bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Genome Size in Contrast to Sex Chromosome Number Variability in the Human Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera: Cimicidae)
Authors: Sadílek David , Urfus Tomáš , Vilímová Jitka , Hadrava Jiří , Suda Jan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe human bed bug Cimex lectularius is one of the most prevalent human ectoparasites in temperate climate zones. The cytogenetic features of this resilient pest include holokinetic chromosomes, special chromosome behavior in meiosis, and numerical variation of chromosomes, where the diploid number ranges from 26 + X1X2Y to 26 + X1–20Y. It is desirable to assess the nuclear DNA content of various cytotypes for a further detailed study of the C. lectularius genome. Detailed knowledge of the DNA content of this parasite could also clarify the origin of additional chromosomes. The average nuclear genome size C. lectularius with 2n = 26 + X1X2Y is 2C = 1.94 pg for males and 1.95 pg for females. There is a significant correlation between genome size and the number of chromosomes, but in some specimens with additional chromosomes, nuclear genome size decreases or remains average. Several species used as the internal reference standard were tested for further investigations of genome size in C. lectularius, and the plant Solanum pseudocaspicum turned out to be the most suitable. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Financial Payments for Participating in Research while Incarcerated: Attitudes of Prisoners
Authors: Divya Ravi , Christopher Paul P. , Filene Eliza J. , Reifeis Sarah Ailleen , White Becky L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe practice of paying prisoners to for their participation in research has long been debated, and the controversy is reflected in the differing policies in the U.S. prison systems. Empirical study of financial payments to inmates who enroll in research has focused on whether this practice is coercive. In this study, we examined whether monetary incentives have the potential to be unduly influential among fifty HIV‐positive prisoners. The majority of prisoners surveyed believed that inmates should receive some compensation for their involvement in research and disagreed with statements suggesting that the offer of payment constitutes undue influence. However, a sense of potentially being susceptible to undue influence was significantly higher among participants who had spent a longer time in prison and had less education. Overall, our findings suggest that most prisoners feel that they would be able to make a decision about research enrollment that is not solely based on an offer of monetary payment.
Etiological influences on continuity and co‐occurrence of eating disorders symptoms across adolescence and emerging adulthood
Authors: Waszczuk Monika A. , Waaktaar Trine , Eley Thalia C. , Torgersen Svenn 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe role of common and symptom‐specific genetic and environmental influences in maintaining eating disorder symptoms across development remains unclear. This study investigates the continuity and change of etiological influences on drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction symptoms and their co‐occurrence, across adolescence and emerging adulthood.MethodIn total, 2,629 adolescent twins (mean age = 15.20, SD = 1.95) reported eating disorders symptoms across three waves of data collection. Biometric common pathways model was fitted to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to the continuity of each symptom over time, as well as time‐ and symptom‐specific influences.ResultsDrive for thinness and body dissatisfaction symptoms showed a pattern of high continuity across development and high correlations with each other, whereas bulimia symptoms were moderately stable and less associated with the other two symptoms. Latent factors reflecting continuity of each symptom were largely under genetic influence (Al = 0.60–0.82). New genetic influences contributing to change in the developmental course of symptoms were observed in emerging adulthood. Genetic influences correlated considerably between the three symptoms. Non‐shared environmental influences were largely time‐and symptom‐specific, but some contributed moderately to the continuity across development (El = 0.18–0.40). The etiological overlap was larger between drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction symptoms than with bulimia symptoms.DiscussionThe results provide preliminary evidence that stable as well as newly emerging genetic influences contribute to the co‐occurrence of drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction symptoms across adolescence and emerging adulthood. Conversely, environmental influences were less stable and contributed to change in symptoms over time.
