bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conductorless singing group: a particular kind of self-managed team?
Authors: Page-Shipp Roy , Joseph Dawn , van Niekerk Caroline 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
Coordination of group activity is rarely more important than in a singing group that has no designated conductor. This paper aims to explore the group dynamics in an 11-man singing group whose members, all over 60, have without exception occupied senior leadership positions in their working careers. The study arose because responses to a wider research study revealed interesting perceptions of leadership issues in the group.

Design/methodology/approach
All the members participated in semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis of the responses was used to process the responses. This enabled the identification of practices that support the group’s success and illustrated how this group of practiced “leaders” respond to a (relatively) conductorless situation.

Findings
It was confirmed that the group exhibits several characteristics of self-managed teams and string quartets. All members felt empowered to take a lead, although their backgrounds might have predisposed them to take such initiatives anyway. But the long-serving female accompanist is, by virtue inter alia of her superior musicianship, which appears to overcome any gender bias, in many respects the de facto leader. In performance, the singers synchronize their singing in response to cues from each other, but this could work better if given more specific attention.

Originality/value
Whereas conducted choirs have been extensively studied, such a self-managed group of amateur singers, all of whom are accustomed to leading in their working careers, has apparently not been studied. This study sheds some light on techniques for overcoming the challenges of creating quality performance in such a group and insights for similar groups, not necessarily musical, are identified.
Dryland soils in northern China sequester carbon during the early 2000s warming hiatus period
Authors: Kou Dan , Ma Wenhong , Ding Jinzhi , Zhang Beibei , Fang Kai , Hu Huifeng , Yu Jianchun , Wang Tian , Qin Shuqi , Zhao Xia , Fang Jingyun , Yang Yuanhe 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Drylands, covering c. 45% of the Earth's terrestrial surface and supporting c. 38% of the global population, play a dominant role in the trend and interannual variability of global land carbon (C) sink. Given that a large proportion of organic C is stored in soils, our knowledge on soil C dynamics in drylands is crucial to evaluate terrestrial C‐climate feedback. However, credible understanding on this issue is still greatly limited by the lack of direct observations.

Here, based on a regional resampling of historical sites collected during 2002–2004, we explored the soil organic C (SOC) changes in various layers over the past decade across the arid/semi‐arid grasslands on the Inner Mongolian Plateau.

Our results revealed that the SOC density in this typical dryland increased significantly over the monitoring period, with a mean increase in 50.6 g C m−2 year−1 or 0.8% per year in the top 50 cm depth. Moreover, soil C dynamics exhibited contrasting spatial patterns between different layers: the rate of C accumulation in surface soils (0–10 cm) decreased, whereas that in deep soils (30–50 cm) exhibited an increasing trend along the aridity gradient.

Collectively, these findings demonstrate that dryland soils function as an important C sink, with the drier region tending to sequester C in deeper soils due to the greater root biomass allocation.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Dark pigmentation limits thermal niche position in birds
Authors: Galván Ismael , Rodríguez‐Martínez Sol , Carrascal Luis M. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Animal pigmentation has evolved because of several adaptive functions. In the case of pigmentation produced by melanins, the most common pigments in animals, the main function is protection against UV radiation. However, pigmentation also affects animal surface's ability to absorb solar radiation and gain heat, which may represent a thermal constraint for endotherms due to their relatively high and constant body temperatures.

As darker colours absorb more radiation than lighter colours, dark‐pigmented endotherm animals may exhibit limited performance under high ambient temperatures and thus be constrained at occupying hot environments. While the influence of pigmentation on the determination of the thermal niches of ectotherms, particularly reptiles, has been the focus of several studies, this remains an unexplored issue for endotherm animals.

Here, we made a detailed quantification of the expression of pigmentation phenotypes produced by melanins in 96 species of birds inhabiting the Spanish sector of the Iberian Peninsula and estimated their climate niche position by calculating the effects of ambient temperature, insolation and precipitation on bird occurrence at a fine 10 × 10 km spatial scale.

After controlling for the body size and the nocturnal condition of species, and for phylogenetic and spatial effects, we found a positive association between plumage reflectance and the functional response of bird distribution to spring–summer ambient temperature and insolation but not to precipitation. Thus, bird species preferentially occupying the hotter and sunnier areas of Spain exhibit lighter plumage pigmentation.

