bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between hepatitis B virus exposure and the risk of extrahepatic digestive system cancers: A hospital‐based, case–control study (SIGES)
Authors: Wang Hui , Chen Xin‐Zu , Chen Xiao‐Long , Zhang Wei‐Han , Liu Kai , Wang You‐Juan , Tang Huai‐Rong , Hu Jian‐Kun ,   the SIGES research group
Published: May 2021

Objectives

This case–control study was aimed to investigate associations between HBV infection and extrahepatic digestive system cancers.

Methods

The patients of gastric, small intestinal, colonic, rectal, anal, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers were retrospectively collected between 2016.5 and 2017.12. Simultaneously, the healthy controls were collected from the health check‐up registry, and cancer‐free status was confirmed based on medical records. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce bias. Multinomial logit model and conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the risk of individual cancer according to HBV serological markers and classifications.

Results

Totally, 4748 patients involving seven cancers, and 57,499 controls were included. After matching, HBsAg was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.05–1.85), and anti‐HBs served as a protective factor for gastric (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61–0.85), colonic (aOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.89), rectal (aOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63–0.85), and pancreatic (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42–0.82) cancers. Compared to subgroups with non‐infection and vaccination status, inactive HBsAg carriers and active HBV infection subgroup were correlated with gastric carcinogenesis (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03–1.93). However, no clear association was found between HBV infection and other cancers.

Conclusions

HBV infection was potentially associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The development mechanism of HBV‐associated gastric cancer needs to investigate further.
Chemical process fault diagnosis based on a combined deep learning method
Authors: Bao Yu , Wang Bo , Guo Pandeng , Wang Jingtao
Published: May 2021

The study on fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) of chemical processes has always been the top priority of the chemical process safety. In this paper, a fault diagnosis method combining the deep convolutional with the recurrent neural network (DCRNN) is proposed. In this method, the data from chemical processes are input to the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to extract features in spatial domains, and then, the features are fused into the bidirectional recurrent neural network (BRNN). Due to the powerful capabilities of DCNN to extract features in spatial domains and the sensitivity to time series of RNN, the combined method can adaptively learn the dynamic information of the raw data in both spatial and temporal domains and has unique advantages in multivariate chemical processes. The application of the DCRNN model in the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process demonstrates the high accuracy of this proposal in identifying abnormal conditions for the chemical process, compared with the traditional fault identification algorithms of deep learning.
The influence of sulphate on the treatment of azo dye‐containing wastewater in an anaerobic‐microaerobic compartmentalized fixed‐bed bioreactor
Authors: Carvalho Marcelo G. P. , Marcelino Denise M. S. , Menezes Osmar , Foresti Eugenio , Damianovic Marcia H. Z. , Kato Mario T. , Florêncio Lourdinha , Gavazza Savia
Published: May 2021

A fixed bed reactor (FBR) comprised of an anaerobic zone (AZ) coupled to a micro‐aerated zone (MAZ) was used for the biological treatment of synthetic textile wastewater. The azo dye in the textile effluent is expected to be reduced to aromatic amines (decolouration) in AZ followed by biological degradation of the aromatic amines due to oxygen exposure in MAZ. We focused on assessing the effect of sulphate, a common component of textile wastewaters, on the degradation of the tetra‐azo dye Direct Black 22 (DB22). The influence of sulphide, a product of sulphate biological reduction, on the removal of aromatic amines, toxic by‐products of DB22 degradation, was also analyzed. The AZ and the MAZ were filled with expanded clay balls and polyurethane foam, respectively. The chemical oxygen demand and sulphate ratio (COD/SO4−2) in the feed started at 4.8 ± 0.2 and was later changed to 0.8 ± 0.1 by increasing the sulphate content. This change consequently increased DB22 removal efficiency from 38 ± 11% to 72 ± 6% in AZ and from 56 ± 7% to 75 ± 7% at MAZ, but also resulted in high sulphide concentration and reduced redox potential (ORP) at the MAZ inlet. However, the change negatively affected the degradation of aromatic amines in the MAZ. Aromatic amines were removed only at redox potential values higher than −228 mV and biogenic sulphide concentrations lower than 44 mg HS−/L.
Perspective on the controlled polymer‐modification of chitosan and cellulose nanocrystals: Towards the design of functional materials
Authors: Garcia‐Valdez Omar , Champagne Pascale , Cunningham Michael F.
Published: May 2021

