bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of spatial structure of population size on the population dynamics of barnacles across their elevational range
Authors: Fukaya Keiichi , Okuda Takehiro , Nakaoka Masahiro , Noda Takashi 
Published: April 2014

SummaryExplanations for why population dynamics vary across the range of a species reflect two contrasting hypotheses: (i) temporal variability of populations is larger in the centre of the range compared to the margins because overcompensatory density dependence destabilizes population dynamics and (ii) population variability is larger near the margins, where populations are more susceptible to environmental fluctuations. In both of these hypotheses, positions within the range are assumed to affect population variability.In contrast, the fact that population variability is often related to mean population size implies that the spatial structure of the population size within the range of a species may also be a useful predictor of the spatial variation in temporal variability of population size over the range of the species.To explore how population temporal variability varies spatially and the underlying processes responsible for the spatial variation, we focused on the intertidal barnacleChthamalus dalliand examined differences in its population dynamics along the tidal levels it inhabits. Changes in coverage of barnacle populations were monitored for 10·5 years at 25 plots spanning the elevational range of this species. Data were analysed by fitting a population dynamics model to estimate the effects of density‐dependent and density‐independent processes on population growth. We also examined the temporal mean–variance relationship of population size with parameters estimated from the population dynamics model.We found that the relative variability of populations tended to increase from the centre of the elevational range towards the margins because of an increase in the magnitude of stochastic fluctuations of growth rates. Thus, our results supported hypothesis (2). We also found that spatial variations in temporal population variability were well characterized by Taylor's power law, the relative population variability being inversely related to the mean population size.Results suggest that understanding the population dynamics of a species over its range may be facilitated by taking the spatial structure of population size into account as well as by considering changes in population processes as a function of position within the range of the species.
Smallholder Supply Response to Marketing Board Activities in a Dual Channel Marketing System: The Case of Zambia
Authors: Mason Nicole M. , Jayne Thomas S. , Myers Robert J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn recent years, parastatal grain marketing boards have re‐emerged as important elements of grain markets in eastern and southern Africa, yet little is known about how farmers are responding to their scaled up activities. This article develops a conceptual model of farmers’ production decisions in the context of dual output marketing channels (government and private sector) when output prices at harvest time and the availability of one of the marketing channels are unknown at planting time. It then applies the model to the case of Zambia and uses nationally representative household‐level panel survey data to estimate the effects of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), the government parastatal maize marketing board, on smallholder crop production and fallow land. The FRA buys maize from smallholders at a pan‐territorial price that typically exceeds market prices in major maize producing areas. Results suggest that increases in the farmgate FRA maize price raise farmer maize price expectations, which induces a supply response. Smallholders respond to an increase in the FRA price by extensifying their maize production. On average, a 1% increase in the FRA price is associated with 0.06% increases in smallholders’ maize area planted and quantity harvested. There is also some evidence that farmers reduce the area of land under fallow in response to FRA incentives but there is no evidence of reductions in the area planted to other crops.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Solubility and Diffusivity in Solid Food Matrices: A Review of Past and Current Knowledge
Authors: Chaix Estelle , Guillaume Carole , Guillard Valérie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractOxygen and carbon dioxide solubility and diffusivity are 2 key parameters to understand gas transfer in food matrices. Knowledge of these parameters could help to predict gas concentration in modified atmosphere packaging and, consequently, to predict shelf‑life of the product through the development of appropriate mathematical models. The aim of this review is to present the existing methodologies to quantify O2 and CO2 contents in food, especially in solid food matrices which is very challenging. There is a focus on how these methodologies could be used to determine gas transfers kinetics. Data of O2/CO2 solubilities and diffusivities in food are collected and compared with a specific emphasis on the food characteristics and factors impacting them. An analysis of the current state of knowledge in solid food matrices is carried out to tentatively build a general predictive model of the O2 and CO2 solubility and diffusivity extendable to any kind of food matrix.
