bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bumble‐BEEHAVE: A systems model for exploring multifactorial causes of bumblebee decline at individual, colony, population and community level
Authors: Becher Matthias A. , Twiston‐Davies Grace , Penny Tim D. , Goulson Dave , Rotheray Ellen L. , Osborne Juliet L. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

World‐wide declines in pollinators, including bumblebees, are attributed to a multitude of stressors such as habitat loss, resource availability, emerging viruses and parasites, exposure to pesticides, and climate change, operating at various spatial and temporal scales. Disentangling individual and interacting effects of these stressors, and understanding their impact at the individual, colony and population level are a challenge for systems ecology. Empirical testing of all combinations and contexts is not feasible. A mechanistic multilevel systems model (individual‐colony‐population‐community) is required to explore resilience mechanisms of populations and communities under stress.

We present a model which can simulate the growth, behaviour and survival of six UK bumblebee species living in any mapped landscape. Bumble‐BEEHAVE simulates, in an agent‐based approach, the colony development of bumblebees in a realistic landscape to study how multiple stressors affect bee numbers and population dynamics. We provide extensive documentation, including sensitivity analysis and validation, based on data from literature. The model is freely available, has flexible settings and includes a user manual to ensure it can be used by researchers, farmers, policy‐makers, NGOs or other interested parties.

Model outcomes compare well with empirical data for individual foraging behaviour, colony growth and reproduction, and estimated nest densities.

Simulating the impact of reproductive depression caused by pesticide exposure shows that the complex feedback mechanisms captured in this model predict higher colony resilience to stress than suggested by a previous, simpler model.

Synthesis and applications. The Bumble‐BEEHAVE model represents a significant step towards predicting bumblebee population dynamics in a spatially explicit way. It enables researchers to understand the individual and interacting effects of the multiple stressors affecting bumblebee survival and the feedback mechanisms that may buffer a colony against environmental stress, or indeed lead to spiralling colony collapse. The model can be used to aid the design of field experiments, for risk assessments, to inform conservation and farming decisions and for assigning bespoke management recommendations at a landscape scale.
Resilience of a peatland in Central Sumatra, Indonesia to past anthropogenic disturbance: Improving conservation and restoration designs using palaeoecology
Authors: Hapsari Kartika Anggi , Biagioni Siria , Jennerjahn Tim C. , Reimer Peter , Saad Asmadi , Sabiham Supiandi , Behling Hermann 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTropical peatlands, which provide important functions such as biodiversity provisioning and carbon (C) storage, are currently threatened by land‐use conversions. Thus, conservation and restoration efforts are needed to maintain their functions. Conservation concepts aiming to separate human from ecosystems are no longer conceivable. Therefore, understanding peatland resilience to human disturbance, that is the ability of peatland ecosystems to maintain their structure and function despite perturbations and to return to their predisturbance states, can assist with integrating human needs into conservation strategies and improving restoration effectiveness.Understanding ecosystem resilience is often impeded by a lack of long‐term data, which can be obtained from palaeoecological studies. Located close to the archaeological remains of the Malayu Empire, the Sungai Buluh peatland in Sumatra, Indonesia provides an opportunity to study the resilience of a tropical peatland to past human disturbance. We subjected a 250‐cm‐long peat core to palynological, charcoal and C content analyses to delineate the anthropogenic impact on the peatland and the ecosystem’s response.The results revealed that extensive human activities in Sungai Buluh such as logging, grazing/cut‐and‐carry, and wild‐harvesting started soon after humans occupied the vicinity of the peatlandc. 1,000 cal yrbp. Even without fire use and cultivation, these activities were able to alter vegetation composition and decrease the peatland’s C sequestration capacity.Following site abandonment after the demise of the Malayu Empire atc. 600 cal yrbp, the palaeoecological record suggests that the Sungai Buluh peatland recovered in terms of both floristic composition and C sink function, with the latter recovering faster (c. 60 years) than the former (c. 170 years).Synthesis. The palaeoecological record from Sungai Buluh provides the first evidence of tropical peatland recovery following human disturbance, which can help improve present peatland conservation/restoration strategies. The design of peatland wise‐use strategies can mimic the “resilience‐friendly” human activities identified in this study. Consideration should also be given to selecting rapidly regenerating taxa for cost‐and‐effort‐efficient restoration strategies. Additionally, the 170‐year recovery time of the Sungai Buluh peatland suggests that the 60‐year timeframe currently allocated in most tropical peatland restoration projects may be insufficient.
