bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vertical stratification of bat assemblages in flooded and unflooded Amazonian forests
Authors: Pereira Maria João Ramos , Marques João Tiago , Palmeirim Jorge M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Tropical rainforests usually have multiple strata that results in a vertical stratification of ecological opportunities for animals. We investigated if this stratification influences the way bats use the vertical space in flooded and unflooded forests of the Central Amazon. Using mist-nets set in the canopy (17 to 35 m high) and in the understorey (0 to 3 m high) we sampled four sites in upland unflooded forests (terra firme), three in forests seasonally flooded by nutrient-rich water (várzea), and three in forests seasonally flooded by nutrient-poor water (igapó). Using rarefaction curves we found that species richness in the understorey and canopy were very similar. An ordination analysis clearly separated the bat assemblages of the canopy from those of the understorey in both flooded and unflooded habitats. Gleaning carnivores were clearly associated with the understorey, whereas frugivores were abundant in both strata. Of the frugivores, Carollinae and some Stenodermatinae were understorey specialists, but several Stenodermatinae mostly used the canopy. The first group mainly includes species that, in general, feed on fruits of understorey shrubs, whereas the second group feed on figs and other canopy fruits. We conclude that vertical stratification in bat communities occurs even within forests with lower canopy heights, such as Amazonian seasonally flooded forests, and that the vertical distribution of bat species is closely related to their diet and foraging behaviour.
Foraging areas of Rousettus leschenaulti on the Hainan Island of China
Authors: Tang Zhanhui , Chen Zhong , Ma Jie , Zhu Guangjian , Ma Xunfeng , Sheng Lianxi , Li Yuchun 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We investigated the foraging area of three individuals (1 female and 2 males) of Rousettus leschenaulti (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) in suburban Haikou City, Hainan Province, South China from November 2005 to January 2006 using radio telemetry. These animals left the daytime roosting sites about 90 min after sunset with no significant difference in departure time between the male and female bats. The average active times were 391.8 min for males and 533.7 min for the female, respectively. By reconstructing 93 radio-telemetry recording positions, we found that the long axis of foraging area of the bats ranged from 7.45 to 11.70 km. The foraging area of the female (3867 ha) was larger than that of the males (1138 ha), and there was overlap between the foraging areas of different individuals. These bats usually kept the same flight routes across a few successive days from the daytime roosting site to the foraging areas. Our findings suggested that female R. leschenaulti may explore a larger foraging area than males. No obvious territorial behaviors were observed in our studied area.
Leaf choice in black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus bieti is related to the physical and chemical properties of leaves
Authors: Huang Zhipang , Huo Sheng , Yang Shuguo , Cui Liangwei , Xiao Wen 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
To understand the effects of the chemical and physical properties of plant leaves on food choice in Rhinopithecus bieti, we collected mature leaves of nine food and five non-food plant species at the southernmost part of the species's range. Chemical properties such as fat, ash, crude protein (CP), total phenolics (TP), and fiber content including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, celluloses and hemicelluloses, and physical toughness were measured. R. bieti tended to choose leaves with lower fiber content, higher ash, a higher ratio of CP/ADF, and lower toughness. No difference was found for fat, crude protein, total phenolics, hemicelluloses and lignin between food and non-food leaves. Even though the ratio of CP/ADF is generally regarded as a good indicator for colobine food choice, the difference in the ratio of CP/ADF between food and non-food leaves was only the result of differences in ADF. Since positive correlations were found between ADF and toughness from all leaves (both food and non-food species), and toughness of leaves was likely easier for R. bieti to sense than fiber content via mastication, the toughness of leaves may function as a predictor of food choice in this species.
Demography and dynamics of mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Authors: Mamo Yosef , Pinard Michelle A. , Bekele Afework 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We studied the population dynamics of endangered mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni between 2003-2005 in the Bale Mountains National Park. Line-transect sampling and total count methods were used to gather data on demographics and movement patterns. The population's age-group composition was 58% adults, 25% sub-adults, 9% juveniles, 5% calves and 3% unidentified with a female-male sex ratio of 2:1. Population density was found to be significantly different between the two sub-populations (Dinsho Sanctuary and Gaysay/Adelay). A significant difference was found for age-group composition across the two sub-populations except adult females, sub-adult males and calves. The Dinsho sub-population was an isolated group. Separation and containment of the mountain nyala population could have negatively affected their ability to search for habitat requirements and mates from distant areas. The population varied between 830-908 individuals (95% CI), a reduction of 45% from earlier reports. However, the mean population density increased due to contraction of the species' habitat range. We observed a population decrease of 2%-5% per year over the course of our study. Many of the assessed demographic parameters did not significantly change over the three years. This suggests that the decrease in nyala population was not due to random variations in reproduction. Anthropogenic factors such as competition with livestock for forage, habitat encroachment and poaching by the local people might have been partly responsible for the depleted population in our study areas.
