bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nectary tracks as pollinator manipulators: The pollination ecology ofSwertia bimaculata(Gentianaceae)
Authors: Wang Shuai , Fu Wen‐Long , Du Wei , Zhang Qi , Li Ya , Lyu Yu‐Shu , Wang Xiao‐Fan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFloral nectaries are closely associated with biotic pollination, and the nectar produced by corolla nectaries is generally enclosed in floral structures. Although someSwertiaspp. (Gentianaceae), includingS. bimaculata, evolved a peculiar form of corolla nectaries (known as “gland patches”) arranged in a conspicuous ring on the rotate corolla and that completely expose their nectar, little is known about the pollination of these plants. Two hypotheses were made concerning the possible effects of gland patches: visual attraction and visitor manipulation. The floral traits, mating system, and insect pollination ofS. bimaculatawere examined, and the pollination effects of gland patches were evaluated. A comparative study was made usingSwertia kouitchensis, a species with fimbriate nectaries.Swertia bimaculataflowers were protandrous, with obvious stamen movement leading to herkogamy in the female phase and to a significant reduction in nectary–anther distance. The species is strongly entomophilous and facultatively xenogamous. The daily reward provided per flower decreased significantly after the male phase. The most effective pollinators were large dipterans, and the visiting proportion of Diptera was significantly higher inS. bimaculatathan inS. kouitchensis. Most visitors performed “circling behavior” inS. bimaculataflowers. Removing or blocking the nectaries caused no reduction in visiting frequency but a significant reduction in visit duration, interrupting the circling behavior. The circling behavior was encouraged by nectar abundance and promoted pollen dispersal. Visitor species with small body size had little chance to contact the anthers or stigma, revealing a filtration effect exerted by the floral design. These results rejected the “visual attraction” hypothesis and supported the “visitor manipulation” hypothesis. The nectary whorl within a flower acted like a ring‐shaped track that urged nectar foragers to circle on the corolla, making pollination inS. bimaculataflowers more orderly and selective than that in classically generalist flowers.
Habitat orientation alters the outcome of interspecific competition: A microcosm study with zooplankton grazers
Authors: Pan Ying , Zhang Yunshu , Sun Shucun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHabitat orientation has recently been demonstrated to affect the foraging behavior, growth, and production of plankton grazers. Because the orientation effect may vary with species, we hypothesize that habitat orientation may alter interspecific interactions between animal species. We experimentally investigated how habitat orientation (placing cuboid chambers in three orientations with long, medium, and small side as the chamber height) affected the interaction between two common cladoceran species, Daphnia magna and Moina micrura, which competitively exploited green algae of Chlorella pyrenoidosa at two volume scales (64 and 512 ml). Results show that chamber orientation and volume additively affected the behavior and species performance of the grazers. Specifically, both grazer species generally decreased their average swimming velocity, grazing rate (on algal cells), body size, and survival and reproduction rates with increasing chamber height for both chamber volumes and with decreasing chamber volume regardless of chamber orientation. Nevertheless, the decrease magnitude was greater for M. micrura with increasing chamber height but was greater for D. magna with decreasing chamber volume. Correspondingly, when cocultured, the density ratio of D. magna to M. micrura increased with increasing chamber height but decreased with decreasing chamber volume. At the end of the experiment, none of D. magna individuals survived in the small and short (large‐based) chambers, and few M. micrura individuals survived in large and tall (small‐based) chambers. These results indicate that both habitat orientation and size affect the outcome of interspecific competition between grazer species. We suggest that variation in habitat orientation may improve community coexistence and species diversity in nature.
