bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional traits and environmental conditions predict community isotopic niches and energy pathways across spatial scales
Authors: Dézerald Olivier , Srivastava Diane S. , Céréghino Régis , Carrias Jean‐François , Corbara Bruno , Farjalla Vinicius F. , Leroy Céline , Marino Nicholas A. C. , Piccoli Gustavo C. O. , Richardson Barbara A. , Richardson Michael J. , Romero Gustavo Q. , González Angélica L.
Published: May 2018

Despite ongoing research in food web ecology and functional biogeography, the links between food web structure, functional traits and environmental conditions across spatial scales remain poorly understood. Trophic niches, defined as the amount of energy and elemental space occupied by species and food webs, may help bridge this divide.

Here, we ask how the functional traits of species, the environmental conditions of habitats and the spatial scale of analysis jointly determine the characteristics of trophic niches. We used isotopic niches as a proxy of trophic niches, and conducted analyses at spatial scales ranging from local food webs and metacommunities to geographically distant sites.

We sampled aquatic macroinvertebrates from 104 tank bromeliads distributed across five sites from Central to South America and compiled the macroinvertebrates’ functional traits and stable isotope values (δ15N and δ13C). We assessed how isotopic niches within each bromeliad were influenced by the functional trait composition of their associated invertebrates and environmental conditions (i.e., habitat size, canopy cover [CC] and detrital concentration [DC]). We then evaluated whether the diet of dominant predators and, consequently, energy pathways within food webs reflected functional and environmental changes among bromeliads across sites. At last, we determined the extent to which the isotopic niches of macroinvertebrates within each bromeliad contributed to the metacommunity isotopic niches within each site and compared these metacommunity‐level niches over biogeographic scales.

At the bromeliad level, isotopic niches increased with the functional richness of species in the food web and the DC in the bromeliad. The diet of top predators tracked shifts in prey biomass along gradients of CC and DC. Bromeliads that grew under heterogeneous CC displayed less trophic redundancy and therefore combined to form larger metacommunity isotopic niches. At last, the size of metacommunity niches depended on within‐site heterogeneity in CC.

Our results suggest that the trophic niches occupied by food webs can predictably scale from local food webs to metacommunities to biogeographic regions. This scaling process is determined by both the functional traits of species and heterogeneity in environmental conditions.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
A first application of a marine inductive source electromagnetic configuration with remote electric dipole receivers: Palinuro Seamount, Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Safipour Roxana , Hölz Sebastian , Jegen Marion , Swidinsky Andrei
Published: May 2018

We study a new marine electromagnetic configuration that consists of a ship‐towed inductive source transmitter and a series of remote electric dipole receivers placed on the seafloor. The approach was tested at the Palinuro Seamount in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, at a site where massive sulphide mineralization has been previously identified by shallow drilling. A 3D model of the Palinuro study area was created using bathymetry data, and forward modelling of the electric field diffusion was carried out using a finite volume method. These numerical results suggest that the remote receivers can theoretically detect a block of shallowly buried conductive material at up to ∼100 m away when the transmitter is located directly above the target. We also compared the sensitivity of the method using either a horizontal loop transmitter or a vertical loop transmitter and found that when either transmitter is located directly above the mineralized zone, the vertical loop transmitter has sensitivity to the target at a farther distance than the horizontal loop transmitter in the broadside direction by a few tens of metres. Furthermore, the vertical loop transmitter is more effective at distinguishing the seafloor conductivity structure when the vertical separation between transmitter and receiver is large due to the bathymetry. As a horizontal transmitter is logistically easier to deploy, we conducted a first test of the method with a horizontal transmitter. Apparent conductivities are calculated from the electric field transients recorded at the remote receivers. The analysis indicates higher apparent seafloor conductivities when the transmitter is located near the mineralized zone. Forward modelling suggests that the best match to the apparent conductivity data is obtained when the mineralized zone is extended southward by 40 m beyond the zone of previous drilling. Our results demonstrate that the method adds value to the exploration and characterization of seafloor massive sulphide deposits.
Professionalised intimacy: how dementia care workers navigate between domestic intimacy and institutional detachment
Authors: Haeusermann Tobias
Published: May 2018

This article reports an ethnographic study of the handover routines in Germany's first dementia village, with a central focus on how care is balanced between domestic intimacy and institutional detachment. The term ‘professionalised intimacy’ is used for the vivid interplay between comfort and intimacy that renders the interaction between care workers and residents far more complex than previous theories have articulated. Because of the intimacy involved in community building, however, the promise of personalised care must clash with the bureaucratic structures of an official institution, potentially depriving the care workers of their public, respected identity in the process. The study further suggests that most care workers, in fact, support this division between domestic intimacy and institutional detachment. Even if they subscribe to a dementia village's philosophy of personalised care, their medical training and enculturation has endowed them with a habitus compatible with the modern health profession, with incentives on achieving quantifiable health goals. The dementia village is thus illustrated as a pioneering health care experiment that negotiates rivalling discourses of intimacy, professionalisation, and medicalisation.
An ethical audit of the SEND CoP 2015: professional partnership working and the division of ethical labour
Authors: Hellawell Beate
Published: May 2018

