bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the relationship between intraspecific competition and individual specialization across both behavior and diet
Authors: Adey Amaryllis K. , Larson Eric R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIndividual specialization within populations is increasingly recognized as important in both ecology and evolution, but researchers working on intraspecific variation in behavior and diet infrequently interact. This may be because individual specialization on diet and behavior was historically difficult to investigate simultaneously on the same individuals. However, approaches like stable isotope analysis that allow hindcasting past field diets for laboratory organisms may provide opportunities to unite these areas of inquiry. Here, we tested the role of intraspecific competition on individual specialization through analysis of both behavior and diet simultaneously. We focused on intraspecific competition as a mechanism that might drive individual specialization of both diet and behavior. We conducted this study in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States (US), using rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus from six lakes across a relative abundance gradient. We conducted six assays to measure individual specialization of behavior and used stable isotope analysis to measure individual specialization of diet. We then related both measures of individual specialization to relative abundance of F. rusticus using linear and quadratic models. We found a unimodal relationship between intraspecific competition and individual specialization of diet for F. rusticus, likely because some preferred resources are unavailable to specialize on at the highest densities of this well‐studied crayfish invader. Conversely, we found greater support for a linear relationship between individual specialization of behavior and intraspecific competition, perhaps because specialization by behavior is not inherently resource‐limited. Our results show that dietary and behavioral specialization may exhibit different responses to increased intraspecific competition, and demonstrate a potential technique that can be used to investigate individual specialization of diet and behavior simultaneously for the same individuals and populations.
Demographic determinants of the phenotypic mother–offspring correlation
Authors: Plard Floriane , Barthold Jones Julia A. , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Coulson Tim , Tuljapurkar Shripad 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPhenotypic traits partly determine expected survival and reproduction, and so have been used as the basis for demographic models of population dynamics. Within a population, the distribution of phenotypic traits depends upon their transmission from parents to offspring, yet we still have a limited understanding of the factors shaping phenotypic transmission in wild populations. Phenotypic transmission can be measured using the phenotypic parent–offspring correlation (C), defined as the slope of the regression of offspring phenotypic trait on parental phenotypic trait, both traits measured at the same age, often at birth. This correlation reflects phenotypic variation due to both additive genetic effects and parental effects. Researchers seldom account for the possible influence of selection on estimates of the phenotypic parent–offspring correlation. However, because individuals must grow, survive, and reproduce before giving birth to offspring, these ,aphic processes might influence the phenotypic parent–offspring correlation in addition to the inheritance process, the latter being the direct relationship between parental and offspring phenotypic traits when the parental trait is measured at age of reproduction and the offspring trait is measured at birth. Here we used a female‐based population model to study the relative effects of fertility and viability selections, trait ontogeny and inheritance on C. The relative influence of each demographic process is estimated by deriving the exact formulas for the proportional changes in C to changes in the parameters of integral projection models structured by age and phenotypic traits. We illustrate our method for two long‐lived species. We find that C can be strongly affected by both viability and fertility selections, mediated by growth and inheritance. Generally, demographic processes that result in mothers reproducing at similar phenotypic traits regardless of their birth traits, such as high fertility selection or converging developmental trajectories, lead to a decreased C. More generally, our models show how the age and phenotypic dependence of fertility and viability selections can influence phenotypic mother–offspring correlation to a much larger extent than ontogeny and inheritance. Our results suggest that accounting for such dependence is needed to model the distribution of offspring phenotypic traits and the ecoevolutionary dynamics of phenotypic traits reliably.
