bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in tidal wetland plant diversity and composition within and among coastal estuaries: assessing the relative importance of environmental gradients
Authors: Janousek Christopher N. , Folger Christina L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the relative importance of topographic (elevation), edaphic (soil salinity, nitrogen and particle size) and hydrologic (estuarine river flow) gradients for variation in tidal wetland plant composition and diversity?LocationFour Oregon estuaries: a marine‐dominated lagoon, two tidal‐driven bays, and a river‐dominated site.MethodsWe surveyed species presence, cover and richness; and environmental factors (soil salinity, grain size, soil nitrogen and elevation) in plots in marsh and swamp. We assessed patterns of community structure and the relative importance of environmental gradients with hierarchical partitioning, ordination, species accumulation curves and path analysis.ResultsThe relative importance of measured environmental gradients on plant occurrence differed by species. Soil salinity or elevation explained the most variation in the majority of common species. Estuarine hydrology, soil nitrogen and soil clay content were usually of secondary or minor importance. Assemblage composition and species richness varied most strongly with tidal elevation. Local soil salinity also affected composition, but differences in estuarine hydrology had comparatively less effect on composition and richness. Higher‐elevation wetlands supported larger species pools and higher plot‐level richness; fresher wetlands had larger species pools than salt marsh but plot‐level richness was relatively invariant to differences in soil salinity.ConclusionsElevation and salinity tended to exert more influence on the vegetation structure of tidal wetlands than estuarine hydrology or other edaphic variables. With relative sea‐level rise expected to increase both flooding intensity and salinity exposure in future wetlands, global climate change may lead to changes in species distributions, altered floristic composition and reduced plant species richness.
Occupancy reliably reflects territory quality in a long‐lived migratory bird, the white stork
Authors: Janiszewski T. , Minias P. , Wojciechowski Z. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPatterns of territory occupancy were studied in the population of ca. 200 pairs of white stork Ciconia ciconia breeding in central Poland from 1994 to 2011. We tested whether occupation rate in this species correlated with different indices of territory quality and reproductive performance of nesting birds. Territory occupancy deviated significantly from random pattern, as nearly half of the territories were occupied for over 75% of all breeding seasons. It was found that white storks returning to breeding grounds in spring settled earlier in the territories of higher occupancy. There was a positive association between territory occupancy and productivity of storks, which could be explained by the lower prevalence of brood reduction in the longer occupied territories. Finally, we demonstrated that occupancy positively correlated with the share of high‐quality habitats (wetlands) in the foraging territories of storks. All these relationships indicate that territory occupancy may be used to reliably assess attractiveness of particular nesting territories and to identify key areas for white storks. We also suggest that the application of this simple measure of territory quality could well enhance conservation efforts directed at long‐lived migratory birds.
Raman spectroscopic properties and Raman identification of CaS‐MgS‐MnS‐FeS‐Cr2FeS4 sulfides in meteorites and reduced sulfur‐rich systems
Authors: Avril Caroline , Malavergne Valérie , Caracas Razvan , Zanda Brigitte , Reynard Bruno , Charon Emeline , Bobocioiu Ema , Brunet Fabrice , Borensztajn Stephan , Pont Sylvain , Tarrida Martine , Guyot François 
Published: July 2013

AbstractRaman spectra were acquired on a series of natural and synthetic sulfide minerals, commonly found in enstatite meteorites: oldhamite (CaS), niningerite or keilite ((Mg,Fe)S), alabandite (MnS), troilite (FeS), and daubreelite (Cr2FeS4). Natural samples come from three enstatite chondrites, three aubrites, and one anomalous ungrouped enstatite meteorite. Synthetic samples range from pure endmembers (CaS, FeS, MgS) to complex solid solutions (Fe, Mg, Ca)S. The main Raman peaks are localized at 225, 285, 360, and 470 cm−1 for the Mg‐rich sulfides; at 185, 205, and 285 cm−1 for the Ca‐rich sulfides; at 250, 370, and 580 cm−1 for the Mn‐rich sulfides; at 255, 290, and 365 cm−1 for the Cr‐rich sulfides; and at 290 and 335 cm−1 for troilite with, occasionally, an extra peak at 240 cm−1. A peak at 160 cm−1 is present in all Raman spectra and cannot be used to discriminate between the different sulfide compositions. According to group theory, none of the cubic monosulfides oldhamite, niningerite, or alabandite should present first‐order Raman spectra because of their ideal rocksalt structure. The occurrence of broad Raman peaks is tentatively explained by local breaking of symmetry rules. Measurements compare well with the infrared frequencies calculated from first‐principles calculations. Raman spectra arise from activation of certain vibrational modes due to clustering in the solid solutions or to coupling with electronic transitions in semiconductor sulfides.
