bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal infection produces significant changes in immune function with no associated learning deficits in juvenile rats
Authors: Osborne Brittany F. , Caulfield Jasmine I. , Solomotis Samantha A. , Schwarz Jaclyn M. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe current experiments examined the impact of early‐life immune activation and a subsequent mild immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 25µg/kg) on hippocampal‐dependent learning, proinflammatory cytokine expression in the brain, and peripheral immune function in juvenile male and female rats at P24, an age when hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory first emerges. Our results indicate that neonatal infection did not produce learning deficits in the hippocampal‐dependent context pre‐exposure facilitation effect paradigm in juvenile males and females, contrary to what has been observed in adults. Neonatal infection produced an increase in baseline IL‐1β expression in the hippocampus (HP) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of juvenile rats. Furthermore, neonatally infected rats showed exaggerated IL‐1β expression in the HP following LPS treatment as juveniles; and juvenile females, but not males, showed exaggerated IL‐1β expression in the mPFC following LPS treatment. Neonatal infection attenuated the production of IL‐6 expression following LPS treatment in both the brain and the spleen, and neonatal infection decreased the numbers of circulating white blood cells in juvenile males and females, an effect that was further exacerbated by subsequent LPS treatment. Together, our data indicate that the consequences of neonatal infection are detectable even early in juvenile development, though we found no concomitant hippocampal‐dependent learning deficits at this young age. These findings underscore the need to consider age and associated on‐going neurodevelopmental processes as important factors contributing to the emergence of cognitive and behavioral disorders linked to early‐life immune activation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1221–1236, 2017
Spatial models to account for variation in observer effort in bird atlases
Authors: Wilson Andrew M. , Brauning Daniel W. , Carey Caitlin , Mulvihill Robert S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTo assess the importance of variation in observer effort between and within bird atlas projects and demonstrate the use of relatively simple conditional autoregressive (CAR) models for analyzing grid‐based atlas data with varying effort. Pennsylvania and West Virginia, United States of America. We used varying proportions of randomly selected training data to assess whether variations in observer effort can be accounted for using CAR models and whether such models would still be useful for atlases with incomplete data. We then evaluated whether the application of these models influenced our assessment of distribution change between two atlas projects separated by twenty years (Pennsylvania), and tested our modeling methodology on a state bird atlas with incomplete coverage (West Virginia). Conditional Autoregressive models which included observer effort and landscape covariates were able to make robust predictions of species distributions in cases of sparse data coverage. Further, we found that CAR models without landscape covariates performed favorably. These models also account for variation in observer effort between atlas projects and can have a profound effect on the overall assessment of distribution change. Accounting for variation in observer effort in atlas projects is critically important. CAR models provide a useful modeling framework for accounting for variation in observer effort in bird atlas data because they are relatively simple to apply, and quick to run.
Discovery and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in two anadromous alosine fishes of conservation concern
Authors: Baetscher Diana S. , Hasselman Daniel J. , Reid Kerry , Palkovacs Eric P. , Garza John Carlos 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFreshwater habitat alteration and marine fisheries can affect anadromous fish species, and populations fluctuating in size elicit conservation concern and coordinated management. We describe the development and characterization of two sets of 96 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for two species of anadromous alosine fishes, alewife and blueback herring (collectively known as river herring), that are native to the Atlantic coast of North America. We used data from high‐throughput DNA sequencing to discover SNPs and then developed molecular genetic assays for genotyping sets of 96 individual loci in each species. The two sets of assays were validated with multiple populations that encompass both the geographic range and the known regional genetic stocks of both species. The SNP panels developed herein accurately resolved the genetic stock structure for alewife and blueback herring that was previously identified using microsatellites and assigned individuals to regional stock of origin with high accuracy. These genetic markers, which generate data that are easily shared and combined, will greatly facilitate ongoing conservation and management of river herring including genetic assignment of marine caught individuals to stock of origin.
Linking the wintering and breeding grounds of warblers along the Pacific Flyway
Authors: Toews David P. L. , Heavyside Julian , Irwin Darren E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLong‐distance migration is a behavior that is exhibited by many animal groups. The evolution of novel migration routes can play an important role in range expansions, ecological interactions, and speciation. New migration routes may evolve in response to selection in favor of reducing distance between breeding and wintering areas, or avoiding navigational barriers. Many migratory changes are likely to evolve gradually and are therefore difficult to study. Here, we attempt to connect breeding and wintering populations of myrtle warblers (Setophaga coronata coronata) to better understand the possible evolution of distinct migration routes within this species. Myrtle warblers, unlike most other warblers with breeding ranges primarily in eastern North America, have two disjunct overwintering concentrations—one in the southeasternUSAand one along the Pacific Coast—and presumably distinct routes to‐and‐from these locations. We studied both myrtle and Audubon's warblers (S. c. auduboni) captured during their spring migration along the Pacific Coast, south of the narrow region where these two taxa hybridize. Using stable hydrogen isotopes and biometric data, we show that those myrtle warblers wintering along the southern Pacific Coast of North America are likely to breed at high latitudes in Alaska and the Yukon rather than in Alberta or further east. Our interpretation is that the evolution of this wintering range and migration route along the Pacific Coast may have facilitated the breeding expansion of myrtle warblers into northwestern North America. Moreover, these data suggest that there may be a migratory divide within genetically similar populations of myrtle warblers.
