bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stable coexistence of ecologically identical species: conspecific aggregation via reproductive interference
Authors: Ruokolainen Lasse , Hanski Ilkka 
Published: January 2016

Summary

Stable coexistence of ecologically identical species is not possible according to the established ecological theory. Many coexistence mechanisms have been proposed, but they all involve some form of ecological differentiation among the competing species.

The aggregation model of coexistence would predict coexistence of identical species if there would be a mechanism that generates spatially aggregated distributions that are not completely correlated among the species. Our aim is to demonstrate that continued dispersal, triggered by reproductive interference between ecologically identical species, is such a mechanism. This study has been motivated by species using ephemeral patchy resources, such as decomposing fruits, fungal sporophores, carrion, and dung.

We analyse an individual‐based model with sexual reproduction, in which the progeny develops in ephemeral resource patches and the new generation disperses to a new set of patches. We assume spatially restricted dispersal, that patches differ in detectability, and that unmated females continue dispersal.

In the model, reproductive interference (males spend some time searching for and/or attempting to mate with heterospecific females) reduces the mating rate of females, especially in the less common species, which leads to increased dispersal and reduces spatial correlation in species' distributions.

For a wide range of parameter values, coexisting species show a systematic difference in their relative abundances due to two opposing forces: (1) uncommon species have reduced growth rate (Allee effect), which decreases abundance; (2) an abundance difference between the species reduces interspecific spatial correlation, which in turn reduces interspecific competition and allows the rarer species to persist at low density.

Our results demonstrate a new mechanism for coexistence that is not based on ecological differentiation between species.
Impacts of warming revealed by linking resource growth rates with consumer functional responses
Authors: West Derek C. , Post David M. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryWarming global temperatures are driving changes in species distributions, growth and timing, but much uncertainty remains regarding how climate change will alter species interactions.Consumer–Resource interactions in particular can be strongly impacted by changes to the relative performance of interacting species. While consumers generally gain an advantage over their resources with increasing temperatures, nonlinearities can change this relation near temperature extremes.We use an experimental approach to determine how temperature changes between 5 and 30 °C will alter the growth of the algaeScenedesmus obliquusand the functional responses of the small‐bodiedDaphnia ambiguaand the largerDaphnia pulicaria.The impact of warming generally followed expectations, making bothDaphniaspecies more effective grazers, with the increase in feeding rates outpacing the increases in algal growth rate. At the extremes of our temperature range, however, warming resulted in a decrease inDaphniagrazing effectiveness. Between 25 and 30 °C, both species ofDaphniaexperienced a precipitous drop in feeding rates, while algal growth rates remained high, increasing the likelihood of algal blooms in warming summer temperatures.Daphnia pulicariaperformed significantly better at cold temperatures thanD. ambigua, but by 20 °C, there was no significant difference between the two species, and at 25 °C,D. ambiguaoutperformedD. pulicaria. Warming summer temperatures will favour the smallerD. ambigua,but only over a narrow temperature range, and warming beyond 25 °C could openD. ambiguato invasion from tropical species.By fitting our results to temperature‐dependent functions, we develop a temperature‐ and density‐dependent model, which produces a metric of grazing effectiveness, quantifying the grazer density necessary to halt algal growth. This approach should prove useful for tracking the transient dynamics of other density‐dependent consumer–resource interactions, such as agricultural pests and biological‐control agents.
Ungulate distributions in a rangeland with competitors, predators and pastoralists
Authors: Schuette Paul , Creel Scott , Christianson Dave 
Published: January 2016

