bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Army ant invasions reveal phylogeographic processes across the Isthmus of Panama
Authors: Brady Seán G. 
Published: February 2017

Female army ants cannot fly, making them very poor dispersers across water barriers. This dependence on terrestrial corridors motivated the investigation by Winston et al. (), published in this issue of Molecular Ecology, into the role of Panamanian isthmus formation in the diversification of Eciton army ants. Complete closure of this isthmus occurred around three million years ago (3 Ma), but it has also been hypothesized that earlier, temporary land connections facilitated additional colonization events between South and Central America over the past 13 million years or more. The phylogenomic and population genomic analyses by Winston et al. () uncovered multiple incursions of Eciton lineages into Central America between 4 and 7 Ma. Their study contributes to a growing body of evidence arguing that transitory land bridges predating 3 Ma supported substantial intercontinental biotic exchange.
A single‐center, prospective, double‐blind, sham‐controlled, randomized study of the effect of a vibrating capsule on colonic transit in patients with chronic constipation
Authors: Nelson A. D. , Camilleri M. , Acosta A. , Boldingh A. , Busciglio I. , Burton D. , Ryks M. , Zinsmeister A. R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn an open‐label study of 26 patients with IBS‐C and chronic constipation, treatment with a vibrating (VIBRANT) capsule twice a week for 7.5 weeks resulted in 88.5% responders. Effects on colonic transit are unclear. We aimed to compare effects of VIBRANT and sham capsule treatment on colonic transit in patients with functional constipation.MethodsPatients with functional constipation (Rome III criteria) were randomized to VIBRANT or sham capsule treatment for 8 weeks and underwent scintigraphic colonic transit measurements during week 8. We estimated the overall rate of colonic transit from the slope of progression of colonic geometric center over 48 hours. The capsule was activated 8 hours after ingestion, and the vibration sequence included 240 cycles.Key ResultsThere were no significant group differences in overall colonic transit [GC48, 2.76 (IQR 2.42‐4.03) for sham group and 3.46 (2.55‐4.61) for active treatment group (P=.13)]. Additionally, the progression of the isotope through the colon was numerically faster, though not significantly different (slope, P=.14) in the VIBRANT capsule group compared to the sham group. Three participants in the VIBRANT capsule group had accelerated colonic transit at 32 hours and faster colonic transit slope compared to the 95th percentile of the sham group.Conclusions and InferencesAlthough there were no group differences between VIBRANT and sham capsule treatment on colonic transit, at least one (and possibly three) of 12 patients receiving the VIBRANT capsule had faster colonic transit. The vibration parameters to accelerate colonic transit in patients with functional constipation require further optimization.
Perioperative considerations in infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy
Authors: Sinskey Jina L. , Holzman Robert S. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryInfantile neuroaxonal dystrophy is a rare neurological disorder that is universally fatal with life expectancy under 10 years. A 10‐year‐old boy with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and severe neuromuscular scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion following halo traction. He was successfully extubated to bilevel positive airway pressure on postoperative day 3 and discharged home on postoperative day 11. Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy presents several perioperative challenges including concerns for difficult intubation and respiratory dysfunction.
Association of premorbid personality with behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia with Lewy bodies: Comparison with Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Tabata Kazuki , Saijo Yasuaki , Morikawa Fumiyoshi , Naoe Juichiro , Yoshioka Eiji , Kawanishi Yasuyuki , Nakagi Yoshihiko , Yoshida Takahiko 
Published: February 2017

AimThe aim of this study was to elucidate the relation between premorbid personality traits and behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.MethodsForty‐one DLB patients and 98 AD patients were assessed for BPSD using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Each patient's midlife personality traits were rated by a family member using the NEO Five‐Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI) questionnaire.ResultsIn multiple regression analyses for DLB patients, NPI total score and anxiety were significantly associated with premorbid openness, delusion with premorbid agreeableness, and agitation with premorbid conscientiousness. In AD patients, depression was significantly associated with premorbid neuroticism, and agitation, apathy, and irritability with premorbid agreeableness.ConclusionPremorbid personalities affected BPSD differently in DLB and AD. Given the differences in the effects of premorbid personalities on BPSD, additional studies are needed to develop interventions to reduce these symptoms.