Ecological Inferences from a deep screening of the Complex Bacterial Consortia associated with the coral, Porites astreoides
Authors: Rodriguez‐Lanetty Mauricio , Granados‐Cifuentes Camila , Barberan Albert , Bellantuono Anthony J. , Bastidas Carolina 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe functional role of the bacterial organisms in the reef ecosystem and their contribution to the coral well‐being remain largely unclear. The first step in addressing this gap of knowledge relies on in‐depth characterization of the coral microbial community and its changes in diversity across coral species, space and time. In this study, we focused on the exploration of microbial community assemblages associated with an ecologically important Caribbean scleractinian coral, Porites astreoides, using Illumina high‐throughput sequencing of the V5 fragment of 16S rRNA gene. We collected data from a large set of biological replicates, allowing us to detect patterns of geographical structure and resolve co‐occurrence patterns using network analyses. The taxonomic analysis of the resolved diversity showed consistent and dominant presence of two OTUs affiliated with the order Oceanospirillales, which corroborates a specific pattern of bacterial association emerging for this coral species and for many other corals within the genus Porites. We argue that this specific association might indicate a symbiotic association with the adult coral partner. Furthermore, we identified a highly diverse rare bacterial ‘biosphere’ (725 OTUs) also living along with the dominant bacterial symbionts, but the assemblage of this biosphere is significantly structured along the geographical scale. We further discuss that some of these rare bacterial members show significant association with other members of the community reflecting the complexity of the networked consortia within the coral holobiont.
An Integrated Airline Scheduling, Fleeting, and Pricing Model for a Monopolized Market
Authors: Atasoy Bilge , Salani Matteo , Bierlaire Michel 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn airline schedule planning models, the demand and price information are usually taken as inputs to the model. Therefore, schedule and capacity decisions are taken separately from pricing decisions. In this article, we present an integrated scheduling, fleeting, and pricing model for a single airline where these decisions are taken simultaneously. This integration enables to explicitly model supply and demand interactions and make superior decisions. The model refers to a monopolized market. However, competing airlines are included in the model as a reference for the pricing decisions. The pricing decision is formulated through an itinerary choice model which determines the demand of the alternative itineraries in the same market according to their price, travel time, number of stops, and the departure time of the day. The demand model is estimated based on real data and is developed separately for economy and business classes. The seat allocation for these classes is optimized according to the behavior of the demand. The choice model is also used to appropriately model the spill and recapture effects. The resulting model is evaluated with different illustrations and the added value of the integrated approach is analyzed compared to a sequential approach. Results over a set of representative instances show that the integrated model is able to make superior decisions by jointly adjusting capacity and pricing.
