bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
With or without you: Effects of the concurrent range expansion of an herbivore and its natural enemy on native species interactions
Authors: Carrasco David , Desurmont Gaylord A. , Laplanche Diane , Proffit Magali , Gols Rieta , Becher Paul G. , Larsson Mattias C. , Turlings Ted C. J. , Anderson Peter
Published: July 2017

Global climatic changes may lead to the arrival of multiple range‐expanding species from different trophic levels into new habitats, either simultaneously or in quick succession, potentially causing the introduction of manifold novel interactions into native food webs. Unraveling the complex biotic interactions between native and range‐expanding species is critical to understand the impact of climate change on community ecology, but experimental evidence is lacking. In a series of laboratory experiments that simulated direct and indirect species interactions, we investigated the effects of the concurrent arrival of a range‐expanding insect herbivore in Europe, Spodoptera littoralis, and its associated parasitoid Microplitis rufiventris, on the native herbivore Mamestra brassicae, and its associated parasitoid Microplitis mediator, when co‐occurring on a native plant, Brassica rapa. Overall, direct interactions between the herbivores were beneficial for the exotic herbivore (higher pupal weight than the native herbivore), and negative for the native herbivore (higher mortality than the exotic herbivore). At the third trophic level, both parasitoids were unable to parasitize the herbivore they did not coexist with, but the presence of the exotic parasitoid still negatively affected the native herbivore (increased mortality) and the native parasitoid (decreased parasitism rate), through failed parasitism attempts and interference effects. Our results suggest different interaction scenarios depending on whether S. littoralis and its parasitoid arrive to the native tritrophic system separately or concurrently, as the negative effects associated with the presence of the parasitoid were dependent on the presence of the exotic herbivore. These findings illustrate the complexity and interconnectedness of multitrophic changes resulting from concurrent species arrival to new environments, and the need for integrating the ecological effects of such arrivals into the general theoretical framework of global invasion patterns driven by climatic change.
Wildlife species benefitting from a greener Arctic are most sensitive to shrub cover at leading range edges
Authors: Wheeler Helen C. , Høye Toke T. , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: July 2017

Widespread expansion of shrubs is occurring across the Arctic. Shrub expansion will substantially alter arctic wildlife habitats. Identifying which wildlife species are most affected by shrubification is central to predicting future arctic community composition. Through meta‐analysis, we synthesized the published evidence for effects of canopy‐forming shrubs on birds and mammals in the Arctic and Subarctic. We examined variation in species behaviour, distribution and population dynamics in birds and mammals in response to shrub cover (including shrub cover indicators such as shrub occurrence, extent, density and height). We also assessed the degree of heterogeneity in wildlife responses to shrub cover and synthesized the remaining literature that did not fit the criteria for our quantitative meta‐analyses. Species from higher green vegetation biomass habitats (high Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI, across their distribution) were more likely to respond positively to shrub cover, demonstrating the potential for species to expand from boreal to arctic habitats under shrubification. Wildlife populations located in the lowest vegetation biomass (low NDVI) areas of their species’ range had the greatest proportion of positive responses to shrub cover, highlighting how increases in performance at leading edges of invaders distributions may be particularly rapid. This demonstrates the need to study species at these leading edges to accurately predict expansion potential. Arctic specialists were poorly represented across studies (limited to 5 bird and 0 mammal species), this knowledge gap potentially explains the few reported negative effects of shrub cover (3 of 29 species). Species responses to shrub cover showed substantial heterogeneity and varied among sites and years in all studies with sufficient replication to detect such variation. Our study highlights the importance of responses at species range edges in determining outcomes of shrubification for arctic birds and mammals and the need for greater examination of potential wildlife losers under shrubification.
Economic Retirement Age and Lifelong Learning: A Theoretical Model With Heterogeneous Labor, Biased Technical Change and International Sourcing
Authors: Gries Thomas , Jungblut Stefan , Meyer Henning , Krieger Tim
Published: July 2017

The employability of an aging population in a world of continuous and biased technical change is top of the political agenda. Due to endogenous human capital depreciation the effective retirement age is often below statutory retirement age resulting in permanent non-employability of older workers. We analyze this phenomenon in a putty-putty human capital vintage model and focus on education and the speed of human capital depreciation. Introducing a two-stage education system with initial schooling and lifelong learning, not even lifelong learning turns out to be capable of aligning economic and statutory retirement. However, well-designed education programs will keep more workers in highly productive activities at the end of their working life, and hence will substitute for simple social transfers, or for an early switch towards very low paid jobs.
The Present State and Future Application of Cloud Computing for Numerical Groundwater Modeling
Authors: Hayley Kevin
Published: July 2017

Article impact statement: Cloud computing will make computationally demanding analysis such as stochastic uncertainty quantification measurement network design and groundwater management simulation possible and accessible to groundwater researchers and consultants
Prospective Interest of Deep Learning for Hydrological Inference
Authors: Marçais Jean , de Dreuzy Jean‐Raynald
Published: July 2017

