bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual variation in ballooning dispersal by black widow spiderlings: The effects of family and social rearing
Authors: Johnson J. Chadwick , Halpin Rebecca , Stevens Dale , Vannan Annika , Lam Jesse , Bratsch Katie 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Individual behavioral variation is ubiquitous across taxa and important to understand if we wish to fully use behavioral data to understand the ecology and evolution of organisms. Only recently have studies of individual variation in dispersal behavior become a focus of research. A better understanding of individual variation in dispersal behavior is likely to improve our understanding of population dynamics. In particular, the dynamics of critically small populations (endangered species) and large populations (pest species) may be driven by unique dispersal variants. Here we documented individual variation in the ballooning dispersal behavior of Western black widow spiderlings Latrodectus hesperus, an urban pest species found in superabundant infestations throughout cities of the desert Southwest USA. We found a great deal of family-level variation in ballooning dispersal, and this variation was highly consistent (repeatable) across time. Maternal egg investment was a poor predictor of this ballooning dispersal. Instead, we show that spiderlings reared in isolation are significantly slower to disperse than spiderlings raised in a more natural setting surrounded by full siblings. Thus, our study examines a widespread but poorly understood dispersal behavior (ballooning), and suggests urban pest population dynamics are likely driven by the interaction of variation in individuals, families and social environments.
The impact of personality on the success of prospecting behavior in changing landscapes
Authors: Burkhalter John Curtis , Fefferman Nina H. , Lockwood Julie L. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Personality can play a large role in dispersal decisions, influencing how each individual estimates and values expected costs versus benefits of venturing out to explore the unknown. We contrast the impact of persistence on fitness using decision theory models to examine the relative success of prospecting movement (which is a widespread behavior used by animals to explore available breeding habitat before determining where to settle) in different landscapes among individuals with different personalities. While evaluating trends in the costs and benefits of movement we provide a quantifiable measure of the impacts of relative tenacity in prospecting behavior on fitness gains/losses. Our model results predict that, regardless of landscape composition, individuals with greater tenacity in prospecting strategy have reduced fitness gains relative to individuals who are more willing to both initiate novel strategies, but then also abandon the new strategy rapidly if initial search does not seem fruitful. We show that fitness gains from choosing an appropriate prospecting strategy (i.e. abandoning poor habitat or staying in rich habitat) can be very high, indicating a potentially large influence from personality on fitness. Importantly, the model predicts that relative fitness gains are highly dependent on the availability of high quality habitat in the landscape, even if the difference under varying fitness outcomes between poor and rich habitat was substantial.
Stuck in a rut: Potential costs of sand roads to gopher tortoises Gopherus polyphemus
Authors: Gilson Lauren N. , Bateman Philip W. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Roads affect wildlife significantly through direct mortality but also through behavioral change. We explored the effects of unsurfaced sand roads with a low traffic volume on the travelling behavior of gopher tortoises Gopherus polyphemus in scrub habitat in central Florida, as evidenced by the tracks left by tortoises on sand roads. Tortoises (and most other taxa leaving tracks on the roads) did not appear to make use of roads for travel but attempted to cross them, the success of which was influenced by the size of the individual. Smaller animals (presumably younger tortoises) were more challenged than larger animals by both sand road widths and depths of vehicle ruts in sand roads. Sand roads may present both physical and physiological challenges to gopher tortoises, particularly to small ones. This research provides further evidence that the negative influence of roads in fragmenting the environment is not limited to vehicle mortality.
Reducing the loss of genetic diversity associated with assisted colonization-like introductions of animals
Authors: Kekkonen Jaana , Brommer Jon E. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Translocations, especially assisted colonizations, of animals are increasingly used as a conservation management tool. In many cases, however, limited funding and other logistic challenges limit the number of individuals available for translocation. In conservation genetics, small populations are predicted to rapidly lose genetic diversity which can deteriorate population survival. Thus, how worried should we be about the loss of genetic diversity when introducing small, isolated populations? Historical species introductions provide a means to assess these issues. Here we review 13 studies of “assisted colonization-like” introductions of animals, where only a small known number of founders established an isolated population without secondary contact to the source population. We test which factors could be important in retaining genetic diversity in these cases. In many cases, loss in heterozygosity (-12.1%) was detected, and more seriously the loss in allelic richness (-27.8 %). Number of founders seemed to have an effect but it also indicated that high population growth rate could help to retain genetic diversity, i.e. future management actions could be effective even with a limited number of founders if population growth would be enhanced. On the contrary, translocated organisms with longer generation times did not seem to retain more genetic diversity. We advocate that, where possible, future studies on translocated animals should report the loss of genetic diversity (both heterozygosity and allelic richness), which is essential for meta-analyses like this one for deepening our understanding of the genetic consequences of assisted colonization, and justifying management decisions.
