bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disentangling biotic interactions, environmental filters, and dispersal limitation as drivers of species co‐occurrence
Authors: D'Amen Manuela , Mod Heidi K. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Guisan Antoine 
Published: October 2017

A key focus in ecology is to search for community assembly rules. Here we compare two community modelling frameworks that integrate a combination of environmental and spatial data to identify positive and negative species associations from presence–absence matrices, and incorporate an additional comparison using joint species distribution models (JSDM).The frameworks use a dichotomous logic tree that distinguishes dispersal limitation, environmental requirements, and interspecific interactions as causes of segregated or aggregated species pairs. The first framework is based on a classical null model analysis complemented by tests of spatial arrangement and environmental characteristics of the sites occupied by the members of each species pair (Classic framework). The second framework, (SDM framework) implemented here for the first time, builds on the application of environmentally‐constrained null models (or JSDMs) to partial out the influence of the environment, and includes an analysis of the geographical configuration of species ranges to account for dispersal effects.We applied these approaches to examine plot‐level species co‐occurrence in plant communities sampled along a wide elevation gradient in the Swiss Alps. According to the frameworks, the majority of species pairs were randomly associated, and most of the non‐random positive and negative species associations could be attributed to environmental filtering and/or dispersal limitation. These patterns were partly detected also with JSDM. Biotic interactions were detected more frequently in the SDM framework, and by JSDM, than in the Classic framework. All approaches detected species aggregation more often than segregation, perhaps reflecting the important role of facilitation in stressful high‐elevation environments.Differences between the frameworks may reflect the explicit incorporation of elevational segregation in the SDM framework and the sensitivity of JSDM to the environmental data. Nevertheless, all methods have the potential to reveal general patterns of species co‐occurrence for different taxa, spatial scales, and environmental conditions.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in food webs: the vertical diversity hypothesis
Authors: Wang Shaopeng , Brose Ulrich 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOne challenge in merging community and ecosystem ecology is to integrate the complexity of natural multitrophic communities into concepts of ecosystem functioning. Here, we combine food‐web and allometry theories to demonstrate that primary production, as measured by the total nutrient uptake of the multitrophic community, is determined by vertical diversity (i.e. food web's maximum trophic level) and structure (i.e. distributions of species and their abundances and metabolic rates across trophic levels). In natural ecosystems, the community size distribution determines all these vertical patterns and thus the total nutrient uptake. Our model suggests a vertical diversity hypothesis (VDH) for ecosystem functioning in complex food webs. It predicts that, under a given nutrient supply, the total nutrient uptake increases exponentially with the maximum trophic level in the food web and it increases with its maximum body size according to a power law. The VDH highlights the effect of top–down regulation on plant nutrient uptake, which complements traditional paradigms that emphasised the bottom–up effect of nutrient supply on vertical diversity. We conclude that the VDH contributes to a synthetic framework for understanding the relationship between vertical diversity and ecosystem functioning in food webs and predicting the impacts of global changes on multitrophic ecosystems.
Next‐generation metrics for monitoring genetic erosion within populations of conservation concern
Authors: Leroy Gregoire , Carroll Emma L. , Bruford Mike W. , DeWoody J. Andrew , Strand Allan , Waits Lisette , Wang Jinliang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGenetic erosion is a major threat to biodiversity because it can reduce fitness and ultimately contribute to the extinction of populations. Here, we explore the use of quantitative metrics to detect and monitor genetic erosion. Monitoring systems should not only characterize the mechanisms and drivers of genetic erosion (inbreeding, genetic drift, demographic instability, population fragmentation, introgressive hybridization, selection) but also its consequences (inbreeding and outbreeding depression, emergence of large‐effect detrimental alleles, maladaptation and loss of adaptability). Technological advances in genomics now allow the production of data the can be measured by new metrics with improved precision, increased efficiency and the potential to discriminate between neutral diversity (shaped mainly by population size and gene flow) and functional/adaptive diversity (shaped mainly by selection), allowing the assessment of management‐relevant genetic markers. The requirements of such studies in terms of sample size and marker density largely depend on the kind of population monitored, the questions to be answered and the metrics employed. We discuss prospects for the integration of this new information and metrics into conservation monitoring programmes.
The uterus and early pregnancy failure in the mare
Authors: Wilsher S. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe environment the equine conceptus finds itself in when it arrives in the uterus some 6 days after ovulation will determine if it will thrive or die. The uterus will be its home for approximately the next 11 months and as such it needs to both coordinate the growth of the placenta and ensure there is enough nourishment passing to this organ for the fetus to develop normally. The trophoblast, endometrium, maternal ovaries and, later in pregnancy, the fetal gonads, all play roles in the hormonal changes that orchestrate these events. Although failures of these processes later in pregnancy can have catastrophic effects for the fetus, it is in early gestation that the foundations for a successful pregnancy are laid. This paper therefore concentrates on some of the noninfectious influences the uterus may have on survival of the young conceptus.
