bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the generality of above‐ground biomass allometry across plant functional types at the continent scale
Authors: Paul Keryn I. , Roxburgh Stephen H. , Chave Jerome , England Jacqueline R. , Zerihun Ayalsew , Specht Alison , Lewis Tom , Bennett Lauren T. , Baker Thomas G. , Adams Mark A. , Huxtable Dan , Montagu Kelvin D. , Falster Daniel S. , Feller Mike , Sochacki Stan , Ritson Peter , Bastin Gary , Bartle John , Wildy Dan , Hobbs Trevor , Larmour John , Waterworth Rob , Stewart Hugh T.L. , Jonson Justin , Forrester David I. , Applegate Grahame , Mendham Daniel , Bradford Matt , O'Grady Anthony , Green Daryl , Sudmeyer Rob , Rance Stan J. , Turner John , Barton Craig , Wenk Elizabeth H. , Grove Tim , Attiwill Peter M. , Pinkard Elizabeth , Butler Don , Brooksbank Kim , Spencer Beren , Snowdon Peter , O'Brien Nick , Battaglia Michael , Cameron David M , Hamilton Steve , McAuthur Geoff , Sinclair Jenny 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAccurate ground‐based estimation of the carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems is critical to quantifying the global carbon budget. Allometric models provide cost‐effective methods for biomass prediction. But do such models vary with ecoregion or plant functional type? We compiled 15 054 measurements of individual tree or shrub biomass from across Australia to examine the generality of allometric models for above‐ground biomass prediction. This provided a robust case study because Australia includes ecoregions ranging from arid shrublands to tropical rainforests, and has a rich history of biomass research, particularly in planted forests. Regardless of ecoregion, for five broad categories of plant functional type (shrubs; multistemmed trees; trees of the genusEucalyptusand closely related genera; other trees of high wood density; and other trees of low wood density), relationships between biomass and stem diameter were generic. Simple power‐law models explained 84–95% of the variation in biomass, with little improvement in model performance when other plant variables (height, bole wood density), or site characteristics (climate, age, management) were included. Predictions of stand‐based biomass from allometric models of varying levels of generalization (species‐specific, plant functional type) were validated using whole‐plot harvest data from 17 contrasting stands (range: 9–356 Mg ha−1). Losses in efficiency of prediction were <1% if generalized models were used in place of species‐specific models. Furthermore, application of generalized multispecies models did not introduce significant bias in biomass prediction in 92% of the 53 species tested. Further, overall efficiency ofstand‐level biomass prediction was 99%, with a mean absolute prediction error of only 13%. Hence, for cost‐effective prediction of biomass across a wide range of stands, we recommend use of generic allometric models based on plant functional types. Development of new species‐specific models is only warranted when gains in accuracy of stand‐based predictions are relatively high (e.g. high‐value monocultures).
Range and uncertainties in estimating delays in greenhouse gas mitigation potential of forest bioenergy sourced from Canadian forests
Authors: Laganière Jérôme , Paré David , Thiffault Evelyne , Bernier Pierre Y. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAccurately assessing the delay before the substitution of fossil fuel by forest bioenergy starts having a net beneficial impact on atmospheric CO2 is becoming important as the cost of delaying GHG emission reductions is increasingly being recognized. We documented the time to carbon (C) parity of forest bioenergy sourced from different feedstocks (harvest residues, salvaged trees, and green trees), typical of forest biomass production in Canada, used to replace three fossil fuel types (coal, oil, and natural gas) in heating or power generation. The time to C parity is defined as the time needed for the newly established bioenergy system to reach the cumulative C emissions of a fossil fuel, counterfactual system. Furthermore, we estimated an uncertainty period derived from the difference in C parity time between predefined best‐ and worst‐case scenarios, in which parameter values related to the supply chain and forest dynamics varied. The results indicate short‐to‐long ranking of C parity times for residues < salvaged trees < green trees and for substituting the less energy‐dense fossil fuels (coal < oil < natural gas). A sensitivity analysis indicated that silviculture and enhanced conversion efficiency, when occurring only in the bioenergy system, help reduce time to C parity. The uncertainty around the estimate of C parity time is generally small and inconsequential in the case of harvest residues but is generally large for the other feedstocks, indicating that meeting specific C parity time using feedstock other than residues is possible, but would require very specific conditions. Overall, the use of single parity time values to evaluate the performance of a particular feedstock in mitigating GHG emissions should be questioned given the importance of uncertainty as an inherent component of any bioenergy project.
