bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast Feature‐Oriented Visual Connection for Large Image Collections
Authors: Yan Qingan , Xu Zhan , Xiao Chunxia 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDeriving the visual connectivity across large image collections is a computationally expensive task. Different from current image‐oriented match graph construction methods which build on pairwise image matching, we present a novel and scalable feature‐oriented image matching algorithm for large collections. Our method improves the match graph construction procedure in three ways. First, instead of building trees repeatedly, we put the feature points of the input image collection into a single kd‐tree and select the leaves as our anchor points. Then we construct an anchor graph from which each feature can intelligently find a small portion of related candidates to match. Finally, we design a new form of adjacency matrix for fast feature similarity measuring, and return all the matches in different photos across the whole dataset directly. Experiments show that our feature‐oriented correspondence algorithm can explore visual connectivity between images with significant improvement in speed.
Parsimony analysis of unaligned sequence data: maximization of homology and minimization of homoplasy, not minimization of operationally defined total cost or minimization of equally weighted transformations
Authors: De Laet Jan 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWheeler (2012) stated that minimization of ad hoc hypotheses as emphasized by Farris (1983) always leads to a preference for trivial optimizations when analysing unaligned sequence data, leaving no basis for tree choice. That is not correct. Farris's framework can be expressed as maximization of homology, a formulation that has been used to overcome the problems with inapplicables (it leads to the notion of subcharacters as a quantity to be co‐minimized in parsimony analysis) and that is known not to lead to a preference for trivial optimizations when analysing unaligned sequence data. Maximization of homology, in turn, can be formulated as a minimization of ad hoc hypotheses of homoplasy in the sense of Farris, as shown here. These issues are not just theoretical but have empirical relevance. It is therefore also discussed how maximization of homology can be approximated under various weighting schemes in heuristic tree alignment programs, such as POY, that do not take into account subcharacters. Empirical analyses that use the so‐called 3221 cost set (gap opening cost three, transversion and transition costs two, and gap extension cost one), the cost set that is known to be an optimal approximation under equally weighted homology in POY, are briefly reviewed. From a theoretical point of view, maximization of homology provides the general framework to understand such cost sets in terms that are biologically relevant and meaningful. Whether or not embedded in a sensitivity analysis, this is not the case for minimization of a cost that is defined in operational terms only. Neither is it the case for minimization of equally weighted transformations, a known problem that is not addressed by Kluge and Grant's (2006) proposal to invoke the anti‐superfluity principle as a rationale for this minimization.
Comprehension of spoken language in non‐speaking children with severe cerebral palsy: an explorative study on associations with motor type and disabilities
Authors: Geytenbeek Joke J M , Vermeulen R Jeroen , Becher Jules G , Oostrom Kim J 
Published: October 2014

AimTo assess spoken language comprehension in non‐speaking children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore possible associations with motor type and disability.MethodEighty‐seven non‐speaking children (44 males, 43 females, mean age 6y 8mo, SD 2y 1mo) with spastic (54%) or dyskinetic (46%) CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels IV [39%] and V [61%]) underwent spoken language comprehension assessment with the computer‐based instrument for low motor language testing (C‐BiLLT), a new and validated diagnostic instrument. A multiple linear regression model was used to investigate which variables explained the variation in C‐BiLLT scores. Associations between spoken language comprehension abilities (expressed in z‐score or age‐equivalent score) and motor type of CP, GMFCS and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels, gestational age, and epilepsy were analysed with Fisher's exact test. A p‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsChronological age, motor type, and GMFCS classification explained 33% (R=0.577, R2=0.33) of the variance in spoken language comprehension. Of the children aged younger than 6 years 6 months, 52.4% of the children with dyskinetic CP attained comprehension scores within the average range (z‐score ≥−1.6) as opposed to none of the children with spastic CP. Of the children aged older than 6 years 6 months, 32% of the children with dyskinetic CP reached the highest achievable age‐equivalent score compared to 4% of the children with spastic CP. No significant difference in disability was found between CP‐related variables (MACS levels, gestational age, epilepsy), with the exception of GMFCS which showed a significant difference in children aged younger than 6 years 6 months (p=0.043).InterpretationDespite communication disabilities in children with severe CP, particularly in dyskinetic CP, spoken language comprehension may show no or only moderate delay. These findings emphasize the importance of introducing alternative and/or augmentative communication devices from early childhood.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study on long‐term efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and renal impairment: results of the Long‐Term ASP1941 Safety Evaluation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes with Renal Impairment (LANTERN) study
Authors: Kashiwagi A. , Takahashi H. , Ishikawa H. , Yoshida S. , Kazuta K. , Utsuno A. , Ueyama E. 
Published: October 2014

