bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does disestablishment lead to religious vitality? The case of Switzerland
Authors: Stolz Jörg , Chaves Mark
Published: June 2017

Economists and sociologists of religion have claimed that religious establishment dampens religious vitality, leading to lower recruitment efforts, low attendance, declining membership within established congregations, and the ‘crowding out’ of non‐established congregations. Conversely, these authors have told us, disestablishment will lead to more religious vitality. Remarkably, even though these claims rest on the connection between establishment and the organizational and membership behaviour of local religious congregations, no research has directly examined that connection. We use the 2008 Swiss National Congregations Study as well as historical data to assess the effect of different levels of religious establishment on both established and non‐established congregations. We find that established congregations do indeed show less religious vitality than non‐established congregations. Contrary to the claims of the economic literature, however, these covariations are not caused by differences in religious establishment on the cantonal level. Both our quantitative and historical analyses show that disestablishment has not led to religious vitality for either established or non‐established congregations. The only clear effect of disestablishment is a dramatic decrease of income for established congregations. Based on quantitative and historical evidence, we suggest that differences between established and non‐established congregations are produced by differences in religious tradition and immigration flows, not by differences in levels of establishment.
Assessment of the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Minas artisanal cheese produced in the Campo das Vertentes region, Brazil
Authors: de Sant'Anna Felipe Machado , Acurcio Leonardo Borges , Alvim Luige Biciati , de Castro Renata Dias , de Oliveira Leticia Goulart , da Silva Andreia Marçal , Nunes Álvaro Cantini , Nicoli Jacques Robert , Souza Marcelo Resende
Published: June 2017

The microbiota of the Brazilian Minas artisanal cheese, made from raw milk, is not well known and may include probiotic bacteria. This study aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo probiotic properties of the lactic acid bacteria isolated from these cheeses. Thirty‐six samples of the Lactobacillus/Pediococcus group were selected for in vitro investigation. Pediococcus acidilactici (PA2) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP4) showed the best results and were tested for their ability to protect Salmonella Typhimurium orally infected mice. LP4 showed better probiotic potential than PA2 and allowed higher values of weight gain (P < 0.05). Thus, Lb. plantarumLP4 may have potential use as a probiotic in foods after future technological screening.
Medical scribes have no impact on the patient experience of an emergency department
Authors: Dunlop William , Hegarty Lachlan , Staples Margaret , Levinson Michele , Ben‐Meir Michael , Walker Katherine
Published: June 2017

Objective

We aimed to evaluate patient perceptions of medical scribes in the ED and to test for scribe impacts on ED Net Promoter Scores, Press Ganey Surveys and other patient‐centred topics.

Methods

Exploratory semi‐structured interviews were conducted in the ED during wait times after scribed consultations. Interview results were used to derive topics relating to scribes. Items addressing these topics from validated surveys were combined with items from widely used patient satisfaction questionnaires. Questionnaires were administered in the ED by face‐to‐face approach while patients were waiting for admission/discharge or test results. Patients and doctors were blinded to the purpose of the questionnaire. The survey evaluated for non‐inferiority of scribed consultations, using Net Promoter Scores, Press Ganey questions and questions specific to the presence of the scribe.

Results

Patient interviews did not identify any negative views regarding the presence of scribes during consultations. Thematic saturation was achieved after seven interviews. Two hundred and fifty‐eight patients were approached to complete the questionnaire, and 215 participated (83%); 95 and 118 participants in the scribed and non‐scribed groups, respectively. There was no difference between scribed and non‐scribed consultations on the following measures of satisfaction: the Net Promoter Score, Press Ganey questions, quality of information received from doctors, communication, privacy concerns or inhibition about revealing private information and room crowding.

Conclusion

We found no evidence that scribes reduce patient satisfaction during emergency consultations, nor prompt discomfort that might cause a patient to withhold information.
Early detection and integrated care for adolescents and young adults with psychotic disorders: the ACCESS III study
Authors: Lambert M. , Schöttle D. , Ruppelt F. , Rohenkohl A. , Sengutta M. , Luedecke D. , Nawara L. A. , Galling B. , Falk A.‐L. , Wittmann L. , Niehaus V. , Sarikaya G. , Rietschel L. , Gagern C. , Schulte‐Markwort M. , Unger H.‐P. , Ott S. , Romer G. , Daubmann A. , Wegscheider K. , Correll C. U. , Schimmelmann B. G. , Wiedemann K. , Bock T. , Gallinat J. , Karow A.
Published: June 2017

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate whether a combined intervention composed of early detection plus integrated care (EDIC) enhances outcomes in patients with early psychosis compared to standard care (SC).

Methods

ACCESS III is a prospective non‐randomized historical control design 1‐year study examining the efficacy of EDIC (n = 120) vs. SC (n = 105) in patients aged 12–29 years. Primary outcome was the rate of ≥6 months combined symptomatic and functional remission. Additional outcomes comprised the reduction of DUP and course of psychopathology, functioning, quality of life, and satisfaction with care.

