bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acoustic communication in the pine engraver bark beetle: do signals vary between behavioural contexts?
Authors: Dobai Andras , Sivalinghem Senthurran , Guedes Raul N.C. , Yack Jayne E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAcoustic communication is taxonomically widespread in bark beetles and is proposed to play an important role in a variety of social and defensive behavioural contexts. Yet our understanding of how signals vary between contexts is currently limited. The present study tests the hypothesis that acoustic signals vary between behavioural contexts in the female pine engraver beetleIps pini(Say) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). FemaleIps piniproduce acoustic chirps using a vertex‐pronotal stridulatory organ. Randomly sampled chirps generated under three contexts (i.e. distress, predation and premating) are compared for their duration, number of pulses, interpulse intervals, pulse rate and amplitude envelope shapes. The results obtained show that, during premating events, chirps are significantly longer in duration and tend to have a higher proportion of descending amplitude envelopes than chirps occurring during distress and predation events. Chirps produced during distress and predation conditions are indistinguishable from one another. By contrast to the results from previous bark beetle studies, no support is found for categorizing chirps as ‘interrupted’ or ‘uninterrupted’ types based on temporal patterns. The functional significance of context‐dependent variation in chirp characteristics is discussed. Previous studies on acoustic communication in bark beetles are limited as a result of a general lack of objective sampling and measurement criteria for characterizing signals. Recommendations are outlined for future studies on the functions and evolution of acoustic communication in bark beetles.
Stratigraphic architecture of the Cenozoic succession in the McMurdo Sound region, Antarctica: An archive of polar palaeoenvironmental change in a failed rift setting
Authors: Fielding Christopher R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe Victoria Land Basin forms part of the failed West Antarctic Rift, and preserves a Cenozoic succession up to 4 km thick that records the onset of Cenozoic glaciation, and the history of Antarctic glaciation over the past 34 Myr. This succession is relevant both to investigations of modern climate change and to studies of long‐term palaeoclimate change in general. This study provides a sedimentological and stratigraphic review of the Victoria Land Basin succession, based on analysis of several continuous drillcores acquired since the 1970s, and supported by seismic stratigraphic analysis of a large array of seismic reflection data. An array of fifteen lithofacies is recognized within the Victoria Land Basin Cenozoic succession, including fossiliferous and diversely bioturbated mudrocks and diatomites, texturally mature sandstones and conglomerates, mixed mudstones and sandstones with dispersed gravel with restricted bioturbation, and diamictites and associated lithologies. These facies record a variety of marine, glaciomarine, proglacial and subglacial environments. Locally, volcanic and volcaniclastic deposits are interbedded in the succession. Lithofacies are arranged in repetitive vertical stacking patterns (depositional sequences) that record glacial advance–retreat cycles with attendant relative sea‐level changes. Seven varieties of depositional sequences (stratigraphic motifs) are recognized within the succession as a whole, and interpreted to record a range of depositional settings from rifts unaffected by glacial ice (Motif 7), through varying degrees of glacial influence with abundant meltwater contributions (Motifs 6 to 3), to cold, polar glaciated environments such as that of today (Motifs 2 and 1). Overall, there is a gradual trend upward through the succession from Motif 7 at the base towards Motif 1 at the top, but the trend is not monotonic. A significant conclusion of this work is that a record of dynamic climate and glacial conditions is preserved through the entire 34 Myr period of the Cenozoic icehouse, at least in the Victoria Land Basin. Intervals characterized by consistent stratigraphic style (motifs) are recognized throughout the Victoria Land Basin succession. These intervals are of 1 to 6 Myr duration, each containing numerous depositional sequences; they are one to two orders of magnitude longer than glacial–interglacial cycles, and record periods during which environmental conditions varied in an internally consistent manner. These intervals are considered to reflect convolutions of orbital parameters that remained stable for periods of 106 a, and then switched to alternative configurations. Such intervals are directly analogous to 1 to 8 Myr intervals characterized by glaciogenic strata that are preserved within the late Palaeozoic of eastern Australia among other areas, and may be a recurring stratigraphic response to icehouse climate regimes through geological time.
