bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causes and consequences of variation in offspring body mass: meta‐analyses in birds and mammals
Authors: Ronget Victor , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Coulson Tim , Garratt Michael , Gueyffier François , Lega Jean‐Christophe , Lemaître Jean‐François 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTEarly survival is highly variable and strongly influences observed population growth rates in most vertebrate populations. One of the major potential drivers of survival variation among juveniles is body mass. Heavy juveniles are better fed and have greater body reserves, and are thus assumed to survive better than light individuals. In spite of this, some studies have failed to detect an influence of body mass on offspring survival, questioning whether offspring body mass does indeed consistently influence juvenile survival, or whether this occurs in particular species/environments. Furthermore, the causes for variation in offspring mass are poorly understood, although maternal mass has often been reported to play a crucial role. To understand why offspring differ in body mass, and how this influences juvenile survival, we performed phylogenetically corrected meta‐analyses of both the relationship between offspring body mass and offspring survival in birds and mammals and the relationship between maternal mass and offspring mass in mammals. We found strong support for an overall positive effect of offspring body mass on survival, with a more pronounced influence in mammals than in birds. An increase of one standard deviation of body mass increased the odds of offspring survival by 71% in mammals and by 44% in birds. A cost of being too fat in birds in terms of flight performance might explain why body mass is a less reliable predictor of offspring survival in birds. We then looked for moderators explaining the among‐study differences reported in the intensity of this relationship. Surprisingly, sex did not influence the intensity of the offspring mass–survival relationship and phylogeny only accounted for a small proportion of observed variation in the intensity of that relationship. Among the potential factors that might affect the relationship between mass and survival in juveniles, only environmental conditions was influential in mammals. Offspring survival was most strongly influenced by body mass in captive populations and wild populations in the absence of predation. We also found support for the expected positive effect of maternal mass on offspring mass in mammals (rpearson = 0.387). As body mass is a strong predictor of early survival, we expected heavier mothers to allocate more to their offspring, leading them to be heavier and so to have a higher survival. However, none of the potential factors we tested for variation in the maternal mass–offspring mass relationship had a detectable influence. Further studies should focus on linking these two relationships to determine whether a strong effect of offspring size on early survival is associated with a high correlation coefficient between maternal mass and offspring mass.
Neglected seed dispersers: endozoochory by Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus) in Indonesia
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Ningsih Jenni Indah Dwi Pajar , Kitamura Shumpei , Widayati Kanthi Arum , Suryobroto Bambang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLeaf monkeys are known to be leaf eaters, and thus, their potential role as seed dispersers has been neglected. However, they do also feed on fruits. To examine the role of leaf monkeys as endozoochorous seed dispersers, we studied the Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus) in Indonesia. We compared multiple aspects of seed dispersal processes (amount and diversity of seeds ingested, dispersal distance, and germination rate) of lutungs with that of the sympatric long‐tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Over the study period, 54 percent of the lutung feces contained intact seeds, which was equivalent to the macaque feces contained seeds (62%). Seeds of at least six plant species were detected in the lutung feces, which was less than those found in the macaque feces (>19 plant species). The main species of seeds defecated by both lutungs and macaques was Ficus spp. (seed size: 0.7 mm). Seed shadow, estimated from travel distance (range: 1–299 m) and gut passage rate (24–96 h), had a unimodal‐distribution with a peak at 51–100 m, and was shorter than that reported in published accounts of macaques and other similar and smaller sized frugivores. Finally, germination rates of Ficus spp. seeds ingested by both lutungs and macaques were lower than that of the control seeds. These results imply that the dispersal effectiveness of lutungs would be lower than that of the sympatric primate frugivores. However, at a population level, lutungs could play a significant role as seed dispersers for the small‐seeded species, and therefore, more research into their frugivorous habits is warranted.
