bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amphibian and reptile communities and functional groups over a land‐use gradient in a coastal tropical forest landscape of high richness and endemicity
Authors: Trimble M. J. , van Aarde R. J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractInformation on the response of herpetofauna to different land uses is limited although important for land‐use planning to support conservation in human‐modified landscapes. Although transformation is dogmatically associated with extinction, species respond idiosyncratically to land‐use change, and persistence of species in habitat fragments may depend on careful management of the human‐modified matrix. We sampled herpetofauna over a vegetation‐type gradient representative of regional land uses [old‐growth forest, degraded forest, acacia woodland (i.e. new‐growth forest), eucalyptus plantation and sugar cane cultivation] in the forest belt skirting the southeastern coast of Africa, part of a biodiversity hotspot hosting many endemic herpetofaunal species in a highly transformed landscape. We categorized species into trait‐derived functional groups, and assessed abundance and richness of groups and compared community metrics along the gradient. We further assessed the capacity of environmental variables to predict richness and abundance. Overall, old‐growth forest harbored the highest richness and abundance, and amphibians and reptiles responded similarly to the gradient. Richness was low in cultivation, and surprisingly, in degraded forest, but substantial in acacia woodland and plantation. Composition differed between natural vegetation types (forest, degraded forest) and anthropogenic types (plantation, cultivation), while acacia woodland grouped with the latter for amphibians and the former for reptiles. Functional group richness eroded along the gradient, a pattern driven by the sensitivity of fossorial/ground‐dependent amphibians (A2) and reptiles (R2) and vegetation‐dwelling amphibians (A4) to habitat change. Variables describing temperature, cover and soil were good predictors of amphibian abundance, particularly of functional groups, but not for reptiles. Conserving forest and preventing degradation is important for forest herpetofaunal conservation, restoration and plantations have intermediate value, and cultivation is least beneficial. Our study demonstrates the utility of function‐related assessments, beyond traditional metrics alone, for understanding community responses to transformation. Particularly, fossorial/ground‐dependent amphibians and reptiles, and vegetation‐dwelling amphibians should be closely monitored.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin G Modulates Peripheral Blood Th17 and Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells in Pregnant Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Kim Dong Jae , Lee Sung Ki , Kim Jee Yun , Na Baeg Ju , Hur Sung Eun , Lee Millina , Kwak‐Kim Joanne 
Published: March 2014

ProblemTh17 cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells have been proposed as new risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) was reported to modulate various immune cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of IVIG on the levels of Th17 and Treg cells and pregnancy outcome in women with RPL.Method of studyThirty‐seven pregnant women with RPL were enrolled in this study. All had cellular immune abnormality in preconceptional evaluation. Blood was drawn on the day of IVIG treatment and 1 week later from the study subjects during early pregnancy. The proportions of IL‐17+ and Foxp3+ T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsStudy population was divided into four groups (Q1–Q4) based on ascending order of the levels of Th17 and Foxp3+ T cells. IVIG down‐regulated Th17 cells in the highest quartile, Q4 (P = 0.001), and up‐regulated CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in Q1 and Q2 (P = 0.025 and 0.029, respectively). In addition, Th17/CD4+ Foxp3+ T cell ratio decreased in Q4 (P = 0.040). We also found a positive trend between successful pregnancy outcome and CD8+ IL‐17+ T cells before IVIG treatment (P = 0.05).ConclusionIntravenous immunoglobulin G treatment modulated imbalance of Th17 and Foxp3+ Treg cells in pregnant RPL women with cellular immune abnormality.
What is the appropriate age cut‐off for cycloplegia in refraction?
Authors: Sanfilippo Paul G. , Chu Byoung‐Sun , Bigault Olivia , Kearns Lisa S. , Boon Mei‐Ying , Young Terri L. , Hammond Christopher J. , Hewitt Alex W. , Mackey David A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the age range for which cycloplegia provides additional information compared with non‐cycloplegic refraction in teenagers and young adults.MethodsData for 1295 subjects (704 female; 591 male) from the Twins Eye Study in Tasmania (TEST) and the Brisbane Adolescent Twin Study (mean age: 19.65 ± 3.56, range: 13–26 years) were included. For all participants, cycloplegia was induced by instillation of either one drop of 1% cyclopentolate (13–14 years) or one drop of 1% tropicamide (15–26 years). Pre‐ and postcycloplegic refractive errors for both eyes were measured using a Humphrey‐598 automated refractor and spherical equivalents of refractive error were calculated. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to model the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) for each eye against age (by year) and axial length (in the given eye).ResultsThe mean group difference between pre‐ and postcycloplegic SER (post minus pre) was 0.17 ± 0.52 D and 0.12 ± 0.51 D for the right and left eyes, respectively, indicating that postcycloplegic refraction was generally more hyperopic/less myopic. The mean difference between pre‐ and postcycloplegic SER decreased from 0.36 ± 0.41 D in the 13‐year‐olds to 0.06 ± 0.50 D in people aged 25 years. After adjusting for family‐relatedness, the difference between pre‐ and postcycloplegia SER was significant in all age groups up until the age of 20 years.ConclusionsNon‐cycloplegic autorefraction can result in group mean SER differences of greater myopia than cycloplegic autorefraction and occurs in teenagers (13–19 years of age), but not in adults 20–26 years. These data suggest that cycloplegia is not required in population estimates of refractive error for young adults once they reach approximately 20 years of age.
