bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volatility Forecasting and Time‐varying Variance Risk Premiums in Grains Commodity Markets
Authors: Triantafyllou Athanasios , Dotsis George , Sarris Alexandros H. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this paper we examine empirically the predictive power of model‐free option‐implied variance and skewness in wheat, maize and soybeans derivative markets. We find that option‐implied risk‐neutral variance outperforms historical variance as a predictor of future realised variance for these three commodities. In addition, we find that risk‐neutral option‐implied skewness significantly improves variance forecasting when added in the information variable set. Variance risk premia add significant predictive power when included as an additional factor for predicting future commodity returns.
Navigating health priorities and motivators during pregnancy and new motherhood
Authors: Maher Judith H. , Lowe John B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimTo explore the health‐related priorities of women during pregnancy and early motherhood and the motivators underpinning these.MethodsQualitative semi‐structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 28 mothers living in Queensland, Australia, with at least one child under 5. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using both descriptive and interpretive approaches.ResultsParticipants described health priorities as actions and behaviours they associated with producing health or being healthy, including dietary practices and being active. Key motivators underpinning these health priorities were identified including the sense of responsibility, conforming to social norms and health guidance, and developing and enacting self‐direction.ConclusionsResults provide insight into the broader context within which women make decisions about health and nutrition‐related practices reflecting the complex ways which health perspectives and experience intersect, and the challenge of navigating the cacophony of ‘voices’ and personal priorities. These results can guide practitioners when reflecting on current ways of supporting and educating mothers during this life stage.
MetaPopGen: an r package to simulate population genetics in large size metapopulations
Authors: Andrello Marco , Manel Stéphanie 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPopulation genetics simulation models are useful tools to study the effects of demography and environmental factors on genetic variation and genetic differentiation. They allow for studying species and populations with complex life histories, spatial distribution and many other complicating factors that make analytical treatment impracticable. Most simulation models are individual‐based: this poses a limitation to simulation of very large populations because of the limits in computer memory and long computation times. To overcome these limitations, we propose an intermediate approach that allows modelling of very complex demographic scenarios, which would be intractable with analytical models, and removes the limitations imposed by large population size, which affect individual‐based simulation models. We implement this approach in a software package for the r environment, MetaPopGen. The innovative concept of this approach with respect to the other population genetic simulators is that it focuses on genotype numbers rather than on individuals. Genotype numbers are iterated through time by using random number generators for appropriate probabilistic distributions to reproduce the stochasticity inherent to Mendelian segregation, survival, dispersal and reproduction. Features included in the model are age structure, monoecious and dioecious (or separate sexes) life cycles, mutation, dispersal and selection. The model simulates only one locus at a time. All demographic parameters can be genotype‐, sex‐, age‐, deme‐ and time‐dependent. MetaPopGen is therefore indicated to study large populations and very complex demographic scenarios. We illustrate the capabilities of MetaPopGen by applying it to the case of a marine fish metapopulation in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ethnic Drinking Cultures, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status in Asian American and Latino Drinking
Authors: Cook Won K. , Caetano Raul 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundHeterogeneity in drinking across national groups is well documented, but what explains such heterogeneity is less clear. To improve understanding of the underlying cultural conditions that may lead to diverse drinking outcomes, we investigate whether 3 dimensions of ethnic drinking culture (EDC)—alcohol consumption level, drinking prevalence, and detrimental drinking pattern (DDP) in the country of origin (COO)—are significantly associated with alcohol consumption in Asian Americans and Latina/os, and whether the associations vary by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) as assessed by educational level.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 1,012 Asian American and 4,831 Latino adults extracted from the Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data was used. A series of multiple logistic and linear regression models were fitted separately for Asian Americans and for Latinos. Analyses were also stratified by gender and educational level.ResultsOverall, the associations between EDC variables and drinking outcomes were more pronounced for all Asian Americans than for all Latina/os, for males than for females among Asian Americans, and for Latinas than for Latinos. In analyses simultaneously stratifying on gender and education level, however, there was a clear pattern of COO DDP associated with heavier drinking and alcohol consumption volume only for Latinos without a college degree.ConclusionsEthnic drinking cultures may influence drinking in Asian American and Latino subgroups, albeit to a varying degree. Low‐SES Latinos may be at disproportionate risk of harmful drinking patterns pervasive in their COO. Future research might investigate the complex interplay between socioeconomic disadvantage and cultural conditions to inform targeted interventions for subgroups at high risk of alcohol‐related harms.
