bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Between semelparity and iteroparity: Empirical evidence for a continuum of modes of parity
Authors: Hughes Patrick William 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe number of times an organism reproduces (i.e., its mode of parity) is a fundamental life‐history character, and evolutionary and ecological models that compare the relative fitnesses of different modes of parity are common in life‐history theory and theoretical biology. Despite the success of mathematical models designed to compare intrinsic rates of increase (i.e., density‐independent growth rates) between annual‐semelparous and perennial‐iteroparous reproductive schedules, there is widespread evidence that variation in reproductive allocation among semelparous and iteroparous organisms alike is continuous. This study reviews the ecological and molecular evidence for the continuity and plasticity of modes of parity—that is, the idea that annual‐semelparous and perennial‐iteroparous life histories are better understood as endpoints along a continuum of possible strategies. I conclude that parity should be understood as a continuum of different modes of parity, which differ by the degree to which they disperse or concentrate reproductive effort in time. I further argue that there are three main implications of this conclusion: (1) that seasonality should not be conflated with parity; (2) that mathematical models purporting to explain the general evolution of semelparous life histories from iteroparous ones (or vice versa) should not assume that organisms can only display either an annual‐semelparous life history or a perennial‐iteroparous one; and (3) that evolutionary ecologists should base explanations of how different life‐history strategies evolve on the physiological or molecular basis of traits underlying different modes of parity.
Parameterization and validation of an ungulate‐pasture model
Authors: Pekkarinen Antti‐Juhani , Kumpula Jouko , Tahvonen Olli 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUngulate grazing and trampling strongly affect pastures and ecosystems throughout the world. Ecological population models are used for studying these systems and determining the guidelines for sustainable and economically viable management. However, the effect of trampling and other resource wastage is either not taken into account or quantified with data in earlier models. Also, the ability of models to describe the herbivore impact on pastures is usually not validated. We used a detailed model and data to study the level of winter‐ and summertime lichen wastage by reindeer and the effects of wastage on population sizes and management. We also validated the model with respect to its ability of predicting changes in lichen biomass and compared the actual management in herding districts with model results. The modeling efficiency value (0.75) and visual comparison between the model predictions and data showed that the model was able to describe the changes in lichen pastures caused by reindeer grazing and trampling. At the current lichen biomass levels in the northernmost Finland, the lichen wastage varied from 0 to 1 times the lichen intake during winter and from 6 to 10 times the intake during summer. With a higher value for wastage, reindeer numbers and net revenues were lower in the economically optimal solutions. Higher wastage also favored the use of supplementary feeding in the optimal steady state. Actual reindeer numbers in the districts were higher than in the optimal steady‐state solutions for the model in 18 herding districts out of 20. Synthesis and applications. We show that a complex model can be used for analyzing ungulate‐pasture dynamics and sustainable management if the model is parameterized and validated for the system. Wastage levels caused by trampling and other causes should be quantified with data as they strongly affect the results and management recommendations. Summertime lichen wastage caused by reindeer is higher than expected, which suggests that seasonal pasture rotation should be used to prevent the heavy trampling of winter lichen pastures during summer. In the present situation, reindeer numbers in northernmost Finland are in most cases higher than in the management solutions given by the model.
Population structure and genetic diversity of Bromus tectorum within the small grain production region of the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Lawrence Nevin C. , Hauvermale Amber L. , Dhingra Amit , Burke Ian C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBromus tectorum L. is an invasive winter annual grass naturalized across the United States. Numerous studies have investigated B. tectorum population structure and genetics in the context of B. tectorum as an ecological invader of natural areas and rangeland. Despite the wealth of information regarding B. tectorum, previous studies have not focused on, or made comparisons to, B. tectorum as it persists in individual agroecosystems. The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic diversity and structure, the occurrence of generalist and specialist genotypes, and the influence of climate on distribution of B. tectorum sourced exclusively from within small grain production regions of the Pacific Northwest. Genetic diversity of B. tectorum sourced from agronomic fields was found to be similar to what has been observed from other land use histories. Six distinct genetic clusters of B. tectorum were identified, with no evidence to indicate that any of the genetic clusters were better adapted to a particular geographical area or climate within the region. Given the apparent random spatial distribution of B. tectorum genetic clusters at the spatial scale of this analysis, unique genotypes may be well mixed within region, similar to what was reported for other inbreeding weedy grass species.
