bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species interactions and climate change: How the disruption of species co‐occurrence will impact on an avian forest guild
Authors: Brambilla Mattia , Scridel Davide , Bazzi Gaia , Ilahiane Luca , Iemma Aaron , Pedrini Paolo , Bassi Enrico , Bionda Radames , Marchesi Luigi , Genero Fulvio , Teufelbauer Norbert , Probst Remo , Vrezec Al , Kmecl Primož , Mihelič Tomaž , Bogliani Giuseppe , Schmid Hans , Assandri Giacomo , Pontarini Renato , Braunisch Veronika , Arlettaz Raphaël , Chamberlain Dan
Published: December 2019

Interspecific interactions are crucial in determining species occurrence and community assembly. Understanding these interactions is thus essential for correctly predicting species' responses to climate change. We focussed on an avian forest guild of four hole‐nesting species with differing sensitivities to climate that show a range of well‐understood reciprocal interactions, including facilitation, competition and predation. We modelled the potential distributions of black woodpecker and boreal, tawny and Ural owl, and tested whether the spatial patterns of the more widespread species (excluding Ural owl) were shaped by interspecific interactions. We then modelled the potential future distributions of all four species, evaluating how the predicted changes will alter the overlap between the species' ranges, and hence the spatial outcomes of interactions. Forest cover/type and climate were important determinants of habitat suitability for all species. Field data analysed with N‐mixture models revealed effects of interspecific interactions on current species abundance, especially in boreal owl (positive effects of black woodpecker, negative effects of tawny owl). Climate change will impact the assemblage both at species and guild levels, as the potential area of range overlap, relevant for species interactions, will change in both proportion and extent in the future. Boreal owl, the most climate‐sensitive species in the guild, will retreat, and the range overlap with its main predator, tawny owl, will increase in the remaining suitable area: climate change will thus impact on boreal owl both directly and indirectly. Climate change will cause the geographical alteration or disruption of species interaction networks, with different consequences for the species belonging to the guild and a likely spatial increase of competition and/or intraguild predation. Our work shows significant interactions and important potential changes in the overlap of areas suitable for the interacting species, which reinforce the importance of including relevant biotic interactions in predictive climate change models for increasing forecast accuracy.
Decision Support Modeling: Data Assimilation, Uncertainty Quantification, and Strategic Abstraction
Authors: Doherty John , Moore Catherine
Published: December 2019

We present a framework for design and deployment of decision support modeling based on metrics which have their roots in the scientific method. Application of these metrics to decision support modeling requires recognition of the importance of data assimilation and predictive uncertainty quantification in this type of modeling. The difficulties of implementing these procedures depend on the relationship between data that is available for assimilation and the nature of the prediction(s) that a decision support model is required to make. Three different data/prediction contexts are identified. Unfortunately, groundwater modeling is generally aligned with the most difficult of these. It is suggested that these difficulties can generally be ameliorated through appropriate model design. This design requires strategic abstraction of parameters and processes in a way that is optimal for the making of one particular prediction but is not necessarily optimal for the making of another. It is further suggested that the focus of decision support modeling should be on the ability of a model to provide receptacles for decision‐pertinent information rather than on its purported ability to simulate environmental processes. While models are compromised in both of these roles, this view makes it clear that simulation should serve data assimilation and not the other way around. Data assimilation enables the uncertainties of decision‐critical model predictions to be quantified and maybe reduced. Decision support modeling requires this.
Using dalteparin in quotidian and nocturnal hemodialysis patients: A prospective study
Authors: Huang Shih‐Han S. , Qi Karen , Louzada Martha , Lindsay Robert M. , Rehman Faisal , Ke Hanna , Muirhead Norman
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Low‐molecular weight heparin, such as dalteparin, is an alternative anticoagulation method in conventional hemodialysis (HD). However, there are limited studies on its use in quotidian and nocturnal HD. We assessed the optimal dose, treatment efficacy, and patient safety of dalteparin in quotidian and nocturnal HD populations.

Methods: This study included 10 quotidian (7 in‐center and 3 home) and 8 nocturnal home HD patients. Dalteparin was initiated and titrated based on clotting score in these patients. Trough anti‐Xa levels were measured. The dalteparin dose, the dialyzer and HD circuit clotting scores, and bleeding episodes were recorded at 4 weeks. Patients who continued dalteparin were followed to 12 months.

Findings: For the 10 quotidian HD patients, the median dalteparin dose was 1875 units [1250, 2500] after 4 weeks. For nocturnal HD patients, five of the eight patients switched back to heparin due to high clotting scores while on dalteparin within 4 weeks. However, three patients continued on dalteparin at 4 weeks. After 12 months, one maintained on 5000 units and the other two maintained on 7500 units of dalteparin. All the clotting scores at month 12 were ≤2. One patient died due to an unrelated cause. For all patients who continued on dalteparin, only 9% of the HD treatments had circuit clotting score >2 after reaching stable dose. All trough anti‐Xa levels were <0.1 IU/mL. There were no episodes of bleeding. Fistula compression times were not increased.

