bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to fight against southern pine beetle epidemics: An insurance approach
Authors: Chen Xuan , Goodwin Barry K. , Prestemon Jeffrey P.
Published: September 2018

The southern pine beetle (SPB) is among the leading biological agents killing southern pine species in the eastern United States. In light of recognized spatiotemporal autocorrelation in SPB outbreaks, we devise a spatiotemporal block bootstrapping method that can be applied to analyze spatiotemporally dependent infestations. We also identify the relevant risk determinants and evaluate their impacts on the frequency of SPB outbreaks. For example, we find forest type, climate, and natural disasters like storm and forest management are all significantly associated with SPB risks. Using the results of a statistical model, we design a county‐level group index insurance plan that generates estimates of actuarially fair premium rates for timber stands containing southern pine species. Given that no government‐provided compensation scheme for SPB epidemics currently exists, application of this new insurance product could reduce forest owners losses. Our study offers an approach to analyzing and protecting against risks of other destructive pests affecting the timber sector.
Minimally invasive, robot‐assisted procedure for kidney transplantation among morbidly obese: Positive outcomes at 5 years post‐transplant
Authors: Spaggiari Mario , Lendacki Frances Rose , Di Bella Caterina , Giulianotti Pier Cristoforo , Benedetti Enrico , Oberholzer Jose , Tzvetanov Ivo
Published: September 2018

The pre‐transplant weight loss required of end‐stage renal disease patients is often unachievable. Though robot‐assisted procedures among extremely obese have shown minimal complication, long‐term outcomes are understudied. Previously, we reported no difference in 6‐month patient and graft survival among 28 robot‐assisted transplant cases (2009‐2013) and 28 open controls (2004‐2010). Groups were frequency‐matched on age, sex, race, donor compatibility, disease, and dialysis history. Cases had greater median pre‐transplant body mass index (BMI; 42.3 (31.1‐64.3) vs 36.8 (30.0‐51.1)). Here, we compared patient and graft survival through 5 years post‐transplant. Infection, wound complications, and significant re‐hospitalizations were collected. One‐, three‐, and five‐year graft survival were 100%, 100%, and 89.3% among cases, and 96.4%, 85.7%, and 78.6% among controls. Rejection within 1 year was greater among cases (11 vs 8). Five‐year rates were similar (P = 0.54). Post‐transplant BMI remained comparable. No cases and eight controls experienced surgical site infection (SSI). Two cases and one control experienced hernias. Post‐transplant diabetes was documented among five cases and six controls. Three deaths occurred among cases, two among controls. This is the most extensive known follow‐up of such obese recipients of robot‐assisted transplant. Our procedure is a promising pathway to transplant and decreased mortality for those deemed too high risk for conventional surgery.
Detection of Angiotensin II type I‐receptor antibodies in transplant glomerulopathy
Authors: Bussolino Stefania , Dolla Caterina , Ariaudo Claudia , Civiletti Federica , Messina Maria , Mella Alberto , Caorsi Cristiana , Amoroso Antonio , Barreca Antonella , Papotti Mauro , Giunti Sara , Fop Fabrizio , Biancone Luigi
Published: September 2018

Background

Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is an important cause of late graft loss. The role of angiotensin type 1‐receptor antibodies (AT1R‐Ab) in TG is not known.

Methods

All the TG cases (N = 137) between January 2007 and December 2014 (N = 1410) were analyzed. Donor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies (DSA) at the time of biopsy and AT1R‐Ab IgG (positive, >17 UI/mL; “at risk,” 10‐17 UI/mL; negative, <10 UI/mL) in pre‐transplant sera (PT‐Ab) and at biopsy time (BT‐Ab) were studied.

Results

AT1R‐PT‐Ab+ and AT1R‐BT‐Ab+ patients were 16.5% (51.5% “at risk”) and 11.5% (27.4% “at risk”), respectively. Clinical correlations were found between AT1R‐Ab and HCV infection, number of transplants, and age. Considering Banff scores, ptc was higher in DSA+ patients vs AT1R‐PT‐Ab+ (P = 0.002) or AT1R‐BT‐Ab+ (P = 0.001) without differences in g and chronicity score (ci + ct); cg showed lower scores in DSA+ patients vs AT1R‐BT‐Ab+ (P = 0.001). Graft survival was not influenced by the presence of AT1R‐Ab, AT1‐R‐Ab titer or MFI, but we observed a longer graft survival in patients with both AT1R‐BT‐Ab+ or “at risk” and DSA+ vs patients positive only for DSA (P = 0.02), for AT1R‐BT‐Ab (P = 0.019) or AT1R‐BT‐Ab “at risk” (P = 0.039).