Genetic differentiation in two widespread, open-forest bird species of Southeast Asia (Copsychus saularis and Megalaima haemacephala): Insights from ecological niche modeling
Authors: Lim Haw Chuan , Zou Fasheng , Sheldon Frederick H. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Ecological niche modeling has emerged as an useful tool in the investigation of the phylogeographic histories of species or communities in a region. The high biodiversity (oftentimes cryptic), and complex geography and geological history of Southeast Asia particularly call for multipronged approaches in phylogeographic investigations. Past studies have focused on taxa that are associated with lowland rainforests, which is the dominant natural vegetation type. Here, we combine published phylogenetic data, ecological niche modeling and paleo-climate models to reveal potential drivers of divergence in two open-forest bird species, the oriental magpie-robin Copsychus saularis and Coppersmith barbet Megalaima haemacephala. In spite of broad overlap in current distributions, there are subtle differences in their climatic niches, which result in different responses to past climatic changes. For C. saularis, both Last Glacial Maximum climate models indicated that the entire Sundaland was climatically suitable, while phylogenetic analyses found divergent eastern and western Sundaland lineages. We thus postulate that this genetic divergence was a result of past separations of coastal habitats into eastern and western portions due to the emergence of Sunda shelf as sea-level fell. The current separation of morphological subspecies in Borneo is maintained by low climatic suitability (high annual rainfall) in certain regions. The extirpation of M. haemacephala from Borneo and southern Malay Peninsula might have been driven by unsuitable conditions (high temperature seasonality) in central Sundaland and/or the lack of open woodlands. Our study shows that ecological niche modeling adds a powerful dimension to our attempt to understand lineage evolution in space.
Early social conditions affect female fecundity in hermaphrodites
Authors: Cannarsa Elio , Lorenzi Maria Cristina , Sella Gabriella 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Social conditions experienced prior to sexual maturity influence reproduction later in life in many animals. In simultaneous hermaphrodites, variation in mating group size influences reproductive investment. As the mating group size increases, reproductive resources devoted to the female function decrease in favor of the male function. Prior to sexual maturity, many hermaphrodites have a protandrous phase during which they produce sperm and can fertilize hermaphrodites’ eggs. In the simultaneously hermaphroditic polychaete worm Ophryotrocha diadema, the cost of male reproduction during adolescence is spread over the whole energy budget of worms as shown by a reduced growth rate, a delayed age at sexual maturity and the shortening of life span compared to protandrous males that do not reproduce. Little is known on whether social conditions experienced during development affect reproductive investment of immature individuals. We investigated whether social conditions affected the length of the protandrous phase, body size and also the subsequent female fecundity of same-age protandrous individuals of O. diadema, which did not had to face competition for egg fertilization. Results show that in large group sizes protandrous males lengthened their protandrous phase, slowed down body growth and decreased their individual investment at the first egg laying compared to protandrous males that were reared in isolation. In the successive egg layings worms adjusted their egg output to the current social conditions. We interpreted these results as an indication that early social conditions represent a social stress resulting in a reduction of the overall reproductive resources up to the first egg laying.
Do algae blooms dilute the risk of trematode infections in threespine sticklebacks?
Authors: Budria Alexandre , Candolin Ulrika 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Human-induced growth of macro-algae is often assumed to increase trematode infections in fishes by increasing the abundance and condition of the parasite’s intermediate host – snails – as this can boost the release of trematode larvae, cercariae, from the intermediate hosts. However, macro-algae can also impose barriers to the transmission of cercariae and reduce infections. We investigated whether an increased growth of filamentous algae affects the transmission of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum cercariae to the threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, a common fish in eutrophied shallow waters. We exposed sticklebacks to trematode cercariae in the absence and presence of artificial filamentous algae, and recorded effects on the proportion of sticklebacks infected and the number of encysted metacercariae per fish. No significant effect of artificial algae on cercariae transmission was detected. However, the body size and the sex of the sticklebacks were strongly correlated with the number of encysted metacercariae per infected fish, with females and larger individuals being more infected. We discuss different factors that could have caused the difference in parasite transmission, including sex-related differences in body size and behaviour of sticklebacks.
Neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life in patients treated with stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases: a prospective study
Authors: Habets Esther J.J. , Dirven Linda , Wiggenraad Ruud G. , Verbeek-de Kanter Antoinette , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J. , Zwinkels Hanneke , Klein Martin , Taphoorn Martin J.B. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Background
Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is expected to have a less detrimental effect on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than whole-brain radiotherapy. To evaluate the impact of brain metastases and SRT on neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL, we performed a prospective study.

