bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of learning ability and memory retention in altricial (Bengalese finch, Lonchura striata var. domestica) and precocial (blue‐breasted quail, Coturnix chinensis) birds using a color discrimination task
Authors: Ueno Aki , Suzuki Kaoru 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe present study sought to assess the potential application of avian models with different developmental modes to studies on cognition and neuroscience. Six altricial Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica), and eight precocial blue‐breasted quails (Coturnix chinensis) were presented with color discrimination tasks to compare their respective faculties for learning and memory retention within the context of the two developmental modes. Tasks consisted of presenting birds with discriminative cues in the form of colored feeder lids, and birds were considered to have learned a task when 80% of their attempts at selecting the correctly colored lid in two consecutive blocks of 10 trials were successful. All of the finches successfully performed the required experimental tasks, whereas only half of the quails were able to execute the same tasks. In the learning test, finches required significantly fewer trials than quails to learn the task (finches: 13.5 ± 9.14 trials, quails: 45.8 ± 4.35 trials, P < 0.05), with finches scoring significantly more correct responses than quails (finches: 98.3 ± 4.08%, quails: 85.0 ± 5.77% at the peak of the learning curve). In the memory retention tests, which were conducted 45 days after the learning test, finches retained the ability to discriminate between colors correctly (95.0 ± 4.47%), whereas quails did not retain any memory of the experimental procedure and so could not be tested. These results suggested that altricial and precocial birds both possess the faculty for learning and retaining discrimination‐type tasks, but that altricial birds perform better than precocial birds in both faculties. The present findings imply that developmental mode is an important consideration for assessing the suitability of bird species for particular experiments.
Properties of alkaline‐hydrolyzed waterfowl feather keratin
Authors: Tsuda Yuichi , Nomura Yoshihiro 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe properties of hydrolyzed feather keratin (HFK) were compared to those of hydrolyzed wool keratin (HWK) with the aim of developing better ways to utilize feather keratin waste. Amino acid analysis showed that HFK contained more hydrophobic amino acids did than HWK. Although gel permeation chromatography indicated that HFK and HWK had more low‐molecular weight peptides than their intact sources, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that both hydrolyzed keratins retained their original secondary structure. The physical properties of HFK were evaluated by treating HFK to human hair fibers. HFK treatment enhanced significantly the surface hydrophobicity and strength of fibers, and HFK was more permeable into hair fibers. These results suggest that HFK is suitable for industrial applications to improve fibers. In addition, HFK may be suitable for raw material of products requiring both flexibility and hydrophobicity, such as films and biodegradable plastics.
Compound Eye Miniaturization in Lepidoptera: a comparative morphological analysis
Authors: Fischer Stefan , Meyer‐Rochow Victor Benno , Müller Carsten H. G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSuperposition and apposition compound eyes are commonly associated with moths and butterflies, respectively. However, recently intermediate eye designs, combining features of both apposition and superposition eyes were found in tiny insects. Here, we examine the eyes of 12 species of moth, ranging from 1.88 to 6.03 mm body size, by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Correlations between body and eye sizes are discussed with regard to the eyes' functionality. Although all of the species shared an ommatidial organization characteristic of pterygote insects, three optical designs were found: (a) an apposition eye, (b) an eye resembling apposition eyes, but with a unique crystalline cone, and (c) an eye intermediate in structure between apposition and superposition eyes. Our comparisons also revealed a new type of basal matrix for the Lepidoptera. The results show that in most of the examined compound eyes (with the exception of the apposition eye of Micropterix aruncella), a clear distinction between apposition and superposition eyes is not feasible. Due to functional morphological constraints as a consequence of miniaturization, evolutionary transformations from superposition into apposition optics may have occurred several times independently in various ‘microlepidopteran’ taxa. The Phyllonorycter medicaginella eye appears to illustrate this evolutionary scenario best.
