bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constraints of philanthropy on determining the distribution of biodiversity conservation funding
Authors: Larson Eric R. , Howell Stephen , Kareiva Peter , Armsworth Paul R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCaught between ongoing habitat destruction and funding shortfalls, conservation organizations are using systematic planning approaches to identify places that offer the highest biodiversity return per dollar invested. However, available tools do not account for the landscape of funding for conservation or quantify the constraints this landscape imposes on conservation outcomes. Using state‐level data on philanthropic giving to and investments in land conservation by a large nonprofit organization, we applied linear regression to evaluate whether the spatial distribution of conservation philanthropy better explained expenditures on conservation than maps of biodiversity priorities, which were derived from a planning process internal to the organization and return on investment (ROI) analyses based on data on species richness, land costs, and existing protected areas. Philanthropic fund raising accounted for considerably more spatial variation in conservation spending (r2= 0.64) than either of the 2 systematic conservation planning approaches (r2= 0.08–0.21). We used results of one of the ROI analyses to evaluate whether increases in flexibility to reallocate funding across space provides conservation gains. Small but plausible “tax” increments of 1–10% on states redistributed to the optimal funding allocation from the ROI analysis could result in gains in endemic species protected of 8.5–80.2%. When such increases in spatial flexibility are not possible, conservation organizations should seek to cultivate increased support for conservation in priority locations. We used lagged correlations of giving to and spending by the organization to evaluate whether investments in habitat protection stimulate future giving to conservation. The most common outcome at the state level was that conservation spending quarters correlated significantly and positively with lagged fund raising quarters. In effect, periods of high fund raising for biodiversity followed (rather than preceded) periods of high expenditure on land conservation projects, identifying one mechanism conservation organizations could explore to seed greater activity in priority locations. Our results demonstrate how limitations on the ability of conservation organizations to reallocate their funding across space can impede organizational effectiveness and elucidate ways conservation planning tools could be more useful if they quantified and incorporated these constraints.
Economic, structural and socio‐psychological determinants of protests in Russia during 2011–2012
Authors: Hagemann Harald , Kufenko Vadim 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis empirical analysis is based on the latent variable framework to identify key determinants of protests in Russia during 2011–2012. We derive logistic regressions from the revolution constraints based on economic (the political Kuznets Curve) and socio‐psychological (grievance) theories of protest. Our findings suggest a positive linear relationship between income and income inequality, contradicting the Kuznets curve. Our estimations show that inequality, share of the poor, the relation of the governor's family income to the average family income, distance to Moscow and accumulated human capital increase the risk of protest, whereas transfers and subsidies decrease these risks.
Targeting of cell metabolism in human acute myeloid leukemia – more than targeting of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling?
Authors: Hauge Michelle , Bruserud Øystein , Hatfield Kimberley Joanne 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTargeting of cellular metabolism has emerged as a possible strategy in the treatment of human malignancies, and several experimental studies suggest that this therapeutic approach should also be considered in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinical studies of metabolic intervention in AML patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations have shown promising results. Moreover, metabolic targeting of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway as an anticancer strategy has been extensively studied. In this review, we focus on other emerging therapeutic alternatives for metabolic inhibition in human AML, in particular targeting of glycolysis and the AMP kinase signaling pathway. Pharmacological drugs for these metabolic interventions are already available and they seem to have an acceptable toxicity, even when used in combination with conventional chemotherapy. Future clinical studies of these therapeutic strategies should focus on the following: (i) heterogeneity of patients and the possibility that this treatment is most effective only for certain subsets of patients, (ii) toxic effects in AML patients with an existing disease‐induced bone marrow failure prior to treatment, and (iii) whether this strategy should be used as part of a potentially curative treatment and/or as disease‐stabilizing treatment to prolong survival in elderly or unfit patients.
