bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sperm production characteristics vary with level of sperm competition inCataglyphisdesert ants
Authors: Aron Serge , Lybaert Pascale , Baudoux Claire , Vandervelden Morgane , Fournier Denis 
Published: August 2015

SummaryUnder polyandry, males are selected to produce more competitive ejaculates. Theoretical models have explored how the mechanism of sperm competition drives males to partition investment within an ejaculate between sperm quantity and quality. The raffle‐based competition model predicts that increased level of sperm competition selects for larger numbers of sperm in ejaculates. Sperm competition is also thought to promote the evolution of longer sperm, because longer sperm could be faster.In eusocial Hymenoptera, the mating system imposes unique selective pressures on male ejaculates. Males are short lived; they reach adulthood with a finite amount of spermatozoa, and they mate typically with a single or a few females and die. The actual number of spermatozoa stored in their accessory testes at emergence is thus a reliable measure of total investment into sperm production. In a comparative study of 15 species ofCataglyphisdesert ants, we used phylogenetically controlled analyses to investigate relationships between levels of sperm competition, sperm production and sperm length. We measured sperm production by quantifying the number of spermatozoa present in testes, instead of using a proxy measure such as size of testes. Multiple queen mating is the ancestral state in the genus but reduction in mating frequency evolved secondarily and independently in some clades, providing a unique opportunity to examine how reduction from multiple to single mating influences sperm traits.Our results provide phylogenetically robust evidence that species experiencing greater levels of sperm competition produce more sperm. After controlling for male size, investment in sperm production decreases significantly according to the sequence obligatory multiple queen mating > multiple–single queen mating > single–double queen mating. Furthermore, the number of spermatozoa produced per male decreases significantly with reduction in paternity frequency for each species. In contrast, neither sperm length nor male size was significantly associated with the mating system classes or the number of patrilines.Our measures of sperm number provide the first direct evidence that sperm production covaries with the level of sperm competition in a eusocial insect. Given the reversal from multiple to single mating inCataglyphis, our comparative analysis also shows convincingly that reduction in sperm competition influences sperm traits.
Context and complexity: the meaning of self‐management for older adults with heart disease
Authors: Moore Lucy , Frost Julia , Britten Nicky 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSelf‐management policies have presented opportunities for patients with long‐term conditions to take control and actively improve their health. However, the work of self‐management appears to be packaged in the form of essential and desirable skills and attributes required for success. This article presents the findings of a qualitative study, employing longitudinal diary interviews with 21 patients aged between 60 and 85 years diagnosed with coronary heart disease from three contrasting general practice areas. Drawing on concepts of the care of the self and the reflexive self, this article presents the diversity of self‐management practices by older patients in the context of their lifeworld. Illustrated through individual case studies, it clearly identifies where patients are engaged self‐managers with the agency, knowledge and self‐discipline to modify their behaviour for an improved health outcome. This study highlights their life and illness perspectives as well as those of patients who are burdened with emotional insecurity, comorbidities and caring responsibilities. It shows the spectrum of relationships with health professionals that influence engaged self‐management. We suggest that policy initiatives that favour behavioural change neglect social context and the individualised practices that are a necessary response to structural and psychosocial constraints.
Why Sugar Is Added to Food: Food Science 101
Authors: Goldfein Kara R. , Slavin Joanne L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAvoiding too much sugar is an accepted dietary guidance throughout the world. The U.S. Nutrition Facts panel includes information on total sugars in foods. A focus on added sugars is linked to the concept of discretionary calories and decreasing consumption of added sugars or free sugars as a means to assist a consumer to identify foods that are nutrient‐dense. On March 14, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed that including “added sugars” declaration on the Nutrition Facts panel would be another tool to help consumers reduce excessive discretionary calorie intake from added sugars. Through deductive reasoning, labeling added sugars is one tactic to potentially curb the obesity epidemic in the United States. This review discusses the functions of sugar in food and shows that the methods used to replace added sugars in foods can result in no reduction in calorie content or improvement in nutrient density. Without clear benefit to the consumer for added sugars labeling, this review highlights the complex business obstacles, costs, and consumer confusion resulting from the proposed rule.
