bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photographic identification of individuals of a free‐ranging, small terrestrial vertebrate
Authors: Treilibs Claire E. , Pavey Chris R. , Hutchinson Mark N. , Bull C. Michael 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRecognition of individuals within an animal population is central to a range of estimates about population structure and dynamics. However, traditional methods of distinguishing individuals, by some form of physical marking, often rely on capture and handling which may affect aspects of normal behavior. Photographic identification has been used as a less‐invasive alternative, but limitations in both manual and computer‐automated recognition of individuals are particularly problematic for smaller taxa (<500 g). In this study, we explored the use of photographic identification for individuals of a free‐ranging, small terrestrial reptile using (a) independent observers, and (b) automated matching with the Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S Pattern) computer algorithm. We tested the technique on individuals of an Australian skink in the Egernia group, Slater's skink Liopholis slateri, whose natural history and varied scale markings make it a potentially suitable candidate for photo‐identification. From ‘photographic captures’ of skink head profiles, we designed a multi‐choice key based on alternate character states and tested the abilities of observers — with or without experience in wildlife survey — to identify individuals using categorized test photos. We also used the I3S Pattern algorithm to match the same set of test photos against a database of 30 individuals. Experienced observers identified a significantly higher proportion of photos correctly (74%) than those with no experience (63%) while the I3S software correctly matched 67% as the first ranked match and 83% of images in the top five ranks. This study is one of the first to investigate photo identification with a free‐ranging small vertebrate. The method demonstrated here has the potential to be applied to the developing field of camera‐traps for wildlife survey and thus a wide range of survey and monitoring applications.
Evolution of tail fork depth in genusHirundo
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru , Arai Emi , Kutsukake Nobuyuki 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA classic example of a sexually selected trait, the deep fork tail of the barn swallowHirundo rusticais now claimed to have evolved and be maintained mainly via aerodynamic advantage rather than sexually selected advantage. However, this aerodynamic advantage hypothesis does not clarify which flight habits select for/against deep fork tails, causing diversity of tail fork depth in hirundines. Here, by focusing on the genusHirundo, we investigated whether the large variation in tail fork depth could be explained by the differential flight habits. Using a phylogenetic comparative approach, we found that migrant species had deeper fork tails, but less colorful plumage, than the other species, indicating that migration favors a specific trait, deep fork tails. At the same time, tail fork depth but not plumage coloration decreased with increasing bill size – a proxy of prey size, suggesting that foraging on larger prey items favors shallower fork tails. Variation of tail fork depth in the genusHirundomay be explained by differential flight habits, even without assuming sexual selection.
Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on whole‐plant respiration and thermal acclimation of tropical tree seedlings
Authors: Fahey Catherine , Winter Klaus , Slot Martijn , Kitajima Kaoru 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSymbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous in tropical forests. AMF play a role in the forest carbon cycle because they can increase nutrient acquisition and biomass of host plants, but also incur a carbon cost to the plant. Through their interactions with their host plants they have the potential to affect how plants respond to environmental perturbation such as global warming. Our objective was to experimentally determine how plant respiration rates and responses to warmer environment are affected by AMF colonization in seedlings of five tropical tree species at the whole plant level. We evaluated the interaction between AMF colonization and temperature on plant respiration against four possible outcomes; acclimation does or does not occur regardless of AMF, or AMF can increase or decrease respiratory acclimation. Seedlings were inoculated with AMF spores or sterilized inoculum and grown at ambient or elevated nighttime temperature. We measured whole plant and belowground respiration rates, as well as plant growth and biomass allocation. There was an overall increase in whole plant, root, and shoot respiration rate with AMF colonization, whereas temperature acclimation varied among species, showing support for three of the four possible responses. The influence of AMF colonization on growth and allocation also varied among plant species. This study shows that the effect of AMF colonization on acclimation differs among plant species. Given the cosmopolitan nature of AMF and the importance of plant acclimation for predicting climate feedbacks a better understanding of the patterns and mechanisms of acclimation is essential for improving predictions of how climate warming may influence vegetation feedbacks.
