bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From the north into the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains: fossil‐calibrated phylogenetic and biogeographical inference in the arctic‐alpine genus Diapensia (Diapensiaceae)
Authors: Hou Yan , Bjorå Charlotte Sletten , Ikeda Hajime , Brochmann Christian , Popp Magnus 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimMany arctic species are believed to be descendants from ancestors that migrated northwards from high mountains during the formation of the modern arctic biome 2–3 million years ago (Ma). Here, we test whether this hypothesis is consistent with the biogeographical history of the arctic‐alpine genus Diapensia, which shows a disjunction between the Arctic and the Himalayan–Hengduan Mountains (HHM).LocationThe Arctic/sub‐Arctic and the HHM.MethodsWe used the plastid DNA (pDNA) sequences matK and rbcL and seven Ericales fossils to date the origin of Diapensia. Sequences of four pDNA markers and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer from 56 Diapenisa accessions were then used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships and time of divergence among Diapensia species.ResultsDiapensia consists of three major clades; two corresponding to the two arctic species, and one containing the two HHM species sampled. Both the pDNA tree and the species tree resolved the amphi‐Beringian D. obovata as sister to a clade that included D. lapponica that has an amphi‐Atlantic distribution and the HHM clade. The two arctic species were estimated to have originated in the Middle Miocene‐Early Pliocene (D. obovata: 8.3 Ma, 95% highest posterior probability density (HPD) 4.0–13.5 Ma; D. lapponica: 7.1 Ma, 95% HPD 4.1–10.0 Ma), long before the formation of the modern arctic biome. In contrast, species divergence in the HHM clade was found to be very recent (0.5 Ma, 95% HPD 0.2–0.9 Ma; Early‐Middle Pleistocene).Main conclusionsOur results reject an HHM origin of the arctic Diapensia and rather suggest that the ancestor of the D. lapponica/HHM clade migrated southwards into the HHM. This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that arctic plant lineages have diverse origins in time and space.
Diversity in insect seed parasite guilds at large geographical scale: the roles of host specificity and spatial distance
Authors: Bonal Raúl , Espelta Josep M. , Muñoz Alberto , Ortego Joaquín , Aparicio José Miguel , Gaddis Keith , Sork Victoria L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimHost specificity within plant‐feeding insects constitutes a fascinating example of natural selection that promotes inter‐specific niche segregation. If specificity is strong, composition of local plant parasitic insect guilds is largely dependent on the presence and prevalence of the preferred hosts. Alternatively, if it is weak or absent, historic and stochastic demographic processes may drive the structuring of insect communities. We assessed whether the species composition of acorn feeding insects (Curculio spp. guilds) and their genetic variation change geographically according to the local host community.LocationAn 800 km transect across California, USA.MethodsWe used DNA taxonomy to detect potential Curculio cryptic speciation and assessed intra‐specific genetic structure among sampling sites. We monitored larval performance on different hosts, by measuring the weight of each larva upon emerging from the acorn. Our phylogenetic and spatial analyses disentangled host specificity and geographical effects on Curculio community composition and genetic structure.ResultsDNA taxonomy revealed no specialized cryptic species. Californian Curculio spp. were sister taxa that did not segregate among Quercus species or, at a deeper taxonomic level, between red and white oaks. Curculio species turnover and intra‐specific genetic differentiation increased with geographical distance among localities irrespective of local oak species composition. Moreover, larval performance did not differ among oak species or acorn sizes when controlling for the effect of the locality.Main conclusionsHistorical processes have contributed to the structuring of acorn weevil communities across California. Trophic niche overlapped among species, indicating that ecologically similar species can co‐exist. Acorn crop inter‐annual variability and unpredictability in mixed oak forests may have selected against narrow specialization, and facilitated co‐existence by means of an inter‐specific time partitioning of the resources. Wide‐scale geographical records of parasitic insects and their host plants are necessary to understand the processes underlying species diversity.