Enhancements of Non‐parametric Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test: Bias Correction and Dimension Reduction
Authors: Niu Cuizhen , Guo Xu , Zhu Lixing 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNon‐parametric generalized likelihood ratio test is a popular method of model checking for regressions. However, there are two issues that may be the barriers for its powerfulness: existing bias term and curse of dimensionality. The purpose of this paper is thus twofold: a bias reduction is suggested and a dimension reduction‐based adaptive‐to‐model enhancement is recommended to promote the power performance. The proposed test statistic still possesses the Wilks phenomenon and behaves like a test with only one covariate. Thus, it converges to its limit at a much faster rate and is much more sensitive to alternative models than the classical non‐parametric generalized likelihood ratio test. As a by‐product, we also prove that the bias‐corrected test is more efficient than the one without bias reduction in the sense that its asymptotic variance is smaller. Simulation studies and a real data analysis are conducted to evaluate of proposed tests.
Seroepidemiological trend of strongyloidiasis in the Bolivian Chaco (1987–2013) in the absence of disease‐specific control measures
Authors: Spinicci Michele , Macchioni Fabio , Mantella Antonia , Gabrielli Simona , Roselli Mimmo , Rojo Mayaregua David , Monasterio Pinckert Joaquín , Gamboa Barahona Herlan , Paredes Grover Adolfo , Halkyer Percy , Cancrini Gabriella , Olliaro Piero , Montresor Antonio , Bartoloni Alessandro 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infections is grossly underestimated because infections go mostly undetected, although they can persist for a lifetime due to the auto‐infective cycle. In the Bolivian Chaco, the prevalence of soil‐transmitted nematodes dropped dramatically in the past 25 years, but the mebendazole used for preventive chemotherapy has no effect on S. stercoralis. Meanwhile, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections remains unchanged. We compared S. stercoralis seroprevalence in rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco from 1987 to 2013.MethodsSera collected during two previous serosurveys, conducted in the Chaco region in 1987 and 2013, were tested for S. stercoralis using a commercial assay (Bordier‐ELISA, Bordier Affinity Products, Switzerland).ResultsOverall, 355 sera were analysed, 122 from the 1987 survey and 233 from the 2013 survey. Seropositivity for S. stercoralis was significantly more prevalent in 1987 (19/122, 16% in 1987 vs. 15/233, 6% in 2013, P = 0.006), accounted for by a drop from 17% to 3% in people under 26 years of age. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between seropositivity for S. stercoralis and age in the 2013 population (OR 1.03 for each one‐year increase, 95%CI 1.00–1.05, P = 0.04), but none in 1987.ConclusionsThe significant reduction in S. stercoralis seroprevalence in Bolivian Chaco cannot be explained by preventive chemotherapy or improved social‐sanitary conditions. As the drop is seen in younger generations, it is consistent with little transmission occurring. However, the risk of transmission still exists, as prevalence is persistently high in older individuals, who present a potential reservoir due to the lifelong nature of S. stercoralis infections.
Computed tomographic appearance of canine tonsillar neoplasia: 14 cases
Authors: Thierry Florence , Longo Maurizio , Pecceu Evi , Zani Davide D. , Schwarz Tobias 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe palatine tonsil is an uncommon site of oral canine neoplasia. For affected tonsils, squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent type of neoplasia, followed by melanoma and lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for investigation of canine oropharyngeal pathology; however, limited information is available on the CT appearance of tonsillar neoplasms. Objectives of this retrospective descriptive case series were to characterize the CT features of canine tonsillar neoplasia and determine whether specific CT features differentiate nonneoplastic from neoplastic tonsils. Computed tomographic studies of 14 dogs diagnosed with tonsillar neoplasia were retrieved from two referral hospitals and reviewed by two observers. Diagnosis was based on histology or cytology. Carcinoma was diagnosed in 11 dogs, melanoma in two and lymphoma in one dog. Specific CT features of the tonsil and regional lymph nodes did not differentiate neoplastic from nonneoplastic tonsillar diseases, but regional lymph node CT features were useful for diagnosis in some cases. Marked enlargement (width ≥ 18 mm, 12/18), heterogeneity (16/18), and loss of the hypoattenuating hilus (18/18) of the medial retropharyngeal lymph node were common concomitant features of tonsillar neoplasia. The medial retropharyngeal and mandibular lymphadenomegaly was ipsilateral to the neoplastic tonsil in 8/12 and 6/9 dogs, respectively. Five dogs demonstrated little or no enlargement of the tonsil despite the associated metastatic lymphadenomegaly. Tonsillar neoplasia should therefore be considered as a differential diagnosis for dogs with CT evidence of isolated medial retropharyngeal lymphadenomegaly (regardless of normally sized tonsils), or of any enlarged tonsil with no associated lymphadenomegaly.
