bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abiotic conditions mediate intraguild interactions between mammalian carnivores
Authors: Jensen Paul G. , Humphries Murray M. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Intraguild (IG) interactions are common among mammalian carnivores, can include intraguild predation (IGP) and interspecific killing (IK), and are often asymmetrical, where a larger more dominant species (IGpredator) kills a smaller one (IGprey). According to ecological theory, the potential for an IGpredator and IGprey to coexist depends on whether the direct consumptive benefits for the IGpredator are substantial (IGP) or insignificant (IK), the extent to which the IGprey is the superior exploitative competitor on shared prey resources, and overall ecosystem productivity.

We used resource selection models and spatially explicit age and harvest data for two closely related mesopredators that engage in IG interactions, American martens (Martes americana; IGprey) and fishers (Pekania pennanti; IGpredator), to identify drivers of distributions, delineate areas of sympatry and allopatry, and explore the role of an apex predator (coyote; Canis latrans) on these interactions.

Model selection revealed that fisher use of this landscape was strongly influenced by late winter abiotic conditions, but other bottom‐up (forest composition) and top‐down (coyote abundance) factors also influenced their distribution. Overall, fisher probability of use was higher where late winter temperatures were warmer, snowpack was deeper, and measures of productivity were greater. Martens were constrained to areas of the landscape where the probability of fisher use, coyote abundance, and productivity were low and selected for forest conditions that presumably maximized prey availability. Marten age data indicated an increased proportion of juveniles outside of the predicted area of sympatry, suggesting that few animals survived >1.5 years in this area that supported higher densities of fishers and coyotes.

Consistent with asymmetrical IG interaction theory, the IGpredator (fishers and, to a lesser degree, coyotes) competitively excluded the IGprey (martens) from more productive, milder temperature habitats, whereas IGpredators and IGprey coexisted in low productivity environments, where a combination of abiotic and biotic conditions enabled the IGprey to be the superior exploitative competitor.
Movement reveals reproductive tactics in male elephants
Authors: Taylor Lucy A. , Vollrath Fritz , Lambert Ben , Lunn Daniel , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain , Wittemyer George 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Long‐term bio‐logging has the potential to reveal how movements, and hence life‐history trade‐offs, vary over a lifetime. Reproductive tactics in particular may vary as individuals' trade‐off current investment versus lifetime fitness. Male African savanna elephants (Loxodona africana) provide a telling example of balancing body growth with reproductive fitness due to the combination of indeterminate growth and strongly delineated periods of sexual activity (musth), which results in reproductive tactics that alter with age.

Our study aims to quantify the extent to which male elephants alter their movement patterns, and hence energetic allocation, in relation to (a) reproductive state and (b) age, and (c) to determine whether musth periods can be detected directly from GPS tracking data.

We used a combination of GPS tracking data and visual observations of 25 male elephants ranging in age from 20 to 52 years to examine the influence of reproductive state and age on movement. We then used a three‐state hidden Markov model (HMM) to detect musth behaviour in a subset of sequential tracking data.

Our results demonstrate that male elephants increased their daily mean speed and range size with age and in musth. Furthermore, non‐musth speed decreased with age, presumably reflecting a shift towards energy acquisition during non‐musth. Thus, despite similar speeds and marginally larger ranges between reproductive states at age 20, by age 50, males were travelling 2.0 times faster in a 3.5 times larger area in musth relative to non‐musth. The distinctiveness of musth periods over age 35 meant the three‐state HMM could automatically detect musth movement with high sensitivity and specificity, but could not for the younger age class.

