bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental factors and traits that drive plant litter decomposition do not determine home‐field advantage effects
Authors: Veen G. F. (Ciska) , Sundqvist Maja K. , Wardle David A. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe ‘home‐field advantage’ (HFA) hypothesis predicts that plant litter is decomposed faster than expected underneath the plant from which it originates (‘home’) than underneath other plants (‘away’), because decomposer communities are specialized to break down litter from the plants they associate with. However, empirical evidence shows that the occurrence ofHFAis highly variable, and the reasons for this are little understood.In our study, we progress our understanding by investigating whetherHFAis stronger for more recalcitrant litter types and under colder conditions and how soil properties and plant functional traits affect the magnitude and direction ofHFA.In subarctic tundra in northernSweden, we set up a reciprocal transplant litter decomposition experiment along an elevational gradient where three highly contrasting vegetation types (heath, meadow andSalix) occur at all elevations, and where temperature decreases strongly with elevation. In this study, we used a litter bag approach where litters from each elevation × vegetation type combination were decomposed in all combinations of elevation × vegetation type. We also measured community‐level plant functional traits, such as leaf and litter nutrient content. We determined soil biotic and abiotic properties, such as microbial biomass and soil nutrient content, in soil cores collected for each elevation × vegetation type combination.We found that mass loss increased with plant and litter nutrient content and with soil temperature. In contrast, the occurrence ofHFAwas limited in our study system, and its magnitude and direction could not be explained by vegetation type, elevation, plant traits or soil properties, despite these factors serving as powerful drivers of litter mass loss in our study.We conclude that although vegetation type and climate are major drivers of litter mass loss, they do not emerge as important determinants ofHFA. Therefore, while rapid shifts in plant community composition or temperature due to global change are likely to influence litter mass loss directly by altering environmental conditions, plant trait spectra and litter quality, indirect effects of global change resulting from decoupling of specialist interactions between litter and decomposer communities appear to be of less importance.
Indirect effects of predators control herbivore richness and abundance in a benthic eelgrass (Zostera marina) mesograzer community
Authors: Amundrud Sarah L. , Srivastava Diane S. , O'Connor Mary I. 
Published: February 2015

Summary

Herbivore communities can be sensitive to changes in predator pressure (top‐down effects) and resource availability (bottom‐up effects) in a wide range of systems. However, it remains unclear whether such top‐down and bottom‐up effects reflect direct impacts of predators and/or resources on herbivores, or are indirect, reflecting altered interactions among herbivore species.

We quantified direct and indirect effects of bottom‐up and top‐down processes on an eelgrass (Zostera marina) herbivore assemblage. In a field experiment, we factorially manipulated water column nutrients (with Osmocote™ slow‐release fertilizer) and predation pressure (with predator exclusion cages) and measured the effects on herbivore abundance, richness and beta diversity. We examined likely mechanisms of community responses by statistically exploring the response of individual herbivore species to trophic manipulations.

Predators increased herbivore richness and total abundance, in both cases through indirect shifts in community composition. Increases in richness occurred through predator suppression of common gammarid amphipod species (Monocorophium acherusicum and Photis brevipes), permitting the inclusion of rarer gammarid species (Aoroides columbiae and Pontogeneia rostrata). Increased total herbivore abundance reflected increased abundance of a caprellid amphipod species (Caprella sp.), concurrent with declines in the abundance of other common species. Furthermore, predators decreased beta diversity by decreasing variability in Caprella sp. abundance among habitat patches.

Osmocote™ fertilization increased nutrient concentrations locally, but nutrients dissipated to background levels within 3 m of the fertilizer. Nutrient addition weakly affected the herbivore assemblage, not affecting richness and increasing total abundance by increasing one herbivore species (Caprella sp.). Nutrient addition did not affect beta diversity.

