bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed size regulates plant dispersal distances in flowing water
Authors: de Jager Monique , Kaphingst Bettina , Janse Erik L. , Buisman Robert , Rinzema Sibrand G. T. , Soons Merel B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDispersal is an essential component of plant life, especially under the current threats of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and climate change. For many wetland species, water is a key dispersal vector, as it can presumably disperse seeds long distances and towards suitable sites for establishment. Seed dispersal distance is affected by stream characteristics and seed traits. Yet, the effect of relevant seed traits, such as size, remains largely unknown.Here, we report on an experimental field study examining the effect of seed size on dispersal distance in lowland streams. We released cork seed mimics of different sizes in four Dutch lowland streams in restored and channelized sections. After 24 hr, we recorded their entrapment location, entrapment mechanism, and the vegetation type in which they were caught.Large seeds generally dispersed over longer distances than smaller seeds. This effect of seed size is likely caused by the different entrapment mechanisms—net trapping, surface tension, and wake trapping—which were highly correlated with seed size. Especially net trapping was responsible for the capture of a large proportion of small seed mimics in vegetation such as aquatic and riparian grasses, starwort, and reed. Due to the prevalent occurrence of these vegetation types in lowland streams, particularly during summer, smaller seeds are more likely to become entrapped and, hence, disperse less far. Our analysis on existing seed data reveals that water‐dispersed riparian plants have relatively large seeds and are thereby evolutionarily adapted to long‐distance dispersal. Furthermore, our results indicate that median dispersal distances are 0.02–1.8 km (99‐percentile <8.5 km) in lowland streams in summer. In winter, less vegetation is present in and surrounding the streams, which leads to median dispersal distances of 0.12–14.2 km (99‐percentile <65 km).Synthesis. This study demonstrates that (a) large seeds generally disperse further than smaller seeds in lowland steams and (b) distances depend strongly on stream vegetation. This information should inform future restoration, for instance, by planning efforts to coincide with times or conditions of open water which are more favourable for the dispersal of target plant species—especially those with small seeds (<10 mm).
Effects of long‐term variation in pollinator abundance and diversity on reproduction of a generalist plant
Authors: Thomson Diane M. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Quantifying the benefits of pollinator abundance and diversity for plant reproduction is a critical challenge, especially given recent pollinator declines. Many studies test for pollen limitation (PL), but huge gaps remain in our understanding of how often and why plants experience PL. Most studies are limited to a few sites or years. Little existing research mechanistically links pollinator visitation with plant reproduction. Also, buffering against variability in visitation is a key but largely untested potential benefit of pollinator diversity. Long‐term studies pairing visitation data with PL experiments are essential to addressing these gaps, but extremely rare.

I measured pollinator visitation, responses to pollen supplementation, and fruit weights in the generalist plant Scrophularia californica across multiple sites for 8 years. I determined how often S. californica experienced significant PL and tested mechanistic models predicting PL and fruit (capsule) weight from visitation. I then used those models to simulate pollinator loss and evaluate the relative effects of changes in visit quantity and quality. I explored the stabilizing benefits of visitor diversity by quantifying both covariation among pollinators and effects of simulated species loss on variation in PL and capsule weights.

Scrophularia showed significant PL in only 26.9% of patch/year combinations tested. Visitation by the most abundant (Apis mellifera) and effective (Vespula pensylvanica) pollinators strongly predicted PL and capsule weights. Both response curves were highly nonlinear, but PL saturated more with increased visitation. Pollinator loss simulations predicted substantially increased PL and reduced capsule weights, mostly because of lower visit numbers rather than changes in visit quality. Visitation rates of individual pollinators varied substantially and without correlation. Simulated pollinator loss increased the spatial and temporal skew in visitation, resulting in higher predicted coefficients of variation for PL and capsule weights.

Synthesis. Previous work predicts a nonlinear relationship between pollinator visitation and plant reproduction, but this is the first long‐term study I am aware of that quantifies such a pattern. The analysis of covariance in pollinator visitation combined with my simulation results provide novel empirical support for another important hypothesis, that multiple pollinators can provide stabilizing benefits for plant reproduction.
