bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioral analysis of learning and memory in Anastrepha fraterculus
Authors: Gregório Patrícia L.F. , Sant'Ana Josué , Pires Patrícia D. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe evaluate the influence of prior exposure to artificial substrate for oviposition on learning and memory in the fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Some females were previously exposed to artificial fruits made of water, agar, and blackberry [Rubus spec. (Rosaceae)] or guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] pulp for 48 and 72 h. We also studied adult flies exposed for 72 h to essential oil of lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Poaceae] and adult flies from larvae exposed to the oil. Control females were naive with respect to these experimental substrates. Prior experience with blackberry‐based artificial fruits resulted in an increase in the number of punctures and deposited eggs by A. fraterculus, and memory lasted for up to 72 h. On the other hand, fly behavior was independent of exposure to guava‐based substrate. Prior exposure of 1‐ or 15‐day‐old females to artificial substrate with lemongrass oil modified innate substrate selection behavior. The scent of lemongrass oil during the larval stage modified innate oviposition responses of adult A. fraterculus. The study shows that A. fraterculus females are able to learn and retain information through chemical stimuli released by both host (blackberry and guava) and non‐host (lemongrass) species, and they can use olfactory memory obtained during the larval stage to select oviposition sites.
The circadian rhythm of flight activity of Spodoptera exigua males in response to sex pheromone
Authors: Cheng Wen‐Jie , Zheng Xia‐Lin , Wang Pan , Zhou Li‐Lin , Lei Chao‐Liang , Si Sheng‐Yun , Wang Xiao‐Ping 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn many moths, male attraction to the blend of synthetic sex pheromone releasing continuously in the field shows an apparent circadian rhythm similar to that of locomotion activity. In this study, the daily rhythms of electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral responses to sex pheromone, and the daily rhythms of locomotion activity were measured in male beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The peaks of males trapped by light and sex pheromone were all during the latter part of the night in the field. However, there was no significant variation among time intervals in the EAG responses of male antennae to sex pheromone stimuli. The principal period of locomotion activity under L15:D9 (LD) continued to occur during the scotophase and the subjective scotophase in the day of constant darkness (DD1) and the second of two consecutive days of constant darkness (DD2). The majority of males contacted the sex pheromone source in a wind tunnel during the latter part of the scotophase under LD and the subjective scotophase for DD1 and DD2. There were significant associations between the rhythm of the behavioral response to sex pheromone and locomotion activity. These results suggested that the male's behavioral response to sex pheromone in the beet armyworm could be observed only until locomotion activity of the male occurred at the end of the dark period, despite sex pheromone being released continuously from synthetic pheromone‐baited traps in the field.
Development of an artificial diet and feeding system for juvenile stages of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri
Authors: Russell Calum W. , Pelz‐Stelinski Kirsten S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is the main vector for the plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Jagoueix et al. (CLas). To date, attempts to develop an artificial diet for ACP have focused solely on the adult life stage, ignoring the juvenile stages. We developed a feeding system and artificial diet that is compatible with the juvenile stages of ACP and tested growth rates when exposed to varying concentrations of sucrose and amino acids. We found a surprisingly high tolerance for high sucrose concentrations in ACP when compared to known tolerances of sucrose concentrations in other phloem‐feeding insects. This is indicative that ACP may be physiologically adapted to a broad range of sucrose concentrations and osmotic stresses. The growth rate of juvenile ACP was optimized when amino acids were in a global concentration of 150 mM, with higher concentrations not appreciably impacting growth. This finding corresponds with the optimal amino acid concentrations required in other phloem feeders, notably the pea aphid. The development of this feeding system, with the diet optimized for growth, will allow for future experiments to be undertaken into the uptake of CLas by the psyllid and into the nutritional requirements of ACP. This feeding system will also allow for physiological comparisons among the phloem‐feeding insects.
Trophic compensation reinforces resistance: herbivory absorbs the increasing effects of multiple disturbances
Authors: Ghedini Giulia , Russell Bayden D. , Connell Sean D. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDisturbance often results in small changes in community structure, but the probability of transitioning to contrasting states increases when multiple disturbances combine. Nevertheless, we have limited insights into the mechanisms that stabilise communities, particularly how perturbations can be absorbed without restructuring (i.e. resistance). Here, we expand the concept of compensatory dynamics to include countervailing mechanisms that absorb disturbances through trophic interactions. By definition, ‘compensation’ occurs if a specific disturbance stimulates a proportional countervailing response that eliminates its otherwise unchecked effect. We show that the compounding effects of disturbances from local to global scales (i.e. local canopy‐loss, eutrophication, ocean acidification) increasingly promote the expansion of weedy species, but that this response is countered by a proportional increase in grazing. Finally, we explore the relatively unrecognised role of compensatory effects, which are likely to maintain the resistance of communities to disturbance more deeply than current thinking allows.