Discussion: This small pilot study suggests that dalteparin can be used effectively and relatively safety in quotidian HD. However, its use in nocturnal HD was only successful in a small proportion of patients. Alternative methods, including second dalteparin bolus after 4 hours of HD treatment, should be assessed for efficacy and practicality.
Sol‐gel–mediated synthesis of TiO2 nanocrystals: Structural, optical, and electrochemical properties
Authors: Sharma Reetu , Sarkar Anjana , Jha Ranjana , Kumar Sharma Amit , Sharma Darshan
Published: December 2019

Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide were prepared using the sol‐gel method without any impurity. Rietveld refinement of XRD data confirmed the anatase phase of synthesized nanoparticles with space group I41/amd (141). XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of synthesized nanopowder. The average crystallite size of synthesized nanoparticles was calculated 7.5 nm. The electrochemical performance of synthesized TiO2 nanopowder was investigated as working electrode. The electrochemical reaction was found diffusion‐controlled as observed from cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies at different scan rates. The diffusion‐controlled charge storage mechanism also confirmed by charge transfer resistance and Warburg impedance, as calculated from the EIS analysis. SEM micrograph showed the plate‐like structure grown in cluster cloud of particles of synthesized TiO2 nanocrystals. Absorbance and optical bandgap were obtained using UV‐Vis spectra. De‐convoluted PL spectra provided the emission pattern from the ultra‐violet region to green region due to the presence of interstitial oxygen vacancies. The tune bandgap with EIS measurements of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles offers its potential application in energy storage devices and photovoltaic applications.
Fabrication of zirconia all‐ceramic crown via DLP‐based stereolithography
Authors: Li Xingbang , Zhong He , Zhang Jingxian , Duan Yusen , Li Jingjing , Jiang Dongliang
Published: December 2019

Zirconia ceramics have shown a wide applicable prospect in dental prosthetics because it possesses excellent mechanical performance and biocompatibility. The rheological behavior and curing properties of zirconia stereolithography slurry were studied, as well as the microstructure of the green, pyrolyzed, and sintered body. Variquat CC‐42 NS was proved to be effective for zirconia powder dispersing in photocurable resin (SP‐RC700). The curing characteristic of slurry showed that the depth of penetration tended to increase with the solid loading. Finally, the zirconia all‐ceramic crowns were fabricated via DLP‐based stereolithography printer. Results showed that the particles were evenly distributed in the cured resin matrix without obvious agglomeration, and the interlayered structure disappeared after binder burnout. The sample with a major crystalline phase of tetragonal zirconia and a porosity of 10(1)% were obtained after sintering at 1550°C.
Preparation and characterization of heteroepitaxial Zn2SnO4 single crystalline films prepared on MgO (100) substrates
Authors: He Linan , Luan Caina , Wang Di , Le Yong , Feng Xianjin , Ma Jin
Published: December 2019

Zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) films were deposited on MgO (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition, and Zn2SnO4 monocrystalline films were obtained by postannealing process. The structures, surface morphologies, and optical properties of the Zn2SnO4 films annealed at different temperatures were investigated in detail. Crystal structure analyses showed that the film annealed at 800°C was single crystal Zn2SnO4 with an inverse‐spinel structure. The heteroepitaxial mechanism was further clarified by a schematic diagram, and the epitaxial relationships between the film and substrate were Zn2SnO4 (400)||MgO (200) with Zn2SnO4 [001]||MgO [001]. The obtained Zn2SnO4 films exhibited excellent transparency. The optical band gap of the 800°C‐annealed Zn2SnO4 film was about 3.97 eV. The extinction coefficients and refractive indexes of the Zn2SnO4 films annealed at different temperatures as a function of wavelength were analyzed in detail.
Cistanches alleviates sevoflurane‐induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating PPAR‐γ‐dependent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory in rats
Authors: Peng Sheng , Li Pengyi , Liu Peirong , Yan Hongzhu , Wang Juan , Lu Weihua , Liu Chunliang , Zhou Yixin
Published: December 2019

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of cistanche on sevoflurane‐induced aged cognitive dysfunction rat model. Aged (24 months) male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control group, sevoflurane group, control + cistanche and sevoflurane + cistanche group. Subsequently, inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA, and the cognitive dysfunction of rats was evaluated by water maze test, open‐field test and the fear conditioning test. Three days following anaesthesia, the rats were killed and hippocampus was harvested for the analysis of relative biomolecules. The oxidative stress level was indicated as nitrite and MDA concentration, along with the SOD and CAT activity. Finally, PPAR‐γ antagonist was used to explore the mechanism of cistanche in vivo. The results showed that after inhaling the sevoflurane, 24‐ but not 3‐month‐old male SD rats developed obvious cognitive impairments in the behaviour test 3 days after anaesthesia. Intraperitoneal injection of cistanche at the dose of 50 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days before anaesthesia alleviated the sevoflurane‐induced elevation of neuroinflammation levels and significantly attenuated the hippocampus‐dependent memory impairments in 24‐month‐old rats. Cistanche also reduced the oxidative stress by decreasing nitrite and MDA while increasing the SOD and CAT activity. Moreover, such treatment also inhibited the activation of microglia. In addition, we demonstrated that PPAR‐γ inhibition conversely alleviated cistanche‐induced protective effect. Taken together, we demonstrated that cistanche can exert antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptosis and anti‐activation of microglia effects on the development of sevoflurane‐induced cognitive dysfunction by activating PPAR‐γ signalling.
Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility to antimicrobials of human and veterinary importance in poultry sector of India
Authors: Saharan Vijay Veer , Verma Preeti , Singh Arvind Pratap
Published: December 2019

