bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Indirectly Predict Prosocial Behavior Through Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern
Authors: Christ Christa C. , Carlo Gustavo , Stoltenberg Scott F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractEngaging in prosocial behavior can provide positive outcomes for self and others. Prosocial tendencies contribute to the propensity to engage in prosocial behavior. The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has also been associated with prosocial tendencies and behaviors. There has been little research, however, investigating whether the relationship between OXTR and prosocial behaviors is mediated by prosocial tendencies. This relationship may also vary among different types of prosocial behavior. The current study examines the relationship between OXTR, gender, prosocial tendencies, and both altruistic and public prosocial behavior endorsement. Students at a midwestern university (N = 398; 89.2% Caucasian; Mage = 20.76; 26.6% male) provided self‐report measures of prosocial tendencies and behaviors and buccal cells for genotyping OXTR polymorphisms. Results indicated that OXTR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2268498 genotype significantly predicted empathic concern, whereas gender moderated the association between several other OXTR SNPs and prosocial tendencies. Increased prosocial tendencies predicted increased altruistic prosocial behavior endorsement and decreased public prosocial behavior endorsement. Our findings suggest an association between genetic variation in OXTR and endorsement of prosocial behavior indirectly through prosocial tendencies, and that the pathway is dependent on the type of prosocial behavior and gender.
Marital Status and Derived Pension Rights: A Political Economy Model of Public Pensions with Borrowing Constraints
Authors: ONO TETSUO 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper develops an overlapping‐generations models featuring four types of households: single female, single male, one‐breadwinner couple, and two‐breadwinner couple. The paper considers majority voting over public pension in the presence of derived pension rights for one‐breadwinner couples. In an economy with a low intertemporal elasticity of substitution, borrowing‐constrained one‐breadwinner couples may prefer a lower tax rate than do other types of households, although the former attain a higher benefit‐to‐cost ratio of public pension than do others. Changes in the gender wage gap, the level of derived pension rights, and the fraction of two‐breadwinner couples produce an inverse U‐shaped relationship between the relevant variable and the tax rate.
Phytate in pig and poultry nutrition
Authors: Humer E. , Schwarz C. , Schedle K. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryPhosphorus (P) is primarily stored in the form of phytates in plant seeds, thus being poorly available for monogastric livestock, such as pigs and poultry. As phytate is a polyanionic molecule, it has the capacity to chelate positively charged cations, especially calcium, iron and zinc. Furthermore, it probably compromises the utilization of other dietary nutrients, including protein, starch and lipids. Reduced efficiency of utilization implies both higher levels of supplementation and increased discharge of the undigested nutrients to the environment. The enzyme phytase catalyses the stepwise hydrolysis of phytate. In respect to livestock nutrition, there are four possible sources of this enzyme available for the animals: endogenous mucosal phytase, gut microfloral phytase, plant phytase and exogenous microbial phytase. As the endogenous mucosal phytase in monogastric organisms appears incapable of hydrolysing sufficient amounts of phytate‐bound P, supplementation of exogenous microbial phytase in diets is a common method to increase mineral and nutrient absorption. Plant phytase activity varies greatly among species of plants, resulting in differing gastrointestinal phytate hydrolysis in monogastric animals. Besides the supplementation of microbial phytase, processing techniques are alternative approaches to reduce phytate contents. Thus, techniques such as germination, soaking and fermentation enable activation of naturally occurring plant phytase among others. However, further research is needed to tap the potential of these technologies. The main focus herein is to review the available literature on the role of phytate in pig and poultry nutrition, its degradation throughout the gut and opportunities to enhance the utilization of P as well as other minerals and nutrients which might be complexed by phytates.
Night and day: comparing flight initiation dynamics in two closely related species of true frogs
Authors: Cloyed C. S. , Eason P. K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe decision of when to flee a predator depends on the costs and benefits of flight. Here, we used two species of closely related frogs, Lithobates catesbeianus and L. clamitans, to test the effects of several factors on flight initiation distance (FID), the distance between an approaching predator and its prey when the latter flees. We altered costs of flight by approaching frogs from within versus outside ponds, and we tested the influence of broad‐scale visibility by approaching frogs during the day and at night. To assess small‐scale visibility, we measured percentage of vegetative cover at the point from which a frog fled. To test effects of distance to refuge and body size on FID, we measured distance between each frog and the pond margin when the frog fled, and we estimated frog size. We predicted that FID would be greatest during the day and when frogs were approached from outside the pond. We also predicted that FID would increase with less vegetative cover, increasing distance between frogs and the pond, and increased frog body size. We used an information theoretic approach to contrast alternative models. For L. catesbeianus, the best‐fit model included four highly weighted parameters: approach location, day/night, body size and distance to refuge. For L. clamitans, the best‐fit model included only two parameters with high weights, day/night and body size. Lithobates catesbeianus and L. clamitans appear to differ in their sensitivity to predators, with L. catesbeianus having longer FIDs than L. clamitans and being strongly affected by more parameters. The differences we observed in FID between the two species may be best explained by differences in body size.