Fishing profiles of Danish seiners and bottom trawlers in relation to current EU management regulations
Authors: Noack T. , Frandsen R. P. , Wieland K. , Krag L. A. , Berg F. , Madsen N. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDanish seines and bottom trawls operate differently and have different catching processes. Both gears belong to the same legislative category in European fisheries, but different management strategies in other countries and criticism by fishers on grouping Danish seines and trawls together indicate disagreement on current gear classification. This study compared both gears in terms of their fishing characteristics and catches of commercial species based on 16 years of observer data. Danish seining is a specialised fishing method that targeted few species but with higher total catch rates than bottom trawlers. Bottom trawling is a more all‐purpose fishing method that targets a larger number of species, and bottom trawlers use larger engines than Danish seiners. A generalised additive mixed model indicated that catch rates of flatfish are generally higher for Danish seines, and catch rates of roundfish species are higher for trawlers. The results do not directly suggest a separation of the gears in terms of legislation as the quantities of fish below current minimum size were similar, but for example future survival studies may reach different conclusions. Additional factors were found to be important in determining catches of both gears.
Effect of one‐time brief additional counseling on periodic health examination for 40‐ and 66‐year‐olds: 2‐Year follow up of 101 260 participants
Authors: Son Ki Young , Shin Dong Wook , Yang Hyung‐Kook , Yun Jae Moon , Chun So Hyun , Lee Jong‐Koo , Cho Be Long 
Published: October 2017

AimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the effect of one‐time brief additional counseling in periodic health examinations (PHE) through the National Screening Program for the Translational Ages in Korea is sustained after 2 years.MethodsWe collected data from National Screening Program for the Translational Ages participants in 2007 and 2008. To evaluate behavior change after 2 years, we collected the participants’ health behavior data 2 years later (2009 and 2010). We defined the basic group as participants who only received PHE, and the additional group as received PHE and counseling. We carried out propensity score matching to ensure that additional counseling was the only different variable affecting health behavior between the two groups.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, 50 630 remaining matched participants were matched for each group. Of these participants, 26.5% (26 855/101 260) were aged 66 years, and 60.9% (61 653/101 260) were men. The additional group showed a significant increase in odds of smoking cessation among the 66‐year‐olds (adjusted OR 1.173, 95% CI 1.003–1.372). This effect was significant, especially when the participants did not have hypertension or hypercholesterolemia (adjusted OR 1.193, 95% CI 1.000–1.423 for hypertension and adjusted OR 1.188, 95% CI 1.009–1.398 for hypercholesterolemia). However, there was no significant association for alcohol drinking and regular exercise.ConclusionsThe effect of one‐time brief counseling added to a PHE in cigarette smoking was observed only among the 66‐year‐olds. However, the effect was so small that it is doubtful to be clinically relevant. Repeated counseling is required to sustain the effect of the initial motivation of counseling. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 329–337.
Support needs of people living with Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer) disease in a Ghana rural community: a grounded theory study
Authors: Effah Alex , Ersser Steven J. , Hemingway Ann 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroduction/BackgroundMycobacterium ulcerans (also known as Buruli ulcer) disease is a rare skin disease which is prevalent in rural communities in the tropics mostly in Africa. Mortality rate is low, yet morbidity and consequent disabilities affect the quality of life of sufferers.AimsThe aim of this paper is to use the grounded theory method to explore the support needs of people living with the consequences of Buruli ulcer in an endemic rural community in Ghana.MethodsWe used the grounded theory research approach to explore the experiences of people living with Mycobacterium ulcerans in a rural district in Ghana and provide a basis to understand the support needs of this group.ResultsThe key support needs identified were: functional limitations, fear and frequency of disease recurrence, contracture of limbs and legs, loss of sensation and numbness in the affected body area, lack of information from health professionals about self‐care, feeling tired all the time, insomnia, lack of good diet, lack of access to prostheses, having to walk long distances to access health services, and loss of educational opportunities.DiscussionsThe study discusses how the systematically derived qualitative data has helped to provide a unique insight and advance our understanding of the support needs of people living with BU and how they live and attempt to adapt their lives with disability. We discuss how the availability of appropriate interventions and equipment could help them self‐manage their condition and improve access to skin care services.ConclusionsThe support needs of this vulnerable group were identified from a detailed analysis of how those living with BU coped with their lives. A key issue is the lack of education to assist self‐management and prevent deterioration. Further research into the evaluation of interventions to address these support needs is necessary including self‐management strategies.
