bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Underplanting degraded exotic Pinus with indigenous conifers assists forest restoration
Authors: Forbes Adam S. , Norton David A. , Carswell Fiona E. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryWe propose that nonharvest plantations could provide important opportunities for restoration of indigenous forest cover and related ecosystem services. We assessed the relative performance of three Podocarpaceae (podocarps) species planted into a degraded Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) plantation, central North Island, New Zealand. We hypothesised that the degraded pine plantation overstorey could provide suitable conditions for the development of a podocarp‐dominated forest structure within ca. 50 years of underplanting and that podocarp growth would differ depending on the species suitability to the site. Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) significantly outperformed both Totara (Podocarpus totara) and Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) in height and diameter growth. Rimu was now the structurally dominant tree where it occurred rather than pine. Per annum scaled carbon storage within Rimu stands was significantly greater than the Totara, Kahikatea or Pine stands. All podocarp species had attained a greater stand density compared to the pine overstorey. Possible reasons for the differing podocarp growth performance include different light requirements, response to soil nutrients, elevational distributions and frost susceptibility. There were significant differences in understorey species richness among the different stands of podocarp species. Underplanting accelerated successional development by incorporating late‐successional indigenous canopy dominants within the forest succession and overcame limitations imposed on forest succession at the site from its isolation from indigenous forest tree seed sources.
Cytosolic dsDNA triggers apoptosis and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in normal human melanocytes
Authors: Wang Suiquan , Liu Dongyin , Ning Weixuan , Xu Aie 
Published: December 2014