AimsTo assess the effects of renal impairment (RI) on the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA cohort of Japanese patients with T2DM and mild to moderate RI and poor glycaemic control, despite diet/exercise therapy alone or diet/exercise therapy in combination with an oral hypoglycaemic agent (an α‐glucosidase inhibitor, a sulfonylurea, or pioglitazone), were randomized in a double‐blind manner to 50 mg ipragliflozin or placebo once daily for 24 weeks. The patients continued open‐label ipragliflozin for a 28‐week extension period (total treatment duration: 52 weeks).ResultsIpragliflozin significantly decreased glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and body weight from baseline to week 24 (last observation carried forward) compared with placebo in all patients with RI. The decreases in HbA1c and FPG levels were statistically significant in patients with mild RI, but not in patients with moderate RI. Ipragliflozin significantly reduced body weight in both RI groups. The improvements in glycaemic control were maintained in the 28‐week extension period. Ipragliflozin was associated with no clinically significant safety concerns, and its safety profiles were not influenced by the severity of RI.ConclusionsIpragliflozin significantly improved glycaemic control and body weight in patients with T2DM with mild RI, but did not improve glycaemic control in patients with moderate RI. Ipragliflozin is a valid treatment option for patients with mild RI but not those with moderate RI.
Influence of colony associated factors on nest selection in an Indian queenless ant
Authors: KAUR RAJBIR , ANNAGIRI SUMANA 
Published: October 2014

1. Organisms face the difficult task of selecting an optimal new nest from the available options during relocation. Studies on honeybees and ants in their natural habitat indicate that scouts encounter multiple options that vary in their physical and biotic characteristics.2. Architectural features, location, odour, and the presence of nest mates impact their choice of nest site selection. In order to examine the influence of diverse parameters on final nest site selection we conducted choice experiments on ants in the context of relocation.3. After controlling for any influence by physical characteristics, we found that the presence of brood, adults, and colony odour acted as attractants with more colonies relocating into these new nests than expected by chance alone. In contrast, the presence of a reproductive female, or familiarity of location had no influence on the choice. New nests containing dead ants evoked cleaning responses from scouts, which may interfere with relocation into these nests.4. Even although colonies consist of hundreds of adults and brood, colony integrity was maintained in 98.7% of colonies. Furthermore, we found that none of the eight studied colonies relocated when faced with minor flooding in their natural habitat, indicating that the cost of relocation is non‐trivial and that this species is capable of minor damage repairs.5. These observations highlight the complexity of relocation in general, allow the characterisation of desirable nest attributes in this species, and highlight the need for similar exploration in other social insects.
It Takes Two to Tango: Relative Influence of Male and Female Identity and Morphology on Complex Courtship Display in a Newt Species
Authors: Cornuau Jérémie H. , Schmeller Dirk S. , Courtois Elodie A. , Jolly Thomas , Loyau Adeline 
Published: October 2014

AbstractConsistency in behaviour is currently receiving a renewed interest. Although courtship display is generally consistent in terms of behavioural sequence and structure, there is also commonly important variation in the intensity of courtship display between and within males of a given species. Indeed, not all males have the same ability to perform courtship display (variation between males), and each male can potentially adjust his courtship effort in response to the environment (variation within a male). Although the study of male courtship display has received considerable attention in recent years, it is still unclear which part of the variation can be explained by male ability or motivation. We investigated this issue on two phases of the complex courtship display of the palmate newt Lissotriton helveticus. Overall, we found that both male and female identities affected courtship behaviour, but the relative influence of each sex depended on the courtship phase. Male identity explained variation in fan and creep‐quiver display, whereas female identity explained variation in creep‐quiver only. Interestingly, we did not find any link between the expression of courtship display and male or female morphological traits. Our study showed consistency of male courtship display in newts and successfully dissects the different sources of variation that can affect behavioural repeatability/consistency of courtship display.
In vivo identification of the steps that control energy metabolism and survival of Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Pineda Erika , Encalada Rusely , Vázquez Citlali , Néquiz Mario , Olivos‐García Alfonso , Moreno‐Sánchez Rafael , Saavedra Emma 
Published: October 2014