SummaryAfrican rangelands support diverse ungulate communities whose member species exhibit unique combinations of body morphology and behaviour that have evolved over millions of years to limit the effects of competition and predation on fitness, and more recently, to cope with people and livestock. The mechanisms by which native ungulates cope with the combined effects of competition, predation and human disturbance are poorly understood. Addressing this knowledge gap will help guide management and conservation plans for large mammal communities outside of strictly protected areas.We conducted animal counts on line transects and used a spatially explicit distance sampling model to test the influence of bottom–up effects (vegetation), top–down effects from African lionPanthera leoand spotted hyenaCrocuta crocutaand human disturbance (livestock density, occupied human settlements) on native ungulate densities and distributions across a multiple‐use rangeland in Kenya. We examined five species that varied in body morphology and foraging strategy, including two large‐bodied grazers (zebraEquus quagga; wildebeestConnochaetes taurinus), two medium‐bodied, mixed‐feeders (Grant's gazelleNanger granti; impalaAepyceros melampus) and one very large‐bodied browser (giraffeGiraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi).Densities and distributions of all species varied across available land‐use types, with bottom–up effects (vegetation) and human disturbance having the strongest overall effects. Responses varied by ungulate foraging strategy. Distributions of grazers and the browser (giraffe) changed seasonally, while distributions of mixed‐feeders and a grazer (zebra) changed diurnally.At broad spatial scales, ungulates did not respond to long‐term variation in predation risk though they have been shown to respond behaviourally to short‐term variation in risk.Synthesis and applications. Our results revealed that native ungulates in this multiple‐use rangeland occur at densities comparable to many flagship protected area populations. We attribute observed densities to spatial heterogeneity across this landscape that included variation in human land use (community conservation area, seasonal settlements and livestock grazing, permanent settlements) and vegetation (grassland, bushland, woodland) that changed through time (seasonally, diurnally). This variation allowed ungulates to carve out ecological niches while reducing exposure to the potential limiting effects of competition and human disturbance. For some species, securing access to forage resources and avoiding human disturbance may be associated with costs through increased risk of predation. Our research reveals the trade‐offs native ungulates make to cope with changes in forage availability, human disturbance and predation risk, providing important insights to help guide native ungulate conservation efforts in multiple‐use rangelands.
Panax notoginseng saponins ameliorate impaired arterial vasodilation in SHRSP.Z‐Leprfa/lzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Wu Ting , Sun Jianning , Kagota Satomi , Maruyama Kana , Wakuda Hirokazu , Shinozuka Kazumasa 
Published: January 2016

