bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Large wildlife removal drives immune defence increases in rodents
Authors: Young Hillary S. , Dirzo Rodolfo , Helgen Kristofer M. , McCauley Douglas J. , Nunn Charles L. , Snyder Paul , Veblen Kari E. , Zhao Serena , Ezenwa Vanessa O. 
Published: August 2015

Summary

Anthropogenic disturbances involving land use change, climate disruption, pollution and invasive species have been shown to impact immune function of wild animals. These immune changes have direct impacts on the fitness of impacted animals and, also, potentially indirect effects on other species and on ecological processes, notably involving the spread of infectious disease. Here, we investigate whether the selective loss of large wildlife can also drive changes in immune function of other consumer species.

Using a long‐standing large‐scale exclosure experiment in East Africa, we investigated the effects of selective removal of large wildlife on multiple measures of immune function in the dominant small rodent in the system, the East African pouched mouse, Saccostomus mearnsi.

We find support for a general increase in immune function in landscapes where large wildlife has been removed, but with some variation across immune parameters. These changes may be mediated in part by increased pathogen pressure in plots where large wildlife has been removed due to major increases in rodent density in such plots, but other factors such as changes in food resources are also likely involved.

Overall, our research reveals that the elimination of large‐bodied wildlife – now recognized as another major form of global anthropogenic change – may have cascading effects on immune health, with the potential for these effects to also impact disease dynamics in ecological communities.
Facilitation among plants as an insurance policy for diversity in Alpine communities
Authors: Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Hernández‐Fuentes Carolina , Sierra‐Almeida Angela , Kikvidze Zaal 
Published: August 2015

Summary

Positive interactions have started to gain a place as important drivers of community structure and biological diversity. Defined as non‐trophic interspecific interactions that increase the average individual fitness of one species, by definition, the presence of one plant species enhances the chances that another species co‐occur in the same place, indicating that positive interactions may determine biological diversity. However, this has been poorly explored.

The majority of the studies addressing community‐level consequences of facilitation have compared the diversity of the plant assemblages growing within nurses vs. those growing outside them, reporting contrasting results among them. Nonetheless, nurses and their alternative microhabitats (open areas among nurses) are part of the same community. Thus, if nurses allow for the persistence of species that otherwise would be excluded from the community, a net increase in the species diversity at the entire community level will be generated even though nurse plants contained fewer species than open areas.

Here, we conducted a bibliographic search using the ISI Web of Knowledge data base and reviewed the literature conducted on alpine plant communities where assessments of the diversity of plants growing within and outside a nurse species were available. In most cases nurse species substantially increased species richness at the community level, despite the fact that in some cases, they contained lower species numbers than open areas. Nurse species enhanced species richness more in systems with impoverished local diversity, suggesting that facilitative interactions in alpine habitats act as an insurance policy that sustains diversity under very harsh conditions.
Physicochemical and sensory properties of kefir containing inulin and oligofructose
Authors: Glibowski Pawel , Zielińska Ewelina 
Published: August 2015