Mortality and SUDEP in epilepsy patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Granbichler Claudia A. , Nashef Lina , Selway Richard , Polkey Charles E. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe risk of premature death is increased in patients with intractable epilepsy. The effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on mortality remains unclear. In a previous study by Annegers et al., mortality was raised, comparable to similar intractable cohorts. Our aim was to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), identify epilepsy‐related deaths, and estimate sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) rates in patients treated with VNS for epilepsy.MethodsAll United Kingdom patients undergoing VNS between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2010 at King's College Hospital, London were flagged through the national Medical Research Information Service. Analysis was performed in relation to all deaths occurring by December 31, 2010. Deceased patients were identified from the national death register, and additional information on cause and circumstances of death sought where appropriate to allow for classification of deaths.ResultsThe cohort consisted of 466 patients, with 2993.83 person‐years of follow‐up and a median observation period of 5.9 years. Twenty‐nine deaths occurred, 27 with the device active. SMR was 7.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8–10.3) for the active device; 12 deaths were considered epilepsy related, including 10 definite or probable SUDEP and one fatal near SUDEP. Definite/probable and fatal near SUDEP occurred at a rate of 3.7/1,000 person‐years. SMRs decreased from 10.5 (5.6–19.5) in the first 2 years after implantation to 5.9 (3.7–9.5) thereafter, although CIs overlapped. SUDEP rates did not alter over time.SignificanceSMRs and SUDEP rate in this study are comparable to other cohorts with intractable epilepsy, with SUDEP an important cause of death. VNS does not appear to lower the risk of premature death overall. There was a clear trend with lower SMR after 2 years of implantation, although CIs overlapped. SUDEP rates, however, did not change.
Recurrence of status epilepticus: Prognostic role and outcome predictors
Authors: Tsetsou Spyridoula , Novy Jan , Rossetti Andrea O. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryObjectivePredictors of morbidity and mortality after status epilepticus (SE) have been studied extensively in hospital‐ and population‐based cohorts. However, little attention has been directed toward SE recurrence after an incident episode. We investigated clinical and demographic characteristics of patients presenting SE recurrence and its specific prognostic role.MethodsIn this observational cohort study, we screened our prospective registry of consecutive adults with SE between April 2006 and February 2014. Demographic and clinical data were compared between incident and recurrent SE episodes; risk of SE recurrence was assessed through survival analysis, and the prognostic role of SE recurrence with multivariable logistic regressions.ResultsOf the incident cohort (509 patients), 68 (13%) experienced recurrent SE. The cumulative recurrence rate over 4 years was 32%. Recurrence risk was significantly reduced after an acute SE etiology (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.82; p = 0.005), and was borderline increased in women (HR 1.59, 95% CI 0.97–2.65; p = 0.06). Although recurrent SE episodes showed lower morbidity and mortality, prognosis was independently related to Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) and potentially fatal etiology, but not to SE recurrence.SignificanceThis study provides class III evidence that SE recurrence involves a significant proportion of patients, and that recurrence risk is independently associated with chronic etiology and to a lesser extent with female gender. However, contrary to underlying cause and SE severity, SE recurrence per se does not independently correlate with outcome. Early identification of patients at higher risk of SE recurrence may influence their management during follow‐up.
Decreased presence of Langerhans cells is a critical determinant for Indian Post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis
Authors: Mukherjee Shibabrata , Mukhopadhyay Debanjan , Braun Claudia , Barbhuiya Joyashree N. , Das Nilay K. , Chatterjee Uttara , von Stebut Esther , Chatterjee Mitali 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPost kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is the dermal sequel of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and occurs after apparent cure or alongside with VL. It is confined to South Asia (India, Nepal and Bangladesh) and East Africa (mainly Sudan), the incidence being 5‐10% and 50‐60% respectively. In South Asia, as the transmission of VL is anthroponotic, PKDL patients are the proposed disease reservoir, thus assuming epidemiological significance, its eradication being linked to the control of leishmaniasis. In the absence of an animal model and its low incidence, factors contributing towards the immunopathogenesis of PKDL remain an open‐ended, yet pertinent question. This study delineated the lesional immunopathology in terms of granuloma formation, Langerhans cells, tissue macrophages along with mRNA expression of IL‐12p40 and IL‐10. Our study in Indian PKDL for the first time identified that the number of CD1a+/CD207+ Langerhans cells are decreased and CD68+ macrophages are increased along with the absence of an epitheloid granuloma. Importantly, this decrease in Langerhans cells was associated with decreased mRNA expression of IL‐12p40 and increased IL‐10. This was reverted with treatment allowing for elimination of parasites and disease resolution along with an increase in Langerhans cells and decrease in macrophages. Thus, in Indian PKDL, absence of a granuloma formation along with a decrease in Langerhans cells collectively caused immune inactivation essential for parasite persistence and disease sustenance.