The steps that control the Entamoeba histolytica glycolytic flux were here identified by elasticity analysis, an experimental approach of metabolic control analysis. The concentrations of glycolytic metabolites were gradually varied in live trophozoites by (a) feeding with different glucose concentrations and (b) inhibiting the final pathway steps; in parallel, the changes in the pathway flux were determined. From the metabolite concentration–flux relationship, the elasticity coefficients of individual or groups of pathway reactions were determined and used to calculate their respective degrees of control on the glycolytic flux (flux control coefficients). The results indicated that the pathway flux was mainly controlled (72–86%) by the glucose transport/hexokinase/glycogen degradation group of reactions and by bifunctional aldehyde‐alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHE; 18%). Further, inhibition of the first pathway reactions with 2‐deoxyglucose (2DOG) decreased the glycolytic flux and ATP content by 75% and 50%, respectively. Cell viability was also decreased by 2DOG (25%) and more potently (50%) by 2DOG plus the ADHE inhibitor tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram). Biosate as an alternative carbon (amino acid) source was unable to replace glucose for ATP supply, which indicated that glucose was the main nutrient for amoebal ATP synthesis and survival. These results indicated that glycolysis in the parasite is mainly controlled by the initial pathway reactions and that their inhibition can decrease the parasite energy load and survival.
Local population genetic structure of the montane caddisfly Drusus discolor is driven by overland dispersal and spatial scaling
Authors: Geismar Jutta , Haase Peter , Nowak Carsten , Sauer Jan , Pauls Steffen U. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

Streams and rivers represent a special and complex case of dendritic networks, where comparable stretches of river habitat are isolated from each other by river stretches with different abiotic conditions as well as the terrestrial matrix. The capacity of stream insects for ‘within‐network’ (i.e. in‐stream) and ‘out‐of‐network’ (i.e. lateral overland) dispersal varies dramatically, making them good models for studying how these different dispersal modes affect community or population structure, and how landscape structure affects dispersal.

In this study, we genotyped 1129 individuals of the montane caddisfly species Drusus discolor from 44 sampling sites for 20 microsatellite loci to assess local population structure and the importance of overland dispersal and gene flow in two central German highlands. Using species distribution models, we assessed whether suitability of the terrestrial habitat between streams influenced genetic structuring among sampling sites.

Our results generally indicate high levels of overland dispersal at small and medium distances and show that the surrounding landscapes or catchment boundaries do not drive population structure in the study species. The data further show a significant change in spatial autocorrelation at about 20 km distance in both regions, indicating that dispersal is distance‐limited and reduced at distances above 20 km.
Effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan, on turnover of bone metabolism in bedridden elderly hypertensive women with disuse syndrome
Authors: Aoki Motokuni , Kawahata Hirohisa , Sotobayashi Daisuke , Yu Hisahiro , Moriguchi Atsushi , Nakagami Hironori , Ogihara Toshio , Morishita Ryuichi 
Published: November 2014

