bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An a posteriori species clustering for quantifying the effects of species interactions on ecosystem functioning
Authors: Jaillard Benoît , Richon Camille , Deleporte Philippe , Loreau Michel , Violle Cyrille 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Quantifying the effects of species interactions is key to understanding the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning but remains elusive due to combinatorics issues. Functional groups have been commonly used to capture the diversity of forms and functions and thus simplify the reality. However, the explicit incorporation of species interactions is still lacking in functional group‐based approaches. Here, we propose a new approach based on an a posteriori clustering of species to quantify the effects of species interactions on ecosystem functioning.

We first decompose the observed ecosystem function using null models, in which species diversity does not affect ecosystem function, to separate the effects of species interactions and species composition. This allows the identification of a posteriori functional groups that have contrasting diversity effects on ecosystem functioning. We then develop a formal combinatorial model of species interactions in which an ecosystem is described as a combination of co‐occurring functional groups, which we call an assembly motif. Each assembly motif corresponds to a particular biotic environment. We demonstrate the relevance of our approach using datasets from a microbial experiment and the long‐term Cedar Creek Biodiversity II experiment.

We show that our a posteriori approach is more accurate, more efficient and more parsimonious than a priori approaches. The discrepancy between a priori and a posteriori approaches results from the way each clustering is set up: a priori approaches are based on ecosystem or species properties, such as ecosystem size (number of species or functional groups) or species’ functional traits, whereas our a posteriori approach is based only on the observed interaction and composition effects on ecosystem functioning.

Our findings demonstrate that an a posteriori approach is highly explanatory: it identifies who interacts with whom, and quantifies the effects of species interactions on ecosystem functioning. They also highlight that a combinatorial modelling of ecosystem functioning can predict the functioning of an ecosystem without any hypothesis about the biotic or environmental determinants or any information on species functional traits. It only requires the species composition of the ecosystem and the observed functioning of others that share the same assembly motif.
Efficacy and safety of amrubicin‐based regimen used as first‐line for extensive‐disease small‐cell lung cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Chun‐Quan , Tian Dan , Wang Ning , Meng Xian‐Pu , Yang Jian‐Dong , Li Hua‐Wei , Zhao Ning , Zhao Su , Liao Fei , Cui Yong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, amrubicin is used as first‐line in the treatment of patients with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the effect of amrubicin‐based treatment in extensive‐disease (ED) SCLC remains controversial. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of amrubicin‐based regimen in the treatment of patients with ED‐SCLC.MethodsRCTs published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically reviewed. Eligible studies were these that evaluated the efficacy and safety profiles of amrubicin‐based regimen in ED‐SCLC. Outcomes included progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and adverse events. Results were expressed with hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs.ResultsFour RCTs involving a total of 740 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta‐analysis. Amrubicin‐based regimen was not associated with significantly prolonged PFS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90–1.30; P = 0.463) and OS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.89–1.29; P = 0.443) in patients with ED‐SCLC. However, it significantly improved ORR (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.25; P = 0.008). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that neither amrubicin alone nor in combination with cisplatin prolonged the PFS and OS, and only the combination therapy significantly increased ORR. The incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events was comparable between amrubicin‐containing and other treatment groups (RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.78–2.58; P = 0.248). However, amrubicin‐based treatment induced a significantly higher incidence of febrile neutropenia (RR = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.04–5.41; P < 0.001), anemia (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06–1.97; P = 0.022), leukopenia (RR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.41–3.33; P < 0.001), neutropenia (RR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.70; P = 0.021), and interstitial lung disease (RR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.21–1.98; P < 0.001).ConclusionAmrubicin‐based regimen used as first‐line had no survival benefits in patients with ED‐SCLC. But it significantly improved ORR. Further well‐conducted, large‐scale trials are needed to validate these findings.
Do Foreign Investors Destabilize Stock Markets? A Reexamination of Korea in 2008
Authors: Yang Cheol‐Won 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMotivated by Choe, Kho, and Stulz (1999) (CKS), this paper reexamines whether foreign investors destabilize the Korean stock markets during the 2008 global financial crisis. Consistent with CKS, large sales by foreigners don't result in significant negative returns over the next 25 minutes of trading. However, when the price impact is measured per trade, the impact of foreigners increases sharply during the crisis, and even surpasses that of Korean individuals and institutions. This is particularly pronounced in the permanent components, and in large, liquid stocks. The influence of foreigners therefore is not negligible in emerging markets, although it does not destabilize the whole market on its own.