Article impact statement: Deep learning may assist hydrological inference through its increased capacities to interpolate, classify, and hierarchically model databases.
Toward Increased Use of Data Worth Analyses in Groundwater Studies
Authors: Kikuchi Colin
Published: July 2017

Article impact statement: Groundwater data will always be sparse–that is the nature of our science. Determining how, where, and when to collect data in a more informed manner is the best way to advance conceptual understanding and management of groundwater systems.
Citizen's Charter in a primary health‐care setting of Nepal: An accountability tool or a “mere wall poster”?
Authors: Gurung Gagan , Gauld Robin , Hill Philip C. , Derrett Sarah
Published: July 2017

Background

Despite some empirical findings on the usefulness of citizen's charters on awareness of rights and services, there is a dearth of literature about charter implementation and impact on health service delivery in low‐income settings.

Objective

To gauge the level of awareness of the Charter within Nepal's primary health‐care (PHC) system, perceived impact and factors affecting Charter implementation.

Method

Using a case study design, a quantitative survey was administered to 400 participants from 22 of 39 PHC facilities in the Dang District to gauge awareness of the Charter. Additionally, qualitative interviews with 39 key informants were conducted to explore the perceived impact of the Charter and factors affecting its implementation.

Results

Few service users (15%) were aware of the existence of the Charter. Among these, a greater proportion were literate, and there were also differences according to ethnicity and occupational group. The Charter was usually not properly displayed and had been implemented with no prior public consultation. It contained information that provided awareness of health facility services, particularly the more educated public, but had limited potential for increasing transparency and holding service providers accountable to citizens. Proper display, consultation with stakeholders, orientation or training and educational factors, follow‐up and monitoring, and provision of sanctions were all lacking, negatively influencing the implementation of the Charter.

Conclusion

Poor implementation and low public awareness of the Charter limit its usefulness. Provision of sanctions and consultation with citizens in Charter development are needed to expand the scope of Charters from information brochures to tools for accountability.
Riverine fen restoration provides secondary habitat for endangered and stenotopic rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: Hoffmann Hannes , Kleeberg Andreas , Görn Sebastian , Fischer Klaus
Published: July 2017

Peatlands have undergone dramatic changes through anthropogenic activities in the last centuries, causing a substantial loss of fen‐specific biodiversity. Therefore, restoration of already degraded stands is an important conservation issue.

The effectiveness of fen restoration was evaluated through rewetting in the valley of the river Peene, NE Germany, by comparing three fen types: drained fens, rewetted fens, and near‐natural fens. Rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) were used as indicators, comprising an ecologically important yet understudied insect group.

5,398 individuals from 121 staphylinid species were recorded by 30 pitfall traps per fen type, which were biweekly emptied between April and October 2012, and related to environmental parameters. Rove beetle assemblages differed markedly between fen types. Community structure was affected by peat degradation, the extent of organic matter, water level, and vegetation height.

Fen rewetting favoured the establishment of a distinct, species‐rich beetle community within 15 years only, caused by an increase in hygrophilous wetland species partially replacing generalists. Nevertheless, this time span was not sufficient to restore communities characteristic for near‐natural fens, which harboured several particularly sensitive species that were not found on rewetted fens.

Rewetting provided suitable habitats for a substantial number of stenotopic and threatened staphylinid beetles. Thus, the protection of pristine habitats along with restoration measures are both important strategies in peatland conservation.
Environmental heterogeneity effects on predator and parasitoid insects vary across spatial scales and seasons: a multi‐taxon approach
Authors: Corcos Daria , Inclán Diego J. , Cerretti Pierfilippo , Mei Maurizio , Di Giovanni Filippo , Birtele Daniele , Rosa Paolo , De Biase Alessio , Audisio Paolo , Marini Lorenzo
Published: July 2017

As predator and parasitoid insects depend on multiple resources for adult feeding and reproduction, environmental heterogeneity (EH) is expected to be a key driver of their species diversity. In temperate regions, the benefits of EH are expected to vary across spatial scales and seasons, depending on species life‐history traits and temporal fluctuations in resources.

We tested the importance of EH at multiple spatial scales on diversity and abundance of predator and parasitoid insects, and whether its effects changed across seasons.

Insect sampling was carried out in highly fragmented landscapes in a Mediterranean region (Tuscany, Central Italy). We selected 18 semi‐natural patches, embedded in an intensive agricultural matrix. For each patch, EH was measured at three spatial scales (micro, patch, and landscape). Five groups of predator and parasitoid insects were sampled 16 times with pan traps between March and November, 2012.

EH at the landscape scale positively influenced the diversity of predator and parasitoid insects, while the effects at smaller spatial scales were less evident. The strength and the direction of EH˗diversity relationship changed between groups and across seasons, indicating that the mechanisms by which EH affects predators and parasitoids are various and complex.

