bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of howler monkey reintroduction on ecological interactions and processes
Authors: Genes Luísa , Fernandez Fernando A. S. , Vaz‐de‐Mello Fernando Z. , da Rosa Patrícia , Fernandez Eduardo , Pires Alexandra S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRewilding has been an increasingly popular tool to restore plant–animal interactions and ecological processes impaired by defaunation. However, the reestablishment of such processes has seldom been assessed. We investigated the restoration of ecological interactions following the reintroduction of the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) to a defaunated Atlantic forest site. We expected the reintroduction to restore plant–animal interactions and interactions between howlers and dung beetles, which promote secondary seed dispersal. We estimated the number of interactions expected to be restored by the reintroduction to provide the baseline interaction richness that could be restored. We followed the reintroduced howler monkeys twice a week for 24 months (337 hours total) to assess their diet. We used howler monkey dung in secondary seed dispersal experiments with 2484 seed mimics to estimate the removal rates by dung beetles and collected the beetles to assess community attributes. We compared the potential future contribution of howler monkeys and other frugivores to seed dispersal based on the seed sizes they disperse in other areas where they occur. In 2 years, howler monkeys consumed 60 animal‐dispersed plant species out of the 330 estimated. Twenty‐one dung beetle species were attracted to experimentally provided dung; most of them were tunnelers, nocturnal, and large‐sized (>10 mm). On average 30% (range 0–100%) of the large seed mimics (14 mm) were moved by dung beetles. About 91% of the species consumed by howlers (size range 0.3–34.3 mm) overlapped in seed size with those removed by dung beetles. In our study area, howler monkeys may consume more large‐seeded fruit species than most other frugivores, highlighting their potential to affect forest regeneration. Our results show reintroductions may effectively restore ecological links and enhance ecological processes.
Elevated ST2 levels are associated with antibody‐mediated rejection in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Grupper Avishay , AbouEzzeddine Omar F. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Grupper Ayelet , Geske Jennifer R. , Kremers Walter K. , Kushwaha Sudhir S. , Pereira Naveen L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSoluble ST2 (sST2) is a novel biomarker of inflammation and fibrosis. Elevated sST2 levels (≥35 ng/mL) are associated with worse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). There are sparse data regarding the significance of sST2 levels after heart transplantation (HTx). The study aims were to evaluate trends in soluble ST2 levels after the resolution of HF status with HTx and association between post‐HTx sST2 levels and outcomes. Plasma sST2 levels were measured at baseline (median [IQR] of 118 days pre‐HTx) and 12 months post‐HTx in 62 subjects who were stratified into two groups by post‐HTx sST2 levels < or ≥35 ng/mL: “Group 1” or “Group 2,” respectively. Plasma sST2 levels were elevated in 58% of patients pre‐HTx and in 50% of patients post‐HTx. There was no association between elevated sST2 levels before and after HTx, and no significant differences in baseline characteristics between Group 1 and Group 2 patients. Group 2 as compared to Group 1 HTx recipients had significantly higher incidence of antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) for the entire post‐transplant follow‐up period (32% vs 4%, P = 0.006). There was no association between post‐HTx sST2 level status and other post‐HTx outcomes including survival. In conclusion, elevated plasma sST2 levels after HTx are associated with increased risk for AMR.
Amphetamine use in the fourth decade of life: Social profiles from a population‐based Australian cohort
Authors: Butterworth Peter , Becker Denise , Degenhardt Louisa , Hall Wayne D. , Patton George C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroduction and AimsTo estimate the prevalence and frequency of amphetamine use in a cohort of Australians aged in their mid‐30s.Design and MethodsCross‐sectional analysis of wave 10 data collected in 2014 from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study: a sample of 1435 persons originally selected in a stratified, random community survey of secondary school students from the state of Victoria that commenced in 1992. Weighted multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the social, health and other substance‐use correlates of lifetime and current (12‐month) amphetamine use and current frequency of use.ResultsLifetime amphetamine use was reported by 23.2% (95% confidence interval 21.0–25.5%) of respondents, and 6.5% (95% confidence interval 5.2–7.8%) reported current (12‐month) use. A quarter (26%) of those currently using amphetamines, 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.0–2.4%) of all respondents, reported frequent (at least weekly) use. Men reported greater amphetamine use than women. Current amphetamine use was associated with disrupted family circumstances, socioeconomic adversity, polydrug use and high levels of drug use within the social and familial environment. Frequent use was associated with greater likelihood of multiple adversity, unemployment, anxiety disorders and use of mental health services.Discussion and ConclusionsThe current results show that lifetime, current and frequent amphetamine use was common amongst adults in the fourth decade of life in this cohort, and associated with the experience of social disadvantage, poor mental health and living in a social context in which drug use is the norm.
