bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel mobility test to assess functional vision in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies
Authors: Chung Daniel C , McCague Sarah , Yu Zi‐Fan , Thill Satha , DiStefano‐Pappas Julie , Bennett Jean , Cross Dominique , Marshall Kathleen , Wellman Jennifer , High Katherine A 
Published: July 2017

AbstractImportanceThis novel endpoint tracks functional vision changes in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) over time.BackgroundThe aims of the study were to determine whether a multi‐luminance mobility test (MLMT) can detect functional vision changes over time in subjects with IRDs and to assess natural history and potential effects of investigational agents.DesignThis is a prospective, observational study.ParticipantsSixty‐two subjects were enrolled. Sixty (29 normal sighted and 31 visually impaired) were eligible; 54 (28 visually impaired and 26 normal‐sighted) completed all testing visits.MethodsSubjects navigated MLMT courses three times over 1 year. At each visit, subjects completed testing using individual eyes, and both eyes, at up to nine standardized, increasing luminance levels (range 1 to 400 lux). Accuracy and speed were evaluated and compared with visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) and a visual function questionnaire.Main Outcome MeasuresAccuracy and speed of normal and visually impaired subjects on MLMT, and reliability and content validity of MLMT were the main outcome measures.ResultsMLMT distinguished normal‐sighted from visually impaired subjects. All control subjects passed all MLMT attempts at all tested light levels. Visually impaired subjects' performance varied widely; some declined over 1 year. Performance declined markedly below certain VA and VF thresholds. Concordance on performance on two baseline visits was high: correlations for accuracy were 94% and 98% for lowest common and highest common lux levels.Conclusions and RelevanceMLMT differentiated visually impaired from control populations and, in visually impaired subjects, identified a range of performances; and tracked performance declines over time, consistent with these progressive conditions.
Australian lobbyist registers are not serving the purposes they were designed for
Authors: Robertson Narelle , Kypri Kypros , Stafford Julia , Daube Mike , Avery Michelle , Miller Peter 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. There is widespread concern about the nature, extent and impacts of lobbying by industries selling unhealthy commodities, which threatens public health and undermines important democratic processes. In the last decade, all Australian jurisdictions (except the Northern Territory) have established lobbyist registers with the stated objective of increasing the capacity of government and the public to scrutinise lobbying. Our aim was to assess whether the registers are fulfilling this objective. Design and Methods. We conducted web searches of registers in Australian jurisdictions in 2014 and 2015 to determine what type of information they collected and whether data were accessible. We supplemented searches with e‐mails and phone calls to registrars to clarify policies and seek additional information. Results. We found that the data were lacking in critical details and historical information was difficult or impossible to obtain. None of the registers required in‐house lobbyists to register or to be bound by the Lobbying Codes of Conduct. None required that informal lobbying (e.g. by government relations staff within a company) be recorded, and none provided detailed information about the nature and extent of lobbying activities. Discussion and Conclusions. The registers do not meet the stated objective of making lobbying activity transparent to the Australian public. Timely access to comprehensive information is essential to help promote the rational development of policy concerning tobacco, alcohol and gambling problems. There is an urgent need to reform lobbyist registers to ensure that they are comprehensive and transparent.
Location of bumblebee nests is predicted by counts of nest‐searching queens
Authors: O'CONNOR STEPH , PARK KIRSTY J. , GOULSON DAVE 
Published: July 2017

Abstract1. Bumblebee nests are difficult to find in sufficient numbers for well replicated studies. Counts of nest‐searching queens in spring and early summer have been used as an indication of preferred nesting habitat, but this relationship has not yet been validated; high densities of nest‐searching queens may indicate habitat with few nesting opportunities (meaning that queens have to spend longer looking for them).2. From mid April 2010, queen bumblebees were counted along 20 transects in grassland and woodland habitats in central Scotland, U.K. The number of inflorescences of suitable forage plants were also estimated at each transect visit. The area surrounding each transect was searched for nests in the summer.3. In total, 173 queen bumblebees were recorded on transects, and, of these, 149 were engaged in nest‐searching. Searches subsequently revealed 33 bumblebee nests.4. The number of nest‐searching queens on transects was significantly, positively related to the number of nests subsequently found. Estimated floral abundance along the transect did not correlate with numbers of nest‐searching queens or with the number of nests found, suggesting that queens do not target their searching to areas that are locally high in spring forage.5. The data suggest that counts of nest‐searching queens provide a useful positive indication of good nesting habitat, and hence where bumblebee nests are likely to be found later in the year.