Efficacy of nebulized L‐epinephrine for treatment of croup: a randomized, double‐blind study
Authors: Eghbali Aziz , Sabbagh Ali , Bagheri Bahador , Taherahmadi Hassan , Kahbazi Manijeh 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to compare the effect of L‐epinephrine plus dexamethasone vs. dexamethasone for treatment of croup in children. A randomized, double‐blind clinical trial was implemented on 174 patients with croup, aged from 6 months to 6 years, and admitted to the Amir Kabir Pediatric Hospital (Arak, Iran). After randomized allocation, patients were administered dexamethasone, and then, they received either saline or L‐epinephrine. Westley croup scores, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded every half an hour for a total of 120 min. There was a significant difference in mean of croup scores between two groups (P < 0.009). In addition, a significant difference was seen on mean of heart rate between two groups (P < 0.026). Our results showed a considerable difference in reduction of velocity of croup scores in patients who received nebulized L‐epinephrine compared to patients who received placebo.
Ratcheting of 304 Stainless Steel Alloys subjected to Stress‐Controlled and mixed Stress‐ and Strain‐Controlled Conditions evaluated by Kinematic Hardening Rules
Authors: Hamidinejad S. M. , Noban M. R. , Varvani‐Farahani A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe present study predicts ratcheting response of SS304 tubular stainless steel samples using kinematic hardening rules of Ohno–Wang (O–W), Chen‐Jiao‐Kim (C–J–K) and a newly modified hardening rule under various stress‐controlled, and combined stress‐ and strain‐controlled histories. The O–W hardening rule was developed based on the critical state of dynamic recovery of backstress. The C–J–K hardening rule further developed the O–W rule to include the effect of non‐proportionality in ratcheting assessment of materials. The modified rule involved terms
, and
in the dynamic recovery of the Ahmadzadeh–Varvani (A–V) model to respectively track different directions under multiaxial loading, account for non‐proportionality and prevent plastic shakedown of ratcheting data over multiaxial stress cycles.The O–W model persistently overestimated ratcheting strain over the multiaxial loading paths. The C–J–K model further lowered this overprediction and improved the predicted ratcheting curves. The predicted ratcheting curves based on the modified model closely agreed with experimental data under various loading paths.
Thermokarst rates intensify due to climate change and forest fragmentation in an Alaskan boreal forest lowland
Authors: Lara Mark J. , Genet Hélène , McGuire Anthony D. , Euskirchen Eugénie S. , Zhang Yujin , Brown Dana R. N. , Jorgenson Mark T. , Romanovsky Vladimir , Breen Amy , Bolton William R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLowland boreal forest ecosystems in Alaska are dominated by wetlands comprised of a complex mosaic of fens, collapse‐scar bogs, low shrub/scrub, and forests growing on elevated ice‐rich permafrost soils. Thermokarst has affected the lowlands of the Tanana Flats in central Alaska for centuries, as thawing permafrost collapses forests that transition to wetlands. Located within the discontinuous permafrost zone, this region has significantly warmed over the past half‐century, and much of these carbon‐rich permafrost soils are now within ~0.5 °C of thawing. Increased permafrost thaw in lowland boreal forests in response to warming may have consequences for the climate system. This study evaluates the trajectories and potential drivers of 60 years of forest change in a landscape subjected to permafrost thaw in unburned dominant forest types (paper birch and black spruce) associated with location on elevated permafrost plateau and across multiple time periods (1949, 1978, 1986, 1998, and 2009) using historical and contemporary aerial and satellite images for change detection. We developed (i) a deterministic statistical model to evaluate the potential climatic controls on forest change using gradient boosting and regression tree analysis, and (ii) a 30 × 30 m land cover map of the Tanana Flats to estimate the potential landscape‐level losses of forest area due to thermokarst from 1949 to 2009. Over the 60‐year period, we observed a nonlinear loss of birch forests and a relatively continuous gain of spruce forest associated with thermokarst and forest succession, while gradient boosting/regression tree models identify precipitation and forest fragmentation as the primary factors controlling birch and spruce forest change, respectively. Between 1950 and 2009, landscape‐level analysis estimates a transition of ~15 km² or ~7% of birch forests to wetlands, where the greatest change followed warm periods. This work highlights that the vulnerability and resilience of lowland ice‐rich permafrost ecosystems to climate changes depend on forest type.