DAMA: the global Distribution of Alien Mammals database
Authors: Biancolini Dino , Vascellari Vittorio , Melone Beatrice , Blackburn Tim M. , Cassey Phillip , Scrivens Sally L. , Rondinini Carlo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe developed the DAMA (Distribution of Alien Mammals) database, a comprehensive source reporting the global distribution of the 230 species of mammals that have established self‐sustaining and free‐ranging populations outside their native range due to direct or indirect human action. Every alien range is accompanied by information on its invasion stage, pathway, method of introduction, and date of introduction. We collected information from 827 different sources (scientific literature, books, risk assessments, reports, online biodiversity databases and websites), and used it to draw alien range maps for these species following the IUCN mapping framework. DAMA comprises 2,726 range polygons, covering 199 countries, 2,190 level 1 administrative areas, and 11 zoogeographic realms for the period 21500 BC–AD 2017. The most represented orders among introduced mammal species are Rodentia (n = 58, 25.22%), Cetartiodactyla (n = 49 species, 21.30%), Carnivora (n = 30 species, 13.04%), Diprotodontia (n = 28, 12.17%), and Primates (n = 26, 11.30%). Mammal species have been frequently introduced for hunting (n = 100), pet trade (n = 57), conservation (n = 51), and fauna improvement (n = 42). The majority of range polygons are placed on islands (n = 2,196, 80.56%), encompass populations that have moved beyond establishment and into the invasion stage (n = 1,655, 60.71%), and originated from 1500 AD to the present (n = 1,496, 54.88%). Despite inheriting literature biases towards more studied regions (e.g., developed countries), DAMA is the most up‐to‐date picture of alien mammal global distribution and can be used to investigate their invasion ecology across different biogeographical regions. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions; IUCN range maps were modified into a derivative work according to the IUCN’s terms of service.
Parsimonious model selection using information theory: a modified selection rule
Authors: Yates Luke A. , Richards Shane A. , Brook Barry W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInformation‐theoretic approaches to model selection, such as Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and cross validation, provide a rigorous framework to select among candidate hypotheses in ecology, yet the persistent concern of overfitting undermines the interpretation of inferred processes. A common misconception is that overfitting is due to the choice of criterion or model score, despite research demonstrating that selection uncertainty associated with score estimation is the predominant influence. Here we introduce a novel selection rule that identifies a parsimonious model by directly accounting for estimation uncertainty, while still retaining an information‐theoretic interpretation. The new rule, which is a modification of the existing one‐standard‐error rule, mitigates overfitting and reduces the likelihood that spurious effects will be included in the selected model, thereby improving its inferential properties. We present the rule and illustrative examples in the context of maximum‐likelihood estimation and Kullback‐Leibler discrepancy, although the rule is applicable in a more general setting, including Bayesian model selection and other types of discrepancy.
A global longitudinal strain cut‐off value to predict adverse outcomes in individuals with a normal ejection fraction
Authors: Verdonschot Job A.J. , Henkens Michiel T.H.M. , Wang Ping , Schummers Georg , Raafs Anne G. , Krapels Ingrid P.C. , van Empel Vanessa , Heymans Stephane R.B. , Brunner‐La Rocca Hans‐Peter , Knackstedt Christian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimsGlobal longitudinal strain (GLS) has become an alternative to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to determine systolic function of the heart. The absence of cut‐off values is one of the limitations preventing full clinical implementation. The aim of this study is to determine a cut‐off value of GLS for an increased risk of adverse events in individuals with a normal LVEF.Methods and resultsEchocardiographic images of 502 subjects (52% female, mean age 48 ± 15) with an LVEF ≥ 55% were analysed using speckle tracking‐based GLS. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death or cardiac hospitalization. The analysis of Cox models with splines was performed to visualize the effect of GLS on outcome. A cut‐off value was suggested by determining the optimal specificity and sensitivity. The median GLS was −22.2% (inter‐quartile range −20.0 to −24.9%). In total, 35 subjects (7%) had a cardiac hospitalization and/or died because of cardiovascular disease during a follow‐up of 40 (5–80) months. There was a linear correlation between the risk for adverse events and GLS value. Subjects with a normal LVEF and a GLS between −22.9% and −20.9% had a mildly increased risk (hazard ratio 1.01–2.0) for cardiac hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality, and the risk was doubled for subjects with a GLS of −20.9% and higher. The optimal specificity and sensitivity were determined at a GLS value of −20.0% (hazard ratio 2.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.71–3.61).ConclusionsThere is a strong correlation between cardiac adverse events and GLS values in subjects with a normal LVEF. In our single‐centre study, −20.0% was determined as a cut‐off value to identify subjects at risk. A next step should be to integrate GLS values in a multi‐parametric model.
