bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do sunbirds use taste to decide how much to drink?
Authors: Bailey Ida E. , Nicolson Susan W. 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Nectarivorous birds typically consume smaller meals of more concentrated than of less concentrated sugar solutions. It is not clear, however, whether they use taste to decide how much to consume or whether they base this decision on post‐ingestive feedback.

Taste, a cue to nectar concentration, is available to nectarivores during ingestion whereas post‐ingestive information about resource quality becomes available only after a meal. When conditions are variable, we would expect nectarivorous birds to base their decisions on how much to consume on taste, as post‐ingestive feedback from previous meals would not be a reliable cue to current resource quality.

Here, we tested whether white‐bellied sunbirds (Cinnyris talatala), foraging from an array of artificial flowers, use taste to decide how much to consume per meal when nectar concentration is highly variable: they did not. Instead, how much they chose to consume per meal appeared to depend on the energy intake at the previous meal, that is how hungry they were.

Our birds did, however, appear to use taste to decide how much to consume per flower visited within a meal. Unexpectedly, some individuals preferred to consume more from flowers with lower concentration rewards and some preferred to do the opposite.

We draw attention to the fact that many studies perhaps misleadingly claim that birds use sweet taste to inform their foraging decisions, as they analyse mean data for multiple meals over which post‐ingestive feedback will have become available rather than data for individual meals when only sensory information is available.

We discuss how conflicting foraging rules could explain why sunbirds do not use sweet taste to inform their meal size decisions.
Warming can enhance invasion success through asymmetries in energetic performance
Authors: Penk Marcin R. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Minchin Dan , Donohue Ian 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Both climate warming and biological invasions are prominent drivers of global environmental change and it is important to determine how they interact. However, beyond tolerance and reproductive thresholds, little is known about temperature dependence of invaders’ performance, particularly in the light of competitive attributes of functionally similar native species.

We used experimentally derived energy budgets and field temperature data to determine whether anticipated warming will asymmetrically affect the energy budgets of the globally invasive Ponto‐Caspian mysid crustacean Hemimysis anomala and a functionally similar native competitor (Mysis salemaai) whose range is currently being invaded.

In contrast to M. salemaai, which maintains a constant feeding rate with temperature leading to diminishing energy assimilation, we found that H. anomala increases its feeding rate with temperature in parallel with growing metabolic demand. This enabled the invader to maintain high energy assimilation rates, conferring substantially higher scope for growth compared to the native analogue at spring‐to‐autumn temperatures. Anticipated warming will likely exacerbate this energetic asymmetry and remove the winter overlap, which, given the seasonal limitation of mutually preferred prey, appears to underpin coexistence of the two species.

These results indicate that temperature‐dependent asymmetries in scope for growth between invaders and native analogues comprise an important mechanism determining invasion success under warming climates. They also highlight the importance of considering relevant spectra of ecological contexts in predicting successful invaders and their impacts under warming scenarios.
Ecology and physiology of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria
Authors: Oshiki Mamoru , Satoh Hisashi , Okabe Satoshi 
Published: November 2015

SummaryAnaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is a microbial process in which NH4+ is oxidized to N2 gas with NO2− as an electron acceptor. The anammox process is mediated by bacterial members affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetes, which are ubiquitously detected from anoxic natural and man‐made ecosystems and a key player in the global nitrogen cycle. In the past two decades, phylogenetically different anammox bacteria have been recognized in natural and synthetic ecosystems (i.e. ‘Candidatus Kuenenia’, ‘Candidatus Brocadia’, ‘Candidatus Jettenia’, ‘Candidatus Anammoxoglobus’ and ‘Candidatus Scalindua’ genera), and the geographic distributions of these anammox bacteria indicate that they have genus‐specific or species‐specific habitats. Recently, we revealed the physiological characteristics of ‘Ca. Jettenia’ in addition to ‘Ca. Kuenenia’, ‘Ca. Brocadia’ and ‘Ca. Scalindua’, and, as a result, it is possible to compare the physiological characteristics of the anammox bacteria and discuss their niche partitioning. Therefore, we summarize the current knowledge of anammox bacterial ecology and physiology in this review to assess the potential ecological niche partitioning of anammox bacteria in natural and synthetic ecosystems.
Does insect mother know under what conditions it will make their offspring live?
Authors: Kohandani Fatemeh , Le Goff Guillaume Jean , Hance Thierry 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAccording to the optimal oviposition theory, the larval success of insects depends on the oviposition site selection by females. Females are expected to choose a site with many resources and few competitors or predators to allow the best performance for their progeny, assuming that “mother knows best.” However, this is not systematically observed. The Aphidoletes aphidimyza larvae are generalist aphid predators and females consequently lay their eggs near or inside aphid colonies. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of intraspecific competition on oviposition behavior of A. aphidimyza females. First, we counted the number of eggs laid by a female on a leaf with 20 aphids, in the presence of 0, 2, 4, or 6 conspecific eggs or in the absence of eggs but in presence of 3 virgin females. The same experiment was also performed under choice condition with 2 oviposition sites. Our results show that the presence of low densities of conspecific eggs, or the presence of conspecific females, have no significant impact on the number of eggs laid by A. aphidimyza females. One of the hypotheses advanced to explain these results is the advantages of conspecifics presence. At low densities, the presence of eggs on an oviposition site can indicate the suitability of the site for the females. The conspecific presence can also insure a dilution effect against predator and increase the presence of potential mating partners for this monogenic species.
Validity of the alcohol purchase task: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kiselica Andrew M. , Webber Troy A. , Bornovalova Marina A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsBehavioral economists assess alcohol consumption as a function of unit price. This method allows construction of demand curves and demand indices, which are thought to provide precise numerical estimates of risk for alcohol problems. One of the more commonly used behavioral economic measures is the Alcohol Purchase Task (APT). Although the APT has shown promise as a measure of risk for alcohol problems, the construct validity and incremental utility of the APT remain unclear. This paper presents a meta‐analysis of the APT literature.MethodsSixteen studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Studies were gathered via searches of the PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science and EconLit research databases. Random‐effects meta‐analyses with inverse variance weighting were used to calculate summary effect sizes for each demand index‐drinking outcome relationship. Moderation of these effects by drinking status (regular versus heavy drinkers) was examined. Additionally, tests of the incremental utility of the APT indices in predicting drinking problems above and beyond measuring alcohol consumption were performed.ResultsThe APT indices were correlated in the expected directions with drinking outcomes, although many effects were small in size. These effects were typically not moderated by the drinking status of the samples. Additionally, the intensity metric demonstrated incremental utility in predicting alcohol use disorder symptoms beyond measuring drinking.ConclusionsThe Alcohol Purchase Task appears to have good construct validity, but limited incremental utility in estimating risk for alcohol problems.
Perceptions towards aqua‐based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis who have discontinued participation in this exercise mode
Authors: Fisken Alison L , Waters Debra L , Hing Wayne A , Keogh Justin W 
Published: November 2015

AimThis study aimed to investigate reasons for ceasing participation in aqua‐based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsEleven adults over 60 years of age with OA participated in one of two focus groups, during which they discussed barriers to aqua‐based exercise and the potential benefits of this exercise mode. Each focus group was audiotaped, transcribed and then analysed using the general inductive thematic approach. The investigators reached a consensus on all coding categories and then identified themes.ResultsKey barriers identified were: a lack of suitable classes; insufficient instructor knowledge, which often led to increased pain; cold water and the changing facilities. Key perceived benefits included increased physical ability in water and social interaction.ConclusionsA greater understanding of reasons for ceasing participation in aqua‐based exercise among older adults with OA may help facilitate development of suitable exercise programs that minimise barriers for this group.
Incidence and outcomes after bariatric surgery in older patients: a state‐wide data‐linked cohort study
Authors: Morgan David J. R. , Ho Kwok Ming 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe burgeoning problem of obesity is seen most profoundly in older populations. Despite the dramatic increase in bariatric surgery rates over the last 20 years, weight reduction surgery is largely restricted to younger patients.MethodsThis retrospective, longitudinal, self‐matched, population‐based cohort study assessed the incidence and outcomes of all patients undergoing bariatric surgery who were ≥55 years old in Western Australia between 2007 and 2011. The mean preoperative and post‐operative follow‐up periods were 2.5 years and 3.4 years, respectively.ResultsOf the 12 062 bariatric surgical operations recorded during the study period, 2179 (18.1%) were performed in patients aged ≥55 years old. Older bariatric patients were statistically more likely to require longer hospital admissions (2.85 versus 2.65 days, P < 0.001), have post‐operative complications (12.0 versus 6.3%, P < 0.001) and require intensive care admissions (8.2 versus 4.3%, P = 0.001) compared to patients <55 years old. However, both 30‐day (no deaths in the older cohort) and long‐term mortality rates (1.07 versus 0.42 deaths per 1000 patient–years, P = 0.10) remained relatively low. All‐cause long‐term hospitalization rates were also significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after bariatric surgery for patients who were older than 55 years compared to before surgery.ConclusionDespite older age being associated with a higher risk of complications and longer hospital stays, there was a reduction in subsequent overall hospitalizations for older patients after bariatric surgery, suggesting that bariatric surgery may still confer health benefits to carefully selected obese older patients who cannot achieve weight loss by other means.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmaco–dynamic modelling and simulation of the effects of different cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonists on Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol challenge tests
Authors: Guan Zheng , Klumpers Linda E. , Oyetayo Olubukayo‐Opeyemi , Heuberger Jules , van Gerven Joop M. A. , Stevens Jasper 
Published: November 2015