In India, little attention has been paid on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of developing “One Health” approach. Hence, utilizing multi‐disciplinary approach, we assess the AMR level and dynamics/pattern of multi‐drug resistance (MDR) in Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus circulating over the different stages of poultry in India. A total of 342 isolates including E. coli (n = 143), Salmonella spp. (n = 104), and S. aureus (n = 95) were recovered from fecal (n = 80) and cecal (n = 80) samples of chicken, collected across the different poultry‐retail shops and poultry‐farms located at urban and rural areas of Rajasthan, India, respectively. High rates of AMR to drugs that are critically/highly important both in human and veterinary medicine were observed among all the isolates. Upward trends in AMR prevalence was observed in poultry‐retail shops than in poultry‐farms. Notably, >90% of all the isolates were MDR, of particular, pattern/prevalence of MDR was substantially varied across the poultry‐farms vs. poultry‐retail shops. Our results indicate AMR including MDR to be common in E. coli, Salmonella spp., and S. aureus distributed frequently in poultry. The study encourages the formulation of national policy, programmes and further research with a “One Health” approach that can benefits to the human/animal and the environment.
The risk of acute cholangitis after endoscopic stenting for malignant hilar strictures: A large comprehensive study
Authors: Xia Ming‐Xing , Wang Shu‐Ping , Wu Jun , Gao Dao‐Jian , Ye Xin , Wang Tian‐Tian , Zhao Yi , Hu Bing
Published: December 2019

Background and Aim

Endoscopic stenting for unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures (MHBS) remains challenging. Post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis (PEC) can be the most common and fatal adverse event. In the present study, we aimed to systematically evaluate the incidence, severity, risk factors, and consequences of PEC after endoscopic procedures for advanced MHBS.

Methods

Of 924 patients, we identified 502 patients with MHBS (Bismuth types II to IV) who underwent endoscopic stenting as the primary therapy at two centers over 16 years. PEC and its severity were verified according to the current Tokyo guidelines.

Results

A total of 108 patients (21.5%) experienced acute PEC. Mild, moderate, and severe cholangitis were encountered in 51 (10.1%), 42 (8.4%), and 15 (3.0%) patients, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that metal stenting (verse plastic stenting) (OR 0.328, 95% CI 0.200–0.535, P < 0.001) and Bismuth classification (IV vs III/II) (OR 2.499, 95% CI 1.150–5.430) were independent predictors for PEC and the moderate/severe type. Patients with PEC had significantly lower clinical success rates (86.3% vs 41.7%, P < 0.001), a higher rate of early death (6.5% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001), a shorter median stent patency (4.9 vs 6.4 months, P < 0.001), and shorter overall survival (2.6 vs 5.2 months, P < 0.001) compared with the noncholangitis group.

Conclusions

﻿After endoscopic stenting for advanced MHBS, cholangitis may occur in as many as 21.5% of patients, which may be associated with a poor prognosis. The risk is high in patients with Bismuth type IV and may be reduced by using metal stents.
International consensus statements for endoscopic management of distal biliary stricture
Authors: Nakai Yousuke , Isayama Hiroyuki , Wang Hsiu‐Po , Rerknimitr Rungsun , Khor Christopher , Yasuda Ichiro , Kogure Hirofumi , Moon Jong Ho , Lau James , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Ratanachu‐ek Thawee , Seo Dong Wan , Lee Dong Ki , Makmun Dadang , Dy Frederick , Liao Wei‐Chih , Draganov Peter V , Almadi Majid , Irisawa Atsushi , Katanuma Akio , Kitano Masayuki , Ryozawa Shomei , Fujisawa Toshio , Wallace Michael B , Itoi Takao , Devereaux Benedict
Published: December 2019

Distal biliary strictures (DBS) are common and may be caused by both malignant and benign pathologies. While endoscopic procedures play a major role in their management, a comprehensive review of the subject is still lacking. Our consensus statements were formulated by a group of expert Asian pancreatico‐biliary interventional endoscopists, following a proposal from the Digestive Endoscopy Society of Taiwan, the Thai Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Tokyo Conference of Asian Pancreato‐biliary Interventional Endoscopy. Based on a literature review utilizing Medline, Cochrane library, and Embase databases, a total of 19 consensus statements on DBS were made on diagnosis, endoscopic drainage, benign biliary stricture, malignant biliary stricture, and management of recurrent biliary obstruction and other complications. Our consensus statements provide comprehensive guidance for the endoscopic management of DBS.
Short‐Term and Long‐Term Effects of Training in EFT: A Multinational Study in Spanish‐speaking Countries
Authors: Rodríguez‐González Martiño , Schweer‐Collins Maria , Greenman Paul S. , Lafontaine Marie‐France , Fatás Maria-Dolores , Sandberg Jonathan G.
Published: December 2019

