bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate‐driven ecological stability as a globally shared cause of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions: the Plaids and Stripes Hypothesis
Authors: Mann Daniel H. , Groves Pamela , Gaglioti Benjamin V. , Shapiro Beth A. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTControversy persists about why so many large‐bodied mammal species went extinct around the end of the last ice age. Resolving this is important for understanding extinction processes in general, for assessing the ecological roles of humans, and for conserving remaining megafaunal species, many of which are endangered today. Here we explore an integrative hypothesis that asserts that an underlying cause of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions was a fundamental shift in the spatio‐temporal fabric of ecosystems worldwide. This shift was triggered by the loss of the millennial‐scale climate fluctuations that were characteristic of the ice age but ceased approximately 11700 years ago on most continents. Under ice‐age conditions, which prevailed for much of the preceding 2.6 Ma, these radical and rapid climate changes prevented many ecosystems from fully equilibrating with their contemporary climates. Instead of today's ‘striped’ world in which species' ranges have equilibrated with gradients of temperature, moisture, and seasonality, the ice‐age world was a disequilibrial ‘plaid’ in which species' ranges shifted rapidly and repeatedly over time and space, rarely catching up with contemporary climate. In the transient ecosystems that resulted, certain physiological, anatomical, and ecological attributes shared by megafaunal species pre‐adapted them for success. These traits included greater metabolic and locomotory efficiency, increased resistance to starvation, longer life spans, greater sensory ranges, and the ability to be nomadic or migratory. When the plaid world of the ice age ended, many of the advantages of being large were either lost or became disadvantages. For instance in a striped world, the low population densities and slow reproductive rates associated with large body size reduced the resiliency of megafaunal species to population bottlenecks. As the ice age ended, the downsides of being large in striped environments lowered the extinction thresholds of megafauna worldwide, which then increased the vulnerability of individual species to a variety of proximate threats they had previously tolerated, such as human predation, competition with other species, and habitat loss. For many megafaunal species, the plaid‐to‐stripes transition may have been near the base of a hierarchy of extinction causes whose relative importances varied geographically, temporally, and taxonomically.
Comparison of maternal beliefs about causes of autism spectrum disorder and association with utilization of services and treatments
Authors: Chaidez Virginia , Fernandez y Garcia Erik , Wang Lulu W. , Angkustsiri Kathleen , Krakowiak Paula , Hertz‐Picciotto Irva , Hansen Robin L. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to describe parental perceptions of the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an ethnically diverse sample and explore whether these perceptions relate to treatment choices.MethodsThe sample consisted of White (n = 224), Hispanic (n = 85), and Asian (n = 21) mothers of a child with ASD. A mixed methods approach was used in this secondary analysis focusing on parental perceptions about the causes of ASD and the relationship of these to utilization of services and treatment.ResultsEnvironmental and genetic factors were most often believed to be the cause or one of the causes of ASD by mothers across all ethnic groups studied. Asian mothers were more likely to cite multiple causes. Environmental causes were associated with receiving 20 or more hours of autism‐related services per week, whereas belief in environmental exposures and vaccines and medications as causes were associated with complementary–alternative medicine (CAM) use.ConclusionOur findings suggest that ethnic differences in autism causal beliefs and treatment choices may exist. Future research should be conducted to specifically confirm the findings, to understand parental motivation behind their service and treatment choices, and to gain more insight into the types, usage, and sources of CAM treatments. Clinicians can use parental autism causal beliefs in discussions about treatment recommendations.
