bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat Endemism in White‐sand Forests: Insights into the Mechanisms of Lineage Diversification and Community Assembly of the Neotropical Flora
Authors: Fine Paul V. A. , Baraloto Christopher 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWhite‐sand forests represent natural laboratories of evolution over their long history throughout Amazonia and the Guiana Shield and pose significant physiological challenges to the plants and animals they host. The study of diversification in plant lineages comprising species endemic to white‐sand forest can therefore give insights into processes of evolution and community assembly in tropical forests. In this article, we synthesize recent studies of white‐sand forests to integrate patterns of plant species distribution with processes of lineage diversification and community assembly in the white‐sand flora. We contrast lineages that have radiated uniquely in these habitats (e.g.,Pagamea, Rubiaceae), with cosmopolitan lineages comprising specialists to white‐sand forests and other habitats that may have arisen via ecological speciation across habitat gradients (e.g.,Protium, Burseraceae). In both cases, similar suites of functional traits have evolved, including investment in dense, long‐lived tissues that are well‐defended structurally and chemically. White‐sand endemics, therefore, play an important role in biodiversity conservation because they represent unique combinations of functional and phylogenetic diversity. Furthermore, white‐sand endemics may respond differently than other tropical forest plant species to contemporary global changes because they comprise resilient functional types that may better withstand increased drought, temperature, and invasions of exotic pests in these regions.
Amazonian White‐Sand Forests Show Strong Floristic Links with Surrounding Oligotrophic Habitats and the Guiana Shield
Authors: García‐Villacorta Roosevelt , Dexter Kyle G. , Pennington Toby 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAmazonian white‐sand forests occur on quartzitic sandy soils, are distributed as an archipelago of habitat islands across the rain forests of Amazonia and contain many endemic plant species. Surprisingly, we found that only 23 percent of plant species in western Amazon white‐sand forests are white‐sand specialists, while the remaining species (77%) also occur in other habitat types. Overall, our analyses revealed: (1) somewhat unexpected composition similarity of white‐sand forests with nearby non‐white‐sand forests; (2) phytogeographical connections among distant white‐sand forests; and (3) a large proportion of western Amazon white‐sand specialists occurring in floras of the western and central Guiana Shield region (7–43%). These results suggest that dispersal from both neighboring oligotrophic non‐white‐sand habitats and distant white‐sand forests is fundamental in shaping western Amazonian white‐sand forests’ species composition and diversity. Although endemism in Amazonian white‐sand forests may be lower than previously estimated, conservation of this unique and fragile environment should remain a priority. Such conservation will require the maintenance of regional dispersal processes that connect these archipelagos of habitat islands and other ecologically similar oligotrophic habitats across the Amazon and the Guiana Shield.
Morphological Changes of Amygdala in Turner Syndrome Patients
Authors: Li Shu‐Yu , Xie Yong‐Qi , Li Han , Li Xin‐Wei , Zhang Zhi‐Xin , Zhao Qiu‐Ling , Xie Sheng , Gong Gao‐Lang 
Published: January 2016

SummaryAimsTurner's syndrome (TS) losts one of the X chromosomes and exhibits social cognition deficits. Previous studies have reported that women with TS demonstrated structural and functional abnormalities in brain, including increased volume in amygdala. However, most studies regarded the amygdala as a whole, and the abnormalities in the specific subregions of amygdala in TS have not been studied. Here, we aimed to investigate the local morphological changes of amygdala in TS using the surface morphology analysis method.MethodsA total of 19 adolescents with 45XO TS and 20 matched adolescents with typical development were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. The amygdalae of all participants were manually delineated. 3D surface remodeling and parameterization were performed based on the outlined boundaries of amygdalae. We extracted two surface metrics, namely direct Euclidean displacement and normal projection that were used to represent the morphology of amygdala.ResultsStatistical analysis showed significant outward deformation in the laterobasal subregion of left amygdala in patients with TS, compared with the controls using either direct Euclidean displacement or normal displacement.ConclusionsOur findings provide novel insight into the pathological changes in the amygdala of patients with TS.