Drought‐induced mortality patterns and rapid biomass recovery in a terra firme forest in the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Zuleta Daniel , Duque Alvaro , Cardenas Dairon , Muller‐Landau Helene C. , Davies Stuart J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractExtreme climatic events affecting the Amazon region are expected to become more frequent under ongoing climate change. In this study, we assessed the responses to the 2010 drought of over 14,000 trees ≥10 cm dbh in a 25 ha lowland forest plot in the Colombian Amazon and how these responses varied among topographically defined habitats, with tree size, and with species wood density. Tree mortality was significantly higher during the 2010–2013 period immediately after the drought than in 2007–2010. The post‐drought increase in mortality was stronger for trees located in valleys (+243%) than for those located on slopes (+67%) and ridges (+57%). Tree‐based generalized linear mixed models showed a significant negative effect of species wood density on mortality and no effect of tree size. Despite the elevated post‐drought mortality, aboveground biomass increased from 2007 to 2013 by 1.62 Mg ha−1 yr−1 (95% CI 0.80–2.43 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Biomass change varied among habitats, with no significant increase on the slopes (1.05, 95% CI −0.76 to 2.85 Mg ha−1 yr−1), a significant increase in the valleys (1.33, 95% CI 0.37–2.34 Mg ha−1 yr−1), and a strong increase on the ridges (2.79, 95% CI 1.20–4.21 Mg ha−1 yr−1). These results indicate a high carbon resilience of this forest to the 2010 drought due to habitat‐associated and interspecific heterogeneity in responses including directional changes in functional composition driven by enhanced performance of drought‐tolerant species that inhabit the drier ridges.
In‐hospital worsening heart failure: a clinically relevant endpoint?
Authors: Clark Andrew L. , Cherif Myriam , McDonagh Theresa A. , Squire Iain B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOutcome measures used for the clinical evaluation of patients with acute heart failure differ between studies and may neither adequately address the characteristic presenting symptoms and signs nor reflect the pathophysiological processes involved. In‐hospital worsening of heart failure (WHF) is associated with poor outcomes and thus a potential endpoint conveying clinically meaningful prognostic information.Current definitions of WHF are based on the combination of worsening symptoms and signs and the intensification of treatment during admission. Definitions vary across studies and do not fully account for baseline therapy or circumstances in which there is failure to respond to treatment. Further, there are limited data to inform healthcare professionals as to which patients are most at risk of developing in‐hospital WHF.In this opinion piece, we review the definitions for WHF used in recent and ongoing clinical trials and propose a novel definition, which captures failure to respond to treatment as well as clinical worsening (deterioration of symptoms and signs) of the patient's condition. Such a definition, applied consistently across studies, would help clarify the characteristics of patients likely to develop in‐hospital WHF, allow comparative assessments of the effectiveness of interventions, and help guide appropriate patient management in order to improve outcomes.
Unidimensional Vertical Scaling in Multidimensional Space
Authors: Carlson James E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this paper, I consider a set of test items that are located in a multidimensional space, SM, but are located along a curved line in SM and can be scaled unidimensionally. Furthermore, I am demonstrating a case in which the test items are administered across 6 levels, such as occurs in K–12 assessment across 6 grade levels, and for which a unidimensional vertical scale can be developed. I am limiting my coverage to dichotomously scored items because the models are much simpler than those for polytomously scored items. However, the concepts discussed can be extended to the latter type of item. I also limit my demonstrations to a 2‐dimensional space, S2, so I can geometrically represent my points in a 2‐dimensional representation in this article. These concepts can also be extended to a higher‐dimensional case.