AimThe severe psychiatric side effects of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonists hampered their wide development but this might be overcome by careful management of drug development with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analyses. PK/PD models suitable for direct comparison of different CB1 antagonists in Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) challenge tests in healthy volunteer were constructed.MethodsThe pharmacokinetic models of THC and four CB1 antagonists were built separately. THC‐induced effects on heart rate and the visual analogue scale of feeling high in healthy volunteers and inhibitive effects of CB1 antagonists on THC‐induced effects were modelled in PD models linked to the PK models. Simulations were then applied to evaluate the reduction rate of each antagonist on the reversal of the THC‐induced effect in a unified simulation scenario.ResultsThe final PK model of THC and antagonists was a two compartment model. An Emax model and logistic regression model were used for effect measures and the antagonist effect was added in these models in a competitive binding manner. t1/2ke0 ranged from 0.00462 to 63.7 h for heart rate and from 0.964 to 150 h for VAS. IC50 ranged from 6.42 to 202 ng ml−1 for heart rate and from 12.1 to 376 ng ml−1 for VAS. Benchmark simulation showed different dose–efficacy profiles of two efficacy measures for each CB1 antagonist.ConclusionsPK/PD modelling and simulation approach was suitable for describing and predicting heart rate and feeling high for CB1 antagonists in THC challenge tests. Direct comparison of four antagonists based on simulated efficacy profiles might be of benefit to guide future studies.
Application of pharmacometric approaches to evaluate effect of weight and renal function on pharmacokinetics of alogliptin
Authors: Naik Himanshu , Czerniak Richard , Vakilynejad Majid 
Published: November 2015

AimsThe aims of the study were to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of alogliptin in healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects using a population PK approach and to assess the influence of various covariates on alogliptin exposure.MethodsPlasma concentration data collected from two phase 1 studies and one phase 3 study following administration of alogliptin (12.5–400 mg) were used for the PK model development. One‐ and two‐compartment models were evaluated as base structural PK models. The impact of selected covariates was assessed using stepwise forward selection and backward elimination procedures. The predictability and robustness of the final model was evaluated using visual predictive check and bootstrap analyses. The final model was used to perform simulations and guide appropriate dose adjustments.ResultsA two‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination best described the alogliptin concentration vs. time profiles. Creatinine clearance and weight had a statistically significant effect on the oral clearance (CL/F) of alogliptin. The model predicted a lower CL/F (17%, 35%, 80%) and a higher systemic exposure (56%, 89%, 339%) for subjects with mild, moderate and severe renal impairment, respectively, compared with healthy subjects. Effect of weight on CL/F was not considered clinically relevant. Simulations at different doses of alogliptin support the approved doses of 12.5 mg and 6.25 mg for patients with moderate and severe renal impairment, respectively.ConclusionsThe PK of alogliptin was well characterized by the model. The analysis suggested an alogliptin dose adjustment for subjects with moderate‐to‐severe renal impairment and no dose adjustments based on weight.
On the role of oxytocin in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Brüne Martin 
Published: November 2015

ObjectivesInterpersonal dysfunction is central to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Recent research has focused on the role of oxytocin (OT) in BPD, particularly regarding associations of OT activity with symptoms, genetic polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor coding gene (OXTR) in BPD, and experimental modification of interpersonal core problems of patients with BPD such as hypervigilance towards threat detection, mistrust, and non‐verbal behaviour during social interaction by intranasal application of OT.MethodsA literature (‘medline’) review was performed using the keywords ‘oxytocin’ and ‘borderline personality disorder’. Secondary literature on trauma and attachment in relation to OT was also considered relevant.ResultsTogether, findings suggest that in BPD OT is associated with enhanced defensive mechanisms and avoidance behaviour. Moreover, gene–environment interaction concerning polymorphic variations of the OXTR gene and childhood adversity in BPD suggests that these genes convey developmental flexibility or ‘differential susceptibility’ to environmental contingencies, whereby BPD resides at the poor outcome end of the spectrum.ConclusionsIn view of the conflicting literature, it needs to be studied carefully whether OT can serve as a therapeutic agent given adjunct to psychotherapy in BPD. More research about the role of OT is also required with regard to the prevention of the non‐genetic intergenerational transmission of BPD. Clarifying the role of OT in BPD may also benefit from research in non‐human animals targeting the interaction between early adversity and OT availability more directly.Practitioner points

The study of oxytocin can contribute to the understanding of the neurobiology of borderline personality disorder.