Enoch Powell and the Conservative Party: Reflections on an Ambiguous Legacy
Authors: Peele Gillian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis article examines Enoch Powell's ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech in relation to the Conservative party. Powell's speech created an additional challenge to a Conservative party already weakened by the loss of the 1964 and 1966 elections and by the failure of the newly elected leader, Edward Heath, to impress his authority decisively on the party. Powell had some parliamentary support but his real following was concentrated in the Conservative grass roots. Powell lost the support of the liberal‐minded Shadow Cabinet; but after 1968 the Conservatives nevertheless moved to the right on the issue, especially after Mrs. Thatcher became leader in 1975. His speech has cast a long shadow as the party has sought to modernise in more recent times and to appeal to a more racially diverse electorate.
Detecting the molecular basis of phenotypic convergence
Authors: Chabrol Olivier , Royer‐Carenzi Manuela , Pontarotti Pierre , Didier Gilles 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Convergence is the process by which several species independently develop similar traits. This evolutionary process is not only strongly related to fundamental questions such as the predictability of evolution and the role of adaptation, its study also may provide new insights about genes involved in the convergent phenotype. We focus on this latter question and aim to detect the molecular basis of a given phenotypic convergence.

After pointing out a number of concerns with current detection methods based on ancestral reconstruction, we propose a novel approach combining an original measure, called convergence index, which associates to any proteic site a quantity reflecting the extent to which it supports a phenotypic convergence, with a statistical framework for selecting genes from the convergence indices of all their sites.

First, our measure of the “convergence level” outperforms two previous ones in distinguishing simulated convergent sites from nonconvergent ones. Second, by applying our detection approach to the well‐studied case of convergent echolocation between dolphins and bats, we identified a set of genes which is very significantly annotated with audition‐related GO terms.

This result constitutes an indirect evidence that genes involved in a phenotypic convergence can be identified with a genome‐wide approach, a point which was highly debated, notably in the echolocation case. Our approach paves the way to systematic studies of numerous examples of convergent evolution in order to link convergent phenotypes to genotypes.
Effects of the Opioid System Modulator, Samidorphan, on Measures of Alcohol Consumption and Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Adults with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: O'Malley Stephanie S. , Todtenkopf Mark S. , Du Yangchun , Ehrich Elliot , Silverman Bernard L. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundDemonstrating clinically meaningful benefits of alcohol use disorder treatments is challenging.MethodsWe report findings from a 12‐week, phase 2, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of samidorphan (1, 2.5, or 10 mg/d) in adults with alcohol use disorder (NCT00981617). The primary end point was percentage of subjects with no heavy drinking days (PSNHDD) during weeks 5 to 12; secondary end points included alcohol consumption measures, craving, and patient‐rated outcomes.ResultsAltogether, 406 patients were included in the full analysis set (101, 104, 100, and 101 in the placebo, samidorphan 1, 2.5, and 10 mg treatment groups, respectively). There was no statistical difference between samidorphan and placebo groups on PSNHDD during weeks 5 to 12. However, dose‐dependent reductions in cumulative rate of heavy drinking days were observed (−41%, p < 0.001 for samidorphan 10 mg/d vs. placebo; −30 and −32% for samidorphan 2.5 and 1 mg, p < 0.05 for both). A higher percentage of samidorphan‐ than placebo‐treated patients had a ≥2‐category downshift in World Health Organization (WHO) risk levels of drinking. There were significant reductions from baseline with samidorphan versus placebo in alcohol craving (for samidorphan 10 mg: −38.2 [standard error: 2.9] vs. placebo: −30.2 [2.8]; p = 0.044). On a Patient Global Assessment of Response to Therapy (PGART), samidorphan 10 mg was superior to placebo at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). Improvement in PGART correlated with a reduction in craving and a decrease in WHO risk level.ConclusionsResults for the primary outcome measure PSNHDD were negative, but at variance with other measures and patient treatment perceptions that may be relevant for interventional studies. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the most relevant outcomes to patients and incorporating and prioritizing patient‐centered outcomes when assessing interventions for alcohol use disorder.