Chemical Composition, Sensory Properties, Provenance, and Bioactivity of Fruit Juices as Assessed by Chemometrics: A Critical Review and Guideline
Authors: Zielinski Acácio A.F. , Haminiuk Charles W.I. , Nunes Cleiton A. , Schnitzler Egon , van Ruth Saskia M. , Granato Daniel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe use of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical techniques, such as analysis of variance, multiple comparisons of means, and linear correlations, has spread widely in the area of Food Science and Technology. However, the use of supervised and unsupervised statistical techniques (chemometrics) in order to analyze and model experimental data from physicochemical, sensory, metabolomics, quality control, nutritional, microbiological, and chemical assays in food research has gained more space. Therefore, we present here a manuscript with theoretical details, a critical analysis of published work, and a guideline for the reader to check and propose mathematical models of experimental results using the most promising supervised and unsupervised multivariate statistical techniques, namely: principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis, partial least square regression, k‐nearest neighbors, and soft independent modeling of class analogy. In addition, the overall features, advantages, and limitations of such statistical methods are presented and discussed. Published examples are focused on sensory, chemical, and antioxidant activity of a wide range of fruit juices consumed worldwide.
Identification of species in the angiosperm family Apiaceae using DNA barcodes
Authors: Liu Jinxin , Shi Linchun , Han Jianping , Li Geng , Lu Heng , Hou Jingyi , Zhou Xiaoteng , Meng Fanyun , Downie Stephen R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractApiaceae (Umbelliferae) is a large angiosperm family that includes many medicinally important species. The ability to identify these species and their adulterants is important, yet difficult to do so because of their subtle fruit morphological differences and often lack of diagnostic features in preserved specimens. Moreover, dried roots are often the official medical organs, making visual identification to species almost impossible. DNA barcoding has been proposed as a powerful taxonomic tool for species identification. The Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) Plant Working Group has recommended the combination of rbcL+matK as the core plant barcode. Recently, the China Plant BOL Group proposed that the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), as well as a subset of this marker (ITS2), be incorporated alongside rbcL+matK into the core barcode for seed plants, particularly angiosperms. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of these four markers plus psbA‐trnH as Apiaceae barcodes. A total of 6032 sequences representing 1957 species in 385 diverse genera were sampled, of which 211 sequences from 50 individuals (representing seven species) were newly obtained. Of these five markers, ITS and ITS2 showed superior results in intra‐ and interspecific divergence and DNA barcoding gap assessments. For the matched data set (173 samples representing 45 species in five genera), the ITS locus had the highest identification efficiency (73.3%), yet ITS2 also performed relatively well with 66.7% identification efficiency. The identification efficiency increased to 82.2% when using an ITS+psbA‐trnH marker combination (ITS2+psbA‐trnH was 80%), which was significantly higher than that of rbcL+matK (40%). For the full sample data set (3052 ITS sequences, 3732 ITS2 sequences, 1011 psbA‐trnH sequences, 567 matK sequences and 566 rbcL sequences), ITS, ITS2, psbA‐trnH, matK and rbcL had 70.0%, 64.3%, 49.5%, 38.6% and 32.1% discrimination abilities, respectively. These results confirm that ITS or its subset ITS2 be incorporated into the core barcode for Apiaceae and that the combination of ITS/ITS2+psbA‐trnH has much potential value as a powerful, standard DNA barcode for Apiaceae identification.