Educating Jurors about Forensic Evidence: Using an Expert Witness and Judicial Instructions to Mitigate the Impact of Invalid Forensic Science Testimony
Authors: Eastwood Joseph , Caldwell Jiana 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInvalid expert witness testimony that overstated the precision and accuracy of forensic science procedures has been highlighted as a common factor in many wrongful conviction cases. This study assessed the ability of an opposing expert witness and judicial instructions to mitigate the impact of invalid forensic science testimony. Participants (N = 155) acted as mock jurors in a sexual assault trial that contained both invalid forensic testimony regarding hair comparison evidence, and countering testimony from either a defense expert witness or judicial instructions. Results showed that the defense expert witness was successful in educating jurors regarding limitations in the initial expert's conclusions, leading to a greater number of not‐guilty verdicts. The judicial instructions were shown to have no impact on verdict decisions. These findings suggest that providing opposing expert witnesses may be an effective safeguard against invalid forensic testimony in criminal trials.
Chemical Differentiation of Osseous and Nonosseous Materials Using Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray Spectrometry and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Meizel‐Lambert Cayli J. , Schultz John J. , Sigman Michael E. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIdentification of osseous materials is generally established on gross anatomical features. However, highly fragmented or taphonomically altered materials may be problematic and may require chemical analysis. This research was designed to assess the use of scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX), elemental analysis, and multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis) for discrimination of osseous and nonosseous materials of similar chemical composition. Sixty samples consisting of osseous (human and nonhuman bone and dental) and non‐osseous samples were assessed. After outliers were removed a high overall correct classification of 97.97% was achieved, with 99.86% correct classification for osseous materials. In addition, a blind study was conducted using 20 samples to assess the applicability for using this method to classify unknown materials. All of the blind study samples were correctly classified resulting in 100% correct classification, further demonstrating the efficiency of SEM/EDX and statistical analysis for differentiation of osseous and nonosseous materials.
Human Identification via Lateral Patella Radiographs: A Validation Study,
Authors: Niespodziewanski Emily , Stephan Carl N. , Guyomarc'h Pierre , Fenton Todd W. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis research examines the utility of patella outline shape for matching 3D scans of patellae to knee radiographs using elliptical Fourier analysis and subjective methods of human visual comparison of patellae across radiographs for identification purposes. Repeat radiographs were captured of cadaver's knees for visual comparison before patellae were extracted and skeletonized for quantitative comparisons. Quantitative methods provided significant narrowing down of the candidate pool to just a few potential matches (<5% of original sample), while the human analysts showed high capacity for correctly matching radiographs, irrespective of educational level (positive predictive value = 99.8%). The successful computerized matching based on a single quantified patella trait (outline shape) helps explain the potency achieved by subjective visual examination. This work adds to a growing body of studies demonstrating the value of single isolated infracranial bones for human identification via radiographic comparison.
A Simple and Green Route for Room‐Temperature Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Selective Colorimetric Detection of Cysteine
Authors: Bagci Pelin Onsekizoglu , Wang Yi‐Cheng , Gunasekaran Sundaram 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized at room temperature following a simple, rapid, and green route using fresh‐squeezed apple juice as a reducing reagent. The optimal AuNPs, based on the particle color, stability, and color change suitable for colorimetric detection of cysteine (Cys), are synthesized using 5 mL of 10% apple juice, 1 mL of 10 mM gold precursor solution, and 1 mL of 0.1 M NaOH. Under this set of parameters, the AuNPs are synthesized within 30 min at room temperature. The average size (11.1 ± 3.2 nm) and ζ potential (–36.5 mV) of the AuNPs synthesized were similar to those of AuNPs prepared via the conventional citrate‐reduction method. In the presence of Cys, unlike with any other amino acid, the AuNPs aggregated, possibly due to the gold–sulfur covalent interaction, yielding red‐to‐purple color change of the sample solution. The red‐shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance peak of the AuNPs responsible for the color change was recorded by UV‐vis spectrometer. The effect of other potential interferents such as glucose, ascorbic acid, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Ag+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Hg2+ were also examined. The results show that AuNPs can be used to selectively detect and measure Cys with a linear dependency in the range of 2 to 100 μM and a limit of detection (signal‐to‐noise ratio > 3) of 50 nM. The results suggest that the green‐synthesized AuNPs are useful for simple, rapid, and sensitive colorimetric detection of Cys, which is an essential amino acid in food and biological systems.