This study seeks to validate the cross‐cultural effectiveness of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) training in a sample of Spanish‐speaking clinicians. The 28‐hr formalized training for EFT was offered in six different Spanish‐speaking countries, covering Europe, North America, Central America, and South America. Two hundred and seven therapists of 14 different Spanish‐speaking nationalities completed pre‐training assessments, 153 of them completed post‐training assessments, and 92 therapists also completed the follow‐up assessment. Using multilevel growth modeling (MLM), results indicated that therapists experienced significant and positive changes in terms of EFT competence (knowledge and skill acquisition), mature empathy, self‐compassion, and attachment over time. Implications for transnational EFT training, specifically in Spanish‐speaking countries, are discussed.
Doppler ultrasound‐guided thread lifting
Authors: Lee Won , Moon Hyoung‐Jin , Kim Ji‐Soo , Chan Ben‐Li , Yang Eun‐Jung
Published: December 2019

Background

Although there are various techniques of thread lifting, most of these techniques require anchoring of the threads at the temple area. However, the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (FBrSTA) is located in the temple area and a detour pathway should be created for thread insertion to avoid vascular complications.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the relationship between the FBrSTA and the hairline using real‐time Doppler ultrasound.

Methods

Doppler ultrasound was used to detect the FBrSTA pathway, and the relationship between the hairline and the FBrSTA was analyzed. After confirming the arterial pathway, thread lifting was performed in patients, and complications related to the entry point and insertion of the threads were evaluated. Patient satisfaction was evaluated immediately after the procedure and 3 months later.

Results

This study included 50 patients (45 women and 5 men; age: 51 [range 26‐71] years) who underwent thread lifting in a single institution from January to May 2019 after Doppler ultrasound‐guided detection of the FBrSTA. No vascular complications were noted in all patients.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect the FBrSTA at the temple area to avoid vascular complications during thread lifting.
Shock Value: Bill Smoothing and Energy Price Pass‐Through
Authors: Hausman Catherine
Published: December 2019

Energy prices are volatile, affect every consumer and industry in the economy, and are impacted by regulations including gas taxes and carbon pricing. Like the pass‐through literature in general, the growing energy pass‐through literature focuses on marginal prices. However, multi‐part pricing is common in energy retail pricing. I examine the retail natural gas market, showing that while marginal prices exhibit full or nearly full pass‐through, fixed fees exhibit negative pass‐through. This is consistent with the stated desire by utilities and regulators to prevent ‘bill shock.’ I discuss implications for pass‐through estimation and for proposed alternative pricing structures for regulated utilities.
Impact of Different Scan Bodies and Scan Strategies on the Accuracy of Digital Implant Impressions Assessed with an Intraoral Scanner: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Motel Constantin , Kirchner Elena , Adler Werner , Wichmann Manfred , Matta Ragai Edward
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Sufficient data are not currently available on how the various geometries of scan bodies and different scan strategies affect the quality of digital impressions of implants. The purpose of this study was to present new data on these two topics and give clinicians a basis for decision making.

Materials and Methods

A titanium master model containing three Nobelreplace Select™ implants (Nobelbiocare Services AG, Zurich, Switzerland) was digitized using an ATOS industrial noncontact scanner. Digitization was repeated three times with different types of scan bodies integrated into the implants: ELOS A/S, nt‐trading GmbH, and TEAMZIEREIS GmbH. These three scans served as virtual master models. The titanium master model was then scanned with the TRIOS3© digital intraoral scanner (ELOS A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark), which was used for two different scanning strategies. Strategy A was a one‐step procedure that included both the titanium master model and the integrated scan bodies. Strategy B comprised two steps. First, a digital overlay was performed with a scan of the titanium master model without integrated scan bodies. A second scan was performed with the titanium master model and integrated scan bodies. By repeating both strategies 10 times for each type of scan body, 60 scans were generated and the corresponding standard tessellation language data sets overlaid with the corresponding virtual master model. Deviations in the resulting superimpositions were calculated and evaluated separately in the individual axes (x, y, z) and in three‐dimensional space (Euclidean distance). Statistical evaluation was performed using the R‐project software. Level of significance was determined at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

With regard to the geometry of the scan bodies, strategy A significantly influenced the accuracy of the digital implant impression in regards to Euclidean distance (p = 0.003). No significant difference was found for strategy B in this context. Comparing the two scan strategies revealed that strategy A achieved significantly higher accuracy overall (p = 0.031).