Seasonal associations with urban light pollution for nocturnally migrating bird populations
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Fink Daniel , Buler Jeffrey J. , Farnsworth Andrew , Cabrera‐Cruz Sergio A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe spatial extent and intensity of artificial light at night (ALAN) has increased worldwide through the growth of urban environments. There is evidence that nocturnally migrating birds are attracted to ALAN, and there is evidence that nocturnally migrating bird populations are more likely to occur in urban areas during migration, especially in the autumn. Here, we test if urban sources of ALAN are responsible, at least in part, for these observed urban associations. We use weekly estimates of diurnal occurrence and relative abundance for 40 nocturnally migrating bird species that breed in forested environments in North America to assess how associations with distance to urban areas and ALAN are defined across the annual cycle. Migratory bird populations presented stronger than expected associations with shorter distances to urban areas during migration, and stronger than expected association with higher levels of ALAN outside and especially within urban areas during migration. These patterns were more pronounced during autumn migration, especially within urban areas. Outside of the two migration periods, migratory bird populations presented stronger than expected associations with longer distances to urban areas, especially during the nonbreeding season, and weaker than expected associations with the highest levels of ALAN outside and especially within urban areas. These findings suggest that ALAN is associated with higher levels of diurnal abundance along the boundaries and within the interior of urban areas during migration, especially in the autumn when juveniles are undertaking their first migration journey. These findings support the conclusion that urban sources of ALAN can broadly effect migratory behavior, emphasizing the need to better understand the implications of ALAN for migratory bird populations.
Potential applications of low‐energy shock waves in functional urology
Authors: Wang Hung‐Jen , Cheng Jai‐Hong , Chuang Yao‐Chi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA shock wave, which carries energy and can propagate through a medium, is a type of continuous transmitted sonic wave with a frequency of 16 Hz–20 MHz. It is accompanied by processes involving rapid energy transformations. The energy associated with shock waves has been harnessed and used for various applications in medical science. High‐energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy is the most successful application of shock waves, and has been used to disintegrate urolithiasis for 30 years. At lower energy levels, however, shock waves have enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, chemoattractant factors and recruitment of progenitor cells; shock waves have also improved tissue regeneration. Low‐energy shock wave therapy has been used clinically with musculoskeletal disorders, ischemic cardiovascular disorders and erectile dysfunction, through the mechanisms of neovascularization, anti‐inflammation and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, low‐energy shock waves have been proposed to temporarily increase tissue permeability and facilitate intravesical drug delivery. The present review article provides information on the basics of shock wave physics, mechanisms of action on the biological system and potential applications in functional urology.
Cancer stem cells and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in urothelial carcinoma: Possible pathways and potential therapeutic approaches
Authors: Fang Dong , Kitamura Hiroshi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThere is growing evidence of the presence of cancer stem cells in urothelial carcinoma. Cancer stem cells have the ability to self‐renew and to differentiate into all cell types of the original heterogeneous tumor. A panel of diverse cancer stem cell markers might be suitable for simulation studies of urothelial cancer stem cells and for the development of optimized treatment protocols. The present review focuses on the advances in recognizing the markers of urothelial cancer stem cells and possible therapeutic targets. The commonly reported markers and pathways that were evaluated include CD44, CD133, ALDH1, SOX2 & SOX4, BMI1, EZH1, PD‐L1, MAGE‐A3, COX2/PGE2/STAT3, AR, and autophagy. Studies on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐related pathways (Shh, Wnt/β‐catenin, Notch, PI3K/Akt, TGF‐β, miRNA) are also reviewed. Most of these markers were recognized through the expression patterns of cancer stem cell‐rich side populations. Their regulative role in the development and differentiation of urothelial cancer stem cells was confirmed in vitro by functional analyses (e.g. cell migration, colony formation, sphere formation), and in vivo in xenograft experiments. Although a small number of these pathways are targeted by currently available drugs or drugs that are the currently being tested in clinical trials, a clear treatment approach has not been developed for most pathways. A greater understanding of the mechanisms that control the proliferation and differentiation of cancer stem cells is expected to lead to improvements in targeted therapy.