We show that male elephants increased their energetic allocation into reproduction with age as the probability of reproductive success increases. Given that older male elephants tend to be both the target of legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching, man‐made interference could drive fundamental changes in elephant reproductive tactics. Bio‐logging, as our study reveals, has the potential both to quantify mature elephant reproductive tactics remotely and to be used to institute proactive management strategies around the reproductive behaviour of this charismatic keystone species.
Cold‐adapted Bacilli isolated from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau are able to promote plant growth in extreme environments
Authors: Wu Huijun , Gu Qin , Xie Yongli , Lou Zhiying , Xue Pengqi , Fang Liu , Yu Chenjie , Jia Dandan , Huang Guochao , Zhu Bichun , Schneider Andy , Blom Jochen , Lasch Peter , Borriss Rainer , Gao Xuewen 
Published: June 2019

SummaryNearly 1400 Bacillus strains growing in the plant rhizosphere were sampled from different sites on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Forty‐five of the isolates, selected due to their biocontrol activity, were genome‐sequenced and their taxonomic identification revealed that they were representatives of the Bacillus subtilis species complex (20) and the Bacillus cereus group (9). Majority of the remaining strains were found closely related to Bacillus pumilus, but their average nucleotide identity based on BLAST and electronic DNA/DNA hybridization values excluded closer taxonomic identification. A total of 45 different gene clusters involved in synthesis of secondary metabolites were detected by mining the genomes of the 45 selected strains. Except eight mesophilic strains, the 37 remaining strains were found either cold‐adapted or psychrophilic, able to propagate at 10°C and below (Bacillus wiedmannii NMSL88 and Bacillus sp. RJGP41). Pot experiments performed at 10°C with winter wheat seedlings revealed that cold‐adapted representatives of B. pumilus, B. safensis and B. atrophaeus promoted growth of the seedlings under cold conditions, suggesting that these bacilli isolated from a cold environment are promising candidates for developing of bioformulations useful for application in sustainable agriculture under environmental conditions unfavourable for the mesophilic bacteria presently in use.
Influence of the degree of hydrolysis on the bioactive properties of whey protein hydrolysates using Alcalase®
Authors: Eberhardt Agustina , López Emilse C , Ceruti Roberto J , Marino Fernanda , Mammarella Enrique J , Manzo Ricardo M , Sihufe Guillermo A 
Published: June 2019

Whey protein concentrate was enzymatically hydrolysed at several time courses using the commercial preparation Alcalase® 2.4 L, different hydrolysates were achieved, and the effect of degree of hydrolysis (DH) on both technological and biological properties was studied. Results have shown that solubility, antioxidant and ACE inhibition activities were increased as DH was also augmented from about 8 to 17%. RP‐HPLC studies also revealed a decrease in hydrophobicity when samples were hydrolysed in comparison with controls. When the enzyme hydrolytic action was augmented, it stimulated both the bioactivity of whey protein and relevant technological properties, allowing these hydrolysates to be employed as additives in the development of food formulations.
Bile salt deconjugation activity of Propionibacterium strains and their cholesterol co‐precipitation abilities
Authors: Onal Darilmaz Derya , Beyatli Yavuz 
Published: June 2019