Interactive computer simulation and animation for improving student learning of particle kinetics
Authors: Fang N. , Guo Y. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractComputer simulation and animation (CSA) has been receiving growing attention and wide application in engineering education in recent years. A new interactive CSA module was developed in the present study to improve student learning of particle kinetics in an undergraduate engineering dynamics course. The unique feature of this CSA module is that it integrates computer visualization with mathematical modeling, so students can directly connect engineering dynamics phenomena to underlying mathematics. A quasi‐experimental pretest–post‐test research design including a comparison group (n = 65) and an intervention group (n = 77) was implemented to assess to what extent the developed CSA module improved student learning. The results show that this new CSA module increased students' class‐average conceptual and procedural learning gains by 29% and 37% respectively. The difference in learning gains between the two groups is statistically significant (Z = −4.526, p = 0.000) based on a nonparametric statistical Mann–Whitney U test. It is found that the improvement of students' conceptual understanding and the improvement of their procedural skills are asymmetrical in this CSA learning environment. The CSA module can serve as an excellent tool to supplement traditional lectures, but cannot fully replace human teachers or tutors in teaching.
Instructor accents in online education and their effect on learning and attitudes
Authors: Sanchez C. A. , Khan S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractReductions in perceptual fluency have been shown to negatively impact attitudes towards learning material, but not learning itself. The current study extends this work to spoken presentations and examines whether the presence of a foreign accent negatively affects learners' experience in an online learning environment. Results indicate that the presence of an instructor accent, consistent with prior work on perceptual fluency, does not impact learning, but does cause learners to rate the instructor as less effective. Further, for those who received accented presentations, changes in participants' attitudes towards both the content area and online instruction were not predicted by learning, but instead their attitude towards the instructor. This suggests that learners in online learning environments with accented narration are potentially miscalibrated, and these biases in judgement could be inappropriately linked to a specific instructor, rather than their success of learning in the field.
Lmbrd1 expression is essential for the initiation of gastrulation
Authors: Buers Insa , Pennekamp Petra , Nitschke Yvonne , Lowe Chrishanthi , Skryabin Boris V. , Rutsch Frank 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe rare inborn cblF defect of cobalamin metabolism is caused by mutations in the limb region 1 (LMBR1) domain containing 1 gene (LMBRD1). This defect is characterized by massive accumulation of free cobalamin in lysosomes and loss of mitochondrial succinyl‐CoA synthesis and cytosolic methionine synthesis. Affected children suffer from heart defects, developmental delay and megaloblastic anemia. LMBRD1 encodes for LMBD1, a predicted lysosomal cobalamin transport protein. In this study, we determine the physiological function of LMBRD1 during embryogenesis by generating Lmbrd1 deficient mice using the Cre/LoxP system. Complete loss of Lmbrd1 function is accompanied by early embryonic death in mice. Whole mount in situ hybridization studies against bone morphogenetic protein 4 and Nodal show that initial formation of the proximal–distal axis is unaffected in early embryonic stages whereas the initiation of gastrulation is disturbed shown by the expression pattern of even skipped homeotic gene 1 and fibroblast growth factor 8 in Lmbrd1 deficient mice. We conclude that intact function of LMBD1 is essential for the initiation of gastrulation.
Insulin‐like growth factors and their potential role in cardiac epigenetics
Authors: Iosef Husted Cristiana , Valencik Maria 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) constitutes a major public health threat worldwide, accounting for 17.3 million deaths annually. Heart disease and stroke account for the majority of healthcare costs in the developed world. While much has been accomplished in understanding the pathophysiology, molecular biology and genetics underlying the diagnosis and treatment of CVD, we know less about the role of epigenetics and their molecular determinants. The impact of environmental changes and epigenetics in CVD is now emerging as critically important in understanding the origin of disease and the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevention and treatment. This review focuses on the emerging role of epigenetics mediated by insulin like‐growth factors‐I and ‐II in major CVDs such as heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy and diabetes.
