bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CONSTANS‐like 4 transcription factor, AtCOL4, positively regulates abiotic stress tolerance through an abscisic acid‐dependent manner in Arabidopsis
Authors: Min Ji‐Hee , Chung Jung‐Sung , Lee Kyeong‐Hwan , Kim Cheol Soo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe precise roles of the B‐box zinc finger family of transcription factors in plant stress are poorly understood. Functional analysis was performed on AtCOL4, an Arabidopsis thaliana L. CONSTANS‐like 4 protein that is a putative novel transcription factor, and which contains a predicted transcriptional activation domain. Analyses of an AtCOL4 promoter‐β‐glucuronidase (GUS) construct revealed substantial GUS activity in whole seedlings. The expression of AtCOL4 was strongly induced by abscisic acid (ABA), salt, and osmotic stress. Mutation in atcol4 resulted in increased sensitivity to ABA and salt stress during seed germination and the cotyledon greening process. In contrast, AtCOL4‐overexpressing plants were less sensitive to ABA and salt stress compared to the wild type. Interestingly, in the presence of ABA or salt stress, the transcript levels of other ABA biosynthesis and stress‐related genes were enhanced induction in AtCOL4‐overexpressing and WT plants, rather than in the atcol4 mutant. Thus, AtCOL4 is involved in ABA and salt stress response through the ABA‐dependent signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence that AtCOL4 is an important regulator for plant tolerance to abiotic stress.
WHY ARE URBAN TRAVEL TIMES SO STABLE?
Authors: Anas Alex 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTPersonal travel time in U.S. urban areas has been stable, clashing with the assertion that urban sprawl greatly lengthens travel. Average commute time rises by 7.7 percent with each cross‐sectional doubling of Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) jobs. Using the RELU‐TRAN structural computable general equilibrium model of the Chicago MSA, we simulate the equilibrium effects of a 24 percent population increase projected from 2000 to 2030 by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. If no new road capacity is added, then congestion per mile increases. Although the urbanized land area increases by 19 percent, indicating sprawl, the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per car‐trip decreases by 1.31 percent and the VMT per car‐trip to work decreases by 2.78 percent. Car travel time increases by only 6.25 percent and commuting time by only 4.54 percent, from 30.3 minutes in 2000 to 31.7 in 2030 or 3.4 seconds per year. We further explore the effects of new road capacity, gasoline prices, public transit speed, fuel economy gains, limits on suburban construction, and importantly, the cross‐elasticity of public transit use with respect to car times. The availability of public transportation, economizing on nonwork travel, and land use adjustments that increase job‐residence proximity keep times stable.
Gender‐specific effects of a phytogenic feed additive on performance, intestinal physiology and morphology in broiler chickens
Authors: Humer E. , Rohrer E. , Windisch W. , Wetscherek W. , Schwarz C. , Jungbauer L. , Schedle K. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryTo date, most studies published were carried out on broilers of the same sex, and possible gender‐specific effects of phytogenic substances have not been investigated so far. A 3 × 2 factorial study was performed to examine gender‐specific effects of a PFA at two dietary levels (150, 1500 ppm) on growth performance, carcass traits and gastrointestinal attributes in broiler chickens versus an untreated control group. The addition of 150 ppm of the PFA led to a downregulation of trypsinogen mRNA in pancreas compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The number of goblet cells decreased in jejunum compared with the unsupplemented group, whereby this effect was more pronounced in male birds (p < 0.05). Furthermore, higher methylamine contents compared with the control group were measured (p < 0.01). In proximal ileum, female birds, supplemented with 150 ppm PFA, had lower crypt depths than their litters in the 1500 ppm treatment (p < 0.05). In distal ileum, villus height:crypt depth ratio was higher in birds fed the PFA at 150 ppm than in the control group (p < 0.05). The 1500 ppm dosage of the PFA increased jejunal histamine concentration compared with the negative control group (p < 0.05). Jejunal histamine concentration was also affected by the interaction PFA × sex (p < 0.05). Regardless of inclusion level, total amount of biogenic amines and other microbial metabolites in digesta samples was not affected by the PFA. These results demonstrate variable, partially gender‐specific effects of the tested PFA. Although the supplementation of 150 ppm showed little effect on mRNA expression level of selected marker genes for nutrient digestion, beneficial effects on gut morphology were observed. The 10‐fold higher dosage of the PFA did not adversely affect growth performance as well as most investigated parameters compared with the control group.