Methods
Neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL of 97 patients with brain metastases were measured before SRT and 1, 3, and 6 months after SRT. Seven cognitive domains were assessed. HRQoL was assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and BN20 questionnaires. Neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL over time were analyzed with linear mixed models and stratified for baseline Karnofsky performance status (KPS), total metastatic volume, and systemic disease.

Results
Median overall survival of patients was 7.7 months. Before SRT, neurocognitive domain and HRQoL scores were lower in patients than in healthy controls. At group level, patients worsened in physical functioning and fatigue at 6 months, while other outcome parameters of HRQoL and cognition remained stable. KPS &lt; 90 and tumor volume &gt;12.6 cm3 were both associated with worse information processing speed and lower HRQoL scores over 6 months time. Intracranial tumor progression was associated with worsening of executive functioning and motor function.

Conclusions
Prior to SRT, neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL are moderately impaired in patients with brain metastases. Lower baseline KPS and larger tumor volume are associated with worse functioning. Over time, SRT does not have an additional detrimental effect on neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL, suggesting that SRT may be preferred over whole-brain radiotherapy.
Clinical Outcomes of Different Surgical Strategy for Patients With Congenital Scoliosis and Type I Split Cord Malformation
Authors: Feng Fan , Shen Jianxiong , Zhang Jianguo , Zhao Hong , Zhao Yu , Li Zheng , Xue Xuhong , Lin Youxi , Qiu Guixing 
Published: February 2016

Study Design.
A retrospective study.

Objective.
To compare the clinical outcomes of different surgical strategy for patients with congenital scoliosis (CS) and type I split cord malformation (SCM).

Summary of Background Data.
CS associated with type I SCM is a challenge for spine surgeon because of the high potential rate of neurological compromise. Traditionally, bony spur resection (BR) has been indicated before any procedure for scoliosis correction.

Methods.
From May 2002 to February 2013, 82 CS patients with type I SCM who underwent corrective surgery at our center were retrospectively reviewed. There were 20 male and 62 female patients with an average age of 13.8 years (4–39 yrs) at surgery. They were divided into two groups according to different surgical strategy. The patients in the BR group underwent staged prophylactic neurosurgery or one-stage BR before corrective surgery, whereas patients in the nonresection (NR) group underwent one-stage corrective surgery without addressing bony spur.

Results.
There were 15 patients in the BR group and 67 patients in the NR group. No significant differences were detected in preoperative characteristics between two groups. The average follow up was 37 months (24–105 months). In the BR group, the correction rate was 53.0% and 45.9% at the final follow up. Whereas, in the NR group, the correction rate was 48.5% and 42.1% at the final follow up. Compared with the NR group, the operation time and blood loss were statistically higher in the BR group. Five patients experienced transient neurological complications and one patient in the BR group suffered permanent neurological damage of incomplete loss bladder control.

Conclusion.
One-stage corrective surgery could be safe and effective for patients with CS and SCM. For patients with intact or stable neurological status, prophylactic neurosurgical intervention to remove bony spur before curve correction may not be necessary.

Level of Evidence: 4
Appending Limited Clinical Data to an Administrative Database for Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Hannan Edward L. , Samadashvili Zaza , Cozzens Kimberly , Jacobs Alice K. , Venditti Ferdinand J. , Holmes David R. , Berger Peter B. , Stamato Nicholas J. , Hughes Suzanne , Walford Gary 
Published: February 2016

Background:
Hospitals’ risk-standardized mortality rates and outlier status (significantly higher/lower rates) are reported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients using Medicare claims data. New York now has AMI claims data with blood pressure and heart rate added.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to see whether the appended database yields different hospital assessments than standard claims data.

Methods:
New York State clinically appended claims data for AMI were used to create 2 different risk models based on CMS methods: 1 with and 1 without the added clinical data. Model discrimination was compared, and differences between the models in hospital outlier status and tertile status were examined.

