bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competition during early ontogeny: Effects of native and invasive planktivores on the growth, survival, and habitat use of bluegill
Authors: Fletcher Cameron M. , Collins Scott F. , Nannini Michael A. , Wahl David H. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Early life stages of fishes are sensitive to ecological and environmental disturbances and experience very high mortality rates. During early ontogeny, the growth and survival of larval fish often depends on food availability. Because habitat and diet shifts are strongly tied to individual body size, factors that influence the growth rates of individuals (e.g. resource limitation, competition) also affect other aspects of ontogeny including the timing of habitat or diet shifts. In the context of biological invasions, non‐native species can potentially disrupt the interaction of larval fish with their food via competition for shared prey, reducing growth and survival during a vulnerable period of an organism's life history.

We hypothesised that invasive planktivores negatively affect native species through the vulnerable larval life stage via competition for zooplankton resources. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a series of experiments to assess and contrast the effects of invasive (bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and native (golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas) planktivores on zooplankton densities, and their effects on the growth, survival, abundance, and habitat use of larval bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus).

Overall, the effects of the invasive planktivore were consistently greater than the native planktivore in terms of reduced prey densities, reduced bluegill growth rates, and delays to the timing of ontogenetic habitat shifts. Growth rates of bluegill larvae were reduced by 58–87% in the presence of bighead carp and 37% in the presence of golden shiners (relative to controls), but such reductions did not consistently lead to reduced survival (in mesocosm experiment) or relative abundance (in pond experiment). However, we estimated that bighead carp and golden shiners delayed ontogenetic habitat shifts in bluegill by 9–24 and 1–3 days, respectively.

Although we did not detect an effect of planktivores on the numbers of larval bluegill, our findings suggest that bighead carp may still affect bluegill ontogeny and freshwater food webs by disrupting the timing of ontogenetic habitat shifts. By affecting the coupling of habitats via organism movements during early ontogeny, bighead carp may indirectly disrupt predator–prey interactions of native taxa.
Evolution of the latitudinal diversity gradient in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole
Authors: Economo Evan P. , Huang Jen‐Pan , Fischer Georg , Sarnat Eli M. , Narula Nitish , Janda Milan , Guénard Benoit , Longino John T. , Knowles L. Lacey 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimThe latitudinal diversity gradient is the dominant geographic pattern of life on Earth, but a consensus understanding of its origins has remained elusive. The analysis of recently diverged, hyper‐rich invertebrate groups provides an opportunity to investigate latitudinal patterns with the statistical power of large trees while minimizing potentially confounding variation in ecology and history. Here, we synthesize global phylogenetic and macroecological data on a hyperdiverse (> 1,100 species) ant radiation, Pheidole and test predictions of three general explanations for the latitudinal gradient: variation in diversification rates, tropical conservatism and ecological regulation.LocationGlobal.Time periodThe past 35 million years.Major taxa studiedThe hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole Westwood.MethodsWe assembled geographic data for 1,499 species and morphospecies, and inferred a dated phylogeny for 449 species of Pheidole, including 167 species newly sequenced for this study. We tested for correlations between diversification rate and latitude with Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures (BAMM), hidden state speciation and extinction (HiSSE), geographic state speciation and extinction (GeoSSE), and a non‐parametric method (FiSSE), evaluated evidence for richness steady state, and examined patterns of diversification as Pheidole spread around the globe.ResultsThere was no evidence of systematic variation of net diversification rates with latitude across any of the methods. We found that Pheidole diversification occurred in bursts when new continents were colonized, followed by a slowdown in each region, but there is no evidence richness has saturated at an equilibrium in any region. Additionally, we found latitudinal affinity is moderately conserved with a Neotropical ancestor and simulations show that phylogenetic inertia alone is sufficient to produce the gradient pattern.Main conclusionsOur results provide no evidence that diversification rates vary systematically with latitude. Richness is far from steady state in each region, contrary to the ecological regulation hypothesis, although there is evidence that ecological opportunity promotes diversification after colonization of new areas. The fact that niche conservatism is strong enough to produce the gradient pattern is in accord with the tropical conservatism hypothesis. Overall, these results shed light on the mechanisms underlying the emergence of the diversity gradient within the past 34 million years, complementing recent work on deeper time‐scales, and more generally contribute toward much‐needed invertebrate perspective on global biodiversity dynamics.
Cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes when initiating blood pressure lowering at baseline SBP between 130 and 140 mm Hg: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Shifei , Djama Nima Moumin , Lai Yanxian , Li Hairui , Liao Wangjun , Liao Yulin , Bin Jianping 
Published: January 2019