Results

In observed cases, 48.9% in the EDIC and 15.2% in the SC group reached the primary endpoint. Remission was predicted by EDIC (OR = 6.8, CI: 3.15–14.53, P < 0.001); younger age predicted non‐remission (OR = 1.1, CI: 1.01–1.19, P = 0.038). Linear regressions indicated a reduction of DUP in EDIC (P < 0.001), but not in SC (P = 0.41). MMRMs showed significantly larger improvements in PANSS positive (P < 0.001) and GAF (P < 0.01) scores in EDIC vs. SC, and in EDIC over time in CGI‐Severity (P < 0.001) and numerically in Q‐LES‐Q‐18 (P = 0.052).

Conclusions

EDIC lead to significantly higher proportions of patients achieving combined remission. Moderating variables included a reduction of DUP and EDIC, offering psychotherapeutic interventions.
Exploring the Board Structures and Member Profiles of Top ASX Companies in Australia: An Industry‐level Analysis
Authors: Chandrakumara A. , McCarthy G. , Glynn J.
Published: June 2017

Using published data from the top 166 ASX companies and 1244 corporate board members, this paper presents an industry‐level analysis of board structures and member profiles, and assesses them in terms of the ASX (2014, 2003) principles and recommendations. The analysis reveals that the average board size was seven, non‐executive director (NED) representation on boards was 70%, women held 14% of seats on corporate boards, 17% of NEDs were women and 2% of firms had chairperson/CEO duality positions. The Financial, Industrial and Energy sectors consisted of a majority of executive directors from business and the accounting field and NEDs from the engineering field with work experience of 20 to 30 years. A greater degree of diversity in the field of study and previous experience in the same and different sectors was found in relation to board members in the majority of industrial sectors. The analysis reveals that board characteristics such as board size, having a clear majority of NEDs on boards, decreasing trends in chairperson/CEO duality position, board member diversity in terms of qualifications and previous experience in the same and different sectors were largely consistent with the ASX principles and corporate governance practices.
Performance of BRCA1/2 mutation prediction models in male breast cancer patients
Authors: Moghadasi S. , Grundeken V. , Janssen L.A.M. , Dijkstra N.H. , Rodríguez‐Girondo M. , van Zelst‐Stams W.A.G. , Oosterwijk J.C. , Ausems M.G.E.M. , Oldenburg R.A. , Adank M.A. , Blom E.W. , Ruijs M.W.G. , van Os T.A.M. , van Deurzen C.H.M. , Martens J.W.M. , Schroder C.P. , Wijnen J.T. , Vreeswijk M.P.G. , van Asperen C.J.
Published: June 2017

To establish whether existing mutation prediction models can identify which male breast cancer (MBC) patients should be offered BRCA1 and BRCA2 diagnostic DNA screening, we compared the performance of BOADICEA (Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm), BRCAPRO (BRCA probability) and the Myriad prevalence table (“Myriad”). These models were evaluated using the family data of 307 Dutch MBC probands tested for BRCA1/2, 58 (19%) of whom were carriers. We compared the numbers of observed vs predicted carriers and assessed the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) for each model. BOADICEA predicted the total number of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers quite accurately (observed/predicted ratio: 0.94). When a cut‐off of 10% and 20% prior probability was used, BRCAPRO showed a non‐significant better performance (observed/predicted ratio BOADICEA: 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.60‐1.09] and 0.79, 95% CI: [0.57‐1.09], vs. BRCAPRO: 1.02, 95% CI: [0.75‐1.38] and 0.94, 95% CI: [0.68‐1.31], respectively). Myriad underestimated the number of carriers in up to 69% of the cases. BRCAPRO showed a non‐significant, higher AUC than BOADICEA (0.798 vs 0.776). Myriad showed a significantly lower AUC (0.671). BRCAPRO and BOADICEA can efficiently identify MBC patients as BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Besides their general applicability, these tools will be of particular value in countries with limited healthcare resources.
Distinguishing pathogenic mutations from background genetic noise in cardiology: The use of large genome databases for genetic interpretation
Authors: Ghouse J. , Skov M.W. , Bigseth R.S. , Ahlberg G. , Kanters J.K. , Olesen M.S.
Published: June 2017

Advances in clinical genetic testing have led to increased insight into the human genome, including how challenging it is to interpret rare genetic variation. In some cases, the ability to detect genetic mutations exceeds the ability to understand their clinical impact, limiting the advantage of these technologies. Obstacles in genomic medicine are many and include: understanding the level of certainty/uncertainty behind pathogenicity determination, the numerous different variant interpretation‐guidelines used by clinical laboratories, delivering the certain or uncertain result to the patient, helping patients evaluate medical decisions in light of uncertainty regarding the consequence of the findings. Through publication of large publicly available exome/genome databases, researchers and physicians are now able to highlight dubious variants previously associated with different cardiac traits. Also, continuous efforts through data sharing, international collaborative efforts to develop disease‐gene‐specific guidelines, and computational analyses using large data, will indubitably assist in better variant interpretation and classification. This article discusses the current, and quickly changing, state of variant interpretation resources within cardiovascular genetic research, e.g., publicly available databases and ways of how cardiovascular genetic counselors and geneticists can aid in improving variant interpretation in cardiology.
GLOBALIZATION: CONTENTS AND DISCONTENTS
Authors: Ashenfelter Orley , Engle Robert F. , McFadden Daniel L. , Schmidt‐Hebbel Klaus
Published: June 2017