Spatial and temporal variation of fish assemblages in a subtropical small stream of the Huangshan Mountain
Authors: Yan Yunzhi , He Shan , Chu Ling , Xiang Xiuying , Jia Yanju , Tao Juan , Chen Yifeng 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Spatial and temporal variation of fish assemblages were investigated seasonally from May 2007 to February 2008 across 11 study sites in a subtropical small stream, the Puxi Stream, of the Huangshan Mountain. Along the longitudinal gradient from headwater to downstream, fish species richness and abundance increased gradually, but then decreased significantly at the lower reaches. The highest species richness and abundance were observed in August and the lowest in February. Based on analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), fish assemblages were significantly different in spatial variation but not in temporal variation. Although differences were observed both among sites and among stream orders, the lower R value in order-variation suggested stream order was not the optimal factor explaining the spatial variation of fish assemblages. In addition, dam construction did not significantly alter fish assemblages in the sites adjacent to and immediately downstream to dams. Using cluster analysis and non-metric Multi Dimensional Scaling analysis (NMS), assemblages were separated into three groups at a Bray-Curtis similarity value of 42%: the upper, middle and lower groups. Following analysis of similarity percentages of species contributions (SIMPER), shifts in occurrence or abundance of S. curriculus, Z. platypus, R. bitterling and A. fasciatus contributed most to the differences amongst the three groups. Standard Deviation Redundancy Analysis (RDA) suggested that habitat structure (such as elevation, substrate, and flow velocity) contributed to the spatial and temporal pattern of fish assemblages in the Puxi Stream. In conclusion, the fish assemblages in Puxi Stream presented significant spatial but not temporal variation. Human disturbance has perhaps induced the decrease in species diversity in the lower reaches. However, no significant change was observed for fish assemblages in sites far from and immediately downstream from low-head dams.
Redox physiology in animal function: The struggle of living in an oxidant environment
Authors: Costantini David 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
A strong focus of ecological research for several decades has been to understand the factors underlying the variation in animal life-histories. In recent times, ecological studies have begun to show that oxidative stress may represent another important modulator of competitive trade-offs among fitness traits or of positively integrated patterns of traits. Therefore, incorporating mechanisms underlying oxidative physiology into evolutionary ecology has the potential to help understand variation in life-history strategies. In this review, I provide a general overview of oxidative stress physiology, and subsequently focus on topics that have been neglected in previous ecological reviews on oxidative stress. Specifically, I introduce and discuss the adaptations that animals have evolved to cope with oxidative stress; the environmental stressors that can generate changes in oxidative balance; the role of reactive species in transduction of environmental stimuli and cell signaling; and the range of hormetic responses to oxidative stress.
Understanding the basic biology underlying the flavor world of children
Authors: Mennella Julie A. , Ventura Alison K. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Health organizations worldwide recommend that adults and children minimize intakes of excess energy and salty, sweet, and fatty foods (all of which are highly preferred tastes) and eat diets richer in whole grains, low- and non- fat dairy products, legumes, fish, lean meat, fruits, and vegetables (many of which taste bitter). Despite such recommendations and the well-established benefits of these foods to human health, adults are not complying, nor are their children. A primary reason for this difficulty is the remarkably potent rewarding properties of the tastes and flavors of foods high in sweetness, saltiness, and fatness. While we cannot easily change children's basic ingrained biology of liking sweets and avoiding bitterness, we can modulate their flavor preferences by providing early exposure, starting in utero, to a wide variety of flavors within healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Because the flavors of foods mothers eat during pregnancy and lactation also flavor amniotic fluid and breast milk and become preferred by infants, pregnant and lactating women should widen their food choices to include as many flavorful and healthy foods as possible. These experiences, combined with repeated exposure to nutritious foods and flavor variety during the weaning period and beyond, should maximize the chances that children will select and enjoy a healthier diet.
How can we monitor the impact of national health information systems? Results from a scoping review
Authors: Delnord Marie , Tille F , Abboud L A , Ivankovic D , Van Oyen H 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
National health information (HI) systems provide data on population health, the determinants of health and health system performance within countries. The evaluation of these systems has traditionally focused on statistical practices and procedures, and not on data use or reuse for policy and practice. This limits the capacity to assess the impact of HI systems on healthcare provision, management and policy-making. On the other hand, the field of Knowledge Translation (KT) has developed frameworks to guide evidence into practice.