This exploratory qualitative interview study addresses some of the ethical challenges encountered by professionals in response to demands made by the special educational needs and disability (SEND) Code of Practice 2015 and considers how this may impact on partnership working. I identify two problems associated with the 2015 Code. One is a pre‐occupation with implementation demands which obscures deeper unease and leaves moral doubt habitually unexplored. The second is the construction of the ‘good’ SEND professional as someone who conceals complexity, trades in professional certainties and can offer ‘straightforward’ advice. An ethical audit employing the conceptual lenses of goals, obligations and dispositions makes explicit ethical effects arising from SEND policy innovation and considers their defensibility. My study highlights how the new SEND framework can tempt professionals to equate ethics with conformity to the regulations of a statutory code, offering standardisation and the lure of following ‘straightforward’ rules as a way out for professionals who are caught in contradictory demands. In considering the division of ethical labour, which many participants employ as a means of coping with professional demands, I identify particular roles where this division appears no longer possible.
Bone Area Histomorphometry
Authors: Andronowski Janna M. , Crowder Christian
Published: May 2018

Quantifying the amount of cortical bone loss is one variable used in histological methods of adult age estimation. Measurements of cortical area tend to be subjective and additional information regarding bone loss is not captured considering cancellous bone is disregarded. We describe whether measuring bone area (cancellous + cortical area) rather than cortical area may improve histological age estimation for the sixth rib. Mid‐shaft rib cross‐sections (n = 114) with a skewed sex distribution were analyzed. Ages range from 16 to 87 years. Variables included: total cross‐sectional area, cortical area, bone area, relative bone area, relative cortical area, and endosteal area. Males have larger mean total cross‐sectional area, bone area, and cortical area than females. Females display a larger mean endosteal area and greater mean relative measure values. Relative bone area significantly correlates with age. The relative bone area variable will provide researchers with a less subjective and more accurate measure than cortical area.
Removal Dynamics of Autoantibodies, Immunoglobulins, and Coagulation Factors by Selective Plasma Exchange on Three Consecutive Days
Authors: Miyamoto Satoko , Ohkubo Atsushi , Seshima Hiroshi , Yamamoto Hiroko , Itagaki Ayako , Maeda Takuma , Kurashima Naoki , Mori Takayasu , Iimori Soichiro , Naito Shotaro , Sohara Eisei , Rai Tatemitsu , Uchida Shinichi , Okado Tomokazu
Published: May 2018

Selective plasma exchange has been shown to be effective in various diseases, but no studies have assessed the benefits of daily treatment. We aimed to investigate the removal dynamics of immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, and factor XIII on three consecutive days in three patients. For mean processed plasma volumes of 1.06 × plasma volume, reductions of 79.6%, 49.3%, and 8.6% were seen for immunoglobulins G, A, and M, respectively. The reductions for fibrinogen and factor XIII were 18.4% and 13.0%, respectively. Removal dynamics were similar for immunoglobulin G‐related autoantibodies and immunoglobulin G when using daily selective plasma exchange. Moreover, daily use effectively removed the immunoglobulin G while retaining the coagulation factors. When disease‐specific autoantibodies are limited to immunoglobulin G, daily selective plasma exchange may be a useful and safe method of intensive induction treatment for plasmapheresis. However, further study is required in larger cohorts to confirm these findings.
Global Supply Chains: Towards A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Athukorala Prema‐chandra , Dixon Peter B. , Rimmer Maureen T.
Published: May 2018

Economists have analysedGSCs using pure theory, econometrics and input–output calculations. We now need a new type ofCGEmodel to show howGSCtrade affects welfare and its distribution between and within nations. The new model must recognise: fragmentation of production; scale economies; intermediate inputs that cross national borders multiple times embodied in products at different stages of completion; and decision‐making by global agents. We describe a prototype that incorporates these features and gives interpretable results not attainable with a standardCGEmodel. We discuss steps to move from the prototype to a policy‐relevant model.
Estimating bird detection distances in sound recordings for standardizing detection ranges and distance sampling
Authors: Darras Kevin , Furnas Brett , Fitriawan Irfan , Mulyani Yeni , Tscharntke Teja
Published: May 2018

Autonomous sound recorders are increasingly used to survey birds, and other wildlife taxa. Species richness estimates from sound recordings are usually compared with estimates obtained from established methods like point counts, but so far the comparisons were biased: Detection ranges usually differ between the survey methods, and bird detection distance data are needed for standardizing data from sound recordings.

We devised and tested a method for estimating bird detection distances from sound recordings, using a reference recording of test sounds at different frequencies, emitted from known distances. We used our method to estimate bird detection distances in sound recordings from tropical forest sites where point counts were also used. We derived bird abundance and richness measures and compared them between point counts and sound recordings using unlimited radius and fixed radius counts, as well as distance sampling modelling.