Coexistence of the tiger and the common leopard in a prey‐rich area: the role of prey partitioning
Authors: Lovari S. , Pokheral C. P. , Jnawali S. R. , Fusani L. , Ferretti F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractEcological theory predicts that sympatric species should avoid competition through diet, spatial and/or temporal partitioning. In carnivores, interference is widespread between species with similar diets. Smaller species are expected to differentiate their diet from that of larger, dominant ones, to reduce the risk of potentially lethal encounters. Interference has been reported between tigers and common leopards, with the former dominant over the latter. In 2009–2011, in an area ofTerai,South‐WestNepal, we assessed food habits and prey selection of tigers and common leopards, to evaluate whether prey partitioning occurred between these large cats. Prey availability was high, both in terms of number of species (at least seven wild ungulates beside livestock, two primates and an array of smaller prey) and density (large ungulates, livestock and primates: 130.8–174.8 individuals per km2). Wild vertebrates were the staple of both cats (tigers: 82.7%; common leopards: 66.6%), but common leopards used livestock significantly more than tigers did. Diet breadth of leopards wasc.20% larger than that of tigers, indicating a broader trophic niche. Significant differences in prey use and selection occurred between tigers and leopards, with the former using large (i.e. >100 kg) prey more often and small (i.e. 5–25 kg) prey less often than the latter did. Medium‐sized prey were taken in comparable proportions by the two cats, with a great overlap of diet (Pianka index: 0.85). In conclusion, in our study area, apparently tigers and leopards did not base their coexistence on diet partitioning, suggesting a major role for spatial and/or temporal partitioning.
Association of VARS2‐SFTA2 polymorphisms with the risk of chronic hepatitis B in a Korean population
Authors: Cheong Hyun Sub , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Yu Su Jong , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Lee Hyo‐Suk , Cheong Jae Youn , Cho Sung Won , Park Neung Hwa , Park Byung Lae , Namgoong Suhg , Kim Lyoung Hyo , Shin Hyoung Doo , Kim Yoon‐Jun 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most serious risk factor for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, several genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) identified important variants associated with the risk of CHB in Asian populations. Specifically, our previous GWAS identified the VARS2‐SFTA2 gene region as one of the genetic risk loci for CHB.MethodsTo further characterize this association and to isolate possible causal variants within it, we performed an additional association study by genotyping more SNPs in the vicinity of the VARS2 and SFTA2 genes. In all, 14 SNPs of VARS2‐SFTA2 were analysed among a total of 3902 subjects (1046 cases and 2856 controls).ResultsLogistic regression analysis revealed that six SNPs, including the previously reported rs2532932, were significantly associated with the risk of CHB (P = 1.7 × 10−10~0.002). Further linkage disequilibrium and conditional analysis identified two variants (rs9394021 and rs2517459) as new markers of genetic risk factors for CHB rather than the reported SNP from our previous study (rs2532932). To evaluate the cumulative risk for CHB based on all known genetic factors, genetic risk score (GRS) were calculated. As anticipated, the distribution of the number of risk alleles in cases vs. controls clearly differed according to the GRS. Similarly, the odds ratios (ORs) were increased (OR = 0.32–3.97).ConclusionOur findings show that common variants in the VARS2‐SFTA2 gene region are significantly associated with CHB in a Korean population, which may be useful in further understanding genetic susceptibility to CHB.
The extent and genetic basis of phenotypic divergence in life history traits inMimulus guttatus
Authors: Friedman Jannice , Twyford Alex D. , Willis John H. , Blackman Benjamin K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDifferential natural selection acting on populations in contrasting environments often results in adaptive divergence in multivariate phenotypes. Multivariate trait divergence across populations could be caused by selection on pleiotropic alleles or through many independent loci with trait‐specific effects. Here, we assess patterns of association between a suite of traits contributing to life history divergence in the common monkey flower,Mimulus guttatus, and examine the genetic architecture underlying these correlations. A common garden survey of 74 populations representing annual and perennial strategies from across the native range revealed strong correlations between vegetative and reproductive traits. To determine whether these multitrait patterns arise from pleiotropic or independent loci, we mappedQTLs using an approach combining high‐throughput sequencing with bulk segregant analysis on a cross between populations with divergent life histories. We find extensive pleiotropy forQTLs related to flowering time and stolon production, a key feature of the perennial strategy. Candidate genes related to axillary meristem development colocalize with theQTLs in a manner consistent with either pleiotropic or independentQTLeffects. Further, these results are analogous to previous work showing pleiotropy‐mediated genetic correlations within a single population ofM. guttatusexperiencing heterogeneous selection. Our findings of strong multivariate trait associations and pleiotropicQTLs suggest that patterns of genetic variation may determine the trajectory of adaptive divergence.
Horizontal transfer of carbohydrate metabolism genes into ectomycorrhizal Amanita
Authors: Chaib De Mares Maryam , Hess Jaqueline , Floudas Dimitrios , Lipzen Anna , Choi Cindy , Kennedy Megan , Grigoriev Igor V. , Pringle Anne 
Published: November 2014

