bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference Interval Evaluation of High-Sensitivity Troponin T and N-Terminal B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Vietnam and the US: The North South East West Trial
Authors: Gaggin Hanna K , Dang Phuoc V , Do Loi D , deFilippi Christopher R , Christenson Robert H , Lewandrowski Elizabeth L , Lewandrowski Kent B , Truong Binh Q , Pham Vinh Q , Vu Vu H , Vu Truong V , Nguyen Toan B , Belcher Arianna M , Femia Alexandra , Kelley Cynthia , Januzzi James L 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Reference intervals of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro-B–type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) have been determined from Western populations. No data are available regarding expected values in Asian populations.

METHODS
A total of 1157 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (mean age, 41.2 years; 48.0% male) were prospectively enrolled from the US (n = 565) and Vietnam (n = 592). Blood samples were analyzed for hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP. Median values were determined for each country and compared in unadjusted analyses and in analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, study site, race, and vital signs.

RESULTS
Median hs-cTnT concentrations were slightly higher for individuals from the US than for those from Vietnam, but both were below the limit of detection (3.7 vs 3.0 ng/L, respectively; P = 0.03). More US participants had an hs-cTnT concentration above the limit of detection (57.2% vs 47.3%; P = 0.001), but the 99th percentile concentration was slightly higher for Asians (US 15.1 vs Vietnam 19.0 ng/L). Concentrations for &gt;98% of both populations were below the standard hs-cTnT 99th percentile of 14.0 ng/L (P = 0.54). Median NT-proBNP concentrations were slightly higher for US participants compared with Vietnamese participants (28 vs 16 ng/L, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Following adjustment, differences in concentrations of NT-proBNP between healthy US and Vietnamese populations remained significant, whereas for hs-cTnT the differences were no longer significant. Inclusion of hs-cTnT values down to the limit of blank did not change the result.

CONCLUSIONS
The differences in hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP between healthy individuals from the US and Vietnam are small. Previously derived reference intervals for both analytes may be applied in Asian populations.
Individual differences in the interpretation of ambiguous statements about time
Authors: Duffy Sarah E. , Feist Michele I. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWhat factors influence the ways in which people resolve ambiguity? In English, two contrasting perspectives are implicit in deictic temporal expressions: the Moving Time metaphor conceptualizes time as moving forward towards the ego and the Moving Ego metaphor conceptualizes the ego as moving forward towards the future (Clark 1973). We examine the ambiguity arising from these two conceptualizations, claimed to be equally likely in a “neutral” context (Boroditsky and Ramscar 2002). Whereas previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to a spatial situation related to one interpretation may influence the resolution of the ambiguity (e.g. Boroditsky 2000; Nunez 2007), we focus on the lifestyle and personality factors of the participants as potential additional influences on ambiguity resolution in the interpretation of temporal metaphors. Experiment 1 asks whether lifestyle might influence an individual's approach to time and resulting resolution of temporal ambiguity, comparing preferred responses from two groups of participants with very different demands on the structuring of time: university students and administrators. We observed a difference between the two groups, with administrators more frequently adopting the Moving Time perspective and students, the Moving Ego perspective. Experiment 2 examines personality-related differences, focusing specifically on individual differences in procrastination (Lay 1986) and conscientiousness (John 1990). We observed a significant effect with participants who adopted the Moving Ego perspective reporting higher procrastination scores and lower conscientiousness scores than participants who adopted the Moving Time perspective. Experiment 3 investigates further personality-related differences, focusing specifically on individual differences in extroversion (John 1990). We observed a relationship between extroversion and disambiguation responses, with participants who adopted the Moving Ego perspective evidencing higher levels of extroversion. Taken together, the results from these three studies suggest that individual differences in lifestyle and personality may influence people's perspectives on the movement of events in time and their concomitant interpretation of temporally ambiguous utterances, precluding a universal “neutral” context within which language is interpreted.