AbstractConsiderable evidence implicates that viral infection might be a participant factor in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, it is still unclear how viral infection leads to the melanocyte destruction. To elucidate the effects of viral dsDNA on the viability and cytokine synthesis of normal human melanocytes and to explore the underlying mechanisms, primary cultured normal human melanocytes were transfected with poly(dA:dT). The results demonstrated that poly(dA:dT) triggered apoptosis instead of pyroptosis in melanocytes. Knocking down AIM2 or RIG‐I by RNA interference partially reduced the poly(dA:dT)‐induced LDH release, suggesting the involvement of both nucleic acid sensors in the process of melanocyte death. Poly(dA:dT) induced the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes including IFN‐β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐8 as well, whereas the pro‐inflammatory cytokine production was suppressed by RIG‐I siRNA, but not by AIM2 siRNA. Poly(dA:dT) treatment increased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and NFκB. Accordingly, NFκB inhibitor Bay 11‐7082 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked the induction of the cytokine genes except IFN‐β. The production of IL6 and IL8 was also suppressed by p38 inhibitor SB203580. On the contrary, the Poly(dA:dT)‐induced melanocyte death was only decreased by SP600125. This study provides the possible mechanism of melanocyte destruction and immuno‐stimulation in vitiligo by innate immune response following viral infection.
Going back to basics in design science: from the information technology artifact to the information systems artifact
Authors: Lee Allen S. , Thomas Manoj , Baskerville Richard L. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe concept of the ‘information technology (IT) artifact’ plays a central role in the information systems (IS) research community's discourse on design science. We pose the alternative concept of the ‘IS artifact’, unpacking what has been called the IT artifact into a separate ‘information artifact’, ‘technology artifact’ and ‘social artifact’. Technology artifacts (such as hardware and software), information artifacts (such as a message) and social artifacts (such as a charitable act) are different kinds of artifacts that together interact in order to form the IS artifact. We illustrate the knowledge value of the IS artifact concept with material from three cases. The result is to restore the idea that the study of design in IS needs to attend to the design of the entire IS artifact, not just the IT artifact. This result encourages an expansion in the use of design science research methodology to study broader kinds of artifacts.
Procreation, Adoption and the Contours of Obligation
Authors: Rieder Travis N. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe goal of this article is to evaluate the defensibility of wide‐spread beliefs concerning the moral value of procreating. Very many of us are ‘pro‐natal’ — that is, we have a positive moral view of making more people — but pro‐natalism is under serious threat. In particular, I argue that combining several arguments in procreative ethics generates a powerful case for the Anti‐Natal Pro‐Adoption View (ANPA), or the view that we are obligated not to procreate, but instead to satisfy any parenting desires through adoption. Although this article ultimately serves as a defence against ANPA, it does so in a very limited way: while it is false that we are obligated to adopt‐rather‐than‐procreate, I contend, this does not mean that we are off the moral hook altogether. Failing in our obligations is only one way to fail morality. Our procreative acts may yet be bad, dishonourable, selfish, and open to multiple other criticisms. And indeed, I'm afraid many of them are.
Enhancing middle school students' scientific learning and motivation through agent‐based learning
Authors: Chen C‐H. , Chou M‐H. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractFacing students' decreasing motivation to pursue scientific study, schools and educators need to coordinate new technologies with pedagogical agents to effectively sustain or promote students' scientific learning and motivation to learn. Although the provision of pedagogical agents in student learning has been studied previously, it is not clear what benefits the strategy might offer with regard to student motivation. This study proposes an agent‐based mechanism that integrates problem‐solving and inquiry‐based instructions to help students better understand complex scientific concepts and to sustain their motivation to learn science. In this study, a quasi‐experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and feasibility of our proposed mechanism. The results revealed that the agent‐based mechanism was effective and feasible for enhancing students' learning and motivation to learn. The mechanism was associated with increases in the acquisition of knowledge when compared with the control group. Its effect in promoting and sustaining students' motivation was also statistically significant. Detailed discussions of the findings are provided in this study.
The influence of father's child feeding knowledge and practices on children's dietary diversity: a study in urban and rural districts of Northern Ethiopia, 2013
Authors: Bilal Selamawit M. , Dinant GeertJan , Blanco Roman , Crutzen Rik , Mulugeta Afework , Spigt Mark 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInfant and young child feeding has been recognised as an essential element to improve growth of children, especially in developing countries where malnutrition among children and its dire consequences are very prevalent. However, little attention has been paid on the influence of fathers on child feeding practices, although fathers are very important in raising well‐adjusted, happy and successful children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of fathers' child feeding knowledge and practice on children's dietary diversity. A community‐based comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted among 850 eligible urban and rural households with children of 6–23 months. The father and mother of the child were interviewed on children's dietary diversity and fathers' knowledge and practice of child feeding. Nearly half (46%) of the children in the rural district did not meet the minimum dietary diversity, and in the urban district, the rate was even worse (72%). Grains were the common food group given to the children in both districts, whereas flesh food was the least commonly consumed food group. Additionally, low vitamin A‐rich food and other fruit and vegetable consumption seem to be a problem in both districts. Almost all dimensions of fathers' knowledge and practice were significantly related to children's minimum dietary diversity; especially, fathers' knowledge of food groups was an important predictor (P‐value < 0.001) in both districts. Interventions that focus on the fathers' knowledge of child feeding, especially about food groups, are recommended to improve children's dietary diversity in the study communities.
Long‐term experimental warming alters community composition of ascomycetes in Alaskan moist and dry arctic tundra
Authors: Semenova Tatiana A. , Morgado Luis N. , Welker Jeffrey M. , Walker Marilyn D. , Smets Erik , Geml József 
Published: December 2014

AbstractArctic tundra regions have been responding to global warming with visible changes in plant community composition, including expansion of shrubs and declines in lichens and bryophytes. Even though it is well known that the majority of arctic plants are associated with their symbiotic fungi, how fungal community composition will be different with climate warming remains largely unknown. In this study, we addressed the effects of long‐term (18 years) experimental warming on the community composition and taxonomic richness of soil ascomycetes in dry and moist tundra types. Using deep Ion Torrent sequencing, we quantified how OTU assemblage and richness of different orders of Ascomycota changed in response to summer warming. Experimental warming significantly altered ascomycete communities with stronger responses observed in the moist tundra compared with dry tundra. The proportion of several lichenized and moss‐associated fungi decreased with warming, while the proportion of several plant and insect pathogens and saprotrophic species was higher in the warming treatment. The observed alterations in both taxonomic and ecological groups of ascomycetes are discussed in relation to previously reported warming‐induced shifts in arctic plant communities, including decline in lichens and bryophytes and increase in coverage and biomass of shrubs.
Multiple shifts to different pollinators fuelled rapid diversification in sexually deceptive Ophrys orchids
Authors: Breitkopf Hendrik , Onstein Renske E. , Cafasso Donata , Schlüter Philipp M. , Cozzolino Salvatore 
Published: December 2014

Summary

Episodes of rapid speciation provide unique insights into evolutionary processes underlying species radiations and patterns of biodiversity. Here we investigated the radiation of sexually deceptive bee orchids (Ophrys).

