bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using social‐network research to improve outcomes in natural resource management
Authors: Groce Julie E. , Farrelly Megan A. , Jorgensen Bradley S. , Cook Carly N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe conservation and management of natural resources operates in social–ecological systems in which resource users are embedded in social and environmental contexts that influence their management decisions. Characterizing social networks of resource users can be used to inform understanding of social influences on decision making, and social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a useful technique to explore these relationships. We synthesized how SNA has been used in 85 studies of natural resource management. We considered how social networks and social processes (e.g., interactions between individuals) influence each other and in turn influence social outcomes (e.g., decisions or actions) that affect environmental outcomes (e.g., improved condition). Descriptive methods were used in 58% of the studies to characterize social processes, and 42% of the studies compared multiple networks or multiple points in time to assess social or environmental outcomes. In 4 studies, authors assessed network interventions intended to affect social processes or environmental outcomes. The heterogeneity in case studies, methods, and analyses preclude general lessons. Thus, to structure and further learning about the role of social networks in achieving environmental outcomes, we created a typology that deconstructs social processes, social outcomes, and environmental outcomes into themes and options of social and ecological measures within each. We suggest shifts in research foci toward intervention studies to aid in understanding causality and inform the design of conservation initiatives. There is a need to develop clearer justification and guidance around the proliferation of network measures. The use of SNA in natural resource management is expanding rapidly; thus, now is the time for the conservation community to build a more rigorous evidence base to demonstrate the extent to which social networks can play a role in achieving desired social and environmental outcomes.
Substance use and population life expectancy in the USA: Interactions with health inequalities and implications for policy
Authors: Imtiaz Sameer , Probst Charlotte , Rehm Jürgen 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTLife expectancy at birth for the USA has not increased in recent years. This commentary assesses the impact of substance use on this phenomenon. Although crude mortality rates of the most important causes of death (such as cardiovascular diseases or cancer) have declined between 2010 and 2014, crude mortality rates of drug‐ and alcohol‐induced causes of death have increased. Alcohol use, non‐medical prescription drug use (especially prescription opioid use) and illicit drug use have likely played a crucial role in life expectancy trends of the past years. Importantly, the current mortality crisis due to substances is disproportionately borne in lower socio‐economic strata. As such, policies should reduce this impact.
Swift, certain and fair justice: Insights from behavioural learning and neurocognitive research
Authors: Curtis Ashlee , Youssef George , Guadagno Belinda , Manning Victoria , Enticott Peter G. , Lubman Dan I. , Miller Peter 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIncreasingly, persons entering the criminal justice system are reporting substance‐related concerns. It is therefore essential that interventions appropriately target the needs of substance‐using offenders to ensure the rate of reoffending can be reduced. In this context, there is now a substantial literature demonstrating specific neurocognitive deficits among substance‐using and offender populations, including, but not limited to, problems with executive function, rational decision making, consequential thinking and prospective memory. Such research is providing important insights into why current intervention approaches may not be as effective for substance‐using offenders, and why emerging programs, such as ‘swift, certain and fair’ justice programs, which focus on guaranteed, immediate but proportionate sanctions, might be more successful in reducing both substance use and offending behaviour. In this paper, we argue that the potential success of this intervention can be understood from a behavioural learning and neurocognitive perspective, and may point the way forward for other approaches that seek to change behaviour.