William Shakespeare's Tragedy of King Richard III, written approximately in 1592, is the story of evil acts by the detested and misshapen hunchback, Richard, who plots to sow discontent among his brother, the King, and others, and has his brother murdered along with other wicked deeds in order to gain the throne. It opens with the line, “Now is the winter of our discontent” (p. 111, ed. Wright 1936). “The Winter of Our Discontent” is also the title of John Steinbeck's (1961) novel of a man who trades his moral convictions to reclaim lost family wealth. “Globalization and Its Discontents” is the title of Joseph Stiglitz's (2002) book that critiques rigid adherence by major economic institutions—such as the International Monetary Fund—to economic orthodoxy in the promotion of globalization. (JEL F6, D72, D3, O23, O24, L17, K33)
Cutaneous malignancies simulating seborrheic keratoses: An underappreciated phenomenon?
Authors: Chen Tiffany Y. , Morrison Annie O. , Cockerell Clay J.
Published: June 2017

Background

Seborrheic keratosis (SK), a common and benign entity, is generally diagnosed clinically without the need for a biopsy. Given their variable appearance, SK may mimic cancer clinically and require biopsy for clinically equivocal cases. A clinician may also choose to perform biopsies on SK based on other circumstances, such as cosmetic reasons or SK being in an inconvenient and irritative location.

Methods

Dermatopathology samples from 2015 obtained from private and university locations were retrospectively assessed. Cases included in the study were those with “SK” or “ISK” (irritated seborrheic keratosis) and no other diagnosis in the clinical data. Cases with modifiers suggestive of malignancy such as “SK rule out others,” changing, growing and so on were excluded. A total of 4361 eligible cases were identified and used for analysis.

Results

Of the 4361 cases identified as only “SK” or “ISK” in the clinical data, 3759 (86.2%) were, in fact, SK or ISK. A total of 466 (10.7%) were an assortment of non‐malignancy diagnoses such as dermatofibroma. There were 136 (3.1%) cases histologically diagnosed as malignancies. The majority (9/136 cases; 67%) were in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma; 24.3% (33/136) were basal cell carcinoma and 8.8% (12/136) were melanoma.

Conclusion

SK may mimic cancer even in clinically unsuspicious cases.
Clinical features and evolution of the gelastic seizures–hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome
Authors: Striano Salvatore , Striano Pasquale
Published: June 2017

Gelastic seizures, usually with onset in early infancy, are the hallmark manifestation of hypothalamic hamartoma. This seizure type is directly generated by hamartoma itself, intrinsically epileptogenic because of its anatomofunctional organization. Other types of seizures, focal or generalized, may appear during the evolution, probably resulting from mechanisms of secondary epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, the clinical expression and the severity of the syndrome, ranging from a focal drug‐resistant epilepsy to a catastrophic generalized encephalopathy with severe cognitive and behavioral impairments, depends on the size and the site of attachment of the hamartoma. Early suspicion, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are mandatory to reverse a potential catastrophic evolution of this condition.
Hypothalamic hamartoma with epilepsy: Review of endocrine comorbidity
Authors: Harrison Victor S. , Oatman Oliver , Kerrigan John F.
Published: June 2017

The most common, and usually the only, endocrine disturbance in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) and epilepsy is central precocious puberty (CPP). The mechanism for CPP associated with HH may relate to ectopic generation and pulsatile release of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) from the HH, but this remains an unproven hypothesis. Possible regulators of GnRH release that are intrinsic to HH tissue include the following: (1) glial factors (such as transforming growth factor α[TGFα) and (2) γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)–mediated excitation. Both are known to be present in surgically‐resected HH tissue, but are present in patients with and without a history of CPP, suggesting the possibility that symptoms related to HH are directly associated with the region of anatomic attachment of the HH to the hypothalamus, which determines functional network connections, rather than to differences in HH tissue expression or pathophysiology. CPP associated with HH presents with isosexual development prior to the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. It is not uncommon for CPP with HH to present in children at an earlier age in comparison to other causes of CPP, including in infancy. Surgical resection of the HH can be effective for treating CPP, but is reserved for patients with intractable epilepsy, since GnRH agonists are widely available and effective treatment. Other endocrine disturbances with HH are rare, but can include growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. Diabetes insipidus is commonly encountered postoperatively, but is not observed with HH prior to surgical intervention.
A Conceptual Model and Clinical Framework for Integrating Mindfulness into Family Therapy with Adolescents
Authors: Brody Janet L. , Scherer David G. , Turner Charles W. , Annett Robert D. , Dalen Jeanne
Published: June 2017

