bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of tree and mammal communities during large‐scale forest regeneration in Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Omeja Patrick A. , Lawes Michael J. , Corriveau Amélie , Valenta Kim , Sarkar Dipto , Paim Fernanda Pozzan , Chapman Colin A.
Published: November 2016

Tropical landscapes are changing rapidly as a result of human modifications; however, despite increasing deforestation, human population growth, and the need for more agricultural land, deforestation rates have exceeded the rate at which land is converted to cropland or pasture. For deforested lands to have conservation value requires an understanding of regeneration rates of vegetation, the rates at which animals colonize and grow in regenerating areas, and the nature of interactions between plants and animals in the specific region. Here, we present data on forest regeneration and animal abundance at four regenerating sites that had reached the stage of closed canopy forest where the average dbh of the trees was 17 cm. Overall, 20.3 percent of stems were wind‐dispersed species and 79.7 percent were animal‐dispersed species, while in the old‐growth forest 17.3 percent of the stems were wind‐dispersed species. The regenerating forest supported a substantial primate population and encounter rate (groups per km walked) in the regenerating sites was high compared to the neighboring old‐growth forests. By monitoring elephant tracks for 10 yr, we demonstrated that elephant numbers increased steadily over time, but they increased dramatically since 2004. In general, the richness of the mammal community detected by sight, tracks, feces, and/or camera traps, was high in regenerating forests compared to that documented for the national park. We conclude that in Africa, a continent that has seen dramatic declines in the area of old‐growth forest, there is ample opportunity to reclaim degraded areas and quickly restore substantial animal populations.
Natural regeneration as a tool for large‐scale forest restoration in the tropics: prospects and challenges
Authors: Chazdon Robin L. , Guariguata Manuel R.
Published: November 2016

A major global effort to enable cost‐effective natural regeneration is needed to achieve ambitious forest and landscape restoration goals. Natural forest regeneration can potentially play a major role in large‐scale landscape restoration in tropical regions. Here, we focus on the conditions that favor natural regeneration within tropical forest landscapes. We illustrate cases where large‐scale natural regeneration followed forest clearing and non‐forest land use, and describe the social and ecological factors that drove these local forest transitions. The self‐organizing processes that create naturally regenerating forests and natural regeneration in planted forests promote local genetic adaptation, foster native species with known traditional uses, create spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and sustain local biodiversity and biotic interactions. These features confer greater ecosystem resilience in the face of future shocks and disturbances. We discuss economic, social, and legal issues that challenge natural regeneration in tropical landscapes. We conclude by suggesting ways to enable natural regeneration to become an effective tool for implementing large‐scale forest and landscape restoration. Major research and policy priorities include: identifying and modeling the ecological and economic conditions where natural regeneration is a viable and favorable land‐use option, developing monitoring protocols for natural regeneration that can be carried out by local communities, and developing enabling incentives, governance structures, and regulatory conditions that promote the stewardship of naturally regenerating forests. Aligning restoration goals and practices with natural regeneration can achieve the best possible outcome for achieving multiple social and environmental benefits at minimal cost.
Balancing economic costs and ecological outcomes of passive and active restoration in agricultural landscapes: the case of Brazil
Authors: Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Schweizer Daniella , Gaudare Ulysse , Mangueira Julia R. , Lamonato Fernando , Farah Fabiano T. , Nave André G. , Rodrigues Ricardo R.
Published: November 2016

Forest restoration requires strategies such as passive restoration to balance financial investments and ecological outcomes. However, the ecological outcomes of passive restoration are traditionally regarded as uncertain. We evaluated technical and legal strategies for balancing economic costs and ecological outcomes of passive versus active restoration in agricultural landscapes. We focused in the case of Brazil, where we assessed the factors driving the proportion of land allocated to passive and active restoration in 42 programs covering 698,398 hectares of farms in the Atlantic Forest, Atlantic Forest/cerrado ecotone and Amazon; the ecological outcomes of passive and active restoration in 2955 monitoring plots placed in six restoration programs; and the legal framework developed by some Brazilian states to balance the different restoration approaches and comply with legal commitments. Active restoration had the highest proportion of land allocated to it (78.4%), followed by passive (14.2%) and mixed restoration (7.4%). Passive restoration was higher in the Amazon, in silviculture, and when remaining forest cover was over 50 percent. Overall, both restoration approaches showed high levels of variation in the ecological outcomes; nevertheless, passively restored areas had a smaller percentage canopy cover, lower species density, and less shrubs and trees (dbh > 5 cm). The studied legal frameworks considered land abandonment for up to 4 years before deciding on a restoration approach, to favor the use of passive restoration. A better understanding of the biophysical and socioeconomic features of areas targeted for restoration is needed to take a better advantage of their natural regeneration potential.
Co‐benefits of biodiversity and carbon sequestration from regenerating secondary forests in the Philippine uplands: implications for forest landscape restoration
Authors: Mukul Sharif A. , Herbohn John , Firn Jennifer
Published: November 2016