Influence of dietary protein level on body composition and energy expenditure in calorically restricted overweight cats
Authors: des Courtis X. , Wei A. , Kass P. H. , Fascetti A. J. , Graham J. L. , Havel P. J. , Ramsey J. J. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryHigh‐protein (HP) diets help prevent loss of lean mass in calorie‐restricted (CR) cats. However, it is not entirely known whether these diets also induce changes of energy expenditure during periods ofCR. To investigate this issue, sixteen overweight cats were fed either a high‐protein [(HP), 54.2% of metabolizable energy (ME)] or a moderate‐protein [(MP), 31.5% ofME] diet at 70% of their maintenance energy intakes for 8 weeks, and energy expenditure, energy intake, body weight and composition, and serum metabolites and hormones were measured. While both groups of cats lost weight at a similar rate, only cats eating theHPdiet maintained lean mass during weight loss. Indirect respiration calorimetry measurements revealed that both total and resting energy expenditure (kcal/d) significantly decreased during weight loss for both treatment groups. However, only cats eating theMPdiet exhibited significant decreases of total and resting energy expenditures after energy expenditure was normalized for body weight or lean mass. Results from this study suggest that in addition to sparing the loss of lean mass, feedingHPdiets to overweight cats in restricted amounts may be beneficial for preventing or minimizing decreases of mass‐adjusted energy expenditure during weight loss.
Rheological and Thermal Behavior of Mixed Gelatin/Konjac Glucomannan Gels
Authors: Tomczyńska‐Mleko Marta , Brenner Tom , Nishinari Katsuyoshi , Mleko Stanisław , Kramek Aneta 
Published: July 2014

AbstractMixed konjac glucomannan/gelatin gels were mechanically characterized in the linear and large deformation regimes. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed no effect of konjac addition on gelling and melting of gelatin. The elastic moduli increased with increasing konjac content, but fracture stress slightly decreased. The rheological results and confocal laser scanning microscopy support segregative phase separation, where rigid polysaccharide domains act as bound fillers which are not separated by the solvent from the matrix and increase the Young's modulus, but the fracture stress is only weakly dependent on the concentration of the filler. The melting temperature of konjac‐modified gels remains below body temperature, indicating konjac addition does not increase danger of choking. The addition of konjac to gelatin gels with or without sucrose decreased sensory hardness and stickiness. For both types of gels, the addition of konjac made mastication and swallowing easier, making konjac/gelatin mixed gels an interesting alternative for gelatin gels.Practical ApplicationsMixed polysaccharide and protein gels are gaining popularity in the food industry. This study investigated the rheological consequences of konjac glucomannan addition to gelatin. The mixed gels had lower sensory hardness compared with pure gelatin gels, which led to lower perceived difficulty of mastication and swallowing. The mixed gels also retained their melt‐in‐mouth properties, as konjac did not affect the thermal properties.
Comparison of liver biopsy and noninvasive techniques for liver fibrosis assessment in patients infected with HCV‐genotype 4 in Egypt
Authors: Bonnard P. , Elsharkawy A. , Zalata K. , Delarocque‐Astagneau E. , Biard L. , Le Fouler L. , Hassan A. B. , Abdel‐Hamid M. , El‐Daly M. , Gamal M. E. , El Kassas M. , Bedossa P. , Carrat F. , Fontanet A. , Esmat G. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryIn Egypt, as elsewhere, liver biopsy (LB) remains the gold standard to assess liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and is required to decide whether a treatment should be proposed. Many of its disadvantages have led to develop noninvasive methods to replace LB. These new methods should be evaluated in Egypt, where circulating virus genotype 4 (G4), increased body mass index and co‐infection with schistosomiasis may interfere with liver fibrosis assessment. Egyptian CHC‐infected patients with G4 underwent a LB, an elastometry measurement (Fibroscan©), and serum markers (APRI, Fib4 and Fibrotest©). Patients had to have a LB ≥15 mm length or ≥10 portal tracts with two pathologists blinded readings to be included in the analysis. Patients with hepatitis B virus co‐infection were excluded. Three hundred and twelve patients are reported. The performance of each technique for distinguishing F0F1 vs F2F3F4 was compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.70, 0.76, 0.71 and 0.75 for APRI, Fib‐4, Fibrotest© and Fibroscan©, respectively (no influence of schistosomiasis was noticed). An algorithm using the Fib4 for identifying patients with F2 stage or more reduced by nearly 90% the number of liver biopsies. Our results demonstrated that noninvasive techniques were feasible in Egypt, for CHC G4‐infected patients. Because of its validity and its easiness to perform, we believe that Fib4 may be used to assess the F2 threshold, which decides whether treatment should be proposed or delayed.