Population pharmacodynamic analysis of LDL‐cholesterol lowering effects by statins and co‐medications based on electronic medical records
Authors: Kakara Makoto , Nomura Hiroko , Fukae Masato , Gotanda Keisuke , Hirota Takeshi , Matsubayashi Sunao , Shimomura Hideki , Hirakawa Masaaki , Ieiri Ichiro 
Published: April 2014

AimsHMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors are available for use in low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) lowering therapy. The purposes of this study were to develop a population pharmacodynamic (PPD) model to describe the time course for the LDL‐C lowering effects of statins and assess the efficacy of combination therapy based on electronic medical records.MethodsPatient backgrounds, laboratory tests and prescribed drugs were collected retrospectively from electronic medical records. Patients who received atorvastatin, pitavastatin or rosuvastatin were enrolled. A physiological indirect response model was used to describe the changes observed in LDL‐C concentrations. The PPD analysis was performed using nonmem 7.2.0 with the first order conditional estimation method with interaction (FOCE‐INTER).ResultsAn indirect response Imax model, based on the 2863 LDL‐C concentrations of 378 patients, successfully and quantitatively described the time course for the LDL‐C lowering effects of three statins. The combination of ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, decreased the LDL synthesis rate (Kin) by 10.9%. A simulation indicated that the combined treatment of ezetimibe with rosuvastatin (2.5 mg day−1) led to superior clinical responses than those with high doses of rosuvastatin (5.0 mg day−1) monotherapy, even in patients with higher baseline LDL‐C concentrations prior to the treatment.ConclusionsA newly constructed PPD model supported previous evidence for the beneficial effects of ezetimibe combined with rosuvastatin. In addition, the established framework is expected to be applicable to other drugs without pharmacokinetic data in clinical practice.
Mephedrone, Methylone and 3,4‐Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Induce Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Authors: Karlsson Louise , Andersson Mikael , Kronstrand Robert , Kugelberg Fredrik C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDuring the last decade, there has been a worldwide increase in popularity and abuse of synthetic cathinones. Common ingredients of the so‐called bath salts include mephedrone, methylone and 3,4‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Relatively little information about the pharmacology and addiction potential of these drugs is available. We used the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to explore the reinforcing effects of three different synthetic cathinones. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether mephedrone, methylone and MDPV induce CPP in mice. The secondary aims were to investigate a possible dose–response CPP and whether the synthetic cathinones induce higher CPP than amphetamine at equal dose. C57BL/6 mice were conditioned to mephedrone, methylone, MDPV and amphetamine at doses of 0.5, 2, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg (i.p.). During the conditioning, the mice received two training sessions per day for 4 days. All four tested drugs showed a significant place preference compared with controls. Mice conditioned with MDPV (5 and 10 mg/kg) displayed a greater preference score compared to mice conditioned with amphetamine (5 and 10 mg/kg). Our findings show that mephedrone, methylone and MDPV produce CPP equal or higher than amphetamine strongly suggesting addictive properties. Given the public health concern of abuse, future pharmacological studies are necessary to fully understand the effects of these drugs.
Subcutaneous pulsatile glucocorticoid replacement therapy
Authors: Russell Georgina M. , Durant Claire , Ataya Alia , Papastathi Chrysoula , Bhake Ragini , Woltersdorf Wolfram , Lightman Stafford 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe glucocorticoid hormone cortisol is released in pulses resulting in a complex and dynamic ultradian rhythm of plasma cortisol that underlies the classical circadian rhythm. These oscillating levels are also seen at the level of tissues such as the brain and trigger pulses of gene activation and downstream signalling. Different patterns of glucocorticoid presentation (constant vs pulsatile) result not only in different patterns of gene regulation but also in different neuroendocrine and behavioural responses. Current ‘optimal’ glucocorticoid replacement therapy results in smooth hormone blood levels and does not replicate physiological pulsatile cortisol secretion. Validation of a novel portable pulsatile continuous subcutaneous delivery system in healthy volunteers under dexamethasone and metyrapone suppression. Pulsatile subcutaneous hydrocortisone more closely replicates physiological circadian and ultradian rhythmicity.