Beyond the Ethnic Enclave: Interethnicity and Trans‐spatiality in an Australian Suburb
Authors: GAO‐MILES LINLING 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis ethnographic study investigates a suburban place in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. It aims to reconsider the spatial formation of ethnic Chinese in a Western immigrant society beyond conventional notions about a Chinatown, an enclave, or an ethnoburb. In public enunciations, this local district, Box Hill, is depicted as an emerging Chinese enclave. In contrast, this study sheds light on multicultural engagements, interethnic interactions, and translocal and transnational mobility among the subjects who are integral to the production of the Box Hill space, through their narratives and experiences that are all in some way linked to Box Hill. This study explores everyday accommodations of multiculturalism, and yet expands this notion by underlining intersecting concepts beyond culture which together produce narratives about a suburban Chinatown. The conceptual framework of interconnectivity suggests relations and links as well as interstices and discontinuities that undermine enclave theories and to which place‐making practices across ethnicity and space are integral. [Chinatown, ethnic enclave, ethnoburb, interconnectivity, Chinese immigrants]
White Evangelical Congregations in Cities and Suburbs: Social Engagement, Geography, Diffusion, and Disembeddedness
Authors: MULDER MARK T. , JONASON AMY 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the United States, white evangelicalism has long been associated with both suburbanization and proselytization. However, the way that religious groups understand and engage broader culture may change based on time and context. Drawing on 158 interviews from attenders of 46 evangelical congregations in Grand Rapids, MI, we analyze how these congregations differentially engage their urban and suburban neighborhoods. The vast majority of white evangelical congregations offer some mode of local social engagement. We develop a typology of three white evangelical mission orientations—Benefactor, Recruiter, and Therapist—based on the primary resources that these congregations offer to attenders and their communities. Beyond that, we argue that evangelical social engagement is somewhat determined by geography (Embedded versus Disembedded presence), that there has been a routinized convergence of service types provided by churches from different strains of evangelicalism that is explained by isomorphism, and that many evangelical congregations now embrace an intentional urbanism. As religious and demographic trends have shifted in the U.S., white evangelicals have adapted in ways that both accommodate these larger social changes while also maintaining a type of engagement that resonates with their cultural tool kit. [Evangelicalism, cities, suburbs, religious presence, congregations, race, United States]
Graphic Identity in the Scriptorial Landscape of Lebanon
Authors: RISKEDAHL DIANE 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe relationship between space, language, and the active construction of political identity in Lebanon is explored through a diachronic look at the outdoor display of political rhetoric of the Lebanese political leader, General Michel Aoun, and his evolving party, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), in the public landscape of Beirut. Specifically, I will focus on graffiti of the FPM in 2005 and discuss its resonances with the earlier political rhetoric of Aoun during the civil war and his Paris exile, at a time when he was in a conflicted relationship with the state. I will then look at his later political advertising campaigns from 2008–2009 to see how some semiotic elements from Aoun's time in exile and his return in 2005 have been extended into the more recently professionally polished party image. Through the examination of linguistic strategies, such as the use of reported speech and graffiti font, I argue that these textual artifacts contain the residue of contested ideologies of populism, nationhood, and belonging, which gain particular meaning when placed in specific geo‐semiotic zones within the political landscape of the city. These ideologies formed the basis for constructing a graphic identity for Aoun in subsequent advertising campaigns. The publicly placed written word, then, provides a medium through which political identity is formed, negotiated, and revised. [political discourse, Lebanon, arabic, advertising, graffiti]
Introduction to Special Section: The Un‐Exceptional Middle Eastern City
Authors: EL‐KAZAZ SARAH , MAZUR KEVIN 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis special section of City and Society is dedicated to de‐exceptionalizing the study of Middle Eastern cities. The introduction argues that the study of Middle Eastern cities has been constrained in its analytical and methodological focus by a genealogy shaped by a triad of regional exceptions–Islam, oil, and authoritarianism–and that the three pieces curated for this special section move beyond those constraints in important ways. Focusing on geographical places and time periods that have remained peripheral to the study of Middle Eastern cities, the three articles ethnographically historicize the planned and unplanned processes through which cities in the region transform to transcend a genealogy of exceptionalism and the constraints it has created. They highlight the global and local connections that shape these processes to offer new perspectives on the study of scale, verticality and sensoriums in the shaping of urban transformation around the globe. The section developed from a conference on Middle Eastern cities convened at Princeton University in May 2013.
Utilisation of spontaneous emulsification to fabricate lutein‐loaded nanoemulsion‐based delivery systems: factors influencing particle size and colour
Authors: Surh Jeonghee , Decker Eric Andrew , McClements David Julian 
Published: April 2017

SummaryFactors influencing the formation and properties of lutein‐loaded nanoemulsions fabricated using spontaneous emulsification (SE) were investigated. Nanoemulsion formation depended on oil type: small droplets (diameter ≈ 200 nm) with a narrow monomodal particle size distribution (polydispersity index ≈ 0.23) could be formed using medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT), but not long‐chain triglycerides. Nanoemulsion formation also depended on surfactant type and concentration, with Tween 80 being the most effective surfactant. Optimisation of lutein‐loaded nanoemulsions formed by SE led to systems with a final composition of 10 wt% oil phase (0.12 wt% lutein + 9.88 wt% MCT), 10 wt% Tween 80, and 80 wt% aqueous phase. The nanoemulsions were stable to droplet aggregation when stored at ambient temperature for up to 1 month; however, some colour fading occurred due to lutein degradation. This study indicated the potential of nanoemulsion‐based delivery system fabricated using a low‐energy method for encapsulation and protection of lutein.