Praxis der Teledermatologie
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Wimmer Johannes , Biedermann Tilo , Blaga Rolf , Dierks Christian , Djamei Vahid , Elmer Arno , Elsner Peter , Enk Alexander , Gass Steffen , Henningsen Maike , Hofman‐Wellenhof Rainer , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Kunz Hans‐Detlev , Liebram Claudia , Navarini Alexander , Otten Marina , Reusch Michael , Schüller Christine , Zink Alexander , Strömer Klaus 
Published: July 2018

ZusammenfassungHintergrundTeledermatologische Anwendungen werden im deutschen Versorgungssystem in den nächsten Jahren erheblich an Bedeutung gewinnen. Das vorliegende Empfehlungspapier wurde als Expertenkonsens auf der Basis einer qualifizierten Literaturrecherche und eines strukturierten Entscheidungsprozesses der Autorengruppe entwickelt.Zielsetzunga) die IST‐Analyse zum Einsatz der Telemedizin in der Dermatologie, b) die Bewertung der Evidenz ihres Nutzens und ihrer Sicherheit und, c) die Entwicklung von Verfahrensstandards für die ärztliche Praxis in den deutschsprachigen Ländern. Auf der Basis dieser Erkenntnisse soll durch einen Expertenkonsens eine Handlungsorientierung für den Einsatz der Teledermatologie gegeben werden.MethodenDreistufiges Vorgehen: 1) Systematische Literaturrecherche in den internationalen medizinischen Onlinedatenbanken Pubmed und Embase, 2) Weitere, teils manuelle Recherchen, 3) Expertenkonsens mit einem systematischen Entscheidungsverfahren mit 21 Teilnehmern.ErgebnisseIn der strukturierten Literaturrecherche fanden sich 204 wissenschaftliche Originalarbeiten, in denen Anwendungen der Telemedizin bei Hautkrankheiten thematisiert wurden. Diese wurden systematisch aufgearbeitet, analysiert und bewertet. In der zweiten Stufe wurden in einer Handsuche zusätzliche relevante Schriften identifiziert und ebenfalls ausgewertet. Das Expertengremium entwickelte dann auf der Basis der externen Evidenz sowie der internen Diskussion Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis. Schlussfolgerung der wissenschaftlichen Studienlage ist, dass die telemedizinische Unterstützung der dermatologischen Behandlung und Prävention bei Einsatz leistungsfähiger Systeme, Kenntnis ihrer Anwendung sowie Beachtung der Indikationen und Kontrainidikationen einen erheblichen Mehrnutzen darstellt.SchlussfolgerungenDie Teledermatologie hat in den deutschsprachigen Ländern wie auch weltweit einen zunehmenden Stellenwert und bietet aufgrund des hohen Innovationsgrades eine Vorreiter‐ und Vorbildfunktion für weitere telemedizinische Anwendungen anderer Fachrichtungen. Eine qualitätsgesicherte teledermatologische Behandlung ist in den deutschsprachigen Ländern praktikabel und kann zu einem relevanten Mehrnutzen in der Versorgung führen. Ihr Einsatz ist immer dann in Erwägung zu ziehen, wenn relevante Zusatznutzen für die Patienten ohne relevante Nachteile für sie und für die Versorgenden zu erwarten sind.Für die teledermatologische Behandlung wurden mit dem vorliegenden Konsensuspapier praxisrelevante Maßgaben festgelegt. Etwaige situationsabhängige Limitationen in der Versorgung sind stets zu beachten.