A licence to drive? Neurological illness, loss and disruption
Authors: Stepney Melissa , Kirkpatrick Susan , Locock Louise , Prinjha Suman , Ryan Sara 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe sense of freedom and independence that being able to drive generates may be taken for granted by many until it is threatened by illness. Drawing on the ‘mobility turn’ in social sciences that emphasises the social and emotional significance of the car (Sheller and Urry , ), this article presents secondary analysis of narratives of driving and its significance across four neurological conditions (epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, transient ischaemic attack and motor neurone disease). Taking an interactionist approach we explore how the withdrawal of a driving licence can represent not just a practical and emotional loss of independence, but also loss of enjoyment; of a sense and feeling of ‘normal’ adulthood and social participation; and of an identity (in some cases gendered) of strength and power. Conversely the ability to keep driving can maintain an unbroken thread of narrative, for example enabling people with speech difficulties to feel and look normal behind the wheel. Moments of pleasure and normality illuminate the importance of examining the micro‐strands of disruption illness can cause.
Split‐dose 4‐L polyethylene glycol regimen for patients with previous colorectal surgery in bowel preparation before colonoscopy: A randomized, controlled, single‐blind study
Authors: Liu Zhu , Li Yue Yue , Luo Xue Ting , Guo Chuan Guo , Zhang Ming Ming , Li Zhen , Li Li Xiang , Zhang Yan , Li Yan Qing 
Published: May 2018

OBJECTIVEWe aimed to investigate the efficacy of a split‐dose 4‐L polyethylene glycol (PEG) regimen for the quality of bowel preparation in Asian patients with previous colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).METHODSThis was a prospective, single‐center, randomized controlled, endoscopist‐blinded study. Patients with previous colorectal surgery for CRC were randomly allocated to a routine, morning‐only 2‐L PEG (2‐MO) group or a split‐dose 4‐L PEG (4‐SD) group. The primary outcome was a successful bowel preparation rate. Secondary outcomes were polyp detection rate (PDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), patient compliance, satisfaction, tolerance, willingness to repeat the preparation and difficulty of the bowel preparation process.RESULTSIn total, 187 patients were included (93 in the 2‐MO group, 94 in the 4‐SD group) in this study. The rate of successful bowel preparation in the 4‐SD group was higher than in the 2‐MO group (89.4% vs 66.7%, P < 0.001) in an intention‐to‐treat analysis according to the Aronchick score. Patients’ satisfaction with the bowel preparation process in the 4‐SD group was superior to that in the 2‐MO group (93.4% vs 82.2%, P = 0.021). No significant differences were detected in PDR, ADR, patient compliance, tolerance, willingness to repeat the preparation or difficulty of the bowel preparation process.CONCLUSIONSThe 4‐SD PEG regimen was superior to a routine, morning‐only 2‐L PEG preparation for bowel preparation in an Asian population with previous colorectal surgery.