Survival of a specialist natural enemy experiencing resource competition with an omnivorous predator when sharing the invasive prey Tuta absoluta
Authors: Chailleux Anaïs , Droui Anthony , Bearez Philippe , Desneux Nicolas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCan specialist natural enemies persist in ecosystems when competing with omnivorous natural enemies for their shared prey? The consequences of omnivory have been studied theoretically, but empirical studies are still lacking. Omnivory is nevertheless common in nature and omnivorous predators coexist with specialists in many ecosystems, even when they are intraguild predators. This type of association is also common in agroecosystems in which biological control strategies are used. Our study provides an example of the outcome of such an association in the context of biological control of the invasive pest Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera) in a tomato agroecosystem. The two natural enemies involved, that is, a specialist (Stenomesius japonicus (Hymenoptera) parasitoid) and an omnivore (Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera) predator), were able to coexist for 3 months in our experimental cages in the absence of metacommunity mechanisms (i.e., emigration and recolonization), contrary to theoretical expectations. However, they negatively affected each other's population dynamics. We found that spatial resource segregation was not a mechanism that promoted their coexistence. Regarding pest control, the specialist and omnivorous natural enemies were found to exhibit complementary functional traits, leading to the best control when together. Mechanisms that may have promoted the coexistence of the two species as well as consequences with regard to the inoculative biological control program are discussed.
Astrocytic signaling supports hippocampal–prefrontal theta synchronization and cognitive function
Authors: Sardinha Vanessa Morais , Guerra‐Gomes Sónia , Caetano Inês , Tavares Gabriela , Martins Manuella , Reis Joana Santos , Correia Joana Sofia , Teixeira‐Castro Andreia , Pinto Luísa , Sousa Nuno , Oliveira João Filipe 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAstrocytes interact with neurons at the cellular level through modulation of synaptic formation, maturation, and function, but the impact of such interaction into behavior remains unclear. Here, we studied the dominant negative SNARE (dnSNARE) mouse model to dissect the role of astrocyte‐derived signaling in corticolimbic circuits, with implications for cognitive processing. We found that the blockade of gliotransmitter release in astrocytes triggers a critical desynchronization of neural theta oscillations between dorsal hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we found a strong cognitive impairment in tasks depending on this network. Importantly, the supplementation with d‐serine completely restores hippocampal–prefrontal theta synchronization and rescues the spatial memory and long‐term memory of dnSNARE mice. We provide here novel evidence of long distance network modulation by astrocytes, with direct implications to cognitive function.
Preferential encoding of movement amplitude and speed in the primary motor cortex and cerebellum
Authors: Stark‐Inbar Alit , Dayan Eran 
Published: September 2017

AbstractVoluntary movements require control of multiple kinematic parameters, a task carried out by a distributed brain architecture. However, it remains unclear whether regions along the motor system encode single, or rather a mixture of, kinematic parameters during action execution. Here, rapid event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to differentiate brain activity along the motor system during the encoding of movement amplitude, duration, and speed. We present cumulative evidence supporting preferential encoding of kinematic parameters along the motor system, based on blood‐oxygenation‐level dependent signal recorded in a well‐controlled single‐joint wrist‐flexion task. Whereas activity in the left primary motor cortex (M1) showed preferential encoding of movement amplitude, the anterior lobe of the right cerebellum (primarily lobule V) showed preferential encoding of movement speed. Conversely, activity in the left supplementary motor area (SMA), basal ganglia (putamen), and anterior intraparietal sulcus was not preferentially modulated by any specific parameter. We found no preference in peak activation for duration encoding in any of the tested regions. Electromyographic data was mainly modulated by movement amplitude, restricting the distinction between amplitude and muscle force encoding. Together, these results suggest that during single‐joint movements, distinct kinematic parameters are controlled by largely distinct brain‐regions that work together to produce and control precise movements. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5970–5986, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deficits in voluntary pursuit and inhibition of risk taking in sensation seeking
Authors: Zheng Ya , Li Qi , Tian Moqian , Nan Weizhi , Yang Guochun , Liang Jin , Liu Xun 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSensation seeking has been associated with substance use and other risk‐taking behaviors. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated the neural correlates underlying risk taking in sensation seeking. Twenty‐eight high sensation seekers (HSS; 14 female and 14 male young adults) and 28 low sensation seekers (LSS; 14 female and 14 male young adults) performed an interactive, sequential gambling task that allowed for voluntary pursuit or inhibition of risk taking. Behaviorally, HSS versus LSS exhibited a stronger tendency toward risk taking. Comparison of the groups revealed that when taking risks, HSS relative to LSS exhibited reduced fMRI responses in brain areas involved in risk processing, such as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and the thalamus. Importantly, during the voluntary inhibition of risk taking, HSS relative to LSS showed greater fMRI responses in brain areas implicated in cognitive control (the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex) and negative emotion (the right anterior insula). These findings suggest that risk taking in sensation seeking may be driven by both a hypoactive neural system in the voluntary pursuit of risk taking and a hyperactive neural system in the voluntary inhibition of risk taking, thus providing implications for future prevention programs targeting sensation‐seeking behaviors.Hum Brain Mapp 38:6019–6028, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