Individual and group‐based psychotherapeutic interventions increasingly incorporate mindfulness‐based principles and practices. These practices include a versatile set of skills such as labeling and attending to present‐moment experiences, acting with awareness, and avoiding automatic reactivity. A primary motivation for integrating mindfulness into these therapies is compelling evidence that it enhances emotion regulation. Research also demonstrates that family relationships have a profound influence on emotion regulation capacities, which are central to family functioning and prosocial behavior more broadly. Despite this evidence, no framework exists to describe how mindfulness might integrate into family therapy. This paper describes the benefits of mindfulness‐based interventions, highlighting how and why informal mindfulness practices might enhance emotion regulation when integrated with family therapy. We provide a clinical framework for integrating mindfulness into family therapy, particularly as it applies to families with adolescents. A brief case example details sample methods showing how incorporating mindfulness practices into family therapy may enhance treatment outcomes. A range of assessment modalities from biological to behavioral demonstrates the breadth with which the benefits of a family‐based mindfulness intervention might be evaluated.
Does climate variability influence the demography of wild primates? Evidence from long‐term life‐history data in seven species
Authors: Campos Fernando A. , Morris William F. , Alberts Susan C. , Altmann Jeanne , Brockman Diane K. , Cords Marina , Pusey Anne , Stoinski Tara S. , Strier Karen B. , Fedigan Linda M.
Published: June 2017

Earth's rapidly changing climate creates a growing need to understand how demographic processes in natural populations are affected by climate variability, particularly among organisms threatened by extinction. Long‐term, large‐scale, and cross‐taxon studies of vital rate variation in relation to climate variability can be particularly valuable because they can reveal environmental drivers that affect multiple species over extensive regions. Few such data exist for animals with slow life histories, particularly in the tropics, where climate variation over large‐scale space is asynchronous. As our closest relatives, nonhuman primates are especially valuable as a resource to understand the roles of climate variability and climate change in human evolutionary history. Here, we provide the first comprehensive investigation of vital rate variation in relation to climate variability among wild primates. We ask whether primates are sensitive to global changes that are universal (e.g., higher temperature, large‐scale climate oscillations) or whether they are more sensitive to global change effects that are local (e.g., more rain in some places), which would complicate predictions of how primates in general will respond to climate change. To address these questions, we use a database of long‐term life‐history data for natural populations of seven primate species that have been studied for 29–52 years to investigate associations between vital rate variation, local climate variability, and global climate oscillations. Associations between vital rates and climate variability varied among species and depended on the time windows considered, highlighting the importance of temporal scale in detection of such effects. We found strong climate signals in the fertility rates of three species. However, survival, which has a greater impact on population growth, was little affected by climate variability. Thus, we found evidence for demographic buffering of life histories, but also evidence of mechanisms by which climate change could affect the fates of wild primates.
Decadal changes in habitat characteristics influence population trajectories of southern elephant seals
Authors: Hindell Mark A. , Sumner Michael , Bestley Sophie , Wotherspoon Simon , Harcourt Robert G. , Lea Mary‐Anne , Alderman Rachael , McMahon Clive R.
Published: June 2017

Understanding divergent biological responses to climate change is important for predicting ecosystem level consequences. We use species habitat models to predict the winter foraging habitats of female southern elephant seals and investigate how changes in environmental variables within these habitats may be related to observed decreases in the Macquarie Island population. There were three main groups of seals that specialized in different ocean realms (the sub‐Antarctic, the Ross Sea and the Victoria Land Coast). The physical and climate attributes (e.g. wind strength, sea surface height, ocean current strength) varied amongst the realms and also displayed different temporal trends over the last two to four decades. Most notably, sea ice extent increased on average in the Victoria Land realm while it decreased overall in the Ross Sea realm. Using a species distribution model relating mean residence times (time spent in each 50 × 50 km grid cell) to 9 climate and physical co‐variates, we developed spatial predictions of residence time to identify the core regions used by the seals across the Southern Ocean from 120°E to 120°W. Population size at Macquarie Island was negatively correlated with ice concentration within the core habitat of seals using the Victoria Land Coast and the Ross Sea. Sea ice extent and concentration is predicted to continue to change in the Southern Ocean, having unknown consequences for the biota of the region. The proportion of Macquarie Island females (40%) utilizing the relatively stable sub‐Antarctic region, may buffer this population against longer‐term regional changes in habitat quality, but the Macquarie Island population has persistently decreased (−1.45% per annum) over seven decades indicating that environmental changes in the Antarctic are acting on the remaining 60% of the population to impose a long‐term population decline in a top Southern Ocean predator.
Academic “Centres,” Epistemic Differences and Brain Circulation
Authors: Ortiga Yasmin Y. , Chou Meng‐Hsuan , Sondhi Gunjan , Wang Jue
Published: June 2017

