bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuptial gifts and female fecundity in the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus (Orthoptera: Tettigonidae)
Authors: Ortíz‐Jiménez Isabel , Castillo Raúl Cueva del 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn general, female fitness is greatly increased in gift‐giving insects. In katydids, this nuptial gift consists of a gelatinous mass produced by accessory glands: the spermatophylax, which is attached to the ampulla. During mating, males of the neotropical katydid Conocephalus ictus transfer a spermatophylax that is ingested by the females. Fecundity, egg‐laying rate and longevity were higher in females that consumed the spermatophylax than in those that did not. Also, female receptivity turned off after mating. Females actively rejected other males by hitting them with their forelegs and moving away. Their refractory period lasted as long as 17 d. Only a few females accepted a 2nd mating and died a few days later. In C. ictus, spermatophylax consumption can be beneficial for both males and females. On one hand, the compounds in the spermatophylax or the ejaculate could prevent or delay females from copulating with rivals, thus avoiding sperm competition. On the other hand, such compounds can improve the females’ opportunity to increase their lifespan and fecundity. Moreover, a rise in egg‐laying rate may lower the risk of female prereproductive death caused by rapid oviposition. In any case, the boost in female egg laying might also be beneficial for males because their number of offspring increases.
PopGenReport: simplifying basic population genetic analyses in R
Authors: Adamack Aaron T. , Gruber Bernd 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Using scripting languages such as R to perform population genetic analyses can improve the reproducibility of research, but using R can be challenging for many researchers due to its steep learning curve.

PopGenReport is a new R package that simplifies performing population genetics analyses in R, through the use of a new report‐generating function. The function popgenreport allows users to perform up to 13 pre‐defined and 1 user‐defined analyses through the use of a single command line. Each analysis generates figures and tables that are incorporated into a pdf report and are also made available as individual files (figures are provided in multiple formats, table contents are provided as csv files).

The package includes new R functions that simplify the importation of data from a spreadsheet file, examine allele distributions across populations and loci and identify private alleles, determine pairwise individual genetic distances using the methods of Smouse and Peakall () and Kosman and Leonard (), respectively, detect the presence of null alleles, calculate allelic richness, and test for spatial autocorrelation in genotypes using the methods of Smouse and Peakall ().

The package has a modular structure that makes the process of adding new functionality straightforward. To facilitate the addition of user‐designed functions, the package includes a fully customizable module that can be automatically included in the pdf report.

To support users not experienced in R, the website (www.popgenreport.org) has a tutorial for the package and a downloadable, portable version of the package with LaTeX pre‐configured for the Windows operating system.
Understanding epigenetic changes in aging stem cells – a computational model approach
Authors: Przybilla Jens , Rohlf Thimo , Loeffler Markus , Galle Joerg 
Published: January 2014

SummaryDuring aging, a decline in stem cell function is observed in many tissues. This decline is accompanied by complex changes of the chromatin structure among them changes in histone modifications and DNA methylation which both affect transcription of a tissue‐specific subset of genes. A mechanistic understanding of these age‐associated processes, their interrelations and environmental dependence is currently lacking. Here, we discuss related questions on the molecular, cellular, and population level. We combine an individual cell‐based model of stem cell populations with a model of epigenetic regulation of transcription. The novel model enables to simulate age‐related changes of trimethylation of lysine 4 at histone H3 and of DNA methylation. These changes entail expression changes of genes that induce age‐related phenotypes (ARPs) of cells. We compare age‐related changes of regulatory states in quiescent stem cells occupying a niche with those observed in proliferating cells. Moreover, we analyze the impact of the activity of the involved epigenetic modifiers on these changes. We find that epigenetic aging strongly affects stem cell heterogeneity and that homing at stem cell niches retards epigenetic aging. Our model provides a mechanistic explanation how increased stem cell proliferation can lead to progeroid phenotypes. Adapting our model to properties observed for aged hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) clones, we predict that the hematopoietic ARP activates young HSCs and thereby retards aging of the entire HSC population. In addition, our model suggests that the experimentally observed high interindividual variance in HSC numbers originates in a variance of histone methyltransferase activity.