Impact of different nasal masks on CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized comparative trial
Authors: Neuzeret Pierre‐Charles , Morin Laurent 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionPatient interface is important for the success of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but few trials have examined the influence of mask choice on CPAP adherence.ObjectivesTo compare the impact of different nasal masks on CPAP in patients with newly‐diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).MethodsOSA patients were randomized in a 2:3 ratio to receive CPAP via different first‐line nasal masks: ResMed Mirage FX® (MFX) or control mask (Fisher & Paykel Zest®, HC407® or Philips EasyLife®). Mask acceptance, CPAP compliance and Home Care Provider (HCP) interventions were compared between groups after 3 months of CPAP therapy using modified intent‐to‐treat (mITT; after exclusion of patients with mouth leaks during CPAP initiation) and on‐treatment (OT; CPAP adherent) analyses.ResultsOf 285 randomized patients, 90 requiring a full‐face mask were excluded, leaving 195 and 151 in the mITT and OT analyses, respectively. Mask acceptance rate was higher in the MFX versus control group (mITT: 79% vs 68%, P = 0.067; OT: 90% vs 76%, P = 0.022). CPAP compliance was higher (5.9 ± 1.8 vs 5.1 ± 1.6 h/night, P = 0.011) and nasal mask issue‐related HCP visits lower (3% vs 17%, P = 0.006) in the MFX group. Nasal mask failures due to mask discomfort (5% vs 1%) or unintentional leakage (5% vs 0%) were higher in control vs MFX group. Mask acceptance was significantly associated with fewer mask leaks (P = 0.002) and higher pressure therapy (P = 0.042).ConclusionsThis study highlights differences between nasal masks for CPAP delivery and shows that initial mask selection can influence adherence and healthcare utilization during CPAP.
China's Nonfinancial Corporate Debt Dynamics
Authors: Yu Yongding , Lu Ting 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSince the global financial crisis broke out in 2008, China's nonfinancial corporate debt has been rising steadily and rapidly, posing serious threat to China's financial stability. China's rising corporate debt is mainly attributable to three factors: worsening capital efficiency, worsening corporate profitability and high funding costs. Based on a dynamic recursive model developed in the paper, we simulate the trajectories of China's corporate debt‐to‐GDP ratio, and find that if China fails to reverse the current trends in capital efficiency, corporate profitability and financing costs, China's nonfinancial corporate debt‐to‐GDP ratio will continue to rise without converging to a limit. Against most economists' intuition, given the current trends of changes in parameters, higher economic growth will not help China to escape the corporate debt trap. On the contrary, it will make China's corporate debt problem even worse. To avert a corporate debt crisis, China needs to speed up the structural reform and change the growth paradigm so as to enhance capital efficiency and firms' profitability, while reducing firms' financing costs.
International Trade and R&D Investment: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Zhou Yixiao , Song Ligang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA current concern for China's long‐term growth prospect is whether China can become an innovative economy and achieve industrial upgrading to compensate for the gradually declining competitiveness resulting from low‐cost labor. The present study examines this issue by exploring how trade participation impacts on the R&D investment of manufacturing firms through various channels. Merging China's Annual Manufacturing Survey Dataset and the Chinese Customs Dataset allows us to study such a relationship at the individual firm level. The empirical results suggest that channels such as geographical diversification of export markets, share of imports from high‐income countries, average unit value of imports, number of intermediate goods and capital goods imports, and the trade regime are significant factors that influence firm‐level R&D investment. The study discusses the policy implications of the empirical findings in relation to industrial and trade policies that may be potentially beneficial for China's transition towards an innovative economy.
Estimating Chinese Trade Relationships with the Silk Road Countries
Authors: Cinar E. Mine , Johnson Joseph , Geusz Katherine 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this paper we discuss the extent to which countries in the former Silk Road regions are either reaching or failing to reach their trading potential with China. We estimate a gravity model of trade using a Poisson pseudo‐maximum likelihood estimator, and estimate trade potential using in‐sample, out‐of‐sample and counterfactual approaches. We compare trade potential using these three methods for Silk Road country trades with China. Next, we compare the estimated trade potential to actual trade, and find that most Silk Road countries are underperforming in their trade with China. However, trade performance against potential improved for most countries over the years 1990–2013. Our results suggest that China's former Silk Road trading partners have yet to realize the full potential benefits of China's economic growth but that the gap may be narrowing.
Tension Pneumohydropericardium: A Heart Under Stress
Authors: Vijay Sudarshan Kumar , Joshi Lalit Mohan 
Published: January 2016

Mini‐AbstractThe pneumohydropericardium, occurring spontaneously or after pericardiocentesis, is a rare entity. We describe here an unusual case who developed massive pneumohydropericardium after repeated pericardiocentesis due to leakage of the drainage system. The patient was successfully managed with open surgical drainage.
Disruption of reproductive behavior of grapevine cicada, Cicadatra alhageos, by acoustic signals playback
Authors: Mehdipour Maedeh , Zamanian Hossein , Farazmand Hossein , Hosseini‐Gharalari Ali 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe grapevine cicada, Cicadatra alhageos (Kolenati) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), is a key pest of grapevine (Vitis spp., Vitaceae) in the Middle East. The main damage is caused by nymphs that feed on root sap, and adults that oviposit on branches. As males produce sound to attract females, one of the control methods can be disruption of sexual communication. Disruptive effects of acoustic playbacks on singing males were studied. Signals (0.5–10 kHz) were broadcast to disrupt male calling behavior. Playback of acoustic signals interrupted male sexual signalling. To reduce female oviposition behavior in the field, an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with two treatments (control vs. acoustic broadcasting) and four replications over a period of 3 years. Playback of disruption signals in the field reduced female oviposition on grapevine branches that were close to the signal source. Therefore, application of acoustic stimuli may be an effective and low‐cost control method against grapevine cicada.