The development of reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) opened a vast number of possibilities for the synthesis of exotic macromolecular architectures with tailored properties for diverse applications. Given the advantages that RDRP provides, it is possible to obtain such architectures with good control over molecular weight distribution, morphology, composition, and functionality. A field of great interest for many research groups is the modification of natural polymers (or polysaccharides) with synthetic polymers via polymer grafting using RDRP approaches, such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP), and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) since the properties of the resulting materials can be tailored. Two polysaccharides that stand out due to their properties and potential applications after polymer modification are chitosan and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, desirable for its biocompatibility, degradability, low toxicity, and ability to act as a chelating agent with potential applications in the biomedical and pharmacy fields or wastewater treatment. CNC are well known for their outstanding mechanical properties, such as high specific strength and modulus and high surface area. For both chitosan and CNC, however, their hydrophilic nature makes them incompatible with non‐polar systems, limiting their potential applications. This feature article highlights the most recent development and our personal perspective of polymer grafting techniques on CNC and chitosan via RDRP for the design of different architectures, the design of responsive materials from such polysaccharides, potential water treatment applications, and our opinion of the future of this attractive research field.
The need for Pan‐European automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring: A stakeholder workshop position paper
Authors: Tummon Fiona , Arboledas Lucas Alados , Bonini Maira , Guinot Benjamin , Hicke Martin , Jacob Christophe , Kendrovski Vladimir , McCairns William , Petermann Eric , Peuch Vincent‐Henri , Pfaar Oliver , Sicard Michaël , Sikoparija Branko , Clot Bernard
Published: May 2021

Background

Information about airborne pollen concentrations is required by a range of end users, particularly from the health sector who use both observations and forecasts to diagnose and treat allergic patients. Manual methods are the standard for such measurements but, despite the range of pollen taxa that can be identified, these techniques suffer from a range of drawbacks. This includes being available at low temporal resolution (usually daily averages) and with a delay (usually 3–9 days from the measurement). Recent technological developments have made possible automatic pollen measurements, which are available at high temporal resolution and in real time, although currently only scattered in a few locations across Europe.

Materials & Methods

To promote the development of an extensive network across Europe and to ensure that this network will respond to end user needs, a stakeholder workshop was organised under the auspices of the EUMETNET AutoPollen Programme. Participants discussed requirements for the groups they represented, ranging from the need for information at various spatial scales, at high temporal resolution, and for targeted services to be developed.

Results

The provision of real‐time information is likely to lead to a notable decrease in the direct and indirect health costs associated with allergy in Europe, currently estimated between €50–150 billion/year.1

Discussion & Conclusion

A European measurement network to meet end user requirements would thus more than pay for itself in terms of potential annual savings and provide significant impetus to research across a range of disciplines from climate science and public health to agriculture and environmental management.
Compound‐Specific Imaging of Methanol Fuel Cell for Performance and Degradation Studies Using a Mini Positron Emission Tomograph
Authors: Sarkadi‐Priboczki Eva , Varga Mate , Valastyan Ivan , Brezovcsik Karoly , Fenyvesi Andras , Molnar Jozsef
Published: May 2021

Direct methanol fuel cell is a promising electrical energy source. Performance improvements, such as higher energy density and improved electrocatalyst are hot topics in fuel cell research. The goal of this study is the introduction of the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) as molecular imaging technique in the visualization of the methanol fuel cell process. The compound specific imaging method, using a small PET camera and radiolabeled 11C methanol, can visualize the electrocatalytic processes, the coverage degree and the distribution of the methanol and its derivatives on the total electrocatalyst surface. The undesirable methanol crossover effect was also detected by imaging the additional layers of the cell. The fuel cell layers were studied in different conditions, such as well‐functioning and temporarily or permanently degraded, during short‐ and long‐term operations. The experimental results confirmed the PET imaging method is applicable in the methanol fuel cell development.
Development of Xanthene‐Based Fluorescent Dyes: Machine Learning‐Assisted Prediction vs. TD‐DFT Prediction and Experimental Validation
Authors: Wang Yingying , Cai Lei , Chen Wei , Wang Difei , Xu Shi , Wang Limei , Kononov Martin A. , Ji Shuiwang , Xian Ming
Published: May 2021

A large number of xanthene‐based fluorescent dyes have been reported with unique photophysical properties. Further development of this group of useful chemicals processes challenges due to the massive amount of discrete data and unavoidable human errors in analyzing the data. Given recent advances in data analysis techniques, we integrated machine learning methods with a chemical database to assist identification of useful xanthene dyes in this study. Based on the xanthene dye database a machine learning model (named ATTRNN) was developed and applied in predicting excitation and emission wavelengths of six new dyes. The comparison of machine learning prediction with time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculation, as well as experimental validation demonstrated the usefulness of ATTRNN. Moreover, the new dyes were used to develop fluorescent sensors for hydrogen sulfide and cysteine, which further proved the value of data‐driven dye discovery.
A phase 1 study of the pan‐bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitor mivebresib (ABBV‐075) alone or in combination with venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Borthakur Gautam , Odenike Olatoyosi , Aldoss Ibrahim , Rizzieri David A. , Prebet Thomas , Chen Chris , Popovic Relja , Modi Dimple A. , Joshi Rujuta H. , Wolff Johannes E. , Jonas Brian A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous malignancy driven by genetic and epigenetic factors. Inhibition of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins, epigenetic readers that play pivotal roles in the regulation of genes relevant to cancer pathogenesis, constitutes a novel AML treatment approach.

