bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Vacuoles and H+-Pyrophosphatase Visualized by Monomeric Green Fluorescent Protein inArabidopsis: Artifactual Bulbs and Native Intravacuolar Spherical Structures
Authors: Segami Shoji , Makino Sachi , Miyake Ai , Asaoka Mariko , Maeshima Masayoshi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe prepared Arabidopsis thaliana lines expressing a functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-linked vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (H+-PPase) under the control of its own promoter to investigate morphological dynamics of vacuoles and tissue-specific expression of H+-PPase. The lines obtained had spherical structures in vacuoles with strong fluorescence, which are referred to as bulbs. Quantitative analyses revealed that the occurrence of the bulbs correlated with the amount of GFP. Next, we prepared a construct of H+-PPase linked with a nondimerizing GFP (mGFP); we detected no bulbs. These results indicate that the membranes adhere face-to-face by antiparallel dimerization of GFP, resulting in the formation of bulbs. In plants expressing H+-PPase-mGFP, intravacuolar spherical structures with double membranes, which differed from bulbs in fluorescence intensity and intermembrane spacing, were still observed in peripheral endosperm, pistil epidermis and hypocotyls. Four-dimensional imaging revealed the dynamics of formation, transformation, and disappearance of intravacuolar spherical structures and transvacuolar strands in living cells. Visualization of H+-PPase-mGFP revealed intensive accumulation of the enzyme, not only in dividing and elongating cells but also in mesophyll, phloem, and nectary cells, which may have high sugar content. Dynamic morphological changes including transformation of vacuolar structures between transvacuolar strands, intravacuolar sheet-like structures, and intravacuolar spherical structures were also revealed.
Forecasting spring from afar? Timing of migration and predictability of phenology along different migration routes of an avian herbivore
Authors: Kölzsch Andrea , Bauer Silke , de Boer Rob , Griffin Larry , Cabot David , Exo Klaus‐Michael , van der Jeugd Henk P. , Nolet Bart A. 
Published: August 2014

Summary

Herbivorous birds are hypothesized to migrate in spring along a seasonal gradient of plant profitability towards their breeding grounds (green wave hypothesis). For Arctic breeding species in particular, following highly profitable food is important, so that they can replenish resources along the way and arrive in optimal body condition to start breeding early.

We compared the timing of migratory movements of Arctic breeding geese on different flyways to examine whether flyways differed in the predictability of spring conditions at stopovers and whether this was reflected in the degree to which birds were following the green wave.

Barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) were tracked with solar GPS/ARGOS PTTs from their wintering grounds to breeding sites in Greenland (N = 7), Svalbard (N = 21) and the Barents Sea (N = 12). The numerous stopover sites of all birds were combined into a set of 16 general stopover regions.

The predictability of climatic conditions along the flyways was calculated as the correlation and slope between onsets of spring at consecutive stopovers. These values differed between sites, mainly because of the presence or absence of ecological barriers. Goose arrival at stopovers was more closely tied to the local onset of spring when predictability was higher and when geese attempted breeding that year.

All birds arrived at early stopovers after the onset of spring and arrived at the breeding grounds before the onset of spring, thus overtaking the green wave. This is in accordance with patterns expected for capital breeders: first, they must come into condition; at intermediate stopovers, arrival with the food quality peak is important to stay in condition, and at the breeding grounds, early arrival is favoured so that hatching of young can coincide with the peak of food quality.