First we show that it is possible to accurately estimate bird detection distances in sound recordings. We then demonstrate that these data can be used to standardize the detection ranges between point counts and sound recordings with a fixed‐radius approach, leading to higher abundance and richness estimates for sound recordings. Our distance‐sampling approach also revealed that sound recorders sampled significantly higher bird densities than human point counts.

We show for the first time that it is possible to standardize detection ranges in sound recordings and that distance sampling can successfully be used too. We revealed that birds were flushed by human observers and that this possibly leads to lower density estimates in point counts, although sound recorders could also have sampled more birds because of their earlier deployment times. Sound recordings are more amenable to distance‐sampling modelling than point counts as they do not exhibit an observer‐induced avoidance effect, and they can easily collect more replicates for obtaining more accurate bird density estimates. Quantifying bird detection distances was so far one important shortcoming that hindered the adoption of modern autonomous sound recording methods for ecological surveys.
Multi‐omics in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer: Biomarkers from genome to the immunome
Authors: Clifford Cole , Vitkin Natasha , Nersesian Sarah , Reid‐Schachter Gillian , Francis Julie‐Ann , Koti Madhuri
Published: May 2018

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal gynaecological disease that imposes significant burden on health care and patient quality of life. High‐grade serous carcinoma of the ovary (HGSC) is the most prevalent histological type of EOC. A vast majority of HGSC cases are diagnosed at late stages of the disease, limiting the opportunity for clinical intervention and resulting in a 10‐year survival rate of <20%. Recent innovations in high‐throughput molecular analysis of patient‐derived specimens may address these clinical challenges by providing an enhanced understanding of the molecular aetiology of ovarian cancer, in addition to offering several opportunities for rational biomarker and targeted therapy discovery. In this review, we highlight the most significant contributions of omics approaches and how the advent of immunomics can aid in personalized combination chemo‐immunotherapy in ovarian cancer treatment. We further provide insights into immunogenomic correlates of pre‐treatment tumour immune microenvironment and some of the potential interpretations of immunomic data that require further validation, based on stromal and immune contributions to biomarker signatures. We believe a comprehensive integrative approach via meta‐analysis of large ovarian cancer molecular profiling data sets is urgently needed to define robust prognostic and predictive classifiers of disease progression and treatment response. These investigations will inform rationalized biomarker‐driven combination chemo‐immunotherapy trials for improving response and survival of ovarian cancer patients.
Clinical approach to vulvovaginal cysts and abscesses, a review
Authors: De Bortoli Jessica , Chowdary Prathima , Nikpoor Payam , Readman Emma
Published: May 2018

Vulvovaginal cysts are a common problem for women, causing significant pain, discomfort and impact on quality of life. For clinicians, classifying and differentiating these cysts from each other and selecting appropriate management can be challenging, yet there is no integrated classification system and little literature that broadly summarises a clinical approach. We aimed to create a useful tool for clinicians by providing a detailed summary of various vulvovaginal cysts and abscesses with a clear novel classification system and hierarchy for diagnosis and management, to aid clinicians in this process.
Sustained conduction of vasomotor responses in rat mesenteric arteries in a two‐compartment in vitro set‐up
Authors: Palao T. , van Weert A. , de Leeuw A. , de Vos J. , Bakker E. N. T. P. , van Bavel E.
Published: May 2018

Aim

Conduction of vasomotor responses may contribute to long‐term regulation of resistance artery function and structure. Most previous studies have addressed conduction of vasoactivity only during very brief stimulations. We developed a novel set‐up that allows the local pharmacological stimulation of arteries in vitro for extended periods of time and studied the conduction of vasomotor responses in rat mesenteric arteries under those conditions.

Methods

The new in vitro set‐up was based on the pressure myograph. The superfusion chamber was divided halfway along the vessel into two compartments, allowing an independent superfusion of the arterial segment in each compartment. Local and remote cumulative concentration‐response curves were obtained for a range of vasoactive agents. Additional experiments were performed with the gap junction inhibitor 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid and in absence of the endothelium.

Results

Phenylephrine‐induced constriction and acetylcholine‐induced dilation were conducted over a measured distance up to 2.84 mm, and this conduction was maintained for 5 minutes. Conduction of acetylcholine‐induced dilation was inhibited by 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid, and conduction of phenylephrine‐induced constriction was abolished in absence of the endothelium. Constriction in response to high K+ was not conducted. Absence of remote stimulation dampened the local response to phenylephrine.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates maintained conduction of vasoactive responses to physiological agonists in rat mesenteric small arteries likely via gap junctions and endothelial cells, providing a possible mechanism for the sustained functional and structural control of arterial networks.
IL‐6 Triggers the Migration and Invasion of Oestrogen Receptor‐Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Regulation of Hippo Pathways
Authors: Hou Lingmi , Xie Shaoli , Li Guanwu , Xiong Bin , Gao Yanchun , Zhao Xiaobo , Hu Jiani , Deng Shishan , Jiang Jun
Published: May 2018

