bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating vital rate contributions to greater sage‐grouse population dynamics to inform conservation
Authors: Dahlgren David K. , Guttery Michael R. , Messmer Terry A. , Caudill Danny , Dwayne Elmore Robert , Chi Renee , Koons David N. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSpecies conservation efforts often use short‐term studies that fail to identify the vital rates that contribute most to population growth. Although the greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) is a candidate for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and is sometimes referred to as an umbrella species in the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome of western North America, the failure of proposed management strategies to focus on key vital rates that may contribute most to achieving population stability remains problematic for sustainable conservation. To address this dilemma, we performed both prospective and retrospective perturbation analyses of a life cycle model based on a 12‐yr study that encompassed nearly all sage‐grouse vital rates. To validate our population models, we compared estimates of annual finite population growth rates (λ) from our female‐based life cycle models to those attained from male‐based lek counts. Post‐fledging (i.e., after second year, second year, and juvenile) female survival parameters contributed most to past variation in λ during our study and had the greatest potential to change λ in the future, indicating these vital rates as important determinants of sage‐grouse population dynamics. In addition, annual estimates of λ from female‐based life cycle models and male‐based lek data were similar, providing the most rigorous evidence to date that lek counts of males can serve as a valid index of sage‐grouse population change. Our comparison of fixed and mixed statistical models for evaluating temporal variation in nest survival and initiation suggest that conservation planners use caution when evaluating short‐term nesting studies and using associated fixed‐effect results to develop conservation objectives. In addition, our findings indicated that greater attention should be paid to those factors affecting sage‐grouse post‐fledging females. Our approach demonstrates the need for more long‐term studies of species vital rates across the life cycle. Such studies should address the decoupling of sampling variation from underlying process (co)variation in vital rates, identification of how such variation drives population dynamics, and how decision makers can use this information to re‐direct conservation efforts to address the most limiting points in the life cycle for a given population.
A network approach reveals surprises about the history of the niche
Authors: Pedruski Michael T. , Fussmann Gregor F. , Gonzalez Andrew 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe ecological niche is a prominent theoretical concept in many ecological fields, central to ecological understanding of species interactions and community structure. To better understand this important concept, and the impact it has had on ecology, we used a citation analysis to examine the history of the niche through citation patterns during the 20th century. In particular, we sought to document the spread of the niche across ecological subdisciplines, to evaluate whether the existence of different niche definitions facilitated the spread of the niche, and to see whether the conceptual integration stemming from adoption of the niche has also yielded an integration of the niche literature across subdisciplinary boundaries. We show that the ecological niche has been adopted by a number of subdisciplines, but that this success does not appear to have relied strongly on the different niche definitions, nor has it led to general integration of the niche literature across subdisciplinary boundaries. Our analysis thus not only examines the history of one of ecology's central concepts but also suggests that despite the conceptual unification that resulted from the broad adoption of the niche, a unified niche literature had not emerged by the close of the 20th century.
Building the team for team science
Authors: Read E. K. , O'Rourke M. , Hong G. S. , Hanson P. C. , Winslow L. A. , Crowley S. , Brewer C. A. , Weathers K. C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe ability to effectively exchange information and develop trusting, collaborative relationships across disciplinary boundaries is essential for 21st century scientists charged with solving complex and large‐scale societal and environmental challenges, yet these communication skills are rarely taught. Here, we describe an adaptable training program designed to increase the capacity of scientists to engage in information exchange and relationship development in team science settings. A pilot of the program, developed by a leader in ecological network science, the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON), indicates that the training program resulted in improvement in early career scientists’ confidence in team‐based network science collaborations within and outside of the program. Fellows in the program navigated human‐network challenges, expanded communication skills, and improved their ability to build professional relationships, all in the context of producing collaborative scientific outcomes. Here, we describe the rationale for key communication training elements and provide evidence that such training is effective in building essential team science skills.