The processing of verb-argument constructions is sensitive to form, function, frequency, contingency and prototypicality
Authors: Ellis Nick C. , O'Donnell Matthew Brook , Römer Ute 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe used free association and verbal fluency tasks to investigate verb-argument constructions (VACs) and the ways in which their processing is sensitive to statistical patterns of usage (verb type-token frequency distribution, VAC-verb contingency, verb-VAC semantic prototypicality). In experiment 1, 285 native speakers of English generated the first word that came to mind to fill the V slot in 40 sparse VAC frames such as `he ____ across the. . . .', `it ____ of the. . . .', etc. In experiment 2, 40 English speakers generated as many verbs that fit each frame as they could think of in a minute. For each VAC, we compared the results from the experiments with corpus analyses of verb selection preferences in 100 million words of usage and with the semantic network structure of the verbs in these VACs. For both experiments, multiple regression analyses predicting the frequencies of verb types generated for each VAC show independent contributions of (i) verb frequency in the VAC, (ii) VAC-verb contingency and (iii) verb prototypicality in terms of centrality within the VAC semantic network. VAC processing involves rich associations, tuned by verb type and token frequencies and their contingencies of usage, which interface syntax, lexis and semantics. We consider the implications for the mental representation of VACs.
Chemical and ultrastructural changes in compound middle lamella (CML) regions of softwoods thermally modified by the Termovuoto process
Authors: Gao Jie , Kim Jong Sik , Terziev Nasko , Allegretti Ottaviano , Daniel Geoffrey 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Silver fir and Norway spruce wood have been thermally modified (TMW) for 3–4 h at 160°C, 180°C, 200°C, and 220°C by means of the thermovacuum process (Termovuoto), and the ultrastructural and chemical changes in the compound middle lamella (CML), including the middle lamella cell corner (MLcc) regions (CMLcc), were investigated. Severe anatomical and histochemical changes were prominent above treatment temperatures of 200°C; thus, woods treated at 220°C for 4 h were in focus. Immunocytochemical studies showed that noncellulosic polysaccharides, such as pectin, xyloglucan, xylan, and mannan, were significantly degraded in CMLcc regions of TMWs. After treatment, the CMLcc regions were composed almost entirely of modified lignin with increased amounts of acidic groups. With cytochemical staining for lignin, many electron dense particulates were detected in the CMLcc regions of TMWs, indicating early degradation/alteration by the Termovuoto treatment.
Antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anticataleptic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (Moraceae) in mice: possible mechanisms of actions
Authors: Agbaje Esther O. , Ishola Ismail O. , Oniyire Joel A. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background: The leaves of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (Moraceae) are used by traditional medicine practitioners in southwest Nigeria in the management of epilepsy, wounds, and neurological disorders. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of A. toxicaria on the central nervous system.

Methods: One hour after administration of A. toxicaria [50–300 mg/kg orally (p.o.)], its antidepressant effect was evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST), anxiolytic effect using elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and anticataleptic effect using haloperidol-induced catalepsy, whereas its effects on hypnosis and motor coordination were studied using hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time and open-field tests, respectively, in mice.

Results:
Antiaris toxicaria (300 mg/kg) significantly increased swimming activity (36.88%) and reduced immobility time (38.54%). Pretreatment of mice with prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), sulpiride (a D2 receptor antagonist), and l-N
G-nitro-arginine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) 15 min before A. toxicaria (300 mg/kg p.o.) treatment significantly prevented its antidepressant-like effect by 35.58%, 53.30%, and 56.11%, respectively, in the FST. However, pretreatment with metergoline (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), and atropine (muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) failed to reverse this effect. Interestingly, A. toxicaria (50 mg/kg) significantly increased open-arm exploration in the EPM by 70.31%, which was reversed by 82.66% in the presence of flumazenil [3 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)]. Haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.) induced cataleptic behavior in mice, which was reversed by A. toxicaria (300 mg/kg) (p<0.001) treatment.

