bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing bat bioacoustic surveys in human‐modified Neotropical landscapes
Authors: López‐Baucells Adrià , Yoh Natalie , Rocha Ricardo , Bobrowiec Paulo E. D. , Palmeirim Jorge M. , Meyer Christoph F. J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDuring the last decades, the use of bioacoustics as a non‐invasive and cost‐effective sampling method has greatly increased worldwide. For bats, acoustic surveys have long been known to complement traditional mist‐netting, however, appropriate protocol guidelines are still lacking for tropical regions. Establishing the minimum sampling effort needed to detect ecological changes in bat assemblages (e.g., activity, composition, and richness) is crucial in view of workload and project cost constraints, and because detecting such changes must be reliable enough to support effective conservation management. Using one of the most comprehensive tropical bat acoustic data sets, collected in the Amazon, we assessed the minimum survey effort required to accurately assess the completeness of assemblage inventories and habitat selection in fragmented forest landscapes for aerial insectivorous bats. We evaluated a combination of 20 different temporal sampling schemes, which differed regarding number of hours per night, number of nights per site, and sampling only during the wet or dry season, or both. This was assessed under two different landscape scenarios: in primary forest fragments embedded in a matrix of secondary forest and in the same forest fragments, but after they had been re‐isolated through clearing of the secondary forest. We found that the sampling effort required to achieve 90% inventory completeness varied considerably depending on the research aim and the landscape scenario evaluated, averaging ~80 and 10 nights before and after fragment re‐isolation, respectively. Recording for more than 4 h per night did not result in a substantial reduction in the required number of sampling nights. Regarding the effects of habitat selection, except for assemblage composition, bat responses in terms of richness, diversity, and activity were similar across all sampling schemes after fragment re‐isolation. However, before re‐isolation, a minimum of four to six sampling hours per night after dusk and three to five nights of sampling per site were needed to detect significant effects that could otherwise go unnoticed. Based on our results, we propose guidelines that will aid to optimize sampling protocols for bat acoustic surveys in the Neotropics.
Effect of scavenging on predation in a food web
Authors: Mellard Jarad P. , Hamel Sandra , Henden John‐André , Ims Rolf A. , Stien Audun , Yoccoz Nigel 
Published: May 2021

AbstractScavenging can have important consequences for food web dynamics, for example, it may support additional consumer species and affect predation on live prey. Still, few food web models include scavenging. We develop a dynamic model that includes two facultative scavenger species, which we refer to as the predator or scavenger species according to their natural scavenging propensity, as well as live prey, and a carrion pool to show ramifications of scavenging for predation in simple food webs. Our modeling suggests that the presence of scavengers can both increase and decrease predator kill rates and overall predation in model food webs and the impact varies (in magnitude and direction) with context. In particular, we explore the impact of the amount of dynamics (exploitative competition) allowed in the predator, scavenger, and prey populations as well as the direction and magnitude of interference competition between predators and scavengers. One fundamental prediction is that scavengers most likely increase predator kill rates, especially if there are exploitative feedback effects on the prey or carrion resources like is normally observed in natural systems. Scavengers only have minimal effects on predator kill rate when predator, scavenger, and prey abundances are kept constant by management. In such controlled systems, interference competition can greatly affect the interactions in contrast to more natural systems, with an increase in interference competition leading to a decrease in predator kill rate. Our study adds to studies that show that the presence of predators affects scavenger behavior, vital rates, and food web structure, by showing that scavengers impact predator kill rates through multiple mechanisms, and therefore indicating that scavenging and predation patterns are tightly intertwined. We provide a road map to the different theoretical outcomes and their support from different empirical studies on vertebrate guilds to provide guidance in wildlife management.
