bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a patient‐reported outcome measure for upper limb function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: DMD Upper Limb PROM
Authors: Klingels K , Mayhew A G , Mazzone E S , Duong T , Decostre V , Werlauff U , Vroom E , Mercuri E , Goemans N M ,   The Upper Limb Clinical Outcome Group
Published: September 2016

Aim

To develop a patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) assessing upper limb function related to activities of daily living (ADL) that cannot be observed in a clinical setting, specifically for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) across a wide age range, applicable in the different stages of the disease.

Method

The developmental process was based on US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. This included item generation from a systematic review of existing tools and expert opinion on task difficulty and relevance, involving individuals with DMD. Cultural aspects affecting ADL were taken into consideration to make this tool applicable to the broad DMD community. Items were selected in relation to a conceptual framework reflecting disease progression covering the full range of upper limb function across different ADL domains.

Results

After pilot testing and iterative Rasch analyses, redundant or clinically irrelevant items were removed. The final questionnaire consists of 32 items covering four domains of ADL (food, self‐care, household and environment, leisure and communication). Test–retest reliability was excellent.

Interpretation

A DMD‐specific upper limb PROM was developed on the basis of clinical relevance and psychometric robustness. Its main purpose is to document the patient self‐reported natural history of DMD and assess the efficacy of interventions.
Preliminary evaluation of child self‐rating using the Child Tourette Syndrome Impairment Scale
Authors: Cloes Kelly Isaacs , Barfell Kara S Francis , Horn Paul S , Wu Steve W , Jacobson Sarah E , Hart Kathleen J , Gilbert Donald L
Published: September 2016

Aim

To evaluate and compare how children with Tourette syndrome and parents rate tic and non‐tic behavioral related impairment in home, school, and social domains; to compare these with clinician tic ratings; and to identify factors that may predict greater impairment.

Method

In a sample of 85 Tourette syndrome and 92 healthy control families, the Child Tourette Syndrome Impairment Scale, designed for parent‐report and which includes 37 items rated for tic and non‐tic impairment, was administered to parents and, with the referent modified, to children ages 9 to 17 years. Tic severity was rated using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). Analyses utilized descriptive and multivariate statistics.

Results

Tourette syndrome children's and parents' impairment ratings were higher than HC (p<0.001) and correlated moderately (r=0.46 to 0.54; p<0.001). Children's and parents' tic impairment ratings correlated with YGTSS (r=0.36 to 0.37; p<0.001). Parents' average ratings were higher than children's for 19 tic and all 37 non‐tic impairment items. For 29 items, children self‐rated impairment higher for tics than non‐tics. Diagnoses of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder and obsessive‐compulsive disorder had larger effects on parent impairment ratings.

Interpretation

The Child Tourette Syndrome Impairment Scale appears informative for child self‐rating in Tourette syndrome.
Information asymmetries and craft guilds in pre‐modern markets: evidence from Italian proto‐industry
Authors: Caracausi Andrea
Published: September 2016

This article analyses the relationship between guilds and information asymmetries using a large database of quality disputes from early modern Italy. It finds that a high‐quality urban textile industry was able to solve externalities using a range of ex ante and ex post monitoring mechanisms based on private market relationships and fair sanctions which effectively reduced adverse selection and information asymmetries. Instead, when guilds did use their quality regulations, the effect of the guild on information asymmetries and the industry as a whole was generally negative, by providing mechanisms that could be manipulated by entrenched interest groups for rent‐seeking purposes.
Changes in flow and transport patterns in fen peat following soil degradation
Authors: Liu H. , Janssen M. , Lennartz B.
Published: September 2016

The preferential movement of water and transport of substances play an important role in soil, but they are not yet fully understood, especially in degraded peat soil. In this study, we aimed to deduce changes in flow and transport patterns with titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a dye tracer during the course of soil degradation resulting from peat drainage. The dye tracer experiments were carried out on columns of eight types of differently degraded peat soil from three sites taken in both vertical and horizontal directions. The titanium dioxide suspension (average particle size of 0.3 µm; 10 g l−1) was applied in a pulse of 40 mm to each soil core. The cores were subsequently cut into six slices, photographed and the images were analysed for the extent of dye cover and number of pores. In addition, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was determined. Preferential flow occurred in all of the peat types investigated. From the stained soil structural elements, we concluded that undecomposed plant remains are the major preferential flow pathways in less degraded peat. For more strongly degraded peat, bio‐pores, such as root and earthworm channels, operated as the major transport network. Results show thatKsand the effective pore network in less degraded peat soil are anisotropic. With increasing peat degradation,Ksand the cross‐section of effective pores decreased in the predominant direction only and the anisotropy of both properties decreased. TheKswas closely related to the number of macropores and pore continuity. Therefore, we conclude that changes in flow and transport pathways andKswith increasing peat degradation result from the disintegration of the peat‐forming plant material and the decrease in number and continuity of macropores.

