bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in tree growth provide limited evidence of species mixture effects in Interior West USA mixed‐conifer forests
Authors: Looney Christopher E. , Previant Wilfred J. , Nagel Linda M. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

In mixed stands, species complementarity (e.g. facilitation and competition reduction) may enhance forest tree productivity. Although positive mixture effects have been identified in forests world‐wide, the majority of studies have focused on two‐species interactions in managed systems with high functional diversity. We extended this line of research to examine mixture effects on tree productivity across landscape‐scale compositional and environmental gradients in the low functional diversity, fire‐suppressed, mixed‐conifer forests of the U.S. Interior West.

We investigated mixture effects on the productivity of Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor. Using region‐wide forest inventory data, we created individual‐tree generalized linear mixed models and examined the growth of these species across community gradients. We compared the relative influences of stand structure, age, competition and environmental stress on mixture effects using multi‐model inference. We analysed growth of neighbouring tree species to infer whether a mixture effect in a single species translated to the stand‐level.

We found support for a positive mixture effect in P. menziesii, although our results were equivocal in light of a weaker but still plausible alternative model. Growth of P. menziesii neighbouring species in mixed stands declined or held constant depending on aridity, suggesting that a positive mixture effect in P. menziesii does not necessarily extend to the stand level. We found no evidence for mixture effects in P. ponderosa, A. concolor or their neighbouring species.

Complementarity appears to have a limited influence on tree growth in the mixed‐conifer systems of the U.S. Interior West, reflecting limited functional diversity. Historical changes in stand structure following fire exclusion, particularly high stand densities, may limit the potential for positive species mixture effects. The limited species pool of Interior West forests increases the risk that, without careful management, what functional diversity exists could be lost to compositional changes resulting from stand dynamics or disturbance.
Transcription of CLDND1 in human brain endothelial cells is regulated by the myeloid zinc finger 1
Authors: Shima Akiho , Matsuoka Hiroshi , Yamaoka Alice , Michihara Akihiro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIncreased permeability of endothelial cells lining the blood vessels in the brain leads to vascular oedema and, potentially, to stroke. The tight junctions (TJs), primarily responsible for the regulation of vascular permeability, are multi‐protein complexes comprising the claudin family of proteins and occludin. Several studies have reported that downregulation of the claudin domain containing 1 (CLDND1) gene enhances vascular permeability, which consequently increases the risk of stroke. However, the transcriptional regulation of CLDND1 has not been studied extensively. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the transcription factors (TFs) regulating CLDND1 expression. A luciferase reporter assay identified a silencer within the first intron of CLDND1, which was identified as a potential binding site of the myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) through in silico and TFBIND software analyses, and confirmed through a reporter assay using the MZF1 expression vector and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Moreover, the transient overexpression of MZF1 significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of CLDND1, conversely, which were suppressed through the siRNA‐mediated MZF1 knockdown. Furthermore, the permeability of FITC‐dextran was observed to be increased on MZF1 knockdown as compared to that of the siGFP control. Our data revealed the underlying mechanism of the transcriptional regulation of CLDND1 by the MZF1. The findings suggest a potential role of MZF1 in TJ formation, which could be studied further and applied to prevent cerebral haemorrhage.
Forgetfulness without memory: reconstruction, landscape, and the politics of the everyday in post‐earthquake Gujarat, India
Authors: Simpson Edward 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFor many good reasons, after natural disasters it is common to work with ‘memory’ as part of a collective catharsis and a globalized humanitarian logic. Long‐term anthropological research on the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, however, also demonstrates the significance of forgetting in local practice. Immediately after the disaster, people vowed to abandon the sites of their loss, leave the ruins as monuments, and rebuild anew on safer ground. In time, though, life returned to the ruins as the terrible proximity of death receded, as memories and new salience were shaped by acts of reconstruction. The article explores some of the political and social factors that make this form of forgetting possible – or even necessary. Evidence of earlier earthquakes in the same region indicates that such ‘forgetting’ has an established history. Together, ethnographic and archival materials combine to cast doubt over the emphasis on ‘remembering’ as the only ‘memory solution’ to suffering.
‘The Evil of the Age’: The New York Times and the Politicisation of Abortion, 1871
Authors: Thyer Danielle 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTIn August 1871, the New York Times published the findings of an undercover investigation undertaken by one of its reporters into the abortionists who operated in the city. This coincided with the discovery of the body of Alice Bowlsby in a travelling trunk at a railroad depot, who had died as a result of surgical abortion. For the New York Times, abortion was a great ‘evil of the age’ that flourished due to its hidden nature and public indifference towards it. Its pervasiveness was aided by newspaper advertising – particularly in the New York Herald – alongside legislation that failed to prevent untrained physicians from risking women's lives. This paper uses the undercover investigation to historicise the early American anti‐abortion movement. Rather than agitate for foetal rights or personhood as later twentieth‐century anti‐abortion activists would, this article argues that the New York Times politicised the practice through its sustained campaign by connecting abortion with a range of social concerns. This included the role of women in society, the nature of class distinctions and the advancement of medical professionalisation. Further, this article revises our understanding of the close relationship between the press and abortion in nineteenth‐century America.