Conservation strategies aimed at maximising the diversity of predators and parasitoids should focus more on increasing EH at the landscape scale than at the local scale.
Morphological features of porous silicon carbide obtained via a carbothermal method
Authors: Shcherban Nataliya , Filonenko Svitlana , Sergiienko Sergii , Yaremov Pavel , Skoryk Mykola , Ilyin Volodymir , Murzin Dmitry
Published: July 2017

Samples of porous silicon carbide were obtained using sucrose or carbon and aerosil or silica mesoporous molecular sieves (SBA‐3, SBA‐15, KIT‐6 and MCF). Fibers content in silicon carbide samples is higher when the mesopore surface area of carbon materials derived from carbon‐silica composites is lower. Based on the found correlation between the morphology and porosity of SiC and mesopore surface area of the carbon component in the composites, a templating action of carbon in carbothermal reduction was suggested.
Impact and implementation of a sustainable regional telestroke network
Authors: Ranta Annemarei , Lanford Jeremy , Busch Suzanne , Providence Carolyn , Iniesta Ivan , Rosemergy Ian , Wilson Andrew , Cariga Pietro , Richmond Victoria , Gommans John
Published: July 2017

Background

Telestroke uses videoconferencing technology to allow off‐site experts to provide stroke thrombolysis decision support to less experienced front line clinicians.

Aim

To assess the impact of a new telestroke service on thrombolysis rates and door‐to‐needle times in participating provincial hospitals and service resources to aid transition to a sustainable telestroke service.

Methods

This is a sequential comparison of ‘pre’ (December 2015 to May 2016) and ‘post’ (June 2016 to December 2016) implementation outcomes. The main outcomes were thrombolysis rate and door‐to‐needle time. All patient data were captured prospectively in a central database. Data captured and analysed also included technical problems, consumer and clinician feedback, and additional service resources required.

Results

Over the study period, 164 telestroke assessments were completed, including the ‘hub’ hospital. Among the participating provincial hospitals, 21 of 343 patients (6.1%) were thrombolysed in the 6‐months prior to June 2016 and 50 of 318 patients (15.7%) during the 6‐month following implementation of telestroke; odds ratio 2.86 (95% confidence interval 1.68–4.89); P = 0.0001. Overall, mean (standard deviation) regional hospital door‐to‐needle time reduced from 79.6 (31.4) to 62.7 (23.3) min (P = 0.015). Videoconferencing failure occurred in 4.8% of cases. Consumer and clinician feedback was positive. The main resource challenge was doubling of out‐of‐hours neurologist workload.

Conclusion

Telestroke was associated with a significant increase in thrombolysis rate and reduction in door‐to‐needle time in provincial hospitals indicating improved patient care. Quantification of the extra neurologist workload allowed for a seamless transition to ‘business as usual’ using a novel annual subscription funding and service model.
Hedge Fund Styles and their Contagion from the Equity Market
Authors: Lee Hee Soo , Kim Tae Yoon
Published: July 2017

We examine the dynamic contagion process of the equity market on 10 hedge fund styles. We investigate the contagion mechanism for each style using single equation error correction and latent factor models. We find that the contagion effects of the equity market on each style index depend specifically on the fund style strategy. We demonstrate that certain fund styles are more prone to contagion from the equity market than others. Our results help illuminate the relative effectiveness of a particular strategy under certain market conditions and provide insights into the long‐standing controversy around the efficient market hypothesis.
Changes in the extracellular matrix surrounding human chronic wounds revealed by 2‐photon imaging
Authors: Sutcliffe Jessica E.S. , Thrasivoulou Christopher , Serena Thomas E , Madden Leigh , Richards Toby , Phillips Anthony R.J. , Becker David L
Published: July 2017

Chronic wounds are a growing problem worldwide with no effective therapeutic treatments available. Our objective was to understand the composition of the dermal tissue surrounding venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). We used novel 2‐photon imaging techniques alongside classical histology to examine biopsies from the edges of two common types of chronic wound, venous leg ulcers and DFU. Compared to normal intact skin, we found that collagen levels are significantly reduced throughout the dermis of venous leg ulcer biopsies and DFU, with a reduction in both fibril thickness and abundance. Both wound types showed a significant reduction in elastin in the upper dermis, but in DFU, the loss was throughout the dermis. Loss of extracellular matrix correlated with high levels of CD68‐ and CD18‐positive leukocytes. 2‐photon imaging of the extracellular matrix in the intact tissue surrounding a chronic wound with a hand‐held device may provide a useful clinical indicator on the healing progression or deterioration of these wounds.
Molecular data and distribution dynamics indicate a recent and incomplete separation of manakins species of the genus Antilophia (Aves: Pipridae) in response to Holocene climate change
Authors: Luna Leilton Willians , Souza Thainara Oliveira , Carneiro Lincoln Silva , de Girão e Silva Weber Andrade , Schneider Horacio , Sampaio Iracilda , Araripe Juliana , Rêgo Péricles Sena do
Published: July 2017