Pollinator size and its consequences: Robust estimates of body size in pollinating insects
Authors: Kendall Liam K. , Rader Romina , Gagic Vesna , Cariveau Daniel P. , Albrecht Matthias , Baldock Katherine C. R. , Freitas Breno M. , Hall Mark , Holzschuh Andrea , Molina Francisco P. , Morten Joanne M. , Pereira Janaely S. , Portman Zachary M. , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Rodriguez Juanita , Russo Laura , Sutter Louis , Vereecken Nicolas J. , Bartomeus Ignasi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBody size is an integral functional trait that underlies pollination‐related ecological processes, yet it is often impractical to measure directly. Allometric scaling laws have been used to overcome this problem. However, most existing models rely upon small sample sizes, geographically restricted sampling and have limited applicability for non‐bee taxa. Allometric models that consider biogeography, phylogenetic relatedness, and intraspecific variation are urgently required to ensure greater accuracy. We measured body size as dry weight and intertegular distance (ITD) of 391 bee species (4,035 specimens) and 103 hoverfly species (399 specimens) across four biogeographic regions: Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. We updated existing models within a Bayesian mixed‐model framework to test the power of ITD to predict interspecific variation in pollinator dry weight in interaction with different co‐variates: phylogeny or taxonomy, sexual dimorphism, and biogeographic region. In addition, we used ordinary least squares regression to assess intraspecific dry weight ~ ITD relationships for ten bees and five hoverfly species. Including co‐variates led to more robust interspecific body size predictions for both bees and hoverflies relative to models with the ITD alone. In contrast, at the intraspecific level, our results demonstrate that the ITD is an inconsistent predictor of body size for bees and hoverflies. The use of allometric scaling laws to estimate body size is more suitable for interspecific comparative analyses than assessing intraspecific variation. Collectively, these models form the basis of the dynamic R package, “pollimetry,” which provides a comprehensive resource for allometric pollination research worldwide.
Grasslands—more important for ecosystem services than you might think
Authors: Bengtsson J. , Bullock J. M. , Egoh B. , Everson C. , Everson T. , O'Connor T. , O'Farrell P. J. , Smith H. G. , Lindborg R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExtensively managed grasslands are recognized globally for their high biodiversity and their social and cultural values. However, their capacity to deliver multiple ecosystem services (ES) as parts of agricultural systems is surprisingly understudied compared to other production systems. We undertook a comprehensive overview of ES provided by natural and semi‐natural grasslands, using southern Africa (SA) and northwest Europe as case studies, respectively. We show that these grasslands can supply additional non‐agricultural services, such as water supply and flow regulation, carbon storage, erosion control, climate mitigation, pollination, and cultural ES. While demand for ecosystems services seems to balance supply in natural grasslands of SA, the smaller areas of semi‐natural grasslands in Europe appear to not meet the demand for many services. We identified three bundles of related ES from grasslands: water ES including fodder production, cultural ES connected to livestock production, and population‐based regulating services (e.g., pollination and biological control), which also linked to biodiversity. Greenhouse gas emission mitigation seemed unrelated to the three bundles. The similarities among the bundles in SA and northwestern Europe suggest that there are generalities in ES relations among natural and semi‐natural grassland areas. We assessed trade‐offs and synergies among services in relation to management practices and found that although some trade‐offs are inevitable, appropriate management may create synergies and avoid trade‐offs among many services. We argue that ecosystem service and food security research and policy should give higher priority to how grasslands can be managed for fodder and meat production alongside other ES. By integrating grasslands into agricultural production systems and land‐use decisions locally and regionally, their potential to contribute to functional landscapes and to food security and sustainable livelihoods can be greatly enhanced.