Cooperation behavior of fore‐ And hindlimbs during jumping in Rana dybowskii and Xenopus laevis
Authors: Li Mo , Gao Zibo , Wang Jili , Song Wei , Zhang Qingzhu , Tong Jin , Ren Lili 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFrogs are characterized by their outstanding jumping ability, depending on the rapid extension of hindlimbs to propel their bodies into air. A typical jumping cycle could be broken into four phases: preparation, takeoff, flight, and landing. Considerable research has been performed to discuss the function of hindlimbs of frogs during takeoff phase, whereas the literature of limbs' motion in jumping between different species was limited. To profile the evolution of locomotion in anurans, it is necessary to investigate on the motion of fore‐ and hindlimbs of frogs within different taxa. In this work, we put forward a detailed description of jumping behavior of two frog species, Rana dybowskii and Xenopus laevis. High‐speed cameras were used to explore the movement of different joints in fore‐ and hindlimbs of these two animals, and kinematic analysis was operated to identify both homologous behaviors and significant differences between them. We found that the Rana dybowskii's fore‐ and hindlimbs had good cooperation during jumping, while the Xenopus laevis' uncooperative behavior in limbs may give a functional explanation for the deficiency in terrestrial jumping; besides, the R. dybowskii's landing followed the “hands‐belly‐feet slap” strategy, and Xenopus laevis had clumsy landing with “belly‐flops” sequence. The result gained here clarifies the cooperation behavior of anuran limbs and may supply a new insight into our understanding of the anuran's evolution.
Underwater photogrammetry for close‐range 3D imaging of dry‐sensitive objects: The case study of cephalopod beaks
Authors: Roscian Marjorie , Herrel Anthony , Cornette Raphaël , Delapré Arnaud , Cherel Yves , Rouget Isabelle 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Technical advances in 3D imaging have contributed to quantifying and understanding biological variability and complexity. However, small, dry‐sensitive objects are not easy to reconstruct using common and easily available techniques such as photogrammetry, surface scanning, or micro‐CT scanning. Here, we use cephalopod beaks as an example as their size, thickness, transparency, and dry‐sensitive nature make them particularly challenging. We developed a new, underwater, photogrammetry protocol in order to add these types of biological structures to the panel of photogrammetric possibilities.

We used a camera with a macrophotography mode in a waterproof housing fixed in a tank with clear water. The beak was painted and fixed on a colored rotating support. Three angles of view, two acquisitions, and around 300 pictures per specimen were taken in order to reconstruct a full 3D model. These models were compared with others obtained with micro‐CT scanning to verify their accuracy.

The models can be obtained quickly and cheaply compared with micro‐CT scanning and have sufficient precision for quantitative interspecific morphological analyses. Our work shows that underwater photogrammetry is a fast, noninvasive, efficient, and accurate way to reconstruct 3D models of dry‐sensitive objects while conserving their shape. While the reconstruction of the shape is accurate, some internal parts cannot be reconstructed with photogrammetry as they are not visible. In contrast, these structures are visible using reconstructions based on micro‐CT scanning. The mean difference between both methods is very small (10−5 to 10−4 mm) and is significantly lower than differences between meshes of different individuals.

This photogrammetry protocol is portable, easy‐to‐use, fast, and reproducible. Micro‐CT scanning, in contrast, is time‐consuming, expensive, and nonportable. This protocol can be applied to reconstruct the 3D shape of many other dry‐sensitive objects such as shells of shellfish, cartilage, plants, and other chitinous materials.
Eggs survive through avian guts—A possible mechanism for transoceanic dispersal of flightless weevils
Authors: Lin Si‐Min , Li Tsui‐Wen , Liou Chia‐Hsin , Amarga Ace Kevin S. , Cabras Analyn , Tseng Hui‐Yun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHow flightless animals disperse to remote oceanic islands is a key unresolved question in biogeography. The flightless Pachyrhynchus weevils represent repetitive colonization history in West Pacific islands, which attracted our interests about how some weevils have successfully dispersed in the reverse direction against the sea current. Here, we propose endozoochory as a possible mechanism that the eggs of the weevils might be carried by embedded in the fruits as the food of frugivorous birds. In this study, Pachyrhynchus eggs were embedded in small pieces of persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki) and fed to captive frugivorous birds. After digestion, 83%–100% eggs were retrieved from the feces of a bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) and two thrushes (Turdus chrysolaus). The retrieved eggs had hatching rates higher than 84%, which were not different from the control. In contrast, no egg was retrieved from the feces of the frugivorous pigeon (Treron sieboldii), which took a longer retention time in the guts. Our study identified that the eggs of Pachyrhynchus weevils are possible to be transported by internal digesting in some bird species.