Higher plasma vitamin D is associated with reduced risk of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Ananthakrishnan A. N. , Cagan A. , Gainer V. S. , Cheng S.‐C. , Cai T. , Szolovits P. , Shaw S. Y. , Churchill S. , Karlson E. W. , Murphy S. N. , Kohane I. , Liao K. P. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundPatients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have an increased risk of clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Cathelicidins are anti‐microbial peptides that attenuate colitis and inhibit the effect of clostridial toxins. Plasma calcifediol [25(OH)D] stimulates production of cathelicidins.AimTo examine the association between plasma 25(OH)D and CDI in patients with IBD.MethodsFrom a multi‐institutional IBD cohort, we identified patients with at least one measured plasma 25(OH)D. Our primary outcome was development of CDI. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders were used to identify independent effect of plasma 25(OH)D on risk of CDI.ResultsWe studied 3188 IBD patients of whom 35 patients developed CDI. Patients with CDI‐IBD were older and had greater co‐morbidity. The mean plasma 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in patients who developed CDI (20.4 ng/mL) compared to non‐CDI‐IBD patients (27.1 ng/mL) (P = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, each 1 ng/mL increase in plasma 25(OH)D was associated with a 4% reduction in risk of CDI (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99, P = 0.046). Compared to individuals with vitamin D >20 ng/mL, patients with levels <20 ng/mL were more likely to develop CDI (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.16–4.44). The mean plasma 25(OH)D in patients with CDI who subsequently died was significantly lower (12.8 ± 8.1 ng/mL) compared to those who were alive at the end of follow‐up (24.3 ± 13.2 ng/mL) (P = 0.01).ConclusionsHigher plasma calcifediol [25(OH)D] is associated with reduced risk of C. difficile infection in patients with IBD. Further studies of therapeutic supplementation of vitamin D in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and C. difficile infection may be warranted.
Social scholarship: Reconsidering scholarly practices in the age of social media
Authors: Greenhow Christine , Gleason Benjamin 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis conceptual exploration inquires, what is scholarship reconsidered in the age of social media? How ought we to conceptualize social scholarship—a new set of practices being discussed in various disciplines? The paper offers a critical examination of the practical and policy implications of reconsidering scholarship in light of social media's affordances toward a conceptualization of social scholarship. For each dimension of Boyer's original framework, we explain its epistemologies and practices. Next, we take a critical approach to inquiring how each dimension, reconsidered through the lens of social scholarship values and social media affordances, might be envisioned today. This exploration provides concrete examples of how scholars might enact social scholarship with what benefits and challenges.
Discovering indicators of successful collaboration using tense: Automated extraction of patterns in discourse
Authors: Thompson Kate , Kennedy‐Clark Shannon , Wheeler Penny , Kelly Nick 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper describes a technique for locating indicators of success within the data collected from complex learning environments, proposing an application of e‐research to access learner processes and measure and track group progress. The technique combines automated extraction of tense and modality via parts‐of‐speech tagging with a visualisation of the timing and speaker for each utterance developed to code and analyse learner discourse, exploiting the results of previous, non‐automated analyses for validation. The work is developed using a dataset of interactions within a multi‐user virtual environment and extended to a more complex dataset of synchronous chat texts during a collaborative design task. This methodology extends natural language processing into computer‐based collaboration contexts, discovering the linguistic micro‐events that construct the larger phases of successful design‐based learning.