Spatial patterns and estimates of global forest litterfall
Authors: Shen Guangrong , Chen Dongmei , Wu Yu , Liu Lu , Liu Chunjiang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe quantitative knowledge of global forest litterfall is very important for understanding the global biogeochemical cycle and evaluating of forest ecosystem services. Our aims are to show the spatio‐temporal patterns of forest litterfall and the variation in different forest types and climate zones in the world. We compiled the global forest litterfall dataset of 2347 total litterfall and 1507 leaf litterfall measurements by a survey of literature published. The total litterfall and leaf litterfall were estimated in 2000 and 2009, respectively, through raster and vector calculation based on remote sensing‐based global vegetation cover data. The total litterfall and leaf litterfall were 31.5 Pg and 22 Pg in 2000 and 26 Pg and 18 Pg in 2009, respectively. The spatial pattern of litterfall and leaf litterfall at global scale between 2000 and 2009 was generally similar. The largest fractions of forest litterfall were in evergreen broadleaved forests (37%), followed by needle‐leaved forests (25%), deciduous broadleaved forests (20%), and others (18%) in 2000. The order of the fractions for forest litterfall was the tropical (50%), boreal (24%), temperate (17%), and subtropical forests (9%) in 2000. The ratios of leaf litterfall to litterfall were 70% in 2000 and 72% in 2009. The variability of global litterfall was most explained by the actual evapotranspiration. The reduction in total litterfall and leaf litterfall between 2000 and 2009 was coupled with the decrease in forest areas. The GIS‐based geostatistics combining with the regression model represents a powerful approach for estimating the global spatial distribution, composition, and magnitude of litterfall.
Commonalities in stream connectivity restoration alternatives: an attempt to simplify barrier removal optimization
Authors: McManamay Ryan A. , Perkin Joshuah S. , Jager Henriette I. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMovement within stream corridors is a basic life history requirement of many aquatic organisms. Barrier removal in streams has become a common practice in the United States aimed to restore organism dispersal and meet conservation objectives; however, there are social and economic costs to the removal of barriers. Accordingly, tools to prioritize barrier removal, particularly optimization techniques, can be used to evaluate cost‐benefit trade‐offs. Many of these techniques, however, require programming experience and are not available to natural resource managers. Furthermore, conservation objectives vary considerably depending on the life histories of organisms under consideration, and these opposing objectives, in conjunction with variant socioeconomic costs, will influence optimization solutions, specifically which barriers to remove. To promote the use of optimization tools, straightforward and open‐access platforms are needed to support use by managers, while also providing general approaches for holistic basin‐scale connectivity restoration. Herein, we use two case studies, White Oak Creek (small watershed) and the Roanoke River Basin (large basin), to explore the divergent outcomes stemming from different conservation objectives and socioeconomic costs used to prioritize barrier removal. We conducted optimization modeling using a widely accessible platform along with an open‐access solver plug‐in to support a wide variety of conservation objectives. We used simple approaches to find commonalities in barriers identified for removal among divergent conservation objectives and provide alternative (i.e., hybrid removal‐passage) strategies for approaching habitat restoration for diverse aquatic communities while increasing social benefits (i.e., hydropower energy). As expected, different conservation objectives aimed to support varied species life histories (e.g., diadromy, large‐river vs. small‐river potamodromy) have very different effects on optimization solutions. In both case studies, however, commonalities in solutions were identified through clustering groups of barriers into general connectivity restoration strategies. Furthermore, strategy types for a given barrier could be predicted with ≥72% accuracy using only four metrics. This suggests that optimization results can be simplified into general standards to support adoption of sustainable basin connectivity criteria strategies. Our framework provides a flexible and open‐access approach to conduct relatively complex optimization modeling for stream barrier prioritization, while examining potential for agreement among divergence conservation objectives.
