bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amygdalar expression of the microRNA miR‐101a and its target Ezh2 contribute to rodent anxiety‐like behaviour
Authors: Cohen Joshua L. , Jackson Nateka L. , Ballestas Mary E. , Webb William M. , Lubin Farah D. , Clinton Sarah M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA greater understanding of neural mechanisms contributing to anxiety is needed in order to develop better therapeutic interventions. This study interrogates a novel molecular mechanism that shapes anxiety‐like behaviour, demonstrating that the microRNA miR‐101a‐3p and its target, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) in the amygdala, contribute to rodent anxiety‐like behaviour. We utilized rats that were selectively bred for differences in emotionality and stress reactivity, showing that high‐novelty‐responding (HR) rats, which display low trait anxiety, have lower miR‐101a‐3p levels in the amygdala compared to low‐novelty‐responding (LR) rats that characteristically display high trait anxiety. To determine whether there is a causal relationship between amygdalar miR‐101a‐3p and anxiety behaviour, we used a viral approach to overexpress miR‐101a‐3p in the amygdala of HR rats and test whether it would increase their typically low levels of anxiety‐like behaviour. We found that increasing miR‐101a‐3p in the amygdala increased HRs' anxiety‐like behaviour in the open‐field test and elevated plus maze. Viral‐mediated miR‐101a‐3p overexpression also reduced expression of the histone methyltransferase Ezh2, which mediates gene silencing via trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Knockdown of Ezh2 with short‐interfering RNA (siRNA) also increased HRs' anxiety‐like behaviour, but to a lesser degree than miR‐101a‐3p overexpression. Overall, our data demonstrate that increasing miR‐101a‐3p expression in the amygdala increases anxiety‐like behaviour and that this effect is at least partially mediated via repression of Ezh2. This work adds to the growing body of evidence implicating miRNAs and epigenetic regulation as molecular mediators of anxiety behaviour.
No need to shout: Effect of signal loudness on sibling communication in barn owls Tyto alba
Authors: Dreiss Amélie N. , Ducouret Pauline , Ruppli Charlène A. , Rossier Virginie , Hernandez Lucile , Falourd Xavier , Marmaroli Patrick , Cazau Dorian , Lissek Hervé , Roulin Alexandre 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn animal communication, signal loudness is often ignored and seldom measured. We used a playback experiment to examine the role of vocal loudness (i.e., sound pressure level) in sibling to sibling communication of nestling barn owls Tyto alba. In this species, siblings vocally negotiate among each other for priority access to parental food resources. Call rate and call duration play key roles in this vocal communication system, with the most vocal nestlings deterring their siblings from competing for access to the food item next delivered by parents. Here, we broadcast calls at different loudness levels and call rate to live nestlings. The loudness of playback calls did not affect owlets' investment in call rate, call duration or call loudness. The rate at which playback calls were broadcast affected owlets' call rate but did not influence their response in terms of loudness. This suggests that selection for producing loud signals may be weak in this species, as loud calls may attract predators. Moreover, given that owlets do not overlap their calls and that they communicate to nearby siblings in the silence of the night, loud signals may not be necessary to convey reliable information about food need.
Personality and fitness consequences of flight initiation distance and mating behavior in subdominant male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
Authors: Strong Justin S. , Weladji Robert B. , Holand Øystein , Røed Knut H. , Nieminen Mauri 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAnimal personality has been studied extensively in recent years, yet multidimensionality in tendencies of risk‐related behavior, and the role of such consistency from a mating tactics perspective, is yet to be investigated. We used a semi‐domesticated herd of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) to examine individual subdominant male propensity to risk mating attempts on guarded females, as well as flight initiation distance (FID), within the personality paradigm to elucidate potential fitness consequences of consistency from an adaptive perspective. Data were collected at the Kutuharju Reindeer Research Station in Kaamanen, Finland, where measures of personality were generated using field observation data based on the relative frequency of dominant male–subdominant male agonistic interactions over 4 years and subdominant males' FID measured over 1 year. Individual propensity for transient mating attempts was not significantly repeatable and did not significantly predict reproductive success or somatic cost during the mating season. Individuals varied consistently in FID, and although repeatable, FID was not related to reproductive success or somatic cost. Proximate state‐dependent or social mechanisms may be driving decision‐making with respect to mating effort, whereas consistent between‐individual differences in FID may be maintained by mechanisms unrelated to life‐history trade‐offs involving productivity.