Conclusion

AT1R‐Ab showed no independent prognostic role in TG in this pilot analysis.
Revealing patterns of nocturnal migration using the European weather radar network
Authors: Nilsson Cecilia , Dokter Adriaan M. , Verlinden Liesbeth , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , Schmid Baptiste , Desmet Peter , Bauer Silke , Chapman Jason , Alves Jose A. , Stepanian Phillip M. , Sapir Nir , Wainwright Charlotte , Boos Mathieu , Górska Anna , Menz Myles H. M. , Rodrigues Pedro , Leijnse Hidde , Zehtindjiev Pavel , Brabant Robin , Haase Günther , Weisshaupt Nadja , Ciach Michał , Liechti Felix
Published: September 2018

Nocturnal avian migration flyways remain an elusive concept, as we have largely lacked methods to map their full extent. We used the network of European weather radars to investigate nocturnal bird movements at the scale of the European flyway. We mapped the main migration directions and showed the intensity of movement across part of Europe by extracting biological information from 70 weather radar stations from northern Scandinavia to Portugal, during the autumn migration season of 2016. On average, over the 20 nights and all sites, 389 birds passed per 1 km transect per hour. The night with highest migration intensity showed an average of 1621 birds km–1 h–1 passing the radar stations, but there was considerable geographical and temporal variation in migration intensity. The highest intensity of migration was seen in central France. The overall migration directions showed strong southwest components. Migration dynamics were strongly related to synoptic wind conditions. A wind‐related mass migration event occurred immediately after a change in wind conditions, but quickly diminished even when supporting winds continued to prevail. This first continental‐scale study using the European network of weather radars demonstrates the wealth of information available and its potential for investigating large‐scale bird movements, with consequences for ecosystem function, nutrient transfer, human and livestock health, and civil and military aviation.
Addressing common pitfalls does not provide more support to geographical and ecological abundant‐centre hypotheses
Authors: Santini L. , Pironon S. , Maiorano L. , Thuiller W.
Published: September 2018

A long‐standing hypothesis in biogeography is that a species’ abundance is highest at the centre of its geographical or environmental space and decreases toward the edges. Several studies tested this hypothesis and provided mixed results and overall weak support to the theory. Most studies, however, are affected by several limitations related to the sample size, the comparability among abundance measures, the definition of species geographic range and corresponding environmental space, and the proxy variables used to represent centrality/marginality gradients.

Here we test the abundant‐centre hypothesis on 108 bird and mammal species and embrace the plural nature of the hypothesis by considering 9 geographic and ecological centrality/marginality measures. We analyse the species‐specific effect sizes using a meta‐analytical approach, and test whether the support for the hypothesis is mediated by species dispersal abilities, and the geographic and environmental coverage of the data.

The summary effect sizes estimated for the 9 measures are largely inconsistent with the theoretical expectations and show a significant amount of residual heterogeneity. Variables such as dispersal distance, geographic and environmental coverage of the data, appear important in explaining the variation observed between different species, but the results are contrary to those originally hypothesized, and inconsistent across centrality/marginality measures and the datasets used.

We show that addressing common pitfalls in previous studies does not provide more support to the abundant‐centre hypothesis, with support being very dependent on the centrality/marginality measure tested, the geographic extent considered for the test, and geographic and environmental coverage of the data. The abundant‐centre hypothesis so far remains an appealing speculation with little and variable empirical support.
bioRad: biological analysis and visualization of weather radar data
Authors: Dokter Adriaan M. , Desmet Peter , Spaaks Jurriaan H. , van Hoey Stijn , Veen Lourens , Verlinden Liesbeth , Nilsson Cecilia , Haase Günther , Leijnse Hidde , Farnsworth Andrew , Bouten Willem , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy
Published: September 2018

Weather surveillance radars are increasingly used for monitoring the movements and abundances of animals in the airspace. However, analysis of weather radar data remains a specialised task that can be technically challenging. Major hurdles are the difficulty of accessing and visualising radar data on a software platform familiar to ecologists and biologists, processing the low‐level data into products that are biologically meaningful, and summarizing these results in standardized measures. To overcome these hurdles, we developed the open source R package bioRad, which provides a toolbox for accessing, visualizing and analyzing weather radar data for biological studies. It provides functionality to access low‐level radar data, process these data into meaningful biological information on animal speeds and directions at different altitudes in the atmosphere, visualize these biological extractions, and calculate further summary statistics. The package aims to standardize methods for extracting and reporting biological signals from weather radars. Here we describe a roadmap for analyzing weather radar data using bioRad. We also define weather radar equivalents for familiar measures used in the field of migration ecology, such as migration traffic rates, and recommend several good practices for reporting these measures. The bioRad package integrates with low‐level data from both the European radar network (OPERA) and the radar network of the United States (NEXRAD). bioRad aims to make weather radar studies in ecology easier and more reproducible, allowing for better inter‐comparability of studies.
Oxygen responses within the nucleus accumbens are associated with individual differences in effort exertion in rats
Authors: Hailwood Jonathan M. , Gilmour Gary , Robbins Trevor W. , Saksida Lisa M. , Bussey Timothy J. , Marston Hugh M. , Gastambide Francois
Published: September 2018

Goal‐directed motivated behaviour is crucial for everyday life. Such behaviour is often measured, in rodents, under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Previous studies have identified a few brain structures critical for supporting PR performance. However, the association between neural activity within these regions and individual differences in effort‐related behaviour is not known. Presently, we used constant potential in vivo oxygen amperometry, a surrogate for functional resonance imaging in rodents, to assess changes in tissue oxygen levels within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in male Wistar rats performing a PR task. Within both regions, oxygen responses to rewards increased as the effort exerted to obtain the rewards was larger. Furthermore, higher individual breakpoints were associated with greater magnitude NAc oxygen responses. This association could not be explained by temporal confounds and remained significant when controlling for the different number of completed trials. Animals with higher breakpoints also showed greater magnitude NAc oxygen responses to rewards delivered independently of any behaviour. In contrast, OFC oxygen responses were not associated with individual differences in behavioural performance. The present results suggest that greater NAc oxygen responses following rewards, through a process of incentive motivation, may allow organisms to remain on task for longer and to overcome greater effort costs.
Illuminated night alters hippocampal gene expressions and induces depressive‐like responses in diurnal corvids
Authors: Taufique S. K. Tahajjul , Prabhat Abhilash , Kumar Vinod
Published: September 2018