Drying kinetics, physico‐chemical properties, antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate
Authors: Sritongtae Burachat , Morgan Michael R. A. , Duangmal Kiattisak 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis research was aimed to study physico‐chemical properties and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate. Germination led to an increase in released phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP) of rice bean hydrolysate. The hydrolysate obtained from germinated rice bean (GRB) and non‐germinated rice beans (NGRBs) was foam‐mat dried at 60 and 70 °C. Semi‐theoretical and empirical model could suitably describe the drying characteristic of foamed bean hydrolysate. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried samples decreased with increasing air‐drying temperature (P ≤ 0.05). Gallic acid, catechol and epicatechin were major phenolic compounds in foam‐mat dried samples prepared from both GRB and NGRB. The higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities were found in foam‐mat dried hydrolysate of GRB. Electron spin resonance spectrometry revealed that foam‐mat dried rice bean hydrolysate showed a strong ability to scavenge free radicals, especially carbon‐centred radicals.
Optimisation of rancidity stability in long‐chain PUFA concentrates obtained from a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by‐product
Authors: Berríos Mª Macarena , Rodriguez Alicia , Rivera Matías , Pando Mª Elsa , Valenzuela Mª Antonieta , Aubourg Santiago P. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThis research was focused on the production of polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrates from a farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by‐product (i.e. belly muscle). The effect of different process variables (urea/fatty acids (FA) contents ratio, crystallisation time and temperature and stirring speed of the urea/FA mixture) on the lipid oxidation development during the urea complexation process was investigated. For this purpose, an experimental design (26 runs) following the response‐surface methodology was developed. As a result, peroxide value and TOTOX index showed to be dependent on the crystallisation time and temperature and the urea/FA ratio, while no influence of the crystallisation stirring speed was detected on both indices; additionally, polyene index was affected by the urea/FA ratio and its interaction with the crystallisation time. An optimised desirability score near 1.0 was attained provided values of 2.8 °C, 3.05 h and 3.57 were applied for crystallisation temperature, crystallisation time and urea/FA ratio, respectively.
Development and validation of a SYBR‐Green I Real‐Time PCR test to detect bivalves including Mytilus species in foods
Authors: Graziano Sara , Gullì Mariolina , Marmiroli Nelson 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe incidence of allergy to seafood, and in particular to molluscs is second only to that of nuts. To protect consumers, the regulators of food products insisted on identifying molluscs as allergens. The aim was to develop quantitative assay for the presence Mytilus species in processed food products. The chosen platform was real‐time PCR (qPCR) targeting either the gene encoding mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I or the nuclear gene encoding β‐actin. Recombinant plasmids containing each of target regions were used as a reference for quantification purposes. Limit of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) were determined. Spiked food samples containing 50–500 μg g−1 of Mytilus chilensis were analysed both by qPCR and by ELISA. The former assay gave a positive outcome over this range, whereas the latter was sensitive down to a concentration of 125 μg g−1.
Protein hydrolysates of salted duck egg white improve the quality of Jinga Shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis)
Authors: Yang Juan , Cui Chun , Feng Wanzhen , Zhao Haifeng , Wang Wei , Dong Keming 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe influence of protein hydrolysates of salt duck egg white (PHSDEW) hydrolysed by acid protease on the quality of Jinga Shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis) was analysed. Shrimp immersed in 5% PHSDEW with degree of hydrolysis (DH 3%) had the highest values of cooking yield, water retention, moisture and texture with the lowest cooking loss when compared to which immersed in 0.4% NaCl, 3.5% mixed phosphates and other PHSDEW with different DH (1%, 2% and 5%) (P < 0.05). This treatment made muscle fibres retain the most appropriate compact and regular microstructure and improved the thermal stability of shrimp protein as well (P < 0.05). SDS‐PAGE protein patterns revealed shrimp protein would dissolve out during immersion, while only could PHSDEW infiltrate into shrimp muscle. It suggested PHSDEW would be developed as a new type of water retention agent replaced phosphate used in shrimp or other seafoods, which will decrease the waste of salt duck egg white.