This article investigates the factors that shape how migrant academics engage with fellow scholars within their countries of origin. We focus specifically on the mobility of Asian‐born faculty between Singapore, a fast‐developing education hub in Southeast Asia, and their “home” countries within the region. Based on qualitative interviews with 45 migrant academics, this article argues that while education hubs like Singapore increase the possibility of brain circulation within Asia, epistemic differences between migrant academics and home country counterparts make it difficult to establish long‐term collaboration for research. Singapore institutions also look to the West in determining how research work is assessed for tenure and promotion, encouraging Singapore‐based academics to focus on networking with colleagues and peers based in the US and Europe rather than those based in origin countries. Such conditions undermine the positive impact of academic mobility between Singapore and surrounding countries within the region.
On the Road to Emmaus: Together towards Life as Conversation Partner in Missiological Research
Authors: Kaunda Chammah J.
Published: June 2017

This article argues that the Emmaus narrative in Luke 24:13‐40 illustrates a messianic paradigmatic missiological approach to costly discipleship making. The central motif in this approach is critical emancipatory conversation, which is not merely the means to data gathering but an end in itself. Using Luke's story as a paradigmatic approach to missiological research, I demonstrate how Together towards Life as a research tool could creatively and innovatively engage with African theological education.
Case Study on Together towards Life and Ministerial Formation
Authors: Kirkpatrick Clifton
Published: June 2017

When asked over the years why I believe the World Council of Churches is so important to the life of the church, my response has been not so much because of what its programmes do but because of its work in building a common ecumenical vision and bringing the diversity of the world church around that vision. This has been so valuable in shaping the life and ministry of the church ecumenical at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries. Together towards Life gives us a fresh opportunity to do this again in the area of mission and evangelism.
Together towards Life in the Korean Context: Missiological Implications for the Korean Church
Authors: Byun Chang Uk
Published: June 2017

This paper examines the implications of Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes (TTL) in the Korean context. TTL presents a renewed understanding of mission and challenges the mission activity of the Korean church and mission community. The paper explores some missiological implications of TTL for the once marginalized Korean church, which has become the centre of global Christianity. The world church has begun to recognize the rise of the non‐Western churches and the emerging roles of the Korean church. TTL, with a study guide, and Ecumenical Missiology should serve as helpful resources for teaching and training theology students and field missionaries.
Reading the Document on Mission of the Holy and Great Council from a Missiological Point of View
Authors: Voulgaraki‐Pissina Evi
Published: June 2017

Promulgation of the document on mission by the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church in Crete in June 2016 ensures an enduring place for mission in the future shape of Orthodoxy. After discussion of the methodological limitations of the document, this article explores the process by which it was prepared, the range of reactions to it, some problems of language, and changes in the final, approved version, offering some assessments of its meaning and import.
Christian Mission, Politics, and Socio‐Economic Development: The Contribution of Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation
Authors: Kangwa Jonathan
Published: June 2017

This article considers the contribution of the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation to the political and socio‐economic development of Zambia. First, the introduction and growth of Christianity in the mining areas of the Copperbelt are explored. Next, the article traces the formation and development of the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation. In the third place, it analyzes the role played by the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in the politics and development of Zambia during the first decades of its formation, including its participation in Zambia's struggle for independence. After political independence, the foundation continued to fulfil a major part in facilitating reconciliation between blacks and whites. The article argues that the participation of the church in God's mission in the world cannot be divorced from socio‐economic and political realities.
Using citizen science monitoring data in species distribution models to inform isotopic assignment of migratory connectivity in wetland birds
Authors: Fournier Auriel M. V. , Drake Kiel L. , Tozer Douglas C.
Published: June 2017

Stable isotopes have been used to estimate migratory connectivity in many species. Estimates are often greatly improved when coupled with species distribution models (SDMs), which temper estimates in relation to occurrence. SDMs can be constructed using point locality data from a variety of sources including extensive monitoring data typically collected by citizen scientists. However, one potential issue with SDM is that these data often have sampling bias. To avoid this potential bias, we created SDMs based on marsh bird monitoring program data collected by citizen scientists and other participants following protocols specifically designed to maximize detections of species of interest at locations representative of larger areas of inference. We then used the SDMs to refine isotopic assignments of breeding areas of autumn‐migrating and wintering sora Porzana carolina, Virginia rail Rallus limicola, and yellow rail Coturnicops noveboracensis based on feathers collected from individuals caught at various locations in the United States from Minnesota south to Louisiana and South Carolina. Sora were assigned to an area that included much of the western U.S. and prairie Canada, covering parts of the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi waterfowl Flyways. Yellow rails were assigned to a broad area along Hudson and James Bay in northern Manitoba and Ontario, as well as smaller parts of Québec, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, including parts of the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways. Virginia rails were from several discrete areas, including parts of Colorado, New Mexico, the central valley of California, and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the Pacific and Central Flyways. Our study demonstrates extensive data from organized citizen science monitoring programs are especially useful for improving isotopic assignments of migratory connectivity in birds, which can ultimately lead to better informed management decisions and conservation actions.
Rock wrens preferentially use song types that improve long distance signal transmission during natural singing bouts
Authors: Benedict Lauryn , Warning Nathanial
Published: June 2017

