiti, and Selvagem (annual survival range 0.88–0.96); (2) both females and males of Frioul and females from Crete (0.82–0.92); and (3) both females and males of Malta and males from Crete (0.74–0.88). The total variation accounted for by the common pattern of variation is on average 71%, suggesting strong environmental forcing. At least 61% of the variation in survival is explained by the Southern Oscillation Index fluctuations. We suggested that Atlantic hurricanes and storms during La Niña years may increase adult mortality for Cory's shearwater during winter months. For long‐lived seabird species, variation in adult survival is buffered against environmental variability, although extreme climate conditions such as storms significantly affect adult survival. The effect of climate at large spatial scales on adult survival during the nonbreeding period may lead to synchronization of variation in adult survival over the species' range and has large effects on the meta‐population trends. One can thus worry about the future of such long‐lived seabirds species under the predictions of higher frequency of extreme large‐scale climatic events.
Effect of sowing date of triticale on seasonal herbage production in the central Appalachian Highlands of the United States
Authors: Clapham W. M. , Fedders J. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTriticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) was evaluated as a complementary pasture to buffer those periods when herbage production from mixed perennial pasture is marginal in the central Appalachian Highlands of the United States. Triticale was sown every month from May to October for five consecutive years from 1999 to 2003. Plant population structure and herbage production were evaluated at intervals until May of the year following establishment. Triticale established quickly at all times of sowing except late October. Wet summers resulted in foliar disease and a rapid decline in plant density when triticale was sown in May and June. In contrast, during the relatively dry summer of 1999, triticale stands exhibited minimal decline. Triticale sown in August had a herbage yield of 1580 kg DM ha−1 when harvested in October which was over twice the herbage yield of triticale sown in May, June and July. Average herbage yield in the following April of triticale sown in September was higher (1750 kg DM ha−1) and less variable than herbage yields from other sowing dates. Plant and tiller populations declined throughout the following April but herbage yields in May were high due to stem and seed head development associated with reproductive growth. Incorporating areas of triticale into mixed‐species perennial pasture systems could buffer herbage production during hot and dry summer periods as well as during cool periods of late autumn and early spring.
The effects of clipping height and frequency on net primary production ofAndropogon gerardii(C4grass) andBromus inermis(C3grass) in greenhouse experiments
Authors: Woodis J. E. , Jackson R. D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThere are potential agronomic and environmental benefits from incorporating warm‐season (C4) grasses into temperate pasture systems, usually dominated by cool‐season (C3) grasses, but there is a lack of information on how frequency and height of defoliation affects C4grasses. Three greenhouse experiments were conducted under (i) spring, (ii) summer and (iii) spring + summer clipping regimes. In each experiment, the effects of clipping frequency (weekly and monthly) and clipping height (clipped to 5 and 10 cm) were determined on above‐ and below‐ground net primary production (ANPP and BNPP) and total and seasonal dry matter (DM) yield forAndropogon gerardiiVitman (big bluestem, C4grass) andBromus inermisLeyss (smooth brome, C3grass). Six replicates per treatment were used. In all experiments, ANPP and BNPP of smooth brome was greater than that of big bluestem although during late summer months big bluestem had higher DM yields of herbage than smooth brome. There were different effects of frequency and height of clipping for both species on two similar measurements: total annual DM yield and ANPP, indicating that the ability to generalize about the effects of defoliation from ecological and agronomic grassland standpoints is questionable. Clipping effects on ANPP and BNPP were different for summer‐clipped pots than for spring, and spring + summer‐clipped pots, indicating that management could be tailored to meet specific agronomic or conservation goals.
Potential of the indigenous desert grasses of the Arabian Peninsula for forage production in a water‐scarce region
Authors: Osman A. E. , Makawi M. , Ahmed R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIndigenous perennial grasses are widely distributed in the Arabian Peninsula. Their survival under limited rainfall and grazing suggests a potential role as grassland species and for rehabilitation of degraded rangelands. Forage productivity, seed production and water‐use efficiency (WUE) was determined over 2 years for four indigenous grasses: buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), dakhna (Coelachyrum piercei Benth.), da’ay (Lasiurus scindicus Henr.) and tuman (Panicum turgidum Forssk.) together with one exotic species, rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) in the central region of the United Arab Emirates. Three irrigation treatments were used: R1 (1858–6758 m3 ha−1 year−1), R2 (929–3379 m3 ha−1 year−1) and R3 (464–1689 m3 ha−1 year−1). Buffel grass had the highest dry‐matter (DM) yield under all irrigation treatments. The average DM yield of buffel grass was 14·6 and 15·1 t ha−1 in the 2 years which was significantly higher than that for the other grasses with dakhna having the lowest DM yields. The WUE of 0·7 and 0·8 kg DM m−3 in the 2 years for buffel grass was significantly greater than for the other grasses. Buffel grass showed the highest increase in WUE in both years when the irrigation was reduced from treatment R1 to R3. The results suggest that the desert grasses of the Arabian Peninsula, such as buffel grass, could be useful grass species in reducing the use of scarce irrigation water provided that seed production can be increased.