The efficacy and safety of blood pressure (BP) lowering initiated at baseline systolic BP (SBP) of 130‐140 mm Hg in patients with diabetes remain controversial. The authors aimed to investigate the benefits and harms of BP lowering initiated at these levels for patients with diabetes. Medline and EMBASE were searched from inception to March 10, 2018. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular events. Random‐effects model was used to pool all the estimates. Six trials with 21 574 diabetics were included. In diabetics, initiating BP lowering at baseline SBP of 130 and 140 mm Hg did not reduce the rate of major cardiovascular events (RR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.93‐1.10]), finding that was consistent in subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Moreover, BP lowering did not reduce the risks of myocardial infarction (RR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.85‐1.16]), stroke (0.83 [95% CI, 0.54‐1.27]), heart failure (0.91 [95% CI, 0.79‐1.04]), albuminuria (0.93 [95% CI, 0.84‐1.04]), end‐stage renal disease (0.93 [95% CI, 0.70‐1.24]), cardiovascular death (1.25 [95% CI, 0.90‐1.74]) and all‐cause death (1.05 [95% CI, 0.94‐1.17]) in patients with diabetes and baseline SBP of 130‐140 mm Hg but possibly increase the risks of serious adverse events (RR, 2.00 [95% CI, 1.33‐3.01]) and hypotension (5.30 [95% CI, 0.99‐28.40]). In diabetics, initiating BP lowering at baseline SBP of 130‐140 mm Hg may not produce any benefit but probably increase the risks of serious adverse events and hypotension. It may not be recommended to initiate BP lowering at a threshold of SBP lower than 140 mm Hg for diabetics.
Circulating serum vitamin D levels and total body bone mineral density: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Sun Jing‐yi , Zhao Ming , Hou Yajun , Zhang Cheng , Oh Jinrok , Sun Zheng , Sun Bao‐liang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUntil recently, randomized controlled trials have not demonstrated convincing evidence that vitamin D, or vitamin D in combination with calcium supplementation could improve bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis and fracture. It remains unclear whether vitamin D levels are causally associated with total body BMD. Here, we performed a Mendelian randomization study to investigate the association of vitamin D levels with total body BMD using a large‐scale vitamin D genome‐wide association study (GWAS) dataset (including 79 366 individuals) and a large‐scale total body BMD GWAS dataset (including 66,628 individuals). We selected three Mendelian randomization methods including inverse‐variance weighted meta‐analysis (IVW), weighted median regression and MR‐Egger regression. All these three methods did not show statistically significant association of genetically increased vitamin D levels with total body BMD. Importantly, our findings are consistent with recent randomized clinical trials and Mendelian randomization study. In summary, we provide genetic evidence that increased vitamin D levels could not improve BMD in the general population. Hence, vitamin D supplementation alone may not be associated with reduced fracture incidence among community‐dwelling adults without known vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, or prior fracture.
HIDRAdisk: validation of an innovative visual tool to assess the burden of hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Peris K. , Lo Schiavo A. , Fabbrocini G. , Dini V. , Patrizi A. , Fusano M. , Bianchi L. , Guanziroli E. , Guarneri C. , Parodi A. , Bertoldi A. , Musumeci M.L. , Offidani A. , Rongioletti F. , Pistone G. , Malara G. , Potenza C. , Casari A. , Franchi C. , Ardigò M. , Cusano F. , Stingeni L. , Amerio P. , Mancini L.L. , Prignano F. , Deboli T. , Gualberti G. , Saragaglia V. , Bettoli V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, recurrent abscesses and fistulas located in apocrine gland–bearing body sites. The negative impact of HS on patient's quality of life (QoL) has been reported to be greater than other dermatologic conditions as psoriasis and atopic eczema, and its improvement is an important goal in disease management. Nowadays, there are no specific validated QoL instruments available for HS and generic dermatologic questionnaires are used.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to demonstrate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of HIDRAdisk, a new innovative tool designed for rapid assessment of HS burden and, at the same time, an intuitive graphic visualization of the measurement outcome.MethodsA multicentre, longitudinal, observational study was conducted to validate the HIDRAdisk compared with other validated questionnaires [Skindex‐16, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment–General Health (WPAI:GH)] and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity in Italian patients with any degree of HS severity, as measured by Hurley stage and HS Physician Global Assessment (HS‐PGA).ResultsA total of 140 patients (59% women; mean age 34.9 ± 11.0 years) were enrolled in 27 dermatologic centres. HIDRAdisk showed a strong correlation with Skindex‐16 and DLQI, and a good one with WPAI:GH (correlation coefficient: 0.7568, 0.6651 and 0.5947, respectively) and a statistically significant correlation with both Hurley stage and HS‐PGA. Very good internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient >0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.6), with correlation between the 10 items, good test–retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.8331; P < 0.0001) and responsiveness to changes were demonstrated.ConclusionOur study shows that HIDRAdisk, a short and innovative visual HS QoL instrument, has been psychometrically validated in Italian language and it may help improve the management of HS once implemented in routine clinical practice.
Physical characterization and mass modeling of dried Terminalia chebula fruit