Floral volatiles with colour cues from two cucurbitaceous plants causing attraction of Aulacophora foveicollis
Authors: Karmakar Amarnath , Mukherjee Abhishek , Barik Anandamay 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important phytophagous pest of two cucurbitaceous plants, Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng and Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi. The volatile organic compound profiles from flowers of M. cochinchinensis and S. amplexicaulis were identified and quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and GC‐flame ionization detector (FID) analyses. Twenty nine and 28 compounds were identified in volatiles of M. cochinchinensis and S. amplexicaulis flowers, respectively. Methyl jasmonate and 3‐octanol were the predominant volatiles of M. cochinchinensis flowers, whereas 1‐octadecanol and 1‐hexanol were most found in the headspace of S. amplexicaulis flowers. Aulacophora foveicollis were more attracted by the flower volatiles of M. cochinchinensis than by those of S. amplexicaulis in a glass Y‐tube olfactometer. A mixture of 1‐heptanol, linalool oxide, 1‐octanol, and nonanal in the proportions present in the headspace of both flower types elicited attraction in the insect. From 25 cm distance, A. foveicollis displayed a preference for artificial flowers of 6.5 cm diameter of S. amplexicaulis flower colour (white) over M. cochinchinensis flower colour (white‐yellow). Finally, a synthetic blend (0.43 μg 1‐heptanol + 1.44 μg linalool oxide + 0.14 μg 1‐octanol + 1.77 μg nonanal dissolved in 25 μl methylene chloride) attracted more beetles when applied in a white artificial flower than when applied in a white‐yellow artificial flower from 40 cm distance. This finding may be helpful in the development of traps for pest management strategies.
Barcoding, population structure, and demographic history of Prodiplosis longifila associated with the Andes
Authors: Velasco‐Cuervo Sandra M. , Espinosa Lizethe L. , Duque‐Gamboa Diana N. , Castillo‐Cárdenas Maria F. , Hernández Luis M. , Guzmán Yoan C. , Manzano Maria R. , Toro‐Perea Nelson 
Published: January 2016

AbstractProdiplosis longifila Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an insect pest that attacks various types of crops, including tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), a vegetable with substantial economic significance worldwide. Prodiplosis longifila is a widely distributed pest in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, countries characterized by the presence of significant geographic barriers like the Andes Mountains. It has been reported that geographic barriers affect the dynamics and genetic differentiation of insect populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of P. longifila through the analysis of sequences within the mitochondrial region of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and rDNA‐ITS2 in 27 populations located in Colombia and Ecuador. Analyses were performed on populations distributed in three geographic groups separated by the presence of the Andes Mountains. A total of 11 haplotypes were identified with the COI gene and only one haplotype in the rDNA‐ITS2 was found. Analyses of population structure and demographic history revealed that there is a structure associated with the Andes, which is reflected in an uneven distribution of the haplotype frequencies between regions, but even so, gene flow between populations was detected which produces low genetic differentiation. Because P. longifila has a short‐range dispersion that determines its territorial nature, it would be expected that other factors are producing the genetic exchange between populations. We suggest that the anthropogenic effect produced by farming practices, such as the use of seedlings as seed, which may carry P. longifila larvae, cause passive dispersal of pest throughout the Andes, particularly in Colombia.
A comprehensive clinical competency‐based assessment in periodontics
Authors: Shiloah J. , Scarbecz M. , Bland P. S. , Hottel T. L. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTraditional periodontics clinical examinations in dental education frequently assess a narrow set of clinical skills and do not adequately assess the ability of students to independently manage a periodontal patient. As an alternative, the authors developed a comprehensive periodontics competency case experience (CCCE) for senior dental students and surveyed students regarding their experience with the CCCE. Students challenging the CCCE must treat a patient with moderate periodontitis and must independently decide when a state of periodontal and oral health has been achieved. Students are also required to conduct an oral presentation to periodontology faculty. Dental students who completed the CCCE had a favourable impression of the experience, compared with the traditional clinical examinations taken in the junior year. The majority of students rated all the components of the CCCE as ‘somewhat’ or ‘very helpful’. About 72.4% of students felt that being able to work independently on the examination was very helpful for learning about the clinical management of patients with periodontal disease, followed by ‘simulation of care in private practice’ (65.5%), and oral photography experience (55.2%). The greatest difficulty reported by students was finding an acceptable patient. About 62.1% of students rated ‘finding the right patient’ as very difficult. Students reported having to screen a mean of 5.9 patients (SD: 4.5) to find a qualified patient. The results of the survey will be useful in improving the examination as an assessment tool in periodontal therapy.