Aesthetic ineffability
Authors: Jonas Silvia 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis essay provides an overview of the ways in which contemporary philosophers have tried to make sense of ineffability as encountered in aesthetic contexts. Section 1 sets up the problem of aesthetic ineffability by putting it into historical perspective. Section 2 specifies the kinds of questions that may be raised with regard to aesthetic ineffability, as well as the kinds of answer each one of those questions would require. Section 3 investigates arguments that seek to locate aesthetic ineffability within the object of aesthetic experiences, i.e. within aesthetic content. Section 4 discusses arguments that seek to locate aesthetic ineffability within the subject of aesthetic experience.
Concepts of God and Models of the God–world relation
Authors: Göcke Benedikt Paul 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThere is a variety of concepts of the divine in the eastern and western theological and philosophical traditions. There is, however, not enough reflection on the logic behind concepts of God and their justification. I clarify some necessary and sufficient conditions any attempt to explicate a concept of God has to take into account. I argue that each concept of God is a cypher for a particular worldview and distinguishes three types of justification frequently used to bestow content on particular concepts of God: philosophical, theological, and scientific. I turn to four fundamental models of the God–world relation and argue that the most promising concept of God is panentheistic, on which the universe is essentially divine but is not exhaustive of the divine being.
Political realism and international relations
Authors: Bell Duncan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this article, I explore recent work on realist political theory and international politics. I discuss how scholarship on the topic emanates from two different fields—International Relations and political philosophy—and argue that there is a good case for greater engagement between them. I open by delineating various kinds of realism, showing that the term covers a wide variety of methodological and political approaches. In particular, I suggest, it is important to recognize the difference between liberal and radical approaches. The remainder of the essay examines assorted examples of realist international political theorizing, work that ranges from attempts to rewrite the canon of 20th century political thought to contributions to the vibrant global justice debates.
Antigenotoxic Effect Against Ultraviolet Radiation‐induced DNA Damage of the Essential Oils from Lippia Species
Authors: Quintero Ruiz Nathalia , Córdoba Campo Yuri , Stashenko Elena E. , Fuentes Jorge Luis 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe antigenotoxicity against ultraviolet radiation (UV)‐induced DNA damage of essential oils (EO) from Lippia species was studied using SOS Chromotest. Based on the minimum concentration that significantly inhibits genotoxicity, the genoprotective potential of EO from highest to lowest was Lippia graveolens, thymol‐RC ≈ Lippia origanoides, carvacrol‐RC ≈ L. origanoides, thymol‐RC > Lippia alba, citral‐RC ≈ Lippia citriodora, citral‐RC ≈ Lippia micromera, thymol‐RC > L. alba, myrcenone‐RC. EO from L. alba, carvone/limonene‐RC, L. origanoides, α‐phellandrene‐RC and L. dulcis, trans‐β‐caryophyllene‐RC did not reduce the UV genotoxicity at any of the doses tested. A gas chromatography with flame ionization detection analysis (GC‐FID) was conducted to evaluate the solubility of the major EO constituents under our experimental conditions. GC‐FID analysis showed that, at least partially, major EO constituents were water‐soluble and therefore, they were related with the antigenotoxicity detected for EO. Constituents such as p‐cymene, geraniol, carvacrol, thymol, citral and 1,8‐cineole showed antigenotoxicity. The antioxidant activity of EO constituents was also determined using the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) assay. The results showed that the antigenotoxicity of the EO constituents was unconnected with their antioxidant activity. The antigenotoxicity to different constituent binary mixtures suggests that synergistic effects can occur in some of the studied EO.