Screening for resistance of progenies derived from Castanea sativa × C. crenata and C. crenata to Cryphonectria parasitica
Authors: Pažitný J. , Bolvanský M. , Adamčíková K. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe possibility of screening young seedlings of Castanea for chestnut blight resistance was examined to try to shorten time needed for a breeding programme. Two‐year‐old chestnut seedlings of eight progenies, derived from open and controlled pollination of three hybrids (Castanea sativa × C. crenata and a C. crenata tree by paternal tree of C. sativa) were screened for resistance to chestnut blight. One hybrid and a C. crenata were partially susceptible, and two hybrids were partially resistant to chestnut blight. A total of 179 seedlings were inoculated with two virulent and one hypovirulent strain of Cryphonectria parasitica at two dates (early June and early September). Stromata production was higher and canker size larger when seedlings were inoculated in early June. Differences in canker size among seedlings derived from different parental trees were observed only after September inoculation. However, differences in canker size among seedlings inoculated with the virulent strains were observed only after June inoculation. The only significant effect on seedling survival was based on fungal strains used for inoculation. Ratio of seedlings, which died after inoculation with the hypovirulent strain, was significantly lower (36.8%) than those that died after inoculation with virulent strains (88.4 and 95.1%). Survival of seedlings was affected only by fungal strains used in inoculation, and not influenced by parental trees. The risk of seedling dieback increased with increasing canker size and with decreasing stem diameter of seedlings.
African agricultural productivity and the transatlantic slave trade: evidence from Senegambia in the nineteenth century
Authors: Rönnbäck Klas , Theodoridis Dimitrios 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAgriculture has played a central role in Africa's long‐term economic development. Previous research has argued that the low productivity of African economies has posed significant challenges to African efforts to produce an agricultural surplus or to develop commercial agriculture. Low agricultural productivity has also served as a key explanation for the transatlantic slave trade, on the basis that it was more profitable to export humans overseas than to grow and export produce. However, the field has suffered from a lack of comparable empirical evidence. This article contributes to this field by presenting quantitative data on historical land and labour productivity in Africa, from a case study of the agricultural productivity of Senegambia in the early nineteenth century. Focusing on five key crops, our results suggest that both land and labour productivity was lower in Senegambia than it was in all other parts of the world for which we have found comparable data. This article thus lends support to claims that stress ecological factors as one of the main determinants of Africa's historical development.
Chronic high‐caloric diet modifies sleep homeostasis in mice
Authors: Panagiotou Maria , Meijer Johanna H. , Deboer Tom 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObesity prevalence and sleep habit changes are commonplace nowadays, due to modern lifestyle. A bidirectional relationship likely exists between sleep quality and metabolic disruptions, which could impact quality of life. In our study, we investigated the effects of a chronic high‐caloric diet on sleep architecture and sleep regulation in mice. We studied the effect of 3 months high‐caloric diet (HCD, 45% fat) on sleep and the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) in C57BL/6J mice during 24‐hr baseline (BL) recordings, and after 6‐hr sleep deprivation (SD). We examined the effect of HCD on sleep homeostasis, by performing parameter estimation analysis and simulations of the sleep homeostatic Process S, a measure of sleep pressure, which is reflected in the non‐rapid‐eye‐movement (NREM) sleep slow‐wave‐activity (SWA, EEG power density between 0.5 and 4.0 Hz). Compared to controls (n = 11, 30.7 ± 0.8 g), mice fed with HCD (n = 9, 47.6 ± 0.8 g) showed an increased likelihood of consecutive NREM‐REM sleep cycles, increased REM sleep and decreased NREM sleep EEG SWA. After SD, these effects were more pronounced. The simulation resulted in a close fit between the time course of SWA and Process S in both groups. HCD fed mice had a slower time constant (Ti = 15.98 hr) for the increase in homeostatic sleep pressure compared with controls (5.95 hr) indicating a reduced effect of waking on the increase in sleep pressure. Our results suggest that chronic HCD consumption impacts sleep regulation.