Effects of alcohol exposure on the glutamatergic system: a combined longitudinal 18F‐FPEB and 1H‐MRS study in rats
Authors: de Laat Bart , Weerasekera Akila , Leurquin‐Sterk Gil , Gsell Willy , Bormans Guy , Himmelreich Uwe , Casteels Cindy , Van Laere Koen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTo study the role of the glutamatergic system in alcohol abuse disorders, we conducted a longitudinal study of alcohol exposure in rats. Rats were followed with 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy during a baseline, exposure and abstinence phase to measure prefrontal glutamate and glycine concentrations. Additionally, 18F‐FPEB PET was used to assess metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) availability before and after exposure to alcohol or saccharin. Finally, individual anxiety levels were assessed with an open field test at baseline. We found that the total distance traveled in the open field test and mGluR5 availability in the nucleus accumbens were associated with future alcohol preference (P = 0.02). Furthermore, prefrontal glutamate concentration decreased significantly during alcohol exposure (> −1.25 ± 0.55 mmol/L, P = 0.038), but normalized during abstinence. Finally, 18F‐FPEB PET showed that self‐administration of alcohol resulted in decreased mGluR5 availability in the hippocampus (>14 ± 3 percent, pCluster = 0.047) and amygdala (>16 ± 2 percent, pCluster = 0.004), whereas saccharin induced decreases in the prefrontal cortex (>11 ± 1 percent, pCluster = 0.035) and hippocampus (>15 ± 2 percent, pCluster = 0.003). A direct comparison of both groups showed differences in mGluR5 availability in the bilateral striatum (−2 ± 4 percent versus +2 ± 2 percent, pCluster = <0.0001) and hippocampus (−16 ± 4 percent versus −5 ± 4 percent, pCluster = <0.0001). In conclusion, this study corroborates the anxiolytic effect of alcohol and provides evidence for mGluR5 downregulation in the amygdala as potential underlying mechanism. Saccharin and alcohol differentially affect prefrontal glutamate concentrations, but both induce an mGluR5 decrease, potentially to modulate the dopamine release elicited by these drugs.
Not all exotic pollinator introductions are bad: an introduced buzz‐pollinating bee Amegilla pulchra (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Fiji indicates little potential for enhancing the spread of weeds
Authors: Groutsch Julia K , Miller Nicole C , Tuiwawa Marika , Hayes Sarah , Stevens Mark I , Schwarz Michael P 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe Australian buzz pollinating bee Amegilla pulchra (Anthophorini) is now widespread in Fiji and represents a potentially major change to plant‐pollinator networks. The introduction of a buzz pollinator into the Fijian ecosystem, which has no native buzz pollinators, may have especially important consequences because many pan‐tropical weed species are from the Solanaceae and usually require buzz pollination for effective seed set. We examined floral visitations of three introduced bees, A. pulchra, Apis mellifera, Braunsapis puangensis and one native bee Homalictus fijiensis at 16 sites across Viti Levu, covering a total of 27 plant species and 165 bee–plant interactions. We did not observe any visits by A. pulchra to any solanaceous plants, but it was a frequent visitor to several introduced plants that do not require buzz pollination. Our results contradict recent studies that suggested that A. pulchra may enhance the spread of solanaceous weeds in Fiji. The majority of plants, however, received more visits from exotic bees combined than from the native H. fijiensis and indicate that exotic bees in Fiji may increase weediness of multiple exotic plants. Our results indicate the need to explore pollination networks to understand exotic pollinator influences on the spread of potential weeds.
Esophageal IgG4 levels correlate with histopathologic and transcriptomic features in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Rosenberg C. E. , Mingler M. K. , Caldwell J. M. , Collins M. H. , Fulkerson P. C. , Morris D. W. , Mukkada V. A. , Putnam P. E. , Shoda T. , Wen T. , Rothenberg M. E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent data associate eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) with IgG4 rather than IgE, but its significance and function have not been determined. Our aims were to measure esophageal IgG4 levels and to determine functional correlations as assessed by histologic and transcriptome analyses.MethodsThis case‐control study included pediatric subjects with EoE (≥15 eosinophils/HPF) and non‐EoE controls. Protein lysates were analyzed for IgA, IgM, and IgG1‐IgG4 using the Luminex 100 system; IgE was quantified by ELISA. Esophageal biopsies were scored using the EoE histology scoring system. Transcripts were probed by the EoE diagnostic panel, designed to examine the expression of 96 esophageal transcripts.ResultsEsophageal IgG subclasses, IgA, and IgM, but not IgE, were increased in subjects with EoE relative to controls. The greatest change between groups was seen in IgG4 (4.2 mg/g protein [interquartile range: 1.0‐13.1 mg/g protein] vs 0.2 mg/g protein [0.1‐0.9]; P < .0001). Tissue IgG4 levels correlated with esophageal eosinophil counts (P = .0006); histologic grade (P = .0011) and stage (P = .0112) scores; and IL4, IL10, IL13, but not TGFB1, expression and had strong associations with a subset of the EoE transcriptome. Esophageal IgG4 transcript expression was increased and correlated with IgG4 protein levels and IL10 expression.ConclusionThese findings extend prior studies on IgG4 in adult EoE to the pediatric population and provide deeper understanding of the potential significance and regulation of IgG4, demonstrating that IgG4 is a relevant feature of the disease; is closely related to esophageal eosinophil levels, type 2 immunity and T regulatory cytokines; and is likely produced locally.
