bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generative inference for cultural evolution
Authors: Kandler Anne , Powell Adam 
Published: February 2018

One of the major challenges in cultural evolution is to understand why and how various forms of social learning are used in human populations, both now and in the past. To date, much of the theoretical work on social learning has been done in isolation of data, and consequently many insights focus on revealing the learning processes or the distributions of cultural variants that are expected to have evolved in human populations. In population genetics, recent methodological advances have allowed a greater understanding of the explicit demographic and/or selection mechanisms that underlie observed allele frequency distributions across the globe, and their change through time. In particular, generative frameworks—often using coalescent-based simulation coupled with approximate Bayesian computation (ABC)—have provided robust inferences on the human past, with no reliance ona prioriassumptions of equilibrium. Here, we demonstrate the applicability and utility of generative inference approaches to the field of cultural evolution. The framework advocated here uses observed population-level frequency data directly to establish the likely presence or absence of particular hypothesized learning strategies. In this context, we discuss the problem of equifinality and argue that, in the light of sparse cultural data and the multiplicity of possible social learning processes, the exclusion of those processes inconsistent with the observed data might be the most instructive outcome. Finally, we summarize the findings of generative inference approaches applied to a number of case studies.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bridging cultural gaps: interdisciplinary studies in human cultural evolution’.
Cultural complexity and evolution in fluctuating environments
Authors: Fogarty Laurel 
Published: February 2018

The effect of environmental change on the rate of innovation and level of cultural complexity in a population is a theoretically understudied piece of an important puzzle at the heart of cultural evolution. Many mathematical models of cultural complexity have focused on the role of demographic factors such as population size or density. However, statistical studies often point to environmental variability as an important factor determining complexity in many cases. The aim of this study is to explore the interaction between environmental fluctuations and the rate of cultural innovation within a population and to examine the relationship between rates of innovation and the probability of maintaining a complex cultural repertoire in a changing environment. Two models are presented that draw on previous models used to examine rates of genetic mutation. The models show that, as in a genetic system, the stable rate of cultural innovation in a population decreases with environmental stability and increases in unstable environments. This effect is similar but quantitatively different for different modes of cultural transmission (success bias, conformity bias and random oblique learning). The model shows that innovation can increase diversity but that this relationship depends critically on learning mode and learning parameters.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bridging cultural gaps: interdisciplinary studies in human cultural evolution’.
Solubilization kinetics determines the pulsatory dynamics of lipid vesicles exposed to surfactant
Authors: Chabanon Morgan , Rangamani Padmini 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe establish a biophysical model for the dynamics of lipid vesicles exposed to surfactants. The solubilization of the lipid membrane due to the insertion of surfactant molecules induces a reduction of membrane surface area at almost constant vesicle volume. This results in a rate-dependent increase of membrane tension and leads to the opening of a micron-sized pore. We show that solubilization kinetics due to surfactants can determine the regimes of pore dynamics: either the pores open and reseal within a second (short-lived pore), or the pore stays open up to a few minutes (long-lived pore). First, we validate our model with previously published experimental measurements of pore dynamics. Then, we investigate how the solubilization kinetics and membrane properties affect the dynamics of the pore and construct a phase diagram for short and long-lived pores. Finally, we examine the dynamics of sequential pore openings and show that cyclic short-lived pores occur at a period inversely proportional to the solubilization rate. By deriving a theoretical expression for the cycle period, we provide an analytic tool to measure the solubilization rate of lipid vesicles by surfactants. Our findings shed light on some fundamental biophysical mechanisms that allow simple cell-like structures to sustain their integrity against environmental stresses, and have the potential to aid the design of vesicle-based drug delivery systems.
Cholesterol depletion by MβCD enhances membrane tension, its heterogeneity and affects cellular integrity
Authors: Biswas Arikta , Kashyap Purba , Datta Sanchari , Sengupta Titas , Sinha Bidisha 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCholesterol depletion in cells by MβCD remodels the plasma membrane’s mechanics and its interactions with the underlying cytoskeleton. Decoupling the two effects and studying various alterations to the membrane’s mechanical parameters is important for understanding cholesterol’s role in cellular response to stress. By mapping membrane height fluctuations in single cells, we report that MβCD treatment reduces temporal fluctuations and flattens out the membrane – but does not supress activity-driven fluctuations. We find that membrane tension increase contributes most to the altered fluctuations, among the multiple mechanical parameters computed. Maps also reveal an enhanced long-range heterogeneity within single cells, both in amplitude of fluctuations and membrane tension on cholesterol depletion. To check if this alters the tenacity of membrane to mechanical stress we use hypo-osmotic shock. We find that on MβCD treatment, cells are more prone to rupture than control cells, and this is not hindered by actomyosin perturbations. We report increased rupture sizes on cholesterol depletion and argue that, together, this indicates decreased lysis and line tension. Therefore, we show that cholesterol depletion directly affects cell membranes not only by enhancing membrane-cytoskeleton interactions, but also by increasing membrane tension while reducing lysis tension – hence making cells prone to rupture.
Tunable molecular tension sensors reveal extension-based control of vinculin loading
Authors: LaCroix Andrew S. , Lynch Andrew D. , Berginski Matthew E. , Hoffman Brenton D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMolecular tension sensors have contributed to a growing understanding of mechanobiology. However, the limited dynamic range and inability to specify the mechanical sensitivity of these sensors has hindered their widespread use in diverse contexts. Here, we systematically examine the components of tension sensors that can be altered to improve their functionality. Guided by the development of a first principles model describing the mechanical behavior of these sensors, we create a collection of sensors that exhibit predictable sensitivities and significantly improved performancein cellulo.Utilized in the context of vinculin mechanobiology, a trio of these new biosensors with distinct force- and extension- sensitivities reveal that an extension-based control paradigm regulates vinculin loading. To enable the rational design of molecular tension sensors appropriate for diverse applications, we predict the mechanical behavior, in terms of force and extension, of additional 1020 distinct designs.
Demystifying continuous participation in game applications at social networking sites
Authors: Wu Yi , Cui Tingru , Liu Na , Deng Yimeng , Guo Junpeng 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
Drawn from the social playfulness literature and the elaboration likelihood model, the purpose of this paper is to propose and test a research model to examine users’ continuous participation in SNS game applications.