SummaryPanax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are major components of Panax notoginseng, a herb with established clinical efficacy against vascular diseases. SHRSP.Z‐Leprfa/IzmDmcr (SHRSP.ZF) rats, a new animal model for metabolic syndrome, display an impaired vasorelaxation response in aortas and mesenteric arteries that is mediated by nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated whether PNS and its components can ameliorate this vascular dysfunction in SHRSP.ZF rats. In an in vitro study, in the presence or absence of PNS and its components, vasodilation in response to nitroprusside was determined from myographs under isometric tension conditions in aortas and mesenteric arteries from male SHRSP.ZF rats at 18–20 weeks of age. In an in vivo study, PNS (30 mg/kg per day) was orally administered to SHRSP.ZF rats from 8 to 20 weeks of age. In vitro treatment with PNS and Ginsenoside Rb1 increased nitroprusside‐induced relaxation of aortas and mesenteric arteries in SHRSP.ZF rats. The PNS‐induced increase was not affected by a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor or endothelium denudation. Relaxation in response to a cell‐permeable cGMP analogue was increased by PNS, but cGMP accumulation by nitroprusside was not altered. In vivo treatment with PNS in SHRSP.ZF rats lowered blood pressure and increased relaxation and the expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase protein in arteries, without affecting metabolic abnormalities. These results indicate that PNS causes an increase in vasodilation in response to NO and a decrease in blood pressure, resulting in protection against vascular dysfunction in SHRSP.ZF rats. PNS might be beneficial in alleviating impaired vasodilation in metabolic syndrome.
Working in the borderland: early relational trauma and Fordham's analysis of ‘K’
Authors: West Marcus 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper outlines a view of early relational trauma as underlying borderline states of mind, and argues that Knox's paper on internal working models and the complex provides a basis for understanding such states of mind. The author argues that in addition to internal working models, the complex also embodies and contains primitive defences of the core self. He outlines how these apply on the objective, subjective, transference and archetypal levels, and in direct and reversed forms and applies this to the account of Fordham's analysis of his patient ‘K’, which ended in impasse. The paper explores the dynamic that emerged in that analysis and suggests that it could be helpfully accounted for in terms of the co‐construction and re‐construction of early relational trauma in the analytic relationship.
Factors Associated with the Presence of Domestic Energy Efficiency Measures in England
Authors: Leicester Andrew , Stoye George 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe use cross‐sectional household survey data in England between 2002–03 and 2010–11 to explore potential barriers to ownership of three common energy efficiency measures (loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and full double glazing) in residential properties. There is little compelling evidence that credit constraints, as proxied by income, education or means‐tested benefit receipt, inhibit ownership. Failures in landlord–tenant relationships, though, are a key issue: private renters are significantly less likely to have the measures in their homes than other tenure groups. More broadly, it is the characteristics of the dwelling rather than of the occupants which are most strongly related to the presence of the measures. However, relatively few factors are consistently associated with lower ownership rates over time and efficiency measures, suggesting that policies to encourage increased take‐up may need to be tailored to the specific measure.
Cheaper, Greener and More Efficient: Rationalising UK Carbon Prices
Authors: Advani Arun , Stoye George 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCurrent UK energy use policies, which primarily aim to reduce carbon emissions, provide abatement incentives that vary by user and fuel, creating inefficiency. Distributional concerns are often given as a justification for the lower carbon price faced by households, but there is little rationale for carbon prices associated with the use of gas to be lower than those for electricity. We consider reforms that raise carbon prices faced by households and reduce the variation in carbon prices across gas and electricity use, improving the efficiency of emissions reduction. We show that the revenue raised from these reforms can be recycled in a way that ameliorates some of the distributional concerns. Whilst such recycling is not able to protect all poorer households, existing policy also makes distributional trade‐offs, but does so in an opaque and inefficient way.
Identification of a novel cytochrome P450 CYP321B1 gene from tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) and RNA interference to evaluate its role in commonly used insecticides
Authors: Wang Rui‐Long , Zhu‐Salzman Keyan , Baerson Scott R. , Xin Xiao‐Wei , Li Jun , Su Yi‐Juan , Zeng Ren‐Sen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInsect cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs or P450s) play an important role in detoxifying insecticides leading to resistance in insect populations. A polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura, has developed resistance to a wide range of insecticides. In the present study, a novel P450 gene, CYP321B1, was cloned from S. litura. The function of CYP321B1 was assessed using RNA interference (RNAi) and monitoring resistance levels for three commonly used insecticides, including chlorpyrifos, β‐cypermethrin and methomyl. The full‐length complementary DNA sequence of CYP321B1 is 1814 bp long with an open reading frame of 1 488 bp encoding 495 amino acid residues. Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses during larval and pupal development indicated that CYP321B1 expression was highest in the midgut of fifth‐instar larvae, followed by fat body and cuticle. The expression of CYP321B1 in the midgut was up‐regulated by chlorpyrifos, β‐cypermethrin and methomyl with both lethal concentration at 15% (LC15) (50, 100 and 150 μg/mL, respectively) and 50%(LC50) dosages (100, 200 and 300 μg/mL, respectively). Addition of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) significantly increased the toxicity of chlorpyrifos, β‐cypermethrin and methomyl to S. litura, suggesting a marked synergism of the three insecticides with PBO and P450‐mediated detoxification. RNAi‐mediated silencing of CYP321B1 further increased mortality by 25.6% and 38.9% when the fifth‐instar larvae were exposed to chlorpyrifos and β‐cypermethrin, respectively, at the LC50 dose levels. The results demonstrate that CYP321B1 might play an important role in chlorpyrifos and β‐cypermethrin detoxification in S. litura.
