bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stable isotope signatures of underground seedlings reveal the organic matter gained by adult orchids from mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Schweiger Julienne M.‐I. , Bidartondo Martin I. , Gebauer Gerhard 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Orchids produce dust seeds dependent on the provision of organic carbon by mycorrhizal fungi for their early development stages. Hence, all chlorophyllous orchids experience a dramatic switch in trophic strategies from initial mycoheterotrophy to either autotrophy or partial mycoheterotrophy during ontogeny. Yet, the degree to which partially mycoheterotrophic orchids gain carbon from their mycorrhizal fungi is unclear based on existing approaches.

Here, we propose a novel approach to quantify the fungal‐derived organic matter gain of chlorophyllous mature orchids mycorrhizal with rhizoctonia fungi, using the stable isotope signatures of their fully mycoheterotrophic (FMH) seedlings in a linear two‐source mixing model.

We conducted a field germination experiment with seven orchid species and measured carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen stable isotope natural abundances and nitrogen concentrations of mature orchids, underground seedlings, and autotrophic references.

After in situ burial for 19–30 months, germination rates varied considerably among five orchid species and failed for two. On average, underground seedlings were enriched in 13C and 15N relative to mature orchids and had higher nitrogen concentrations. Using the mean enrichment factors ε13C and ε2H of seedlings as FMH endpoint, the organic matter gain derived by mature orchids from mycorrhizas was c. 20%.

Chlorophyllous orchids mycorrhizal with rhizoctonias are predisposed to partially mycoheterotrophic nutrition due to their initially mycoheterotrophic seedling stage. We show that the carbon and hydrogen isotope abundances of underground seedlings can be used in an improved mixing‐model to identify a significant proportion of fungal‐derived organic matter in mature orchids.

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Environmental conditions synchronize waterbird mortality events in the Great Lakes
Authors: Princé Karine , Chipault Jennifer G. , White C. LeAnn , Zuckerberg Benjamin 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Since the 1960s, periodic outbreaks of avian botulism type E have contributed to large‐scale die‐offs of thousands of waterbirds throughout the Great Lakes of the United States. In recent years, these events have become more common and widespread. Occurring during the summer and autumn months, the prevalence of these die‐offs varies across years and is often associated with years of warmer lake temperatures and lower water levels. Little information exists on how environmental conditions mediate the spatial and temporal characteristics of mortality events.

In 2010, a citizen science programme, Avian Monitoring for Botulism Lakeshore Events (AMBLE), was launched to enhance surveillance efforts and detect the appearance of beached waterbird carcasses associated with avian botulism type E outbreaks in northern Lake Michigan. Using these data, our goal was to quantify the within‐year characteristics of mortality events for multiple species, and to test whether the synchrony of these events corresponded to fluctuations in two environmental factors suspected to be important in the spread of avian botulism: water temperature and the prevalence of green macroalgae.

During two separate events of mass waterbird mortality, we found that the detection of bird carcasses was spatially synchronized at scales of c. 40 km. Notably, the extent of this spatial synchrony in avian mortality matched that of fluctuations in lake surface water temperatures and the prevalence of green macroalgae.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings are suggestive of a synchronizing effect where warmer lake temperatures and the appearance of macroalgae mediate the characteristics of avian mortality. In future years, rising lake temperatures and a higher propensity of algal masses could lead to increases in the magnitude and synchronization of avian mortality due to botulism. We advocate that citizen‐based monitoring efforts are critical for identifying the potential environmental conditions associated with widespread mortality events and estimating future risk to waterbird populations.
Decision‐making for mitigating wildlife diseases: From theory to practice for an emerging fungal pathogen of amphibians
Authors: Canessa Stefano , Bozzuto Claudio , Campbell Grant Evan H. , Cruickshank Sam S. , Fisher Matthew C. , Koella Jacob C. , Lötters Stefan , Martel An , Pasmans Frank , Scheele Ben C. , Spitzen‐van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Steinfartz Sebastian , Schmidt Benedikt R. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Conservation science can be most effective in its decision‐support role when seeking answers to clearly formulated questions of direct management relevance. Emerging wildlife diseases, a driver of global biodiversity loss, illustrate the challenges of performing this role: in spite of considerable research, successful disease mitigation is uncommon. Decision analysis is increasingly advocated to guide mitigation planning, but its application remains rare.

Using an integral projection model, we explored potential mitigation actions for avoiding population declines and the ongoing spatial spread of the fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). This fungus has recently caused severe amphibian declines in north‐western Europe and currently threatens Palearctic salamander diversity.