Local structure of the MgxNixCoxCuxZnxO(x=0.2) entropy‐stabilized oxide: An EXAFS study
Authors: Rost Christina M. , Rak Zsolt , Brenner Donald W. , Maria Jon‐Paul 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEntropy‐stabilized oxides (ESOs) provide an alternative route to novel materials discovery and synthesis. It is, however, a challenge to demonstrate that the constituent elements in an entropy‐stabilized crystal are homogeneously and randomly dispersed among a particular sublattice, resulting in a true solid solution with no evidence of local order or clustering. In this work, we present the application and analysis of extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) on the prototype ESO composition MgxNixCoxCuxZnxO (x=0.2). In so doing, we can quantify the local atomic structure on an element‐by‐element basis. We conclude that local bond lengths between metal and oxygen vary around each absorbing cation, with notable distortion around the Cu–O polyhedra. By the second near neighbor (i.e., the cation‐cation pair), interatomic distances are uniform to the extent that the collected data can resolve. Crystal models that best fit the experimental scattering data include cations that are distributed randomly on an FCC sublattice with minimal positional disorder, with an interleaved FCC anion sublattice with oxygen ions displaced from the ideal locations to accommodate the distortions in the cation polyhedra. Density functional theory calculations of the ESO system yield a significant broadening in the positional distribution for the oxygen sublattice compared to that for the cation sublattice for all peaks, showing consistency with the conclusion from the experimental data that the distortion from an ideal rock salt structure occurs primarily through disorder in the oxygen sublattice.
The interaction between molten gallium and the hydrocarbon medium induced by ultrasonic energy—can gallium carbide be formed?
Authors: Kumar Vijay Bhooshan , Monte Manuel , Mathon Olivier , Pascarelli Sakura , Porat Ze'ev , Gedanken Aharon 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUltrasonic irradiation of molten gallium in organic liquids (decane, dodecane, etc.) results in dispersion of the gallium into nanometric spheres. These were examined by several analytical methods XRD, DSC, Raman and IR spectroscopy) as well as electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and found to be composed of Ga and C. The DSC analysis indicates that the Ga has possibly reacted with carbon, while the Raman spectrum of the product demonstrates a strong additional peak that could not be identified. This work explores the possibility that the product is gallium carbide or another gallium‐carbon complex. To investigate the nature of the product, we performed detailed extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) analyses. On the basis of DSC, IR, and Raman it appear to be formation of GaC, whereas the analysis by EXAFS and XANES demonstrated that the gallium is found to be in a higher reduced state (almost metallic), supported by carbon. The question that remains open in addition to the one related to the formation of galium carbide is whether a complex structure, including oxygen contamination is involved in the layers surrounding the Ga as indicated by the EXAFS results.
Novel mechanism of miRNA‐365‐regulated trophoblast apoptosis in recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Zhao Wei , Shen Wei‐wei , Cao Xiao‐mei , Ding Wen‐yan , Yan Lin‐ping , Gao Ling‐juan , Li Xiu‐Ling , Zhong Tian‐ying 
Published: April 2017

AbstractClinical pregnancies increasingly end in recurrent miscarriage (RM) during the first trimester, with genetic factors shouldering the main responsibility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression in a wide array of important biological processes. We examined the potential role of dysregulated miRNAs in RM pathogenesis and trophoblast development as an approach to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind RM. miRNA profiles from clinical specimens of RM and induced abortion (IA) were compared, and several miRNAs were found to be aberrantly expressed in RM samples. Among the miRNAs, miR‐365 was significantly differentially expressed in RM decidual tissues. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that miR‐365 functions as an upstream regulator of MDM2/p53 expression, cell cycle progression and apoptosis in trophoblasts. Bioinformatic prediction and experimental validation assays identified SGK1 as a direct target of miR‐365; consistently, its protein levels were low in decidual tissues. Additionally, functional studies revealed that SGK1 silencing elicits cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in trophoblasts and that SGK1 overexpression attenuates the effects of miR‐365 on apoptosis and MDM2/p53 expression. Collectively, our data provide evidence that the up‐regulation of miR‐365 may contribute to RM by decreasing SGK1 expression, which suggests its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for RM.
Manufacturer collusion: Strategic implications of the channel structure
Authors: Reisinger Markus , Thomes Tim Paul 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe investigate how the structure of the distribution channel affects tacit collusion between manufacturers. When selling through a common retailer, we find—in contrast to the conventional understanding of tacit collusion that firms act to maximize industry profits—that colluding manufacturers strategically induce double marginalization so that retail prices are above the monopoly level. This lowers industry profits but increases the profit share that manufacturers appropriate from the retailer. Comparing common distribution with independent (exclusive) distribution, we show that the latter facilitates collusion. Despite this result, common retailing leads to lower welfare because a common retailer monopolizes the downstream market. For the case of independent retailing, we also demonstrate that contract offers that are observable to the rival retailer are not necessarily beneficial for collusive purposes.