Skill Composition and Occupational Incorporation of Early and Recent Immigrants in Switzerland: the case of Italians and Spaniards
Authors: Vidal‐Coso Elena , Ortega‐Rivera Enrique 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUsing the 1980 Census and 2010‐2011 Structural Survey, we compare the socio‐demographic profile and the occupational incorporation of Italian and Spanish immigrants arriving in Switzerland between 1976 and 1980 with those arriving during the second half of the 2000s. We find evidence that the traditional over‐representation of Italian and Spanish immigrants among the lower strata of the occupational hierarchy at the end of the guest worker period is explained by their negative selection in terms of education and host language proficiency, corroborating the human capital hypothesis. However, the results also show the persistence of occupational disadvantages for these immigrants after controlling for human capital characteristics, indicating the existence of segmentation dynamics in the Swiss labour market. In contrast, recent cohorts of immigrants from Italy and Spain have definitively joined the collective of highly skilled foreign workers correctly matched in the Swiss labour market in accordance with their positive skill‐selectivity.
From Brakeman to Booster: Policy change in Germany's EU Labour Migration Policy
Authors: Kolb Holger 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMore than 8 years ago the Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009, which is also (and much better) known as Blue Card‐directive, came into effect. Although in general the passing of the directive can be regarded as a milestone in the history of EU migration policy, the first proposals of the directive brought forward by the European Commission envisaged a much deeper and more binding framework including less room for maneuver for the member states. It is well known that particularly the German government at that time spoke out against a (more) extensive Europeanisation of labour migration policy. In sharp contrast to this rather reluctant stance towards ?more Europe? in this area recent developments indicate a significant policy change in the German way of dealing with the question of how much Europe is necessary in labour migration policy. This article seeks to retrace this rather sudden shift and to put it into a broader context of migration policy change in Germany.
Prehospital Delay in Older Adults with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The ComprehenSIVe Evaluation of Risk Factors in Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Study
Authors: Ouellet Gregory M. , Geda Mary , Murphy Terrence E. , Tsang Sui , Tinetti Mary E. , Chaudhry Sarwat I. 
Published: October 2017

Background/ObjectivesTimely administration of antiischemic therapies improves outcomes in individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prior literature on delays in AMI care has largely focused on in‐hospital delay (“door to balloon” time). Our objective was to identify factors associated with prehospital delay in a contemporary national cohort of older adults with AMI.DesignCross‐sectional analysis of data from the ComprehenSIVe Evaluation of Risk Factors in Older Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (SILVER‐AMI) study, an observational study of older adults hospitalized for AMI.SettingU.S. academic and community hospitals (N = 94).ParticipantsIndividuals aged 75 and older hospitalized for AMI (N = 2,500).MeasurementsPrehospital delay was defined as symptom duration of 6 hours or longer before hospital presentation and was obtained according to participant or caregiver report during AMI hospitalization. Potential predictors of delay from demographic, clinical presentation, comorbid conditions, function, and social support domains were obtained through in‐person assessment during the index hospitalization and medical record abstraction.ResultsNonwhite race (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.54, P = .002), atypical symptoms (aOR = 1.41, P = .001), and heart failure (HF) (aOR = 1.35, P = .006 for HF) were significantly associated with delay.ConclusionIn contrast with younger AMI populations, female sex and diabetes mellitus were not associated with delay in this older cohort, but factors from other domains (nonwhite race, atypical symptoms, and HF) were significantly associated with delay. These results can be used to customize future public health efforts to encourage early presentation for older adults with AMI.
Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser alone or with modified Jessner chemical peeling for treatment of mixed melasma in dark skin types: A comparative clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Saleh Fatma , Moftah Noha H , Abdel‐Azim Eman , Gharieb Marwa G 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundsTreatment of mixed melasma remains challenging. Promising results have been achieved with low‐fluence 1064‐nm Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser; however, multiple sessions are necessary with occurrence of complications especially in dark skin types. So, combination methods may be recommended.AimsTo compare efficacy of Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser alone or with modified Jessner's peel in mixed melasma in dark skin.Patients/MethodsNineteen patients with mixed melasma received 6 sessions of laser on left side of face and alternating laser and modified Jessner on right side. Evaluation was carried out clinically through modified melasma area and severity index at 1 month after last session. Using histopathological, immunohistochemical, and computerized morphometric analysis, objective evaluation of melanin particle surface area and MART‐1‐positive cells was performed for pre‐ and post‐treated skin biopsies.ResultsThere was significant clinical improvement on both sides of face (P < .001), without significant difference (P > .05). At the sixth laser session on left side of face, ill‐defined mottled hypopigmentation was observed in 21.05% of patients. Histopathologically, melanin particle surface area and number of MART‐1‐positive cells (total, epidermal, and dermal) were significantly decreased after two treatment modalities (P < .001), without significant difference in their reduction percentage between both sides of face (P > .05).ConclusionLow‐fluence Q‐switched Nd‐YAG laser alone and with modified Jessner's peel are equally effective regimens for mixed melasma clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically. However, combined method is preferred, especially in dark skin, for obtaining better cosmetic result with fewer side effects of multiple laser sessions and decreasing cost rate of laser.
