bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of NaHCO3 and MgO as additives for sheep fed only pasture for a restricted period of time per day: effects on intake, digestion and the rumen environment
Authors: Pérez‐Ruchel A. , Repetto J. L. , Cajarville C. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryEffects of NaHCO3 and MgO buffer addition on intake and digestive utilization of a pasture were studied in wethers allowed a restricted time of access to forage. Twelve wethers housed in metabolic cages and fed fresh forage (predominantly Lotus corniculatus) ad libitum for 6 h/d were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: a control forage without buffer (C) or a forage plus buffer composed of a mixture of 750 g/kg NaHCO3 and 250 g/kg MgO at 20 g/kg dry matter intake (B). Feeding behaviour, feed and water intake and digestibility, urine output, Na urine elimination, kinetics of passage, ruminal pH and ammonia concentration, N balance and ruminal microbial N synthesis were determined in vivo, and the ruminal liquor activity was evaluated in vitro by fermentation of wheat straw. Addition of buffer increased total water intake (p = 0.05), Na urinary output (p = 0.01), purine derivative excretion in urine (p = 0.05) and tended to decrease mean total retention time in the digestive tract (p = 0.09). However, buffer addition increased ruminal pH (p < 0.001) and tended to decrease the ammonia concentration (p = 0.05). That use of buffer decreased ruminal activity was evidenced by a lower volume of gas produced in vitro (p = 0.01) possibly due to a lower microbial concentration in rumen liquor. The higher rumen dilution rate, likely due to a higher water intake, seems to have been the key driver of the actions of buffer supplementation on the rumen environment. Moreover, addition of NaHCO3 led to an increased urinary Na excretion, which should be considered due to its likely negative environmental impacts.
Female Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) and Its Association with S
erotonin 2A—1438 G/A Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Masiran Ruziana , Sidi Hatta , Mohamed Zahurin , Mohd Nazree Nur Elia , Nik Jaafar Nik Ruzyanei , Midin Marhani , Das Srijit , Mohamed Saini Suriati 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known for their sexual side effects. Different SSRIs may affect different areas of sexual function at different rates.

Aims
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), its clinical correlates, and association with 5HT2A (rs6311) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were on SSRI therapy.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study on 95 female outpatients with MDD treated with SSRI. The patients were in remission as determined by Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swabs and samples were processed using a real time polymerase chain reaction.

Main Outcome Measures
The presence or absence of FSD as measured by the Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index and 5HT2A-1438 G/A (rs6311) SNP.

Results
The overall prevalence of FSD was 32.6%. After controlling for age, number of children, education level, total monthly income, SSRI types, and SSRI dosing, being employed significantly enhanced FSD by 4.5 times (odds ratio [OR] = 4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 20.30; P = 0.05). Those having marital problems were 6.7 times more likely to have FSD (OR = 6.67; 95% CI 1.57, 28.34). 5HT2A-1438 G/A (rs6311) SNP was not significantly associated with FSD.

Conclusion
There was no significant association between FSD and the 5HT2A (rs6311) SNP in patients with MDD on SSRI therapy. Employment status and marital state were significantly associated with FSD among these patients.
Keeping a cool mind: head–body temperature differences in the common wall lizard
Authors: Sannolo M. , Mangiacotti M. , Sacchi R. , Scali S. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractEvidence of head–body temperature differences are known for many species of medium‐ to large‐sized reptiles, but are scanty for small lacertid lizards. In this study, we heated 48 individuals of Podarcis muralis (19 males and 29 females) in order to investigate their ability to achieve and maintain local temperature differences between body parts. Lizards were put into polystyrene boxes and heated with incandescent lamps. Temperatures were measured with both an infrared thermometer and an infrared camera at four different body points every 20 min for 2 h. We found a statistically significant thermal gradient from the tip of the nose, the coolest part of the body, to the trunk, the warmest area, whereas the head achieved an intermediate temperature. We therefore hypothesize that P. muralis is able to physiologically regulate the heat distribution across its body. Podarcis muralis is sexually dimorphic, but neither sex nor body size are associated with temperature differences between individuals. The two measurement devices used responded differently to insulating material and to living animals, possibly indicating that infrared camera is able to detect dermal heat, while infrared thermometer detects mainly epidermal heat. This study shows for the first time that P. muralis can achieve and maintain temperature differences between the head and the body.
Playing as a mutant in a virtual world: understanding overlapping story worlds in popular culture video games
Authors: Rowsell Jennifer , Pedersen Isabel , Trueman Douglas 
Published: February 2014