Breast cancer is one of the major challenges for women's health. However, the role and mechanisms of interleukins (ILs) on the progression of breast cancer are not well illustrated. Our present study revealed that the expressions of IL‐6 and IL‐8 were significantly increased in oestrogen receptor‐negative (ER−) breast cancer cells. Increased expression of IL‐6 was observed in 83.9% (26/31) ER− breast cancer tissues as compared with their matched adjacent normal tissues. In vitro studies indicated that IL‐6 can significantly promote the migration and invasion of ER− breast cancer cells via increasing the dephosphorylation, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activities of YAP in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of YAP can attenuate IL‐6‐induced migration and invasion of cancer cells, suggesting that YAP plays an essential role in IL‐6‐induced malignancy of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, IL‐6 treatment also decreased the phosphorylation of LATS1/2. The knockdown of LATS1/2 synergistically suppressed si‐IL‐6‐induced deactivation of YAP. Targeted inhibition of IL‐6/YAP can significantly suppress the invasion of ER− breast cancer cells. Collectively, our study revealed that IL‐6 can trigger the malignancy of breast cancer cells via activation of YAP signals. Targeted inhibition of IL‐6/YAP might be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of ER− breast cancer.
Board gender diversity and firm performance: The moderating role of firm size
Authors: Li Haishan , Chen Peng
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates the relationships among board gender diversity, firm performance, and firm size. Our paper provides new insights into the relationship between board gender diversity and firm performance by examining whether firm size alters the impact of board gender diversity on firm performance. We use a panel data from A‐share‐listed non‐financial firms in China to examine the relationship during the period of 2007–2012. Our finding demonstrates that the gender diversity on the board has a positive impact on firm performance if and only if the value of firm size is less than some critical value. In addition, we also find that firm size may undermine the positive impact of board gender diversity on firm performance. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a contingency approach to examine the relationship between board gender diversity and firm performance as well as shedding light on the relationship in the context of a developing economy.
Adaptation and resilience in families of individuals with down syndrome living in Ireland
Authors: Caples Maria , Martin Anne‐Marie , Dalton Caroline , Marsh Lynne , Savage Eileen , Knafl George , Van Riper Marcia
Published: May 2018

Accessible Summary

This study describes an Irish‐based study that examined how families of children with Down syndrome living in Ireland adapt to their child’s diagnosis.

We found that good family communication and family hardiness have a positive affect on how families adapt.

Families of children with Down syndrome have the potential to lead full and productive lives and positively adapt to their child’s diagnosis.

Background

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects people of all races, nationalities and socioeconomic status. The incidence of Down syndrome in Ireland is estimated to be 1 in 546, with approximately 7,000 people with Down syndrome living in Ireland. While some families of individuals with Down syndrome may find it difficult to adapt, other families adapt successfully and some even thrive. The aim of this study, which is guided by the Resiliency Model of Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was to examine linkages between family demands, family appraisal, family resources, family problem‐solving communication and family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome living in Ireland.

Methods

Ninety‐five parents (79 mothers, 16 fathers) of children with Down syndrome aged between 1 and 30 years completed six self‐report measures designed to assess key dimensions of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation.

Results

This study found that families of children with Down syndrome can adapt and become resilient. Factors found to positively influence this process include family hardiness and affirming family communication. Factors that negatively influenced this process were incendiary family communication and view of the condition impact.

Conclusion

Families of children with Down syndrome have the potential to lead full and productive lives and positively adapt to their child’s diagnosis. Early recognition of the difficulties being experienced by families and the provision of interventions that target and foster positive resiliency traits such as affirmative communication and the development of overall family hardiness are key to adaptation.
Prospective predictors of exacerbation status in severe asthma over a 3‐year follow‐up
Authors: Kimura H. , Konno S. , Makita H. , Taniguchi N. , Shimizu K. , Suzuki M. , Kimura H. , Goudarzi H. , Nakamaru Y. , Ono J. , Ohta S. , Izuhara K. , Ito Y. M. , Wenzel S. E. , Nishimura M. ,   for the Hi‐CARAT investigators
Published: May 2018

Background

A predisposition to exacerbations is being recognized as a distinct phenotype with “previous exacerbations” representing the strongest clinical factor associated with future exacerbation. Thus, to identify additional novel biomarkers associated with asthma exacerbations, “past exacerbation status” must be included as a confounding factor.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the clinical and biomarker features associated with asthma exacerbations in severe asthma.

Methods

We evaluated clinical parameters from 105 severe asthmatics yearly for 3 years, as well as their exacerbation status. We classified the subjects into 3 groups: (i) consistent non‐exacerbators (CNE, subjects who did not experience any exacerbation over the 3‐year period); (ii) consistent frequent exacerbators (CFE, subjects with frequent exacerbation, defined as those who had 2 or more exacerbations within 1 year, throughout the 3‐year period); and (iii) intermittent exacerbators (IE). We conducted multivariate analysis for comparisons among the groups for multiple factors, including several Th2‐related biomarkers, in addition to the “past exacerbation status.”

