bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pollinators and predators at home and away: do they determine invasion success for AustralianAcaciain New Zealand?
Authors: Wandrag E. M. , Sheppard A. W. , Duncan R. P. , Hulme P. E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimInteractions with pollinators and pre‐dispersal seed predators are important determinants of reproductive output and could influence the success of plant species introduced to areas outside their native range. We identified the role of these interactions in determining reproductive output and invasion outcomes for species of AustralianAcaciaintroduced to New Zealand.LocationAustralia and New Zealand.MethodsWe studied three species of AustralianAcaciawith different invasion success in New Zealand. In both Australia and New Zealand, we measured pollination success as the number of pods per inflorescence and the proportion of aborted seeds per pod, determined losses to pre‐dispersal seed predators, and measured overall seed output. For each species, we compared performance in New Zealand with that in Australia, then examined whether there was any variation among species in their relative performance in each country.ResultsThe number of pods per inflorescence and proportion of seeds aborted were similar in each country and among species. There was little difference in pre‐dispersal seed predation rate between Australia and New Zealand forAcacia dealbata, an invasive species, andAcacia baileyana, a species widely naturalized in New Zealand. However, pre‐dispersal seed predation rate was lower in New Zealand forAcacia pravissima, currently considered to be a casual species there. Both the invasiveA. dealbataand the casualA. pravissimaproduced more seeds per tree in New Zealand than Australia.Main conclusionsDifferences in reproductive success between the native and introduced range could not explain the differences in invasion success among the threeAcaciaspecies. Although per capita reproductive output was higher in New Zealand for two species, neither mutualistic interactions with pollinators nor antagonistic interactions with pre‐dispersal seed predators explained those differences. The high seed output ofA. pravissimasuggests it has the potential to become invasive. These findings highlight the value of broad comparative studies in elucidating the drivers of invasion.
From north to south and back: the role of the Balkans and other southern peninsulas in the recolonization of Europe by wild boar
Authors: Veličković Nevena , Djan Mihajla , Ferreira Eduardo , Stergar Matija , Obreht Dragana , Maletić Vladimir , Fonseca Carlos 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimWe analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Balkans, including individuals from the northern Dinaric Balkans, an area that had not previously been characterized. Our aims were: (1) to reveal the level of genetic diversity and structuring and examine the demographic expansion of wild boar populations in the Balkans and Europe; (2) to examine the role of the Balkan gene pool in the post‐LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) recolonization of Europe; and (3) to elucidate the phylogenetic position of European and Balkan wild boar in a Eurasian context by comparing sequences of wild boar worldwide.LocationBalkan Peninsula.MethodsA fragment of the mtDNA control region (443 bp) was sequenced in 163 wild boar from the Balkans. Phylogenetic analyses, using MrBayes and network, were carried out together with 188 previously published sequences from the Balkan Peninsula. Phylogenetic analyses were also performed with an additional 876 wild boar sequences from around the world.ResultsSixteen haplotypes were found in the new samples, including 11 not previously reported in the Balkans. Phylogenetic analyses based on all known Balkan haplotypes indicated the existence of population structuring, revealing two groups: Continental Balkans and South Balkans. The analysis of the complete dataset, comprising 1227 mtDNA sequences from wild boar sampled worldwide, revealed the presence of 168 different haplotypes. All Balkan haplotypes fell into the E1 haplogroup, except one sample that possessed an Asian haplotype. Within the E1 haplogroup, 50% of the haplotypes were unique to the Balkan Peninsula.Main conclusionsWild boar from the Balkans exhibited high genetic diversity. Similar phylogeographical patterns emerge in all southern European peninsulas, arising from post‐LGM expansion, and all three peninsulas played a similar role in the post‐glacial recolonization of Europe by wild boar. This supports a leading‐edge colonization hypothesis for all three peninsulas.
Three‐Level Games in EU External Migration Policy: Negotiating Mobility Partnerships in West Africa
Authors: Reslow Natasja , Vink Maarten 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn order to increase the effectiveness of migration management, the EU increasingly enters into agreements with third countries. Such co‐operation aims to engage third countries in migration control mechanisms in exchange for enhanced legal migration opportunities, yet this externalization of migration policy is highly selective with regard to both participating Member States and third countries. In this paper we develop a three‐level game perspective to explain why Member States and third countries participate in EU external migration policy initiatives. The three‐level game links three sets of actors in two strategic interactions: Member States, EU institutions and third countries. We argue that two factors determine the outcome of negotiations: the cost of no agreement and the autonomy of central decision‐makers. The model is illustrated by the successful and failed Mobility Partnership negotiations between EU Member States, the European Commission and, respectively, Cape Verde and Senegal.