Large divergence in testosterone concentrations between men and women: Frame of reference for elite athletes in sex‐specific competition in sports, a narrative review
Authors: Clark Richard V. , Wald Jeffrey A. , Swerdloff Ronald S. , Wang Christina , Wu Frederick C. W. , Bowers Larry D. , Matsumoto Alvin M. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveThe purpose of this narrative review was to summarize available data on testosterone levels in normal, healthy adult males and females, to provide a physiologic reference framework to evaluate testosterone levels reported in males and females with conditions that elevate androgens, such as disorders of sex development (DSD), and to determine the separation or overlap of testosterone levels between normal and affected males and females.MethodsA literature review was conducted for published papers, from peer reviewed journals, reporting testosterone levels in healthy males and females, males with 46XY DSD, and females with hyperandrogenism due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Papers were selected that had adequate characterization of participants, and description of the methodology for measurement of serum testosterone and reporting of results.ResultsIn the healthy, normal males and females, there was a clear bimodal distribution of testosterone levels, with the lower end of the male range being four‐ to fivefold higher than the upper end of the female range(males 8.8‐30.9 nmol/L, females 0.4‐2.0 nmol/L). Individuals with 46XY DSD, specifically those with 5‐alpha reductase deficiency, type 2 and androgen insensitivity syndrome testosterone levels that were within normal male range. Females with PCOS or congenital adrenal hyperplasia were above the normal female range but still below the normal male range.ConclusionsExisting studies strongly support a bimodal distribution of serum testosterone levels in females compared to males. These data should be considered in the discussion of female competition eligibility in individuals with possible DSD or hyperandrogenism.
Comprehensive screening shows that mutations in the known syndromic genes are rare in infants presenting with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia
Authors: Laver Thomas W. , Wakeling Matthew N. , Hua Janet Hong Yeow , Houghton Jayne A. L. , Hussain Khalid , Ellard Sian , Flanagan Sarah E. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveHyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) can occur in isolation or more rarely feature as part of a syndrome. Screening for mutations in the “syndromic” HH genes is guided by phenotype with genetic testing used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. As HH can be the presenting feature of a syndrome, it is possible that mutations will be missed as these genes are not routinely screened in all newly diagnosed individuals. We investigated the frequency of pathogenic variants in syndromic genes in infants with HH who had not been clinically diagnosed with a syndromic disorder at referral for genetic testing.DesignWe used genome sequencing data to assess the prevalence of mutations in syndromic HH genes in an international cohort of patients with HH of unknown genetic cause.PatientsWe undertook genome sequencing in 82 infants with HH without a clinical diagnosis of a known syndrome at referral for genetic testing.MeasurementsWithin this cohort, we searched for the genetic aetiologies causing 20 different syndromes where HH had been reported as a feature.ResultsWe identified a pathogenic KMT2D variant in a patient with HH diagnosed at birth, confirming a genetic diagnosis of Kabuki syndrome. Clinical data received following the identification of the mutation highlighted additional features consistent with the genetic diagnosis. Pathogenic variants were not identified in the remainder of the cohort.ConclusionsPathogenic variants in the syndromic HH genes are rare; thus, routine testing of these genes by molecular genetics laboratories is unlikely to be justified in patients without syndromic phenotypes.
Cyclodialysis cleft repair: A multi‐centred, retrospective case series
Authors: Popovic Marko , Shareef Shakeel , Mura Juan J. , Valenzuela Felipe , González Martín‐Moro Julio , Schlenker Matthew B. , Barton Keith , Muñoz‐Negrete Francisco , Razeghinejad Mohammad Reza , Ahmed Iqbal Ike K. 
Published: August 2018

ImportanceThere is a paucity of evidence analysing the treatment of cyclodialysis clefts.BackgroundWe describe outcomes following the treatment of this rare condition at six centres internationally.DesignRetrospective case series.ParticipantsThirty‐six patients with a cyclodialysis cleft from 2003 to 2017 were recruited.MethodsClefts were treated with cycloplegic agents, laser therapy and/or surgery.Main Outcome MeasuresPostoperative best recorded visual acuity (BRVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and the rate of cleft closure.ResultsThe mean age was 45 ± 17 years and 29 (80.6%) patients were male. One eye (2.8%) received only medical therapy, 5 (13.9%) received laser, 14 (38.9%) underwent surgery after laser failure and 16 (44.4%) eyes received exclusively surgery. Over 80% of eyes had a BRVA improvement of more than two lines. Closure was attained in 30 eyes (93.8%; n = 32), with postoperative stabilized IOP ≥ 12 mmHg in 29 eyes (80.6%; n = 36) and postoperative BRVA ≤20/50 in 20 eyes (58.8%; n = 34). Improved postoperative BRVA was related to better preoperative BRVA (P = 0.006) and preoperative IOP ≥ 4 mmHg (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference between treatment approach for IOP ≥ 12 mmHg (P = 0.85) or postoperative BRVA ≤20/50 (P = 0.80). Only two eyes at last follow‐up required IOP lowering medication.Conclusions and RelevanceThere was a high closure rate with most eyes eventually requiring surgery. Clinically significant improvements in BRVA were found in most eyes. Improved postoperative BRVA was significantly related to better preoperative BRVA and IOP.