No changes in parieto‐occipital alpha during neural phase locking to visual quasi‐periodic theta‐, alpha‐, and beta‐band stimulation
Authors: Keitel Christian , Benwell Christopher S. Y. , Thut Gregor , Gross Joachim 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecent studies have probed the role of the parieto‐occipital alpha rhythm (8–12 Hz) in human visual perception through attempts to drive its neural generators. To that end, paradigms have used high‐intensity strictly‐periodic visual stimulation that created strong predictions about future stimulus occurrences and repeatedly demonstrated perceptual consequences in line with an entrainment of parieto‐occipital alpha. Our study, in turn, examined the case of alpha entrainment by non‐predictive low‐intensity quasi‐periodic visual stimulation within theta‐ (4–7 Hz), alpha‐ (8–13 Hz), and beta (14–20 Hz) frequency bands, i.e., a class of stimuli that resemble the temporal characteristics of naturally occurring visual input more closely. We have previously reported substantial neural phase‐locking in EEG recording during all three stimulation conditions. Here, we studied to what extent this phase‐locking reflected an entrainment of intrinsic alpha rhythms in the same dataset. Specifically, we tested whether quasi‐periodic visual stimulation affected several properties of parieto‐occipital alpha generators. Speaking against an entrainment of intrinsic alpha rhythms by non‐predictive low‐intensity quasi‐periodic visual stimulation, we found none of these properties to show differences between stimulation frequency bands. In particular, alpha band generators did not show increased sensitivity to alpha band stimulation and Bayesian inference corroborated evidence against an influence of stimulation frequency. Our results set boundary conditions for when and how to expect effects of entrainment of alpha generators and suggest that the parieto‐occipital alpha rhythm may be more inert to external influences than previously thought.
Navigating north: how body mass and winds shape avian flight behaviours across a North American migratory flyway
Authors: Horton Kyle G. , Van Doren Benjamin M. , La Sorte Frank A. , Fink Daniel , Sheldon Daniel , Farnsworth Andrew , Kelly Jeffrey F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe migratory patterns of birds have been the focus of ecologists for millennia. What behavioural traits underlie these remarkably consistent movements? Addressing this question is central to advancing our understanding of migratory flight strategies and requires the integration of information across levels of biological organisation, e.g. species to communities. Here, we combine species‐specific observations from the eBird citizen‐science database with observations aggregated from weather surveillance radars during spring migration in central North America. Our results confirm a core prediction of migration theory at an unprecedented national scale: body mass predicts variation in flight strategies across latitudes, with larger‐bodied species flying faster and compensating more for wind drift. We also find evidence that migrants travelling northward earlier in the spring increasingly compensate for wind drift at higher latitudes. This integration of information across biological scales provides new insight into patterns and determinants of broad‐scale flight strategies of migratory birds.
Geographic variability in taxonomic composition, standing stock, and productivity of the mesozooplankton community around the Kuroshio Current in the East China Sea
Authors: Kobari Toru , Makihara Wataru , Kawafuchi Takahiro , Sato Kie , Kume Gen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDespite the low productivity that has been thought to characterize plankton communities in the western boundary current of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, many migratory fishes risk encountering low food availability during crucial life history stages by reproducing and recruiting in the Kuroshio region (i.e., the Kuroshio Paradox). Here, we report on geographic variability in taxonomic composition, biomass, and productivity of the mesozooplankton community in the Kuroshio Current and neighboring waters in the East China Sea. Calanoid copepods were the most abundant mesozooplankton taxon throughout our sampling stations. Small copepods, which include nauplii and poecilostomatoids, and gelatinous metazoans were the next most abundant. Seasonal variability in mesozooplankton standing stock (i.e., abundance and biomass) and productivity (i.e., production rate and protein synthetase activity) exceeded spatial variability across the stations and regions. The mesozooplankton community was characterized by high biomass and production rates in the summer, as well as high abundance and protein synthetase activity in the fall. No significant differences were found for mesozooplankton standing stock and productivity in the Kuroshio Path relative to those on the continental shelf or on the outside of the Kuroshio Path. Our results indicate that the standing stock and productivity of the mesozooplankton community in the Kuroshio Path are equivalent to those on the continental shelf, and that these communities are supported by small copepods and gelatinous zooplankton. We suggest that the mesozooplankton standing stocks and productivity provide adequate food availability for migratory fishes in the Kuroshio and neighboring waters in the East China Sea.