Toward a mechanistic understanding of vulnerability to hook‐and‐line fishing: Boldness as the basic target of angling‐induced selection
Authors: Klefoth Thomas , Skov Christian , Kuparinen Anna , Arlinghaus Robert 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn passively operated fishing gear, boldness‐related behaviors should fundamentally affect the vulnerability of individual fish and thus be under fisheries selection. To test this hypothesis, we used juvenile common‐garden reared carp (Cyprinus carpio) within a narrow size range to investigate the mechanistic basis of behavioral selection caused by angling. We focused on one key personality trait (i.e., boldness), measured in groups within ponds, two morphological traits (body shape and head shape), and one life‐history trait (juvenile growth capacity) and studied mean standardized selection gradients caused by angling. Carp behavior was highly repeatable within ponds. In the short term, over seven days of fishing, total length, not boldness, was the main predictor of angling vulnerability. However, after 20 days of fishing, boldness turned out to be the main trait under selection, followed by juvenile growth rate, while morphological traits were only weakly related to angling vulnerability. In addition, we found juvenile growth rate to be moderately correlated with boldness. Hence, direct selection on boldness will also induce indirect selection on juvenile growth and vice versa, but given that the two traits are not perfectly correlated, independent evolution of both traits is also possible. Our study is among the first to mechanistically reveal that energy‐acquisition‐related behaviors, and not growth rate per se, are key factors determining the probability of capture, and hence, behavioral traits appear to be the prime targets of angling selection. We predict an evolutionary response toward increased shyness in intensively angling‐exploited fish stocks, possibly causing the emergence of a timidity syndrome.
Ecoviability for ecosystem‐based fisheries management
Authors: Doyen Luc , Béné Christophe , Bertignac Michel , Blanchard Fabian , Cissé Abdoul Ahad , Dichmont Catherine , Gourguet Sophie , Guyader Olivier , Hardy Pierre‐Yves , Jennings Sarah , Little Lorne Richard , Macher Claire , Mills David Jonathan , Noussair Ahmed , Pascoe Sean , Pereau Jean‐Christophe , Sanz Nicolas , Schwarz Anne‐Maree , Smith Tony , Thébaud Olivier 
Published: June 2017

AbstractReconciling food security, economic development and biodiversity conservation is a key challenge, especially in the face of the demographic transition characterizing many countries in the world. Fisheries and marine ecosystems constitute a difficult application of this bio‐economic challenge. Many experts and scientists advocate an ecosystem approach to manage marine socio‐ecosystems for their sustainability and resilience. However, the ways by which to operationalize ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) remain poorly specified. We propose a specific methodological framework—viability modelling—to do so. We show how viability modelling can be applied using four contrasted case‐studies: two small‐scale fisheries in South America and Pacific and two larger‐scale fisheries in Europe and Australia. The four fisheries are analysed using the same modelling framework, structured around a set of common methods, indicators and scenarios. The calibrated models are dynamic, multispecies and multifleet and account for various sources of uncertainty. A multicriteria evaluation is used to assess the scenarios’ outcomes over a long time horizon with different constraints based on ecological, social and economic reference points. Results show to what extent the bio‐economic and ecosystem risks associated with the adoption of status quo strategies are relatively high and challenge the implementation ofEBFM. In contrast, strategies called ecoviability or co‐viability strategies, that aim at satisfying the viability constraints, reduce significantly these ecological and economic risks and promoteEBFM. The gains associated with those ecoviability strategies, however, decrease with the intensity of regulations imposed on these fisheries.