Age‐related changes in prefrontal oxygenation during memory encoding and retrieval
Authors: Uemura Kazuki , Doi Takehiko , Shimada Hiroyuki , Makizako Hyuma , Park Hyuntae , Suzuki Takao 
Published: October 2015

AimMemory dysfunction is a major component of age‐related cognitive decline, and is a marker of cognitive impairment. Emerging evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex is required for maintenance of memory functions. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate age‐related changes in prefrontal oxygenation during memory encoding and retrieval using near‐infrared spectroscopy.MethodsWe examined 21 young (mean age 24.3 years), 52 young‐old (mean age 69.7 years) and 50 old‐old (mean age 79.5 years) participants. The concentration of oxyhemoglobin, which is a reliable biomarker of changes in regional cerebral blood flow, in the right and left prefrontal cortex was measured during encoding and delayed retrieval of a list of 10 target words. The average number of correct answers in the retrieval task was used as a measure of task performance.ResultsDuring encoding, oxyhemoglobin was significantly and bilaterally lower in young‐old and old‐old participants compared with young participants. Meanwhile, during retrieval, only old‐old participants showed significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin compared with young and young‐old participants. The old‐old participants showed fewer correct answers in the retrieval period than the young and young‐old participants.ConclusionsOld‐old participants showed reduced prefrontal oxygenation during both encoding and retrieval, and decreased memory performance compared with younger participants. It is necessary for the clinical application of near‐infrared spectroscopy to consider the effects of demographic variables on cerebral oxygenation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1296–1304.
Oesophageal intrasquamous IgG4 deposits: an adjunctive marker to distinguish eosinophilic oesophagitis from reflux oesophagitis
Authors: Zukerberg Lawrence , Mahadevan Krishnan , Selig Martin , Deshpande Vikram 
Published: October 2015

AimsTo explore the utility of an IgG4 immunohistochemical stain to help distinguish eosinophilic oesophagitis from gastroesophageal reflux disease.Methods and resultsWe examined 21 cases of eosinophilic oesophagitis and 25 cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The diagnosis of eosinophilic oesophagitis was based on the presence of oesophageal dysfunction, >15 eosinophils per high‐power field, and a lack of response to proton pump inhibitors. Gastroesophageal reflux disease showed intraepithelial eosinophils, but a clinical and/or histological response to proton pump inhibitor therapy. We also evaluated an additional cohort of 22 cases with intraepithelial eosinophils. Immunohistochemical staining for IgG4 was performed. Sixteen of 21 (76%) eosinophilic oesophagitis cases showed intrasquamous extracellular IgG4 deposits, whereas all 25 gastroesophageal reflux disease cases were negative. Mucosal IgG4‐positive plasma cells were identified in eosinophilic oesophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease cases in 58% and 40% of cases, respectively. Eosinophilic oesophagitis patients receiving treatment were less likely to be positive for intraepithelial IgG4 deposits (88% versus 53%). In the validation cohort, the sensitivity and specificity for eosinophilic oesophagitis were 88% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionsThe presence of intrasquamous IgG4 deposits is a useful adjunctive marker in the distinction between eosinophilic oesophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Risk factors for mortality caused by hypothalamic obesity in children with hypothalamic tumours
Authors: Haliloglu B. , Atay Z. , Guran T. , Abalı S. , Bas S. , Turan S. , Bereket A. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundHypothalamic obesity (HyOb) is a common complication of childhood hypothalamic tumours. Patients with HyOb probably have a higher mortality rate than those with other types of obesity due in many cases to obstructive sleep apnoea/hypoventilation.ObjectivesTo identify predictive factors for mortality caused by HyOb in children.MethodsTwenty children with HyOb secondary to hypothalamic tumours that were followed‐up for ≥3 years and aged <15 years at diagnosis, and received supraphysiological glucocorticoid treatment for ≤1 month.ResultsMean age at diagnosis was 6.36 ± 3.60 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) Standard deviation of the samples (SDS) increased from 0.77 ± 1.26 to 2.66 ± 1.45 during the first 6 months, but slowed from month 6–12 (2.73 ± 1.35). ΔBMI SDS at 0–6 months was significantly higher in patients aged <6 years at diagnosis than in those aged >6 years at diagnosis (3.71 ± 1.96 vs. 0.83 ± 0.73, P < 0.001). Maximum BMI SDS was also significantly higher in the younger group (3.88 ± 1.39 vs. 2.79 ± 0.64, P < 0.05). In all, four patients died and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the patients with a further increase in BMI SDS > 1 SDS after 6 months of therapy (RR: 8.4, P < 0.05). Both overall mortality and obesity‐related mortality rates were higher in the patients aged <6 years at diagnosis (4.5‐fold, 7.2‐fold higher, respectively, P > 0.05). The mortality rate was also 3.7‐fold higher in the patients with a maximum BMI SDS ≥ 3 at any time during the first 3 years after therapy(P > 0.05).ConclusionsAn increase in BMI SDS after 6 months of therapy was observed to be a risk factor for mortality caused by HyOb. In addition, age <6 years at diagnosis and a maximum BMI SDS ≥ 3 were associated with a higher mortality rate, indicating that earlier and more aggressive treatment of obesity is required.