To determine a hypothetical scenario that accounts for the diversification of the two species of the genus Antilophia, we conducted multilocus molecular comparisons and species distribution modeling for the two taxa, which have distinct male plumage coloration patterns and allopatric geographic distributions, despite the high degree of genetic similarity indicated by recent studies. Three mitochondrial and three nuclear fragments were analyzed. The results indicate clear differences in the genetic diversity of the two species, but with ample sharing of haplotypes in all the markers analyzed, reflecting the absence of reciprocal monophyly, presumably due to the relatively recent and still incomplete separation of the two species. The paleoclimatic distribution models, together with the observed genetic profile indicate a recent process of divergence by geographic isolation in the ancestral populations of the two species. This scenario coincides with the recent climatic events of the South American dry diagonal, which involves the gallery forests of the Cerrado biome and the cloud forest enclaves of the seasonal tropical dry forest of the Caatinga between the late Pleistocene and the mid Holocene.
A comparison of the electrophysiologic and electroanatomic characteristics between the right and left atrium in persistent atrial fibrillation: Is the right atrium a window into the left?
Authors: Prabhu Sandeep , Voskoboinik Aleksandr , McLellan Alex J.A. , Peck Kah Y. , Pathik Bhupesh , Nalliah Chrishan J. , Wong Geoff R. , Azzopardi Sonia M. , Lee Geoffrey , Mariani Justin , Ling Liang‐Han , Taylor Andrew J. , Kalman Jonathan M. , Kistler Peter M.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

The right atrium (RA) is readily accessible; however, it is unclear whether changes in the RA are representative of the LA. We performed detailed biatrial electroanatomic mapping to determine the electrophysiological relationship between the atria.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with persistent AF underwent biatrial electroanatomical mapping with a contact force catheter acquiring points with a CF >10 g prior to ablation. Points were analyzed for tissue voltage, complex electrograms, low voltage (<0.5 mV), scar (<0.05 mV), and conduction velocity (CV). Forty patients (mean age 59 ± 9.2 years, AF duration 12.9 ± 9.2 months, LA area: 28 ± 5.2, RA area: 25 ± 6.4 mm2, LVEF: 44 ± 15%) underwent mapping during CS pacing. Bipolar voltage (R = 0.57, P <0.001), unipolar voltage (R = 0.68, P <0.001), low voltage (<0.5 nV) (R = 0.48, P = 0.002), fractionation (R = 0.73, P <0.001), and CV (R = 0.49, P = 0.001) correlated well between atria. There was no difference in global bipolar voltage (LA 1.89 ± 0.77 vs. RA 1.77 ± 0.57 mV, P = 0.57); complex electrograms (LA 20% vs. RA 20%, P = 0.99) or low voltage (LA 15% vs. RA 16%, P = 0.84). Global unipolar voltage was significantly higher in the LA compared to the RA (2.95 ± 1.14 vs. 2.28 ± 0.65 mV, P = 0.002) and CV was significantly slower in the RA compared to the LA (0.93 ± 0.15 m/s vs. 1.01 ± 0.19 m/s, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

AF is associated with remodeling processes affecting both atria. The more accessible RA provides an insight into the biatrial process associated with AF in various disease states without trans‐septal access.
Current status of achieving blood pressure target and its clinical correlates in Japanese type 2 diabetes (JDDM45)
Authors: Yokoyama Hiroki , Araki Shin‐ichi , Kawai Koichi , Hirao Koichi , Kurihara Yoshio , Seino Hiroaki , Takamura Hiroshi , Sugimoto Hidekatsu , Okada Akira , Maegawa Hiroshi ,   the Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management study group
Published: July 2017

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the current status of achieved blood pressure levels in association with the number of antihypertensive drug classes as of 2013, and to explore the clinical correlates with achievement of target blood pressure in a large‐scale cohort of Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A nationwide survey was carried out including 12,811 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided by achieved blood pressure, <130/80 or 140/90 mmHg, and the number of drug classes taken.

Results

The percentages achieving a blood pressure of <130/80 or 140/90 mmHg were 52.0% and 86.1%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, if defined as ≥130/80 mmHg or treated, became 67.9%. Among participants taking antihypertensive drugs, a blood pressure of <130/80 or <140/90 mmHg was 46.7% and 83.2%, respectively. The percentages of <130/80 mmHg were 55.9% without drugs, 47.1% on one drug, 42.5% on two drugs, 47.2% on three drugs and 56.8% on four or more drugs, respectively. The most prescribed drugs were renin–angiotensin system inhibitors, followed by calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta‐blockers. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a blood pressure <130/80 mmHg was associated with lower values in age, body mass index, albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate, higher proportions on targets for glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and lipids, and less retinopathy.

Conclusions

In type 2 diabetes, hypertension is common, and just 52% achieved <130/80 mmHg, indicating a difficulty in blood pressure lowering. This was correlated with difficulties in glycemic and lipid management, obesity, and vascular complications, implying this clustering to be a serious problem.
Many faces of rationality: Implications of the great rationality debate for clinical decision‐making
Authors: Djulbegovic Benjamin , Elqayam Shira
Published: July 2017

Given that more than 30% of healthcare costs are wasted on inappropriate care, suboptimal care is increasingly connected to the quality of medical decisions. It has been argued that personal decisions are the leading cause of death, and 80% of healthcare expenditures result from physicians' decisions. Therefore, improving healthcare necessitates improving medical decisions, ie, making decisions (more)rational.