Highlights

We aimed to deduce changes in flow and transport patterns during peat degradation.

TiO2(dye tracer) was used to visualize the flow and transport patterns in degraded peat soil.

The preferential flow paths,Ksand pore structures changed with peat degradation.

Changes in flow and transport paths andKsrelate to peat‐forming plant materials and pore structure.
Responses of invertebrates to herbicide in Salix cinerea invaded wetlands: Restoration implications
Authors: Watts Corinne , Thornburrow Danny , Cave Vanessa
Published: September 2016

The use of herbicides to control weeds, particularly large invasions, has now become an essential management tool in many ecological restoration projects. The herbicide glyphosate is routinely used to control the invasive weed, Grey Willow (Salix cinerea), within New Zealand wetlands. However, little is known about the effects of glyphosate on invertebrates. We determine the short‐term effects of glyphosate on the abundance and composition of the nontarget canopy invertebrate community in wetlands invaded by Grey Willow in New Zealand. Initially, the application of glyphosate and a surfactant showed no detectable effect on the canopy invertebrates examined in this study. However, 27 days after herbicide application, significant Grey Willow canopy loss caused dramatic decreases in the abundance of invertebrates in the glyphosate‐treated plots compared with the unsprayed plots. Invertebrates appeared to be sensitive to changes in vegetation structure, such as canopy loss. These results agree with previous studies that have shown that the negative impacts of glyphosate on invertebrate communities are related to indirect effects via habitat modification as the herbicide‐treated vegetation dies. From a terrestrial invertebrate perspective, this study suggests that the use of glyphosate herbicide is suitable for the control of invasive weeds within wetland restoration projects as it appears to have negligible impact on the canopy invertebrate assemblage.
Large‐scale pest control in New Zealand beech forests
Authors: Elliott Graeme , Kemp Josh
Published: September 2016

In 2014, baits laced with the poison sodium fluoroacetate (1080) were sown over 694 000 ha of mostly native beech forests in New Zealand to control rats, stoats and possums – a landscape‐scale pest control programme called ‘Battle for our Birds’. This large pest control operation was necessitated by the mast seeding of beech trees which led to irruptions of rodent and stoats which were predicted to lead to decreases in vulnerable native wildlife. In this article, we describe why and how this extensive pest control programme was developed and implemented. We describe the seedfall monitoring that was used to determine the need for large‐scale rodent and stoat control and the response of these predators to this control. We also provide a summary of the bird monitoring that was undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness or otherwise of the programme.
Ecological restoration in urban environments in New Zealand
Authors: Clarkson Bruce D. , Kirby Catherine L.
Published: September 2016

In the last two decades, the research and practice of restoration in New Zealand has extended into urban ecosystems, where it presents unique challenges and opportunities. This account reviews the history and current state of ecological restoration in urban environments in a country with one of the longest traditions of restoration in the world.
A strategy to expeditious invasive treatment improves clinical outcome in comatose patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Hoogmoed J. , van den Berg R. , Coert B. A. , Rinkel G. J. E. , Vandertop W. P. , Verbaan D.
Published: September 2016

Background

In patients with poor clinical condition after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), treatment is often deferred until patients show signs of improvement. Early external ventricular drainage and aneurysm occlusion may improve prognosis also in poor grade patients. The clinical outcome of an expeditious approach was compared with that of a conservative approach.

Methods

In all, 285 consecutive World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade V aSAH patients admitted to three university hospitals between January 2000 and June 2007 were included. Two hospitals followed an expeditious approach, one a more conservative approach. Groups were compared with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the associations with good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale scores 4–5), using logistic regression models.

Results

Good outcome was seen more often in expeditiously treated patients [22% vs. 11%; odds ratio (OR) 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–4.27]. Expeditiously treated patients more often underwent aneurysm occlusion than conservatively treated patients (64% vs. 27%; OR 4.86, 95% CI 2.93–8.05) and placement of an external ventricular catheter (82% vs. 31%; OR 10.05, CI 5.72–10.66). There was no significant difference in rebleeding between patient groups. Occlusion of the aneurysm was the only variable that remained significant in the multivariable model with an OR of 43.73 (95% CI 10.34–184.97).