Methods

In this first‐in‐human study of the pan‐BET inhibitor mivebresib as monotherapy (MIV‐mono) or in combination with venetoclax (MIV‐Ven), the safety profile, efficacy, and pharmacodynamics of mivebresib were determined in patients with relapsed/refractory AML (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02391480). Mivebresib was administered at 3 monotherapy dose levels (1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 mg) or in combination with venetoclax (400 or 800 mg).

Results

Forty‐four patients started treatment: of 19 who started MIV‐mono, 5 went on to receive MIV‐Ven combination therapy after disease progression and a washout period. Twenty‐five patients started MIV‐Ven, resulting in a total of 30 patients treated with the combination. The most common mivebresib‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events were dysgeusia (74%), decreased appetite (42%), and diarrhea (42%) in the MIV‐mono group and decreased appetite (44%), vomiting (44%), and nausea (40%) in the MIV‐Ven group. Serious adverse events occurred in 14 patients (74%) who received MIV‐mono and in 22 patients (88%) who received MIV‐Ven. In the MIV‐mono group, responses were complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery in 1 patient and resistant disease in 15 patients. In the MIV‐Ven group, responses were complete remission in 2 patients, partial remission in 2 patients, morphologic leukemia‐free state in 2 patients, resistant disease in 12 patients, and aplasia in 1 patient. The pharmacodynamic effects of mivebresib were proportional to dose and drug exposure.

Conclusions

Mivebresib was tolerated and showed antileukemic effects as monotherapy and in combination with venetoclax in patients with relapsed/refractory AML.

Lay Summary

Mivebresib is a novel drug that influences the way cancer cells read genetic information. Mivebresib was tested together with venetoclax in patients with acute myeloid leukemia after standard medicines failed and the disease returned, or when standard medicine was unavailable. Adverse effects were described for different drug doses, and the dose that is tolerable was determined. In some patients, their leukemia improved for some time. More studies are necessary to determine whether mivebresib can be used to treat acute myeloid leukemia.
Knowledge on cervical cancer, attitude toward its screening, and associated factors among reproductive age women in Metu Town, Ilu Aba Bor, South West Ethiopia, 2018: community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chali Keneni , Oljira Dereje , Sileshi Tesfaye , Mekonnen Tilahun
Published: May 2021

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Lack of awareness and unavailability of screening services are the major factors that contribute to the problem of cervical cancer in Ethiopia. The community‐based study conducted regarding the knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer among women of reproductive age group is not enough to indicate the problem.

Aim

To assess the knowledge on cervical cancer, attitude toward its screening, and associated factors among women of reproductive age.

Methods

A community‐based cross‐sectional study with a mixed approach method was conducted from April to May 2018. The sample size calculated for this study was 420. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between the covariate and the dependent variable.

Result

Of all participants, 31% have good knowledge of cervical cancer, and 57.8% have a positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening. In a multivariable analysis, educational status, occupation, visiting health facilities, and parity were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion

This study suggests increasing women's awareness, health education on cervical cancer in the community, and health institutions should be strengthened.

Patient and public contribution

Female health workers were involved in the data collection process. Educated women and women who are community health leaders were involved as Interviewees for the qualitative part of the study. However, they have no direct contributions to authorship.
Real‐world Israeli single institution experience with PET‐PSMA for staging of patients with clinically staged localized prostate carcinoma
Authors: Zarbiv Yonaton , Peerless Yehudit , Wygoda Marc , Orevi Marina , Meir Karen , Gofrit Ofer N. , Yutkin Vladimir , Frank Stephen
Published: May 2021

Background

A recent prospective trial, the proPSMA study, showed superior specificity and sensitivity of Positron emission tomography (PET) ‐ Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging compared standard Computerized tomography (CT) and bone scan for staging of recently diagnosed high‐risk local prostate carcinoma for curative intent treatment.

Aim

To share our experience with false‐positive PET PSMA scans in newly diagnosed intermediate‐risk prostate cancer.

Methods and results

Here, we report a series of eight patients who underwent systemic staging using PET‐PSMA with false‐positive results who were ultimately treated with definitive radiation or surgery. Of the eight patients, two patients were diagnosed with favorable intermediate disease, four with unfavorable intermediate risk, and two with high‐risk disease. Seven of eight were shown to have false‐positive bone uptake, one patient had uptake in lung nodules. Three patients underwent bone biopsy and proven benign. The rest of the patients were proven as non‐metastatic radiologically by repeat PSMA, CT, or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All subsequently preceded to definitive localized treatment and remain disease free as of this study.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of prudent clinical judgment when utilizing this highly sensitive imaging technique.
A cost‐utility analysis of avelumab for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Wen‐Cheng , Lin Amy Y. , Hsu Jason C. , Wu Chiao‐En , Goh Connie , Chou Patrick , Kuo Kaitlin , Chang Anne , Palencia Roberto
Published: May 2021

Background

Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) has traditionally been managed with palliative chemotherapy regimens or best supportive care (BSC). Avelumab, a novel anti‐programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) human monoclonal antibody for mMCC treatment, is being studied in the pivotal JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial.

