bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional diversity and redundancy of freshwater fish communities across biogeographic and environmental gradients
Authors: Lamothe Karl A. , Alofs Karen M. , Jackson Donald A. , Somers Keith M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimFunctional redundancy occurs when species share overlapping ecological functions and is considered an important component of ecosystem resilience. However, much of what we know about functional redundancy comes from relatively species‐rich terrestrial and marine environments. Here, we examined patterns of functional redundancy among Ontario freshwater fish communities with species richness levels ranging from 4 to 30 species across lakes of differing size, depth, productivities and thermal characteristics.LocationSix thousand nine hundred and seventy‐seven lakes in Ontario, Canada.MethodsWe examined functional redundancy by quantifying the relationship between functional diversity and species richness in lakes across Ontario and within smaller biogeographic regions. We used null models to test whether fish communities had greater redundancy than expected from random assemblages. We then used generalized additive models (GAMs) to predict how patterns of redundancy vary across environmental variables. At last, we compared species‐level functional rarity metrics across fish thermal preference groups, body sizes and species occurrence rates.ResultsThe functional diversity and species richness relationship were saturating among fish communities at the provincial scale but varied between smaller regions with differing biogeographic histories. Most communities fell within expectations from weighted null models of the functional diversity and species richness relationship. The GAMs indicated that fish communities in the largest, deepest and warmest lakes showed the greatest overall functional redundancy. No differences were observed in functional rarity measures between thermal preference groups, across body sizes or across species occurrence rates.Main conclusionsAlthough lakes in this study were relatively depauperate of fish species, Ontario fish communities exhibited functional redundancy at the provincial scale, with variation regionally. North‐eastern communities showed the least saturating relationship overall as predicted by historical biogeographic patterns of freshwater fish colonization. Overall, this study provides a broad perspective of freshwater fish diversity patterns and highlights the importance of investigating redundancy from different perspectives and multiple spatial scales.
FDI, Poverty, and the Politics of Potable Water Access
Authors: Rudra Nita , Alkon Meir , Joshi Siddharth 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHow does foreign direct investment (FDI) affect the wellbeing of the poor? We address this question by analyzing the impacts of FDI on access to potable water. We predict that higher levels of greenfield FDI in water‐intensive sectors slow the rate of access to potable water in developing countries, with these adverse effects conditional on subnational politics. We hypothesize that this is more likely to occur in polities marked by relatively large poor and marginalized populations, where regulatory capture is more likely to occur. To test our intuition, we analyze subnational data on greenfield FDI in India, confirming that multinational investment in “thirsty” manufacturing sectors are negatively associated with improvements in potable water access. We then present a controlled comparison case study of two Indian states, Kerala and Rajasthan, highlighting the political mechanisms conditioning FDI's effects on potable water.
Biomass production in plantations: Land constraints increase dependency on irrigation water
Authors: Jans Yvonne , Berndes Göran , Heinke Jens , Lucht Wolfgang , Gerten Dieter 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntegrated assessment model scenarios project rising deployment of biomass‐using energy systems in climate change mitigation scenarios. But there is concern that bioenergy deployment will increase competition for land and water resources and obstruct objectives such as nature protection, the preservation of carbon‐rich ecosystems, and food security. To study the relative importance of water and land availability as biophysical constraints to bioenergy deployment at a global scale, we use a process‐detailed, spatially explicit biosphere model to simulate rain‐fed and irrigated biomass plantation supply along with the corresponding water consumption for different scenarios concerning availability of land and water resources. We find that global plantation supplies are mainly limited by land availability and only secondarily by freshwater availability. As a theoretical upper limit, if all suitable lands on Earth, besides land currently used in agriculture, were available for bioenergy plantations (“Food first” scenario), total plantation supply would be in the range 2,010–2,300 EJ/year depending on water availability and use. Excluding all currently protected areas reduces the supply by 60%. Excluding also areas where conversion to biomass plantations causes carbon emissions that might be considered unacceptably high will reduce the total plantation supply further. For example, excluding all areas where soil and vegetation carbon stocks exceed 150 tC/ha (“Carbon threshold savanna” scenario) reduces the supply to 170–290 EJ/year. With decreasing land availability, the amount of water available for irrigation becomes vitally important. In the least restrictive land availability scenario (“Food first”), up to 77% of global plantation biomass supply is obtained without additional irrigation. This share is reduced to 31% for the most restrictive “Carbon threshold savanna” scenario. The results highlight the critical—and geographically varying—importance of co‐managing land and water resources if substantial contributions of bioenergy are to be reached in mitigation portfolios.
