bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of UV Radiation on the Polymorphic Transformation of β Glycine to α Glycine
Authors: Polat Sevgi , Sayan Perviz 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe influence of UV radiation on the phase transformation of β glycine to α glycine was investigated at 25 °C in the absence and the presence of varying intensities of UV radiation. The transformation of the polymorph was monitored by continuously measuring the ultrasonic velocity in the crystallizer, and the crystals obtained were analyzed using XRD to determine the polymorphic form. In addition, the crystals were characterized by SEM, a particle sizer and ATR–FTIR. The results indicated that the UV radiation and its intensity have significant effects on the both the average particle size and the morphology of glycine crystals. To further understand the role of UV radiation and its intensity on glycine phase transformation, these experiments were also performed in the presence of propane‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid. It was found that the presence of the additive in the crystallization media caused the transition time to be extended; however, the presence of both the additive and UV radiation lessened the phase transformation time significantly, depending on the increase in UV radiation intensity. In addition, TGA–MS results revealed that the amount of evolved gases in the presence of UV radiation was reduced, and that the UV radiation caused changes in the glycine.
Incorporating variability in simulations of seasonally forced phenology using integral projection models
Authors: Goodsman Devin W. , Aukema Brian H. , McDowell Nate G. , Middleton Richard S. , Xu Chonggang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhenology models are becoming increasingly important tools to accurately predict how climate change will impact the life histories of organisms. We propose a class of integral projection phenology models derived from stochastic individual‐based models of insect development and demography. Our derivation, which is based on the rate summation concept, produces integral projection models that capture the effect of phenotypic rate variability on insect phenology, but which are typically more computationally frugal than equivalent individual‐based phenology models. We demonstrate our approach using a temperature‐dependent model of the demography of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins), an insect that kills mature pine trees. This work illustrates how a wide range of stochastic phenology models can be reformulated as integral projection models. Due to their computational efficiency, these integral projection models are suitable for deployment in large‐scale simulations, such as studies of altered pest distributions under climate change.
Low interannual precipitation has a greater negative effect than seedling herbivory on the population dynamics of a short‐lived shrub, Schiedea obovata
Authors: Bialic‐Murphy Lalasia , Gaoue Orou G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractClimate projections forecast more extreme interannual climate variability over time, with an increase in the severity and duration of extreme drought and rainfall events. Based on bioclimatic envelope models, it is projected that changing precipitation patterns will drastically alter the spatial distributions and density of plants and be a primary driver of biodiversity loss. However, many other underlying mechanisms can impact plant vital rates (i.e., survival, growth, and reproduction) and population dynamics. In this study, we developed a size‐dependent integral projection model (IPM) to evaluate how interannual precipitation and mollusk herbivory influence the dynamics of a Hawaii endemic short‐lived shrub, Schiedea obovata (Caryophyllaceae). Assessing how wet season precipitation effects population dynamics it critical, as it is the timeframe when most of the foliar growth occurs, plants flower and fruit, and seedlings establish. Temporal variation in wet season precipitation had a greater effect than mollusk herbivory on S. obovata population growth rate , and the impact of interannual precipitation on vital rates shifted across plant ontogeny. Furthermore, wet season precipitation influenced multiple vital rates in contrasting ways and the effect of precipitation on the survival of larger vegetative and reproductively mature individuals contributed the most to variation in the population growth rate. Among all combination of wet season precipitation and herbivory intensities, the only scenario that led to a growing population was when high wet precipitation was associated with low herbivory. Our study highlights the importance of evaluating how abiotic factors and plant–consumer interactions influence an organism across its life cycle to fully understand the underpinning mechanisms that structure its spatial and temporal distribution and abundance. Our results also illustrate that for short‐lived species, like S. obovata, seedling herbivory can have less of an effect on the dynamics of plant populations than decreased interannual precipitation.
Assessing the utility of metabarcoding for diet analyses of the omnivorous wild pig (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Robeson Michael S. , Khanipov Kamil , Golovko George , Wisely Samantha M. , White Michael D. , Bodenchuck Michael , Smyser Timothy J. , Fofanov Yuriy , Fierer Noah , Piaggio Antoinette J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species descended from both domestic swine and Eurasian wild boar that was introduced to North America during the early 1500s. Wild pigs have since become the most abundant free‐ranging exotic ungulate in the United States. Large and ever‐increasing populations of wild pigs negatively impact agriculture, sport hunting, and native ecosystems with costs estimated to exceed $1.5 billion/year within the United States. Wild pigs are recognized as generalist feeders, able to exploit a broad array of locally available food resources, yet their feeding behaviors remain poorly understood as partially digested material is often unidentifiable through traditional stomach content analyses. To overcome the limitation of stomach content analyses, we developed a DNA sequencing‐based protocol to describe the plant and animal diet composition of wild pigs. Additionally, we developed and evaluated blocking primers to reduce the amplification and sequencing of host DNA, thus providing greater returns of sequences from diet items. We demonstrate that the use of blocking primers produces significantly more sequencing reads per sample from diet items, which increases the robustness of ascertaining animal diet composition with molecular tools. Further, we show that the overall plant and animal diet composition is significantly different between the three areas sampled, demonstrating this approach is suitable for describing differences in diet composition among the locations.