miR‐149 controls non‐alcoholic fatty liver by targeting FGF‐21
Authors: Xiao Junjie , Lv Dongchao , Zhao Yingying , Chen Xiaoyu , Song Meiyi , Liu Jingqi , Bei Yihua , Wang Fei , Yang Wenzhuo , Yang Changqing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by the accumulation of intrahepatic fat, has emerged as a global public health problem. However, its underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. We previously have found that miR‐149 was elevated in NAFLD induced by high‐fat diet mice model, whereas decreased by a 16‐week running programme. Here, we reported that miR‐149 was increased in HepG2 cells treated with long‐chain fatty acid (FFA). In addition, miR‐149 was able to promote lipogenesis in HepG2 cells in the absence of FFA treatment. Moreover, inhibition of miR‐149 was capable of inhibiting lipogenesis in HepG2 cells in the presence of FFA treatment. Meanwhile, fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF‐21) was identified as a target gene of miR‐149, which was demonstrated by the fact that miR‐149 could negatively regulate the protein expression level of FGF‐21, and FGF‐21 was also responsible for the effect of miR‐149 inhibitor in decreasing lipogenesis in HepG2 cells in the presence of FFA treatment. These data implicate that miR‐149 might be a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD.
Minocycline attenuates post‐operative cognitive impairment in aged mice by inhibiting microglia activation
Authors: Wang Hui‐Lin , Liu Hua , Xue Zhang‐Gang , Liao Qing‐Wu , Fang Hao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAlthough it is known that isoflurane exposure or surgery leads to post‐operative cognitive dysfunction in aged rodents, there are few clinical interventions and treatments available to prevent this disorder. Minocycline (MINO) produces neuroprotection from several neurodegenerative diseases and various experimental animal models. Therefore, we set out to investigate the effects of MINO pre‐treatment on isoflurane or surgery induced cognitive impairment in aged mice by assessing the hippocampal‐dependent spatial memory performance using the Morris water maze task. Hippocampal tissues were isolated from mice and evaluated by Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence procedures and protein array system. Our results elucidate that MINO down‐regulated the isoflurane‐induced and surgery‐induced enhancement in the protein levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)‐1β, interferon‐γ and microglia marker Iba‐1, and up‐regulated protein levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4 and IL‐10. These findings suggest that pre‐treatment with MINO attenuated isoflurane or surgery induced cognitive impairment by inhibiting the overactivation of microglia in aged mice.
The EU Convergence Machine at Work. To the Benefit of the EU's Poorest Citizens?
Authors: Goedemé Tim , Collado Diego 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSocial cohesion in the EU (European Union) is usually assessed on the basis of GDP per capita and relative poverty rates. These indicators show that the ‘European convergence machine’ led to greater social cohesion between old and new Member States (EU‐15 and NMS) until the onset of the crisis. In this article we offer an alternative perspective by directly comparing EU citizens’ disposable household incomes. Using four waves of EU‐SILC data, we explore what happened between 2005 and 2011 in the EU‐15 and NMS regarding changes in the lowest household incomes in relation to the EU‐wide median. Results show that, overall, the convergence machine seemed to work well for the lowest incomes in the NMS, but not so much for those living in the EU‐15. At the same time, differences in living standards remain quite large. This points to important continued challenges for EU policy initiatives in the social domain.
Deposition of elafin in the involved vascular wall of neutrophil‐mediated cutaneous vasculitis
Authors: Muto J. , Fujimoto N. , Ono K. , Kobayashi T. , Chen K.R. , Suzuki S. , Wachi H. , Tajima S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundNeutrophil elastase plays an important role in skin inflammation induced by neutrophil infiltration. Elafin is an inducible elastase inhibitor expressed by keratinocytes, and is known to be involved in pathogenesis of neutrophilic skin disorders such as psoriasis.MethodsImmunohistochemical studies of elafin expression in the cases of vasculitis were performed. Induction of elafin expression in cultured vascular cells and its effect on neutrophil migration were studied in vitro.ResultsA positive immunoreactivity was detected in polyarteritis nodosa, giant cell arteritis and Schönlein–Henoch purpura, but no immunoreactivity was found in Churg–Strauss syndrome. Elafin expression in cultured venous endothelial cells and arterial smooth muscle cells was undetectable, but induced by interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐8. Elafin inhibited the elastin peptide‐induced neutrophil chemotaxis at the concentration of 10−8–10−5 mol/L.ConclusionElafin deposition induced by cytokines (IL‐1β or IL‐8) will be an important regulator for the progress of leucocytoclastic vasculitis by functioning as an inhibitor for neutrophil chemotaxis as well as for vascular elastin degradation.