Design/methodology/approach
A field survey with 133 subjects was conducted to test the research model.

Findings
Two identified design features, symbolic physicality and inherent sociability, are found to influence users’ perceived curiosity and perceived enjoyment toward playing SNS game applications. Perceived enjoyment is significantly associated with perceived curiosity and predicts users’ continuous participation of SNS game applications. The authors also observed a gender difference of social playfulness design on perceived curiosity.

Research limitations/implications
Use intention was used as a proxy for actual use behavior, since objective data on continuance behavior was not available. Additionally, the contributions of this study may be constrained by one single sample.

Practical implications
The findings of the study suggest practical guidelines for designing game applications in SNS through socialization design and symbolic physicality. Further, based on the findings of gender differences, a personalization game design strategy is provided.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the post-adoption IS literature and sheds light on the interesting area of social media participation. Additionally, this study enriches the online gaming research by demonstrating gender differences.
The role of a knowledge leader in a changing organizational environment. A conceptual framework drawn by an analysis of four large companies
Authors: Bertoldi Bernardo , Giachino Chiara , Rossotto Camillo , Bitbol-Saba Nathalie 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of knowledge leader readiness within large companies operating in a changing environment.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework emerged from an analysis of four large companies and a review of the knowledge management literature. Secondary research was conducted to compare the four large companies against the proposed framework.FindingsThe conceptual model is a support to understand an organizations’ reaction to external changes and the role of the knowledge leader’s readiness in managing these changes and adjusting the knowledge management accordingly. From the analysis, it emerged that a knowledge leader’s readiness plays a relevant role in a changing organizational environment owing to his ability to acquire, handle and diffuse knowledge within the company.Practical implicationsThe study emphasizes the significance of internal knowledge in managing changes. Practitioners could use this framework as a conceptual guide for their daily challenges and to recruit future leaders.Originality/valueThis study aims to contribute to the knowledge management literature by providing a practical model for organizations facing a changing environment. The originality of the model is the design of different managerial profiles that combine the leaders’ disposition to knowledge and their ability to drive change.
Foraging responses of sheep to plant spatial micro‐patterns can cause diverse associational effects of focal plant at individual and population levels
Authors: Huang Yue , Wang Ling , Wang Deli , Zeng De‐Hui , Li Yexing , Liu Jun , Wang Yue 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Multiple‐scale foraging decisions by large herbivores can cause associational effects of focal plant individuals neighboured with different species. Spatial micro‐patterns between the focal plant and its neighbouring species within patches can affect herbivore foraging selectivity at within‐ and between‐patch scales, which may consequently lead to associational plant effects occurring at both plant individual and population levels. However, these associational effects have not been explored together in the plant–herbivore interaction studies.

