bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revealing life‐history traits by contrasting genetic estimations with predictions of effective population size
Authors: Greenbaum Gili , Renan Sharon , Templeton Alan R. , Bouskila Amos , Saltz David , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Bar‐David Shirli 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEffective population size, a central concept in conservation biology, is now routinely estimated from genetic surveys and can also be theoretically predicted from demographic, life‐history, and mating‐system data. By evaluating the consistency of theoretical predictions with empirically estimated effective size, insights can be gained regarding life‐history characteristics and the relative impact of different life‐history traits on genetic drift. These insights can be used to design and inform management strategies aimed at increasing effective population size. We demonstrated this approach by addressing the conservation of a reintroduced population of Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus). We estimated the variance effective size (Nev) from genetic data () and formulated predictions for the impacts on Nev of demography, polygyny, female variance in lifetime reproductive success (RS), and heritability of female RS. By contrasting the genetic estimation with theoretical predictions, we found that polygyny was the strongest factor affecting genetic drift because only when accounting for polygyny were predictions consistent with the genetically measured Nev. The comparison of effective‐size estimation and predictions indicated that 10.6% of the males mated per generation when heritability of female RS was unaccounted for (polygyny responsible for 81% decrease in Nev) and 19.5% mated when female RS was accounted for (polygyny responsible for 67% decrease in Nev). Heritability of female RS also affected Nev; (heritability responsible for 41% decrease in Nev). The low effective size is of concern, and we suggest that management actions focus on factors identified as strongly affecting , namely, increasing the availability of artificial water sources to increase number of dominant males contributing to the gene pool. This approach, evaluating life‐history hypotheses in light of their impact on effective population size, and contrasting predictions with genetic measurements, is a general, applicable strategy that can be used to inform conservation practice.
How Do Delivery Variety Decisions Contribute to Sales? An Empirical Study on Demand and Supply Integration
Authors: Wan Xiang , Dresner Martin E. , Evers Philip T. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTThis study empirically assesses the value of decisions on offering delivery variety (the number of different methods of truck transport used to deliver products to buyers). Rooted in the literature on demand and supply integration, we develop the relationship between delivery variety decisions and sales through the mediating role of unit fill rate. We find that a decision to increase delivery variety will indirectly improve sales through the mediating role of the fill rate. Furthermore, our results suggest that decisions on order variety (the number of ordering methods offered to buyers) moderates this mediation effect. A decision to increase order variety enhances the benefits of delivery variety. We estimate our models using archival data including deliveries, order fulfillment, sales records, and other operational data over three years. When the number of delivery methods increases from 1 to 3, fill rates increase by 1.22% and sales increase by 15.39%, and when the number of order methods increases from 1 to 4, the impact of delivery variety on fill rates increases by an additional 0.39% and on sales by an additional 4.68%. These findings provide empirical support for the integration of demand and supply associated with decision making in supply chains and underscore the need for top management to consider the complementary benefits of delivery variety and order variety on order fulfillment and sales.
The effect on glycaemic control of low‐volume high‐intensity interval training versus endurance training in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Winding Kamilla M. , Munch Gregers W. , Iepsen Ulrik W. , Van Hall Gerrit , Pedersen Bente K. , Mortensen Stefan P. 
Published: December 2017

AimTo evaluate whether high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) with a lower time commitment can be as effective as endurance training (END) on glycaemic control, physical fitness and body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsA total of 29 individuals with type 2 diabetes were allocated to control (CON; no training), END or HIIT groups. Training groups received 3 training sessions per week consisting of either 40 minutes of cycling at 50% of peak workload (END) or 10 1‐minute intervals at 95% of peak workload interspersed with 1 minute of active recovery (HIIT). Glycaemic control (HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test, 3‐hour mixed meal tolerance test with double tracer technique and continuous glucose monitoring [CGM]), lipolysis, VO2peak and body composition were evaluated before and after 11 weeks of intervention.ResultsExercise training increased VO2peak more in the HIIT group (20% ± 20%) compared with the END group (8% ± 9%) despite lower total energy expenditure and time usage during the training sessions. HIIT decreased whole body and android fat mass compared with the CON group. In addition, visceral fat mass, HbA1c, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, glycaemic variability and HOMA‐IR decreased after HIIT. The reduced postprandial glucose in the HIIT group was driven primarily by a lower rate of exogenous glucose appearance. In the CON group, postprandial lipolysis was augmented over the 11‐week control period.ConclusionsDespite a ~45% lower training volume, HIIT resulted in similar or even better improvements in physical fitness, body composition and glycemic control compared to END. HIIT therefore appears to be an important time‐efficient treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Association of postprocedural aortic regurgitation with mitral regurgitation worsened after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Shibayama Kentaro , Mihara Hirotsugu , Berdejo Javier , Harada Kenji , Siegel Robert J. , Makkar Raj R. , Shiota Takahiro 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundThere is a paucity of investigation which demonstrates a predictor of mitral regurgitation (MR) worsened after aortic valve replacement (TAVR).AimThe aim of this study was to identify the predictor of worsened MR after transcatheter TAVR.MethodsWe retrospectively studied a total of 209 patients with mild or less MR at baseline who underwent TAVR for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis with the balloon‐expandable device. We found the presence of MR worsened after TAVR in 6% (12 patients) of all patients. Moderate or more postprocedural aortic regurgitation (AR) (odds ratio, 8.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–36.87; P = .007) was identified as a predictor of MR worsening after TAVR. In‐hospital outcomes indicated that patients within whom MR worsened suffered congestive heart failure more than those with unchanged or improved MR after TAVR (P < .05).ConclusionSignificant postprocedural AR was associated with MR worsened from mild or less to moderate or more after TAVR. Worsened MR might affect in‐hospital congestive heart failure.
