bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An age‐dependent fitness cost of migration? Old trans‐Saharan migrating spoonbills breed later than those staying in Europe, and late breeders have lower recruitment
Authors: Lok Tamar , Veldhoen Linde , Overdijk Otto , Tinbergen Joost M. , Piersma Theunis 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Migration is a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom. On the basis of the considerable variation that exists between and within species, and even within populations, we may be able to infer the (age‐ and sex‐specific) ecological trade‐offs and constraints moulding migration systems from assessments of fitness associated with migration and wintering in different areas.

During three consecutive breeding seasons, we compared the reproductive performance (timing of breeding, breeding success, chick body condition and post‐fledging survival) of Eurasian spoonbills Platalea leucorodia that breed at a single breeding site in The Netherlands, but migrate different distances (c. 4,500 vs. 2,000 km, either or not crossing the Sahara) to and from wintering areas in southern Europe and West Africa. Using mark–recapture analysis, we further investigated whether survival until adulthood (recruitment probability) of chicks hatched between 2006 and 2010 was related to their hatch date and body condition.

Long‐distance migrants bred later, particularly the males, and raised chicks of poorer body condition than short‐distance migrants. Hatch dates strongly advanced with increasing age in short‐distance migrants, but hardly advanced in long‐distance migrants, causing the difference in timing of breeding between long‐ and short‐distance migrants to be more pronounced among older birds.

Breeding success and chick body condition decreased over the season, and chicks that fledged late in the season or in poor condition were less likely to survive until adulthood. As a result, long‐distance migrants—particularly the males and older birds—likely recruit fewer offspring into the breeding population than short‐distance migrants. This inference is important for predicting the population‐level consequences of changes in winter habitat suitability throughout the wintering range.

Assuming that the long‐distance migrants—being the birds that occupy the traditional wintering areas—are not the poorer quality birds, and that the observed age‐dependent patterns in timing of breeding are driven by within‐individual effects and not by selective disappearance, our results suggest that the strategy of long‐distance migration, involving the crossing of the Sahara to winter in West Africa, incurred a cost by reducing reproductive output, albeit a cost paid only later in life.
Intensive forest harvesting increases susceptibility of northern forest soils to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus loss
Authors: Hume Alexandra M. , Chen Han Y. H. , Taylor Anthony R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of forest harvesting is critical to sustainable forest management, yet there remains much uncertainty regarding how harvesting affects soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics.Here, we conducted a global meta‐analysis of 808 observations from 49 studies to test the effects of harvesting on the stocks and concentrations of soil C, N and P and C:N:P ratios relative to uncut control stands.With all harvesting intensities combined, C stock was unaffected by harvesting in either the forest floor or mineral soil, while harvesting reduced forest floor [C], [N] and [P] and C:N ratio, increased the mineral soil [C] and C:N ratio, but reduced mineral soil N stock. The impacts of harvesting on forest floor C and N stocks, C:P and N:P and mineral soil [C] and [N] changed from no effects by partial, stem‐only and whole‐tree harvesting (WTH) to significantly negative effects by the harvesting coupled with fire. Stem‐only and WTH similarly reduced forest floor [P]. The negative effects of harvesting were most pronounced in conifer stands. Soil [C], [N] and C:N decreased with time since harvesting, but soil [P] did not, resulting in an increase in forest floor N:P.Synthesis and applications. Our findings highlight the importance of harvest intensity and rotation length on long‐term soil nutrient availability when managing forests. Furthermore, the lag in the recovery of phosphorus concentration following harvesting may indicate a decoupling of the phosphorus cycle from those of carbon and nitrogen, and a potential concern in managed forests.
The importance of scattered trees for biodiversity conservation: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Prevedello Jayme A. , Almeida‐Gomes Mauricio , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Scattered trees are thought to be keystone structures for biodiversity in landscapes world‐wide. However, such trees have been largely neglected by researchers and their importance for biodiversity remains unclear.

We completed a global meta‐analysis to quantify relationships between scattered trees and the species richness, abundance and composition of vertebrates, arthropods and plants. First, we tested whether areas near scattered trees support higher levels of species richness and abundance than nearby open areas. Second, we compared levels of species richness and abundance in matrix areas with scattered trees and areas embedded within nearby habitat patches. We also compared the composition of biological communities inhabiting habitat patches, open areas and areas with scattered trees.

A total of 62 studies contained suitable data for our quantitative analyses. The local abundance of arthropods, vertebrates and woody plants was 60%–430% greater and overall species richness was 50%–100% higher in areas with scattered trees than in open areas. Conversely, for herbaceous plants, there was no consistent relationship between species abundance and the occurrence of scattered trees, although species richness was, on average, 43% lower.