Aim

Incorporating trial results, this analysis aimed to evaluate the cost‐utility of avelumab in Taiwan.

Methods and results

A de novo partitioned‐survival model with three key health states related to survival (progression‐free disease, progressed disease, and death) was applied in this study. The data of clinical efficacy, safety, and patient utilities were obtained from the JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial, literature review, and Taiwanese clinical expert opinion. Cost‐utility analysis was performed, and results were presented as cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained. For treatment‐naïve patients, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for avelumab vs BSC and avelumab vs chemotherapy were US$44885.06 and US$42993.06 per QALY gained, respectively. As to treatment‐experienced mMCC patients, avelumab was associated with ICERs of US$27243.06 (vs BSC)/US$26557.43 (vs chemotherapy) per QALY gained. All ICERs remained consistently within the willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of US$53,333.33 per QALY gained.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated avelumab to be a cost‐effective treatment option for both treatment‐experienced and treatment‐naïve mMCC patients with very poor prognosis in Taiwan.
Association of Medicaid expansion and insurance status, cancer stage, treatment and mortality among patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Lee Grace , Dee Edward Christopher , Orav E. John , Kim Daniel W. , Nguyen Paul L. , Wright Alexi A. , Lam Miranda B.
Published: May 2021

Background

Currently, little is known about the effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on care delivery and outcomes in cervical cancer.

Aim

We evaluated whether Medicaid expansion was associated with changes in insurance status, stage at diagnosis, timely treatment, and survival outcomes in cervical cancer.

Methods and results

Using the National Cancer Database, we performed a difference‐in‐differences (DID) cross‐sectional analysis to compare insurance status, stage at diagnosis, timely treatment, and survival outcomes among cervical cancer patients residing in Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states before (2011–2013) and after (2014–2015) Medicaid expansion. January 1, 2014 was used as the timepoint for Medicaid expansion. The primary outcomes of interest were insurance status, stage at diagnosis, treatment within 30 and 90 days of diagnosis, and overall survival. Fifteen thousand two hundred sixty‐five patients (median age 50) were included: 42% from Medicaid expansion and 58% from nonexpansion states. Medicaid expansion was significantly associated with increased Medicaid coverage (adjusted DID = 11.0%, 95%CI = 8.2, 13.8, p < .01) and decreased rates of uninsured (adjusted DID = −3.0%, 95%CI = −5.2, −0.8, p < .01) among patients in expansion states compared with non‐expansion states. However, Medicaid expansion was not associated with any significant changes in cancer stage at diagnosis or timely treatment. There was no significant change in survival from the pre‐ to post‐expansion period in either expansion or nonexpansion states, and no significant differences between the two (DID‐HR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.83, 1.09, p = .48).

Conclusion

Although Medicaid expansion was associated with an increase in Medicaid coverage and decrease in uninsured among patients with cervical cancer, the effects of increased coverage on diagnosis and treatment outcomes may have yet to unfold. Future studies, including longer follow‐up are necessary to understand the effects of Medicaid expansion.
Quantitative Linearization Results for theMonge‐AmpèreEquation
Authors: Goldman Michael , Huesmann Martin , Otto Felix
Published: May 2021

This paper is about quantitative linearization results for the Monge‐Ampère equation with rough data. We develop a large‐scale regularity theory and prove that if a measureμis close to the Lebesgue measure in Wasserstein distance at all scales, then the displacement of the macroscopic optimal coupling is quantitatively close at all scales to the gradient of the solution of the corresponding Poisson equation. The main ingredient we use is a harmonic approximation result for the optimal transport plan between arbitrary measures. This is used in a Campanato iteration that transfers the information through the scales. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Implementation of Scale Invariant Feature Transform detector on FPGA for low‐power wearable devices for prostheses control
Authors: Fejér Attila , Nagy Zoltán , Benois‐Pineau Jenny , Szolgay Péter , de Rugy Aymar , Domenger Jean‐Philippe
Published: May 2021

In this paper we describe an FPGA implementation of the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm. The FPGA is required as its a lightweight device which makes it ideal for vision‐guided hybrid neuro‐prostheses utilised for upper limbs replacement. SIFT point detection is needed for computation of coordinates of the object‐to‐grasp in a wearable multi‐camera system. A modified SIFT algorithm is proposed and an implementation of it into C/C++ language on Xilinx ZCU102 FPGA board. The proposed hybrid hardware/software solution is compared to other hardware or hybrid implementations of the SIFT algorithm and with the baseline software detector OpenSIFT. The algorithm optimised for FPGA gives an average precision of 0.84 and the average recall of 0.94 in SIFT‐point detection compared to the baseline.