Altered brain networks in psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a resting‐state fMRI study
Authors: Chen J. , Chen Y. , Chen G. , Dai Y. , Yao Z. , Lu Q. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryVarious neuroimaging studies had identified changes of cerebral activity and structures during the processes of sexual arousal. The identified brain regions were also believed to regulate emotional and cognitive processes. Yet, little was known about the neural mechanisms underlying psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Moreover, brain mechanisms mediating the processing of sexual arousal by these psychological processes were unclear. To investigate this issue, graph theory was applied to evaluate the topological properties of functional brain networks among 24 psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients and 26 healthy controls. Abnormal metrics and correlations with clinical characteristics were further analyzed. Our results showed that psychogenic erectile dysfunction had higher small‐worldness and more modules. Furthermore, psychogenic erectile dysfunction showed altered path length and strength of the right superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral), superior parietal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and left temporal pole (superior temporal gyrus), post‐central gyrus, mainly located in the cognitive control and emotional regulation subnetworks. And the altered parameters of the small‐worldness and right parahippocampal gyrus were related to the clinical characteristics of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Together, our results suggested that psychogenic erectile dysfunction was associated with disruptions in the topological structure of functional brain subnetworks underlying the cognitive and emotional processes.
Transdifferentiation of adult rat stem Leydig cells into prostatic and uterine epithelium, but not epidermis
Authors: Nanjappa M. K. , Medrano T. I. , Prins G. S. , Chen H. , Zirkin B. R. , Cooke P. S. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryStem Leydig cells (SLCs), precursors of testicular Leydig cells that secrete testosterone required for male sexual differentiation, spermatogenesis, and fertility, were recently identified in rat testes. Various types of stem cells have shown the ability to differentiate into other tissues, but there is no information on the plasticity of adult rat SLCs (rSLCs). This study investigated the ability of rSLCs to transdifferentiate into cell types from all three germ layers—prostatic epithelium (endoderm), uterine epithelium (mesoderm), and epidermis (ectoderm)—under the influence of inductive mesenchyme from fetal and neonatal tissues. To differentiate rSLCs into cells of other lineages, mesenchyme from green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐expressing mice was used. Tissue recombinants of urogenital sinus mesenchyme (a potent prostate inducer) and rSLCs grafted into adult male hosts formed ductal structures resembling prostate after 5 weeks. Prostate epithelium was of rSLC origin as determined by absence of GFP expression, and expressed characteristic markers of prostatic epithelium. Similarly, uterine mesenchyme + rSLCs tissue recombinants contained a simple columnar epithelium that was histologically similar to normal uterine epithelium and expressed typical uterine epithelial markers, but was of rSLC origin. In contrast, epidermal tissue was absent in fetal dermis + rSLCs recombinants, suggesting rSLCs did not form skin epithelium. Thus, rSLCs can transdifferentiate into uterine and prostatic epithelium, mesodermal, and endodermal derivatives, respectively, but they may have a limited transdifferentiation potential, as shown by their inability to form epidermis, an ectodermal derivative.
HLA-Cw6 and psoriasis
Authors: Chen L. , Tsai T.-F. 
Published: October 2017

Summary
Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic background. HLA-Cw6 is one of the most strongly associated psoriasis susceptibility alleles. It is repeatedly observed to affect disease course, phenotypic features, severity, comorbidities and treatment outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, the roles of HLA-Cw6 in psoriasis have not yet been thoroughly reviewed. The worldwide frequency of the HLA-Cw6 allele varies greatly, with it being generally higher in white people than in Asians. The allele is associated with type I early-onset psoriasis. Stress, obesity and streptococcal pharyngitis are commonly observed in HLA-Cw6-positive patients. Phenotypically, HLA-Cw6 has been found to be associated with guttate psoriasis. In addition, patients carrying the allele are more likely to have arm, leg and trunk involvement, and the Koebner phenomenon. Patients with psoriatic arthritis with HLA-Cw6 more often have early onset and tend to show cutaneous symptoms before musculoskeletal symptoms. HLA-Cw6-positive patients have been shown in several studies to be more responsive to methotrexate and ustekinumab. However, this difference in ustekinumab efficacy was only moderate in a post-hoc analysis of a pivotal phase III study. HLA-Cw6 positivity also tends to be less frequent in high-need patients who fail conventional therapy. Small studies have also investigated the role of HLA-Cw6 in remission of psoriasis during pregnancy, and with the comorbidities of photosensitivity and atherosclerosis. Given the diverse nature of psoriasis pathogenesis, as well as the difference of HLA-Cw6 positivity in different ethnic groups, more studies are needed to confirm the role of HLA-Cw6 in psoriasis.