Beyond animals and plants: dynamic maternal effects in the fungusNeurospora crassa
Authors: Zimmerman K. C. K. , Levitis D. A. , Pringle A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMaternal effects are widely documented in animals and plants, but not in fungi or other eukaryotes. A principal cause of maternal effects is asymmetrical parental investment in a zygote, creating greater maternal vs. paternal influence on offspring phenotypes. Asymmetrical investments are not limited to animals and plants, but are also prevalent in fungi and groups including apicomplexans, dinoflagellates and red algae. Evidence suggesting maternal effects among fungi is sparse and anecdotal. In an experiment designed to test for maternal effects across sexual reproduction in the model fungusNeurospora crassa, we measured offspring phenotypes from crosses of all possible pairs of 22 individuals. Crosses encompassed reciprocals of 11 mating‐type ‘A’ and 11 mating‐type ‘a’ wild strains. After controlling for the genetic and geographic distances between strains in any individual cross, we found strong evidence for maternal control of perithecia (sporocarp) production, as well as maternal effects on spore numbers and spore germination. However, both parents exert equal influence on the percentage of spores that are pigmented and size of pigmented spores. We propose a model linking the stage‐specific presence or absence of maternal effects to cellular developmental processes: effects appear to be mediated primarily through the maternal cytoplasm, and, after spore cell walls form, maternal influence on spore development is limited. Maternal effects in fungi, thus far largely ignored, are likely to shape species' evolution and ecologies. Moreover, the association of anisogamy and maternal effects in a fungus suggests maternal effects may also influence the biology of other anisogamous eukaryotes.
People‐centred health systems, a bottom‐up approach: where theory meets empery
Authors: Sturmberg Joachim P , Njoroge Alice 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackground and methodsHealth systems are complex and constantly adapt to changing demands. These complex‐adaptive characteristics are rarely considered in the current bureaucratic top‐down approaches to health system reforms aimed to constrain demand and expenditure growth. The economic focus fails to address the needs of patients, providers and communities, and ultimately results in declining effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system as well as the health of the wider community. A needs‐focused complex‐adaptive health system can be represented by the ‘healthcare vortex’ model; how to build a needs‐focused complex‐adaptive health system is illustrated by Eastern Deanery AIDS Relief Program approaches in the poor neighbourhoods of Nairobi, Kenya.Findings and conclusionsA small group of nurses and community health workers focused on the care of terminally ill HIV/AIDS patients. This work identified additional problems: tuberculosis (TB) was underdiagnosed and undertreated, a local TB‐technician was trained to run a local lab, a courier services helped to reach all at need, collaboration with the Ministry of Health established local TB and HIV treatment programmes and philanthropists helped to supplement treatment with nutrition support. Maternal‐to‐child HIV‐prevention and adolescent counselling services addressed additional needs.The ‘theory of the healthcare vortex’ indeed matches the ‘empery of the real world experiences’. Locally developed and delivered adaptive, people‐centred health systems, a bottom‐up community and provider initiated approach, deliver highly effective and sustainable health care despite significant resource constraints.