Low‐ammonia‐emission application methods can increase the opportunity for application of cattle slurry to grassland in spring in Ireland
Authors: Lalor S. T. J. , Schulte R. P. O. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractApplication of slurry in spring to grassland in north‐west Europe increases the efficiency of nitrogen recovery compared with the application in summer. In Ireland, however, more than 0·50 of slurry is applied in the summer. The splash‐plate method of application, most commonly used in Ireland, can make application in spring difficult because of the risk of contamination of grass with slurry, affecting subsequent silage quality and grazing preferences. This study evaluated the potential of low‐emission spreading methods to increase the opportunity for spring application of slurry using an agro‐meteorological modelling approach. Weather data from two weather stations were combined with data on grass growth from two nearby sites. Using three soil‐drainage classes (well, moderate and poor), each with a typical regime of grassland management, a database of soil moisture deficits, drainage, patterns of grazing and cover of grass herbage was developed for three hypothetical management systems, one for each soil drainage class, at each site. Simulations of four slurry application methods [splash‐plate (SP), band‐spreader (BS), trailing‐shoe (TS) and shallow‐injection (SI)], subject to a series of constraints, were compared over an 8‐year period (1998–2005) in order to determine the number of days during the period from 1 January to approximately 10 May of each year, when it was considered that grassland was suitable for application of slurry. These constraints were: (i) restrictions on spreading imposed by current legislation in Ireland; (ii) the period before occurrence of drainage or overland flow; (iii) soil trafficability; (iv) the time‐lag before a subsequent grazing or harvest event; and (v) herbage mass of the pasture. On well and moderately drained soils, the model predicted that the highest number of days available for slurry spreading was found for the TS method followed by the BS, SI and SP methods. There was no difference between application methods in the number of available days on poorly drained soils.
Nitrogen flows and balances in four grassland‐based systems of dairy production on a clay‐loam soil in a moist temperate climate
Authors: Humphreys J. , O’Connell K. , Casey I. A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis study examined productivity, nitrogen (N) flows and N balances in grassland‐based systems of dairy production in Ireland. There were four stocking densities of dairy cows on grass/white clover pastures and four inputs of N as fertilizers, concentrates and biological fixation over 2 years; 2001 and 2002. Annual stocking densities were 1·75, 2·10, 2·50 and 2·50 cows ha−1. Associated N inputs were 205, 230, 300 and 400 kg ha−1 respectively. There were eighteen cows per system. Cows calved within a 12‐week interval in spring with a mean calving date of 28 February and lactation extended until mid‐December in each year. There were no differences in annual milk yield (6337 kg cow−1; s.e.m. 106·1), live weight or body condition score. Pre‐grazing N concentrations in herbage increased (P < 0·001) with increasing N input, whereas there were no differences in N concentrations in silage reflecting optimum N inputs for silage production. Grazed herbage accounted for 0·64, silage 0·26 and concentrates 0·10 of annual dry matter consumed by the cows. Annual intakes of N ranged from 144 to 158 kg cow−1 and were mostly influenced by N concentration in grazed herbage. Annual output of N in milk and liveweight change was 38 kg cow−1 and was not different between systems. Annual N surpluses increased with increasing N inputs from 137 to 307 kg ha−1, whereas the proportion of N inputs recovered in products declined from 0·34 to 0·24. More efficient N use was associated with lower N inputs and in particular lower N concentrations in grazed herbage.
Selective induction of the Notch ligand Jagged‐1 in macrophages by soluble egg antigen from Schistosoma mansoni involves ERK signalling
Authors: Goh Felicia , Irvine Katharine M. , Lovelace Erica , Donnelly Sheila , Jones Malcolm K. , Brion Kristian , Hume David A. , Kotze Andrew C. , Dalton John P. , Ingham Aaron , Sweet Matthew J. 