Conclusion

The quality of digital intraoral impressions seems to be influenced by both the geometry of the scan body and the scan strategy. For clinical practice, the one‐step scan strategy seems beneficial. Furthermore, the scan bodies of ELOS A/S showed a potential clinical advantage.
Photoacclimation and Photoprotection of Juvenile Sporophytes of Macrocystis pyrifera (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) Under High‐light Conditions During Short‐term Shallow‐water Cultivation1
Authors: Umanzor Schery , Ramírez‐García Mary Mar , Sandoval‐Gil Jose Miguel , Zertuche‐González José Antonio , Yarish Charles
Published: December 2019

This study was designed to understand better if and how juvenile sporophytes of Macrocystis pyrifera can photoacclimate to high‐light conditions when transplanted from 10 to 3 meters over 7 d. Acclimation of adult sporophytes to light regimes in the bathymetric gradient has been extensively documented. It primarily depends on photoacclimation and translocation of resources among blades. Among other physiological differences, juvenile sporophytes of M. pyrifera lack the structural complexity shown by adults. As such, juveniles may primarily depend on their photoacclimation capacities to maintain productivity and even avoid mortality under changing light regimes. However, little is known about how these mechanisms operate in young individuals. The capacity of sporophytes to photoacclimate was assessed by examining changes in their photosynthetic performance, pigment content, and bio‐optical properties of the blade. Sporophytes nutritional status and oxidative damage were also determined. Results showed that juvenile sporophytes transplanted to shallow water were able to regulate light harvesting by reducing pigment concentration, and thus, absorptance and photosynthetic efficiency. Also, shallow‐water sporophytes notably enhanced the dissipation of light energy as heat (NPQ) as a photoprotective mechanism. Generally, these adjustments allowed sporophytes to manage the absorption and utilization of light energy, hence reducing the potential for photo‐oxidative damage. Furthermore, no substantial changes were found in the internal reserves (i.e., soluble carbohydrates and nitrogen) of these sporophytes. To our knowledge, these results are the first to provide robust evidence of photoprotective and photoacclimation strategies in juveniles of M. pyrifera, allowing them to restrict or avoid photodamage during shallow‐water cultivation.
What to do with all these Bayes factors: How to make Bayesian reports in deception research more informative
Authors: Mac Giolla Erik , Ly Alexander
Published: December 2019

Bayes factors quantify the evidence in support of the null (absence of an effect) or the alternative hypothesis (presence of an effect). Based on commonly used cut‐offs, Bayes factors between 1/3 and 3 are interpreted as evidentially weak, and one typically concludes there is an absence of evidence. In this commentary on Warmelink, Subramanian, Tkacheva, and McLatchie (Legal Criminol Psychol 24, 2019, 258), we discuss how a Bayesian report can be made more informative. Firstly, this implies a departure from the labels provided by commonly used cut‐offs when reporting Bayes factors. Instead, we encourage researchers to report the value of the Bayes factors, or to convert these values into nominal support for the hypotheses. Secondly, researchers can provide recommendations to design follow‐up studies by examining the posterior distribution of the magnitude of the effect size. Lastly, we show how individual Bayes factors can be evaluated in the context of large‐scale meta‐analyses.
Interspecific competition in bats: state of knowledge and research challenges
Authors: Salinas‐Ramos Valeria B. , Ancillotto Leonardo , Bosso Luciano , Sánchez‐Cordero Víctor , Russo Danilo
Published: December 2019

Interspecific competition (IC) is often seen as a main driver of evolutionary patterns and community structure. Bats might compete for key resources, and cases of exaggerated divergence of resource‐related characters or trait overdispersion in bat assemblages are often explained in terms of current or past interspecific competition. However, other pressures leading to patterns that mimic the outcome of competition cannot always be ruled out.

We present the state of knowledge on IC among bats, providing a critical evaluation of the information available and identifying open questions and challenges.

We reviewed 100 documents addressing potential or actual IC in bats and categorised them in terms of the resource for which bats compete (food, foraging habitat, roosts, water, and acoustic space). We also examined the ecomorphological and behavioural traits considered therein to highlight responses to IC or niche partitioning.

We found that: although resources should be limiting in order for competition to occur, this is seldom tested; sympatry is sometimes taken as synonymous of syntopy (yet sympatric species that are not syntopic will never experience competition); comparisons between sympatry and allopatry are rare; and testing of objective criteria exploring the existence of niche partitioning or character displacement is not commonly adopted.

While morphological examination of food remains in droppings has often led to coarse‐grained analysis that proved insufficient to establish the occurrence of food niche overlap or partitioning, new frontiers are being opened by state‐of‐the‐art molecular dietary analysis.

A better understanding of IC in bats is paramount, since distributional changes leading to novel bat assemblages driven by climate change are already taking place, and the dramatic decline in insect availability, as well as the global loss or alteration of foraging habitat, may generate new competitive interactions or exacerbate existing interactions in the Anthropocene, and into the future.
Multiple traits and multifarious environments: integrated divergence of morphology and life history
Authors: Riesch Rüdiger , Martin Ryan A. , Langerhans R. Brian
Published: December 2019