Drawing on writings from The Great Rationality Debate from the fields of philosophy, economics, and psychology, we identify core ingredients of rationality commonly encountered across various theoretical models. Rationality is typically classified under umbrella of normative (addressing the question how people “should” or “ought to” make their decisions) and descriptive theories of decision‐making (which portray how peopleactuallymake their decisions). Normative theories of rational thought of relevance to medicine include epistemic theories that direct practice of evidence‐based medicine and expected utility theory, which provides the basis for widely used clinical decision analyses. Descriptive theories of rationality of direct relevance to medical decision‐making include bounded rationality, argumentative theory of reasoning, adaptive rationality, dual processing model of rationality, regret‐based rationality, pragmatic/substantive rationality, and meta‐rationality.

For the first time, we provide a review of wide range of theories and models of rationality. We showed that what is “rational” behaviour under one rationality theory may be irrational under the other theory. We also showed that context is of paramount importance to rationality and that no one model of rationality can possibly fit all contexts. We suggest that in context‐poor situations, such as policy decision‐making, normative theories based on expected utility informed by best research evidence may provide the optimal approach to medical decision‐making, whereas in the context‐rich circumstances other types of rationality, informed by human cognitive architecture and driven by intuition and emotions such as the aim to minimize regret, may provide better solution to the problem at hand. The choice of theory under which we operate is important as it determines both policy and our individual decision‐making.
Parvularia atlantisgen. et sp. nov., a Nucleariid Filose Amoeba (Holomycota, Opisthokonta)
Authors: López‐Escardó David , López‐García Purificación , Moreira David , Ruiz‐Trillo Iñaki , Torruella Guifré
Published: July 2017

The opisthokonts constitute a eukaryotic supergroup divided into two main clades: the holozoans, which include animals and their unicellular relatives, and the holomycotans, which include fungi, opisthosporidians, and nucleariids. Nucleariids are phagotrophic filose amoebae that phenotypically resemble more their distant holozoan cousins than their holomycotan phylogenetic relatives. Despite their evolutionary interest, the diversity and internal phylogenetic relationships within the nucleariids remain poorly studied. Here, we formally describe and characterize by molecular phylogeny and microscopy observationsParvularia atlantisgen. et sp. nov. (formerlyNucleariasp.ATCC50694), and compare its features with those of other nucleariid genera.Parvulariais an amoebal genus characterized by radiating knobbed and branching filopodia. It exhibits prominent vacuoles observable under light microscopy, a cyst‐like stage, and completely lacks cilia.P. atlantispossesses one or two nuclei with a central nucleolus, and mitochondria with flat or discoid cristae. These morphological features, although typical of nucleariids, represent a combination of characters different to those of any other describedNucleariaspecies. Likewise, 18SrRNA‐based phylogenetic analyses show thatP. atlantisrepresents a distinct lineage within the nucleariids.
Risk For Postpartum Depression Among Immigrant Arabic Women in the United States: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Alhasanat Dalia , Fry‐McComish Judith , Yarandi Hossein N.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 14% of women in the United States and 10% to 37% of Arabic women in the Middle East. Evidence suggests that immigrant women experience higher rates, but information on PPD among immigrant women of Arabic descent in the United States is nonexistent.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive feasibility study was conducted to assess the practicality of implementing a larger proposed research study to examine predictors of PPD in US immigrant women of Arabic descent residing in Dearborn, Michigan. Fifty women were recruited from an Arab community center and completed demographic data, the Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory–Revised (PDPI‐R).

Results

Among participants, 36% were considered at high risk for developing PPD. Lack of social support, antenatal anxiety, antenatal depression, maternity blues (feeling depressed during the first 4 weeks postpartum), and life stress were significantly related to risk for PPD. Multiple regression analysis revealed that social support (t = −3.77, P < .0001) and maternity blues (t = 2.19, P = .03) were the only significant predictors for postpartum depressive symptoms.

Discussion

Findings of this study describe the prevalence of PPD in a sample of US immigrant women of Arabic descent and support the feasibility of a larger and more in‐depth understanding of their immigration and acculturation experiences. Study participants reported high risk for PPD. Maternity blues and lack of social support were significant predictors to the risk for PPD. Future research tailored to this minority group is recommended.
A Narrative Synthesis of Women's Out‐of‐Body Experiences During Childbirth
Authors: Bateman Lynda , Jones Catriona , Jomeen Julie
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Some women have a dissociated, out‐of‐body experience (OBE) during childbirth, which may be described as seeing the body from above or floating above the body. This review examines this phenomenon using narratives from women who have experienced intrapartum OBEs.

Methods

A narrative synthesis of qualitative research was employed to systematically synthesize OBE narratives from existing studies. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The included papers were critiqued by 2 of the authors to determine the appropriateness of the narrative synthesis method, procedural transparency, and soundness of the interpretive approach.