Variability of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction measurements using contrast echocardiography: The influence of the left ventricular length measurements in a large cohort of patients during monitoring cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy
Authors: Suwatanaviroj Tan , He Weimin , Mirhadi Eila , Paakanen Riitta , Pituskin Edith , Paterson Ian , Choy Jonathan , Becher Harald 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of length difference in left ventricular (LV) long axis between the apical four‐chamber and two‐chamber views on measurements of LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF).MethodsSeven hundred consecutive cancer patients underwent contrast echocardiography from July 2010 to May 2014. All patients received the echocardiographic contrast agent Definity. Recordings of apical views were analyzed by a sonographer and then by a cardiologist. The end‐diastolic and end‐systolic LV volumes (EDV and ESV), and LV lengths as well as EF, were measured using the biplane Simpson's method. Inter‐observer variability was assessed using relative mean error (RME) and Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsSix hundred ninety‐two patients had contrast echocardiograms with complete endocardial definition. The LV length difference of the long axis measured by the cardiologist was ≤1 mm in 284 studies (41%), 2 mm in 146 studies (21%), 3 mm in 103 studies (15%), and ≥4 mm in 159 studies (23%). The limits of agreement (LOA) and RME increase with the increasing length difference. Compared to the groups with length difference <4 mm, the RME of the measurements of indexed EDV, indexed ESV, and EF was significantly greater in the group with length difference ≥4 mm (P < .05).ConclusionThese results highlight the need for reviewing the LV long axis length measurements in order to provide reproducible LV volumes and EF measurements and may be used as benchmarks for quality control. A length difference of ≤3 mm can be achieved in most of our patients and is associated with an excellent inter‐observer agreement.
A novel method to measure mitral valve area in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis using three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: Feasibility and validation
Authors: Mahmoud Elsayed Hani M. , Hassan Mohamed , Nagy Michael , Amin Alaaeldin , Elguindy Ahmed , Wagdy Kerolos , Yacoub Magdi 
Published: December 2017

AimsNeither two‐ nor three‐dimensional (3D) planimetry of the mitral valve (MV) orifice takes the mitral commissures into account. Thus, if the commissures are not completely fused, the MV orifice will not be planar, and MV area (MVA) will be underestimated. The study aimed to validate a novel method for measurement of the MVA using a software that traces the MV orifice including the commissures.Methods and resultsThe study included 30 patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis. All performed 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) immediately before the procedure. MVA was measured using the mitral valve navigation (MVN) software of the Philips Q‐Lab 10.2 in a diastolic frame with maximum diastolic opening of the MV. Regular 3D planimetry of the MV orifice was also performed. Before balloon dilation, the MVA was calculated invasively using the Gorlin's formula. No significant difference was detected between MVN‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (0.98 cm2 vs. 1.0 cm2, P = .33). A statistically significant difference was detected between Planimetry‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (0.8 cm2 vs. 1.0 cm2, P < .001). There were significant linear correlations between MVN‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (r = .84, P < .001). Using Bland–Altman analysis, Gorlin‐derived MVA showed better and relatively narrower limits of agreement with MVN‐derived MVA than planimetry‐derived MVA.ConclusionMeasurement of the MVA using the MVN method is feasible and is more correlated to the invasively measured MVA than the 3D planimetry method. This is the most accurate method of measuring the MVA that takes MV commissures into account.
