bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of landscape features influencing gene flow: How useful are habitat selection models?
Authors: Roffler Gretchen H. , Schwartz Michael K. , Pilgrim Kristy L. , Talbot Sandra L. , Sage George K. , Adams Layne G. , Luikart Gordon 
Published: May 2016

AbstractUnderstanding how dispersal patterns are influenced by landscape heterogeneity is critical for modeling species connectivity. Resource selection function (RSF) models are increasingly used in landscape genetics approaches. However, because the ecological factors that drive habitat selection may be different from those influencing dispersal and gene flow, it is important to consider explicit assumptions and spatial scales of measurement. We calculated pairwise genetic distance among 301 Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) in southcentral Alaska using an intensive noninvasive sampling effort and 15 microsatellite loci. We used multiple regression of distance matrices to assess the correlation of pairwise genetic distance and landscape resistance derived from an RSF, and combinations of landscape features hypothesized to influence dispersal. Dall's sheep gene flow was positively correlated with steep slopes, moderate peak normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI), and open land cover. Whereas RSF covariates were significant in predicting genetic distance, the RSF model itself was not significantly correlated with Dall's sheep gene flow, suggesting that certain habitat features important during summer (rugged terrain, mid‐range elevation) were not influential to effective dispersal. This work underscores that consideration of both habitat selection and landscape genetics models may be useful in developing management strategies to both meet the immediate survival of a species and allow for long‐term genetic connectivity.
Analysing patterns of spatial and niche overlap among species at multiple resolutions
Authors: Cardillo Marcel , L. Warren Dan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimAnalyses of spatial overlap in species distributions are frequently used to test a range of ecological and evolutionary hypotheses, from the role of competition in community assembly to the geography of speciation. Most studies quantify overlap at one spatial resolution. Here we explore the effects of measuring spatial and niche overlap patterns for the same clade (Banksia) at multiple resolutions.LocationAustralia.MethodsWe quantify overlap among species using broad overlap of species range polygons, proximity of occurrence points and co‐occurrence within small survey plots. We compare overlap patterns with null models using age–range correlations and the frequency of sympatric sister species. We then use similar methods to examine patterns of overlap in environmental niche dimensions.ResultsBanksia species show a wide range of overlap values based on range polygons and point proximities, but very low levels of co‐occurrence at the local scale. Intercepts of age–range correlations point to higher levels of overlap among recently diverged species than expected. However, comparing the frequency of sympatric sister species with an evolutionary null model supports a prevailing allopatric mode of speciation. In many cases, niche overlap between species exceeds that expected from phylogenetic relatedness or spatial overlap alone.Main conclusionsPatterns of broad geographical overlap among Banksia species support a predominantly allopatric mode of speciation, combined with post‐speciation range drift. There is more evidence for niche conservatism than for rapid niche divergence among closely related species. This pattern is consistent with broad‐scale geomorphic and landscape complexity as a driver of plant speciation in south‐west Australia. It is less consistent with finer‐scale mechanisms of species divergence such as fire mosaics, or with ecological divergence in sympatry. Analysis of species overlap patterns at different resolutions is a useful approach for revealing the multiple ecological and historical factors that influence species distributions.
A global synthesis of seasonal temperature–size responses in copepods
Authors: Horne Curtis R. , Hirst Andrew G. , Atkinson David , Neves Aitana , Kiørboe Thomas 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimBody size is a master trait with significant ecological importance. Seasonal changes in body size within diverse ectothermic species can result from different environmental conditions experienced during ontogeny in subsequent generations. Whilst intraspecific changes in adult size have been well studied under controlled experimental conditions and across geographical ranges, comprehensive analyses of temporal changes are lacking, and there remains considerable unexplained variation in body size responses within aquatic taxa. Using planktonic copepods as an exemplar taxon, we quantify variation in adult body mass within seasonally varying marine and freshwater environments. We describe how size variation relates to temperature, food concentration (chlorophyll‐a) and life‐history characteristics, including feeding strategy.LocationGlobal.MethodsUsing a meta‐analytic approach we extract quantitative data from published literature on seasonal size responses of copepods. We analyse competing models to determine the best predictors of these responses, and compare the relative importance of temperature and chlorophyll‐a concentration in explaining variation in body size.ResultsWe quantify 140 seasonal size responses from 33 different global locations, representing 48 planktonic copepod species from four taxonomic orders. We find that temperature (r2 = 0.50), rather than food (r2 = 0.22), is the dominant explanatory variable of changes in adult body size across seasons. A striking outcome is that calanoid copepods, which utilize feeding currents to capture prey, exhibit a four‐fold greater reduction in adult body mass per  °C (−3.66%) compared with cyclopoid copepods (−0.91%), which are ambush feeders. By contrast, species body size or reproductive strategy did not explain variation in the seasonal temperature–size response.Main conclusionsOur findings lead us to suggest that feeding strategies may play a significant role in dictating the magnitude of seasonal temperature–size responses in copepods, with potential implications for other ectotherms with diverse feeding methods. Seasonal temperature–size responses were typically much more variable than responses in laboratory studies that provided excess food, suggesting that field conditions modify the temperature–size response.