Enalapril versus losartan for adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: He Yuan‐Mei , Feng Li , Huo Dong‐Mei , Yang Zhen‐Hua , Liao Yun‐Hua 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimBoth enalapril and losartan are effective and widely used in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aimed to evaluate the benefits of enalapril and losartan in adults with CKD.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched, without language limitations, for randomized controlled trials (RCT), in which enalapril and losartan were compared in adults with CKD. Standard methods, consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, were used. Reviewer Manager software, ver. 5.2, was used for meta‐analysis.ResultsOf 318 citations retrieved, 17 RCT (14 parallel‐group and three cross‐over) met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis for parallel RCT showed that the effects of enalapril and losartan on blood pressure, renal function and serum uric acid (UA) were similar. Meta‐analysis indicated that patients taking enalapril had a higher risk of dry cough (risk ratio, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.11–7.48; P = 0.03). Sensitivity analysis showed good robustness of these findings.ConclusionEnalapril has similar effects to losartan on systemic blood pressure, renal function and serum UA in patients with CKD, but carries a higher risk of dry cough. Larger trials are required to evaluate the effects of these medications on clinical outcomes.
Acute and chronic effects of desvenlafaxine on gastrointestinal transit and motility in dogs
Authors: Song J. , Yin J. , Chen J. D. Z. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundAntidepressants are commonly used for treating functional gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. However, little is known whether antidepressants improve or impair GI motility. This study aimed at exploring possible effects of a serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS), on GI motility in dogs.MethodsEight dogs chronically implanted with a duodenal cannula and a colon cannula were used in the study. Experiments were performed to assess the effects of a single dose of DVS (50 or 100 mg) and DVS given 50 mg once a day for 2 weeks on gastric emptying of solid, small intestinal transit, and colon transit and contractions.Key Results(1) DVS significantly delayed gastric emptying of solid at a single dose of 50 or 100 mg. The inhibitory effect on gastric emptying was completely blocked by guanethidine (an adrenergic blocking agent). (2) DVS at a single dose of 50 or 100 mg accelerated colon transit, but showed no effects on small bowel transit. (3) DVS at a single dose of 50 mg enhanced colon contractions and guanethidine blocked the effect. (4) Surprisingly, DVS given at 50 mg once daily for 2 weeks did not alter gastric emptying, small bowel transit or colon transit.Conclusions & InferencesAcute DVS delays gastric emptying of solid and enhances the contractions of the colon, which may be mediated via the sympathetic mechanism. Acute DVS promotes the transit of the colon but not the small intestine. However, chronic administration of DVS does not seem to alter GI motility.
The Impact of Thin‐Capitalization Rules on External Debt Usage – A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Wamser Georg 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThin‐capitalization rules (TCRs) aim at limiting the tax advantage of internal debt financing by restricting the tax deductibility of the corresponding interest expenses. This article examines how subsidiaries of multinational firms respond to a change in the German thin‐capitalization legislation. The empirical analysis not only demonstrates that the TCR effectively restricts internal debt financing, it also suggests that firms are able to avoid taxation of interest by substituting external for internal debt. The empirical approach applies propensity score matching techniques and exploits the German tax reform 2001 to solve endogeneity problems.
Temperature response of in vivo Rubisco kinetics and mesophyll conductance in Arabidopsis thaliana: comparisons to Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: WALKER BERKLEY , ARIZA LOREN S. , KAINES SARAH , BADGER MURRAY R. , COUSINS ASAPH B. 