Infectious dose‐dependent accumulation of live highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in chicken skeletal muscle—implications for public health
Authors: Vasudevan G. , Vanamayya P. R. , Nagarajan S. , Rajukumar K. , Suba S. , Venketash G. , Tosh C. , Sood R. , Nissly R. H. , Kuchipudi S. V. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryHighly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) of H5N1 subtype are a major global threat to poultry and public health. Export of poultry products, such as chicken and duck meat, is a known source for the cross‐boundary spread of HPAI H5N1 viruses. Humans get infected with HPAI H5N1 viruses either by close contact with infected poultry or through consumption of fresh/undercooked poultry meat. Skeletal muscle is the largest soft tissue in chicken that has been shown to contain virus during systemic HPAIV infection and supports productive virus infection. However, the time between infection of a chicken with H5N1 virus and presence of virus in muscle tissue is not yet known. Further, it is also not clear whether chicken infected with low doses of H5N1 virus that cause non‐fatal subclinical infections continue to accumulate virus in skeletal muscle. We investigated the amount and duration of virus detection in skeletal muscle of chicken experimentally infected with different doses (102, 103 and 104 EID50) of a HPAI H5N1 virus. Influenza viral antigen could be detected as early as 6 hr after infection and live virus was recovered from 48 hr after infection. Notably, chicken infected with lower levels of HPAI H5N1 virus (i.e., 102 EID50) did not die acutely, but continued to accumulate high levels of H5N1 virus in skeletal muscle until 6 days post‐infection. Our data suggest that there is a potential risk of human exposure to H5N1 virus through meat from clinically healthy chicken infected with a low dose of virus. Our results highlight the need to implement rigorous monitoring systems to screen poultry meat from H5N1 endemic countries to limit the global spread of H5N1 viruses.
Extracellular acidosis selectively inhibits pharmacomechanical coupling induced by carbachol in strips of rat gastric fundus
Authors: de Oliveira Daniel Maia Nogueira , Batista‐Lima Francisco José , de Carvalho Emanuella Feitosa , Havt Alexandre , da Silva Moisés Tolentino Bento , dos Santos Armênio Aguiar , Magalhães Pedro Jorge Caldas 
Published: September 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Acute acidosis that results from short‐term exercise is involved in delayed gastric emptying in rats and the lower responsiveness of gastric fundus strips to carbachol. Does extracellular acidosis decrease responsiveness to carbachol in tissues of sedentary rats? How?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Extracellular acidosis inhibits cholinergic signalling in the rat gastric fundus by selectively influencing the Gq/11 protein signalling pathway.

Acute acidosis that results from short‐term exercise delays gastric emptying in rats and decreases the responsiveness to carbachol in gastric fundus strips. The regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations appears to be a mechanism of action of acidosis. The present study investigated the way in which acidosis interferes with gastric smooth muscle contractions. Rat gastric fundus isolated strips at pH 6.0 presented a lower magnitude of carbachol‐induced contractions compared with preparations at pH 7.4. This lower magnitude was absent in carbachol‐stimulated duodenum and KCl‐stimulated gastric fundus strips. In Ca2+‐free conditions, repeated contractions that were induced by carbachol progressively decreased, with no influence of extracellular pH. In fundus strips, CaCl2‐induced contractions were lower at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.4 but only when stimulated in the combined presence of carbachol and verapamil. In contrast, verapamil‐sensitive contractions that were induced by CaCl2 in the presence of KCl did not change with pH acidification. In Ca2+ store‐depleted preparations that were treated with thapsigargin, the contractions that were induced by extracellular Ca2+ restoration were smaller at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.4, but relaxation that was induced by SKF‐96365 (an inhibitor of store‐operated Ca2+ entry) was unaltered by extracellular acidification. At pH 6.0, the phospholipase C inhibitor U‐73122 relaxed carbachol‐induced contractions less than at pH 7.4, and this phenomenon was absent in tissue that was treated with the RhoA kinase blocker Y‐27632. Thus, extracellular acidosis inhibited pharmacomechanical coupling in gastric fundus by selectively inhibiting the Gq/11 protein signalling pathway, whereas electromechanical coupling remained functionally preserved.
