bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feeding cluster preferences in four genera of Lories and Lorikeets (Loriinae) that should be considered in the diet of nectarivorous psittacine species in captivity
Authors: Cabana Francis , Lee Jessica G. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLories and lorikeets are popular birds in the pet bird trade, captured from the wild and exported worldwide. Their captive propagation has not been so successful for many species due to health issues, low breeding success and reduced longevity. As a result, uptake from the wild is currently the only way to meet the market’s demand. Field studies on Asian species of loris and lorikeets are limited; therefore, dietary recommendations are based on the well‐studied Australian species such as the rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus). We aimed to provide an ad libitum diet to diverse Loriinae species at Jurong Bird Park (Singapore) which allowed for them to select between a low and moderate protein diet to compare their nutrient and energy intake with other Loriinae species. We measured the following variables: daily dry matter (DM) intake, nectar‐to‐fruit energy intake ratio (NF ratio), metabolisable energy (ME), protein and non‐protein energy (NPE)‐to‐protein energy (PE) ratio intake (all by kg metabolic body weight MBW, kg0.75) for 36 pairs over a 1‐month period. A Kruskal–Wallis test revealed every genus had significantly different intakes of DM, NF ratio, NPE‐to‐PE ratio, ME and protein than each other. Post hoc Mann–Whitney U tests confirmed that the majority of variables were ingested in different amounts for each genus except for NF ratio, NPE/PE ratio which Lorius spp. are not different to Charmosyna sp. or Trichoglossus spp. and protein intake of Eos spp. does not differ from Trichoglossus spp. Our conclusion is that no species should be used as a model for a species from another genus of Loriinae; future studies should be species‐specific for each genus to increase captive propagation success.
Wheat particle size, insoluble fibre sources and whole wheat feeding influence gizzard musculature and nutrient utilisation to different extents in broiler chickens
Authors: Abdollahi Mohammad Reza , Zaefarian Faegheh , Hunt Hayley , Anwar Muhammad Naveed , Thomas David G. , Ravindran Velmurugu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA 21‐day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat particle size, insoluble fibre source and whole wheat (WW) inclusion on the gizzard musculature, intestinal architecture and nutrient utilisation of broiler chickens. The following seven treatments, all in mash form, were tested: control diet using finely ground wheat (Fine); control diet using medium‐ground wheat (Medium); control diet using coarsely ground wheat (Coarse); fine diet diluted with 10 g/kg lignocellulose (LC); fine diet diluted with 30 g/kg oat hulls (OH); fine diet diluted with 30 g/kg wood shavings (WS); and ground wheat in the fine diet replaced with 50 and 100 g/kg WW during the second (day 8–14) and third (day 15–21) weeks of the study respectively. Except for the LC diet, all treatments increased (p < 0.05) the thickness of the caudodorsal thick muscle of gizzard compared to the fine diet. The highest (p < 0.05) caudoventral thin and cranioventral thick muscle diameters in the gizzard walls were achieved with the OH and WS diets. Feeding OH, WS and WW diets improved (p < 0.05) starch digestibility compared with the fine diet, while medium, coarse and LC diets had no effect (p > 0.05). All diets containing fibre sources (LC, OH and WS) reduced (p < 0.05) the energy digestibility compared to the fine diet. Birds fed OH and WS diets gained the lowest (p < 0.05) weights. Feeding LC, OH, WS and WW diets increased (p < 0.05) the feed per gain compared with the fine diet. The current results suggest that there is a potential for coarse particles, insoluble fibre sources and WW feeding to improve the gizzard musculature and digestibility of some nutrients, with the effect being more pronounced with the inclusion of structural fibre sources.
Parthenogenetic female populations in the brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Scytosiphonaceae, Ectocarpales): decay of a sexual trait and acquisition of asexual traits
Authors: Hoshino Masakazu , Okino Tatsufumi , Kogame Kazuhiro 
Published: November 2018

