bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergent elevation trends in canopy chemical traits of tropical forests
Authors: Asner Gregory P. , Martin Roberta E. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe functional biogeography of tropical forests is expressed in foliar chemicals that are key physiologically based predictors of plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions including climate. However, understanding the degree to which environmental filters sort the canopy chemical characteristics of forest canopies remains a challenge. Here, we report on the elevation and soil‐type dependence of forest canopy chemistry among 75 compositionally and environmentally distinct forests in nine regions, with a total of 7819 individual trees representing 3246 species collected, identified and assayed for foliar traits. We assessed whether there are consistent relationships between canopy chemical traits and both elevation and soil type, and evaluated the general role of phylogeny in mediating patterns of canopy traits within and across communities. Chemical trait variation and partitioning suggested a general model based on four interconnected findings. First, geographic variation at the soil‐Order level, expressing broad changes in fertility, underpins major shifts in foliar phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). Second, elevation‐dependent shifts in average community leaf dry mass per area (LMA), chlorophyll, and carbon allocation (including nonstructural carbohydrates) are most strongly correlated with changes in foliar Ca. Third, chemical diversity within communities is driven by differences between species rather than by plasticity within species. Finally, elevation‐ and soil‐dependent changes in N, LMA and leaf carbon allocation are mediated by canopy compositional turnover, whereas foliar P and Ca are driven more by changes in site conditions than by phylogeny. Our findings have broad implications for understanding the global ecology of humid tropical forests, and their functional responses to changing climate.
Asthma is a risk factor for new onset chronic migraine: Results from the American migraine prevalence and prevention study
Authors: Martin Vincent T. , Fanning Kristina M. , Serrano Daniel , Buse Dawn C. , Reed Michael L. , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: November 2015

ObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that in persons with episodic migraine (EM), asthma is a risk factor for the onset of chronic migraine (CM).BackgroundMigraine and asthma are comorbid chronic disorders with episodic attacks thought to involve inflammatory and neurological mechanisms. Herein, we assess the influence of asthma on the clinical course of EM.MethodsTo be eligible for this observational cohort study, AMPP Study participants had to meet criteria for EM in 2008, complete the validated six‐item asthma questionnaire from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) in 2008, and provide follow‐up data in 2009. Using the ECRHS, we defined asthma as a binary variable (present or absent) based on an empirical cut score and developed a Respiratory Symptom Severity Score (RSSS) based on the number of positive responses (no severity = 0 positive responses, low severity = 1‐2 positive responses, moderate severity = 3‐4 positive responses, high severity = 5‐6 positive responses). Chronic migraine was the primary outcome measure and was defined as those with ≥15 headache days per month on the 2009 AMPP Study survey. We used logistic regression in separate models to assess the influence of asthma as a binary variable (Model 1) and RSSS score categories (Model 2 using no respiratory symptoms as the reference) on CM onset after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, headache day frequency, migraine preventive medication use, and medication overuse.ResultsThe eligible sample for this study included 4446 individuals with EM in 2008 of whom 17% had asthma. This group had a mean age of 50.4 and was 80.8% female. In 2009, new onset CM developed in 2.9% (131/4446) of the 2008 EM cohort, including 5.4% (40/746) of the asthma subgroup and 2.5% (91/3700) of the non‐asthma subgroup. In comparison to those without asthma, the adjusted odds for individuals with asthma and EM in 2008 to develop CM in 2009 were greater than two (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4‐3.1). Using the RSSS, the aOR for CM onset increased with the number of asthma symptoms, but only those in the high RSSS category showed a statistically significant increase in the odds of chronic migraine onset in comparison with the no RSSS reference group (aOR 3.3; 95% CI 1.7‐6.2).ConclusionsAsthma is associated with an increased risk of new onset CM 1 year later among individuals with EM, with the highest risk being among those with the greatest number of respiratory symptoms. The exact mechanisms underlying this association are unknown, but could suggest mast cell degranulation, autonomic dysfunction, or shared genetic or environmental factors.