Conclusions: The results suggest that A. toxicaria possesses an antidepressant-like effect involving interaction with α1-adrenoceptor, D2 dopamine receptor, and nitrergic pathway; an anxiolytic-like effect linked to the benzodiazepine system; and a neuroprotective effect.
Ductility Evaluation of As-Hydrided and Hydride Reoriented Zircaloy-4 Cladding under Simulated Dry-Storage Condition
Authors: Yan Y. , Plummer L. K. , Ray H. , Cook T. , Bilheux H. Z. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTPre-storage drying-transfer operations and early stage storage expose cladding to higher temperatures and much higher pressure-induced tensile hoop stresses relative to normal operation in-reactor and pool storage under these conditions. Radial hydrides precipitate during cooling and could provide an additional embrittlement mechanism as the cladding temperature decreases below the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature. To simulate this behavior, unirradiated Zircaloy-4 samples were hydrided by a gas charging method to levels that encompass the range of hydrogen concentrations observed in current used fuel. Mechanical testing was carried out by the ring compression test (RCT) method at various temperatures to evaluate the sample’s ductility for both as-hydrided and post-hydride reorientation treated specimens. As-hydrided samples with higher hydrogen concentration (>800 ppm) resulted in lower strain before fracture and reduced maximum load. Increasing RCT temperatures resulted in increased ductility of the as-hydrided cladding. A systematic radial hydride treatment was conducted at various pressures and temperatures for the hydrided samples with H content around 200 ppm. Following the radial hydride treatment, RCTs on the hydride reoriented samples were conducted and exhibited lower ductility compared to as-hydrided samples.
In Silico Prediction and Characterization of MicroRNAs from Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Rebijith K B , Asokan R , Krishna V , Hande Ranjitha H , Kumar N K Krishna , Ramamurthy V V 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression either bymRNAcleavage or by translational repression. They play an important role in the development and physiology of organisms. It is difficult to experimentally identify miRNAs and characterize their spatial and temporal expressions in insects or in any organisms. The cotton or melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is an important pest. It is a major vector of many plant viruses that often cause crop failures. Developing futuristic management approaches exploiting small RNAs like miRNAs may provide options for effective management of this pest species. To achieve this goal, identification and characterization of miRNAs from A. gossypii is a prerequisite. In this study, we used computational approaches, primarily depending on similarity search and secondary structure prediction, to identify 16 potential miRNAs from 88,851 A. gossypii expressed sequence tag sequences. Phylogenetic analyses showed A. gossypii mature miRNAs are highly conserved with respect to other members in the animal kingdom. Functional annotation of the newly predicted miRNAs revealed that the majority of them are involved in the regulation of transcription and signal transduction. With further experimental verification, miRNAs predicted in this study may provide valuable tools for insect pest management in the future.
Micronutrient Changes in Colonies of the AntTemnothorax curvispinosus(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) during the Colony Cycle
Authors: Ashcraft Brent A , Judd Timothy M 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTo gain a better understanding of micronutrient distribution, and how this relates to growth and survival of a social insect colony, this study focused on micronutrient levels within colonies of the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus Mayr during four periods of the colony cycle—1) Pre-Reproductive, Reproductive, Pre-Winter, and Winter. Ten colonies were collected from the ﬁeld monthly and were analyzed for levels of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and Zn. Several overall trends were noted. 1) A general loss of some micronutrients within the workers and queens, and the colony as a whole in the Winter Period. 2) Levels of Mg and Mn increased during the Pre-Reproductive and Reproductive Periods in workers and queens while levels of Ca and Zn only increase in the queens during these periods. 3) Levels of K peaked in the Pre-Winter Period in workers and queens while levels of Na only increased in workers during this period. 4) Levels of Mn were lower in alates than the workers, queens, or brood during the reproductive period. The potential reasons for the observed patterns are discussed.