Spatial heterogeneity in invasive species impacts at the landscape scale
Authors: Latzka Alexander W. , Hansen Gretchen J.A. , Kornis Matthew , Vander Zanden M. Jake 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInvasive species have substantial impacts across the globe. While management efforts should aim to minimize undesirable impacts, we have a poor understanding of how impacts of a given invasive species vary spatially. Here, we develop a framework for considering heterogeneity of invasive species impacts that allows us to explore the range of possible spatial patterns of impact. This framework incorporates two factors—how invasive species abundance varies among sites (i.e., abundance distributions) and how invasive species impact varies as a function of abundance (i.e., abundance–impact curves). Combining these two factors allows for the creation of probability distributions that represent how invasive species impacts may vary spatially among sites. We used published abundance distributions and inferred abundance–impact curves to generate impact distributions for two problematic invasive species—zebra mussel and Eurasian watermilfoil—across lakes in Wisconsin, USA. Impact distributions of these species tended to be right‐skewed (i.e., the majority of sites had low impacts), although the tail thickness varied. We also simulated how a broader range of combinations of invasive species abundance distributions and abundance–impact curves produce different patterns of invasive species impact. These simulations illustrate a remarkable diversity of invasive species spatial impact patterns—probability distributions of impact were left‐skewed, right‐skewed, bimodal, and normal. Total landscape‐level impacts, estimated by summing site‐level impacts, were similarly variable depending on the distribution of site‐level impacts. Our results indicate that invasive species abundance and abundance–impact curves ultimately affect how invasive species impacts are distributed across the landscape, which has important implications for invasive species management.
Scale‐dependent effects of nonnative plant invasion on host‐seeking tick abundance
Authors: Adalsteinsson Solny A. , D'Amico Vincent , Shriver W. Gregory , Brisson Dustin , Buler Jeffrey J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNonnative, invasive shrubs can affect human disease risk through direct and indirect effects on vector populations. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) is a common invader within eastern deciduous forests where tick‐borne disease (e.g., Lyme disease) rates are high. We tested whether R. multiflora invasion affects blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) abundance and at what scale. We sampled host‐seeking ticks at two spatial scales: fine scale, within R. multiflora‐invaded forest fragments; and patch scale, among R. multiflora‐invaded and R. multiflora‐free forest fragments. At a fine scale, we trapped 2.3 times more ticks under R. multiflora compared with paired traps 25 m away from R. multiflora. At the patch scale, we trapped 3.2 times as many ticks in R. multiflora‐free forests compared with R. multiflora‐invaded forests. Thus, ticks are concentrated beneath R. multiflora within invaded forests, but uninvaded forests support significantly more ticks. Among all covariates tested, leaf litter volume was the best predictor of tick abundance; at the patch scale, R. multiflora‐invaded forests had less leaf litter than uninvaded forests. We suggest that leaf litter availability at the patch scale plays a greater role in constraining tick abundance than the fine‐scale, positive effect of invasive shrubs.
Outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: differences in clinical profile and treatment between 2002 and 2009
Authors: Staszewsky Lidia , Cortesi Laura , Tettamanti Mauro , Dal Bo Gabrio Andrea , Fortino Ida , Bortolotti Angela , Merlino Luca , Latini Roberto , Roncaglioni Maria Carla , Baviera Marta 
Published: April 2016

AimsHeart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently co‐exist, and each is a major public health issue. In a large cohort of hospitalized HF patients, we evaluated: (i) the impact of COPD on clinical outcomes; (ii) whether outcomes and treatments changed from 2002 to 2009; and (iii) the relationship between outcomes and treatments focusing on beta‐blockers (BBs) and bronchodilators (BDs).Methods and resultsFrom linkable Lombardy administrative health databases, we selected individuals with a discharge diagnosis of HF with or without concomitant COPD (HF yesCOPD and HF noCOPD) in 2002 and 2009. Patients were followed up for 4 years. Outcomes were total mortality, first readmission for HF, and their combination. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional models and competing risk analyses were used. We identified 11 274 patients with HF noCOPD and 2837 with HF yesCOPD. HF yesCOPD patients in 2002 and 2009 had a 20% higher risk of the outcomes. From 2002 to 2009, BB and BD prescriptions increased significantly. In HF noCOPD patients, risks for mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86–0.97], first HF readmission (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.74–0.85), and the combined endpoint (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.92) declined (all P < 0.003) while in HF yesCOPD only the risk for first HF readmission dropped (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76–0.97; P = 0.018). BBs were associated with significantly lower mortality in both groups, but with a higher risk for first HF readmission in HF noCOPD. Outcomes did not significantly differ in HF yesCOPD treated or not with BDs.ConclusionsThe prognosis of patients hospitalized for HF, either with or without COPD, seemed to improve between 2002 and 2009, with possibly better survival of those on BBs. Because of residual confounding in observational studies, a randomized controlled trial should be considered to confirm these results.
