bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why are tropical mountain passes “low” for some species? Genetic and stable‐isotope tests for differentiation, migration and expansion in elevational generalist songbirds
Authors: Gadek Chauncey R. , Newsome Seth D. , Beckman Elizabeth J. , Chavez Andrea N. , Galen Spencer C. , Bautista Emil , Witt Christopher C. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Most tropical bird species have narrow elevational ranges, likely reflecting climatic specialization. This is consistent with Janzen's Rule, the tendency for mountain passes to be effectively “higher” in the tropics. Hence, those few tropical species that occur across broad elevational gradients (elevational generalists) represent a contradiction to Janzen's Rule.

Here, we aim to address the following questions. Are elevational generalists being sundered by diversifying selection along the gradient? Does elevational movement cause these species to resist diversification or specialization? Have they recently expanded, suggesting that elevational generalism is short‐lived in geological time?

To answer these questions, we tested for differentiation, movement and expansion in four elevational generalist songbird species on the Andean west slope. We used morphology and mtDNA to test for genetic differentiation between high‐ and low‐elevation populations. To test for elevational movements, we measured hydrogen isotope (δ2H) values of metabolically inert feathers and metabolically active liver.

Morphology differed for House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) and Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus), but not for Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrum cinereum) and Rufous‐collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) respectively. mtDNA was structured by elevation only in Z. capensis. δ2H data indicated elevational movements by two tree‐ and shrub‐foraging species with moderate‐to‐high vagility (C. cinereum and S. magellanicus), and sedentary behaviour by two terrestrial‐foraging species with low‐to‐moderate vagility (T. aedon and Z. capensis). In S. magellanicus, elevational movements and lack of mtDNA structure contrast with striking morphological divergence, suggesting strong diversifying selection on body proportions across the c. 50 km gradient. All species except C. cinereum exhibited mtDNA haplotype variation consistent with recent population expansion across the elevational gradient, potentially concurrent with Holocene anthropogenic habitat conversion for agriculture.

In different ways, each species defies the tendency for tropical birds to have long‐term stable distributions and sedentary habits. We conclude that tropical elevational generalism is rare due to evolutionary instability.
Rare events of massive plant reproductive investment lead to long‐term density‐dependent reproductive success
Authors: Żywiec Magdalena , Ledwoń Mateusz , Holeksa Jan , Seget Piotr , Łopata Barbara , Fedriani José Maria 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe level of reproductive investment and density‐ and distance‐dependent (DDD) processes are major determinants of plant reproductive output. The reproductive investment of a plant population varies temporally, but whether and how DDD processes are affected by population‐level reproductive investment is a puzzle.We used a spatially explicit approach in order to examineDDDeffects onSorbus aucupariacrop sizes for a continuous period of 16 years. Our special interest was to investigate whether and howDDDprocesses affect long‐term individual plant reproductive success (PRS) and whether such processes vary between years of relatively high and low population‐level reproductive investment, measured as fruit crop size.Our study revealed thatDDDprocesses of fruit crop relate to population‐level reproductive investment. In most years, including all years with low and most years with moderate reproductive investment, no positive or negativeDDDwas found forPRS. However, significant negative density‐dependent effects were found during most years of high and some years of moderate reproductive investment. During these years, the individual reproductive success decreased with increasing density of conspecifics.The overall accumulated long‐term negative density‐dependent pattern ofPRSwas determined by few sporadic years of high reproductive investment, rather than by the most frequent years of low or moderate reproductive investment, when theDDDeffects were usually weak.Synthesis. Our study highlights the ecological relevance of relatively infrequent processes which affect plant reproductive success, stressing thus the importance of long‐term ecological research.
Political Donations in Australia: What the Australian Electoral Commission Disclosures Reveal and What They Don't
Authors: Edwards Lindy 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe transparent disclosure of political donations is an important anti‐corruption measure. However Australia's current disclosure system has been too poor to sustain rigorous empirical analysis by either journalists or researchers. The barriers to analysis lie in the data collected and in how it is disclosed to the public. This article seeks to give an overview of the transparency problems in the disclosures. It then outlines what limited insights can be gleaned about the political donations landscape. It finds that donations are dominated by the federal election cycle, transparently declared donations make up a small and declining proportion of parties’ incomes at 12–15%, and the amount of money going entirely undisclosed is more than 50% and growing. It also finds indications of paying for access and donor strikes being used to punish government that require further research.
What are parental condition‐transfer effects and how can they be detected?
Authors: Bonduriansky Russell , Crean Angela J. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

While it has been recognized for many years that parental condition can influence offspring performance, recent research on adaptive parental effects has focused primarily on anticipatory effects, whereby parents adjust the phenotype of their offspring for the anticipated environment. Here, we make the case that condition transfer is a widespread and important type of adaptive parental effect, and endeavour to clarify how such effects should be interpreted and studied.