Intragroup and intragenomic conflict over chemical defense against predators
Authors: Best Rebekah , Ruxton Graeme D. , Gardner Andy 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInsects are often chemically defended against predators. There is considerable evidence for a group‐beneficial element to their defenses, and an associated potential for individuals to curtail their own investment in costly defense while benefitting from the investments of others, termed “automimicry.” Although females in chemically defended taxa often lay their eggs in clusters, leading to siblings living in close proximity, current models of automimicry have neglected kin‐selection effects, which may be expected to curb the evolution of such selfishness. Here, we develop a general theory of automimicry that explicitly incorporates kin selection. We investigate how female promiscuity modulates intragroup and intragenomic conflicts overinvestment into chemical defense, finding that individuals are favored to invest less than is optimal for their group, and that maternal‐origin genes favor greater investment than do paternal‐origin genes. We translate these conflicts into readily testable predictions concerning gene expression patterns and the phenotypic consequences of genomic perturbations, and discuss how our results may inform gene discovery in relation to economically important agricultural products.
Use of field‐portable ultrasonography reveals differences in developmental phenology and maternal egg provisioning in two sympatric viviparous snakes
Authors: Sparkman Amanda M. , Chism Kenneth R. , Bronikowski Anne M. , Brummett Lilly J. , Combrink Lucia L. , Davis Courtney L. , Holden Kaitlyn G. , Kabey Nicole M. , Miller David A. W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA thorough understanding of the life cycles underlying the demography of wild species is limited by the difficulty of observing hidden life‐history traits, such as embryonic development. Major aspects of embryonic development, such as the rate and timing of development, and maternal–fetal interactions can be critical features of early‐life fitness and may impact population trends via effects on individual survival. While information on development in wild snakes and lizards is particularly limited, the repeated evolution of viviparity and diversity of reproductive mode in this clade make it a valuable subject of study. We used field‐portable ultrasonography to investigate embryonic development in two sympatric garter snake species, Thamnophis sirtalis and Thamnophis elegans in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. This approach allowed us to examine previously hidden reproductive traits including the timing and annual variation in development and differences in parental investment in young. Both species are viviparous, occupy similar ecological niches, and experience the same annual environmental conditions. We found that T. sirtalis embryos were more developmentally advanced than T. elegans embryos during June of three consecutive years. We also found that eggs increased in volume more substantially across developmental stages in T. elegans than in T. sirtalis, indicating differences in maternal provisioning of embryos via placental transfer of water. These findings shed light on interspecific differences in parental investment and timing of development within the same environmental context and demonstrate the value of field ultrasonography for pursuing questions relating to the evolution of reproductive modes, and the ecology of development.
Polymorphisms of CYP27B1 are associated with IFN efficacy in HBeAg‐positive patients
Authors: Wu Yingying , Zeng Yongbin , Wu Wennan , Lin Jinpiao , Ou Qishui 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundHost single nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with antiviral therapy in CHB patients. The CYP27B1 gene, encoding 25(OH)D3‐1α hydroxylase, might activate 25(OH)D3 to 1,25(OH)2D3 in kidney resulted in influencing the efficacy of interferon (IFN). The aim of the study was to investigate the association between CYP27B1 polymorphisms and the response to IFN in HBeAg‐positive patients.MethodsEighty‐seven HBeAg‐positive CHB patients infected with HBV genotype B or C were included in the study. All patients were treated with IFN at least 1 year. According to the response to PEG‐IFN therapy, they were divided into three groups: 16 complete responses (CR), 42 partial responses (PR), and 29 nonresponses (NR). Sanger‐sequencing was utilized to genotype the CYP27B1 SNPs(rs4646536 and rs10877012).ResultsIn logistic regression analysis, the frequency of rs4646536 CC genotype was observed to be higher in the NR group. Besides, the GG genotype of rs10877012 differed significantly among the three groups. The GG genotype was prevalent in patients with CR, and patients with TT genotype result in NR at the end of IFN treatment. The most common haplotype TG was independently associated with CR, after adjustment, and haplotype CT appeared to be associated with NR and PR, rather than CR. The data also showed that patients with baseline 1,25(OH)2D3 > 39.39 pg/mL had higher CR rates at the end of IFN therapy.ConclusionThese results suggested CYP28B1 gene polymorphisms may be independently associated with the efficacy of IFN in HBeAg‐positive patients.