Neurologic outcomes following the introduction of a policy for using soft cervical collars in suspected traumatic cervical spine injury: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Asha Stephen E , Curtis Kate , Healy Georgina , Neuhaus Lauren , Tzannes Alexander , Wright Kelly 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveIn trauma patients with potential cervical spine injury, immobilisation with a rigid cervical collar is widely recommended to prevent a secondary spinal cord injury. There is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of this practice, but increasing evidence for complications from rigid collars. Soft foam collars may mitigate some of these issues and are used in our health service in place of rigid collars in selected patients at risk for traumatic cervical spine injury. The objective of the present study was to describe the neurological outcome of patients according to the cervical stabilisation technique used.MethodsA multi‐centre, retrospective, consecutive, case series of all patients assessed for a traumatic cervical spine injury from October 2017 to July 2018 was conducted. Data were obtained by a medical chart review. The primary outcome was the development of a new neurological deficit because of spinal cord injury while in hospital.ResultsInter‐rater reliability of data abstraction demonstrated very strong agreement (kappa 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.80–0.90). Of 2036 patients, 1133 were managed in a soft collar. A new neurological deficit because of spinal cord injury developed in two patients managed in a rigid collar. One case managed in a soft collar was uncertain because of an incomplete baseline neurological examination.ConclusionThe use of soft foam cervical collars in patients at risk for a cervical spine injury does not appear to increase the risk for secondary spinal cord injury but larger prospective studies are required before a robust conclusion on safety can be claimed.
Roles of LmCDA1 and LmCDA2 in cuticle formation in the foregut and hindgut of Locusta migratoria
Authors: Zhang Min , Ma Peng‐Juan , Zhang Ting‐Ting , Gao Zhi‐Mei , Zhao Pan , Liu Xiao‐Jian , Zhang Xue‐Yao , Liu Wei‐Min , Yu Rong‐Rong , Moussian Bernard , Zhang Jian‐Zhen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChitin deacetylases (CDAs, including CDA1 and CDA2) are considered key enzymes for body cuticle formation and tracheal morphogenesis in various insect species. However, their functions in the formation of the cuticular intima of the foregut and hindgut are unclear. Here, we investigated the roles of their respective genes LmCDA1 and LmCDA2 in this process, in the hemimetabolous insect Locusta migratoria. Transcripts of LmCDA1 and LmCDA2 were highly expressed both before and after molting in the foregut. In the hindgut, their expression was high only before molting. In both the foregut and hindgut, LmCDA1 protein was localized in the basal half of the chitin matrix (procuticle), whereas LmCDA2 was detected in the upper half of the procuticle. Knockdown of LmCDA1 by RNA interference (RNAi) in 5th‐instar nymphs caused no visible defects of the hindgut cuticle. By contrast, the chitinous lamellae of the cuticular intima in the foregut of knockdown animals were less compact than in control animals. RNAi against LmCDA2 led to thickening of both the foregut and hindgut cuticles, with a greater number of thinner laminae than in the respective control cuticles. Taken together, our results show that LmCDA1 and LmCDA2 have distinct, but overlapping, functions in chitin organization in the foregut cuticle. However, in the hindgut, this process seems independent of LmCDA1 activity but requires LmCDA2 function. Thus, the CDAs reflect tissue‐specific differences in cuticular organization and function, which need further detailed molecular and histological analyses for full comprehension.
Radicle pruning by seed‐eating animals helps oak seedlings absorb more soil nutrient
Authors: YI Xianfeng , WANG Minghui , XUE Chao , JU Mengyao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlthough radicle pruning has well been observed in plant–animal interactions, research has not been conducted to determine how radicle pruning by seed‐eating animals regulates nutrition mobilization of cotyledonary reserves and absorption of soil nutrients. We used stable nitrogen isotopes to test how acorns of early‐germinating oak species (Quercus variabilis, Q. aliena, and Q. mogolica) trade off nutrients in the cotyledons and those in the soil in response to radicle pruning by seed‐eating rodents. Radicle pruning by rodents resulted in root branching in the 3 early‐germinating oak species. Moreover, radicle pruning increased shoot dry weight and substantially reduced the root‐to‐shoot ratio of oak species. Corresponding to the decreased dry weight of roots and root‐to‐shoot ratio, the dry weight of the remnant cotyledons was higher after radicle pruning in the 3 oak species. We provided first evidence that radicle pruning by seed‐eating animals improved seedling performance of early‐germinating oaks by increasing absorption of nutrients from soil. The results indicate that early‐germinating oak seedlings trade off nutrition budget by altering nutrient absorption from soil and reserve mobilization from cotyledons in response to radicle pruning by seed‐eating animals. Our study provided new insight into the nutrition allocation mechanism of young seedlings in response to radicle pruning by seed‐eating animals, reflecting a mutualistic interaction between early‐germinating oak and food‐hoarding animals.