Shifting cultivation is a widespread practice in tropical forested areas that policy makers often regard as the major cause of forest degradation. Secondary fallow forests regrowing after shifting cultivation are generally not viewed as suitable for biodiversity conservation and carbon retention. Drawing upon our research in the Philippines and other relevant case studies, we compared the biodiversity and carbon sequestration in recovering secondary forests after shifting cultivation to other land uses that commonly follow shifting cultivation. Regenerating secondary forests had higher biodiversity than fast growing timber plantations and other restoration options available in the area. Some old plantations, however, provided carbon benefits comparable the old growth forest, although their biodiversity was less than that of the regenerating forests. Our study demonstrates that secondary forests regrowing after shifting cultivation have a high potential for biodiversity and carbon sequestration co‐benefits, representing an effective strategy for forest management and restoration in countries where they are common and where the forest is an integral part of rural people's livelihoods. We discuss the issues and potential mechanisms through which such dynamic land use can be incorporated into development projects that are currently financing the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of tropical forests.
Can future disease activity in multiple sclerosis be predicted by characteristics of T cell subsets?
Authors: Niino Masaaki
Published: November 2016

Clinical predictive markers for future relapses and disease prognosis have not been established in multiple sclerosis. Song et al. reported a correlation between several pro‐inflammatory cytokine‐producing T cells in remission phase and annualized relapse rates, and discussed their potential as predictive markers of disease activity.
Trait space of rare plants in a fire‐dependent ecosystem
Authors: Ames Gregory M. , Wall Wade A. , Hohmann Matthew G. , Wright Justin P.
Published: November 2016

The causes of species rarity are of critical concern because of the high extinction risk associated with rarity. Studies examining individual rare species have limited generality, whereas trait‐based approaches offer a means to identify functional causes of rarity that can be applied to communities with disparate species pools. Differences in functional traits between rare and common species may be indicative of the functional causes of species rarity and may therefore be useful in crafting species conservation strategies. However, there is a conspicuous lack of studies comparing the functional traits of rare species and co‐occurring common species. We measured 18 important functional traits for 19 rare and 134 common understory plant species from North Carolina's Sandhills region and compared their trait distributions to determine whether there are significant functional differences that may explain species rarity. Flowering, fire, and tissue‐chemistry traits differed significantly between rare and common, co‐occurring species. Differences in specific traits suggest that fire suppression has driven rarity in this system and that changes to the timing and severity of prescribed fire may improve conservation success. Our method provides a useful tool to prioritize conservation efforts in other systems based on the likelihood that rare species are functionally capable of persisting.
Comparison of dynamic magnetic resonance defaecography with rectal contrast and conventional defaecography for posterior pelvic floor compartment prolapse
Authors: van Iersel J. J. , Formijne Jonkers H. A. , Verheijen P. M. , Broeders I. A. M. J. , Heggelman B. G. F. , Sreetharan V. , Fütterer J. J. , Somers I. , van der Leest M. , Consten E. C. J.
Published: November 2016

Aim

This study compared the diagnostic capabilities of dynamic magnetic resonance defaecography (D‐MRI) with conventional defaecography (CD, reference standard) in patients with symptoms of prolapse of the posterior compartment of the pelvic floor.

Method

Forty‐five consecutive patients underwent CD and D‐MRI. Outcome measures were the presence or absence of rectocele, enterocele, intussusception, rectal prolapse and the descent of the anorectal junction on straining, measured in millimetres. Cohen's Kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the positive and negative likelihood ratio of D‐MRI were compared with CD. Cohen's Kappa and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated and regression analysis was performed to determine inter‐observer agreement.

Results

Forty‐one patients were available for analysis. D‐MRI underreported rectocele formation with a difference in prevalence (CD 77.8% vs D‐MRI 55.6%), mean protrusion (26.4 vs 22.7 mm, P = 0.039) and 11 false negative results, giving a low sensitivity of 0.62 and a NPV of 0.31. For the diagnosis of enterocele, D‐MRI was inferior to CD, with five false negative results, giving a low sensitivity of 0.17 and high specificity (1.0) and PPV (1.0). Nine false positive intussusceptions were seen on D‐MRI with only two missed.

Conclusion

The accuracy of D‐MRI for diagnosing rectocele and enterocele is less than that of CD. D‐MRI, however, appears superior to CD in identifying intussusception. D‐MRI and CD are complementary imaging techniques in the evaluation of patients with symptoms of prolapse of the posterior compartment.
Adipocytes enhance expression of osteoclast adhesion‐related molecules through the CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling pathway
Authors: Luo Tingting , Liu Hongrui , Feng Wei , Liu Di , Du Juan , Sun Jing , Wang Wei , Han Xiuchun , Guo Jie , Amizuka Norio , Li Xianqi , Li Minqi
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of adipocytes on osteoclast adhesion‐related molecules.