Authors: Pathak Sumit Sudhir , Pradhan Rama Chandra , Mishra Sabyasachi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe research was inducted to investigate the physical properties and to determine the mass model for Terminalia chebula fruits depending on its dimensional attributes. The investigation revealed that principle dimensions of the whole fruit T. chebula viz. average longitudinal axis (length), intermediate axis (width), and transverse axis (thickness) were 31.076 mm, 17.404 mm, and 16.073 mm, respectively. The thousand fruit mass was found to be 3.890 kg while the fruit has a mass distribution over the range of 1.730–9.794 g. The dimensional properties such as arithmetic mean diameter, equivalent mean diameter, and geometric mean diameter were 21.518 mm, 20.553 mm, and 20.538 mm, respectively. The aspect ratio, sphericity, eccentricity, and fruit part fraction were calculated. The surface area and volume were noted to be 1,302.351 mm2 and 10,054.28 mm3, respectively. The frictional properties such as coefficient of friction and angle of friction were measured. Mass modeling was done by using four different models viz. linear, power, quadratic, and s‐curve relating to the mass and dimensional property of the fruit which will be applicable in machine vision for grading systems. The quadratic and linear models showed the best relations between the mass and dimensional parameters of the fruit.Practical applicationsThe fruit of Terminalia chebula is a minor forest produce but has a wide application in the traditional medicines and food industries. The determination of the physiological properties such as dimensional, gravimetric, and frictional properties will help researchers, industrial process designers to design the process handling equipment, postharvest machinery, storage structures, grading, sorting equipment, etc., in the processing and manufacturing industries. The fruits can be separated on the basis of mass rather than its shape and size. The mass modeling of the fruit will be beneficial to segregate the fruits on industrial scale with minimal labor and more accuracy by using the relationship for mass of fruit with its physical properties.
Elections and Capital Flows
Authors: HONIG ADAM 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the extent to which elections affect capital flows. I find little evidence of political capital flow cycles in advanced economies. In emerging and developing countries, however, presidential elections significantly lower preelection foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows but have no effect on other types of capital flows. Furthermore, I find evidence that these cycles are not caused by economic crises related to elections or preelection manipulation of policy variables. These results suggest that uncertainty about future government policies, which should have greater impact on more irreversible forms of capital flows like FDI, may be an important factor in generating this cycle.
Optimal Structure of Fiscal and Monetary Authorities
Authors: MILLER DAVID S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWhy are monetary authorities not elected like fiscal authorities are? Advanced economies pair an elected fiscal authority with an independent monetary authority. Replicating the advanced economies' structure with authorities microfounded by a political economy model shows that this structure is the solution to a constrained mechanism design problem that overcomes time inconsistency and results in the highest possible welfare. Goal and instrument independence, singly and in combination, are insufficient to minimize time inconsistency, though their combination is necessary.
Self‐perceived oral health, normative need, and dental services utilization among dentate adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011‐2014
Authors: Adunola Folasayo , Garcia Isabel , Iafolla Timothy , Boroumand Shahdokht , Silveira Marushka L. , Adesanya Margo , Dye Bruce A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the role of self‐perceived oral health and normative need on dental services utilization by US adults aged ≥30 years from the 2011‐2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsData on 5,806 dentate adult NHANES participants were analyzed. Key independent variables were self‐perceived oral health and normative need assessed by a dentist. The dependent variable was dental visit within the past 12 months. Select sociodemographic variables were adjusted for in logistic regression models using SAS survey procedures.ResultsOverall, 33.8 percent of adults did not have a dental visit in the past 12 months. About 26.9 percent reported they were unsatisfied with their oral health and 53.4 percent needed to seek care. Individuals unsatisfied with their oral health were less likely to have a dental visit in the past 12 months compared to those who were satisfied with their oral health (57 versus 25 percent). Overall, participants who were unsatisfied with their oral health received a recommendation to seek care. These participants had more normative needs and were less likely to have a dental visit in the past 12 months; however, this relationship varied by race/ethnicity. For Asian‐Americans, there was no association between those unsatisfied with their oral health and dental visits. Also, there was no association across all race/ethnicities between number of teeth present and dental visits.ConclusionBoth self‐perceived oral health and normative need are associated with dental utilization. Results will contribute to health policy discussions and program development that aim to improve oral health status in the United States.
Soy isoflavone-loaded alginate microspheres in thermosensitive gel base: attempts to improve wound-healing efficacy
Authors: Elmowafy Mohammed , Shalaby Khaled , Salama Ayman , Soliman Ghareb M , Alruwaili Nabil K , Mostafa Ehab M , Mohammed Elshaer F , Moustafa Abd El Ghany A , Zafar Ameeduzzafar 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Objectives
This study aims to develop thermosensitive gel containing soy isoflavone (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural agent) alginate microspheres for enhancement of wound-healing performance.

