bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between humans and ungulate prey shape Amur tiger occurrence in a core protected area along the Sino‐Russian border
Authors: Xiao Wenhong , Hebblewhite Mark , Robinson Hugh , Feng Limin , Zhou Bo , Mou Pu , Wang Tianming , Ge Jianping 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLarge carnivore populations are globally threatened by human impacts. Better protection could benefit carnivores, co‐occurring species, and the ecosystems they inhabit. The relationship between carnivores and humans, however, is not always consistent in areas of high human activities and is often mediated through the effects of humans on their ungulate prey. To test assumptions regarding how prey abundance and humans affect carnivore occurrence, density, and daily activity patterns, we assessed tiger–prey–human spatiotemporal patterns based on camera‐trapping data in Hunchun Nature Reserve, a promising core area for tiger restoration in China. Our study area contained seasonally varying levels of human disturbance in summer and winter. We used N‐mixture models to predict the relative abundance of ungulate prey considering human and environmental covariates. We estimated tiger spatial distribution using occupancy models and models of prey relative abundance from N‐mixture models. Finally, we estimated temporal activity patterns of tigers and prey using kernel density estimates to test for temporal avoidance between tigers, prey, and humans. Our results show that human‐related activities depressed the relative abundance of prey at different scales and in different ways, but across species, the relative abundance of prey directly increased tiger occupancy. Tiger occupancy was strongly positively associated with the relative abundance of sika deer in summer and winter. The crepuscular and nocturnal tigers also apparently synchronized their activity with that of wild boar and roe deer. However, tigers temporally avoided human activity without direct spatial avoidance. Our study supports the effects of humans on tigers through human impacts on prey populations. Conservation efforts may not only target human disturbance on predators, but also on prey to alleviate human–carnivore conflict.
Within‐species trade‐offs in plant‐stimulated soil enzyme activity and growth, flowering, and seed size
Authors: Gomola Courtney E. , McKay John K. , Wallenstein Matthew D. , Wagg Cameron , O'Brien Michael J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSoil microbial communities affect species demographic rates of plants. In turn, plants influence the composition and function of the soil microbiome, potentially resulting in beneficial feedbacks that alter their fitness and establishment. For example, differences in the ability to stimulate soil enzyme activity among plant lineages may affect plant growth and reproduction. We used a common garden study to test differences in plant‐stimulated soil enzyme activity between lineages of the same species across developmental stages. Lineages employed different strategies whereby growth, days to flowering and seed size traded‐off with plant‐stimulated soil enzyme activity. Specifically, the smaller seeded lineage stimulated more enzyme activity at the early stage of development and flowered earlier while the larger seeded lineage sustained lower but consistent enzyme activity through development. We suggest that these lineages, which are both successful invaders, employ distinct strategies (a colonizer and a competitor) and differ in their influence on soil microbial activity. Synthesis. The ability to influence the soil microbial community by plants may be an important trait that trades off with growth, flowering, and seed size for promoting plant establishment, reproduction, and invasion.
Males increase call frequency, not intensity, in response to noise, revealing no Lombard effect in the little torrent frog
Authors: Zhao Longhui , Sun Xiaoqian , Chen Qinghua , Yang Yue , Wang Jichao , Ran Jianghong , Brauth Steven E. , Tang Yezhong , Cui Jianguo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNoise is one of the main factors that can influence the processes of sound communication across a wide range of animal groups. Although the effects of ambient noise on animal communication, including anthropogenic noise, have received increasing attention, few studies have examined changes in the fine structure of acoustic signals produced by vocalizing species in constantly noisy environments. Here, we used natural recordings to determine the associations between stream noise and call parameters in the little torrent frog (Amolops torrentis). We also used playbacks of stream noise recorded in natural habitats and playbacks of white noise to examine how male vocal signals change with increasing noise levels. The results show that noise intensity has a significant effect on male call frequency, but not on call amplitude or other call characteristics. Based on this evidence, we suggest that in streamside species stream noise drives males to alter call frequency and call as loudly as possible in order to improve discriminability. These findings provide insights into the role played by ecological selection in the evolution of noise‐dependent anuran vocal plasticity.