Available evidence suggests that a Bsal outbreak in a fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population will lead to its rapid extirpation. Treatments such as antifungals or probiotics would need to effectively interrupt transmission (reduce probability of infection by nearly 90%) in order to reduce the risk of host extirpation and successfully eradicate the pathogen.

Improving the survival of infected hosts is most likely to be detrimental as it increases the potential for pathogen transmission and spread. Active removal of a large proportion of the host population has some potential to locally eradicate Bsal and interrupt its spread, depending on the presence of Bsal reservoirs and on the host's spatial dynamics, which should therefore represent research priorities.

Synthesis and applications. Mitigation of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans epidemics in susceptible host species is highly challenging, requiring effective interruption of transmission and radical removal of host individuals. More generally, our study illustrates the advantages of framing conservation science directly in the management decision context, rather than adapting to it a posteriori.
Linking landscape composition to predator‐specific nest predation requires examining multiple landscape scales
Authors: Chiavacci Scott J. , Benson Thomas J. , Ward Michael P. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Landscape composition around bird nests can strongly influence nest predation, a major cause of reproductive failure for many species. Understanding this relationship may improve the effectiveness of management actions aimed at reducing predation. Despite attempts to link landscape composition to nest predation, consistent patterns have proven elusive, likely because studies often examine only one landscape scale, thereby overlooking scale‐specific interactions between predators and landscape features.

To demonstrate the value of incorporating scale‐dependence when connecting nest predation to landscape composition, we identified predators and analysed predator‐specific patterns among land cover types at four scales (200 m, 500 m, 1 km, 2.5 km). We video monitored 468 nests of 22 shrub‐nesting bird species, documented 212 predation events, and modelled relationships between landscape composition and predation by seven common predators.

The direction and strength of predator‐specific relationships varied among land cover types and scales. No single scale best predicted predation by all predators, though effects appeared to be stronger at larger scales. Two ecologically similar predators (fox snakes [Pantherophis vulpinus] and black ratsnakes [P. obsoletus]) showed contrasting relationships with different land cover types and one commonly cited predator (raccoon [Procyon lotor]) showed positive and negative links to developed cover across scales.

Synthesis and applications. Our results illustrate that elucidating the complex relationships between different nest predator species and the landscape composition surrounding nests requires the incorporation of scale‐dependence. Although such an undertaking may involve intensive nest monitoring to identify predators, it can provide managers with a more complete understanding of the linkages between predation and the landscape surrounding nests. With this knowledge, managers could employ structured decision making in an adaptive management framework to identify optimal strategies that address nest predation and allow them to confront potentially unexpected changes in predation patterns following management actions. Ultimately, by acknowledging that predator species differ in their relationships with landscape composition among different landscape scales, and incorporating this fact into future research, we can improve our ability to focus management on the habitats and scales most likely to impact predators of interest.
Modeling Semicontinuous Longitudinal Expenditures: A Practical Guide
Authors: Smith Valerie A. , Maciejewski Matthew L. , Olsen Maren K. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTo compare different strategies for analyzing longitudinal expenditure data that have a point mass at $0. We provide guidance on parameter interpretation, research questions, and model selection.Data Sources, Study Design, and Data CollectionOne‐part models, uncorrelated two‐part models, correlated conditional two‐part (CTP) models, and correlated marginalized two‐part (MTP) models have been proposed for longitudinal expenditures that often exhibit a large proportion of zeros and a distribution of continuous, highly right‐skewed positive values. Guidance on implementing and interpreting each of these model is illustrated with an example of longitudinal (2000–2003) specialty care expenditures of veterans with hypertension, drawn from Veterans Administration data.Principal FindingsThe four strategies answer different research questions, are appropriate for different structures of data, and provide different results. If there is a point mass at $0, then theMTPmodel may be most useful if the primary interest is in mean expenditures of the entire population. ACTPmodel may be most useful if the primary interest is in the level of expenditures conditional on them being incurred.ConclusionsResearchers should consider which modeling strategy for longitudinal expenditure outcomes is both consistent with research aims and appropriate for the data at hand.
Homicide–Suicide in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 1991–2016
Authors: Regoeczi Wendy C. , Gilson Thomas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractResearch on homicides followed by suicides has relied heavily on small samples and relatively short time spans of data. This study helps to fill this gap by examining 26 years of homicide–suicide data from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, between 1991 and 2016. The main data source for the study is medical examiner files. Analyses of the data indicate the rate of homicide–suicide in Cuyahoga County is consistent with other studies but fluctuates considerably across years studied. The majority of victims are female while perpetrators are overwhelmingly male. Black people are overrepresented as victims and offenders. Use of drugs and/or alcohol leading up to the incident is common among perpetrators. Both the homicides and suicides were overwhelming committed with firearms. When comparing our results to the typology of murder–suicides developed by Marzuk, Tardiff, and Hirsch (JAMA 1992;267:3179), we find amorous jealousy is a significant motivating factor in a many cases, including those involving nonintimate partners. Our findings underscore the importance of widespread use of lethality assessment instruments.
Effects of sun compass error on spatial search by Clark's nutcrackers
Authors: KELLY Debbie M. , CHENG Ken , BALDA Russell , KAMIL Alan C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAnimals employ compasses during navigation, but little attention has been paid to how accuracy is maintained in the face of compass error, which is inevitable in biological systems. The use of multiple landmarks may minimize the effect of compass error. We allowed Clark's nutcrackers to cache seeds in an outdoor aviary with either one or four landmarks present, and subsequently subjected them to small clock‐shifts mimicking the effects of compass error. As predicted, the results showed a significant decrease in search accuracy following the clock‐shift when one landmark was present but not when four landmarks were present. These results support that nutcrackers encode information from the sun as well as terrestrial landmarks, and these spatial cues are used in a flexible manner. Overall, our results are important as they support the hypothesis that multiple landmarks may be used during situations where the sun compass has even a small amount of error.
Potential impacts of shipping noise on Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins and implications for regulation and mitigation: a review
Authors: LI Songhai , LIU Mingming , DONG Lijun , DONG Jianchen , WANG Ding 
Published: January 2018