New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis
Authors: Karatzas K. , Katsifarakis N. , Riga M. , Werchan B. , Werchan M. , Berger U. , Pfaar O. , Bergmann K.‐C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for allergic rhinitis and its clinical efficacy in clinical trials depends on the effective determination of pollen allergen exposure time periods. We evaluate pollen data from Germany to examine the new definitions on pollen season and peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in a recently published Position Paper. The aim was to demonstrate the ability of these definitions to mirror symptom loads for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis based on real‐life data.MethodsData coming from four pollen monitoring stations in the Berlin and Brandenburg area in Germany and for 3 years (2014‐2016) were used to investigate the correlation of season definitions, birch and grass pollen counts and total nasal symptom and mediation scores as reported by patients in “Patients Hay fever Diaries” (PHDs). After the identification of pollen periods on the basis of the EACCI criteria, a statistical analysis was employed, followed by a detailed graphical investigation.ResultsThe analysis revealed that the definitions of pollen season as well as peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the EAACI are correlated to symptom loads for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis reported by patients in PHDs.ConclusionBased on our analysis, the validity of the EAACI definitions on pollen season is confirmed. Their use is recommended in future clinical trials on AIT as well as in daily routine for optimal patient care.
Survival after secondary cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone for first recurrence in patients with platinum‐sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer and no residuals after primary treatment. A registry‐based study
Authors: Szczesny Witold , Langseth Hilde , Myklebust Tor Å. , Kærn Janne , Tropé Claes , Paulsen Torbjørn 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate whether secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum‐based chemotherapy improved survival among patients with recurrent, platinum‐sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer compared with those who received platinum‐based chemotherapy alone, and to identify possible predictors for selection to secondary cytoreductive surgery.Material and methodsWe included 397 patients who had a primary diagnosis of FIGO stage I–IV epithelial ovarian cancer recorded in the Cancer Registry of Norway between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012, received primary surgery with no residuals followed by platinum‐based chemotherapy, had first recurrence six or more months after completion of primary platinum‐based chemotherapy, and received secondary treatment with either secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum‐based chemotherapy (secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum‐based chemotherapy group) or platinum‐based chemotherapy alone (platinum‐based chemotherapy group). Outcomes were progression‐free survival to second recurrence or death and overall survival. Hazard ratios were estimated using multivariable Cox regression.ResultsThere were 75 patients in the secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum‐based chemotherapy group in whom complete resection was achieved for 60 (80%), and 322 patients in the platinum‐based chemotherapy group. Both progression‐free survival (hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.62) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.70) were improved in the secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum‐based chemotherapy compared with the platinum‐based chemotherapy group. A survival benefit was only seen in patients with no residuals at secondary cytoreductive surgery.ConclusionsIn selected epithelial ovarian cancer patients with no residuals after primary surgery and a recurrent, platinum‐sensitive tumor, the complete resection of recurrent tumor at secondary cytoreductive surgery improves progression‐free survival and overall survival. Our results suggest that a long treatment‐free interval and non‐disseminated lesions (three or fewer lesions) on radiological images could be useful predictors for complete resection at secondary cytoreductive surgery.