Results

Women experiencing OBEs during labor and birth report a disembodied state in the presence of stress or trauma. Three forms of OBEs are described: floating above the scene, remaining close to the scene, or full separation of a body part from the main body. Women had clear recall of OBEs, describing the experience and point of occurrence. Women who reported OBEs had experienced current or previous traumatic childbirth, or trauma in a non‐birth situation. OBEs as prosaic experiences were not identified.

Discussion

OBEs are part of the lived experience of some women giving birth. The OBEs in this review were trauma related with some women disclosing previous posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is not evident whether there is a connection between PTSD and OBEs at present, and OBEs may serve as a potential coping mechanism in the presence of trauma. Clinicians should legitimize women's disclosure of OBEs and explore and ascertain their impact, either as a normal coping mechanism or a precursor to perinatal mental illness. Research into the function of OBEs and any relationship to PTSD may assist in early interventions for childbearing women.
Dental and skeletal maturation in female adolescents with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Kang J.‐H. , Yang I.‐H. , Hyun H.‐K. , Lee J.‐Y.
Published: July 2017

Occurrence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) during adolescence may have interactions with mandibular and dental development. The aim of the present study was to investigate relationships between occurrence of TMD and TMJ OA and extents of dental and skeletal development in juvenile female patients. In total, 95 female adolescents (age range, 11–15 years) were selected. Among them, 15 subjects (control) had no signs of TMD, 39 TMD patients did not have OA (TMDnoOA), 17 TMD patients were at initial stage of TMJ OA (TMJOA), and 27 patients showed progressive stage of TMJ OA (TMJOA). Dental age was estimated by Demirjian's stages used in a previous study with Korean adolescents. Craniofacial parameters and cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) stages, representing skeletal maturity levels, were measured using lateral cephalograms. The estimated dental age was significantly lower than chronological age in all groups, but CVM differences were not statistically significant. Dental age was the lowest, and differences between the chronological age and estimated dental age were the highest among initial stage of TMJOAs followed by progressive stage of TMJOAs, TMDnoOAs and control and were not associated with CVM stages. Cephalometric parameters revealed significant clockwise rotation of the mandible among the TMJOAs compared with controls and TMDnoOAs and were not associated with CVM stages as well. The juvenile female patients with TMD, particularly TMJ OA, showed retarded dental development, mandibular backward positioning and hyperdivergent facial profiles. The TMJ OA may be associated with retarded dental development but not with skeletal maturations.
Development of a lexicon for flavor and texture of fresh peach cultivars
Authors: Belisle Catherine , Adhikari Koushik , Chavez Dario , Phan Uyen Thuy Xuan
Published: July 2017

A universal lexicon to describe the appearance, aroma/flavors, and textures/feeling factors of peaches was developed. The objective was to provide a standardized lexicon for descriptive validation. A trained descriptive panel established 29 attributes using 51 peach cultivars grown throughout the production season. This lexicon includes 18 aroma and flavor attributes to describe mature peaches as well as under‐ripe and over‐ripe, redness of flesh for appearance, three feeling factors, and seven terms for describing textures. Principal component analysis was used to discern if differences were found among peach samples using the lexicon terms utilized by trained panelists. Texture was the primary differentiating factor in the first dimension of the biplot followed by peach‐identity in the second dimension. Additionally, the attributes “peach‐identity,” “fruity,” “sweet,” “tart,” “citrus,” “sour,” along with textures and feeling factors were prominent in all peach varieties. This lexicon can be useful to identify and quantify sensory attributes in fresh peaches for food and agriculture research.

Practical applications

The assessment of peach fruit varieties grown throughout the southeastern United States would create a basis for understanding the prominent and unique characteristics of peach varieties and their inherited variability. The peach lexicon created in this study will provide a platform for researchers and producers to understand the desirable sensory traits in peaches. It will allow comparisons among varieties currently available, create a database to be used in breeding applications, and help the growers to produce peaches with desirable sensory traits that could be commercially successful.
Assimilation Effects of Eye Shadow on Facial Colors
Authors: Kiritani Yoshie , Komuro Yurina , Okazaki Akane , Takano Ruriko , Ookubo Noriko
Published: July 2017

Makeup can change facial complexion, making it of interest both practically and for empirical research on perception. We examined the assimilation effect of eye shadow on complexion using two series of eye shadows: typical colors that are not evenly saturated and colors with saturation as even as possible. Twenty participants assessed the degree of redness in reddish faces, yellowness in yellowish faces, and lightness in both faces via paired comparisons. The results indicated that: (a) the reddish face was perceived as redder when it had eye shadow of pinkish and purplish colors or reddish saturated colors instead of containing yellowish components; (b) the yellowish face became less yellow with colors without a greenish or yellowish component; and (c) except for the lighter yellowish shade, eye shadow made the face perceptually darker. We confirmed the assimilation effect of eye shadow on complexion and showed differences in perceptual hue change according to the original face colors.
Urban‐Rural Differences in Tubal Ligation Incidence in the State of Georgia, USA
Authors: Travers Curtis D. , Spencer Jessica B. , Cwiak Carrie A. , Mertens Ann C. , Howards Penelope P.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the difference in tubal ligation use between rural and urban counties in the state of Georgia, USA.