Agronomic evaluation of seedbed and mulching alternatives with plant spacing for dry‐season fluted pumpkin in coarse‐textured tropical soil
Authors: Obalum Sunday E. , Edeh Ifeoma G. , Imoh Odirichi N. , Njoku Ogechi M. , Uzoh Ifeyinwa M. , Onyia Vincent N. , Igwe Charles A. , Reichert Jose M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) has high agronomic and food relevance in the tropics. Production of this vegetable in the dry season with irrigation is increasingly popular and is mostly on droughty soils, thus requiring research on appropriate combination of soil moisture conservation/management practices. This study evaluated the interactions among seedbed configuration (flat and raised), surface mulching (grass‐mulched and no‐mulch) and plant spacing (1002, 502 and 252 cm2, designated wide, intermediate and close spacing, respectively) on fluted pumpkin performance in a sandy‐loam soil in southeastern Nigeria during 2014/2015 dry season. Seedling emergence (ratio of emerged to expected seedlings) was highest and lowest in flat/mulched/wide and flat/no‐mulch/close combinations, respectively. Main effects showed higher seedling emergence in mulched (67.9%) than no‐mulch plots (53.1%) and in wide (70.8%) and intermediate spacing (64.6%) compared to close spacing (46.0%). Fresh leaf yield assessed biweekly during 6–14 weeks after sowing was generally highest and lowest in flat/mulched/close and flat/no‐mulch/wide combinations, respectively. Seedbed configuration had no distinct effect on leaf yield; hence, flat/mulched/close option was similar to raised/mulched/close option. Yields from mulched/wide and no‐mulch/close options were similar with a mean (2735 kg/ha) approximating the overall mean (2868 kg/ha). Flat/mulched/close combination is the best management practice to grow fluted pumpkin with irrigation on droughty soils during the dry season of the tropics. Where this best practice is compromised due to mulch or seed scarcity, the ensuing no‐mulch/close and mulched/wide, respectively can support dry‐season production of pumpkin in droughty tropical soils at average levels.
A new parsimonious recurrent forecasting model in singular spectrum analysis
Authors: Mahmoudvand Rahim , Rodrigues Paulo Canas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSingular spectrum analysis (SSA) is a powerful nonparametric method in the area of time series analysis that has shown its capability in different applications areas. SSA depends on two main choices: the window lengthLand the number of eigentriples used for groupingr. One of the most important issues when analyzing time series is the forecast of new observations. When using SSA for time series forecasting there are several alternative algorithms, the most widely used being the recurrent forecasting model, which assumes that a given observation can be written as a linear combination of theL−1 previous observations. However, when the window lengthLis large, the forecasting model is unlikely to be parsimonious. In this paper we propose a new parsimonious recurrent forecasting model that uses an optimalm(<L−1) coefficients in the linear combination of the recurrent SSA. Our results support the idea of using this new parsimonious recurrent forecasting model instead of the standard recurrent SSA forecasting model.
The role of international institutional complexity on emerging market multinational companies’ innovation
Authors: Wu Jie , Park Seung Ho 
Published: July 2017

Research SummaryThis study examines the role of international institutional complexity, which is defined as the scope and multiplicity of institutional dimensions across foreign markets, on emerging market multinational companies’ (EMMCs) innovation performance. We propose that international institutional complexity provides learning opportunities for EMMCs’ innovation performance but also incurs higher management costs to handle information overload from overextended internationalization. We further propose that the host exposure and the heterogeneity of an EMMC's top management team (TMT) moderate the main effect of international institutional complexity on EMMC innovation. The empirical testing utilizes a longitudinal panel dataset of 7,072 foreign expansion steps by 767 Chinese firms from 2001 and 2010 and offers strong support for the proposed hypotheses.Managerial SummaryDespite the emergence of EMMCs over the past 30 years, there is little understanding of how international institutional complexity impacts EMMCs’ innovation capabilities. By analyzing a longitudinal panel dataset of 7,072 foreign expansion steps by 767 Chinese firms from 2001 and 2010, we find that the international institutional complexity of an EMMC has an inverted U‐shaped impact (first increasing and then decreasing) on its innovation, such that a moderate level of international institutional complexity generates the most innovation output. We also find that TMT host exposure and TMT heterogeneity positively moderate the relationship between international institutional complexity and EMMCs’ innovation performance. Our study contributes to better understanding EMMCs’ international strategies in enhancing their innovation capabilities.
A retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of anterior pelvic organ prolapse repair with Prolift versus Elevate vaginal mesh
Authors: Barros‐Pereira Isabel , Valentim‐Lourenço Alexandre , Fonseca Andreia , Melo Bruna , Henriques Alexandra , Ribeirinho Ana 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of anterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair using Prolift (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) or Elevate (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) vaginal mesh at 12 months of follow‐up.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken using the records for the first 50 Prolift procedures in 2007–2009 and the first 50 Elevate procedures in 2013–2015 performed at a tertiary urogynecology unit in Lisbon, Portugal. Postoperative follow‐up occurred at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was surgical efficacy using subjective and objective measures (vaginal bulge symptoms and POP quantification system according to the Weber criteria, respectively) at 12 months.ResultsImprovement according to the Weber criteria was noted for 10 (25%) of 40 women in the Prolift group and 21 (48%) of 44 in the Elevate group at 12 months (P=0.032). Additionally, the Ba point was higher with Elevate than with Prolift (−2.2 ± 1.1 vs −1.5 ± 1.5; P=0.031). Vaginal bulge symptoms were reported at 12 months by 7 (18%) women in the Prolift group and 3 (7%) in the Elevate group (P=0.021).ConclusionDifferences in anatomic results were apparent between the two vaginal mesh groups 12 months after surgery.