Gillespie eco‐evolutionary models (GEMs) reveal the role of heritable trait variation in eco‐evolutionary dynamics
Authors: DeLong John P. , Gibert Jean P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHeritable trait variation is a central and necessary ingredient of evolution. Trait variation also directly affects ecological processes, generating a clear link between evolutionary and ecological dynamics. Despite the changes in variation that occur through selection, drift, mutation, and recombination, current eco‐evolutionary models usually fail to track how variation changes through time. Moreover, eco‐evolutionary models assume fitness functions for each trait and each ecological context, which often do not have empirical validation. We introduce a new type of model, Gillespie eco‐evolutionary models (GEMs), that resolves these concerns by tracking distributions of traits through time as eco‐evolutionary dynamics progress. This is done by allowing change to be driven by the direct fitness consequences of model parameters within the context of the underlying ecological model, without having to assume a particular fitness function. GEMs work by adding a trait distribution component to the standard Gillespie algorithm – an approach that models stochastic systems in nature that are typically approximated through ordinary differential equations. We illustrate GEMs with the Rosenzweig–MacArthur consumer–resource model. We show not only how heritable trait variation fuels trait evolution and influences eco‐evolutionary dynamics, but also how the erosion of variation through time may hinder eco‐evolutionary dynamics in the long run. GEMs can be developed for any parameter in any ordinary differential equation model and, furthermore, can enable modeling of multiple interacting traits at the same time. We expect GEMs will open the door to a new direction in eco‐evolutionary and evolutionary modeling by removing long‐standing modeling barriers, simplifying the link between traits, fitness, and dynamics, and expanding eco‐evolutionary treatment of a greater diversity of ecological interactions. These factors make GEMs much more than a modeling advance, but an important conceptual advance that bridges ecology and evolution through the central concept of heritable trait variation.
Dispersal, niche, and isolation processes jointly explain species turnover patterns of nonvolant small mammals in a large mountainous region of China
Authors: Wen Zhixin , Quan Qing , Du Yuanbao , Xia Lin , Ge Deyan , Yang Qisen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms that govern the spatial patterns of species turnover (beta diversity) has been one of the fundamental issues in biogeography. Species turnover is generally recognized as strong in mountainous regions, but the way in which different processes (dispersal, niche, and isolation) have shaped the spatial turnover patterns in mountainous regions remains largely unexplored. Here, we explore the directional and elevational patterns of species turnover for nonvolant small mammals in the Hengduan Mountains of southwest China and distinguish the relative roles of geographic distance, environmental distance, and geographic isolation on the patterns. The spatial turnover was assessed using the halving distance (km), which was the geographic distance that halved the similarity (Jaccard similarity) from its initial value. The halving distance was calculated for the linear, logarithmic, and exponential regression models between Jaccard similarity and geographic distance. We found that the east–west turnover is generally faster than the south–north turnover for high‐latitudinal regions in the Hengduan Mountains and that this pattern corresponds to the geographic structure of the major mountain ranges and rivers that mainly extend in a south–north direction. There is an increasing trend of turnover toward the higher‐elevation zones. Most of the variation in the Jaccard similarity could be explained by the pure effect of geographic distance and the joint effects of geographic distance, environmental distance, and average elevation difference. Our study indicates that dispersal, niche, and isolation processes are all important determinants of the spatial turnover patterns of nonvolant small mammals in the Hengduan Mountains. The spatial configuration of the landscape and geographic isolation can strongly influence the rate of species turnover in mountainous regions at multiple spatial scales.
Near‐collapse response of existing RC building under severe pulse‐type ground motion using hybrid simulation
Authors: Murray Justin A. , Sasani Mehrdad 
Published: January 2016

SummaryColumn shear‐axial failure is a complex response, which lends itself to physical experimentation. Reinforced concrete structures built prior to the mid‐1970s are particularly susceptible to such failure. Shear‐axial column failure has been examined and studied at the element level, but current rehabilitation practice equates such a column failure with structural collapse, neglecting the collapse resistance of the full structural system following column failure. This system‐level response can prevent a column failure from leading to progressive collapse of the entire structure. In this study, a hybrid simulation was conducted on a representative pre‐1970s reinforced concrete frame structure under severe seismic ground motion, in which three full‐scale reinforced concrete columns were tested at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. The analytical portion of the model was represented in the computer program OpenSees. Failure occurred in multiple physical specimens as a result of the ground motion, and the hybrid nature of the test allowed for observation of the system‐level response of the tested columns and the remaining structural system. The behavior of the system accounting for multiple column shear‐axial failure is discussed and characterized. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a Motivation and Psycho‐Educational Guided Self‐Help Intervention for People with Eating Disorders (MOPED)
Authors: Brewin Nicola , Wales Jackie , Cashmore Rebecca , Plateau Carolyn R , Dean Brett , Cousins Tara , Arcelus Jon 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHigh dropout rates and poor levels of engagement are well documented for patients with eating disorders. Utilising motivational techniques and providing psycho‐education have been suggested as ways to reduce treatment disengagement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a newly developed motivational and psycho‐educational (MOPED) guided self‐help intervention for people with eating disorders on engagement and retention in therapy. Patients who received MOPED pre‐treatment (n = 79) were compared with a diagnosis‐matched group of patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU; n = 79). The study found that patients receiving MOPED had a higher engagement rate than those within the TAU group. Specifically, patients in the anorexic spectrum were found to present with both higher rates of engagement and completion of therapy when issued with MOPED in comparison with TAU. Self‐help packages using motivational style could be a valuable and cost‐effective intervention for patients with eating disorders. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Comparison of Economic Evaluation Methods Across Low‐income, Middle‐income and High‐income Countries: What are the Differences and Why?