The proposed solution has lower dissipated power than other solutions like CPU or GPU, and it has better computational speed.

This solution allows for processing medium‐sized images in real‐time with low power consumption.
Standardizing salivary lactoferrin measurements to obtain a robust diagnostic biomarker for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Bartolome Fernando , Orive Gorka , Carro Eva
Published: May 2021

The search for new, robust, and reproducible biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis is a challenge. We recently reported that salivary lactoferrin (Lf) could be presented as new biomarker candidate for AD, being both non‐invasive and cost‐effective, as well as having appropriate diagnostic performance for the clinical detection of AD subjects. Saliva is an attractive sample type for biomarker‐based testing approaches for several other diseases; however, its composition may change under certain circumstances. It is therefore critical to maintain a consistent salivary handling protocol, considering possible extrinsic factors that may influence salivary Lf concentration. In this work, we analyzed salivary Lf concentration under different handling conditions and donor‐dependent factors including age, inter‐diurnal variations, physical activity, and pharmacological treatments. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of such conditions on salivary Lf concentration. In conclusion, we found that most of these extrinsic factors should be considered in the future when using Lf as a predictive biomarker for AD.
Social networks based on frequency of roost cohabitation do not reflect association rates ofMyotis lucifuguswithin their roosts
Authors: Waag Austin G. , Treanor John J. , Kropczynski Jess N. , Johnson Joseph S.
Published: May 2021

Bats are a group of mammals well known for forming dynamic social groups. Studies of bat social structures are often based upon the frequency at which bats occupy the same roosts because observing bats directly is not always possible. However, it is not always clear how closely bats occupying the same roost associate with each other, obscuring whether associations result from social relationships or factors such as shared preferences for roosts. Our goal was to determine if bats cohabitating buildings were also found together inside roosts by using anti‐collision technology for PIT tags, which enables simultaneous detection of multiple tags. We PIT‐tagged 293 female little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and installed antennas within two buildings used as maternity roosts in Yellowstone National Park. Antennas were positioned at roost entryways to generate cohabitation networks and along regions of attic ceilings in each building to generate intraroost networks based on proximity of bats to each other. We found that intraroost and cohabitation networks of buildings were significantly correlated, with the same bats tending to be linked in both networks, but that bats cohabitating the same building often roosted apart, leading to differing assessments of social structure. Cohabitation rates implied that bats associate with a greater number of their roost‐mates than was supported by observations within the roost. This caused social networks built upon roost cohabitation rates to be denser, smaller in diameter, and contain nodes with higher average degree centrality. These results show that roost cohabitation does not reflect preference for roost‐mates in little brown myotis, as is often inferred from similar studies, and that social network analyses based on cohabitation may provide misleading results.
Integrating high‐speed videos in capture‐mark‐recapture studies of insects
Authors: Khelifa Rassim , Mahdjoub Hayat , M’Gonigle Leithen K. , Kremen Claire
Published: May 2021

Capture–mark–recapture (CMR) studies have been used extensively in ecology and evolution. While it is feasible to apply CMR in some animals, it is considerably more challenging in small fast‐moving species such as insects. In these groups, low recapture rates can bias estimates of demographic parameters, thereby handicapping effective analysis and management of wild populations. Here, we use high‐speed videos (HSV) to capture two large dragonfly species,Anax juniusandRhionaeschna multicolor, that rarely land and, thus, are particularly challenging for CMR studies. We test whether HSV, compared to conventional “eye” observations, increases the “resighting” rates and, consequently, improves estimates of both survival rates and the effects of demographic covariates on survival. We show that the use of HSV increases the number of resights by 64% inA. juniusand 48% inR. multicolor. HSV improved our estimates of resighting and survival probability which were either under‐ or overestimated with the conventional observations. Including HSV improved credible intervals for resighting rate and survival probability by 190% and 130% inA. juniusandR. multicolor, respectively. Hence, it has the potential to open the door to a wide range of research possibilities on species that are traditionally difficult to monitor with distance sampling, including within insects and birds.
Disease management in two sympatric Apterostigma fungus‐growing ants for controlling the parasitic fungus Escovopsis
Authors: Christopher Yuliana , Wcislo William T. , Martínez‐Luis Sergio , Hughes William O.H. , Gerardo Nicole M. , Fernández‐Marín Hermógenes
Published: May 2021