Associations between IL‐1RA polymorphisms and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth among patients with irritable bowel syndrome from India
Authors: Srivastava D. , Ghoshal U. , Mittal R. D. , Ghoshal U. C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundLow‐grade inflammation (controlled by pro and anti‐inflammatory molecules), induced by gut microbes in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), may be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Polymorphisms of IL‐RA gene (anti‐inflammatory) was evaluated in IBS and healthy subjects (HS); small intestinal mucosal IL‐1α and β levels (pro‐inflammatory) in relation to the presence of SIBO were evaluated in a subset of patients.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty‐one IBS patients and 273 age‐ and gender‐matched HS were included. Exactly 209 of 221 patients (Rome III) and 273 HS were genotyped (PCR) for IL‐1RA polymorphism. Mucosal IL‐1α and β levels (pg/mg of biopsy) were estimated (ELISA) in 82/221 patients with and without SIBO (≥105 CFU/mL upper gut aspirate bacteria).Key ResultsGenotype 1/1 (IL‐1RA over‐producer) was less frequent among patients than controls (p = 0.007); genotypes 1/3 (p = 0.012, OR = 3.301, 95% CI = 1.31–8.35) and 2/3 (both under‐producers; p = 0.009, OR = 7.703, 95% CI = 1.66–35.82) were commoner among IBS. Fifteen of 82 (18.3%) patients had SIBO. Levels of IL‐1α and β were higher among patients with SIBO than without (IL‐1α: 35.4 [20.1–66.8] vs 25.5 [4.2–65.3], p < 0.001; IL‐1β: 206.8 [133.5–365.9] vs 93.1 [25.5–197.7], p < 0.001) and those with bloating than without (p = 0.012; p = 0.015). IL‐1β was higher among patients with Bristol stool type 6 than those with type 1–2 (p = 0.002) and type 3–5 (p = 0.007).Conclusions & InferencesPolymorphisms 1/1 (IL‐1RA over‐producer) was infrequent and 1/3 and 2/3 (under‐producers) frequent among IBS. Increased IL‐1α and β levels were associated with SIBO. Increased IL‐1β level was predominantly associated with bloating and loose stools (Bristol type 6).
Effects of aspirin & simvastatin and aspirin, simvastatin, & lipoic acid on heme oxygenase‐1 in healthy human subjects
Authors: Bharucha Adil E. , Choi Kyoung Moo , Saw Jessica J. , Gibbons Simon J. , Farrugia Gianrico F. , Carlson David A. , Zinsmeister Alan R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundHeme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) degrades heme and protects against oxidative stress. In vitro and animal models suggest that HO‐1 is beneficial in several diseases (e.g., postoperative ileus, gastroparesis, acute pancreatitis, and colitis). However, the only drugs (i.e., hemin and heme arginate) which pharmacologically upregulate HO‐1 in humans are expensive and can only be administered intravenously. Our aims were to compare the effects of placebo, aspirin, and simvastatin alone, and with α‐lipoic acid, on HO‐1 protein concentration and activity in humans.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study compared the effects of three oral regimens administered for 7 days, i.e., placebo; aspirin (325 mg twice daily) and simvastatin (40 mg twice daily); aspirin, simvastatin, and the sodium salt of R‐ α‐lipoic acid (NaRLA, 600 mg three times daily) on markers of HO‐1 activation (i.e., plasma HO‐1 protein concentration and venous monocyte HO‐1 protein activity) in 18 healthy subjects (14 females). Markers of HO‐1 activation were evaluated at baseline, days 2, and 7.Key ResultsBaseline HO‐1 protein concentrations and activity were similar among the three groups. Compared to placebo, aspirin and simvastatin combined, or together with NaRLA did not affect HO‐1 protein concentration or activity at 2 or 7 days. HO‐1 protein concentrations and activity were correlated on day 7 (r = 0.75, p = 0.0004) but not at baseline and on day 2.Conclusions & InferencesAt therapeutic doses, aspirin, simvastatin, and α‐lipoic acid do not increase plasma HO‐1 protein concentration or venous monocyte HO‐1 activity in healthy humans.