AbstractShipping noise is a widespread and relatively loud sound source among human‐induced underwater sounds. The impacts of shipping noise are of special concern for Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), as they inhabit shallow and nearshore habitats and are highly dependent on sound for survival. This study synthesizes our current understanding of the potential impacts of shipping noise on Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins combined with knowledge on sound production and hearing of these animals and the impacts of noise on other whales and dolphins. For further protection and management of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins and their habitats, shipping noise should be regulated and mitigated to modify sound from ships, to reduce overall noise levels, and to set more marine protected areas (MPAs) covering most Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin habitats with seasonal and geographical restrictions to avoid ensonification of shipping noise. The emphasis for future research should be on obtaining more baseline information about the population distribution, sound production, hearing capabilities at the population level, behavior, and stress hormones of the humpback dolphins under different noise conditions or under different noise‐producing activities, and/or in high‐noise areas compared with relatively quiet areas, and the noise characteristics of ships of different types, sizes and speeds.
Regional anesthesia decreases complications and resource utilization in shoulder arthroplasty patients
Authors: Herrick M. D. , Liu H. , Davis M. , Bell J.‐E. , Sites B. D. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundRegional anesthesia can be used as part of the anesthetic to optimize anesthesia and analgesia during shoulder arthroplasty, but little is known about the overall effect that regional anesthesia has on perioperative outcomes and resource utilization. We hypothesized that regional anesthesia may decrease complication rates and resource utilization in shoulder arthroplasty patients.MethodsWe examined administrative data from 588 US hospitals from 2010 to 2015. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between type of anesthesia and perioperative complications.ResultsAmong patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty, 79.1% (53,243) had general anesthesia alone, 17.8% (12,011) had general anesthesia and a nerve block, and 3.1% (2062) had a nerve block alone. Overall, the complication rate was 13.3% and 30‐day mortality was 1.2 per 1000 (95% CI 0.9, 1.4). In adjusted analyses, patients who had general anesthesia alone (compared to general anesthesia and nerve block) had a 16% increase in all cause infectious complications (OR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.31) and were 2.6 times more likely to develop pulmonary complications (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.14, 5.78). General anesthesia alone (relative to either block only or general anesthesia and block) was associated with substantial increases in the likelihood of blood transfusions, intensive care unit transfers, and prolonged length of stay.ConclusionPatients receiving regional anesthesia for shoulder arthroplasty may have a reduction in perioperative complications, the need for intensive care unit transfers, blood transfusions, and prolonged hospital stays.
Effectiveness of Interventions to Decrease Image Ordering for Low Back Pain Presentations in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Chaocheng , Desai Shashwat , Krebs Lynette D. , Kirkland Scott W. , Keto‐Lambert Diana , Rowe Brian H. ,   the PRIHS‐2 Choosing Wisely Team
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is an extremely frequent reason for patients to present to an emergency department (ED). Despite evidence against the utility of imaging, simple and advanced imaging (i.e., computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging) for patients with LBP has become increasingly frequent in the ED. The objective of this review was to identify and examine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing image ordering in the ED for LBP patients.MethodsA protocol was developed a priori, following the PRISMA guidelines, and registered with PROSPERO. Six bibliographic databases (including MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Dissertation Abstracts) and the gray literature were searched. Comparative studies assessing interventions that targeted image ordering in the ED for adult patients with LBP were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened study eligibility and completed data extraction. Study quality was completed independently by two reviewers using the before–after quality assessment checklist, with a third‐party mediator resolving any differences. Due to a limited number of studies and significant heterogeneity, only a descriptive analysis was performed.ResultsThe search yielded 603 unique citations of which a total of five before–after studies were included. Quality