bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A sublethal effect on native Anthocoris nemoralis through competitive interactions with invasive Harmonia axyridis
Authors: HOWE ANDY G. , RANSIJN JOHANNES , RAVN HANS P. 
Published: July 2015

1. The invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is implicated in declines of native ladybirds with intraguild predation identified as an underlying mechanism, however, less studied are the effects on non‐coccinellid predators. Intraguild predation between Anthocoris nemoralis Fabricius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and H. axyridis and the relative effects of inter‐ and intraspecific competition on predators on potted Tilia cordata Mill. was investigated, at two aphid densities.2. Intraguild predation was unidirectional in favour of H. axyridis in Petri dishes although a low level of ladybird egg predation by A. nemoralis occurred. However, on trees intraguild predation was rare.3. A positive effect of aphid density on H. axyridis weight gain, and increased survival when reared with A. nemoralis on potted trees indicated stronger effects of intraspecific competition on H. axyridis. Consistent suppression of aphids by ladybirds revealed their superior competition for aphids.4. Anthocoris nemoralis weight gain was reduced when reared with H. axyridis on potted trees, indicating a potential for a sublethal effect through interspecific competition. Survivorship of A. nemoralis did not differ between con‐ and heterospecific treatments, but high aphid density enhanced A. nemoralis survival. Overall, high mortality among nymphs across treatments suggested effects related to both inter‐ and intraspecific competition for resources.5. Results provide evidence of a sublethal effect by invasive H. axyridis through resource competition, suggesting that where these predators co‐occur, competitive interactions for shared prey are more likely to affect A. nemoralis populations than intraguild predation by H. axyridis.
Involvement of PKA and ERK pathways in ghrelin‐induced long‐lasting potentiation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the CA1 area of rat hippocampus
Authors: Cavalier Mélanie , Crouzin Nadine , Ben Sedrine Azza , de Jesus Ferreira Marie Celeste , Guiramand Janique , Cohen‐Solal Catherine , Fehrentz Jean‐Alain , Martinez Jean , Barbanel Gérard , Vignes Michel 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAcute effects of ghrelin on excitatory synaptic transmission were evaluated on hippocampal CA1 synapses. Ghrelin triggered an enduring enhancement of synaptic transmission independently of NMDA receptor activation and probably via postsynaptic modifications. This ghrelin‐mediated potentiation resulted from the activation of GHS‐R1a receptors as it was mimicked by the selective agonist JMV1843 and blocked by the selective antagonist JMV2959. This potentiation also required the activation of PKA and ERK pathways to occur as it was inhibited by KT5720 and U0126, respectively. Moreover it most probably involved Ca2+ influxes as both ghrelin and JMV1843 elicited intracellular Ca2+ increases, which were dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and mediated by L‐type Ca2+ channels opening. In addition, ghrelin potentiated AMPA receptor‐mediated [Ca2+]i increases while decreasing NMDA receptor‐mediated ones. Thus the potentiation of synaptic transmission by GHS‐R1a at hippocampal CA1 excitatory synapses probably results from postsynaptic mechanisms involving PKA and ERK activation, which are producing long‐lasting enhancement of AMPA receptor‐mediated responses.
Resistance to drought affects persistence of alternative regimes in shallow lakes of the Boreal Plains (Alberta, Canada)
Authors: Cobbaert Danielle , Wong Agnes S. , Bayley Suzanne E. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

We examined how lake and landscape factors affected the persistence of alternative regimes in 23 predominantly fishless, shallow lake ecosystems over seven years in the Boreal Plains, Alberta, Canada. The alternative regimes were dominance by SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) or by phytoplankton.

The relationship between alternative regime persistence and a suite of lake and landscape variables were determined using regression tree analysis. We also compared the environmental variables and biological communities among alternative regimes using Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric tests and post hoc tests.

Persistence of the SAV‐rich regime was best predicted by water level stability. Switches from a SAV‐rich regime to a phytoplankton‐rich regime have been attributed to drought, which concentrates total phosphorus (TP) and other solutes and increases turbidity, favouring phytoplankton dominance. Lakes with stable water levels are inferred as less sensitive to drought, and presumably experience less evapoconcentration during drought, which helps maintain the SAV‐rich regime. Lakes with more water level drawdown may also delay or inhibit SAV growth through physical disturbance.