Impact of moderate and extreme climate change scenarios on growth, morphological features, photosynthesis, and fruit production of hot pepper
Authors: Lee Sang Gyu , Kim Sung Kyeom , Lee Hee Ju , Lee Hee Su , Lee Jin Hyoung 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHorticultural crop production and changes in physiological aspects during the growing season may be affected by climate change factors (CC), which include increased temperature and the associated doubling or tripling of atmospheric CO2concentrations. However, the potential effects are complex and many parameters might impact on the observed effects. To evaluate the effects of CC, the growth, yield, fruit characteristics, photosynthetic traits, and morphological characteristics of hot peppers were investigated. The hot peppers were grown under two CC scenarios, with the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) of 4.5 (Temp.; +3.4°C, CO2conc.; 540 μmol/mol, Precipitation +17.3%) and RCP 8.5 (Temp.; +6.0°C and CO2conc.; 940 μmol/mol, Precipitation +20.3%), respectively, using extreme weather simulators. This was compared with existing weather conditions occurring in Jeonju, South Korea in terms of air temperature, relative humidity, radiation, and precipitation. Overall, the plant height showed the highest under moderate CC conditions (RCP 4.5) among all the treatments tested. The number of leaves in the RCP 8.5 condition showed 7,739/plants, which was 2.2 times higher than that of the control. In addition, fruit shape was shortened and percentage dry matter was also the highest. The yield of hot pepper in the CC RCP 4.5 and 8.5 conditions were decreased by 21.5% and 89.2% when compared with that of the control, respectively. The days to harvest in the condition of CC scenarios were shortened from 5 to 13 compared with that of control, predominantly due to the increased air temperature. The results indicated that the severe RCP CC scenarios made reduction in the yields and negative affection on the fruit qualities. Overall, hot pepper was tolerant of mild CC scenarios of temperature × CO2but was significantly affected by more extreme CC interacting parameter concentrations (or similar).
The evolution of sexes: A specific test of the disruptive selection theory
Authors: da Silva Jack 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe disruptive selection theory of the evolution of anisogamy posits that the evolution of a larger body or greater organismal complexity selects for a larger zygote, which in turn selects for larger gametes. This may provide the opportunity for one mating type to produce more numerous, small gametes, forcing the other mating type to produce fewer, large gametes. Predictions common to this and related theories have been partially upheld. Here, a prediction specific to the disruptive selection theory is derived from a previously published game‐theoretic model that represents the most complete description of the theory. The prediction, that the ratio of macrogamete to microgamete size should be above three for anisogamous species, is supported for the volvocine algae. A fully population genetic implementation of the model, involving mutation, genetic drift, and selection, is used to verify the game‐theoretic approach and accurately simulates the evolution of gamete sizes in anisogamous species. This model was extended to include a locus for gamete motility and shows that oogamy should evolve whenever there is costly motility. The classic twofold cost of sex may be derived from the fitness functions of these models, showing that this cost is ultimately due to genetic conflict.