Do Infants Learn Words From Statistics? Evidence From English‐Learning Infants Hearing Italian
Authors: Shoaib Amber , Wang Tianlin , Hay Jessica F. , Lany Jill 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInfants are sensitive to statistical regularities (i.e., transitional probabilities, or TPs) relevant to segmenting words in fluent speech. However, there is debate about whether tracking TPs results in representations of possible words. Infants show preferential learning of sequences with high TPs (HTPs) as object labels relative to those with low TPs (LTPs). Such findings could mean that only the HTP sequences have a word‐like status, and they are more readily mapped to a referent for that reason. But these findings could also suggest that HTP sequences are easier to encode, just like any other predictable sequence. Here we aimed to distinguish between these explanations. To do so, we built on findings that infants become resistant to learning labels that are not typical of their native language as they approach 2 years of age and add words to their lexicons. If tracking TPs in speech results in identifying candidate words, at this age TPs may have reduced power to confer lexical status when they yield a unit that is very dissimilar to word forms that are typical of infants’ native language. Indeed, we found that at 20 months, English‐learning infants with relatively small vocabularies learned HTP Italian words (but not LTP words) as object labels, while infants with larger vocabularies resisted learning HTP Italian words. These findings suggest that the HTP sequences may be represented as candidate words, and more broadly, that TP statistics are relevant to word learning.
The impact of human leukocyte antigen donor and recipient serotyping and matching on liver transplant graft failure in primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Patel Yuval A. , Henson Jacqueline B. , Wilder Julius M. , Zheng Jiayin , Chow Schein‐Chung , Berg Carl L. , Knechtle Stuart J. , Muir Andrew J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) serotyping is not considered to have significant impact on liver graft survival and does not factor into U.S. organ allocation. Immune‐related liver diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have been speculated to represent a disease subgroup that may have significantly different graft outcomes depending on HLA donor/recipient characterization. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HLA serotyping/matching influenced post‐transplant graft failure for immune‐related liver diseases using the United Network for Organ Sharing database. From 1994 to 2015, 5665 patients underwent first‐time liver‐only transplants for PSC, AIH, and PBC with complete graft survival and donor/recipient HLA data. Graft failure was noted in 38.6% (2188/5665), and all groups had comparable 5‐year graft survival (75.1%‐78.8%, P = 0.069). The overall degree of, and loci‐specific mismatch level, did not influence outcomes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression noted increased graft failure risk for recipient HLA‐B7, HLA‐B57, HLA‐B75, HLA‐DR13 and donor HLA‐B55, HLA‐B58, and HLA‐DR8 for PSC patients, protective effects for recipient HLA‐DR1 and HLA‐DR3 for AIH patients, and increased risk for HLA‐DR7 for AIH patients. These findings warrant further investigation to evaluate the impact of HLA serotyping on post‐transplant outcomes.
Design of Contracts and Workflows for Knowledge Intensive IT Service Environments
Authors: Dong Su , Johar Monica S. , Kumar Ram L. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTOrganizations are increasingly adopting environments in which IT is delivered as a service. The relationship between service provider and the customer is managed through contracts or Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This article examines underresearched relationships between contract structure and performance from the point of view of the IT service provider. It develops two mathematical programming models to better understand relationships between workforce characteristics, workflow, contract structure, and the business environment under Managed Service and Hybrid demand conditions. We illustrate how workforce selection, workflow, and contract design decisions can be effectively used to optimize performance. Managerial implications for contracting and operating strategies are discussed.
Effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus comparators on renal endpoints in the real world: A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo , Solini Anna , Manca Maria Laura , Penno Giuseppe , Gatti Adriano , Anichini Roberto , Del Prato Stefano , Avogaro Angelo ,   For The DARWIN‐T2D Network
Published: August 2018

AimTo evaluate the changes in renal endpoints in type 2 diabetes patients treated with dapagliflozin versus other glucose‐lowering medications in routine clinical practice.Materials and MethodsDARWIN‐T2D was a retrospective study conducted at 46 outpatient diabetes clinics in Italy. An automated software collected data on 17 285 patients who received dapagliflozin, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, or gliclazide, 6751 of whom had a follow‐up visit. We analysed changes in albumin excretion rate (AER) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).ResultsPatients who received dapagliflozin (n = 473) were younger, more obese, and had a poorer glucose control than those who received a comparator (n = 2973). After ~6 months, median (interquartile range) AER declined by 37%, from 19.5 (7.5–78.2) to 13.2 (6.5–45.0) mg/g (P < 0.0001) in the dapagliflozin group and did not change in the comparator group. After adjusting for confounders, therapy with dapagliflozin versus comparators was associated with an AER reduction of 26.4 ± 13.1 mg/g (P = 0.045), and eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) diminished by 1.1 ± 0.5 (P = 0.049) in the dapagliflozin group and by 0.6 ± 9.1 (P = 0.002) in the comparator group (P = 0.35 between groups). No patient treated with dapagliflozin versus four patients treated with comparators experienced a doubling of serum creatinine.ConclusionsThe antiproteinuric effect of dapagliflozin is confirmed here for the first time by real‐world data. Despite a mild decline in eGFR, there was no evidence of clinically relevant worsening in renal function.
Pulmonary vascular resistance versus pulmonary artery pressure for predicting right ventricular remodeling and functional tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Gual‐Capllonch Francisco , Teis Albert , Ferrer Elena , Núñez Julio , Vallejo Nuria , Juncà Gladys , López‐Ayerbe Jorge , Lupón Josep , Bayes‐Genis Antoni 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common cause of right ventricular (RV) remodeling and functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR), but incremental pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) does not always correlate with anatomic and functional RV changes. This study aimed to evaluate a noninvasive measure of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) for predicting RV dilatation, RV dysfunction, and severity of FTR.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed consecutive stable patients with PASP ≥ 35 mm Hg or any degree of RV dilatation or dysfunction secondary to PH. Noninvasive PVR was calculated based on FTR peak velocity and flow in RV outflow tract.ResultsWe included 251 patients, aged 72.1 ± 11.4 years, 53% women, 74.9% with type 2 pulmonary hypertension. The mean PASP was 48.3 ± 12.2 mm Hg. Both PASP and PVR significantly correlated with FTR, RV dilatation, and RV systolic dysfunction. After dichotomizing FTR and RV dilatation and systolic dysfunction as nonsignificant vs significant, FTR and RV dilatation were similarly predicted by PASP and PVR, but RV dysfunction was better predicted by PVR (AUC = 0.78 [0.72–0.84] vs 0.66 [0.60–0.73] for PASP, P < 0.001). Patients with low PASP but high PVR showed worse RV and left ventricular function but lower rates of right heart failure and smaller inferior vena cava, compared to patients with high PASP but low PVR.ConclusionsNoninvasive PVR was superior to PASP for predicting RV systolic dysfunction, but both were similarly associated with RV dilatation or FTR grade. PASP and PVR complement each other to define the echocardiographic findings and clinical status of the patient.
Coronary “balanced ischemia” with false negative regadenoson Technetium Tc99 m Sestamibi stress test subsequently diagnosed by FFRCT
Authors: Turner Michael C. , Kerut Edmund K. 