Moderate‐Level Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Sex Differences in Dopamine D1 Receptor Binding in Adult Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Converse Alexander K. , Moore Colleen F. , Holden James E. , Ahlers Elizabeth O. , Moirano Jeffrey M. , Larson Julie A. , Resch Leslie M. , DeJesus Onofre T. , Barnhart Todd E. , Nickles Robert J. , Murali Dhanabalan , Christian Bradley T. , Schneider Mary L. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundWe examined the effects of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and/or prenatal stress exposure on (D1R) binding in a non human primate model. The dopamine D1R is involved in executive function, and it may play a role in cognitive behavioral deficits associated with prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure. Little is known, however, about the effects of prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure on the D1R. We expected that prenatal insults would lead to alterations in D1R binding in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum in adulthood.MethodsRhesus macaque females were randomly assigned to moderate alcohol exposure and/or mild prenatal stress as well as a control condition during pregnancy. Thirty‐eight offspring were raised identically and studied as adults by noninvasive in vivo neuroimaging using positron emission tomography with the D1 antagonist radiotracer [11C]SCH 23390. Radiotracer binding in PFC and striatum was evaluated by 2 (alcohol) × 2 (stress) × 2 (sex) analysis of variance.ResultsIn PFC, a significant alcohol × sex interaction was observed with prenatal alcohol exposure leading to increased [11C]SCH 23390 binding in male monkeys. No main effect of prenatal alcohol or prenatal stress exposure was observed.ConclusionsThese results suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure results in long‐term increases in prefrontal dopamine D1R binding in males. This may help explain gender differences in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders consequent to prenatal alcohol exposure.
N‐Acetylcysteine Inhibits the Up‐Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis Genes in Livers From Rats Fed Ethanol Chronically
Authors: Caro Andres A. , Bell Matthew , Ejiofor Shannon , Zurcher Grant , Petersen Dennis R. , Ronis Martin J. J. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundChronic ethanol (EtOH) administration to experimental animals induces hepatic oxidative stress and up‐regulates mitochondrial biogenesis. The mechanisms by which chronic EtOH up‐regulates mitochondrial biogenesis have not been fully explored. In this work, we hypothesized that oxidative stress is a factor that triggers mitochondrial biogenesis after chronic EtOH feeding. If our hypothesis is correct, co‐administration of antioxidants should prevent up‐regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes.MethodsRats were fed an EtOH‐containing diet intragastrically by total enteral nutrition for 150 days, in the absence or presence of the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) at 1.7 g/kg/d; control rats were administered isocaloric diets where carbohydrates substituted for EtOH calories.ResultsEtOH administration significantly increased hepatic oxidative stress, evidenced as decreased liver total glutathione and reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio. These effects were inhibited by co‐administration of EtOH and NAC. Chronic EtOH increased the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma‐coactivator‐1 alpha and mitochondrial transcription factor A, and mitochondrial DNA; co‐administration of EtOH and NAC prevented these effects. Chronic EtOH administration was associated with decreased mitochondrial mass, inactivation and depletion of mitochondrial complex I and complex IV, and increased hepatic mitochondrial oxidative damage, effects that were not prevented by NAC.ConclusionsThese results suggest that oxidative stress caused by chronic EtOH triggered the up‐regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes in rat liver, because an antioxidant such as NAC prevented both effects. Because NAC did not prevent liver mitochondrial oxidative damage, extra‐mitochondrial effects of reactive oxygen species may regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. In spite of the induction of hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis genes by chronic EtOH, mitochondrial mass and function decreased probably in association with mitochondrial oxidative damage. These results also predict that the effectiveness of NAC as an antioxidant therapy for chronic alcoholism will be limited by its limited antioxidant effects in mitochondria, and its inhibitory effect on mitochondrial biogenesis.
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Impairs Executive Function in Mice into Adulthood
Authors: Marquardt Kristin , Sigdel Rahul , Caldwell Kevin , Brigman Jonathan L. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundDespite evidence that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to a wide range of impairments in cognitive, social, and emotional behaviors, drinking during pregnancy remains common. Although there is a general understanding that high levels of drinking during pregnancy are unsafe, conflicting evidence regarding the impact of low intake may account for the persistence of this behavior.MethodsTo investigate the effects of PAE on learning and executive control, we utilized a voluntary paradigm where pregnant mice had access to a saccharin‐sweetened 10% alcohol solution for 4 hours, during the dark cycle, throughout gestation. Male and female offspring were tested as adults on a touch‐screen discrimination and reversal task mediated by corticostriatal circuits.ResultsConsistent with previous findings, PAE did not lead to gross morphological, motor, or sensory alterations in offspring. Both PAE and saccharin control female mice were slower to acquire the discrimination than males, but PAE did not impair associative learning in either sex. During reversal, PAE led to a specific and significant impairment in the early phase, where cortical control is most required to flexibly alter choice behavior. PAE mice showed a significant increase in maladaptive perseverative responses but showed intact learning of the new association during late reversal.ConclusionsPreviously, data from clinical studies have suggested that executive control deficits may underlie cognitive, as well as social, problems seen in adolescents with documented PAE. These data demonstrate that even more moderate alcohol exposure during development can lead to impaired cognitive functioning well into adulthood.