Detection and fine‐mapping of SC7 resistance genes via linkage and association analysis in soybean
Authors: Yan Honglang , Wang Hui , Cheng Hao , Hu Zhenbin , Chu Shanshan , Zhang Guozheng , Yu Deyue 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSoybean mosaic virus (SMV) disease is one of the most serious and broadly distributed soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) diseases. Here, we combine the advantages of association and linkage analysis to identify and fine‐map the soybean genes associated with resistance to SMV strain SC7. A set of 191 soybean accessions from different geographic origins and 184 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from Kefeng No.1 (resistant) × Nannong 1138‐2 (susceptible) were used in this study. The SC7 resistance genes were previously mapped to a 2.65 Mb region on chromosome 2 and a 380 kb region on chromosome 13. Among 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected via association analysis in the study, the SNP BARC‐021625‐04157 was located in the 2.65 Mb region, and the SNP BARC‐041671‐08065 was located near the 380 kb region; three genes harboring the SNPs were probably related to SC7 resistance. The resistance gene associated with BARC‐021625‐04157 was then fine‐mapped to a region of approximately 158 kb on chromosome 2 using 184 RILs. Among the 15 genes within this region, one NBS‐LRR type gene, one HSP40 gene and one serine carboxypeptidase‐type gene might be candidate SC7 resistance genes. These results will be useful for map‐based cloning and marker‐assisted selection in soybean breeding programs.
Investigation of microstructured chitosans by coherent anti‐Stokes Raman microscopy
Authors: DEMENTJEV A. , MORDAS G. , ULEVIČIUS V. , GULBINAS V. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThis work describes application of coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy technique for analytical characterization of microstructured materials based on chitosan. We demonstrate that nitrogen–hydrogen vibration band in the high wavenumber region of CARS spectrum prevails over response from oxygen–hydrogen vibrations and can be used as a spectral marker of chitosan. The chemically selective imaging is experimentally demonstrated by applying CARS microscopy to discriminate between chitosan and polystyrene microparticles. CARS microscopy was shown to be a valuable tool for characterization of polluted chitosan fibre from utilized engine filter material. A possibility to observe foreign material pieces on the surface of the polluted chitosan fibre is demonstrated and discussed.
Homophily and Community Structure in Networks
Authors: DEV PRITHA 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper proposes a strategy to estimate the community structure for a network accounting for the empirically established fact that communities and links are formed based on homophily. It presents a maximum likelihood approach to rank community structures where the set of possible community structures depends on the set of salient characteristics and the probability of a link between two nodes varies according to the characteristics of the two nodes. This approach has good large sample properties, which lead to a practical algorithm for the estimation. To exemplify the approach it is applied to data collected from four village clusters in Ghana.1
Optimal Income Tax Enforcement under Prospect Theory
Authors: PIOLATTO AMEDEO , TROTIN GWENOLA 
Published: December 2014

AbstractProspect theory (PT) has become the most accepted alternative to expected utility theory (EUT) as a theory of decision under uncertainty. This paper extends the existing literature on efficient tax and audit schemes, by answering the question as to just how progressive an efficient tax system can be when assuming that taxpayers behave in line with the tenets of PT. Under reasonable assumptions regarding the reference income and the value function of taxpayers, we show that the efficient tax schedule is regressive while audit probabilities are nonincreasing in the declared income. These results are consistent with the previous literature on EUT.
The Increase in College Premium and the Decline in Low‐Skill Wages: A Signaling Story
Authors: BALART PAU 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe increase in the college premium over the last 30 years in the United States is to a large extent driven by a reduction in noncollege wages. We show that the signaling effects triggered by an improvement in the incentives to attend higher education can explain this fact, as well as the increase in the number of college graduates. Under imperfect credit markets and wealth heterogeneity, higher education is not only a signal of ability but also of individuals' (parents') wealth. General conditions on the distribution of wealth guarantee that after an increase in incentives to attend higher education, the absence of a college degree becomes a more evident signal of low ability. This results in a reduction in low‐skill wages but not necessarily in increased high skill wages. The increased incentives to enroll in college can either arise from a skill‐biased technology change or an improvement in access to higher education. An important difference is that while skill‐biased technology change always results in an increase in the college premium, that is not necessarily the case when the increased incentives to enroll arise from improved access to higher education.
TRIASSIC – QUATERNARY SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE TARFAYA BASIN (MOROCCAN ATLANTIC): STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION, EUSTASY AND SEDIMENTATION
Authors: El Jorfi L. , Süss M.P. , Aigner T. , Mhammdi N. 