Understanding complex responses of multiple character suites (e.g. behaviour, life history, morphology) across multifarious environments is a challenging task. Here we use a multivariate approach (partial least squares structural equation modelling) to disentangle environmental drivers (i.e. predation, resource availability and population demographics) of population divergence in life history and morphology. We further employ a two‐block partial least squares analysis in a novel approach to uncovering integrated and independent aspects of divergence in correlated character suites. Examining Bahamas mosquitofishGambusia hubbsiinhabiting blue holes, we found phenotypic divergence mainly resulted from differences in predation regimes, but demography and resources also proved important in particular aspects of divergence. We uncovered significant covariation among life histories and morphologies, and revealed that phenotypic divergence between predation regimes involved both integrated and independent responses. For instance, female life histories strongly diverged independently of morphology, while some morphological shifts (abdominal distension) resulted from changes in fecundity; males showed strong morphological divergence independent of life history, but much of their life‐history shifts reflected joint morphological changes (lean weight and body shape). Our study illustrates the utility of gathering disparate data types from multiple populations/species to better understand the causes and nature of phenotypic divergence in the wild.
Toxoplasma gondii infection reduces serum progesterone levels and adverse effects at the maternal‐foetal interface
Authors: Brito Carina , M. Silva Tânia , M. Castro Maria , Wyrwas Weronika , Oliveira Bárbara , M. Fonseca Bruno , Oliveira Pedro , W. Roberts Craig , Teixeira Natércia , Borges Margarida
Published: December 2019

Aims

Pregnant BALB/c mice infected with a Toxoplasma gondii type II strain were used to determine how pregnancy interferes with the development of maternal immunity to T gondii and how infection disrupts pregnancy and foetal development.

Methods

Maternal and foetal parasite loads were assessed by amplification of T gondii SAG1 using qPCR. Adverse effects of infection were evaluated on foetal‐placental development by quantification of implantation units undergoing resorption and by histopathological analyses. Serum progesterone levels were quantified by immunoassay. The effect of T gondii infection on maternal immunity was determined by assessing the cellular composition of spleens by flow cytometry.

Results

Infected pregnant mice exhibited clinical signs of infection, inflammation and necrosis at the maternal‐foetal interface and decreased serum progesterone levels. In infected mice, there was a clear effect of pregnancy and infection on macrophage cell numbers. However, no differences in the parasite load were detected between non‐pregnant and pregnant mice.

Conclusions

Maternal T gondii infection induced adverse effects at the maternal‐foetal interface. Alterations were found in immune spleen cells, dependent on the day of pregnancy, relative to nonpregnant animals. The results obtained suggest a pregnancy‐dependent mechanism during T gondii infection able to interfere with macrophage numbers.
The role of salinity in physiological responses of bivalves
Authors: Pourmozaffar Sajjad , Tamadoni Jahromi Saeid , Rameshi Hossein , Sadeghi Ali , Bagheri Tahereh , Behzadi Siamak , Gozari Mohsen , Zahedi Mohammad Reza , Abrari Lazarjani Shahrooz
Published: December 2019

In recent years, financial losses due to salinity changes threat bivalve industry. In natural habitat, marine bivalves should be adapted to a series of environmental stressors, including biotic (virus, bacteria and protozoan) and abiotic (salinity, temperature and heavy metal) factors. It is known that salinity fluctuations able to change distribution and vital parameters of bivalves. Suboptimal salinity conditions resulted in changes in defense mechanism, growth, free amino acid, heart rate, oxygen consumption and filtration rate. However, it is necessary to determine the optimal salinity level of cultured bivalves to avoid the risk of mortality and improve growth rate. Therefore, this study aimed to review the findings from various reports in vitro and in vivo conditions which evaluated physiological and immunological responses of different bivalve species submitted to different salinity concentrations. The information of present study is very important in understanding the physiological responses of bivalves, which are living in highly changeable environment such as estuarine.
Agencies without borders: Explaining partner selection in the formation of transnational agreements between regulators
Authors: van der Heijden Machiel
Published: December 2019

Transnational collaboration between regulatory agencies has proliferated rapidly within the last three decades. However, given that information regarding the motives, trustworthiness, and capabilities of potential partners is typically imperfect, decisions about with whom to collaborate are inevitably characterized by a degree of uncertainty. To better capture these dynamics, this article uses a network analytical perspective and hypothesizes that agencies are more likely to form agreements with agencies to whom they are already indirectly connected (transitivity), that are highly connected (preferential attachment), or with whom they share tie‐characteristics (assortativity). To test these hypotheses, a stochastic actor‐oriented model is used to analyze an original, self‐coded data set in which bilateral information exchange agreements between national securities agencies (n = 143) are mapped out over a 18‐year period. The results show that the formation of agreements between regulatory agencies is driven by (i) the number of shared partners (i.e. triadic closure); and (ii) similarity regarding agency characteristics (i.e. homophily).
Hierarchical models for independence structures of networks
Authors: Sadeghi Kayvan , Rinaldo Alessandro
Published: December 2019

We introduce a new family of network models, called hierarchical network models, that allow us to represent in an explicit manner the stochastic dependence among the dyads (random ties) of the network. In particular, each member of this family can be associated with a graphical model defining conditional independence clauses among the dyads of the network, called the dependency graph. Every network model with dyadic independence assumption can be generalized to construct members of this new family. Using this new framework, we generalize the Erdös–Rényi and theβmodels to create hierarchical Erdös–Rényi andβmodels. We describe various methods for parameter estimation, as well as simulation studies for models with sparse dependency graphs.
Photosynthesis in non‐foliar tissues: implications for yield
Authors: Simkin Andrew J. , Faralli Michele , Ramamoorthy Siva , Lawson Tracy
Published: December 2019