Antagonistic interactions between host and parasites are often embedded in networks of interacting species, in which hosts may be attacked by competing parasites species, and parasites may infect more than one host species. To better understand the evolution of host defenses and parasite counterdefenses in the context of a multihost, multiparasite system, we studied two sympatric species, of congeneric fungus‐growing ants (Attini) species and their symbiotic fungal cultivars, which are attacked by multiple morphotypes of parasitic fungi in the genus, Escovopsis. To assess whether closely related ant species and their cultured fungi are evolving defenses against the same or different parasitic strains, we characterized Escovopsis that were isolated from colonies of sympatric Apterostigma dentigerum and A. pilosum. We assessed in vitro and in vivo interactions of these parasites with their hosts. While the ant cultivars are parasitized by similar Escovopsis spp., the frequency of infection by these pathogens differs between the two ant species. The ability of the host fungi to suppress Escovopsis growth, as well as ant defensive responses toward the parasites, differs depending on the parasite strain and on the host ant species.
Phenotypic stability in scalar calcium of freshwater fish across a wide range of aqueous calcium availability in nature
Authors: Sanderson Sarah , Derry Alison M. , Hendry Andrew P.
Published: May 2021

Spatial environmental gradients can promote adaptive differences among conspecific populations as a result of local adaptation or phenotypic plasticity. Such divergence can be opposed by various constraints, including gene flow, limited genetic variation, temporal fluctuations, or developmental constraints. We focus on the constraint that can be imposed when some populations are found in locations characterized by low levels of an essential nutrient. We use scales of wild fish to investigate phenotypic effects of spatial variation in a potentially limiting nutrient—calcium. If scale calcium (we use “scalar” calcium for consistency with the physiology literature) simply reflects environmental calcium availability, we expect higher levels of scalar calcium in fish from calcium‐rich water, compared to fish from calcium‐poor water. To consider this “passive response” scenario, we analyzed scalar calcium concentrations from three native fish species (Lepomis gibbosus, Percina caprodes, and Perca flavescens) collected at multiple sites across a dissolved calcium gradient in the Upper St. Lawrence River. Contradicting the “passive response" scenario, we did not detect strong or consistent relationships between scalar calcium and water calcium. Instead, for a given proportional increase in water calcium across the wide environmental gradient, the corresponding proportional change in scalar calcium was much smaller. We thus favor the alternative “active homeostasis” scenario, wherein fish from calcium‐poor water are better able to uptake, mobilize, and deposit calcium than are fish from calcium‐rich water. We further highlight the importance of studying functional traits, such as scales, in their natural setting as opposed to only laboratory studies.
Migration‐tracking integrated phylogeography supports long‐distance dispersal‐driven divergence for a migratory bird species in the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Aoki Daisuke , Sakamoto Haruna , Kitazawa Munehiro , Kryukov Alexey P. , Takagi Masaoki
Published: May 2021

Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) outside a species' breeding range contributes to genetic divergence. Previous phylogeographic studies of migratory bird species have not discriminated LDD from vicariant speciation in their diversification process. We conducted an integrative phylogeographic approach to test the LDD hypothesis, which predicts that a Japanese migratory bird subspecies diverged from a population in the coastal region of the East China Sea (CRECS) via LDD over the East China Sea (ECS). Haplotype networks of both mitochondrial and nuclear genes of its three subspecies were reconstructed to examine whether the Japanese subspecies of the Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus superciliosus) diverged from an ancestral CRECS population. A species distribution model (SDM) for the Japanese subspecies was constructed using bioclimatic variables under the maximum entropy algorithm. It was projected backwards to the climate of the last glacial maximum (LGM) to infer the candidate source area of colonization. A migratory route of L. c. superciliosus, which possibly reflects a candidate past colonization route, was tracked by light‐level geolocators. Molecular phylogenetic networks suggest that the Japanese subspecies diverged from a population in the CRECS and maintained anciently diverged haplotypes. The SDM inferred that the emerged continental shelf of the ECS and the present CRECS were suitable breeding areas for the Japanese subspecies during the LGM. A major migratory route for L. c. superciliosus was inferred between the CRECS and the Japanese archipelago across the ECS. Our integrative approach supported the LDD hypothesis for divergence of the Japanese subspecies of the Brown Shrike. Shrinkage of the ECS may have been responsible for successful population establishment, due to a sufficient number of migrants overshooting to the Japanese archipelago from the CRECS. Our framework provides a new phylogeographic scenario for this region. Discriminating LDD and vicariance models helps improve our understanding of the phylogeographic histories of migratory species.
The impact of aquaculture on the genetics and distribution of the onuphid annelid Diopatra biscayensis
Authors: Galaska Matthew P. , Wethey David S. , Arias Andrés , Dubois Stanislas F. , Halanych Kenneth M. , Woodin Sarah A.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Evolutionary history of natural populations can be confounded by human intervention such as the case of decorator worm species Diopatra (Onuphidae), which have a history of being transported through anthropogenic activities. Because they build tubes and act as ecosystem engineers, they can have a large impact on the overall ecosystem in which they occur. One conspicuous member, Diopatra biscayensis, which was only described in 2012, has a fragmented distribution that includes the Bay of Biscay and the Normanno‐Breton Gulf in the English Channel. This study explores the origin of these worms in the Normanno‐Breton region, which has been debated to either be the result of a historic range contraction from a relic continuous population or a more recent introduction.