Strategies for success: a multi‐institutional study on robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy for complex renal lesions
Authors: Hennessey Derek B. , Wei Gavin , Moon Daniel , Kinnear Ned , Bolton Damien M. , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Chan Yee K. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo describe our technique, illustrated with images and videos, of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for challenging renal tumours.Patients and MethodsA study of 249 patients who underwent RAPN in multiple institutions was performed. Patients were identified using prospective RAPN databases. Complex renal lesion were defined as those with a RENAL nephrometry score ≥10. Data were analysed and differences among groups examined.ResultsA total of 31 (12.4%) RAPNs were performed for complex renal tumours. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) patient age was 57 (50.5–70.5) years and 21 patients (67.7%) were men. The median (IQR) American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2 (2–3). The median (IQR) operating time was 200 (50–265) min, warm ischaemia time was 23 (18.5–29) min, and estimated blood loss was 200 (50–265) mL. There were no intra‐operative complications. Two patients (6.4%) had postoperative complications. One patient (3.2%) had a positive surgical margin. The median (IQR) length of stay was 3.5 (3–5) days and the median (IQR) follow‐up was 12.5 (7–24) months. There were no recurrences. RAPN resulted in statistically significant changes in renal function 3 months after RAPN compared with preoperative renal function (P < 0.001).ConclusionOur results showed that RAPN was a safe approach for selected patients with complex renal tumours and may facilitate tumour resection and renorrhaphy for challenging cases, offering a minimally invasive surgical option for patients who may otherwise require open surgery.
The Colonial Roots of Forest Extraction: Rosewood Exploitation in Southern Belize
Authors: Wainwright Joel D. , Zempel Christopher L. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTIn 2013 there was a spike in the illegal export of rosewood, a highly‐valued tropical hardwood, from Belize. Hewn by Maya workers at night, logs were sold to Chinese buyers. Although protected by international conservation agreements, container‐loads of rosewood were exported unprocessed, unmarked and untaxed. This article examines the rosewood exports, providing a critical analysis that seeks its underlying causes and lessons for development. Drawing on extensive archival research, interviews with multiple actors, and data on China's rosewood imports, the authors show that the exports reflect a long‐standing pattern: the extraction and export of unprocessed primary commodities from Belize's forests. However, contemporary patterns are not simply repeating colonial history. On the demand side, the recent rosewood boom was triggered by a rapid rise in demand from urban, middle‐class consumers in China, stimulating a new commodity chain. On the supply side, the ‘rosewood crisis’ was facilitated by a peculiar legal‐political conjuncture: it occurred during a period after the Maya communities had won legal rights to their forests through the courts, but before the state had recognized those rights. Thus the incomplete recognition of indigenous land rights collided with long‐standing patterns of forest extractivism and explosive demand in China.
Counting on fine motor skills: links between preschool finger dexterity and numerical skills
Authors: Fischer Ursula , Suggate Sebastian P. , Schmirl Judith , Stoeger Heidrun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFinger counting is widely considered an important step in children's early mathematical development. Presumably, children's ability to move their fingers during early counting experiences to aid number representation depends in part on their early fine motor skills (FMS). Specifically, FMS should link to children's procedural counting skills through consistent repetition of finger‐counting procedures. Accordingly, we hypothesized that (a) FMS are linked to early counting skills, and (b) greater FMS relate to conceptual counting knowledge (e.g., cardinality, abstraction, order irrelevance) via procedural counting skills (i.e., one–one correspondence and correctness of verbal counting). Preschool children (N = 177) were administered measures of procedural counting skills, conceptual counting knowledge, FMS, and general cognitive skills along with parent questionnaires on home mathematics and fine motor environment. FMS correlated with procedural counting skills and conceptual counting knowledge after controlling for cognitive skills, chronological age, home mathematics and FMS environments. Moreover, the relationship between FMS and conceptual counting knowledge was mediated by procedural counting skills. Findings suggest that FMS play a role in early counting and therewith conceptual counting knowledge.
European honeybee defense against Japanese yellow hornet using heat generation by bee‐balling behavior
Authors: Hosono Shouhei , Nakamura Jun , Ono Masato 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Japanese honeybee, Apis cerana japonica Radoszkowski, uses unique generation of heat by bee‐balling to defend against, overheat and kill predacious Japanese hornets. We have now observed the European honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, using similar bee‐balling behavior and heat generation against the Japanese yellow hornet, Vespa simillima xanthoptera Cameron. We monitored temperatures in the center of the bee‐ball and inside thoracic muscles of the captured hornet and found that the thoracic internal temperature (45.8 ± 2.32°C) was higher than that of the bee‐ball (44.0 ± 0.96°C). Although the thoracic temperature of captured hornets rose to the upper lethal level, defending European bees also showed some stinging attempts against the hornet, unlike the sympatric Japanese honeybee, which never stings during bee‐balling. The European honeybee bee‐balling behavior consists of three phases: (i) heating; (ii) heat‐retaining; and (iii) break up. Our results suggest that European honeybees kill hornets by raising the body temperature of hornets rapidly without stinging. The tactics of bee‐balling against hornets are complex and may be performed by extended division of labor.