Myc protein overexpression is a feature of progression and adverse prognosis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Møller Hanne E. H. , Preiss Birgitte S. , Pedersen Per , Østergaard Brian , Frederiksen Mikael , Abildgaard Niels , Møller Michael B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivePrognostic and predictive markers in multiple myeloma are continuously explored because of the heterogeneity of the tumor biology. Myc protein is the final product from activating MYC oncogene, but the prognostic impact in multiple myeloma is not well described.MethodsIn a population‐based cohort of 194 untreated, newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, we assessed myc protein expression using CD138/myc immunohistochemical double stain and collected clinicopathological data.ResultsCases with myc protein expression ≥40% (mycHIGH) had a median overall survival of 11 months compared to 48 months in cases of myc protein expression <40% (mycLOW) (P < 0.01). MycHIGH was significantly correlated to R‐ISS, high proliferation index, high percentage of plasma cell in bone marrow, plasmablastic morphology, high calcium level, and abnormal karyotype. In multivariate survival analyses, mycHIGH was independently associated with inferior overall survival with a hazard ratio of 2.5.ConclusionOur results indicate myc protein overexpression to be associated with advanced multiple myeloma and poor prognosis.
Testing soil phosphorus in a depleting P scenario: an accelerated soil mining experiment
Authors: Nawara S. , van Dael T. , De Cooman E. , Elsen A. , Merckx R. , Smolders E. , Amery F. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe reduced use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in fertile soil has reverted the P balance to negative in some regions. It is unclear how long current soil P stocks will ensure adequate P supply to crops. In addition, it is unknown if current soil tests for available P describe bioavailable P adequately in soil where P is becoming depleted. We set up an accelerated soil P mining test to address these questions. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Melpetra tetra) was grown for 2 years in a greenhouse on 5‐cm‐deep soil layers of eight contrasting soils with periodic grass clipping. Each soil was split into four fertilizer treatments (i.e. no P (–P) and adequate P (+P)) and two nitrogen levels, the latter to alter the rate of P uptake. The long‐term P mining induced P‐related yield losses in seven of the 16 soil treatments. The cumulative uptake of shoot P at which yield loss started to exceed 10% (–P versus +P) varied over a small range of 37–74 mg P kg−1 soil among the soils. This critical cumulative P uptake (CCP) was related to the soil P content prior to mining measured by five soil P tests (ammonium oxalate, ammonium lactate (AL), Olsen P, 0.01 m CaCl2 and the diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT)); the largest R2 values were observed for P‐AL (R2 = 0.72) and P‐DGT (R2 = 0.73). However, none of the tests was diagnostic for yield loss during the depletion period. Increased N supply accelerated growth and rates of P uptake and decreased the CCP by a factor of 1.7 on average, illustrating the effect of the rate of biomass production. The CCP values obtained in the treatment with reduced N fertilizer application are likely to be the most relevant for the field and suggest that current stocks allow adequate P supply for arable crops for 3–8 years under zero P application (0–23 cm) in soils similar to those tested. The lack of a successful diagnosis for P deficiency during this depletion experiment calls for further calibration of soil tests for available P in the field.Highlights
The availability of legacy P in well‐fertilized soil was evaluated with a P mining pot trial
10% loss of crop growth occurred when soil P was depleted by 37–74 mg P kg−1 soil
Accelerated plant growth with increased N supply decreased total P uptake beyond which P deficiency occurs
In a depletion scenario, current soil P tests are not diagnostic but they can be used for prediction
Genetic and phenotypic profile of 112 patients with X‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1
Authors: Yuan J.‐H. , Sakiyama Y. , Hashiguchi A. , Ando M. , Okamoto Y. , Yoshimura A. , Higuchi Y. , Takashima H. 