Methods

The study population included 2,160 women aged 22‐45. All participants completed a detailed interview on their reproductive histories. County of residence was categorized using the National Center for Health Statistics Urban‐Rural Classification Scheme. We estimated the association between urbanization of county of residence and tubal ligation using Cox regression. Among women with a tubal ligation, we examined factors associated with prior contraception use and the desire for more children.

Findings

After adjustment for covariates, women residing in rural counties had twice the incidence rate of tubal ligation compared with women in large metropolitan counties (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.4‐2.9) and were on average 3 years younger at the time of the procedure. No differences were observed between small metropolitan and large metropolitan counties (aHR = 1.1, CI = 0.9‐1.5). Our data suggest that women from large metropolitan counties are slightly more likely than women from rural counties to use hormonal contraception or long‐acting reversible contraception prior to tubal ligation and to desire more children after tubal ligation.

Conclusions

Women from rural counties are more likely to undergo a tubal ligation than their urban counterparts. Our results suggest that circumstances regarding opting for tubal ligation may differ between urban and rural areas, and recommendations of alternative contraceptive options may need to be tailored differently for rural areas.
Biochemical evaluation of storage lesion in canine packed erythrocytes
Authors: Wilson C. R. , Pashmakova M. B. , Heinz J. A. , Johnson M. C. , Minard H. M. , Bishop M. A. , Barr J. W.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To describe the biochemical changes – also known as the storage lesion – that occur in canine packed red blood cells during ex vivo storage.

Materials and Methods

Ten 125‐mL units of non‐leuco‐reduced packed red blood cells in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine were obtained from a commercial blood bank within 24 hours of donation. Samples were aseptically collected on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 28, 35 and 42 for measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, glucose, pH and ammonia concentrations. All units were cultured on day 42. Friedman's repeated measures test with Dunn's multiple comparison test was used for non‐parametric data. A repeated‐measures analysis of variance with Tukey's multiple comparison test was used for parametric data. Alpha was set to 0·05.

Results

All analytes changed significantly during storage. The mean ammonia on day 1 (58·14 g/dL) was significantly lower (P<0·05) than those on days 28 (1266 g/dL), 35 (1668 g/dL) and 42 (1860 g/dL). A significant increase in median lactate concentration over time was also observed, with day 1 (4·385 mmol/L) being significantly less (P<0·05) than days 14 (19·82 mmol/L), 21 (22·81 mmol/L), 35 (20·31 mmol/L) and 42 (20·81 mmol/L). Median pH was significantly decreased after day 7. All bacterial cultures were negative.

Clinical Significance

Many biochemical alterations occur in stored canine packed red blood cells, although further studies are required to determine their clinical importance.
Effects of concentrated and dephytinized wheat bran and rice bran addition on bread properties
Authors: Özkaya Berrin , Baumgartner Burcu , Özkaya Hazım
Published: July 2017

Wheat bran and rice bran were concentrated in terms of dietary fiber and were dephytinized by two different methods (fermentation and hydrothermal). Untreated, concentrated, concentrated‐dephytinized by fermentation method, and concentrated‐dephytinized by hydrothermal method bran samples were each incorporated into flour at levels of 0, 10, 15, and 20%, and their effects on bread properties were investigated. Unprocessed wheat bran and rice bran addition decreased the volume yield, and the specific volume of the bread depends on the incorporation level. A further decrease was observed with the addition of concentrated bran. However, the dephytinization treatments slightly improved these values. The same pattern was observed for the total number of cells and the total cell area of bread crumbs. Both wheat bran and rice bran were observed to cause a darker crumb color, and the effects of bran samples on crumb color were more pronounced after the dephytinization treatment. The addition of concentrated wheat bran and rice bran significantly increased hardness, as well as decreasing springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience of the bread, depending on the bran levels. Although dephytinization treatments enhanced the textural properties of bread, these results were still inferior to those obtained using bread produced with untreated bran. Regarding the dephytinization treatments, the influence of fermentation treatment on bread properties was slightly beneficial compared to hydrothermal treatment.