We demonstrated that assemblage‐level effects of trophic manipulations on community structure are the result of distinct and often indirect responses of herbivore species. These results underscore the importance of understanding herbivore–herbivore interactions in a system commonly subjected to both eutrophication and overfishing.
Discriminative host sanction together with relatedness promote the cooperation in fig/fig wasp mutualism
Authors: Wang Rui‐Wu , Sun Bao‐Fa , Yang Yan 
Published: February 2015

Summary

Sanctioning or punishing is regarded as one of the most important dynamics in the evolution of cooperation. However, it has not been empirically examined yet whether or not such enforcement selection by sanctioning or punishing and classical theories like kin or reciprocity selection are separate mechanisms contributing to the evolution of cooperation. In addition, it remains largely unclear what factors determine the intensity or effectiveness of sanction.

Here, we show that in the obligate, interspecific cooperation between figs and fig wasps, the hosted figs can discriminatively sanction cheating individuals by decreasing the offspring development ratio. Concurrently, the figs can reward the cooperative pollinators with a higher offspring development ratio. This sanction intensity and effectiveness largely depend on how closely the host and symbiont are related either in terms of reciprocity exchange or genetic similarity as measured by the reciprocal of the foundress number.

Our results imply that in asymmetric systems, symbionts might be forced to evolve to be cooperative or even altruistic through discriminative sanction against the noncooperative symbiont and reward to the cooperative symbiont by the host (i.e. through a game of ‘carrot and stick’).
Effects of persimmon tannin on survival and reproduction of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Kim Junheon , Park Chung Gyoo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHalyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) occurs in sweet persimmon orchards from late July to early September and its damage level is negligible before mid‐July. It rarely appears in persimmon orchards after mid‐September, but is easily found in soybean fields. From the phenological observation of H. halys, it is assumed that seasonal migration of H. halys to sweet persimmon orchards may be related to the content of soluble tannin in sweet persimmon fruits. The feeding preference of H. halys was evaluated on sweet and astringent persimmon fruits, and the effects of persimmon fruits and purified persimmon tannin were tested on the survival of H. halys. Numbers of visiting bugs and feeding spots on the fruits were significantly higher on sweet persimmon than those on astringent persimmon. There was no significant difference in survivorships of H. halys fed sweet persimmon and soybean. However, the number of eggs laid by sweet persimmon fed adult females was significantly lower than those fed soybean. The higher concentration of persimmon tannin caused higher mortality of H. halys. Male and female H. halys fed with 3% persimmon tannin showed the lowest survival. Longevities of male H. halys fed with 0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1% persimmon tannin were 14.9, 12.7, 14.5 and 16.3 days, respectively. However, males fed with 3% tannin lived only 6.4 days. The longevities of female H. halys were similar to those of male (10.1, 14.4, 13.8, 12.0 and 6.1 days for 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 3% tannin concentration, respectively). These results suggest that H. halys invades sweet persimmon orchards during late July and early September when more suitable foods, e.g. soybean, are in short supply and sweet persimmon fruits become suitable for feeding (e.g. lower tannin content).
Personality, negative affect coping, and drinking alone: a structural equation modeling approach to examine correlates of adolescent solitary drinking
Authors: Creswell Kasey G. , Chung Tammy , Wright Aidan G. C. , Clark Duncan B. , Black Jessica J. , Martin Christopher S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimsThis study examined the personality traits of negative emotionality and constraint and the ability to resist drinking during negative affective states as correlates of solitary drinking in adolescence. We hypothesized that higher levels of negative emotionality and lower levels of constraint would predict solitary drinking and that these relationships would be mediated by the ability to resist drinking in response to negative emotions.DesignStructural equation modeling was used to fit a path model from the personality traits of negative emotionality and constraint to solitary drinking status through intermediate effects on the ability to resist drinking during negative emotions using cross‐sectional data.SettingClinical and community settings in Pennsylvania, USA.ParticipantsThe sample included 761 adolescent drinkers (mean age = 17.1).MeasurementsAdolescents completed the Lifetime Drinking History, the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire, the Constructive Thinking Inventory and the Situational Confidence Questionnaire.FindingsThe path model provided a good fit to the data. The association between trait negative emotionality and solitary drinking was fully mediated by adolescents' ability to resist drinking during negative affective states (b = 0.05, P = 0.01). In contrast, constraint had a direct effect on solitary drinking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, b = –0.23, P<0.01), as well as an indirect effect through the ability to resist drinking during negative affective states (b = –0.03, P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe ability to resist drinking while experiencing negative feelings or emotions may be an important underlying mechanism linking trait negative emotionality (a tendency toward depression, anxiety and poor reaction to stress) and constraint (lack of impulsiveness) to adolescent solitary drinking.