Results

Thirty‐nine subjects were classified as CNE, 15 as CFE, and 51 as IE. Frequent exacerbations in the previous year predicted exacerbations for the following year (P < .001). Among the several Th2‐related biomarkers, only FeNO was associated with exacerbation status. When we analysed the data after the second visit, the impact of FeNO on predicting future exacerbation remained significant, even after considering the exacerbation status during the first year (P < .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Measurement of FeNO has a significant potential to predict future asthma exacerbation, which is independent of the “past exacerbation history.”
PET imaging of the influence of physiological and pathological α‐synuclein on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in mouse models
Authors: Levigoureux Elise , Bouillot Caroline , Baron Thierry , Zimmer Luc , Lancelot Sophie
Published: May 2018

Aims

Alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) aggregation is a neuropathological hallmark of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies. This in vivo study explored glucose metabolism and dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission in KO α‐syn, wild‐type mice and an accelerated murine model of synucleinopathy (M83).

Methods

MicroPET acquisitions were performed in all animals aged 5‐6 months using five radiotracers exploring brain glucose metabolism ([18F]FDG), dopamine neurotransmission ([11C]raclopride, [11C]PE2I) and serotonin neurotransmission ([18F]MPPF, [11C]DASB). For all radiotracers, except [18F]FDG, PET data were analyzed with a MRI‐based VOI method and a voxel‐based analysis.

Results

MicroPET data showed a decrease in [11C]raclopride uptake in the caudate putamen of KO α‐syn mice, in comparison with M83 and WT mice, reflecting a lower concentration of D2 receptors. The increase in [18F]MPPF uptake in M83 vs WT and KO mice indicates overexpression of 5‐HT1A receptors. The lack of change in dopamine and serotonin transporters in all groups suggests unchanged neuronal density.

Conclusions

This PET study highlights an effect of α‐syn modulation on the expression of the D2 receptor, whereas aggregated α‐syn leads to overexpression of 5‐HT1A receptor, as a pathophysiological signature.
Effects of urbanization on the population structure of freshwater turtles across the United States
Authors: Bowne David R. , Cosentino Bradley J. , Anderson Laurel J. , Bloch Christopher P. , Cooke Sandra , Crumrine Patrick W. , Dallas Jason , Doran Alexandra , Dosch Jerald J. , Druckenbrod Daniel L. , Durtsche Richard D. , Garneau Danielle , Genet Kristen S. , Fredericksen Todd S. , Kish Peter A. , Kolozsvary Mary Beth , Kuserk Frank T. , Lindquist Erin S. , Mankiewicz Carol , March James G. , Muir Timothy J. , Murray K. Greg , Santulli Madeline N. , Sicignano Frank J. , Smallwood Peter D. , Urban Rebecca A. , Winnett‐Murray Kathy , Zimmermann Craig R.
Published: May 2018

Landscape‐scale alterations that accompany urbanization may negatively affect the population structure of wildlife species such as freshwater turtles. Changes to nesting sites and higher mortality rates due to vehicular collisions and increased predator populations may particularly affect immature turtles and mature female turtles. We hypothesized that the proportions of adult female and immature turtles in a population will negatively correlate with landscape urbanization. As a collaborative effort of the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN), we sampled freshwater turtle populations in 11 states across the central and eastern United States. Contrary to expectations, we found a significant positive relationship between proportions of mature female painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and urbanization. We did not detect a relationship between urbanization and proportions of immature turtles. Urbanization may alter the thermal environment of nesting sites such that more females are produced as urbanization increases. Our approach of creating a collaborative network of scientists and students at undergraduate institutions proved valuable in terms of testing our hypothesis over a large spatial scale while also allowing students to gain hands‐on experience in conservation science.
Land use changes could modify future negative effects of climate change on old‐growth forest indicator species
Authors: Mair Louise , Jönsson Mari , Räty Minna , Bärring Lars , Strandberg Gustav , Lämås Tomas , Snäll Tord
Published: May 2018

Aim

Climate change is expected to have major impacts on terrestrial biodiversity at all ecosystem levels, including reductions in species‐level distribution and abundance. We aim to test the extent to which land use management, such as setting‐aside forest from production, could reduce climate‐induced biodiversity impacts for specialist species over large geographical gradients.

Location

Sweden.

Methods

We applied ensembles of species distribution models based on citizen science data for six species of red‐listed old‐forest indicator fungi confined to spruce dead wood. We tested the effect on species habitat suitabilities of alternative climate change scenarios and varying amounts of forest set‐aside from production over the coming century.

Results

With 3.6% of forest area set‐aside from production and assuming no climate change, overall habitat suitabilities for all six species were projected to increase in response to maturing spruce in set‐aside forest. However, overall habitat suitabilities for all six species were projected to decline under climate change scenario RCP4.5 (intermediate–low emissions), with even greater declines projected under RCP 8.5 (high emissions). Increasing the amount of forest set‐aside to 16% resulted in significant increases in overall habitat suitability, with one species showing an increase. A further increase to 32% forest set‐aside resulted in considerably more positive trends, with three of six species increasing.