In isogamous brown algae, the sexuality of populations needs to be tested by laboratory crossing experiments, as the sexes of gametophytes are morphologically indistinguishable. In some cases, gamete fusion is not observed and the precise reproductive mode of the populations is unknown. In the isogamous brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria in Japan, both asexual (gamete fusion is unobservable) and sexual populations (gamete fusion is observable) have been reported. In order to elucidate the reproductive mode of asexual populations in this species, we used PCR‐based sex markers to investigate the sex ratio of three asexual and two sexual field populations. The markers indicated that the asexual populations consisted only of female individuals, whereas sexual populations are composed of both males and females. In culture, female gametes of most strains from asexual populations were able to fuse with male gametes; however, they had little to no detectable sexual pheromones, significantly larger cell sizes, and more rapid parthenogenetic development compared to female/male gametes from sexual populations. Investigations of sporophytic stages in the field indicated that alternation of gametophytic and parthenosporophytic stages occur in an asexual population. These results indicate that the S. lomentaria asexual populations are female populations that lack sexual reproduction and reproduce parthenogenetically. It is likely that females in the asexual populations have reduced a sexual trait (pheromone production) and have acquired asexual traits (larger gamete sizes and rapid parthenogenetic development).
Improved liver transplant waitlist mortality and lower risk of disease progression among chronic hepatitis C patients awaiting liver transplantation after the introduction of direct‐acting antiviral therapies in the United States
Authors: Young Kellie , Liu Benny , Bhuket Taft , Gish Robert G. , Wong Robert J. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryDirect‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection achieve high cure rates, reducing HCV‐related disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aim to evaluate the impact of DAAs on US liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated US adults (age ≥18) with and without chronic HCV listed for LT before and after the widespread use of sofosbuvir, allowing a 6‐month period after approval (Era 1: 1/1/2002‐5/31/2014 vs Era 2: 6/1/2014‐12/31/2016) using the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Overall, LT waitlist survival and likelihood of receiving LT were evaluated with multivariate Cox regression models. From 2002 to 2016, 158 045 patients were listed for LT. While the number of patients listed for HCV has been decreasing since 2012, the proportion of HCV patients with concurrent HCC is increasing by 3.33% per year (R2: 0.99, P < 0.001 by simple linear regression). While there was no difference in likelihood of LT between HCV and non‐HCV patients, those listed in Era 2 had lower likelihood of LT (HR: 0.91, P < 0.001), more pronounced in the HCV cohort (HR: 0.83, P < 0.001) compared to the non‐HCV cohort (HR: 0.93, P < 0.001). Compared to non‐HCV patients, higher waitlist mortality was seen in HCV patients in Era 1 (HR: 1.08, P < 0.001) but not in Era 2 (HR: 1.02, P = 0.75). Since the introduction of DAAs for HCV treatment, number of patients with HCV listed for LT has declined. In the post‐DAA era, HCV patients on the LT waitlist had improved waitlist mortality.
Do Linguistic Structures Affect Human Capital? The Case of Pronoun Drop
Authors: Feldmann Horst 
Published: November 2018