Supraglottic airway devices vs tracheal intubation in children: a quantitative meta‐analysis of respiratory complications
Authors: Luce Virginie , Harkouk Hakim , Brasher Christopher , Michelet Daphné , Hilly Julie , Maesani Matthieu , Diallo Thierno , Mangalsuren Nyamjargal , Nivoche Yves , Dahmani Souhayl 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBackgroundRate of perioperative respiratory complications between tracheal intubation (TI) and laryngeal mask airway remains unclear during pediatric anesthesia.ObjectivesThe aim of the present meta‐analysis was to compare the perioperative respiratory complications between laryngeal mask airway and TI.MethodsA meta‐analysis of available controlled studies comparing laryngeal mask airway to TI was conducted. Studies including patients with airway infection were excluded. Data from each trial were combined to calculate the pooled odds ratios (OR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe meta‐analysis was performed on 19 studies. In 12 studies, patients were given muscle relaxation, and in 16 studies, ventilation was controlled. During recovery from anesthesia, the incidence of desaturation (OR = 0.34 [0.19–0.62]), laryngospasm (OR = 0.34 [0.2–0.6]), cough (OR = 0.18 [0.11–0.27]), and breath holding (0.19 [0.05–0.68]) was lower when laryngeal mask airway was used to secure the airway. Postoperative incidences of sore throat (OR = 0.87 [0.53–1.44]), bronchospasm (OR = 0.56 [0.25–1.25]), aspiration (1.33 [0.46–3.91]) and blood staining on the device (OR = 0.62 [0.21–1.82]) did not differ between laryngeal mask airway and TI. Results were homogenous across the studies, with the exceptions of blood staining on the device.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis found that the use of laryngeal mask airway in pediatric anesthesia results in a decrease in a number of common postanesthetic complications. It is therefore a valuable device for the management of the pediatric airway.
Does Comparative Animal Cognition Need to Be Saved by Cognitive Modeling?
Authors: Lurz Robert 
Published: July 2014

AbstractColin Allen prescribes cognitive modeling as “the right kind of theory” to use in comparative animal cognition and predicts that unless researchers shift from using conceptual framework hypotheses (“the wrong kind of theory”) to cognitive models, the field will fail to be sustained or develop further. I argue, on the contrary, that the robust development of the field over the past 35 years actually belies Allen's dire prediction. What is more, there is reason to be concerned that if Allen's prescription were wholeheartedly adopted by researchers, it would undermine one of the principal aims of the field: the discovery of the reasons for which animals act. Although cognitive modeling may be a useful tool to use to verify predictions made by conceptual framework hypotheses, I see no reason to think that comparative animal cognition would be, or needs to be, saved by researchers coming to taking cognitive modeling as the right kind of theory to use in the field.
Death as a Social Harm
Authors: Gruen Lori 
Published: July 2014

AbstractLately there has been increased attention to the philosophical issues that death raises, but the focus remains individualistic. Death is philosophically puzzling. Death is thought to be bad for the individual who dies, but there is no one there to experience death as a harm. In this paper I argue that the harm of death is a social harm. Of course, social relationships are fundamentally changed when any member of a social group dies. Death is harmful for those left behind. The problem is not just that social relations are harmed by the loss of a loved one. The very meaning and value of our lives and projects are shaped by social relations. By recognizing death as a social harm that many animals, human and nonhuman, experience, we may be better prepared for the work of mourning.