Main conclusions

There is interspecific variation in the importance of future macroclimate and resource availability on species occurrence. However, large‐scale conservation measures, such as increasing resource availability through setting aside forest from production, could reduce future negative effects from climate change, and early investment in conservation is likely to reduce the future negative impacts of climate change on specialist species.
Scaling distributional patterns of butterflies across multiple scales: Impact of range history and habitat type
Authors: Pöyry Juha , Heikkinen Risto K. , Heliölä Janne , Kuussaari Mikko , Saarinen Kimmo
Published: May 2018

Aim

Assessing the threat status of declining but yet widespread species poses a challenge to applied ecologists. Previous studies using a common metric to describe the spatial aggregation of occurrences across multiple scales, the fractal dimension Dij, have suggested that species’ distributional trends may be deduced from readily understandable spatial patterns: Expanding species are expected to show more aggregated spatial distributions (higher value of Dij) than declining species (lower value of Dij). Here, we revisited these predictions using a large‐scale empirical dataset on Finnish butterflies.

Location

Finland.

Methods

For each butterfly species (n = 97) and across three spatial scales (grid squares of 10 km, 50 km and 100 km), we calculated the area of occupancy (AOOi) as the sum of occupied grid squares. We employed values of AOOi to derive the Dij for each butterfly species. We then used these metrics to compare the changes in spatial patterns of distribution (∆AOOi and ∆Dij) between two time periods, 2000–2002 and 2009–2011.

Results

Majority of the studied butterfly species showed declining areas of occupancy (at the scale of 10 km, ∆AOO10) and fractal dimensions (across the scales from 10 km to 100 km, ∆D10–100) between the two study periods. In contrast to predictions, AOO10 and D10–100 showed negative impacts on the ∆AOO10, an observation that may be explained by the high proportion of declining species in our data. Butterfly species with the greatest fractal dimensions at regional scales (D10–100) in the years 2000–2002 showed both positive long‐term distributional trends and most notable northern recent range limit shifts.

Main conclusions

Our results were in most cases congruent with the prediction of higher fractal dimension values in expanding compared to declining species. As a novel observation, many butterflies expanded northwards in spite of their occurrences getting simultaneously more scattered, particularly in southern Finland.
Comparison of lameness scores after a low 4‐point nerve block to lameness scores after additional desensitisation of the dorsal metatarsal nerves in horses with experimentally induced pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint
Authors: Coleridge M. , Schumacher J. , DeGraves F.
Published: May 2018

This study evaluated whether anaesthesia of the dorsal metatarsal nerves in addition to a low 4‐point nerve block provides significantly more analgesia to the metatarsophalangeal joint than to a low 4‐point nerve block alone. A wireless, inertial, sensor‐based, motion analysis system was used to evaluate gaits of six horses before induction of lameness, after administration of interleukin‐1β into a metatarsophalangeal joint, after anaesthesia of the medial and lateral plantar nerves and the medial and lateral plantar metatarsal nerves, and after additional anaesthesia of the lateral and medial dorsal metatarsal nerves. The magnitude of hindlimb lameness was analysed considering both the push‐off component (diffmaxpelvis) and the impact component (diffminpelvis) of the lame limb for all trials. There was no significant difference in the sum of diffmaxpelvis and diffminpelvis (SDMPs) when comparing the horse's gait after the low 4‐point nerve block to the gait after additional anaesthesia of the dorsal metatarsal nerves, indicating that there is likely no benefit of medial and lateral dorsal metatarsal nerve anaesthesia when using regional anaesthesia to localise pain to the metatarsophalangeal joint during a lameness examination.
Resorption of the mandibular residual ridge: A micro‐CT and histomorphometrical analysis
Authors: Dekker Hannah , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M. , ten Bruggenkate Chris M. , Bloemena Elisabeth , van Ruijven Leo , Bravenboer Nathalie
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the extent of mandibular resorption and gender is related to the bone turnover and microarchitecture of the edentulous mandible.

Participants and methods

A mandibular bone sample was obtained at canine position from 36 edentulous participants (50% women; mean age: 65 years) during dental implant surgery. All female participants were postmenopausal. Mandibular height, duration of edentulous state and resorption pattern (Cawood classification) were recorded. Microcomputed tomography was used to determine bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, trabecular connectivity density, trabecular number, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation. Histomorphometric analysis was used to assess bone turnover: osteoid area and surface were measured as a parameter for bone formation and osteoclast numbers were determined as a parameter for bone resorption. Correlations between micro‐CT, histomorphometrical parameters and clinical data were analysed with correlation coefficients and parametric and non‐parametric tests.

Results

Lower mandibular height was strongly associated with higher bone mineral density in trabecular bone. Women showed higher osteoclast numbers in trabecular bone than men. In trabecular bone of women, bone volume was significantly related to osteoclast numbers, osteoid surface and osteoid area.