Falling through the cracks: the fading history of a large iconic predator
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Morey Verd Gabriel , Seret Bernard , Sulić Šprem Jadranka , Micheli Fiorenza 
Published: January 2015

AbstractHuman impact on the oceans predates scientific observation, which for many animal populations has captured only recent changes. Such a limited knowledge can hamper finding optimal management and conservation strategies including setting appropriate recovery targets. Sawfishes are among the most endangered marine vertebrates in the ocean. Historical human impacts have resulted in sawfish extinction in many coastal areas around the world; however, in the Mediterranean Sea, their past presence and possible extinction have been debated for decades. Recently, it was concluded that the region never hosted resident populations because of unsuitable environmental conditions. Through an extensive bibliographic and archival search and an extinction analysis, we reconstructed the history of sawfishes in the Mediterranean Sea. Between 1576 and 1959, there were 48 independent accounts of the occurrence of two sawfish species (Pristis pristis, Pristidae and Pristis pectinata, Pristidae), including 24 documented catches. Sawfishes were mainly recorded in the western Mediterranean, in areas close to large rivers with light human impact. Most of the documented individuals were juveniles, suggesting local parturition. Extinction analyses yielded variable results and were affected by the sparseness of records but suggested that both species went extinct in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1960s–1970s. Our results challenge current assumptions on sawfish ecology and biogeography, offer new options for sawfish conservation in the Atlantic and highlight the importance of historical analyses for reconstructing ecosystem baselines and setting recovery targets.
Fatigue reliability study on T‐welded component considering load shedding
Authors: Liu J. , Qing Q. , Deng Y. , Wen G. , Yin H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this paper, a coupled reliability method for structural fatigue evaluation considering load shedding is first proposed based on probabilistic fracture mechanics in which the uncertainties of the structural parameters are taken into account. Then, the method is applied to predict the fatigue reliability of the T‐welded structure to the case of considering load shedding or not. The compared results show that by considering the load shedding, the structural fatigue reliability might be improved with less conservativeness. The influence rules of the load‐shedding coefficient on the fatigue failure probability of the T‐welded component are investigated, and some interesting results are obtained. That is, the influences of load‐shedding coefficient on the fatigue failure probability can be divided into three regions, namely the high, medium and low fatigue failure areas. The last area is the most intriguing when we try to design a T‐welded structure. The thickness of T‐welded structure along the crack propagation direction is found to be one of the important design variables for the design of fatigue reliability, in which the low‐fatigue failure zone is used as one of the reliability constraints. The basic design frame of T‐welded structure is established to constrain the fatigue failure probability within the low‐fatigue failure area.
Arctic warming: nonlinear impacts of sea‐ice and glacier melt on seabird foraging
Authors: Grémillet David , Fort Jérôme , Amélineau Françoise , Zakharova Elena , Le Bot Tangi , Sala Enric , Gavrilo Maria 
Published: January 2015

AbstractArctic climate change has profound impacts on the cryosphere, notably via shrinking sea‐ice cover and retreating glaciers, and it is essential to evaluate and forecast the ecological consequences of such changes. We studied zooplankton‐feeding little auks (Alle alle), a key sentinel species of the Arctic, at their northernmost breeding site in Franz‐Josef Land (80°N), Russian Arctic. We tested the hypothesis that little auks still benefit from pristine arctic environmental conditions in this remote area. To this end, we analysed remote sensing data on sea‐ice and coastal glacier dynamics collected in our study area across 1979–2013. Further, we recorded little auk foraging behaviour using miniature electronic tags attached to the birds in the summer of 2013, and compared it with similar data collected at three localities across the Atlantic Arctic. We also compared current and historical data on Franz‐Josef Land little auk diet, morphometrics and chick growth curves. Our analyses reveal that summer sea‐ice retreated markedly during the last decade, leaving the Franz‐Josef Land archipelago virtually sea‐ice free each summer since 2005. This had a profound impact on little auk foraging, which lost their sea‐ice‐associated prey. Concomitantly, large coastal glaciers retreated rapidly, releasing large volumes of melt water. Zooplankton is stunned by cold and osmotic shock at the boundary between glacier melt and coastal waters, creating new foraging hotspots for little auks. Birds therefore switched from foraging at distant ice‐edge localities, to highly profitable feeding at glacier melt‐water fronts within <5 km of their breeding site. Through this behavioural plasticity, little auks maintained their chick growth rates, but showed a 4% decrease in adult body mass. Our study demonstrates that arctic cryosphere changes may have antagonistic ecological consequences on coastal trophic flow. Such nonlinear responses complicate modelling exercises of current and future polar ecosystem dynamics.