Published: July 2018

Background and purposeX‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 (CMTX1), caused by mutations in gap junction protein beta 1 (GJB1), is characterized by various central nervous system symptoms and gender differences of clinical severity. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and mutation spectrum of CMTX1 patients in Japan and to demonstrate their phenotypic diversities.MethodsUsing three high‐throughput sequencing systems, targeted gene panel sequencing on 1483 unrelated index patients with suspected Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease was performed. The peripheral and central nervous system involvements of all patients with GJB1 variants were assessed retrospectively and a detailed gender comparison was conducted with the CMT examination score.ResultsTwenty‐three novel and 36 described GJB1 variants were identified from 88 pedigrees, in which 34 female and 78 male patients were enrolled. Mean age at onset of the male patients was much younger than the females, 21.56 ± 17.63 years vs. 35.53 ± 23.72 years (P = 0.007). Male patients presented with more severe phenotypes in every examination item, but statistical differences were observed only in motor dysfunctions of the lower extremities and vibration sensation. No significant sensory difference was identified between genders, either clinically or electrophysiologically. Central nervous system dysfunctions were found in 15 patients from 12 pedigrees. Therein, six patients developed stroke‐like phenotypes, with dysarthria as the leading symptom.ConclusionsA relatively lower frequency of CMTX1 (5.9%) was demonstrated and a broad mutation spectrum of GJB1 was described. Detailed clinical differences between genders and various central nervous system symptoms were also illustrated, even in the same pedigree.
Online bagging for recommender systems
Authors: Vinagre João , Jorge Alípio Mário , Gama João 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEnsemble methods have been successfully used in the past to improve recommender systems; however, they have never been studied with incremental recommendation algorithms. Many online recommender systems deal with continuous, potentially fast, and unbounded flows of data—big data streams—and often need to be responsive to fresh user feedback, adjusting recommendations accordingly. This is clear in tasks such as social network feeds, news recommender systems, automatic playlist completion, and other similar applications. Batch ensemble approaches are not suitable to perform continuous learning, given the complexity of retraining new models on demand. In this paper, we adapt a general purpose online bagging algorithm for top‐N recommendation tasks and propose two novel online bagging methods specifically tailored for recommender systems. We evaluate the three approaches, using an incremental matrix factorization algorithm for top‐N recommendation with positive‐only user feedback data as the base model. Our results show that online bagging is able to improve accuracy up to 55% over the baseline, with manageable computational overhead.
Soil nitrous oxide flux following land‐use reversion from Miscanthus and SRC willow to perennial ryegrass
Authors: McCalmont Jon P. , Rowe Rebecca , Elias Dafydd , Whitaker Jeanette , McNamara Niall P. , Donnison Iain S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDecarbonization of the world's energy supply is essential to meet the targets of the 2016 Paris climate change agreement. One promising opportunity is the utilization of second generation, low input bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow. Research has previously been carried out on the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of growing these feedstocks and land‐use changes involved in converting conventional cropland to their production; however, there is almost no body of work understanding the costs associated with their end of life transitions back to conventional crops. It is likely that it is during crop interventions and land‐use transitions that significant GHG fluxes might occur. Therefore, in this study, we investigated soil GHG fluxes over 82 weeks during transition from Miscanthus and SRC willow into perennial ryegrass in west Wales, UK. This study captured soil GHG fluxes at a weekly time step, alongside monthly changes in soil nitrogen and labile carbon and reports the results of regression modelling of suspected drivers. Methane fluxes were typically trivial; however, nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes were notably affected, reverted plots produced significantly more N2O than retained controls and Miscanthus produced significantly higher fluxes overall than willow plots. N2O costs of reversion appeared to be contained within the first year of reversion when the Miscanthus plots produced an average pregrass flux of 0.13 mg N2O m−2 hr−1 while for willow, this was 0.03 mg N2O m−2 hr−1. Total N2O emission from reversion increased the carbon cost over the lifetime of the Miscanthus from 6.50 to 9.91 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 while for the willow, this increase was from 9.61 to 10.42 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1. Despite these significant increases, the carbon cost of energy contained in these perennial crops remained far lower than the equivalent carbon cost of energy in coal.