SummaryThis paper empirically studies the human capital effects of grammatical rules that permit speakers to drop a personal pronoun when used as a subject of a sentence. By de‐emphasizing the significance of the individual, such languages may perpetuate ancient values and norms that give primacy to the collective, inducing governments and families to invest relatively little in education because education usually increases the individual's independence from both the state and the family and may thus reduce the individual's commitment to these institutions. Carrying out both an individual‐level and a country‐level analysis, the paper indeed finds negative effects of pronoun‐drop languages. The individual‐level analysis uses data on 114,894 individuals from 75 countries over 1999‐2014. It establishes that speakers of such languages have a lower probability of having completed secondary or tertiary education, compared with speakers of languages that do not allow pronoun drop. The country‐level analysis uses data from 101 countries over 1972‐2012. Consistent with the individual‐level analysis, it finds that countries where the dominant languages permit pronoun drop have lower secondary school enrollment rates. In both cases, the magnitude of the effect is substantial, particularly among females.
Length–weight and length–length relationships of some of the most abundant species in the fish catches of Lake Nokoué and Porto‐Novo Lagoon (Benin, West Africa)
Authors: Lederoun Djiman , Lalèyè Kolawolé R. , Boni Abdel R. , Amoussou Gildas , Vodougnon Hamil , Adjibogoun Hermann , Lalèyè Philippe A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe length–weight relationships (LWRs) and length–length relationships (LLRs) are presented for 18 commercial actinopterygian fish species found in Lake Nokoué and the Porto‐Novo Lagoon. The fish were collected monthly from fishermen from June 2015 to May 2016. The sample size, length range, weight range, LWRs, LLRs, 95% confidence intervals of b, coefficient of correlation r2 and growth type are given for each species. Values of b were between 2.495 (Elops lacerta) and 3.235 (Polydactylus quadrifilis), and r2 values between 0.884 (Elops lacerta) and 0.999 (Acanthurus moroviae). The present study introduces what will serve as the first references regarding LWRs and LLRs for two species (Eleotris vittata and Lutjanus goreensis) in Lake Nokoué and the Porto‐Novo Lagoon. These results will be very useful for future investigations pertaining to population assessment and sustainable conservation practices for the fish stocks in both study areas.
A fast‐evolving X‐linked duplicate of importin‐α2 is overexpressed in sex‐ratio drive in Drosophila neotestacea
Authors: Pieper Kathleen E. , Unckless Robert L. , Dyer Kelly A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSelfish genetic elements that manipulate gametogenesis to achieve a transmission advantage are known as meiotic drivers. Sex‐ratio X chromosomes (SR) are meiotic drivers that prevent the maturation of Y‐bearing sperm in male carriers to result in the production of mainly female progeny. The spread of an SR chromosome can affect host genetic diversity and genome evolution, and can even cause host extinction if it reaches sufficiently high prevalence. Meiotic drivers have evolved independently many times, though only in a few cases is the underlying genetic mechanism known. In this study we use a combination of transcriptomics and population genetics to identify widespread expression differences between the standard (ST) and sex‐ratio (SR) X chromosomes of the fly Drosophila neotestacea. We found the X chromosome is enriched for differentially expressed transcripts and that many of these X‐linked differentially expressed transcripts had elevated Ka/Ks values between ST and SR, indicative of potential functional differences. We identified a set of candidate transcripts, including a testis‐specific, X‐linked duplicate of the nuclear transport gene importin‐α2 that is overexpressed in SR. We find suggestions of positive selection in the lineage leading to the duplicate and that its molecular evolutionary patterns are consistent with relaxed purifying selection in ST. As these patterns are consistent with involvement in the mechanism of drive in this species, this duplicate is a strong candidate worthy of further functional investigation. Nuclear transport may be a common target for genetic conflict, as the mechanism of the autosomal Segregation Distorter drive system in D. melanogaster involves the same pathway.
Quantifying long‐term recurrence in planktonic microbial eukaryotes
Authors: Giner Caterina R. , Balagué Vanessa , Krabberød Anders K. , Ferrera Isabel , Reñé Albert , Garcés Esther , Gasol Josep M. , Logares Ramiro , Massana Ramon 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHow much temporal recurrence is present in microbial assemblages is still an unanswered ecological question. Even though marked seasonal changes have been reported for whole microbial communities, less is known on the dynamics and seasonality of individual taxa. Here, we aim at understanding microbial recurrence at three different levels: community, taxonomic group and operational taxonomic units (OTUs). For that, we focused on a model microbial eukaryotic community populating a long‐term marine microbial observatory using 18S rRNA gene data from two organismal size fractions: the picoplankton (0.2–3 µm) and the nanoplankton (3–20 µm). We have developed an index to quantify recurrence in particular taxa. We found that community structure oscillated systematically between two main configurations corresponding to winter and summer over the 10 years studied. A few taxonomic groups such as Mamiellophyceae or MALV‐III presented clear recurrence (i.e., seasonality), whereas 13%–19% of the OTUs in both size fractions, accounting for ~40% of the relative abundance, featured recurrent dynamics. Altogether, our work links long‐term whole community dynamics with that of individual OTUs and taxonomic groups, indicating that recurrent and non‐recurrent changes characterize the dynamics of microbial assemblages.
First‐time isolation and quantification of Basidiobolus spp. from reptile faeces in KwaZulu‐Natal (South Africa) using selective media
Authors: Claussen Maike , Schmidt Stefan 
Published: November 2018