Materials and methods

ST2 cells, a cloned stromal cell line from mouse bone marrow, able to differentiate into adipocytes, were cultured in serum‐free α‐MEM which was then collected to be used as adipocyte‐conditioned medium (ADIPO CM). RAW264.7 cells were cultured in ADIPO CM in the presence of RANKL, and bone marrow‐derived macrophages were cultured in ADIPO CM in the presence of RANKL and macrophage‐colony stimulating factor to induce osteoclast differentiation. TRAP staining, resorption pit assay, qRT‐PCR and western blotting assays were performed.

Results

ELISAs revealed that CXCL12 was abundant in ADIPO CM and CCK‐8 assay revealed no proliferation of RAW264.7 cells after exogenous CXCL12 treatment. ADIPO CM enhanced osteoclast formation and resorption, both by RAW264.7 cells and BMMs. In addition, exogenous CXCL12 efficiently potentiated formation of TRAP‐positive osteoclast and resorption by RAW264.7 cells. Western blotting and qRT‐PCR suggested that ADIPO CM or combined treatment with exogenous CXCL12 caused significant increase in expression of NFAT2, src and osteoclast adhesion‐related molecules, including β3 integrin, CD44 and osteopontin. However, these promotional effects were largely abrogated on treatment of AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist.

Conclusions

Adipocytes promoted osteoclast differentiation, function and expression of adhesion‐related molecules through the CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling pathway.
836. PSEUDOTSUGA JAPONICA
Authors: Ohashi Hiroyoshi
Published: November 2016

Pseudotsuga japonica (Shiras.) Beissn. is described and illustrated. The species is endemic to Japan growing in limited areas in the southern central Honshu and eastern Shikoku. The history of its discovery, and present distribution and ecology are provided.
An examination of how alcohol brands use sport to engage consumers on social media
Authors: Westberg Kate , Stavros Constantino , Smith Aaron C.T. , Munro Geoff , Argus Kevin
Published: November 2016

Introduction and Aims

To examine how alcohol brands use sport in their communication activities on social media. Despite extensive research exploring alcohol advertising and sponsorship through sport, minimal attention has been given to digital platforms.

Design and Methods

This study undertakes a qualitative content analysis to examine the social media activity of alcohol brands sponsoring the three largest spectator sports in Australia: Australian rules football, rugby league and cricket.

Results

Four sport‐related social media strategies are identified through which alcohol brands solicit interaction with consumers, often involving co‐creation of content and social activation. These strategies act as ‘calls to action’ and through the association of sport and alcohol encourage consumers to engage in competition, collaboration, celebration and consumption. These strategies are further strengthened by communications which draw upon themes of identity and camaraderie to resonate with the consumer.

Discussion and Conclusions

Sport‐linked social media strategies utilised by alcohol brands extend beyond just promoting their product. They seek higher levels of engagement with the consumer to amplify and augment the connection between alcohol and the sport spectator experience. The discussion highlights the powerful combination of sport and social media as a mechanism by which these brands seek to interact with consumers and encourage them to both create and promote content to their social networks. These strategies allow alcohol brands to extend their marketing efforts in a manner which can elude alcohol codes and prove difficult for regulators to identify and control. [Westberg K, Stavros C, Smith ACT, Munro G, Argus K. An examination of how alcohol brands use sport to engage consumers on social media. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:28–35]
Pathogenesis and clinical presentation of rosacea as a key for a symptom‐oriented therapy
Authors: Reinholz M , Ruzicka T , Steinhoff M , Schaller M , Gieler U , Schöfer H , Homey B , Lehmann P , Luger TA
Published: November 2016

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that typically occurs in adults and affects the face. Synonyms of rosacea include “acne rosacea”, “couperose” and “facial erythrosis”, in German also “Kupferfinne” and “Rotfinne”. The disorder is characterised by a chronic and flaring course and is caused by a genetically predisposed, multifactorial process. A higher incidence is seen in people with fair skin and a positive family history. The characteristic rosacea symptoms manifest primarily, but not exclusively centrofacially, with forehead, nose, chin and cheeks significantly affected. Based on the various main symptoms a classification of the individual clinical pictures can be performed. However, a classification often does not reflect the clinical reality, since the various symptoms commonly coexist. The present review provides an introduction on pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of rosacea and prefers a symptom‐oriented therapy approach.
Rosacea Management: Update on general measures and topical treatment options
Authors: Schaller M , Schöfer H , Homey B , Hofmann M , Gieler U , Lehmann P , Luger TA , Ruzicka T , Steinhoff M
Published: November 2016

