bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Molecular Classification of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Opens New Treatment Opportunities
Authors: Trilla-Fuertes Lucía , Gámez-Pozo Angelo , Prado-Vázquez Guillermo , Zapater-Moros Andrea , Díaz-Almirón Mariana , Arevalillo Jorge M , Ferrer-Gómez María , Navarro Hilario , Maín Paloma , Espinosa Enrique , Pinto Álvaro , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundMuscle-invasive bladder tumors are associated with high risk of relapse and metastasis even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy. Therefore, further therapeutic options are needed and molecular characterization of the disease may help to identify new targets.ObjectiveThe aim of this work is to characterize muscle-invasive bladder tumors at molecular levels using computational analyses.Design, Settings and ParticipantsThe TCGA cohort of muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients was used to describe these tumors.Outcome Measurements and Statistical AnalysisProbabilistic graphical models, layer analyses based on sparse k-means coupled with Consensus Cluster, and Flux Balance Analysis were applied to characterize muscle-invasive bladder tumors at functional level.ResultsLuminal and Basal groups were identified, and an immune molecular layer with independent value was also described. Luminal tumors had decreased activity in the nodes of epidermis development and extracellular matrix, and increased activity in the node of steroid metabolism leading to a higher expression of androgen receptor.This fact points to androgen receptor as a therapeutic target in this group. Basal tumors were highly proliferative according to Flux Balance Analysis, which make these tumors good candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Immune-high group had higher expression of immune biomarkers, suggesting that this group may benefit from immune therapy.ConclusionsOur approach, based on layer analyses, established a Luminal group candidate for androgen receptor inhibitor therapy, a proliferative Basal group which seems to be a good candidate for chemotherapy, and an immune-high group candidate for immunotherapy.Patient SummaryMuscle-invasive bladder cancer has a poor prognosis in spite of appropriate therapy. Therefore, it is still necessary to characterize these tumors to propose new therapeutic targets. In this work we used computational analyses to characterize these tumors and propose treatments.
Electric field dependent effects of motor cortical TDCS
Authors: Laakso Ilkka , Mikkonen Marko , Koyama Soichiro , Ito Daisuke , Yamaguchi Tomofumi , Hirata Akimasa , Tanaka Satoshi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) can modulate motor cortical excitability. However, its after-effects are highly variable between individuals. Individual cranial and brain anatomy may contribute to this variability by producing varying electric fields in each subject’s brain. Here we show that these fields are related to excitability changes following anodal TDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1). We found in two experiments (N=28 and N=9) that the after-effects of TDCS were proportional to the individual electric field in M1, calculated using MRI-based models. Individuals with the lowest and highest local electric fields in M1 tended to produce opposite changes in excitability. Furthermore, the effect was field-direction dependent and non-linear with stimulation duration or other experimental parameters. The electric field component pointing into the brain was negatively proportional to the excitability changes following 1 mA 20 min TDCS of right M1 (N=28); the effect was opposite after 1 mA 10 min TDCS of left M1 (N=9). Our results demonstrate that a large part of variability in the after-effects of motor cortical TDCS is due to inter-individual differences in the electric fields. We anticipate that individualized electric field dosimetry could be used to control the neuroplastic effects of TDCS, which is increasingly being explored as a treatment for various neuropsychiatric diseases.
Workplace incivility, psychological distress, and the protective effect of co-worker support
Authors: Geldart Sybil , Langlois Lacey , Shannon Harry S. , Cortina Lilia M. , Griffith Lauren , Haines Ted 
Published: May 2018

PurposePrevious in-depth focus groups found that postal workers employed by a crown corporation in Canada identified a lack of respect in the workplace. A lack of respect or discourteous behavior might be better understood as a phenomenon of workplace incivility. The purpose of this paper is to report a larger cross-sectional survey to determine: the magnitude of workplace incivility among Canadian postal workers; any association between incivility and indicators of worker well-being; and, the potential buffering benefits of social support from co-workers.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire packages were mailed to nearly 2,000 employees of Canada Post Corporation, asking for anonymous responses to questions about their job, demographics, satisfaction and commitment, treatment in the workplace, and well-being.FindingsMore than 82 percent of 950 respondents reported at least some workplace incivility. After controlling for demographic and work factors, incivility explained significant variation in worker burnout, anxiety, depression, and hostility (i.e. adjustedR2values ranged from 5 to 46). In addition, the association between incivility and worker anxiety, depression, and hostility was reduced when workers reported greater social support from co-workers.Research limitations/implicationsIncivility is more than just a minor or infrequent source of psychological distress for people working in service. However, a positive outcome is that co-worker support helps reduce the adverse effects of rude and discourteous behavior.Originality/valueTo our knowledge, this was the first large-scale survey exploring workplace incivility in the public postal service. The data from a large sample of postal workers across Canada suggest that the treatment of employees is an ongoing problem at this organization. This research is relevant for understanding workplace interactions and health in the service sector in Canada, though the authors expect it is germane also to other occupations worldwide.
Selection for seed size: The unexpected effects of water availability and density
Authors: Larios Eugenio , Venable David Lawrence 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Seed size is a functional trait with important fitness consequences that potentially extend throughout the life cycle of plants. Dithyrea californica experiences selection for larger seeds in postgermination stages but it is still uncertain how environmental factors mediate the strength and the direction of natural selection on seed size.