Methods
A scoping review of the KT literature to identify the essential mechanisms and determinants of KT that could help monitor the impact of HI systems.

Results
We examined 79 publications and we identified over 100 different KT frameworks but none of these were focused on HI systems per se. There were specific recommendations on disseminating evidence to stakeholders at the institutional and organizational level, and on sustaining the use of evidence in practice and the broader community setting.

Conclusions
We developed a new model, the HI-Impact framework, in which four domains are essential for mapping the impact of national HI systems: (i) HI Evidence Quality, (ii) HI System Responsiveness, (iii) Stakeholder Engagement and (iv) Knowledge Integration. A comprehensive impact assessment of HI systems requires addressing the use of HI in public health decision-making, health service delivery and in other sectors which might have not been considered previously. Monitoring Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Integration certifies that the use of HI in all policies is an explicit point of assessment.
Seasonal blooms of neutrophilic Betaproteobacterial Fe(II) oxidizers and Chlorobi in iron-rich coal mine drainage sediments
Authors: Blackwell Nia , Perkins William , Palumbo-Roe Barbara , Bearcock Jenny , Lloyd Jonathan R , Edwards Arwyn 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Waters draining from flooded and abandoned coal mines in the South Wales Coalfield (SWC), are substantial sources of pollution to the environment characterized by circumneutral pH and elevated dissolved iron concentrations (>1 mg L−1). The discharged Fe precipitates to form Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides which sustain microbial communities. However, while several studies have investigated the geochemistry of mine drainage in the SWC, less is known about the microbial ecology of the sites presenting a gap in our understanding of biogeochemical cycling and pollutant turnover. This study investigated the biogeochemistry of the Ynysarwed mine adit in the SWC. Samples were collected from nine locations within sediment at the mine entrance from the upper and lower layers three times over one year for geochemical and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. During winter, members of the Betaproteobacteria bloomed in relative abundance (>40%) including the microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing genus Gallionella. A concomitant decrease in Chlorobi-associated bacteria occurred, although by summer the community composition resembled that observed in the previous autumn. Here, we provide the first insights into the microbial ecology and seasonal dynamics of bacterial communities of Fe(III)-rich deposits in the SWC and demonstrate that neutrophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are important and dynamic members of these communities.
Lateral Acquisitions Repeatedly Remodel the Oxygen Detoxification Pathway in Diplomonads and Relatives
Authors: Jiménez-González Alejandro , Xu Feifei , Andersson Jan O 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important stress factors for cells because they can oxidize many large molecules. Fornicata, a group of flagellated protists that includes diplomonads, have anaerobic metabolism but are still able to tolerate fluctuating levels of oxygen. We identified 25 protein families putatively involved in detoxification of oxygen and ROS in this group using a bioinformatics approach and propose how these interact in an oxygen detoxification pathway. These protein families were divided into a central oxygen detoxification pathway and accessory pathways for the synthesis of nonprotein thiols. We then used a phylogenetic approach to investigate the evolutionary origin of the components of this putative pathway in Diplomonadida and other Fornicata species. Our analyses suggested that the diplomonad ancestor was adapted to low-oxygen levels, was able to reduce O2 to H2O in a manner similar to extant diplomonads, and was able to synthesize glutathione and l-cysteine. Several genes involved in the pathway have complex evolutionary histories and have apparently been repeatedly acquired through lateral gene transfer and subsequently lost. At least seven genes were acquired independently in different Fornicata lineages, leading to evolutionary convergences. It is likely that acquiring these oxygen detoxification proteins helped anaerobic organisms (like the parasitic Giardia intestinalis) adapt to low-oxygen environments (such as the digestive tract of aerobic hosts).
Inequalities in Life Expectancy With Frailty Among Brazilian Older Adults: A Multistate Approach
Authors: Alves Luciana Correia , Andrade Flávia Cristina Drumond , Corona Ligiana Pires , Santos Jair Licio Ferreira , Duarte Yeda Aparecida De Oliveira 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Frailty is considered one of the major conditions faced by aging societies. Little has been reported about the effect of becoming frail on life expectancy among older adults in developing countries. The aim was to estimate total life expectancy and life expectancy with or without frailty by age, sex, and education among older adults in Brazil.
Data and Methods:  The study was developed based on information provided by the Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) Study. The sample included 1,399 older adults (≥60 years old) followed up from 2006 to 2010. Frailty status was classified according to the Fried criteria. Additional variables include age (in years), gender, and years of education. Estimates of total life expectancy, frailty-free life expectancy, and frailty life expectancy were obtained using the multistate life table method.