Although there is presently no cure for rosacea, there are several recommended treatment options available to control many of the symptoms and to prevent them from getting worse. In addition to self‐help measures like avoidance of trigger factors and proper skin care, rosacea management should include topical medications as one of the first‐line choices for patients with erythematous and mild to severe papulopustular rosacea. Since mixed forms of characteristic rosacea symptoms are more common, medical treatment must be symptom‐tailored for each individual case and will often involve a combination therapy. Approved topical agents for the major symptoms of rosacea encompass brimonidine for erythema and ivermectin, metronidazole or azelaic acid for inflammatory lesions, all of which have shown their efficacy in numerous valid, well‐controlled trials. In addition, there are several other, not approved topical treatments which are possible options that require further validation in larger well‐controlled studies.
Physical modalities for the treatment of rosacea
Authors: Hofmann Maja A. , Lehmann Percy
Published: November 2016

Rosacea is characterised by a wide variety of vascular changes. Apart from telangiectasia and erythema, often so‐called flushing occurs. These vascular abnormalities can be targeted with specific light and laser devices. In addition to KTP laser, pulsed dye laser (PDL) and Nd:YAG laser, also intense pulsed light devices (IPLs) are used. The described therapeutic effects include the reduction of vascular abnormalities and even improvement of papulopustular changes. While the KTP laser shows very good results in telangiectasia, the dye laser and IPL devices are used preferably in erythema. The Nd:YAG laser is also a possibility for patients with telangiectasia and erythema. However, compared to the other laser and light devices the Nd:YAG laser carries the highest risk of unpredictable scarring.

Phymatous changes are another clinical manifestation of rosacea, mostly affecting the nose (rhinophyma). Moderate and severe cases are commonly treated with ablation modalities. Traditional surgery is a treatment option, but is often associated with major intraoperative bleeding. Alternative methods include electrosurgery and dermabrasion, although both methods can cause scarring. Newer methods such as CO2 laser ablation, possibly in combination with the erbium:YAG laser, are safe alternatives with a lower risk of complications.
Physikalische Methoden zur Behandlung der Rosazea
Authors: Hofmann Maja A. , Lehmann Percy
Published: November 2016

Die Rosazea ist durch vielfältige vaskuläre Veränderungen gekennzeichnet. Neben Teleangiektasien und Erythemen treten häufig auch sogenannte „Flushings“ auf. Haupteinsatzgebiete von Licht‐ und Lasersystemen sind diese vaskulären Veränderungen, wie Erytheme und Teleangiektasien. Neben dem KTP‐Laser, dem Farbstofflaser (PDL) und dem Nd:YAG‐Laser kommen auch Blitzlampen (IPL) zum Einsatz. Neben der Rückbildung der vaskulären Komponente, ist auch eine Verbesserung der papulopustulösen Komponente beschrieben. Während der KTP‐Laser sehr gute Ergebnisse bei Teleangiektasien zeigt, werden der Farbstofflaser und die Blitzlampen bevorzugt bei flächigen Erythemen eingesetzt. Der ND:YAG‐Laser kann bei Teleangiektasien und Erythemen eingesetzt werden, birgt aber von allen Systemen das nicht einschätzbare Narbenbildungsrisiko in sich.

Die Bildung von Phymen stellt eine klinische Ausprägung der Rosazea dar. Das am häufigsten vorkommende ist das Rhinophym. Bei moderaten und schweren Formen steht die Abtragung im Vordergrund. Die klassische chirurgische Abtragung stellt eine Möglichkeit zur Behandlung dar, häufig kommt es hierbei jedoch intraoperativ zu stärkeren Blutungen. Alternativmethode ist die Elektrochirurgie und die Dermabrasion, wobei bei beiden Methoden Narbenbildungen auftreten können. Neuere Methoden wie die CO2‐Laserabtragung, eventuell in Kombination mit der Erbium:YAG‐Abtragung, stellen sichere und komplikationsärmere Varianten dar.
Topography of the Andes Mountains shapes the wintering distribution of a migratory bird
Authors: González‐Prieto Ana M. , Bayly Nicholas J. , Colorado Gabriel J. , Hobson Keith A.
Published: November 2016

Aim

In birds, patterns of migratory connectivity are influenced by landscape structure experienced throughout the annual cycle. Assessing how landscape patterns drive the movements and distributions of migratory species is important for understanding the evolution of migration and determining conservation priorities. We determined migratory connectivity in the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis), a declining Neotropical migratory bird, and evaluated the degree to which the Andean mountains influence winter population distribution in this montane forest specialist.

Location

Seven study regions across the Western, Central, and Eastern Andes of Colombia.

Methods

We inferred breeding and natal origins of Canada Warblers overwintering in Colombia by analysing stable hydrogen isotope values (δ2H) in feathers and assigning wintering populations to breeding origins using an established feather δ2H isoscape for North America.