Sexually transmitted infections and preterm birth among Indigenous women of the Northern Territory, Australia: A case–control study
Authors: Burton Alice E. , Thomas Sujatha 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe incidence of both sexually transmitted infection (STI) and preterm birth is high among Indigenous women in the Northern Territory, Australia. It was hypothesised that these factors are linked.AimsTo analyse whether antenatal STI is associated with preterm birth among Northern Territory Indigenous women.Materials and MethodsA retrospective case–control study was conducted at a tertiary maternity hospital in the Northern Territory. Rates of STI among pregnant Indigenous women were compared between cases (singleton births at <37 weeks gestation) and controls (singleton births at 37 or greater weeks gestation). The association between the composite of any STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas or syphilis) and preterm birth was evaluated by logistic regression analysis, adjusting for confounders. Secondary endpoints were the associations between each of these infections and preterm birth.ResultsThere were 380 cases and 380 controls. Diagnosis of any sexually transmitted infection (composite) in pregnancy was not associated with preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.9, 95%CI 0.58–1.39). Women were at increased risk of preterm birth if they had gonorrhoea in pregnancy (aOR 2.92, 95%CI 1.07–7.97); there was no association with chlamydia (aOR 1.38, 95%CI 0.63–3.04) or trichomonas (aOR 0.66, 95%CI 0.39–1.12). There were three syphilis diagnoses among controls and none among cases.ConclusionsSexually transmitted infection (considered overall) in pregnancy did not affect preterm birth risk among Northern Territory Indigenous women. An association with preterm birth was observed for gonorrhoea in pregnancy but not with chlamydia, trichomonas or syphilis.
Meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis of local vs. general anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Hajibandeh S. , Hajibandeh S. , Antoniou S. A. , Torella F. , Antoniou G. A. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryControversy exists regarding the best choice of anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy. We aimed to evaluate the peri‐operative outcomes of local vs. general anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy. We conducted a systematic search of electronic information sources and applied a combination of free text and controlled vocabulary searches adapted to thesaurus headings, search operators and limits in each of the electronic databases. We defined peri‐operative stroke, transient ischaemic attack, mortality and myocardial infarction as the primary outcome measures. We identified 12 randomised controlled trials and 21 observational studies reporting a total of 58,212 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local or general anaesthesia. Analysis of observational studies demonstrated that local anaesthesia was associated with a significantly lower incidence of stroke (odds ratio (OR (95% CI) 0.66 (0.55–0.80), p < 0.0001), transient ischaemic attack (0.52 (0.38–0.70), p < 0.0001), myocardial infarction (0.55 (0.41–0.75), p = 0.0002) and mortality (0.72 (0.56–0.94), p = 0.01) compared with general anaesthesia. Analysis of randomised controlled trials did not find a significant difference in the risk of stroke (0.92 (0.67–1.28), p = 0.63), transient ischaemic attack (2.20 (0.48–10.03), p = 0.31), myocardial infarction (1.25 (0.57–2.72), p = 0.58) or mortality (0.61 (0.35–1.05), p = 0.07) between local and general anaesthesia. On trial sequential analysis of the randomised trials, the Z‐curve did not cross the α‐spending boundaries or futility boundaries for stroke, mortality and transient ischaemic attack, suggesting that more trials are needed to reach conclusive results. Our meta‐analysis of observational studies suggests that local anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy may be associated with lower peri‐operative morbidity and mortality compared with general anaesthesia. Although randomised studies have not confirmed any advantage for local anaesthesia, this may be due to a lack of pooled statistical power in these trials.