Results:
Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were both significant predictors of mortality in the clinically appended model. The C statistic for the model with the clinical variables added was significantly higher (0.803 vs. 0.773, P<0.001). The model without clinical variables identified 10 low outliers and all of them were percutaneous coronary intervention hospitals. When clinical variables were included in the model, only 6 of those 10 hospitals were low outliers, but there were 2 new low outliers. The model without clinical variables had only 3 high outliers, and the model with clinical variables included identified 2 new high outliers.

Conclusion:
Appending even a small number of clinical data elements to administrative data resulted in a difference in the assessment of hospital mortality outliers for AMI. The strategy of adding limited but important clinical data elements to administrative datasets should be considered when evaluating hospital quality for procedures and other medical conditions.
Vaccination Rates are Associated With Functional Proximity But Not Base Proximity of Vaccination Clinics
Authors: Beshears John , Choi James J. , Laibson David I. , Madrian Brigitte C. , Reynolds Gwendolyn I. 
Published: February 2016

Background:
Routine annual influenza vaccinations are recommended for persons 6 months of age and older, but less than half of US adults get vaccinated. Many employers offer employees free influenza vaccinations at workplace clinics, but even then take-up is low.

Objective:
To determine whether employees are significantly more likely to get vaccinated if they have a higher probability of walking by the clinic for reasons other than vaccination.

Method:
We obtained data from an employer with a free workplace influenza vaccination clinic. Using each employee’s building entry/exit swipe card data, we test whether functional proximity—the likelihood that the employee walks by the clinic for reasons other than vaccination—predicts whether the employee gets vaccinated at the clinic. We also test whether base proximity—the inverse of walking distance from the employee’s desk to the clinic—predicts vaccination probability.

Participants:
A total of 1801 employees of a health benefits administrator that held a free workplace influenza vaccination clinic.

Results:
A 2 SD increase in functional proximity is associated with a 6.4 percentage point increase in the probability of vaccination (total vaccination rate at company=40%), even though the average employee’s desk is only 166 meters from the clinic. Base proximity does not predict vaccination probability.

Conclusions and Relevance:
Minor changes in the environment can have substantial effects on the probability of vaccination. If these results generalize, health systems should emphasize functional proximity over base proximity when locating preventive health services.
Evaluation of Intestinal Function in Children With Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Authors: Kushak Rafail I. , Buie Timothy M. , Murray Katherine F. , Newburg David S. , Chen Ceng , Nestoridi Eirini , Winter Harland S. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTObjective:Alterations in intestinal function, often characterized as a “leaky gut,” have been attributed to children who are on the autism spectrum. Disaccharidase activity, intestinal inflammation, and permeability were analyzed in 61 children with autism and 50 nonautistic individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods:All patients had duodenal biopsies assayed for lactase, sucrase, maltase, and palatinase activity. Intestinal permeability was evaluated by rhamnose/lactulose test and measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Intestinal inflammation was evaluated by fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and histology.Results:Some children with autism had mild levels of mucosal inflammation on intestinal biopsy. Disaccharidase activity was not different in autistic and nonautistic individuals. Fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin were similar in both groups. Differences between lactulose and rhamnose recovery and lactulose/rhamnose ratio in urine were not statistically different in patients with and without autism.Conclusions:The present study supports the observation that children with autism who have symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders have objective findings similar to children without autism. Neither noninvasive testing nor endoscopic findings identify gastrointestinal pathology specific to autism, but may be of benefit in identifying children with autism who have atypical symptoms.
Predicting intensities of Zika infection and microcephaly using transmission intensities of other arboviruses
Authors: Rodríguez-Barraquer Isabel , Salje Henrik , Lessler Justin , Cummings Derek A.T. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe World Health Organization has declared Zika Virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the virus’ emergence in multiple countries globally and the possible association of Zika virus with microcephaly and neurological disorders. There is a clear need to identify risk factors associated with Zika infection and microcephaly in order to target surveillance, testing and intervention efforts. Here, we show that there is a strong correlation between the incidence of Zika in Colombian departments and the force of infection (but not the crude incidence) of dengue, a virus transmitted by the same mosquito species,Aedes aegypti(R2= 0.41, p<0.001). Furthermore, we show that there is also a strong correlation between the incidence of microcephaly in Brazilian states and the force of infection of dengue (R2= 0.36, p<0.001). Because dengue, Zika and chikungunya are transmitted by the same vector, these associations provide further support to the supposition that Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes microcephaly. In addition, they provide an opportunity to project the expected incidence of microcephaly in multiple dengue endemic locations across Colombia and the American continent. Detailed knowledge of dengue transmission should be use to target efforts against Zika and other flaviviruses.