Task‐dependent output of human parasternal intercostal motor units across spinal levels
Authors: Hudson Anna L. , Gandevia Simon C. , Butler Jane E. 
Published: September 2017

Key points
During breathing, there is differential activity in the human parasternal intercostal muscles and the activity is tightly coupled to the known mechanical advantages for inspiration of the same regions of muscles.
It is not known whether differential activity is preserved for the non‐respiratory task of ipsilateral trunk rotation.
In the present study, we compared single motor units during resting breathing and axial rotation of the trunk during apnoea.
We not only confirmed non‐uniform recruitment of motor units across parasternal intercostal muscles in breathing, but also demonstrated that the same motor units show an altered pattern of recruitment in the non‐respiratory task of trunk rotation.
The output of parasternal intercostal motoneurones is modulated differently across spinal levels depending on the task and these results help us understand the mechanisms that may govern task‐dependent differences in motoneurone output.
AbstractDuring inspiration, there is differential activity in the human parasternal intercostal muscles across interspaces. We investigated whether the earlier recruitment of motor units in the rostral interspaces compared to more caudal spaces during inspiration is preserved for the non‐respiratory task of ipsilateral trunk rotation. Single motor unit activity (SMU) was recorded from the first, second and fourth parasternal interspaces on the right side in five participants in two tasks: resting breathing and ‘isometric’ axial rotation of the trunk during apnoea. Recruitment of the same SMUs was compared between tasks (n = 123). During resting breathing, differential activity was indicated by earlier recruitment of SMUs in the first and second interspaces compared to the fourth space in inspiration (P < 0.01). By contrast, during trunk rotation, the same motor units showed an altered pattern of recruitment because SMUs in the first interspace were recruited later and at a higher rotation torque than those in the second and fourth interspaces (P < 0.05). Tested for a subset of SMUs, the reliability of the breathing and rotation tasks, as well as the SMU recruitment measures, was good–excellent [intraclass correlation (2,1): 0.69–0.91]. Thus, the output of parasternal intercostal motoneurones is modulated differently across spinal levels depending on the task. Given that the differential inspiratory output of parasternal intercostal muscles is linked to their relative mechanical effectiveness for inspiration and also that this output is altered in trunk rotation, we speculate that a mechanism matching neural drive to muscle mechanics underlies the task‐dependent differences in output of axial motoneurone pools.
Impact of type I Boston keratoprosthesis implantation on vision-related quality of life
Authors: Ang Marcus , Man Ryan , Fenwick Eva , Lamoureux Ecosse , Wilkins Mark 
Published: September 2017

AimTo determine the impact of type I Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL).MethodsProspective study in 33 patients (mean age 56±12 years, 67% male) with bilateral corneal blindness, who underwent a KPro implantation at a single tertiary eye hospital (June 2011–July 2015). VRQoL was evaluated using the Impact of Vision Impairment Questionnaire (IVI) at baseline and at 3–6 months postsurgery, after stabilisation of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Rasch analysis was used to transform the IVI responses into interval-level measures comprising the ‘reading’, ‘mobility’ and ‘emotional’ subscales with effect sizes calculated for pre-post VRQoL scores.ResultsMean preoperative BCVA was counting-fingers at 2 feet in the operated eye (20/240 fellow eye). Preoperative VRQoL scores: −2.27, –2.91 and −3.06 logits for the reading, mobility and emotional subscales, respectively. Device retention rate was 90% over the follow-up period (mean 26±12 months). We observed large gains for reading and mobility of 1.92 logits (effect size 0.88), and 2.64 logits (effect size 0.89) respectively, with a moderate gain in the emotional subscale of 2.11 logits (effect size 0.59). These improvements did not vary significantly with BCVA on multivariate analysis (all p>0.05).ConclusionWe observed a differential short-term improvement to VRQoL after KPro implantation with a significant impact on emotional well-being, which may not be fully explained by visual improvement alone. Further studies are required to confirm if these improvements in VRQoL are sustained in the long-term and are generalisable to other populations.