In contrast, the persistence of the phytoplankton‐rich regime was highest in lakes with higher TP and a lower proportion of surrounding wetlands. We postulate that lakes with less wetland in the buffer are more responsive to variations in precipitation because these systems have a smaller water storage capacity and lack peatlands that otherwise attenuate the effects of drought via shallow groundwater inputs.

The relative persistence of lakes in the study area was related to lake and landscape factors that affect the relative sensitivity of the lakes to drought conditions. The biological community in these predominantly fishless lakes appears to play a weak role in maintaining the alternative regimes compared to fish‐bearing lake systems.
Life history influences the vulnerability of New Zealand galaxiids to invasive salmonids
Authors: Jones Peter E. , Closs Gerard P. 
Published: July 2015

Summary

Invasion biology often focuses on the life‐history traits and the physiological tolerance of introduced species, and on assessing the suitability of receiving habitats. Few studies have examined how trait variation in recipient communities affects the responses of native fauna to pressures from invasive species.

This study examines how previously identified life‐history differences in a species‐complex of native New Zealand galaxiid fish influence their spatial interactions with invasive salmonids (mainly Salmo trutta, but also Oncorhynchus mykiss, O. tshawytscha and Salvelinus fontinalis).

A combination of a long‐term, broad‐scale, presence–absence dataset and a more intensive electrofishing survey was used to examine the extent to which galaxiid species distributions overlap with those of salmonids, and to assess demographic effects associated with salmonid presence. A generalised linear modelling approach was used to test the effect of life history on galaxiid–salmonid interactions while taking into account the possible confounding effects of habitat differences between species distributions.

Galaxiid species with ‘fast’ life‐history traits (e.g. high fecundity, small eggs) regularly co‐occurred with salmonids over extensive areas, sometimes over long periods, occasionally where salmonid densities were high. In contrast, galaxiid species with ‘slow’ life‐history traits (e.g. low fecundity, large eggs) were almost never found co‐occurring with salmonids, and evidence suggested they were most often excluded even where salmonid densities were low. The model outputs indicated that, although habitat played an important role, galaxiid life histories were a dominant factor determining whether species co‐occurred with or were excluded by salmonids.