Multimodality Image-Guided Cryoablation for Inoperable Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia
Authors: Tella Sri Harsha , Amalou Hayet , Wood Bradford J , Chang Richard , Chen Clara C , Robinson Cemre , Millwood Michelle , Guthrie Lori C , Xu Sheng , Levy Elliot , Krishnasamy Venkatesh , Gafni Rachel I , Collins Michael T 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a debilitating paraneoplastic condition caused by small phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) that secrete large amounts of the phosphate-regulating and vitamin D-regulating hormone, FGF23. Tumor removal results in cure. However, because of high perioperative comorbidity, either from tumor location or host factors, surgery is sometimes not an option. Tumor destruction via cryoablation may be an effective option for inoperable PMTs. Three subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of TIO were studied. All three underwent cryoablation of suspected PMTs rather than surgery due to significant medical comorbidities or challenging anatomical location. Subject 3 had tumor embolization 24 hours prior to cryoablation because of the size and hypervascularity of the tumor. The success of the tumor cryoablation was defined by normalization of serum phosphate and FGF23. Cryoablation resulted in a rapid decrease in plasma intact FGF23 by 24 hours postprocedure in all three subjects (0, 2, and 9 pg/mL, respectively) with normalization of blood phosphate by postprocedure day 3. Three-day renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate increased to 76%, 94%, and 95.2%, respectively; 1, 25(OH)2 vitamin D increased to 84, 138, and 196 pg/ml, respectively. All three had dramatic clinical improvement in pain and weakness. Two subjects tolerated the procedure well with no complications; one had significant prolonged procedure-related localized pain. Although surgery remains the treatment of choice, cryoablation may be an effective, less invasive, and safe treatment for patients with difficult to remove tumors or who are poor surgical candidates. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Valorisation of the liquid fraction from hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge by anaerobic digestion
Authors: Villamil John A , Mohedano Angel F , Rodriguez Juan J , de la Rubia M Angeles 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe mesophilic anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction from hydrothermal carbonisation (208°C, 1 h) of dehydrated sewage sludge has been studied. Two initial inoculum concentrations (IC) (10 and 25 g COD L‐1) and four inoculum to substrate ratios (ISR) (2, 1, 0.5 and 0.4 on a COD basis) have been selected to analyse their influence on the evolution of the anaerobic digestion process.RESULTSThe substrate is characterised by a high COD (95.5 g L‐1) and TKN (8.7 g N L‐1) values. High inoculum concentration (25 g COD L‐1) and/or low ISR (≤ 0.5) inhibited methanogenesis due to the high ammonia nitrogen (1.4 g TAN L‐1) and VFA (>4 g COD L‐1) released. For the inhibited samples final COD removals lower than 15% and IA/TA ratios higher than 0.3 were found. The greatest methane yield (177±5 mL CH4 STP g‐1 CODadded) was achieved at 25 g COD L‐1 of IC and at an ISR of 2.CONCLUSIONDuring anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction from the hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge, the IC and ISR must be adequately selected for proper operation of the process and successful valorisation. According to the results, working at an ISR ≥ 1 is recommended. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Relevance of bioreactors and whole tissue cultures for the translation of new therapies to humans
Authors: Peroglio Marianna , Gaspar Diana , Zeugolis Dimitrios I. , Alini Mauro 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of bioreactor‐based culture systems as alternatives to conventional two‐ and three‐dimensional counterparts. The role, challenges, and future aspirations of bioreactors in the musculoskeletal field (e.g., cartilage, intervertebral disc, tendon, and bone) are discussed. Bioreactors, by recapitulating physiological processes, can be used effectively as part of the initial in vitro screening, reducing that way the number of animal required for preclinical assessment, complying with the 3R principles and, in most cases, allowing working with human tissues. The clinical significance of bioreactors is that, by providing more physiologically relevant conditions to customarily used two‐ and three‐dimensional cultures, they hold the potential to provide a testing platform that is more predictable of a whole tissue response, thereby facilitating the screening of treatments before the initiation of clinical trials. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:10–21, 2018.