AbstractOn the basis of interview data with a video game designer, this author team explores the nuances of stories and story worlds in video games as complex multimodal, compositional processes that can be harnessed to our understandings about contemporary literacy learning. How we enter, exit, mediate and transmediate stories across media channels has been naturalised into the ways that we view and understand media texts, yet as literacy scholars interested in the role of media and literacy learning and teaching, do we actually understand the mediational practices and logic enacted when a story moves from a film to a video game? This article goes some way in extrapolating the process of story transformation when a ‘canonical’ story moves from a film text to a gaming text. By usingX‐Men Destinyas our exemplar, the article classifies and attends to three overlapping worlds that are negotiated when approaching adapted video games: acanonical mythic universe, theadapted game worldand thestory world of a learner, in order to enable the harnessing of video game practices for literacy contexts.
Ben 10, superheroes and princesses: primary teachers' views of popular culture and school literacy
Authors: Dickie John , Shuker Mary Jane 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe introduction of national standards for reading, writing and mathematics for children aged 5 to 12 years in New Zealand schools raises the question of whether this will lead to narrower interpretation of the school curriculum. Although Ministry of Education guidelines for teachers interpret literacy as social and cultural practice, national standards indicate a more skills‐driven, teacher‐centred approach. This research explored how primary teachers of children aged 5 to 7 years can reconcile this apparent difference by asking them about their views on incorporating children's funds of knowledge of popular culture into the school literacy curriculum. The findings from a survey and teacher case studies are reported here. Although a small number of teachers viewed popular culture negatively, most positioned it within the official curriculum and drew on it particularly for use with writing activities. In this paper, we aim to illustrate how teachers can avoid a narrow interpretation of literacy curriculum by drawing on children's expertise in popular culture.
Genetic characterization of the hmp locus, a chemotaxis‐like gene cluster that regulates hormogonium development and motility in Nostoc punctiforme
Authors: Risser Douglas D. , Chew William G. , Meeks John C. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryFilamentous cyanobacteria are capable of gliding motility, but the mechanism of motility is not well defined. Here we present a detailed characterization of the hmp locus from Nostoc punctiforme, which encodes chemotaxis‐like proteins. Deletions of hmpB, C, D and E abolished differentiation of hormogonia under standard growth conditions, but, upon addition of a symbiotic partner exudate, the mutant strains differentiated hormogonium‐like filaments that lacked motility and failed to secrete hormogonium specific polysaccharide. The hmp locus is expressed as two transcripts, one originating 5′ of hmpA and encompassing the entire hmp locus, and the other 5′ of hmpB and encompassing hmpBCDE. The CheA‐like HmpE donates phosphate to its own C‐terminal receiver domain, and to the CheY‐like HmpB, but not to the PatA family CheY‐like HmpA. A GFP‐tagged variant of each hmp locus protein localized to a ring adjacent to the septum on each end of the rod‐shaped cell. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that PilA localizes to a ring at the junction between cells. The phenotype of the deletion strains, and the localization of the Hmp proteins and the putative PilA protein to rings at the cell junctions are consistent with the hypothesis that these proteins are part of the junctional pore complex observed in a number of filamentous cyanobacteria.
Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in a Southern Chinese population
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Chen Youming , Liu Xinyu , Liang Yan , Shao Xiaofei , Zhang Ying , Wang Honglei , Wang Xiaohong , Li Bin , Deng Kangping , Liu Qin , Holthöfer Harry , Liu Hongmei , Zou Hequn 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a Southern Chinese population.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 1724 community‐based Southern Chinese participants from June to October 2012. The prevalence of MS (as defined by the International Diabetes Federation) and CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and/or albuminuria) was determined. The association between MS and CKD was then analyzed using STATA software.ResultsMetabolic syndrome was significantly associated with CKD (P < 0.001) in the unadjusted analyses as well as after adjustment for potential confounders. The unadjusted odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio for MS were 3.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.62 to 4.75, P < 0.001) and 2.52 (95% CI 1.84 to 3.54, P < 0.001). When further adjusted for diabetes and hypertension, the association of MS and CKD was significant (odds ratio (OR) 1.63, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.32, P = 0.006). After adjustment for potential confounders, three components and four/five components were associated with CKD. The OR for three components and four/five components were 2.90 (95% CI 1.70 to 4.96, P < 0.001) and 3.64(95% CI 1.95 to 6.80, P < 0.001), when compared with those without components. High blood pressure, high serum triglyceride level, elevated fasting glucose level and central obesity were associated with CKD (P < 0.05). The odds ratios for elevated blood pressure, elevated serum triglyceride levels, elevated fasting glucose and central obesity were 1.80 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.62, P = 0.002), 1.56 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.14, P = 0.006), 2.54 (95% CI 1.82 to 3.57, P < 0.001), and 1.50 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.07, P = 0.01), respectively.ConclusionThese findings suggest that MS is associated with CKD in Southern Chinese population, which may provide important information for the overall control of these diseases.
Crown depth as a result of evolutionary games: decreasing solar angle should lead to shallower, not deeper crowns
Authors: Vermeulen Peter Johannes 
Published: February 2014