A comparison between Philips and Tomtec for left ventricular deformation and volume measurements in neonatal intensive care patients
Authors: de Waal Koert , Phad Nilkant 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundTwo‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is an emerging technique for analyzing cardiac function in newborns. Strain is a highly reliable and reproducible parameter, and reference values have been established for term and preterm newborns. Its implementation into clinical practice has been slow, partly due to lack of inter‐vendor consistency. Our aim was to compare recent versions of Philips and Tomtec speckle tracking software for deformation and semiautomated volume and area measurements in neonatal intensive care patients.Methods and resultsLongitudinal and circumferential deformation and cavity dimensions (volume, area) were determined off line from apical and short‐axis images in 50 consecutive newborns with a median birthweight of 760 g (range 460–3200 g). Absolute mean endocardial global longitudinal strain measurements were similar between vendors, but with wide limits of agreement (Philips −18.9 [2.1]%, Tomtec −18.6 [2.5]%, bias −0.3 [1.7]%, and limits of agreement −3.6%–3.1%). Longitudinal strain rate and circumferential measurements showed poor correlation. All volume and area measurements correlated well between the vendors, but with significant bias.ConclusionGlobal longitudinal strain measurements compared well between vendors but wide limits of agreement, suggesting that longitudinal measurements are preferred using similar hardware and software.
Record of a new location for tropical root knot nematode Meloidogyne luci in Slovenia
Authors: Gerič Stare B. , Strajnar P. , Širca S. , Susič N. , Urek G. 
Published: December 2017

The plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead has been reported from several European countries including Slovenia, where it was first found in 2003. However, the description in 2014 of a new sister species, Meloidogyne luci Carneiro et al., , called for the reclassification of all European and Turkish populations of M. ethiopica reported up to this date as M. luci. Both M. ethiopica and M. luci have a very wide host range of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. They are pests of important agricultural crops such as maize, potatoes and variety of vegetables, and represent a serious threat for agricultural production in greenhouses as well as in the open fields in many EPPO countries. This paper reports a new location for the tropical root knot nematode species M. luci found in Slovenia in 2015.
Designing connected marine reserves in the face of global warming
Authors: Álvarez‐Romero Jorge G. , Munguía‐Vega Adrián , Beger Maria , del Mar Mancha‐Cisneros Maria , Suárez‐Castillo Alvin N. , Gurney Georgina G. , Pressey Robert L. , Gerber Leah R. , Morzaria‐Luna Hem Nalini , Reyes‐Bonilla Héctor , Adams Vanessa M. , Kolb Melanie , Graham Erin M. , VanDerWal Jeremy , Castillo‐López Alejandro , Hinojosa‐Arango Gustavo , Petatán‐Ramírez David , Moreno‐Baez Marcia , Godínez‐Reyes Carlos R. , Torre Jorge 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMarine reserves are widely used to protect species important for conservation and fisheries and to help maintain ecological processes that sustain their populations, including recruitment and dispersal. Achieving these goals requires well‐connected networks of marine reserves that maximize larval connectivity, thus allowing exchanges between populations and recolonization after local disturbances. However, global warming can disrupt connectivity by shortening potential dispersal pathways through changes in larval physiology. These changes can compromise the performance of marine reserve networks, thus requiring adjusting their design to account for ocean warming. To date, empirical approaches to marine prioritization have not considered larval connectivity as affected by global warming. Here, we develop a framework for designing marine reserve networks that integrates graph theory and changes in larval connectivity due to potential reductions in planktonic larval duration (PLD) associated with ocean warming, given current socioeconomic constraints. Using the Gulf of California as case study, we assess the benefits and costs of adjusting networks to account for connectivity, with and without ocean warming. We compare reserve networks designed to achieve representation of species and ecosystems with networks designed to also maximize connectivity under current and future ocean‐warming scenarios. Our results indicate that current larval connectivity could be reduced significantly under ocean warming because of shortenedPLDs. Given the potential changes in connectivity, we show that our graph‐theoretical approach based on centrality (eigenvector and distance‐weighted fragmentation) of habitat patches can help design better‐connected marine reserve networks for the future with equivalent costs. We found that maintaining dispersal connectivity incidentally through representation‐only reserve design is unlikely, particularly in regions with strong asymmetric patterns of dispersal connectivity. Our results support previous studies suggesting that, given potential reductions inPLDdue to ocean warming, future marine reserve networks would require more and/or larger reserves in closer proximity to maintain larval connectivity.
Development of novel pea flour‐based nanofibres by electrospinning method
Authors: Oguz Seren , Tam Nilay , Aydogdu Ayca , Sumnu Gulum , Sahin Serpil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to produce pea flour and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)‐based novel nanofibres using electrospinning method. The effects of pH, pea flour and HPMC concentration on apparent viscosity, electrical conductivity of electrospinning solutions and nanofibre characteristics were studied. Solutions were prepared at different pH values (7, 10, 12), with different pea flour concentrations (1%, 2% w/v) and HPMC concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% w/v). For all pea flour concentrations, k values increased significantly with increase in pH and HPMC concentration. It also increased with increase in pea flour concentration for basic solutions. Pea flour concentration increased diameter and water vapour permeability (WVP) values of nanofibres. This study showed that electrospinning was a promising method for fabrication of homogenous pea flour and HPMC‐based nanofibres to be used in packaging industry.