Influence of Color Education and Training on Shade Matching Skills
Authors: Ristic Ivan , Stankovic Sasa , Paravina Rade D 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the influence of education and training on quality of tooth color matching.Material and MethodsDental students (N = 174), matched the color of eight shade tabs in a viewing booth, using VITA Linearguide 3D‐Master shade guide. The experimental group had color education and training between the before and after session. The control group did not have any additional information in between two sessions. Color differences between the task tabs and selected tabs were calculated using CIE formulas. The score for the best match (smallest color difference) was 10 points, the 2nd best match 9 points, down to 1 point for the 10th best match. Means and standard deviations were calculated. Differences were analyzed using the Student t‐test.ResultsShade matching scores in the experimental group were significantly better after education and training (p < 0.001), with a mean score before and after shade matching sessions of 7.06 (1.19) and 8.43 (0.92), respectively. The percentage of students in the experimental group that selected one of three best matches increased 24.3%. The control group exhibited no significant improvement in the after session.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of the study, education and training improved students’ shade matching skills.Clinical SignificanceWhile the vast majority of dental restorations and practically all restorations in the esthetic zone are tooth colored, the profession as a whole is far from perfect when it comes to accurate shade matching. Education and training can improve shade matching ability: enhanced esthetics of dental restorations, increased patient satisfaction, and a reduced number of color corrections are some of the notable benefits and rewards. (J Esthet Restor Dent 00:000–000, 2016) J Esthet Restor Dent 28:287–294, 2016)
Trachyrhizium urniformis n. g., n. sp., a Novel Marine Filose Thecate Amoeba Related to a Cercozoan Environmental Clade (Novel Clade 4)
Authors: Shiratori Takashi , Ishida Ken‐ichiro 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA novel cercozoan filose thecate amoeba, Trachyrhizium urniformis n. g., n. sp., was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected at Agenashiku Island, Okinawa, Japan. We performed light and electron microscopic observations, and a molecular phylogenetic analysis using the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the isolate. Cells of T. urniformis are spherical in shape and are covered by a thin theca possessing a wide rounded aperture. Branching and occasionally anastomosing filopodia with small granules emerge from the aperture. The granules are transported in the filopodia bidirectionally. Transmission electron microscopy showed that cells of T. urniformis possess nucleus with permanently condensed chromatin, Golgi apparatuses, microbodies, mitochondria with tubular cristae, and extrusomes. Several morphological and ultrastructural features of T. urniformis (the presence of thecae and nucleus with permanently condensed chromatin) show similarities with those of Thecofilosea. In a phylogenetic analysis, T. urniformis included in Thecofilosea with weak statistical supports and formed a clade with two sequences that constitutes a cercozoan environmental clade, novel clade 4. On the basis of morphological and ultrastructural information and the results of the phylogenetic analysis, we propose T. urniformis as a new member of class Thecofilosea.
Next‐Generation Sequencing Assessment of Eukaryotic Diversity in Oil Sands Tailings Ponds Sediments and Surface Water
Authors: Aguilar Maria , Richardson Elisabeth , Tan BoonFei , Walker Giselle , Dunfield Peter F. , Bass David , Nesbø Camilla , Foght Julia , Dacks Joel B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTailings ponds in the Athabasca oil sands (Canada) contain fluid wastes, generated by the extraction of bitumen from oil sands ores. Although the autochthonous prokaryotic communities have been relatively well characterized, almost nothing is known about microbial eukaryotes living in the anoxic soft sediments of tailings ponds or in the thin oxic layer of water that covers them. We carried out the first next‐generation sequencing study of microbial eukaryotic diversity in oil sands tailings ponds. In metagenomes prepared from tailings sediment and surface water, we detected very low numbers of sequences encoding eukaryotic small subunit ribosomal RNA representing seven major taxonomic groups of protists. We also produced and analysed three amplicon‐based 18S rRNA libraries prepared from sediment samples. These revealed a more diverse set of taxa, 169 different OTUs encompassing up to eleven higher order groups of eukaryotes, according to detailed classification using homology searching and phylogenetic methods. The 10 most abundant OTUs accounted for > 90% of the total of reads, vs. large numbers of rare OTUs (< 1% abundance). Despite the anoxic and hydrocarbon‐enriched nature of the environment, the tailings ponds harbour complex communities of microbial eukaryotes indicating that these organisms should be taken into account when studying the microbiology of the oil sands.