Enduring Capitalism: Instability, Precariousness, and Cycles of Change in an Alaskan Salmon Fishery
Authors: Hébert Karen 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTIn this article, I examine producers’ interpretations of economic downturn in an Alaskan commercial fishery to shed light on how workers endure ongoing capitalist vicissitudes and how capitalism itself endures. I focus on Alaska's salmon industry, which has weathered many ups and downs. In the early 2000s, despite strong wild salmon populations, the industry struggled as salmon prices sank to new lows. Drawing on ethnographic research in Bristol Bay, where most residents identify as Alaska Native, I show how salmon producers withstood volatile economic cycles by looking to ecological cycles, particularly the region's salmon returns, to interpret the fluctuations of capitalism and envision a future both within and beyond it. While fishers expressed senses of precariousness during the downturn through metaphors of extinction, they also undertook efforts to “reinvent” the industry, identifying in salmon cycles their own capacity to continue. Highlighting how dramatic ecological fluxes tune Bristol Bay producers to recurring change, I argue that this case reveals a more general pattern by which workers become oriented to ongoing instability. As they draw on experiences forged beyond the terms of capitalism to engage within it, their responses help maintain its cycles but also bolster their ability to persist in its midst. [crisis, capitalism, natural resources, fishing, Alaska]
SELF‐REGULATION SYSTEMS FOR NPO COORDINATION: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF LABEL AND UMBRELLA MECHANISMS
Authors: SIMILON Astrid 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThe rise of the non‐profit sector and the increasing competition for funds among its members has increased the need for more transparency, accountability and coordination in fundraising activities. In some countries, self‐regulation has appeared to be the most effective way of meeting these demands and two types of systems have emerged: the labels and the umbrella organizations. This paper analyses their emergence as well as their functioning through four cases studies and highlights their strengths and weaknesses. It shows that despite its willingness, there still remain some gaps that might prevent this sector from achieving those goals.
MATCHING PROFIT AND NON‐PROFIT NEEDS: HOW NPOs AND COOPERATIVES CONTRIBUTE TO GROWTH IN TIME OF CRISIS. A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH
Authors: VIGANÒ Federica , SALUSTRI Andrea 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe propose a microeconomic model aimed at describing, in a dual production process, the interaction between the formal and the informal sector. The adopted framework is characterized by the absence of information asymmetries. The latter assumption is motivated by the focus of the paper, which chooses a cooperative rather than a competitive interaction between the for‐profit and not for profit sectors, as the non‐profit sector offers services which enable and increase the labour productivity of the workers employed in the for profit sector. Specifically, the non‐profit industry can lower the monetary costs of labour by paying a share of wages and dividends in real terms. As a result, at aggregate level, consumption expenditure decreases proportionally to the share of goods and services that are not bought on the market. In this scenario the non‐profit sector can play an important role in elaborating a way out of the crisis, by: i) reducing the income inequality between the employed and the unemployed, ii) lowering labour costs, and iii) endowing workers with an alternative source of employment. The theoretical analysis, complemented by empirical evidence built on Italian data collected for the period 2005–2012, shows that the model is not yet applicable in the Italian context as the non‐profit industry is growing, but it is still inadequate in size to complement the activities of the for profit sector. However, we claim that Italy should elaborate a way out of the crisis by empowering the Third Sector, and, more in general, a ‘good informal economy’ made of non‐profit institutions.
Effect of water extract from spent mushroom substrate after Ganoderma balabacense cultivation by using JUNCAO technique on production performance and hematology parameters of dairy cows
Authors: Liu Yanling , Zhao Chao , Lin Dongmei , Lin Hui , Lin Zhanxi 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe spent mushroom substrate of Ganoderma balabacense cultivation (SMSGB) contains a large amount of bioactive substances. However, the potentials of SMSGB for improving milk production in dairy cows have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, the effects of hot water extract (HWE) from spent mushroom substrate after G. balabacense cultivated with JUNCAO, the herbaceous plants long‐known to be suitable for cultivating edible and medicinal fungi, on production performance and hematology parameters of dairy cows, were determined. Holstein dairy cows were fed different doses of HWE. After a 60‐day administration period with 100 g/day of HWE, milk yield, milk protein and triglyceride (TG) levels increased by 4.02% (P < 0.01), 4.49% (P < 0.05) and 32.65% (P < 0.05), respectively; somatic cell count (SCC) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The production performance of dairy cows suggests that HWE with SMSGB treatment is effective in improving milk yield (P < 0.01) and hematology parameters of dairy cows, and may be useful as a functional feed additive.
Pharmacological modulation of autophagy to protect cardiomyocytes according to the time windows of ischaemia/reperfusion
Authors: Xu Qiulin , Li Xixian , Lu Yongkang , Shen Liang , Zhang Jingwen , Cao Shiping , Huang Xiaobo , Bin Jianping , Liao Yulin 
Published: February 2015