Patterns of bird migration phenology in South Africa suggest northern hemisphere climate as the most consistent driver of change
Authors: Bussière Elsa M. S. , Underhill Les G. , Altwegg Res 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCurrent knowledge of phenological shifts in Palearctic bird migration is largely based on data collected on migrants at their breeding grounds; little is known about the phenology of these birds at their nonbreeding grounds, and even less about that of intra‐African migrants. Because climate change patterns are not uniform across the globe, we can expect regional disparities in bird phenological responses. It is also likely that they vary across species, as species show differences in the strength of affinities they have with particular habitats and environments. Here, we examine the arrival and departure of nine Palearctic and seven intra‐African migratory species in the central Highveld of South Africa, where the former spend their nonbreeding season and the latter their breeding season. Using novel analytical methods based on bird atlas data, we show phenological shifts in migration of five species – red‐backed shrike, spotted flycatcher, common sandpiper, white‐winged tern (Palearctic migrants), and diederik cuckoo (intra‐African migrant) – between two atlas periods: 1987–1991 and 2007–2012. During this time period, Palearctic migrants advanced their departure from their South African nonbreeding grounds. This trend was mainly driven by waterbirds. No consistent changes were observed for intra‐African migrants. Our results suggest that the most consistent drivers of migration phenological shifts act in the northern hemisphere, probably at the breeding grounds.
Plant stomatal closure improves aphid feeding under elevated CO2
Authors: Sun Yucheng , Guo Huijuan , Yuan Liang , Wei Jianing , Zhang Wenhao , Ge Feng 
Published: January 2015

AbstractStomata help plants regulate CO2 absorption and water vapor release in response to various environmental changes, and plants decrease their stomatal apertures and enhance their water status under elevated CO2. Although the bottom‐up effect of elevated CO2 on insect performance has been extensively studied, few reports have considered how insect fitness is altered by elevated CO2‐induced changes in host plant water status. We tested the hypothesis that aphids induce stomatal closure and increase host water potential, which facilitates their passive feeding, and that this induction can be enhanced by elevated CO2. Our results showed that aphid infestation triggered the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway to decrease the stomatal apertures of Medicago truncatula, which consequently decreased leaf transpiration and helped maintain leaf water potential. These effects increased xylem‐feeding time and decreased hemolymph osmolarity, which thereby enhanced phloem‐feeding time and increased aphid abundance. Furthermore, elevated CO2 up‐regulated an ABA‐independent enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, which led to further decrease in stomatal aperture for aphid‐infested plants. Thus, the effects of elevated CO2 and aphid infestation on stomatal closure synergistically improved the water status of the host plant. The results indicate that aphid infestation enhances aphid feeding under ambient CO2 and that this enhancement is increased under elevated CO2.
Increased heat requirement for leaf flushing in temperate woody species over 1980–2012: effects of chilling, precipitation and insolation
Authors: Fu Yongshuo H. , Piao Shilong , Vitasse Yann , Zhao Hongfang , De Boeck Hans J. , Liu Qiang , Yang Hui , Weber Ulrich , Hänninen Heikki , Janssens Ivan A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractRecent studies have revealed large unexplained variation in heat requirement‐based phenology models, resulting in large uncertainty when predicting ecosystem carbon and water balance responses to climate variability. Improving our understanding of the heat requirement for spring phenology is thus urgently needed. In this study, we estimated the species‐specific heat requirement for leaf flushing of 13 temperate woody species using long‐term phenological observations from Europe and North America. The species were defined as early and late flushing species according to the mean date of leaf flushing across all sites. Partial correlation analyses were applied to determine the temporal correlations between heat requirement and chilling accumulation, precipitation and insolation sum during dormancy. We found that the heat requirement for leaf flushing increased by almost 50% over the study period 1980–2012, with an average of 30 heat units per decade. This temporal increase in heat requirement was observed in all species, but was much larger for late than for early flushing species. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the heat requirement negatively correlates with chilling accumulation. Interestingly, after removing the variation induced by chilling accumulation, a predominantly positive partial correlation exists between heat requirement and precipitation sum, and a predominantly negative correlation between heat requirement and insolation sum. This suggests that besides the well‐known effect of chilling, the heat requirement for leaf flushing is also influenced by precipitation and insolation sum during dormancy. However, we hypothesize that the observed precipitation and insolation effects might be artefacts attributable to the inappropriate use of air temperature in the heat requirement quantification. Rather than air temperature, meristem temperature is probably the prominent driver of the leaf flushing process, but these data are not available. Further experimental research is thus needed to verify whether insolation and precipitation sums directly affect the heat requirement for leaf flushing.