Why the body comes first: effects of experimenter touch on infants' word finding
Authors: Seidl Amanda , Tincoff Ruth , Baker Christopher , Cristia Alejandrina 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe lexicon of 6‐month‐olds is comprised of names and body part words. Unlike names, body part words do not often occur in isolation in the input. This presents a puzzle: How have infants been able to pull out these words from the continuous stream of speech at such a young age? We hypothesize that caregivers' interactions directed at and on the infant's body may be at the root of their early acquisition of body part words. An artificial language segmentation study shows that experimenter‐provided synchronous tactile cues help 4‐month‐olds to find words in continuous speech. A follow‐up study suggests that this facilitation cannot be reduced to the highly social situation in which the directed interaction occurs. Taken together, these studies suggest that direct caregiver–infant interaction, exemplified in this study by touch cues, may play a key role in infants' ability to find word boundaries, and suggests that early vocabulary items may consist of words often linked with caregiver touches.A video abstract of this article can be viewed athttp://youtu.be/NfCj5ipatyE
Altered plasma fibrin clot properties and fibrinolysis in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Undas Anetta , Zubkiewicz‐Usnarska Lidia , Helbig Grzegorz , Woszczyk Dariusz , Kozińska Justyna , Dmoszyńska Anna , Podolak‐Dawidziak Maria , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundMultiple myeloma (MM) is associated with increased risk of venous and arterial thromboembolism. Formation of denser and poorly lysable fibrin clots is observed in patients with arterial and venous thromboembolism. We investigated fibrin clot properties and their determinants in MM patients.Materials and MethodsEx vivo plasma fibrin clot permeability, turbidity and susceptibility to lysis were evaluated in 106 MM patients at the time of diagnosis vs. 100 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. MM patients had lower clot permeability (Ks), compaction, indicating denser fibrin clots, impaired fibrin polymerization with longer lag phase and lower final turbidity (D−Dmax), combined with hypofibrinolysis reflected by longer lysis time and slower rate of D‐dimer release from fibrin clots (D−Drate) compared with controls (all P < 0·001).ResultsPatients with IgG MM had lower Ks compared with IgA MM [5·9 (5·1–6·4) vs. 6·3 (5·9–7·2) 10−9 cm2; P = 0·007] and longer lysis time compared with light‐chain‐disease patients [11·4 (10·9–12·3) vs. 10·7 (9·8–11·9) min; P = 0·022]. Of the fibrin variables, only Ks was significantly lower in patients with International Staging System (ISS) grade III than in those with ISS grade I and II [5·9 (4·9–6·6) vs. 6·2 (5·7–6·8) 10−9 cm2; P = 0·015]. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age and fibrinogen showed that in MM patients elevated peak thrombin levels determine Ks and D−Dmax, while thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activity predicts Ks, t50%, D−Drate and lag phase.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype in patients with MM, with a significant impact of increased thrombin formation and TAFI activity.
Horizontal transfer of the msp130 gene supported the evolution of metazoan biomineralization
Authors: Ettensohn Charles A. 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYIt is widely accepted that biomineralized structures appeared independently in many metazoan clades during the Cambrian. How this occurred, and whether it involved the parallel co‐option of a common set of biochemical and developmental pathways (i.e., a shared biomineralization “toolkit”), are questions that remain unanswered. Here, I provide evidence that horizontal gene transfer supported the evolution of biomineralization in some metazoans. I show that Msp130 proteins, first described as proteins expressed selectively by the biomineral‐forming primary mesenchyme cells of the sea urchin embryo, have a much wider taxonomic distribution than was previously appreciated. Msp130 proteins are present in several invertebrate deuterostomes and in one protostome clade (molluscs). Surprisingly, closely related proteins are also present in many bacteria and several algae, and I propose that msp130 genes were introduced into metazoan lineages via multiple, independent horizontal gene transfer events. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the introduction of an ancestral msp130 gene occurred in the sea urchin lineage more than 250 million years ago and that msp130 genes underwent independent, parallel duplications in each of the metazoan phyla in which these genes are found.