Conclusions

An expeditious invasive treatment strategy in WFNS grade V aSAH patients can lead to a better outcome. Hesitance in the early stages seems a self‐fulfilling prophecy for a poor outcome.
Measurement of saliva flow rate in healthy young humans: influence of collection time and mouthrinse water temperature
Authors: Gill Samantha K. , Price Mike , Costa Ricardo J. S.
Published: September 2016

The aim of the current study was to determine if unstimulated saliva flow (measured in μl min−1) is affected by different durations of sample collection and by temperatures of mouthrinse water used before sample collection. In randomized order, participants provided 10 samples of unstimulated saliva at time points ranging from 1 to 6 min after rinsing with different temperatures of water (10, 20, and 30°C). Data were analysed by one‐way anova with post‐hoc tests. Test–retest reliability was assessed using Bland–Altman plots and correlation coefficients. A larger volume of saliva was obtained over a longer collection time. No significant difference in saliva flow rate was observed between collection times [mean: 364 (95% CI: 332–397) μl min−1]. Although rinsing with different temperatures of mouthrinse water resulted in no significant difference in saliva flow rates as a result of the mouthrinse water temperatures, 60% of the participants had a higher saliva flow rate after rinsing with mouthrinse water at a temperature of 10°C compared with mouthrinse water at 20 and 30°C, suggesting large individual variation (range: 24–420 μl min−1). These findings provide justification for using saliva collection times of 1–6 min during sampling of unstimulated saliva. The large individual variations in saliva flow rate in response to different mouthrinse water temperatures suggest that standardization, control, and reporting of mouthrinse water temperature is warranted.
Physiological and functional changes in the stratum corneum restored by oestrogen in an ovariectomized mice model of climacterium
Authors: Chen Yue , Yokozeki Hiroo , Katagiri Kazumoto
Published: September 2016

Significant decreases in hormonal levels at menopause induce physiological and functional discomfort in the skin. Representative changes at menopause are based on so‐called dry skin. However, there is no evidence to explain the mechanism, even though hydration of the stratum corneum (SC) in women at menopause is comparable with that at premenopause but is enhanced by hormone replacement therapy. This study objective was to evaluate structural and functional changes in the SC in ovariectomized mice model of menopause. Hydration of the SC, recovery of the permeability barrier function, integrity and cohesion of the SC, and irritant dermatitis were analysed in mice that underwent ovariectomy with or without replacement of 17ß‐estradiol. In ovariectomized mice, hydration of the SC was reduced, recovery of permeability barrier function after acute disruption was impaired, and integrity of the SC was weakened and was associated with increased cohesion and increased levels of irritant dermatitis. Oestrogen replacement treatment restored all changes. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced levels of expression of desmoglein‐1 and differentiation markers of epidermis in ovariectomized mice compared with control mice and mice with oestrogen replacement treatment. These changes might be directly associated with weakened integrity and impaired permeability barrier function of the SC in ovariectomized mice. This study results reveal that so‐called dry skin at menopause is caused by not only lower hydration of the SC but also complicated structural and functional changes in the SC and skin.
The genetic basis of pigmentation in alopecia areata
Authors: Zheng Min , Ren Yunqing
Published: September 2016

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common hair loss disorder characterized by discrete, well demarcated areas of non‐scarring terminal hair alopecia, with the calculated lifetime risk of ~2%. In past decades, linkage and GWA studies have implicated dozens of susceptibility genes/loci that are linked to the development of AA. Fischer et al performed a genome‐wide CNV analysis of 585 AA patients and 1,340 controls in a European population. This is the first genome‐wide study of CNV to be performed in AA samples, and the association finding in the MCHR2 gene region further underscores the potential role of pigmentation in AA development.
Two‐photon microscopy for intracutaneous imaging of stem cell activity in mice
Authors: Huang Sixia , Rompolas Panteleimon
Published: September 2016

The adult skin is a typical example of a highly regenerative tissue. Terminally differentiated keratinocytes are shed from the external layers of the epidermis or extruded from the skin as part of the growing hair shaft on a daily basis. These are effectively replenished through the activity of skin‐resident stem cells. Precise regulation of stem cell activity is critical for normal skin homoeostasis or wound healing and irregular stem cell proliferation or differentiation can lead to skin disease. The scarcity and dynamic nature of stem cells presents a major challenge for elucidating their mechanism of action. To address this, we have recently established a system for visualizing stem cell activity, in real time or long term, in the intact skin of live mice using two‐photon microscopy. The purpose of this review was to provide essential information to researchers who wish to incorporate two‐photon microscopy and live imaging into their experimental toolbox for studying aspects of skin and stem biology in the mouse model. We discuss fundamental principles of the method, instrumentation and basic experimental approaches to interrogate stem cell activity in the interfollicular epidermis and hair follicle.
TLR4 acts as a death receptor for ultraviolet radiation (UVR) through IRAK‐independent and FADD‐dependent pathway in macrophages
Authors: Zhou Hua , Harberts Erin , Fishelevich Rita , Gaspari Anthony A.
Published: September 2016

