bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An integrative view of senescence in nature
Authors: Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Lemaître Jean‐François 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Senescence—the decline in age‐specific contribution to fitness with increasing age—has been widely investigated in evolutionary ecology. A tremendous amount of detailed empirical analyses have now revealed the widespread occurrence of demographic senescence (i.e. both actuarial and reproductive senescence) and have started to identify factors (e.g. environmental conditions) that modulate its timing and intensity, both within and across species. In this special feature, we have built on this flourishing work to highlight several axes of research that would benefit from more integrative and multidisciplinary approaches.

Several contributions compiled in this special feature emphasize that our understanding of senescence remains taxonomically limited, mostly focused on birds and mammals, and is therefore not representative of the biological diversity displayed across the tree of life. In line with this observation, the influence of some peculiar lifestyles (e.g. involving sociality or modularity) on the evolution of senescence is yet to be deciphered.

Understanding of the diversity of senescence patterns across and within species and among traits will necessitate the establishment of new metrics as a golden standard to fully account for age‐specific changes recorded in individuals’ performance. This is illustrated with the specific case of actuarial senescence.

This special feature also highlights that the diversity of biological samples collected from wild plants and animals, along with accurate demographic data, is expanding. The fast development of new molecular tools now offers a unique opportunity to launch research programmes at the interface of physiology, health and ageing in non‐model organisms.

We argue that while these different research axes constitute key avenues of investigations for the coming years, they are only the tip of the iceberg. To appreciate the full complexity of the senescence process in nature, from its evolutionary causes to its demographic consequences, we also need a better understanding of the role played by both environmental conditions and gene–environment interactions, of constraints, and of senescence, an improved assessment of the influence of individual heterogeneity, and the consideration of transgenerational effects when quantifying the fitness consequences of senescence.
Species geographical co‐occurrence and the effect of Grinnellian and Eltonian niche partitioning: The case of a Neotropical felid assemblage
Authors: Sánchez‐Barradas Alejandro , Villalobos Fabricio 
Published: January 2020

AbstractUnderstanding local coexistence and broad‐scale species co‐occurrence patterns are central questions in ecology and macroecology. Niche theory relates both spatial scales by considering the resources (Eltonian niche) and conditions (Grinnellian niche) used by species and allow us to assess the contribution of these factors for species co‐occurrence. Indeed, combining local field data on diet preferences and climatic variables across species distributions can help us to evaluate their co‐occurrence while jointly considering resources and conditions on niche partitioning. Here, using information drawn from literature, we evaluated the relationship between geographic, climatic (Grinnellian) and trophic (Eltonian) niche dimensions among five highly sympatric felid species in favoring species co‐occurrence at broad spatial scales across the Neotropical region. We obtain potential geographic distributions of species through ecological niche models. Then, we calculated the pairwise species overlaps for each niche dimension and tested for a relationship between each pair of dimensions using Mantel and partial Mantel tests. We found a positive and significant relationship between geographic co‐occurrence and climatic overlap. This relationship remained after controlling for trophic overlap. Geographic and trophic overlap, as well as climatic and trophic overlap, did not show significant relationships. We conclude that the high degree of geographic co‐occurrence among our studied felid species is favored by climate and that their high degree of trophic overlap is not limiting their co‐occurrence pattern.
Extremely halophilic archaeal communities are resilient to short‐term entombment in halite
Authors: Huby Tom J. C. , Clark Dave R. , McKew Boyd A. , McGenity Terry J. 
Published: January 2020

SummarySome haloarchaea avoid the harsh conditions present in evaporating brines by entombment in brine inclusions within forming halite crystals, where a subset of haloarchaea survives over geological time. However, shifts in the community structure of halite‐entombed archaeal communities remain poorly understood. Therefore, we analysed archaeal communities from in situ hypersaline brines collected from Trapani saltern (Sicily) and their successional changes in brines versus laboratory‐grown halite over 21 weeks, using high‐throughput sequencing. Haloarchaea were dominant, comprising >95% of the archaeal community. Unexpectedly, the OTU richness of the communities after 21 weeks was indistinguishable from the parent brine and overall archaeal abundance in halite showed no clear temporal trends. Furthermore, the duration of entombment was less important than the parent brine from which the halite derived in determining the community composition and relative abundances of most genera in halite‐entombed communities. These results show that halite‐entombed archaeal communities are resilient to entombment durations of up to 21 weeks, and that entombment in halite may be an effective survival strategy for near complete communities of haloarchaea. Additionally, the dominance of ‘halite specialists’ observed in ancient halite must occur over periods of years, rather than months, hinting at long‐term successional dynamics in this environment.
Effects of conventional and nonconventional drying on the stability of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis INL1
Authors: Zacarías María Florencia , Reinheimer Jorge A , Vinderola Gabriel , Kulozik Ulrich , Ambros Sabine 
Published: January 2020