Published: December 2014

This paper discusses the seismic and sequence stratigraphy of the Tarfaya Basin passive continental margin in southern Morocco and investigates the implications for the basin's petroleum geology. Analyses of a new database consisting of SGY 2D seismic lines and wells indicate that the sedimentary succession on the Tarfaya margin can be divided into ten seismic sequences within four major transgressive‐regressive cycles separated by regional unconformities. Variations in the stratigraphic architecture of the margin suggest that regional tectonic influences have episodically overprinted global eustatic signals.A number of clastic reservoirs and source rock intervals have been identified in this margin, but only Jurassic carbonate and Cretaceous clastic plays have been tested on the shelf area. Cretaceous submarine fans and Tertiary turbidite systems in deep‐water areas remain untested and may have major hydrocarbon potential.
Assessment of periostin levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontal disease
Authors: Balli U. , Keles Z. P. , Avci B. , Guler S. , Cetinkaya B. O. , Keles G. C. 
Published: December 2014

Background and ObjectivePeriostin, a secreted adhesion molecule essential for periodontal tissue integrity, is highly expressed in the periodontal ligament and plays a critical role in tooth and bone development. The purpose of this study was to investigate periostin levels in the gingival crevicular fluid and serum of patients with periodontal disease and compare them with those of healthy individuals.Material and MethodsEighty individuals (41 males and 39 females; age range: 25–48 years) were enrolled in the study. Individuals were divided into three groups following clinical and radiographic examinations: the periodontal–healthy group (n = 20), gingivitis group (n = 30) and chronic periodontitis group (n = 30). Gingival crevicular fluid and serum samples were collected and periostin levels were determined using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe total amount and concentration of periostin decreased in gingival crevicular fluid with the progression and severity of the disease from healthy controls to gingivitis and to chronic periodontitis groups and differed significantly (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in serum periostin concentration within all groups (p > 0.05). Periostin in gingival crevicular fluid negatively correlated with the gingival index in the periodontal disease groups, whereas it is inversely correlated with the clinical attachment level only in the periodontitis group (p < 0.05). When all the clinical groups were examined together, the periostin concentration negatively correlated with clinical attachment level and gingival index; moreover, total periostin positively correlated with periostin concentration and clinical attachment level (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe periostin levels in gingival crevicular fluid decreased proportionally with the progression and severity of periodontal disease, and negatively correlated with the clinical parameters. Within the limits of the study, the periostin level in gingival crevicular fluid can be considered a reliable marker in the evaluation of periodontal disease susceptibility and activity.
Reading aloud in Lewisham: an exploration of adult reading‐aloud practices
Authors: Duncan Sam 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper analyses initial findings of a qualitative pilot study of the reading‐aloud practices of 17 adults in the London Borough of Lewisham. Although the dominant contemporary image of reading is that of a silent activity and within literacy provision it is frequently assumed that reading aloud is not a ‘natural’ ‘real life’ adult practice, anecdote suggests that adults do indeed read aloud, but these practices are overwhelmingly undocumented. This study is the first stage in developing a better understanding of contemporary adult reading‐aloud practices. Semi‐structured interviews were used to ask adults whether, what, where, how and why they read aloud. Initial findings reveal the ubiquitous nature of reading aloud in adult life, across a range of life domains (spiritual life, family life, work and learning) and for different self‐selected purposes (to memorise, to understand, to write and for fellowship). Initial findings reinforce the importance of expanding our definitions and conceptualisations of reading to recognise the diversity and changing nature of real life practices, and suggest implications for our understanding of the role of reading in adult life, for literacy education and for future research.
The coagulation system in patients with end‐stage liver disease
Authors: Valla Dominique‐C. , Rautou Pierre‐E. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn patients with cirrhosis, routine laboratory tests for primary hemostasis and coagulation usually show anomalies that are associated with excess bleeding in other settings, in particular low platelet counts and prolonged prothrombin time. However, under conditions similar to those in vivo, primary hemostasis and thrombin production do not appear to be decreased in patients with cirrhosis, particularly when the platelet count is above 75 000/μl. Furthermore, there is laboratory and epidemiological evidence of a mild procoagulant and prothrombotic state in patients with cirrhosis. Bleeding is mainly because of portal hypertension rather than defective hemostasis. There is some evidence that anticoagulation therapy is not associated with an excess of severe bleeding and that it could improve the outcome in patients without portal vein thrombosis. At present, there is no clear evidence that portal vein thrombosis is responsible for the progression of liver disease and that anticoagulation therapy would improve the outcome of patients with portal vein thrombosis.
Optimal therapy in genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C: finally cured?