Zircon U–Pb dating of gabbro and diorite from the Bato pluton, northeast Japan
Authors: Ejima Terumi , Kon Yoshiaki , Kawano Shigenori , Araoka Daisuke 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTo constrain the timing of the tectonothermal events and formation process of a plutonic suite, U–Pb dating was carried out by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry combined with cathodoluminescence imaging on zircon grains extracted from the Bato pluton, northern Yamizo Mountains, Japan. The Bato pluton consists of gabbro and diorite. Zircon grains separated from a gabbro sample had a unimodal 238U–206Pb age (105.7 ±1.0 Ma). It was interpreted as the solidification age of the gabbro. Cathodoluminescence observation showed that the zircon grains from a diorite sample were characterized by anhedral cores, oscillatory zoned mantles, and dark rims. The 238U–206Pb age of the anhedral cores ranged from 2 165 Ma to 161 Ma, indicating the assimilation of surrounding sedimentary rocks. The 238U–206Pb ages of the oscillatory zoned mantles and dark rims are 109.0 ±1.3 Ma and 107.7 ±1.3 Ma, respectively. Observation under polarizing microscopy suggests that the anhedral cores occurred before plagioclase and hornblende, and the oscillatory zones around the anhedral cores had crystallized at the same time as the crystallization of biotite. Moreover, the dark rims formed at the same time as the crystallization of quartz and K‐feldspar. The formation process of the gabbro‐diorite complex in the Bato pluton was inferred as follows. (i) A mafic initial magma intruded into Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, and the assimilation of these sedimentary rocks led to geochemical variation yielding a dioritic composition. Subsequently, plagioclase and hornblende of the diorite were crystallized before 109.0 ±1.3 Ma. (ii) Biotite crystallized in the middle stage around 109.0 ±1.3 Ma. (iii) Quartz and K‐feldspar of the diorite were crystallized at 107.7 ±1.3 Ma. The gabbroic magma solidified (105.7 ±1.0 Ma) after solidification of the diorite.
Electrophoretic deposition of thick titania coatings at constant voltage by controlling current density
Authors: Farrokhi‐Rad Morteza 
Published: October 2017

AbstractKinetics of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process usually slows down with time due to the reduction in effective electric field (Eeff) across the suspension. So, normally the deposition of thick coatings or 3‐D objects by EPD is not possible at low voltages. The suspensions of nanometer (NT) and micrometer (MT)‐sized titania particles were prepared in isopropanol, using triethanolamine (TEA) plus acetic acid (AA) as the charging additives. Eeff is directly proportional to the current density. It was found that depending on the composition of suspensions, the current density and so Eeff decrease, remain constant or increase during EPD from them. Current density increased during EPD from NT suspensions with 0.33 (AA≥1.33 mL/L), 0.66 (AA≥2 mL/L) and 1.33 mL/L (AA≥6.66 mL/L) TEA. However, it did not increase any of the MT suspensions, but remained nearly constant for those with 0.33 and 0.66 mL/L TEA plus AA>1.33 mL/L and AA>2 mL/L, respectively. Current density increased or remained constant during EPD from the suspensions in which majority of H+TEA ions are adsorbed on the particles surface and the zeta potential of particles is below the critical value in them (NT≈70 mV and MT≈60 mV). Deposition rate increased continuously during EPD from the suspensions in which current density increased for them.
Total inactivation of lipoxygenase in whole soya bean by pulsed light and the effect of pulsed light on the chemical properties of soya milk produced from the treated soya beans
Authors: Alhendi Abeer , Yang Wade , Goodrich‐Schneider Renee , Sarnoski Paul J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe inactivation of lipoxygenase (LOX) in the whole soya bean prevents lipid oxidation that produces an off‐flavour of soya food. The inactivation of lipoxygenase in the whole soya bean by pulsed light (PL) was examined with three distances (5, 7 and 9 cm) from the PL strobe and for different durations. Soya bean was treated with PL with and without ice surrounding the soya bean sample tray for limiting the rise in sample temperature. Results show that without ice surrounding the sample tray, the lowest LOX residual activity was 4.7%, 0.4% and 0.0% for 80‐s duration at 5 cm distance from the PL strobe, 110 s at 7 cm from the strobe and 150 s at 9 cm from the strobe, respectively; the soya bean temperature after treatment was 109.6, 116.3 and 114.8 °C, respectively. The instantaneous temperatures of the soya bean core measured during PL operating were above 100 °C. The lipoxygenase band was disappeared after longest PL treatments of each distance compared with the LOX band control as assessed by electrophoresis. The pulsed light had no negative effect on peroxide value of produced soya milk. However, PL reduced significantly the total solid amount and changed the colour of the produced soya milk. The residual activity with sample cooling by ice during treatment was 79.0%, 98.8% and 95.7%, with sample temperatures of 81.7, 91.2 and 66.9 °C, respectively. This study indicates that PL illumination could fully inactivate LOX in whole soya beans, with the photo‐thermal effect of PL as the main factor responsible for the inactivation of LOX.