Complete blood counts with red blood cell determinants associate with reduced beta‐cell function in seroconverted Swedish TEDDY children
Authors: Salami Falastin , N.Tamura Roy , Elding Larsson Helena , Lernmark Åke , Törn Carina ,   the TEDDY Study Group
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate whether changes in complete blood count (CBC) in islet autoantibody positive children with increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes are associated with oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and HbA1c over time.MethodsThe Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study follows children with increased risk for type 1 diabetes in the United States, Germany, Sweden and Finland. In the current study, 89 Swedish TEDDY children (median age 8.8 years) positive for one or multiple islet autoantibodies were followed up to 5 (median 2.3) years for CBC, OGTT and HbA1c. A statistical mixed effect model was used to investigate the association between CBC and OGTT or HbA1c.ResultsHbA1c over time increased by the number of autoantibodies (p < .001). Reduction in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell volume (MCV) was both associated with an increase in HbA1c (p < .001). A reduction in red blood cell (RBC) counts (p = .003), haemoglobin (p = .002) and haematocrit (p = .006) levels was associated with increased fasting glucose. Increased red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit and MCH but decreased levels of red blood cell distribution widths (RDW) were all associated with increased fasting insulin.ConclusionsThe decrease in RBC indices with increasing HbA1c and the decrease in RBC and its parameters with increasing fasting glucose in seroconverted children may reflect an insidious deterioration in glucose metabolism associated with islet beta‐cell autoimmunity.
Dynamics of growth differentiation factor 15 in acute heart failure
Authors: Lourenço Patrícia , Cunha Filipe M. , Ferreira‐Coimbra João , Barroso Isaac , Guimarães João‐Tiago , Bettencourt Paulo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsRisk stratification in acute heart failure (HF) patients can help to decide therapies and time for discharge. The potential of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) in HF has been previously shown. We aimed to study the importance of GDF‐15‐level variations in acute HF patients.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively evaluated a cohort of patients hospitalized due to acute HF. GDF‐15 was measured both at admission and on the discharge day. Patients were followed‐up during a 3 year period. The endpoint under analysis was all‐cause mortality. GDF‐15 variation is equal to [(admission GDF‐15 − discharge GDF‐15)∕admission GDF‐15] × 100. Variation was categorized in levels of increase or decrease of GDF‐15. Patients were cross‐classified according to admission and discharge GDF‐15 cut‐off points. A Cox regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic impact of GDF‐15 variation and the impact of both admission and discharge GDF‐15 according to the cross‐classification. We studied a group of 249 patients with high co‐morbidity burden. Eighty‐one patients died at 1 year and 147 within 3 years. There was a modest decrease in GDF‐15 during hospitalization from a median value of 4087 to 3671 ng/mL (P = 0.02). No association existed between GDF‐15 variation and mortality. In multivariate analysis, patients with admission GDF‐15 ≥ 3500 ng/mL and discharge GDF‐15 ≥ 3000 ng/mL had a significantly higher 1 year death risk when compared with the remaining—hazard ratio = 2.59 (95% confidence interval: 1.41–4.76)—and a 3 year 1.76 (95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.87) higher death risk compared with those with both values below the cut‐off.ConclusionsGrowth differentiation factor 15 decreased during an acute HF hospitalization, but its variation had no prognostic implications. The knowledge of both admission and discharge GDF‐15 added meaningful information to patients' risk stratification.