The effect of some cryoprotectants on dromedary camel frozen‐thawed semen
Authors: El‐Badry DA , Mohamed RH , EL‐Metwally HA , Abo Al‐Naga TR 
Published: February 2017

ContentsThe cryopreserved camel semen is often associated with poor quality and fertility. This study aimed to improve the dromedary frozen semen quality by comparing the efficiency of four cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) on sperm freezability. Semen samples were collected from seven male Maghrabi camels, diluted with Shotor diluent supplemented with glycerol (Sh‐G), dimethyl formamide (DMF, Sh‐DF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, Sh‐DS) or ethylene glycol (EG, Sh‐EG), all at 6% final concentration, and the samples were subjected to cryopreservation. The results revealed the superiority of Sh‐DF over Sh‐G and Sh‐DS in terms of post‐thaw motility (55.83 ± 2.20 vs. 47.50 ± 4.33 and 45.00 ± 2.89%, respectively), sperm membrane (49.00 ± 0.58, 39.33 ± 3.33 and 42.67 ± 1.45%, respectively) and acrosomal integrities (53.00 ± 0.58, 57.33 ± 0.88 and 52.33 ± 1.45%, respectively). Sh‐EG group showed the lowest post‐thaw motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities (12.50 ± 1.44, 22.67 ± 1.45 and 30.67 ± 1.45, respectively). In conclusion, the protocols of dromedary camel semen cryopreservation could be enhanced using 6% DMF as a cryoprotectant agent.
Uterine serpin (SERPINA 14) correlates negatively with cytokine production at the foetal–maternal interface but not in the corpus luteum in pregnant dairy heifers experimentally infected with Neospora caninum
Authors: Serrano‐Pérez B , Almería S , Mur‐Novales R , López‐Helguera I , Garcia‐Ispierto I , Alabart JL , Darwich L , López‐Gatius F 
Published: February 2017

ContentsThis study examines gene expression patterns in dairy heifers experimentally infected with N. caninum during on Day 110 of pregnancy with live foetuses at euthanasia, 42 days later. The study population was constituted of four non‐infected controls and three infected dams. Gene expression was determined on gamma interferon (IFNγ), (Th1 pro‐inflammatory cytokine), interleukin‐4 (IL4) (Th2 pro‐gestation cytokine) or interleukin‐10 (IL10) (T regulatory cytokine) and the serine peptidase inhibitor SERPINA14 in intercaruncular, placental, uterine lymph node (UTLN) and luteal tissue samples. Intercaruncular SERPINA14 expression was negatively correlated with IFNγ expression in cotyledon samples and with IL4 expression in UTLN. No relationships were detected between cytokine gene expression at the foetal–maternal interface and SERPINA14 expression in the luteal samples. Our findings suggest that gene expression of the uterine serpin SERPINA14 correlates negatively with the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines at the foetal–maternal interface but not in the corpus luteum.
A Bayesian Information Criterion for Singular Models
Authors: Drton Mathias , Plummer Martyn 
Published: February 2017

SummaryWe consider approximate Bayesian model choice for model selection problems that involve models whose Fisher information matrices may fail to be invertible along other competing submodels. Such singular models do not obey the regularity conditions underlying the derivation of Schwarz's Bayesian information criterion BIC and the penalty structure in BIC generally does not reflect the frequentist large sample behaviour of the marginal likelihood. Although large sample theory for the marginal likelihood of singular models has been developed recently, the resulting approximations depend on the true parameter value and lead to a paradox of circular reasoning. Guided by examples such as determining the number of components in mixture models, the number of factors in latent factor models or the rank in reduced rank regression, we propose a resolution to this paradox and give a practical extension of BIC for singular model selection problems.
Structure Learning of Contextual Markov Networks using Marginal Pseudo‐likelihood
Authors: Pensar Johan , Nyman Henrik , Corander Jukka 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMarkov networks are popular models for discrete multivariate systems where the dependence structure of the variables is specified by an undirected graph. To allow for more expressive dependence structures, several generalizations of Markov networks have been proposed. Here, we consider the class of contextual Markov networks which takes into account possible context‐specific independences among pairs of variables. Structure learning of contextual Markov networks is very challenging due to the extremely large number of possible structures. One of the main challenges has been to design a score, by which a structure can be assessed in terms of model fit related to complexity, without assuming chordality. Here, we introduce the marginal pseudo‐likelihood as an analytically tractable criterion for general contextual Markov networks. Our criterion is shown to yield a consistent structure estimator. Experiments demonstrate the favourable properties of our method in terms of predictive accuracy of the inferred models.