Photosynthesis is currently a focus for crop improvement. The majority of this work has taken place and been assessed in leaves, and limited consideration has been given to the contribution that other green tissues make to whole‐plant carbon assimilation. The major focus of this review is to evaluate the impact of non‐foliar photosynthesis on carbon‐use efficiency and total assimilation. Here we appraise and summarize past and current literature on the substantial contribution of different photosynthetically active organs and tissues to productivity in a variety of different plant types, with an emphasis on fruit and cereal crops. Previous studies provide evidence that non‐leaf photosynthesis could be an unexploited potential target for crop improvement. We also briefly examine the role of stomata in non‐foliar tissues, gas exchange, maintenance of optimal temperatures and thus photosynthesis. In the final section, we discuss possible opportunities to manipulate these processes and provide evidence that Triticum aestivum (wheat) plants genetically manipulated to increase leaf photosynthesis also displayed higher rates of ear assimilation, which translated to increased grain yield. By understanding these processes, we can start to provide insights into manipulating non‐foliar photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour to identify novel targets for exploitation in continuing breeding programmes.
Genotypic study of Citrobacter koseri, an emergent platelet contaminant since 2012 in France
Authors: Emery Audrey , Marpaux Nadine , Naegelen Christian , Valot Benoît , Morel Pascal , Hocquet Didier
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infection is a rare occurrence but the most feared complication in transfusion practices. Between 2012 and 2017, five cases of platelet concentrates (PCs) contaminated with the bacterial pathogen Citrobacter koseri (PC‐Ck) have been reported in France, with two leading to the death of the recipients. We tested the possibilities of the emergence of a PC‐specific clone of C. koseri (Ck) and of specific bacterial genes associated with PC contamination.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The phylogenetic network, based on a homemade Ck core genome scheme, inferred from the genomes of 20 worldwide Ck isolates unrelated to PC contamination taken as controls (U‐Ck) and the genomes of the five PC‐Ck, explored the clonal relationship between the genomes and evaluated the distribution of PC‐Ck throughout the species. Along with this core genome multilocus sequence typing approach, a Ck pan genome has been used to seek genes specific to PC‐Ck isolates.

RESULTS

Our genomic approach suggested that the population of C. koseri is nonclonal, although it also identified a cluster containing three PC‐Ck and eight U‐Ck. Indeed, the PC‐Ck did not share any specific genes.

CONCLUSION

The elevated incidence of PCs contaminated by C. koseri in France between 2012 and 2017 was not due to the dissemination of a clone. The determinants of the recent outbreaks of PC contamination with C. koseri are still unknown.
First evidence that intrinsic fetal heart rate variability exists and is affected by hypoxic pregnancy
Authors: Frasch Martin G. , Herry Christophe L. , Niu Youguo , Giussani Dino A.
Published: December 2019

Key points

We introduce a technique to test whether intrinsic fetal heart rate variability (iFHRV) exists and we show the utility of the technique by testing the hypothesis that iFHRV is affected by chronic fetal hypoxia, one of the most common adverse outcomes of human pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction.

Using an established late gestation ovine model of fetal development under chronic hypoxic conditions, we identify iFHRV in isolated fetal hearts and show that it is markedly affected by hypoxic pregnancy.

Therefore, the isolated fetal heart has intrinsic variability and carries a memory of adverse intrauterine conditions experienced during the last third of pregnancy.

Fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) emerges from influences of the autonomic nervous system, fetal body and breathing movements, and from baroreflex and circadian processes. We tested whether intrinsic heart rate variability (iHRV), devoid of any external influences, exists in the fetal period and whether it is affected by chronic fetal hypoxia. Chronically catheterized ewes carrying male singleton fetuses were exposed to normoxia (n = 6) or hypoxia (10% inspired O2, n = 9) for the last third of gestation (105–138 days of gestation (dG); term ∼145 dG) in isobaric chambers. At 138 dG, isolated hearts were studied using a Langendorff preparation. We calculated basal intrinsic FHRV (iFHRV) indices reflecting iFHRV's variability, predictability, temporal symmetry, fractality and chaotic behaviour, from the systolic peaks within 15 min segments in each heart. Significance was assumed at P < 0.05. Hearts of fetuses isolated from hypoxic pregnancy showed approximately 4‐fold increases in the Grid transformation as well as the AND similarity index (sgridAND) and a 4‐fold reduction in the scale‐dependent Lyapunov exponent slope. We also detected a 2‐fold reduction in the Recurrence quantification analysis, percentage of laminarity (pL) and recurrences, maximum and average diagonal line (dlmax, dlmean) and the Multiscale time irreversibility asymmetry index. The iHRV measures dlmax, dlmean, pL and sgridAND correlated with left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure across both groups (average R2 = 0.38 ± 0.03). This is the first evidence that iHRV originates in fetal life and that chronic fetal hypoxia significantly alters it. Isolated fetal hearts from hypoxic pregnancy exhibit a time scale‐dependent higher complexity in iFHRV.
Kinetics Modeling on NOx Emissions of a Syngas Turbine Combustor Using Rich-Burn, Quick-Mix, Lean-Burn Combustion Method
Authors: Liu Haoyang , Qian Wenkai , Zhu Min , Li Suhui
Published: December 2019