Our results suggest that a chain of correlations between climatic conditions at subsequent stopovers enables geese to closely track the green wave. However, the birds' precision of migratory timing seems uninfluenced by ecological barriers, indicating partly fixed migration schedules. These might become non‐optimal due to climate warming and preclude accurate timing of long‐distance migrants in the future.
Temperature response of denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation rates and microbial community structure in Arctic fjord sediments
Authors: Canion Andy , Overholt Will A. , Kostka Joel E. , Huettel Markus , Lavik Gaute , Kuypers Marcel M. M. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThe temperature dependency of denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) rates from Arctic fjord sediments was investigated in a temperature gradient block incubator for temperatures ranging from −1 to 40°C. Community structure in intact sediments and slurry incubations was determined using Illumina SSU rRNA gene sequencing. The optimal temperature (Topt) for denitrification was 25–27°C, whereas anammox rates were optimal at 12–17°C. Both denitrification and anammox exhibited temperature responses consistent with a psychrophilic community, but anammox bacteria may be more specialized for psychrophilic activity. Long‐term (1–2 months) warming experiments indicated that temperature increases of 5–10°C above in situ had little effect on the microbial community structure or the temperature response of denitrification and anammox. Increases of 25°C shifted denitrification temperature responses to mesophilic with concurrent community shifts, and anammox activity was eliminated above 25°C. Additions of low molecular weight organic substrates (acetate and lactate) caused increases in denitrification rates, corroborating the hypothesis that the supply of organic substrates is a more dominant control of respiration rates than low temperature. These results suggest that climate‐related changes in sinking particulate flux will likely alter rates of N removal more rapidly than warming.
Extending the use of ecological models without sacrificing details: a generic and parsimonious meta‐modelling approach
Authors: Marie Guillaume , Simioni Guillaume 
Published: August 2014

Summary

Difficulties in accounting for the fine scale nature of ecological processes in large‐scale simulations constitute an important issue in ecology. Among existing methods, meta‐modelling, that is creating a statistical emulator of a model, has seen very few applications in ecology. Yet, meta‐modelling methods are well advanced in the field of engineering.

We adapted and applied a meta‐modelling approach to a case study typical of the complexity found in ecosystems. It involved a highly detailed, individual‐based and spatially explicit biophysical model (noTG). The model was parameterized for a multi‐specific, spatially heterogeneous forest. Our goal was to increase its temporal domain of applicability by obtaining a meta‐model of its light interception module many times faster.

The meta‐model was constructed from a series of simulations with noTG, following a latin hypercube design. Several meta‐modelling techniques were compared, with neural networks providing the best results. The meta‐model accurately reproduced the behaviour of noTG across a range of variables and organization levels. It was also 62 times faster.