The strong influence of interspecific life‐history variation on how these closely related galaxiid species interact with salmonids demonstrates the importance of detailed life‐history information in predicting how native biota are likely to respond to pressures from invasive species.
Reconsideration of the clinical and histopathological significance of angiogenesis in prostate cancer: Usefulness and limitations of microvessel density measurement
Authors: Miyata Yasuyoshi , Sakai Hideki 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAngiogenesis plays important roles in tumor growth and cancer cell dissemination in almost all cancers. In prostate cancer, there is general agreement that increased angiogenesis is an important factor in determining tumor development and prognosis in these patients. Microvessel density is recognized as a useful marker for evaluating the angiogenic status of cancer tissues. Many investigators have reported that microvessel density is significantly associated with pathological features and outcomes in prostate cancer patients; however, some researchers have expressed opposing opinions. As the reason for such discrepancy, previous reports have suggested differences in the methodologies of measuring microvessel density in cancer tissues. In the present review, we focus on the variation in such methods, including the selected area and the method used for (semi)quantification. In particular, we discuss the relationship between malignancy potential, tumor progression, and survival and differences in the antibodies used for detection of endothelial cells in detail. We briefly compare the pathological significance and prognostic roles of microvessel density measured using von Willebrand factor, CD31, CD34, and CD105. Based on these analyses, the advantages and limitations of microvessel density measurements in prostate cancer tissues are clarified. Improved “real” and “specific” markers of cancer‐related angiogenesis are necessary for better predictions of prognoses and for discussion of treatment strategies for patients with prostate cancer. However, establishment of a satisfactory cancer‐related endothelial marker could take a long time. Therefore, knowledge regarding the pathological significance of microvessel density – based on understanding of the advantages and limitations of microvessel density determination methods – is important.
Three amino acid residues of an odorant‐binding protein are involved in binding odours in Loxostege sticticalis L.
Authors: Yin J. , Zhuang X. , Wang Q. , Cao Y. , Zhang S. , Xiao C. , Li K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractOdorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) play an important role in insect olfactory processes and are thought to be responsible for the transport of pheromones and other semiochemicals across the sensillum lymph to the olfactory receptors within the antennal sensilla. As an important general odorant binding protein in the process of olfactory recognition, LstiGOBP1 of Loxostege sticticalis L. has been shown to have good affinity to various plant volatiles. However, the binding specificity of LstiGOBP1 should be further explored in order to better understand the olfactory recognition mechanism of L. sticticalis. In this study, real‐time PCR experiments indicated that LstiGOBP1 was expressed primarily in adult antennae. Homology modelling and molecular docking were then conducted on the interactions between LstiGOBP1 and 1‐heptanol to understand the interactions between LstiGOBP1 and their ligands. Hydrogen bonds formed by amino acid residues might be crucial for the ligand‐binding specificity on molecular docking, a hypothesis that was tested by site‐directed mutagenesis. As predicted binding sites for LstiGOBP1, Thr15, Trp43 and Val14 were replaced by alanine to determine the changes in binding affinity. Finally, fluorescence assays revealed that the mutants Thr15 and Trp43 had significantly decreased binding affinity to most odours; in mutants that had two‐site mutations, the binding to the six odours that were tested was completely abolished. This result indicates that Thr15 and Trp43 were involved in binding these compounds, possibly by forming multiple hydrogen bonds with the functional groups of the ligands. These results provide new insights into the detailed chemistry of odours’ interactions with proteins.
On Goodness of Fit for Operational Risk
Authors: Feuerverger Andrey 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) to operational risk, as described by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (), provides a framework meant to be used by banks for establishing the capital required to be set aside to cover worst‐case operational loss scenarios. The problems raised by an AMA approach are primarily statistical in nature, and many lie at the frontier of statistical research. The aim of this paper is to contribute to one of the more pressing challenges of an AMA, namely that of testing the goodness of fit (GoF) of a distributional family to operational loss data. Our focus is on extending certain classically known tests, such as that of Anderson–Darling, with particular emphasis on the right tails of the distributions. The nature of such GoF tests is examined in detail, and computational efficiency of the procedures is taken into account. We also propose a novel saddlepoint approximation method for assessing the asymptotic null distributions of the test statistics based on the eigenvalues of covariance kernels estimated via a jackknife and influence function‐based approach.
The impact of dental caries on children and young people: what they have to say?
Authors: Gilchrist Fiona , Marshman Zoe , Deery Chris , Rodd Helen D. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundDental caries affects 60–90% of children across the world and is associated with a variety of negative impacts. Despite its ubiquity, there has been surprisingly little exploration of these impacts from the child's perspective.AimThe aim was to allow children to describe the impact of dental caries on their daily lives and to describe the terminology they used.DesignChildren, aged 5–15 years, with caries experience were purposively sampled from primary and secondary care dental clinics. Focus groups (n = 5) and in‐depth interviews (n = 16) were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis took a narrative approach, and themes were derived from the data using framework analysis.ResultsPain was the main theme to emerge. Within this, three subthemes were identified: impacts related to pain, strategies adopted to reduce pain, and emotional aspects resulting from pain. A second theme was also identified relating to the aesthetic aspects of caries.ConclusionChildren as young as 5 years of age were able to competently discuss their experiences of dental caries. Participants reported a number of impacts affecting various aspects of their lives. These will be incorporated into the future development of a caries‐specific measure of oral health‐related quality of life.
Electrical and Thermal Conduction Behaviors in La‐Substituted GdBaCuFeO5+δ Ceramics
Authors: Zeng Chengcheng , Zhan Bin , Butt Sajid , Liu Yaochun , Ren Guangkun , Lin Yuan‐Hua , Li Ming , Nan Ce‐Wen 
Published: July 2015