Some authors have suggested that condition‐transfer effects result simply from resource limitation constraints (passive condition transfer, or transmissive effects). However, condition transfer can also reflect evolved parental investment strategies (active condition‐transfer effects). In some species, such strategies can involve cryptic mechanisms such as epigenetic inheritance.

As recently shown in this journal by Engqvist and Reinhold, condition‐transfer effects can be obscured by anticipatory effects and interactions between the effects of parental and offspring environments. Nonetheless, we argue that these complications can be largely overcome by examining a broad range of ecologically relevant environments in both parental and offspring generations. This can be accomplished by adapting a powerful methodology from the nutritional sciences—the geometric framework—to research on parental effects.
Origins of lead in populations of raptors
Authors: Katzner T. E. , Stuber M. J. , Slabe V. A. , Anderson J. T. , Cooper J. L. , Rhea L.L. , Millsap B. A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough poisoning from anthropogenically derived lead threatens wildlife of many species, routes of lead exposure are unclear and rarely empirically tested. We used blood lead concentration and isotope ratio (207Pb/206Pb) data from populations of four species of raptors from across North America to test hypotheses associated with lead exposure via inhalation versus ingestion. Mean variation in blood lead concentration among cohort siblings was non‐zero at nests of ferruginous hawks Buteo regalis and osprey Pandion haliaetus (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), indicating exposure via episodic ingestion. However, within‐nest variation in blood lead concentration was not significantly different from zero among cohort siblings at nests of bald eagles Haliaeetus leucocephalus and golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos (P = 0.014 and P = 0.023), consistent with exposure via continuous inhalation. Isotope ratio data corroborated the lead concentration data and within‐nest average and variance of blood lead concentrations were positively correlated (r = 0.70 to 0.94), indicating episodic ingestion. This study provides some of the first empirical population‐level data to evaluate mechanisms of lead exposure and demonstrates the importance of lead ingestion to avian predators and scavengers.
Attitudes of patients with metastatic cancer towards research biopsies
Authors: Robinson Danielle H. , Churilov Leonid , Lin Nancy U. , Lim Elgene , Seah Davinia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo evaluate the attitudes of patients with different cancers towards research biopsies outside a clinical trial.MethodsPatients with metastatic cancer completed a questionnaire that assessed patients’ willingness to consider research biopsies. Research biopsies were divided into two groups: biopsies performed as stand‐alone procedures (research purposes only biopsy, RPOB) or performed during a clinically indicated biopsy (additional pass biopsy, APB). Factors analyzed included biopsy timing, biopsy site, sociodemographic information and information about prior trial participation. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using random‐effects logistic regression.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐five patients with cancer (40 melanoma, 37 colorectal, 32 breast, 30 lung, 26 prostate) completed the questionnaire. Patients with melanoma demonstrated the greatest willingness to consider a research biopsy compared to patients with other cancer types (P < 0.05). Patients’ ethnicity, time since previous biopsies, time since metastatic diagnosis, and previous trial enrolment were all statistically significant for willingness to consider a research biopsy on univariate analysis. When adjusting for statistically significant variables on univariate analysis, the odds of patients considering APBs were 14.6 times greater than RPOBs (P < 0.0001). Patients were also more willing to consider having blood or skin taken for research purposes (P < 0.0001) compared to liver and bone biopsies.ConclusionsPatients with cancer show a greater willingness to consider APBs compared to RPOBs, and biopsies performed at less invasive body sites. There are differences in the attitudes of patients with different cancers towards research biopsies. Further research addressing motivations and barriers to research biopsies should be considered to increase the availability of this important resource.
Service‐learning partnerships: Features that promote transformational and sustainable rural and remote health partnerships and services
Authors: Jones Debra , McAllister Lindy , Dyson Robert , Lyle David 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe features that promote transformational and sustainable community engaged health partnerships and services in rural and remote Australian locations.DesignA pragmatic qualitative study using focus groups and individual semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using four stages of data comparison.SettingFar west New South Wales, Australia. The health partnership, initiated by primary school principals in 2008, aimed to address allied health service inequities experienced by regional children. A service‐learning program was developed, aligning allied health student placements to student‐led services. The program has been operational since 2009.ParticipantsCommunity participants included school principals (n = 7) and senior managers (n = 2) from local facilitating agencies. Campus participants included allied health students (n = 10) and academics (n = 2), one rurally located with student supervision responsibility and one metropolitan located with a strategic partnership role.MeasuresAll data were collected by an independent researcher. Four stages of data comparison were undertaken. A thematic analysis was conducted and six key features identified through Stage Four comparison, a comparison across the findings from discrete community and campus groups, reflecting transformational community engagement were identified.ResultsThese six features are: (i) identifying and responding to community need, (ii) providing services of value, (iii) community leadership and innovation, (iv) reputation and trust, (v) consistency, and (vi) knowledge sharing and program adaptation.ConclusionWe propose that these features contributed to the transformational engagement of community and university participants. These features can inform health sector approaches to community engagement, enhancing rural and remote service accessibility, acceptability, and sustainability outcomes.
Economic evidence for nonpharmacological asthma management interventions: A systematic review
Authors: Crossman‐Barnes C‐J. , Peel A. , Fong‐Soe‐Khioe R. , Sach T. , Wilson A. , Barton G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAsthma management, education and environmental interventions have been reported as cost‐effective in a previous review (Pharm Pract (Granada), 2014;12:493), but methods used to estimate costs and outcomes were not discussed in detail. This review updates the previous review by providing economic evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of studies identified after 2012, and a detailed assessment of the methods used in all identified studies. Twelve databases were searched from 1990 to January 2016, and studies included economic evaluations, asthma subjects and nonpharmacological interventions written in English. Sixty‐four studies were included. Of these, 15 were found in addition to the earlier review; 53% were rated fair in quality and 47% high. Education and self‐management interventions were the most cost‐effective, in line with the earlier review. Self‐reporting was the most common method used to gather resource‐use data, accompanied by bottom‐up approaches to estimate costs. Main outcome measures were asthma‐related hospitalizations (69%), quality of life (41%) and utility (38%), with AQLQ and the EQ‐5D being the most common questionnaires measured prospectively at fixed time points. More rigorous costing methods are needed with a more common quality of life tool to aid greater replicability and comparability amongst asthma studies.