Published: July 2013

Biochemical models of photosynthesis use the temperature dependency of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) kinetics and mesophyll conductance to
CO

2 (g
m). However, the in vivo temperature response of Rubisco kinetics and g
m has only been measured in the warm adapted Nicotiana tabacum; therefore, we determined these parameters in the cool‐adapted Arabidopsis thaliana to see how species‐dependent differences impact modeled rates of photosynthesis. While the individual Rubisco kinetic parameters in N. tabacum and A. thaliana were similar across temperatures, they collectively resulted in significantly different modeled rates of photosynthesis. Additionally, g
m increased with temperature in N. tabacum but not in A. thaliana.Commentary: New challenges in modeling photosynthesis: temperature dependencies of Rubisco kinetics
Synergy between enzastaurin doxorubicin in inducing melanoma apoptosis
Authors: Romano Simona , Nappo Giovanna , Calì Gaetano , Wang Samuel Y.‐S. , Staibano Stefania , D'Angelillo Anna , Ilardi Gennaro , Sorrentino Antonio , Di Pace Anna Laura , Siano Maria , Bisogni Rita , Romano Maria Fiammetta 
Published: July 2013

SummaryMelanoma is resistant to most standard chemotherapeutics. We analysed the combined effect of doxorubicin and enzastaurin on cell death of four melanoma cell lines, namely G361, SK‐MEL3, A375 and SAN. Enzastaurin IC50 was calculated by measure of growth inhibition with MTS assay and corresponded to 2 μM; the half maximal cytotoxicity of doxorubicin was obtained at 3 μM dose. Evaluation of combination index showed synergism (CI > 1) or additive effect (CI = 1) with all melanoma cell lines, with enzastaurin doses ≥0.6 μM and doxorubicin doses ≥1 μM. Combination of the two drugs resulted in increase in caspase 3 and 8 activation, in comparison with activation by single agents. Caspase 8 activation was impaired by TNFR‐1 blocking. Our results show doxorubicin‐stimulated production of TNFα, whereas enzastaurin‐stimulated TNFR‐1 expression on plasma membrane. The effect on TNFR‐1 appeared to be mediated by PKCζ inhibition. Taken together, our findings suggest that enzastaurin increases doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis of melanoma by a mechanism involving, at least in part, activation of the TNF‐α signal.
Virulence loss and amastigote transformation failure determine host cell responses to Leishmania mexicana
Authors: Ali K. S. , Rees R. C. , Terrell‐Nield C. , Ali S. A. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe effect of alterations in virulence and transformation by long‐term in vitro culture of Leishmania mexicana promastigotes on infectivity and immune responses was investigated. Fresh parasite cultures harvested from Balb/c mice were passaged 20 times in vitro. Infectivity was decreased and was completely avirulent after 20 passages. The qPCR results showed a down‐regulation of GP63, LPG2, CPC, CPB2, CPB2.8, CHT1, LACK and LDCEN3 genes after passage seven concomitant with a reduced and absence of infectivity by passages seven and 20, respectively. Parasites at passages one and 20 are referred to as virulent and avirulent, respectively. The growth of avirulent and virulent parasite was affected by conditioned media derived from macrophages or monocytes infected with parasites for 2 h. Giemsa staining showed the failure of avirulent but not virulent parasites to transform to the amastigote stage in infected host cells with both virulent and avirulent modulating the expression of CCL‐22, Tgad51, Cox2, IL‐1, IL‐10, TGF‐β, TNF‐α, Rab7, Rab9 and A2 genes; virulent but not avirulent L. mexicana significantly up‐regulated Th2‐associated cytokines, but down‐regulated Rab7 and Rab9 gene expression. In conclusion, a model for L. mexicana is reported, which is of potential value in studying host–parasite interaction.
Quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to a potato isolate of Verticillium albo‐atrum in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Negahi A. , Ben C. , Gentzbittel L. , Maury P. , Nabipour A. R. , Ebrahimi A. , Sarrafi A. , Rickauer M. 
Published: July 2013

Verticillium albo‐atrum is responsible for considerable yield losses in many economically important crops, among them alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Using Medicago truncatula as a model for studying resistance and susceptibility to V. albo‐atrum, previous work has identified genetic variability and major resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to Verticillium. In order to study the genetic control of resistance to a non‐legume isolate of this pathogen, a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between resistant line F83005.5 and susceptible line A17 was inoculated with a potato isolate of V. albo‐atrum, LPP0323. High genetic variability and transgressive segregation for resistance to LPP0323 were observed among RILs. Heritabilites were found to be 0·63 for area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and 0·93 for maximum symptom score (MSS). A set of four QTLs associated with resistance towards LPP0323 was detected for the parameters MSS and AUDPC. The phenotypic variance explained by each QTL (R2) was moderate, ranging from 4 to 21%. Additive gene effects showed that favourable alleles for resistance all came from the resistant parent. The four QTLs are distinct from those described for an alfalfa V. albo‐atrum isolate, confirming the existence of several resistance mechanisms in this species. None of the QTLs co‐localized with regions involved in resistance against other pathogens in M. truncatula.
Zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Northern Finland and Sweden – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Glasberg Ann‐Louise , Pellfolk Tony , Fagerström Lisbeth 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundZest for life refers to being satisfied with life and having the energy and courage to look for new experiences. Research into zest for life among older people is scarce, even though it is an important topic. Similarly related concepts such as life satisfaction, quality of life and purpose in life have received more attention.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate zest for life and factors and variables associated with zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds.MethodA descriptive cross‐sectional design was used, employing data from a cross‐sectional survey in Northern Finland and Sweden with a total of 3372 respondents. Sociodemographic data were gathered: social contacts; helping relatives; activities; involvement in society; health; use of social services; economic situation; ageism; crises in life; and well‐being. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine independent factors associated with zest for life.ResultsA total of 2854 respondents (nearly 85%) reported having zest for life, with only 47 (1.4%) having no zest for life. Several factors were significantly associated with zest for life. Using logistic regression analysis, the following factors were found to be determinants of zest for life: no diseases (OR = 9.1), general health (OR = 6.1), not discriminated against due to age (OR = 5.4), no crises in life last year (OR = 7.0), experienced depression never/seldom (OR = 88.4) and experienced meaning in life (OR = 10.4).ConclusionsIn general, 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Finland and Sweden have a zest for life. Even though the study sample shows that only a small number of respondents have no zest for life, zest for life is a concept worth investigating in that there exists a strong association between no zest for life and depression. Physical and psychological health and well‐being are important determinates of zest for life and, seemingly, a determinate for successful ageing.
Depositional architecture and evolution of progradationally stacked lobe complexes in the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen
Authors: Grundvåg Sten‐Andreas , Johannessen Erik P. , Helland‐Hansen William , Plink‐Björklund Piret 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe down‐dip portion of submarine fans comprises terminal lobes that consist of various gravity flow deposits, including turbidites and debrites. Within lobe complexes, lobe deposition commonly takes place in topographic lows created between previous lobes, resulting in an architecture characterized by compensational stacking. However, in some deep water turbidite systems, compensational stacking is less prominent and progradation dominates over aggradation and lateral stacking. Combined outcrop and subsurface data from the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen provide a rare example of submarine fans that comprise progradationally stacked lobes and lobe complexes. Evidence for progradation includes basinward offset stacking of successive lobe complexes, a vertical change from distal to proximal lobe environments as recorded by an upward increase in bed amalgamation, and coarsening and thickening upward trends within the lobes. Slope clinoforms occur immediately above the lobe complexes, suggesting that a shelf‐slope system prograded across the basin in concert with deposition of the lobe complexes. Erosive channels are present in proximal axial lobe settings, whereas shallow channels, scours and terminal lobes dominate further basinward. Terminal lobes are classified as amalgamated, non‐amalgamated or thin‐bedded, consistent with turbidite deposition in lobe axis, off‐axis and fringe settings, respectively. Co‐genetic turbidite–debrite beds, interpreted as being deposited from hybrid sediment gravity flows which consisted of both turbulent and laminar flow phases, occur frequently in lobe off‐axis to fringe settings, and are rare and poorly developed in channels and axial lobe environments. This indicates bypass of the laminar flow phase in proximal settings, and deposition in relative distal unconfined settings. Palaeocurrent data indicate sediment dispersal mainly towards the east, and is consistent with slope and lobe complex progradation perpendicular to the NNW–SSE trending basin margin.