Gd1−xLaxBaCuFeO5+δ polycrystalline ceramics have been prepared by a sol–gel method combined with the traditional ceramic processing. Analysis of the microstructure and phase composition reveals that the pure GdBaCuFeO5+δ phase can be obtained even after the substitution of 50% La at Gd‐site. The band gap can be tuned from 1.47 to 1.36 eV by La substitution, resulting in a significant increase in the electrical conductivity. In addition, the total thermal conductivity can also be suppressed by the substitution of La at Gd‐sites. A ZT value of 0.02 at 1023 K is achieved in the 50% La‐substituted samples, which is over 20 times higher than that of the pure GdBaCuFeO5+δ sample.
Compilation and Evaluation of the Pressure‐Assisted Master Sintering Surface for Low‐Temperature Cofired Ceramics
Authors: Brandt Bjoern , Rabe Torsten 
Published: July 2015

Pressure‐assisted sintering (PAS) is an established procedure for the production of low‐temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) without lateral shrinkage and minimal shrinkage tolerances for automotive and high‐frequency applications. To develop a feasible model for the prediction of densification during that process, master sintering curves (MSCs) for the commercial LTCC DP951 were generated from thermomechanical analysis (TMA) data in the pressure regime from 2 to 500 kPa. Strain mainly related to creep deformation of the LTCC was identified by evaluation of the strain rate and was discarded for the determination of MSC parameters. It was found that no creep occurred at any pressure up to a relative density of 0.9. Different pressure levels can be modeled with the same activation energy of 400 kJ/mol. Densification curves predicted by the model were in good agreement with experimental data. Based on MSCs, the pressure‐assisted master sintering surface was compiled to illustrate the influence of pressure on densification. The results show that the MSC approach is a suitable method to feasibly predict the densification of LTCC during PAS.
A Novel Top‐Seeded Infiltration Growth Technique for Fabricating Y–Ba–Cu–O Single‐Grain Superconductor Nano‐Composites
Authors: Li Guo‐Zheng , Dong Lei , Deng Xiang‐Yun 
Published: July 2015

Top‐seed infiltration and growth technique (TSIG) is proposed to fabricate Y–Ba–Cu–O (YBCO) single‐grain superconductor nano‐composites, in which a solid source composition of nano‐Y2O3 + BaCuO2 and a liquid source composition of Y2O3 + 10BaO + 16CuO are employed. As can be seen, this novel technique uses just one source of precursor powder of BaCuO2, so it is more simplified and efficient. Microstructural observation indicates that fine Y2BaCuO5 (Y‐211) inclusions with a size from dozens of nanometers to about one hundred nanometers are successfully introduced in YBa2Cu3O7−x (Y‐123) superconducting matrix, which can act as more effective pinning centers for improving the bulk performance. Superconducting property measurement shows that, a maximum trapped field of 0.36044 T is present at the center of the sample after magnetization by a permanent magnet (B = 0.5 T). These results prove that our proposed TSIG technique is a practical method for fabricating YBCO bulk superconductor nano‐composites with high performance.
Insights into High‐Temperature Uniaxial Compression Deformation Behavior of Ti3AlC2
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Xiaohui , Wan Peng , Zhan Xun , Zhou Yanchun 
Published: July 2015