Conceptualising and Categorising Child Abuse Inquiries: From Damage Control to Foregrounding Survivor Testimony
Authors: Swain Shurlee , Wright Katie , Sköld Johanna 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTestimony before inquiries into out‐of‐home care that have taken place in many countries over the last twenty years has severely disrupted received ideas about the quality of care given to children in the past. Evidence of the widespread abuse of children presented before recent inquiries internationally gives rise to the question: why didn’t we know? Part of the answer lies in the changing forms and functions of inquiries, whose interests they serve, how they are organised and how they gather evidence. Using as a case study, a survey of historical abuse inquiries in Australia, this article explores the shift to victim and survivor testimony and in so doing offers a new way of conceptualising and categorising historical child abuse inquiries. It focuses less on how inquiries are constituted or governed, and instead advances an historically contextualised approach that foregrounds the issue of who speaks and who is heard.
The impact of rumen cannulation on the microbial community of goat rumens as measured using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Wang L. , Wu D. , Yan T. , Wang L. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe main objective of this study was to determine the impact of rumen cannulation on the microbial community of goat rumens using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing. Twelve Boer crossbred goats were used in the experiment: six goats were surgically fitted with rumen cannula, and the other six were used as controls. All goats were fed the same diet for 20 days, after which their rumen digesta were sampled once per week for three consecutive weeks. Total microbial DNA was extracted from the collected rumen fluid and was used as a template to amplify the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. High‐throughput sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq platform, and the sequences were analyzed primarily using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology pipeline software. The results showed that the Chao 1 index, the observed species index and the Shannon‐Wiener index were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the two groups. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes were the predominant phylum in both groups, and their relative abundance was 60.63%, 29.48%, 2.24% (n = 6, CT group) and 61.17%, 26.92%, 1.66% (n = 6, RC group) respectively. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the microbial communities of RC goats, and Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi were significantly lower (p = 0.02). The abundances of other phyla were not significantly different between treatments. A total of 19 lower‐level taxa also exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05) in relative abundance between the groups. In addition, there were 18 genera shared within the control group, 26 shared within the rumen‐cannulated group, and 16 shared by both groups. Prevotella was the most abundant shared genus, although its abundance was not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the groups. In conclusion, although the most abundant microbes kept stable, rumen cannulation had the potential to significantly change rumen microbial communities in goats.
An exploratory pilot study with copeptin as a biomarker for individualizing treatment for nocturnal polyuria
Authors: Bruneel Elke , Goessaert An‐Sofie , Denys Marie‐Astrid , Juul Kristian V. , Nørgaard Jens P. , Everaert Karel 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the use of random copeptin concentrations as possible biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of nocturnal polyuria (NP).MethodsIn all, 111 patients with and without nocturia were enrolled in the study. Patients with a neurogenic bladder and/or those who had undergone bladder or urethral surgery were excluded from the study. All patients completed a 72‐hour frequency–volume chart and a renal function profile. A random blood sample was obtained during the day for measurement of plasma copeptin concentrations, osmolality, and serum sodium and creatinine concentrations. The effect of the use of different definitions for NP was evaluated.ResultsThe median age of the study participants was 61 years, and 48% were female. Copeptin was significantly correlated with urinary and plasma osmolality, as well as free water clearance (r=0.43, 0.56 and ‐0.38 respectively; P < .001 for all). Study participants were divided into 3 groups: controls (n = 51), those with NP (n = 41), and those with global polyuria (n = 19). Copeptin concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with global polyuria than in those with NP and the control group (2.96 vs 3.97 and 3.94 pM, respectively; P = .008 and .005). There was no significant difference in random daytime copeptin concentrations between the NP and control groups (P = .972). The results differed when other definitions for NP were used (e.g. NPi33 or NUP10).ConclusionsWe could not confirm our hypothesis that patients with NP have lower copeptin concentrations, although random blood sampling is not ideal. Further research is required to determine the use of copeptin in NP, perhaps in the identification of the desmopressin response.