Oviposition Preference ofBotanophilaFlies (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) Towards Stroma Size ofEpichloë(Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) Hosts
Authors: Górzyńska K , Olszanowski Z , Leuchtmann A , Lembicz M 
Published: February 2014

AbstractStromata of grass-infecting fungi from the genus Epichloë (Clavicipitaceae: Ascomycota) serve as a food source and egg-laying surface for flies of genus Botanophila (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Larger stromata should make it possible for flies to lay more eggs and provide more food to offspring. This hypothesis was tested in four different grass—fungus associations that occur in central Poland. In two of these associations, Epichloë bromicola on Elymus repens and Epichloë typhina on Puccinellia distans, flies showed a preference for longer stromata, and egg density on these stromata was significantly higher than in the other two associations.Anegative correlation between egg density and offspring success was observed in only one association, E. bromicola-El. repens. However, offspring success in this association did not differ significantly from offspring success in associations with lower egg density on the stromata, in which flies showed no preference for the stroma length. Long-term observations (2000–2010) of fly—fungus interaction in the E. typhina—P. distans association showed that fly preference toward stroma length may vary over time but with no clear tendency. No significant correlations were found between the larval density on a stroma and either larval weight or mortality. The results of the current study question our assumptions that egg laying depends on the stroma length and the fate of eggs laid (i.e., their hatching success and the condition, in terms of weight and survival, of the larvae) on egg density. It is possible that flies choose stromata based on attributes other than size.
Effects of Food Plants of Host Herbivores on Development of a Midgut-Resident Tachinid Parasitoid,Compsilura concinnata(Diptera: Tachinidae), and Two Hemocoel-Resident Parasitoids
Authors: Ichiki Ryoko T , Tabata Jun , Nakahara Yuichi , Kainoh Yooichi , Nakamura Satoshi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe tachinid fly Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) parasitizes insect herbivores throughout the larval period and develops in the midgut. Because the fly larva is directly exposed to the host's gut contents, including nutrients and toxic allelochemicals in the plants eaten by the host, it may be more susceptible to variation in the chemistry of the host's food plants. To evaluate this potential disadvantage of midgut parasitism, we compared the influence of foods of the lepidopteran host Mythimna separata (Walker) on the development of endoparasitoids between C. concinnata and two other species, the tachinid Exorista japonica Townsend and the braconid Cotesia kariyai (Watanabe), whose larvae develop in the host's hemocoel. When the parasitized hosts consumed one of four kinds of plants, all three parasitoid species showed a higher survival, a larger body size, and faster development on two natural food plants (maize and sorghum) than on two alternative foods (kidney bean and Japanese radish). Our results suggest that the development of C. concinnata during midgut parasitism was affected by the host's food species, but that the effects did not differ from those for endoparasitoids with hemocoel parasitism.
Revision of the Family Helotidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea): IX. The Culta Species Group and a Checklist of Neohelota Species
Authors: Lee Chi-Feng , Votruba Petr 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Members of the culta species group of the genus Neohelota Ohta are revised. Ten species are recognized, including a new species described herein, N. barclayi sp. nov., from China, India, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The following synonymies are proposed: Helota klapperichiMader, 1955, as a junior synonym of Neohelota chinensis (Mader, 1955); Helota taiwanaOhta, 1929, as a junior synonym of Neohelota boulei (Ritsema, 1915); Helota gestroi Ritsema, 1891, Helota sharpi Ritsema, 1915, Helota similisLee and Satô, 2006, as junior synonyms of Neohelota pusilla (Oberthür, 1883); Helotanotata Ritsema, 1891, and Helota severini Ritsma, 1893, as junior synonyms of Neohelota cula (Olliff, 1883); Helota hopei Ritsema, 1915, as a junior synonym of Neohelota fryi (Ritsema, 1894); Helota olliffii Ritsema, 1899, as a junior synonym of Neohelota boysii (Ritsema, 1889); Helota bretaudeaui Ritsema, 1894, as a junior synonym of Neohelota affinis (Ritsema, 1891); Helota jordanii Ritsema, 1899, and HelotaindicatorRitsema, 1905, as junior synonyms of Neohelota dubia (Ritsema, 1891). Lectotypes are designated for Helota chinensisMader, 1955, H. klapperichi, Helota boulei Ritsema, 1915, Helotaconsanguinea Ritsema, 1915, H. sharpi, H. notata, H. severini, H. olliffii, H. bretaudeaui, and H. jordanii. A key for the culta species group is provided. Illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided for all species.