Dithyrea californica represents a unique opportunity to investigate selection on seed size in natural conditions due to a persistent seed ring that stays attached to the root throughout the plant’s life. This makes it possible to unearth plants at any stage and measure the size of the seed from which they originated.

We conducted a factorial experiment manipulating water availability and intraspecific competition using plants that naturally germinated in the wild.

Selection on seed size via survivorship was nil because all individuals survived to reproduce. The strength and the direction of selection on seed size via fecundity depended on water availability and conspecific density.

Contrary to our predictions, increasing conspecific density relaxed directional selection favouring larger seeds, but only in the wettest conditions and an increase in water availability strengthened it, but only at low density. A possible explanation of these counter‐intuitive results relies on the observed absence of survival selection and increased plant growth rates under high water and low density.

Larger seeds require more resources to construct, and when this cost is taken into account, there is no overall fitness increase with seed size. This nicely follows the life‐history theory predictions for optimal seed size. At the evolutionary equilibrium, if seeds could be larger, per seed fitness would still increase, which is what we observed, but cost‐corrected fitness should be flat. Maternal fitness equals per seed fitness times seed number, so any increase to per seed fitness of making a bigger seed is balanced by the resulting cost to seed number. Our results indicate flat cost‐corrected fitness of seed size as theory predicts.

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The balance of canopy and soil effects determines intraspecific differences in foundation species’ effects on associated plants
Authors: Pistón Nuria , Michalet Richard , Schöb Christian , Macek Petr , Armas Cristina , Pugnaire Francisco I. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The impact of plant–plant interactions on species diversity patterns has been broadly addressed in stressful environments, such as alpine ecosystems, where foundation species promote species richness by creating habitat for other species. However, foundation species with contrasting phenotypes might modify the microhabitat differently, which would alter the subordinate community composition, and coincide with distinct feedback effects of those subordinate species on the foundation species. However, the precise interaction mechanisms that facilitate species are not fully understood, especially the relative contribution of above‐ and below‐ground compartments of foundation species to subordinate species and the potential feedbacks they receive.

We explored whether two contrasted canopy phenotypes (tight and loose) of the shrub Cytisus galianoi differed in their effects on the microhabitat and on subordinate plant community composition in a dry subalpine system. We also experimentally distinguished the relative contribution of above‐ (canopy) and below‐ground (soil) effects of C. galianoi on the most frequent subordinate species, Festuca indigesta, as well as the reciprocal effects of F. indigesta on C. galianoi.

We performed observational and manipulative experiments to assess the influence of phenotypic differences of the shrub on understorey microhabitat and subordinate plant community composition. Reciprocal effects were assessed by removing either F. indigesta from the understorey of the two shrub phenotypes or the C. galianoi canopy from the immediate vicinity of F. indigesta.

The two C. galianoi phenotypes differed in mean values of functional traits (like stem density or plant height), modified their understorey microhabitats differently and hosted distinct subordinate communities. Loose phenotypes had more positive effects on community composition and diversity than tight phenotypes. In addition, tight phenotypes simultaneously showed both more positive above‐ground and more negative below‐ground effects on F. indigesta than loose phenotypes. There were no significant feedback effects of F. indigesta on C. galianoi.

The two phenotypes of the foundation species C. galianoi showed contrasting effects on the subordinate plant community: Compared to the tight phenotype, the loose phenotype had higher associated species diversity and reduced reciprocal interaction intensities above‐ and below‐ground with the subordinate species F. indigesta. This highlights the impact of phenotypic variation for plant interactions and community‐level diversity.

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Stochastic and deterministic effects on interactions between canopy and recruiting species in forest communities
Authors: Alcántara Julio M. , Pulgar Manuel , Trøjelsgaard Kristian , Garrido José L. , Rey Pedro J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Interactions between established (canopy) and recruiting individuals (recruits) are pervasive in plant communities. Studies on recruitment in forests have mainly focused on negative density‐dependent conspecific interactions, while the outcomes of heterospecific canopy–recruit interactions have received much less attention and are generally assumed to be driven by stochastic processes.