When animals are capable of producing variable signals they may preferentially use some signal types over others. Among songbirds, individuals are known to alter song type form and usage patterns in contest and mating situations, but studies have not examined how song choice improves signal efficacy during broadcast song. For this study we investigated rock wren Salpinctes obsoletus song type use rates during natural singing bouts. We tested three hypotheses for adaptive song use during broadcast song: 1) birds improve signal content by increasing the use of high quality songs, 2) birds optimize for signal propagation by preferentially using songs that transmit well, and 3) birds maintain energy by reducing the use of costly songs. The study included 19 058 songs sung by 12 individuals, each of which had a measured song repertoire of between 52 and 117 song types which were produced at highly variable rates. Results indicated that rock wrens did not preferentially sing song types with shorter durations or fewer frequency switches, as would be expected if they selected song types to minimize delivery costs. They also did not favor songs with more rapid trills or more frequency switches, as would be expected if they adjusted song use primarily to indicate quality. Focal birds did preferentially sing significantly longer songs with lower bandwidths, lower frequencies, and slower trill rates. Results suggest that natural broadcast singing patterns are shaped more by the benefits of long distance transmission than by the benefits of advertising performance ability or the costs of song production.
Significance of presence of microvascular invasion in specimens obtained after surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Li Jun , Shen Feng , Lau Wan Yee
Published: June 2017

Partial hepatectomy and liver transplantation are potentially curative treatments in selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, a high postoperative tumor recurrence rate significantly decreases long‐term survival outcomes. Among multiple prognostic factors, the presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) has increasingly been recognized to reflect enhanced abilities of local invasion and distant metastasis of HCC. Unfortunately, MVI can only currently be identified through histopathological studies on resected surgical specimens. Accurate preoperative tests to predict the presence of MVI are urgently needed. This paper reviews the current studies on incidence, pathological diagnosis, and classification of MVI; possible mechanisms of MVI formation; and preoperative prediction of the presence of MVI. Furthermore, focusing on how the postoperative management can be improved on histopathologically confirmed patients with HCC with MVI, and the potential roles of using predictive tests to estimate the risk of presence of MVI, helps in preoperative therapeutic decision‐making in patients with HCC.
Religious Coping and Glycemic Control in Couples with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fincham Frank D. , Seibert Gregory S. , May Ross W. , Wilson Colwick M. , Lister Zephon D.
Published: June 2017

This study examines the role of religious coping in couples’ diabetes management processes. Eighty‐seven couples where one spouse had type 2 diabetes were surveyed. The relationships between religious coping (positive and negative), shared glycemic control activities (e.g., planning a healthy diet), and glycemic control were examined using repeated measuresANOVAandSEM. Findings show spousal engagement in shared activities is significantly associated with glycemic control. Furthermore, the use of negative religious coping by the diabetic spouse, and positive religious coping by the nondiabetic spouse, related to lower levels and higher levels of shared glycemic control activities, respectively. Religious coping and shared glycemic control activities appear integral to couples managing type 2 diabetes and, may serve as useful points of intervention.
Non‐neural androgen receptors affect sexual differentiation of brain and behaviour
Authors: Monks D. A. , Swift‐Gallant A.
Published: June 2017

Although gonadal testosterone is the principal endocrine factor that promotes masculine traits in mammals, the development of a male phenotype requires local production of both androgenic and oestrogenic signals within target tissues. Much of our knowledge concerning androgenic components of testosterone signalling in sexual differentiation comes from studies of androgen receptor (Ar) loss of function mutants. Here, we review these studies of loss ofArfunction and ofARoverexpression either globally or selectively in the nervous system of mice. Global and neural mutations affect socio‐sexual behaviour and the neuroanatomy of these mice in a sexually differentiated manner. Some masculine traits are affected by both global and neural mutation, indicative of neural mediation, whereas other masculine traits are affected only by global mutation, indicative of an obligatory non‐neural androgen target. These results support a model in which multiple sites of androgen action coordinate to produce masculine phenotypes. Furthermore,ARoverexpression does not always have a phenotype opposite to that of loss ofArfunction mutants, indicative of a nonlinear relationship between androgen dose and masculine phenotype in some cases. Potential mechanisms ofArgene function in non‐neural targets in producing masculine phenotypes are discussed.
Transgelin mediates transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Mitarai H. , Wada N. , Hasegawa D. , Yoshida S. , Sonoda M. , Tomokiyo A. , Hamano S. , Serita S. , Mizumachi H. , Maeda H.
Published: June 2017

Background and Objective

Human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) express transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) that regulates differentiation and proliferation, and plays key roles in homeostasis of PDL tissue. Transgelin is a cytoskeleton‐associated protein with an Smad‐binding element in its gene promoter region. In this study, we examined the localization and potential function of transgelin in PDL tissue and cells.