Histamine mediates behavioural and metabolic effects of 3‐iodothyroacetic acid, an endogenous end product of thyroid hormone metabolism
Authors: Musilli Claudia , De Siena Gaetano , Manni Maria Elena , Logli Andrea , Landucci Elisa , Zucchi Riccardo , Saba Alessandro , Donzelli Riccardo , Passani Maria Beatrice , Provensi Gustavo , Raimondi Laura 
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose3‐Iodothyroacetic acid (TA1) is an end product of thyroid hormone metabolism. So far, it is not known if TA1 is present in mouse brain and if it has any pharmacological effects.Experimental ApproachTA1 levels in mouse brain were measured by HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. After i.c.v. administration of exogenous TA1 (0.4, 1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1) to mice, memory acquisition‐retention (passive avoidance paradigm with a light‐dark box), pain threshold to thermal stimulus (51.5°C; hot plate test) and plasma glucose (glucorefractometer) were evaluated. Similar assays were performed in mice pretreated with s.c. injections of the histamine H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (10 mg·kg−1) or the H2 receptor antagonist zolantidine (5 mg·kg−1). TA1 (1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1) was also given i.c.v. to mice lacking histidine decarboxylase (HDC−/−) and the corresponding WT strain.Key ResultsTA1 was found in the brain of CD1 but not of HDC mice. Exogenous TA1 induced amnesia (at 0.4 μg·kg−1), stimulation of learning (1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1), hyperalgesia (0.4, 1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1) and hyperglycaemia (1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1). All these effects were modulated by pyrilamine and zolantidine. In HDC−/− mice, TA1 (1.32 and 4 μg·kg−1) did not increase plasma glucose or induce hyperalgesia.Conclusions and ImplicationsBehavioural and metabolic effects of TA1 disclosed interactions between the thyroid and histaminergic systems.
A Social–Ecological, Process‐Oriented Perspective on Political Violence and Child Development
Authors: Cummings E. Mark , Goeke‐Morey Marcie C. , Merrilees Christine E. , Taylor Laura K. , Shirlow Peter 
Published: March 2014

AbstractYouth's risk for adjustment problems amid political violence is well documented, but outcomes vary widely, with many children functioning well. Accordingly, researchers are seeking to identify the mechanisms and conditions that contribute to children's adjustment, with an interest in understanding effects on children in terms of changes in the social contexts in which they live and the psychological processes engaged by these social ecologies. In this article, we look at the importance of studying many levels of the social ecology and of differentiating the effects of exposure to contexts of political versus nonpolitical violence, and we address theories about explanatory processes. We review research pertinent to these themes, including a six‐wave longitudinal study on political violence and children inNorthernIreland.
Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and incident ischaemic stroke in men in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Shores Molly M. , Arnold Alice M. , Biggs Mary L. , Longstreth W.T. , Smith Nicholas L. , Kizer Jorge R. , Cappola Anne R. , Hirsch Calvin H. , Marck Brett T. , Matsumoto Alvin M. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryObjectiveIschaemic stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly men. Our main objective was to examine whether testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was associated with incident ischaemic stroke in elderly men.DesignCohort study.ParticipantsElderly men in the Cardiovascular Health Study who had no history of stroke, heart disease or prostate cancer as of 1994 and were followed until December 2010.MeasurementsAdjudicated ischaemic stroke.ResultsAmong 1032 men (mean age 76, range 66–97), followed for a median of 10 years, 114 had an incident ischaemic stroke. Total T and free T were not significantly associated with stroke risk, while DHT had a nonlinear association with incident stroke (P = 0·006) in analyses adjusted for stroke risk factors. The lowest risk of stroke was at DHT levels of 50‐75 ng/dl, with greater risk of stroke at DHT levels above 75 ng/dl or below 50 ng/dl. Results were unchanged when SHBG was added to the model. Calculated free DHT had an inverse linear association with incident ischaemic stroke with HR 0·77 (95% CI, 0·61, 0·98) per standard deviation in analyses adjusted for stroke risk factors.ConclusionsDihydrotestosterone had a nonlinear association with stroke risk in which there was an optimal DHT level associated with the lowest stroke risk. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to clarify whether there is an optimal androgen range associated with the least risk of adverse outcomes in elderly men.
Rational Hypocrisy: A Bayesian Analysis Based on Informal Argumentation and Slippery Slopes
Authors: Rai Tage S. , Holyoak Keith J. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMoral hypocrisy is typically viewed as an ethical accusation: Someone is applying different moral standards to essentially identical cases, dishonestly claiming that one action is acceptable while otherwise equivalent actions are not. We suggest that in some instances the apparent logical inconsistency stems from different evaluations of a weak argument, rather than dishonesty per se. Extending Corner, Hahn, and Oaksford's (2006) analysis of slippery slope arguments, we develop a Bayesian framework in which accusations of hypocrisy depend on inferences of shared category membership between proposed actions and previous standards, based on prior probabilities that inform the strength of competing hypotheses. Across three experiments, we demonstrate that inferences of hypocrisy increase as perceptions of the likelihood of shared category membership between precedent cases and current cases increase, that these inferences follow established principles of category induction, and that the presence of self‐serving motives increases inferences of hypocrisy independent of changes in the actions themselves. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Bayesian analyses of weak arguments may have implications for assessing moral reasoning.