Published: November 2008

SummarySoluble egg antigen (SEA) from the helminth Schistosoma mansoni promotes T helper type 2 (Th2) responses by modulating antigen‐presenting cell function. The Jagged/Notch pathway has recently been implicated in driving Th2 development. We show here that SEA rapidly up‐regulated mRNA and protein expression of the Notch ligand Jagged‐1 in both murine bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs) and human monocyte‐derived macrophages (HMDMs). Another potential Th2‐promoting factor, interleukin (IL)‐33, was not transcriptionally induced by SEA in BMMs. Up‐regulation of Jagged‐1 mRNA by SEA was also apparent in conventional dendritic cells (DCs), although the effect was less striking than in BMMs. Conversely, SEA‐pulsed DCs, but not BMMs, promoted IL‐4 production upon T‐cell activation, suggesting that Jagged‐1 induction alone is insufficient for instructing Th2 development. A comparison of the responses initiated in BMMs by SEA and the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) revealed common activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 (ERK‐1/2) and p38 phosphorylation, as well as induction of Jagged‐1 mRNA. However, only LPS triggered IκB degradation, phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (Jnk) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1) Tyr701, and IL‐33 and IL‐12p40 mRNA up‐regulation. Inducible gene expression was modified by the presence of the macrophage growth factor colony‐stimulating factor (CSF)‐1, which inhibited Jagged‐1 induction by SEA and LPS, but enhanced LPS‐induced IL‐12p40 expression. Unlike LPS, SEA robustly activated signalling in HEK293 cells expressing either Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4/MD2. Pharmacological inhibition of the ERK‐1/2 pathway impaired SEA‐ and LPS‐inducible Jagged‐1 expression in BMMs. Taken together, our data suggest that Jagged‐1 is an ERK‐dependent target of TLR signalling that has a macrophage‐specific function in the response to SEA.
Signalling mechanisms for Toll‐like receptor‐activated neutrophil exocytosis: key roles for interleukin‐1‐receptor‐associated kinase‐4 and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase but not Toll/IL‐1 receptor (TIR) domain‐containing adaptor inducing IFN‐β (TRIF)
Authors: Brzezinska Agnieszka A. , Johnson Jennifer L. , Munafo Daniela B. , Ellis Beverly A. , Catz Sergio D. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryLipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates exocytosis in neutrophils. The signalling molecules involved in the regulation of this mechanism are currently unknown. Using neutrophils from interleukin‐1‐receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK)‐4‐ and Toll/IL‐1 receptor (TIR) domain‐containing adaptor inducing IFN‐β (TRIF)‐deficient mice, we dissected the signalling pathways that control exocytosis. We analysed exocytosis of peroxidase‐negative and azurophilic granules by following the mobilization of the β2‐integrin subunit CD11b and myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐containing granules, respectively. IRAK‐4‐null neutrophils showed marked defects in both peroxidase‐negative and azurophilic granule exocytosis in response to LPS. In contrast, the exocytic response to LPS of TRIF‐deficient neutrophils was not different from that of wild‐type cells. No differences were observed in the exocytosis of secretory organelles between IRAK‐4‐null and wild‐type neutrophils when they were stimulated with the phorbol ester phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA). Electron microscopy analysis showed that no morphological abnormalities were present in the granules of IRAK‐4‐deficient neutrophils, suggesting that the lack of exocytic response to LPS is not attributable to developmental abnormalities. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we found that p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) is essential for the exocytosis of all neutrophil secretory organelles in response to LPS. Interestingly, we found that phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) is essential for azurophilic granule exocytosis but not for the mobilization of other neutrophil granules in response to LPS. Azurophilic granule exocytosis in response to Listeria monocytogenes was dependent on PI3K but not IRAK‐4 activity, suggesting that alternative signalling pathways are activated in IRAK‐4‐deficient neutrophils exposed to whole bacteria. Our results identified IRAK‐4, p38MAPK and PI3K as important regulatory components with different roles in the signalling pathways that control Toll‐like receptor ligand‐triggered neutrophil exocytosis.
