bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landscape structure and ecology influence the spread of a bat fungal disease
Authors: Lilley Thomas M. , Anttila Jani , Ruokolainen Lasse 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

White‐nose syndrome (WNS), affecting multiple North American bat species during the hibernation period, is a highly pathogenic disease caused by the psychrophilic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Because the fungal pathogen persists in the hibernation site environment independently of the hosts, previous theory on spatial disease dynamics cannot predict WNS epidemics. However, the ability to understand factors contributing to the spread of white‐nose syndrome (WNS) in North America is crucial to the management of infected and susceptible bat populations as well as the conservation of threatened and endangered bat species.

Utilizing recent theory on environmental opportunistic pathogens, we modelled the effect of (a) landscape clustering, (b) environmental conditions in hibernacula and (c) microbial competition on the spread of WNS. We used available, already published data to construct and parameterize our model, which takes into account the spatial distribution of hibernation sites, temperature conditions in both the outside ambient and hibernation site environment, bat population dynamics, dispersal and infection by the pathogen, which also has its host‐independent dynamics with the environment. We also consider the effect of outside‐host competition between the pathogen and other micro‐organisms on spatial disease dynamics.

Our model suggests that pathogen loads accumulate in poorly connected hibernacula at short host dispersal, which can help found the epidemic. In contrast, invasion of the landscape is most successful at long host dispersal distances, with homogenous hibernation site distribution and heterogeneous between‐hibernation site temperatures. Also, increasing the mean temperature across hibernacula increases fungal growth rate, leading to higher disease prevalence and faster invasion rate. Increasing spatial heterogeneity in hibernaculum temperatures results in the formation of disease hotspots in warmer hibernacula, facilitating more effective spread of the disease in the landscape. Cold‐adapted competing microbes can prevent invasion, and therefore, overwintering in cold hibernacula increases probability of host survival.

Sites that were suboptimal for overwintering prior to WNS may have importance in preventing local extirpations. Although the model is tailored for WNS, due to pressing need for results that can assist in planning conservation measures, these novel results can be broadly applied to other environmentally transmitted diseases.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Index of host habitat preference explored by movement‐based simulations and trap captures
Authors: Byers John A. , Sadowsky Avraham , Levi−Zada Anat 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Animal species likely have different strengths of host habitat preference (HHP) that might be characterized by a standardized index ranging from 0 (no preference) to 1 (maximum preference). We hypothesized that in some species, HHP may result from individuals dispersing out of the host habitat having a probability of turning back at the boundary, or after entering host habitat by reducing speed or increasing size of turning angles.

Computer simulations of individuals moving between various sized patches of host and nonhost habitat were conducted based on these three behaviours hypothesized to affect HHP.

In the rebounding model, simulations resulted in equilibria of animal numbers inside and outside of host habitat that depend on sizes of these areas, initial number and the rebounding probability. Curvilinear regression of simulation results suggested an equation that predicted numbers in the host habitat and was solved for rebounding probability. A modified equation that sampled population densities (e.g., insect pheromone trap catches) inside and outside host habitat areas gave the rebounding probability, an index of HHP, without requiring the sizes of the areas. Simulations with traps and moving animals verified that the modified equation could predict the index correctly. The modified equation also estimates an index of HHP from sampled densities due to speed reductions and a combination of this and rebounding. Changes in angular turning size upon entering host habitat, however, did not affect habitat preference.

Using pheromone trap captures, we found that the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula has a HHP for date Phoenix dactylifera plantations of 0.96. Host habitat preference indexes also were calculated from sampled insect densities reported in the literature.