Temperature influences resource use by chestnut‐bellied scaled quail
Authors: Kline Holley N. , Fulbright Timothy E. , Grahmann Eric D. , Hernández Fidel , Wester David B. , Brennan Leonard A. , Hehman Michael W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAnimals use physiological and behavioral adaptations to maintain constant body temperatures when environmental temperatures are outside of their thermoneutral zone. We define the temperature suitability bounds as the range of temperatures above and below which animals avoid locations because of unfavorable thermal conditions. Temperatures outside the temperature suitability bounds may trigger behavioral responses such as movement to cooler locations. We tested the hypothesis that temperature during late April to August influences resource selection using chestnut‐bellied scaled quail (Callipepla squamata castanogastris) as our study species. We estimated temperature suitability bounds for scaled quail and tested the prediction that ground surface temperature is a better predictor of habitat space use than black globe temperature. We compared models containing ground surface temperature and woody vegetation structure variables to test the hypothesis that including woody vegetation variables improves prediction of relative probability of use. We trapped scaled quail at five different locations in southern Texas. We located quail fitted with necklace‐style transmitters three times/week during 2013–2014. We measured ground surface and black globe temperatures at locations used by scaled quail and at random locations. We estimated percent canopy cover of cacti, subshrubs, and woody plants using 20 × 50 cm Daubenmire frames at each used and random location. We also estimated height and vertical obstruction of woody vegetation. Temperature suitability bounds of scaled were 24–43°C for the ground surface and 23–39°C for black globes. Ground surface temperature was a better predictor of relative probability of use than black globe temperature. Ground surface temperature during the warmest time of day (early afternoon, 13:30–17:29) decreased with increasing vertical obstruction after accounting for the influence of other structural variables. The best model for predicting relative probability of use by scaled quail during the warmest time of day included ground surface temperature and vertical obstruction. Use of microsites where vegetation structure is conducive to cooler temperatures is an important driver of resource selection by scaled quail during the warmest time of day in southern Texas, but availability of thermal refugia appears to be limited.
Habitat configuration matters when evaluating habitat‐area effects on host–parasitoid interactions
Authors: With Kimberly A. , Pavuk Daniel M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHigher trophic levels tend to be more sensitive to habitat fragmentation than lower trophic levels, which is why parasitism rates should decline in fragmented landscapes. Habitat loss and fragmentation (the subdivision of habitat) are typically interrelated processes, and thus, their effects are confounded in most studies. To address this, we quantified parasitism rates in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) within an experimental model landscape system, in which we independently controlled the amount vs. the fragmentation of habitat (red clover, Trifolium pratense) within individual landscape plots (16 × 16 m). Aphid densities were generally unaffected by landscape pattern, except at the local scale for interior habitat cells within fragmented landscapes, which had significantly lower aphid densities than all other cell types. Aphid parasitism rates averaged about 40% and were significantly—albeit weakly—correlated with aphid density. Habitat amount had the greatest overall effect on parasitism rates, but fragmentation effects were evident in a shift in parasitism at intermediate habitat levels: Parasitism rates were higher in fragmented landscapes with <50% habitat, but higher in clumped landscapes with >50% habitat. Edge effects alone did not explain this shift in parasitism rates. Parasitism rates were uniformly high within edge habitat and fragmented landscapes, and thus, the shift in parasitism at intermediate habitat levels was driven by increasing parasitism rates within interior cells and clumped landscapes at higher habitat amounts. Habitat configuration is thus important for evaluating habitat‐area effects on species interactions, as habitat amount only affected parasitism rates within less‐fragmented landscapes in this system.
Heart rate variability in type 2 diabetic subjects randomized to liraglutide or glimepiride treatment, both in combination with metformin: A randomized, open, parallel‐group study
Authors: Nyström Thomas , Santos‐Pardo Irene , Fang Xin , Cao Yang , Hedberg Fredric , Jendle Johan 
Published: February 2019

SummaryAimsReduced heart rate variability (HRV) and increased heart rate (HR) are associated with cardiovascular (CV) mortality. In the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes outcome trial, it was demonstrated a lower rate of CV events in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients treated with liraglutide compared to placebo. We aimed to investigate the effects of liraglutide compared with glimepiride treatment in T2D patients on the CV risk parameters HR and HRV.MethodsThis was a post hoc study whereas sixty‐two T2D individuals (45 males) were randomized to once daily 1.8 mg liraglutide or once daily 4 mg glimepiride, both in combination with 1 g metformin. HR and measurement of sympathetic activity, that is standard deviation (SD) of beat‐to‐beat (NN) intervals (SDNN), was assessed by 24‐hour Holter monitoring system. Parasympathetic activity was analysed by root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) in NN intervals and high‐frequency (HF), low‐frequency (LF) and very low‐frequency power.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics for liraglutide (n = 33) and glimepiride (n = 29) groups were well matched. There was a persistent increase in diurnal HR followed by a significantly increased HR at daytime 5.4 beats per minute, P = 0.011 in the liraglutide‐treated group. There was no treatment change between groups in SDNN and RMSSD, or in HF and LF frequency power analysis.ConclusionsLiraglutide treatment increased diurnal variation in hourly mean HR followed by an increase in mean daytime HR, independently of changes in sympathetic or parasympathetic activity.