Artificial light at night induces circadian disruptions and causes cognitive impairment and mood disorders; yet very little is known about the neural and molecular correlates of these effects in diurnal animals. We manipulated the night environment and examined cellular and molecular changes in hippocampus, the brain region involved in cognition and mood, of Indian house crows (Corvus splendens) exposed to 12 hr light (150 lux): 12 hr darkness (0 lux). Diurnal corvids are an ideal model species with cognitive abilities at par with mammals. Dim light (6 lux) at night (dLAN) altered daily activity:rest pattern, reduced sleep, and induced depressive‐like responses (decreased eating and self‐grooming, self‐mutilation, and reduced novel object exploration); return to an absolute dark night reversed these negative effects. dLAN suppressed nocturnal melatonin levels; however, diurnal corticosterone levels were unaffected. Concomitant reduction of immunoreactivity for DCX and BDNF suggested dLAN‐induced suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis and compromised neuronal health. dLAN also negatively influenced hippocampal expression of genes associated with depressive‐like responses (bdnf, il‐1β, tnfr1, nr4a2), but not of those associated with neuronal plasticity (egr1, creb, syngap, syn2, grin2a, grin2b), cellular oxidative stress (gst, sod3, cat1) and neuronal death (caspase2, caspase3, foxo3). Furthermore, we envisaged the role of BDNF and showed epigenetic modification of bdnf gene by decreased histone H3 acetylation and increased hdac4 expression under dLAN. These results demonstrate transcriptional and epigenetic bases of dLAN‐induced negative effects in diurnal crows, and provide insights into the risks of exposure to illuminated nights to animals including humans in an urban setting.
Thrombectomy in posterior circulation stroke: differences in procedures and outcome compared to anterior circulation stroke in the prospective multicentre REVASK registry
Authors: Weber R. , Minnerup J. , Nordmeyer H. , Eyding J. , Krogias C. , Hadisurya J. , Berger K. ,   the REVASK investigators
Published: September 2018

Background and purpose

In contrast to anterior circulation stroke (ACS), there is no evidence from randomized trials that mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with modern stent retrievers or thromboaspiration is safe and effective in posterior circulation stroke (PCS).

Methods

The present analysis was based on the prospective multicentre Registry on Revascularization in Ischemic Stroke Patients (REVASK) in Germany. Demographic data, periprocedural times and complications, recanalization rates, and functional outcome at discharge and after 3 months were compared between 139 consecutive patients with PCS (84.9% basilar artery, 16.5% vertebral artery and 4.3% posterior cerebral artery occlusion) and 961 patients with ACS treated with MT.

Results

Compared to ACS, PCS patients were significantly younger (65 vs. 69 years, P = 0.021) and had a lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at baseline (12 vs. 15, P = 0.024). Patients with PCS had a significantly longer time delay between symptom onset and both start and end of the MT procedure. Successful recanalization and thrombectomy passes did not significantly differ between the two groups. No symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in PCS compared to 3% in ACS (P = 0.010). The median NIHSS score at discharge was 3 in PCS and 4 in ACS. Favourable functional outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale 0–2 38.0% vs. 42.6%, P = 0.392) and mortality (33.7% vs. 30.8%, P = 0.539) did not differ significantly between PCS and ACS.

Conclusions

The study suggests that MT in PCS shows a lower risk of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage and similar effectiveness compared to ACS. PCS patients also seem to benefit from MT started beyond 6 h after symptom onset.
Socioeconomics of adopting IPM strategies by oilseed rape farmers
Authors: Menzler‐Hokkanen I. , Hokkanen H. M. T.
Published: September 2018

A questionnaire for oilseed rape growers in the 2002–2003 growing season was disseminated in six European countries (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom). The main aims of the questionnaire were to study growers` cropping practices, their knowledge of and attitudes towards integrated pest management (IPM) and the constraints to changing their growing practices. In total, 1005 replies were obtained for analysis. Europe‐wide, only the pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) required control measures by most growers (64.5%), in the growing season 2002–2003. The number of insecticide spray treatments were typically 0–4 per season, ranging from an average of 1.0 in Sweden and Finland to 2.6 in Poland. Spraying frequency was the same for conventional and IPM farmers (1.65 sprays/season), but in Finland and Poland farmers using IPM sprayed more often than farmers using conventional practices. Factors affecting farmers’ spray patterns were analysed, and these were affected by farm size, farmer age, number of decision making criteria applied, and the source of information concerning pest management. In addition, constraints and motivations to change farming practices were analysed. Several factors were identified, but surprisingly, in all countries, there was a group of 10–20% of farmers who would not want to start using IPM, even when it would improve their profits and would not cause any more work than their current conventional practice.
Notes on insects captured in codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) surveillance traps in South Korea over the last eight years
Authors: Son A.‐R. , Suh S.‐J. , Park Y.‐M.
Published: September 2018