The new index of HHP is useful to characterize habitat patches of many organisms and aid understanding of animal spatial distributions and speciation processes. In addition, the index can be applied in studies of invasive species, trap crops of pest insects and conservation management.
Measurements of a ‘normal vulva’ in women aged 15–84: a cross‐sectional prospective single‐centre study
Authors: Kreklau A , Vâz I , Oehme F , Strub F , Brechbühl R , Christmann C , Günthert A 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveAccurate and detailed description of a ‘normal vulva’ is rare, even though a few studies have dealt with the topic of normal measurements of parts of the external female genitalia. This leads to a situation with a wide range of existing diagnoses concerning ‘normal’ vulvar morphology.DesignCross‐sectional prospective single‐centre study.SettingFrom August 2015 to April 2017, we included 657 women in our gynaecological and uro‐gynaecological outpatient clinic of the Cantonal Hospital Lucerne.Population or sampleWe recruited white women aged 15–84 years.MethodsStandardised defined measurements were taken of the clitoral gland, distance from the base of the gland to the urethral orifice, length of introitus, length of perineum, length of labia majora, and length and width of labia minora. Furthermore, we recorded baseline characteristics.Main outcome measuresThe length of labia minora (r = −0.364, P < 0.001, n = 657) as well as the length of the perineum (r = −0.095, P = 0.014, n = 657) are inversely correlated with age. A positive correlation between body mass index and the length of the labia majora (r = 0.150, P < 0.001, n = 657) and the length of the introitus (r = 0.097, P = 0.014, n = 657) was found.ResultsWe provide detailed data on age‐related dimensions and description of the external female genitalia in a homogeneous group of white women.ConclusionWith our data, we present a baseline for the appearance of a normal white vulva, which could be used to establish standards for indications for gynaecological cosmetic surgery.Tweetable abstractThis study presents data on the standard dimensions of the external female genitalia and is, to our knowledge, the biggest cohort presented on this topic by now.
Acetyl Fentanyl: Trends and Concentrations in Metro Detroit
Authors: Avedschmidt Sarah , Schmidt Carl , Isenschmid Daniel , Kesha Kilak , Moons David , Gupta Avneesh 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAcetyl fentanyl (N‐[1‐phenethylpiperidin‐4‐yl]‐N‐phenylacetamide) is a potent opioid analgesic with no medicinal uses. We report deaths between 2016 and 2017 at the Medical Examiner's Office in Detroit, MI where acetyl fentanyl was found in the decedent's blood and compare them to previously published deaths between 2015 and 2016. The recent cases (cohort B) had a mean acetyl fentanyl concentration of 0.9 ng/mL (range: 0.1–5.3 ng/mL) and an associated higher concentration of fentanyl along with multiple other drugs present. The older cases (cohort A) had higher concentrations of acetyl fentanyl (mean: 8.9 ng/mL; range: 0.28–37 ng/mL) with lower, yet still toxic, concentrations of fentanyl. We conclude that the cause of death in these recent cases was likely multiple drug toxicity with fentanyl and that the consistently observed lower peripheral blood concentrations of acetyl fentanyl are most likely an artifact in the manufacture of the consumed illicit fentanyl.
Testing Reliability of the Computational Age‐At‐Death Estimation Methods between Five Observers Using Three‐Dimensional Image Data of the Pubic Symphysis,
Authors: Kim Jieun , Algee‐Hewitt Bridget F.B. , Stoyanova Detelina K. , Figueroa‐Soto Cristina , Slice Dennis E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn an effort to standardize data collection and analysis in age estimation, a series of computational methods utilizing high‐dimensional image data of the age indicator have recently been proposed as an alternative to subjective visual, trait‐to‐phase matching techniques. To systematically quantify the reproducibility of such methods, we investigate the intrascan variability and within‐ and between‐observer reliability in initial scan data capturing and editing using 3D laser scans of the Suchey–Brooks pubic symphysis casts and five shape‐based computational methods. Our results show that (i) five observers with various training background and experience levels edited the scans consistently for all three trials and the derived shape measures and age estimates were in excellent agreement among observers, and (ii) the computational methods are robust to a measured degree of scan trimming error. This study supports the application of computational methods to 3D laser scanned images for reliable age‐at‐death estimation, with reduced subjectivity.
Pax Romana: ‘refuge abandonment’ and spread of fearless behavior in a reconciling world