AimsAlthough recent studies suggest that several antihypertensive drugs could reduce the risk of bone fracture, it is still unclear how these drugs act on bone remodeling, especially in elderly women with severe osteoporosis with disuse syndrome. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) on bone metabolism in elderly bedridden women with hypertension and disuse syndrome.MethodsElderly bedridden women (aged >75 years) receiving antihypertensive therapy treated with CCB were recruited in the present study. The participants were divided into two groups – CCB group and ARB group – and followed up to 12 months.ResultsMarkers of bone resorption were markedly increased, suggesting accelerated bone resorption in the participants of the present study. In the follow‐up period, the patients treated with a CCB showed a significant decrease in bone mineral density in a time‐dependent manner, accompanied by a significant increase in bone resorption markers, whereas treatment with olmesartan inhibited bone loss, associated with attenuation of increased bone resorption markers. Bone mineral density of femoral neck in the CCB group was significantly lower than that in the ARB group at 6 months.ConclusionThe present study showed inhibitory effects of an ARB on bone resorption in hypertensive patients with accelerated bone resorption, such as elderly bedridden women, and indicated an important role of the renin–angiotensin system in bone metabolism. In elderly hypertensive patients, ARB might be expected to have additional beneficial potential to maintain bone health in bedridden patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1064–1072.
Identification of Suitability of Sites for Microenterprises for Value Chain Development: A Study in Gazipur District, Bangladesh
Authors: Khaleda Syeda , Murayama Yuji 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn recent years, many commercial poultry farm microenterprises (MEs) have flourished in rural areas with the help of an extensive microfinance program in Bangladesh. These poultry MEs are in a key position for the profitable operation of other actors in the poultry subsector value chain. But not all these MEs are located in suitable places, which results in poor input supply and marketing facilities for their products and thus cause higher costs and less profit. The government, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and donor agencies apply the same policy for providing support services to all these poultry farmers, irrespective of their locations. Thus, this paper tries to explain the poultry value chain in Gazipur District, where the concentration of poultry farms is highest, and to delineate suitable sites for poultry MEs using the multicriteria evaluation technique within a Geographic Information System context, utilizing factors such as flood‐free land, and infrastructures related to the poultry business‐enabling environment of the value chain. The delineation of suitable land areas for farms can help NGOs, as well as the government, to design interventions and appropriate policy development for farmers in different locations, and thus help all farmers to increase their profit and sustainability.
A simple vigor test for adjusting switchgrass seeding rate in marginal and fertile soils
Authors: Sadeghpour Amir , Hashemi Masoud , Herbert Stephen J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCalculating switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) seeding rate is misleading and often causes stand failure. Our objective was to introduce a simple vigor test to adjust the seeding rate and enhance switchgrass establishment and productivity in the establishment year in fertile and marginal soils. Seeding rate for four switchgrass varieties (‘Blackwell,’ ‘Carthage,’ ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ and ‘Shawnee’) was adjusted ranging from 25 to 125% based on a vigor test. Results indicated increase in seedling emergence and establishment with increasing the seeding rate. Higher established seedlings were recorded from the fertile soil (131 seedlings m−2) compared with the marginal soil (78 seedlings m−2). Based on our previous findings, 100 established seedlings often is considered as a successful establishment; therefore, a 50% (6.89 kg ha−1) and 100% (13.82 kg ha−1) adjusted seeding rates could provide sufficient stand density (111 and 94 seedlings m−2) in the establishment year in fertile and marginal soils, respectively.
Transfer of the perfect flower trait from Poa secunda to Poa arachnifera
Authors: Kindiger Bryan 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera) population has been developed that successfully integrates the perfect flower trait from Poa secunda through interspecific hybridization. The resulting perfect flowered P. arachnifera population is perennial, rhizomatous and lacks the cobweb‐like hairs that are a typical characteristic of the P. arachnifera parent. Inheritance of the perfect flowered trait suggests a relatively simple inheritance, perhaps allelic to the segregation of staminate and pistillate individuals in other dioecious systems. This material may have applications as a clean seeded, perfect flowered P. arachnifera cultivar; or as a germplasm resource in a P. arachnifera breeding program.
STAT3 paradoxically stimulates β‐catenin expression but inhibits β‐catenin function
Authors: Ibrahem Salih , Al‐Ghamdi Saleh , Baloch Kanwal , Muhammad Belal , Fadhil Wakkas , Jackson Darryl , Nateri Abdolrahman S. , Ilyas Mohammad 
Published: October 2014

SummaryWnt signalling and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are oncogenic signalling pathways which are deregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we investigated the interaction of these two pathways. Firstly, we investigated biochemical interaction by inhibiting STAT3 and β‐catenin (through gene knock‐down and dominant‐negative TCF4 expression) in nine CRC cell lines. β‐catenin inhibition did not affect STAT3 levels, whereas STAT3 knock‐down resulted in reduced β‐catenin mRNA and protein levels. The reduction in β‐catenin protein was not prevented by proteasome inhibition, and IL6‐induced STAT3 activation resulted in increased β‐catenin mRNA. This suggests that STAT3 positively regulates β‐catenin (at a transcriptional level) and evaluation of 44 CRCs by immunostaining supported this by showing an association between nuclear STAT3 expression and nuclear β‐catenin (P = 0.022). We tested the functional interaction between STAT3 and Wnt signalling by knocking down STAT3 and β‐catenin individually and in combination. Knock‐down of β‐catenin and STAT3 individually inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0. 001 for each) through G1 arrest. However, simultaneous knock‐down of STAT3 and β‐catenin had a significantly weaker effect than knock‐down of β‐catenin alone (P < 0.01). Knock‐down of STAT3 and β‐catenin, individually and together, inhibited cell motility (P < 0.001) without evidence of interaction. We conclude that STAT3 regulates β‐catenin but β‐catenin does not regulate STAT3. The STAT3/β‐catenin interaction is complex but may reduce the proliferative activity of β‐catenin possibly by taking β‐catenin protein beyond the optimal level. This may indicate biological differences in tumours where both STAT3 and β‐catenin are activated compared to those where only one is activated.