Results

We found strong evidence for parallel migration between breeding and wintering sites, giving rise to moderately strong migratory connectivity between breeding and wintering regions. The model best explaining population distribution in the Colombian Andes implied that populations were most similar within basins or valleys. Such segregation is notable, given that basins are separated by less than 300 km on the wintering grounds, while breeding populations may be separated by more than 3000 km from east to west.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that the high spine of each Andean cordillera acts to shape the winter distribution of individuals from different breeding populations. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that the topography of the Andean mountains can act to shape the winter distribution of populations of a migratory bird. The strength of migratory connectivity found in Canada Warblers may inhibit evolutionary responses to environmental change, and the more rapid population declines recorded in some eastern breeding populations may be related to habitat loss and local environmental conditions in the Eastern Andes, where individuals from these populations were more likely to overwinter.
DDW 2016 review: Advances in therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Chan Shannon Melissa , Yeung Baldwin , Chiu Philip Wai Yan
Published: November 2016

This is a review of the abstracts presented at Digestive Disease Week 2016, 21–24 May 2016 in San Diego, CA, USA, focusing on novel advances in therapeutic endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Roles and competences for educators of undergraduate dental students: a discussion paper
Authors: Chuenjitwongsa S. , Bullock A. , Oliver R. G.
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Dental educators are important people who contribute to the development of every aspect of dental education. In part due to the lack of understanding of their roles and competences, dental educator development has so far received little consideration. With the aim of enhancing the dental profession's contribution to the development of undergraduate dental education, this article explores common roles of educators of undergraduate dental students and the competences needed to be effective educators.

Methods

This is a discussion paper based on a wide reading of the literature on the education of health professionals with a specific focus on roles and competences of educators.

Results and discussion

Roles of educators of undergraduate dental students typically encompass four areas: teaching, research, administration and providing healthcare. Educators may not be involved in every role; they normally perform the roles relevant to their work contexts. Competences for dental educators based on the four main roles comprise 12 domains: educational theories and principles; modes of education; learner issues; educational materials and instructional design; assessment and feedback; curriculum matters; evaluation; educational research; educational management; quality assurance; patient care and healthcare system and professionalism. Not all competences are required by all educators although educators need to be competent in the areas related to their roles and duties.

Conclusion

Understanding the roles and competences for educators of undergraduate dental students can help individual educators to improve their personal effectiveness and institutions to tailor staff development programmes appropriate to the needs of their staff. Faculty development contributes to sustained enhancement of undergraduate dental education.
Variability of the Pacific North Equatorial Current and its implications on Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) larval migration
Authors: Hsu Ango C. , Xue Huijie , Chai Fei , Xiu Peng , Han Yu‐San
Published: November 2016

The zonal velocity produced by a Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS)‐based Pacific Ocean circulation model was validated against in situ measurements along the 137°E longitude. The Pacific model successfully reproduced the position and the shape of the North Equatorial Current (NEC) as well as the latitude of maximum surface velocity in the NEC region (8–17°N). The flow field produced by the Pacific model was then used to conduct numerical Lagrangian experiments, in which passive particles were released along a transect (142.5°E, 12.5–17°N) that traverses the known Japanese eel spawning area, and the effects of NEC strength and bifurcation latitude on the particle advection in the northwest Pacific were studied. Our results suggest that, in the 20‐yr period (1993–2012), the variability of the currents alone can cause interannual variability of one order of magnitude in the Kuroshio Entrance (KE), the percentage of particles entering the Kuroshio, the range of which varies from 43% in 1997 to 6% in 2012. The yearly‐averaged KE is not sensitive to the NEC bifurcation latitude. Instead, it is controlled by the average zonal velocity of a fixed domain (125–143°E, 13.5–17°N) and related to a recently‐developed climate index, the Philippines–Taiwan Oscillation (PTO). During the positive phase of the PTO, the zonal velocity in the domain, hence the yearly‐averaged KE, increases, and the opposite is true in the negative phase of the PTO. Considering only the trajectories, diel vertical migrations (DVM) in the top 400 m do not significantly affect Japanese eel larval transport, as incorporating DVM schemes does not increase the KE.
Regional Coverage Maximization: Alternative Geographical Space Abstraction and Modeling
Authors: Tong Daoqin , Wei Ran
Published: November 2016

Analysis results are often found to vary with the way we abstract geographical space. When continuous geographic phenomena are abstracted, processed, and stored in a digital environment, some level of discretization is often employed. Information loss in a discretization process brings about uncertainty/error, and as a result research findings may be highly dependent on the particular discretization method used. This article examines one spatial problem concerning how to achieve the maximal regional coverage given a limited number of service facilities. Two widely used geographical space abstraction approaches are examined, the point‐based representation and the area‐based representation, and issues associated with each representation scheme are analyzed. To accommodate the limitations of the existing representation schemes, a mixed representation strategy is proposed along with a new maximal covering model. Experiments are conducted to site warning sirens in Dublin, Ohio. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the mixed representation scheme in finding high‐quality solutions when the regional coverage level is medium or high.
Information use shapes the dynamics of range expansions into environmental gradients
Authors: Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Nitsche Nicolai , Altermatt Florian
Published: November 2016