Freeze, spray, vacuum, microwave vacuum‐ and microwave freeze‐drying were applied to Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis INL1. Freeze and microwave freeze‐drying showed the highest survival after drying. When a storage test (25 °C; oxygen) was performed, these cultures were the most sensitive ones at aw = 0.23, but the addition of lactose improved their stability after 8 weeks. Flow cytometry was useful to assess viability after drying but not during storage. Our results show that dehydration technologies other than freeze‐drying might be suitable alternatives that deserve further investigation for the preservation of sensitive probiotic bacteria. Microwave drying rendered cultures of comparable characteristics to their conventional counterparts, requiring significantly shorter drying times.
Gadobenate dimeglumine‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can accurately predict the severity of esophageal varices and portal vein pressure in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis
Authors: Feng Qian , Guan Shan , Zhao Jing Run , Zhao Xin Ya , Zhang Chuan Chen , Wang Le , Feng Yue Min , Li Sen Lin , Zhu Qiang 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd‐BOPTA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting portal hypertension and high‐risk esophageal varices (EV) in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.MethodsIn total, 71 and 30 patients were enrolled in the training and validation groups, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect patient's risk of developing high‐risk EV to generate a formula for scoring EV. The relationships between the relative enhancement (RE) ratio of Gd‐BOPTA‐enhanced MRI and portal vein pressure were explored.ResultsPlatelet count, portal vein width and RE were identified as independent predictors of high‐risk EV. Based on these parameters, the EV score model were calculated as: −6.483 + 15.612 × portal vein width (cm) + 2.251 × RE − 0.176 × platelet count (×109/L). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.903. At a cut‐off value of ≤−2.74, the negative predictive value was 94.00%, while the positive predictive value was as high as 93.80% when the cut‐off was set at >4.00. Gd‐BOPTA‐enhanced MRI was effective in predicting portal pressure. Its accuracy was confirmed with the validation set.ConclusionsGd‐BOPTA‐enhanced MRI was successfully applied to evaluate high‐risk EV and portal hypertension. These results show that it is an accurate, non‐invasive model for detecting high‐risk EV, based on which we propose a cost‐effective algorithm for EV management, eliminating the need to perform an endoscopy in all patients with cirrhosis.
TXNIP hypomethylation and its interaction with obesity and hypertriglyceridemia increase type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Cheng Cheng , Cao Meng , Wang Tieqiang , Chen Xiaoliang , Zhao Yang , Wang Bingyuan , Ren Yongcheng , Liu Dechen , Liu Leilei , Chen Xu , Liu Feiyan , Zhou Qionggui , Tian Gang , Li Quanman , Guo Chunmei , Li Honghui , Wang Jian , Cheng Ruirong , Hu Dongsheng , Zhang Ming 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to estimate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence with DNA methylation of the thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) gene and its interaction with environmental factors.Materials and MethodsThis case‐control study included 286 incident T2DM cases and 286 non‐T2DM controls matched by sex, age, marital status, race, and residence village nested in the Rural Chinese Cohort Study. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the association of DNA methylation at TXNIP gene with T2DM risk. Also, multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were used to investigate the interaction between TXNIP methylation and environmental risk factors.ResultsMethylation levels of all five CpG loci at TXNIP gene were significantly lower in T2DM than in controls (all P < .001). With increasing methylation level, risk of T2DM was significantly decreased (odds ratio, 95% CI 0.80, 0.69‐0.94 for CpG1; 0.80, 0.69‐0.93 for CpG2; 0.70, 0.56‐0.88 for CpG3; 0.78, 0.66‐0.92 for CpG4; and 0.76, 0.60‐0.97 for CpG5). Additionally, the essential interactions among TXNIP methylation, obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia were identified by CART and MDR analyses. On logistic regression analysis, the risk of T2DM was reduced with terminal node 5 (CpG3 methylation ≥72%, nonobesity, normal triglyceride (TG) level, and CpG4 methylation ≥83%) vs terminal node 1 (CpG3 methylation <72%) (odds ratio 95% CI 0.20, 0.10‐0.40).ConclusionsTXNIP methylation is associated with T2DM incidence in a Chinese population. Interaction between TXNIP methylation and environmental factors may influence T2DM risk and needs more investigation.
Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population