No support for the sexy‐sperm hypothesis in the seed beetle: Sons of monandrous females fare better in post‐copulatory competition
Authors: Hook Kristin A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe sexy‐sperm hypothesis posits that polyandrous females derive an indirect fitness benefit from multi‐male mating because they increase the probability their eggs are fertilized by males whose sperm have high fertilizing efficiency, which is assumed to be heritable and conferred on their sons. However, whether this process occurs is contentious because father‐to‐son heritability may be constrained by the genetic architecture underlying traits important in sperm competition within certain species. Previous empirical work has revealed such genetic constraints in the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, a model system in sperm competition studies in which female multi‐male mating is ubiquitous. Using the seed beetle, I tested a critical prediction of the sexy‐sperm hypothesis that polyandrous females produce sons that are on average more successful under sperm competition than sons from monandrous females. Contrary to the prediction of the sexy‐sperm hypothesis, I found that sons from monandrous females had significantly higher relative paternity in competitive double matings. Moreover, post hoc analyses revealed that these sons produced significantly larger ejaculates when second to mate, despite being smaller. This study is the first to provide empirical evidence for post‐copulatory processes favoring monandrous sons and discusses potential explanations for the unexpected bias in paternity.
Repetitive levosimendan infusions for patients with advanced chronic heart failure in the vulnerable post‐discharge period
Authors: Pölzl Gerhard , Allipour Birgani Shadab , Comín‐Colet Josep , Delgado Juan F. , Fedele Francesco , García‐Gonzáles Martín Jesús , Gustafsson Finn , Masip Josep , Papp Zoltán , Störk Stefan , Ulmer Hanno , Vrtovec Bojan , Wikström Gerhard , Altenberger Johann 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHospitalization for acute heart failure (HF) is associated with a substantial morbidity burden and with associated healthcare costs and an increased mortality risk. However, few if any major medical innovations have been witnessed in this area in recent times. Levosimendan is a first‐in‐class calcium sensitizer and potassium channel opener indicated for the management of acute HF. Experience in several clinical studies has indicated that administration of intravenous levosimendan in intermittent cycles may reduce hospitalization and mortality rates in patients with advanced HF; however, none of those trials were designed or powered to give conclusive insights into that possibility. This paper describes the rationale and protocol of LeoDOR (levosimendan infusions for patients with advanced chronic heart failure), a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, international, multicentre trial that will explore the efficacy and safety of intermittent levosimendan therapy, in addition to optimized standard therapy, in patients following hospitalization for acute HF. Salient features of LeoDOR include the use of two treatment regimens, in order to evaluate the effects of different schedules and doses of levosimendan during a 12 week treatment phase, and the use of a global rank primary endpoint, in which all patients are ranked across three hierarchical groups ranging from time to death or urgent heart transplantation or implantation of a ventricular assist device to time to rehospitalization and, lastly, time‐averaged proportional change in N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide. Secondary endpoints include changes in HF symptoms and functional status at 14 weeks.
Photoactive Molecular‐Based Devices, Machines and Materials: Recent Advances
Authors: Baroncini Massimo , Canton Martina , Casimiro Lorenzo , Corra Stefano , Groppi Jessica , La Rosa Marcello , Silvi Serena , Credi Alberto 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Alberto Credi from Università di Bologna and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy. The cover image shows a multiphotochromic molecule and its configurational isomers, which can be reversibly interconverted by light in solution and in the solid state.
Automatic detecting and counting magnetic beads‐labeled target cells from a suspension in a microfluidic chip
Authors: Song Zhenyu , Li Mengqi , Li Bao , Yan Yimo , Song Yongxin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA novel microfluidic method of continually detecting and counting beads‐labeled cells from a cell mixture without fluorescence labeling was presented in this paper. The detection system is composed of a microfluidic chip (with a permanent magnet inserted along the channel), a signal amplification circuit, and a LabView® based data acquisition device. The microfluidic chip can be functionally divided into separation zone and detection zone. By flowing the pre‐labeled sample solution, the target cells will be sequentially separated at the separation zone by the permanent magnet and detected and counted at the detection zone by a microfluidic resistive pulse sensor. Experiments of positive separation and detection of T‐lymphocytes and negative separation and detection of cancer cells from the whole blood samples were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. The methodology of utilizing size difference between magnetic beads and cell‐magnetic beads complex for beads‐labeled cell detection is simple, automatic, and particularly suitable for beads‐based immunoassay without using fluorescence labeling.
