bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abiotic and biotic predictors of macroecological patterns in bird and butterfly coloration
Authors: Dalrymple Rhiannon L. , Flores‐Moreno Habacuc , Kemp Darrell J. , White Thomas E. , Laffan Shawn W. , Hemmings Frank A. , Hitchcock Timothy D. , Moles Angela T. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAnimal color phenotypes are invariably influenced by both their biotic community and the abiotic environments. A host of hypotheses have been proposed for how variables such as solar radiation, habitat shadiness, primary productivity, temperature, rainfall, and community diversity might affect animal color traits. However, while individual factors have been linked to coloration in specific contexts, little is known about which factors are most important across broad taxonomic and geographic scales. Using data collected from 570 species of birds and 424 species of butterflies from Australia, which inhabit an area spanning a latitudinal range of 35° and covering deserts, tropical and temperate forests, savannas, and heathlands, we test multiple hypotheses from the coloration literature and assess their relative importance. We show that bird and butterfly species exhibit more reflective and less saturated colors in better‐lit environments, a pattern that is robust across an array of variables expected to influence the intensity or quality of ambient light in an environment. Both taxa display more diverse colors in regions with greater net primary production and longer growing seasons. Models that included variables related to energy inputs and resources in ecosystems have better explanatory power for bird and butterfly coloration overall than do models that included community diversity metrics. However, the diversity of the bird community in an environment was the single most powerful predictor of color pattern variation in both birds and butterflies. We observed strong similarities across taxa in the covariance between color and environmental factors, suggesting the presence of fundamental macroecological drivers of visual appearance across disparate taxa.
Tropical forest light regimes in a human‐modified landscape
Authors: Fauset Sophie , Gloor Manuel U. , Aidar Marcos P. M. , Freitas Helber C. , Fyllas Nikolaos M. , Marabesi Mauro A. , Rochelle André L. C. , Shenkin Alexander , Vieira Simone A. , Joly Carlos A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLight is the key energy input for all vegetated systems. Forest light regimes are complex, with the vertical pattern of light within canopies influenced by forest structure. Human disturbances in tropical forests impact forest structure and hence may influence the light environment and thus competitiveness of different trees. In this study, we measured vertical diffuse light profiles along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance, sampling intact, logged, secondary, and fragmented sites in the biodiversity hot spot of the Atlantic forest, southeast Brazil, using photosynthetically active radiation sensors and a novel approach with estimations of vertical light profiles from hemispherical photographs. Our results show clear differences in vertical light profiles with disturbance: Fragmented forests are characterized by rapid light extinction within their low canopies, while the profiles in logged forests show high heterogeneity and high light in the mid‐canopy despite decades of recovery. The secondary forest showed similar light profiles to intact forest, but with a lower canopy height. We also show that in some cases the upper canopy layer and heavy liana infestations can severely limit light penetration. Light extinction with height above the ground and depth below the canopy top was highest in fragmented forest and negatively correlated with canopy height. The novel, inexpensive, and rapid methods described here can be applied to other sites to quantify rarely measured vertical light profiles.
Patch and landscape‐scale variables influence the taxonomic and functional composition of beetles in urban greenspaces
Authors: Delgado de la Flor Yvan A. , Burkman Caitlin E. , Eldredge Taro K. , Gardiner Mary M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUrbanization is a leading cause of species extinction; however, interest in urban greenspaces as sites for conservation has grown considerably in recent decades, raising questions about the ability of these habitats to support desired wildlife. Our goal was to determine how distinct forms of urban greenspace and their landscape context influenced the species composition of ground‐dwelling beetle communities. We examined the taxonomic and functional composition of Carabidae and Staphylinidae in urban vacant lots, urban farms, and planted urban prairies within the City of Cleveland, Ohio. Beetles were collected using pitfall traps across 23 sites. We found that the three habitats examined varied significantly in beetle composition, with several unique species found within each type of greenspace. Carabidae abundance and richness were greater in urban prairies and urban farms relative to vacant lots. The abundance and taxonomic richness of Staphylinidae were highest within urban farms. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and partial CCA revealed that both local features and landscape variables influenced beetle community assembly. Most beetle taxa were negatively associated with buildings within the surrounding 1‐km landscape, whereas grass was the most important local habitat feature. Additionally, we found variation in the distribution of species traits among habitats; ecological traits such as moisture tolerance and dispersal capacity differed significantly among urban greenspaces. Most interesting from a conservation perspective was a greater abundance of brachypterous carabids found in urban prairies, which suggests that these habitats provide overwintering and breeding habitat for some beetle species. Our findings demonstrate that urban greenspaces play important roles in shaping arthropod diversity in cities, and maintaining habitats that vary in design and management is important for their conservation.