Our findings suggest that darker birds are limited from occupying environments with high temperatures, unveiling a constraint in endotherms imposed by their pigmentation phenotype.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Coordinated species importation policies are needed to reduce serious invasions globally: The case of alien bumblebees in South America
Authors: Aizen Marcelo A. , Smith‐Ramírez Cecilia , Morales Carolina L. , Vieli Lorena , Sáez Agustín , Barahona‐Segovia Rodrigo M. , Arbetman Marina P. , Montalva José , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Inouye David W. , Harder Lawrence D. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

The global trade of species promotes diverse human activities but also facilitates the introduction of potentially invasive species into new environments. As species ignore national boundaries, unilateral national decisions concerning species trade set the stage for transnational species invasion with significant conservation, economic and political consequences.

The need for a coordinated approach to species importation policies is demonstrated by the introduction of two bumblebee species into Chile for crop pollination, despite Argentina banning commercial importation of alien bumblebees based on expert opinion. The large garden bumblebee, Bombus ruderatus, was first introduced in 1982, and the buff‐tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, has been continually introduced since 1997 as part of the burgeoning bumblebee trade. Both species have subsequently invaded southern South America. Today, the consequences of the growth of the bumblebee trade for agricultural pollination ranks among the top 15 emerging environmental issues likely to affect global diversity.

Documented impacts of these invasions include the severe decline and local extinctions of the sole native Patagonian bumblebee, Bombus dahlbomii, pathogen transmission, flower damage and nectar robbing of native and cultivated plants.

Policy implications. The South American bumblebee invasions portrayed here should alert governments to the unintended consequences of the booming international bee trade. More broadly, this case demonstrates that one country's importation decisions can have policy implications for its neighbours without consultation. Regrettably, coordinated international measures to prevent species invasions are seldom considered in South America or elsewhere, despite existing legal frameworks. The bumblebee case and others provide stark evidence of the pressing need for coordinated specific and general international policies concerning global species trade and their implementation.
Native grass ground covers provide multiple ecosystem services in Californian vineyards
Authors: Daane Kent M. , Hogg Brian N. , Wilson Houston , Yokota Glenn Y. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Mechanisms responsible for the success or failure of agricultural diversification are often unknown. Most studies of arthropod pest management focus on enhancing natural enemy effectiveness. However, non‐crop plants can also change crop host quality by reducing or adding soil nutrients or water, and therefore improve or hamper pest suppression. Native perennial ground covers may provide food or habitat to natural enemies and, in terms of competition for soil nutrients or water, be more compatible with crop management than exotic annuals.

We conducted a 3‐year vineyard study to examine the impacts of native perennial grasses on pests, natural enemies, crop plant condition and soil properties. We included three ground cover treatments: bare soil with a grower standard drip irrigation; native grasses with drip irrigation; and native grasses with drip irrigation as well as an additional flood irrigation to keep the grasses green and growing during the season.

Numbers of leafhopper pests Erythroneura spp. decreased in both native grass treatments, where parasitism rates were higher. Vine petiole nitrate levels were lower in grass treatments, indicating competition for soil nitrogen, which is most often considered to be detrimental. Berry weight was higher in the irrigated treatment but did not differ between the bare soil and non‐irrigated grass treatment. Grape °Brix was similar in the bare soil and native grass treatments, suggesting native grasses did not compromise grape quality. In fact, leaf water stress was lower and soil moisture higher not only in the irrigated grass treatment but, at times, in the non‐irrigated grass treatment, compared with the bare soil treatment.

Synthesis and applications. Our work shows that native grasses contribute to a reduction in vineyard leafhopper pests by reducing host quality through competition for soil nitrogen and providing food resources and/or habitat for natural enemies. Native grasses also improve soil water content and may be part of a water conservation program for perennial crops in dry climate regions.
Vitamin B complex mitigates cardiac dysfunction in high‐methionine diet‐induced hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Jeremic Jovana , Nikolic Turnic Tamara , Zivkovic Vladimir , Jeremic Nevena , Milosavljevic Isidora , Srejovic Ivan , Obrenovic Radmila , Jancic Snezana , Rakocevic Milena , Matic Stevan , Djuric Dragan , Jakovljevic Vladimir 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThis research is designed to test the hypothesis that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels in vivo, caused by a deficit in vitamin B complex, promote changes in cardiac function and redox status that lead to heart failure. In order to conduct the study, we used adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 30; 4 weeks old; 100 ± 15 g body weight). Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) in these animals was achieved by dietary manipulation. For 4 weeks, the animals were fed with a standard rodent chow (control, CF), a diet enriched in methionine with no deficiency in B vitamins (i.e., folic acid, B6 and B12) (HMNV) or a diet enriched in methionine and deficient in B vitamins (HMLV). After 28 days of dietary manipulation, all animals were killed. The rat hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a gradually increasing perfusion pressure. We found a negative correlation between elevated serum Hcy and total body and heart weight. The maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development was significantly increased in the HMNV group compared with in the other groups. Systolic left ventricular pressure was significantly changed in all groups. HHcy induces remodelling of the cardiac tissues, as moderate HHcy is associated with more prominent interstitial and perivascular fibrosis. Our results suggest that a high methionine diet without vitamin B complex causes profound negative effects associated with HHcy.
Transferring biodiversity models for conservation: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Sequeira Ana M. M. , Bouchet Phil J. , Yates Katherine L. , Mengersen Kerrie , Caley M. Julian 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