UVR‐induced apoptosis in cutaneous antigen presenting cells (APC) causes systemic immune suppression and is dependent on TLR4/MyD88 signalling, but the apoptotic signalling pathways have not been defined. Macrophages pretreated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were unresponsive to subsequent LPS treatment, however, but were susceptible to UVR‐induced apoptosis. Macrophage survival and apoptotic events after UVR were also unaffected by treatment with TLR4 antagonists, a blocking IgG or a TLR4 analog antagonist, suggesting that UVR cell death is independent of a soluble ligand. After UVR, IRAK4KDKI (catalytically inactive IRAK4) and wild‐type (WT) macrophages show equivalent levels of survival, as measured by MTT assay, and apoptosis, as measured by cleaved caspase‐3. Furthermore, in macrophages from both mice, UVR activated caspase‐8 and PARP, while inactivating Rip3. This finding is supported by a lack of IRAK1 degradation after UVR, compared to treatment with TLR2 or TLR4 agonists. UVR induced association of MyD88 with FADD, an extrinsic apoptotic pathway protein, but not IRAK4. UVR‐induced migration of FADD to the cell membrane of WT macrophages, but not MyD88−/− macrophages, was observed (confocal microscopy). Co‐immunoprecipitation using an epitope‐tagged MyD88 revealed that FADD, but not TRADD, was recruited to MyD88 within 30 minutes of UVR exposure. UVR engages TLR4/MyD88 as a death signalling complex, rather than the classical inflammatory signalling pathway triggered by PAMP recognition of TLR4. These studies provide the rationale for the future development of topical TLR4 modulating therapies to interfere with this UVB‐mediated apoptosis and the associated negative consequences of immune suppression.
N2 non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma promotes wound healing in vitro and in vivo: Potential modulation of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinase‐9
Authors: Kang Sung Un , Choi Jae Won , Chang Jae Won , Kim Kang il , Kim Yeon Soo , Park Ju Kyeong , Kim Yang Eun , Lee Yun Sang , Yang Sang Sik , Kim Chul‐Ho
Published: September 2016

Advances in physics and biology have made it possible to apply non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) in the biomedical field. Although accumulating evidence suggests that NTP has various medicinal effects, such as facilitating skin wound healing on exposed tissue while minimizing undesirable tissue damage, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, NTP generated from N2 optimized wound healing in the scratch wound healing assay. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 expression and enzyme activity increased and the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) system was activated after NTP treatment. We also showed that NTP treatment increased Slug and TCF8/ZEB1 expression and decreased that of E‐cadherin, suggesting induction of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). The effect of N2 NTP was verified on rat wound model. Taken together, these results suggest that N2 NTP promotes wound healing by inducing the EMT and activating the MMP‐9/uPA system. These findings show the therapeutic potential of NTP for skin wound healing.
Microbial contributions to subterranean methane sinks
Authors: Lennon J. T. , Nguyễn‐Thùy D. , Phạm T. M. , Drobniak A. , Tạ P. H. , Phạm N. Ð. , Streil T. , Webster K. D. , Schimmelmann A.
Published: September 2016

Sources and sinks of methane (CH4) are critical for understanding global biogeochemical cycles and their role in climate change. A growing number of studies have reported that CH4 concentrations in cave ecosystems are depleted, leading to the notion that these subterranean environments may act as sinks for atmospheric CH4. Recently, it was hypothesized that this CH4 depletion may be caused by radiolysis, an abiotic process whereby CH4 is oxidized via interactions with ionizing radiation derived from radioactive decay. An alternate explanation is that the depletion of CH4 concentrations in caves could be due to biological processes, specifically oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria. We theoretically explored the radiolysis hypothesis and conclude that it is a kinetically constrained process that is unlikely to lead to the rapid loss of CH4 in subterranean environments. We present results from a controlled laboratory experiment to support this claim. We then tested the microbial oxidation hypothesis with a set of mesocosm experiments that were conducted in two Vietnamese caves. Our results reveal that methanotrophic bacteria associated with cave rocks consume CH4 at a rate of 1.3–2.7 mg CH4 · m−2 · d−1. These CH4 oxidation rates equal or exceed what has been reported in other habitats, including agricultural systems, grasslands, deciduous forests, and Arctic tundra. Together, our results suggest that depleted concentrations of CH4 in caves are most likely due to microbial activity, not radiolysis as has been recently claimed. Microbial methanotrophy has the potential to oxidize CH4 not only in caves, but also in smaller‐size open subterranean spaces, such as cracks, fissures, and other pores that are connected to and rapidly exchange with the atmosphere. Future studies are needed to understand how subterranean CH4 oxidation scales up to affect local, regional, and global CH4 cycling.
Groundwater shapes sediment biogeochemistry and microbial diversity in a submerged Great Lake sinkhole
Authors: Kinsman‐Costello L. E. , Sheik C. S. , Sheldon N. D. , Allen Burton G. , Costello D. M. , Marcus D. , Uyl P. A. Den , Dick G. J.
Published: September 2016