SummaryMembers of the genus Basidiobolus are potentially pathogenic fungi, known to cause mycoses in tropical and subtropical countries. Basidiobolus spp. can be associated with animals, and reptiles and amphibians are candidate vectors for the distribution of this fungus. The presence of Basidiobolus spp. was described for different reptiles in several African countries, although not for South Africa. In addition, quantitative data are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse faeces of selected South African reptiles for the presence and quantity of “viable Basidiobolus units.” Faecal samples of gecko and agama lizards were collected and analysed using spread plating, with confirmation by PCR. The addition of dichloran and benomyl to standard fungal media improved the selectivity and allowed quantification of Basidiobolus spp. in reptile faeces. The amount of Basidiobolus spp. varied between 300 and 1.4 × 106 CFU per gram of pooled gecko faeces, which mostly corresponds to >1000 CFU per outside dropping and <100 CFU per inside dropping. About 60% of analysed agama faeces carried Basidiobolus spp., ranging from 150 to 1.2 × 105 CFU per dropping. Our results show for the first time that faeces of South African reptiles frequently carry Basidiobolus spp., confirming that they can contribute to the distribution of this fungus.
Invisibility of the self: Reaching for the telos of nursing within a context of moral distress
Authors: Caram Carolina S , Peter Elizabeth , Brito Maria JM 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMany studies have examined clinical and institutional moral problems in the practice of nurses that have led to the experience of moral distress. The causes and implications of moral distress in nurses, however, have not been understood in terms of their implications from the perspective of virtue ethics. This paper analyzes how nurses reach for the telos of their practice, within a context of moral distress. A qualitative case study was carried out in a private hospital in Brazil. Observation and semi‐semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 nurse participants. With the aid of ATLAS.ti software, the data were analyzed by using thematic content analysis using virtue ethics to theorize the findings. These nurses experienced a loss of their nursing identity as they encountered an ambiguous telos and the domination of institutional values. In their reach for the telos of their practice, nurses found an environment permeated by ethical challenges, which not only created moral distress but also created professional invisibility, a phenomenon referred to as ‘invisibility of the self’.
Nuclear protein phylogenies support the monophyly of the three bryophyte groups (Bryophyta Schimp.)
Authors: de Sousa Filipe , Foster Peter G. , Donoghue Philip C. J. , Schneider Harald , Cox Cymon J. 
Published: November 2018

Summary

Unraveling the phylogenetic relationships between the four major lineages of terrestrial plants (mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and vascular plants) is essential for an understanding of the evolution of traits specific to land plants, such as their complex life cycles, and the evolutionary development of stomata and vascular tissue.

Well supported phylogenetic hypotheses resulting from different data and methods are often incongruent due to processes of nucleotide evolution that are difficult to model, for example substitutional saturation and composition heterogeneity. We reanalysed a large published dataset of nuclear data and modelled these processes using degenerate‐codon recoding and tree‐heterogeneous composition substitution models.

Our analyses resolved bryophytes as a monophyletic group and showed that the nonmonophyly of the clade that is supported by the analysis of nuclear nucleotide data is due solely to fast‐evolving synonymous substitutions.