The Minimal Eating Observation Form‐II (MEOF‐II): cross‐cultural validation of the Chinese version for people with stroke
Authors: Wang Ting , Jiang Hong , Westergren Albert , Wang Junqiao , Wang Liang 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesEating difficulties are common among patients affected by stroke. A valid, reliable instrument for assessing eating difficulties in people with stroke is needed. The aim of this study was to translate the Minimal Eating Observation Form – version II (MEOF‐II) for patients with stroke into Chinese and to comprehensively evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsThe scale of the original MEOF‐II form was translated into Chinese using the cross‐culture translation method, and 125 participants with stroke were assessed. Data were analysed by content validity index, Cronbach's alpha, correlations and exploratory factor analysis (EFA).ResultsReliability and validity were demonstrated for the scale. A three‐factor structure was illustrated by EFA, and construct validity was demonstrated by good convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionsThe Chinese version (Ch‐MEOF‐II) shows good reliability and validity in this study and can be applicable to assess eating difficulties in people with stroke; The Ch‐MEOF‐II allows the early recognition of eating difficulties and thus provides guidance of proper clinical interventions. For future study, a confirmatory factor analysis may need to confirm the three‐factor structure identified in this study. Furthermore, a cross‐cultural comparison can be conducted with the availability of the three different validated language versions of the MEOF‐II form.
Symptoms of Depression Predict Negative Birth Outcomes in African American Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Giurgescu Carmen , Engeland Christopher G. , Templin Thomas N. 
Published: October 2015

IntroductionAfrican American women have higher rates of preterm birth and low‐birth‐weight infants compared with non‐Hispanic white women. Symptoms of depression have also been related to these negative birth outcomes. Lower levels of social support and higher levels of avoidance coping and cortisol have been related to more symptoms of depression in pregnant women. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the relationships among symptoms of depression, social support, avoidance coping, cortisol, and negative birth outcomes (ie, preterm birth, low‐birth‐weight infants) in a sample of African American women.MethodsThis study used a prospective design. A convenience sample of 90 African American women completed questionnaires and had blood drawn in the second trimester of pregnancy. Birth data were collected from medical records.ResultsBased on the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression (CES‐D) Scale scores, 28% of women were at increased risk for clinical depression (CES‐D ≥ 16). Compared to women who gave birth at term, women who had preterm birth had higher CES‐D scores (11.67 and 19.0, respectively) and used avoidance coping more often (7.98 and 13.14, respectively). Compared to women with normal‐birth‐weight infants, women with low‐birth‐weight infants had higher levels of cortisol (61.75 mcg/dL and 89.72 mcg/dL, respectively). Women at increased risk for clinical depression were 16 times more likely to have preterm birth and 4 times more likely to have low‐birth‐weight infants. Women with plasma cortisol levels in the top 25th percentile were 7 times more likely to have low‐birth‐weight infants. Preeclampsia during pregnancy also predicted preterm birth and low‐birth‐weight infants.DiscussionSymptoms of depression in pregnancy may predict adverse birth outcomes. Interventions that have the potential to improve the mental health of pregnant women and ultimately birth outcomes need to be explored.