Impact of systolic blood pressure on the safety and tolerability of initiating and up‐titrating sacubitril/valsartan in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: insights from the TITRATION study
Authors: Senni Michele , McMurray John J.V. , Wachter Rolf , McIntyre Hugh F. , Anand Inder S. , Duino Vincenzo , Sarkar Arnab , Shi Victor , Charney Alan 
Published: November 2017

AimsThe TITRATION trial investigated two strategies to initiate and up‐titrate sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) to the same target dose, over a condensed (3‐week) or conservative (6‐week) period, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥100 mmHg. This post hoc analysis examined the relationship between baseline SBP at screening and achievement of the target dose of sacubitril/valsartan of 97 mg/103 mg (also termed ‘LCZ696 200 mg’) twice per day during the study.Methods and resultsPatients (n = 498) were categorized in four groups based on SBP at screening: 100–110 mmHg (n = 70); 111–120 mmHg (n = 93); 121–139 mmHg (n = 168) and ≥140 mmHg (n = 167). Overall, 72.7%, 76.1%, 85.6% and 82.9%, respectively, of patients in these SBP categories achieved and maintained the target dose of sacubitril/valsartan without down‐titration/dose interruption over 12 weeks (‘treatment success’). Compared with patients with SBP of 100–110 mmHg, rates of treatment success among patients in the higher SBP groups [111–120 mmHg (P = 0.96); 121–139 mmHg (P = 0.06) and ≥140 mmHg (P = 0.25)] did not differ significantly. A higher percentage of patients with lower SBP (100–110 mmHg) achieved treatment success with gradual up‐titration (6 weeks) (∼80%) than with rapid up‐titration (∼69%). Similar findings were observed with regard to ‘tolerability success’ (maintenance of the target dose for at least the final 2 weeks prior to study completion). Hypotension occurred more frequently in patients with lower SBP.ConclusionsThe majority of patients (>80%) with SBP of ≥100 mmHg achieved and maintained the target dose of sacubitril/valsartan if the treatment was titrated gradually. These findings suggest that low SBP should not prevent clinicians from considering the initiation of sacubitril/valsartan.
Prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in pre‐dialysis and dialysis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Hensen Liselotte C.R. , Goossens Kathleen , Delgado Victoria , Abou Rachid , Rotmans Joris I. , Jukema J. Wouter , Bax Jeroen J. 
Published: November 2017

AimsPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an excess of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with heart failure (HF) being particularly frequent. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) defines left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and is associated with poor prognosis. However, CKD patients may have HF symptoms with preserved LVEF. In this subgroup of patients, two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can detect LV systolic dysfunction by analysing LV myocardial deformation. The present study evaluated the prevalence of impaired LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in CKD patients with preserved LVEF and its prognostic consequences.Methods and resultsOverall, 200 pre‐dialysis and dialysis patients (65% men, mean age 60 ± 14 years) with CKD stage 3b–5 and preserved LVEF (≥50%) were evaluated. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction despite preserved LVEF was defined by LV GLS ≤15.2% (cut‐off value derived from two standard deviations below the mean value of individuals without structural heart disease). Impaired LV GLS (≤15.2%) despite preserved LVEF was observed in 32% of patients. During a median follow‐up of 33 months (interquartile range 17–62 months), 47% of patients underwent renal transplantation, 9% were admitted with HF, and 28% died. Patients with LV GLS ≤15.2% showed significantly worse cumulative event‐free survival rates of the combined endpoint of HF hospitalization and all‐cause mortality compared to patients with LV GLS >15.2% (log‐rank P = 0.018).ConclusionThe prevalence of impaired LV GLS despite preserved LVEF in pre‐dialysis and dialysis patients is relatively high. Patients with preserved LVEF but impaired LV GLS have an increased risk of HF hospitalization and all‐cause mortality.