Hemodialysis in a patient with severe hemophilia A and factor VIII inhibitor
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Natarajan , Usha Thiruvengadam , Thopalan Balasubramaniyan , Dhanapriya Jeyachandran , Dineshkumar Thanigachalam , Thirumalvalavan Kaliaperumal , Sakthirajan Ramanathan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHemophilia A is a hereditary X‐linked recessive disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding factor VIII (FVIII), occurring in 1 out of 10,000 persons. Life expectancy and quality of life have dramatically improved recently in patients with hemophilia. Chronic kidney disease and need for renal replacement therapy in these patients are rare. The development of inhibitors to FVIII is the most serious complication of hemophilia and makes treatment of bleeds very challenging. We describe here a 28‐year‐old male patient with severe hemophilia A with presence of factor VIII inhibitor, who had end stage renal disease. Central venous access device was inserted along with infusion of factor eight inhibitor bypass activity before and after the procedure. He is currently on thrice weekly hemodialysis and doing well for 6 months without bleeding episodes. To our knowledge, hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitor managed with hemodialysis has not been reported so far.
Threatened or harmful? Opportunism across spatial scales apparently leads to success during extralimital colonisation
Authors: Horák Jakub 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Various parts of the world face invasion of alien organisms. Nevertheless, the evidence for expansion of species that were close to extinction is close to zero. This story of the rose chafer beetle Oxythyrea funesta appears to be somewhat reminiscent of how in mythology the Phoenix rose from the ashes.

Regarding this interesting situation, I struggled to find the drivers that were responsible for the abundance of this beetle across three spatial scales. This study, perhaps, reveals why a formerly relictual and threatened animal is able to colonise and increase its abundance in present landscapes.

The study of the vegetation structure of the O. funesta microhabitat showed that it visited high plants in preference. Visitations of O. funesta took place on 20 plant species from ten families with four blossom colours with no specific preference. No difference was found among categories of adult behaviour at the patch level. Only rising flowering intensity of plants promoted species abundance at the regional level. Furthermore, the species was associated with generalist insects and reached higher abundance than some of them.

Therefore, the studied beetle appeared to be a habitat opportunist rather than generalist and this made it an unexpected winner that thrives from present land use. Its visitation of flowering patches can be considered as a use of stepping stones. Unfortunately, rising amounts of flower damage by this species appears to be problematic for its conservation. Furthermore, the presence of this species on legally protected species lists highlights the need to determine its actual situation.
Hepatitis C virus‐induced myeloid‐derived suppressor cells regulate T‐cell differentiation and function via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway
Authors: Ren Jun P. , Zhao Juan , Dai Jun , Griffin Jeddidiah W. D. , Wang Ling , Wu Xiao Y. , Morrison Zheng D. , Li Guang Y. , El Gazzar Mohamed , Ning Shun B. , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryT cells play a pivotal role in controlling viral infection; however, the precise mechanisms responsible for regulating T‐cell differentiation and function during infections are incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated an expansion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), in particular the monocytic MDSCs (M‐MDSCs; CD14+ CD33+ CD11b+ HLA‐DR−/low), in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Notably, HCV‐induced M‐MDSCs express high levels of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) compared with healthy subjects. Blocking STAT3 signalling reduced HCV‐mediated M‐MDSC expansion and decreased IL‐10 expression. Importantly, we observed a significant increase in the numbers of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells following incubation of healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with MDSCs derived from HCV‐infected patients or treated with HCV core protein. In addition, depletion of MDSCs from PBMCs led to a significant reduction of Foxp3+ Treg cells developed during chronic HCV infection. Moreover, depletion of MDSCs from PBMCs significantly increased interferon‐γ production by CD4+ T effector (Teff) cells derived from HCV patients. These results suggest that HCV‐induced MDSCs promote Treg cell development and inhibit Teff cell function, suggesting a novel mechanism for T‐cell regulation and a new strategy for immunotherapy against human viral diseases.