We aim to evaluate how plant spatial micro‐pattern within different quality patches mediate herbivore foraging selectivity, thereby affecting the associational effects of focal plant individuals and population.

Using sheep as the model herbivore and a medium preferred species as the focal plant, we conducted a manipulative experiment by allowing sheep grazing freely among three different quality patches, each of which consisted of preferred, unpreferred and focal plant species with different abundances forming spatially aggregated or dispersed micro‐patterns.

Results showed that, compared with the aggregated plant micro‐pattern, dispersed plant micro‐patterns within different quality patches increased sheep within‐patch selectivity, and caused diverse associational effects of focal plant individuals. Focal plant individuals experienced neighbour contrast defence (i.e. got protection in the high quality patch) and associational defence (i.e. got protection in the low quality patch), respectively, when plants distributed dispersedly in the low and high quality patch. Focal plant individuals simultaneously experienced associational susceptibility (i.e. got damage in the high quality patch) and neighbour contrast susceptibility (i.e. got damage in the low quality patch) when plants distributed dispersedly in the medium quality patch. Furthermore, dispersed plant micro‐patterns reduced sheep foraging selectivity between patches, and led to a lower consumption of focal plant population compared with the aggregated plant micro‐pattern.

Herbivores adopt different within‐ and between‐patch foraging decisions to maintain a high intake of the preferred species in response to various plant micro‐patterns, and consequently cause diverse associational effects of both focal plant individuals and population. These associational effects have important implications for understanding the species coexistence and plant community assembly in the grazing ecosystems.
TNF‐α level affects etanercept clearance: TNF‐α concentration as a new correction factor of allometric scaling to predict individual etanercept clearances in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Deng Yuwei , Hu Li , Qiang Wei , Cheng Zeneng , Wang Lei , Wang Xiaoxia 
Published: February 2018

