bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An experimental test of state–behaviour feedbacks: gizzard mass and foraging behaviour in red knots
Authors: Mathot Kimberley J. , Dekinga Anne , Piersma Theunis 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Animals frequently exhibit consistent among‐individual differences in behavioural and physiological traits that are inherently flexible. Why should individuals differ consistently in their expression of labile traits? Recently, positive feedbacks between state and behaviour have been proposed as a possible explanation for the maintenance of consistent among‐individual differences in both state and behaviour. If state affects behaviour, and behaviour reciprocally affects state, then differences in either state or behaviour that arise among individuals even by chance could be maintained over extended periods of time.

We tested for positive feedbacks experimentally using wild‐caught red knots (Calidris canutus islandica). In the wild, knots exhibit consistent among‐individual differences in digestive physiology (the mass of the muscular part of the stomach, the gizzard) and foraging behaviour (diet), two inherently labile traits.

Experimentally manipulated diet quality had a large effect on gizzard mass. Experimentally manipulated gizzard mass reciprocally influenced total food eaten during ad libitum trials.

The effect of gizzard mass on diet choice, though in the predicted direction, was not statistically significant. Individuals exhibited consistent differences in foraging behaviour of unknown origin independent of current gizzard mass, as well as large residual unexplained variance in foraging behaviour. These two sources of variation in foraging behaviour overruled the gizzard mass‐dependent foraging behaviour and hence eroded the treatment‐related differences in gizzard mass.

We conclude that positive feedbacks between diet choice and gizzard mass play at best a limited role in maintaining among‐individual variation in gizzard mass in red knots. Furthermore, we suggest that many models of state–behaviour feedbacks likely overestimate their potential importance in maintaining long‐term among‐individual variation in labile traits because most models of state–behaviour feedbacks fail to account for the effects of additional factors that may act to disrupt the feedback loops.

The among‐individual differences in diet choice observed during solitary foraging trials eroded the consistent among‐individual differences in gizzard mass observed following periods of staple diet treatments in which knots foraged in social groups. Social foraging interactions may play an important role determining the expression of foraging behaviours such as intake rate that in turn influence gizzard mass. Further studies are needed to experimentally test the role of social interactions as a mechanism generating consistent among‐individual differences in foraging behaviours and gizzard mass.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Reproductive effort and oxidative stress: effects of offspring sex and number on the physiological state of a long‐lived bird
Authors: Merkling Thomas , Blanchard Pierrick , Chastel Olivier , Glauser Gaëtan , Vallat‐Michel Armelle , Hatch Scott A. , Danchin Etienne , Helfenstein Fabrice 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Individuals must trade‐off between energetically costly activities to maximize their fitness. However, the underlying physiological mechanism remains elusive. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant and/or repair activities, has been suggested to underlie life‐history trade‐offs: greater investment in reproduction supposedly generating higher oxidative damage, thus reducing life span.

While most studies used natural or experimental variation in offspring number to examine how reproduction affects oxidative stress, none studied the impact of offspring sex, although it could influence physiological costs and fitness, if the sexes differ in terms of energetic cost.

Here, we aim at further understanding how reproduction (in terms of offspring sex, experimentally manipulated and number, not manipulated) influences oxidative stress in a wild seabird, where sons are energetically costlier than daughters. We did so by conducting a chick fostering experiment (to disentangle foster and produced sex ratio) and using four oxidative stress markers plus baseline corticosterone.

First, the results suggest that individual physiological state before laying modulates upcoming reproductive effort. Individuals with higher pre‐laying baseline corticosterone and lower antioxidant activity, estimated by their superoxide dismutase activity, subsequently invested more in reproduction, estimated by the cumulative number of days spent rearing chicks. Hence, it seems that only individuals that could afford to invest heavily in reproduction did so.

Then, we examined the effects of reproductive effort on individual physiological state at the end of the breeding season. Higher reproductive effort seemed to imply higher physiological costs. Oxidative stress, estimated by the ratio of oxidized over reduced glutathione, increased with more male‐biased foster sex ratio among mothers but not among fathers, whereas baseline corticosterone did so in both sexes. Similarly, lipid oxidative damage to red blood cells increased with increasing cumulative number of days spent rearing chicks.