Symbiotic soil fungi enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change
Authors: Martínez‐García Laura B. , De Deyn Gerlinde B. , Pugnaire Francisco I. , Kothamasi David , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSubstantial amounts of nutrients are lost from soils through leaching. These losses can be environmentally damaging, causing groundwater eutrophication and also comprise an economic burden in terms of lost agricultural production. More intense precipitation events caused by climate change will likely aggravate this problem. So far it is unresolved to which extent soil biota can make ecosystems more resilient to climate change and reduce nutrient leaching losses when rainfall intensity increases. In this study, we focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, common soil fungi that form symbiotic associations with most land plants and which increase plant nutrient uptake. We hypothesized that AM fungi mitigate nutrient losses following intensive precipitation events (higher amount of precipitation and rain events frequency). To test this, we manipulated the presence of AM fungi in model grassland communities subjected to two rainfall scenarios: moderate and high rainfall intensity. The total amount of nutrients lost through leaching increased substantially with higher rainfall intensity. The presence of AM fungi reduced phosphorus losses by 50% under both rainfall scenarios and nitrogen losses by 40% under high rainfall intensity. Thus, the presence of AM fungi enhanced the nutrient interception ability of soils, and AM fungi reduced the nutrient leaching risk when rainfall intensity increases. These findings are especially relevant in areas with high rainfall intensity (e.g., such as the tropics) and for ecosystems that will experience increased rainfall due to climate change. Overall, this work demonstrates that soil biota such as AM fungi can enhance ecosystem resilience and reduce the negative impact of increased precipitation on nutrient losses.
Linkages of plant stoichiometry to ecosystem production and carbon fluxes with increasing nitrogen inputs in an alpine steppe
Authors: Peng Yunfeng , Li Fei , Zhou Guoying , Fang Kai , Zhang Dianye , Li Changbin , Yang Guibiao , Wang Guanqin , Wang Jun , Yang Yuanhe 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUnprecedented levels of nitrogen (N) have entered terrestrial ecosystems over the past century, which substantially influences the carbon (C) exchange between the atmosphere and biosphere. Temperature and moisture are generally regarded as the major controllers over the N effects on ecosystem C uptake and release. N‐phosphorous (P) stoichiometry regulates the growth and metabolisms of plants and soil organisms, thereby affecting many ecosystem C processes. However, it remains unclear how the N‐induced shift in the plant N:P ratio affects ecosystem production and C fluxes and its relative importance. We conducted a field manipulative experiment with eight N addition levels in a Tibetan alpine steppe and assessed the influences of N on aboveground net primary production (ANPP), gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE); we used linear mixed‐effects models to further determine the relative contributions of various factors to the N‐induced changes in these parameters. Our results showed that the ANPP, GEP, ER, and NEE all exhibited nonlinear responses to increasing N additions. Further analysis demonstrated that the plant N:P ratio played a dominate role in shaping these C exchange processes. There was a positive relationship between the N‐induced changes in ANPP (ΔANPP) and the plant N:P ratio (ΔN:P), whereas the ΔGEP, ΔER, and ΔNEE exhibited quadratic correlations with the ΔN:P. In contrast, soil temperature and moisture were only secondary predictors for the changes in ecosystem production and C fluxes along the N addition gradient. These findings highlight the importance of plant N:P ratio in regulating ecosystem C exchange, which is crucial for improving our understanding of C cycles under the scenarios of global N enrichment.