The abundance and richness of all taxonomic groups was similar in matrix areas supporting scattered trees and habitat patches, although the species richness of epiphytes was, on average, 50% higher in habitat patches. Communities inhabiting habitat patches were more similar in composition to the communities inhabiting areas with scattered trees, and less similar to the communities of open areas.

Synthesis and applications. Areas with scattered trees support greater levels of biodiversity than open areas, as well as communities that are more similar to those inhabiting habitat patches. Scattered trees can be regarded as keystone structures for vertebrates, arthropods and terrestrial plants in landscapes world‐wide. The maintenance of scattered trees may be compatible with livestock grazing in some agricultural landscapes. Greater management effort and targeted, long‐term policies are needed to retain or re‐establish scattered trees in many farming landscapes in both forest and non‐forest biomes around the world.
The company you keep: Is socialising with higher‐status people bad for mental health?
Authors: Lee Min‐Ah , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSocialising with higher‐status individuals can be hypothesised to exert opposing influences on the mental health of the ego. On the one hand, socialising with higher‐status alters might enable individuals to access valuable resources. On the other hand, status‐discrepant friendships could be detrimental to mental health by engendering feelings of unfairness. We sought to examine the impact of status‐discrepant social relationships on depressive symptoms in the 2012 Korean General Social Survey (KGSS), a nationally representative sample. We show that socialising with higher‐status people is positively associated with depressive symptoms. There is no significant difference between those socialising with equivalent‐status or with lower‐status alters. Perceived unfairness also increase depressive symptoms. Respondents socialising with higher‐status alters tend to report greater depressive symptoms as their perceived unfairness increases. Gender‐stratified analyses reveal that the detrimental impact of status‐discrepant relationships are observed for men only, not for women. These findings suggest that socialising with higher‐status people can be a net detriment for mental wellbeing by increasing stress/frustration or decreasing psychological resources such as self‐esteem, and that these effects are more pronounced for individuals who perceive that society is unfair. This pattern appears stronger for men, which might be associated with gender roles internalised through gender socialisation processes.
Policy design and domestic support for international bailouts
Authors: BECHTEL MICHAEL M. , HAINMUELLER JENS , MARGALIT YOTAM 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFinancial bailouts for ailing Eurozone countries face deep and widespread opposition among voters in donor countries, casting major doubts over the political feasibility of further assistance efforts. What is the nature of the opposition and under what conditions can governments obtain broader political support for funding such large‐scale, international transfers? This question is addressed by distinguishing theoretically between ‘fundamental’ and ‘contingent’ attitudes. Whereas the former entail complete rejection or embrace of a policy, the latter depend on the specific features of the policy and could shift if those features are altered. Combining unique data from an original survey in Germany – the largest donor country – together with an experiment that varies salient policy dimensions, the analysis indicates that less than a quarter of the public exhibits fundamental opposition to the bailouts. Testing a set of theories on contingent attitudes, particular sensitivity is found to the burden‐sharing and cost dimensions of the bailouts. The results imply that the choice of specific features of a rescue package has important consequences for building domestic support for international assistance efforts.
Effects of quadriceps functional exercise with isometric contraction in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Huang Lanfeng , Guo Bin , Xu Feixiang , Zhao Jinsong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effects of a quadriceps isometric contraction exercise method in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA total of 250 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of knee OA were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into an exercise treatment test group (128 patients) and a traditional treatment control group (122 patients). Quadriceps isometric contraction exercise was used in the test group, and local physiotherapy and oral nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were used in the control group. Knee joint function was evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire before treatment, and 1 and 3 months after treatment.ResultsVAS scoring and the WOMAC questionnaire showed significant relief in pain 1 month after treatment in the test group (P < 0.05), but minimal relief in the control group; at 1 month, there was also minimal joint function improvement in the test group (P > 0.05), but significant improvement in the control group (P < 0.05). However, 3 months after treatment, pain relief and knee joint function were more improved in the test group than in the control group, with a significant difference (P < 0.05).ConclusionThrough our short‐term observation, joint pain was effectively relieved and knee joint function was improved with systematic quadriceps isometric contraction exercise.
An efficient method for sorting and quantifying individual social traits based on group‐level behaviour
Authors: Szorkovszky Alex , Kotrschal Alexander , Herbert Read James E. , Sumpter David J. T. , Kolm Niclas , Pelckmans Kristiaan 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

In social contexts, animal behaviour is often studied in terms of group‐level characteristics. One clear example of this is the collective motion of animals in decentralized structures, such as bird flocks and fish schools. A major goal of research is to identify how group‐level behaviours are shaped by the traits of individuals within them. Few methods exist to make these connections. Individual assessment is often limited, forcing alternatives such as fitting agent‐based models to experimental data.

We provide a systematic experimental method for sorting animals according to socially relevant traits, without assaying them or even tagging them individually. Instead, they are repeatedly subjected to behavioural assays in groups, between which the group memberships are rearranged, in order to test the effect of many different combinations of individuals on a group‐level property or feature. We analyse this method using a general model for the group feature, and simulate a variety of specific cases to track how individuals are sorted in each case.