The present study investigated the deconjugation of bile salts and co‐precipitation of cholesterol with deconjugated bile salts by seven Propionibacterium spp. strains in vitro. Propionibacterium spp. could deconjugate sodium glycocholate (1.53–5.31 mM) and sodium taurocholate (0.08–0.25 mM) bile salts. The highest cholesterol precipitation (47.8 µg/mL) was determined with Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii SP3 strain in a 0.15% oxgall‐containing medium. Significant (P < 0.05) correlations were observed between cholesterol co‐precipitation and deconjugation of sodium glycocholate among the strains. In vitro bile salt deconjugation activity studies of P. freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii SP3 strain revealed that this strain may have potential as a probiotic strain for deconjugation of bile salts in vivo studies.
Estimating belowground plant abundance with DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Matesanz Silvia , Pescador David S. , Pías Beatriz , Sánchez Ana M. , Chacón‐Labella Julia , Illuminati Angela , de la Cruz Marcelino , López‐Angulo Jesús , Marí‐Mena Neus , Vizcaíno Antón , Escudero Adrián 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMost work on plant community ecology has been performed above ground, neglecting the processes that occur in the soil. DNA metabarcoding, in which multiple species are computationally identified in bulk samples, can help to overcome the logistical limitations involved in sampling plant communities belowground. However, a major limitation of this methodology is the quantification of species’ abundances based on the percentage of sequences assigned to each taxon. Using root tissues of five dominant species in a semi‐arid Mediterranean shrubland (Bupleurum fruticescens, Helianthemum cinereum, Linum suffruticosum, Stipa pennata and Thymus vulgaris), we built pairwise mixtures of relative abundance (20%, 50% and 80% biomass), and implemented two methods (linear model fits and correction indices) to improve estimates of root biomass. We validated both methods with multispecies mixtures that simulate field‐collected samples. For all species, we found a positive and highly significant relationship between the percentage of sequences and biomass in the mixtures (R2 = .44–.66), but the equations for each species (slope and intercept) differed among them, and two species were consistently over‐ and under‐estimated. The correction indices greatly improved the estimates of biomass percentage for all five species in the multispecies mixtures, and reduced the overall error from 17% to 6%. Our results show that, through the use of post‐sequencing quantification methods on mock communities, DNA metabarcoding can be effectively used to determine not only species’ presence but also their relative abundance in field samples of root mixtures. Importantly, knowledge of these aspects will allow us to study key, yet poorly understood, belowground processes.
COMPETING HERITAGE: CURATING THE POST-CONFLICT HERITAGE OF ROMAN SYRIA
Authors: MUNAWAR NOUR A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSince the beginning of the armed conflicts and public uprisings that accompanied and followed the ‘Arab Spring’ that started in 2010, cultural heritage sites have been hit hard, damaged and often destroyed by different perpetrators. The Syrian Civil War has resulted in unprecedented damage to cultural heritage sites, monuments, and facilities. This has provoked observers, politicians, and international and national non-government organizations to debate about the impacts of damaging Syria's ‘irreplaceable’ patrimony and how to safeguard its past from the ongoing destructive actions. This paper investigates the transformation of the terminology of heritage—and the uses of heritage—in Syria before and during the ongoing conflict, and how the internationally renowned term ‘heritage’ emerged to promote the destruction of Syria's cultural patrimony. This paper explores the semantics and impacts of the continuous destruction and the ongoing reconstruction plans on the cultural heritage of Syria. To conclude, I argue that those destructive actions started a process of ‘heritagizing’ the present which will eventually become a part of the Syrian collective memory.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease puts patients with psoriasis at greater cardiovascular risk
Authors: Romero‐Pérez David , Belinchón‐Romero Isabel , Bellot Pablo , Francés Rubén , Marco Francisco , Ramos‐Rincón Jose Manuel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackground/ObjectivePsoriasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are inflammatory diseases associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but no studies have evaluated cardiovascular risk in patients with both. The objective was to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis and NAFLD.Material and methodsCross‐sectional, single‐centre study in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Participants underwent liver ultrasound to determine the presence of NAFLD. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the calibrated Framingham function and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) charts. Statistical analyses included a descriptive analysis, chi‐square tests for comparing independent samples and stepwise multiple logistic regression to identify associations with the two risk scores.ResultsPsoriatic patients with NAFLD had significantly higher odds of moderate to very high 10‐year cardiovascular risk compared to those without NAFLD, according to SCORE (71.5% versus 29.2%; odds ratio [OR] 6.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3–11.1; P < 0.001). Using both the SCORE and Framingham assessment methods, moderate to very high cardiovascular risk was independently associated with metabolic syndrome (Framingham: adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 5.5, 95% CI 2.3–12.9, P < 0.001; SCORE: ORa 4.7, 95% CI 1.9–11.7, P = 0.001) and systemic treatment (Framingham: ORa 3.4, 95% CI 1.4–8.5, P = 0.009; SCORE: ORa 3.2, 95% CI 1.2–8.2, P = 0.021). Using SCORE, cardiovascular risk was also associated with NAFLD (ORa of 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.6, P = 0.014).ConclusionPsoriasis plus NAFLD confers higher cardiovascular risk at 10 years than psoriasis alone. In comorbid patients, more intense diagnostic efforts and follow‐up are justified.
Cross‐Country Variation in the Effectiveness of the Media's Corporate Governance Role: Decision to Abandon Value‐Destroying Acquisition Attempts
Authors: Kim Jinhee 
Published: June 2019