Background and PurposeTargeted modulation of autophagy induced by myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion has been the subject of intensive investigation, but it is debatable whether autophagy is beneficial or harmful. Hence, we evaluated the effects of pharmacological manipulation of autophagy on the survival of cardiomyocytes in different time windows of ischaemia/reperfusion.Experimental ApproachWe examined the autophagy and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes subjected to different durations of anoxia/re‐oxygenation or ischaemia/reperfusion, and evaluated the effects of the autophagic enhancer rapamycin and inhibitor wortmannin on cell survival.Key ResultsIn neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCs) or murine hearts, autophagy was increased in response to anoxia/reoxygenation or ischaemia/reperfusion in a time‐dependent manner. Rapamycin‐enhanced autophagy in NRCs led to higher cell viability and less apoptosis when anoxia was sustained for ≦6 h. When anoxia was prolonged to 12 h, rapamycin did not increase cell viability, induced less apoptosis and more autophagic cell death. When anoxia was prolonged to 24 h, rapamycin increased autophagic cell death, while wortmannin reduced autophagic cell death and apoptosis. Similar results were obtained in mice subjected to ischaemia/reperfusion. Rapamycin inhibited the opening of mitochondrial transition pore in NRCs exposed to 6 h anoxia/4 h re‐oxygenation but did not exert any effect when anoxia was extended to 24 h. Similarly, rapamycin reduced the myocardial expression of Bax in mice subjected to short‐time ischaemia, but this effect disappeared when ischaemia was extended to 24 h.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe cardioprotection of autophagy is context‐dependent and therapies involving the modification of autophagy should be determined according to the duration of ischaemia/reperfusion.
Radiographic evaluation of immediately loaded implants supporting 2–3 units fixed bridges in the posterior maxilla: a 3‐year follow‐up prospective randomized controlled multicenter clinical study
Authors: Cesaretti Gianfranco , Botticelli Daniele , Renzi Antonio , Rossi Marcello , Rossi Riccardo , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the survival rate and alveolar bone levels at implants installed in healed sites and functionally loaded within 1 h from installation or after 3 months.Material and methodsA total of 30 patients (17 male and 13 female) were recruited and 71 implants with a SLA® surface, 4.1 mm in diameter and 8–12 mm long, were installed in a fully healed alveolar ridge, 36 as test and 35 as control implants. The test implants were immediately loaded with a temporary reconstruction in proper occlusion, while the randomly selected control sites received the final reconstruction after 3 months. Radiographic bone levels were determined after implant installation, prosthesis delivery, and at annual intervals thereafter.ResultsOne patient of the control and one patient of the test were excluded from evaluation. No further losses of implants or patients were seen up to the 3‐year follow‐up. Hence, data from 28 patients were accounted for. A total of 37 and 36 metal–ceramic crowns were provided at the test and control sites, respectively. No biological and technical complications were observed during the 3‐year follow‐up. Bone levels at the time of implant installation were at 1.6 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.9 mm from the implant shoulder at the test and control sites, respectively. At prosthesis delivery, the bone levels were located at 2.4 ± 0.7 mm at the control sites 3 months after implant placement. After 1 year of function, similar bone levels were observed at both sites, displaying 2.4 ± 1.0 and 2.5 ± 0.8 mm at the test and control sites, respectively. No differences were found in the subsequent observation periods.ConclusionSurvival rates and radiographic bone levels after 1, 2, and 3 years of observation did not differ between conventionally installed implants loaded immediately or delayed (after 3 months). Moreover, insertion torque values did not affect osseointegration.