This study concerns the physicochemical and sensory analysis of stirred kefirs made at a laboratory scale, in which one‐third of the skim milk powder (SMP) was replaced by different inulins (long chain, native and oligofructose). The reference kefirs contained 12 g/100 g of SMP or whole milk powder. Rheological analysis showed that the kefirs were viscoelastic materials with thixotropic and shear‐thinning behaviour. Rheological data showed that SMP can be successfully substituted by long‐chain inulin; however, sensory evaluation indicated that substitution of SMP by any other kinds of inulin significantly decreased the consistency of kefirs while not affecting their flavour and odour.
Perinatal outcome after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome in triplet pregnancies
Authors: D'Antonio F , Thilaganathan B , Toms J , Manzoli L , Bhide A , Papageorghiou A , Khalil A 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesThe introduction of fetoscopic laser surgery of placental anastomoses has led to a significant improvement of perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies affected by twin‐to‐twin‐transfusion syndrome (TTTS). To quantify the perinatal outcome and neurological morbidity in triplet pregnancies complicated by TTTS, which were treated with fetoscopic laser surgery.Search strategyMedline, Embase, Cinahl and Cochrane were searched.Selection criteriaThe outcomes observed were: fetal and perinatal survival, preterm birth and abnormal neurological outcome.Data collection and analysisTwo authors reviewed all abstracts independently. Meta‐analyses of proportions were used to combine data.Main resultsEight studies (126 triplet pregnancies, 104 dichorionic‐triamniotic [DCTA] and 22 monochorionic‐triamniotic [MCTA]) treated with fetoscopic laser surgery were included in this review. In DCTA and MCTA pregnancies, fetal losses were 18.9% and 28.9%, respectively; perinatal losses were 23.6% and 75.0%; preterm births <28 weeks of gestation were 16.9% and 37.1%; preterm births <32 weeks of gestation were 50.0% and 69.5%; at least one fetus survived in 95.4% and 88.9% of the pregnancies; at least two fetuses survived in 81.8% and 68.3% of the pregnancies; and in 55.9% and 48.4% pregnancies all triplets survived. Finally, the incidence of abnormal neurological outcomes ranged from 0 to 37% in DCTA and from 0 to 50% in MCTA triplets.ConclusionsBoth DTCA and MCTA triplet pregnancies affected by TTTS are at high risk of adverse perinatal outcome.Tweetable abstractBoth DTCA and MCTA triplet pregnancies affected by TTTS are at high risk of adverse perinatal outcome.
Trends and outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy in China: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cao Jian‐Guo , Tao Feng , Zhou Xiao‐Jun , Wang Xiao‐Gang , Wang Shu‐Sheng , Zhang Han , Lau Wan‐Yee , Yang Tian 
Published: August 2015