Authors: Granjon A.‐C. , Robbins M. M. , Arinaitwe J. , Cranfield M. R. , Eckardt W. , Mburanumwe I. , Musana A. , Robbins A. M. , Roy J. , Sollmann R. , Vigilant L. , Hickey J. R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMonitoring population size and growth over time is vital for the conservation of endangered species. Mountain gorillas Gorilla beringei beringei remain in two small populations that span the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Each population contains two subpopulations that receive differing levels of protection: the monitored groups are visited daily by park staff and researchers and can be counted by sight, whereas the number and growth rate of unmonitored gorillas must be estimated indirectly. Here, we re‐analyze published data from a survey in 2010 combined with new results from a survey conducted during two sampling occasions in 2015 and 2016 to estimate mountain gorilla abundance and growth in the Virunga Massif between 2010 and 2016. Using genetic analysis of non‐invasively collected samples and two capture–mark–recapture estimates, we estimated that the 186 detected genotypes represented 221 (95% credible interval: 204–243) to 251 (205–340) unmonitored gorillas in 2016. Together with the 418 monitored gorillas, the overall population of the Virunga Massif thus reached 639 (622–661) to 669 (623–758) individuals. We estimated the growth of the entire Virunga Massif population at about 3% per year, but determined that the growth of the monitored gorillas (4.4%) mainly drove that increase. In contrast, the trend of the unmonitored subpopulation could not be determined with confidence because both models provided 95% CI that encompassed zero: 0.5% per year (−0.7% to +1.7%) and 1.1% (−2.7% to +4.4%). While the overall growth rate represents a rare success story for primate conservation, our results highlight the need for greater protection of unmonitored gorillas.
Evaluation of population status and foraging ecology of Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger roosevelti, Heller, 1910) in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya
Authors: Ochieng Benard , Okeyo Benards , Tamooh Fredrick 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger roosevelti, Heller, 1910) is nationally endemic to Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR) in Kenya. In the past few decades, its population has declined considerably. Despite the alarming decline and resultant localised distribution, a little information exists on the species population status and foraging ecology. Different ecological research techniques were used to collect relevant data and information on the species population structure and feeding habits. The results showed that Sable population comprised of sex and age structures that are skewed towards females and adult, respectively, whereas young and subadult populations were not significantly different. Seasonal change did not have significant influence on the diversity of food plants selected by Sable. Although crude protein and phosphorous levels in Sable faecal samples differed significantly between the seasons, they were within the recommended minimum maintenance requirements for wild herbivores. The study concludes that Sable has good survival rate and potential to breed but lacks stability in the population. Additionally, Sable forage quality and availability may not be limiting its population growth. There is need to establish management strategies for improving reproduction in Sable and understand the level of competition of the species with other mega herbivores in SHNR.
How market value relates to corporate philanthropy and its assurance. The moderating effect of the business sector
Authors: Arco‐Castro Lourdes , López‐Pérez Maria Victoria , Pérez‐López Maria Carmen , Rodríguez‐Ariza Lázaro 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCorporate philanthropy strategy integrated into the core business constitutes a novel vision and a little‐explored field of study with regard to corporate social commitment. The goal of this study is to analyse how the diverse ways of managing and assuring philanthropy can be considered signals of a firm's social commitment and consequently affect its market value. In addition, the analysis considers whether the business sector moderates those relationships. We aim to provide a comprehensive vision of corporate philanthropy and its effect on market value. From a sample of 965 firm‐years, of 193 firms from 2011 to 2015, we found that the market responds positively to the professional, independent management of philanthropy via a foundation, in preference to donations, and welcomes external assurance of corporate philanthropy as a set of actions that improve the perceived reliability of philanthropic activities. In addition, we observe a moderating effect of the business sector on the relationships among corporate philanthropy, assurance and the company's market value. The main contribution of this study is the provision of new evidence of how corporate philanthropy and its assurance are effective signals that reduce the information asymmetries between firms and investors, affecting company market value positively.
“Team is everything”: Reflections on trust, logistics and methodological choices in collaborative interviewing
Authors: Schwartz Ariel E. , Durkin Brendan 
Published: January 2020