Retracted: Histological and histomorphometric analyses of narrow implants, crestal and subcrestally placed in severe alveolar atrophy: a study in foxhound dogs
Authors: Calvo‐Guirado Josè Luis , Delgado Ruiz Rafael Arcesio , Ramírez‐Fernández Maria Piedad , Abboud Marcus , Janjic Bojan , Maté Sánchez de Val Jose Eduardo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundNarrow‐diameter implants provide an alternative to the horizontal augmentation techniques situations severe bone atrophy. Lack of bone width and interdental space has been regarded as an encumbrance in the case selection for prosthetic rehabilitation using dental implants.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate bone‐to‐implant contact and marginal bone loss of two different narrow implants in resorbed ridges at different crestal positions.Material and methods48 Bredent Narrow® implants (24 MiniSky® and NarowSky®) were placed at crestal and subcrestal levels in healing bone of atrophic alveolar ridge of 6 American foxhounds. Histological and histomorphometric analyses of osseointegration were carried out at 4 and 8 weeks.ResultsModeling in the marginal defect region was accompanied by marked decreases in the dimensions of both the buccal and the more lingual bone walls. Relative to BIC, significant differences were found in favor of subcrestal group, for both Narrow Sky and MiniSky. Linear measurements showed to be slightly high in the crestal group. With significant differences for PM‐IS (peri‐implant mucosa to implant shoulder) and IS‐BC (implant shoulder to buccal bone crest).ConclusionsWithin the limitations of animal study, it can be stated that the NarrowSky(test group) crestal and subcrestal implants showed less crestal bone resorption, higher ISQ values and most BIC at 4 and 8 weeks of evaluation compared with MiniSky implants (control group). The design of the implants plays an important role in peri‐implant mucosa and crestal bone maintenance at 8‐week follow‐up period.
IFI27, a novel epidermal growth factor‐stabilized protein, is functionally involved in proliferation and cell cycling of human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Hsieh W.‐L. , Huang Y.‐H. , Wang T.‐M. , Ming Y.‐C. , Tsai C.‐N. , Pang J.‐H. S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectivesIFI27 is highly expressed in psoriatic lesions but its function has not been known. The present study aimed to explore its role in proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes.Materials and methodsIFI27 knockdown and over‐expression in keratinocytes were used to compare their proliferation, by MTT assay, apoptosis (by annexin V binding) and cell cycle progression by flow cytometry. Formation of cyclin A/CDK1 complex was examined by a co‐immunoprecipitaion method. Anti‐proliferation effects of IFI27 were also examined in vivo by topical application of IFI27 siRNA on imiquimod‐induced psoriatic lesions, in a mouse model.ResultsEpidermal growth factor was demonstrated to increase IFI27 expression by prolonging half‐life of IFI27 protein. The IFI27 knockdown in keratinocytes reduced the proliferation rate, but had no effect on apoptosis nor on apoptosis‐related genes. Interestingly, IFI27 knockdown resulted in S‐phase arrest that was found to be associated with increased Tyr15 phosphorylation of CDK1, reduced CDC25B and reduced formation of cyclin A/CDK1 complex. In addition, IFI27 knockdown was also shown to activate p53 by Ser15 phosphorylation and increase p21 expression. Topical application of IFI27 siRNA on imiquimod‐induced psoriatic lesion in a mouse model reduced epidermal thickness, formation of rete ridges and PCNA expression.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates for the first time, that cell function of IFI27 is involved in proliferation of skin keratinocytes both in vitro and in vivo. It suggests that IFI27 might be a suitable target for development of a novel anti‐psoriasis therapy.