Herein, we explore the relative influence of stochastic (abundance) and deterministic (species identity and phylogenetic distance) effects on the frequency of canopy–recruit interactions and characterize the interactions in terms of their spatial consistency and effect on recruitment (depressing, neutral or enhancing).

In 12 plots (50 × 50 m) of mixed pine–oak forests in southern Spain, we identified all saplings recruiting beneath 56 shrub and tree species, and in open areas not covered by woody plants. We used generalized linear mixed models to investigate the influence of stochastic and deterministic processes on the frequency of canopy–recruit interactions, on their spatial consistency and their effects on recruitment, and applied neutral null models to evaluate the spatial consistency in the occurrence of interactions across plots.

Deterministic and stochastic interactions were equally common, emphasizing the prevalence of non‐neutral effects. Among the realized interactions, 36.8% enhanced recruitment, 49.05% were neutral, and 14.1% depressed recruitment. Many potential interactions (42.08%) were not observed in any study sites, presumably due to the scarcity of the interacting species. Moreover, the probability that two species formed a canopy–recruit interaction, the frequency of their interaction and the probability that the interaction had an enhancing effect on recruitment, all increased with the phylogenetic distance between the interacting species. However, the prevalence of these effects depended on the recruitment environment (heterospecific, conspecific or open). Recruitment‐enhancing interactions between heterospecifics were more consistently realized in different sites than neutral or depressing interactions.

The establishment of canopy–recruit interactions (which species recruits beneath which others, and how often) is not simply determined by stochastic events. Indeed, due to their prevalence, we argue that deterministic canopy–recruit interactions are important drivers of plant community dynamics.

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Constraints on the functional trait space of aquatic invertebrates in bromeliads
Authors: Céréghino Régis , Pillar Valério D. , Srivastava Diane S. , de Omena Paula M. , MacDonald A. Andrew M. , Barberis Ignacio M. , Corbara Bruno , Guzman Laura M. , Leroy Céline , Ospina Bautista Fabiola , Romero Gustavo Q. , Trzcinski M. Kurtis , Kratina Pavel , Debastiani Vanderlei J. , Gonçalves Ana Z. , Marino Nicholas A. C. , Farjalla Vinicius F. , Richardson Barbara A. , Richardson Michael J. , Dézerald Olivier , Gilbert Benjamin , Petermann Jana , Talaga Stanislas , Piccoli Gustavo C. O. , Jocqué Merlijn , Montero Guillermo 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Functional traits are commonly used in predictive models that link environmental drivers and community structure to ecosystem functioning. A prerequisite is to identify robust sets of continuous axes of trait variation, and to understand the ecological and evolutionary constraints that result in the functional trait space occupied by interacting species. Despite their diversity and role in ecosystem functioning, little is known of the constraints on the functional trait space of invertebrate biotas of entire biogeographic regions.

We examined the ecological strategies and constraints underlying the realized trait space of aquatic invertebrates, using data on 12 functional traits of 852 taxa collected in tank bromeliads from Mexico to Argentina. Principal Component Analysis was used to reduce trait dimensionality to significant axes of trait variation, and the proportion of potential trait space that is actually occupied by all taxa was compared to null model expectations. Permutational Analyses of Variance were used to test whether trait combinations were clade‐dependent.

The major axes of trait variation represented life‐history strategies optimizing resource use and antipredator adaptations. There was evidence for trophic, habitat, defence and life‐history niche axes. Bromeliad invertebrates only occupied 16%–23% of the potential space within these dimensions, due to greater concentrations than predicted under uniform or normal distributions. Thus, despite high taxonomic diversity, invertebrates only utilized a small number of successful ecological strategies.

Empty areas in trait space represented gaps between major phyla that arose from biological innovations, and trait combinations that are unviable in the bromeliad ecosystem. Only a few phylogenetically distant genera were neighbouring in trait space. Trait combinations aggregated taxa by family and then by order, suggesting that niche conservatism was a widespread mechanism in the diversification of ecological strategies.

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The indicator side of tree microhabitats: A multi‐taxon approach based on bats, birds and saproxylic beetles
Authors: Paillet Yoan , Archaux Frédéric , du Puy Solène , Bouget Christophe , Boulanger Vincent , Debaive Nicolas , Gilg Olivier , Gosselin Frédéric , Guilbert Eric 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

National and international forest biodiversity assessments largely rely on indirect indicators, based on elements of forest structure that are used as surrogates for species diversity. These proxies are reputedly easier and cheaper to assess than biodiversity. Tree microhabitats—tree‐borne singularities such as cavities, conks of fungi or bark characteristics—have gained attention as potential forest biodiversity indicators. However, as with most biodiversity indicators, there is a lack of scientific evidence documenting their quantitative link with the biodiversity they are supposed to assess.