Using Video Game Telemetry Data to Research Motor Chunking, Action Latencies, and Complex Cognitive‐Motor Skill Learning
Authors: Thompson Joseph J. , McColeman C. M. , Stepanova Ekaterina R. , Blair Mark R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMany theories of complex cognitive‐motor skill learning are built on the notion that basic cognitive processes group actions into easy‐to‐perform sequences. The present work examines predictions derived from laboratory‐based studies of motor chunking and motor preparation using data collected from the real‐time strategy video game StarCraft 2. We examined 996,163 action sequences in the telemetry data of 3,317 players across seven levels of skill. As predicted, the latency to the first action (thought to be the beginning of a chunked sequence) is delayed relative to the other actions in the group. Other predictions, inspired by the memory drum theory of Henry and Rogers, received only weak support.
What Has the Study of Digital Games Contributed to the Science of Expert Behavior?
Authors: Charness Neil 
Published: February 2017

AbstractI review the historical context for modeling skilled performance in games. Using Newell's (1990) concept of time bands for explaining cognitive behavior, I categorize the current papers in terms of time scales, type of data, and analysis methodologies. I discuss strengths and weaknesses of these approaches for describing skill acquisition and why the study of digital games can address the challenges of replication and generalizability. Cognitive science needs to pay closer attention to population representativeness to enhance generalizability of findings, and to the social band of explanation, in order to explain why so few individuals reach expert levels of performance.
Serosurvey ofCoxiella burnetii(Q fever) in Dromedary Camels(Camelus dromedarius)in Laikipia County, Kenya
Authors: Browne A. S. , Fèvre E. M. , Kinnaird M. , Muloi D. M. , Wang C. A. , Larsen P. S. , O'Brien T. , Deem S. L. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryDromedary camels(Camelus dromedarius)are an important protein source for people in semi‐arid and arid regions of Africa. In Kenya, camel populations have grown dramatically in the past few decades resulting in the potential for increased disease transmission between humans and camels. An estimated four million Kenyans drink unpasteurized camel milk, which poses a disease risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of a significant zoonotic pathogen,Coxiella burnetii(Q fever), among 334 camels from nine herds in Laikipia County, Kenya. Serum testing revealed 18.6% positive seroprevalence ofCoxiella burnetii(n = 344). Increasing camel age was positively associated withC. burnetiiseroprevalence (OR = 5.36). Our study confirmed that camels living in Laikipia County, Kenya, have been exposed to the zoonotic pathogen,C. burnetii. Further research to evaluate the role of camels in disease transmission to other livestock, wildlife and humans in Kenya should be conducted.
The extremal secant conjecture for curves of arbitrary gonality
Authors: Kemeny Michael 
Published: February 2017

We prove the Green–Lazarsfeld secant conjecture [Green and Lazarsfeld, On the projective normality of complete linear series on an algebraic curve, Invent. Math. 83 (1986), 73–90; Conjecture (3.4)] for extremal line bundles on curves of arbitrary gonality, subject to explicit genericity assumptions.
KATP channel inhibition blunts electromechanical decline during hypoxia in left ventricular working rabbit hearts
Authors: Garrott Kara , Kuzmiak‐Glancy Sarah , Wengrowski Anastasia , Zhang Hanyu , Rogers Jack , Kay Matthew W. 
Published: February 2017

Key points
Heart function is critically dependent upon the balance of energy production and utilization. Sarcolemmal ATP‐sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) in cardiac myocytes adjust contractile function to compensate for the level of available energy.
Understanding the activation of KATP channels in working myocardium during high‐stress situations is crucial to the treatment of cardiovascular disease, especially ischaemic heart disease.
Using a new optical mapping approach, we measured action potentials from the surface of excised contracting rabbit hearts to assess when sarcolemmal KATP channels were activated during physiologically relevant workloads and during gradual reductions in myocardial oxygenation.