To avoid flashback issues of the high-H2 syngas fuel, current syngas turbines usually use nonpremixed combustors, which have high NOx emissions. A promising solution to this dilemma is rich-burn, quick-mix, lean-burn (RQL) combustion, which not only reduces NOx emissions but also mitigates flashback. This paper presents a kinetics modeling study on NOx emissions of a syngas–fueled gas turbine combustor using RQL architecture. The combustor was simulated with a chemical reactor network (CRN) model in chemkin-pro software. The combustion and NOx formation reactions were modeled using a detailed kinetics mechanism that was developed for syngas. Impacts of combustor design/operating parameters on NOx emissions were systematically investigated, including combustor outlet temperature, rich/lean air flow split, and residence time split. The mixing effects in both the rich-burn zone and the quick-mix zone were also investigated. Results show that for an RQL combustor, the NOx emissions initially decrease and then increase with combustor outlet temperature. The leading parameters for NOx control are temperature-dependent. At typical modern gas turbine combustor operating temperatures (e.g., <1890 K), the air flow split is the most effective parameter for NOx control, followed by the mixing at the rich-burn zone. However, as the combustor outlet temperature increases, the impacts of air flow split and mixing in the rich-burn zone on NOx reduction become less pronounced, whereas both the residence time split and the mixing in the quick-mix zone become important.
Effects of Surface Tension and Yield Stress on Mucus Plug Rupture: A Numerical Study
Authors: Hu Yingying , Romanò Francesco , Grotberg James B.
Published: December 2019

We study the effects of surface tension and yield stress on mucus plug rupture. A three-dimensional simplified configuration is employed to simulate mucus plug rupture in a collapsed lung airway of the tenth generation. The Herschel–Bulkley model is used to take into account the non-Newtonian viscoplastic fluid properties of mucus. Results show that the maximum wall shear stress greatly changes right prior to the rupture of the mucus plug. The surface tension influences mainly the late stage of the rupture process when the plug deforms greatly and the curvature of the mucus–air interface becomes significant. High surface tension increases the wall shear stress and the time needed to rupture since it produces a resistance to the rupture, as well as strong stress and velocity gradients across the mucus–air interface. The yield stress effects are pronounced mainly at the beginning. High yield stress makes the plug take a long time to yield and slows down the whole rupture process. When the effects induced by the surface tension and yield forces are comparable, dynamical quantities strongly depend on the ratio of the two forces. The pressure difference (the only driving in the study) contributes to wall shear stress much more than yield stress and surface tension per unit length. Wall shear stress is less sensitive to the variation in yield stress than that in surface tension. In general, wall shear stress can be effectively reduced by the smaller pressure difference and surface tension.
Integration of Normative Decision-Making and Batch Sampling for Global Metamodeling
Authors: van Beek Anton , Tao Siyu , Plumlee Matthew , Apley Daniel W. , Chen Wei
Published: December 2019

The cost of adaptive sampling for global metamodeling depends on the total number of costly function evaluations and to which degree these evaluations are performed in parallel. Conventionally, samples are taken through a greedy sampling strategy that is optimal for either a single sample or a handful of samples. The limitation of such an approach is that they compromise optimality when more samples are taken. In this paper, we propose a thrifty adaptive batch sampling (TABS) approach that maximizes a multistage reward function to find an optimal sampling policy containing the total number of sampling stages, the number of samples per stage, and the spatial location of each sample. Consequently, the first batch identified by TABS is optimal with respect to all potential future samples, the available resources, and is consistent with a modeler’s preference and risk attitude. Moreover, we propose two heuristic-based strategies that reduce numerical complexity with a minimal reduction in optimality. Through numerical examples, we show that TABS outperforms or is comparable with greedy sampling strategies. In short, TABS provides modelers with a flexible adaptive sampling tool for global metamodeling that effectively reduces sampling costs while maintaining prediction accuracy.
Descriptive Models of Sequential Decisions in Engineering Design: An Experimental Study
Authors: Chaudhari Ashish M. , Bilionis Ilias , Panchal Jitesh H.
Published: December 2019

Engineering design involves information acquisition decisions such as selecting designs in the design space for testing, selecting information sources, and deciding when to stop design exploration. Existing literature has established normative models for these decisions, but there is lack of knowledge about how human designers make these decisions and which strategies they use. This knowledge is important for accurately modeling design decisions, identifying sources of inefficiencies, and improving the design process. Therefore, the primary objective in this study is to identify models that provide the best description of a designer’s information acquisition decisions when multiple information sources are present and the total budget is limited. We conduct a controlled human subject experiment with two independent variables: the amount of fixed budget and the monetary incentive proportional to the saved budget. By using the experimental observations, we perform Bayesian model comparison on various simple heuristic models and expected utility (EU)-based models. As expected, the subjects’ decisions are better represented by the heuristic models than the EU-based models. While the EU-based models result in better net payoff, the heuristic models used by the subjects generate better design performance. The net payoff using heuristic models is closer to the EU-based models in experimental treatments where the budget is low and there is incentive for saving the budget. This indicates the potential for nudging designers’ decisions toward maximizing the net payoff by setting the fixed budget at low values and providing monetary incentives proportional to saved budget.