Location

Northeastern Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay, and the Normanno‐Breton Gulf.

Methods

We utilized a RAD‐tag‐based SNP approach to create a reduced genomic data set to recover fine‐scale population structure and infer which hypothesis best describes the D. biscayensis biogeographic distribution. The reduced genomic data set was used to calculate standard genetic diversities and genetic differentiation statistics, and utilized various clustering analyses, including PCAs, DAPC, and admixture.

Results

Clustering analyses were consistent with D. biscayensis as a single population spanning the Bay of Biscay to the Normanno‐Breton Gulf in the English Channel, although unexpected genetic substructure was recovered from Arcachon Bay, in the middle of its geographic range. Consistent with a hypothesized introduction, the isolated Sainte‐Anne locality in the Normanno‐Breton Gulf was recovered to be a subset of the diversity found in the rest of the Bay of Biscay.

Main conclusions

These results are congruent with previous simulations that did not support connectivity from the Bay of Biscay to the Normanno‐Breton Gulf by natural dispersal. These genomic findings, with support from previous climatic studies, further support the hypothesis that D. biscayensis phylogeographic connectivity is the result of introductions, likely through the regions’ rich shellfish aquaculture, and not of a historically held range contraction.
Home‐site fidelity and homing behavior of the big‐headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum
Authors: Xiao Fanrong , Bu Rongping , Lin Liu , Wang Jichao , Shi Haitao
Published: May 2021

Site fidelity refers to the restriction of dispersal distance of an animal and its tendency to return to a stationary site. To our knowledge, the homing ability of freshwater turtles and their fidelity is reportedly very low in Asia. We examined mark–recapture data spanning a 4‐year period in Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Hainan Province, China, to investigate the site fidelity and homing behavior of big‐headed turtles Platysternon megacephalum. A total of 11 big‐headed turtles were captured, and all individuals were used in this mark–recapture study. The site fidelity results showed that the adult big‐headed turtles (n = 4) had a 71.43% recapture rate in the original site after their release at the same site, whereas the juveniles (n = 1) showed lower recapture rates (0%). Moreover, the homing behavior results showed that the adults (n = 5) had an 83.33% homing rate after displacement. Adult big‐headed turtles were able to return to their initial capture sites (home) from 150 to 2,400 m away and precisely to their home sites from either upstream or downstream of their capture sites or even from other streams. However, none of the juveniles (n = 4) returned home, despite only being displaced 25–150 m away. These results indicated that the adult big‐headed turtles showed high fidelity to their home site and strong homing ability. In contrast, the juvenile turtles may show an opposite trend but further research is needed.
Multisource noninvasive genetics of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Greece reveals a highly structured population and a new matrilineal contact zone in southern Europe
Authors: Pylidis Charilaos , Anijalg Peeter , Saarma Urmas , Dawson Deborah A. , Karaiskou Nikoleta , Butlin Roger , Mertzanis Yorgos , Giannakopoulos Alexios , Iliopoulos Yorgos , Krupa Andrew , Burke Terence A.
Published: May 2021

In human‐dominated landscapes, connectivity is crucial for maintaining demographically stable mammalian populations. Here, we provide a comprehensive noninvasive genetic study for the brown bear population in the Hellenic Peninsula. We analyze its population structuring and connectivity, estimate its population size throughout its distribution, and describe its phylogeography in detail for the first time. Our results, based on 150 multilocus genotypes and on 244‐bp sequences of the mtDNA control region, show the population is comprised by three highly differentiated genetic clusters, consistent with geographical populations of Pindos, Peristeri, and Rhodope. By detecting two male bears with Rhodopean ancestry in the western demes, we provide strong evidence for the ongoing genetic connectivity of the geographically fragmented eastern and western distributions, which suggests connectivity of the larger East Balkan and Pindos‐Dinara populations. Total effective population size (Ne) was estimated to be 199 individuals, and total combined population size (NC) was 499, with each cluster showing a relatively high level of genetic variability, suggesting that migration has been sufficient to counteract genetic erosion. The mtNDA results were congruent with the microsatellite data, and the three genetic clusters were matched predominantly with an equal number of mtDNA haplotypes that belong to the brown bear Western mitochondrial lineage (Clade 1), with two haplotypes being globally new and endemic. The detection of a fourth haplotype that belongs to the Eastern lineage (Clade 3a1) in three bears from the western distribution places the southernmost secondary contact zone between the Eastern and Western lineages in Greece and generates new hypotheses about postglacial maxima migration routes. This work indicates that the genetic composition and diversity of Europe's low‐latitude fringe population are the outcome of ancient and historical events and highlight its importance for the connectivity and long‐term persistence of the species in the Balkans.
Quantitative measures and 3D shell models reveal interactions between bands and their position on growing snail shells
Authors: Jackson Hannah J. , Larsson Jenny , Davison Angus
Published: May 2021