Habitat attribute similarities reduce impacts of land‐use conversion on seed removal
Authors: Rabello Ananza M. , Parr Catherine L. , Queiroz Antônio C. M. , Braga Danielle L. , Santiago Graziele S. , Ribas Carla R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChanges in land use strongly influence habitat attributes (e.g., herbaceous ground cover and tree richness) and can consequently affect ecological functions. Most studies have focused on the response of these ecological functions to land‐use changes within only a single vegetation type. These studies have often focused solely on agricultural conversion of forests, making it nearly impossible to draw general conclusions across other vegetation types or with other land‐use changes (e.g., afforestation). We examined the consequences of agricultural conversion for seed removal by ants in native grassland, savanna, and savanna‐forest habitats that had been transformed to planted pastures (Brachiaria decumbens) and tree plantations (Eucalyptus spp.) and explored if changes in seed removal were correlated with differences in habitat attributes between habitat types. We found that land‐use changes affected seed removal across the tree cover gradient and that the magnitude of impact was influenced by similarity in habitat attributes between native and converted habitats, being greater where there was afforestation (Eucalyptus spp in grassland and savanna). Herbaceous ground cover, soil hardness, and tree richness were the most important habitat attributes that correlated with differences in seed removal. Our results reveal that the magnitude of impact of land‐use changes on seed removal varies depending on native vegetation type and is associated with the type of habitat attribute change. Our findings have implications for biodiversity in tropical grassy systems: afforestation can have a greater detrimental impact on ecological function than tree loss.
Lnc‐NTF3‐5 promotes osteogenic differentiation of maxillary sinus membrane stem cells via sponging miR‐93‐3p
Authors: Peng Wei , Zhu Shuang‐Xi , Wang Jin , Chen Li‐Li , Weng Jun‐Quan , Chen Song‐Ling 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe function and the mechanism of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on the osteogenic differentiation of maxillary sinus membrane stem cells (MSMSCs) remain largely unknown.Materials and MethodsThe expression of lnc‐NTF3‐5 and Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), Osterix (OSX), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was examined by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) in MSMSCs during the process osteogenic differentiation. Then the function of lnc‐NTF3‐5 was evaluated by loss‐ and gain‐of‐function techniques, as well as qRT‐PCR, western blot, and Alizarin Red staining. In addition, the microRNAs (miRNAs) sponge potential of lnc‐NTF3‐5 was assessed through RNA immunoprecipitation, dual luciferase reporter assay, and in vivo ectopic bone formation.ResultsLnc‐NTF3‐5, RUNX2, OSX, and ALP increased alone with the differentiation. Inhibition of lnc‐NTF3‐5 decreased the expression of RUNX2, OSX, and ALP both at mRNA and protein levels. Alizarin red staining showed similar trend. In contrast, overexpression of lnc‐NTF3‐5 presented totally opposite effects. Besides, overexpression of lnc‐NTF3‐5 could decrease the expression of microRNA‐93‐3p (miR‐93‐3p). Enhance miR‐93‐3p could also inhibit the expression level of lnc‐NTF3‐5. RNA immunoprecipitation demonstrated that lnc‐NTF3‐5 is directly bound to miR‐93‐3p and dual luciferase reporter assay proved that miR‐93‐3p targets 3′ UTR of RUNX2 to regulate its expression. Ultimately, in vivo bone formation study showed that lnc‐NTF3‐5 and miR‐93‐3p inhibitor co‐transfection group displayed the strongest bone formation.ConclusionsThe novel pathway lnc‐NTF3‐5/miR‐93‐3p/RUNX2 could regulate osteogenic differentiation of MSMSCs and might serve as a therapeutic target for bone regeneration in the posterior maxilla.
Quality of life assessment in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer – psychometric validation of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 questionnaire
Authors: Müller Karolina , Karrer Sigrid , Szeimies Rolf‐Markus , Steinbauer Julia , Kohl Elisabeth , Steinbauer Dominik , Zeman Florian , Berneburg Mark , Koller Michael 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBackgroundNonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a chronic and sometimes difficult‐to‐treat condition affecting the quality of life (QL). The present study was conducted to investigate whether the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core QL Questionnaire – Cancer (QLQ‐C30) is a suitable tool for the assessment of QL in patients with NMSC.Patients and methodsIn order to define the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, the QLQ‐C30 and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were handed out to 172 patients of the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany.ResultsInternal consistencies of all multi‐item scales (except one) were acceptable, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.71 to 0.93. The hypothesized scale structure was supported by item/scale and interscale correlations within the QLQ‐C30. Related scales of the QLQ‐C30 and the DLQI correlated significantly, thus establishing construct validity. At the same time, the proportion of substantial correlations (6 % ≥ 0.40) indicated that the two questionnaires assessed distinct components of QL. The QLQ‐C30 significantly differentiated between clinically distinct patient groups, indicating that severe clinical conditions were associated with greater impairment in physical, role, and cognitive functioning (p ≤ 0.030).ConclusionsThese results confirm the QLQ‐C30 to be a suitable tool for the assessment of QL in patients with NMSC.
Triggering Insight: Using Neuroscience to Understand How Priming Changes Individual Cognition during Electronic Brainstorming
Authors: Minas Randall K. , Dennis Alan R. , Potter Robert F. , Kamhawi Rasha 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTWe build on prior theory and research on electronic brainstorming to examine how achievement priming influences individual cognition leading to changes in individual behavior and ultimately team performance. We conducted a repeated measures experiment using electroencephalography with 53 subjects performing two brainstorming tasks. We found that priming altered cognition in the left and right regions of the frontal cortex; that is, achievement priming triggered cognition in areas of the brain related to creative and insightful cognition while the placebo treatment led to cognition in areas related to language production. Thus, priming did not induce “more” cognition, but rather triggered changes in the nature of cognition that led to significantly more ideas and more ideas that were highly novel, workable, and relevant. This study makes two contributions: it shows one theoretical pathway by which achievement priming works; and it show that priming using pictures improves idea generation.
Salvage endoscopic resection (ER) after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: What are the risk factors for recurrence after salvage ER?
Authors: Hombu Takuya , Yano Tomonori , Hatogai Ken , Kojima Takashi , Kadota Tomohiro , Onozawa Masakatsu , Yoda Yusuke , Hori Keisuke , Oono Yasuhiro , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Fujii Satoshi 
Published: November 2017

