bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the dynamics of natural populations by fitting individual‐based models with approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: Sirén Jukka , Lens Luc , Cousseau Laurence , Ovaskainen Otso 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIndividual‐based models (IBMs) allow realistic and flexible modelling of ecological systems, but their parameterization with empirical data is statistically and computationally challenging. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has been proposed as an efficient approach for inference withIBMs, but its applicability to data on natural populations has not been yet fully explored.We construct anIBMfor the metapopulation dynamics of a species inhabiting a fragmented patch network, and develop anABCmethod for parameterization of the model. We consider several scenarios of data availability from count data to combination of mark‐recapture and genetic data. We analyse both simulated and real data on white‐starred robin (Pogonocichla stellata), a passerine bird living in montane forest environment in Kenya, and assess how the amount and type of data affect the estimates of model parameters and indicators of population state.The indicators of the population state could be reliably estimated using theABCmethod, but full parameterization was not achieved due to strong posterior correlations between model parameters. While the combination of the data types did not provide more accurate estimates for most of the indicators of population state or model parameters than the most informative data type (ringing data or genetic data) alone, the combined data allowed robust simultaneous estimation of all unknown quantities.Our results show thatABCmethods provide a powerful and flexible technique for parameterizing complexIBMs with multiple data sources, and assessing the dynamics of the population in a robust manner.
Community level lipid profiling of consumers as a tool for soil food web diagnostics
Authors: Kühn Jakob , Richter Andreas , Kahl Tiemo , Bauhus Jürgen , Schöning Ingo , Ruess Liliane 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Knowledge on food web structure and function provides important information on trophic relationships, energy flux, and ecosystem response to environmental changes. The tracing of trophic marker fatty acids (FAs) to assign predator–prey interactions is well established in food web research. However, the application on the level of entire consumer communities has not been performed yet.

Here, we demonstrate that lipid pattern analysis of entire consumer assemblages can provide a first‐line assessment for food web diagnostics. The trophic diverse group of nematodes was used as a model and community level lipid profiling (CLLP) was performed. As prerequisite a lipid library was constructed, assigning FAs to their predominant organismic origin to disentangle phylogenetic (i.e. consumer lipid metabolism) from diet type effects on CLLP.

The suitability of CLLP analysis was tested using 150 forest sites differing in management type and intensity across three German regions. The nematode CLLP reflected ecosystem conditions and thereby separated regions as well as forest habitats, that is, conifer and deciduous stands. CLLP further enabled to address if environmental properties acted on the level of consumers or their resource use or both. However, forest management intensity was poorly assigned, likely due to a predominant species‐specific impact, not represented on community basis.

We propose CLLP as a fast and robust biochemical method for food web diagnostics in cryptic habitats such as soil or benthos. Provided that organismic assemblages compared are substantially different in lipid metabolism, CLLP give insight into changes in the composition of consumer communities as well as their major diet under field conditions.
Landscape‐scale habitat assessment for an imperiled avian species
Authors: Burkhalter C. , Holloran M. J. , Fedy B. C. , Copeland H. E. , Crabtree R. L. , Michel N. L. , Jay S. C. , Rutledge B. A. , Holloran A. G. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA comprehensive understanding of wildlife habitat suitability requires landscape‐scale assessments that provide the framework for subsequent integration with local‐scale relationships. To elucidate the functional role of habitat characteristics at large scales it is necessary to understand how abundance is related to important landscape characteristics. We estimated male greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus abundance on leks relative to sagebrush availability, landscape connectivity and anthropogenic infrastructure densities within landscapes surrounding leks from 2006 to 2013 using binomial N‐mixture models. We focused on Wyoming, as the state will play a critical role in the long‐term persistence of greater sage‐grouse due to its relatively robust populations, widespread sagebrush habitats and innovative, large‐scale conservation approaches. Landscapes associated with higher abundance of males on leks were characterized as highly connected, sagebrush‐dominated areas with limited energy development. These modeled relationships were used to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in the landscape‐scale integrity of areas supporting the majority of the greater sage‐grouse populations in Wyoming (i.e. core areas). By assessing relative changes in abundance over time, our models indicated that most of the habitat within core areas (86%) exhibited landscape conditions conducive to supporting medium or large greater sage‐grouse populations that were stable or increasing through time. Larger populations were associated with larger, more centrally located core areas. Conversely, core areas supporting relatively small or declining populations were located along range margins in the eastern portion of the state. The landscape‐scale habitat relationships we developed can be used in combination with local‐scale assessments to generate a more complete picture of greater sage‐grouse habitat suitability.