AimThe present study examined the status and trends of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) in China as a developing country and compared its surgical outcomes with open appendectomy (OA).Patients and MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 12 586 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis at nine hospitals in China between 2011 and 2013. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess independent risk factors associated with the development of postoperative complications.ResultsThe annual proportion of LA increased from 11.5 per cent to 20.8 per cent to 40.7 per cent in the 3‐year period. In comparison to OA, LA was associated with a lower postoperative complication rate (7.6 per cent vs 9.5 per cent, P = 0.001), a shorter hospital stay (mean: 5.4 days vs 6.5 days, P < 0.001) and a lower 30‐day readmission rate (2.3 per cent vs 3.1 per cent, P = 0.020). Multivariate analysis revealed that LA was independently associated with a decreased postoperative complication rate for all patients [odds ratio (OR): 1.44, P = 0.01], for a subgroup of patients with perforated appendicitis (OR: 4.32, P < 0.01) and for a subgroup of patients with unperforated appendicitis (OR: 1.50, P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe use of LA has increased rapidly in China in recent years. LA has been found to significantly lower the postoperative complication rate, even in perforated appendicitis. The laparoscopic procedure could be the preferred method for the surgical treatment of acute appendicitis in China in the future.
International Evidence on the Matching Between Revenues and Expenses
Authors: He Wen , Shan Yaowen 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis study investigates the time‐series trend and determinants of matching between revenues and expenses in a sample of 42 countries. We find that the decline in matching documented by Dichev and Tang () is not unique to the United States, but is a worldwide phenomenon. Our results show that matching is weaker in countries with (i) wider use of accrual accounting; (ii) a larger proportion of firms reporting significant special items; (iii) slower economic growth; (iv) more research and development activities; (v) larger service sectors; and (vi) stronger investor protection. We find no evidence that mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards affects matching. Changes in accounting and economic factors collectively explain the downward trend in matching. Overall, the results suggest that both accounting and economic factors are important determinants of matching over time and across countries.
Vaping cannabis (marijuana): parallel concerns to e‐cigs?
Authors: Budney Alan J. , Sargent James D. , Lee Dustin C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe proliferation of vaporization (‘vaping’) as a method for administering cannabis raises many of the same public health issues being debated and investigated in relation to e‐cigarettes (e‐cigs). Good epidemiological data on the prevalence of vaping cannabis are not yet available, but with current trends towards societal approval of medicinal and recreational use of cannabis, the pros and cons of vaping cannabis warrant study. As with e‐cigs, vaping cannabis portends putative health benefits by reducing harm from ingesting toxic smoke. Indeed, vaping is perceived and being sold as a safer way to use cannabis, despite the lack of data on the health effects of chronic vaping. Other perceived benefits include better taste, more efficient and intense effects and greater discretion which allows for use in more places. Unfortunately, these aspects of vaping could prompt an increased likelihood of trying cannabis, earlier age of onset, more positive initial experiences, and more frequent use, thereby increasing the probability of problematic use or addiction. Sales and marketing of vaping devices with no regulatory guidelines, especially related to advertising or product development targeting youth, parallels concerns under debate related to e‐cigs and youth. Thus, the quandary of whether or not to promote vaping as a safer method of cannabis administration for those wishing to use cannabis, and how to regulate vaping and vaping devices, necessitates substantial investigation and discussion. Addressing these issues in concert with efforts directed towards e‐cigs may save time and energy and result in a more comprehensive and effective public health policy on vaping.
Effects of pepper (Capsicum chinense) genotypic diversity on insect herbivores
Authors: Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Berny‐Mier y Terán Jorge C. , Moreira Xoaquín , Durán‐Yáñez Antonio , Tut‐Pech Felipe 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThere is growing interest on the effects of plant genotypic diversity on higher trophic levels. The present study investigated whether genotypic diversity inCapsicum chinensepeppers influenced attack by leaf‐mining fly larvae (Lyriomyza trifolii) and fruit‐eating weevils (Anthonomus eugenii), as well as parasitoid attack associated with weevils.We established genotypic monocultures (n = 10, two plots/each of five inbred lines) and polycultures (n = 5, random mixtures of three out of the five lines) and conducted weekly surveys of fruit number, leafmines and weevil fruit attack over a 5‐month period. In addition, we collected fruits to rear weevils and estimated parasitism associated with this herbivore.There was a tendency for a negative effect of diversity on leafminer attack, with polycultures exhibiting a 24% reduction in leafminer attack relative to monocultures. By contrast, diversity did not influence weevil fruit attack or the level of parasitism associated with the weevil.Our findings show that plant genotypic diversity effects vary among herbivore species, presumably as a result of differences in herbivore traits (e.g. diet breadth, mobility). We also emphasize that manipulating plant genotypic diversity can be an important consideration for pest management in this commercially important crop.
Knowing When to Be “Rational”: Flexible Economic Decision Making and Executive Function in Preschool Children
Authors: Lee Wendy S. C. , Carlson Stephanie M. 
Published: August 2015