Response to “Animal Interrupted”
Authors: Manson Neil A. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractStrong conventionalism goes wrong well before cases of transfiguration even arise. Assuming it is a “rock‐bottom” form of conventionalism, it cannot deliver on its promise to resolve the classic transporter case. In the classic transporter case, the transported individual is not specified as being a member of any person‐determining community, and so there is no fact of the matter whether the transported individual survives.
Animal Interrupted, or Why AcceptingPascal'sWager Might Be the Last Thing You Ever Do
Authors: Baron Sam , Van Dyke Christina 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAccording to conventionalist accounts of personal identity, persons are constituted in part by practices and attitudes of certain sorts of care. In this paper, we concentrate on the most well‐developed and defended version of conventionalism currently on offer (namely, that proposed byDavidBraddon‐Mitchell,CarolineWest, andKristieMiller) and discuss how the conventionalist appears forced either (1) to accept arbitrariness concerning from which perspective to judge one's survival or (2) to maintain egalitarianism at the cost of making “transfiguring” decisions such asPascal's Wager rationally intractable. We consider three ways the egalitarian conventionalist could make these choices tractable and show that each one comes at significant cost to the view. We end the paper by considering whether accepting arbitrariness would be a better move for the conventionalist and conclude that, even here, she runs the risk of transfiguring choices being rationally intractable.
Reflections on Persimals
Authors: Schechtman Marya 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSteven Luper offers richly‐textured arguments against the Embodied Part View developed by Jeff McMahan and offered as an answer to the “too many thinkers” problem. One of the major objections he raises is connected to McMahan's claim that the mind, and so the person, is to be identified with the part of the brain in which consciousness is directly realized. This view has the implausible consequence, Luper argues, that persons do not and cannot think or reason or have desires or interests. While this is indeed a worrisome consequence, it is not clear that McMahan is committed to the understanding of what constitutes “the part of the brain in which consciousness is directly realized” that Luper attributes to him. Making reference to McMahan's Theory of Time‐Relative Interests, I develop an alternate way of reading this phrase, one which avoids the difficulties Luper raises. I acknowledge that my understanding yields a view that, while formally consistent, is unattractive in a variety of ways. I suggest, however, that this should not be taken as a reason to favor animalism, since animalism has its own difficulties, which are not entirely unlike those faced by the Embodied Part View.
Brains, Neuroscience, and Animalism: On the Implications of Thinking Brains
Authors: Gillett Carl 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe neuroscience revolution has led many scientists to posit “expansive” or “thinking” brains that instantiate rich psychological properties. As a result, some scientists now even claim you are identical to such a brain. However,EricOlson has offered new arguments that thinking brains cannot exist due to their intuitively “abominable” implications. After situating the commitment to thinking brains in the wider scientific discussions in which they are posited, I then critically assessOlson's arguments against such entities. Although highlighting an important insight, I show thatOlson's objections to the existence of thinking brains fail and that a wider discussion engaging our new empirical findings is actually required in order to resolve the deeper issues.
Conceptualization and Assessment of Multiple Forms of Social Withdrawal in Turkey
Authors: Bayram Özdemir Sevgi , Cheah Charissa S. L. , Coplan Robert J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractWe examined the meaning, assessment, and implications of different forms of social withdrawal in Turkey across two studies. In study 1, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with children, mothers, and teachers to identify descriptors of social withdrawal. Shyness and unsociability were confirmed through content analyses, and regulated withdrawal, a new subtype characterized by overregulation of behaviors and suppression of own desires during social interactions, was revealed. Based on these findings, the child social preference scale, an established North American measure of social withdrawal, was revised. In study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 599 9–11‐year‐old children revealed three distinct forms of social withdrawal. Shyness was related to a wider range of child adjustment difficulties than unsociability and regulated withdrawal, although all forms of withdrawal were associated with child adjustment difficulties, providing support for the importance of children's active involvement in social relationships for their positive development and well‐being.