Delays in presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a retrospective study of a tertiary health service in Western Melbourne, 2011–2014
Authors: Williams Eloise , Cheng Allen C. , Lane Garry P. , Guy Stephen D. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundEffective tuberculosis (TB) control relies on early diagnosis and prompt treatment commencement.AimTo investigate delays in presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB) in a low incidence setting in Western Melbourne.MethodsA single‐centred retrospective observational cohort study of symptomatic patients ≥ 18 years newly diagnosed with PTB that were commenced on treatment between 1 December 2011 and 1 December 2014 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Melbourne. Main outcome measures included median duration of patient, health system and total delays to diagnosis of PTB and clinical factors associated with prolonged patient (>35 days) and health system (>21 days) delay.ResultsA total of 133 patients were included. The median (range) duration of patient, health system and total delay to diagnosis were 28 (0–610), 18 (0–357) and 89 (1–730) days respectively. Prolonged patient delay was associated with being from a country with an annual TB incidence of <50/100 000 (odds ratio (OR) 5.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 29.98) and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.04, 8.78) in multivariate analysis. Being Australian‐born or a resident of Australia ≥6 years (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.12, 0.74; OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.00, 0.033 respectively) was associated with reduced patient delay.ConclusionsIn this low‐incidence, high‐resource setting, patient delays contribute most to total delay in PTB diagnosis. Strategies addressing this aspect of the TB diagnosis pathway, such as health literacy and promotion programmes for new migrants and raised primary healthcare awareness, could have the largest impact on reducing total PTB diagnosis delays.
Absence of clinical disease and contact transmission of HPAI H5NX clade 2.3.4.4 from North America in experimentally infected pigs
Authors: Kaplan Bryan S. , Torchetti Mia K. , Lager Kelly M. , Webby Richard J. , Vincent Amy L. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundIn the fall of 2014, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 was introduced into North America by migrating waterfowl from Asia where, through reassortment, novel HPAI H5N2 and H5N1 viruses emerged.ObjectivesAssess the susceptibility of pigs to HPAI H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8 clade 2.3.3.3 from North America.MethodsPigs and trachea explants were inoculated with a representative panel of H5NX clade 2.3.4.4 HPAI viruses from North America. Nasal swabs, BALF, and sera were collected to assess replication and transmission in challenged and direct contact pigs by RRT‐PCR, virus isolation, hemagglutination inhibition, and ELISA.ResultsLimited virus replication was restricted to the lower respiratory tract of challenged pigs, though absent in the nasal passages and trachea cultures, as determined by RRT‐PCR in all samples. Seroconversion of inoculated pigs was detected by NP ELISA but was not reliably detected by antigen‐specific hemagglutination inhibition. Boost with adjuvanted virus was required for the production of neutralizing antibodies to assess cross‐reactivity between wild‐type avian strains. All RRT‐PCR and serology tests were negative for contact animals indicating a failure of transmission from primary inoculated pigs.ConclusionsH5NX clade 2.3.4.4 strains can replicate in the lower respiratory tract of swine upon high titer inoculation, though appear to be incapable of replication in swine nasal epithelium in vivo or ex vivo in trachea explants in culture. Infected pigs did not produce high levels of serum antibodies following infection. Collectively, our data show HPAI H5NX clade 2.3.4.4 viruses to be poorly adapted for replication and transmission in swine.