Effects of chronic hypoxia on diaphragm function in deer mice native to high altitude
Authors: Dawson N. J. , Lyons S. A. , Henry D. A. , Scott G. R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimWe examined the effects of chronic hypoxia on diaphragm function in high‐ and low‐altitude populations of Peromyscus mice.MethodsDeer mice (P. maniculatus) native to high altitude and congeneric mice native to low altitude (P. leucopus) were born and raised in captivity to adulthood and were acclimated to normoxia or hypobaric hypoxia (12 or 9 kPa, simulating hypoxia at 4300 and 7000 m) for 6‐8 weeks. We then measured indices of mitochondrial respiration capacity, force production, and fatigue resistance in the diaphragm.ResultsMitochondrial respiratory capacities (assessed using permeabilized fibres with single or multiple inputs to the electron transport system), citrate synthase activity (a marker of mitochondrial volume), twitch force production, and muscle fatigue resistance increased after exposure to chronic hypoxia in both populations. These changes were not well explained by variation in the fibre‐type composition of the muscle. However, there were several differences in diaphragm function in high‐altitude mice compared to low‐altitude mice. Exposure to a deeper level of hypoxia (9 kPa vs 12 kPa) was needed to elicit increases in mitochondrial respiration rates in highlanders. Chronic hypoxia did not increase the emission of reactive oxygen species from permeabilized fibres in highlanders, in contrast to the pronounced increases that occurred in lowlanders. In general, the diaphragm of high‐altitude mice had greater capillary length densities, produced less force in response to stimulation and had shorter relaxation times. The latter was associated with higher activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) activity in the diaphragm of high‐altitude mice.ConclusionOverall, our work suggests that exposure to chronic hypoxia increases the capacities for mitochondrial respiration, force production and fatigue resistance of the diaphragm. However, many of these effects are opposed by evolved changes in diaphragm function in high‐altitude natives, such that highlanders in chronic hypoxia maintain similar diaphragm function to lowlanders in sea level conditions.
International Differences in Accounting Practices Under IFRS and the Influence of the US
Authors: Lourenço Isabel Costa , Sarquis Raquel , Branco Manuel Castelo , Magro Nuno 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper expands prior International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) accounting systems’ classifications to a broader set of 27 countries where IFRS adoption is a widespread practice, as well as the US. It examines the issue of whether a US model of accounting that includes countries which have adopted IFRS exists. The results suggest a classification distinguishing between three groups of countries based on the similarity of their accounting practices: 1) Australia and New Zealand; 2) US‐influenced countries; and 3) South Africa, Oman and European countries. This study contributes to the literature not only by providing evidence of differences in accounting practices to a broader set of countries, but mainly by suggesting an economic explanation of the existence of accounting choices. In particular, economic proximity to the US may be an important factor influencing accounting practices in some countries, even after IFRS adoption.
The Effect of Personnel Characteristics in the Internal Accounting Control System on Discretionary Tax Accruals: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Park Suk Jin , Oh Myeong Jeon , Lee Eun Chul 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study examines whether the characteristics of personnel in a firm's internal accounting control system (IACS) and auditor characteristics control managers’ discretionary behaviour for tax planning. The study uses a sample of 4210 firm‐year observations from 2006 to 2014. The results show that managers’ discretionary tax planning cannot be controlled when the personnel in charge of internal accounting control are at an optimum level or higher. On the other hand, when a CPA is included among the personnel, the manager's discretionary behaviour is somewhat controlled. Moreover, the results show that firms audited by a large accounting firm also control the manager's discretionary tax planning to some extent. Unlike previous studies that examine the effects of IACS on discretionary accruals mostly in terms of book income, this study's contribution is an examination of the effects of the characteristics of personnel in IACS on the relationship between discretionary book‐tax conformity accruals and discretionary book‐only accruals that can be used when the manager establishes a tax plan. Additionally, this study also provides indirect evidence that the characteristics of auditors and personnel in charge of internal accounting perform a monitoring role that controls the manager's opportunistic behaviour.