On homeomorphically irreducible spanning trees in cubic graphs
Authors: Hoffmann‐Ostenhof Arthur , Noguchi Kenta , Ozeki Kenta 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA spanning tree without a vertex of degree two is called a HIST, which is an abbreviation for homeomorphically irreducible spanning tree. We provide a necessary condition for the existence of a HIST in a cubic graph. As one consequence, we answer affirmatively an open question on HISTs by Albertson, Berman, Hutchinson, and Thomassen. We also show several results on the existence of HISTs in plane and toroidal cubic graphs.
Zero TE‐based pseudo‐CT image conversion in the head and its application in PET/MR attenuation correction and MR‐guided radiation therapy planning
Authors: Wiesinger Florian , Bylund Mikael , Yang Jaewon , Kaushik Sandeep , Shanbhag Dattesh , Ahn Sangtae , Jonsson Joakim H. , Lundman Josef A. , Hope Thomas , Nyholm Tufve , Larson Peder , Cozzini Cristina 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTo describe a method for converting Zero TE (ZTE) MR images into X‐ray attenuation information in the form of pseudo‐CT images and demonstrate its performance for (1) attenuation correction (AC) in PET/MR and (2) dose planning in MR‐guided radiation therapy planning (RTP).MethodsProton density‐weighted ZTE images were acquired as input for MR‐based pseudo‐CT conversion, providing (1) efficient capture of short‐lived bone signals, (2) flat soft‐tissue contrast, and (3) fast and robust 3D MR imaging. After bias correction and normalization, the images were segmented into bone, soft‐tissue, and air by means of thresholding and morphological refinements. Fixed Hounsfield replacement values were assigned for air (‐1000 HU) and soft‐tissue (+42 HU), whereas continuous linear mapping was used for bone.ResultsThe obtained ZTE‐derived pseudo‐CT images accurately resembled the true CT images (i.e., Dice coefficient for bone overlap of 0.73 ± 0.08 and mean absolute error of 123 ± 25 HU evaluated over the whole head, including errors from residual registration mismatches in the neck and mouth regions). The linear bone mapping accounted for bone density variations. Averaged across five patients, ZTE‐based AC demonstrated a PET error of ‐0.04 ± 1.68% relative to CT‐based AC. Similarly, for RTP assessed in eight patients, the absolute dose difference over the target volume was found to be 0.23 ± 0.42%.ConclusionThe described method enables MR to pseudo‐CT image conversion for the head in an accurate, robust, and fast manner without relying on anatomical prior knowledge. Potential applications include PET/MR‐AC, and MR‐guided RTP.
Staying in a state of flux: A life course perspective on the diverse staying processes of rural young adults
Authors: Stockdale Aileen , Theunissen Nicky , Haartsen Tialda 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFew studies examine immobility or staying as a demographic process worthy of investigation. This paper seeks to address this gap in the literature. It uses a life course approach to analyse interviews with young adults who continue to reside in their rural home areas of Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. Our analysis relates to stayers' biographies and linked lives, staying as a state of flux, and staying as an attachment to (rural) place. Staying is found to be the outcome of a complex interplay between competing personal considerations, which are closely associated with the stayer's past, present, and anticipated future biography. It is a relational process linked to the lives of others (parents, partners, and children) through either choice or senses of obligation. Far from being a passive process, stayers exert considerable agency. They elect to belong to the familial, physical, and social elements of rural place, informed by senses of nostalgia and dwelling. The decision to stay is renegotiated with the onset of new life stages. The process of staying is, therefore, dynamic, multifaceted, and nuanced. Staying is in a state of flux.
Off‐center Gaussian functions: Applications toward larger basis sets, post‐second‐order correlation treatment, and truncated virtual orbital space in investigations of noncovalent interactions
Authors: Melicherčík Miroslav , Suchá Denisa , Neogrády Pavel , Pitoňák Michal 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis work is a continuation of our pilot study on the use of off‐center s‐type Gaussian functions in noncovalent interaction calculations. A grid of s‐type Gaussians surrounding the molecule is intended to substitute for the presence of diffuse basis functions, which are important for accurate description of noncovalent interactions. The advantage over the use of diffuse functions is reduction or elimination of linear dependency issues in the atomic orbital basis set, which often causes convergence problems. Placement of a grid of s‐functions on the surface of the molecule allows more favorable scaling of the total number of basis functions with the molecular size to be achieved. In this article, we present several innovations on the concept, namely the parametrization and assessment of grids with triple‐ζ quality basis set; use in post‐second‐order correlation treatment (methods such as Møller–Plesset third‐order or coupled‐cluster); and combination with modified virtual orbital approaches, namely the frozen natural orbitals and optimized virtual orbital space methods.