Characteristics of Women Who Consume Alcohol Before and After Pregnancy Recognition in a Canadian Sample: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: McDonald Sheila W. , Hicks Matthew , Rasmussen Carmen , Nagulesapillai Tharsiya , Cook Jocelynn , Tough Suzanne C. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundHigh levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are teratogenic to fetal development, yet less is known about the effects of low levels of consumption. Only a few studies have reported on the predictors and maternal characteristics associated with different alcohol consumption patterns prior to and following pregnancy recognition.MethodsThe All Our Babies longitudinal study in Alberta, Canada was used to analyze the association of maternal characteristics with binge drinking prior to pregnancy recognition and low to moderate levels after pregnancy recognition among 2,246 women who consumed alcohol 1 year prior to pregnancy. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted.ResultsThirteen percent of women reported binge drinking prior to pregnancy recognition. Forty‐six percent reported drinking after pregnancy recognition, almost all at low to moderate levels. Significant, independent predictors (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) of binge drinking in early pregnancy included high school or less education (3.61, 1.81 to 7.19), some or completed university/college (2.23, 1.16 to 4.27), nulliparity (1.62, 1.19, 2.20), not trying to get pregnant (1.92, 1.37 to 2.69), smoked in the year prior to pregnancy (1.98, 1.43 to 2.73), binge drinking in the year prior to pregnancy (10.83, 6.71 to 17.46), and low dispositional optimism (1.73, 1.23 to 2.42). Independent predictors of low to moderate average levels of consumption after pregnancy recognition included not trying to get pregnant (1.91, 1.45 to 2.52), prepregnancy body mass index <25.0 kg/m2 (1.41, 1.61 to 1.72), smoking in the year before pregnancy (1.90, 1.43 to 2.53), and binge drinking in the year before pregnancy (2.62, 2.16 to 3.18).ConclusionsCommon risk factors for different alcohol consumption patterns are unintended pregnancy and substance use behaviors prior to pregnancy. Other risk factors were specific to the different patterns. Targeted strategies that address the needs of alcohol or nicotine using women and that can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy may be beneficial.
Effects of Naltrexone on Neural and Subjective Response to Alcohol in Treatment‐Seeking Alcohol‐Dependent Patients
Authors: Spagnolo Primavera A. , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Schwandt Melanie L. , Zhang Lishu , Blaine Sara K. , Usala Julie M. , Diamond Kristie A. , Phillips Monte J. , George David T. , Momenan Reza , Heilig Markus 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundPositively reinforcing properties of alcohol are in part mediated by activation of the ventral striatum (VS). Alcohol‐induced release of endogenous opioids is thought to contribute to this response. Preclinical studies show that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) can block this cascade, but its ability to do so in treatment‐seeking alcoholics has not been examined. Our objective was to study the effects of NTX on alcohol‐induced VS activation and on amygdala response to affective stimuli in treatment‐seeking alcohol‐dependent inpatients.MethodsSixty‐three treatment‐seeking alcoholics were randomized to receive NTX (50 mg) or placebo (PLC) daily. On Day 7, participants underwent an alcohol cue reactivity session, and craving was measured using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. On Day 9, participants received a saline infusion followed by an alcohol infusion and also viewed affective stimuli in a magnetic resonance scanner.ResultsIrrespective of medication treatment condition, the alcohol infusion did not activate the VS in the alcohol‐dependent patients. Unexpectedly, VS activation was greater in NTX treated patients than in the PLC group. NTX treated patients also reported increased craving in response to alcohol cue exposure, and increased subjective response to alcohol (“high” and “intoxicated”) compared to PLC subjects. No significant effects of alcohol infusion on brain response to affective stimuli were in the NTX or PLC groups.ConclusionsUnlike previous findings in social drinkers, a moderate level of intoxication did not activate the VS in treatment‐seeking alcoholics. This is likely to reflect tolerance to the positively reinforcing properties of alcohol in this clinical population. Our findings may help explain the efficacy of NTX to reduce heavy drinking, but not to maintain abstinence.