We demonstrate that left ventricular pressure is closely linked to KATP channel activation and that KATP channel inhibition with a low concentration of tolbutamide prevents electromechanical decline when oxygen availability is reduced. As a result, KATP channel inhibition probably exacerbates a mismatch between energy demand and energy production when myocardial oxygenation is low.
AbstractSarcolemmal ATP‐sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) activation in isolated cells is generally understood, although the relationship between myocardial oxygenation and KATP activation in excised working rabbit hearts remains unknown. We optically mapped action potentials (APs) in excised rabbit hearts to test the hypothesis that hypoxic changes would be more severe in left ventricular (LV) working hearts (LWHs) than Langendorff (LANG) perfused hearts. We further hypothesized that KATP inhibition would prevent those changes. Optical APs were mapped when measuring LV developed pressure (LVDP), coronary flow rate and oxygen consumption in LANG and LWHs. Hearts were paced to increase workload and perfusate was deoxygenated to study the effects of myocardial hypoxia. A subset of hearts was perfused with 1 μm tolbutamide (TOLB) to identify the level of AP duration (APD) shortening attributed to KATP channel activation. During sinus rhythm, APD was shorter in LWHs compared to LANG hearts. APD in both LWHs and LANG hearts dropped steadily during deoxygenation. With TOLB, APDs in LWHs were longer at all workloads and APD reductions during deoxygenation were blunted in both LWHs and LANG hearts. At 50% perfusate oxygenation, APD and LVDP were significantly higher in LWHs perfused with TOLB (199 ± 16 ms; 92 ± 5.3 mmHg) than in LWHs without TOLB (109 ± 14 ms, P = 0.005; 65 ± 6.5 mmHg, P = 0.01). Our results indicate that KATP channels are activated to a greater extent in perfused hearts when the LV performs pressure–volume work. The results of the present study demonstrate the critical role of KATP channels in modulating myocardial function over a wide range of physiological conditions.
A Mobile Element in
mutS
Drives Hypermutation in a Marine
Vibrio
Authors: Chu Nathaniel D. , Clarke Sean A. , Timberlake Sonia , Polz Martin F. , Grossman Alan D. , Alm Eric J. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacteria face a trade-off between genetic fidelity, which reduces deleterious mistakes in the genome, and genetic innovation, which allows organisms to adapt. Evidence suggests that many bacteria balance this trade-off by modulating their mutation rates, but few mechanisms have been described for such modulation. Following experimental evolution and whole-genome resequencing of the marine bacterium
Vibrio splendidus
12B01, we discovered one such mechanism, which allows this bacterium to switch to an elevated mutation rate. This switch is driven by the excision of a mobile element residing in
mutS
, which encodes a DNA mismatch repair protein. When integrated within the bacterial genome, the mobile element provides independent promoter and translation start sequences for
mutS
—different from the bacterium’s original
mutS
promoter region—which allow the bacterium to make a functional
mutS
gene product. Excision of this mobile element rejoins the
mutS
gene with host promoter and translation start sequences but leaves a 2-bp deletion in the
mutS
sequence, resulting in a frameshift and a hypermutator phenotype. We further identified hundreds of clinical and environmental bacteria across
Betaproteobacteria
and
Gammaproteobacteria
that possess putative mobile elements within the same amino acid motif in
mutS
. In a subset of these bacteria, we detected excision of the element but not a frameshift mutation; the mobile elements leave an intact
mutS
coding sequence after excision. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which one bacterium alters its mutation rate and hint at a possible evolutionary role for mobile elements within
mutS
in other bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
DNA mutations are a double-edged sword. Most mutations are harmful; they can scramble precise genetic sequences honed over thousands of generations. However, in rare cases, mutations also produce beneficial new traits that allow populations to adapt to changing environments. Recent evidence suggests that some bacteria balance this trade-off by altering their mutation rates to suit their environment. To date, however, we know of few mechanisms that allow bacteria to change their mutation rates. We describe one such mechanism, driven by the action of a mobile element, in the marine bacterium
Vibrio splendidus
12B01. We also found similar mobile genetic sequences in the
mutS
genes of many different bacteria, including clinical and agricultural pathogens. These mobile elements might play an as yet unknown role in the evolution of these important bacteria.