Environmental effects of short‐rotation woody crops for bioenergy: What is and isn't known
Authors: Griffiths Natalie A. , Rau Benjamin M. , Vaché Kellie B. , Starr Gregory , Bitew Menberu M. , Aubrey Doug P. , Martin James A. , Benton Elizabeth , Jackson C. Rhett 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLogging and mill residues are currently the largest sources of woody biomass for bioenergy in the United States, but short‐rotation woody crops (SRWCs) are expected to become a larger contributor to biomass production, primarily on lands marginal for food production. However, there are very few studies on the environmental effects of SRWCs, and most have been conducted at stand rather than at watershed scales. In this manuscript, we review the potential environmental effects of SRWCs relative to current forestry or agricultural practices and best management practices (BMPs) in the southeast United States and identify priorities and constraints for monitoring and modeling these effects. Plot‐scale field studies and a watershed‐scale modeling study found improved water quality with SRWCs compared to agricultural crops. Further, a recent watershed‐scale experiment suggests that conventional forestry BMPs are sufficient to protect water quality from SRWC silvicultural activities, but the duration of these studies is short with respect to travel times of groundwater transporting nitrate to streams. While the effects of SRWC production on carbon (C) and water budgets depend on both soil properties and previous land management, woody crops will typically sequester more C when compared with agricultural crops. The overall C offset by SRWCs will depend on a variety of management practices, the number of rotations, and climate. Effects of SRWCs on biodiversity, especially aquatic organisms, are not well studied, but a meta‐analysis found that bird and mammal biodiversity is lower in SRWC stands than unmanaged forests. Long‐term (i.e., over multiple rotations) water quality, water use, C dynamics, and soil quality studies are needed, as are larger‐scale (i.e., landscape scale) biodiversity studies, to evaluate the potential effects of SRWC production. Such research should couple field measurement and modeling approaches due to the temporal (i.e., multiple rotations) and spatial (i.e., heterogeneous landscape) scaling issues involved with SRWC production.
Nativity and seed dispersal mode influence species’ responses to habitat connectivity and urban environments
Authors: Lopez Bianca E. , Urban Dean , White Peter S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimUrbanization alters local environmental conditions and the ability of species to disperse between remnant habitat patches within the urban matrix. Nonetheless, despite the ongoing growth of urban areas worldwide, few studies have investigated the relative importance of dispersal and local environmental conditions for influencing species composition within urban and suburban landscapes. Here, we explore this question using spatial patterns of plant species composition.LocationThe Research Triangle area, which includes the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, in central North Carolina, USA.Time period2012–2014.Major taxa studiedVascular plants.MethodsWe sampled riparian forest plant communities along an urban‐to‐rural gradient and used redundancy analysis to identify predictors of species composition patterns for groups of species categorized by nativity and seed dispersal mode. We first compared the ability of different models of habitat connectivity (least‐cost paths that avoided urban land cover versus Euclidean and along‐stream distance) to explain spatial patterns of species composition. We then partitioned the variation in species composition explained by habitat connectivity models, local environmental conditions and measures of urbanization in the surrounding landscape.ResultsWe found that several groups of native species were best explained by least‐cost path models that avoided urban development, suggesting that urbanization impedes dispersal within this landscape, particularly for short‐dispersed species. Environmental variables related to urbanization (e.g., temperature, stream incision) were important predictors of species composition for many species groups, but measures of urbanization in the surrounding landscape were more important for exotic than for native species.Main conclusionsOur results demonstrate that urbanization influences plant species composition via its effects on both habitat connectivity and environmental conditions. However, the strength of these effects varies somewhat predictably across seed dispersal modes and between native and exotic species. These results highlight the importance of landscape‐scale planning for urban conservation.
Long non‐coding RNA FTH1P3 activates paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer through miR‐206/ABCB1
Authors: Wang Ruoming , Zhang Tengteng , Yang Zhen , Jiang Chunxia , Seng Jingjing 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEmerging evidence has indicated the important function of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumour chemotherapy resistance. However, the underlying mechanism is still ambiguous. In this study, we investigate the physiopathologic role of lncRNA ferritin heavy chain 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3) on the paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in breast cancer. Results showed that lncRNA FTH1P3 was up‐regulated in paclitaxel‐resistant breast cancer tissue and cells (MCF‐7/PTX and MDA‐MB‐231/PTX cells) compared with paclitaxel‐sensitive tissue and parental cell lines (MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231). Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments revealed that FTH1P3 silencing decreased the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of paclitaxel and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, while FTH1P3‐enhanced expression exerted the opposite effects. In vivo, xenograft mice assay showed that FTH1P3 silencing suppressed the tumour growth of paclitaxel‐resistant breast cancer cells and ABCB1 protein expression. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay validated that FTH1P3 promoted ABCB1 protein expression through targeting miR‐206, acting as a miRNA “sponge.” In summary, our results reveal the potential regulatory mechanism of FTH1P3 on breast cancer paclitaxel resistance through miR‐206/ABCB1, providing a novel insight for the breast cancer chemoresistance.