We explored the link between microhabitat indices and the richness and abundance of three taxonomic groups: bats, birds and saproxylic beetles. Using a nation‐wide multi‐taxon sampling design in France, we compared 213 plots located inside and outside strict forest reserves. We hypothesized that the positive effect setting aside forest reserves has on biodiversity conservation is indirectly due to an increase in the proportion of large structural elements (e.g., living trees, standing and lying deadwood). These, in turn, are likely to favour the quantity and diversity of microhabitats. We analysed the relationship between the abundance and species richness of different groups and guilds (e.g., red‐listed species, forest specialists, cavity dwellers) and microhabitat density and diversity. We then used confirmatory structural equation models to assess the direct and indirect effects of management abandonment, large structural elements and microhabitats on the biodiversity of the target species.

For several groups of birds and bats, the indirect effect of management abandonment and large structural elements on biodiversity was mediated by microhabitats. However, the magnitude of the link between microhabitat indices and biodiversity was moderate. In particular, saproxylic beetles’ biodiversity was poorly explained by microhabitats, large structural elements or management abandonment.

Synthesis and applications. Tree microhabitats may serve as indicators for bats and birds, but they are not a universal biodiversity indicator. Rather, compared to large structural elements, they most likely have a complementary role to biodiversity. In terms of forest management and conservation, preserving diversity of microhabitats at the local scale benefits several groups of both bats and birds.
Linking species abundance and overyielding from experimental communities with niche and fitness characteristics
Authors: Dostál Petr , Tasevová Karolina , Klinerová Tereza 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

So far, the principal force shaping local plant abundance patterns remains unclear. Rarity can result not only from poor competitive ability or from small vegetative or generative reproduction, but also from strong self‐limitation. The same mechanisms can drive species‐specific overyielding, that is, increased species productivity at high community diversity. Rare species can then benefit more (i.e., overyield to a larger extent) from growing in species‐rich communities because of altered competitive hierarchies or smaller conspecific frequencies. Here, we test which mechanism is the most important determinant of species rarity and of species‐specific productivity across a diversity gradient ranging from 1‐ to 60‐species plots.

For that, we measured vegetative growth, competitive ability (competitive effect), and negative frequency dependence for 49 perennial grassland species from Central Europe. We then linked these characteristics with species abundance (measured as species biomass from 60‐species plots) and with species‐specific overyielding in The Jena Experiment.

Species with higher rates of vegetative growth (when grown without neighbours) were also more abundant in the Jena Experiment. Larger species‐specific overyielding was then associated with a stronger negative frequency dependence. As species with greater vegetative growth were also more self‐limited, larger overyielding in species‐rich communities was characteristic for common rather than for rare species, refuting our initial hypothesis. Finally, path analysis indicated that species with poor capacity to suppress neighbours also profited more from growing in diverse communities.

Synthesis. Our results identify key mechanisms driving abundance and productivity of species in synthetic communities differing in species richness. While vegetative reproduction was closely associated with abundance, intraspecific interactions (strength of negative frequency dependence) shaped species productivity across a richness gradient. Our study sheds light on the abundance patterns of species and their influence on community functions, such as biomass production, of species‐rich and ‐poor vegetation.
A Small Entrepreneurial City in Action: Policy Mobility, Urban Entrepreneurialism, and Politics of Scale in Jiyuan, China
Authors: He Shenjing , Li Lingyue , Zhang Yong , Wang Jun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis research details the mundane practices of policy mobility and entrepreneurial endeavour in Jiyuan in relation to the city's changing administrative position, and is one of the first attempts at understanding how entrepreneurial policies are mobilized, mutated and diffused in a small inland Chinese city. We interpret Jiyuan's evolving development strategies and trajectory through two interrelated conceptual lenses—policy mobility and urban entrepreneurialism—bridged by an analysis of the politics of scale. Over the past three decades, governance strategies in Jiyuan have evolved from policy imitation, during the germination of urban entrepreneurialism, to policy mutation and diffusion, under the amplification of entrepreneurialism, as the city has moved up the administrative levels and urban hierarchy. Policy mobility and urban entrepreneurialism in Jiyuan, involving a multi‐scalar process, are being shaped by the interactions between the city, the region, the central state and global capital under the confluence of globalization and marketization. The ‘successful’ story of a small entrepreneurial city tells a new tale that can inform wider contexts by painting a fuller portrait of the evolution of an entrepreneurial city across different scales and time and bringing cities hitherto ‘off the map’ back into the picture of urban entrepreneurialism against the backdrop of globalization.