Fenoxycarb promotes adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Lim Seonyoung , Choi Hojung , Park Sung‐Soo , Kim Minsoo , Kim Eungseok 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLipophilic insect hormones and their analogs affect mammalian physiology by regulating the expression of metabolic genes. Therefore, we determined the effect of fenoxycarb, a juvenile hormone analog, on lipid metabolism in adipocytes. Here, we demonstrated that fenoxycarb dose‐dependently promoted lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes during adipocyte differentiation and that its lipogenic effect was comparable to that of rosiglitazone, a well‐known ligand for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Furthermore, fenoxycarb stimulatedPPARγactivity without affecting other nuclear receptors, such as liverXreceptor (LXR), farnesoidX‐activated receptor (FXR) andNur77. In addition, fenoxycarb treatment increased the expression ofPPARγand fatty acid transporter protein 1 (FATP1) in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, suggesting that fenoxycarb may facilitate adipocyte differentiation by enhancingPPARγsignaling, the master regulator of adipogenesis. Together, our results suggest that fenoxycarb promoted lipid accumulation in adipocytes, in part, by stimulatingPPARγ.
New method for rapidly estimating population densities of the concealed wood‐borer Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the field
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Yi , Yang Zhong‐Qi , Situ Chun‐Nan , Wang Jian , Fu Fu‐Yong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTo rapidly estimate pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, population densities in forests, the vertical distributions of M. alternatus oviposition sites and larvae on infested Masson pines (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) were studied. Results showed that the number of oviposition sites on sections of trunks between 0 and 2 m above ground was significantly greater than on sections of trunk above 2 m, and the vertical distribution had a significant logarithmic relationship with trunk height. The larval number of M. alternatus on dead infested trees had a significant difference among heights of trunks. Sections on trunks at 2–4 m usually contained the largest number of M. alternatus larvae, while the number of larvae on trunks above 10 m declined significantly, as well as in the 1 m section of trunk at the base. The vertical distribution of M. alternatus larvae on dead infested pines showed a distinct parabolic relationship with trunk height. The number of oviposition sites of M. alternatus on infested Masson pine trunks revealed a significant exponential relationship with the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees. A significant positive linear relationship also was observed between M. alternatus larval number and DBH on the host pine trees, as well as between the numbers of larvae and oviposition sites on an individual tree. The total number of larvae in an infested tree could be calculated easily using an established equation, through counting the number of oviposition sites at 3–4 m of trunk aboveground. This study developed a practical method for rapid estimation of M. alternatus populations.
Effect of Initial Headspace O2Level on the Growth and Volatile Metabolite Production ofLeuconostoc Mesenteriodesand the Microbial and Sensorial Quality of Modified Atmosphere Packaged Par‐Fried French Fries
Authors: Samapundo Simbarashe , Mujuru Felix Mugove , de Baenst Ilse , Denon Quenten , Devlieghere Frank 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of residual O2level (0% to 5%) on microbial growth and volatile metabolite production on par‐fried French fries packaged in a modified atmosphere with 60% CO2(rest N2) at 4 °C. The results obtained showed that the initial headspace (IH) O2level had an effect on growth ofLeuconostoc mesenteroideson French fry simulation agar, whereby growth was slightly faster under 5% O2. In terms of quantity, ethanol, 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, and dimethyl disulphide were the most significant volatile metabolites produced byL. mesenteroides. The production of ethanol byL. mesenteroideswas highest on simulation agar packaged under low IH O2levels (0% to 1%), indicating that the fermentative metabolism was induced under these conditions. In agreement with the results observed on the simulation medium, growth of native lactic acid bacteria was faster under an IH O2level of 5%. In addition, ethanol, 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, and dimethyl disulphide were also quantitatively the most important volatile metabolites. However, in contrast, greater quantities of ethanol and dimethyl disulphide were produced on par‐fried French fries packaged under 5% O2. This was attributed to the limited growth of the native flora on the par‐fried French fries under residual O2levels of 0% and 1%. Although some significant differences (P< 0.05) occurred between the French fries packaged in 0%, 1%, and 5 % residual O2during storage, all products were considered to be acceptable for consumption. The results of this study can be used to optimize the shelf‐life of packaged chill stored potato products.
Urinary Squamous Epithelial Cells Do Not Accurately Predict Urine Culture Contamination, but May Predict Urinalysis Performance in Predicting Bacteriuria
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M. , Harland Karisa K. , Crabb Victoria , Mutnick Rachel , Baumgartner David , Spinosi Stephanie , Haarstad Michael , Ahmed Azeemuddin , Schweizer Marin , Faine Brett 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe presence of squamous epithelial cells (SECs) has been advocated to identify urinary contamination despite a paucity of evidence supporting this practice. We sought to determine the value of using quantitative SECs as a predictor of urinalysis contamination.MethodsRetrospective cross‐sectional study of adults (≥18 years old) presenting to a tertiary academic medical center who had urinalysis with microscopy and urine culture performed. Patients with missing or implausible demographic data were excluded (2.5% of total sample). The primary analysis aimed to determine an SEC threshold that predicted urine culture contamination using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The a priori secondary analysis explored how demographic variables (age, sex, body mass index) may modify the SEC test performance and whether SECs impacted traditional urinalysis indicators of bacteriuria.ResultsA total of 19,328 records were included. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that SEC count was a poor predictor of urine culture contamination (area under the ROC curve = 0.680, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.671 to 0.689). In secondary analysis, the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of predicting bacteriuria via urinalysis among noncontaminated specimens was 4.98 (95% CI = 4.59 to 5.40) in the absence of SECs, but the LR+ fell to 2.35 (95% CI = 2.17 to 2.54) for samples with more than 8 SECs/low‐powered field (lpf). In an independent validation cohort, urinalysis samples with fewer than 8 SECs/lpf predicted bacteriuria better (sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 84%) than samples with more than 8 SECs/lpf (sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 70%; diagnostic odds ratio = 17.5 [14.9 to 20.7] vs. 8.7 [7.3 to 10.5]).ConclusionsSquamous epithelial cells are a poor predictor of urine culture contamination, but may predict poor predictive performance of traditional urinalysis measures.
Effect of Indoleamine 2,3‐Dioxygenase Expressed in HTR‐8/SVneo Cells on Decidual NK Cell Cytotoxicity
Authors: Ban Yanli , Zhao Ying , Liu Fen , Dong Baihua , Kong Beihua , Qu Xun 
Published: January 2016