Overload mitigation mechanism for VoIP networks: a transport layer approach based on resource management
Authors: Montazerolghaem Ahmadreza , Hosseini Seno Seyed Amin , Yaghmaee Mohammad Hossein , Tashtarian Farzad 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSession initiation protocol (SIP) is an application layer signalling protocol for the set‐up, management and termination of multimedia networks such as voice over IP standardised by Internet Engineering Task Force. This protocol has also been recognised by International Telecommunication Union as a main core of next‐generation networks. When this network is under overload for reasons such as improper design, instantaneous swarm, components error and sudden reduction of processing capacity, its efficiency is considerably reduced. Overload occurs when the SIP proxy lacks sufficient CPU and memory resources to process all messages. Because the overload cannot be prevented completely, it is important to equip SIP proxies with an effective overload mitigation mechanism. In this paper, capabilities of transmission control protocol are used in transport layer to reduce SIP proxy overload through the proper allocation of proxy resources. Major activities in this field assume SIP on user datagram protocol, which practically does not result in optimal throughput. To evaluate this approach, an Asterisk open source proxy is used. Our implementation results in the real testbed indicate the efficiency improvement of Asterisk proxy under overload. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimodal nonlinear microscopy of head and neck carcinoma — toward surgery assisting frozen section analysis
Authors: Heuke Sandro , Chernavskaia Olga , Bocklitz Thomas , Legesse Fisseha Bekele , Meyer Tobias , Akimov Denis , Dirsch Olaf , Ernst Günther , von Eggeling Ferdinand , Petersen Iver , Guntinas–Lichius Orlando , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundTreatment of early cancer stages is deeply connected to a good prognosis, a moderate reduction of the quality of life, and comparably low treatment costs.MethodsHead and neck squamous cell carcinomas were investigated using the multimodal combination of coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), and second‐harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy.ResultsAn increased median TPEF to CARS contrast was found comparing cancerous and healthy squamous epithelium with a p value of 1.8·10−10. A following comprehensive image analysis was able to predict the diagnosis of imaged tissue sections with an overall accuracy of 90% for a 4‐class model.ConclusionNonlinear multimodal imaging is verified objectively as a valuable diagnostic tool that complements conventional staining protocols and can serve as filter in future clinical routine reducing the pathologist's workload. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: First–1552, 2016
Optimization of process parameters for supercritical fluid extraction of cholesterol from whole milk powder using ethanol as co‐solvent
Authors: Dey Paul Indira , Jayakumar Chitra , Niwas Mishra Hari 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn spite of being highly nutritious, the consumption of milk is hindered because of its high cholesterol content, which is responsible for numerous cardiac diseases. Supercritical carbon dioxide using ethanol as co‐solvent was employed to extract cholesterol from whole milk powder (WMP). This study was undertaken to optimize the process parameters of supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE), viz. extraction temperature, pressure and volume of ethanol.RESULTSThe cholesterol content of WMP was quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The impact of the extraction conditions on the fat content (FC), solubility index (SI) and lightness (L*) of the SCFE‐treated WMP were also investigated. The process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology. About 46% reduction in cholesterol was achieved at the optimized conditions of 48 °C, 17 MPa and 31 mL co‐solvent; flow rate of expanded CO2, static time and dynamic time of extraction were 6 L min−1, 10 min and 80 min respectively. The treated WMP retained its FC, SI, and L* at moderate limits of 183.67 g kg−1, 96.3% and 96.90, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated the feasibility of ethanol‐modified SCFE of cholesterol from WMP with negligible changes in its physicochemical properties. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Higher perioperative fluid administration is associated with increased rates of complications following head and neck microvascular reconstruction with fibular free flaps
Authors: Ettinger Kyle S. , Arce Kevin , Lohse Christine M. , Peck Brandon W. , Reiland Matthew D. , Bezak Brett J. , Moore Eric J. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of perioperative fluid administration on the rates of postoperative complications following head and neck reconstruction with fibular free flaps (FFF).MethodsA retrospective cohort study of subjects undergoing head and neck reconstruction with FFF was completed. The primary predictor variable was the total volume of perioperative fluids administered on the day of surgery. The primary outcome variable was the presence of medical and surgical complications occurring within 30 days of surgery. Medical and surgical complications were stratified as major or minor based on severity level. Basic demographic information, comorbidity indices, and intraoperative parameters were abstracted as covariates. Univariable and multivariable models were developed to assess for associations between total fluid volume administered on the day of surgery and postoperative medical/surgical complications occurring within 30 days of surgery.ResultsIn 154 subjects, the partial flap failure rate was 3% and there were no complete flap failures. Total fluid volume was significantly associated with the presence of postoperative medical/surgical complications (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.02–1.44; p = 0.032). A cutpoint for total fluid volume predicting any severity level of postoperative complication was identified at 5,500 mL. A cutpoint for total fluid volume predicting major postoperative complications was identified at 7,000 mL.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that liberal fluid administration is associated with increased rates of medical/surgical complications following head and neck reconstruction with FFF. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:128–136, 2017.