Aim

Globally, the geographical distributions of species are dynamic and strongly influenced by dispersal. At the same time, range dynamics feed back and may select for increased dispersal at expanding range fronts. This interplay between macroecological and evolutionary dynamics happens almost universally across environmental gradients and such gradients can have a direct impact on the fitness of organisms due to the match or mismatch between an individual's environmental optimum and the current conditions along the gradient. Importantly, gradients also provide individuals with information on environmental changes because dispersing individuals may sense whether environmental conditions improve or deteriorate. However, the ability of organisms to use this information on the environment and to subsequently adjust dispersal decisions plastically, that is, deciding to further disperse into the gradient or not, has been largely ignored and the macroecological consequences remain unclear. We here aim to demonstrate the impact of informed dispersal on the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of ranges.

Location

Laboratory and theoretical.

Methods

We used individual‐based simulations and controlled experiments in replicated microcosm landscapes. Range expansions of the protist model organism Tetrahymena were tracked using video recording and analysis.

Results

We show that information on environmental gradients had a severe impact on range dynamics and inverted the spatial distribution of population densities in comparison with controls where this information was not provided. Additionally, the use of information on gradients prevented evolutionary changes in dispersal rates and an acceleration of range expansion.

Main conclusions

We demonstrate the strong impact of informed dispersal and subsequent behavioural changes on range dynamics in environmental gradients. More generally, our findings highlight the importance of informed dispersal for spatial ecological and evolutionary dynamics.
Effects of UVB radiation on freshwater biota: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Shijia , Liao Huixuan , Zhou Ting , Peng Shaolin
Published: November 2016

AimStratospheric ozone depletion and simultaneous increases in UVB radiation due to human activities have the potential to affect freshwater biota. The goal of our study is to summarize the impacts of UVB on freshwater biota by comparing the differences in the general patterns, including the directions and the magnitudes of the impacts of UVB on four major freshwater taxa (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and amphibians). The potential driving forces for these differences are also explored.

LocationGlobal.

MethodsWe performed a meta‐analysis on a database consisting of 146 studies including 127 species from four taxonomic groups. We tested for the effects of taxonomic group, experimental venue, developmental stage, UVB dosage and the latitude of organism provenance.

ResultsUVB had significant negative effects on freshwater biota from the molecular–cellular to individual–population levels. However, these effects were highly variable among the taxonomic groups. In general, zooplankton was the most negatively affected group, whereas fish and amphibians were less affected. As direct fitness components, survival and reproduction were the two responses most affected by UVB. The sensitivities of individuals to UVB at different developmental stages were different for the same taxon, while the stage‐dependent sensitivity patterns also differed among different taxa. Additionally, effects of different experimental venues, UVB dosages and latitudes of organism provenance on the effects of UVB were detected.

Main conclusionsOur results suggest that UVB has significant negative effects on freshwater biota. We found that the effects of UVB varied among taxonomic groups, developmental stages, experimental venues, UVB dosages and latitudes of organism provenance. The variation in sensitivity among the different taxa has important implications for ecosystem responses. Given that stratospheric ozone is unlikely to recover to the levels of the 1980s in the upcoming decades, more conservation efforts should be taken to protect freshwater habitats from further damage by UVB.
Social participation, willingness and quality of life: A population‐based study among older adults in rural areas of China
Authors: He Qian , Cui Yanjie , Liang Ling , Zhong Qi , Li Jie , Li Yuancheng , Lv Xiaofeng , Huang Fen
Published: November 2016

Aim

The present study aimed to reflect the current situation of social participation in rural areas of China, willingness to participate in social activities, association between health‐related quality of life and social participation, and factors related to social participation.

Methods

A total of 2644 rural adults aged 60 years and older were randomly selected and surveyed with a self‐rating questionnaire. We used the unified definition of social participation in our study. The Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form Health Survey was used to measure health‐related quality of life.

Results

The overall engagement of social activities was 26%. Those who participated in social activities were more likely to have high scores of health‐related quality of life. Older men with a high educational level (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.01–2.29) living alone or with a spouse (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08–2.12), high objective social support (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00–1.17) and high support utilization (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07–1.21) were inclined to engage in social participation. Older women with high individual income (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.25–2.43), single marital status (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11–2.10), normal weight (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.10–3.34), overweight (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.24–4.19), living alone or with a spouse (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.20–2.00), objective social support (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18) and subjective social support (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.10–1.20) were more willing to engage in social participation.

Conclusions

Engagement in social activities is relatively low in rural areas, and associations of willingness and health‐related quality of life with social participation were found. Policy‐makers and government workers should make appropriate types of encouragement policies around social participation for older adults in rural areas. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1593–1602.
No Pattern Alteration in Single Nocturnal Melatonin Secretion in Patients With Hypnic Headache: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Naegel Steffen , Huhn Jana‐Isabel , Gaul Charly , Diener Hans‐Christoph , Obermann Mark , Holle Dagny
Published: November 2016

Objective

To investigate headache‐related serum melatonin levels and melatonin excretion rhythmicity in patients with hypnic headache (HH).