AbstractI examine the cross‐country variation in the effectiveness of the media's corporate governance role. I find this role to be more effective in countries with greater societal trust or concern for shareholder wealth maximization. In those countries, news coverage of value‐destroying acquisition attempts leads to a higher likelihood of acquisition abandonment. By contrast, the effectiveness of the media's governance role does not vary directly with the status of local media freedom. The results imply that a society's shared values, such as trust or concern for shareholder wealth maximization, play an important role in the media's watchdog function.
An ELECTRE III Based CBR Approach to Combinatorial Portfolio Selection
Authors: Chanvarasuth Pisit , Boongasame Laor , Boonjing Veera 
Published: June 2019

AbstractInvestors generally learn from historical data and use it to improve future investment decisions. However, existing portfolio selection research rarely considers such a concept. This paper proposes a novel approach to the combinatorial portfolio selection problem. Our solution employs the Case‐Based Reasoning (CBR) approach with ELECTRE III, based on the Industry Classification Benchmark standards. The target stocks are ranked based on their similarities to a reference case, allowing specified selection criteria. Similarities are calculated based on selected ELECTRE III metrics. Experimental results with the Stock Exchange of Thailand data show that our CBR approach with ELECTRE III outperforms the traditional method.
Older people's mental health in rural areas: Converting policy into service development, service access and a sustainable workforce
Authors: Jackson Kate , Roberts Russell , McKay Roderick 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis paper describes the older people's mental health workforce development, policy development and implementation process and quantifies the rural service delivery and access impacts over a 15‐year period in New South Wales. It highlights the factors that are considered to be critical to successful rural service development such as commitment to funding parity, investment in strong local service leadership, and development of innovative, locally adapted rural service models. Building on these foundations, the Older People's Mental Health Program in New South Wales was able to address key challenges relating to service access in rural health and develop new, sustainable specialist older people's mental health service networks. A sustained focus on policy and implementation which explicitly supports rural older people's mental health service enhancement, and development of evidence‐based models of care, has significantly improved access to specialist mental health care for older people in rural areas. It has delivered 23 new rural older people's mental health community teams and a 440% increase in the number of people accessing these teams. It has also doubled the number of acute inpatient units and established new specialist mental health‐residential aged care partnership services in rural New South Wales. It has resulted in increased access to services for the “older old,” while not diminishing older people's rates of access to general adult mental health services. It has also supported innovative, sustainable rural service models such as “hub and spoke” models and step‐up step‐down inpatient services that build on existing health and hospital infrastructure and link geographically dispersed specialist clinicians and services together in rural service delivery.
Peritubular cells of the human testis: prostaglandin E2 and more
Authors: Mayerhofer Artur 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundSeveral layers of slender, smooth muscle‐like, peritubular cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) form the peritubular compartment of the human testis. Peritubular cells are the least explored testicular cells.Materials and methodsHuman testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) can be isolated from small testicular fragments of patients and studied in vitro. We have used this cellular model, in combination with human testicular samples, to examine how peritubular cells may contribute to male (in)fertility.ResultsHuman testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) retain contractile abilities in vitro and secrete many proteins. Among them are factors, which serve intra‐testicular roles, for example, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), thought to be important for the renewal of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Studies in mutant mice indicated that peritubular cell‐derived GDNF is crucial for lifelong spermatogenesis. Thus, peritubular cells are a functional part of the SSC niche. Peritubular cells of mice and men express androgen receptors (AR). In mouse peritubular cells, androgens enhanced GDNF production, but not in HTPCs. Rather, AR activation increased the levels of AR and smooth muscle proteins and thereby enhanced the smooth muscle‐like phenotype. Following the lead of a proteomic analysis, which identified the key prostaglandin (PG)‐synthesizing enzyme (PTGS1 = COX1), we found that HTPCs secrete PGE2. COX1, and PGE2 receptors (EP1, 2, and 4) were identified in peritubular cells in situ, supporting in vivo relevance. In HTPCs, activation of EP1/4 increased GDNF and a smooth muscle protein. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), which blocks PG synthesis. Added to HTPCs it reduced PGE2 and GDNF production and lowered smooth muscle protein levels. If applicable to the in vivo situation, the results suggest that ibuprofen and possibly other NSAIDs may impair important peritubular cell functions and consequently testicular functions.ConclusionThe few examples highlighted, together with others not mentioned here, indicate that HTPCs provide an experimental window into the human testis.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of ARID1A in endometrial hyperplasia: a novel marker of occult cancer
Authors: Raffone Antonio , Travaglino Antonio , Saccone Gabriele , Cieri Miriam , Mascolo Massimo , Mollo Antonio , Insabato Luigi , Zullo Fulvio 
Published: June 2019