We find that in the case where the members of a group contribute equally to the group feature, the sorting procedure increases the between‐group behavioural variation well above what is expected for groups randomly sampled from a population. For a wide class of group feature models, the individual phenotypes are efficiently sorted across the groups and thus become available for further analysis on how individual properties affect group behaviour. We also show that the experimental data can be used to estimate the individual‐level repeatability of the underlying traits.

Our method allows experimenters to find repeatable variation in social behaviours that cannot be assessed in solitary individuals. Furthermore, experiments in animal behaviour often focus on comparisons between groups randomly sampled from a population. Increasing the behavioural variation between groups increases statistical power for testing whether a group feature is related to other properties of groups or to their phenotypic composition. Sorting according to socially relevant traits is also beneficial in artificial selection experiments, and for testing correlations with other traits. Overall, the method provides a useful tool to study how individual properties influence social behaviour.
The association between psychotic experiences and disability: results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys
Authors: Navarro‐Mateu F. , Alonso J. , Lim C. C. W. , Saha S. , Aguilar‐Gaxiola S. , Al‐Hamzawi A. , Andrade L. H. , Bromet E. J. , Bruffaerts R. , Chatterji S. , Degenhardt L. , de Girolamo G. , de Jonge P. , Fayyad J. , Florescu S. , Gureje O. , Haro J. M. , Hu C. , Karam E. G. , Kovess‐Masfety V. , Lee S. , Medina‐Mora M. E. , Ojagbemi A. , Pennell B.‐E. , Piazza M. , Posada‐Villa J. , Scott K. M. , Stagnaro J. C. , Xavier M. , Kendler K. S. , Kessler R. C. , McGrath J. J. ,   the WHO World Mental Health Survey Collaborators
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveWhile psychotic experiences (PEs) are known to be associated with a range of mental and general medical disorders, little is known about the association between PEs and measures of disability. We aimed to investigate this question using the World Mental Health surveys.MethodLifetime occurrences of six types of PEs were assessed along with 21 mental disorders and 14 general medical conditions. Disability was assessed with a modified version of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between PEs and high disability scores (top quartile) with various adjustments.ResultsRespondents with PEs were more likely to have top quartile scores on global disability than respondents without PEs (19.1% vs. 7.5%; χ2 = 190.1, P < 0.001) as well as greater likelihood of cognitive, social, and role impairment. Relationships persisted in each adjusted model. A significant dose–response relationship was also found for the PE type measures with most of these outcomes.ConclusionsPsychotic experiences are associated with disability measures with a dose–response relationship. These results are consistent with the view that PEs are associated with disability regardless of the presence of comorbid mental or general medical disorders.
Targeting PP2A and proteasome activity ameliorates features of allergic airway disease in mice
Authors: Nair P. M. , Starkey M. R. , Haw T. J. , Liu G. , Horvat J. C. , Morris J. C. , Verrills N. M. , Clark A. R. , Ammit A. J. , Hansbro P. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is an allergic airway disease (AAD) caused by aberrant immune responses to allergens. Protein phosphatase‐2A (PP2A) is an abundant serine/threonine phosphatase with anti‐inflammatory activity. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) controls many cellular processes, including the initiation of inflammatory responses by protein degradation. We assessed whether enhancing PP2A activity with fingolimod (FTY720) or 2‐amino‐4‐(4‐(heptyloxy) phenyl)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐ol (AAL(S)), or inhibiting proteasome activity with bortezomib (BORT), could suppress experimental AAD.MethodsAcute AAD was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) in combination with intranasal (i.n) exposure to OVA. Chronic AAD was induced in mice with prolonged i.n exposure to crude house dust mite (HDM) extract. Mice were treated with vehicle, FTY720, AAL(S), BORT or AAL(S)+BORT and hallmark features of AAD assessed.ResultsAAL(S) reduced the severity of acute AAD by suppressing tissue eosinophils and inflammation, mucus‐secreting cell (MSC) numbers, type 2‐associated cytokines (interleukin (IL)‐33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL‐5 and IL‐13), serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E and airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR). FTY720 only suppressed tissue inflammation and IgE. BORT reduced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and tissue eosinophils and inflammation, IL‐5, IL‐13 and AHR. Combined treatment with AAL(S)+BORT had complementary effects and suppressed BALF and tissue eosinophils and inflammation, MSC numbers, reduced the production of type 2 cytokines and AHR. AAL(S), BORT and AAL(S)+BORT also reduced airway remodelling in chronic AAD.ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential of combination therapies that enhance PP2A and inhibit proteasome activity as novel therapeutic strategies for asthma.
Initial placement and secondary displacement of a new suture‐method catheter for sciatic nerve block in healthy volunteers: a randomised, double‐blind pilot study
Authors: Lyngeraa T. S. , Rothe C. , Steen‐Hansen C. , Madsen M. H. , Christiansen C. B. , Andreasen A. M. , Lundstrøm L. H. , Lange K. H. W. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryWe performed a randomised double‐blind pilot study in 16 healthy volunteers to investigate the success rate for placing a new suture‐method catheter for sciatic nerve block. A catheter was inserted into both legs of volunteers and each was randomly allocated to receive 15 ml lidocaine 2% through the catheter in one leg and 15 ml saline in the other leg. Successful placement of the catheter was defined as a 20% decrease in maximum voluntary isometric contraction for dorsiflexion of the ankle. Secondary outcomes were maximum voluntary isometric contraction for plantar flexion at the ankle, surface electromyography and cold sensation. After return of motor and sensory function, volunteers performed standardised physical exercises; injection of the same study medication was repeated in the same leg and followed by motor and sensory assessments. Fifteen of 16 (94%; 95%CI 72–99%) initial catheter placements were successful. The reduction in maximum voluntary isometric contraction and surface electromyography affected the peroneal nerve more often than the tibial nerve. Eleven of 15 (73%; 95%CI 54–96%) catheters remained functional with motor and sensory block after physical exercise, and the maximal displacement was 5 mm. Catheters with secondary block failure were displaced between 6 and 10 mm. One catheter was displaced 1.8 mm that resulted in a decrease in maximum voluntary isometric contraction of less than 20%. After repeat test injection, 14 of the 16 volunteers had loss of cold sensation. Neither motor nor sensory functions were affected in the legs injected with placebo. We conclude that the suture‐method catheter can be placed with a high success rate, but that physical exercise may cause displacement.
A unique case of bilateral ovarian splenosis and review of the literature
Authors: Disanto Maria Giulia , Mercalli Francesca , Palicelli Andrea , Arnulfo Alberto , Boldorini Renzo 
Published: May 2017