Land‐use strategies to balance livestock production, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage in Yucatán, Mexico
Authors: Williams David R , Alvarado Fredy , Green Rhys E , Manica Andrea , Phalan Ben , Balmford Andrew 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBalancing the production of food, particularly meat, with preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services is a major societal challenge. Research into the contrasting strategies of land sparing and land sharing has suggested that land sparing—combining high‐yield agriculture with the protection or restoration of natural habitats on nonfarmed land—will have lower environmental impacts than other strategies. Ecosystems with long histories of habitat disturbance, however, could be resilient to low‐yield agriculture and thus fare better under land sharing. Using a wider suite of species (birds, dung beetles and trees) and a wider range of livestock‐production systems than previous studies, we investigated the probable impacts of different land‐use strategies on biodiversity and aboveground carbon stocks in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico—a region with a long history of habitat disturbance. By modelling the production of multiple products from interdependent land uses, we found that land sparing would allow larger estimated populations of most species and larger carbon stocks to persist than would land sharing or any intermediate strategy. This result held across all agricultural production targets despite the history of disturbance and despite species richness in low‐ and medium‐yielding agriculture being not much lower than that in natural habitats. This highlights the importance, in evaluating the biodiversity impacts of land use, of measuring population densities of individual species, rather than simple species richness. The benefits of land sparing for both biodiversity and carbon storage suggest that safeguarding natural habitats for biodiversity protection and carbon storage alongside promoting areas of high‐yield cattle production would be desirable. However, delivering such landscapes will probably require the explicit linkage of livestock yield increases with habitat protection or restoration, as well as a deeper understanding of the long‐term sustainability of yields, and research into how other societal outcomes vary across land‐use strategies.
Dielectric and AC conductivity studies of novel porous armalcolite nanocomposite‐based humidity sensor
Authors: Tripathy Ashis , Pramanik Sumit , Manna Ayan , Radzi Zamri , Abu Osman Noor Azuan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractArmalcolite, a current motivated rare earth ceramic usually available in the moon, had been used for the first time, as dielectric‐type humidity sensors. The armalcolite nanocomposite was prepared using multistep solid‐state sintering under high pressure and a high‐sensitive dielectric sensor was developed for humidity controlling applications. Different concerning phases developed by the proper sintering were analyzed precisely by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At 100 Hz frequency, the obtained dielectric constant was 24 times greater at 95% relative humidity (RH) as compared to 33% RH. The armalcolite‐based sensor showed lower hysteresis (<3.5%), good stability, and faster response (~18 seconds) and recovery (~35 seconds) times compared to conventional humidity sensors. The sensing mechanism of the nanocomposite was categorically determined by the analyzed characteristics parameters such as dielectric constants, normalized loss tangent, and alternating current conductivity properties. This study also confirmed that the whole conduction mechanism was accomplished by electrons or ions and dipoles in the entire RH range. Therefore, the present armalcolite‐based porous nanocomposite would be a potential sensing material for novel humidity sensors.
Using multimedia for e‐learning
Authors: Mayer R.E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper reviews 12 research‐based principles for how to design computer‐based multimedia instructional materials to promote academic learning, starting with the multimedia principle (yielding a median effect size of d = 1.67 based on five experimental comparisons), which holds that people learn better from computer‐based instruction containing words and graphics rather than words alone. Principles aimed at reducing extraneous processing (i.e., cognitive processing that is unrelated to the instructional objective) include coherence (d = 0.70), signalling (d = 0.46), redundancy (d = 0.87), spatial contiguity (d = 0.79) and temporal contiguity (d = 1.30). Principles for managing essential processing (i.e., mentally representing the essential material) include segmenting (d = 0.70), pre‐training (d = 0.46) and modality (d = 0.72). Principles for fostering generative processing (i.e., cognitive processing aimed at making sense of the material) include personalization (d = 0.79), voice (d = 0.74) and embodiment (d = 0.36). Some principles have boundary conditions, such as being stronger for low‐ rather than high‐knowledge learners.
Obesity and the diagnostic accuracy for primary aldosteronism
Authors: Tirosh Amit , Hannah‐Shmouni Fady , Lyssikatos Charalampos , Belyavskaya Elena , Zilbermint Mihail , Abraham Smita B. , Lodish Maya B. , Stratakis Constantine A. 