Conclusions

The higher trabecular bone mineral density found in the edentulous mandible could either indicate a restructuring process of the resorbed mandible or suggests that the inferior region of the mandible is more highly mineralised. In women, higher bone turnover is associated with lower bone volume, suggesting an effect of postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency on bone turnover in the edentulous mandible.
Association of fall history with the Timed Up and Go test score and the dual task cost: A cross‐sectional study among independent community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Asai Tsuyoshi , Oshima Kensuke , Fukumoto Yoshihiro , Yonezawa Yuri , Matsuo Asuka , Misu Shogo
Published: May 2018

Aim

To investigate the associations between fall history and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (single‐TUG test), TUG test while counting aloud backwards from 100 (dual‐TUG test) and the dual‐task cost (DTC) among independent community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 537 older adults who lived independently in the community. Data on fall history in the previous year were obtained by self‐administrated questionnaire. The single‐ and dual‐TUG tests were carried out, and the DTC value was computed from these results. Associations between fall history and these TUG‐related values were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. The participants were divided into fall risk groups using the cut‐off values of those significantly associated with falling, and the odds ratios (OR) were computed.

Results

Slower single‐TUG test scores and lower DTC values were significantly associated with fall history after adjusting for potential confounders (single‐TUG test score: OR 1.133, 95% CI 1.029–1.249; DTC value: OR 0.984, 95% CI 0.968–0.998). Older adults with slower single‐TUG test scores and lower DTC values reported a fall history more often than those in other categories (OR compared with the lower‐risk single‐TUG and lower‐risk DTC groups: 3.474, 95% CI 1.881–6.570).

Conclusions

Slower single‐TUG test scores and lower DTC values are associated with fall history among independent community‐dwelling older adults. To some extent, dual task performance might provide added value for fall assessment, compared with administering the TUG test alone. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1189–1193.
Use of Most Bothersome Symptom as a Coprimary Endpoint in Migraine Clinical Trials: A Post‐Hoc Analysis of the Pivotal ZOTRIP Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Dodick David W. , Tepper Stewart J. , Friedman Deborah I. , Gelfand Amy A. , Kellerman Donald J. , Schmidt Peter C.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To better understand the utility of using pain freedom and most bothersome headache‐associated symptom (MBS) freedom as co‐primary endpoints in clinical trials of acute migraine interventions.

Background

Adhesive dermally applied microarray (ADAM) is an investigational system for intracutaneous drug administration. The recently completed pivotal Phase 2b/3 study (ZOTRIP), evaluating ADAM zolmitriptan for the treatment of acute moderate to severe migraine, was one of the first large studies to incorporate MBS freedom and pain freedom as co‐primary endpoints per recently issued guidance by the US Food and Drug Administration. In this trial, the proportion of patients treated with ADAM zolmitriptan 3.8 mg, who were pain‐free and MBS‐free at 2 hours post‐dose, was significantly higher than for placebo.

Methods

We undertook a post‐hoc analysis of data from the ZOTRIP trial to examine how the outcomes from this trial compare to what might have been achieved using the conventional co‐primary endpoints of pain relief, nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia.

Results

Of the 159 patients treated with ADAM zolmitriptan 3.8 mg or placebo, prospectively designated MBS were photophobia (n = 79), phonophobia (n = 43), and nausea (n = 37). Two‐hour pain free rates in those with photophobia as the MBS were 36% for ADAM zolmitriptan 3.8 mg and 14% for placebo (P = .02). Corresponding rates for those with phonophobia as the MBS were 14% and 41% (P = .05). For those whose MBS was nausea, corresponding values were 56% and 16%, respectively (P = .01). Two‐hour freedom from the MBS for active drug vs placebo were 67% vs 35% (P < .01) for photophobia, 55% vs 43% (P = .45) for phonophobia, and 89% vs 58% for nausea (P = .04). MBS freedom but not pain freedom was achieved in 28%. Only 1 patient (1%) achieved pain freedom, but not MBS freedom. The proportion with both pain and MBS freedom was highest (56%) among those whose MBS was nausea.

Conclusion

In this study, the use of MBS was feasible and seemed to compare favorably to the previously required 4 co‐primary endpoints.
Intermittent resistance exercise and obesity, considered separately or combined, impair spermatic parameters in adult male Wistar rats
Authors: Punhagui Ana Paula Franco , Teixeira Giovana Rampazzo , de Freitas Marcelo Conrado , Seraphim Patricia Monteiro , Fernandes Glaura Scantamburlo Alves
Published: May 2018