Association of the CHRNA4 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Subunit Gene with Frequency of Binge Drinking in Young Adults
Authors: Coon Hilary , Piasecki Thomas M. , Cook Edwin H. , Dunn Diane , Mermelstein Robin J. , Weiss Robert B. , Cannon Dale S. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundBinge drinking is responsible for over half of all alcohol‐related deaths and results in significant health and economic costs to individuals and society. Knowledge of genetic aspects of this behavior, particularly as it emerges in young adulthood, could lead to improved treatment and prevention programs.MethodsWe have focused on the association of variation in neuronal nicotinic receptor subunit genes (CHRNs) in a cohort of 702 Hispanic and non‐Hispanic White young adults who are part of the Social and Emotional Contexts of Adolescent Smoking Patterns (SECASP) study. Fifty‐five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the variation in 5 CHRNs (CHRNA4, CHRNB2, CHRNA2, CHRNB3A6, and CHRNA5A3B4) were studied.ResultsFrequency of binge drinking and other correlated alcohol consumption measures were significantly associated with SNPs in CHRNA4 (p‐values ranged from 0.0003 to 0.02), but not with SNPs in other CHRNs. This association was independent of smoking status in our cohort.ConclusionsVariants in CHRNA4 may contribute to risk of binge drinking in young adults in this cohort. Results will need to be confirmed in independent samples.
Determinants of tax haven utilization: evidence from Australian firms
Authors: Taylor Grantley , Richardson Grant , Taplin Ross 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper examines the major determinants of tax haven utilization based on a sample of 200 publicly listed Australian firms, over the 2006–2010 period (1,000 firm‐years). Our regression results show that variables relating to transfer pricing, intangible assets, an interaction term between transfer pricing and intangible assets, withholding taxes, performance‐based management remuneration and multinationality are positively associated with tax haven utilization. We also find that corporate governance structures are negatively associated with tax haven utilization. The magnitude and significance of the regression coefficients indicate that transfer pricing, withholding taxes, intangible assets, an interaction term between transfer pricing and intangible assets, corporate governance and multinationality are the most important drivers of tax haven utilization.
Women and the prospects for partnership in professional accountancy firms
Authors: Whiting Rosalind H. , Gammie Elizabeth , Herbohn Kathleen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper examines three possible reasons (stereotypical discrimination, structural obstacles and employee's preferences) for the lack of women partners in professional accountancy firms in Australia,UKand New Zealand. Data are collected from an experimental survey and interviews of current partners. Whilst women's perceived preferences and organisational structural barriers contributed strongly to the lack of women partners in all sizes of firms, traditional stereotypical discrimination against women at the partnership decision point was only displayed in metropolitan large non‐Big 4 firms, and it is suggested that this is related to intense competitive pressure and a constrained partnership resource.
Skin temperature: its role in thermoregulation
Authors: Romanovsky A. A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis review analyses whether skin temperature represents ambient temperature and serves as a feedforward signal for the thermoregulation system, or whether it is one of the body's temperatures and provides feedback. The body is covered mostly by hairy (non‐glabrous) skin, which is typically insulated from the environment (with clothes in humans and with fur in non‐human mammals). Thermal signals from hairy skin represent a temperature of the insulated superficial layer of the body and provide feedback to the thermoregulation system. It is explained that this feedback is auxiliary, both negative and positive, and that it reduces the system's response time and load error. Non‐hairy (glabrous) skin covers specialized heat‐exchange organs (e.g. the hand), which are also used to explore the environment. In thermoregulation, these organs are primarily effectors. Their main thermosensory‐related role is to assess local temperatures of objects explored; these local temperatures are feedforward signals for various behaviours. Non‐hairy skin also contributes to the feedback for thermoregulation, but this contribution is limited. Autonomic (physiological) thermoregulation does not use feedforward signals. Thermoregulatory behaviours use both feedback and feedforward signals. Implications of these principles to thermopharmacology, a new approach to achieving biological effects by blocking temperature signals with drugs, are discussed.