For a large part of earth's history, cyanobacterial mats thrived in low‐oxygen conditions, yet our understanding of their ecological functioning is limited. Extant cyanobacterial mats provide windows into the putative functioning of ancient ecosystems, and they continue to mediate biogeochemical transformations and nutrient transport across the sediment–water interface in modern ecosystems. The structure and function of benthic mats are shaped by biogeochemical processes in underlying sediments. A modern cyanobacterial mat system in a submerged sinkhole of Lake Huron (LH) provides a unique opportunity to explore such sediment–mat interactions. In the Middle Island Sinkhole (MIS), seeping groundwater establishes a low‐oxygen, sulfidic environment in which a microbial mat dominated byPhormidiumandPlanktothrixthat is capable of both anoxygenic and oxygenic photosynthesis, as well as chemosynthesis, thrives. We explored the coupled microbial community composition and biogeochemical functioning of organic‐rich, sulfidic sediments underlying the surface mat. Microbial communities were diverse and vertically stratified to 12 cm sediment depth. In contrast to previous studies, which used low‐throughput or shotgun metagenomic approaches, our high‐throughput 16SrRNAgene sequencing approach revealed extensive diversity. This diversity was present within microbial groups, including putative sulfate‐reducing taxa ofDeltaproteobacteria, some of which exhibited differential abundance patterns in the mats and with depth in the underlying sediments. The biological and geochemical conditions in theMISwere distinctly different from those in typicalLHsediments of comparable depth. We found evidence for active cycling of sulfur, methane, and nutrients leading to high concentrations of sulfide, ammonium, and phosphorus in sediments underlying cyanobacterial mats. Indicators of nutrient availability were significantly related toMISmicrobial community composition, whileLHcommunities were also shaped by indicators of subsurface groundwater influence. These results show that interactions between the mats and sediments are crucial for sustaining this hot spot of biological diversity and biogeochemical cycling.
Quantifying full phenological event distributions reveals simultaneous advances, temporal stability and delays in spring and autumn migration timing in long‐distance migratory birds
Authors: Miles Will T. S. , Bolton Mark , Davis Peter , Dennis Roy , Broad Roger , Robertson Iain , Riddiford Nick J. , Harvey Paul V. , Riddington Roger , Shaw Deryk N. , Parnaby David , Reid Jane M.
Published: September 2016

Phenological changes in key seasonally expressed life‐history traits occurring across periods of climatic and environmental change can cause temporal mismatches between interacting species, and thereby impact population and community dynamics. However, studies quantifying long‐term phenological changes have commonly only measured variation occurring in spring, measured as the first or mean dates on which focal traits or events were observed. Few studies have considered seasonally paired events spanning spring and autumn or tested the key assumption that single convenient metrics accurately capture entire event distributions. We used 60 years (1955–2014) of daily bird migration census data from Fair Isle, Scotland, to comprehensively quantify the degree to which the full distributions of spring and autumn migration timing of 13 species of long‐distance migratory bird changed across a period of substantial climatic and environmental change. In most species, mean spring and autumn migration dates changed little. However, the early migration phase (≤10th percentile date) commonly got earlier, while the late migration phase (≥90th percentile date) commonly got later. Consequently, species' total migration durations typically lengthened across years. Spring and autumn migration phenologies were not consistently correlated within or between years within species and hence were not tightly coupled. Furthermore, different metrics quantifying different aspects of migration phenology within seasons were not strongly cross‐correlated, meaning that no single metric adequately described the full pattern of phenological change. These analyses therefore reveal complex patterns of simultaneous advancement, temporal stability and delay in spring and autumn migration phenologies, altering species' life‐history structures. Additionally, they demonstrate that this complexity is only revealed if multiple metrics encompassing entire seasonal event distributions, rather than single metrics, are used to quantify phenological change. Existing evidence of long‐term phenological changes detected using only one or two metrics should consequently be interpreted cautiously because divergent changes occurring simultaneously could potentially have remained undetected.
Patterns of structural and defense investments in fine roots of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) across a strong temperature and latitudinal gradient in Europe
Authors: Zadworny Marcin , McCormack M. Luke , Żytkowiak Roma , Karolewski Piotr , Mucha Joanna , Oleksyn Jacek
Published: September 2016