Authors: Griffiths Ulla Kou , Legood Rosa , Pitt Catherine 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThere are marked differences in methods used for undertaking economic evaluations across low‐income, middle‐income, and high‐income countries. We outline the most apparent dissimilarities and reflect on their underlying reasons. We randomly sampled 50 studies from each of three country income groups from a comprehensive database of 2844 economic evaluations published between January 2012 and May 2014. Data were extracted on ten methodological areas: (i) availability of guidelines; (ii) research questions; (iii) perspective; (iv) cost data collection methods; (v) cost data analysis; (vi) outcome measures; (vii) modelling techniques; (viii) cost‐effectiveness thresholds; (ix) uncertainty analysis; and (x) applicability. Comparisons were made across income groups and odds ratios calculated. Contextual heterogeneity rightly drives some of the differences identified. Other differences appear less warranted and may be attributed to variation in government health sector capacity, in health economics research capacity and in expectations of funders, journals and peer reviewers. By highlighting these differences, we seek to start a debate about the underlying reasons why they have occurred and to what extent the differences are conducive for methodological advancements. We suggest a number of specific areas in which researchers working in countries of differing environments could learn from one another. © 2016 The Authors.Health Economicspublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Discontinuous headwater stream networks with stable flowheads, Salmon River basin, Idaho
Authors: Whiting John A. , Godsey Sarah E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHeadwater streams expand, contract, and disconnect in response to seasonal moisture conditions or those related to individual precipitation events. The fluctuation of the surface flow extent, or active drainage network, reflects catchment storage characteristics and has important impacts on stream ecology; however, the hydrological mechanisms that drive this phenomenon are still uncertain. Here, we present field surveys of the active drainage networks of four headwater streams in Central Idaho's Frank Church‐River of No Return Wilderness (7–21 km2) spanning the spring and summer months of 2014. We report the total length of the active drainage networks, which varied as a power law function with stream discharge with an average exponent of 0.11 ± 0.03 (range of 0.05–0.20). Generally, these active drainage networks were less responsive to changes in discharge than many streams in past studies. We observed that the locations where surface flow originates, or flowheads, were often stable, and an average of 64% of the change in active drainage network length was explained by downstream discontinuities. Analysis of geologic and geomorphic characteristics of individual watersheds and flowheads suggests that most flowheads below approximately 2200 m are supported by stable flowpaths controlled by bedrock structure. At higher elevations, small accumulation areas and saturation of shallow and conductive soil and colluvium after snowmelt result in more mobile flowhead locations. The dynamics of active drainage networks can help illuminate the spatiotemporal structure of flowpaths supporting surface flow. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo and in situ imaging of controlled‐release dissolving silk microneedles into the skin by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Liu Ran , Zhang Mingtian , Jin Cuiyun 
Published: January 2016

Nowadays, transdermal drug delivery has become a hot topic with regard to delivery. Also, the percutaneous microneedle patch made of water‐soluble material makes this technique one step closer to clinical application. The process of the microneedle patch penetrates and dissolves in the animal skin can directly reflect the efficiency of drug delivery. Hence, it is important to reflect the situation of microneedles dissolution and drug release by in vivo and in situ imaging in real time. This paper's purpose is to use the means of OCT (optical coherence tomography) to realize assessment of dissolving microneedles delivery efficiency in vivo and in situ imaging. This is the first study to utilize OCT to observe the dissolving process of silk microneedles (SFM) in different carriers. Dissolving process es of silk fibroin microneedles in different carriers were captured by the OCT system. The solution rate of silk fibroin microneedles in water is rapid. It also has good solution in the skin of mouse in vivo. OCT is a noncontact, noninvasive imaging technique with high resolution, the detecting depth of which is generally 1–3 mm under the skin. OCT has great potential to observe the solution process of dissolving microneedles in the skin.