Species distribution modelling for plant communities: stacked single species or multivariate modelling approaches?
Authors: Henderson Emilie B. , Ohmann Janet L. , Gregory Matthew J. , Roberts Heather M. , Zald Harold 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimLandscape management and conservation planning require maps of vegetation composition and structure over large regions. Species distribution models (SDMs) are often used for individual species, but projects mapping multiple species are rarer. We compare maps of plant community composition assembled by stacking results from many SDMs with multivariate maps constructed using nearest‐neighbor imputation.LocationWestern Cascades ecoregion, Oregon and California, USA.MethodsWe mapped distributions and abundances of 28 tree species over 4,007,110 ha at 30‐m resolution using three approaches: SDMs using machine learning (random forest) to yield: (1) binary (RF_Bin); (2) basal area (abundance; RF_Abund) predictions; and (3) multi‐species basal area predictions using a nearest‐neighbor imputation variant based on random forest (RF_NN). We evaluated accuracy of binary predictions for all models, compared area mapped with plot‐based areal estimates, assessed species abundance at two spatial scales and evaluated communities for species richness, problematic compositional errors and overall community composition.ResultsRF_Bin yielded the strongest binary predictions (median True Skill Statistics; RF_Bin: 0.57, RF_NN: 0.38, RF_Abund: 0.27). Plot‐scale predictions of abundance were poor for RF_Abund and RF_NN (median Agreement Coefficient (AC): −1.77 and −2.28), but strong when summarized over 50‐km radius tessellated hexagons (median AC for both: 0.79). RF_Abund's strength with abundance and weakness with binary predictions stems from predicting small values instead of zeros. The number of zero value predictions from RF_NN was closest to counts of zeros in the plot data. Correspondingly, RF_NN's map‐based species area estimates closely matched plot‐based area estimates. RF_NN also performed best for community‐level accuracy metrics.ConclusionsRF_NN was the best technique for building a broad‐scale map of diversity and composition because the modelling framework maintained inter‐species relationships from the input plot data. Re‐assembling communities from single variable maps often yielded unrealistic communities. Although RF_NN rarely excelled at single species predictions of presence or abundance, it was often adequate to many (but not all) applications in both dimensions. We discuss our results in the context of map utility for applications in the fields of ecology, conservation and natural resource management planning. We highlight how RF_NN is well‐suited for mapping current but not future vegetation.
Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology – Thirty Years of Scientific Pioneering
Authors: Walum Erik 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn 1983, cell toxicologists from the Nordic countries formed the Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology, the SSCT, on the initiative of the Swedish cell toxicologist Björn Ekwall, 1940–2000. The missions of the Society were established: to arrange annual meetings for toxicologists to discuss and promote the study of effects of chemicals in cellular models and to take on the responsibility for performing a large international study. The second mission was concretized in the form of the Multicentre Evaluation of In vitro Cytotoxicity, that is, the MEIC programme, directed by B. Ekwall, at an evaluation of the predictive value for human toxicity of in vitro cytotoxicity tests.
Minimal residual disease before and after transplantation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: is there any room for intervention?