Epileptic encephalopathy: Use and misuse of a clinically and conceptually important concept
Authors: Howell Katherine B. , Harvey A. Simon , Archer John S. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe term epileptic encephalopathy (EE) denotes a process by which epileptic activity adversely affects brain function over and above the underlying etiology. Underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, but recent studies demonstrate that seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges can disrupt distributed neural networks that underpin cognitive functions, both temporarily and permanently. EE is just one of a number of factors that can affect development in epilepsy. The presence and relative contribution of EE to cognitive impairment is often difficult to separate from that of the underlying etiology or even effects of antiepileptic medication (AEM). This difficulty has led to the increasing use of the term EE to encapsulate “severe” epileptic syndromes, or etiologies associated with severe epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID), regardless of evidence that the epileptic process has impacted cognition. The use of the term EE in the literature to describe both the process of cognitive impairment by epileptic activity and as a category for severe epilepsy syndromes is creating confusion. We propose that use of the term EE be restricted to the central concept of a pervasive epileptic process disrupting development, and that the use of EE as a classifier be avoided. A different term is needed to encapsulate the broad and heterogenous group of patients with severe epilepsy and ID, for which the mechanisms may be unknown but are often closely related to the underlying genetic, metabolic, or structural etiology. An improved understanding of the mechanisms by which EE develops is of critical importance, potentially leading to identification of biomarkers for early detection and treatment.
Rapid assessment of the physiological impacts caused by catch‐and‐release angling on blue‐finned mahseer (Tor sp.) of the Cauvery River, India
Authors: Bower S. D. , Danylchuk A. J. , Raghavan R. , Clark‐Danylchuk S. E. , Pinder A. C. , Cooke S. J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractForty‐nine blue‐finned mahseer (Tor sp.; mean total length 458 ± 20 mm) were angled using a range of bait/lure types, angling and air exposure times in water that averaged 27 ± 2 °C over the course of the assessment. No cases of mortality were observed, and rates of moderate and major injury were low, with 91% of mahseer hooked in the mouth. More extreme physiological disturbances (i.e. blood lactate, glucose, pH) in mahseer were associated with longer angling times. Sixteen fish (33%) exhibited at least one form of reflex impairment. Moreover, longer air exposures and angling times resulted in significant likelihood of reflex impairment. Findings suggest that blue‐finned mahseer are robust to catch‐and‐release, but that anglers should avoid unnecessarily long fight times and minimise air exposure to decrease the likelihood of sub‐lethal effects that could contribute to post‐release mortality.
Influence of abiotic factors on ichthyoplankton occurrence in stretches with and without dams in the upper Grande River basin, south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Suzuki F. M. , Pompeu P. S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe influence of abiotic factors on ichthyoplankton occurrence was assessed in lotic stretches with and without dams in the Grande River basin from November 2008 to March 2009. Water transparency and temperature were the main abiotic factors that influenced temporal variation of ichthyoplankton occurrence in unregulated stretches. On the other hand, the best predictors of ichthyoplankton occurrence in regulated sites were water transparency and time of day. The catch of ichthyoplankton was significantly greater at low transparency and during night‐time in areas downstream of dams, which may be attributed to either adaptive behaviour of fish species in favouring greater protection of offspring, or the greater predation rate of ichthyoplankton at higher transparencies and during daytime. Results of this study indicate an association between abiotic factors and fish reproduction, but the nature of this relationship in regulated rivers contrasts with that found in stretches without dams.
Viral life cycle of hepatitis B virus: Host factors and druggable targets
Authors: Morikawa Kenichi , Suda Goki , Sakamoto Naoya 
Published: January 2016

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a globally distributed health problem. The number of carriers of HBV is estimated to exceed 240 million people worldwide. Compared with uninfected individuals, HBV carriers have an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevention of HBV infection is therefore strongly recommended, and a HBV vaccine is available. For carriers, treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors is available, but infection frequently requires chronic treatment via a lifetime of medication. Thus, curing HBV infection remains a major challenge. However, despite the development of an infectious HBV cell culture system and recent intense research, many aspects of the HBV life cycle remain poorly characterized. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the HBV life cycle and involved host factors, as well as potential targets for therapeutic intervention against HBV. We also consider possible immunotherapeutic strategies for eliminating HBV, including the removal of cccDNA from infected hepatocytes.