Synergistic effect of cellulose nanowhiskers reinforcement and dicarboxylic acids crosslinking towards polyvinyl alcohol properties
Authors: Sonker Amit Kumar , Tiwari Naveen , Nagarale Rajaram Krishna , Verma Vivek 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTIn the presented work, a significant increase in the tensile strength of the PVA composite material is reported. The obtained best value of 122 MPa and 14.6% swelling shows the excellent synergistic effect of both crosslinker and reinforcement material. The composite films were prepared by simple mechanical dispersion of reinforcement material, bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers (BCNW) into PVA solution followed by crosslinking with diacids, succinic acid (SuA), and adipic acid (AdA). The effect of aliphatic carbon chain length of crosslinker on thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties is evaluated and discussed in detail. Neat PVA had the strength of 37.3 MPa. With 5% reinforcement of BCNW, that is, without crosslinking, it exhibited 97% increase, that is, 74.5 MPa. With crosslinking of 15 mmol of SuA and AdA PVA films for 2 h had excellent thermal properties with swelling percentage of 19 and 26.6% and tensile strength of 103 and 67 MPa, respectively. The best result obtained was for 5% BCNW–PVA films crosslinked with 15 mmol SuA. These results were explained on the basis of synergetic crosslinking and extended hydrogen bonding between PVA and reinforcement material. The composite films can be used as biological implants, a membrane for pervaporation and filtration system, etc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2515–2525
Pendant groups fine‐tuning thermal gelation of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Miao , Ye Jinhai , Lang Meidong 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTNovel poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐PEG‐PCL) bearing pendant hydrophobic γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester) groups (PECB) and hydrophiphilic amino groups (PECN) were synthesized based on the functionalized comonomer γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester)‐ε‐caprolactone (CABCL). The thermal gelation behavior of the amphiphilic copolymer aqueous solutions was examined. The phase transition behavior could be finely tuned via the pendant groups, and an abnormal phenomenon occurred that the sol–gel transition temperature shifted to a higher temperature for PECB whereas a lower temperature for PECN. The micelles percolation was adopted to clarify the hydrogel mechanism, and the effect of the pendant groups on the micellization was further investigated in detail. The results demonstrated that the introduction of γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester) pendant groups significantly decreased the crystallinity of the copolymer micelles whereas amino pendant groups made the micelles easy to aggregate. Thus, the thermal gelation of PEG/PCL aqueous solution could be finely tuned by the pendant groups, and the pendant groups modified PEG/PCL hydrogels are expected to have great potential biomedical application. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2571–2581
Effects of Anxiety on Novice Genetic Counseling Students’ Experience of Supervised Clinical Rotations
Authors: MacFarlane Ian M. , McCarthy Veach Pat , Grier Janelle E. , Meister Derek J. , LeRoy Bonnie S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSupervised clinical experiences with patients comprise a critical component of genetic counseling student education. Previous research has found genetic counseling students tend to be more anxiety prone than the general population, and anxiety related to supervision has been found in genetic counseling and related fields. The present study investigated how anxiety affects the experience of supervision for genetic counseling students. Second year genetic counseling students were invited to participate through email invitations distributed via training directors of the 33 programs accredited at the time of the study by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. An initial online survey contained the trait scale of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory to estimate anxiety proneness in this population and an invitation to participate in a 45‐minute semi‐structured phone interview focusing on students’ experiences of supervision during their clinical rotations. High and low trait anxiety groups were created using STAI scores, and the groups’ interview responses were compared using consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR; Hill 2012). The high anxiety group was more likely to describe problematic supervisory relationships, appreciate the supervisor's ability to help them when they get stuck in sessions, and feel their anxiety had a negative effect on their performance in general and in supervision. Common themes included supervisors’ balancing support and guidance, the importance of feedback, ego‐centric responses, and supervisors as focal points. The results of the present study are largely consistent with current literature. Further research findings and research, practice, and training recommendations are provided.