A total of 53 non‐target species representing six orders of insects were captured in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella surveillance traps placed in South Korea over the last 8 years. These included 20 species (37.7%) of moths (Lepidoptera) belonging to 9 families of which 9 species were tortricids, 12 species (22.6%) of beetles (Coleoptera) belonging to 10 families, 11 species (20.8%) of flies (Diptera) belonging to 7 families; 5 species of true bugs (Hemiptera) belonging to 4 families including one species of Anthocoridae (9.4%); 2 species (3.8%) of Hymenoptera belonging to the family of Formicidae and 3 species (5.7%) of Neuroptera belonging to the family Chrysopidae. A list of the species of non‐target insects captured in the codling moth surveillance traps is provided. A brief description and photographs of Aterpia issikii Kawabe are provided: this is the first record of the tortricid moth for South Korea.
Short‐term outcome and risk factors for post‐operative complications following umbilical resection in 82 foals (2004–2016)
Authors: Reig Codina L. , Werre S. R. , Brown J. A.
Published: September 2018

Background

Umbilical remnant infection and patent urachus are an important cause of morbidity for the equine neonate. Left untreated, fatal complications can develop. Identifying risk factors for post‐operative complications after surgery are important for estimating prognosis.

Objectives

To identify risk factors associated with post‐operative complications in foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent and/or infected umbilical remnants.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent urachus or infected remnants at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center from 2004 to 2016 were included in the study. Data were obtained from medical records and associations between outcomes and post‐operative complications, and pre or intraoperative clinical variables were assessed using bivariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

Eighty‐two foals underwent umbilical remnant resection of which 73 (89.0%) survived to discharge. The urachus was the most commonly affected structure being patent and/or infected in 84.1% of cases. Concurrent diseases were present in 60.6% of foals prior to surgery, with diarrhoea and septic arthritis being most common. The presence of preoperative septic arthritis and/or physitis were significantly associated with nonsurvival (OR 33; 95% confidence interval 1.1–985.2; P = 0.04). Longer anaesthesia time (OR 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.7; P = 0.02) and failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins (OR 5.9; 95% confidence interval 1.2–29.04; P = 0.03) were associated with increased odds for post‐operative complications.

Main limitations

It is not known if medical treatment alone would have been successful in foals that did not receive preoperative medical treatment.

Conclusions

Overall survival is high after surgical excision of umbilical remnants. The presence of preoperative septic arthritis and/or physitis was associated with decreased survival and failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins and longer anaesthesia times were associated with increased odds for post‐operative complications.
The vascular morphology of melanoma is related to Breslow index: An in vivo study with dynamic optical coherence tomography
Authors: De Carvalho Nathalie , Welzel Julia , Schuh Sandra , Themstrup Lotte , Ulrich Martina , Jemec Gregor B. E. , Holmes Jon , Kaleci Shaniko , Chester Johanna , Bigi Laura , Ciardo Silvana , Pellacani Giovanni
Published: September 2018

Background

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer, which can lead to metastasis development. Vascularization enhancement is fundamental for tumor growth, worsening the prognosis. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D‐OCT) enables the in vivo evaluation of vascular patterns in skin lesions.

Objective

In vivo evaluation of the melanoma vessel morphology by means of D‐OCT and correlation with Breslow index.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of histologically proven melanomas, evaluated by D‐OCT at three different depths (150, 300 and 500 μm), was performed. Vessels were classified according to morphology (dots, blobs, coiled, line, curved, serpiginous), distribution (regular, irregular) and the presence/type of branches. The data were correlated with Breslow thickness.

Results

A total of 127 melanomas were evaluated. Dotted vessels were recorded at all depths, and their irregular distribution was associated with lesions thicker than 1.0 mm (from 75% to 91%), compared with thin ones (42%) at 150 μm (P = 0.031), and from 33% to 57% vs 18% at 300 μm (P = 0.021). Serpiginous and branching vessels with bulges were predominantly seen in melanomas thicker than 2 mm at 150 μm (from 14% to 27%, P < 0.001) and 300 μm of depth (from 36% to 54%, P < 0.001).

Limitations

Background noise hampered vessel detection at 500 μm. No correlation with dermoscopy/histology.

Conclusion

Vascular pattern evaluation at 150 and 300 μm provided data on tumor microvascular asset and its pattern of progression in accordance with Breslow thickness. Since vascular progression is theoretically linked with tumor aggressiveness, the study of vascular pattern related with melanoma metastatization capability is warranted.
Vacuolar sucrose cleavage prevents limitation of cytosolic carbohydrate metabolism and stabilizes photosynthesis under abiotic stress
Authors: Weiszmann Jakob , Fürtauer Lisa , Weckwerth Wolfram , Nägele Thomas
Published: September 2018