ProblemTo study the effect of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) expressed in HTR‐8/SVneo cells on NKG2D and NKp46 expression and cytotoxicity of decidual NK (dNK) and peripheral NK (pNK) cells.Method of studyCD56+ dNK and pNK cells purified were cultured with HTR‐8/SVneo cell conditioned medium (CM), 1‐MT+HTR‐8/SVneo cell CM, and complete RPMI 1640 medium (negative control) in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression of NKG2D and NKp46 in NK cells were then assessed by qRT‐PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated with LDH assays, and TNF‐α secretion was analyzed by ELISA.ResultsFor dNK cells, the mRNA and protein expression of NKp46 as well as NKG2D did not differ significantly among the three groups (P > 0.05), whereas for pNK cells, the expression level was significantly decreased in HTR‐8/SVneo cell CM group than the other two groups (P < 0.01). Peripheral NK cells cultured with HTR‐8/SVneo cell CM showed reduced cytotoxicity and TNF‐α secretion than the other two groups (P < 0.01), although there were no significant differences among three groups for dNK cells (P > 0.05).ConclusionIDO expressed by HTR‐8/SVneo cells can down‐regulate NKp46 and NKG2D expression and reduce cytotoxicity in pNK cells, and may contribute to keep dNK cytotoxicity at a low level, suggesting an important role for IDO in the maintenance of normal pregnancy.