Nurses' communication with patients who are mechanically ventilated in intensive care: the Botswana experience
Authors: Dithole K.S. , Sibanda S. , Moleki M.M. , Thupayagale‐Tshweneagae G. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundCommunication is an integral part of nursing practice not just only for therapeutic reasons but also for sharing information. Nurses working in intensive care experience challenges when communicating with patients who are mechanically ventilated due to lack of knowledge and skill. These challenges infringe on the patients' rights to receive information and as such they may impact negatively on the patients' outcomes.AimThis study determined the existing knowledge and skills of intensive care nurses working with mechanically ventilated patients in Botswana.MethodsA retrospective descriptive and explorative research design with a quantitative approach was used to audit patients' records. This was augmented by further interviewing nurses for their knowledge and skills when communicating with ventilated patients within the two intensive care units in Botswana. The American Association of Critical Nurses Synergy Model was used to guide the study. One hundred and fifty‐nine (159) patients' files were audited and 50 nurses chosen by purposive sampling completed a self‐administered 42‐item questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 10 and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse the data.ResultsAssessment of patients' ability to communicate was recorded in more than 90% of files audited. Four per cent (4%) of the respondents only communicated essential information and no other strategies or devices were used to aid communication.ConclusionCommunication with ventilated patients can be quite challenging to nurses working in the intensive care unit. There is a need for communication skills training to ensure that all nurses working with mechanically ventilated patients are properly trained, equipped and capable of communicating effectively with the patient.Implications for nursing and health policyA greater understanding of communication dynamics with the intensive care unit with patients who are mechanically ventilated is crucial to enable nurses to improve their care and improve patients' comfort. Incorporating communication in the nursing standards would ensure that patients are treated with dignity which would help improve patient outcomes.
Viral co‐infections in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., displaying myocarditis
Authors: Wiik‐Nielsen J , Alarcón M , Jensen B Bang , Haugland Ø , Mikalsen A B 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSeveral different viruses have been associated with myocarditis‐related diseases in the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry. In this study, we investigated the presence of PMCV, SAV, PRV and the recently identified Atlantic salmon calicivirus (ASCV), alone and as co‐infections in farmed Atlantic salmon displaying myocarditis. The analyses were performed at the individual level and comprised qPCR and histopathological examination of 397 salmon from 25 farms along the Norwegian coast. The samples were collected in 2009 and 2010, 5–22 months post‐sea transfer. The study documented multiple causes of myocarditis and revealed co‐infections including individual fish infected with all four viruses. There was an overall correlation between lesions characteristic of CMS and PD and the presence of PMCV and SAV, respectively. Although PRV was ubiquitously present, high viral loads were with a few exceptions, correlated with lesions characteristic of HSMI. ASCV did not seem to have any impact on myocardial infection by PMCV, SAV or PRV. qPCR indicated a negative correlation between PMCV and SAV viral loads. Co‐infections result in mixed and atypical pathological changes which pose a challenge for disease diagnostic work.
Heat Capacity Prediction During Pork Meat Thawing: Application of Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Arjona‐Román J.L. , Hernández‐García R.P. , Navarro‐Limón I. , Coria‐Hernández J. , Rosas‐Mendoza M.E. , Meléndez‐Pérez R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCurrent models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) constitute an application for recognizing nonlinear patterns in biological processes and are useful tools for process control. A property that is used to evaluate the behavior of solid foods exposed to heating or cooling processes is their heat capacity (Cp), which is estimated through empirical or semi‐theoretical equations. The aim of this study is to develop an ANN model that is based on backpropagation error, to determine Cp during the pork meat thawing with frost formation. Two neural networks were trained with nonassociated variables, such as statistical texture parameters, image analysis, color parameters for tristimulus space and surface temperature. The Cp supervising agent was obtained through modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The observed error for the neural network with five variables was 0.0082 (R2 = 0.9992), and the error with seven variables was 0.00079 (R2 = 0.9989) when predicting the Cp.Practical ApplicationsTemperature variations during transportation or even storage can cause changes in the final product due to continued thawing and water recrystallization. This uncontrolled condition, which is common in the meat industry, affects thermodynamic properties, such as heat capacity (Cp), structure and meat product quality. Cp is typically estimated using empirical data or by expensive equipment such as modulated differential scanning calorimetry; it represents the structural changes that are caused by the formation, growth and size of ice crystals that damage meat muscle fibers. In this study, the Cp was predicted with an unusual methodology while thawing meat, based on easily measurable variables, such as changes in the color and texture, measurements obtained by image analysis, and temperature, using a trained artificial neural network. Frost formation on the meat surface during thawing is a variable that has not been studied in depth in the food area.