Stabilization of central carbohydrate metabolism plays a key role in plant stress response. Carbohydrates are substrate for numerous metabolic and stress‐responsive reactions and have been shown to be involved in diverse signalling processes on a whole‐plant level. Regulation of enzymatic sucrose synthesis and degradation is well‐known to be central to many stress‐related processes as it significantly impacts stress tolerance. Leaf sucrose metabolism involves sucrose cleavage by invertases and ATP‐consuming resynthesis catalysed by hexokinase and sucrose phosphate synthase. These reactions establish a metabolic cycle. To study the physiological role of sucrose cycling, a kinetic model was developed to simulate dynamics of subcellular sugar concentrations in Arabidopsis thaliana under combined cold and high‐light stress. Model simulation revealed that subcellular reprogramming of invertase‐driven sucrose cleavage varies substantially between natural accessions of Arabidopsis which differ in their cold tolerance levels. A stress‐induced shift of sucrose cleavage from the cytosol into the vacuole could only be observed for the tolerant accession while the susceptible accession increased the cytosolic proportion of sucrose cleavage. Under stress, reduction in vacuolar invertase activity significantly affected maximum quantum yield of photosystem II and CO2 assimilation rates. While wild‐type plants circumvented a limitation of sucrose cleavage by increasing vacuolar invertase activity, mutant plants were not able to compensate their deficiency of vacuolar by cytosolic activity. Consequently, the capacity for cytosolic hexose generation was lower than for enzymatic hexose phosphorylation suggesting a role of vacuolar invertase activity in preventing a limitation in cytosolic hexose metabolism under stress.

Enzymes

Invertase, EC 3.2.1.26; Hexokinase, EC 2.7.1.1.
Comparing optimal and empirical stomatal conductance models for application in Earth system models
Authors: Franks Peter J. , Bonan Gordon B. , Berry Joseph A. , Lombardozzi Danica L. , Holbrook N. Michele , Herold Nicholas , Oleson Keith W.
Published: September 2018

Earth system models (ESMs) rely on the calculation of canopy conductance in land surface models (LSMs) to quantify the partitioning of land surface energy, water, and CO2 fluxes. This is achieved by scaling stomatal conductance, gw, determined from physiological models developed for leaves. Traditionally, models for gw have been semi‐empirical, combining physiological functions with empirically determined calibration constants. More recently, optimization theory has been applied to model gw in LSMs under the premise that it has a stronger grounding in physiological theory and might ultimately lead to improved predictive accuracy. However, this premise has not been thoroughly tested. Using original field data from contrasting forest systems, we compare a widely used empirical type and a more recently developed optimization‐type gw model, termed BB and MED, respectively. Overall, we find no difference between the two models when used to simulate gw from photosynthesis data, or leaf gas exchange from a coupled photosynthesis‐conductance model, or gross primary productivity and evapotranspiration for a FLUXNET tower site with the CLM5 community LSM. Field measurements reveal that the key fitted parameters for BB and MED, g1B and g1M, exhibit strong species specificity in magnitude and sensitivity to CO2, and CLM5 simulations reveal that failure to include this sensitivity can result in significant overestimates of evapotranspiration for high‐CO2 scenarios. Further, we show that g1B and g1M can be determined from mean ci/ca (ratio of leaf intercellular to ambient CO2 concentration). Applying this relationship with ci/ca values derived from a leaf δ13C database, we obtain a global distribution of g1B and g1M, and these values correlate significantly with mean annual precipitation. This provides a new methodology for global parameterization of the BB and MED models in LSMs, tied directly to leaf physiology but unconstrained by spatial boundaries separating designated biomes or plant functional types.
Temperature niche position and breadth of ectomycorrhizal fungi: Reduced diversity under warming predicted by a nested community structure
Authors: Miyamoto Yumiko , Terashima Yoshie , Nara Kazuhide
Published: September 2018

Species with narrow niche breadths are assumed to be more susceptible to environmental changes than those with wide niche breadths. Although information on niche properties is necessary for predicting biological responses to environmental changes, such information is largely missing for soil microbes. In this study, we present the temperature niche positions and breadths of a functionally important group of eukaryotic soil microbes, ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. We compiled high‐quality EM fungal sequence data from 26 forested sites in Japan (with mean annual temperatures ranging from 1.6 to 23.6°C) to create temperature niche profiles for each individual fungal species. Nested theory and a newly developed weighted‐randomization null model were applied to 75 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with high occurrence records to examine potential preferences for certain temperature positions and breadths. Our analyses revealed that (a) many EM fungal OTUs were restricted to habitats with low mean annual temperatures, (b) fungal OTUs observed at colder sites exhibited narrower temperature breadths than expected by chance, (c) the composition of EM fungal OTUs exhibited a nested pattern along the temperature gradient, and (d) EM fungal richness was highest at colder sites, where the greatest degree of overlap in OTU occurrence was observed. These findings imply that future warming may limit the distribution of many EM fungal species that are currently adapted to only cold climates. This could eventually reduce EM fungal biodiversity, which is linked to forest function through symbiotic associations with trees. This study demonstrates the distribution and environmental ranges of various EM fungal species and can contribute to develop species distribution models with the aim of conserving microbes in the face of climate change.
Overlooked climate parameters best predict flowering onset: Assessing phenological models using the elastic net
Authors: Park Isaac W. , Mazer Susan J.
Published: September 2018