A Tube Seepage Meter for In Situ Measurement of Seepage Rate and Groundwater Sampling
Authors: Solder John E. , Gilmore Troy E. , Genereux David P. , Solomon D. Kip 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe designed and evaluated a “tube seepage meter” for point measurements of vertical seepage rates (q), collecting groundwater samples, and estimating vertical hydraulic conductivity (K) in streambeds. Laboratory testing in artificial streambeds show that seepage rates from the tube seepage meter agreed well with expected values. Results of field testing of the tube seepage meter in a sandy‐bottom stream with a mean seepage rate of about 0.5 m/day agreed well with Darcian estimates (vertical hydraulic conductivity times head gradient) when averaged over multiple measurements. The uncertainties in q and K were evaluated with a Monte Carlo method and are typically 20% and 60%, respectively, for field data, and depend on the magnitude of the hydraulic gradient and the uncertainty in head measurements. The primary advantages of the tube seepage meter are its small footprint, concurrent and colocated assessments of q and K, and that it can also be configured as a self‐purging groundwater‐sampling device.
Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. extracts: evaluation of antioxidant and antiproliferative activity and their ability to reduce microbial growth on fresh‐cut salad
Authors: Boffa Luisa , Binello Arianna , Boscaro Valentina , Gallicchio Margherita , Amisano Gabriella , Fornasero Stefania , Cravotto Giancarlo 
Published: December 2015

SummaryWith the aim to develop natural preservatives displaying also chemopreventive activity, different Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. extracts were studied. Myrrh essential oils, obtained by steam distillation and microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation, and several other extracts, obtained by sequential procedures with petroleum ether (PE), ethanol, ethyl acetate and butanol, have been screened for their antioxidant (DPPH· scavenging assay) and antiproliferative activity (on both nontumour and colon cancer cell lines) without previous purification. Considering that the colon cancer cell lines were more sensitive to PE and ethanol extracts, the latter of which showed the highest antioxidant activity (EC50 = 0.160 ± 0.008 mg mL−1), both have been selected for further antibacterial/antifungal activity tests using an antimicrobial diffusion test and a growth inhibition test on salads. Results showed that the ethanol extract possessed the higher antibacterial and antifungal activity. Compared to untreated product, fresh‐cut salads treated with these two myrrh extracts displayed a significant lower bacterial growth. Although further investigation is required, these promising results offer hints as how to improve the shelf life of fresh‐cut salad.
Enzymatic synthesis of mannitol dioctanoate and its utilisation in the preparation of structured edible oil
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Yang Cheng , Li Jing , Meng Qingran , Raza Husnain , Zhang Lianfu 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe medium‐chain dialkanoate of low‐calorie sugar and fatty acids which can be easily released is normally regarded as a potential candidate of gelator in structured edible oil preparation. This study focused on the synthesis, purification of mannitol dioctanoate and its utilisation in the preparation of structured edible oil. The mixture of acetone and n‐hexane with a ratio of 7:3 (v/v) was used as the media of the reaction, and the ratio of octanoic acid to mannitol was 3:1 with Novozyme 435 as catalyst. Then, the mixture was fractionated via water/n‐hexane extraction, and the purity reached 90%. HPLC‐MS, 1H and 13C NMR analysis showed it was 1, 6‐di‐O‐octanomannitol, which is our target product. In structured vegetable oil preparation, 0.8–1.8% (w/w) addition of product can form gelation. The rheological measurements of the organogels showed G′, G″ increased during the first 2 weeks and then tended to be stable.