Comparative Study of the Microanatomy of Four Species of Harvestmen (Opiliones, Eupnoi)
Authors: Rodriguez Andrea L , Townsend Victor R , Proud Daniel N 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMost species descriptions of harvestmen from Central America that belong to the suborder Eupnoi are based on characters such as total body length, relative size of leg segments, coloration of the body and legs, and armature of the eye mound and dorsal scutum. Characters based on reproductive morphology and microanatomical structures are generally absent from most taxonomic works. Not surprisingly, the taxonomy of these harvestmen from this region requires extensive revision. In an effort to identify novel characters, we used scanning electron microscopy to compare the morphology of somatic and reproductive structures of Prionostemma vittatum (Roewer, 1910), Metopilio niger (Goodnight and Goodnight, 1942), and Metopilio ornatipes (Banks, 1909). Specifically, we investigated the morphology of the ocularium, ozopore, dorsal scutum, genital plate, pedipalp, spiracular opening on tibia II, ovipositor, and penis. We compared the morphology of these Neotropical taxa with that of a temperate sclerosomatid species, Leiobunum formosum (Wood, 1870). In general, we observed interspecific variation in the surface texture of the cuticle and the distribution of setae on the body and appendages. Potentially informative characters include cuticular structures associated with the ocularium, anterior propeltidium, meso- and metapeltidium, dorsal scutum, genital plate, pedipalp, and penis. We also observed intersexual variation with respect to morphology of Spicer's tarsal organ and the claw of the pedipalp.
Temperature-Dependent Development of the Five Psyllophagous Ladybird Predators of Agonoscena pistaciae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
Authors: Jalali M Amin , Mehrnejad M Reza , Kontodimas Dimitris C 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The temperature-dependent development of five psyllophagous ladybirds, Adalia bipunctata (L.), Coccinella undecimpunctata aegyptica (Reiche), Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), and Oenopia conglobata contaminata (Menetries) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), was studied on the common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in the laboratory. The lower developmental thresholds for total development (egg to adult) of the predators ranged from 10.9 (O. c. contaminata) to 14°C (C. u. aegyptica). The lowest and highest degree-day (DD) requirement values for total development of the studied cocinellids were estimated for C. u. aegyptica (166.67 DD) and E. nigripennis (344.83 DD), respectively. The optimum temperature for development of the studied ladybirds, calculated using third-order polynomial and Lactin models, was in the range of 27.5–30°C. This study showed that all the five psyllophagous ladybirds successfully complete their development in a wide range of temperatures from 17.5 to 30°C, indicating their high potential for use in biological control programs against A. pistaciae.
Bemisia tabaci(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Species Complex from Cotton Cultivars: A Comparative Study of Population Density, Morphology, and Molecular Variations
Authors: Thomas Asha , Anand Kar , Rebijith K B , Asokan R , Ramamurthy V V 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMorphological and molecular variations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on cotton cultivars having varying trichome density were evaluated at New Delhi, India. The study evaluates the role of host plant nature on puparia and putative species groups of the B. tabaci species complex. More specifically, the study was done to explore the host plant characters and their effect on the population density, morphology of the puparia, and to identify the putative species groups of the B. tabaci species complex occurring on cotton. Population density was observed to be higher in cultivars with less trichome density. Studies on the puparia showed statistically significant variations on different cotton cultivars (P &lt; 0.01), which was supported by scattergraphs derived from principal components and canonical discriminant analysis. Statistical analysis revealed the influence of trichome density on population density of B. tabaci. Sequence analyses using mitochondrial cyctochrome oxidase I confirmed the presence of three putative species Asia 1, Asia II 1, and Asia II 7 on the cultivars of cotton. The current study revealed that genetic variation is not influenced the variations in the trichome density and morphological variation.