Role of cell cycle regulatory molecules in retinoic acid‐ and vitamin D3‐induced differentiation of acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Hu X. T. , Zuckerman K. S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe important role of cell cycle regulatory molecules in all trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA)‐ and vitamin D3‐induced growth inhibition and differentiation induction has been intensively studied in both acute myeloid leukaemia primary cells and a variety of leukaemia cell lines. Cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK)‐activating kinase has been demonstrated to interact with retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α in acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells, and inhibition of CDK‐activating kinase by ATRA causes hypophosphorylation of PML‐RARα, leading to myeloid differentiation. In many cases, downregulation of CDK activity by ATRA and vitamin D3 is a result of elevated p21‐ and p27‐bound CDKs. Activation of p21 is regulated at the transcriptional level, whereas elevated p27 results from both (indirectly) transcriptional activation and post‐translational modifications. CDK inhibitors (CKIs) of the INK family, such as p15, p16 and p18, are mainly involved in inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas CIP/KIP members, such as p21, regulate both growth arrest and induction of differentiation. ATRA and vitamin D3 can also downregulate expression of G1 CDKs, especially CDK2 and CDK6. Inhibition of cyclin E expression has only been observed in ATRA‐ but not in vitamin D3‐treated leukaemic cells. In vitro, not only dephosphorylation of pRb but also elevation of total pRb is required for ATRA and vitamin D3 to suppress growth and trigger their differentiation. Finally, sharp reduction in c‐Myc has been observed in several leukaemia cell lines treated with ATRA, which may regulate expression of CDKs and CKIs.
Disease and community structure: white‐nose syndrome alters spatial and temporal niche partitioning in sympatric bat species
Authors: Jachowski David S. , Dobony Chris A. , Coleman Laci S. , Ford William M. , Britzke Eric R. , Rodrigue Jane L. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimEmerging infectious diseases present a major perturbation with apparent direct effects such as reduced population density, extirpation and/or extinction. Comparatively less is known about the potential indirect effects of disease that likely alter community structure and larger ecosystem function. Since 2006, white‐nose syndrome (WNS) has resulted in the loss of over 6 million hibernating bats in eastern North America. Considerable evidence exists concerning niche partitioning in sympatric bat species in this region, and the unprecedented, rapid decline in multiple species following WNS may provide an opportunity to observe a dramatic restructuring of the bat community.LocationWe conducted our study at Fort Drum Army Installation in Jefferson and Lewis counties, New York, USA, where WNS first impacted extant bat species in winter 2007–2008.MethodsAcoustical monitoring during 2003–2011 allowed us to test the hypothesis that spatial and temporal niche partitioning by bats was relaxed post‐WNS.ResultsWe detected nine bat species pre‐ and post‐WNS. Activity for most bat species declined post‐WNS. Dramatic post‐WNS declines in activity of little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus, MYLU), formerly the most abundant bat species in the region, were associated with complex, often species‐specific responses by other species that generally favoured increased spatial and temporal overlap with MYLU.Main conclusionsIn addition to the obvious direct effects of disease on bat populations and activity levels, our results provide evidence that disease can have cascading indirect effects on community structure. Recent occurrence of WNS in North America, combined with multiple existing stressors, is resulting in dramatic shifts in temporal and spatial niche partitioning within bat communities. These changes might influence long‐term population viability of some bat species as well as broader scale ecosystem structure and function.
Combining global climate and regional landscape models to improve prediction of invasion risk
Authors: Kelly Ruth , Leach Katie , Cameron Alison , Maggs Christine A. , Reid Neil 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimIt is widely acknowledged that species distributions result from a variety of biotic and abiotic factors operating at different spatial scales. Here, we aimed to (1) determine the extent to which global climate niche models (CNMs) can be improved by the addition of fine‐scale regional data; (2) examine climatic and environmental factors influencing the range of 15 invasive aquatic plant species; and (3) provide a case study for the use of such models in invasion management on an island.LocationGlobal, with a case study of species invasions in Ireland.MethodsClimate niche models of global extent (including climate only) and regional environmental niche models (with additional factors such as human influence, land use and soil characteristics) were generated usingmaxentfor 15 invasive aquatic plants. The performance of these models within the invaded range of the study species in Ireland was assessed, and potential hotspots of invasion suitability were determined. Models were projected forward up to 2080 based on two climate scenarios.ResultsWhile climate variables are important in defining the global range of species, factors related to land use and nutrient level were of greater importance in regional projections. Global climatic models were significantly improved at the island scale by the addition of fine‐scale environmental variables (area under the curve values increased by 0.18 and true skill statistic values by 0.36), and projected ranges decreased from an average of 86% to 36% of the island.Main conclusionsRefining CNMs with regional data on land use, human influence and landscape may have a substantial impact on predictive capacity, providing greater value for prioritization of conservation management at subregional or local scales.