Material and Methods

Microarray analysis of HPDLC lines (2‐14, 2‐23 and 2‐52) was performed. Expression of transgelin in HPDLCs was examined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Effects of TGF‐β1 and its signaling inhibitor, SB431542, on transgelin expression in HPDLCs were examined by western blot analysis. The effects of transgelin knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on HPDLC proliferation stimulated by TGF‐β1 were assessed by WST‐1 assay.

Results

In microarray and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analyses, the expression levels of transgelin (TAGLN) in 2‐14 and 2‐23 cells, which highly expressed PDL markers such as periostin (POSTN), tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), α‐smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and type I collagen A1 (COL1A1), was significantly higher than those in 2‐52 cells that expressed PDL markers weakly. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed expression of transgelin in rat PDL tissue and HPDLCs. In HPDLCs, TGF‐β1 treatment upregulated transgelin expression, whereas inhibition of the type 1 TGF‐β1 receptor by SB431542 suppressed this upregulation. Furthermore, TAGLN siRNA transfection did not promote the proliferation of HPDLCs treated with TGF‐β1. The expression levels of CCNA2 and CCNE1, which regulate DNA synthesis and mitosis through the cell cycle, were also not upregulated in HPDLCs transfected with TAGLN siRNA.

Conclusion

Transgelin is expressed in PDL tissue and might have a role in HPDLC proliferation induced by TGF‐β1 stimulation.
Terra incognita of soil biodiversity: unseen invasions under our feet
Authors: Andújar Carmelo , Arribas Paula , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: June 2017

Whilst cartographers of the 19th century endeavoured to chart the last unknown lands, the great challenge for biologists in the 21st century is to fill the gaps on the biodiversity map of the Earth. And one of the largest gaps concerns the biodiversity of soils, a terra incognita right under our feet. The study of soil biodiversity, and particularly the complex communities of small invertebrates, has suffered from a severe ‘taxonomic impediment’ (Decaëns ) leading to great uncertainties about total species richness, phylogenetic diversity, geographical structure, temporal dynamics of soil organisms, and consequently about their role on ecosystem function (Bardgett & van der Putten ). However, the revolution in high‐throughput sequencing is now revealing the hidden biodiversity of the soil with unprecedented detail (e.g. Arribas et al. ). In a noteworthy from the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Cicconardi et al. () apply these new tools to study soil communities of Collembola in three distant oceanic islands of volcanic origin, obtaining a striking result: only 38 of 70 species (54%) are exclusively found in a single island, with the remaining shared among islands or with other distant regions, suggesting a massive recent introduction of soil species, whose impact is entirely unknown.
Simultaneous evolution of multiple dispersal components and kernel
Authors: Tung Sudipta , Mishra Abhishek , Shreenidhi P. M. , Sadiq Mohammed Aamir , Joshi Sripad , Sruti V. R. Shree , Dey Sutirth
Published: June 2017

Global climate is changing rapidly and is accompanied by large‐scale fragmentation and destruction of habitats. Since dispersal is the first line of defense for mobile organisms to cope with such adversities in their environment, it is important to understand the causes and consequences of evolution of dispersal. Although dispersal is a complex phenomenon involving multiple dispersal‐components like propensity (tendency to leave the natal patch) and ability (to travel long distances), the relationship between these traits is not always straight‐forward, it is not clear whether these traits can evolve simultaneously or not, and how their interactions affect the overall dispersal profile. To investigate these issues, we subjected four large (n ∼ 2400) outbred populations of Drosophila melanogaster to artificial selection for increased dispersal, in a setup that mimicked increasing habitat fragmentation over 33 generations. The propensity and ability of the selected populations were significantly greater than the non‐selected controls and the difference persisted even in the absence of proximate drivers for dispersal. The dispersal kernel evolved to have significantly greater standard deviation and reduced values of skew and kurtosis, which ultimately translated into the evolution of a greater frequency of long‐distance dispersers (LDDs). We also found that although sex‐biased dispersal exists in D. melanogaster, its expression can vary depending on which dispersal component is being measured and the environmental condition under which dispersal takes place. Interestingly though, there was no difference between the two sexes in terms of dispersal evolution. We discuss possible reasons for why some of our results do not agree with previous laboratory and field studies. The rapid evolution of multiple components of dispersal and the kernel, expressed even in the absence of stress, indicates that dispersal evolution cannot be ignored while investigating eco‐evolutionary phenomena like speed of range expansion, disease spread, evolution of invasive species and destabilization of metapopulation dynamics.
Flower specialisation: the occluded corolla of snapdragons (Antirrhinum) exhibits two pollinator niches of large long‐tongued bees
Authors: Vargas P. , Liberal I. , Ornosa C. , Gómez J. M.
Published: June 2017

Flower specialisation of angiosperms includes the occluded corollas of snapdragons (Antirrhinum and some relatives), which have been postulated to be one of the most efficient structures to physical limit access to pollinators. The Iberian Peninsula harbours the highest number of species (18 Iberian of the 20 species of Antirrhinum) that potentially share similar pollinator fauna.