Background and AimSalvage endoscopic resection (ER) is among the curative treatments for superficial local failure after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The present study aimed to clarify risk factors for recurrence after salvage ER.MethodsThis study enrolled consecutive ESCC patients treated with salvage ER for local failure after CRT between 1998 and 2013. Recurrences after salvage ER included locoregional recurrences and distant metastases. Multivariate analysis was carried out on clinicopathological parameters to identify risk factors for post‐salvage ER recurrence.ResultsOf the 72 patients enrolled in this study, 37/8/23/4 patients had been staged before CRT as cT1/T2/T3/T4 and 44/28 patients as cN0/N1, respectively, and local failures detected before salvage ER were residual lesions after CRT in 19 and local recurrences in 53 patients. Resected specimens were classified as pT1a (M) in 45 and pT1b (SM) in 27 patients. During the median 45‐month follow up (range, 3–175 months) after salvage ER, 27 (38%) patients developed recurrence with a 3‐year recurrence‐free survival rate of 48.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5–60.3). Multivariate analysis showed that residual lesions after CRT (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.32–4.94) and lesions with a submucosal tumor (SMT)‐like appearance before salvage ER (HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.04–4.18) were significantly associated with post‐salvage ER recurrence.ConclusionsClinical findings (e.g. residual tumors found immediately after CRT and macroscopic SMT‐like appearance before salvage ER) were shown to be significant risk factors for post‐salvage ER recurrence.