Safety, efficacy and compliance of extended thromboprophylaxis in hepatobiliary and upper gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Marley Leah , Navadgi Suresh , Banting Simon , Fox Adrian , Hii Michael , Knowles Brett 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundExtended venothromboprophylaxis (eVTP) after abdominal surgery for hepatobiliary (HPB) and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) malignancies is recommended. Safety, efficacy and compliance within this group of surgical patients are not well described. The primary aim was to assess safety and compliance of post‐operative administration of eVTP with low molecular weight heparin. Secondary aim was to assess barriers to treatment and monitor the rate of post‐operative venous thromboembolism.MethodsA prospective observational cohort study of patients undergoing abdominal surgery for HPB or UGI malignancies was undertaken from January 2014 to June 2016. All patients were assessed for eVTP. Demographics, clinical outcomes and clinical questionnaires on discharge and at follow‐up 6 weeks post their initial surgery were used to assess the safety, compliance and efficacy of eVTP.ResultsA total of 100 patients were assessed for post‐operative eVTP. Of these, 80 patients were prescribed 28 days of low molecular weight heparin. Of 80 patients, 65 (85%) patients completed the full eVTP, 11 (13%) missed 1–5 injections and only four (6%) missed 6–15 injections. In the 80 eVTP patients, there were no episodes of significant bleeding or venous thromboembolism. A total of nine (11%) patients would be unwilling to undertake eVTP again for a variety of reasons, including ease of disposal of syringes and needle phobias.ConclusionThe administration of eVTP in patients undergoing major HPB and UGI surgery is safe, with minimal morbidity and high compliance. The greatest barrier to administration is doctor prescription.
Sec61 blockade by mycolactone: A central mechanism in Buruli ulcer disease
Authors: Demangel Caroline , High Stephen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractInfection with Mycobacterium ulcerans results in a necrotising skin disease known as a Buruli ulcer, the pathology of which is directly linked to the bacterial production of the toxin mycolactone. Recent studies have identified the protein translocation machinery of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane as the primary cellular target of mycolactone, and shown that the toxin binds to the core subunit of the Sec61 complex. Mycolactone binding strongly inhibits the capacity of the Sec61 translocon to transport newly synthesised membrane and secretory proteins into and across the ER membrane. Since the ER acts as the entry point for the mammalian secretory pathway, and hence regulates initial access to the entire endomembrane system, mycolactone‐treated cells have a reduced ability to produce a range of proteins including secretory cytokines and plasma membrane receptors. The global effect of this molecular blockade of protein translocation at the ER is that the host is unable to mount an effective immune response to the underlying mycobacterial infection. Prolonged exposure to mycolactone is normally cytotoxic, since it triggers stress responses activating the transcription factor ATF4 and ultimately inducing apoptosis.
Flexible Use of Temporal and Spatial Reasoning for Fast and Scalable CPU Broad‐Phase Collision Detection Using KD‐Trees
Authors: Serpa Ygor Rebouças , Rodrigues Maria Andréia Formico 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRealistic computer simulations of physical elements such as rigid and deformable bodies, particles and fractures are commonplace in the modern world. In these simulations, the broad‐phase collision detection plays an important role in ensuring that simulations can scale with the number of objects. In these applications, several degrees of motion coherency, distinct spatial distributions and different types of objects exist; however, few attempts have been made at a generally applicable solution for their broad phase. In this regard, this work presents a novel broad‐phase collision detection algorithm based upon a hybrid SIMD optimized KD‐Tree and sweep‐and‐prune, aimed at general applicability. Our solution is optimized for several objects distributions, degrees of motion coherence and varying object sizes. These features are made possible by an efficient and idempotent two‐step tree optimization algorithm and by selectively enabling coherency optimizations. We have tested our solution under varying scenario setups and compared it to other solutions available in the literature and industry, up to a million simulated objects. The results show that our solution is competitive, with average performance values two to three times better than those achieved by other state‐of‐the‐art AABB‐based CPU solutions.