Determining the manner in which plant species shift their flowering times in response to climatic conditions is essential to understanding and forecasting the impacts of climate change on the world's flora. The limited taxonomic diversity and duration of most phenological datasets, however, have impeded a comprehensive, systematic determination of the best predictors of flowering phenology. Additionally, many studies of the relationship between climate conditions and plant phenology have included only a limited set of climate parameters that are often chosen a priori and may therefore overlook those parameters to which plants are most phenologically sensitive. This study harnesses 894,392 digital herbarium records and 1,959 in situ observations to produce the first assessment of the effects of a large number (25) of climate parameters on the flowering time of a very large number (2,468) of angiosperm taxa throughout North America. In addition, we compare the predictive capacity of phenological models constructed from the collection dates of herbarium specimens vs. repeated in situ observations of individual plants using a regression approach—elastic net regularization—that has not previously been used in phenological modeling, but exhibits several advantages over ordinary least squares and stepwise regression. When herbarium‐derived data and in situ phenological observations were used to predict flowering onset, the multivariate models based on each of these data sources had similar predictive capacity (R2 = 0.27). Further, apart from mean maximum temperature (TMAX), the two best predictors of flowering time have not commonly been included in phenological models: the number of frost‐free days (NFFD) and the quantity of precipitation as snow (PAS) in the seasons preceding flowering. By vetting these models across an unprecedented number of taxa, this work demonstrates a new approach to phenological modeling.
Linking permafrost thaw to shifting biogeochemistry and food web resources in an arctic river
Authors: Kendrick Michael R. , Huryn Alexander D. , Bowden William B. , Deegan Linda A. , Findlay Robert H. , Hershey Anne E. , Peterson Bruce J. , Beneš Joshua P. , Schuett Elissa B.
Published: September 2018

Rapidly, increasing air temperatures across the Arctic are thawing permafrost and exposing vast quantities of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus to microbial processing. Shifts in the absolute and relative supplies of these elements will likely alter patterns of ecosystem productivity and change the way carbon and nutrients are delivered from upland areas to surface waters such as rivers and lakes. The ultra‐oligotrophic nature of surface waters across the Arctic renders these ecosystems particularly susceptible to changes in productivity and food web dynamics as permafrost thaw alters terrestrial‐aquatic linkages. The objectives of this study were to evaluate decadal‐scale patterns in surface water chemistry and assess potential implications of changing water chemistry to benthic organic matter and aquatic food webs. Data were collected from the upper Kuparuk River on the North Slope of Alaska by the U.S. National Science Foundation's Long‐Term Ecological Research program during 1978–2014. Analyses of these data show increases in stream water alkalinity and cation concentrations consistent with signatures of permafrost thaw. Changes are also documented for discharge‐corrected nitrate concentrations (+), discharge‐corrected dissolved organic carbon concentrations (−), total phosphorus concentrations (−), and δ13C isotope values of aquatic invertebrate consumers (−). These changes show that warming temperatures and thawing permafrost in the upland environment are leading to shifts in the supply of carbon and nutrients available to surface waters and consequently changing resources that support aquatic food webs. This demonstrates that physical, geochemical, and biological changes associated with warming permafrost are fundamentally altering linkages between upland and aquatic ecosystems in rapidly changing arctic environments.
Keratocyst Capnocytophaga superinfection
Authors: Rúa Gonzálvez Laura , Junquera Gutiérrez Luis Manuel , Donate Pérez del Molino Paula , González Soto Jesús , Cobo Díaz Juan Luis , de Vicente Rodríguez Juan Carlos
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Capnocytophaga spp are Gram‐negative bacteria that cause severe infections in immunosuppressed patients. This situation is extremely rare in immunocompetent patients.

Case report

This clinical report describes the unusual infection of an immunocompetent patient with Capnocytophaga spp. The imaging studies showed the existence of a cyst in the left jawbone. After treatment and a microbiological study of the content, it was found to be an outbreak of septicaemia.

Discussion

Capnocytophaga spp, commensal bacteria of the oral cavity, can lead to serious illness and that is why an empirical treatment is needed until a diagnostic confirmation can be obtained.
Is the Macy's in my mall going to close? Uncovering the factors associated with the closures of Macy's, Sears, and J.C. Penney stores
Authors: Tokosh Joseph
Published: September 2018

This study analyzes three national department store chains in order to identify the factors most associated with their store closures. A binary logistic regression revealed some consistencies and differences in the associations. Larger stores are less likely to close for all three chains. Macy's and Sears stores are less likely to close in large malls (than freestanding stores) and if they are located in the West. J.C. Penney stores in the west are also less likely to close than in other regions, but stores in large shopping centers are more likely to close than freestanding stores. Store age was only significant for J.C. Penney stores, and indicated that older stores are more likely to close. Implications for retail managers and city economic vitality are mentioned and future research possibilities are discussed.
Isotopes, Microbes, and Turbidity: A Multi‐Tracer Approach to Understanding Recharge Dynamics and Groundwater Contamination in a Basaltic Island Aquifer
Authors: Shuler Christopher K. , Dulai Henrietta , DeWees Randel , Kirs Marek , Glenn Craig R. , El‐Kadi Aly I.
Published: September 2018