Obesity and absence of physical exercise are global problems that affect concentration and sperm quality in the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of obesity and resistance training, considered separately or in association, on testicular function and reproductive capacity. Twenty pubertal male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: control (C) and exercise (E) groups that received standard rat chow; and obese (O) and obese with exercise (OE) groups that received a high‐fat diet. All the groups received filtered water during the experimental conditions. Groups E and OE were submitted to 8 weeks of high‐intensity intermittent training. Afterwards, testes were collected for sperm count, spermatogenic kinetics, histopathology, morphometry and immunodetection of androgen receptors (AR). The vas deferens was collected for sperm morphology. The results showed that obesity increased body weight, naso‐anal length, liver and epididymal fat weight, abnormal spermatozoa and immunodetectable AR. Intermittent exercise decreased daily sperm production (DSP), sperm count and normal spermatozoa, whereas the number of tubules with immunodetectable AR increased. The combination of obesity and intermittent training led to reduced sperm count and DSP, although abnormal spermatozoa and the number of tubules with immunodetectable AR increased. Thus, in conclusion, both obesity and resistance training impaired testicular function during puberty in rats; and this type of exercise has also been shown to be detrimental to testicular physiology.
Audited financial reporting and voluntary disclosure: International evidence on management earnings forecasts
Authors: Liu Rubing , Kong Xiangting , San Ziyao , Tsang Albert
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we extend prior research on the link between audited financial reporting and voluntary disclosure by examining international differences in the relationship between commitment to higher levels of audit verification of actual financial outcomes and management earnings forecasts (our proxy for voluntary disclosure), using firm‐level data from 30 non‐US countries. Our evidence that commitment to higher levels of audit verification (proxied by the choice of a Big 4 auditor, the amount of audit fees, and excess audit fees) is positively associated with the incidence and frequency of management forecasts, and with stock market reactions to such forecasts, supports the notion that audited financial reporting and voluntary disclosure of managers' private information are complements in countries around the world. We further find that the relation between audited financial reporting and management earnings forecasts is weaker for firms in countries with relatively stronger capital market development or with higher levels of investor protection, suggesting that audited financial reporting plays a more important complementary role in voluntary disclosure in countries with less‐developed institutions. Overall, our findings suggest that firm‐level commitment to better audited financial reporting and the strength of country‐level institutional characteristics play substitute roles in corporate voluntary disclosure decisions.
Pollution and infectious diseases
Authors: Bosi Stefano , Desmarchelier David
Published: May 2018

Recent empirical contributions highlight the negative impact of pollution on labor supply. This relationship is explained by two mechanisms: first, pollution modifies agents’ work–leisure trade‐off as it deteriorates their working conditions (incentive effect); and second, a polluted environment is likely to generate more frequent epidemic outbreaks and to affect agents’ immune systems (health effect). Bosi et al. () explore the aggregate consequences of the incentive effect and show that it can generate endogenous fluctuations in the economic activity. The present paper focuses on the health effect as we study a Ramsey model augmented with the spread of infectious disease. We find that industrial pollution may generate limit cycles around an endemic steady state. More precisely, the economic system may undergo a transcritical bifurcation followed by two Hopf bifurcations near this steady state.
A useful alternative surgical technique to reconstructing large defects following excision of recurrent pilonidal sinus disease in the intergluteal region: An operative approach for the transverse lumbar artery perforator flap
Authors: Tan Alethea MY , Ahmad Zeeshan , Loh Charles YY , Gardiner Sonya , Mathur Bhagwat
Published: May 2018

The reconstruction of defects in the intergluteal region following pilonidal sinus excision is challenging due to its anatomical location, close proximity to the anus, and being a high‐tension area prone to wound‐healing problems. Excision and primary closure is known to carry a higher risk of recurrence and subsequent complications compared with using nearby local healthy tissue, such as a flap, to reconstruct defect. Extra due diligence should be given to patient selection and flap choice when deciding the reconstruction of a defect. The senior author, who has briefly reviewed complication rates in previous published literature, prefers the transverse lumbar artery perforator (TLAP) flap for reconstruction following pilonidal sinus excision in the intergluteal region. This paper illustrates the operative approach used by the senior author when raising a TLAP flap.
Antiferroelectric‐ferroelectric phase transition in lead‐free AgNbO3 ceramics for energy storage applications
Authors: Gao Jing , Zhao Lei , Liu Qing , Wang Xuping , Zhang Shujun , Li Jing‐Feng
Published: May 2018

The high‐energy storage density reported in lead‐free AgNbO3 ceramics makes it a fascinating material for energy storage applications. The phase transition process of AgNbO3 ceramics plays an important role in its properties and dominates the temperature and electric field dependent behavior. In this work, the phase transition behavior of AgNbO3 ceramics was investigated by polarization hysteresis and dielectric tunability measurements. It is revealed that the ferrielectric (FIE) phase at room temperature possesses both ferroelectric (FE)‐like and antiferroelectric (AFE)‐like dielectric responses prior to the critical AFE‐FE transition point. A recoverable energy storage density of 2 J/cm3 was achieved at 150 kV/cm due to the AFE‐FE transition. Based on a modified Laudau phenomenological theory, the stabilities among the AFE, FE and FIE phases are discussed, laying a foundation for further optimization of the dielectric properties of AgNbO3.