Inter-relationship between visual symptoms, activity limitation and psychological functioning in patients with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Fenwick Eva K , Cheng Grand H-L , Man Ryan E K , Khadka Jyoti , Rees Gwyn , Wong Tien Y , Pesudovs Konrad , Lamoureux Ecosse Luc 
Published: September 2017

AimsWe explored the direct and indirect impact of restrictions in daily living activities on the relationship between perceived visual symptoms associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and psychological functioning.MethodsIn this prospective, cross-sectional study, 514 tertiary patients with DR (mean age±SD, 60.4±12.6 years; 64% male) answered questions related to nine domains of DR-specific quality of life. These were classified into the following predictor, mediating and outcome variables: visual symptoms (predictor variable); activity limitation, driving, lighting, social restriction, inconvenience, mobility (mediating variables); and emotional distress and concerns (outcome variables). Direct and indirect relationships between study variables were assessed using path analysis, using interval-level person measures derived from Rasch analyses of the study questionnaires.ResultsWe found no direct effect of DR-related visual symptoms on emotional distress or concerns. Rather, the association between visual symptoms and emotional distress was mediated (all p<0.05) by mobility (indirect effect=0.07), inconvenience (indirect effect=0.28), activity limitation (indirect effect=0.13) and social restriction (indirect effect=0.11). Similarly, the relationship between DR-related visual symptoms and concerns was mediated by inconvenience (indirect effect=0.36) and social restriction (indirect effect=0.11). Lighting and driving did not have a mediating role.ConclusionsThe link between vision and psychological functioning outcomes such as emotional distress and concern is complex in patients with DR and mediated by limitations in daily living activities and social factors. Interventions to enhance daily functioning and social interaction may be effective in reducing emotional distress associated with DR-related vision impairment.
Trend analysis of mortality rates and causes of death in children under 5 years old in Beijing, China from 1992 to 2015 and forecast of mortality into the future: an entire population-based epidemiological study
Authors: Cao Han , Wang Jing , Li Yichen , Li Dongyang , Guo Jin , Hu Yifei , Meng Kai , He Dian , Liu Bin , Liu Zheng , Qi Han , Zhang Ling 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo analyse trends in mortality and causes of death among children aged under 5 years in Beijing, China between 1992 and 2015 and to forecast under-5 mortality rates (U5MRs) for the period 2016–2020.MethodsAn entire population-based epidemiological study was conducted. Data collection was based on the Child Death Reporting Card of the Beijing Under-5 Mortality Rate Surveillance Network. Trends in mortality and leading causes of death were analysed using the χ2test and SPSS 19.0 software. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was fitted to forecast U5MRs between 2016 and 2020 using the EViews 8.0 software.ResultsMortality in neonates, infants and children aged under 5 years decreased by 84.06%, 80.04% and 80.17% from 1992 to 2015, respectively. However, the U5MR increased by 7.20% from 2013 to 2015. Birth asphyxia, congenital heart disease, preterm/low birth weight and other congenital abnormalities comprised the top five causes of death. The greatest, most rapid reduction was that of pneumonia by 92.26%, with an annual average rate of reduction of 10.53%. The distribution of causes of death differed among children of different ages. Accidental asphyxia and sepsis were among the top five causes of death in children aged 28 days to 1 year and accident was among the top five causes in children aged 1–4 years. The U5MRs in Beijing are projected to be 2.88‰, 2.87‰, 2.90‰, 2.97‰ and 3.09‰ for the period 2016–2020, based on the predictive model.ConclusionBeijing has made considerable progress in reducing U5MRs from 1992 to 2015. However, U5MRs could show a slight upward trend from 2016 to 2020. Future considerations for child healthcare include the management of birth asphyxia, congenital heart disease, preterm/low birth weight and other congenital abnormalities. Specific preventative measures should be implemented for children of various age groups.