Practical applications

Consumption of dietary fiber offers a range of health benefits. Cereal bran has great potential as a dietary fiber source. However, this bran's high phytic acid content and adverse effects on bread quality limit that potential. It is possible to obtain high dietary fiber and low phytic acid bran samples through bran concentration and dephytinization treatments. The dephytinization treatment is an effective method for degradation of phytic acid. The negative effects of wheat bran and rice bran on bread quality decreased significantly following the dephytinization treatments. This study demonstrated that fiber‐enriched bread with low phytic acid content and acceptable texture can be produced using concentrated and dephytinized bran.
Plasma pharmacokinetics of quinocetone in ducks after oral and intravenous administration
Authors: Qiu M. , Hao Z. , Zhang R. , Cui L. , Wang C. , Qu S. , Yuan S. , Bai Y.
Published: July 2017

Quinocetone (QCT), an antimicrobial growth promoter, is widely used in food‐producing animals. However, information about pharmacokinetics (PK) of QCT in ducks still remains unavailable up to now. In this study, QCT and its major metabolites (1‐desoxyquinocetone, di‐desoxyquinocetone and 3‐methyl‐quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic) in ducks were studied using a simple and sensitive UHPLC‐MS/MS assay. Twenty ducks were divided into two groups. (n = 10/group). One group received QCT by oral administration at dose of 40 mg/kg while another group received QCT intravenously at 10 mg/kg. Plasma samples were collected at various time points from 0 to 96 hr. QCT and its major metabolites in duck plasma samples were extracted by 1 ml acetonitrile and detected by UHPLC‐MS/MS, with the gradient mobile phase that consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B). A noncompartment analysis was used to calculate the PK parameters. The results showed that following oral dosing, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of QCT was 32.14 ng/ml and the area under the curve (AUCINF_obs) was 233.63 (h ng)/ ml. Following intravenous dosing, the Cmax, AUCINF_obs and Vss_obs were 96.70 ng/ml, 152.34 (h ng)/ ml and 807.00 L/kg, respectively. These data indicated that the QCT was less absorbed in vivo following oral administration, with low bioavailability (38.43%). QCT and its major metabolites such as 1‐desoxyquinocetone and 3‐methyl‐quinoxaline‐2‐carboxylic were detected at individual time points in individual ducks, while the di‐desoxyquinocetone was not detected in all time points in all ducks. This study enriches basic scientific data about pharmacokinetics of QCT in ducks after oral and intravenous administration and will be beneficial for clinical application in ducks.
Allopatric speciation despite historical gene flow: Divergence and hybridization in Carex furva and C. lucennoiberica (Cyperaceae) inferred from plastid and nuclear RAD‐seq data
Authors: Maguilla Enrique , Escudero Marcial , Hipp Andrew L. , Luceño Modesto
Published: July 2017

Gene flow among incipient species can act as a creative or destructive force in the speciation process, generating variation on which natural selection can act while, potentially, undermining population divergence. The flowering plant genus Carex exhibits a rapid and relatively recent radiation with many species limits still unclear. This is the case with the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)‐endemic C. lucennoiberica, which lay unrecognized within Carex furva until its recent description as a new species. In this study, we test how these species were impacted by interspecific gene flow during speciation. We sampled the full range of distribution of C. furva (15 individuals sampled) and C. lucennoiberica (88 individuals), sequenced two cpDNA regions (atpI‐atpH, psbA‐trnH) and performed genomic sequencing of 45,100 SNPs using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq). We utilized a set of partitioned D‐statistic tests and demographic analyses to study the degree and direction of introgression. Additionally, we modelled species distributions to reconstruct changes in range distribution during glacial and interglacial periods. Plastid, nuclear and morphological data strongly support divergence between species with subsequent gene flow. Combined with species distribution modelling, these data support a scenario of allopatry leading to species divergence, followed by secondary contact and gene flow due to long‐distance dispersal and/or range expansions and contractions in response to Quaternary glacial cycles. We conclude that this is a case of allopatric speciation despite historical secondary contacts, which could have temporally influenced the speciation process, contributing to the knowledge of forces that are driving or counteracting speciation.
Gene expression is more strongly influenced by age than caste in the ant Lasius niger
Authors: Lucas Eric R. , Romiguier Jonathan , Keller Laurent
Published: July 2017

Phenotypic plasticity, where a single genome can give rise to different phenotypes, underlies many remarkable features of the natural world and occurs in a wide range of organisms. Understanding the transcriptional differences that underlie plastic phenotypes remains a major unsolved problem in biology. In many ants, females can develop into either queens or workers, two phenotypes with different morphology, behaviour and longevity. In comparison with workers, queens are larger, more fecund and longer lived. Here, we study gene expression differences between queens and workers in the ant Lasius niger. The analysis of age‐ and tissue‐specific RNA sequencing showed that patterns of caste‐biased gene expression vary considerably between ages and tissues. Expression was more tightly linked to age than caste despite the important morphological and behavioural differences between queens and workers. Our data allowed us to identify genes that are consistently biased across biological contexts. Caste‐biased genes showed faster rates of molecular evolution, lower levels of DNA methylation and greater variability in expression than unbiased genes. Our results indicate that a substantial proportion of caste‐biased expression is ephemeral and that taking account of age and tissue is critical to understanding the transcriptomic basis of plastic phenotypes. By contrast, the biological context of expression bias did not broadly affect methylation or the rate of evolution. The faster rate of evolution and greater variability of expression of caste‐biased genes indicate that caste‐biased genes evolve from loosely regulated genes that can be co‐opted for caste‐specific tasks because of the lax control over their expression.