Plant functional traits may be altered as plants adapt to various environmental constraints. Cold, low fertility growing conditions are often associated with root adjustments to increase acquisition of limiting nutrient resources, but they may also result in construction of roots with reduced uptake potential but higher tissue persistence. It is ultimately unclear whether plants produce fine roots of different structure in response to decreasing temperatures and whether these changes represent a trade‐off between root function or potential root persistence. We assessed patterns of root construction based on various root morphological, biochemical and defense traits including root diameter, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), C:N ratio, phenolic compounds, and number of phellem layers across up to 10 root orders in diverse populations of Scots pine along a 2000‐km climatic gradient in Europe. Our results showed that different root traits are related to mean annual temperature (MAT) and expressed a pattern of higher root diameter and lower SRL and RTD in northern sites with lower MAT. Among absorptive roots, we observed a gradual decline in chemical defenses (phenolic compounds) with decreasing MAT. In contrast, decreasing MAT resulted in an increase of structural protection (number of phellem layers) in transport fine roots. This indicated that absorptive roots with high capacity for nutrient uptake, and transport roots with low uptake capacity, were characterized by distinct and contrasting trade‐offs. Our observations suggest that diminishing structural and chemical investments into the more distal, absorptive roots in colder climates is consistent with building roots of higher absorptive capacity. At the same time, roots that play a more prominent role in transport of nutrients and water within the root system saw an increase in structural investment, which can increase persistence and reduce long‐term costs associated with their frequent replacement.
Carbohydrate and crude protein fractions in perennial ryegrass as affected by defoliation frequency and nitrogen application rate
Authors: Loaiza P. A. , Balocchi O. , Bertrand A.
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of defoliation frequency (either at two‐ or three‐leaf stage) and nitrogen (N) application rate (0, 75, 150, 300, 450 kg N ha−1 year−1) on herbage carbohydrate and crude protein (CP) fractions, and the water‐soluble carbohydrate‐to‐protein ratio (WSC:CP) in perennial ryegrass swards. Crude protein fractions were analysed according to the Cornell carbohydrate and protein system. Carbohydrate fractions were analysed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography. Sward defoliation at two‐leaf stage increased the total CP, reduced the buffer‐soluble CP fractions and decreased carbohydrate fractions of herbage (P < 0·001). The effect of defoliation frequency was less marked during early spring and autumn (P < 0·001) than for the rest of the seasons. An increase in N application rate was negatively associated with WSC, fructans and neutral detergent fibre (P < 0·001), and positively associated with CP and nitrate (N‐NO3) contents of herbage. Nitrogen application rate did not affect CP fractions of herbage (P > 0·05). The fluctuations in CP and WSC contents of herbage resulted in lower WSC:CP ratios during early spring and autumn (0·45:1 and 0·75:1 respectively) than in late spring (1·11:1). The herbage WSC:CP ratio was greater (P < 0·001) at the three‐leaf than the two‐leaf defoliation stage and declined as the N application increased in all seasons (P < 0·001). The results of this study indicate that CP and carbohydrate fractions of herbage can be manipulated by sward defoliation frequency and N application rate. The magnitude of these effects, however, may vary with the season.
Information Dilemmas and Blame‐Avoidance Strategies: From Secrecy to Lightning Rods in Chinese Health Crises
Authors: Baekkeskov Erik , Rubin Olivier
Published: September 2016

China and other authoritarian states notoriously keep mum about disasters. Yet two recent but dissimilar Chinese responses to infectious disease epidemics show that authoritarian crisis management can shift from secrecy to openness. China maintained prolonged secrecy during 2003 SARS, yet was open from day one about 2009 H1N1 flu. To explore why, this article links crisis information dilemmas to blame avoidance concepts from democratic political theories. We argue that greater Chinese transparency about infectious disease response reflects evolution in blame avoidance, from heavy reliance on information control to insulating leaders by using technical experts and agencies as “lightning rods.” In 2003, the Chinese strategy of information containment and secrecy backfired, and the Chinese leadership eventually received blame at home and internationally for crisis mismanagement. In 2009, China put in place public health specialists and institutions as responsible for H1N1 information and responses, thereby insulating the top‐tier leadership.
A last peak in diversity: the stalked echinoderms of the Permian of Timor
Authors: Donovan Stephen K. , Webster Gary D. , Waters Johnny A.
Published: September 2016

In north‐west Europe, the Permian is limited to the New Red Sandstone and the restricted marine facies of the Zechstein, yet elsewhere it is constituted of thick marine deposits with an abundant shelly fauna. One of the most notable sites for the marine Permian is the island of Timor in south‐east Asia, where thick, olistostromic blocks of limestone have yielded 1000+ shelly species. Over a third of these are stalked echinoderms, both crinoids and blastoids, two diverse Palaeozoic groups that would be devastated by the end‐Permian mass extinction.
Reasons for Leaving the Academy: a Case Study on the ‘Opt Out’ Phenomenon among Younger Female Researchers
Authors: Nielsen Mathias Wullum
Published: September 2016

This study provides a contemporary case for exploring the assumed ‘opt out’ phenomenon among early‐career female researchers. Based on rich data from a Danish case study, we adopt an integrated, holistic perspective on women's reasons for leaving the academy. We propose the concept of ‘adaptive decision‐making’ as a useful analytical starting point for synthesizing structure‐ and agency‐centred perspectives on academic career choices. Our study provides new insights into the myriad of structural and cultural conditions circumscribing the career ambitions and expectations of younger female (and male) researchers, at a critical transition point epitomized by high demands for scholarly productivity, international mobility and accumulation of social capital. Located within the context of Danish higher education, our study also adds to the current discussion of why academic gender stratifications persist in a country renowned for its leading international position on issues of societal gender equality.
Spatial Risk Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing near Abandoned and Converted Oil and Gas Wells
Authors: Brownlow Joshua W. , Yelderman Joe C. , James Scott C.
Published: September 2016