Results
At the baseline, the proportion of individuals with frailty was 13.7% and participants had, on average, 4.0 years of education. Men had more years of education than women (4.6 vs. 3.7, p &lt; .001). Older adults with higher education live fewer years with frailty. Compared with older adults with no education, those with 6 years of education have higher frailty-free life expectancy. At age 70, men with no education expect to live 9.1 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8, 10.4) without frailty compared with 10.6 years (95% CI = 9.4, 11.8) among those with 6 years of education. Among women age 70, frailty-free life expectancy reaches 11.7 years (95% CI = 10.6, 12.8) among those with no education, but 13.9 years (95% CI = 12.5, 15.3) among those with 6 years.

Implications
Given the recent changes in educational achievement in Brazil, we believe that educational policies are powerful ways in addressing inequalities in healthy life expectancy. Public health policies aimed at avoiding the development of frailty among elderly at risk should be encouraged.
Gentle Physical Activity Intervention Led by Caregivers in a Medicaid Home Care Program: Do Outcomes Differ Between Family and Nonfamily Caregiving Dyads?
Authors: Muramatsu Naoko , Yin Lijuan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Caregiving dyads are fertile contexts for health promotion such as physical activity. However, previous physical activity interventions in caregiving dyads paid limited attention to care recipients’ outcomes and rarely involved paid caregivers. Home care aides (HCAs) provide nonmedical care for older family members or nonfamily clients in publicly funded home care programs in the United States. This study examined whether family and nonfamily HCA–client dyads differed in the outcomes of a 4-month gentle physical activity pilot program led by HCAs in a Medicaid home care program.

Design and Methods
A single-group prepost design was used to assess changes in clients’ function (self-reported and performance-based) and process outcomes (exercise-related social support provided by HCAs) in 18 family and 32 nonfamily HCA–client dyads. Repeated measures analysis controlled for clients’ demographic and health characteristics. Clients’ and HCAs’ motivation to continue the program beyond the intervention period was examined using quantitative and qualitative data.

Results
Client outcomes and exercise-related social support provided by HCAs improved, especially in nonfamily dyads. Both family and nonfamily dyads had high levels of motivation to continue the program, supporting the program’s sustainability for both clients and HCAs.

Discussion and Implications
Empowering HCAs to engage in health promoting activities with their clients is a promising strategy to improve the lives of caregiving dyads.
ragp: Pipeline for mining of plant hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins with implementation in R
Authors: Dragićević Milan B , Paunović Danijela M , Bogdanović Milica D , .Todorović Sladjana I , Simonović Ana D 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) are one of the most complex families of macromolecules found in plants, due to the diversity of glycans decorating the protein backbone, as well as the heterogeneity of the protein backbones. While this diversity is responsible for a wide array of physiological functions associated with HRGPs, it hinders attempts for homology-based identification. Current approaches, based on identifying sequences with characteristic motifs and biased amino acid composition, are limited to prototypical sequences. Ragp is an R package for mining and analysis of HRGPs, with emphasis on arabinogalactan proteins. The ragp filtering pipeline exploits one of the HRGPs key features, the presence of hydroxyprolines which represent glycosylation sites. Main package features include prediction of proline hydroxylation sites, amino acid motif and bias analyses, efficient communication with web servers for prediction of N-terminal signal peptides, glycosylphosphatidylinositol modification sites and disordered regions and the ability to annotate sequences through hmmscan and subsequent GO enrichment, based on predicted Pfam domains. As such, ragp extends R’s rich ecosystem for high-throughput sequence data analyses. The ragp R package is available under the MIT Open Source license and is freely available to download from GitHub at: https://github.com/missuse/ragp.
Molecular mechanism for the multiple sclerosis risk variant rs17594362
Authors: Kim Dongkyeong , Park Yungki 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. However, its cause remains elusive. Given previous studies suggesting that dysfunctional oligodendrocytes (OLs) may trigger MS, we tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with MS affect OL enhancers, potentially increasing MS risk by dysregulating gene expression of OL lineage cells. We found that two closely spaced OL enhancers, which are 3 Kb apart on chromosome 13, overlap two MS SNPs in linkage disequilibrium—rs17594362 and rs12429256. Our data revealed that the two MS SNPs significantly up-regulate the associated OL enhancers, which we have named as Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Analysis of Hi-C data and epigenome editing experiments shows that Rgcc is the primary target of Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Collectively, these data indicate that the molecular mechanism of rs17594362 and rs12429256 is to induce Rgcc overexpression by potentiating the enhancer activity of Rgcc-E1 and Rgcc-E2. Importantly, the dosage of the rs17594362/rs12429256 risk allele is positively correlated with the expression level of Rgcc in the human population, confirming our molecular mechanism. Our study also suggests that Rgcc overexpression in OL lineage cells may be a key cellular mechanism of rs17594362 and rs12429256 for MS.