Right ventricular hemodynamics and performance in relation to perfusion during first year after heart transplantation
Authors: Clemmensen Tor Skibsted , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt , Løgstrup Brian Bridal , Bjerre Kamilla Pernille , Tolbod Lars Poulsen , Harms Hendrik J. , Sörensen Jens , Eiskjær Hans 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimsWe aim to evaluate changes in invasive haemodynamics, right ventricular (RV) function, and perfusion during the first year after heart transplantation (HTx) and to determine the relation between RV function and myocardial perfusion.Methods and resultsThirty patients were prospectively enrolled at the time of HTx. Right heart catheterization (RHC), comprehensive 2D and 3D echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were performed at baseline (≤2 weeks after HTx) and at follow‐up 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after HTx. At 12 months, HTx patients were subjected to an exercise stress test with assessment of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). RV myocardial perfusion reserve was evaluated by 15O‐H2O positron emission tomography at baseline and at 3 and 12 months after HTx. A group of 43 healthy subjects served as echocardiographic controls and a subgroup comprising 16 healthy controls underwent exercise stress test with simultaneous RHC. At baseline, HTx patients had higher pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) than healthy controls whereas cardiac index (CI) was reduced (PAWP; 14 mmHg [8;17] vs. 8 mmHg [7;10]; RAP: 7 mmHg [4;11] vs. 5 mmHg [4;6]; PVR: 1.9 wood units [1.3;2.6] vs. 1.1 wood units [1.0;1.4]; CI 2.4 L/min/m2 [2.2;2.8] vs. 3.3 L/min/m2 [2.8;.3.6], all P < 0.05). Normalization of filling pressures and CI was seen 3–6 months after HTx. During follow‐up, RV function in terms of 3D ejection fraction (EF) and longitudinal strain (LS) improved in HTx patients but remained reduced compared with healthy controls at 12 months follow‐up (3D RV EF: 52 ± 7% vs. 60 ± 8%; RV LS: 22 ± 4% vs. 28 ± 5%, both P < 0.001). During follow‐up, RV perfusion reserve improved (baseline 2.1 ± 0.9; 3 months follow‐up 3.2 ± 0.8; 12 months follow‐up 3.7 ± 1.1, P < 0.0001). RV perfusion reserve significantly correlated to cardiac markers in terms of troponin T (r = −0.62, P < 0.0001), NT‐proBNP (r = −0.65, P < 0.0001), RAP (r = −0.43, P < 0.01) and CI (r = 0.37, P < 0.01) and with VO2max 12 months after HTx (r = 0.75, P < 0.01).ConclusionsNormalization of left and right atrial filling pressures is demonstrated within the first 3 to 6 months after HTx. RV function and RV perfusion reserve correlated and gradually improved during the first year after HTx but RV function remained reduced in HTx patients compared with healthy controls.
Efficacy of dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction according to body mass index
Authors: Adamson Carly , Jhund Pardeep S. , Docherty Kieran F. , Bělohlávek Jan , Chiang Chern‐En , Diez Mirta , Drożdż Jarosław , Dukát Andrej , Howlett Jonathan , Ljungman Charlotta E.A. , Petrie Mark C. , Schou Morten , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Martinez Felipe A. , Ponikowski Piotr , Sabatine Marc S. , Solomon Scott D. , Bengtsson Olof , Langkilde Anna Maria , Lindholm Daniel , Sjöstrand Mikaela , McMurray John J.V. 