‘Brexit’ and International Insolvency Beyond the Realm of Mutual Trust
Authors: Carballo Piñeiro Laura 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe outcome of the referendum held in the UK in June 2016 is of far‐reaching and unpredictable consequences. This article focuses on the particular field of international insolvency with a view to identifying some of them, all arising out of the fact that the UK will be leaving the EU area of justice and the strong cooperation based on mutual trust between member states. This will make UK–EU insolvency cases clearly less efficient and effective. The consequences of Brexit could be mitigated by the already existing coordination among the international instruments dealing with these matters, in particular the European Insolvency Regulation and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross‐Border Insolvency. However, not all EU member states have in place rules dealing with these issues as regards to third states. In order to lessen the impact of Brexit in this sensitive area of law, the implementation of the Model Law in order to deal with extra‐EU cross‐border insolvency could be of avail. Copyright © 2017 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
From ‘Prisoner's Dilemma’ to Reluctance to Use Judicial Discretion: The Enemies of Cooperation in European Cross‐Border Cases
Authors: Mangano Renato 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article will focus on Articles 41–44 of the Recast European Insolvency Regulation (Regulation 2015/848) and the dynamic of cooperation and communication between courts and insolvency practitioners. Two main ideas will be maintained. The first is that cooperation requires a legal framework which is certain—otherwise, prescriptions imposing duties of cooperation and communication might produce ‘prisoner's dilemmas’ and, paradoxically, unwillingness to cooperate. The second idea is that prescriptions imposing duties of cooperation and communication have an intrinsic open texture—this characteristic ontologically requires courts and insolvency practitioners to make choices between different rulings and activities. These findings imply that while interventions, both at European level and at national level, aiming at making the legal framework more certain are always welcome, interventions aiming at better specifying contents and extension of duties of cooperation and communication could be to a certain extent useless and even counterproductive. Copyright © 2017 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of tough poly(ethylene glycol)/collagen double network hydrogels for tissue engineering
Authors: Chen Jing‐Xiao , Yuan Jing , Wu Ya‐Ling , Wang Ping , Zhao Peng , Lv Guo‐Zhong , Chen Jing‐Hua 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this study, a series of poly(ethylene glycol)/collagen (PEG/Col) double network (DN) hydrogel is fabricated from PEG and Col. Results of the compressive strength test indicate that the strength and toughness of these DN hydrogels are significantly enhanced. The fracture strength of PEG/Col DN hydrogels increases by 9‐ to 12‐fold compared with that of PEG single network (SN) hydrogel, and by 36‐ to 48‐fold compared with that of Col SN hydrogel. Taking advantage of both PEG and Col building blocks, the PEG/Col DN hydrogels possess a strengthened skeleton. Moreover, the water‐storage capability and favorable biocompatibility of Col are effectively maintained. Given that the DN hydrogels can provide the appropriate environment for the adhesion, growth, and proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 cells, PEG/Col DN hydrogels have potential as a load‐bearing tissue repair material. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 192–200, 2018.
Gelatin methacrylate scaffold for bone tissue engineering: The influence of polymer concentration
Authors: Celikkin Nehar , Mastrogiacomo Simone , Jaroszewicz Jakub , Walboomers X. Frank , Swieszkowski Wojciech 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is an inexpensive, photocrosslinkable, cell‐responsive hydrogel which has drawn attention for a wide range of tissue engineering applications. The potential of GelMA scaffolds was demonstrated to be tunable for different tissue engineering (TE) applications through modifying the polymer concentration, methacrylation degree, or UV light intensity. Despite the promising results of GelMA hydrogels in tissue engineering, the influence of polymer concentration for bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds was not established yet. Thus, in this study, we have demonstrated the effect of polymer concentration in GelMA scaffolds on osteogenic differentiation. We prepared GelMA scaffolds with 5 and 10% polymer concentrations and characterized the scaffolds in terms of porosity, pore size, swelling characteristics, and mechanical properties. Subsequent to the scaffolds characterization, the scaffolds were seeded with bone marrow derived rat mesenchymal stem cells and cultured in osteogenic media to evaluate the possible osteogenic differentiation effect exerted by the polymer concentration. After 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, DNA content, calcium deposition, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of scaffolds were evaluated quantitatively by colorimetric bioassays. Furthermore, the distribution of the calcium deposition within the scaffolds was attained qualitatively and quantitatively by microcomputer tomography (µCT). Our data suggest that GelMA hydrogels prepared with 5% polymer concentration has promoted homogeneous extracellular matrix calcification and it is a great candidate for BTE applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 201–209, 2018.