Health‐related physical fitness is associated with total and central body fat in preschool children aged 3 to 5 years
Authors: Martinez‐Tellez B. , Sanchez‐Delgado G. , Cadenas‐Sanchez C. , Mora‐Gonzalez J. , Martín‐Matillas M. , Löf M. , Ortega F. B. , Ruiz J. R. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryObjectivesTo investigate whether health‐related physical fitness is associated with total and central body fat in preschool children.MethodsA total of 403 Spanish children aged 3–5 years (57.8% boys) participated in the study. Health‐related physical fitness was measured by the PREFIT battery: the handgrip strength and the standing long‐jump tests (muscular strength), the 4 × 10 m shuttle run (speed–agility), the one‐leg stance tests (balance) and the PREFIT‐20 m shuttle run test (cardiorespiratory fitness). Body mass index and waist circumference were used as markers of total and central body fat, respectively.ResultsThere were significant associations between all health‐related physical fitness tests and body mass index (β = 0.280 ± 0.054, β = −0.020 ± 0.006, β = 0.154 ± 0.065 and β = −0.034 ± 0.011 for the handgrip strength, standing long jump, 4 × 10 m shuttle run and PREFIT‐20 m shuttle run tests, respectively, all P ≤ 0.019) after adjusting for sex and age. Similarly, there was significant associations of standing long jump (β = −0.072 ± 0.014), 4 × 10 m shuttle run (β = 0.652 ± 0.150) and PREFIT‐20 m shuttle run tests (β = −0.102 ± 0.025) with waist circumference (all P ≤ 0.001), except for handgrip strength (β = 0.254 ± 0.145, P = 0.081) and one‐leg stance (β = −0.012 ± 0.009, P = 0.156).ConclusionsThe present study extends previous findings in older youth. Fitness assessment should be introduced in future epidemiological and intervention studies in preschool children because it seems to be an important factor determining health.
Dynamics and regulation of glycolysis‐tricarboxylic acid metabolism in the midgut of Spodoptera litura during metamorphosis
Authors: Hu D. , Luo W. , Fan L.F. , Liu F.L. , Gu J. , Deng H.M. , Zhang C. , Huang L.H. , Feng Q.L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSignificant changes usually take place in the internal metabolism of insects during metamorphosis. The glycolysis‐tricarboxylic acid (glycolysis‐TCA) pathway is important for energy metabolism. To elucidate its dynamics, the mRNA levels of genes involved in this pathway were examined in the midgut of Spodoptera litura during metamorphosis, and the pyruvate content was quantified. The expression patterns of these genes in response to starvation were examined, and the interaction between protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) was studied. The results revealed that the expression or activities of most glycolytic enzymes was down‐regulated in prepupae and then recovered in some degree in pupae, and all TCA‐related genes were remarkably suppressed in both the prepupae and pupae. Pyruvate was enriched in the pupal midgut. Taken together, these results suggest that insects decrease both glycolysis and TCA in prepupae to save energy and then up‐regulate glycolysis but down‐regulate TCA in pupae to increase the supply of intermediates for construction of new organs. The expression of all these genes were down‐regulated by starvation, indicating that non‐feeding during metamorphosis may be a regulator of glycolysis‐TCA pathway in the midgut. Importantly, interaction between PP1 and PFK was identified and is suggested to be involved in the regulation of glycolysis.
Sialic acids and autoimmune disease
Authors: Mahajan Vinay S. , Pillai Shiv 
Published: December 2015

SummaryAn important underlying mechanism that contributes to autoimmunity is the loss of inhibitory signaling in the immune system. Sialic acid‐recognizing Ig superfamily lectins or Siglecs are a family of cell surface proteins largely expressed in hematopoietic cells. The majority of Siglecs are inhibitory receptors expressed in immune cells that bind to sialic acid‐containing ligands and recruit SH2‐domain‐containing tyrosine phosphatases to their cytoplasmic tails. They deliver inhibitory signals that can contribute to the constraining of immune cells, and thus protect the host from autoimmunity. The inhibitory functions of CD22/Siglec‐2 and Siglec‐G and their contributions to tolerance and autoimmunity, primarily in the B lymphocyte context, are considered in some detail in this review. The relevance to autoimmunity and unregulated inflammation of modified sialic acids, enzymes that modify sialic acid, and other sialic acid‐binding proteins are also reviewed.