Identifying conservation priorities for threatened Eastern Himalayan mammals
Authors: Dorji Sangay , Rajaratnam Rajanathan , Falconi Lorena , Williams Stephen E. , Sinha Priyakant , Vernes Karl 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTo augment mammal conservation in the Eastern Himalayan region, we assessed the resident 255 terrestrial mammal species and identified the 50 most threatened species based on conservation status, endemism, range size, and evolutionary distinctiveness. By using the spatial analysis package letsR and the complementarity core‐area method in the conservation planning software Zonation, we assessed the current efficacy of their protection and identified priority conservation areas by comparing protected areas (PAs), land cover, and global ecoregion 2017 maps at a 100 × 100 m spatial scale. The 50 species that were most threatened, geographically restricted, and evolutionarily distinct faced a greater extinction risk than globally nonthreatened and wide‐ranging species and species with several close relatives. Small, medium‐sized, and data‐deficient species faced extinction from inadequate protection in PAs relative to wide‐ranging charismatic species. There was a mismatch between current PA distribution and priority areas for conservation of the 50 most endangered species. To protect these species, the skewed regional PA distribution would require expansion. Where possible, new PAs and transboundary reserves in the 35 priority areas we identified should be established. There are adequate remaining natural areas in which to expand current Eastern Himalayan PAs. Consolidation and expansion of PAs in the EH requires strengthening national and regional transboundary collaboration, formulating comprehensive regional land‐use plans, diversifying conservation funding, and enhancing information sharing through a consolidated regional database.
Hunting for common ground between wildlife governance and commons scholarship
Authors: Smith Hillary , Marrocoli Sergio , Garcia Lozano Alejandro , Basurto Xavier 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWildlife hunting is essential to livelihoods and food security in many parts of the world, yet present rates of extraction may threaten ecosystems and human communities. Thus, governing sustainable wildlife use is a major social dilemma and conservation challenge. Commons scholarship is well positioned to contribute theoretical insights and analytic tools to better understand the interface of social and ecological dimensions of wildlife governance, yet the intersection of wildlife studies and commons scholarship is not well studied. We reviewed existing wildlife‐hunting scholarship, drawing on a database of 1,410 references, to examine the current overlap with commons scholarship through multiple methods, including social network analysis and deductive coding. We found that a very small proportion of wildlife scholarship incorporated commons theories and frameworks. The social network of wildlife scholarship was densely interconnected with several major publication clusters, whereas the wildlife commons scholarship was sparse and isolated. Despite the overarching gap between wildlife and commons scholarship, a few scholars are studying wildlife commons. The small body of scholarship that bridges these disconnected literatures provides valuable insights into the understudied relational dimensions of wildlife and other overlapping common‐pool resources. We suggest increased engagement among wildlife and commons scholars and practitioners to improve the state of knowledge and practice of wildlife governance across regions, particularly for bushmeat hunting in the tropics, which is presently understudied through a common‐pool resource lens. Our case study of the Republic of Congo showed how the historical context and interrelationships between hunting and forest rights are essential to understanding the current state of wildlife governance and potential for future interventions. A better understanding of the interconnections between wildlife and overlapping common‐pool resource systems may be key to understanding present wildlife governance challenges and advancing the common‐pool resource research agenda.
Awe as a Scientific Emotion
Authors: Gottlieb Sara , Keltner Dacher , Lombrozo Tania 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAwe has traditionally been considered a religious or spiritual emotion, yet scientists often report that awe motivates them to answer questions about the natural world, and to do so in naturalistic terms. Indeed, awe may be closely related to scientific discovery and theoretical advance. Awe is typically triggered by something vast (either literally or metaphorically) and initiates processes of accommodation, in which existing mental schemas are revised to make sense of the awe‐inspiring stimuli. This process of accommodation is essential for the kind of belief revision that characterizes scientific reasoning and theory change. Across six studies, we find that the tendency to experience awe is positively associated with scientific thinking, and that this association is not shared by other positive emotions. Specifically, we show that the disposition to experience awe predicts a more accurate understanding of how science works, rejection of creationism, and rejection of unwarranted teleological explanations more broadly.