These result show that meta‐modelling can be a practical tool in ecology and represents a highly powerful way to change the scope of a model while still accounting for fine details.
Landscape connectivity of the grassland biome in Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: Fourie Louise , Rouget Mathieu , Lötter Mervyn 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe South African grassland biome is one of the most threatened biomes in South Africa. Approximately 45% of the grassland biome area is transformed, degraded or severely invaded by alien plants and the remaining natural areas are highly fragmented. In this fragmented landscape, the connectivity between habitat patches is very important to maintain viable populations. In this study we aimed to quantify connectivity of the grassland biome in Mpumalanga using graph theory in order to identify conservation priorities and to direct conservation efforts. Graph theory‐based connectivity indices have the ability to combine spatially explicit habitat data with species specific dispersal data and can quantify structural and functional connectivity over large landscapes. We used these indices to quantify the overall connectivity of the study area, to determine the influence of abandoned croplands on overall connectivity, and to identify the habitat patches and vegetation types most in need of maintaining overall connectivity. Natural areas were identified using 2008 land cover data for Mpumalanga. Connectivity within the grassland biome of Mpumalanga was analysed for grassland species with dispersal distances ranging from 50 to 1000 m. The grassland habitat patches were mostly well connected, with 99.6% of the total habitat area connected in a single component at a threshold distance of 1000 m. The inclusion of abandoned croplands resulted in a 33% increase in connectivity at a threshold distance of 500 m. The habitat patches most important for maintaining overall connectivity were the large patches of continuous habitat in the upper and lower centres of the study area and the most important vegetation types were the Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland and the Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands. These results can be used to inform management decisions and reserve design to improve and maintain connectivity in this biome.
Characterization of swine leukocyte antigen alleles and haplotypes on a novel miniature pig line, Microminipig
Authors: Ando A. , Imaeda N. , Ohshima S. , Miyamoto A. , Kaneko N. , Takasu M. , Shiina T. , Kulski J. K. , Inoko H. , Kitagawa H. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryMicrominipigs are extremely small‐sized, novel miniature pigs that were recently developed for medical research. The inbred Microminipigs with defined swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) haplotypes are expected to be useful for allo‐ and xenotransplantation studies and also for association analyses between SLA haplotypes and immunological traits. To establish SLA‐defined Microminipig lines, we characterized the polymorphic SLA alleles for three class I (SLA‐1, SLA‐2 and SLA‐3) and two class II (SLA‐DRB1 and SLA‐DQB1) genes of 14 parental Microminipigs using a high‐resolution nucleotide sequence‐based typing method. Eleven class I and II haplotypes, including three recombinant haplotypes, were found in the offspring of the parental Microminipigs. Two class I and class II haplotypes, Hp‐31.0 (SLA‐1*1502–SLA‐3*070102–SLA‐2*1601) and Hp‐0.37 (SLA‐DRB1*0701–SLA‐DQB1*0502), are novel and have not so far been reported in other pig breeds. Crossover regions were defined by the analysis of 22 microsatellite markers within the SLA class III region of three recombinant haplotypes. The SLA allele and haplotype information of Microminipigs in this study will be useful to establish SLA homozygous lines including three recombinants for transplantation and immunological studies.
The economics of quality in the specialty coffee industry: insights from the Cup of Excellence auction programs
Authors: Wilson Adam P. , Wilson Norbert L.W. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis study estimates price determinants for specialty green coffee auctions using records from the 2004–2010 Cup of Excellence programs hosted by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence. While some literature on coffee has focused on certifications and sustainability labels, the discussion of price determinants has been limited. This article replicates one of the first publications on price determinants and formulates a new model to more accurately describe the market. We include the necessary additional variables and estimate the model using a truncated maximum likelihood estimation technique. While sensory quality has a strong effect on price, the highest premiums stem from obtaining a top rank compared to other coffees from the same country, and North American buyers are more responsive to sensory quality than buyers in Asian and European markets.
Making space for an international branch campus: Monash University Malaysia
Authors: Sidhu Ravinder , Christie Pam 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper presents findings from an empirical study of an international branch campus established through a partnership between a Malaysian property development conglomerate, the Sunway Group, and Monash University, an Australian university known for its global aspirations. Using Lefebvre's concept of social space we analyse the perceived, conceived and lived spaces that constitute the campus of Monash University Malaysia and its urban setting in the township of Bandar Sunway. Dramatically transformed from a disused mining site and showcased as a ‘progressive’ urban project, the township symbolises the Sunway Group's commercial success and political pragmatism in managing the dynamics of Malaysia's ethnicised political economy. The broader student experience suggests that the configurations of power that shape ethnic and class relations at the scale of the national are reproduced in the composition of the student body, in students' on‐campus interactions and in the rhythms of their everyday lives within the township. By attending to the material, symbolic and imaginary dimensions of one international branch campus, we provide a more nuanced and textured understanding of the globalisation of higher education, highlighting different forms of agency exercised by key actors.
Cities and the lives of university academics
Authors: Yonezawa Akiyoshi , Sato Kaoru , Kawano Ginko 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAlthough the relationship between cities and universities is a commonly discussed topic, the so‐called ‘world class universities’ and ‘global cities’ in East Asia do not always fit into one single cosmopolitan model. Focusing on the case of Tokyo and Japan, the authors of this paper examine the mobility patterns, academic and social lives, and gender differences of university academics as representative knowledge workers. Using original survey results, the authors first create a hierarchical structure of academic mobility patterns in Japan, and then argue that Tokyo, as the capital of Japan, is a centre of the intellectual network through its education and training function.
Phase‐1 study of abiraterone acetate in chemotherapy‐naïve Japanese patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Matsubara Nobuaki , Uemura Hiroji , Fukui Iwao , Niwakawa Masashi , Yamaguchi Akito , Iizuka Koho , Akaza Hideyuki 
Published: August 2014