E2ARC: Energy‐efficient adaptive resource block allocation with low complexity in device‐to‐device communication
Authors: Gandotra Pimmy , Jha Rakesh Kumar , Jain Sanjeev 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe massive spread of the smart devices demanding high data rate and delay‐sensitized applications has escalated energy consumption levels in the fifth‐generation (5G) wireless communication networks (WCNs). It thus becomes imperative for the mobile network operators to meet the tremendous subscriber demands using energy‐efficient techniques. The limited battery capacities of the mobile terminals (MTs) further make energy efficiency (EE) critical. Device‐to‐device (D2D) communication ensues to be a key enabler technology in the realization of an energy‐efficient 5G WCN. It also serves as a paramount technology for green communication. This paper studies a resource allocation scheme, which iteratively accentuates adaptive reuse of resource blocks (RBs) from the active cellular users to the D2D pairs in a tri‐sectored cell. The cellular users involved in RB allocation to pairs are termed as active. Required count of RBs for each D2D pair is chosen by employing the hidden Markov model. The RB reuse strategy favors enhancement in throughput. The proposed energy‐efficient adaptive RB allocation with low complexity (E2ARC) scheme aims to guarantee ample RBs to individual D2D pairs to optimize the power consumption levels. With advanced throughput and optimal power, augmentation in EE is achieved with a high degree of fairness. E2ARC also comprehends low complexity. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by the simulation results.
Maximizing energy usage in a synergistic organic soil amendments production system for improved soil productivity: A review of opportunities for the drier savannas of nigeria
Authors: Dawaki Mansur Usman , Lado Abdulrahman , Yusuf Maharaz Alhaji , Lawan Bassam A. , Galadanci Umar F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis article presents a review on the opportunities available in the drier savannahs of Northern Nigeria for the production of soil organic amendments to improve soil productivity and enhance carbon sequestration through a synergistic system. The use of soil organic amendments in the farming systems of the drier savannas of Nigeria is below optimal principally because of the low level of awareness among small‐holder farmers in the region and production cost/benefit disadvantage. Given the large quantities of organic wastes generated in expanding cities in the region and non‐feed agricultural waste resources from rural and peri‐urban areas, there is potential to approach waste management from the perspective of waste conversion in a synergistic approach to minimize production cost especially in the form of energy savings. This will enhance the availability of materials such as biochar and compost which have been advocated as two principal materials with properties that can improve poor soils, such as those in the region under consideration. When coupled with risk management and extension strategies targeting farmer education, the products may be adoptable across the vast arable fields in the region thereby maximizing use advantage.
Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction approaches to identification of genetic interactions underlying ordinal traits
Authors: Hou Ting‐Ting , Lin Feng , Bai Shasha , Cleves Mario A. , Xu Hai‐Ming , Lou Xiang‐Yang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe manifestation of complex traits is influenced by gene–gene and gene–environment interactions, and the identification of multifactor interactions is an important but challenging undertaking for genetic studies. Many complex phenotypes such as disease severity are measured on an ordinal scale with more than two categories. A proportional odds model can improve statistical power for these outcomes, when compared to a logit model either collapsing the categories into two mutually exclusive groups or limiting the analysis to pairs of categories. In this study, we propose a proportional odds model‐based generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method for detection of interactions underlying polytomous ordinal phenotypes. Computer simulations demonstrated that this new GMDR method has a higher power and more accurate predictive ability than the GMDR methods based on a logit model and a multinomial logit model. We applied this new method to the genetic analysis of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a causal risk factor for coronary artery disease, in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and identified a significant joint action of theCELSR2, SERPINA12, HPGD,andAPOBgenes. This finding provides new information to advance the limited knowledge about genetic regulation and gene interactions in metabolic pathways of LDL cholesterol. In conclusion, the proportional odds model‐based GMDR is a useful tool that can boost statistical power and prediction accuracy in studying multifactor interactions underlying ordinal traits.
The conceptual introduction of the “demyelinating Schwann cell” in peripheral demyelinating neuropathies
Authors: Park Hwan Tae , Kim Jong Kuk , Tricaud Nicolas 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMyelinating Schwann cells undergo irreversible demyelination in many demyelinating neuropathies that show complete demyelination of the internode. Dedifferentiation, reprogramming, and myelin clearance processes—which are specifically discussed in this article—appear to be shared by various demyelinating peripheral conditions, such as Wallerian degeneration, immune‐mediated, and toxic demyelinating diseases. We propose to introduce the concept of the “demyelinating Schwann cell (DSC)” as a novel cell phenotype, which has specific properties required for myelin sheath clearance. We anticipate that the introduction of the DSC concept will provide a significant advance in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of demyelinating peripheral neuropathies.