Summary

There is a general notion in the literature that, with increasing latitude, trees have deeper crowns as a result of a lower solar elevation angle. However, these predictions are based on models that did not include the effects of competition for light between individuals. Here, I argue that there should be selection for trees to increase the height of the crown base, as this decreases shading by neighbouring trees, leading to an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). Because the level of between‐tree shading increases with decreasing solar angle, the predicted ESS will shift to higher crown base height.

This argument is supported by a simulation model to check for the effects of crown shape and the change of light intensity that occurs with changing solar angle on model outcomes.

So, the lower solar angle at higher latitudes would tend to select for shallower, and not deeper, crowns.

This casts doubt on the common belief that a decreasing solar angle increases crown depth. More importantly, it shows that different assumptions about what should be optimized can lead to different predictions, not just for absolute trait values, but for the direction of selection itself.
Levels of sirolimus in saliva and blood following mouthwash application
Authors: Nudelman Z , Friedman M , Barasch D , Nemirovski A , Findler M , Pikovsky A , Gutkind JS , Czerninski R 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesSirolimus (rapamycin) is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor with antiproliferative activity. Its systemic administration is currently evaluated for the management of squamous cell carcinoma and various oral disorders. Topical oral application can enhance availability, efficacy and improve safety and compliance. Our objective was to evaluate the release profile and the safety of a sirolimus mouthwash.Subjects and methodsA sirolimus mouthwash (0.05 mg ml−1) was applied to ten healthy male volunteers. Saliva and blood samples were taken after rinsing. Mass spectrometry and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay were used to determine saliva and blood levels of sirolimus. A topical oral release profile measurement and safety evaluation were performed.ResultsAfter rinsing with the mouthwash, a classic immediate release profile was noted in the oral cavity. Extremely high initial sirolimus levels rapidly declined over a 4‐hour period. Systemic exposure was limited, with a maximum level significantly lower than therapeutic doses, and safety was confirmed.ConclusionsA single rinse with sirolimus mouthwash leads to high transient levels of the drug in the saliva. Although levels were variable, a therapeutic concentration was achieved topically along with minimal systemic absorption. These results broaden the potential clinical use of oral topical rapalogs.
Caterpillar‐induced plant volatiles remain a reliable signal for foraging wasps during dual attack with a plant pathogen or non‐host insect herbivore
Authors: PONZIO CAMILLE , GOLS RIETA , WELDEGERGIS BERHANE T. , DICKE MARCEL 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPlants respond to herbivory with the emission of plant volatiles, which can be used by the herbivores' natural enemies to locate their hosts or prey. In nature, plants are often simultaneously confronted with insect herbivores and phytopathogens, potentially interfering with the attraction of the herbivores' enemies as a result of modifications of the induced volatile blend. Here, we investigated parasitoid (Cotesia glomerata) attraction to volatiles of plants challenged by different attackers, either alone or in combination with Pieris brassicae caterpillars, hosts of C. glomerata. We used a natural system consisting of Brassica nigra plants, eggs and larvae of P. brassicae, Brevicoryne brassicae aphids and the bacterial phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. In all cases, parasitoids successfully located host‐infested plants, and wasp foraging behaviour was unaffected by the simultaneous presence of a non‐host attacker or host eggs. Analysis of the volatile emissions show that the volatile blends of caterpillar‐infested treatments were different from those without caterpillars. Furthermore, dually attacked plants could not be separated from those with only caterpillars, regardless of non‐host identity, supporting the behavioural data. Our results suggest that, in this system, indirect plant defences may be more resistant to interference than is generally assumed, with volatiles induced during dual attack remaining reliable indicators of host presence for parasitoids.
Accuracy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Information on Birth Certificates: Florida and Massachusetts, 2004–06