A model of atoms in molecules based on potential acting on one electron in a molecule: I. Partition and atomic charges obtained from ab initio calculations
Authors: Zhao Dong‐Xia , Zhao Jian , Zhu Zun‐Wei , Zhang Chao , Yang Zhong‐Zhi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractChemists have long searched for descriptions of atoms in molecules. A new model of atoms in molecules (AIM) is advanced, which shows that the atomic realm in a molecule is a subspace governed by its nucleus as a 3D attractor of the electron force lines defined by the negative gradient of the potential acting on one electron in molecule (PAEM), which is represented and calculated via ab initio methods. In this article, we demonstrate how the molecular space is partitioned into atomic realms and how the atomic charges in this PAEMAIM method are worked out. Atomic charges for more than 210 molecules and clusters were determined by integrating the electron density over individual atomic realms with our program. Notably, such atomic charges are nearly independent of the basis set used. The atomic charges obtained by PAEMAIM have good correlations with the Allen and Pauling electronegativity differences. Furthermore, charge transfer in prototype hydrogen bonding clusters, (H2O)2, H2O‐HF, and (HF)2, was investigated with this method. In brief, the atomic charges calculated by PAEMAIM are reasonable and significant for further exploration and practical applications.
Delivery of Allogeneic Adipose Stem Cells in Polyethylene Glycol-Fibrin Hydrogels as an Adjunct to Meshed Autografts After Sharp Debridement of Deep Partial Thickness Burns
Authors: Burmeister David M. , Stone Randolph , Wrice Nicole , Laborde Alfred , Becerra Sandra C. , Natesan Shanmugasundaram , Christy Robert J. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Harvesting of autografts results in donor site morbidities and is limited in scenarios such as large total body surface area burns. In these instances, coverage is increased by meshing grafts at the expense of delayed biologic closure. Moreover, graft meshing increases the likelihood of contraction and hypertrophic scarring, limits range of motion, and worsens cosmesis. Many tissue engineering technologies have touted the promise of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for burn wounds. The primary objective of the current study was to determine feasibility and efficacy of in situ ASC delivery via PEGylated fibrin (FPEG) hydrogels as adjuncts to meshed split thickness skin grafts in a porcine model. Deep partial thickness burns were created on the dorsum of anesthetized Yorkshire pigs, and subsequently debrided on post-burn day 4. After debridement, wounds were treated with: split thickness skin grafts (STSG); meshed STSG (mSTSG); and mSTSG + FPEG with increasing doses of ASCs. We show that FPEG hydrogels can be delivered in situ to prevent the contraction seen after meshing of STSG. Moreover, ASCs delivered in FPEG dose-dependently increase blood vessel size which significantly correlates with CD31 protein levels. The current study reports a dual-action adjunct therapy to autografting administered in situ, wherein FPEG acts as both scaffolding to prevent contraction, and as a delivery vehicle for ASCs to accelerate angiogenesis. This strategy may be used to incorporate other biologics for generating tissue engineered products aimed at improving wound healing and minimizing donor sites or scarring.
Next generation crosscutting themes: Factors that contribute to students' understandings of size and scale
Authors: Chesnutt Katherine , Jones Melissa Gail , Hite Rebecca , Cayton Emily , Ennes Megan , Corin Elysa N. , Childers Gina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study examined the degree to which individual differences in students' (N = 232) concepts of size and scale are explained by factors such as students' innate sense of number, out‐of‐school science experiences, exposure to size and scale instruction, gender identities, and racial/ethnic identities. There is increasing emphasis being placed on the use of crosscutting concepts to promote deep learning in science. A multiple linear regression indicated students' racial/ethnic identities, experiences with scale outside of school, and exposure to size and scale instruction significantly added to the prediction model. Results from this study can both inform the movement toward incorporating crosscutting concepts into pedagogy as well as inform educators, administrators, and other stakeholders of the factors that may shape students' understanding of the cross‐cutting concept of scale, proportion, and quantity.