Interaction between hydraulically generated fractures and existing wells (frac hits) could represent a potential risk to groundwater. In particular, frac hits on abandoned oil and gas wells could lead to upward leakage into overlying aquifers, provided migration pathways are present along the abandoned well. However, potential risk to groundwater is relatively unknown because few studies have investigated the probability of frac hits on abandoned wells. In this study, actual numbers of frac hits were not determined. Rather, the probability for abandoned wells to intersect hypothetical stimulated reservoir sizes of horizontal wells was investigated. Well data were compiled and analyzed for location and reservoir information, and sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying assumed sizes of stimulated reservoirs. This study used public and industry data for the Eagle Ford Shale play in south Texas, with specific attention paid to abandoned oil and gas wells converted into water wells (converted wells). In counties with Eagle Ford Shale activity, well‐data analysis identified 55,720 abandoned wells with a median age of 1983, and 2400 converted wells with a median age of 1954. The most aggressive scenario resulted in 823 abandoned wells and 184 converted wells intersecting the largest assumed stimulated reservoir size. Analysis showed abandoned wells have the potential to be intersected by multiple stimulated reservoirs, and risks for intersection would increase if currently permitted horizontal wells in the Eagle Ford Shale are actually completed. Results underscore the need to evaluate historical oil and gas activities in areas with modern unconventional oil and gas activities.
Response to tolvaptan and its effect on prognosis in cirrhotic patients with ascites
Authors: Kogiso Tomomi , Yamamoto Kuniko , Kobayashi Mutsuki , Ikarashi Yuichi , Kodama Kazuhisa , Taniai Makiko , Torii Nobuyuki , Hashimoto Etsuko , Tokushige Katsutoshi
Published: September 2016

Aim

The vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan has been used for the treatment of cirrhotic patients with ascites; however, no predictor of efficacy and prognosis has been developed. We evaluated candidate predictors of response to tolvaptan treatment.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study. Overall, 97 Japanese cirrhotic patients (60 men, median age 63 years), who were hospitalized for ascites treatment including oral tolvaptan coupled with conventional diuretics, were enrolled. The efficacy of tolvaptan was defined as a urination increase of ≥500 mL or a urine volume ≥2000 mL/day on the day following treatment. The prognosis of tolvaptan treatment was evaluated by the post‐treatment survival time by Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Tolvaptan therapy was effective in 67% of cirrhotic patients. Patients showed −1.5 (−17.2 to +6.2) kg change in body weight and 40% achieved ≥2.0 kg reduction in body weight after 1 week of treatment. Platelet counts, urine sodium (Na) level, and urine Na/potassium (Na/K) ratio were higher, and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr) ratio was lower, in cases showing a response to tolvaptan. The combination of a BUN/Cr ratio ≥17.5 and urine Na/K ratio <3.09 was predictive of being non‐responsive to tolvaptan, and the response rate in these patients was only 39% (P < 0.01). The mean post‐treatment survival duration was significantly longer in patients who responded to tolvaptan therapy.

Conclusions

Urinary BUN and Na excretion were predictive of a response to tolvaptan, and tolvaptan treatment may improve the prognosis of cirrhotic patients.
Challenging diagnostic issues in adenomatous polyps with epithelial misplacement in bowel cancer screening: 5 years’ experience of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Expert Board
Authors: Griggs Rebecca K L , Novelli Marco R , Sanders D Scott A , Warren Bryan F , Williams Geraint T , Quirke Philip , Shepherd Neil A
Published: September 2016

The diagnostic difficulties of differentiating epithelial misplacement from invasive cancer in colorectal adenomatous polyps have been recognised for many years. Nevertheless, the introduction of population screening in the UK has resulted in extraordinary diagnostic problems. Larger sigmoid colonic adenomatous polyps, which are those most likely to show epithelial misplacement, are specifically selected into such screening programmes, because these polyps are likely to bleed and screening is based on the detection of occult blood. The diagnostic challenges associated with this particular phenomenon have necessitated the institution of an ‘Expert Board’: this is a review of the first five years of its practice, during which time 256 polyps from 249 patients have been assessed. Indeed, the Expert Board contains three pathologists, because those pathologists do not necessarily agree, and a consensus diagnosis is required to drive appropriate patient management. However, this study has shown substantial levels of agreement between the three Expert Board pathologists, whereby the ultimate diagnosis has been changed, from that of the original referral diagnosis, by the Expert Board for half of all the polyps, in the substantial majority from malignant to benign. In 3% of polyp cases, the Expert Board consensus has been the dual diagnosis of both epithelial misplacement and adenocarcinoma, further illustrating the diagnostic difficulties. The Expert Board of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in the UK represents a unique and successful development in response to an extraordinary diagnostic conundrum created by the particular characteristics of bowel cancer screening.
Estimates of the actual relationship between half‐sibs in a pig population
Authors: García‐Baccino C.A. , Munilla S. , Legarra A. , Vitezica Z.G. , Forneris N.S. , Bates R.O. , Ernst C.W. , Raney N.E. , Steibel J.P. , Cantet R.J.C.
Published: September 2016