Authors: Balduzzi Adriana , Di Maio Lucia , Silvestri Daniela , Songia Simona , Bonanomi Sonia , Rovelli Attilio , Conter Valentino , Biondi Andrea , Cazzaniga Giovanni , Valsecchi Maria G. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryEighty‐two children and adolescents who underwent allogeneic transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in remission (period 2001–2011, median follow‐up 4·9 years) had been assessed for minimal residual disease (MRD) by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction before and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after transplantation. Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse were 77·7% [standard error (SE) 5·7] and 11·4% (SE 4·4), respectively, for patients with pre‐transplant MRD <1 × 10−4 (68%), versus 30·8% (SE 9·1; P < 0·001) and 61·5% (SE 9·5; P < 0·001), respectively, for those with MRD ≥1 × 10−4 (32%). Pre‐transplant MRD ≥1 × 10−4 was associated with a 9·2‐fold risk of relapse [95% confidence interval (CI) 3·54–23·88; P < 0·001] compared with patients with MRD <1 × 10−4. Patients who received additional chemotherapy pre‐transplant to reduce MRD had a fivefold reduction of risk of failure (hazard ratio 0·19, CI 0·05–0·70, P = 0·01). Patients who experienced MRD positivity post‐transplant did not necessarily relapse (5‐year EFS 40·3%, SE 9·3), but had a 2·5‐fold risk of failure (CI 1·05–5·75; P = 0·04) if any MRD was detected in the first 100 d, which increased to 7·8‐fold (CI 2·2–27·78; P = 0·002) if detected after 6 months. Anticipated immunosuppression‐tapering according to MRD may have improved outcome, nevertheless all patients with post‐transplant MRD ≥1 × 10−3 ultimately relapsed, regardless of immunosuppression discontinuation or donor‐lymphocyte‐infusion. In conclusion, MRD before transplantation had the strongest impact on relapse and MRD positivity after transplantation, mostly if detected early and at low levels, did not necessarily imply relapse. Additional intensified chemotherapy and modulation of immunosuppression may reduce relapse risk and improve ultimate outcome.
A Survey on Procedural Modelling for Virtual Worlds
Authors: Smelik Ruben M. , Tutenel Tim , Bidarra Rafael , Benes Bedrich 
Published: January 2014

AbstractProcedural modelling deals with (semi‐)automatic content generation by means of a program or procedure. Among other advantages, its data compression and the potential to generate a large variety of detailed content with reduced human intervention, have made procedural modelling attractive for creating virtual environments increasingly used in movies, games and simulations. We survey procedural methods that are useful to generate features of virtual worlds, including terrains, vegetation, rivers, roads, buildings and entire cities. In this survey, we focus particularly on the degree of intuitive control and of interactivity offered by each procedural method, because these properties are instrumental for their typical users: designers and artists. We identify the most promising research results that have been recently achieved, but we also realize that there is far from widespread acceptance of procedural methods among non‐technical, creative professionals. We conclude by discussing some of the most important challenges of procedural modelling.
Differential Effect of Conditioning Sequences in Coupling Inhibitory/Facilitatory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for PostStroke Motor Recovery
Authors: Wang Chih‐Pin , Tsai Po‐Yi , Yang Tsui Fen , Yang Kuang‐Yao , Wang Chien‐Chih 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIntroductionWhile neuromodulation through unihemispheric repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise for the motor recovery of stroke patients, the effectiveness of the coupling of different rTMS protocols remains unclear.AimsWe aimed to test the long‐term efficacy of this strategy with different applying sequences and to identify the electrophysiological correlates of motor improvements to the paretic hand.ResultsIn our sham‐controlled, double‐blinded parallel study, 48 stroke patients (2–6 months poststroke) were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A underwent 20‐session rTMS conditioning initiated with 10‐session 1 Hz rTMS over the contralesional primary motor cortex (M1), followed by 10‐session intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) consequently over the ipsilesional M1; Group B underwent the same two paradigms but in reverse; and Group C received sham stimulation that was identical to Group A. We tested cortical excitability and motor assessments at the baseline, postpriming rTMS, postconsequent rTMS, and at 3‐months follow‐up. Group A manifested greater improvement than Group B in Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA), Wolf Motor Function testing (WMFT) score, and muscle strength (P = 0.001–0.02) post the priming rTMS. After the consequent rTMS, Group A continued to present a superior outcome than Group B in FMA (P = 0.015) and WMFT score (P = 0.008) with significant behavior‐electrophysiological correlation.ConclusionsConditioning the contralesional M1 prior to ipsilesional iTBS was found to be optimal for enhancing hand function, and this effect persisted for at least 3 months. Early modulation within 6 months poststroke rebalances interhemispheric competition and appears to be a feasible time window for rTMS intervention.