Indochinese‐Sundaic faunal transition and phylogeographical divides north of the Isthmus of Kra in Southeast Asian Bulbuls (Aves: Pycnonotidae)
Authors: Dejtaradol Ariya , Renner Swen C. , Karapan Sunate , Bates Paul J. J. , Moyle Robert G. , Päckert Martin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimFor terrestrial organisms, a faunal transition zone between the Indochinese and Sundaic regions is delimited north of the Isthmus of Kra on the Thai‐Malay Peninsula. We used a mitochondrial marker to test the predicted location of intraspecific north–south divides for four species of bulbuls (Pycnonotus). Phylogenetic relationships among Thai‐Malay populations and their closest relatives from the Greater Sundas were reconstructed from a multilocus data set including 35 Pycnonotus species.LocationIndochina, Thai‐Malay Peninsula, Greater Sundas.MethodsWe sampled target species along a north–south transect spanning the Isthmus of Kra and reconstructed phylogeographical patterns based on ND2 haplotype networks. Phylogenies were reconstructed using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Divergence time estimates were inferred from single‐locus and multilocus data using *beast.ResultsWe found mitochondrial north–south divides in all target species. Haplotypes of southern genetic clusters were distributed all across the Thai‐Malay Peninsula and north into Central Thailand. Local overlap of genetic lineages was confirmed at one location in one species only. In three of the focal species, the southern limits of southern haplotype clusters were restricted to the Thai‐Malay Peninsula and did not extend into the Greater Sundas. Peninsular north–south divides were dated to the late Pleistocene, whereas Indochinese‐Sundaic lineage divergence was dated to the late Pliocene.Main conclusionsPopulation boundaries did not coincide with the Isthmus of Kra, but instead were located north of the Thai‐Malay Peninsula in Central Thailand. Only one of four divides represented an Indochinese‐Sundaic transition. Different phylogeographical patterns among target species were presumably shaped by different ecological preferences in Pleistocene palaeohabitats. Pliocene Indochinese‐Sundaic lineage divergence in bulbuls coincides with strong vegetational changes on the Peninsula that shaped two phytogeographical transitions. Distribution limits of bird species roughly coincide with these transition zones and therefore the avifaunal Thai‐Malay transition represents a broad zone rather than a sharp boundary.
Study of light emission and collection in a transparent dielectric cantilever‐based near‐field optical probe
Authors: MOURCHED B. , NATIVEL E.L. , KRIBICH R. , FALGAYRETTES P. , GALL‐BORRUT P. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryWe report the design of a new type of scanning near‐field optical microscopy probes combining the advantages of both tapered optical fibres type and cantilever type commercial scanning near‐field optical microscopy probes. The material is an organomineral synthesized by the sol‐gel method. This material matches mechanical and optical performances for such a scanning near‐field optical microscopy probe fabrication. Numerical calculations were carried out using finite element method in order to study the optical transmission of the probe in emission and collection modes. The influence of the probe geometry on the intensity distribution in the vicinity of the aperture and in the extremity of the cantilever is studied in details.
Assessing vertebrate biodiversity in a kelp forest ecosystem using environmental DNA
Authors: Port Jesse A. , O'Donnell James L. , Romero‐Maraccini Ofelia C. , Leary Paul R. , Litvin Steven Y. , Nickols Kerry J. , Yamahara Kevan M. , Kelly Ryan P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPreserving biodiversity is a global challenge requiring data on species’ distribution and abundance over large geographic and temporal scales. However, traditional methods to survey mobile species’ distribution and abundance in marine environments are often inefficient, environmentally destructive, or resource‐intensive. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a new means to assess biodiversity and on much larger scales, but adoption of this approach for surveying whole animal communities in large, dynamic aquatic systems has been slowed by significant unknowns surrounding error rates of detection and relevant spatial resolution of eDNA surveys. Here, we report the results of a 2.5 km eDNA transect surveying the vertebrate fauna present along a gradation of diverse marine habitats associated with a kelp forest ecosystem. Using PCR primers that target the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene of marine fishes and mammals, we generated eDNA sequence data and compared it to simultaneous visual dive surveys. We find spatial concordance between individual species’ eDNA and visual survey trends, and that eDNA is able to distinguish vertebrate community assemblages from habitats separated by as little as ~60 m. eDNA reliably detected vertebrates with low false‐negative error rates (1/12 taxa) when compared to the surveys, and revealed cryptic species known to occupy the habitats but overlooked by visual methods. This study also presents an explicit accounting of false negatives and positives in metabarcoding data, which illustrate the influence of gene marker selection, replication, contamination, biases impacting eDNA count data and ecology of target species on eDNA detection rates in an open ecosystem.