The current congruence among phylogenies of both nuclear and chloroplast analyses lent considerable support to the conclusion that the bryophytes are a monophyletic group. An initial split between bryophytes and vascular plants implies that the bryophyte life cycle (with a dominant gametophyte nurturing an unbranched sporophyte) may not be ancestral to all land plants and that stomata are likely to be a symplesiomorphy among embryophytes.
Effects of Photobiomodulation on Functionality in Wistar Rats with Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Andreo Lucas , Soldera Carla A. , Ribeiro Beatriz Guimarães , de Matos Patrick Raoul Vicente , Sousa Paola Bindes , de Alcântara Araújo Amorim Weslley Wallace , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can result in motor or sensory disorders. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has demonstrated positive results as a treatment option for PNI. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, Injury, Injury + LLLTn (nerve), Injury + LLLTm (muscle) and Injury + LLLTn + m (nerve and muscle irradiation). The groups were analyzed after one, two, three and four weeks. PNI was achieved by crushing the sciatic nerve. Laser treatment (780 nm, 3.2 J) was realized over the nerve and/or tibialis anterior muscle. In gait analyses, the groups irradiated over the nerve demonstrated an improvement after two weeks. In the analysis of mechanical sensitivity, the Injury + LLLTn demonstrated a reduction after one week in comparison with Injury group; the Injury + LLLTn + m and Injury + LLLTm demonstrated an increase after two weeks in comparison with Injury group; and the irradiated groups demonstrated a reduction in nociception after four weeks in comparison with Injury group. In the analysis of muscle atrophy, the Injury + LLLTn demonstrated more muscle mass after two weeks. LLLT improves functional aspects related to gait, mechanical sensitivity and muscle mass, with better results regarding motor aspects and muscle mass when administered over the injured nerve and better results regarding sensory aspects when administered over the muscle.
Identifying the abiotic and biotic drivers behind the elevational distribution shift of a parasitic plant
Authors: Zamora R. , Mellado A. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Climate change will alter the biotic and abiotic environment and dissipate ecological barriers, reorganising maps of current distribution of parasites and their hosts. In this study, we analyse the population dynamics of the parasitic plant Viscum album subsp. austriacum and explore key biotic (host availability and seed dispersal) as well as abiotic (temperature) factors influencing elevational distribution.

The study was conducted along an elevational gradient of a Mediterranean mountain, covering the distribution belts of three potential pine hosts: Pinus halepensis (1300–1500 m), P. nigra (1300–1900 m) and P. sylvestris var. nevadensis (1600–2000 m). Along this gradient, we measured multiple variables of mistletoe population (prevalence, abundance and demographic profile) and different factors that might define the current mistletoe distribution (host suitability and availability, temperature and seed dispersal services).

We found a decline in mistletoe prevalence and abundance with increasing elevation, detecting larger values of both variables at lower elevations of the most suitable host (Pinus nigra). Pinus sylvestris var. nevadensis was a suboptimal but suitable host for the parasite at high elevations. Mistletoe found suitable temperatures and seed dispersal services all along the gradient, being able to recruit at any site.

With warming temperatures, the presence of suitable vectors for parasite dispersion, and the presence of a sub‐optimal host (P. sylvestris var. nevadensis) at the mountain top, mistletoe currently has a window of opportunity to expand its present geographic distribution to the summits.
Seasonality in Saint Croix male lamb reproductive development in northern Mexico
Authors: Sánchez‐Dávila Fernando , Ungerfeld Rodolfo , Bosque‐González Alejandro Sergio del , Bernal‐Barragán Hugo 
Published: November 2018

ContentsThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of the season of birth on the body weight, testicular size, testosterone concentrations, semen output and sexual behaviour in Saint Croix male lambs. Thirty‐three lambs were born in spring (n = 10), summer (Sum; n = 12) or autumn (n = 11). Body weight and the scrotal circumference were weekly recorded; semen was also weekly collected by electroejaculation; and sexual behaviour towards oestrous ewes was weekly evaluated. Data were recorded from 15 to 33 weeks of age. The reproductive development of Saint Croix male lambs differed according to the period in which they were born. More lambs born in spring than in summer and autumn achieved puberty during this study and were also more precocious in semen production and displayed sexual behaviour earlier. Lambs born in summer delayed their semen production; however, season‐related negative effects were less pronounced at the end of the study than in autumn born lambs born. In conclusion, despite the apparently low seasonality of the breed, Saint Croix male lambs showed in this study a seasonal pattern in their reproductive development at least until they achieve the puberty.