Based on a time‐calibrated phylogeny and by means of ancestral character reconstruction and divergence time estimation, we estimated the tempo and mode of this radiation within a state‐dependent evolutionary framework.

It appears that, in the Pleistocene, the evolution of Ophrys was marked by episodes of rapid diversification coinciding with shifts to different pollinator types: from wasps to Eucera bees to Andrena and other bees. An abrupt increase in net diversification rate was detected in three clades. Among these, two phylogenetically distant lineages switched from Eucera to Andrena and other bees in a parallel fashion and at about the same time in their evolutionary history.

Lack of early radiation associated with the evolution of the key innovation of sexual deception suggests that Ophrys diversification was mainly driven by subsequent ecological opportunities provided by the exploitation of novel pollinator groups, encompassing many bee species slightly differing in their sex pheromone communication systems, and by spatiotemporal fluctuations in the pollinator mosaic.
Correlation of serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐regulated kinase 1 expression with ischemia–reperfusion injury after heart transplantation
Authors: Yang Xuechao , Wu Xiang , Wu Kunpeng , Yang Dunpeng , Li Yangcheng , Shi Jiahai , Liu Yonghua 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIRI of a transplanted heart may result in serious early and late disadvantageous effects such as increased allograft immunogenicity, primary graft dysfunction, and initiation of fibroproliferative cascades that compromise the survival of the recipient. Sgk‐1 has recently been linked to cell growth and survival. It has been reported that through a renal transplantation model, Dexa increases Sgk‐1 expression and therefore protects from renal IRI. In our current study, we aim to assess the expression of Sgk‐1 and its protective effects on cardiomyocyte IRI after heart transplantation. Heart allograft model was performed from Wistar into Lewis, and isograft model was from Lewis into Lewis. Grafts were then harvested at one, six, 12, or 24 h post‐transplantation for Sgk‐1 expression analyses. In some groups, part donors were treated with Dexa 2 h prior at doses of 0.05, 0.5 and 2 mg/BWkg, respectively. Sgk‐1 expression was markedly increased in grafted heart 6–12 h post‐transplantation in both the allogenic and isogenic models. Immunostaining experiments confirmed that Sgk‐1 was expressed in cardiomyocytes rather than infiltrated immune cells. Furthermore, Dexa treatment significantly increased Sgk‐1 expression and the donor cardiomyocyte injury was greatly minimized by Dexa treatment. These results suggest that induction of Sgk‐1 might explain some of the beneficial impact of corticosteroids in IRI and hence might have therapeutic implications.
Early mortality after hip fracture: what matters?
Authors: Dubljanin Raspopovic Emilija , Markovic Denic Ljiljana , Marinkovic Jelena , Radinovic Kristina , Ilić Nela , Tomanović Vujadinović Sanja , Kadija Marko 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundHip fractures in the elderly are followed by increased mortality, which is highest in the period immediately after the fracture. Predictors for early mortality have neither been well identified nor summarized. Identification of early postoperative mortality predictors enables the stratification of high‐risk patients and can help in the development of strategies aimed at reducing risk and improving outcome after hip fracture. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of 30‐day mortality. The secondary aim was to investigate factors related to early mortality.MethodsWe examined 384 elderly patients with hip fracture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore independent prognostic factors for 30‐day mortality.ResultsBy the end of the 30‐day follow‐up period, 22 patients (6.4%) had died. Postoperative delirium was the only variable independently related to 30‐day mortality after hip fracture. Older, male patients with a lower cognitive status had a higher chance of developing postoperative delirium.DiscussionPostoperative delirium is a strong independent marker of high risk for 30‐day mortality. Older, male patients with more severe cognitive impairment are at increased risk of developing postoperative delirium. Identifying patients at risk for developing postoperative delirium upon admission and early detection of delirium enable the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies in older patients with hip fracture.
Depressive symptoms associated with dabigatran: a case report
Authors: Eryilmaz Gul , Enez Darcin Asli , Saglam Esra , Gogcegoz Gul Isil 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSeveral studies have reported that depression and anxiety are very common in atrial fibrillation due to impaired quality of life. Dabigatran is an anti‐aggregation agent used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In terms of drug interactions during treatment with dabigatran, patients suffering from minor depression are reported to be a population at risk. This report is about a 68‐year‐old man whose depressive symptoms were aggravated after taking dabigatran for atrial fibrillation. The case is discussed in terms of his aggravated depressive symptoms and the interaction between his prescription medications.
The use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in critically ill horses
Authors: Cook Vanessa L. , Blikslager Anthony T. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo review the physiology of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes with reference to the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related to their analgesic and antiendotoxic properties as well as the mechanisms responsible for adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation effects.Data SourcesHuman and veterinary peer reviewed literatureVeterinary Data SynthesisNSAIDs are frequently administered to critically ill horses for their analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects principally on the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. These side effects may be exacerbated in critically ill horses if they have gastrointestinal damage or are volume depletedConclusionsThis review provides important information for equine veterinarians and criticalists on the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional NSAIDs and newer equine COX‐2 selective NSAIDs for the management of different conditions in critically ill horses.
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANISM OF MILK SECRETION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ACTION OF ANIMAL EXTRACTS
Authors: Mackenzie Kenneth 
Published: December 2014