A review of the strategies used to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in infants aged 6–36 months
Authors: Pratt O. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are global public health concerns that impact on infants worldwide in low and middle income populations. There is indication that ID affects long‐term neurodevelopment and that these effects could be irreversible. The present study reviews the strategies available to reduce the prevalence of ID and IDA in 6‐12 month‐old infants.A comprehensive review was carried out to identify all relevant studies. Four databases were searched: The Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, Leeds Metropolitan Discover and Google Scholar up to 1 November 2014. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi‐randomised trials and non‐randomised trials investigating the effects of preventative strategies on the prevalence of ID and IDA in infants were included. Primary outcome measures were haemoglobin concentration, anaemia, iron deficiency and iron status. Identified articles were assessed against quality criteria, and a data extraction template was implemented to source all relevant information. A total of 1038 articles were identified by the initial search, with eight trials fitting the criteria for more detailed critical evaluation. Of the final eight articles reviewed, two trials investigated the effect of micronutrient sprinkles, two trials assessed iron‐fortified milk programmes, two trials investigated the effect of iron supplementation, one trial evaluated food‐based strategies, and one trial looked at the efficacy of different strategies to treat ID and IDA. Micronutrient sprinkles proved successful in reducing percentage prevalence of ID by an average of 20% as well as significantly increasing mean haemoglobin levels; additionally, iron‐fortified milk programmes resulted in a significant reduction in percentage prevalence of IDA. Results of the iron supplementation trials were mixed, with one trial showing no difference between intervention and control groups for the incidence of ID and IDA whilst the other trial showed a dose–response effect in the daily supplementation group compared to the control group. Programmes focusing on iron rich food consumption were also unconvincing, with only red meat intake shown to help prevent the decline of iron stores. Results indicate that there are numerous beneficial strategies to reduce ID and IDA in young infants. Larger RCTs of longer duration are needed to determine the effects of timing and dose of these treatments, particularly the use of micronutrient sprinkles which are not commonly used in Europe but show promising results.
Vitamin D: Sunshine vs. diet vs. pills
Authors: Buttriss J. L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractOne in five people in the UK is known to have a low serum vitamin D level (25‐hydroxy vitamin D below 25 nmol/l) according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. The Summer of 2015 saw publication of a draft report from the government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which proposes introduction of dietary reference values (DRVs) for all age groups (not just those considered as vulnerable).The health outcome identified as the basis for setting DRVs for vitamin D was musculoskeletal health (based on rickets, osteomalacia, falls, risk of falling and muscle strength). The data were not sufficient to establish a distribution of serum 25(OH)D concentrations or a clear threshold serum 25(OH)D concentration to support musculoskeletal health outcomes, but the evidence overall suggests that the risk of poor musculoskeletal health is increased at serum 25(OH)D concentrations below 25 nmol/l. Therefore, SACN selected a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 25 nmol/l, on a precautionary basis, as the target concentration to protect all individuals from poor musculoskeletal health. This concentration was considered to be a ‘population protective level’ (i.e. the concentration that 97.5% of individuals in the UK should be above, throughout the year, in order to protect musculoskeletal health).After establishing the health outcomes linked with low vitamin D status, the next step in estimating DRVs for vitamin D was translation of the serum 25(OH)D concentration of 25 nmol/l into a dietary intake value that represents the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamin D [i.e. the average daily vitamin D intake that would be sufficient to maintain a serum 25(OH)D concentration of at least 25 nmol/l in 97.5% of individuals in the UK]. The average vitamin D intake refers to the mean or average intake over the long‐term and takes account of day‐to‐day variations in vitamin D intake. It was not possible to quantify the sunlight exposure required in the summer months to maintain a winter serum 25(OH)D concentration of at least 25 nmol/l because of the number of factors that affect endogenous vitamin D synthesis, storage and utilisation. Instead, use was made of a series of three randomised controlled trials, conducted in the winter months, to estimate directly the amount of vitamin D required daily to achieve a serum threshold of 25 nmol/l throughout the year. The RNI proposed by SACN for all people aged 4 and above is 10 μg/day. For younger children, a Safe Intake of 8.5–10 μg/day (depending on age) is proposed.These recommendations bring alignment with many other countries of the world. As dietary intakes from food are typically well below the 10 μg/day proposed by SACN for most age groups, media reports speculated on how this advice might be achieved in practice.
Update on the role of maternal diet in pregnancy and the programming of infant body composition
Authors: Blumfield M. L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMaternal nutrition during pregnancy is a major environmental factor that can programme offspring health outcomes in later life. Evidence is now available to suggest a role for maternal diet in the programming of infant body composition. Infant body composition may be modifiable by nutritional interventions in the mother, particularly those that focus on balancing protein and carbohydrate intakes. Offspring susceptibility to disease in adulthood is likely to relate to body composition in infanthood and thus must be investigated in future studies. This article provides an update on the role of maternal diet in the programming of infant body composition. Current challenges and implications for research and practice are also discussed.
Eating disorders in South Asia: Should we be concerned?