Published: July 2021

AimsIn heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), there is an ‘obesity paradox’, where survival is better in patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) and weight loss is associated with worse outcomes. We examined the effect of a sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor according to baseline BMI in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse‐outcomes in Heart Failure trial (DAPA‐HF).Methods and resultsBody mass index was examined using standard categories, i.e. underweight (<18.5 kg/m2); normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2); overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2); obesity class I (30.0–34.9 kg/m2); obesity class II (35.0–39.9 kg/m2); and obesity class III (≥40 kg/m2). The primary outcome in DAPA‐HF was the composite of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death. Overall, 1348 patients (28.4%) were under/normal‐weight, 1722 (36.3%) overweight, 1013 (21.4%) obesity class I and 659 (13.9%) obesity class II/III. The unadjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the primary outcome with obesity class 1, the lowest risk group, as reference was: under/normal‐weight 1.41 (1.16–1.71), overweight 1.18 (0.97–1.42), obesity class II/III 1.37 (1.10–1.72). Patients with class I obesity were also at lowest risk of death. The effect of dapagliflozin on the primary outcome and other outcomes did not vary by baseline BMI, e.g. hazard ratio for primary outcome: under/normal‐weight 0.74 (0.58–0.94), overweight 0.81 (0.65–1.02), obesity class I 0.68 (0.50–0.92), obesity class II/III 0.71 (0.51–1.00) (P‐value for interaction = 0.79). The mean decrease in weight at 8 months with dapagliflozin was 0.9 (0.7–1.1) kg (P < 0.001).ConclusionWe confirmed an ‘obesity survival paradox’ in HFrEF. We showed that dapagliflozin was beneficial across the wide range of BMI studied.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036124.
Regulatory T cells reduce endothelial neutral sphingomyelinase 2 to prevent T‐cell migration into tumors
Authors: Akeus Paulina , Szeponik Louis , Langenes Veronica , Karlsson Viktoria , Sundström Patrik , Bexe‐Lindskog Elinor , Tallon Carolyn , Slusher Barbara S. , Quiding‐Järbrink Marianne 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEndothelial cells are key regulators of transendothelial migration and their secretion of chemokines and expression of adhesion molecules facilitates lymphocyte entry into tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that Tregs can reduce transendothelial migration of T cells into tumors by decreasing endothelial CXCL10 secretion, but the mechanism by which this occurs is still not known. In this study, we aimed to define how Tregs decrease transendothelial migration into tumors. mRNA sequencing of intestinal tumor endothelial cells from Treg depleted mice identified neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) as a gene downregulated in the presence of Tregs. nSMase2 is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and was decreased after coculture with Tregs. Furthermore, blocking of nSMase2 activity in vitro decreased VCAM1, CX3CL1, and CXCL10 expression in HUVECs, mirroring the same decrease found in Treg cocultures. In the APCmin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer, nSMase2 is lower in tumor endothelial cells than in unaffected small intestine and chronic treatment with a nSMase2 inhibitor suppressed the increased migration that is otherwise seen in the absence of Tregs. We conclude that nSMase2 is an important mediator in endothelial cells supporting transendothelial migration, which may be targeted by Tregs to reduce T‐cell migration into tumors.
A Hafnium Oxide Based Voltammetric Platform for the Sensitive Determination of Octopamine
Authors: Teker Tuğçe , Aslanoglu Mehmet 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAn electrochemical sensor was constructed by modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with nanoparticles of hafnium oxide (HfO2) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the sensitive determination of octopamine. The platform (HfO2NPs/MWCNTs/GCE) presented an improved anodic peak for octopamine at 0.65 V. The combination of HfO2 and MWCNTs resulted in outstanding catalytic activity and enhanced the magnitude of the peak response. Results suggest that a three‐electron oxidation occurs for the process of octopamine. Voltammetry of octopamine exhibited a dynamic linear response in the concentration range of 1.6×10−6∼4.8×10−5 M with a detection limit of 5.4×10−7 M for octopamine.