Methods
Soy isoflavone microspheres were prepared by ionic cross-linking method and optimized using the Box–Behnken optimization design. Formulations were characterized in terms of particle size, encapsulation efficiency and equilibrium swelling degree. The optimized formula was incorporated in Pluronic F127 gel base and examined for in vivo wound-healing efficacy.

Key findings
Results showed mean particle size between 18 and 25 μm, encapsulation efficiency of over 75% and equilibrium swelling degree over 1.9. Thermal analysis indicated interaction between alginate and CaCl2 and embedding of soy isoflavone in microspheres. In vivo wound-healing efficacy showed significant advance in re-epithelization, mature collagen synthesis and proangiogenesis. Immunohistochemical investigation exhibited promising alpha-smooth muscle actin immunopositive cells expression, fibroblast activation and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (proliferation marker) in the epidermis and in the dermis.

Conclusions
The developed formulation would appear to be a promising topical preparation for accelerating healing process.
Mummified Magnoliaceae woods from the upper Oligocene of South China, with biogeography, paleoecology, and wood trait evolution implications
Authors: Huang Lu‐Liang , Jin Jian‐Hua , Quan Cheng , Oskolski Alexei A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we describe a new species Magnolia nanningensis sp. nov., based on exceptionally well‐preserved mummified fossil woods from the late Oligocene of the Nanning Basin, Guangxi, South China. The features of these woods indicate a close affinity to the section Michelia of the subgenus Yulania belonging to the genus Magnolia sensu lato (Magnoliaceae). Magnolia nanningensis is the first fossil record of the section Michelia from China, the modern diversity center of this group. These mummified woods provide fossil evidence supporting molecular dating that estimated an Oligocene age for divergence of the tropical evergreen section Michelia and the temperate deciduous section Yulania. Helical thickenings on vessel walls and a high degree of vessel grouping found in these fossil woods could be adaptive to temporary, possibly seasonal, droughts and, as suggested by other woods from the Nanning Basin, could be indicative of a monsoon‐influenced tropical climate in Guangxi during the late Oligocene. Helical thickenings have not been reported in magnoliaceous fossil woods prior to the Oligocene. The appearance of this trait was presumably a response to abrupt climate cooling near the Eocene–Oligocene boundary, followed by increase in climate seasonality. The associated increase of latitudinal zonation might be a possible trigger for divergence between the tropical evergreen sect. Michelia and the temperate deciduous sect. Yulania.
Further characterization of carbonaceous materials in Hayabusa‐returned samples to understand their origin
Authors: Uesugi Masayuki , Ito Motoo , Yabuta Hikaru , Naraoka Hiroshi , Kitajima Fumio , Takano Yoshinori , Mita Hajime , Kebukawa Yoko , Nakato Aiko , Karouji Yuzuru 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCarbonaceous materials in the sample catcher of the Hayabusa spacecraft were assigned as category 3 particles. We investigated the category 3 particles with a suite of in situ microanalytical methods. Possible contaminants collected from the cleanrooms of the spacecraft assembly and extraterrestrial sample curation center (ESCuC) were also analyzed in the same manner as category 3 particles for comparison. Our data were integrated with those of the preliminary examination team for category 3 particles. Possible origins for the category 3 particles include contamination before and after the operation of the Hayabusa spacecraft.
Association mapping of ectomycorrhizal traits in loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.)
Authors: Piculell Bridget J. , José Martínez‐García Pedro , Nelson C. Dana , Hoeksema Jason D. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTo understand how diverse mutualisms coevolve and how species adapt to complex environments, a description of the underlying genetic basis of the traits involved must be provided. For example, in diverse coevolving mutualisms, such as the interaction of host plants with a suite of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi, a key question is whether host plants can coevolve independently with multiple species of symbionts, which depends on whether those interactions are governed independently by separate genes or pleiotropically by shared genes. To provide insight into this question, we employed an association mapping approach in a clonally replicated field experiment of loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) to identify genetic components of host traits governing ectomycorrhizal (EM) symbioses (mycorrhizal traits). The relative abundances of different EM fungi as well as the total number of root tips per cm root colonized by EM fungi were analyzed as separate mycorrhizal traits of loblolly pine. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within candidate genes of loblolly pine were associated with loblolly pine mycorrhizal traits, mapped to the loblolly pine genome, and their putative protein function obtained when available. The results support the hypothesis that ectomycorrhiza formation is governed by host genes of large effect that apparently have independent influences on host interactions with different symbiont species.