Authors: Martínez‐Abraín A. , Jiménez J. , Oro D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntense human persecution of wildlife in the past selected for shy individuals that survived in suboptimal refuge habitats. It appears that this long‐term conflict is coming to an end in southern Europe, where direct persecution of wildlife has dramatically decreased due to human abandonment of the rural world and an increase in respectful attitudes toward wildlife. We provide a number of empirical examples of ongoing ‘refuge abandonment’ and the expansion of fearless behavior among southern European wildlife, including island and mainland case studies as well as predator and prey examples. We predict that many ecological refugees will increasingly abandon their historical refuges (of which many currently coincide with protected areas), and that the frequency of fearless behaviors will increase via cultural habituation and natural selection in populations of mammals and birds that were formerly persecuted. We also suggest that this has been a nonlinear process, which began considerably earlier than it became evident, with a long latent inertial regime, and a relatively rapid transition to a state of refuge abandonment and occupation of new, more anthropogenic habitats. The process of refuge abandonment and expansion of fearless behaviors will bring a new paradigm regarding human–wildlife relationships. It will also force changes in policies to protect high‐quality sites that are currently unoccupied and unprotected. Refuge abandonment may form a completely new research agenda and should be taken into account when studying patterns of wildlife dispersal or dynamics of spatially structured populations, among other relevant topics.
Religious Television and Contesting Piety in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Kazi Taha 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTDespite acknowledging the democratizing potential of Islamic broadcast media for religious authority, Islamic debate, and Islamic interpretation, virtually all anthropological scholarship on Islam and media has tended to focus on the revivalist impetus of this nexus. Some key issues with this scholarship are its essentialization of Islamic television viewers as driven by an overriding sense of aspirational piety and its delineation of Muslim self‐reflexivity as exclusively geared toward the cultivation of a pious disposition. By focusing on the contradictory ways in which people in Karachi, Pakistan, turned to religious talk shows, to avoid and contest established Islamic practices and concepts they considered incommensurate with their everyday lives and worldviews, this article argues for a more nuanced understanding of Islamic media movements in which the complexity of the Muslim engagement with Islam and the ambivalent and contradictory outcomes of Islam's proliferation on media are both accounted for. [religious television, everyday practice, contesting piety, Islamic tradition, Islam]
Editorial: real‐life data confirm efficacy of elbasvir/grazoprevir in HCV patients with severe kidney disease—Author's reply
Authors: Flamm S. L. 
Published: June 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Flamm et al and Rumi and Occhipinti papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14635 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14792.
Theoretical and practical study of the cefoxitin‐Escherichia coli PBP5 complex interaction by molecular dynamics to obtain computational prototype of antimicrobial susceptibility to Gram negative bacteria
Authors: Silva Thaís Boulhosa Barros da , Monteiro Marta Chagas , Borges Rosivaldo dos Santos , Barros Tainá Guimarães , Carneiro Agnaldo da Silva , Barros Carlos Augusto Lima 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) are important biological target for new antibacterial drugs development. This study focused on molecular interaction between cefoxitin and the Escherichia coli PBP5 by molecular dynamics (MD) using hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations approach, searching to develop a computational simulations prototype method on antimicrobial susceptibility of gram‐negative bacteria against antibiotics. Escherichia coliATCC 8739 strain susceptibility for the drugs used in the antimicrobial susceptibility testing and selection of bioactive molecules against resistant strain. The protonation revealed a deprotonate state for His146, His151, His216, and His320 residues. The complex was stabilized after 0.6 ns of MD simulation. The global interaction means for inhibition zone diameters of E. coliATCC8739 strain and cefoxitin were 24.33 mm no showing significant difference between computational and experimental methods. Our computational simulation method can reliably be performed as a molecular modeling prototype for gram‐negative antimicrobial susceptibility testing bacteria.
Mexican‐Origin Youth's Cultural Orientations and Values: Do Older Sisters and Brothers Matter?
Authors: Rodríguez De Jesús Sue A. , Updegraff Kimberly A. , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. , McHale Susan M. , Zeiders Katharine H. 
Published: June 2018