Our study provides the first evidence that brood sex ratio variation can affect oxidative balance, potentially in a sex‐specific way, although more studies are needed to understand whether the observed physiological costs could lead to fitness costs. It also highlights the need to consider sex ratio in future studies investigating the role of oxidative stress in life‐history trade‐offs.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Leaf dry matter content is better at predicting above‐ground net primary production than specific leaf area
Authors: Smart Simon Mark , Glanville Helen Catherine , Blanes Maria del Carmen , Mercado Lina Maria , Emmett Bridget Anne , Jones David Leonard , Cosby Bernard Jackson , Marrs Robert Hunter , Butler Adam , Marshall Miles Ramsvik , Reinsch Sabine , Herrero‐Jáuregui Cristina , Hodgson John Gavin 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Reliable modelling of above‐ground net primary production (aNPP) at fine resolution is a significant challenge. A promising avenue for improving process models is to include response and effect trait relationships. However, uncertainties remain over which leaf traits are correlated most strongly with aNPP.

We compared abundance‐weighted values of two of the most widely used traits from the leaf economics spectrum (specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content) with measured aNPP across a temperate ecosystem gradient.

We found that leaf dry matter content (LDMC) as opposed to specific leaf area (SLA) was the superior predictor of aNPP (R2 = 0·55).

Directly measured in situ trait values for the dominant species improved estimation of aNPP significantly. Introducing intraspecific trait variation by including the effect of replicated trait values from published databases did not improve the estimation of aNPP.

Our results support the prospect of greater scientific understanding for less cost because LDMC is much easier to measure than SLA.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Crop‐associated virus infection in a native perennial grass: reduction in plant fitness and dynamic patterns of virus detection
Authors: Alexander Helen M. , Bruns Emily , Schebor Hayley , Malmstrom Carolyn M. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

To understand the eco‐evolutionary significance of plant viruses in nature, we must (i) quantify the effects of infection on plant fitness and (ii) recognize that native plants are increasingly exposed to crop‐associated viruses. Studies of perennials are particularly needed: most of our knowledge of plant‐virus interactions is from annuals, yet long‐lived species dominate landscapes. Here we used aster models for life‐history analysis and longitudinal measures of plant virus status to evaluate multi‐year consequences of crop virus infection in a native perennial.

We used Barley yellow dwarf virus acquired from wheat to inoculate seedlings of Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass), a North American prairie grass. We grew inoculated and mock‐inoculated individuals of two ecotypes for 3 years in the field. We measured plant size, infection status and fitness components. Aster modelling provided integrated multi‐year measures of fitness.

Crop virus inoculation reduced multi‐year native plant fitness by 30% over 2 years despite generally asymptomatic infection and evidence of resistance. This reduction was greater than predicted from individual fitness components or most size measures. Ecotypes differed in response, with the lowland ecotype experiencing higher apparent recovery from infection. Virus treatment in the upland ecotype delayed flowering phenology and reduced seed filling.