A Natural Robustification of the Ordinary Instrumental Variables Estimator
Authors: Freue Gabriela V. Cohen , Ortiz‐Molina Hernan , Zamar Ruben H. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryInstrumental variables estimators are designed to provide consistent parameter estimates for linear regression models when some covariates are correlated with the error term. We propose a new robust instrumental variables estimator (RIV) which is a natural robustification of the ordinary instrumental variables estimator (OIV). Specifically, we construct RIV using a robust multivariate location and scatter S‐estimator to robustify the solution of the estimating equations that define OIV. RIV is computationally inexpensive and readily available for applications through the R‐library riv. It has attractive robustness and asymptotic properties, including high resilience to outliers, bounded influence function, consistency under weak distributional assumptions, asymptotic normality under mild regularity conditions, and equivariance. We further endow RIV with an iterative algorithm which allows for the estimation of models with endogenous continuous covariates and exogenous dummy covariates. We study the performance of RIV when the data contains outliers using an extensive Monte Carlo simulation study and by applying it to a limited‐access dataset from the Framingham Heart Study‐Cohort to estimate the effect of long‐term systolic blood pressure on left atrial size.
On Population Size Estimators in the Poisson Mixture Model
Authors: Mao Chang Xuan , Yang Nan , Zhong Jinhua 
Published: July 2013

SummaryEstimating population sizes via capture–recapture experiments has enormous applications. The Poisson mixture model can be adopted for those applications with a single list in which individuals appear one or more times. We compare several nonparametric estimators, including the Chao estimator, the Zelterman estimator, two jackknife estimators and the bootstrap estimator. The target parameter of the Chao estimator is a lower bound of the population size. Those of the other four estimators are not lower bounds, and they may produce lower confidence limits for the population size with poor coverage probabilities. A simulation study is reported and two examples are investigated.
Mortality and complications after prostate biopsy in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial
Authors: Pinsky Paul F. , Parnes Howard L. , Andriole Gerald 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To examine mortality and morbidity after prostate biopsy in the intervention arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial.
Subjects and Methods
Abstractors from the PLCO trial recorded the types and dates of diagnostic follow‐up procedures after positive screens and documented the types and dates of resultant complications. Cancers and deaths among the participants were tracked.
The mortality rate in the 120‐day period after prostate biopsy was compared with a control rate of deaths in the 120‐day period after a negative screen in men without biopsy.
Multivariate analysis was performed to control for potential confounders, including age, comorbidities and smoking.
Rates of any complication, infectious and non‐infectious complications were computed among men with a negative biopsy. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the risk factors for complications.
Results
Of the 37 345 men enrolled in the PLCO trial (intervention arm), 4861 had at least one biopsy after a positive screen and 28 661 had a negative screen and no biopsy.
The 120‐day mortality rate after biopsy was 0.95 (per 1000), compared with the control group rate of 1.8; the multivariate relative risk was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.2–1.1).
Among 3706 negative biopsies, the rates (per 1000) of any complication, infectious and non‐infections complications were 20.2, 7.8 and 13.0, respectively.
A history of prostate enlargement or inflammation was significantly associated with higher rates of both infectious (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7) and non‐infectious (OR = 2.2) complications. Black race was associated with a higher infectious complications rate (OR = 7.1) and repeat biopsy was associated with lower rates of non‐infectious complications (OR = 0.3).
Conclusion
Mortality rates were not found to be higher after prostate biopsy in the PLCO trial and complications were relatively infrequent, with several risk factors identified.
Extended vs non‐extended pelvic lymph node dissection and their influence on recurrence‐free survival in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Bi Liangkuan , Huang Hai , Fan Xinxiang , Li Kaiwen , Xu Kewei , Jiang Chun , Liu Hao , Dong Wen , Zhang Simin , Yang Xiangyun , Lin Tianxin , Huang Jian 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To compare extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) with non‐extended pelvic lymph node dissection (non‐ePLND) and assess their influence on recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.
Methods
Through a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases in September 2012, we performed a systematic review and cumulative meta‐analysis of all comparative studies assessing the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and its influence on RFS.
Results
Six studies with a total of 2824 patients were identified.
Overall analysis showed a significantly better RFS rate in patients who had undergone ePLND than in those who had undergone non‐ePLND (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.65; P < 0.001).
A subgroup analysis found that, compared with non‐ePLND, ePLND was associated with a better RFS rate for both patients with negative lymph nodes (HR: 0.68; P = 0.007) and those with positive lymph nodes (HR: 0.58; P < 0.001). When stratified by pathological T stage, ePLND provided additional RFS benefits for patients with pT3–4 disease (HR: 0.61; P < 0.001), but not for patients with ≤pT2 disease (HR: 0.95; P = 0.81).
Conclusions
The results of this meta‐analysis indicate that ePLND provides a RFS benefit compared with non‐ePLND. On subgroup analysis, ePLND provides better RFS not only for patients who had positive lymph nodes and pT3–4 disease, but also for patients with negative lymph nodes.