Accessible Summary

People with disabilities often do research. Sometimes, they work together with people with academic training. Sometimes, working together can be challenging.

A researcher with academic training and a co‐researcher with a disability worked together to do interviews.

This paper is about how we worked together. We talk about how the co‐researcher with a disability got hired, did ethics training and dealt with transportation and his schedule. We also talk about how we worked together to make sure it was easy for him to do the interviews.

This paper might help other research teams figure out how to do interviews together.

AbstractBackgroundPeople with disabilities are increasingly involved in research. Our understanding of how to support co‐researchers with disabilities has grown since the 1990s. However, research teams have reported challenges in ensuring authentic collaboration. We report on the collaboration between an academic researcher and a co‐researcher with a disability to conduct interviews with other co‐researchers about their experiences in inclusive research.MethodsThe academic researcher took fieldnotes throughout the research. Together, she and the co‐researcher audio‐recorded “debriefs” after each interview. The academic researcher reviewed all fieldnotes and transcribed “debriefs.” Together, the academic researcher and co‐researcher listened to and reflected on the audio‐recorded debriefs.ResultsIn this reflective manuscript, we discuss the hiring process, ethics training, logistical challenges and tools we developed to support the co‐researcher in his role. We also discuss challenges, including the academic researcher's difficulty eliciting critical feedback from the co‐researcher. This manuscript includes both the voice of the academic researcher and the co‐researcher.ConclusionOur research process was supported by our prior relationship, accessible processes, and time for training and reflective practice. We call attention to the importance of establishing trust and methods to elicit critical feedback from co‐researchers. We also discuss logistical challenges and the impact of methodological choices on research collaborations.
VISTA: Coming of age as a multi-lineage immune checkpoint
Authors: ElTanbouly M A , Schaafsma E , Noelle R J , Lines J L 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThe immune response is governed by a highly complex set of interactions among cells and mediators. T cells may be rendered dysfunctional by the presence of high levels of antigen in the absence of co-stimulation while myeloid cells may be programmed towards an immunosuppressive state that promotes cancer growth and metastasis while deterring tumor immunity. In addition, inhibitory programs driven by immune checkpoint regulators dampen anti-tumor immunity. The ideal cancer immunotherapy treatment will improve both cross-priming in the tumor microenvironment and relieve suppression by the inhibitory checkpoints. Recently, blockade of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has elicited impressive results, but not in all patients, so additional targets are under investigation. V-set immunoglobulin domain suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) is a novel immunoregulatory receptor that is broadly expressed on cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages, and is frequently implicated as a poor prognostic indicator in multiple cancers. Importantly, antibody targeting of VISTA uniquely engages both innate and adaptive immunity. This, combined with the expression of VISTA and its non-redundant activities compared to other immune checkpoint regulators, qualifies VISTA to be a promising target for improving cancer immunotherapy.
Contrasting responses of beta diversity components to environmental and host‐associated factors in insect ectoparasites
Authors: Maestri Renan , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Warburton Elizabeth M. , Khokhlova Irina S. , Krasnov Boris R. 
Published: January 2020

1. The present study investigated whether different components (species replacement and species gains/losses) of compositional and phylogenetic beta diversity of insect ectoparasites responded similarly to environmental and host‐associated gradients using a large dataset on distribution of fleas and their rodent hosts in Mongolia.2. Generalised dissimilarity modelling was applied to investigate whether environmental variables or host dissimilarity was the best predictor of species/lineage replacement and species/lineage gains/losses (= richness difference) components of compositional and phylogenetic flea beta diversity.3. The total compositional beta diversity of fleas was influenced mainly by the gradient in air temperature and, to a lesser degree, by total host beta diversity, with the former effect being associated with the richness difference component and the latter effect being associated with species replacement component. The total phylogenetic beta diversity of fleas was best explained by the total phylogenetic beta diversity of hosts, with this effect being mainly associated with the lineage replacement component, whereas the lineage richness difference component responded mainly to the temperature gradient.4. The results of the present indicate that not only multiple beta diversity facets are driven by different factors, but also different components of the same beta diversity facet respond to different environmental (for parasites, including host‐associated) gradients. These patterns were masked when only total beta diversity was analysed.5. This emphasizes the importance of considering the components of insect beta diversity separately. Ignoring the separate components of beta diversity can lead to potentially erroneous inferences about the relative contribution of abiotic and biotic effects on beta diversity.