Authors: Cohen Bruce , Bernson Dana , Sappenfield William , Kirby Russell S. , Kissin Dmitry , Zhang Yujia , Copeland Glenn , Zhang Zi , Macaluso Maurizio ,   States Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART) Collaborative
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundAssisted Reproductive Technology (ART) includes fertility procedures where both egg and sperm are handled in the lab. ART use has increased considerably in recent years, accounting for 47 090 livebirths in the US in 2010. ART increases the probability of multiple gestation births, which are at higher risks than singletons for adverse outcomes. Additionally, ART is associated with a greater risk of complications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery, and increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton births.MethodsWe merged Florida and Massachusetts birth records from 2004–06 with the National ART Surveillance System (NASS) and using NASS as the gold standard, calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of ART reporting on the birth certificates by maternal, infant, and hospital characteristics. We fit random‐effects logistic regression models to evaluate simultaneously the association of ART reporting with these predictors while accounting for correlation among births occurring in the same hospital.ResultsSensitivity of ART reporting on the birth certificate was 28.9% in Florida and 41.4% in Massachusetts. Specificity was >99% in both states. PPV was 45.5% in Florida and 54.6% in Massachusetts. The odds of ART reporting varied by state and by several maternal and delivery characteristics including age, parity, history of fetal loss, plurality, race/Hispanic ethnicity, delivery payment source, pre‐existing conditions, and complications during pregnancy or labour and delivery.ConclusionsThere was significant under‐reporting of ART procedures on the birth certificates. Using data on ART births identified only from birth certificates yields a biased sample of the population of ART births.
Non‐parametric Estimation of Extreme Risk Measures from Conditional Heavy‐tailed Distributions
Authors: Methni Jonathan El , Gardes Laurent , Girard Stéphane 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we introduce a new risk measure, the so‐called conditional tail moment. It is defined as the moment of order a ≥ 0 of the loss distribution above the upper α‐quantile where α ∈ (0,1). Estimating the conditional tail moment permits us to estimate all risk measures based on conditional moments such as conditional tail expectation, conditional value at risk or conditional tail variance. Here, we focus on the estimation of these risk measures in case of extreme losses (where α ↓0 is no longer fixed). It is moreover assumed that the loss distribution is heavy tailed and depends on a covariate. The estimation method thus combines non‐parametric kernel methods with extreme‐value statistics. The asymptotic distribution of the estimators is established, and their finite‐sample behaviour is illustrated both on simulated data and on a real data set of daily rainfalls.
Root and shoot transcriptome analysis of two ecotypes of Noccaea caerulescens uncovers the role of NcNramp1 in Cd hyperaccumulation
Authors: Milner Matthew J. , Mitani‐Ueno Namiki , Yamaji Naoki , Yokosho Kengo , Craft Eric , Fei Zhangjun , Ebbs Stephen , Clemencia Zambrano M. , Ma Jian Feng , Kochian Leon V. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe Zn/Cd hyperaccumulator, Noccaea caerulescens, has been studied extensively for its ability to accumulate high levels of Zn and Cd in its leaves. Previous studies have indicated that the Zn and Cd hyperaccumulation trait exhibited by this species involves different transport and tolerance mechanisms. It has also been well documented that certain ecotypes of N. caerulescens are much better Cd hyperaccumulators than others. However, there does not seem to be much ecotypic variation for Zn hyperaccumulation in N. caerulescens. In this study we employed a comparative transcriptomics approach to look at root and shoot gene expression in Ganges and Prayon plants in response to Cd stress to identify transporter genes that were more highly expressed in either the roots or shoots of the superior Cd accumulator, Ganges. Comparison of the transcriptomes from the two ecotypes of Noccaea caerulescens identified a number of genes that encoded metal transporters that were more highly expressed in the Ganges ecotype in response to Cd stress. Characterization of one of these transporters, NcNramp1, showed that it is involved in the influx of Cd across the endodermal plasma membrane and thus may play a key role in Cd flux into the stele and root‐to‐shoot Cd transport. NcNramp1 may be one of the main transporters involved in Cd hyperaccumulation in N. caerulescens and copy number variation appears to be the main reason for high NcNramp1 gene expression underlying the increased Cd accumulation in the Ganges ecotype.