Genomic relationships based on markers capture the actual instead of the expected (based on pedigree) proportion of genome shared identical by descent (IBD). Several methods exist to estimate genomic relationships. In this research, we compare four such methods that were tested looking at the empirical distribution of the estimated relationships across 6704 pairs of half‐sibs from a cross‐bred pig population. The first method based on multiple marker linkage analysis displayed a mean and standard deviation (SD) in close agreement with the expected ones and was robust to changes in the minor allele frequencies (MAF). A single marker method that accounts for linkage disequilibrium (LD) and inbreeding came second, showing more sensitivity to changes in the MAF. Another single marker method that considers neither inbreeding nor LD showed the smallest empirical SD and was the most sensible to changes in MAF. A higher mean and SD were displayed by VanRaden's method, which was not sensitive to changes in MAF. Therefore, the method based on multiple marker linkage analysis and the single marker method that considers LD and inbreeding performed closer to theoretical values and were consistent with the estimates reported in literature for human half‐sibs.
Mobile hotspots and refugia of avian diversity in the mountains of south‐west China under past and contemporary global climate change
Authors: Wu Yongjie , DuBay Shane G. , Colwell Robert K. , Ran Jianghong , Lei Fumin
Published: September 2016

Aim

To identify hotspots of endemic and non‐endemic avian diversity in the mountains of south‐west China and delineate biodiversity corridors that connect the faunas of northern and southern Asia. To understand how biodiversity and endemism in this region has been maintained through palaeoclimate change.

Location

The mountains of south‐west China, spanning an elevational gradient > 7000 m.

Methods

We used the distributional data of 752 breeding birds to investigate current patterns of diversity across elevational and geographical space. We simulated species richness under palaeoclimate models of global temperature change, assessing changes in species richness.

Results

Contemporary species richness of non‐endemic birds peaked at 800–1800 m elevation, while endemic richness peaked at 2000–3000 m. Richness of non‐endemic birds was highest in the southern Hengduan Mountains and Yungui Plateau, while endemic richness peaked further north, extending into the mountains along the western edge of the Sichuan Basin. Under global warming models, species richness remained high throughout the Hengduan Mountains region. Under global cooling models, the Sichuan Basin showed increased richness.

Conclusions

Endemism peaked in the mountains along the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, highlighting the importance of this region in promoting and maintaining diversity. This region has likely functioned as a biodiversity corridor, bridging the Palaearctic and Oriental biotas to the north and south. Climate simulations suggest that the mountains of south‐west China can accommodate upslope range shifts in response to warming, but low elevation specialists may have experienced increased extinction probabilities during cold periods in the recent past, which may in part explain the current mid‐elevation diversity peak. During glacial periods the Sichuan Basin likely served as a warm refugium for montane birds. Steep environmental heterogeneity has been a key to maintaining high diversity and endemism in the region during palaeoclimate change. These same features will likely shape the effects of future climate change on biodiversity in the region.
Insular plant turnover across a 22‐year interval: a critical retrospective of the roles of pseudoturnover and cryptoturnover
Authors: Morrison Lloyd W.
Published: September 2016

Aim

To document patterns of insular plant turnover spanning a 22‐year period, and to critically evaluate the potential influence of cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover.

Location

Small islands in the Exuma Cays, Andros and Abacos archipelagos of the Bahamas.

Methods

The vascular plants inhabiting 243 small islands in four archipelagos of the Bahamas were surveyed by the same investigator in multi‐year (4–5 years) intervals. Turnover rates were calculated, and the data record was examined for evidence of cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover.

Results

Observed rates of turnover on a per island basis were low (mean < 4% per year). Extinctions represented 68% of turnover events. Cryptoturnover could cause turnover estimates to be up to three times too low, although most cryptoturnover involved propagules that did not reach adult status and species that were not common on the small islands. Pseudoturnover due to the potential overlooking of species was very low (maximum rates of 5–9% of observed turnover). Yet if attainment of a reproductive state, rather than simple residency, is required, pseudoturnover would be higher.

Main Conclusions

Although often not explicitly addressed or quantified, cryptoturnover and pseudoturnover have cast doubt on numerous turnover studies. In this Bahamas data set, the magnitude of such errors will depend on how an immigrant is defined (i.e. whether maturity or reproduction is required). More restrictive assumptions of immigration (i.e. maturity of the propagule to a reproductive state) would increase pseudoturnover, whereas more lenient assumptions (i.e. simple residency) would increase cryptoturnover. Given the robust patterns of extinctions outnumbering immigrations, neither source of error would greatly affect the overall patterns documented in this Bahamian system. These sources of error will continue to be important concerns in any study of temporal diversity, however, and should be considered seriously in the design of future studies.