Two randomized controlled trials on ePLND vs non‐ePLND are awaited which should provide more clinically meaningful results.
A Longitudinal Study of Lexical Development in Children Learning Vietnamese and English
Authors: Pham Giang , Kohnert Kathryn 
Published: July 2013

This longitudinal study modeled lexical development among children who spoke Vietnamese as a first language (L1) and English as a second language (L2). Participants (n = 33, initial mean age of 7.3 years) completed a total of eight tasks (four in each language) that measured vocabulary knowledge and lexical processing at four yearly time points. Multivariate hierarchical linear modeling was used to calculate L1 and L2 trajectories within the same model for each task. Main findings included (a) positive growth in each language, (b) greater gains in English resulting in shifts toward L2 dominance, and (c) different patterns for receptive and expressive domains. Timing of shifts to L2 dominance underscored L1 skills that are resilient and vulnerable to increases in L2 proficiency.
The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF treatment
Authors: An Yuan , Sun Zhuangzhuang , Zhang Yajuan , Liu Bin , Guan Yuanyuan , Lu Meisong 
Published: July 2013

SummaryObjectivePrevious studies have indicated that berberine is an effective insulin sensitizer with comparable activity to metformin (Diabetes 2006, 55, 2256). Reduced insulin sensitivity is reportedly a factor adversely affecting the outcome of IVF in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Human Reproduction 2006, 21, 1416). Our objective was to evaluate the clinical, metabolic and endocrine effects of berberine vs metformin in PCOS women scheduled for IVF treatment and to explore the potential benefits to the IVF process.DesignWe performed a prospective study in 150 infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. Patients were randomized to receive berberine, metformin or placebo tablets for 3 months before ovarian stimulation.MeasurementsThe clinical, endocrine, metabolic parameters and the outcome of IVF.ResultsCompared with placebo, greater reductions in total testosterone, free androgen index, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR, and increases in SHBG, were observed in the berberine and metformin groups. Three months of treatment with berberine or metformin before the IVF cycle increased the pregnancy rate and reduced the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, treatment with berberine, in comparison with metformin, was associated with decreases in BMI, lipid parameters and total FSH requirement, and an increase in live birth rate with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events.ConclusionsBerberine and metformin treatments prior to IVF improved the pregnancy outcome by normalizing the clinical, endocrine and metabolic parameters in PCOS women. Berberine has a more pronounced therapeutic effect and achieved more live births with fewer side effects than metformin.
Cortisol secretion from adrenal adenomas discovered as incidentalomas is responsive to ACTH
Authors: Olsen Henrik , Olofsson Li , Mjöman Mattias 
Published: July 2013

SummaryObjectiveAdrenal adenomas discovered as incidentalomas may secrete cortisol and cause subclinical hypercortisolism. This cortisol secretion is considered to be autonomous. The aim was to investigate whether cortisol secretion by adenomas is responsive to ACTH.DesignDescriptive retrospective study of consecutive patients.PatientsEighty patients found to have adrenal incidentalomas during 2008 and 2009 at our hospital were examined, and 50 patients with a unilateral adenoma were included in the study.MeasurementsCortisol and ACTH were measured at baseline and using 1‐mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST). The cortisol response to ACTH was calculated using the expression: (cortisolbasal‐cortisolDST)/(ACTHbasal‐ACTHDST).ResultsThe patients were divided into three groups according to their basal ACTH: ≥3·0 pm (29 patients), 2·0–2·9 pm (9 patients) and <2·0 pm (12 patients). Cortisol at DST was similar in the three groups: 30, 46 and 43 nm (P = 0·10). The cortisol response to ACTH increased stepwise between the groups: 98, 172 and 249 nm/pm (P = 0·000, undetectable ACTH was set to 0 pm). Basal ACTH was negatively correlated with the size of the adenoma and positively correlated with the attenuation of the adenoma at unenhanced CT (P = 0·03 and P = 0·04, respectively).ConclusionsPatients with adrenal adenomas and low basal ACTH show increased cortisol response to ACTH, and the adenomas seem to be the source of the increased cortisol secretion. The increased response to ACTH could be a pathogenic factor in metabolic complications of subclinical hypercortisolism. The cortisol response to ACTH may therefore be a useful measure of subclinical hypercortisolism.