The Association Between Dividends and Accruals Quality
Authors: Rampershad Aveen , de Villiers Charl 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper responds to a specific gap identified in the prior literature by examining whether dividend paying status and dividend size are associated with accruals quality, using three accruals‐based earnings quality proxies on a large sample of 2387 firm‐year observations over 17 years in a developing economy, South Africa. Univariate tests are also conducted to identify differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms, and large and small dividend paying firms. The paper finds that dividend paying status is positively associated with accruals quality. This association remains robust over sub‐groups of firms that differ in size, growth, profitability, age, maturity, leverage, capital intensity and propensity to raise new capital. The prior literature is extended by using quintiles of dividend size to further investigate the association between dividend size and accruals quality. The findings include that larger dividend paying firms are associated with better accruals quality, and that this relationship is stronger among firms that pay average‐sized dividends. Additionally, there are significant differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms and between large and small dividend paying firms. Based on these results, policymakers, regulators, legislators and boards may want to explore the use of dividend policy as a corporate governance mechanism.
Legacy effects of historical grazing affect the response of vegetation dynamics to water and nitrogen addition in semi‐arid steppe
Authors: Chen Qing , Wang Zhong‐Liang , Zou Chris B. , Fan Yonghui , Dittert Klaus , Lin Shan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractQuestionClimate change interacts with land use and introduces new pressures that trigger growing concerns about increasing vulnerability of the Eurasian steppes. However, it is not well known how increasing precipitation and atmospheric N deposition interact with the land use legacy to affect nutrient availability, plant species composition and therefore vegetation dynamics of the Mongolian Steppe.LocationSteppe in Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. The mean annual precipitation is 343 mm with 60%–80% of it occurring during the plant growing season.MethodsWe conducted a 6‐years (2005–2010) field experiment to manipulate N and water availability on sites experiencing two different historical stocking rates. Species composition, above‐ground biomass and plant N concentration were determined at both individual and community levels. Soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rates were determined by laboratory incubation.Results(1) Supplementary irrigation increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate, plant community N uptake, and the abundance of perennial species for the site with high historical stocking rate. In contrast, long‐term water addition decreased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate, and did not change the plant community N uptake, but increased the abundance of Cleistogenes squarrosa as a species indicative of degradation for sites with moderate historic stocking rate. (2) Nitrogen addition increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate irrespective of grazing history under ambient precipitation, and resulted in a burst of annuals in moist years at both sites. Under supplementary irrigation, N addition increased soil cumulative inorganic N and N mineralization rate at the site with moderate historic stocking rate, but not at the site with high historical stocking rate, and increased the abundance of taller perennial species at both sites.ConclusionsLegacy effects of grazing greatly affect plant composition responses to increasing water and N availability. The effectiveness of N application in restoring heavily degraded sites in the Mongolian steppe depends on precipitation availability. In the face of increasing precipitation and atmospheric N deposition, resource managers should be prepared to cope with the different vegetation succession and recovery trajectories as a result of historical land‐use difference.
Effect of the angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single dose of furosemide
Authors: Ayalasomayajula Surya , Schuehly Uwe , Pal Parasar , Chen Fabian , Zhou Wei , Sunkara Gangadhar , Langenickel Thomas H. 
Published: January 2018

AimsSacubitril/valsartan is indicated for the treatment of heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Furosemide, a loop diuretic commonly used for the treatment of HFrEF, may be coadministered with sacubitril/valsartan in clinical practice. The effect of sacubitril/valsartan on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide was evaluated in this open label, two‐period, single‐sequence study in healthy subjects.MethodsAll subjects (n = 28) received 40 mg oral single‐dose furosemide during period 1, followed by a washout of 2 days. In period 2, sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg (97/103 mg) was administered twice daily for 5 days and a single dose of 40 mg furosemide was coadministered on day 6. Serial plasma and urine samples were collected to determine the pharmacokinetics of furosemide and sacubitril/valsartan and the pharmacodynamics of furosemide. The point estimates and the associated 90% confidence intervals for pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated.ResultsCoadministration of furosemide with sacubitril/valsartan decreased the maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) [estimated geometric mean ratio (90% confidence interval): 0.50 (0.44, 0.56)], area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to infinity [0.72 (0.67, 0.77)] and 24‐h urinary excretion of furosemide [0.74 (0.69, 0.79)]. When coadministered with sacubitril/valsartan, 0–4‐h, 4–8‐h and 0–24‐h diuresis in response to furosemide was reduced by ~7%, 21% and 0.2%, respectively, while natriuresis was reduced by ~ 28.5%, 7% and 15%, respectively. Post hoc analysis of the pivotal phase III Prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and morbidity in Heart Failure trial (PARADIGM‐HF) indicated that the median furosemide dose was similar at baseline and at the end of the study in the sacubitril/valsartan group.ConclusionsSacubitril/valsartan reduced plasma Cmax and AUC and 24‐h urinary excretion of furosemide, while not significantly affecting its pharmacodynamic effects in healthy subjects.