Failure to delay gratification may not indicate poor control or irrationality, but might be an adaptive response. Two studies investigated 3.5‐ and 4.5‐year‐old children's ability to adapt their delay and saving behavior when their preference (e.g., to delay or not delay) became nonadaptive. In Study 1 (N = 140), children's delay preference was associated with a risk of losing rewards. In Study 2 (N = 142), children's saving preference was associated with an inability to play an attractive game. Whereas baseline delaying and saving preferences were unrelated to a standardized executive function measure, children who switched to their nonpreferred choice scored higher, suggesting flexibility of decision‐making may be a more meaningful dependent variable than baseline performance in developmental research on self‐control.
Clinical praxis for assessment of dry weight in Sweden and Denmark: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Stenberg Jenny , Lindberg Magnus , Furuland Hans 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOverhydration is an independent predictor of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. More than 30% of HD patients are overhydrated, motivating the development of new methods for assessing hydration status. This study surveyed clinical praxis and local guidelines for dry weight (DW) assessment in Swedish and Danish HD units, and examined if differences in routines and utilization of bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and other assistive technology affected frequency of DW adjustments and blood pressure (BP) levels. Cross‐sectional information on praxis, guidelines and routines, plus treatment‐related data from 99 stratified patients were collected. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis and interpreted in convergence with statistical analysis of quantitative data in a mixed‐methods design. Local guidelines concerning DW existed in 54% of the units. A BIS device was present in 52%, but only half of those units used it regularly, and no correlations to frequency of DW adjustments or BP were found. HD nurses were authorized to adjust DW in 60% of the units; in these units, the frequency of DW adjustments was 1.6 times higher and systolic BP pre‐HD 8 mmHg lower. There is a wide variation in routines for DW determination, and there are indications that authorization of HD nurses to adjust DW may improve DW assessment. BIS is sparsely used; its implementation may have been delayed by uncertainty over how to manage the device and interpret measurements. Hence, better methods and guidelines for assessing DW and using BIS need to be developed.
Carnitine deficiency in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Sgambat Kristen , Moudgil Asha 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCarnitine deficiency is known to occur in chronic hemodialysis; however, the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on carnitine homeostasis has not been studied. We hypothesized that children receiving CRRT are at risk for deficiency because of continuous removal, absent intake, decreased production, and comorbidities related to critical illness. Records of patients with acute kidney injury receiving CRRT at Children's National Health System between 2011 and 2014 were reviewed for total carnitine (TC), free carnitine (FC), feeding modality, severity of illness, and survival outcome. The proportion of carnitine‐deficient patients at baseline, 1, 2, and ≥3 weeks on CRRT were compared by chi‐square, and relationships with other variables assessed by Pearson's correlation and logistic regression. The study group included 42 CRRT patients, age 7.9 + 1.1 years. At baseline, 30.7% and 35.7% of patients were TC and FC deficient. Within 1 week, 64.5% (P = 0.03) and 70% (P = 0.03) were TC and FC deficient, and prevalence of deficiency increased to 80% (P = 0.01) and 90% (P = 0.008) by 2 weeks; 100% of patients were TC and FC deficient after being on CRRT for ≥3 weeks (P = 0.005 and P = 0.01, respectively, vs. baseline). TC and FC levels negatively correlated with days on CRRT (r = −0.39, P = 0.001 and r = −0.35, P = 0.005). Patients with TC and FC deficiency had 5.9 and 4.9 greater odds of death than those with normal levels (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03). Carnitine is significantly and rapidly depleted with longer time on CRRT, and carnitine deficiency is associated with increased mortality. Consequences of deficiency and benefits of supplementation in the pediatric CRRT population should be investigated.
Retiform hemangioendothelioma treated with conservative therapy: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Nobeyama Yoshimasa , Ishiuji Yozo , Nakagawa Hidemi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundRetiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is a locally aggressive vascular tumor. Wide surgical excision with tumor‐free margins is the standard treatment strategy. However, surgical excision is not an option for lesions near critical anatomical structures, such as those on the face. We report the case of a patient with retiform hemangioendothelioma that responded to non‐surgical treatments.MethodsWe describe the case of a 72‐year‐old male patient with a retiform hemangioendothelioma on the face that responded to a combination of pulsed dye laser, local corticosteroid injection, and application of imiquimod cream. In addition, we reviewed past case reports of patients with retiform hemangioendothelioma.ResultsThirty‐five cases that describe the management of RH, including the present case, have been reported. Review of the cases indicate a relatively low disease‐free survival rate in cases that underwent surgical excision as the initial therapy for retiform hemangioendothelioma.ConclusionSurgical excision might not be the best therapeutic option. Local control with conservative therapy is an acceptable strategy for lesions in anatomical regions including the face.
Effects of branched‐chain amino acid addition on chemical constituents in lychee wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Chen Dai , Vong Weng Chan , Liu Shao‐Quan 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThis study investigated the impact of single branched‐chain amino acid addition (L‐valine, L‐leucine, L‐isoleucine) on nonvolatile and volatile constituents in lychee wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae MERIT.ferm. The individual addition of branched‐chain amino acids decreased the consumption of proline with significantly different rates. The lychee wine with added L‐leucine and L‐isoleucine had higher odour activity values (OAVs) of isoamyl alcohol, active amyl alcohol and isoamyl acetate. The lychee wine with added L‐valine had higher OAVs of isobutyric acid and isobutyl alcohol (5.55 and 2.98, respectively), which were lower in the wine with added L‐leucine (2.91 and 1.02, respectively) or L‐isoleucine (3.43 and 1.73, respectively) relative to the control wine (4.18 and 1.77, respectively), suggesting interactive effects among the amino acids. These findings demonstrated that lychee wine aroma can potentially be manipulated via the addition of selected branched‐chain amino acids.
For and Against de Régnon: Trinitarianism East and West
Authors: Butner D. Glenn 
Published: August 2015