Novel DEPDC5 mutations causing familial focal epilepsy with variable foci identified
Authors: Kaur A 
Published: July 2013

Mutations in DEPDC5 cause familial focal epilepsy with variable fociDibbens et al. (2013)Nature Genetics 45: 546–551.Mutations of DEPDC5 cause autosomal dominant focal epilepsiesIshida et al. (2013)Nature Genetics 45: 552–555.
Long‐term results of a three arms prospective cohort study on implants in periodontally compromised patients: 10‐year data around sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA) surface
Authors: Roccuzzo Mario , Bonino Luca , Dalmasso Paola , Aglietta Marco 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the long‐term outcomes of sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA) implants in patients previously treated for periodontitis and in periodontally healthy patients (PHP).Material and methodsOne hundred and forty‐nine partially edentulous patients were consecutively enrolled in private specialist practice and divided into three groups according to their periodontal condition: PHP, moderately periodontally compromised patients (PCP) and severely PCP. Implants were placed to support fixed prostheses, after successful completion of initial periodontal therapy. At the end of active periodontal treatment (APT), patients were asked to follow an individualized supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) program. Diagnosis and treatment of peri‐implant biological complications were performed according to cumulative interceptive supportive therapy (CIST). At 10 years, clinical and radiographic measures were recorded by two calibrated operators, blind to the initial patient classification, on 123 patients, as 26 were lost to follow up. The number of sites treated according to therapy modalities C and D (antibiotics and/or surgery) during the 10 years was registered.ResultsSix implants were removed for biological complications. The implant survival rate was 100% for PHP, 96.9% for moderate PCP and 97.1% for severe PCP. Antibiotic and/or surgical therapy was performed in 18.8% of cases in PHP, in 52.2% of cases in moderate PCP and in 66.7% cases in severe PCP, with a statistically significant differences between PHP and both PCP groups. At 10 years, the percentage of implants, with at least one site that presented a PD ≥ 6 mm, was, respectively, 0% for PHP, 9.4% for moderate PCP and 10.8% for severe PCP, with a statistically significant difference between PHP and both PCP groups.ConclusionsThis study shows that SLA implants, placed under a strict periodontal control, offer predictable long‐term results. Nevertheless, patients with a history of periodontitis, who did not fully adhere to the SPT, presented a statistically significant higher number of sites that required additional surgical and/or antibiotic treatment. Therefore, patients should be informed, from the beginning, of the value of the SPT in enhancing long‐term outcomes of implant therapy, particularly those affected by periodontitis.
Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia
Authors: BERGER JOEL , BUUVEIBAATAR BAYARBAATAR , MISHRA CHARUDUTT 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAs drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere.Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central
Insights for Integrated Conservation from Attitudes of People toward Protected Areas Near Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Authors: GUERBOIS CHLOE , DUFOUR ANNE‐BEATRICE , MTARE GODFREY , FRITZ HERVE 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIncrease in human settlements at the edge of protected areas (PAs) is perceived as a major threat to conservation of biodiversity. Although it is crucial to integrate the interests of surrounding communities into PA management, key drivers of changes in local populations and the effects of conservation on local livelihoods and perceptions remain poorly understood. We assessed population changes from 1990 to 2010 in 9 villages located between 2 PAs with different management policies (access to natural resources or not). We conducted semi‐directive interviews at the household level (n =217) to document reasons for settlement in the area and villager's attitudes toward the PAs. We examined drivers of these attitudes relative to household typology, feelings about conservation, and concerns for the future with mixed linear models. Population increased by 61% from 2000 to 2010, a period of political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Forty‐seven percent of immigrants were attracted by the area; others had been resettled from other villages or were returning to family lands. Attitudes toward PAs were generally positive, but immigrants attracted by the area and who used resources within the PA with fewer restrictions expressed more negative attitudes toward PAs. Household location, losses due to wild animals, and restrictions on access to natural resources were the main drivers of this negative attitude. Profit‐seeking migrants did not expect these constraints and were particularly concerned with local overpopulation and access to natural resources. To avoid socio‐ecological traps near PAs (i.e., unforeseen reduced adaptive capacity) integrated conservation should address mismatches between management policy and local expectations. This requires accounting for endogenous processes, for example, local socio‐ecological dynamics and values that shape the coexistence between humans and wildlife.Percepciones para Conservación Integrada a Partir de las Actitudes de las Personas hacia Áreas Protegidas cerca del Parque Nacional Hwangem Zimbabwe