Summary

The genus Amanita encompasses both symbiotic, ectomycorrhizal fungi and asymbiotic litter decomposers; all species are derived from asymbiotic ancestors. Symbiotic species are no longer able to degrade plant cell walls. The carbohydrate esterases family 1 (CE1s) is a diverse group of enzymes involved in carbon metabolism, including decomposition and carbon storage. CE1 genes of the ectomycorrhizal A. muscaria appear diverged from all other fungal homologues, and more similar to CE1s of bacteria, suggesting a horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event.

In order to test whether AmanitaCE1s were acquired horizontally, we built a phylogeny of CE1s collected from across the tree of life, and describe the evolution of CE1 genes among Amanita and relevant lineages of bacteria.

CE1s of symbiotic Amanita were very different from CE1s of asymbiotic Amanita, and are more similar to bacterial CE1s. The protein structure of one CE1 gene of A. muscaria matched a depolymerase that degrades the carbon storage molecule poly((R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Asymbiotic Amanita do not carry sequence or structural homologues of these genes.

The CE1s acquired through HGT may enable novel metabolisms, or play roles in signaling or defense. This is the first evidence for the horizontal transfer of carbohydrate metabolism genes into ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Replicate altitudinal clines reveal that evolutionary flexibility underlies adaptation to drought stress in annual Mimulus guttatus
Authors: Kooyers Nicholas J. , Greenlee Anna B. , Colicchio Jack M. , Oh Morgan , Blackman Benjamin K. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Examining how morphology, life history and physiology vary along environmental clines can reveal functional insight into adaptations to climate and thus inform predictions about evolutionary responses to global change. Widespread species occurring over latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in seasonal water availability are excellent systems for investigating multivariate adaptation to drought stress.

Under common garden conditions, we characterized variation in 27 traits for 52 annual populations of Mimulus guttatus sampled from 10 altitudinal transects. We also assessed variation in the critical photoperiod for flowering and surveyed neutral genetic markers to control for demography when analyzing clinal patterns.

Many drought escape (e.g. flowering time) and drought avoidance (e.g. specific leaf area, succulence) traits exhibited geographic or climatic clines, which often remained significant after accounting for population structure. Critical photoperiod and flowering time in glasshouse conditions followed distinct clinal patterns, indicating different aspects of seasonal phenology confer adaptation to unique agents of selection. Although escape and avoidance traits were negatively correlated range‐wide, populations from sites with short growing seasons produced both early flowering and dehydration avoidance phenotypes.

Our results highlight how abundant genetic variation in the component traits that build multivariate adaptations to drought stress provides flexibility for intraspecific adaptation to diverse climates.
Symphyotrichum ericoides populations from seleniferous and nonseleniferous soil display striking variation in selenium accumulation
Authors: El Mehdawi Ali F. , Paschke Mark W. , Pilon‐Smits Elizabeth A. H. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Asteraceae) from naturally seleniferous habitat (Pine Ridge) was shown previously to have selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator properties in field and glasshouse studies, and to benefit from Se through protection from herbivory.

To investigate whether Se hyperaccumulation is ubiquitous in S. ericoides or restricted to seleniferous soils, the S. ericoides Pine Ridge (PR) population was compared with the nearby Cloudy Pass (CP) population from nonseleniferous soil.

The S. ericoidesPR and CP populations were strikingly physiologically different: in a common garden experiment, PR plants accumulated up to 40‐fold higher Se concentrations than CP plants and had 10‐fold higher Se : sulfur (S) ratios. Moreover, roots of S. ericoidesPR plants showed directional growth toward selenate, while CP roots did not. Growth of both accessions responded positively to Se. Each accession grew best on its own soil. Rhizosphere soil inoculum from the S. ericoidesPR population stimulated plant growth and Se accumulation in both S. ericoidesPR and S. ericoidesCP plants, on both PR and CP soils.