Termination of pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: A qualitative study of the decision‐making process of pregnant couples
Authors: Lou Stina , Carstensen Kathrine , Petersen Olav Bjørn , Nielsen Camilla Palmhøj , Hvidman Lone , Lanther Maja Retpen , Vogel Ida 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionIn Denmark, first trimester screening has a very high uptake (>90%). If Down syndrome is diagnosed, termination rates are high (>95%). The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of the decision to terminate pregnancy following a diagnosis of Down syndrome and the factors influencing this decision.Material and methodsSemi‐structured, qualitative interview study with 21 couples who had received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and decided to terminate the pregnancy. Participants were recruited from obstetric departments between February 2016 and July 2017. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes were identified: “initial decision‐making”, “consolidating the decision”, “reasons and concerns shaping the termination of pregnancy decision”, “the right decision is also burdensome”, and “perceived influences in decision‐making”. For most couples, the initial decision to terminate pregnancy was made before or during the diagnostic process, but it was re‐addressed and consolidated following the actual diagnosis. Imagining a family future with a severely affected Down syndrome child was the main factor influencing the termination of pregnancy decision. The decision was articulated as “right” but also as existentially burdensome for some, due to fear of regret and concern about ending a potential life. The decision to terminate pregnancy was considered a private matter between the couple, but was refined through interactions with clinicians and social networks.ConclusionAll couples made an initial decision prior to receiving the Down syndrome diagnosis. Knowledge of the couple's initial decision may facilitate patient‐centered communication during and after the diagnostic process. Couples may benefit from counseling to deal with grief and existential concerns.
HOW SHOULD RURAL FINANCIAL COOPERATIVES BE BEST ORGANIZED? EVIDENCE FROM ETHIOPIA
Authors: A. ABAY Kibrom , KORU Bethelhem , ABATE Gashaw Tadesse , BERHANE Guush 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTWhat is the optimal size and composition of Rural Financial Cooperatives (RFCs)? With this broad question in mind, we characterize alternative formation of RFCs and their implications in improving rural households’ access to financial services, including savings, credit and insurance services. We find that some features of RFCs have varying implications for delivering various financial services (savings, credit and insurance). We find that the size of RFCs exhibits nonlinear relationship with the various financial services RFCs provide. We also show that compositional heterogeneity among members (including diversity in wealth) is associated with higher access to credit services, while this has little implication on households’ savings behavior. Similarly, social cohesion among members is strongly associated with higher access to financial services. These empirical descriptions suggest that the optimal size and composition of RFCs may vary across the domains of financial services they are designed to facilitate. These pieces of evidence provide some suggestive insights on how to ensure financial inclusion among smallholders, a pressing agenda and priority of policy makers in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The results also provide some insights into rural microfinance operations which are striving to satisfy members’ demand for financial services.
Serotonergic regulation of insulin secretion
Authors: Cataldo Bascuñan L. R. , Lyons C. , Bennet H. , Artner I. , Fex M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe exact physiological role for the monoamine serotonin (5‐HT) in modulation of insulin secretion is yet to be fully understood. Although the presence of this monoamine in islets of Langerhans is well established, it is only with recent advances that the complex signalling network in islets involving 5‐HT is being unravelled. With more than fourteen different 5‐HT receptors expressed in human islets and receptor‐independent mechanisms in insulin‐producing β‐cells, our understanding of 5‐HT's regulation of insulin secretion is increasing. It is now widely accepted that failure of the pancreatic β‐cell to release sufficient amounts of insulin is the main cause of type 2 diabetes (T2D), an ongoing global epidemic. In this context, 5‐HT signalling may be of importance. In fact, 5‐HT may serve an essential role in regulating the release of insulin and glucagon, the two main hormones that control glucose and lipid homoeostasis. In this review, we will discuss past and current understanding of 5‐HT's role in the endocrine pancreas.