Reversal of mecamylamine‐induced effects in healthy subjects by nicotine receptor agonists: Cognitive and (electro) physiological responses
Authors: Alvarez‐Jimenez Ricardo , Hart Ellen P. , Prins Samantha , de Kam Marieke , van Gerven Joop M.A. , Cohen Adam F. , Groeneveld Geert Jan 
Published: January 2018

AimsEstablishing a pharmacological challenge model could yield an important tool to understand the complex role of the nicotinic cholinergic system in cognition and to develop novel compounds acting on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, placebo‐controlled, four‐way crossover study examined the effects of the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine on a battery of cognitive and neurophysiological test with coadministration of a placebo, nicotine or galantamine in order to reverse the cognitive impairment caused by mecamylamine.ResultsThirty‐three healthy subjects received a single oral dose of 30 mg of mecamylamine (or placebo) in combination with either 16 mg of oral galantamine or 21 mg of transdermal nicotine (or its double‐dummy). Mecamylamine 30 mg induced significant disturbances of cognitive functions. Attention and execution of visual (fine) motor tasks was decreased, short‐ and long‐term memory was impaired and the reaction velocity during the test was slower when compared to placebo. Mecamylamine 30 mg produced a decrease in posterior α and β power in the surface electroencephalogram, effects that were reversed by nicotine coadministration. Memory and motor coordination tests could be partially reversed by the coadministration of nicotine.ConclusionsMecamylamine administration induced slowing of the electroencephalogram and produced decrease in performance of tests evaluating motor coordination, sustained attention and short‐ and long‐term memory. These effects could be partially reversed by the coadministration of nicotine, and to a lesser extent by galantamine.
Long-term management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with dupilumab and concomitant topical corticosteroids (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS): a critical appraisal
Authors: Thomson J. , Wernham A.G.H. , Williams H.C. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAimBlauvelt et al. aimed to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of dupilumab with medium-potency topical corticosteroids (TCS) vs. placebo with TCS in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).Setting and designThis multicentre randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in hospitals, clinics and academic institutions across 161 sites in 14 countries.Study exposureAdults with moderate-to-severe AD were randomly assigned (3: 1: 3) to receive subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg once weekly plus TCS, dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks plus TCS or placebo plus TCS until week 52.OutcomesCo-primary efficacy end points were percentage of patients achieving Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and 2 points or higher improvement from baseline, and Eczema Area and Severity Index 75% improvement from baseline (EASI-75) at week 16.ResultsIn total, 740 patients were included in the trial: 319 were randomly assigned to dupilumab once weekly, 106 to dupilumab every 2 weeks and 315 to the placebo arm. At week 16, more patients in the dupilumab groups achieved the co-primary end points: IGA 0/1 [39% (n = 125) once-weekly dosing, 39% (n = 41) every 2 weeks dosing vs. 12% (n = 39) receiving placebo; P &lt; 0·0001] and EASI-75 [64% (n = 204) and 69% (n = 73) vs. 23% (n = 73); P &lt; 0·0001]. While no new safety signals were identified, adverse effects were noted in 261 (83%) of those receiving dupilumab once weekly plus TCS, 97 (88%) receiving dupilumab every 2 weeks plus TCS and 266 (84%) for those receiving placebo plus TCS. Rates of conjunctivitis, injection site reactions and local herpes simplex infections were higher in the dupilumab groups than in the placebo group.ConclusionsBlauvelt et al. concluded that dupilumab treatment added to TCS improved AD up to week 52 vs. TCS alone, and also demonstrated acceptable safety.