SummaryEtanercept (ETN) is a widely used anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) agent, which relieves the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by binding to TNF‐α to inhibit its inflammation effects. In this study, the effect of TNF‐α level on ETN clearance (CL) was investigated, and the TNF‐α concentration was initially set as a correction factor for allometric scaling to improve the predictions of individual ETN CLs. Individual ETN CLs and TNF‐α concentrations in healthy volunteers and patients with AS were determined by performing ETN pharmacokinetic studies in the two cohorts. Accordingly, individual ETN CLs in both healthy volunteers and patients with AS were predicted from data of two animal species using different methods, including simple allometric scaling, scaling with a correction factor of maximum life span potential or brain weight, and scaling with a correction factor of the TNF‐α concentration. The accuracies of such predictions were evaluated by the percentage errors. Consequently, increased TNF‐α concentration was shown to improve ETN CL, by comparing both ETN CLs and TNF‐α concentrations between healthy volunteers and patients with AS. More importantly, better predictions of individual ETN CLs were achieved in patients with AS using allometric scaling with TNF‐α concentration as the correction factor. In conclusion, in vivo levels of TNF‐α can affect ETN CL, and allometric scaling corrected with the TNF‐α concentration can be used to estimate the individual CLs of anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibodies based on preclinical data.
Social learning in nest‐building birds watching live‐streaming video demonstrators
Authors: GUILLETTE Lauren M. , HEALY Susan D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDetermining the role that social learning plays in construction behaviors, such as nest building or tool manufacture, could be improved if more experimental control could be gained over the exact public information that is provided by the demonstrator, to the observing individual. Using video playback allows the experimenter to choose what information is provided but will only be useful in determining the role of social learning if observers attend to, and learn from, videos in a manner that is similar to live demonstration. The goal of the current experiment was to test whether live‐streamed video presentations of nest building by zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata would lead observers to copy the material choice demonstrated to them. Here, males that had not previously built a nest were given an initial preference test between materials of 2 colors. Those observers then watched live‐stream footage of a familiar demonstrator building a nest with material of the color that the observer did not prefer. After this experience, observers were given the chance to build a nest with materials of the 2 colors. Although two‐thirds of the observer males preferred material of the demonstrated color after viewing the demonstrator build a nest with material of that color more than they had previously, their preference for the demonstrated material was not as strong as that of observers that had viewed live demonstrator builders in a previous experiment. Our results suggest researchers should proceed with caution before using video demonstration in tests of social learning.
HPV‐testing versus HPV‐cytology co‐testing to predict the outcome after conization
Authors: Bruhn Lærke Valsøe , Andersen Sisse Josephine , Hariri Jalil 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing alone as a prognostic tool to predict recurrent disease within a three‐year follow‐up period after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2+.Material and methodsRetrospectively, 128 women with histologically verified CIN2+ who had a conization performed at Southern Jutland Hospital in Denmark between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 were included. Histology, cytology and HPV test results were obtained for a three‐year follow‐up period.Results4.7% (6/128) of the cases developed recurrent disease during follow‐up. Of the cases without free margins, recurrent dysplasia was detected normal in 10.4% (5/48), whereas in the group with free margins it was 1.3% (1/80). The post‐conization HPV test was negative in 67.2% (86/128) and Pap smear normal in 93.7% (120/128). Combining resection margins, cytology and HPV had sensitivity for prediction of recurrent dysplasia of 100%. Specificity was 45.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) 8.5% and negative predictive value (NPV) 100%. Using HPV test alone as a predictor of recurrent dysplasia gave a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity 69.7%, PPV 11.9% and NPV 98.8%. Combining resection margin and HPV test had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity 45.9%, PPV 8.3% and NPV 100%.ConclusionHPV test at six months control post‐conization gave an NPV of 98.8% and can be used as a solitary test to identify women at risk for recurrent disease three years after treatment for precursor lesions. Using both resection margin and HPV test had a sensitivity of 100% and NPV 100%. Adding cytology did not increase the predictive value.
Comparison of self‐reported and directly measured weight and height among women of reproductive age: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Seijo Mariana , Minckas Nicole , Cormick Gabriela , Comandé Daniel , Ciapponi Agustín , BelizÁn José M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe use of self‐report as a strategy for collecting data on women's weight and height is widespread in both clinical practice and epidemiological studies. This study aimed to compare self‐reported and directly measured weight and height among women of reproductive age.Material and methodsIn July 2015 we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, CINHAL, LILACS and gray literature. We included women of reproductive age (12–49 years old) independently of their weight or height at the time of the study. Women with any condition that implies regular tracking of their weight (for example, eating disorder) were excluded. Two reviewers independently selected, extracted and assessed the risk of bias of the studies. We used REVMAN 5.3 to perform the meta‐analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsFollowing eligibility assessment, 21 studies of 18 749 women met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta‐analysis showed an underestimation of weight by −0.94 kg (95% CI −1.17 to −0.71 kg; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%) in the overall sample and an overestimation of height by 0.36 cm (95% CI 0.20–0.51; p < 0.0001; I2 = 35%) based on self‐reported vs. directly measured values.ConclusionThis review shows that self‐reported weight and height of women of reproductive age differs slightly from direct measures. We consider that the magnitude at which self‐reported data over‐ or underestimates the real value, is negligible regarding clinical and research use.
Feasibility and Safety of a Cemented PEEK‐on‐PE Knee Replacement in a Goat Model: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Du Zhe , Zhu Zhonglin , Yue Bing , Li Zhanchun , Wang You 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPolyether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK) is a potential alternative to metal alloys for use in the orthopedic implants; however, an in vivo study in an appropriate animal model is essential and has not yet been initiated. The aim of the present study was to gather some preliminary evidence regarding the performance and safety of a cemented PEEK‐based knee replacement device in a goat model. Fifteen adult goats were randomly divided into two groups; the control group (n = 5), which received a sham operation, and the experimental group (n = 10), which received a total knee arthroplasty with a PEEK‐based knee replacement device. The animals were sacrificed at 12 (control n = 5; experimental n = 5) or 24 weeks (experimental n = 5). Blood parameter measurements and radiographs of the knee joints were obtained. The synovium and main organs were removed and histologically assessed. The knee joints with the prosthesis were analyzed via micro‐computed tomography and laser confocal microscopy. There was no occurrence of implant fracture or prosthesis sinking during the 24 weeks of radiological observations, except for one case of prosthesis dislocation at 4 weeks. There was a 6% decrease in femoral bone density (BD) at 12 weeks, but no further decrease by 24 weeks. No changes in BD were observed in the tibial ends. The bulk implant was biocompatible in terms of histological analysis of the local synovium and organs. There were no optical scratches on the surface of the retrieved components; the femoral component surface was rougher, while the tibial insert was smoother after 24 weeks. The novel PEEK‐based knee replacement device in a goat model was feasible and safe; however, prior to use in humans, further studies concerning PEEK high load‐bearing implant designs should be carried out to expand on our results.