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Current investigations into magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Wei Jianrong , Aifantis Katerina E. , Fan Yubo , Feng Qingling , Cui Fu‐Zhai , Watari Fumio 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIt is generally recognized that nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties that are largely different from those of conventional materials, specifically the electromagnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). These properties have attracted many researchers to launch investigations into their potential biomedical applications, which have been reviewed in this article. First, common types of MNPs were briefly introduced. Then, the biomedical applications of MNPs were reviewed in seven parts: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cancer therapy, the delivery of drugs and genes, bone and dental repair, tissue engineering, biosensors, and in other aspects, which indicated that MNPs possess great potentials for many kinds of biomedical applications due to their unique properties. Although lots of achievements have been obtained, there is still a lot of work to do. New synthesis techniques and methods are still needed to develop the MNPs with satisfactory biocompatibility. More effective methods need to be exploited to prepare MNPs‐based composites with fine microstructures and high biomedical performances. Other promising research points include the development of more appropriate techniques of experiments both in vitro and in vivo to detect and analyze the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of MNPs and understand the possible influencing mechanism of the two properties. More comprehensive investigations into the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of composites containing MNPs with “core‐shell” structure and deeper understanding and further study into the properties of MNPs to reveal their new biomedical applications, are also described in the conclusion and perspectives part. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1285–1296, 2016.
Co‐cultured hBMSCs and HUVECs on human bio‐derived bone scaffolds provide support for the long‐term ex vivo culture of HSC/HPCs
Authors: Huang Xiaobing , Li Chenglong , Zhu Biao , Wang Hailian , Luo Xiangwei , Wei Lingling 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn order to closely mimic a multi‐cell state in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPCs) vascular niche, we co‐cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without any cytokines as feeder cells and applied bio‐derived bone from human femoral metaphyseal portion as scaffold to develop a new HSC/HPCs three‐dimensional culture system (named 3D‐Mix cultures). Scanning electron and fluorescent microscopy showed excellent biocompatibility of bio‐derived bone to hBMSCs and HUVECs in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay of p21 expression demonstrated that 3D‐Mix could promote self‐renewal and ex vivo expansion of HSCs/HPCs significantly higher than 3D‐hMSC and 3D‐HUVEC. Long‐term culture initiating cell (LTC‐IC) confirmed that 3D‐Mix had the most powerful activity of maintaining multipotent differentiation of primitive cell subpopulation in HSCs. The nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) repopulating cell (SRC) assay demonstrated that 3D‐Mix promoted the expansion of long‐term primitive transplantable HSCs. qPCR of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) demonstrated that HUVECs enhanced the early osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Western blot and qPCR revealed that HUVECs activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in hBMSCs inducing Notch signal activation in HSCs. Our study indicated that interaction between hMSCs and HUVECs may have a critical role in to influent on HSCs/HPCs fate in vitro. These results demonstrated that the 3D‐Mix have the ability to support the maintenance and proliferation of HSCs/HPCs in vitro. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1221–1230, 2016.
Hydration study from different calcium phosphate biocements with microstructure and nanostructure
Authors: Franczak Priscila F. , Camargo Nelson H. A. , Floriano‐Silva Daiara , Dalmônico Gisele M. L. , Gemelli Enori 
Published: January 2016

AbstractImportant features of biocements include easy molding and good wettability, hydration, and setting time during its application in biological tissue. Interest in calcium phosphate biocements is directly related to its characteristics of bioactivity, biocompatibility, and crystallographic similarity to bone apatite. This experimental study aimed to understand hydration behavior of calcium phosphate biocements with microstructure and nanostructure, with molar ratios Ca/P = 1.5; 1.6; 1.67; and 1.7 and hydration times of 5 and 30 min. The hydration tests were performed on the same solid/liquid ratio for the four Ca/P compositions. The morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phases were identified with help from X‐ray diffraction. The biocements showed similar effects of hydration and gelling for the periods of 5 and 30 min. The results show that these biocements can offer favorable wettability, hydration, and easy molding during the surgical procedure, which could be an innovation in implant fixation and bone tissue repair. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 820–827, 2017.