The adequacy of the distal resection margin after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer
Authors: Kim T. G. , Park W. , Choi D. H. , Kim S.‐H. , Kim H. C. , Lee W. Y. , Park J. O. , Park Y. S. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimThe study aimed to determine the adequacy of the distal margin in patients having preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by restorative surgery for rectal cancer.MethodA total of 368 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated for cure at our institution between July 1999 and March 2009 were included in the study. All underwent preoperative CRT and sphincter‐sparing surgery. The distal margin and other factors were examined for their effect on recurrence and survival. The median duration of follow‐up was 48 months.ResultsThe length of distal margin ranged from 0 to 9.0 cm (median 1.5 cm). The pelvic control and disease‐free survival rates at 5 years for patients with a margin of ≤ 3 mm were no different from those in whom it was > 3 mm (P = 0.6 and 0.8). The 5‐year pelvic control rates between the ≤ 3 mm and > 3 mm groups were 66.7 and 86.2% in patients with a ypT3–4 tumour (P = 0.049) and 70.0 and 89.1% in patients who showed no response to CRT (P = 0.039).ConclusionThe results suggest that a distal margin of < 3 mm in the surgical specimen after preoperative CRT is associated with a lower rate of pelvic tumour control at 5 years in patients with Stage ypT3–4 tumours or in those who do not respond to CRT.
Circular closure is associated with the lowest rate of surgical site infection following stoma reversal: a systematic review and multiple treatment meta‐analysis
Authors: Li L. T. , Hicks S. C. , Davila J. A. , Kao L. S. , Berger R. L. , Arita N. A. , Liang M. K. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimStoma reversal is frequently complicated by surgical site infection (SSI). To reduce SSI, several techniques for skin closure have been studied, with no agreement on which is best. The aim of this study was to identify the skin closure technique associated with the lowest rate of SSI following stoma reversal.MethodWe systematically searched MEDLINE (PubMed and OvidSP), Scopus and clinical registries from 1 January 1980 to 24 March 2012, and included original reports on adult patients following stoma reversal. A network of treatments was created to map the comparisons between skin closure techniques, including primary closure, primary closure with a drain, secondary closure, delayed primary closure, loose primary closure and circular closure. Pairwise meta‐analyses were performed for all available direct comparisons of closure types and heterogeneity was assessed. A multiple‐treatments meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate relative treatment effects between competing closure types (reported as an odds ratio with 95% credible interval, and a probability that each treatment is best). Several sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsFifteen studies were identified with a total of 2921 cases of stoma reversal. Overall, study quality was poor with observed low (one study), moderate (seven studies) and high (seven studies) risk of bias. Circular closure was associated with the lowest SSI risk (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02–0.40) and was the best of six skin closure techniques (probability of being best = 68.9%). Circular closure remained the best after sensitivity analyses.ConclusionThis study showed that circular closure is the best skin closure technique after stoma reversal in terms of SSI rate, but the quality of supporting evidence is limited, precluding definite conclusions.
Borrowing Across Borders: Migration and Microcredit in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Bylander Maryann 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThis article explores an unexpected and overlooked consequence of the expansion of microcredit: how it interacts with migration patterns. Drawing on qualitative research in northwest Cambodia, this study explores the uses, meanings and implications of ‘migra‐loans’ — microcredit loans that are used in tandem with household strategies of international migration. Using microcredit in combination with migration allows households to immediately meet consumption goals and utilize the credit being actively promoted by microfinance institutions, while also retreating from insecure and less profitable local livelihood strategies. These strategies problematize expectations about the developmental potential of microcredit, and highlight the importance of local context in framing rural livelihood choices.