A choice experiment to identify the most important elements of a successful cancer screening program according to those who research and manage such programs
Authors: Priaulx Jennifer , Csanádi Marcell , de Koning Harry J. , McKee Martin 
Published: October 2018

SummaryPurposeThe relationship between cancer screening activities in Europe and the health systems in which they are embedded varies, with some screening programs organized largely separately and others using existing health service staff and facilities. Whatever the precise arrangements, the opportunity for screening to achieve health gain depends on many elements interacting within and beyond the health system, from an accurate register identifying the target population to a means to ensure and monitor follow‐up.MethodA conjoint analysis was undertaken with 66 cancer screening experts from 31 countries taking part in EU‐TOPIA (towards improved screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer in all of Europe) to identify priorities for an effective screening program, taking a whole system perspective. Ten attributes, each with two levels, were derived from a review of the literature and consultation with experts in cancer screening. Statistical software generated 12 profiles that were ranked by respondents and analyzed using standard conjoint analysis.Findings and conclusionThe most important attributes were having up‐to‐date and evidence‐based guidelines, followed by mechanisms for systematic monitoring of screening uptake, having a population register covering all of the eligible population and monitoring long‐term outcomes. In discussions about the results, participants argued that quality assurance and adherence to guidelines were important, even though they generated low scores in the experiment. This difference may be due some attributes being interrelated, more wide‐ranging or the sequential nature of establishing an effective screening program, with guidelines being the first stage of the process.
What Can Parents Tell Us About Poverty and Literacy Learning? Listening to Parents Over Time
Authors: Compton‐Lilly Catherine , Delbridge Anne 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this article, the authors use Bourdieu's conceptualization of capital and data from two longitudinal case studies to explore how financial challenges impacted learning opportunities for two children in a high‐poverty urban community. Interview data collected from two African American families over a 10‐year period were analyzed with attention to the role of economic academic capital (resources and experiences that require financial investment and translate to school success) in children's school trajectories. Findings revealed that the families’ homes, schools, and community lacked economic academic capital and that this dearth had dire consequences for the children's academic careers. However, the families could access other forms of capital, namely, embodied academic capital and social academic capital. These findings point to the important role that teachers can play when they act as advocates for students from low‐income backgrounds and their parents when they encounter educational and economic barriers.
Association of TNF‐308 G>A polymorphism located in tumor necrosis factor a with the risk of developing cervical cancer and results of pap smear
Authors: Babapour Nooshin , Mehramiz Mehrane , Rastgar Moghadam Azam , Behboodi Negin , Yousefi Zohre , Maftouh Mona , Talebian Sahar , Khazaei Majid , Jafarian Amirhosein , Sharifi‐Sistani Noorieh , Avan Amir , Hasanzadeh Malihe 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTumor necrosis factor a (TNFa) is an inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune response and the progression of cervical lesions. There is a growing body of data evaluating the value of a genetic variant in the TNFa gene with the risk of developing cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the association of a variant, TNF‐308 G>A, residing in the TNFa gene with cervical cancer. A total of 91 women with cervical cancer and 161 women as the control group were recruited. DNA was extracted, and Taqman®‐probes‐based assay was used for genotyping. Our results showed that the minor allele frequency was 0.3 in total population, and the frequency of minor allele A was more in the case group compared with the control. The regression models in different genetic models also revealed that the allele A is a potential risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. In particular, in the dominant model, patients with AG and AA genotypes had a higher risk of developing cervical cancer with odds ratio (OR) of 2.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57‐4.83, <0.001) and OR of 7.27 (95%CI: 2.5‐20.8, <0.001), compared with the GG genotype. Moreover, a similar outcome was obtained for smear test results. Our study demonstrated that TNF‐308 G>A located on TNF‐a was associated with the risk of cervical cancer, supporting further studies in a larger population and multicenter setting to show the value of emerging markers as risk stratification biomarkers in cervical cancer.
Decellularized breast matrix as bioactive microenvironment for in vitro three‐dimensional cancer culture
Authors: Jin Qin , Liu Gang , Li Shubin , Yuan Haihan , Yun Zhizhong , Zhang Wenqi , Zhang Shu , Dai Yanfeng , Ma Yuzhen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBreast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related death in women with unsatisfactory survival rates. Advances in the understanding of the genetic basis of BC provide the opportunity to develop gene‐based medicines capable of treating metastatic diseases. Here, we first demonstrated efficient tissue engineering approaches applied to normal breast and BC extracellular matrix (ECM) starting from decellularized human biopsies to generate a three‐dimensional (3D) bioactive model with the sodium lauryl ether sulfate solution. The decellularized tissues maximized the genetic component removal from tissues and minimally injured ECM structures and native compositions by histology and ECM compositions analyses. Importantly, we proved that the 3D ECM retained tissues biological properties. We demonstrated that after 30 days of recellularization with MCF‐7 cell (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line), the 3D cancer ECM induced an overexpression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer proliferation. Meanwhile, normal ECM from the breast inhibited EMT and cell growth with the inducement of apoptosis. Given the biological activity preserved in the ECM after decellularization, we believe these approaches are powerful tools for future preclinical research for BC and breast development.