After decades of extensive surveying, knowledge of the global distribution of species still remains inadequate for many purposes. In the short to medium term, such knowledge is unlikely to improve greatly given the often prohibitive costs of surveying and the typically limited resources available.

By forecasting biodiversity patterns in time and space, predictive models can help fill critical knowledge gaps and prioritise research to support better conservation and management.

The ability of a model to predict biodiversity metrics in novel environments is termed “transferability,” and models with high transferability will be the most useful in this context.

Despite their potentially broad utility, little guidance exists on what confers high transferability to biodiversity models.

We synthesise recent advances in biodiversity model transfers to facilitate increased understanding of what underpins successful model transferability, demonstrating that a consistent approach has so far been lacking but is essential for achieving high levels of repeatability, transparency and accountability of model transfers.

We provide a set of guidelines to support efficient learning and the improvement of model transferability.
CD117‐ and vimentin‐positive telocytes in the bovine teat sphincter
Authors: Wagener M. G. , Leonhard‐Marek S. , Häger J.‐D. , Pfarrer C. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryMastitis is a common economically relevant problem in dairy farming. As the major entry for pathogens is the papillary duct, one of the first defence mechanisms is the teat sphincter. This sphincter shows a rhythmic contractility of yet unknown origin. Searching for possible modulatory pacemaker cells, teat sphincters of eight cows were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against CD117 and vimentin and evaluated microscopically for the presence of telocytes. CD117‐ and vimentin‐positive telocytes with telopodes were found in close contact with smooth muscle cells. Our findings present a first evidence of telocytes in the teat of bovines.
Identification of African antelope species: Using thermographic videos to test the efficacy of real‐time thermography
Authors: Goodenough Anne E. , Carpenter William S. , MacTavish Lynne , Theron Charles , Delbridge Matthew , Hart Adam G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractReal‐time thermography using the live‐view function of a thermal camera has considerable potential to improve surveys of nocturnal wildlife relative to traditional spotlighting, while also decreasing disturbance. However, ability to identify species accurately is paramount. We use video as a proxy for real‐time thermography to test African antelope identification accuracy among 34 observers of differing experience. Overall accuracy was 41% but there were substantial species‐specific differences (e.g. wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) = 81%; reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) = 12%). Observer experience was significantly positively related to accuracy (inexperienced = 30%; expert = 61%) with experienced observers being better able to use subtle movement and behavioural information to identify animals. However, the effect of experience was inconsistent between species: even experts found some species challenging (e.g. waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) where coat patterning was invisible thermographically). Self‐assessed confidence did not correlate with accuracy. Observers who were good at identifying species were also good at assessing group size. We conclude that real‐time thermography is not a “magic bullet” and the understanding of species‐specific effectiveness is vital. However, for some species and some groups of observers, accuracy can be extremely high (e.g. 100% for expert observers viewing wildebeest). Tailored training is essential for real‐time thermography to be a reliable field technique.
Preclinical In Vitro Safety Investigations of Submicron Sized Hemoglobin Based Oxygen Carrier HbMP‐700
Authors: Kao Ijad , Xiong Yu , Steffen Axel , Smuda Kathrin , Zhao Lian , Georgieva Radostina , Pruss Axel , Bäumler Hans 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are being developed as oxygen and plasma volume‐expanding therapeutics though their potential to promote oxidative tissue injury and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging combined with vasoconstriction has raised safety concerns. Therefore, we focused on these aspects during preclinical studies performed with the recently introduced hemoglobin microparticles (HbMP‐700). Besides oxidative stress, we investigated possible vasoconstrictory influence of HBOCs as well as genetic toxicity. The novel developed HbMP‐700 presented here provides a high oxygen affinity which prevents premature oxygen oversupply and avoids vasoconstriction of small blood vessels in vitro. The size of these particles is 700 nm (larger than 100 nm and smaller than 1000 nm) in order to prevent penetration through the blood vessel's endothelial gaps, NO‐scavenging, and to avoid phagocytosis of large particles. We expect that the HbMP‐700 meets the sophisticated requirements as a universal blood substitute.