Synthesis. Our use of field experimentation, surveys of plant infection status and aster modelling demonstrates a rigorous and broadly applicable approach for quantifying the effects of viruses and other microbes on multi‐year plant fitness. We found that a crop virus had negative multi‐year effects on native plant fitness even after infection was no longer detected. Viruses may have substantial effects on native vegetation with domestication of landscapes and agricultural expansion.
The emergence of the ecological mind in Hua‐Yen/Kegon Buddhism and Jungian psychology
Authors: Cambray Joe 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe complexity associated with deep interconnectedness in nature is beginning to be articulated and elaborated in the field of ecological studies. While some parallels to the psyche have been made and the field of Eco‐psychology has been developing, Jung's explicit contribution by way of the image of rhizomes has not been considered in detail. Philosopher Gilles Deleuze acknowledges borrowing the term from Jung, though he disagreed with Jung's Empedoclean use of the term. The paper presents some fundamental properties of rhizomes along with contemporary scientific research on mycorrhizal (fungal) networks. Comparisons are made, first with classical symbolic forms, demonstrating some overlap but also some differences. Then comparison of rhizomal networks is made to those found both in mammalian brains and in recent images of the ‘cosmic web’. While no hard conclusions can be drawn from these images, their remarkable similarities are suggestive of a need to reconsider what is meant by ‘intelligence’.The cosmic web is one of the largest structures in the known universe (clusters of galaxies which form into filaments and walls) with empty spaces in between. Exploration of the structure of this web leads to a discussion of dark matter and dark energy, current hot topics in science, probing into the mysteries of our ‘Big‐Bang’ cosmology. An additional comparison of the emerging image of the universe as a whole with the ancient Chinese Buddhist cosmological vision from the Hua‐Yen School (Kegon in Japan) again reveals profound parallels. The potential convergence of aspects of subjective, or meditative, explorations with objective scientific constructions is striking and offers links between East and West, as well as potential confirmation of the objective aspects of empathy.
Capitalisation of the SPS into Agricultural Land Rental Prices under Harmonisation of Payments
Authors: Allen Klaiber H. , Salhofer Klaus , Thompson Stanley R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAs the 2013 Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) calls for the harmonisation of Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payments, we estimate the implications of this mandate on agricultural land rental rates over time as Germany began harmonising payments in 2010. Using Bavarian farm‐level panel data we find strong capitalisation effects that increase substantially in the years following 2009. On average, the marginal effect on rental rates of an additional SPS euro is 37 cents, growing over time to 53 cents as harmonisation develops.
Development of a Reality‐Based Multimedia Case Study Teaching Method and its Effect on Students’ Planned Food Safety Behaviors
Authors: Alberts Caitlin M. , Stevenson Clinton D. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThere is opportunity to decrease the frequency of foodborne illnesses by improving food safety competencies and planned behaviors of college students before they begin careers in the food industry. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a multimedia case study teaching method that provides real world context for food science education; and (2) evaluate the extent to which it improves the intentions of students to implement food safety management systems upon entering the workforce, as well its impact on knowledge gains and students’ abilities to understand complex concepts. The target audience consisted of all participants in an upper‐level undergraduate food safety management systems course (n = 17). A pretest and posttest survey research instrument was developed to measure knowledge gains and also students’ food safety intentions using the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior.Students experienced significant gains in knowledge, attitude, and intention after completion of the course (P < 0.05). One hundred percent of students agreed that the interactive videos aided in their understanding of food safety concepts. A paired t test suggested that both behavioral control beliefs and attitudes of students toward food safety management significantly increased (P < 0.5) after completion of the case study. These results suggest that integrating multimedia case studies into food science education may enhance food safety behaviors.
How to Create a Student‐Generated Database, in a Large Nutrition Class, to Illustrate the Analysis of Nutrient and Food Intakes
Authors: Gurfinkel Debbie M. , Wolever Thomas M. S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe completion of a 3‐d food record, using commonly available nutrient analysis software, is a typical assignment for students in nutrition and food science programs. While these assignments help students evaluate their personal diets, it is insufficient to teach students about surveys of large population cohorts. This paper shows how the Test, Survey, and Pools tool in the learning management system Blackboard™ (Blackboard Inc.) was used to collect the individual food and nutrition intake data from the 3‐d food records of students in a large introductory nutrition class. This student‐generated database was then used to illustrate population level analyses. Examples of the types of analyses include (a) use of the Estimated Average Requirement cut point method to identify nutrients of concern; (b) the use of food intakes to determine the proportion of students consuming the recommended servings of foods from each food group; (c) the analysis of intakes of nutrients that are overconsumed such as salt, saturated fat, and trans fat; and (d) correlations between macronutrients (for example, as fat intake increases, carbohydrate intake decreases). The use of a database, derived from the students own food intakes, connects with student interests, and the analysis of such a database illustrates an authentic task in the nutritional sciences.
Use of Exam Wrappers to Enhance Students’ Metacognitive Skills in a Large Introductory Food Science and Human Nutrition Course
Authors: Gezer-Templeton P. Gizem , Mayhew Emily J. , Korte Debra S. , Schmidt Shelly J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractResearch shows that students struggle to develop higher order thinking skills and effective study strategies during the transition from high school to college. Therefore, in addition to teaching course content, effective instructors should assist students in developing metacognitive skills, that is, the practice of thinking about their thinking. An effective assignment that assists students in thinking about their exam performance is the exam wrapper. The objectives of this study were to examine students’ metacognitive skills, evaluate the correlation between study behaviors and student performance, and assess student perception of exam wrappers. Exam wrapper assignments were offered as extra credit after the first 3 exams in a large introductory Food Science and Human Nutrition course, and student responses and exam performance were analyzed. Many students with poor exam performance overestimated their exam scores, indicating students’ self‐assessment skills could be sharpened. However, students demonstrated the ability to make and implement goals to improve study strategies throughout the semester. A modest relationship between use of study strategies and improved exam performance was observed, particularly for students with a B exam average, suggesting that students in the middle of the grade distribution may benefit most from this type of intervention. Finally, most students expressed a belief that exam wrappers helped them improve their study habits and exam scores, and that they planned to use the exam wrapper process in future classes. In summary, this study shows that the exam wrapper is a valued and effective postexam reflection tool for improving students’ self‐reported study habits.
Acute management of autoimmune toxicity in cancer patients on immunotherapy: Common toxicities and the approach for the emergency physician
Authors: Lomax Anna J , McNeil Catriona 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWhen a patient receiving anti‐cancer treatment presents acutely unwell, an understanding of associated side effects of their therapy is critical. This review will discuss the approach to patients receiving anti‐cancer treatment with immunotherapy presenting with autoimmune toxicities in the emergency setting. These toxicities are commonly referred to as immune‐related adverse events (irAE). IrAE might consist of, but are not limited to, dermatologic, gastrointestinal (diarrhoea, colitis), hepatic, endocrine (thyroid dysfunction, hypophysitis, adrenal crisis), renal, ocular and pulmonary toxicity. General principles of managing these irAE in the acute setting will be outlined. Steroid therapy is a critical component of the treatment algorithm, being administered at high doses and for prolonged periods to switch off immune over‐activation. Prompt intervention might prevent multi‐organ failure and fatality, and allow patients to remain on effective anti‐cancer therapy.
Biosynthesis of micro‐ and nanocrystals of Pb (II), Hg (II) and Cd (II) sulfides in four Candida species: a comparative study of in vivo and in vitro approaches
Authors: Cuéllar‐Cruz Mayra , Lucio‐Hernández Daniela , Martínez‐Ángeles Isabel , Demitri Nicola , Polentarutti Maurizio , Rosales‐Hoz María J. , Moreno Abel 
Published: January 2017