Wells designated as groundwater under the direct influence (GUDI) of surface water have caused an ongoing boil‐water advisory afflicting the island of Tutuila, American Samoa for almost a decade. Regulatory testing at these wells found turbidity and indicator bacteria spikes correlated with heavy rainfall events. However, the mechanism of this contamination has, until now, remained unknown. Surface water may reach wells through improperly sealed well casings, or through the aquifer matrix itself. In this study, three independent surface water tracers, turbidity, indicator bacteria, and water isotopes were used to assess recharge timing and determine contamination mechanisms. Results from each method were reasonably consistent, revealing average GUDI well breakthrough times of 37 ± 21 h for turbidity, 18 to 63 h for bacteria, and 1 to 5 days for water isotopes. These times match well with estimated subsurface flow rates through highly permeable aquifer materials. In contrast, where one well casing was found to be compromised, turbidity breakthrough was observed at 3 to 4 h. These results support local management decisions and show repairing or replacing wells will likely result in continued GUDI contamination. Additionally, differences in observed rainfall response for each tracer provide insight into the recharge dynamics and subsurface flow characteristics of this and other highly conductive young‐basaltic aquifers.
Erosive tooth wear: Knowledge among young adults and their preferred information sources
Authors: Verploegen Vera Josephina Nicole , Schuller Annemarie Adriana
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to learn more about levels of knowledge relating to erosive tooth wear and about the most desirable way of disseminating dental information among young adults.

Methods

The research was a cross‐sectional study of 331 young adults (20‐25 years old) attending 25 dental care practices. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire with questions about their background, knowledge relating to erosive tooth wear and the preferred way of acquiring information about erosive tooth wear.

Results

The results showed that there are gaps in the knowledge of young adults about erosive tooth wear. The knowledge score depended on educational level and dental information received in the past. The preferred way of acquiring information was chairside information from an oral health care professional complemented by tailored information in writing.

Conclusion

There is a lack of knowledge among young adults about erosive tooth wear. They prefer to receive information from the oral health care professionals accompanied by tailored information in writing. Further research should focus on developing this tailored information in line with the advice given by the oral health care professional.
Nanoscale elastic‐plastic deformation and mechanical properties of 3C‐SiC thin film using nanoindentation
Authors: Nawaz Ahmad , Islam Bilal , Mao Weiguo , Lu Chunsheng , Shen Yaogen
Published: September 2018

The elastic‐plastic deformation of 3C‐SiC thin film was investigated by a nanoindenter equipped with the Berkovich tip. Transition from pure elastic to elastic‐plastic deformation was evidenced at an approximate load of 0.35 mN, when loading the sample at several peak loads ranging from 0.5 to 5 mN. The indentation size effect observed in 3C‐SiC and was analyzed by Nix‐Gao model. In purely elastic region, the Oliver‐ Pharr hardness values were 44 ± 2 GPa. In contrast, indentation size effects were evidenced in 3C‐SiC specimen and the average value of Oliver‐Pharr hardness in the indentation size effect region was 36 ± 2 GPa. Furthermore, depth independent or intrinsic hardness extracted from Nix‐Gao was estimated as Ho = 26 ± 1 GPa which was also validated by proportional specimen resistance model, ie, H1 = 28 ± 1 and H2 = 28.5 ± 0.1 GPa. Besides, energy principle was utilized to extract Sakai Hardness as 104 GPa, which is combined elastic and elastic‐plastic response. Moreover, based on energy principle, another property, ie, work of indentation was also determined to be 20 nJ/μm3. Similarly, elastic modulus had almost depicted stabilized value of 325 ± 8 GPa in pure elastic and elastic‐plastic regions. In addition, plastic zone size was also estimated in elastic‐plastic region using Johnson cavity model at pop‐in and higher loads. Based on the first pop‐in load at 0.35 mN, the distributions of shear and principal stresses were evaluated on various slip planes to elaborate the deformation behavior. Increase in loading rate from 100 to 400 μN/s increased critical pop‐in load from 0.35 to 0.64 mN. This increase in critical pop‐in load with increasing loading rate and values of maximum contact pressure indicates that no phase assisted transformation will occur at pop‐in load. Based on theoretically calculated maximum tensile and cleavage strengths, it was affirmed that the elastic‐plastic deformation occurred due to pop‐in formation rather than tensile stresses. Moreover, it was also concluded on basis of Hertzian contact theory and Schmidt law that the highest possibility of slippage in 3C‐SiC was along the {111} glide plane.
Use of a capillary specimen in the laboratory to verify a point‐of‐care international normalized ratio: Avoidance of a venipuncture in a pediatric setting
Authors: Williams Vaughan K.
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Point‐of‐care (POC) international normalized ratio (INR) values above an institutional cutoff are confirmed in the laboratory using a gold standard venous specimen. This can be problematic in a pediatric setting.

Method

In this study, 449 consecutive POC INR results were compared to an INR performed in the laboratory on a capillary citrate specimen collected from the same finger‐stick. The results were statistically analyzed.

Results

The mean INR values from the CoaguChek XS and laboratory were 2.85 ± 1.19 and 2.63 ± 1.11, respectively. There was a good correlation between the methods with r = 0.97. Bland–Altman analysis indicated a bias of 0.22 favoring the CoaguChek XS, with 95% limits of agreement −0.29 to 0.72. Passing and Bablok method comparison resulted in a slope of 0.91 (y = 0.91x + 0.02). An INR of ≤0.5 was found between the methods in 89% of cases and 84% agreement was noted (κ = 0.69).