Lipidomic analysis and diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme with rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Ma Jianfeng , Li Ting , Chen Huiyao , Wang Chengde , Wang Haixing , Li Qun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor in the central nervous system. GBM patients have a very low 5‐year survival rate and most of them died within 1 year. Conventional histopathological examination for GBM diagnosis is complicated and time‐consuming, which always blocks the development of more precise and effective treatments in resection operation. Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) is a MS technique in clinical medicine research, which combines the common diathermy device with MS to acquire the lipid profiles of tissue specimens for lipidomic analysis and real‐time tumor diagnosis. In this study, the REIMS method employing bipolar forceps was optimized and validated for high‐throughput lipidomics and diagnosis of GBM for the first time. Total 42 lipid metabolites were tentatively identified and 12 out of 13 lipid biomarkers showed higher intensities in GBM, which were consistent with previous studies. After this, a statistic model was built with the lipidomic data for the diagnosis of GBM tumor in real‐time. The diagnostic accuracy (94.74%), sensitivity (95.38%), and specificity (93.33%) were evaluated with histopathology validated brain tissue specimens that were not used in the training set. The proposed REIMS method for the lipidomic‐analysis and diagnosis of GBM tumor provides a new direction for MS‐based lipidomics and precision medicine and might be used to guide surgeons to precisely resect the GBM tissue and keep the normal brain tissue in operation.
An evolutionary Monte Carlo method for the analysis of turbidity high‐frequency time series through Markov switching autoregressive models
Authors: Spezia Luigi , Vinten Andy , Paroli Roberta , Stutter Marc 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA turbidity time series, recorded every 15 min in a first‐order Scottish stream for more than a year, along with two covariates (stage height and rainfall), is considered. Turbidity time series have complex dynamics because they are nonlinear, nonnormal, nonstationary, with a long memory, and present missing values. Given these issues the turbidity process is analyzed by Markov switching autoregressive models under the Bayesian paradigm. Since the multimodality of the posterior density novel evolutionary Monte Carlo (EMC) algorithms incorporating a few original features are developed to better traverse the posterior surface and escape from local basins of attraction. This because a population of chains are processed in parallel exchanging information one another and with different temperatures attached to each chain. These advanced EMC algorithms allow performing both Bayesian inference and model choice. Hence, it is possible to efficiently fit the actual data, reconstruct the sequence of hidden states, restore the missing values, and classify the observations into a few regimes, providing new insight on turbidity dynamics. A comparison with different nonlinear time series models is also proposed. Finally, a simulation study on the selection of the tuning factors of the EMC algorithm is presented.
Implementation of mentalization‐based treatment in a day hospital program for eating disorders—A pilot study
Authors: Zeeck Almut , Endorf Katharina , Euler Sebastian , Schaefer Laura , Lau Inga , Flösser Kristina , Geiger Valeria , Meier Alexander Ferdinand , Walcher Peter , Lahmann Claas , Hartmann Armin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveAim of the pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a day hospital program for eating disorders (EDs) after implementation of mentalization‐based treatment (MBT), including a comparison to a historical matched control group.MethodAll consecutively admitted patients with an ED were included in a prospective, observational study over a period of 2 years. Main outcome criteria were eating and overall psychopathology. Furthermore, changes in the capacity to mentalize (reflective functioning [RF]), difficulties with affect regulation and interpersonal problems were assessed at admission, discharge and a three months follow‐up.ResultsThirty‐eight out of fourty patients could be included. The program led to significant reductions in eating and general pathology. There was significant improvement in RF, difficulties in emotion regulation and interpersonal functioning. However, there was no advantage in comparison to a matched control group (main outcomes). ED symptoms showed a slight renewed increase after discharge, while body mass index further increased. RF change was predictive of change in overall psychopathology, but not ED symptoms. Drop‐out rate was 13.2%.ConclusionThe program showed no advantage in comparison to a historical control group concerning a reduction in eating and overall psychopathology. However, it was associated with low drop‐out rates, and changes which MBT targets: An increase in RF and a reduction of interpersonal problems as well as difficulties in emotion regulation.