assessment identified potential biases relating to comparability between the pre‐ and postintervention groups, reliable assessment of outcomes, and an overall lack of information on the intervention (i.e., time point, description, intervention data collection). The type of interventions utilized included clinical decision support tools, clinical practice guidelines, a knowledge translation initiative, and multidisciplinary protocols. Overall, four studies reported a decrease in the relative percentage change in imaging in a specific image modality (22.7%–47.4%) following implementation of the interventions; however, one study reported a 35% increase in patient referrals to radiography, while another study reported a subsequent 15.4% increase in referrals to CT and myelography after implementing an intervention which reduced referrals for simple radiography.DiscussionWhile imaging of LBP has been identified as a key area of imaging overuse (e.g., Choosing Wisely recommendation), evidence on interventions to reduce image ordering for ED patients with LBP is sparse. There is some evidence to suggest that interventions can reduce the use of simple imaging in LBP in the ED; however, a shift in imaging modality has also been demonstrated. Additional studies employing higher‐quality methods and measuring intervention fidelity are strongly recommended to further explore the potential of ED‐based interventions to reduce image ordering for this patient population.
House dust mite impairs antiviral response in asthma exacerbation models through its effects on TLR3
Authors: Akbarshahi H. , Menzel M. , Ramu S. , Mahmutovic Persson I. , Bjermer L. , Uller L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundImpaired antiviral interferon expression may be involved in asthma exacerbations commonly caused by rhinovirus infections. Allergy is a known risk factor for viral‐induced asthma exacerbation, but little is known whether allergens may affect interferon responses.ObjectiveOur hypothesis is that house dust mite (HDM) impairs viral stimulus‐induced antiviral signalling.MethodsExperimental asthma exacerbations were produced in vitro in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and in mice using sequential challenges with HDM and a viral infection mimic, Poly(I:C). We examined rhinovirus pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) signalling pathways and potential mechanisms of impaired interferon response.ResultsHBECs and mice exposed to HDM prior to Poly(I:C) exhibited a reduced antiviral response compared to Poly(I:C) alone, including reduced IFN‐β, IFN‐λ, TLR3, RIG‐I, MDA5, IRF‐3 and IRF‐7. Heat inactivation of HDM partially restored the TLR3‐induced interferon response in vitro and in vivo. Our HBEC‐data further showed that HDM directly affects TLR3 signalling by targeting the receptor glycosylation level.ConclusionsDirect effects of allergens such as HDM on PRRs can present as potential mechanism for defective antiviral airway responses. Accordingly, therapeutic measures targeting inhibitory effects of allergens on antiviral PRRs may find use as a strategy to boost antiviral response and ameliorate exacerbations in asthmatic patients.
In chronic spontaneous urticaria, IgE against staphylococcal enterotoxins is common and functional
Authors: Altrichter S. , Hawro T. , Liedtke M. , Holtappels G. , Bachert C. , Skov P. S. , Maurer M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundChronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a frequent disorder with recurrent itchy wheals and/or angioedema. Despite the known effectiveness of omalizumab therapy, the relevant IgE antigens are largely unknown. Recently, increased rates of elevated levels of IgE towards Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SEs) were described in CSU.AimTo assess the prevalence and functional relevance of IgE to SEs in CSU.MethodWe investigated serum levels of IgE against SEs in 49 CSU patients and in 15 CSU patients additional specific IgE to SE components and basophil histamine release (BHR). Sera of 15 healthy controls (HCs) served as control group.ResultsTwenty‐five (51%) of the CSU patients had detectable levels of SE‐IgE as compared to 5 (33%) of HCs. Specific IgE to one of the SEs, Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB), was present in 5 (33%) of 15 randomly selected CSU patients vs 3 (20%) of HC. Total IgE serum levels in CSU patients were significantly correlated with SE‐IgE (r = .52, P < .001) and SEB‐IgE (r = .54, P = .04) serum concentrations. Interestingly, SEB‐IgE levels were strongly correlated with disease activity (UASday) in CSU patients (r = .657, P = .01). Furthermore, BHR in response to SEB was significantly higher in basophils loaded with the serum of CSU patients compared to HC (P < .05) and was clinically correlated with duration of disease (r > .51, P < .05).DiscussionIgE against SEs may contribute to the pathogenesis of CSU in a subpopulation of patients. Its role and relevance in the pathophysiology of CSU need to be further analysed.