AT‐rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) is a tumor suppressor protein involved in endometrioid carcinogenesis. The expression of ARID1A may be lost in the premalignant phase. Our aim was to assess ARID1A as: (i) diagnostic marker to differentiate premalignant endometrial hyperplasia (EH) form benign EH; (ii) prognostic marker for the risk of occult cancer in premalignant EH. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed by searching electronic databases from their inception to October 2018 for all studies assessing ARID1A in EH by immunohistochemistry. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated for both diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. LR+ > 5, LR− < 0.2, DOR > 25 defined good accuracy; LR+ > 10, LR− < 0.1, DOR > 100 defined excellent accuracy. Seven studies with 467 EH were included. As diagnostic marker, ARID1A showed sensitivity = 0.12, specificity = 0.99, LR+ = 4.34, LR− = 0.85, DOR = 5.12. As prognostic marker for occult cancer, ARID1A showed sensitivity = 0.33, specificity = 0.99, LR+ = 20.70, LR− = 0.49, DOR = 49.59. In conclusion, ARID1A loss is highly specific, but little accurate as diagnostic marker of premalignant EH. Instead, ARID1A loss in premalignant EH is an accurate and almost perfectly specific prognostic marker for coexistent cancer.
Serological responses of Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA following vaccination against strangles
Authors: El‐Hage CM , Bannai H , Wiethoelter AK , Firestone SM , Heislers CM , Allen JL , Waller AS , Gilkerson JR 
Published: June 2019

ObjectiveTo determine the nature of serological responses in Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA (iELISA) following vaccination against strangles.DesignA group (n = 19) of client‐owned horses from five properties were recruited to receive a primary course of a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) extract vaccine. Serological responses were determined by duplex iELISA incorporating S. equi‐specific fragments of two cell wall proteins, SEQ2190 and SeM (antigens (Ag) A and C, respectively).MethodsThe horses were administered a primary strangles vaccination course. Blood was collected immediately prior to each of the three vaccinations at 2‐week intervals and additionally at 28 and 56 days following the 3rd vaccination (V3).ResultsSignificant increases in mean antibody levels of horses following vaccination were limited only to AgC, which was significantly increased at T2/V3, 14 days following V2 (ratio of geometric means = 3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 8.4; P = 0.003). There was no increase in mean antibody to Ag A (ratio of geometric means = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.6, 3.2; P = 0.39). Four horses (22%) exceeded the test cut‐off for AgC following vaccination.ConclusionVaccination of Australian horses is unlikely to interfere greatly with detection of strangles using the duplex iELISA. No responses would be anticipated to AgA following vaccination with Equivac© S/Equivac© 2in1 and only a minority are likely to respond to AgC. We conclude that the results of this study validate the usefulness of the duplex iELISA to assist control measures for strangles outbreaks in Australian horse populations.