Owl pellets: a more effective alternative to conventional trapping for broad‐scale studies of small mammal communities
Authors: Heisler Leanne M. , Somers Christopher M. , Poulin Ray G. 
Published: August 2015

Summary

Small mammal community composition is almost universally estimated from conventional trapping, which is logistically difficult to scale up for landscape‐level assessments. Owl pellets may be a more effective alternative for measuring small mammal community composition over large geographic areas due to the relative ease and low cost of field collections. However, owl pellets may introduce sampling biases that differ from those associated with conventional trapping. A thorough comparison to conventional traps is required before owl pellets can be widely adopted as an alternative research tool for small mammal studies.

We conducted a literature review of owl diet‐prey availability studies to: (i) compare small mammal community composition between owl pellets and trapping when the two methods were used simultaneously and (ii) assess the influence of owl genus and habitat type on community composition estimated by these two methods. We used data from 27 published studies, which allowed for 32 comparisons between owl pellets and trapping conducted simultaneously. These studies included 15 owl species from five common genera from different major habitats.

Rarefied estimates showed that owls consistently sampled identical or higher species richness compared to conventional trapping. Richness estimates rarefied to the lowest sample size per study were not statistically identical (μΔrichness = 0·20 ± 0·09 SE, P = 0·30); on average, 0·95 ± 0·13 SE additional species were identified from pellets compared to trapping. Measures of species dominance and evenness estimated from both methods were statistically identical (μΔ1‐D = 0·02 ± 0·03 SE; μΔPIE = 0·004 ± 0·04 SE). Species lists, relative species composition and species rank‐order abundance were in moderate agreement between sampling methods (Jaccard = 0·62 ± 0·04 SE; Bray–Curtis = 0·53 ± 0·04 SE; Spearman rho = 0·41 ± 0·07 SE). Linear regression and AIC model selection showed that the performance of pellets versus traps did not differ based on owl genus or habitat type.

Small mammal community composition estimated via pellets was better represented compared to estimates from conventional trapping. Composition metrics from the two methods were consistent and not affected by owl genera or habitat type. Thus, owls are an effective alternative for landscape‐level assessments of small mammal communities.
The duration and course of opioid therapy in patients with chronic non‐malignant pain
Authors: Mellbye A. , Karlstad Ø. , Skurtveit S. , Borchgrevink P. C. , Fredheim O. M. S. 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundPrescription databases provide the opportunity for investigating opioid treatment and co‐medication within large populations. So far, few studies have investigated the duration of opioid therapy, and large differences in discontinuation rates have been reported.MethodsData from the Norwegian Prescription Database were used to follow the study population of all adult persistent opioid users with non‐malignant pain in Norway in 2005 (n = 44,867) for 6 years. Persistent opioid use was defined as being dispensed ≥ 180 defined daily doses (DDD) or 4500 mg oral morphine equivalents (OMEQ) during a 365‐day period. The study population was stratified according to previous opioid use into new persistent opioid users, without previous persistent opioid use, and previous low‐dose or previous high‐dose persistent opioid users, having earlier persistent opioid use and received less or more than 120 mg OMEQ/day in 2005, respectively.ResultsTwenty‐seven percent of new, 59% of previous low‐dose, and 55% of previous high‐dose users met the criteria of persistent use of opioids each year. Exactly, 22%, 11%, and 3% increased their cumulative yearly opioid dose by 200% or more during the study period. With 80% still being regular users of either drugs, 6 years later, long‐term persistent opioid users were more likely to continue concomitant use of benzodiazepines or z‐hypnotics than other users,ConclusionThe findings confirm high discontinuation rates in patients receiving opioids for chronic non‐malignant pain. However, a clinically significant number of patients increase their doses over 6 years and many patients combine long‐term opioid treatment with benzodiazepines and z‐hypnotics.