The nature of shell growth in gastropods is useful because it preserves the ontogeny of shape, colour, and banding patterns, making them an ideal system for understanding how inherited variation develops, is established and maintained within a population. However, qualitative scoring of inherited shell characters means there is a lack of knowledge regarding the mechanisms that control fine variation. Here, we combine empirical measures of quantitative variation and 3D modeling of shells to understand how bands are placed and interact. By comparing five‐banded Cepaea individuals to shells lacking individual bands, we show that individual band absence has minor but significant impacts upon the position of remaining bands, implying that the locus controlling band presence/absence mainly acts after position is established. Then, we show that the shell grows at a similar rate, except for the region below the lowermost band. This demonstrates that wider bands of Cepaea are not an artifact of greater shell growth on the lower shell; they begin wider and grow at the same rate as other bands. Finally, we show that 3D models of shell shape and banding pattern, inferred from 2D photos using ShellShaper software, are congruent with empirical measures. This work therefore establishes a method that may be used for comparative studies of quantitative banding variation in snail shells, extraction of growth parameters, and morphometrics. In the future, studies that link the banding phenotype to the network of shell matrix proteins involved in biomineralization and patterning may ultimately aid in understanding the diversity of shell forms found in molluscs.
Reproductive traits and population dynamics of benthic invertebrates indicate episodic recruitment patterns across an Arctic polar front
Authors: Reed Adam J. , Godbold Jasmin A. , Solan Martin , Grange Laura J.
Published: May 2021

Climate‐induced changes in the ocean and sea ice environment of the Arctic are beginning to generate major and rapid changes in Arctic ecosystems, but the effects of directional forcing on the persistence and distribution of species remain poorly understood. Here, we examine the reproductive traits and population dynamics of the bivalve Astarte crenata and sea star Ctenodiscus crispatus across a north–south transect that intersects the polar front in the Barents Sea. Both species present large oocytes indicative of short pelagic or direct development that do not differ in size–frequency between 74.5 and 81.3º latitude. However, despite gametogenic maturity, we found low frequencies of certain size classes within populations that may indicate periodic recruitment failure. We suggest that recruitment of A. crenata could occur periodically when conditions are favorable, while populations of C. crispatus are characterized by episodic recruitment failures. Pyloric caeca indices in C. crispatus show that food uptake is greatest at, and north of, the polar front, providing credence to the view that interannual variations in the quantity and quality of primary production and its flux to the seafloor, linked to the variable extent and thickness of sea ice, are likely to be strong determinants of physiological fitness. Our findings provide evidence that the distribution and long‐term survival of species is not only a simple function of adaptive capacity to specific environmental changes, but will also be contingent on the frequency and occurrence of years where environmental conditions support reproduction and settlement.
Pleistocene climate fluctuations as the major driver of genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the Caspian green lizard, Lacerta strigata Eichwald, 1831
Authors: Saberi‐Pirooz Reihaneh , Rajabi‐Maham Hassan , Ahmadzadeh Faraham , Kiabi Bahram H. , Javidkar Mohammad , Carretero Miguel A.
Published: May 2021

Green lizards of the genus Lacerta have served as excellent models for studying the impact of Pleistocene climatic oscillations on genetic structures. The Caspian green lizard, Lacerta strigata, occupies various habitats across the Caucasus and the South Caspian Sea, with the Hyrcanian Forests and north of the Alborz Mountains forming the core of the range. This study aimed to re‐examine the phylogenetic relationships of L. strigata with other congeneric members and to assess the genetic structure and historical demography of the species. Furthermore, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) were performed to infer the species' potential habitat suitability and were then projected on climate scenarios reflecting current and past (6 ky and 21 ky before present) conditions. A total of 39 individuals collected from most of the distribution range, together with additional lacertid species sequences from the GenBank database, were examined using mtDNA (Cyt b and 12S ribosomal RNA) and nuclear (C‐mos and β‐fibrinogen) sequence data. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, L. strigata was found to be a sister taxon to all other members of the genus. The species included two main clades (regional western and eastern) that diverged in a period between the Early and Middle Pleistocene. Based on the BBM and S‐Diva analyses, both dispersal and vicariance events explained the phylogeographic structure of the species in the Hyrcanian Forests. The historical demographic analyses using Bayesian skyline plots showed a mild increase in the effective population size from about 120 Kya for the western regional clade. According to phylogeographic structures and SDMs evidence, as in other species within the region, it appears that the south of the Caspian Sea (Hyrcanian Forests), and the Alborz Mountains acted as multiple refugia during cold periods and promoted expansion outwards amid the warm periods. Overall, the results provided evidence that the genetic structure of the species has been influenced by the Pleistocene climatic fluctuations.