Protection from EAE in DOCK8 mutant mice occurs despite increased Th17 cell frequencies in the periphery
Authors: Wilson Alicia S. , Law Hsei Di , Knobbe‐Thomsen Christiane B. , Kearney Conor J. , Oliaro Jane , Binsfeld Carole , Burgio Gaetan , Starrs Lora , Brenner Dirk , Randall Katrina L. , Brüstle Anne 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMutation of Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) has previously been reported to provide resistance to the Th17 cell dependent EAE in mice. Contrary to expectation, we observed an elevation of Th17 cells in two different DOCK8 mutant mouse strains in the steady state. This was specific for Th17 cells with no change in Th1 or Th2 cell populations. In vitro Th cell differentiation assays revealed that the elevated Th17 cell population was not due to a T cell intrinsic differentiation bias. Challenging these mutant mice in the EAE model, we confirmed a resistance to this autoimmune disease with Th17 cells remaining elevated systemically while cellular infiltration in the CNS was reduced. Infiltrating T cells lost the bias toward Th17 cells indicating a relative reduction of Th17 cells in the CNS and a Th17 cell specific migration disadvantage. Adoptive transfers of Th1 and Th17 cells in EAE‐affected mice further supported the Th17 cell‐specific migration defect, however, DOCK8‐deficient Th17 cells expressed normal Th17 cell‐specific CCR6 levels and migrated toward chemokine gradients in transwell assays. This study shows that resistance to EAE in DOCK8 mutant mice is achieved despite a systemic Th17 bias.
Effect of “edible clay” (takere) suspension on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of normal Wistar rats
Authors: Ikewuchi Catherine C. , Ikewuchi Jude C. , Ezeka Ugochukwu K. , Ifeanacho Mercy O. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study was undertaken to ascertain the effect of an aqueous suspension of a commonly available preparation of edible clay (“takere”) on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of normal Wistar rats. Ninety‐five adult Wistar rats of average weight of 100 g were assigned into seven groups. Group 1 (Baseline) was immediately sacrificed at the commencement of study; Group 2 (Control) daily received distilled water, orally; and Groups 3 to 7 received via the same route (per body weight), 125 mg/kg (T125), 250 mg/kg (T250), 500 mg/kg (T500), 1,000 mg/kg (T1000), and 2,000 mg/kg (T2000) of the takere suspension, respectively, for 28 days. In week 1, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the levels of serum triglyceride (by T250, T1000, and T2000), VLDL cholesterol (by T250, T1000, and T2000), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP; by T250) and significantly (p < 0.05) raised the levels of serum HDL (T250), LDL (T250 and T2000), non‐HDL (T2000) cholesterols, atherogenic coefficient (AC; T2000), cardiac risk ratio (CRR; T2000), and Castelli's risk index II (CRI‐II; T2000) of the rats. In week 2, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the levels of serum triglyceride (T2000), HDL (T125, T500, T1000, and T2000), VLDL (T2000) cholesterols and significantly (p < 0.05) raised levels of serum LDL (T125, T1000, and T2000), non‐HDL (T125, T1000, and T2000) cholesterols, AC (T125, T500, and T1000), CRR (T125, T500, and T1000), CRI‐II (T125 and T1000), AIP (T125, T500, and T1000) of the rats. In week 4, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) raised the levels of serum total (T500 and T2000), HDL (T2000), non‐HDL (T500 and T1000) cholesterols, AC (T500), CRR (T500), and CRI‐II (T500). This result indicates that the consumption of takere suspension may have adverse effects on serum lipid profiles and atherogenic indices of Wistar rats, at least at the doses administered in this study.