Hochwasserschutzverbände als Instrument der interkommunalen Kooperation im Hochwasserrisikomanagement
Authors: Nordbeck Ralf , Löschner Lukas , Scherhaufer Patrick , Hogl Karl , Seher Walter 
Published: February 2018

ZusammenfassungDie regionale Dimension von Hochwasserereignissen erfordert einzugsgebietsbezogene Ansätze im Hochwasserrisikomanagement. Diese lassen sich vor dem Hintergrund der eingeschränkten Möglichkeiten verpflichtender regionalplanerischer Steuerung in Österreich vorrangig über die freiwillige Kooperation von Gemeinden realisieren. Im Bereich der Schutzwasserwirtschaft sind Hochwasserschutzverbände ein etabliertes Instrument der interkommunalen Kooperation. Sie ermöglichen einerseits die Vertretung der gemeinsamen Interessen der Mitglieder nach außen, andererseits die gemeindeübergreifende Realisierung, Finanzierung und Erhaltung von Schutzmaßnahmen. Ungeachtet ihres historischen wie aktuellen Stellenwerts für den österreichischen Hochwasserschutz erfolgte die wissenschaftliche Auseinandersetzung mit Hochwasserschutzverbänden bisher überwiegend anhand von Fallstudien. Dieser Beitrag bietet erstmals einen breiteren Überblick zu Hochwasserschutzverbänden in Österreich. Basierend auf einer landesweiten Onlineumfrage unter den Obleuten von Hochwasserschutzverbänden werden strukturelle Merkmale der Kooperationen erfasst (Lage, Größe, Mitglieder, beteiligte Akteure, Entstehung) und entlang unterschiedlicher Beobachtungsdimensionen (Aufgabenbereiche, Aktivitätsstadien, Kostenaufteilung, Erfolgsfaktoren und Hemmnisse) charakterisiert. Die Onlineumfrage bestätigt den besonderen Stellenwert von Hochwasserschutzverbänden als Teil des integralen Hochwassermanagements in Österreich. Eine gelebte Vielfalt der Verbände zeigt sich in der erheblichen Bandbreite bei den strukturellen Merkmalen der Verbände wie auch bei der Höhe der Investitionen und der Ausgestaltung des Beitragsschlüssels für die Mitglieder. Als förderliche Faktoren für Hochwasserschutzverbände wurden besonders häufig Leadership, regionale Einbettung, das Nutzen von Synergieeffekten und wirtschaftliche Vorteile genannt, während interne Konflikte und ungelöste Kompensationsfragen als hemmende Faktoren besonders hervortraten.
Outcome of adult patients with X‐linked hypophosphatemia caused by PHEX gene mutations
Authors: Chesher Douglas , Oddy Michael , Darbar Ulpee , Sayal Parag , Casey Adrian , Ryan Aidan , Sechi Annalisa , Simister Charlotte , Waters Aoife , Wedatilake Yehani , Lachmann Robin H. , Murphy Elaine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractX‐linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the most common monogenic disorder causing hypophosphatemia. This case‐note review documents the clinical features and the complications of treatment in 59 adults (19 male, 40 female) with XLH. XLH is associated with a large number of private mutations; 37 different mutations in the PHEX gene were identified in this cohort, 14 of which have not been previously reported. Orthopaedic involvement requiring surgical intervention (osteotomy) was frequent. Joint replacement and decompressive laminectomy were observed in those older than 40 years. Dental disease (63%), nephrocalcinosis (42%), and hearing impairment (14%) were also common. The rarity of the disease and the large number of variants make it difficult to discern specific genotype‐phenotype relationships. A new treatment, an anti‐FGF23 antibody, that may affect the natural history of the disease is currently being investigated in clinical trials.