Persistent androgen synthesis under castration status in adrenal gland, testes and tumor cells is thought to be one of the major causes of development and progression of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Abiraterone acetate (AA), the prodrug of abiraterone, which is an inhibitor of androgen synthesis enzymes, was evaluated for pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, preliminary efficacy and safety in Japanese patients with CRPC in a phase‐1, open‐label and dose‐escalation study. Chemotherapy‐naïve Japanese CRPC patients (N = 27) received one of four AA daily doses (250 mg [n = 9], 500 mg [n = 6], 1000 [1 h premeal] mg [n = 6] and 1000 [2 h postmeal] mg [n = 6]) continuously through 28‐day treatment cycles. In the first cycle, AA monotherapy was given on days 1–7 for pharmacokinetics, and AA plus prednisone (5 mg twice daily) from days 8 to 28. Of 27 patients, 9 continued treatment with AA until the data cut‐off date (18 July 2013). Over the evaluated dose range, plasma abiraterone concentrations increased with dose, with median tmax 2–3 h. At each dose level, mean serum corticosterone concentrations increased, while testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations rapidly decreased following a single AA dose and were further reduced to near the quantification limit on day 8 regardless of the dose. At least 3 patients from each dose‐group experienced ≥50% prostate‐specific antigen reduction, suggesting clinical benefit from AA in Japanese CRPC patients. AA was generally well‐tolerated, and, therefore, the recommended AA dosage regimen in Japanese CRPC patients is 1000 mg oral dose under modified fasting conditions (at least 1 h premeal or 2 h postmeal). This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01186484.
Cumulative effects of genetic markers and the detection of advanced colorectal neoplasias by population screening
Authors: Kurlapska A. , Serrano‐Fernández P. , Baszuk P. , Gupta S. , Starzyńska T. , Małecka‐Panas E. , Dabrowski A. , Dębniak T. , Kurzawski G. , Suchy J. , Rogoza‐Mateja W. , Scott R.J. , Lubiński J. 
Published: August 2014