Regionally specific changes in the hippocampal circuitry accompany progression of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in preclinical Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tardif Christine L. , Devenyi Gabriel A. , Amaral Robert S. C. , Pelleieux Sandra , Poirier Judes , Rosa‐Neto Pedro , Breitner John , Chakravarty M. Mallar ,   for the PREVENT‐AD Research Group
Published: November 2017

AbstractNeuropathological and in vivo brain imaging studies agree that the cornu ammonis1 and subiculum subfields of the hippocampus are most vulnerable to atrophy in the prodromal phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there has been limited investigation of the structural integrity of the components of the hippocampal circuit, including subfields and extra‐hippocampal white matter structure, in relation to the progression of well‐accepted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD, amyloid‐β 1‐42 (Aβ) and total‐tau (tau). We investigated these relationships in 88 aging asymptomatic individuals with a parental or multiple‐sibling familial history of AD. Apolipoprotein (APOE)ɛ4 risk allele carriers were identified, and all participants underwent cognitive testing, structural magnetic resonance imaging, and lumbar puncture for CSF assays oftau, phosphorylated‐tau(p‐tau) and Aβ. Individuals with a reduction in CSF Aβ levels (an indicator of amyloid accretion into neuritic plaques) as well as evidenttaupathology (believed to be linked to neurodegeneration) exhibited lower subiculum volume, lower fornix microstructural integrity, and a trend towards lower cognitive score than individuals who showed only reduction in CSF Aβ. In contrast, persons with normal levels oftaushowed anincreasein structural MR markers in relation to declining levels of CSF Aβ. These results suggest that hippocampal subfield volume and extra‐hippocampal white matter microstructure demonstrate a complex pattern where an initial volume increase is followed by decline among asymptomatic individuals who, in some instances, may be a decade or more away from onset of cognitive or functional impairment.
Task‐related changes in degree centrality and local coherence of the posterior cingulate cortex after major cardiac surgery in older adults
Authors: Browndyke Jeffrey N. , Berger Miles , Smith Patrick J. , Harshbarger Todd B. , Monge Zachary A. , Panchal Viral , Bisanar Tiffany L. , Glower Donald D. , Alexander John H. , Cabeza Roberto , Welsh‐Bohmer Kathleen , Newman Mark F. , Mathew Joseph P. ,   Duke Neurologic Outcomes Research Group (NORG)
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectivesOlder adults often display postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) after surgery, yet it is unclear to what extent functional connectivity (FC) alterations may underlie these deficits. We examined for postoperative voxel‐wise FC changes in response to increased working memory load demands in cardiac surgery patients and nonsurgical controls.Experimental designOlder cardiac surgery patients (n = 25) completed a verbal N‐back working memory task during MRI scanning and cognitive testing before and 6 weeks after surgery; nonsurgical controls with cardiac disease (n = 26) underwent these assessments at identical time intervals. We measured postoperative changes in degree centrality, the number of edges attached to a brain node, and local coherence, the temporal homogeneity of regional functional correlations, using voxel‐wise graph theory‐based FC metrics. Group × time differences were evaluated in these FC metrics associated with increased N‐back working memory load (2‐back > 1‐back), using a two‐stage partitioned variance, mixed ANCOVA.Principal observationsCardiac surgery patients demonstrated postoperative working memory load‐related degree centrality increases in the left dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (dPCC; p < .001, cluster p‐FWE < .05). The dPCC also showed a postoperative increase in working memory load‐associated local coherence (p < .001, cluster p‐FWE < .05). dPCC degree centrality and local coherence increases were inversely associated with global cognitive change in surgery patients (p < .01), but not in controls.ConclusionsCardiac surgery patients showed postoperative increases in working memory load‐associated degree centrality and local coherence of the dPCC that were inversely associated with postoperative global cognitive outcomes and independent of perioperative cerebrovascular damage.