Authors: Hoodbhoy Z. , Zahid N. , Iqbal R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEating disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions characterised by disturbances in eating behaviour along with severe concern regarding bodyweight and shape, which appear to be on the rise in South Asian countries. These disorders are commonly observed in young individuals and are caused by a complex interaction of genetic, biological, psychological and social factors and associated with a wide range of adverse physical, psychological and social consequences. Treatment of these disorders can be quite expensive as it requires specialised care from a multidisciplinary team. Hence, prevention of eating disorders is essential; this should focus on modifiable risk factors such as the media and low self‐esteem, which contribute to body image dissatisfaction in young people and increases their risk of developing an eating disorder. This article provides recommendations for prevention of eating disorders specifically in the South Asian context.
Falls in critical care: a local review to identify incidence and risk
Authors: Richardson Annette , Carter Rachel 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundPatient falls are the most common adverse event in hospitals, resulting in devastating physical, psychological and financial consequences. Therefore the emphasis on falls assessment and prevention is a key priority. Within hospitals those reported at greatest risk of falls are older patients with little known about the factors within critical care. At a local level, a practice development project was identified to review risk factors contributing to falls in critical care.AimsTo identify the incidence of falls within adult critical care and the risk factors most likely to contribute to a fall.MethodsReported falls incidents were reviewed retrospectively using a local incident reporting system, over a 2‐year period from four critical care units.FindingsForty‐two incidents were reviewed indicating a low rate of injury and low rate of occurrence (0·99 falls/1000 bed days). The median age of fallers was 58 years and the most common risk factor for falls was confusion or agitation, followed by patients attempting to mobilize against advice.DiscussionCritically ill patients were less likely to fall and were more likely to be younger than patients falling on an acute care ward. Neuroscience/trauma critically ill patients were more likely to fall than general critically ill patients; this was expected to be because of the increased presence of confusion or agitation in this group. The local system used to report falls produced difficulties in identifying risk factors in a consistent way. Although limitations exist, this review has enabled the development of more suitable local critical care falls risk factor assessment and interventions to minimize the risk of falling.ConclusionsFall rates, related injuries and circumstances of falls vary considerably among acute care and critical care specialities. Future work should concentrate on better falls reporting systems and further research should include validating risk factors for critical care falls.
Respiratory allergies in childhood: Recent advances and future challenges
Authors: Caminati Marco , Durić‐Filipović Ivana , Arasi Stefania , Peroni Diego G. , Živković Zorica , Senna Gianenrico 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe burden of allergic airway diseases still represents a major health problem in childhood. Despite many different options are currently available for the diagnostic work‐up and management, the overall disease control in terms of impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality, is not yet satisfactory. The extreme variability of individual risk factors and severity determinants may account for it. On the other side, the knowledge of the multifaceted allergy background could pave the way to primary prevention, early intervention and disease course modification. In fact, most of current research is focusing on the identification of biological and clinical predictive markers of allergy and asthma onset. This review aims at summarizing the latest achievements concerning the complex inter‐relation between genetic predisposition and environmental factors, and their impact on prevention strategies and early identification of at risk subjects. An update on the diagnostic and monitoring tools as well as an insight into the newest treatments options is also provided.
Horseshoe crab phylogeny and independent colonizations of fresh water: ecological invasion as a driver for morphological innovation
Authors: Lamsdell James C. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractXiphosurids are an archaic group of aquatic chelicerate arthropods, generally known by the colloquial misnomer of ‘horseshoe crabs’. Known from marine environments as far back as the earlyOrdovician, horseshoe crabs are generally considered ‘living fossils’ – descendants of a bradytelic lineage exhibiting little morphological or ecological variation throughout geological time. However, xiphosurids are known from freshwater sediments in thePalaeozoic andMesozoic; furthermore, the contention that xiphosurids show little morphological variation has never been tested empirically. Attempts to test this are hampered by the lack of a modern phylogenetic framework with which to explore different evolutionary scenarios. Here,Ipresent a phylogenetic analysis ofXiphosurida and explore patterns of morphospace and environmental occupation of the group throughout thePhanerozoic.Xiphosurids are shown to have invaded non‐marine environments independently at least five times throughout their evolutionary history, twice resulting in the radiation of major clades – bellinurines and austrolimulids – that occupied novel regions of morphospace. These clades show a convergent ecological pattern of differentiation, speciation and subsequent extinction. Horseshoe crabs are shown to have a more dynamic and complex evolutionary history than previously supposed, with the extant species representing only a fraction of the group's past ecological and morphological diversity.
On Whether we Can See Intentions
Authors: Spaulding Shannon 
Published: November 2015

AbstractDirect Perception is the view that we can see others' mental states, i.e. that we perceive others' mental states with the same immediacy and directness that we perceive ordinary objects in the world. I evaluate Direct Perception by considering whether we can see intentions, a particularly promising candidate for Direct Perception. I argue that the view equivocates on the notion of intention. Disambiguating the Direct Perception claim reveals a troubling dilemma for the view: either it is banal or highly implausible.