Conclusion

Comparing the capillary INR laboratory results to studies involving a venous specimen, the capillary specimen performed with equivalence. Thus, a capillary citrate specimen can be collected from the same finger‐stick used to perform the POC INR for confirmation in the laboratory. This avoids the trauma of a venous collection in such a situation.
The association of HBG2, BCL11A, and HMIP polymorphisms with fetal hemoglobin and clinical phenotype in Iraqi Kurds with sickle cell disease
Authors: Al‐Allawi Nasir , Qadir Shatha M. A. , Puehringer Helene , Chui David H. K. , Farrell John J. , Oberkanins Christian
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the major modifier for sickle cell disease (SCD) severity. HbF is modulated mainly by three major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 2, 6, and 11.

Methods

Five SNPs in the three QTLs (HBG2, rs7482144; BCL11A, rs1427407 and rs10189857; and HBS1L‐MYB intergenic region, rs28384513 and rs9399137) were investigated by multiplex PCR and reverse hybridization, and their roles in HbF and clinical phenotype variability in Iraqi Kurds with SCD were assessed.

Results

HBG2 rs7482144 with minor allele frequency (MAF) of 0.133 was the most significant contributor to HbF variability, contributing 18.1%, followed by rs1427407 (MAF of 0.266) and rs9399137 (MAF of 0.137) at 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The other two SNPs were not significant contributors. Furthermore, when the cumulative numbers of minor alleles in the three contributing SNPs were assessed, HbF% and hemoglobin concentration increased with increasing number of minor alleles (P < 0.0005 and 0.001, respectively), while serum lactic dehydrogenase, reticulocytes, leukocytes, transfusion, and pain frequencies decreased (P = 0.003, 0.004, <0.0005, <0.0005, and 0.017, respectively).

Conclusions

It was demonstrated that SNPs in all three major HbF QTLs contribute significantly to HbF and clinical variability in Iraqi Kurds with SCD and that the cumulative number of minor alleles at contributing SNPs may serve as a better predictor of such variability in this population.
VSIG‐3 as a ligand of VISTA inhibits human T‐cell function
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Wu Guoping , Manick Brian , Hernandez Vida , Renelt Mark , Erickson Christian , Guan Joanna , Singh Ravinder , Rollins Simone , Solorz Alicia , Bi Ming , Li Jun , Grabowski David , Dirkx Janette , Tracy Camrin , Stuart Thomas , Ellinghuysen Chad , Desmond Daniel , Foster Craig , Kalabokis Vassilios
Published: September 2018

B7 family members and their receptors play a central role in the regulation of T‐cell responses through T‐cell co‐stimulation and co‐inhibition pathways that constitute attractive targets for the development of immunotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we report that VSIG‐3/IGSF11 is a ligand of B7 family member VISTA/PD‐1H and inhibits human T‐cell functions through a novel VSIG‐3/VISTA pathway. An extensive functional ELISA binding screening assay reveals that VSIG‐3 binds to the new B7 family member VISTA but does not interact with other known members of the B7 family. Under the same experimental conditions, we did not observe any significant interaction between VSIG‐8 and VISTA. In addition, VSIG‐3 inhibits human T‐cell proliferation in the presence of T‐cell receptor signaling. Furthermore, VSIG‐3 significantly reduces cytokine and chemokine production by human T cells including IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐17, CCL5/Rantes, CCL3/MIP‐1α, and CXCL11/I‐TAC. Anti‐VISTA neutralization antibodies attenuate the binding of VSIG‐3 and VISTA, as well as VSIG‐3‐induced T‐cell inhibition. Hence, we have identified a novel ligand for VISTA that is able to inhibit human T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production. This unique VSIG‐3/VISTA co‐inhibitory pathway may provide new strategies for the treatment of human cancers, autoimmune disorders, infection, and transplant rejection and may aid in the design of better vaccines.
Emotions experienced during the shedding of the first primary tooth
Authors: Patcas Raphael , Daum Moritz M. , van Waes Hubertus J. M. , Beltrani Selina , Pfister Lara T. , Landolt Markus A.
Published: September 2018

Aim

To examine the different emotions expressed by children exfoliating their first primary tooth, evaluate their proportional distribution, and reveal possible influences of child‐ and parent‐related variables on the reported emotions.

Design

A cross‐sectional questionnaire was directed to parents of children who had recently shed at least one primary tooth. Primary outcome variables were the child's emotions at the time of exfoliation. Child‐related determinants were sex, duration of tooth wiggle, previous accident‐ or caries‐related visits at dentist, and having witnessed tooth exfoliation in older siblings. Parent‐related determinants included socio‐economic variables (education, religion, country of origin).

Results

One thousand two hundred and seventy‐four of 3617 questionnaires were returned and analysed (35.2%). 82.0% of the parents reported positive, and 22.0% negative emotions in their child. Previous caries‐related visits at the dentist diminished the likelihood of positive emotions (OR = 0.65), and accident‐related visits increased the odds of positive emotions (OR = 1.57), as did an extended duration of tooth wiggle (OR = 1.98). Higher education of mothers (OR = 2.89) and fathers (OR = 1.96) and an origin from non‐Western countries (OR = 2.56 andOR = 1.85, respectively) were also related to positive emotions.

Conclusions

For most children, losing the first primary tooth is associated with positive emotions. Dental visits and parental factors influence these emotions. Parents and dentists should be aware of their impact on children's emotional development.