Influence of land use on the persistence effect of riverine phosphorus
Authors: Huang Hong , Wang Zhenfeng , Chen Dingjiang , Xia Fang , Shang Xu , Liu YuanYuan , Dahlgren Randy A. , Mei Kun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe persistence effect contribution of legacy nutrients is often cited as a reason for little or no improvement in water quality following extensive implementation of watershed nutrient mitigation actions, yet there is limited knowledge concerning factors influencing this response, often called the “persistence effect.” Here, we adopted detrended fluctuation analysis and Spearman analysis methods to assess the influence of land use on the watershed phosphorus (P) persistence effect, using monthly water quality records during 2010–2016 in 13 catchments within a drinking water reservoir watershed in eastern China. Detrended fluctuation analysis was used to calculate the Hurst exponent α to assess watershed legacy P characteristics (α ≈ 0.5, α > 0.5, and α < 0.5 indicate white noise, persistence, and anti‐persistence, respectively). Results showed weak to strong P persistence (0.60–0.81) in the time series of riverine P in the 13 catchments. The Hurst exponent α had negative relationships with agricultural land (R = −.47, p = .11) and developed land (R = −.67, p = .01) and a positive relationship with forest land cover (R = .48, p = .10). The persistence effect of riverine P was mainly determined by retention ability (biogeochemical legacy) and migration efficiency (hydrological legacy). A catchment with strong retention capacity (e.g., biomass uptake/storage and soil PO4 sorption) and low migration efficiency results in a stronger persistence effect for riverine P. In practice, source control is more effective in catchments with weak persistence, whereas sink control (e.g., riparian buffers and wetlands) is preferred in catchments with strong persistence effects.
Evaluating the utility of a point‐of‐care glucometer for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes
Authors: Adam Sumaiya , Rheeder Paul 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the performance of the Roche Accuchek Active glucometer in diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) versus the gold‐standard laboratory test.MethodsIn a prospective cohort observational study at a primary healthcare clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, pregnant women, excluding known diabetics, were recruited between 2013 and 2016. A 75‐g 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was scheduled at 24–28 gestational weeks. Glucose was measured in venous blood (laboratory) and capillary blood (glucometer). GDM was diagnosed via FIGO criteria. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and coefficient of variance (CV) of the glucometer test, and by Bland‐Altman plots.ResultsData from 529 women were analyzed. Of these, 141 (26.7%) and 79 (14.9%) were diagnosed with GDM by laboratory and glucometer measurements, respectively. The CV of the glucometer ranged from 15% to 17%. Bland‐Altman plots showed a positive bias of the glucometer results at 0 hours, but a negative bias at 1 and 2 hours of the OGTT. The sensitivity and specificity of the glucometer for the diagnosis of GDM were 27.0% and 89.4%, respectively.ConclusionUse of the Roche Accuchek Active glucometer for the diagnosis of GDM cannot be recommended.