Oxytocin is critically involved in attachment security, and methylation of the oxytocin receptor may play a role in the epigenetic modulation of early adversity.

The intranasal application of oxytocin may be a useful therapeutic adjunct to psychotherapy.

Insecure attachment and childhood adversity may produce differential neurobiological effects on the oxytocinergic system in borderline personality disorder.

There is insufficient knowledge of how oxytocin interacts with vasopressin, testosterone, dopamine, and serotonin, which are also important key players in the experience of social reward and stress responsivity.

It is unclear whether or not oxytocin could be beneficial in preventing the intergenerational (non‐genetic) transmission of borderline personality traits.
Evaluating equality in psoriasis healthcare: a cohort study of the impact of age on prescription of biologics
Authors: Geale K. , Henriksson M. , Schmitt-Egenolf M. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundInequality in healthcare has been identified in many contexts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating age inequality in the form of prescription patterns of biologics in psoriasis care.ObjectivesTo determine whether patients with psoriasis have equal opportunities to receive biological medications as they age. If patients did not receive equal treatment, a subsequent objective was to determine the magnitude of the disparity.MethodsA cohort of biologic-naive patients with psoriasis was analysed using Cox proportional hazards models to measure the impact of each additional year of life on the likelihood of initiating biological treatment, after controlling for sex, body mass index, comorbidities, disease activity and educational level. A supporting analysis used a nonparametric graphical method to study the proportion of patients initiating biological treatment as age increased, after controlling for the same covariates.ResultsThe Cox proportional hazards model resulted in hazard ratios of a 1-year increase in age of 0·96–0·97 depending on calendar-year stratification, which implies that an increase in age of 30 years corresponds to a reduced likelihood of initiating biological treatment by 61·3–67·6%. The estimated proportion of patients initiating biological medication always decreased as age increased, at a statistically significant level.ConclusionsPatients with psoriasis have fewer opportunities to access biological medications as they age. This result was shown to be applicable at all stages in a patient's life course and was not only restricted to the elderly, although it implies greater disparities as the age difference between patients increases. These results show that inequality in access to biological treatments due to age is prevalent in clinical practice today. Further research is needed to investigate the extent to which this result is influenced by patient preferences.
Fractionation of grain size in terrestrial sediment routing systems
Authors: Allen Philip A. , Michael Nikolaos A. , D’Arcy Mitchall , Roda‐Boluda Duna C. , Whittaker Alexander C. , Duller Robert A. , Armitage John J. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSediment is fractionated by size during its cascade from source to sink in sediment routing systems. It is anticipated, therefore, that the grain size distribution of sediment will undergo down‐system changes as a result of fluvial sorting processes and selective deposition. We assess this hypothesis by comparing grain size statistical properties of samples from within the erosional source region with those that have undergone different amounts of transport. A truncated Pareto distribution describes well the coarser half of the clast size distribution of regolith, coarse channel bed sediment and proximal debris flows (particularly their levees), as well as the coarser half of the clast size distribution of gravels that have undergone considerable amounts of transport in rivers. The Pareto shape parameter a evolves in response to mobilization, sediment transport and, importantly, the selective extraction of particles from the surface flow to build underlying stratigraphy. A goodness of fit statistic, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov vertical difference, illustrates the closeness of the observed clast size distributions to the Pareto, Weibull and log‐normal models as a function of distance from the depositional apex. The goodness of fit of the particle size distribution of regolith varies with bedrock geology. Bedload sediment at catchment outlets is fitted well by the log‐normal and truncated Pareto models, whereas the exponential Weibull model provides a less good fit. In the Eocene Escanilla palaeo‐sediment routing system of the south‐central Pyrenees, the log‐normal and truncated Pareto models provide excellent fits for distances of up to 80 km from the depositional apex, whereas the Weibull fit progressively worsens with increasing transport distance. A similar trend is found in the Miocene–Pliocene gravels of the Nebraskan Great Plains over a distance of >300 km. Despite the large fractionation in mean grain size and gravel percentage from source region to depositional sink, particle size distributions therefore appear to maintain log‐normality over a wide range of transport distance. Use of statistical models enables down‐system fractionation of sediment released from source regions to be better understood and predicted and is a potentially valuable tool in source‐to‐sink approaches to basin analysis.