Published: June 2017

The effects of body mass index on the diagnostic accuracy of primary aldosteronism (PA) are inconsistent and yet important considering the high prevalence and frequent co‐occurrence of obesity and hypertension. The current study included 59 adult patients who underwent a stepwise evaluation for PA, using aldosterone to renin ratio for case detection and plasma aldosterone concentration after saline suppression test and/or 24‐hour urinary aldosterone after oral sodium loading for case confirmation. Body mass index had a quadratic (U‐shaped) correlation with plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, aldosterone to renin ratio, and plasma aldosterone concentration after saline suppression test. Among patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, the aldosterone to renin ratio yielded lower case detection accuracy of PA. We conclude that obesity results in a nonlinear correlation with plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone to renin ratio, which affects the accuracy of case detection for PA. Patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 are less accurately identified as having PA when saline suppression and/or oral salt loading tests are used for case confirmation.
The role of recombination in evolutionary adaptation of Escherichia coli to a novel nutrient
Authors: Chu H.‐Y. , Sprouffske K. , Wagner A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe benefits and detriments of recombination for adaptive evolution have been studied both theoretically and experimentally, with conflicting predictions and observations. Most pertinent experiments examine recombination's effects in an unchanging environment and do not study its genomewide effects. Here, we evolved six replicate populations of either highly recombining R+ or lowly recombining R− E. coli strains in a changing environment, by introducing the novel nutrients L‐arabinose or indole into the environment. The experiment's ancestral strains are not viable on these nutrients, but 130 generations of adaptive evolution were sufficient to render them viable. Recombination conferred a more pronounced advantage to populations adapting to indole. To study the genomic changes associated with this advantage, we sequenced the genomes of 384 clones isolated from selected replicates at the end of the experiment. These genomes harbour complex changes that range from point mutations to large‐scale DNA amplifications. Among several candidate adaptive mutations, those in the tryptophanase regulator tnaC stand out, because the tna operon in which it resides has a known role in indole metabolism. One of the highly recombining populations also shows a significant excess of large‐scale segmental DNA amplifications that include the tna operon. This lineage also shows a unique and potentially adaptive combination of point mutations and DNA amplifications that may have originated independently from one another, to be joined later by recombination. Our data illustrate that the advantages of recombination for adaptive evolution strongly depend on the environment and that they can be associated with complex genomic changes.
Temporal improvement in survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a hepatitis B virus‐endemic population
Authors: Kim Bo Hyun , Lim Young‐Suk , Kim Eun‐Yang , Kong Hyun‐Joo , Won Young‐Joo , Han Seungbong , Park Sohee , Hwang Jae Seok 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackground and AimOver the past decade, the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and viral hepatitis has been improved. We explored survival trends and factors affecting survival of HCC in a hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐endemic population.MethodsFrom 31 521 and 38 167 HCC registrants to the population‐based national cancer registry in Korea, an HBV‐endemic country, in the period of 2003–2005 and 2008–2010, we randomly sampled cohorts of 4515 and 4582 patients, respectively, for the investigation of clinical characteristics and survival.ResultsCompared with Cohort 2003–2005, Cohort 2008–2010 had significantly better liver function (Child–Turcotte–Pugh class A, 64.2% vs 71.6%; P < 0.001) and had more advanced tumor stages (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B–D, 45.8% vs 50.4%; P < 0.001). HBV was the predominant cause of HCC in both cohorts (62.5% vs 62.2%; P = 0.70). Cohort 2008–2010 had significantly better overall survival than Cohort 2003–2005 by age‐adjusted univariate, multivariable, and propensity score‐matched analyses (median survival time, 17.2 vs 28.4 months; P < 0.001). In a subcohort analysis, a consistently significant inter‐cohort improvement in survival was observed only in patients with HBV‐related HCC (median survival, 16.1 vs 30.4 months; P < 0.001). The annual number of patients with HCC receiving oral antiviral agents for HBV precipitously increased from 93 in 2005 to 28 520 in 2010 in the country.ConclusionsThe consistent improvement in survival of patients with HCC was confined to HBV‐related HCC subcohort over the last decade in an HBV‐endemic population. The survival improvement coincided with the exponential use of oral antiviral agents for HBV in the patients.