A Feasibility Study of Women's Confidence and Comfort in Use of a Kit to Monitor Ovulation
Authors: Ayoola Adejoke B. , Slager Dianne , Feenstra Cheryl , Zandee Gail L. 
Published: October 2015

IntroductionThe focus of this study was to examine whether low‐income adult women will use ovulation test strips, a menstrual calendar chart, thermometer, temperature graph, and cervical mucus assessment to monitor their ovulation time and other menstrual changes. Women's confidence in their ability to detect ovulation time and understand the menstrual cycle changes were also examined.MethodsThis is a descriptive study. Twenty‐two low‐income women aged 18 to 39 years living in medically underserved neighborhoods participated in this study. The women were introduced to and taught how to use a knowing your body (KB) kit, which consisted of ovulation test strips, monthly calendars for menstrual logs, digital thermometer for basal body temperature, and graphs to chart temperature. The women were interviewed 6 to 8 weeks later to confirm their experiences with the use of the KB kit.ResultsNinety‐one percent of the women used the ovulation test strips (mean, 3.8 strips); 77.3% were very to extremely confident that they could properly use the ovulation strip, 54.6% knew when they ovulated, and 31.8% could use the thermometer to confirm when they were ovulating. Seventy‐three percent of the women were very to extremely comfortable using the ovulation test strips, 81.8% using the thermometer, 45.5% using the temperature graph, and 31.8% using the TwoDay Method (cervical mucus observation).DiscussionThe use of the ovulation test strip and other content of the KB kit provides a new opportunity for low‐income women to learn about their bodies by monitoring their ovulation time and other menstrual changes as a pregnancy planning and early pregnancy recognition tool.
Altered α‐synuclein, parkin, and synphilin isoform levels in multiple system atrophy brains
Authors: Brudek Tomasz , Winge Kristian , Rasmussen Nadja Bredo , Bahl Justyna Maria Czarna , Tanassi Julia , Agander Tina Klitmøller , Hyde Thomas M. , Pakkenberg Bente 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTogether with Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a member of a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders termed α‐synucleinopathies. Previously, it has been shown that α‐synuclein, parkin, and synphilin‐1 display disease‐specific transcription patterns in frontal cortex in PD, dementia with Lewy bodies, and MSA, and thus may mediate the development of α‐synucleinopathies. In this study, the differential expression of α‐synuclein isoforms on transcriptional and translational levels was ascertained in MSA patients in comparison with PD cases and normal controls using isoform‐specific primers and exon‐specific antibodies in substantia nigra, striatum, cerebellar cortex, and nucleus dentatus. These regions are severely affected by α‐synuclein pathology and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we have also investigated transcript levels for parkin and synphilin‐1 isoforms. In MSA brains, α‐synuclein140 and α‐synuclein 112 isoform levels were significantly increased, whereas levels of the α‐synuclein 126 isoform were decreased in the substantia nigra, striatum, cerebellar cortex, and nucleus dentatus versus controls. Moreover, in MSA cases, we showed increased levels of parkin isoforms lacking the N‐terminal ubiquitin‐like domain and an aggregation‐prone synphilin‐1A isoform that causes neuronal toxicity in MSA. In PD brains, parkin transcript variant 3, 7, and 11 were significantly and specifically over‐expressed in the striatum and cerebellar cortex, together with synphilin‐1A and 1C. The changes of isoform expression profiles in neurodegenerative diseases suggest alterations in the regulation of transcription and/or splicing events, leading to regional/cellular events that may be important for the highly increased aggregation of α‐synuclein in the brain.
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We report differential expression of α‐synuclein, parkin, and synphilin‐1 isoforms in multiple system atrophy (MSA) versus Parkinson's disease and normal control brains. We have focused on brain regions that are severely affected by α‐synuclein pathology and neurodegeneration in MSA. The reported changes of isoform expression profiles suggest alterations in the regulation of transcription that may be important for aggregation of α‐synuclein in the brain.