Traumatic dental injuries among 8‐ to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren in Pinggu District, Beijing, China, during 2012
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Si Yan , Gong Yi , Wang Jian‐Guo , Liu Jing‐Xin , He Yang , He Wen‐Peng , Nan Zhe , Zhang Yi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundAlthough traumatic dental injuries are most common during childhood and can cause significant health problems, the literature contains few reports of the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in children in China.AimTo study the prevalence of and factors related to traumatic dental injuries among 8‐ to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren in Pinggu District, Beijing during 2012.Material and MethodsAn epidemiological survey of traumatic dental injuries was performed in all nine primary schools of Pinggu District, Beijing, China. Andreasen criteria as the diagnostic criteria were used in the study. A sample of 5165 students aged from 8 to 12 years old were examined, consisting of 2711 boys and 2454 girls.ResultsA total of 367 students (7.1%), 251 boys and 116 girls, were found to have traumatic dental injuries, and 442 permanent teeth were involved. Maxillary central incisors were the most affected by dental injuries (378, 85.5%). Among the 52 traumatized teeth (11.8%) that were treated, endodontic treatment (55.8%) was the most common method.ConclusionsThe study showed a relatively low prevalence of dental injuries in Pinggu District. The treatment rate of traumatized teeth was relatively low. Schoolchildren need more medical assistance when they face accidents. Policymakers should develop a strategy for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries. Educational programs to increase the knowledge of traumatic dental injuries and prevent them should be initiated for teachers and schoolchildren.
Effect of local spatial plant distribution and conspecific density on bumble bee foraging behaviour
Authors: GESLIN BENOÎT , BAUDE MATHILDE , MALLARD FRANCOIS , DAJOZ ISABELLE 
Published: April 2014

1. Size variations in pollinator populations may modify competitive interactions among foragers. Competition among pollinators has been shown to lead to one of two contrasting behaviours: either specialisation to the most profitable plant species or generalisation to several species. When foraging, pollinators are also confronted with heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of plant resources. Because variations in both the forager density and plant spatial distribution can affect pollinator behaviour, focus was on the interactive effect of these two factors.2. Bumble bee (Bombus terrestris
L.) individuals were trained on a focal species (Lotus corniculatus L.) and experimentally tested whether variations in the forager density (two or six bumble bees foraging together), plant community spatial distribution (two plant species: L. corniculatus and Medicago sativa, which were either patchily or randomly distributed), and their interaction modified bumble bee foraging behaviour.3. It was shown that when confronted with a high forager density, bumble bees focused their visits towards the most familiar species, especially when foraging under a random plant distribution. These modifications affected the fruiting of the focal plant species, with a significantly lower reproductive success under low density/patchy conditions.4. This study demonstrates that the foraging decisions of bumble bees are influenced by variations in both the conspecific density and plant spatial distribution. Given the increasing impact of human activities on plant‐pollinator communities, this raises the question of the potential implications of these results for plant communities in natural conditions when confronted with variations in the pollinator density and spatial distribution of plants.
How context dependent are species interactions?
Authors: Chamberlain Scott A. , Bronstein Judith L. , Rudgers Jennifer A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe net effects of interspecific species interactions on individuals and populations vary in both sign (−, 0, +) and magnitude (strong to weak). Interaction outcomes are context‐dependent when the sign and/or magnitude change as a function of the biotic or abiotic context. While context dependency appears to be common, its distribution in nature is poorly described. Here, we used meta‐analysis to quantify variation in species interaction outcomes (competition, mutualism, or predation) for 247 published articles. Contrary to our expectations, variation in the magnitude of effect sizes did not differ among species interactions, and while mutualism was most likely to change sign across contexts (and predation least likely), mutualism did not strongly differ from competition. Both the magnitude and sign of species interactions varied the most along spatial and abiotic gradients, and least as a function of the presence/absence of a third species. However, the degree of context dependency across these context types was not consistent among mutualism, competition and predation studies. Surprisingly, study location and ecosystem type varied in the degree of context dependency, with laboratory studies showing the highest variation in outcomes. We urge that studying context dependency per se, rather than focusing only on mean outcomes, can provide a general method for describing patterns of variation in nature.