Females’ ability to discriminate MSG from NaCl influences perceived intensity but not liking of MSG added vegetable broths
Authors: Hartley Isabella E. , Liem Dijn G. , Keast Russell SJ. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study investigated whether ability to taste monosodium glutamate (MSG) is associated with liking and intensity of sodium‐reduced vegetable broths with added MSG. Six vegetable broths, with varying concentrations of added NaCl and MSG, were evaluated for overall intensity, and liking, by n = 115 female participants, mean age 24.1 ± 5.4. Broths evaluated included: control broth (0 g NaCl, 0 g MSG), high NaCl broth (0.8 g/100 mL), medium NaCl (0.4 g/100 mL), low NaCl (0.2 g/100 ml), medium NaCl (0.4 g/100 ml) + 29 mM MSG and, low NaCl (0.2 g/100 mL) + 29 mM MSG. Participant's umami discrimination status was determined using forced‐choice triangle tests (29 mM MSG vs 29 mM NaCl), and suprathreshold salt taste intensity (NaCl) was measured. A 7% Na reduction was possible by partially replacing NaCl with MSG without influencing intensity or liking in the low NaCl broth, in comparison to the highest liked NaCl only broth (medium NaCl). There was no significant difference in liking of broths between MSG discriminators (n = 37) and nondiscriminators (n = 78) (P > 0.2). MSG discriminators rated all broths as significantly more intense overall (except for control broth, P > 0.2) than nondiscriminators (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was found between MSG discrimination status, and salt taste intensity tertiles (χ2 (2, N = 115) = 8.45; P < 0.02) indicating that the Na ion dominates taste profile.The ability to discriminate MSG from NaCl does not influence liking of salt‐reduced broths with added MSG. MSG discrimination status was associated with NaCl taste intensity, indicating that the sodium ion is dominant in influencing intensity (common to both MSG and NaCl).Practical ApplicationThe addition of MSG to vegetable broths is an effective way to reduce total sodium in the broths without reducing liking of the broths, this is irrespective of an individual's ability to taste MSG or salt. Salt taste and umami taste (MSG) appear to be associated, indicating the sodium is important in influencing taste intensity for both salty and umami taste.
Ultrafiltration isolation, physicochemical characterization, and antidiabetic activities analysis of polysaccharides from green tea, oolong tea, and black tea
Authors: Xu Leilei , Chen Yue , Chen Zhongqin , Gao Xudong , Wang Chunli , Panichayupakaranant Pharkphoom , Chen Haixia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBoth fermentation degree and preparation method of polysaccharides could influence the bioactivity of tea polysaccharides. The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical characterization and biological activities of the polysaccharides isolated by ultrafiltration method from three kinds of tea (green tea, oolong tea, and black tea). The bioactivities of tea polysaccharide fractions were compared from four aspects, including antioxidant activities, antiglycation activities, α‐glucosidase inhibitory capability, and hypoglycemic effects on L6 myotubes. Results showed that six polysaccharides (GTPS1, GTPS2, OTPS1, OTPS2, BTPS1, and BTPS2) had different contents of neutral sugar and uronic acid, and they showed different morphologies. Six polysaccharides were composed of the seven monosaccharides with different molar ratios. BTPS1 exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05), and BTPS1 also showed the strongest antiglycation inhibitory effects (P < 0.05). BTPS1 and BTPS2 showed strong inhibitory capacity on α‐glucosidase and hypoglycemic effects in L6 skeletal muscle cells. The result suggested that the degree of fermentation of tea could improve their bioactivities (BTPS > OTPS >GTPS), and TPS1 with smaller molecular weight distribution showed higher bioactivities than TPS2. This study can provide a scientific foundation for the application of tea polysaccharides and related functional products.