Background

Strict sleep dependency of headache attacks is a pathognomonic feature of HH. Changes in melatonin levels, a marker for circadian rhythm, are assumed to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of HH.

Methods

Serum melatonin levels were acquired in nine patients with HH and nine age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls over a 20‐hour time period (12 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, 10 pm, time of headache, and 8 am).

Results

No significant changes of melatonin levels could be detected comparing HH patients and healthy controls. Melatonin excretion rhythmicity was not significantly altered in patients with HH (Mean melatonin level in ng/mL ± SD, patients vs controls at 12 pm: 21.5 ± 9.5 vs 13.6 ± 6.3 [P = .077], 4 pm: 18.4 ± 8.4 vs 14.0 ± 4.7 [P = .222], 7 pm: 19.4 ± 5.1 vs 15.1 ± 4.5 [P = .094], 10 pm: 59.5 ± 45.0 vs 29.4 ± 12.7 [P =.136], headache time: 96.9 ± 68.3 vs 49.1 ± 22.8 [P = .94], and 8 am: 31.6 ± 18.3 vs 26.7 ± 15.6 [P = .489]).

Conclusion

This study is not able to confirm a significant role of melatonin concentration changes in the pathophysiology of HH and vetoes that melatonin deficiency plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the disorder.
Diversity and specificity of sap‐feeding herbivores and their parasitoids on Australian fig trees
Authors: Fromont Caroline , DeGabriel Jane L. , Riegler Markus , Cook James M.
Published: November 2016

The ecology, diversity, and parasitoid complex of plant–sap feeding insects of the family Homotomidae (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) specialised on fig trees (Ficus) have so far received little research attention. They are ecologically important, however, as occasional outbreaks of the homotomid Mycopsylla fici may cause complete defoliation of its host plant, the Moreton Bay fig (Ficus macrophylla). Mycopsylla proxima, the only other species reported from Australia, feeds on F. rubiginosa without any recorded outbreaks.

We searched for homotomids and their parasitoids on eight Ficus species on the east coast of Australia, Lord Howe Island (LHI), and in Auckland, New Zealand, and detected them on three Ficus species. Using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, we delimited three Mycopsylla species, including a putative new species on F. watkinsiana. We also characterised six (including one previously described) parasitoid species of the genus Psyllaephagus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) based on congruent morphological characters and molecular data.

Each of the homotomid species was highly host specific to a single fig species, whereas parasitoid species varied in host specificity: three host specific to M. fici and three host generalists. Geographic distribution varied among parasitoid species; e.g. one host‐specific species was found on both the mainland and LHI, but a second species only on LHI.

Our study revealed previously unrecognised diversity in fig homotomids and especially in their parasitoids. The herbivores and parasitoids showed contrasting patterns of host specificity. Interestingly, M. fici, the only outbreak species, had the highest diversity of associated parasitoid species and was the only species with host‐specific parasitoids.
Dental attendance patterns among older people: a retrospective review of records in public and private dental care in Sweden
Authors: Derblom C , Hagman‐Gustafsson M‐L , Gabre P
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Nowadays, older people retain their natural teeth more frequently and so are at increased risk of oral disease. At the same time, discontinued contacts with dental services prevent access to preventive care and increase the risk of undetected disease. This study aims to evaluate how often older people discontinue regular dental visits and to establish the reasons.

Methods

This study is a retrospective review of records of patients aged ≥75 years from seven Swedish clinics, three in the public dental service (PuDS) and four in the private (PrDS). All patients were examined in 2010, and their dental attendance records from 2010 to 2014 studied. Data included gender, dental insurance system, last performed planned examination, emergency visits, registrations in the recall system, cause of discontinued care and number of teeth and implants.

Results

In total, 993 records were studied, 303 in PuDS and 690 in PrDS. In both groups, 10% of patients had no complete dental examinations between 2010 and 2014 after baseline examination in 2010. One‐quarter were not registered in the recall system after their last examinations, and this was more common in PrDS than PuDS. In many cases, no reason for discontinued regular visits were described in the records. The mean number of natural teeth was 19.0 in both groups, but there were more implants in the PrDS group.