Seasonal dependence and functional implications of macrophyte–phytoplankton allelopathic interactions
Authors: Santonja Mathieu , Le Rouzic Bertrand , Thiébaut Gabrielle 
Published: May 2018

AbstractInvasive plant species such as Ludwigia hexapetala might have a competitive advantage if they produce allelopathically active compounds against primary producers. Both phytoplankton and plant community structure may be affected due to different, species‐specific sensitivity to allelochemicals. Moreover, such allelopathic interactions could vary over the year depending on (i) the plant's phenological stage and (ii) the abilities of the native macrophytes to suppress—or the non‐native macrophytes to stimulate—the non‐native macrophyte population. We tested the allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of L. hexapetala on the photosynthetic activity of three target phytoplankton strains (Scenedesmus communis, a toxic Microcystis aeruginosa strain and a non‐toxic Microcystis aeruginosa strain) over three seasons of development (spring, summer and autumn). We also tested seasonal allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of both L. hexapetala (i.e. the non‐native invasive species) and the native Mentha aquatica on L. hexapetala seed germination. Finally, we identified three main secondary compounds present in the aqueous leaf extracts of L. hexapetala and we tested each individual compound on the phytoplankton's photosynthetic activity and on L. hexapetala seed germination. We observed marked seasonal and species‐specific patterns of L. hexapetala allelopathy on phytoplankton. The photosynthetic activities of S. communis and the toxic M. aeruginosa strain were stimulated by L. hexapetala aqueous leaf extracts in autumn and spring, respectively, whereas the non‐toxic M. aeruginosa strain was strongly inhibited in these two seasons. In summer, photosynthesis of all phytoplankton strains was inhibited. The germination rate of L. hexapetala seeds was stimulated by both L. hexapetala and M. aquatica aqueous leaf extracts, especially in summer, concomitant with the strong negative effects observed on the three phytoplankton strains. Three flavonoid glycosides (myricitrin, prunin and quercitrin) were identified as the main secondary compounds present in the L. hexapetala aqueous leaf extracts. The photosynthetic activity of S. communis was slightly stimulated by the three compounds. The photosynthetic activity of the toxic M. aeruginosa strain was stimulated by myricitrin and quercitrin, whereas that of the non‐toxic M. aeruginosa strain was inhibited by prunin. Finally, the germination rate and the germination velocity of L. hexapetala seeds were stimulated by myricitrin and prunin. These findings suggest that L. hexapetala could favour the photosynthetic activity of toxic cyanobacteria in spring and reduce their photosynthetic activity in summer, potentially leading to drastic changes in the phytoplankton communities and therewith ecological functioning of invaded ponds. Moreover, the stimulation of its seed germination could give a strong competitive advantage to L. hexapetala, thus promoting its invasiveness.
Factors associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients with various internal diseases: A multicenter community‐based survey
Authors: Kawaguchi Takumi , Inokuchi Tetsuaki , Honma Tomoki , Itano Satoshi , Kawasaki Eiji , Inada Chizuko , Aoki Toshichika , Tsumura Naohira , Araki Akiteru , Mukae Tokunori , Torimura Takuji 
Published: May 2018

Background and AimsAdvanced hepatic fibrosis can occur in patients with various diseases, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of advanced hepatic fibrosis in patients with various internal diseases.Patients and MethodsWe performed a community‐based survey in which 1012 patients were enrolled (mean age, 63.1 ± 10.8 years; female/male, 505/507). Hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by Fib‐4 index and patients were classified into high and low Fib‐4 groups. Independent factors for the high Fib‐4 group were analyzed using logistic regression and decision tree analysis.ResultsA high prevalence of high Fib‐4 index was observed in patients with cardiovascular diseases; 37.1% of patients with hypertension belonged to the high Fib‐4 group. Independent factors associated with the high Fib‐4 group were BMI (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.918–0.989, P < 0.01), male sex (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.03–1.78, P < 0.05), and hypertension (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.03–1.92, P < 0.05). In patients with hypertension, a decision tree algorithm revealed three profiles for Fib‐4 index: 1) creatinine level < 0.76 mg/dL (high Fib‐4; 30.0%), 2) creatinine level ≥ 0.76 mg/dL without sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) treatment (high Fib‐4; 48.2%), and 3) creatinine level ≥ 0.76 mg/dL with SGLT2i treatment (high Fib‐4; 23.5%).ConclusionsA high prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis was observed in patients with hypertension. Hypertension was an independent risk factor, and creatinine level and SGLT2i were divergence variables for advanced hepatic fibrosis. Thus, hypertension with chronic kidney injury may exacerbate hepatic fibrosis, while SGLT2i treatment may ameliorate hepatic fibrosis.