Visceral adiposity, muscle composition, and exercise tolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Ying Wendy , Sharma Kavita , Yanek Lisa R. , Vaidya Dhananjay , Schär Michael , Markl Michael , Subramanya Vinita , Soleimani Sahar , Ouyang Pamela , Michos Erin D. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Hays Allison G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsVisceral adipose tissue (AT) promotes inflammation and may be associated with disease progression in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We characterized regional AT distribution in HFpEF patients and controls and analysed associations with co‐morbidities and exercise tolerance.Methods and resultsMagnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantify epicardial, liver, abdominal, and thigh skeletal muscle AT. We assessed New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, 6 min walk distance, and global well‐being score. Multivariable linear regression models adjusting for body surface area were used. We studied 55 HFpEF patients (41 women, mean age 67 ± 11 years) and 33 controls (21 women, mean age 57 ± 10 years). Epicardial AT (median [interquartile range] 4.6 [2.0] vs. 3.2 [1.4] mm, P < 0.001), thigh intermuscular fat (11.0 [11.5] vs. 5.0 [2.7] cm2, P < 0.001) and liver fat fraction (6.4% [6.1] vs. 4.1% [5.5], P = 0.001) were higher in HFpEF patients than controls. Women with HFpEF had higher abdominal and thigh subcutaneous AT than men. Greater thigh intermuscular fat was associated with higher blood pressure (β [SE] 0.73 [0.17], P < 0.001) and diabetes (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.2 [1.0–1.5], P = 0.03). Greater thigh intramuscular fat was associated with both worse NYHA class (β [SE] 2.7 [1.0], P = 0.01) and shorter 6 min walk distance (β [SE] −4.1 [1.9], P = 0.03), and greater epicardial AT (β [SE] −0.2 [0.1], P < 0.001) and liver fat fraction (β [SE] −0.4 [0.2], P = 0.04) were associated with lower global well‐being score.ConclusionsHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients have increased epicardial, liver, and skeletal muscle fat compared with controls out of proportion to their increased body size, and adiposity was associated with worse NYHA class and exercise tolerance in HFpEF. These results provide the basis for further investigation into the effect of interventions to reduce regional AT distribution in relation to HFpEF symptoms and pathophysiology.
The impact of platelet indices on clinical outcome in heart failure: results from the MyoVasc study
Authors: Dahlen Bianca , Schulz Andreas , Göbel Sebastian , Tröbs Sven‐Oliver , Schwuchow‐Thonke Sören , Spronk Henri M. , Prochaska Jürgen H. , Arnold Natalie , Lackner Karl J. , Gori Tommaso , ten Cate Hugo , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp S. , Panova‐Noeva Marina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsPlatelet indices have been associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases and all‐cause mortality. This study aimed to investigate the role of platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet‐to‐leukocyte ratio, including platelet‐to‐monocyte and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio with cardiac function, heart failure (HF) phenotypes and clinical outcome, worsening of HF.Methods and resultsUnivariate and multivariable linear and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between platelet indices, cardiac function and worsening of HF in 3250 subjects enrolled in the MyoVasc study. Higher MPV, lower platelet count, lower platelet‐to‐leukocyte and platelet‐to‐monocyte ratios have been associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (beta estimate [β]MPV [fL] = −0.05 [−0.09; −0.02], βplatelet count (× 10/L)9 = 3.4 [1.2; 5.6], βplatelet‐to‐leukocyte ratio = 1.4 [1.1; 1.8], βplatelet‐to‐monocyte ratio = 28 [20; 36]) and increased E/E' ratio (β MPV [fL] = 0.04 [0.003; 0.07], βplatelet count (× 10/L)9 = −3.1 [−5.3; −0.92], βplatelet‐to‐leukocyte ratio = −0.83 [−1.2; −0.46], βplatelet‐to‐monocyte ratio = −20 [−28; −12]), independent of age and sex. Cox regression demonstrated an increased risk for worsening of HF in subjects with MPV > 75th percentile (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.47 [1.16; 1.87]), platelet count < 25th percentile (HR = 1.36 [1.07; 1.74]), platelet‐to‐leukocyte < 25th percentile (HR = 1.53 [1.20; 1.95]), platelet‐to‐monocyte < 25th percentile (HR = 1.38 [1.08; 1.77]) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte > 75th percentile (HR = 1.50 [1.17; 1.93]) ratios, independent of potential confounders. MPV > 75th percentile and platelet count < 25th percentile were strongly related to outcome in HFpEF vs. HFrEF (P for difference = 0.040). Platelet‐to‐leukocyte ratios were associated with worse outcome in both HF phenotypes, without a significant difference between HFpEF and HFrEF.ConclusionsPlatelet indices are linked with worse cardiac function and adverse clinical outcome, independent of subjects' underlying cardiovascular profile. This study emphasizes their important value to provide additional information on pathophysiology and risk stratification in HF syndrome.