Elemental characterization of the exoskeleton in the whipscorpions Mastigoproctus giganteus and Typopeltis dalyi (Arachnida: Thelyphonida)
Authors: Gallant James , Hochberg Rick 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe arthropod cuticle is a structurally diverse secretion that is largely composed of lipids, proteins, and α‐chitin that function together in protection, prey capture, and as a skeletal framework for efficient and diverse means of locomotion. Aquatic, aerial, and terrestrial arthropods are well known to enrich their cuticles with trace elements that are proposed to strengthen or otherwise enhance specific regions of the exoskeleton. In this study, we provide evidence that whipscorpions (vinegaroons) enrich their exoskeleton with up to 14 trace elements. We use energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) to provide the first comparisons of trace element composition in two species of Thelyphonida: Mastigoproctus giganteus (female) and Typopeltis dalyi (female and male). We analyzed the chemical composition of eight regions that have sensory, locomotory, taxonomic, protective, and/or predatory significance: the flagellum, prosoma, tarsal claws of the walking legs, tarsi of the antenniform legs, chelicerae, and the terminal three segments of the pedipalps. Our results reveal the presence of 14 trace elements across both species (12 elements in T. dalyi, 10 elements in M. giganteus), and only four elements are present at significant levels (≥1% weight): Si, Cl, Ca, and Zn. The flagellum, antenniform leg tarsi, and prosoma keel lack these elements in both species, while the chelicerae of all species are enriched with Ca, Zn, and Cl, and the tarsal claws are enriched with Zn. Significantly, we note the presence of Si in the prosomal carapace (but not the keel) of males and females of Typopeltis only, which appears to be the first evidence of this transition metal in the arthropod exoskeleton. We discuss the significance of these chemical enrichments in whipscorpions and provide hypotheses about their functional significance.
In‐situ measurements of lattice expansion related to defect generation during flash sintering
Authors: Lebrun J.‐M. , Hellberg C. S. , Jha S. K. , Kriven W. M. , Steveson A. , Seymour K. C. , Bernstein N. , Erwin S. C. , Raj R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report results from in‐situ measurements of lattice expansion during flash sintering of 3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia taken at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The expansion is anisotropic, with the relative expansion of the a‐lattice constant exceeding that of the c‐lattice constant. The anisotropic expansion cannot be explained by thermal expansion and is consistent with predictions from ab‐initio calculations based upon the generation of vacancy‐interstitial pairs of zirconium and oxygen.
Ferroelectric, piezoelectric and electrostrictive properties of Sn4+‐modified Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 lead‐free electroceramics
Authors: Baraskar Bharat G. , Kambale Rahul C. , James Ajit R. , Mahesh Manepalli L. , Ramana Chintalapalle V. , Kolekar Yessappa D. 
Published: July 2017

Lead‐free Ba0.7Ca0.3Ti1−xSnxO3 (x=0.00, 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.1, abbreviated as BCST) electroceramic system was prepared by the solid‐state reaction method and its ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and electrostrictive properties were investigated. X‐ray diffraction shows that the compositions with x≤0.05 exhibit a tetragonal crystal structure having P4mm symmetry; while the compositions x=0.075 and 0.1 exhibit a mixed P4mm+Amm2 phase coexistence of tetragonal and orthorhombic and P4mm+Pmm pseudo‐cubic lattice symmetries, respectively, at room temperature. The dense microstructure having relative density ~90%‐92% and average grain size in the range ~2.36 μm to 8.56 μm was observed for BCST ceramics. Temperature‐dependent dielectric measurements support the presence of phase coexistence and show the decrease in Curie temperature (TC) with Sn4+ substitution. The dielectric loss (tan δ) values in the temperature range (−100°C to 150°C) was observed to be <4%, for all BCST ceramics. The BCST compositions exhibit typical polarization‐electric field (P‐E) hysteresis and electric field induced strain (S‐E) butterfly loop, which confirms the ferroelectric and piezoelectric character. The compositions x=0.025, 0.05 and 0.075 show the peaking behavior of displacement current density () to an applied electric field () (J‐E) which implies the saturation state of polarization. The maximum electrostrictive coefficient (Q33) value of 0.0667 m4/C2 was observed for x=0.075 and it is higher than some of the significant lead‐based electrostrictive materials. The compositions x=0.05 and 0.075 exhibit the notable electrostrictive properties that may be useful for piezoelectric Ac device applications. The observed results are discussed and correlated with the structure‐property‐composition.