Crossing experiments with 18 Iberian species from this study and literature revealed a general pattern of self‐incompatibility (SI) – failure in this SI system has been also observed in a few plants – which indicates the need for pollinator agents in Antirrhinum pollination.

Field surveys in natural conditions (304 h) found flower visitation (>85%) almost exclusively by 11 species of bee (Anthophora fulvitarsis, Anthophora plumipes, Anthidium sticticum, Apis mellifera, Bombus hortorum, Bombus pascuorum, Bombus ruderatus, Bombus terrestris, Chalicodoma lefebvrei, Chalicodoma pyrenaica and Xylocopa violacea). This result covering the majority of Antirrhinum species suggests that large bees of the two long‐tongued bee families (Megachilidae, Apidae) are the major pollinators of Antirrhinum.

A bipartite modularity analysis revealed two pollinator systems of long‐tongued bees: (i) the long‐studied system of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) associated with nine primarily northern species of Antirrhinum; and (ii) a newly proposed pollinator system involving other large bees associated with seven species primarily distributed in southern Mediterranean areas.
Plant age and ambient temperature: significant drivers for powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) epidemics on oilseed rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Uloth M. B. , You M. P. , Barbetti M. J.
Published: June 2017

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) is an important disease in oilseed rape crops worldwide, but of sporadic importance in most southern Australian crops. Six Brassica napus cultivars were exposed to E. cruciferarum simultaneously in four plant age cohorts. First symptoms of powdery mildew appeared 9 days after inoculation (dai) on the oldest plants [42 days after seeding (das)], but 44 dai in the youngest plants that were exposed to inoculum from sowing, although final disease severity did not differ with the plant age at exposure. The maximum level of pod peduncle infestation was unaffected by plant age (P = 0.37) or cultivar (P = 0.28). The effect of temperature was also investigated. The development of disease on plants was slower and final severity reduced at a day/night temperature 14/10 °C compared with 22/17 °C. In vitro, maximum growth of germ tubes from conidia of E. cruciferarum was at 15–20 °C and survival of conidia reduced by temperatures >30 °C. The results explain the sporadic nature of powdery mildew outbreaks in winter‐grown oilseed rape in Australia, where slow rates of infection occur when seasonal colder prevailing winter conditions coincide with the presence of younger plants, together curtailing rapid disease development until temperatures increase in late winter/early spring. These results explain why epidemics are most severe in the two warmer cropping regions, viz. the northern agricultural region of Western Australia and New South Wales. This study suggests that with increases in winter temperatures under future climate scenarios, earlier and more severe powdery mildew outbreaks in Australia will be favoured.
Co‐morbid OSA and insomnia increases depression prevalence and severity in men
Authors: Lang Carol J. , Appleton Sarah L. , Vakulin Andrew , McEvoy R. Doug , Wittert Gary A. , Martin Sean A. , Catcheside Peter G. , Antic Nicholas A. , Lack Leon , Adams Robert J.
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and insomnia coexist in clinical populations but prevalence in the community and risk factors remain largely unknown. We examined the prevalence and profile of previously undiagnosed co‐morbid OSA and insomnia symptoms (COMISA) in community‐dwelling men.

Methods

Men (n = 700, aged 58.5 ± 11.0 (mean ± SD) years) without a prior diagnosis of OSA completed full at‐home unattended polysomnography, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and 36‐item short form (SF‐36) survey (2007–2012). Insomnia symptoms included difficulty initiating/maintaining sleep in the presence of daytime fatigue (DIMS‐F). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory‐1A, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) (2007–2010). Univariate (χ2
and analysis of variance (ANOVA)) and multiple linear regressions were used to compare data from four groups of individuals: neither disorder; previously undiagnosed OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥ 10) or DIMS‐F alone; and COMISA.

Results

COMISA prevalence was 6.7%. Depression prevalence (COMISA, 42.6%; DIMS‐F, 21.6%; OSA, 8.4%, χ2
 = 71.6, P < 0.00) and symptom scale scores (e.g. PHQ‐9 mean ± SD: 16.1 ± 5.5 c.f. DIMS‐F: 14.0 ± 4.9, P < 0.01 and OSA: 11.4 ± 3.0, P = 0.01) were highest in men with COMISA. In COMISA, respiratory and arousal indices were similar to those observed in OSA whilst reductions in subjective sleep and day dysfunction scores were similar to DIMS‐F. After adjustment, predicted mean depression scores were all higher in DIMS‐F and COMISA using linear regression (e.g. PHQ‐9 β (95% CI): DIMS‐F: 2.3 (1.2, 3.5); COMISA: 4.1 (3.0, 5.1)).

Conclusion

Men with COMISA have a greater prevalence, and severity, of depression than men with only one disorder.