Grazing weakens temporal stabilizing effects of diversity in the Eurasian steppe
Authors: Ren Haiyan , Taube Friedhelm , Stein Claudia , Zhang Yingjun , Bai Yongfei , Hu Shuijin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMany biodiversity experiments have demonstrated that plant diversity can stabilize productivity in experimental grasslands. However, less is known about how diversity–stability relationships are mediated by grazing. Grazing is known for causing species losses, but its effects on plant functional groups (PFGs) composition and species asynchrony, which are closely correlated with ecosystem stability, remain unclear. We conducted a six‐year grazing experiment in a semi‐arid steppe, using seven levels of grazing intensity (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 sheep per hectare) and two grazing systems (i.e., a traditional, continuous grazing system during the growing period (TGS), and a mixed one rotating grazing and mowing annually (MGS)), to examine the effects of grazing system and grazing intensity on the abundance and composition of PFGs and diversity–stability relationships. Ecosystem stability was similar between mixed and continuous grazing treatments. However, within the two grazing systems, stability was maintained through different pathways, that is, along with grazing intensity, persistence biomass variations in MGS, and compensatory interactions of PFGs in their biomass variations in TGS. Ecosystem temporal stability was not decreased by species loss but rather remain unchanged by the strong compensatory effects between PFGs, or a higher grazing‐induced decrease in species asynchrony at higher diversity, and a higher grazing‐induced increase in the temporal variation of productivity in diverse communities. Ecosystem stability of aboveground net primary production was not related to species richness in both grazing systems. High grazing intensity weakened the temporal stabilizing effects of diversity in this semi‐arid grassland. Our results demonstrate that the productivity of dominant PFGs is more important than species richness for maximizing stability in this system. This study distinguishes grazing intensity and grazing system from diversity effects on the temporal stability, highlighting the need to better understand how grazing regulates ecosystem stability, plant diversity, and their synergic relationships.
High site fidelity and restricted ranging patterns in southern Australian bottlenose dolphins
Authors: Passadore Cecilia , Möller Luciana , Diaz‐Aguirre Fernando , Parra Guido J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractInformation on site fidelity and ranging patterns of wild animals is critical to understand how they use their environment and guide conservation and management strategies. Delphinids show a wide variety of site fidelity and ranging patterns. Between September 2013 and October 2015, we used boat‐based surveys, photographic identification, biopsy sampling, clustering analysis, and geographic information systems to determine the site‐fidelity patterns and representative ranges of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiopscf.australis) inhabiting the inner area of Coffin Bay, a highly productive inverse estuary located within Thorny Passage Marine Park, South Australia. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) of individuals’ site‐fidelity index and sighting rates indicated that the majority of dolphins within the inner area of Coffin Bay are “regular residents” (n = 125), followed by “occasional residents” (n = 28), and “occasional visitors” (n = 26). The low standard distance deviation indicated that resident dolphins remained close to their main center of use (range = 0.7–4.7 km, X ± SD = 2.3 ± 0.9 km). Representative ranges of resident dolphins were small (range = 3.9–33.5 km2, X ± SD = 15.2 ± 6.8 km2), with no significant differences between males and females (Kruskal–Wallis, χ2 = 0.426,p = .808). The representative range of 56% of the resident dolphins was restricted to a particular bay within the study area. The strong site fidelity and restricted ranging patterns among individuals could be linked to the high population density of this species in the inner area of Coffin Bay, coupled with differences in social structure and feeding habits. Our results emphasize the importance of productive habitats as a major factor driving site fidelity and restricted movement patterns in highly mobile marine mammals and the high conservation value of the inner area of Coffin Bay for southern Australian bottlenose dolphins.
Imitating the cost of males: A hypothesis for coexistence of all‐female sperm‐dependent species and their sexual host
Authors: Leung Christelle , Angers Bernard 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAll‐female sperm‐dependent species are particular asexual organisms that must coexist with a closely related sexual host for reproduction. However, demographic advantages of asexual over sexual species that have to produce male individuals could lead both to extinction. The unresolved question of their coexistence still challenges and fascinates evolutionary biologists. As an alternative hypothesis, we propose those asexual organisms are afflicted by a demographic cost analogous to the production of males to prevent exclusion of the host. Previously proposed hypotheses stated that asexual individuals relied on a lower fecundity than sexual females to cope with demographic advantage. In contrast, we propose that both sexual and asexual species display the same number of offspring, but half of asexual individuals imitate the cost of sex by occupying ecological niches but producing no offspring. Simulations of population growth in closed systems under different demographic scenarios revealed that only the presence of nonreproductive individuals in asexual females can result in long‐term coexistence. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that half of the females in some sperm‐dependent organisms did not reproduce clonally.