Conclusions

A large proportion of the participants risked losing regular contact with dental services. Dental services appeared to lack strategies for maintaining regular dental care for elderly patients.
Failure of single‐unit restorations on root filled posterior teeth: a systematic review
Authors: Afrashtehfar K. I. , Ahmadi M. , Emami E. , Abi‐Nader S. , Tamimi F.
Published: November 2016

This systematic review investigated the failure rate of conventional single‐unit restorations in root filled posterior permanent teeth. Two reviewers independently applied eligibility criteria, extracted data and assessed the quality of the evidence of each included study according to the Cochrane Collaboration's procedures for randomized control trials (RCTs) and the STROBE criteria for observational studies. The MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register and CENTRAL (via Cochrane Library) databases were searched electronically (January 1993 to week 1, February 2015). This was complemented by an additional hand search of selected journals and the references of relevant studies. Clinical studies published on root filled single‐unit restorative treatments with a mean follow‐up period of at least 3 years were selected. The outcome measured was clinical or radiological failure. Overall, the four RCTs and the single observational study included were of low and high quality, respectively. Therefore, a meta‐analysis was not possible. The pooled mean failure rates were reported according to the type of treatment and remaining coronal tooth structure. The current evidence suggested that the failure rates of the treatments may depend on the amount of remaining tooth structure and type of treatment. Post‐retained crowns were associated with the most favourable outcome in teeth with one to two remaining coronal tooth wall(s), whereas post‐free crowns were superior when greater tooth structure was available. Restorations in teeth without ferrules had such a high rate of failure that other treatment options should be considered.
Crystalline selenite substituted carbonated hydroxyapatite nanorods: Synthesis, characterization, evaluation of bioactivity and cytotoxicity
Authors: Rajendran Abinaya , Kulandaivelu Ravichandran , T S Nellaiappan Sankara Narayanan
Published: November 2016

Synthesis of pure and selenite substituted hydroxyapatites (HAP and Se‐HAP with 0.02–0.10 Se) by sol–gel method and evaluation of their morphological features, nature of functional groups, phase purity, in vitro bioactivity and cytotoxicity are addressed. Spectral studies confirm the incorporation of selenite into the HAP lattice, accompanied by an increase in CO32− content to maintain the charge imbalance following replacement of P5+ with Se4+, thus making the formation of selenite substituted carbonated HAP. Selenite substitution in the HAP lattice has led to a higher crystallinity and increased the crystallite size. The morphology of HAP is changed from sphere to rod‐like structure upon substitution by selenite and the size of the rod is increased with an increase in the selenite content. Among the Se‐HAPs, a better in vitro bioactivity and cell viability are observed for 0.02 Se‐HAP and 0.04 Se‐HAP while the trend is reversed when the extent of selenite substitution becomes higher.
Basic aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of non‐melanoma skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients: a review
Authors: Perez Héctor C. , Benavides Xiomara , Perez Juan S. , Pabon Maria A. , Tschen Jaime , Maradei‐Anaya Silvia J. , Lopez Luis , Lozano Eyner
Published: November 2016

Introduction

As numbers of transplant recipients and survival rates increase, the vulnerability of this population to several malignancies also rises. Non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) carries the highest rates of morbidity and mortality in this population. To avoid these malignancies, it is necessary to identify particular risk factors in transplant recipients and to follow preventive protocols.

Methods

The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were reviewed using as keywords the medical subject headings (MeSH) “transplantation”, “skin neoplasm” and “prevention”. The search was limited to clinical trials, randomized clinical trials and case–control studies conducted during the previous 20 years.

Results

The most important risk factors for the development of NMSCs in the transplant recipient population are cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure, use of immunosuppressive agents (especially azathioprine as a photosensitizing agent) and infections by human papillomaviruses. The use of sun protection and retinoids were identified as possible protective factors. Other potential therapies, such as antioxidants, difluormethylornithine and cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors, require further study.

Conclusions

Patient risk factors for the development of NMSC should be reviewed during the transplant consultation. Individuals found to be at increased risk should undergo closer follow‐up and preventive care counseling. This article proposes an algorithm for the prevention of NMSC.
Medical Spending in the US: Facts from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Data Set
Authors: Pashchenko Svetlana , Porapakkarm Ponpoje
Published: November 2016

We document facts about the US population's medical spending using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data set. We find that for the entire population, around 44 per cent of total medical spending is paid by private insurance, but there is a substantial difference by age in terms of financing medical care: for working‐age adults (25 to 64 years old), private insurance covers around 57 per cent of total medical spending, whereas for the elderly (aged 65 or over), the largest payer is the government, which covers 65 per cent of the total. Inpatient hospital care accounts for a third of aggregate medical expenditures. Medical spending is highly concentrated: the top 5 per cent of spenders account for more than half of the total. An even higher concentration is observed with hospital spending, where the top 5 per cent of spenders contribute around 80 per cent. The concentration in medical spending decreases with age: the Gini coefficient of total medical spending is 0.75 for people between ages 25 and 64 and 0.63 for people aged 65 or over. We find that the average medical spending of people in the bottom income quintile is higher than that of people in the top income quintile for all age groups. In terms of persistence of medical spending, we find that the correlation of medical expenditure in two consecutive years is 0.36. When persistence is measured by quintile of the medical spending distribution, the medical spending of people in the bottom and top quintiles has higher persistence than that of other groups.