We report on strain‐rate‐dependent compression deformation behavior of Ti3AlC2 at 1000°C–1200°C. At 1000°C and high strain rate (10−2 or 10−3 s−1), Ti3AlC2 deforms in a nonplastic manner. Upon increasing temperature and reducing strain rate, Ti3AlC2 exhibits a limited plasticity. For instance, the true plastic strain at 1200°C and 10−4 s−1 is only 3%, beyond which strain softening following a short hardening regime occurs. The softening results from the formation of localized microvoids and microcracks. Decreasing the strain rate further to 10−5 s−1 at 1200°C, strain hardening instead of softening is identified. Under such conditions, the plastic strain remarkably increases, reaching a value as high as 27%. Postdeformation microstructural analyses of the dislocation configurations explicitly evidence the dislocation reactions, formation of hexagonal dislocation networks and dislocation entanglements. These account for the strain hardening. The extraordinary plasticity at 1200°C and 10−5 s−1 benefits from the initiation of nonbasal slip systems. Finally, a complete high‐temperature deformation scenario for nanolaminated Ti3AlC2 is elaborated.
Climatic, vegetation and edaphic influences on the probability of fire across mediterranean woodlands of south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Gibson Rebecca K. , Bradstock Ross A. , Penman Trent , Keith David A. , Driscoll Don A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimWe investigated how the probability of burning is influenced by the time since fire (TSF) and gradients of climate, soil and vegetation in the fire‐prone mediterranean‐climate mallee woodlands of south‐eastern Australia. This provided insight into the processes controlling contemporary fuel dynamics and fire regimes across biogeographical boundaries, and the consequent effects of climate change on potential shifts in boundaries between fuel systems and fire regimes, at a subcontinental scale.LocationSouth‐eastern Australia.MethodsA desktop‐based GIS was used to generate random sampling points across the study region to collect data on intersecting fire interval, rainfall, vegetation and soil type. We used a Bayesian framework to examine the effects of combinations of rainfall, vegetation and soil type on the hazard‐of‐burning and survival parameters of the Weibull distribution. These analyses identify the nature of environmental controls on the length of fire intervals and the age‐dependence of the hazard of burning.ResultsHigher rainfall was consistently associated with shorter fire intervals. Within a single level of rainfall, however, the interaction between soil and vegetation type influenced the length of fire intervals. Higher‐fertility sands were associated with shorter fire intervals in grass‐dominated communities, whereas lower‐fertility sands were associated with shorter fire intervals in shrub‐dominated communities. The hazard of burning remained largely independent of TSF across the region, only markedly increasing with TSF in shrub‐dominated communities at high rainfall.Main conclusionsRainfall had a dominant influence on fire frequency in the mediterranean‐climate mallee woodlands of south‐eastern Australia. Predicted changes in the spatial distribution and amount of rainfall therefore have the potential to drive changes in fire regimes, although the effects of soil fertility and rainfall on fire regimes do not align on a simple productivity gradient. Reduced soil fertility may favour plant traits that increase the rate of woody litter fuel accumulation and flammability, which may alter the overriding influence of rainfall gradients on fire regimes.
Pinus nigra (European black pine) as the dominant species of the last glacial pinewoods in south‐western to central Iberia: a morphological study of modern and fossil pollen
Authors: Desprat Stéphanie , Díaz Fernández Pedro Manuel , Coulon Tabatha , Ezzat Leila , Pessarossi‐Langlois Julien , Gil Luis , Morales‐Molino César , Sánchez Goñi Maria Fernanda 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimOur aim was to discriminate different species of Pinus via pollen analysis in order to assess the responses of particular pine species to orbital and millennial‐scale climate changes, particularly during the last glacial period.LocationModern pollen grains were collected from current pine populations along transects from the Pyrenees to southern Iberia and the Balearic Islands. Fossil pine pollen was recovered from the south‐western Iberian margin core MD95‐2042.MethodsWe measured a set of morphological traits of modern pollen from the Iberian pine species Pinus nigra, P. sylvestris, P. halepensis, P. pinea and P. pinaster and of fossil pine pollen from selected samples of the last glacial period and the early to mid‐Holocene. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to establish a model from the modern dataset that discriminates pollen from the different pine species and allows identification of fossil pine pollen at the species level.ResultsThe CART model was effective in separating pollen of P. nigra and P. sylvestris from that of the Mediterranean pine group (P. halepensis, P. pinea and P. pinaster). The pollen of Pinus nigra diverged from that of P. sylvestris by having a more flattened corpus. Predictions using this model suggested that fossil pine pollen is mainly from P. nigra in all the samples analysed. Pinus sylvestris was more abundant in samples from Greenland stadials than Heinrich stadials, whereas Mediterranean pines increased in samples from Greenland interstadials and during the early to mid‐Holocene.Main conclusionsMorphological parameters can be successfully used to increase the taxonomic resolution of fossil pine pollen at the species level for the highland pines (P. nigra and P. sylvestris) and at the group of species level for the Mediterranean pines. Our study indicates that P. nigra was the dominant component of the last glacial south‐western/central Iberian pinewoods, although the species composition of these woodlands varied in response to abrupt climate changes.