Enhanced microglial pro‐inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide correlates with brain infiltration and blood–brain barrier dysregulation in a mouse model of telomere shortening
Authors: Raj Divya D. A. , Moser Jill , van der Pol Susanne M. A. , van Os Ronald P. , Holtman Inge R. , Brouwer Nieske , Oeseburg Hisko , Schaafsma Wandert , Wesseling Evelyn M. , den Dunnen Wilfred , Biber Knut P. H. , de Vries Helga E. , Eggen Bart J. L. , Boddeke Hendrikus W. G. M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryMicroglia are a proliferative population of resident brain macrophages that under physiological conditions self‐renew independent of hematopoiesis. Microglia are innate immune cells actively surveying the brain and are the earliest responders to injury. During aging, microglia elicit an enhanced innate immune response also referred to as ‘priming’. To date, it remains unknown whether telomere shortening affects the proliferative capacity and induces priming of microglia. We addressed this issue using early (first‐generationG1mTerc−/−)‐ and late‐generation (third‐generationG3 andG4mTerc−/−) telomerase‐deficient mice, which carry a homozygous deletion for the telomeraseRNAcomponent gene (mTerc). Late‐generationmTerc−/−microglia show telomere shortening and decreased proliferation efficiency. Under physiological conditions, gene expression and functionality ofG3mTerc−/−microglia are comparable with microglia derived fromG1mTerc−/−mice despite changes in morphology. However, after intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS),G3mTerc−/−microglia mice show an enhanced pro‐inflammatory response. Nevertheless, this enhanced inflammatory response was not accompanied by an increased expression of genes known to be associated with age‐associated microglia priming. The increased inflammatory response in microglia correlates closely with increased peripheral inflammation, a loss of blood–brain barrier integrity, and infiltration of immune cells in the brain parenchyma in this mouse model of telomere shortening.
Recurrence in patients with stage I colorectal cancer
Authors: Teloken Patrick Ely , Ransom David , Faragher Ian , Jones Ian , Gibbs Peter , Platell Cameron 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundOutcomes of patients with stage I colorectal cancer submitted to surgery with curative intent have not been thoroughly explored in contemporary series.MethodsAll patients with colon or rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent resection from the St John of God Hospital (1996–2013) and BioGrid (1991–2013) databases were identified. Patients submitted to local excision, polypectomies or neoadjuvant treatment were excluded. Outcomes included recurrence (combined local and systemic), recurrence‐free and overall survival, and survival after recurrence.ResultsA total of 1193 patients with stage I disease were included. Median age was 67 (interquartile range 59–75) and median follow‐up was 3.2 years (interquartile range 1.4–5.8). Five‐year recurrence rate was 7.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4–9.4%; 5.0% for colon and 11.1% for rectal cancer). Rectal location was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 1.97, 95% CI 1.09–3.55; P = 0.024). Lymphovascular invasion was an independent predictor of recurrence only in patients with rectal cancer (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2–7.6; P = 0.018). Five‐year recurrence‐free survival was 83.2% (95% CI 80.3–85.4%). Age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.07; P < 0.001), elective surgery (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.80; P = 0.011) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.51–6.31; P < 0.001) were independently associated with recurrence‐free survival. Median survival after recurrence was 41 months. Resection of recurrence was attempted in 39% of patients.ConclusionPatients with stage I colorectal cancers still have a clinically significant risk of recurrence. Rectal location is independently associated with higher recurrence. Age, elective surgery and ASA are independently associated with recurrence‐free survival. A significant proportion of patients with recurrence underwent further resection.