Anthropogenic chemicals and their impacts on microbes living in buildings
Authors: Hu Jinglin , Hartmann Erica M. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryHumans spend the vast majority of their time indoors where complex interactions occur among indoor anthropogenic chemicals, indoor microbiomes and human occupants. This paper summarizes previous work addressing interactions between anthropogenic chemicals associated with indoor household products and building materials, and microorganisms found within the built environment. Water availability seems to determine the extent to which microbes are impacted by anthropogenic chemicals, since desiccation remains one of the primary stressors regulating microbial viability indoors. Several lines of evidence suggest that both fungi and bacteria are capable of transforming biodegradable ingredients originating from various products used indoors when water is present. Previous research also establishes positive and significant correlations between anthropogenic chemicals that are antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance gene abundance. As researchers move towards understanding complex indoor environments as well as the role of anthropogenic chemicals in shaping microbiomes, in situ activities associated with the viable indoor microbial population merit more attention.
Contaminations contaminate common databases
Authors: Bensch Staffan , Inumaru Mizue , Sato Yukita , Lee Cruz Larisa , Cunningham Andrew A. , Goodman Simon J. , Levin Iris I. , Parker Patricia G. , Casanueva Patricia , Hernández Maria‐Angeles , Moreno‐Rueda Gregorio , Rojo Maria‐Angeles 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a very powerful method to detect and identify pathogens. The high sensitivity of the method, however, comes with a cost; any of the millions of artificial DNA copies generated by PCR can serve as a template in a following experiment. If not identified as contaminations, these may result in erroneous conclusions on the occurrence of the pathogen, thereby inflating estimates of host range and geographic distribution. In the present paper, we evaluate whether several published records of avian haemosporidian parasites, in either unusual host species or geographical regions, might stem from PCR contaminations rather than novel biological findings. The detailed descriptions of these cases are shedding light upon the steps in the work process that might lead to PCR contaminations. By increasing the awareness of this problem, it will aid in developing procedures that keep these to a minimum. The examples in the present paper are from haemosporidians of birds, however the problem of contaminations and suggested actions should apply generally to all kinds of PCR‐based identifications, not just of parasites and pathogens.
Big Science Collaborations; Lessons for Global Governance and Leadership
Authors: Robinson Mark 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBig Science communities have been remarkably effective in evolving complex processes and mechanisms to enable international collaborations. Major powers such as the People's Republic of China, Russia and the USA, who are fierce rivals in other domains, form lasting alliances. Three of the most relevant case examples are the Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN) community, the International Thermonuclear Experiential Reactor (ITER) nuclear fusion project community and the International Space Station (ISS) community. Beyond Gridlock theory identifies eight pathways through and beyond gridlock and their mechanisms. It is through the combination of these pathways that international collaborations can be initiated, maintained and delivered. Extensive field work in each of the three case study communities reveal winning combinations of pathways for Big Science collaborations. Shifts in major powers’ core interests and multiple, diverse organisations and institutions coalescing around common goals emerge as the two core pathways. They are supported in their implementation by two enabling pathways: innovative leadership and innovative funding. The relationship between all four provides clues on mechanisms that can be used to good effect in other international relations domains that are caught up in the debilitating global gridlock phenomenon.
The effects of drought stress and type of fertiliser on generalist and specialist herbivores and their natural enemies
Authors: Shehzad Muhammad , Gulzar Asim , Staley Joanna T. , Tariq Muhammad 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAbiotic stresses such as drought and nutrient availability can affect invertebrate herbivores feeding on plants, and potentially cascade up to impact their predators and parasitoids. Although these two factors separately been the subject of many studies, there are few tests of their combined effects in the context of pest species and their natural enemies on cultivated plants. Climate change models predict an increase in the frequency and severity of droughts, while the type and amount of fertiliser applied to crops is more under the control of growers. Understanding how these two abiotic factors may interact is key to utilising the potential of natural enemies to control pests under a future climate. To address this, a range of drought and fertiliser type treatments were applied to a model Brassica system in a factorial design, and the performance of two ubiquitous aphid species and their parasitoids was assessed. One aphid species was a specialist on Brassicas (Brevicoryne brassicae, with parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae) and the second a generalist aphid species (Myzus persicae, with parasitoid Aphidius colemani). The performance of both aphid species responded in a similar way to the treatments, and was maximised on plants growing in organic fertilisers under medium levels of drought stress. The strongest effects of drought and fertiliser cascaded up to affect parasitoids. Parasitoid performance responded in a broadly similar way to their aphid host performance in relation to fertiliser type. Some of the smaller effects of fertiliser treatments on aphid performance were not found for parasitoid performance. Aphid performance was greatest on plants under medium drought stress, but the parasitoids only responded consistently to the high drought stress treatment, on which their performance was reduced. Interactions between the drought and fertiliser did not have a large effect on aphid or parasitoid performance, compared with the strong main effects found for each treatment. These results are discussed in the context of previous and future research on the impacts of abiotic stresses on invertebrate herbivores and their natural enemies.