Splenosis is an acquired anomaly related to heterotopic auto‐transplantation of splenic tissue following abdominal trauma or splenectomy. We report the first definitive bilateral ovarian case in a 65‐year‐old woman who underwent splenectomy following a motor vehicle accident 44 years prior to presentation. We review the literature and discuss the main differential diagnoses. Gross examination revealed a 1‐cm well‐circumscribed dark nodule on the surface of each ovary. Paraffin‐embedded, formalin‐fixed blocks were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin–eosin and immunostains (CK5/6, Calretinin, WT1, Vimentin). The histological presence of both red and white splenic pulp, delimitation from ovarian tissue and ovarian origin of blood supply, as well as medical history, led us to the correct diagnosis. The outer nodular surface was covered by mesothelium (WT1+, CK5/6+, Calretinin+, Vimentin+), which was in continuity with the ovarian surface epithelium. To our knowledge, only six previous cases of ovarian splenosis are reported. Our patient is the oldest, with a very long interval from splenectomy to presentation. Clinically, splenosis may mimic malignancy, and a correct diagnosis avoids unnecessary overtreatment. The differential diagnosis includes an accessory spleen, spleno‐gonadal fusion, and splenic hamartoma: they should be excluded to come to the correct diagnosis.
Understanding the reconstitution of the B‐cell compartment in bone marrow and blood after treatment for B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Theunissen Prisca M. J. , van den Branden Anouk , Van Der Sluijs‐Gelling Alita , De Haas Valerie , Beishuizen Auke , van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Van Der Velden Vincent H. J. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryA better understanding of the reconstitution of the B‐cell compartment during and after treatment in B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP‐ALL) will help to assess the immunological status and needs of post‐treatment BCP‐ALL patients. Using 8‐colour flow cytometry and proliferation‐assays, we studied the composition and proliferation of both the B‐cell precursor (BCP) population in the bone marrow (BM) and mature B‐cell population in peripheral blood (PB) during and after BCP‐ALL therapy. We found a normal BCP differentiation pattern and a delayed formation of classical CD38dim‐naive mature B‐cells, natural effector B‐cells and memory B‐cells in patients after chemotherapy. This B‐cell differentiation/maturation pattern was strikingly similar to that during initial B‐cell development in healthy infants. Tissue‐resident plasma cells appeared to be partly protected from chemotherapy. Also, we found that the fast recovery of naive mature B‐cell numbers after chemotherapy was the result of increased de novo BCP generation, rather than enhanced B‐cell proliferation in BM or PB. These results indicate that post‐treatment BCP‐ALL patients will eventually re‐establish a B‐cell compartment with a composition and B‐cell receptor repertoire similar to that in healthy children. Additionally, the formation of a new memory B‐cell compartment suggests that revaccination might be beneficial after BCP‐ALL therapy.