Animal Experiments of the Helical Flow Total Artificial Heart
Authors: Abe Yusuke , Isoyama Takashi , Saito Itsuro , Inoue Yusuke , Ishii Kohei , Sato Masami , Hara Shintaro , Yurimoto Terumi , Li Xinyang , Murakami Haruka , Ariyoshi Koki , Kawase Yukino , Ono Toshiya , Fukazawa Kyoko , Ishihara Kazuhiko 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSevere cardiac failure patients require a total artificial heart (TAH) to save life. To realize a TAH that can fit a body of small stature and has high performance, high durability, good anatomical fitting, good blood compatibility, and physiological control, we have been developing the helical flow TAH (HFTAH) with two helical flow pumps with hydrodynamic levitation impeller. Animal experiments of the HFTAH were conducted to perform in vivo studies. The HFTAH was implanted in 13 adult female goats weighing 45.0–64.0 kg. After surgery, neither anti‐coagulant nor anti‐platelet medication was given systemically. The HFTAH was usually driven with a quasi‐pulsatile mode. The 1/R control or ΔP control was applied to control the circulation. The ΔP control is a new method using simplified equation of the 1/R control. The HFTAH could be implanted in all goats with good anatomical fitting. Two goats survived for a long time (100 and 68 days). Major causes of termination were device failure and surgical complications. In the device failure, trouble with hydrodynamic bearing was conspicuous. In the two long‐term survived goats, experiments were terminated with bearing instability that was probably caused by the suction effect. In these goats, hemolysis occurred on postoperative day 88 and 44, which was considered to be relevant to the bearing trouble. Thrombus was found at the broken right bearing of the 100‐day survived goat. However, antithrombogenicity of the pump is expected to be good unless bearing trouble occurs. In two long‐term survived goats, the 1/R control or ΔP control worked appropriately to prevent the elevation of right atrial pressure. In both goats, hemodynamic parameters changed with the condition of the animals, liver and kidney functions remained almost normal except when recovering from surgery and during hemolysis, and total protein recovered 2 weeks after surgery. Although instability of the hydrodynamic bearing should be improved, performance of the HFTAH with physiological control could be demonstrated.
Initial Acute Animal Experiment Using a New Miniature Axial Flow Pump in Series With the Natural Heart
Authors: Okamoto Eiji , Yano Tetsuya , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Miura Hidekazu , Yambe Tomoyuki , Mitamura Yoshinori 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe have advocated an axial flow blood pump called “valvo pump” that is implanted at the aortic valve position, and we have developed axial flow blood pumps to realize the concept of the valvo pump. The latest model of the axial flow blood pump mainly consists of a stator, a directly driven impeller, and a hydrodynamic bearing. The axial flow blood pump has a diameter of 33 mm and length of 74 mm, and the length of anatomical occupation is 33 mm. The axial flow blood pump is anastomosed to the aorta with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cuffs worn on the inflow and outflow ports. Dp‐Q curves of the axial flow blood pump are flatter than those of ordinary axial flow pumps, and pump outflow of 5 L/min was obtained against a pressure difference of 50 mm Hg at a rotational speed of 9000 rpm in vitro. The axial flow blood pump was installed in a goat by anastomosing with the thoracic descending aorta using PTFE cuffs, and it was rotated at a rotational speed of 8000 rpm. Unlike in case of the ventricular assistance in parallel with the natural heart, pulsatilities of aortic pressure and aortic flow were preserved even when the pump was on, and mean aortic flow was increased by 1.5 L/min with increase in mean aortic pressure of 30 mm Hg. In conclusion, circulatory assistance in series with the natural heart using the axial flow blood pump was able to improve hemodynamic pulsatility, and it would contribute to improvement of end‐organ circulation.