Authors: Abdel‐Razek Wael , Waked Imam 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOptimal therapy for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 (HCV‐4) infection is changing rapidly, and the possibility of a total cure is near. The standard of care has been combination pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN)‐ribavirin (RBV), with modest response rates and considerable adverse events. Since the introduction of sofosbuvir (SOF), simeprevir (SIM), and daclatasvir (DCV), the duration of treatment has been significantly shortened and response rates have increased. The recommended treatment for IFN‐eligible patients is PEG‐IFN/RBV plus SOF, SIM or DCV. In IFN ineligible patients, the optimal regimen is a 24‐week course of SOF/RBV, or a 12‐week course of SOF‐SIM or SOF‐DCV with or without RBV. The pipeline for patients with chronic HCV is highly active. IFN‐free combinations with paritaprevir‐ombitasvir, SOF‐ledipasvir, or DCV‐asunaprevir (ASV)‐beclabuvir (BMS‐791325) for 12 weeks or less with close to 100% cure rates will soon become the optimal therapy.
H, not O or pressure, causes eutectic T depression in the Fe‐FeS System to 8 GPa
Authors: Buono Antonio S. , Walker David 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe Fe‐FeS system maintains a eutectic temperature of 990 ± 10 °C to at least 8 GPa if starting materials and pressure media are rigorously dehydrated. Literature reports of pressure‐induced freezing point depression of the eutectic for the Fe‐FeS system are not confirmed. Modest addition of oxygen alone is confirmed to cause negligible freezing point depression at 6 GPa. Addition of H alone causes a progressive decrease in the eutectic temperature with P in the Fe‐FeS‐H system to below 965 °C at 6 GPa to below 950 °C at 8 GPa. It is our hypothesis that moisture contamination in unrigorously dried experiments may be an H source for freezing point depression. O released from H2O disproportionation reacts with Fe and is sequestered as ferropericlase along the sample capsules walls, leaving the H to escape the system and/or enter the Fe‐FeS mixture. The observed occurrence of ferropericlase on undried MgO capsule margins is otherwise difficult to explain, because an alternate source for the oxygen in the ferropericlase layer is difficult to identify. This study questions the use of pressure‐depressed Fe‐S eutectic temperatures and suggests that the lower eutectic temperatures sometimes reported are achieved by moving into the ternary Fe‐S‐H system. These results adjust slightly the constraints on eutectic temperatures allowed for partly solidified cores on small planets. H substantially diminishes the temperature extent of the melting interval in Fe‐S by reducing the melting points of the crystalline phases more than it depresses the eutectic.
Characterizing a hybrid zone between a cryptic species pair of freshwater snails
Authors: Patel Simit , Schell Tilman , Eifert Constanze , Feldmeyer Barbara , Pfenninger Markus 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCharacterizing hybrid zones and their dynamics is a central goal in evolutionary biology, but this is particularly challenging for morphologically cryptic species. The lack of conspicuous divergence between parental types means intermediate hybrid forms often go undetected. We aimed to detect and characterize a suspected hybrid zone between a pair of morphologically cryptic lineages of the freshwater snail, Radix. We sampled Radix from across a contact zone between two mitochondrial lineages (Radix balthica and an undescribed lineage termed ‘MOTU3’) and detected admixture between two nuclear genotype clusters, which were significantly but not categorically associated with the mitochondrial lineages. Using a model selection approach, we show that the admixture cline is best explained by an interaction between precipitation and temperature gradients over the area, rather than geographic distance. We thus hypothesize that the correlation with climatic gradients suggests environmental selection has played a role in maintaining the hybrid zone. In a 2050 climate change scenario, we furthermore predict an expansion of one of the nuclear clusters and a widening of the hybrid zone as the climate warms and dries.
Brainstem ischemia presenting with inspiratory stridor
Authors: Allam Hesham , Kassar Dareen , Al Khalili Yasir , Karadaghy Amin , Alshekhlee Amer 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCentral etiologies of bilateral vocal cord paralysis leading to respiratory stridor are uncommon, as they require bilateral disruption of the laryngeal motor fibers. Here we present a young woman with multiple vascular risk factors, including ischemic stroke in the right medulla occurring 3 months prior, who presented with acute inspiratory stridor. All respiratory parameters were normal including arterial blood gas, and neck and pulmonary imaging. Direct laryngoscopy showed bilaterally bowed vocal cords, with decreased mobility and paradoxical adduction with each inspiratory cycle. On the third hospital day, neurological signs including a right hemiparesis became evident. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a diffusion restriction in the left medial pons likely disrupting the laryngeal motor fibers to the ponto‐medullary neuronal network. In the absence of tracheobronchial obstruction, physicians should be alert to the central causes of stridor including ischemic stroke. Additionally, paradoxical movements of the vocal cords can be an ominous sign.