While the S. ericoidesPR population hyperaccumulates Se, the nearby CP population does not. The capacity of S. ericoidesPR plants to hyperaccumulate Se appears to be a local phenomenon that is restricted to seleniferous soil. Mutualistic rhizosphere microbes of the S. ericoidesPR population may contribute to the hyperaccumulation phenotype.
Stressor‐induced biodiversity gradients: revisiting biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships
Authors: Mensens Christoph , De Laender Frederik , Janssen Colin R. , Sabbe Koen , De Troch Marleen 
Published: November 2014

Biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiments typically inspect functioning in randomly composed communities, representing broad gradients of taxonomic richness. We tested if the resulting evenness gradients and evenness–functioning relationships reflect those found in communities facing evenness loss caused by anthropogenic stressors. To this end, we exposed marine benthic diatom communities to a series of treatments with the herbicide atrazine, and analysed the relationship between the resulting gradients of evenness and ecosystem functioning (primary production, energy content and sediment stabilization). Atrazine exposure resulted in narrower evenness gradients and steeper evenness–functioning relations than produced by the design of random community assembly. The disproportionately large decrease in functioning following atrazine treatment was related to selective atrazine effects on the species that contributed most to the ecosystem functions considered. Our findings demonstrate that the sensitivity to stress and the contribution to ecosystem functioning at the species level should be both considered to understand biodiversity and ecosystem functioning under anthropogenic stress.SynthesisBiodiversity loss affects ecosystem functioning, yet biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relations have mainly been investigated using communities with random species loss. In nature however, species are lost according to their sensitivity to environmental stress. In the present study, biodiversity loss and biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relations in randomly composed diatom communities were compared to those induced by the pesticide atrazine. Stress exposure resulted in smaller biodiversity loss but steeper decrease in functioning than in randomly composed communities, due to selective atrazine effects on the best performing species. Therefore, species‐specific sensitivity and contribution to ecosystem functioning need to be considered to predict biodiversity and ecosystem functioning under anthropogenic stress.
Hypothyroidism Affects Differentially the Cell Size of Epithelial Cells Among Oviductal Regions of Rabbits
Authors: Anaya‐Hernández A , Rodríguez‐Castelán J , Nicolás L , Martínez‐Gómez M , Jiménez‐Estrada I , Castelán F , Cuevas E 
Published: November 2014

ContentsOviductal regions show particular histological characteristics and functions. Tubal pathologies and hypothyroidism are related to primary and secondary infertility. The impact of hypothyroidism on the histological characteristics of oviductal regions has been scarcely studied. Our aim was to analyse the histological characteristics of oviductal regions in control and hypothyroid rabbits. Hypothyroidism was induced by oral administration of methimazole (MMI) for 30 days. For both groups, serum concentrations of thyroid and gonadal hormones were determined. Sections of oviductal regions were stained with the Masson's trichrome technique to analyse both epithelial and smooth muscle layers. The percentage of proliferative epithelial cells (anti‐Ki67) in diverse oviductal regions was also quantified. Data were compared with Student t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, or Fischer's test. In comparison with the control group, the hypothyroid group showed: (i) a low concentration of T3 and T4, but a high level of TSH; (ii) similar values of serum estradiol, progesterone and testosterone; (iii) a large size of ciliated cells in the ampulla (AMP), isthmus (IST) and utero‐tubal junction (UTJ); (iv) a large size of secretory cells in the IST region; (v) a low percentage of proliferative secretory cells in the fimbria‐infundibulum (FIM‐INF) region; and (vi) a similar thickness of the smooth muscle layer and the cross‐sectional area in the AMP and IST regions. Modifications in the size of the oviductal epithelium in hypothyroid rabbits could be related to changes in the cell metabolism that may impact on the reproductive functions achieved by oviduct.
Focused and Model Average Estimation for Regression Analysis of Panel Count Data
Authors: Wang Haiying , Li Yang , Sun Jianguo 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPanel count data arise in many fields and a number of estimation procedures have been developed along with two procedures for variable selection. In this paper, we discuss model selection and parameter estimation together. For the former, a focused information criterion (FIC) is presented and for the latter, a frequentist model average (FMA) estimation procedure is developed. A main advantage, also the difference from the existing model selection methods, of the FIC is that it emphasizes the accuracy of the estimation of the parameters of interest, rather than all parameters. Further efficiency gain can be achieved by the FMA estimation procedure as unlike existing methods, it takes into account the variability in the stage of model selection. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established, and a simulation study conducted suggests that the proposed methods work well for practical situations. An illustrative example is also provided. © 2014 Board of the Foundation of the Scandinavian Journal of Statistics