Formulation and characterization of poly(propylacrylic acid)/poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) blend microparticles for pH‐dependent membrane disruption and cytosolic delivery
Authors: Fernando Lawrence P. , Lewis Jamal S. , Evans Brian C. , Duvall Craig L. , Keselowsky Benjamin G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPoly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) is widely used as a vehicle for delivery of pharmaceutically relevant payloads. PLGA is readily fabricated as a nano‐ or microparticle (MP) matrix to load both hydrophobic and hydrophilic small molecular drugs as well as biomacromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. However, targeting such payloads to the cell cytosol is often limited by MP entrapment and degradation within acidic endolysosomes. Poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA) is a polyelectrolyte polymer with the membrane disruptive capability triggered at low pH. PPAA has been previously formulated in various carrier configurations to enable cytosolic payload delivery, but requires sophisticated carrier design. Taking advantage of PPAA functionality, we have incorporated PPAA into PLGA MPs as a simple polymer mixture to enhance cytosolic delivery of PLGA‐encapsulated payloads. Rhodamine loaded PLGA and PPAA/PLGA blend MPs were prepared by a modified nanoprecipitation method. Incorporation of PPAA into PLGA MPs had little to no effect on the size, shape, or loading efficiency, and evidenced no toxicity in Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cells. Notably, incorporation of PPAA into PLGA MPs enabled pH‐dependent membrane disruption in a hemolysis assay, and a three‐fold increased endosomal escape and cytosolic delivery in dendritic cells after 2 h of MP uptake. These results demonstrate that a simple PLGA/PPAA polymer blend is readily fabricated into composite MPs, enabling cytosolic delivery of an encapsulated payload. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1022–1033, 2018.
Functional self‐assembled peptide scaffold inhibits tumor necrosis factor‐alpha‐induced inflammation and apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells by suppressing nuclear factor‐κB signaling
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Cheng Shi , Wu Yaohong , Ying Jingwei , Wang Chaofeng , Wen Tianyong , Bai Xuedong , Ji Wei , Wang Deli , Ruan Dike 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue engineering has achieved tremendous success, researches still face the huge obstacles in maintaining cell survival and function. A novel functional self‐assembled peptide RADA‐KPSS was constructed by conjugating BMP‐7 short active fragment (KPSS) to the C‐terminus of RADA16‐I that displays anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptosis effects. However, whether this functional self‐assembled RADA‐KPSS peptide can alleviate inflammation and NPC apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) has not been studied. Therefore, we cultured NPCs treated with TNF‐α for 48 h with the RADA‐KPSS peptide, and compared the results to those with RADA16‐I peptide. The cell apoptosis rate, inflammatory mediator secretion, expression of matrix‐degrading enzymes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein levels were evaluated. The expression of nuclear factor‐κB‐p65 (NF‐κB‐p65) protein was also tested. TNF‐α‐treated NPCs cultured with the RADA16‐I peptide showed up‐regulated gene expression for matrix‐degrading enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases‐3 (MMP‐3), MMP‐9, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS‐4), and down‐regulated gene expression for ECM proteins such as aggrecan, collagen II, and Sox‐9. The RADA‐KPSS peptide could attenuate the expression of MMP‐3, MMP‐9, and ADAMTS‐4, promote accumulation of ECM proteins, and increase secretion of glycosaminoglycan as compared with the RADA16‐I peptide. Moreover, the TNF‐α‐damaged NPCs was further demonstrated to inhibit NF‐κB‐p65, IL‐1, IL‐6, and prostaglandin E‐2 proteins and decrease cell apoptosis in RADA‐KPSS peptide. In conclusion, the functional self‐assembled RADA‐KPSS peptides have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects by promoting anabolic processes and inhibiting catabolic processes in intervertebral disk degeneration. These peptides may be feasible for clinical applications in NP tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1082–1091, 2018.
Climatology of wind speed persistence over Turkey
Authors: Korkmaz Fatih Mehmet , Koçak Kasım 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTIt is a well‐known fact that, sustainability is very important issue in the field of energy production of any kind. Wind speed persistence, as a climatological indicator, is one of the most important components of wind phenomenon which is closely related with sustainability of wind energy production. The most suitable areas for wind energy production are the areas with high wind speed persistence. On the other hand, there are a few studies on how to measure persistence of wind properly. In this study, two novel methods used to investigate persistence characteristics of a given area were applied to Turkey's wind speed data. The results have revealed some important characteristics of persistence throughout Turkey. According to these results western parts of Anatolia have highest persistence. The second region that has high persistence is inner parts of Anatolia because the topography of the Aegean region which enables wind to penetrate along long distances from the coast to the inner parts of Anatolia. All of the results obtained from the study are in accordance with the observations.