A mid‐ventricular variant of Takotsubo syndrome: was it triggered by insular cortex damage?
Authors: Osawa Ayano , Nagai Michiaki , Dote Keigo , Kato Masaya , Oda Noboru , Kunita Eiji , Kagawa Eisuke , Yamane Aya , Kobatake Hiroshi , Shiota Haruko , Ishibashi Naoki , Takahashi Kazuki , Förster Carola Y. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient cardiomyopathy that is often associated with cerebrovascular diseases. Earlier studies have supported the concept that the cardiovascular system is regulated by a central autonomic network (CAN) consisting of the insular cortex (IC), anterior cingulate gyrus and amygdala. We report the case of a 79‐year‐old female diagnosed with a mid‐ventricular variant of TTS concomitant with right IC ischaemic stroke. After 12 h of hospitalization, she experienced a sudden collapse. Rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation resulted in a return of spontaneous circulation. Subsequent left ventriculography revealed akinesis in the mid‐portion of the left ventricle with vigorous contraction of the basal and apex segment. Two weeks after admission, cardiac ultrasound showed improved left ventricular contraction. Right IC ischaemia in this patient might have been associated with a dysregulation of the CAN and subsequent increased sympathetic nervous system activity that triggered TTS.
Copper(II)‐Doped ZIF‐8 as a Reusable and Size Selective Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Alkenes using Hydrazine Hydrate
Authors: Nagarjun Nagarathinam , Arthy Kannan , Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn recent years, synthesis of mixed‐metal organic frameworks has received considerable attention due to their superior performance than with mono‐metallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs). In the present manuscript, Cu2+ ions are doped within the framework of ZIF‐8 (ZIF: Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks) to obtain Cu@ZIF‐8 and is characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), UV‐Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microcope (TEM) studies. The reaction conditions are optimized with styrene as a model substrate using Cu@ZIF‐8 as a solid catalyst. Heterogeneity of the reaction is confirmed by leaching test and the solid is reusable for three recycles with no diminishing activity. Further, the structural integrity of Cu@ZIF‐8 is also retained after hydrogenation of styrene as evidenced by powder X‐ray diffraction. The size selective catalysis of Cu@ZIF‐8 is demonstrated by comparing the activity of Cu2+ ions adsorbed over ZIF‐8 solid (Cu/ZIF‐8) in the hydrogenation of 1‐hexene, 1‐octene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene and t‐stilbene. The catalytic results indicate that Cu/ZIF‐8 shows superior activity than Cu@ZIF‐8 for all these olefins due to the lack of diffusion to access the active sites (Cu2+). In contrast, Cu@ZIF‐8 exhibits higher activity for those olefins with lower molecular dimensions (1‐hexene, 1‐octene) than the pores of ZIF‐8 indicating the facile diffusion of these substrates inside the pores ZIF‐8 while poor activity is observed with t‐stilbene due to its larger molecular dimension than the pore apertures of ZIF‐8. These catalytic data clearly establish the size selective hydrogenation of Cu@ZIF‐8 due to the effective confinement provided by ZIF‐8 framework and the presence of the active sites within the framework. Furthermore, this is the first report showing the size selective hydrogenation of olefins promoted by Cu@ZIF‐8 (mixed‐metal MOFs) compared to other noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) embedded over MOFs as catalysts.