Family is an important context for cultural development, but little is known about the contributions of siblings. This study investigated whether older siblings’ cultural orientations and familism values predicted changes in younger siblings’ cultural orientations and familism values across 2 years and tested sibling characteristics and younger siblings’ modeling as moderators. Participants were 246 Mexican‐origin younger (Mage = 17.72; SD = 0.57) and older siblings (Mage = 20.65; SD = 1.57) and their parents. Findings revealed that older siblings’ Anglo orientations and familism values interacted with younger siblings’ modeling: When younger siblings reported high modeling, older siblings’ Anglo orientations and values predicted increases in younger siblings’ Anglo orientations and values. Discussion highlights the importance of siblings in cultural socialization.
Cushing's disease in older patients: Presentation and outcome
Authors: Qiao Nidan , Swearingen Brooke , Tritos Nicholas A. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundTo define the symptoms, signs and treatment outcomes in a population of older patients with Cushing's disease (CD).MethodsWe analysed the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes in 45 CD patients older than 60 years, in comparison with 90 CD patients younger than 60, and a control group of 45 older patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. We reviewed preoperative clinical characteristics, medical comorbidities, imaging findings and endocrine testing as well as surgical and endocrine outcomes.ResultsOlder CD patients had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.031), were more likely to have muscle wasting (P = 0.006) and women were less likely to have hirsutism (P = 0.033). Older patients with CD had more medical comorbidities than younger patients, which correlated with a higher ASA grade (P < 0.001), but the surgical complication rates were similar in both groups. Surgical remission was achieved in 38/45 (84.4%) older patients and 78/90 (86.7%) younger patients (P = NS). Recurrent disease was more frequent in younger patients (19.2%) in comparison with older patients (2.6%, P = 0.019).ConclusionsOlder patients with CD appear to have a distinct phenotype with a more catabolic picture, including a lower BMI and greater prevalence of muscle wasting. Surgical outcomes are similar without a significant age‐related increase in complications.
Poor ecological representation by an expensive reserve system: Evaluating 35 years of marine protected area expansion
Authors: Jantke Kerstin , Jones Kendall R. , Allan James R. , Chauvenet Alienor L.M. , Watson James E.M. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGlobal areal protection targets have driven a dramatic expansion of the marine protected area (MPA) estate. We analyzed how cost‐effective global MPA expansion has been since the inception of the first global target (set in 1982) in achieving ecoregional representation. By comparing spatial patterns of MPA expansion against optimal MPA estates using the same expansion rates, we show the current MPA estate is both expensive and ineffective. Although the number of ecoregions represented tripled and 12.7% of national waters was protected, 61% of ecoregions and 81% of countries are not 10% protected. Only 10.3% of the national waters of the world would be sufficient to protect 10% of each ecoregion if MPA growth since 1982 strategically targeted underrepresented ecoregions. Unfortunately 16.3% of national waters are required for the same representative target if systematic protection started in 2016 (an extra 3.6% on top of 12.7%). To avoid the high costs of adjusting increasingly biased MPA systems, future efforts should embrace target‐driven systematic conservation planning.
Perceptual and arterial occlusion responses to very low load blood flow restricted exercise performed to volitional failure
Authors: Dankel Scott J. , Jessee Matthew B. , Mattocks Kevin T. , Buckner Samuel L. , Mouser J. Grant , Bell Zachary W. , Abe Takashi , Loenneke Jeremy P. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryPurposeStudies examining perceptual and arterial occlusion responses between blood flow restricted exercise and high load exercise often prescribe an arbitrary number of repetitions, making it difficult for direct comparisons. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare these protocols when performed to volitional failure.MethodsIndividuals completed four exercise conditions varying in load and pressure: (i) 15% 1RM; no restrictive pressure, (ii) 15% 1RM; 40% arterial occlusion pressure, (iii) 15% 1RM; 80% arterial occlusion pressure, and (iv) 70% 1RM; no pressure. Four sets of knee extension exercises were performed until volitional failure (or until 90 repetitions per set) was completed.ResultsA total of 23 individuals completed the study. While all conditions increased arterial occlusion pressure, the greatest increases (~30%) were observed in the blood flow restriction conditions. All lower load conditions resulted in greater RPE and discomfort than that of the high load condition, but only discomfort was increased further when adding blood flow restriction.ConclusionHigh load exercise will likely be perceived more favourably than lower load exercise to volitional failure; however, those who are incapable or unwilling to lift heavier loads may use blood flow restriction to help reduce the volume needed to reach volitional failure, although this will likely increase discomfort.
Macroeconomic policy tools to finance gender equality
Authors: Seguino Stephanie 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFeminist economists and heterodox macroeconomists have contributed substantively to the body of research that explores the distributional effects of macro policies. This work explicitly addresses the livelihood problems created by neoliberalism and, in addition, it provides a pathway for identifying financing mechanisms. Building on earlier work by Seguino and Grown (2006), this article synthesizes and elaborates the major contributions of this body of gender and macro research and, from this, extrapolates macro‐level policies and tools that support gender equality. Among the tools identified is targeted government spending on physical and social infrastructure, the latter a relatively new conceptual tool that is discussed in detail. A key argument is that financing for gender equality that raises economy‐wide productivity can be self‐sustaining. As a result, both physical and social infrastructure spending have the ability to create fiscal space. This possibility offers a financing framework for gender equality expenditures. A contribution of this article is to critique mainstream monetary policies and identify alternative approaches that expand the toolkit to achieve gender equality goals.
Periparturient and early lactation performance and metabolism of replacement Holstein‐Friesian heifers out‐wintered on fodder beet or perennial ryegrass compared with winter housing
Authors: Atkins Norton E. , Bleach Emma C. L. , Sinclair Liam A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe effect of winter feeding system on the periparturient performance and early milk production and metabolism of pregnant Holstein‐Friesian dairy heifers destined for a high‐output, total mixed ration (TMR)‐based system was examined. Forty‐eight, 23 ± 0.4‐month‐old, in‐calf Holstein‐Friesian heifers were assigned to one of three treatments: out‐wintered on perennial ryegrass and grass silage (G), out‐wintered on fodder beet and grass silage (F) or housed and fed grass silage and concentrate (H). The study commenced in November 2013, with heifers on treatment for 91 days, housed from 6 weeks prior to parturition and fed a dry cow TMR. Postpartum performance and metabolism were monitored for 12 weeks. Prepartum, average daily gain was lower in heifers receiving G at 0.95 kg d−1 cow−1 than F or H (1.24 and 1.11 kg d−1 cow−1 respectively). Body condition score of heifers that received G was also lower compared with treatments F or H both pre‐ and postpartum. Prepartum, plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations were lowest in animals receiving treatment H, highest in F and intermediate in G, but did not differ between treatment postpartum. Milk yield averaged 30.7 kg d−1 cow−1 and was not affected by treatment, but milk fat content was lowest in animals that received F (35.4, 37.1 and 37.9 g/kg for F, G and H respectively). The results indicate that out‐wintering in‐calf dairy heifers on fodder beet or perennial ryegrass is a viable alternative to winter housing in high‐output TMR‐based milk production systems in a temperate region.