Signalling through Src family kinase isoforms is not redundant in models of thrombo‐inflammatory vascular disease
Authors: Harrison Matthew J. , Chimen Myriam , Hussain Mohammed , Iqbal Asif J. , Senis Yotis A. , Nash Gerard B. , Watson Steve P. , Rainger G. Ed 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Src family kinases (SFK) are a group of signalling molecules with important regulatory functions in inflammation and haemostasis. Leucocytes and platelets express multiple isoforms of the SFKs. Previous studies used broad‐spectrum pharmacological inhibitors, or murine models deficient in multiple SFK isoforms, to demonstrate the functional consequences of deficiencies in SFK signalling. Here, we hypothesized that individual SFK operate in a non‐redundant fashion in the thrombo‐inflammatory recruitment of monocyte during atherosclerosis. Using in vitro adhesion assays and single SFK knockout mice crossed with the ApoE−/− model of atherosclerosis, we find that SFK signalling regulates platelet‐dependent recruitment of monocytes. However, loss of a single SFK, Fgr or Lyn, reduced platelet‐mediated monocyte recruitment in vitro. This translated into a significant reduction in the burden of atherosclerotic disease in Fgr−/−/ApoE−/− or Lyn−/−/ApoE−/− animals. SFK signalling is not redundant in thrombo‐inflammatory vascular disease and individual SFK may represent targets for therapeutic intervention.
TWEAK/Fn14 mediates atrial‐derived HL‐1 myocytes hypertrophy via JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Hao Li , Ren Manyi , Rong Bing , Xie Fei , Lin Ming‐jie , Zhao Ya‐chao , Yue Xin , Han Wen‐qiang , Zhong Jing‐quan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAtrial myocyte hypertrophy is one of the most important substrates in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The TWEAK/Fn14 axis is a positive regulator of cardiac hypertrophy in cardiomyopathy. This study therefore investigated the effects of Fn14 on atrial hypertrophy and underlying cellular mechanisms using HL‐1 atrial myocytes. In patients with AF, Fn14 protein levels were higher in atrial myocytes from atrial appendages, and expression of TWEAK was increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while TWEAK serum levels were decreased. In vitro, Fn14 expression was up‐regulated in response to TWEAK treatment in HL‐1 atrial myocytes. TWEAK increased the expression of ANP and Troponin T, and Fn14 knockdown counteracted the effect. Inhibition of JAK2, STAT3 by specific siRNA attenuated TWEAK‐induced HL‐1 atrial myocytes hypertrophy. In conclusion, TWEAK/Fn14 axis mediates HL‐1 atrial myocytes hypertrophy partly through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Efficacy of autogenous tooth roots for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective controlled clinical study
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Hazar Didem , Becker Kathrin , Sader Robert , Becker Jürgen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo assess and compare the efficacy and safety of autogenous tooth roots (TR) and autogenous bone blocks (AB) for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement.Material and MethodsA total of 30 patients in need of implant therapy and lateral ridge augmentation were allocated to parallel groups receiving either (a) healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g. retained wisdom or impacted teeth) (n = 15) or (b) cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area. After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the crestal ridge width (mm) (CW26) being sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites.ResultsSoft tissue healing was uneventful in both groups. CW26 at V isit 6 allowed for a successful implant placement in all patients of both TR (15/15) and AB groups (15/15). Mean CW26 values amounted to 10.06 ± 1.85 mm (median: 11.0) in the TR and 9.20 ± 2.09 mm (median: 8.50) in the AB group, respectively. The difference between both groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.241).ConclusionsTR may serve as an alternative graft to support lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement.
Periodontal treatment limits platelet activation in patients with periodontitis—a controlled‐randomized intervention trial
Authors: Laky Markus , Anscheringer Isabella , Wolschner Lukas , Heber Stefan , Haririan Hady , Schrottmaier Waltraud C. , Kral‐Pointner Julia B. , Salzmann Manuel , Volf Ivo , Moritz Andreas , Assinger Alice 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimPeriodontitis results in platelet activation and enhanced risk for cardiovascular disease. As it is currently unknown whether periodontal treatment reverses platelet hyper‐reactivity, we aimed to investigate the role of periodontal treatment on platelet activation.Materials and MethodsIn a prospective controlled therapeutic trial, 52 patients were enrolled and randomly selected for periodontal treatment or monitored without treatment for 3 months. Patient blood was analysed by flow cytometry for platelet activation markers and by light transmission aggregometry for platelet aggregation in response to pro‐thrombotic stimuli.ResultsIn this study, platelet activation in the control group aggravated over the observation period of 3 months, whereas patients that underwent periodontal treatment showed unchanged levels of platelet activation, measured by surface expression of CD62P, CD40L, generation of reactive oxygen production, activation of GPIIb/IIIa and fibrinogen binding. Moreover, platelet turnover, measured by platelet RNA content and platelet aggregation in response to collagen, differed significantly between patients that were treated and those who were untreated.ConclusionsSubgingival debridement reduces the risk of aggravated platelet activation and therefore might potentially diminish subsequent diseases such as cardiovascular disease in periodontal patients.
Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin in the Oldest Adults with Atrial Fibrillation in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chao‐Lun , Chen Ho‐Min , Liao Min‐Tsun , Lin Ting‐Tse 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness and safety of reduced‐dose dabigatran, reduced‐dose rivaroxaban, and warfarin in individuals aged 85 and older with atrial fibrillation (AF).DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTaiwan National Health Insurance claims database, 2011∼2015.ParticipantsIndividuals with AF aged 85 and older (mean 88.6) with incident use of oral anticoagulants between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2015 (N=4,722; dabigatran 110 mg, n=1,489; rivaroxaban 15 mg/10 mg, n=1,736; warfarin, n=1,497).MeasurementsClinical outcomes included all‐cause death, cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, arterial embolism or thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage needing transfusion. Propensity score–matched analysis was performed, and the marginal proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relative risk of various clinical outcomes in a matched dabigatran‐warfarin cohort (n=1,180 in each group) and a rivaroxaban‐warfarin cohort (n=1,207 in each group)ResultsMean follow‐up was 6.6 months for the overall population. Dabigatran group participants had lower risks of all‐cause death (hazard ratio (HR)=0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.45–0.77) and cardiovascular death (HR=0.45, 95% CI=0.30–0.68) than warfarin group participants. Rivaroxaban users also had lower risks of all‐cause death (HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.47–0.79) and cardiovascular death (HR=0.52, 95% CI=0.35–0.75) than warfarin users. Dabigatran users also had a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than warfarin users (HR=0.31, 95% CI=0.10–0.97).ConclusionIndividuals with AF aged 85 and older who used reduced‐dose dabigatran or reduced‐dose rivaroxaban had statistically significantly lower all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality than those who used warfarin. Reduced‐dose dabigatran was also associated with lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than warfarin.
Dynamic imaging of multiphase flow through porous media using 4D cumulative reconstruction
Authors: D'EURYDICE M.N. , ARNS C.H. , ARNS J.‐Y. , ARMSTRONG R.T. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThis paper introduces an original application on reconstruction strategies for X‐ray computed microtomography, enabling the observation of time‐dependent changes that occur during multiphase flow. In general, by sparsely collecting radiographs, the reconstruction of the object is compromised. Optimizations can be achieved by combining specific characteristics of the dynamics with the acquisition. Herein, the proposed method relies on short random intervals in which no drastic changes occur in the sample to acquire as many radiographs as possible that constitute a reconstructible data set. As these intervals are unpredictable, the method tries to guarantee that the collected radiograph data during these specific intervals are enough to recover useful information about the dynamics. Simulations of a percolating fluid in a digital rock are used to replicate an X‐ray computed microtomography experiment to test the proposed method. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed strategy for imaging multiphase flow in porous media and how data collected during distinct events can be combined to enhance the reconstruction of frames of the percolation process.
Rotenone inhibits axonogenesis via an Lfc/RhoA/ROCK pathway in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Bisbal Mariano , Remedi Mónica , Quassollo Gonzalo , Cáceres Alfredo , Sanchez Mónica 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRotenone, a broad‐spectrum insecticide, piscicide and pesticide, produces a complete and selective suppression of axonogenesis in cultured hippocampal neurons. This effect is associated with an inhibition of actin dynamics through activation of Ras homology member A (RhoA) activity. However, the upstream signaling mechanisms involved in rotenone‐induced RhoA activation were unknown. We hypothesized that rotenone might inhibit axon growth by the activation of RhoA/ROCK pathway because of the changes in microtubule (MT) dynamics and the concomitant release of Lfc, a MT‐associated Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (GEF) for RhoA. In this study, we demonstrate that rotenone decreases MT stability in morphologically unpolarized neurons. Taxol (3 nM), a drug that stabilizes MT, attenuates the inhibitory effect of rotenone (0.1 μM) on axon formation. Radiometric Forster Resonance Energy Transfer, revealed that this effect is associated with inhibition of rotenone‐induced RhoA and ROCK activation. Interestingly, silencing of Lfc, but not of the RhoA GEF ArhGEF1, prevents the inhibitory effect of rotenone on axon formation. Our results suggest that rotenone‐induced MT de‐stabilization releases Lfc from MT thereby promoting RhoA and ROCK activities and the consequent inhibition of axon growth.Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/
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