Interactive approaches for biobjective problems with progressively changing solution sets
Authors: Karakaya Gülşah , Köksalan Murat 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this study, we develop interactive approaches to find a satisfactory alternative of a decision maker (DM) having a quasiconvex preference function where the alternative set changes progressively. In this environment, we keep searching the available set of alternatives and estimating the preference function of the DM. As new alternatives emerge, we make better use of the available preference information and eventually converge to a preferred alternative of the DM. We test our approaches on biobjective, multi‐item, multi‐round auction problems. The results show that our approaches work well in terms of both the preference function value of the obtained solution and the amount of preference information required.
Allele surfing shaped the genetic structure of the European pond turtle via colonization and population expansion across the Iberian Peninsula from Africa
Authors: Pereira Paulo , Teixeira José , Velo‐Antón Guillermo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimAllele surfing remains poorly investigated in empirical studies due to a lack of explicit methods to detect it in natural populations. Here, we introduce a spatially explicit, sliding‐window method to test hypotheses on how range expansions and geographic barriers impact neutral genetic structure using allele frequency data. We then use this approach to study the Ibero‐Moroccan lineage of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis occidentalis, which recolonized the Iberian Peninsula from Africa.LocationIberian Peninsula, Morocco.MethodsWe generated a dataset of 453 genotyped individuals from 21 populations from throughout the E. o. occidentalis distribution at seven microsatellite loci. The microsatellite data were used to evaluate spatial patterns of genetic diversity and structure, as well as recent gene flow between populations. Using a spatially explicit, sliding‐window approach, linear models and permutation tests, we tested for signals of allele surfing throughout the Iberian populations, including barriers to gene flow that may enhance the effect of founder events typical of range expansions. Finally, we tested for signatures of adaptation on identified surfing alleles using environmental association analysis.ResultsOur study identified signatures of allele surfing throughout the range of Iberian populations. We did not find evidence that any of the loci studied are under natural selection. We therefore concluded that allele surfing has had a significant impact on genetic structure observed in E. o. occidentalis. Population isolation and fragmentation, due to habitat loss, further contribute to the present genetic differentiation between populations.Main conclusionThe sliding‐window method proposed herein can help to identify alleles that underwent allele surfing at the front of range expansions. This study also highlights the role of genetic drift and geographic barriers in shaping the species’ genetic structure following population range expansions. Finally, we stress the importance of evaluating the existence of allele surfing processes in biogeographic and population genetic studies, relying on allele frequency analysis, for a better interpretation of contemporary patterns of intraspecific genetic structure.
Plasma tyrosine and its interaction with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Yun‐Feng , Sun Xiao‐Yu , Han Liang , Li Sai‐Nan , Gu Wen‐Qing , Song Min , Jiang Chang‐tao , Yang Xilin , Fang Zhong‐ze 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionMetabolomic markers have the potential to improve the predicting accuracy of existing risk scores for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to test the associations between plasma tyrosine and type 2 diabetes mellitus with special attention to identifying possible cut‐off points for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its interactive effects with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and/or high triglyceride for type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsFrom 27 May 2015 to 3 August 2016, we retrieved the medical notes of 1,898 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as the cases, and 1,522 individuals without diabetes as the controls who attended annual medical checkups from the same tertiary care center in Jinzhou, China. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic spline analysis nested in the logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible cut‐off points of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The additive interaction was used to estimate interactions between high tyrosine and low HDL‐C in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.ResultsThe OR of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus did not increase until 46 μmol/L and after that point, the OR rapidly rose with increasing tyrosine in a nearly linear manner. If 46 μmol/L was used to define high tyrosine, high tyrosine was associated with an increased OR of type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44–2.45). The presence of low HDL‐C greatly enhanced the ORs of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus from 1.11 (95% CI 0.82–1.51) to 54.11 (95% CI 33.96–86.22) with significant additive interaction.ConclusionsIn Chinese adults, tyrosine >46 μmol/L was associated with increased odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which was contingent on low HDL‐C.