Published: August 2018

A 63‐year‐old female with multiple cardiovascular risk factors presented with a nontypical chest pain syndrome. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with a regadenoson (Lexiscan) Technetium Tc99 m (Sestamibi) stress test was interpreted as normal. The patient's chest pain syndrome continued, and subsequently, she presented to the emergency room. Cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) revealed a partially calcified left main coronary artery (LMCA) plaque with mild positive remodeling, having low attenuation (68 Hounsfield units—HU) in the noncalcified portion. In addition, a significant proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) noncalcified plaque was also noted. These lesions were hemodynamically significant by CCTA fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) as evidenced by a significant drop across the LMCA, followed by the LAD and circumflex (CX) vessels. Stenting of the stenosis was performed with resolution of symptoms. The phenomenon of “balanced ischemia” was not readily detected with a regadenoson Technetium Tc99 m perfusion stress test but was readily documented by FFRCT.
Combining mitochondrial and nuclear genome analyses to dissect the effects of colonization, environment, and geography on population structure in Pinus tabuliformis
Authors: Xia Hanhan , Wang Baosheng , Zhao Wei , Pan Jin , Mao Jian‐Feng , Wang Xiao‐Ru 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe phylogeographic histories of plants in East Asia are complex and shaped by both past large‐scale climatic oscillations and dramatic tectonic events. The impact of these historic events, as well as ecological adaptation, on the distribution of biodiversity remains to be elucidated. Pinus tabuliformis is the dominant coniferous tree in northern China, with a large distribution across wide environmental gradients. We examined genetic variation in this species using genotyping‐by‐sequencing and mitochondrial (mt) DNA markers. We found population structure on both nuclear and mt genomes with a geographic pattern that corresponds well with the landscape of northern China. To understand the contributions of environment, geography, and colonization history to the observed population structure, we performed ecological niche modeling and partitioned the among‐population genomic variance into isolation by environment (IBE), isolation by distance (IBD), and isolation by colonization (IBC). We used mtDNA, which is transmitted by seeds in pine, to reflect colonization. We found little impact of IBE, IBD, and IBC on variation in neutral SNPs, but significant impact of IBE on a group of outlier loci. The lack of IBC illustrates that the maternal history can be quickly eroded from the nuclear genome by high rates of gene flow. Our results suggest that genomic variation in P. tabuliformis is largely affected by neutral and stochastic processes, and the signature of local adaptation is visible only at robust outlier loci. This study enriches our understanding on the complex evolutionary forces that shape the distribution of genetic variation in plant taxa in northern China, and guides breeding, conservation, and reforestation programs for P. tabuliformis.
Cor pulmonale secondary to pulmonary fibrosis in a 16‐year‐old mare
Authors: Le Corre S. , Thomas‐Cancian A. , Peyrecave X. , Leblond A. , Cadoré J. L. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryA 16‐year‐old mare was presented as an emergency to the Equine Hospital of the Veterinary School of Lyon, with a 1‐month history of respiratory distress. On admission the mare was in poor body condition, with severe inspiratory and expiratory dyspnoea associated with severe hypoxaemia and marked tachycardia. Wheezes were auscultated. A pulmonary biopsy revealed fibrosis of about 40% of the parenchyma. Following an episode of atrial fibrillation, an echocardiogram was carried out which revealed signs of pulmonary hypertension, consistent withcor pulmonale. Despite the lack of aetiologic explanation for the primary pulmonary disease, the general condition of the mare improved with the administration of high‐dosed corticoids and antimicrobial therapy.
A modified slacks‐based ranking method handling negative data in data envelopment analysis
Authors: Wei Fangqing , Song Jiayun , Jiao Chuanya , Yang Feng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPerformance ranking for a set of comparable decision‐making units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs is an important and often‐discussed topic in data envelopment analysis (DEA). Conventional DEA models distinguish efficient units from inefficient ones but cannot further discriminate the efficient units, which all have a 100% efficiency score. Another weakness of these models is that they cannot handle negative inputs and/or outputs. In this paper, a new modified slacks‐based measure is proposed that works in the presence of negative data and provides quantitative data that helps decision makers obtain a full ranking of DMUs in situations where other methods fail. In addition, the new method has the properties of unit invariance and translation invariance, and it can give targets for inefficient DMUs to guide them to achieve full efficiency. Two numerical examples are analysed to demonstrate the usefulness of the new method.