Effects of Varenicline on Ethanol‐Induced Conditioned Place Preference, Locomotor Stimulation, and Sensitization
Authors: Gubner Noah R. , McKinnon Carrie S. , Phillips Tamara J. 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundVarenicline, a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, is a promising new drug for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) dependence. Varenicline has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation therapeutic and has also been found to reduce EtOH consumption in humans and animal models of alcohol use. These studies examined the hypotheses that varenicline attenuates the stimulant and sensitizing effects of EtOH and reduces the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues. The goal was to determine whether these effects of varenicline contribute to its pharmacotherapeutic effects for alcohol dependence. In addition, effects of varenicline on acute stimulation and/or on the acquisition of sensitization would suggest a role for nAChR involvement in these effects of EtOH.MethodsDose‐dependent effects of varenicline on the expression of EtOH‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor activation, and behavioral sensitization were examined. These measures model motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues, euphoric or stimulatory effects of EtOH, and EtOH‐induced neuroadaptation. All studies used DBA/2J mice, an inbred strain with high sensitivity to these EtOH‐related effects.ResultsVarenicline did not significantly attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced CPP. Varenicline reduced locomotor activity and had the most pronounced effect in the presence of EtOH, with the largest effect on acute EtOH‐induced locomotor stimulation and a trend for varenicline to attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced sensitization.ConclusionsBecause varenicline did not attenuate the expression of EtOH‐induced CPP, it may not be effective at reducing the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues. This outcome suggests that reductions in the motivational effects of EtOH‐associated cues may not be involved in how varenicline reduces EtOH consumption. However, varenicline did have effects on locomotor behavior and significantly attenuated acute EtOH‐induced locomotor stimulation. In humans who drink while taking varenicline, it might similarly reduce stimulant responses and have an impact on continued drinking. General sedative effects in such individuals should be carefully considered.
Heritability of compulsive Internet use in adolescents
Authors: Vink Jacqueline M. , van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Huppertz Charlotte , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractOver the past decades, Internet use has grown substantially, and it now serves people as a supportive tool that is used regularly and—in large parts of the world—inevitably. Some people develop problematic Internet use, which may lead to addictive behavior and it is becoming important to explore the risk factors for compulsive Internet use. Data were analyzed on compulsive Internet use [with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)] from 5247 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) adolescent twins registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. The participants form a sample that is informative for genetic analyses, allowing the investigation of the causes of individual differences in compulsive Internet use. The internal consistency of the instrument was high and the 1.6‐year test–retest correlation in a subsample (n = 902) was 0.55. CIUS scores increased slightly with age. Remarkably, gender did not explain variation in CIUS scores, as mean scores on the CIUS were the same in boys and girls. However, the time spent on specific Internet activities differed: boys spent more time on gaming, whereas girls spent more time on social network sites and chatting. The heritability estimates were the same for boys and girls: 48 percent of the individual differences in CIUS score were influenced by genetic factors. The remaining variance (52 percent) was due to environmental influences that were not shared between family members. Because a life without Internet is almost impossible nowadays, it is important to further explore the determinants of compulsive Internet use, including genetic risk factors.
Recovery of plant diversity in restored semi‐natural pastures depends on adjacent land use
Authors: Winsa Marie , Bommarco Riccardo , Lindborg Regina , Marini Lorenzo , Öckinger Erik 
Published: January 2015

AbstractQuestionsDoes restoration success of formerly abandoned semi‐natural pastures depend on adjacent land use? Is species richness higher in restored pastures adjacent to an intact semi‐natural pasture than in restored pastures adjacent to arable land? Does community similarity between a restored and an adjacent intact pasture decrease with distance from the border between the two pastures? Do differences in species richness and community similarity decrease over time?LocationAgricultural landscapes in south‐central Sweden.MethodsThe plant community in previously abandoned but now restored semi‐natural pastures was surveyed along a distance gradient from the border between the restored pastures and adjacent fields towards the centre of the pastures. The restored pastures were located adjacent to either a crop field (N = 8) or a continuously grazed pasture (N = 6), and differed in time since restoration (1–13 yr).ResultsThe total species richness was higher in pastures adjoining continuously grazed pastures compared to crop fields. Richness of both total and specialist species increased with time since restoration. Irrespective of adjacent land use, richness of specialist species decreased with increasing distance from the edge, an effect that became weaker with increasing time since restoration. The similarity in species composition compared to that in adjacent continuously grazed pasture also decreased towards the centre of the restored pasture.ConclusionsOur results suggest that restoration of biodiversity in semi‐natural pastures benefits from adjacent pastures that can act as source habitats. The most likely mechanism is step‐wise short‐distance dispersal, but also other processes, such as more long‐distance dispersal, seed bank dynamics and historical legacies are probably involved. To best succeed in habitat restoration in fragmented landscapes, the spatial location of source populations must be considered.