Evaluation of osteogenic inductivity of a novel BMP2‐mimicking peptide P28 and P28‐containing bone composite
Authors: Sun Tingfang , Qu Yanzhen , Cui Wei , Yang Liang , Ji Yanhui , Yu Wei , Navinduth Ramphul , Shao Zengwu , Yang Hu , Guo Xiaodong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe developed a novel BMP2‐mimicking peptide P28, which possesses two distinct special structural elements—seven repetitive aspartic acids and phosphorylated serine designed to promote affinity to hydroxyapatite as well as nucleation of apatite crystallization and mineralization. In this work, we systematically studied the osteogenic inductivity of P28 in vitro and in vivo in comparison with BMP2. We confirmed its effects on proliferation, recruitment, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells in vitro. Furthermore, we loaded P28 into a biomimetic bone composite nanohydroxyapatite/collagen/poly(l‐lactide) (nHAC/PLA) and evaluated its ability to promote bone regeneration in vivo using a rabbit femoral condyle defect model. The micro‐CT reconstruction and quantification analysis and the histological analysis indicated that P28/nHAC/PLA bone composite was capable of repairing bone defects. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 210–220, 2018.
Evaluation of chemical stability of polymers of XIENCE everolimus‐eluting coronary stents in vivo by pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Kamberi Marika , Pinson David , Pacetti Stephen , Perkins Laura E. L. , Hossainy Syed , Mori Hiroyoshi , Rapoza Richard J. , Kolodgie Frank , Virmani Renu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe polymers poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) and poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) are employed in manufacturing the XIENCE family of coronary stents. PBMA serves as a primer and adheres to both the stent and the drug coating. PVDF‐HFP is employed in the drug matrix layer to hold the drug everolimus on the stent and control its release. Chemical stability of the polymers of XIENCE stents in the in‐vivo environment was evaluated by pyrolysis‐gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS) detection. For this evaluation, XIENCE stents explanted from porcine coronary arteries and from human coronary artery specimens at autopsy after 2–4 and 5–7 years of implantation, respectively, were compared to freshly manufactured XIENCE stents (controls). The comparison of pyrograms of explanted stent samples and controls showed identical fragmentation fingerprints of polymers, indicating that PVDF‐HFP and PBMA maintained their chemical integrity after multiple years of XIENCE coronary stent implantation. The findings of the present study demonstrate the chemical stability of PVDF‐HFP and PBMA polymers of the XIENCE family of coronary stents in the in‐vivo environment, and constitute a further proof of the suitability of PVDF‐HFP as a drug carrier for the drug eluting stent applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1721–1729, 2018.
Leptin induces matrix metalloproteinase 7 expression to promote ovarian cancer cell invasion by activating ERK and JNK pathways
Authors: Ghasemi Ahmad , Hashemy Seyed Isaac , Aghaei Mahmoud , Panjehpour Mojtaba 
Published: September 2017

AbstractLeptin, an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, induces cell invasion and metastasis. MMP7 is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family that plays an important role in cell invasion. Here we evaluate the possible role and underlying mechanism of MMP7 in the leptin‐mediated cell invasion in ovarian cancer cell lines. All experiments were carried out in cultured SKOV3, OVCAR3, and CaoV‐3 ovarian cell lines. MMP7 expression was determined using the Western blot following treatment to various concentrations of leptin for defined time intervals. The activation of ERK, JNK, and P38 MAP kinases were determined using Western blotting. Wound healing and BD matrigel invasion assays were used to measure cell migration and invasion. The siRNA approach and pharmacological inhibitors of ERK and JNK pathway were used to confirm the receptor‐dependent effect of leptin and a role for ERK and JNK pathway. Zymography assay was employed to determine MMP2 and MMP9 activation. Results show that leptin induces ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 activation and subsequently promotes MMP7 expression in SKOV3 (4.8 ± 0.14 fold of control, P < 0.01) and OVCAR3 (3.1 ± 0.19 fold of control, P < 0.01) ovarian cancer cell lines. These effects was reversed by knockdown of OB‐Rb and/or pre‐incubation with PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK1/2 inhibitor). Gelatin zymography showed that MMP7 gene silencing attenuated leptin‐induced MMP9 activation in SKOV3 cell line. Taken together, our results suggest new evidences for a modulatory effect of leptin in regulation of ovarian cancer cell invasion by stimulating MMP7 expression via ERK and JNK pathways.