AbstractModern systematic theologians frequently claim that Eastern trinitarianism begins with the persons while Western trinitarianism begins with the divine essence, and fails to truly differentiate the persons. This article explores the origins of this claim in the writing of Theodore de Régnon, noting recent criticism of his paradigm's applicability to the patristic era. In response to these criticisms, I argue first for the limited validity of the de Régnon paradigm by demonstrating its applicability in the Carolingian–Photian dispute surrounding the filioque. I then argue against the deployment of the paradigm as a controlling schema in systematic theology by pointing to problems this narrative has created in the theology of Robert Jenson and John Zizioulas.
Herman Bavinck and the Problem of New Wine in Old Wineskins
Authors: Pass Bruce 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRecent years have witnessed a flowering in Bavinck studies and a new focus on the synthetic character of Bavinck's theology. Bavinck's epistemology represents a prime example of this synthetic character, as Bavinck recasts the principia of Reformed Orthodoxy in a trinitarian framework, which in turn is used to address a residual problem of post‐Enlightenment philosophy. While ingenious, certain inconsistencies emerge on account of the sheer complexity of Bavinck's principia. This article explores two inconsistencies that have been identified in the secondary literature and the extent to which these inconsistencies threaten the coherence of Bavinck's epistemology as a whole.
Bulgakov's Account of Creation: Neglected Aspects, Critics and Contemporary Relevance
Authors: Gavrilyuk Paul 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe article focuses on a central, yet neglected dimension of the ‘Sophia Debate’ in twentieth‐century Russian Orthodox theology: Bulgakov's panentheistic account of creation and its critique by Nikolai Lossky. Bulgakov understood the doctrine of creation to be negatively defined as creatio ex nihilo and positively defined as creatio ex Deo. Bulgakov's sophiology seeks to relate God and the world through the intermediate concept of Sophia, balancing an account of God's being in the world with an account of the world's eternal foundation in God. Lossky objected that Bulgakov's account underemphasizes novelty, contingency and the free character of creation. Lossky's objections notwithstanding, Bulgakov's version of panentheism – especially its trinitarian, antinomian and kenotic dimensions – finds significant points of contact with contemporary accounts of creation.
The dichotomy of the modern bioregionalization revival
Authors: Ebach Malte C. , Parenti Lynne R. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe modern bioregionalization revival is marked by an abundance of revised biogeographical classifications along with new analyses at both local and global scales. Many of these new regionalizations are based on sophisticated geospatial and species distributional models whereas others focus on the information about area relationships as inferred from the phylogenetic relationships of taxa in the areas. This results in a dichotomy between geospatial and phylogenetic approaches: areas may have the same name, but different composition and relationships. We see an opportunity to move bioregionalizations forward by proposing new regions or revising well‐known regions to reflect the advances that have been made in our understanding of phylogeny, biodiversity and Earth history during the past 50 years. Twenty‐first century biogeographers can adopt the methods of phylogenetic systematics which prescribe how taxa and their characters may be used to infer hierarchical relationships. In an analogous way, natural bioregions may be discovered by treating biotic areas as taxa and finding aggregate patterns of distributional relationships – a general areagram – as specified by phylogenies of the clades that live in those areas. We demonstrate the differences in these two approaches – general areagrams versus distributional models – in bioregionalizations and definitions of the Australian and the Neotropical regions.