Genetic markers associated with colorectal cancer may be used in population screening for the early identification of patients at elevated risk of disease. We genotyped 3059 individuals with no cancer family history for eight markers previously associated with colorectal cancer. After colonoscopy, the genetic profile of cases with advanced colorectal neoplasia (213) was compared with the rest (2846). rs2066847 and rs6983267 were significantly associated with the risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia but with limited effect on their own [odds ratio (OR) 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.41; p = 0.033 and OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.02–2.12; p = 0.044, respectively]. Cumulative effects, in contrast, were associated with high risk: the combination of rs2066847, rs6983267, rs4779584, rs3802842 and rs4939827 minimized the number of markers considered, while maximizing the relative size of the carrier group and the risk associated to it, for example, for at least two cumulated risk markers, OR is 2.57 (95% CI 1.50–4.71; corrected p‐value 0.0079) and for three or more, OR is 3.57 (95% CI 1.91–6.96; corrected p‐value 0.00074). The identification of cumulative models of – otherwise – low‐risk markers could be valuable in defining risk groups, within an otherwise low‐risk population (no cancer family history).
Taxonomy in the electronic age and an e‐monograph of the papaya family (Caricaceae) as an example
Authors: Antunes Carvalho Fernanda , Filer Denis , Renner Susanne S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe need for taxonomists to take full advantage of biodiversity informatics has been clear for at least 10 years. Significant progress has been made in providing access to taxonomic resources online, including images of specimens (especially types), original species descriptions, and georeferenced collection data. However, in spite of persuasive calls for e‐monography, there are few, if any, completed project, even though monographic research is the only mechanism for reducing synonymous names, which are estimated to comprise 50% of all published names. Caricaceae is an economically important family of flowering plants from Africa and the Neotropics, best known for the fruit crop papaya. There is a large amount of information on the family, especially on chemistry, crop improvement, genomics, and the sex chromosomes of papaya, but up‐to‐date information on the 230 names and which species they might belong to was not available. A dynamically updated e‐monograph of the Caricaceae now brings together all information on this family, including keys, species descriptions, and specimen data relating the 230 names to 34 species and one hybrid. This may be the first taxonomic monograph of a plant family completely published online. The curated information will be continuously updated to improve the monograph's comprehensiveness and utility.
Airway pH monitoring in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea using the Dx‐pH oropharyngeal probe: preliminary report of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang C.‐C. , Lien H.‐C. , De Virgilio A. , Huang W.‐C. , Wu M.‐F. , Liu S.‐A. , Wang C.‐P. , Wu S.‐H. , Liang K.‐L. , Jiang R.‐S. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate the laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) episodes and pH values in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using the Dx‐pH oropharyngeal probe.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingTertiary medical centre.ParticipantsForty patients with complaint of snoring or suspected OSA were prospectively enrolled to receive full nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). The patients were divided into 2 groups: a simple snorers group if the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) was < 5 and an OSA group if the RDI was ≥ 5.Main outcome measuresThe patients simultaneously received Dx‐pH oropharyngeal probe monitoring for 12 h from about 6 pm to 6 am of the next day. The number of LPR events was recorded if the nadir of rapid pH drops was below pH 5.0 and 5.5. The difference of LPR events between the two groups and the difference of LPR events between awake and sleep periods in each group were analysed, respectively.ResultsThere were 18 (45%) patients diagnosed as OSA with a mean RDI of 28.7, and 22 patients (55%) diagnosed as simple snorers. Between 2 groups, there were no significant differences in the LPR events and pH values during the awake period, sleep period or overall recording period. Comparison of the LPR events and minimum pH values between the awake period and the sleep period revealed there were no significant differences in either group.ConclusionUsing the new sensitive Dx‐pH oropharyngeal probe with PSG, we found that OSA does not correlate with a higher incidence of LPR episodes.
Electrospun P34HB fibres: a scaffold for tissue engineering
Authors: Fu N. , Deng S. , Fu Y. , Li G. , Cun X. , Hao L. , Wei X. , Cai X. , Peng Q. , Lin Y. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectivesAmongst the fourth generation of PHAs is bio‐plasticpoly3‐hydroxybutyrate4‐hydroxybutyrate (P34HB); it is thus appropriate to perform novel research on its uses and applications. The main objective of this study was to determine whether electrospun P34HB fibres would accommodate viability, growth and differentiation of mouse adipose‐derived stem cells (mASCs).Materials and methodsIn the present study, we looked at P34HB in two forms, electrospun P34HB fibres and P34HB film. Morphology of electrospun P34HB fibres and P34HB film were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, after cell seeding. Cell adhesion, proliferation and cytotoxicity tests were conducted on both by MTT and CCK‐8 assays, respectively. After being cultured with osteogenic induction, expression of adipogenic genes Runx2, OPN and OCN, were examined by real‐time PCR.ResultsBy scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed that the mASCs grew well associated with the P34HB materials. After MTT and CCK‐8 assay, we concluded that P34HB would, indeed, be a material suitable for further cell adhesion and proliferation studies. More importantly, we found that the P34HB matrices promoted expression of Runx2, OPN and OCN with osteogenic induction.ConclusionsIn this investigation, we can confirm that the electrospun P34HB fibres accommodated survival, proliferation and differentiation of mASCs, and we have been able to draw the conclusion that fibre scaffolds produced by the electrospinning process are promising for application of bone tissue engineering.