Correlated response in litter size components in rabbits selected for litter size variability
Authors: Argente M.J. , Calle E.W. , García M.L. , Blasco A. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryA divergent selection experiment for the environmental variability of litter size (Ve) over seven generations was carried out in rabbits at the University Miguel Hernández of Elche. The Ve was estimated as the phenotypic variance within the female, after correcting for year‐season and parity‐lactation status. The aim of this study was to analyse the correlated responses to selection in litter size components. The ovulation rate (OR) and number of implanted embryos (IE) in females were measured by laparoscopy at 12 day of the second gestation. At the end of the second gestation, the total number of kits born was measured (TB). Embryonic (ES), foetal (FS) and prenatal (PS) survival were computed as IE/OR, TB/IE and TB/OR, respectively. A total of 405 laparoscopies were performed. Data were analysed using Bayesian methodology. The correlated response to selection for litter size environmental variability in terms of the litter size components was estimated as either genetic trends, estimated by computing the average estimated breeding values for each generation and each line, or the phenotypic differences between lines. The OR was similar in both lines. However, after seven generations of selection, the homogenous line showed more IE (1.09 embryos for genetic means and 1.23 embryos for phenotypic means) and higher ES than the heterogeneous one (0.07 for genetic means and 0.08 for phenotypic means). The probability of the phenotypic differences between lines being higher than zero (p) was 1.00 and .99, respectively. A higher uterine overcrowding of embryos in the homogeneous line did not penalize FS; as a result, this line continued to show a greater TB (1.01 kits for genetic means and 1.30 kits for phenotypic means, p = .99, in the seventh generation). In conclusion, a decrease in litter size variability showed a favourable effect on ES and led to a higher litter size at birth.
The loss of dispersal on islands hypothesis revisited: Implementing phylogeography to investigate evolution of dispersal traits in Periploca (Apocynaceae)
Authors: García‐Verdugo C. , Mairal M. , Monroy P. , Sajeva M. , Caujapé‐Castells J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe loss of dispersal on islands hypothesis (LDIH) posits that wind‐dispersed plants should exhibit reduced dispersal potential, particularly if island populations are old. In this study, we tested this hypothesis using a detailed phylogeographical framework across different geographical scales.LocationMainland and island areas of the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, including Macaronesia (Canary Islands and Cape Verde) and Mediterranean islands in the strait of Sicily.MethodsForty‐five populations of Periploca laevigata, a wind‐dispersed shrub, were sampled. Plastid and nuclear microsatellite data were used to reconstruct spatio‐temporal patterns of island colonization, and estimates of seed terminal velocity used as a surrogate for dispersal ability under both field and common garden conditions.ResultsOur findings did not provide evidence of loss of dispersability in any island lineage. In all of the regions considered, dispersal ability was similar on island and mainland populations, or higher on islands. Contrary to LDIH expectations, lineages inferred as the oldest (western Canaries and Cape Verde) converged towards the most dispersive seed phenotype. This pattern was supported by data obtained under common garden conditions. Within the western Canarian lineage, successful dispersal was shown to be very rare among islands and extensive within islands, but dispersability did not vary significantly from older to more recent sublineages. Considering all the study islands, we found a strong, positive correlation between dispersal ability and estimates of within‐island habitat availability.Main conclusionsThis study suggests that dispersal ability can be favoured on islands, possibly because traits enhancing wind dispersal are positively selected when habitat availability is high. Our results challenge broad generalizations of the LDIH, but we discuss how overlooking species′ phylogeographical history may give rise to misleading conclusions.