Evidence for a human leucocyte antigen‐DM‐induced structural change in human leucocyte antigen‐DOβ
Authors: Deshaies Francis , Diallo Djibril A. , Fortin Jean‐Simon , O’Rourke Helen M. , Pezeshki Abdul Mohammad , Bellemare‐Pelletier Angélique , Raby Nicola , Bédard Nathalie , Brunet Alexandre , Denzin Lisa K. , Thibodeau Jacques 
Published: November 2008

SummaryHuman leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DO is a non‐classical major histocompatibility complex class II molecule which modulates the function of HLA‐DM and the loading of antigenic peptides on molecules such as HLA‐DR. The bulk of HLA‐DO associates with HLA‐DM and this interaction is critical for HLA‐DO egress from the endoplasmic reticulum. HLA‐DM assists the early steps of HLA‐DO maturation presumably through the stabilization of the interactions between the N‐terminal regions of the α and β chains. To evaluate a possible role for HLA‐DM in influencing the conformation of HLA‐DO, we made use of a monoclonal antibody, Mags.DO5, that was raised against HLA‐DO/DM complexes. Using transfected cells expressing mismatched heterodimers between HLA‐DR and ‐DO chains, we found that the epitope for Mags.DO5 is located on the DOβ chain and that Mags.DO5 reactivity was increased upon cotransfection with HLA‐DM. Our results suggest that HLA‐DM influences the folding of HLA‐DO in the endoplasmic reticulum. A mutant HLA‐DO showing reduced capacity for endoplasmic reticulum egress was better recognized by Mags.DO5 in the presence of HLA‐DM. On the other hand, an HLA‐DO mutant capable of endoplasmic reticulum egress on its own was efficiently recognized by Mags.DO5, irrespective of the presence of HLA‐DM. Taken together, our results suggest that HLA‐DM acts as a private chaperone, directly assisting the folding of HLA‐DO to promote egress from the endoplasmic reticulum.
Dexamethasone/1α‐25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐treated dendritic cells suppress colitis in the SCID T‐cell transfer model
Authors: Pedersen Anders Elm , Schmidt Esben Gjerløff Wedebye , Gad Monika , Poulsen Steen Seier , Claesson Mogens Helweg 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAutoantigen‐presenting immunomodulatory dendritic cells (DCs) that are used for adoptive transfer have been shown to be a promising therapy for a number of autoimmune diseases. We have previously demonstrated that enteroantigen‐pulsed DCs treated with interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) can partly protect severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice adoptively transferred with CD4+ CD25− T cells from the development of wasting disease and colitis. We therefore established an in vitro test that could predict the in vivo function of DCs and improve strategies for the preparation of immunomodulatory DCs in this model. Based on these in vitro findings, we here evaluate three methods for DC generation including short‐term and long‐term IL‐10 exposure or DC exposure to dexamethasone in combination with vitamin D3 (Dex/D3). All DCs resulted in lower CD4+ CD25− T‐cell enteroantigen‐specific responses in vitro, but Dex/D3 DCs had the most prominent effect on T‐cell cytokine secretion. In vivo, Dex/D3 DCs most efficiently prevented weight loss and gut pathology upon CD4+ CD25− T‐cell transfer in SCID mice, although the effect on gut pathology was antigen independent. Our data in the SCID T‐cell transfer model illustrate some correlation between in vitro and in vivo DC function and document that prevention of experimental inflammatory bowel disease by transfer of immunosuppressive DCs is possible.
Primary angioplasty for heart attack: mismatch between expectations and reality?
Authors: Astin Felicity , Closs S. José , McLenachan Jim , Hunter Stacey , Priestley Claire 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTitle.  Primary angioplasty for heart attack: mismatch between expectations and reality? Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore patients’ experiences of primary angioplasty and assess their illness perceptions during early recovery.Background.  Primary angioplasty is recognized as the gold standard treatment for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction, yet little is known about patients’ experiences of this treatment. Recent policy change has emphasized the need for clinical practice to be more patient‐centred. One way to achieve this is to understand patients’ experiences of treatment better.Method.  A mixed methods exploratory study was carried out in 2006–2007 with a purposive sample of 29 patients. Data were collected 3–12 days after hospital discharge using (a) semi‐structured interviews to explore participants’ experiences and (b) The Illness Perception Questionnaire to evaluate illness perceptions. Interview data were analysed using the Framework approach. Questionnaire data were used to inform the qualitative findings.Findings.  Participants were very positive about their treatment but experienced considerable emotional shock, which was exacerbated by the speed with which events occurred. Patients’ experiences were characterized by a mismatch between their expectations and reality. Questionnaire data supported the notion that they experienced difficulty in ‘making sense’ of their condition in a coherent way. They tended to see their condition as ‘acute’ rather than ‘chronic’ and their treatment as curative.Conclusion.  Patient education should include focused discussions addressing the ‘mismatches’ that may occur between their expectations and reality. In this way, a more coherent understanding can be promoted, with greater awareness of heart disease as a long‐term condition requiring ongoing self‐management.