SLE‐associated risk factors affect DC function
Authors: Son Myoungsun , Kim Sun Jung , Diamond Betty 
Published: December 2015

SummaryNumerous risk alleles for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have now been identified. Analysis of the expression of genes with risk alleles in cells of hematopoietic origin demonstrates them to be most abundantly expressed in B cells and dendritic cells (DCs), suggesting that these cell types may be the drivers of the inflammatory changes seen in SLE. DCs are of particular interest as they act to connect the innate and the adaptive immune response. Thus, DCs can transform inflammation into autoimmunity, and autoantibodies are the hallmark of SLE. In this review, we focus on mechanisms of tolerance that maintain DCs in a non‐activated, non‐immunogenic state. We demonstrate, using examples from our own studies, how alterations in DC function stemming from either DC‐intrinsic abnormalities or DC‐extrinsic regulators of function can predispose to autoimmunity.
FcγRIIB and autoimmunity
Authors: Espéli Marion , Smith Kenneth G. C. , Clatworthy Menna R. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryAutoimmune diseases are characterized by adaptive immune responses against self‐antigens, including humoral responses resulting in the production of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies generate inflammation by activating complement and engaging Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). The inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB plays a central role in regulating the generation of autoantibodies and their effector functions, which include activation of innate immune cells and the cellular arm of the adaptive immune system, via effects on antigen presentation to CD4 T cells. Polymorphisms in FcγRIIB have been associated with susceptibility to autoimmunity but protection against infections in humans and mice. In the last few years, new mechanisms by which FcγRIIB controls the adaptive immune response have been described. Notably, FcγRIIB has been shown to regulate germinal center B cells and dendritic cell migration, with potential impact on the development of autoimmune diseases. Recent work has also highlighted the implication of FcγRIIB on the regulation of the innate immune system, via inhibition of Toll‐like receptor‐ and complement receptor‐mediated activation. This review will provide an update on the role of FcγRIIB in adaptive immune responses in autoimmunity, and then focus on their emerging function in innate immunity.
Cellular stress and innate inflammation in organ‐specific autoimmunity: lessons learned from vitiligo
Authors: Harris John E. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryFor decades, research in autoimmunity has focused primarily on immune contributions to disease. Yet recent studies report elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and abnormal activation of the unfolded protein response in cells targeted by autoimmunity, implicating cellular stress originating from the target tissue as a contributing factor. A better understanding of this contribution may help to answer important lingering questions in organ‐specific autoimmunity, as to what factors initiate disease and what directs its tissue specificity. Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease of the skin, has been the focus of translational research for over 30 years, and both melanocyte stress and immune mechanisms have been thought to be mutually exclusive explanations for pathogenesis. Chemical‐induced vitiligo is a unique clinical presentation that reflects the importance of environmental influences on autoimmunity, provides insight into a new paradigm linking cell stress to the immune response, and serves as a template for other autoimmune diseases. In this review, I will discuss the evidence for cell stress contributions to a number of autoimmune diseases, the questions that remain, and how vitiligo, an underappreciated example of organ‐specific autoimmunity, helps to answer them.