Mechanical and Chemical Predifferentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Cardiomyocytes and Their Effectiveness on Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Abd Emami Baharak , Mahmoudi Elena , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Dehghan Mohammad Mehdi , Farzad Mohajeri Saeed , Haghighipour Nooshin , Marjanmehr Seyyed Hossein , Molazem Mohammad , Amin Susan , Gholami Hossein 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMyocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death all over the world. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has shown a promising potential to recovery of ischemic heart disease due to their capability in differentiating into cardiac cells. However, various investigations have been performed to optimize the efficacy of cardiac cell therapy in recent years. Here, we sought to interrogate the effect of autologous transplantation of undifferentiated and predifferentiated adipose and bone marrow‐derived MSCs in a rabbit model of myocardial infarction and also to investigate whether cardiac function could be improved by mechanically induced MSCs via equiaxial cyclic strain. The two sources of MSCs were induced toward cardiomyocyte phenotype using mechanical loading and chemical factors and thereafter injected into the infarcted myocardium of 35 rabbits. Echocardiography and histopathology studies were used to evaluate cardiac function after 2 months. The results demonstrated significant scar size reduction and greater recovery of left ventricle ejection fraction after transplantation of predifferentiated cells, though the differences were not significant when comparing mechanically with chemically predifferentiated MSCs. Thus, although there was no significant improvement in infarcted myocardium between chemically and mechanically predifferentiated MSCs, mechanically induced cells are more preferred due to lack of any chemical intervention and cost reasonableness in their preparation method. Outcomes of this study may be useful for developing future therapeutic strategies, however long‐term assessments are still required to further examine their effectiveness.
Systematic review: adrenal insufficiency secondary to swallowed topical corticosteroids in eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Philpott H. , Dougherty M. K. , Reed C. C. , Caldwell M. , Kirk D. , Torpy D. J. , Dellon E. S. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundSwallowed topical corticosteroids are prescribed for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but there is a theoretical risk of adrenal insufficiency from their use.AimsTo determine if the use of topical corticosteroids to treat EoE is associated with the development of adrenal insufficiency.MethodWe conducted a systematic review of the published literature from January 1, 1950 to April 1, 2017 using Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central. Studies and meeting abstracts were included that described patients with EoE who received swallowed topical corticosteroids and any investigation for adrenal insufficiency.ResultsThe search revealed 1610 unique publications, and 17 met inclusion criteria. There were 7 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 6 prospective observational studies, 3 retrospective observational studies, and 1 case report. Cortisol measurements were performed on 596 individuals with EoE who received topical corticosteroids. Adrenal testing was abnormal, as defined by each study, in 94/596 patients (crude rate of 15.8%). Only 2 studies were considered to have a low risk of bias, being randomised controlled trials that estimated adrenal insufficiency in the active treatment and placebo groups, before and after treatment. None of the seven randomised controlled trials demonstrated statistically significantly different rates of adrenal insufficiency between topical corticosteroid and placebo over treatment intervals of 2‐12 weeks.ConclusionTopical corticosteroids were associated with adrenal insufficiency in a minority of patients. Most cases came from uncontrolled observational studies, with widely varying definitions of adrenal insufficiency. Longer follow‐up and larger controlled studies are needed to quantify the risk of adrenal insufficiency with maintenance topical corticosteroid therapy in EoE.
Genetic evaluation of reproductive potential in the Zatorska goose under a conservation program
Authors: Graczyk Magdalena , Andres Krzysztof , Kapkowska Ewa , Szwaczkowski Tomasz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and inbreeding effect on the fertility, embryo mortality and hatchability traits in the Zatorska goose covered by the animal genetic resources conservation program. The material for this study contains information about results of hatching of 18 863 eggs from 721 dams and 168 sires, laid between 1998–2015. Genetic parameters were estimated based on the threshold animal model by the use of Restricted Maximum Likelihood and Gibbs sampling. The percentage of fertilized eggs ranged yearly between 37–80%. The percentage of embryo mortality was very low, ranging between 4.63–23.73%. The percentage of the hatched goslings from the total number of analyzed eggs was on average 33.18%, and 53.72% from fertilized eggs. On average based on both methods, the heritability estimates of the fertility, embryo mortality and hatchability reached 0.36, 0.07, 0.24 for males and 0.44, 0.11, 0.32 for females. The genetic trend had increasing tendency for fertility and hatchability and was stable for embryo mortality for both sexes. The obtained result shows that the Zatorska goose can be still maintained in the reserves of the local gene pool according to current rules and use in the local market as a breed with good reproductive potential.