Microstructure and properties of high alumina castables containing calcium alumino‐titanate
Authors: Chen Jianwei , Zhao Huizhong , Zhang Han , Li Zhengkun , Zhang Jiaqin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCalcium alumino‐titanate (CAT)‐containing high alumina castables were prepared using bauxite, CAT, and α‐Al2O3 as starting materials, and subsequently heat treated at various temperatures ranging from 1400°C to 1600°C. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the specimens as a function of the temperature were characterized in terms of linear shrinkage, bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength (CCS), modulus of rupture (MOR), residual ratio of MOR, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the phase composition and microstructural evolution, respectively. Sintering at temperatures between 1450 and 1500°C promoted normal grain growth, with the formation of a granular surface contact, and abnormal grain growth occurred at higher temperatures (≥ 1550°C). The cold strength of the specimen initially increased and subsequently decreased with temperature, whereas the residual ratio of MOR initially decreased with increasing temperature to 1550°C, then increased above 1550°C. In addition, the CTE of the specimen was only minimally influenced by the firing temperature.
Nutraceuticals in gummy candies form prepared from lacto‐fermented lupine protein concentrates, as high‐quality protein source, incorporated with Citrus paradise L. essential oil and xylitol
Authors: Bartkiene Elena , Sakiene Vytaute , Bartkevics Vadims , Wiacek Claudia , Rusko Janis , Lele Vita , Ruzauskas Modestas , Juodeikiene Grazina , Klupsaite Dovile , Bernatoniene Jurga , Jakstas Valdas , Braun Peggy G. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryAs an addition to a normal diet, the use of food enriched with functional compounds has become increasingly popular. Alternatively, functional ingredients can be incorporated into nutraceuticals in gummy candies (GC) form. This study aimed to adapt lacto‐fermented lupine protein concentrates, as high‐quality protein and genistein sources, with Citrus paradise essential oil (EO), an antimicrobial and bean taste masking agent, and xylitol, a low glycaemic index sweetener, for preparation of nutraceuticals in GC form. For GC preparation, submerged fermentation with Lactobacillus sakei lupine variety Vilniai protein concentrate was selected, which had the highest protein content (90.11%), protein digestibility (89.94%) and genistein content (30.93 μg g−1) and the lowest trypsin inhibitors activity (19.40%), among the concentrates assessed. GC formulated with xylitol, ascorbic acid, grapefruit EO (up to 0.2%) and lupine protein concentrate (up to 13.0%) allowed obtaining products that exhibited a good texture, high overall acceptability and contained desirable functional compounds.
Apoptotic vesicles: deathly players in cancer‐associated coagulation
Authors: Muhsin‐Sharafaldine Morad‐Remy , McLellan Alexander Donald 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAlthough cancer is associated with coagulation disorders, it is still unclear how the combination of tumor cell and host factors enhance the hypercoagulable state of cancer patients. Emerging evidence points to a central role for tumor endosomal and plasma membrane‐derived vesicular components in the pathogenesis of cancer‐related thrombosis. In particular, tumor cell membranes and extracellular vesicles (EV) harbor lipids and proteinaceous coagulation factors able to initiate multiple points within the coagulation matrix. The impact of chemotherapy upon a host already burdened with a hypercoagulable state increases the risk of pathological coagulation. We argue that chemotherapy‐induced EV harbor the most active components for cancer related thrombosis and discuss how membrane components of the host and tumor act to initiate coagulation to enhance thrombotic risk in cancer patients.