SummaryNature produces biominerals (biogenic minerals) that are synthesized as complex structures, in terms of their physicochemical properties. These biominerals are composed of minerals and biological macromolecules. They are produced by living organisms and are usually formed through a combination of chemical, biochemical and biophysical processes. Microorganisms like Candida in the presence of heavy metals can biomineralize those metals to form microcrystals (MCs) and nanocrystals (NCs). In this work, MCs and NCs of PbS, HgS or HgCl2 as well as CdS are synthesized both in vitro (gels) and in vivo by four Candida species. Our in vivo results show that, in the presence of Pb2+, Candida cells are able to replicate and form extracellular PbS MCs, whereas in the presence of Hg2+ and Cd2+, they did synthesize intercellular MCs from HgS or HgCl2 and CdS NCs respectively. The MCs and NCs biologically obtained in Candida were compared with those PbS, HgS and CdS crystals synthetically obtained in vitro through the gel method (grown either in agarose or in sodium metasilicate hydrogels). This is, to our knowledge, the first time that the biosynthesis of the various MCs and NCs (presented in several species of Candida) has been reported. This biosynthesis is differentially regulated in each of these pathogens, which allows them to adapt and survive in different physiological and environmental habitats.
Making sense of metabolic obesity and hedonic obesity
Authors: Yu Yi‐Hao 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBody weight is neither stationary nor does it change unidirectionally. Rather, body weight usually oscillates up and down around a set point. Two types of forces determine the direction of weight changes. Forces that push body weight away from the set point are defined as non‐homeostatic and are governed by multiple mechanisms, including, but not limited to, hedonic regulation of food intake. Forces that restore the set point weight are defined as homeostatic, and they operate through mechanisms that regulate short‐term energy balance driven by hunger and satiation and long‐term energy balance driven by changes in adiposity. In the normal physiological state, the deviation of body weight from the set point is usually small and temporary, and is constantly corrected by homeostatic forces. Metabolic obesity develops when body weight set point is shifted to an abnormally high level and the obese body weight becomes metabolically defended. In hedonic obesity, the obese body weight is maintained by consistent overeating due to impairments in the reward system, although the set point is not elevated. Adaptive increases in energy expenditure are elicited in hedonic obesity because body weight is elevated above the set point. Neither subtype of obesity undergoes spontaneous resolution unless the underlying disorders are corrected. In this review, the need for both appropriate patient stratification and tailored treatments is discussed in the context of the new framework of metabolic and hedonic obesity.
The effect of remifentanil on propofol requirements to achieve loss of response to command vs. loss of response to pain
Authors: Scott H. B. , Choi S. W. , Wong G. T. C. , Irwin M. G. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryWhen providing total intravenous anaesthesia, careful selection of end‐points is required in titrating dose to effect during induction. Although propofol and remifentanil have predominantly different pharmacodynamic effects, they are seen to interact in achieving loss of consciousness and analgesia. To highlight these differences, we performed a double‐blind, randomised controlled trial, comparing one group of patients receiving propofol alone (n = 42) with another group receiving remifentanil plus propofol (n = 46) as a target‐controlled infusion of remifentanil (Minto; 3 ng.ml−1). Propofol was also titrated using a target‐controlled infusion (Marsh effect model) to produce loss of response to tactile and vocal stimuli, and subsequently to loss of response to pain. The effect‐site concentration of propofol at which 50% of patients lost tactile/verbal response was 2.9 μg.ml−1 in the propofol only group and 2.4 μg.ml−1 in the remifentanil with propofol group. In contrast, loss of pain response occurred at 4.4 μg.ml−1 in the propofol group, and 2.7 μg.ml−1 in the remifentanil with propofol group, with correspondingly lower bispectral index values. Judicious use of analgesia in total intravenous anaesthesia can have a propofol‐sparing effect and potentially minimise the suppression of brain electrical activity.