The many faces of Mac‐1 in autoimmune disease
Authors: Rosetti Florencia , Mayadas Tanya N. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryMac‐1 (CD11b/CD18) is a β2 integrin classically regarded as a pro‐inflammatory molecule because of its ability to promote phagocyte cytotoxic functions and enhance the function of several effector molecules such as FcγR, uPAR, and CD14. Nevertheless, recent reports have revealed that Mac‐1 also plays significant immunoregulatory roles, and genetic variants in ITGAM, the gene that encodes CD11b, confer risk for the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This has renewed interest in the physiological roles of this integrin and raised new questions on how its seemingly opposing biological functions may be regulated. Here, we provide an overview of the CD18 integrins and how their activation may be regulated as this may shed light on how the opposing roles of Mac‐1 may be elicited. We then discuss studies that exemplify Mac‐1's pro‐inflammatory versus regulatory roles particularly in the context of IgG immune complex‐mediated inflammation. This includes a detailed examination of molecular mechanisms that could explain the risk‐conferring effect of rs1143679, a single nucleotide non‐synonymous Mac‐1 polymorphism associated with SLE.
Cytokine‐producing B cells: a translational view on their roles in human and mouse autoimmune diseases
Authors: Lino Andreia C. , Dörner Thomas , Bar‐Or Amit , Fillatreau Simon 
Published: December 2015

SummaryB‐cell depletion therapy has beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases. This is only partly explained by an elimination of autoantibodies. How does B‐cell depletion improve disease? Here, we review preclinical studies showing that B cells can propagate autoimmune disorders through cytokine production. We also highlight clinical observations indicating the relevance of these B‐cell functions in human autoimmunity. Abnormalities in B‐cell cytokine production have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In the first two diseases, B‐cell depletion erases these abnormalities, and improves disease progression, suggesting a causative role for defective B‐cell cytokine expression in disease pathogenesis. However, in the last two disorders, the pathogenic role of B cells and the effect of B‐cell depletion on cytokine‐producing B cells remain to be clarified. A better characterization of cytokine‐expressing human B‐cell subsets, and their modulation by B cell‐targeted therapies might help understanding both the successes and failures of current B cell‐targeted approaches. This may even lead to the development of novel strategies to deplete or amplify selectively pathogenic or protective subsets, respectively, which might be more effective than global depletion of the B‐cell compartment.
Apoptotic cell recognition receptors and scavenger receptors
Authors: Penberthy Kristen K. , Ravichandran Kodi S. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryPhosphatidylserine recognition receptors are a highly diverse set of receptors grouped by their ability to recognize the ‘eat‐me’ signal phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells. Most of the phosphatidylserine recognition receptors dampen inflammation by inducing the production of anti‐inflammatory mediators during the phagocytosis of apoptotic corpses. However, many phosphatidylserine receptors are also capable of recognizing other ligands, with some receptors being categorized as scavenger receptors. It is now appreciated that these receptors can elicit different downstream events for particular ligands. Therefore, how phosphatidylserine recognition receptors mediate specific signals during recognition of apoptotic cells versus other ligands, and how this might help regulate the inflammatory state of a tissue is an important question that is not fully understood. Here, we revisit the work on signaling downstream of the phosphatidylserine recognition receptor BAI1, and evaluate how these and other signaling modules mediate signaling downstream from other receptors, including Stabilin‐2, MerTK, and αvβ5. We also propose the concept that phosphatidylserine recognition receptors could be viewed as a subset of scavenger receptors that are capable of eliciting anti‐inflammatory responses to apoptotic cells.
Ncf1 polymorphism reveals oxidative regulation of autoimmune chronic inflammation
Authors: Holmdahl Rikard , Sareila Outi , Olsson Lina M. , Bäckdahl Liselotte , Wing Kajsa 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe current review on the function of neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (NCF1) and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) is based on a genetic search for the major genes controlling autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Surprisingly, the disease‐promoting allele determined a lower ROS response and was therefore in complete contrast to the prevailing dogma. Once cloned, it opened the possibility to dissect this complex field from a new angle and with the possibilities to study the role of ROS in vivo. We found that NCF1 and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) complex‐derived ROS is an important regulator of several chronic inflammatory disorders by using models for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis, gout, and lupus. ROS could therefore affect many different types of diseases and the common denominator seems to be that ROS regulate macrophages, which prevents inflammation from going chronic. The role of ROS is currently changing from being seen as toxic agents that will promote inflammation toward a more complex view with ROS as crucial regulators of immune and inflammatory pathways.