Midlife Occupational Physical Activity and Risk of Disability Later in Life: National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Missikpode Celestin , Michael Yvonne L. , Wallace Robert B. 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesTo determine whether midlife occupational physical activity (PA) is associated with disability in older adults and to test disease as a mediating variable.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingNational Health and Aging Trends Study.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older (N = 7,307).MeasurementsParticipants were classified as to occupational PA levels by linking information from the Occupational Information Network database using standard occupation codes. Disability outcomes and covariates were obtained through in‐person interviews. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between occupational PA and disability. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was fitted to examine the mediating effect of disease.ResultsOccupations with high physically demands were associated with greater decline in functional capacity later in life. Individuals with occupations with high and very high PA were less likely to be able to perform activities of daily living than those with occupations with low PA. SEM showed that occupational PA has a very strong direct effect on disability (P < .001) and has an indirect effect on disability through disease (P = .003). The population attributable fraction for high occupational PA was 11%.ConclusionHigher midlife occupational PA levels were significantly associated with poorer ability to perform activities of daily living in older age. Performing the optimal level of occupational PA may be instrumental in reducing disability later in life.
Evaluating the Potential for Harmonized Prediction and Comparison of Disposal‐Stage Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biomaterial Products
Authors: Glew David , Stringer Lindsay C. , Acquaye Adolf , McQueen‐Mason Simon 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe carbon footprint (CF) of biofuels and biomaterials is a barrier to their acceptance, yet the greenhouse gas emissions associated with disposing of biomaterials are frequently omitted from analyses. This article investigates whether harmonization is appropriate for calculating the importance of biomaterials’ disposal. This research shows that disposal stages could double a biomaterial's CF, or reduce it to the point that it could claim to be zero carbon. Incineration with combined heat and power coupled with on‐site energy production in the biorefinery are identified as prerequisites to being zero carbon. The article assesses the current UK waste infrastructure's ability to support a low‐carbon bio‐based future economy, and finds that presently it only achieves marginal net reductions when compared to landfill and so cannot be said to support low‐carbon biomaterials, though the article challenges the polluter pays principle where low‐carbon disposal infrastructure are not available. Reuse and recycling are shown to have the potential to offset all the emissions caused by landfill of biomaterials. However, the savings are not so great as to offset the biomaterial's upstream emissions. The study explores the ability to overcome the barriers to incorporating disposal into life cycle assessment while identifying limitations of using harmonization as an assessment method. Specifically, data availability and industry consensus are flagged as major barriers. The study also uses sensitivity analysis to investigate the influence of methodological choices, such as allowing additional reuse and recycling stages, classifying biomaterials into different types, and choosing between opposing allocation methods.
Ship Breaking and the Steel Industry in Bangladesh: A Material Flow Perspective
Authors: Sujauddin Mohammad , Koide Ryu , Komatsu Takahiro , Hossain Mohammad Mosharraf , Tokoro Chiharu , Murakami Shinsuke 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBangladesh has emerged as a leading ship breaking nation. We conducted a material flow analysis of steel in Bangladesh with an emphasis on the ship breaking industry (SBI). The total aggregate domestic steel consumption in fiscal year (FY) 2010 was 2,930,000 tonnes (t) in Bangladesh; SBI met approximately 51% of the demand for raw materials and 37% of the demand for finished steel products. Rolling industries output in FY2010 was 1,451,000 t; 23% of the input for this production was from ship breaking sources. Dismantled ships also generate high‐quality reusable steel scraps. SBI was found to be the sole source of scraps for small rerolling industries in Bangladesh, and their output in 2008 more than doubled as compared to 2005. Larger rolling industries fulfilled their input needs for steel scraps by using both SBI and imported materials. We found a sharp increase in input imports during the global ship breaking recession in 2003–2007 and when Bangladesh's SBI faced a temporary ban in 2010. Induction furnaces in Bangladesh in FY2010 produced a total of 787,000 t of billets; more than 40% was from ship‐sourced scraps. In 2008, the country's steel consumption was 3,220,000 t, that is, 22 kilograms per person, and the intensity of steel use was 40 grams per U.S. dollar, which was much higher than that of other developing countries with a similar per capita gross domestic product (GDP). The country exhibited a high level of steel consumption relative to its GDP, which is indicative of the contribution of SBI.