277 research outputs found
Evaluation of agricultural ecosystem services in fallowing land based on farmers' participation and model simulation
Fallowing with green fertilizer can benefit agricultural ecosystem services (AES). Farmers in Taiwan do not implement fallow practices and plant green fertilizer because the current subsidy level (46,000 NTperha)istoolowtomanagefallowingThispaperdefinestheobjectiveofgovernmentagriculturepolicyorthefarmer’sobjectiveasmaximizationoffarmproductivityapproximatedtothevalueofsocialwelfareandAESFarmswhichdonotfollowproperfallowingpracticesoftenhavepoorlymaintainedfallowlandorleftfarmlandabandonedThisresultsinnegativeenvironmentalconsequencessuchascutworminfestationsinabandonedlandwhichinturncanaffectcropsinadjacentfarmlandsTheobjectivesofthisstudyaretwofoldFirstitdeterminestheproperfallowingsubsidybasedontheconceptofpaymentforecosystemservicestoenticemorefarmerstoparticipateinfallowingSeconditsimulatesthebenefitofplantinggreenmanureinfallowlandtothesupplyofAESbasedontherateoffarmerswhoarewillingtoparticipateinfallowlandpracticesandessentialparametersthatcanaffectsoilfertilitychangeTheapproachinvolvesaseriesofinterviewsandadevelopedempiricalmodelThevalueofAESwhentherateoffarmerparticipationis100 ) over the value at the current participation rate of 14%. This study further concludes that the appropriate fallowing subsidy has a large positive impact on AES and social welfare (e.g., benefit from food and biofuel supplies) and is seen as a basis of ecological governance for sustainable agro-ecosystems
Tobacco growers at the crossroads : Towards a comparison of diversification and ecosystem impacts
Peer reviewedPostprintPostprin
TABLE OF CASES
<p>Main effects: trial: p<.001; time: p<.001; interaction: p<.001. **p<.01; ***p<0.01.</p
Effect of Short-term Arginine Supplementation on Vasodilation and Performance in Intermittent Exercise in Judo Athletes
Arginine supplementation has been shown to induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation and enhance exercise performance via increasing nitric oxide (NO) production in patients with various cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determin
Development and evaluation of a computerized clinical outcome assessment tool for head and neck cancer patients
Energy replacement using glucose does not increase postprandial lipemia after moderate intensity exercise
Aerobic exercise can decrease postprandial triglyceride (TG) concentrations but the relationship between exercise-induced energy deficits and postprandial lipemia is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise, with and without energy replacement, on postprandial lipemia and on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mRNA expression of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR)
Comparison of Skull Motions in Six Degrees of Freedom Between Two Head Supports During Frameless Radiosurgery by CyberKnife
Introduction: Maintaining immobilization to minimize skull motion is important during frameless radiosurgery. This study aimed to compare the intrafractional skull motions between two head supports.Methods: With 6D skull tracking system, 4,075 image records from 45 patients receiving radiosurgery by CyberKnife were obtained. Twenty-three patients used TIMO head supports (CIVCO) (Group A) and twenty-two patients used Silverman head supports (CIVCO) with MoldCare cushions (ALCARE) (Group B). The skull motions in X (superior-inferior), Y (right-left), Z (anterior-posterior) axes, 3D (three-dimensional) vector, Roll, Pitch and Yaw between the two groups were compared and the margins of planning target volume were estimated.Results: The translational motions in Group A were similar in three axes at initial but became different after 10 min, and those in Group B were less prominent in the Y axis. The rotational errors in Group A were most obvious in Yaw, but those in Group B were stationary in three axes. The motions in the X axis, 3D vector, Pitch and Yaw in Group B were significantly smaller than those in Group A; conversely, the motions in the Z axis in Group B were larger. To cover the 95% confidence intervals, margins of 0.77, 0.79, and 0.40 mm in the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively, were needed in Group A, and 0.69, 0.50, and 0.51 mm were needed in Group B.Conclusions: Both head supports could provide good immobilization during the frameless radiosurgery. Silverman head support with MoldCare cushion was better than TIMO head support in the superior-inferior direction, 3D vector, Pitch and Yaw axes, but worse in the anterior-posterior direction
Intracellular Hmgb1 inhibits inflammatory nucleosome release and limits acute pancreatitis in mice
BACKGROUND & AIMS: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an abundant protein that regulates chromosome architecture and also functions as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule. Little is known about its intracellular roles in response to tissue injury or during subsequent local and systemic inflammatory responses. We investigated the function of Hmgb1 in mice after induction of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We utilized a Cre/LoxP system to create mice with pancreas-specific disruption in Hmbg1 (Pdx1-Cre; HMGB1(flox/flox) mice). Acute pancreatitis was induced in these mice (HMGB1(flox/flox) mice served as controls) after injection of l-arginine or cerulein. Pancreatic tissues and acinar cells were collected and analyzed by histologic, immunoblot, and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: After injection of l-arginine or cerulein, Pdx1-Cre; HMGB1(flox/flox) mice developed acute pancreatitis more rapidly than controls, with increased mortality. Pancreatic tissues of these mice also had higher levels of serum amylase, acinar cell death, leukocyte infiltration, and interstitial edema than controls. Pancreatic tissues and acinar cells collected from the Pdx1-Cre; HMGB1(flox/flox) mice after l-arginine or cerulein injection demonstrated nuclear catastrophe with greater nucleosome release when compared with controls, along with increased phosphorylation/activation of RELA nuclear factor kappaB, degradation of inhibitor of kappaB, and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Inhibitors of reactive oxygen species (N-acetyl-l-cysteine) blocked l-arginine-induced DNA damage, necrosis, apoptosis, release of nucleosomes, and activation of nuclear factor kappaB in pancreatic tissues and acinar cells from Pdx1-Cre; HMGB1(flox/flox) and control mice. Exogenous genomic DNA and recombinant histone H3 proteins significantly induced release of HMGB1 from mouse macrophages; administration of antibodies against H3 to mice reduced serum levels of HMGB1 and increased survival after l-arginine injection. CONCLUSIONS: In 2 mouse models of acute pancreatitis, intracellular HMGB1 appeared to prevent nuclear catastrophe and release of inflammatory nucleosomes to block inflammation. These findings indicate a role for the innate immune response in tissue damage
- …