Dissemination of scholarship across eight cohorts of doctor of nursing practice graduates
Authors: Becker Kathleen D. , Johnson Shania , Rucker Denise , Finnell Deborah S. 
Published: December 2017

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the publication record across eight cohorts of post‐master's Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates.BackgroundDissemination of findings from evidence‐based practice is described in the American Association of the Colleges of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Essential III. Students in Doctor of Nursing Practice programmes are expected to generate deliverables (e.g., a manuscript) of evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes.DesignA descriptive study was conducted to determine whether two key manuscripts (i.e., integrative review and an evidence‐based quality improvement project) were disseminated in peer‐reviewed journals, and if so, the length of time from graduation to publication. Co‐authorship with faculty advisors and contributors was also examined.ResultsThe number of evidence‐based quality improvement publications outpaces the number of integrative reviews over this span of time. Time to publication from graduation has decreased in recent years.ConclusionsExpecting, rather than encouraging a publishable‐ready manuscript as a course deliverable would further student's motivation to disseminate their scholarship. Focused attention on faculty co‐authorship may help increase the number of successful student publications for both integrative reviews and evidence‐based quality improvement projects and decrease the time from graduation for those publications.Relevance to clinical practiceDissemination of academic scholarly work is an expected outcome for Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates who impact clinical, operational and financial outcomes in complex healthcare delivery systems.
The incidence and predictors of HBV relapse after cessation of tenofovir therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Chen C.‐H. , Hsu Y.‐C. , Lu S.‐N. , Hung C.‐H. , Wang J.‐H. , Lee C.‐M. , Hu T.‐H. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis study investigates the incidences and predictors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse after tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and ‐negative patients. We retrospectively recruited 143 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without cirrhosis (39 HBeAg‐positive and 104 HBeAg‐negative patients) who were previously treated with TDF and had post‐treatment follow‐up for at least 6 months (median: 55, IQR 36‐85 weeks). All the patients fulfilled the stopping criteria of APASL 2012. The virological and clinical relapse rates at 104 weeks in HBeAg‐positive patients were 66.6% and 59.1%, while they were 72.3% and 55.9%, respectively, in HBeAg‐negative patients. Cox regression analysis revealed that the higher end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels were an independent factor of virological relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients. The end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels of 200 (area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC): 0.624) and 80 IU/mL (AUROC: 0.959) were the optimal values for predicting HBV relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients, respectively. The virological relapse rate at 78 weeks was 14.3% and 19.6% in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients who achieved HBsAg ≤200 IU/mL and HBsAg ≤80 IU/mL, respectively. Two patients experienced hepatic decompensation upon hepatitis flares, and no patient died after timely retreatment. Seven patients experienced off‐therapy HBsAg loss. The cumulative rates of HBsAg loss at 104 weeks were 45.5% and 59.3% in patients with end‐of‐treatment HBsAg ≤80 IU/mL and ≤50 IU/mL, respectively. In conclusions, the end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels were a useful marker for predicting HBV relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative CHB patients.
microRNA regulation in an ancient obligate endosymbiosis
Authors: Feng Honglin , Wang Lingyu , Wuchty Stefan , Wilson Alex C. C. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough many insects are associated with obligate bacterial endosymbionts, the mechanisms by which these host/endosymbiont associations are regulated remain mysterious. While microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently identified as regulators of host/microbe interactions, including host/pathogen and host/facultative endosymbiont interactions, the role miRNAs may play in mediating host/obligate endosymbiont interactions is virtually unknown. Here, we identified conserved miRNAs that potentially mediate symbiotic interactions between aphids and their obligate endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Using small RNA sequence data from Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum, we annotated 93 M. persicae and 89 A. pisum miRNAs, among which 69 were shared. We found 14 miRNAs that were either highly expressed in aphid bacteriome, the Buchnera‐housing tissue, or differentially expressed in bacteriome vs. gut, a non‐Buchnera‐housing tissue. Strikingly, 10 of these 14 miRNAs have been implicated previously in other host/microbe interaction studies. Investigating the interaction networks of these miRNAs using a custom computational pipeline, we identified 103 miRNA::mRNA interactions shared between M. persicae and A. pisum. Functional annotation of the shared mRNA targets revealed only two over‐represented cluster of orthologous group categories: amino acid transport and metabolism, and signal transduction mechanisms. Our work supports a role for miRNAs in mediating host/symbiont interactions between aphids and their obligate endosymbiont Buchnera. In addition, our results highlight the probable importance of signal transduction mechanisms to host/endosymbiont coevolution.