Preferential prescribing and utilization trends of diabetes medications among patients with renal impairment: Emerging role of linagliptin and other dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
Authors: Patorno Elisabetta , Gopalakrishnan Chandrasekar , Bartels Dorothee B. , Brodovicz Kimberly G. , Liu Jun , Schneeweiss Sebastian 
Published: November 2017

SummaryObjectivesAlthough many newer diabetes medications have become available in the last decade, most have not been widely studied in populations with chronic kidney disease under routine care. Linagliptin, a recently marketed dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor, is the only agent in the U.S. that does not require dose adjustment in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and renal impairment. We sought to describe baseline kidney function and other key characteristics among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) initiating linagliptin and other diabetes medications, and to explore prescribing patterns among T2DM patients with moderate to severe renal impairment before and after the launch of linagliptin.DesignUsing a population‐based cohort study design nested in a large U.S. commercial healthcare dataset linked to laboratory values, we described characteristics of T2DM patients initiating linagliptin and other diabetes medications between May 2011 (launch of linagliptin) and September 2015. We also explored prescribing trends among T2DM patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (ICD‐9 diagnosis code 585.3x‐6x) who initiated linagliptin and other diabetes medications between January 2006 to September 2015 (before and after the launch of linagliptin).PatientsWe identified 1,174,476 T2DM patients initiating a diabetes medication (28,900 linagliptin initiators) between 05/2011‐09/2015. We also identified 100,847 T2DM patients with moderate to severe renal impairment initiating a diabetes agent between 01/2006‐09/2015.Results and ConclusionAmong patients initiating newer diabetes medications between 05/2011‐09/2015, those initiating linagliptin had the highest prevalence of moderate to severe renal impairment, suggesting preferential prescribing in routine care. DPP‐4 inhibitors overall were among the most frequently chosen agents among T2DM patients with moderate to severe renal impairment between 01/2006‐09/2015. Further investigation of the safety and effectiveness of DPP‐4 inhibitors in routine care of T2DM patients with renal impairment is needed to either corroborate or discourage current prescribing patterns.
A catch‐22: Interleukin‐22 and cancer
Authors: Hernandez Pedro , Gronke Konrad , Diefenbach Andreas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBarrier surfaces of multicellular organisms are in constant contact with the environment and infractions to the integrity of epithelial surfaces is likely a frequent event. Interestingly, components of the immune system, that can be activated by environmental compounds such as the microbiota or nutrients, are interspersed among epithelial cells or directly underlie the epithelium. It is now appreciated that immune cells continuously receive and integrate signals from the environment. Curiously, such continuous reception of stimulation does not normally trigger an inflammatory response but mediators produced by immune cells in response to such signals seem to rather promote barrier integrity and repair. The molecular mediators involved in this process are poorly understood. In recent years, the cytokine interleukin‐22, produced mainly by group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), has been studied as a paradigm for how immune cells can control various aspects of epithelial cell function because expression of its receptor is restricted to non‐hematopoietic cells. We will summarize here the diverse roles of IL‐22 for the malignant transformation of epithelial cells, for tumor growth, wound healing and tissue repair. Furthermore, we will discuss IL‐22 as a potential therapeutic target.
One country, two cultures: Implicit space–time mappings in Southern and Northern Vietnamese
Authors: Li Heng , Bui Van Quynh , Cao Yu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhat determines how people implicitly associate the “past” and “future” with “front” and “back”? According to the Temporal Focus Hypothesis (TFH), people's cultural attitudes toward time influence their implicit space–time mappings. However, previous research mainly used cross‐cultural comparison in which the cultures compared differ not only in attentional focus on temporal events, but may also differ in other cultural values. Thus, the specific role of cultural attitudes toward time has not been tested. In the current study, we compared Southern and Northern Vietnamese who have many aspects in common but demonstrate cultural differences in attitudes toward the past and future. The results showed that the two groups of participants tended to think about time according to their temporal focus. Taken together, this pattern of results showed that within‐cultural differences in temporal focus can also predict variation in space–time mappings, which provides further supporting evidence for the TFH.
Empirical‐based out‐of‐plane URM infill wall model accounting for the interaction with in‐plane demand
Authors: Ricci Paolo , Di Domenico Mariano , Verderame Gerardo M. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe role of masonry infills in the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete buildings has been widely studied in terms of their strength and stiffness contribution in the in‐plane (IP) direction, while fewer studies have been carried out on their response and modeling in the out‐of‐plane (OOP) direction. In this paper, the state of the art in code and literature provisions regarding infills' OOP capacity and seismic demand is presented, together with a review of the experimental tests that have been carried out to investigate infills' OOP behavior and the effects of IP‐OOP interaction. This review aims to collect an experimental database that is used to evaluate the effectiveness of literature and code provisions and to propose a semiempirical approach both for predicting infills' OOP strength, stiffness, and displacement capacity and for modeling the effects of IP displacement demand on OOP behavior and vice versa. Then, the state of the art on modeling of infills' OOP behavior and IP‐OOP interaction is presented together with a new macro model based on the proposed formulations and conceived to represent the IP and OOP behavior by taking into account the mutual interaction effects. Finally, the proposed model is used for an example application on two case‐study buildings, showing the effects of taking into account or neglecting the IP‐OOP interaction phenomena.