1. The mammary gland is, as regards its secretory activity, not under the direct influence of the nervous system.2. Agents which cause its activity and also those which produce inhibition of its action reach it by means of the blood‐stream.3. The organs of the body which produce hormones possessing the power of stimulating the mammary gland to activity are (a) pituitary body, (b) corpus luteum, (c) pineal body, (d) involuting uterus, (e) the lactating mammary gland itself.4. The pituitary body is in this respect the most powerful. Its active galactagogue substance is formed in the posterior lobe of the gland, and is not specific to mammals, being present also in the pituitary gland of the bird.5. Hormones inhibitory of mammary secretion are produced by the fœtus and placenta.6. Drugs such as pilocarpine, which cause marked activity of most other glandular organs, and others, such as atropine, which inhibit the secretion of most glands, have no effect upon the secretion of the mammary gland.7. Since the action of these drugs in promoting or arresting secretion of ordinary glands is in all probability exerted through nerves which are distributed to the secreting cells, it is concluded that there are no such nerves in the mammary gland. This conclusion is supported by the fact that neither section of the nerve trunks supplied to this gland nor their faradic stimulation appears to have any influence on the secretion of milk.
THE EFFECT OF LOW TEMPERATURES ON COLD‐BLOODED ANIMALS
Authors: Cameron A. T. , Brownlee T. I. 
Published: December 2014

1. Frogs freeze at a temperature of −0·44° ±0·02° C. in a manner very similar to that of solutions isotonic with their body‐fluid.2. Specimens of R. pipiens obtained from the neighbourhood of Chicago will survive a temperature of −1° C. They will not survive a temperature of −1·8° C.3. The heart tissue, whether exsected or in vivo, of these frogs survives a temperature of −2·5°, but is killed by a temperature of −3·0° C.4. Since this is the case, and since similar experiments by other observers have shown that muscular tissue will survive a temperature of −2·9° C., while the peripheral nerves are not killed by much lower temperatures, it appears probable that the cause of death is connected with a specific temperature effect on the brain or cord.5. It is unlikely that frogs survive the low temperatures of the air and superficial layers of the earth of a Manitoban winter. Their winter quarters are probably situated in a layer of mud or soil which retains a temperature in the neighbourhood of 0° C.
THE INFLUENCE OF EARLY REMOVAL OF THE THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS UPON NITROGENOUS METABOLISM IN THE SHEEP
Authors: Hunter Andrew 
Published: December 2014

From a study of three sheep, each of which had been deprived at an early age of its thyroid, and somewhat later of its parathyroids, it is concluded that such animals—1. Excrete during a fast rather more nitrogen and rather more purine derivatives, in relation at any rate to body weight, than do normal animals;2. Are liable, although by no means certain, to succumb very early to the effects of inanition;3. May fail to exhibit such signs of hunger acidosis as a high output of ammonia, and the elimination of aceto‐acetic acid;4. Excrete, while fasting, urine which is generally alkaline and never acid;5. Invariably react to the withdrawal of food by the excretion of creatine in excess of creatinine;6. Exhibit in the relations of the purine catabolites no evidence of diminished oxidative power;7. Have a degree of sugar tolerance which is almost certainly above the normal.