bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Development of Spatial Skills in Elementary School Students
Authors: Carr Martha , Alexeev Natalia , Wang Lu , Barned Nicole , Horan Erin , Reed Adam 
Published: February 2017

Through five waves of data collection, this longitudinal study investigated the development of spatial skills in 304 elementary school children (Mage = 7.64 years) as they progressed from the second to fourth grade. The study focused on whether multiple latent classes with different developmental profiles best explain development. Spatial skills were measured by tests featuring two‐dimensional figures. Mathematics achievement was measured by the statewide end‐of‐year test and was included as a distal outcome variable. The role of covariates, including socioeconomic status, verbal working memory, and gender, was also explored. The results indicate a need to view two‐dimensional spatial skills development as multidimensional with two developmental profiles predicted by socioeconomic status, verbal working memory, and gender. The developmental profiles predicted differences in mathematics achievement.
Ten‐year incidence and prevalence of clinically diagnosed blepharitis in South Korea: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Rim Tyler Hyungtaek , Kang Min Jae , Choi Moonjung , Seo Kyoung Yul , Kim Sung Soo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractImportanceBlepharitis is one of the most common conditions. However, no study has yet evaluated the epidemiology by evaluating a large population‐based sample.BackgroundTo evaluate the incidence and prevalence of clinically diagnosed blepharitis in South Korea.DesignNationwide population‐based study.ParticipantsWe investigated the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort, a representative one million‐sample of the Korean population, for patients diagnosed with blepharitis according to the Korean Classification of Diseases.MethodsAnnual and overall incidence and prevalence of blepharitis during the study period (2004–2013) were estimated after excluding chronic blepharitis patients, diagnosed during 2002–2003. Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities associated with blepharitis were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression.Main Outcome MeasuresThe first occurrence of blepharitis.ResultsA total of 1 116 363 individuals over 9 698 118 person‐years were evaluated (mean follow up: 8.7 years) from 2004 to 2013. The overall incidence was 1.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.1) per 100 person‐years. The incidence increased with time (0.9 vs. 1.3 per 100 person‐years, in 2004 and 2013, respectively) and was higher in female patients (1.3 vs. 0.9 per 100 person‐years, respectively). The overall prevalence was 8.1% (95% confidence interval: 8.0–8.1) among subjects aged 40 years or older. Chalazion, gastritis, Sjögren's syndrome, pterygium, rosacea, prostatic hypertrophy, atopy, irritable bowel disease and peptic ulcer were associated with an increased incidence of blepharitis in the multivariable Cox model.ConclusionsWe found that blepharitis was a relatively common disease and is associated with various ocular and systemic conditions.
Quantifying the extent of protected‐area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement in Australia
Authors: Cook Carly N. , Valkan Rebecca S. , Mascia Michael B. , McGeoch Melodie A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe use of total area protected as the predominant indicator of progress in building protected area (PA) networks is receiving growing criticism. Documenting the full dynamics of PA networks, both in terms of the gains and losses in protection, provides a much more informative approach to tracking progress. To this end, documentation of PA downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) has increased. Studies of PADDD events generally fail to place these losses in the context of gains in protection; therefore, they omit important elements of PA network dynamics. To address this limitation, we used a spatially explicit approach to identify every parcel of land added to and excised from the Australian terrestrial PA network and PAs that had their level of protection changed over 17 years (1997–2014). By quantifying changes in the spatial configuration of the PA network with time‐series data (spatial layers for nine separate time steps), ours is the first assessment of the dynamics (increases and decreases in area and level of protection) of a PA network and the first comprehensive assessment of PADDD in a developed country. We found that the Australian network was highly dynamic; there were 5233 changes in area or level of protection over 17 years. Against a background of enormous increases in area protected, we identified over 1500 PADDD events, which affected over one‐third of the network, which were largely the result of widespread downgrading of protection. We believe our approach provides a mechanism for robust tracking of trends in the world's PAs through the use of data from the World Database on Protected Areas. However, this will require greater transparency and improved data standards in reporting changes to PAs.
Habitat as a mediator of mesopredator‐driven mammal extinction
Authors: McDonald Peter J. , Nano Catherine E. M. , Ward Simon J. , Stewart Alistair , Pavey Chris R. , Luck Gary W. , Dickman Chris R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA prevailing view in dryland systems is that mammals are constrained by the scarcity of fertile soils and primary productivity. An alternative view is that predation is a primary driver of mammal assemblages, especially in Australia, where 2 introduced mesopredators—feral cat (Felis catus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes)—are responsible for severe declines of dryland mammals. We evaluated productivity and predation as drivers of native mammal assemblage structure in dryland Australia. We used new data from 90 sites to examine the divers of extant mammal species richness and reconstructed historic mammal assemblages to determine proportional loss of mammal species across broad habitat types (landform and vegetation communities). Predation was supported as a major driver of extant mammal richness, but its effect was strongly mediated by habitat. Areas that were rugged or had dense grass cover supported more mammal species than the more productive and topographically simple areas. Twelve species in the critical weight range (CWR) (35–5500 g) that is most vulnerable to mesopredator predation were extirpated from the continent's central region, and the severity of loss of species correlated negatively with ruggedness and positively with productivity. Based on previous studies, we expect that habitat mediates predation from red foxes and feral cats because it affects these species’ densities and foraging efficiency. Large areas of rugged terrain provided vital refuge for Australian dryland mammals, and we predict such areas will support the persistence of CWR species in the face of ongoing mammal declines elsewhere in Australia.
Regulation of adipose‐tissue‐derived stromal cell orientation and motility in 2D‐ and 3D‐cultures by direct‐current electrical field
Authors: Yang Gang , Long Haiyan , Ren Xiaomei , Ma Kunlong , Xiao Zhenghua , Wang Ying , Guo Yingqiang 
Published: February 2017

Cell alignment and motility play a critical role in a variety of cell behaviors, including cytoskeleton reorganization, membrane‐protein relocation, nuclear gene expression, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Direct current electric field (EF) in vitro can direct many types of cells to align vertically to EF vector. In this work, we investigated the effects of EF stimulation on rat adipose‐tissue‐derived stromal cells (ADSCs) in 2D‐culture on plastic culture dishes and in 3D‐culture on various scaffold materials, including collagen hydrogels, chitosan hydrogels and poly(L‐lactic acid)/gelatin electrospinning fibers. Rat ADSCs were exposed to various physiological‐strength EFs in a homemade EF‐bioreactor. Changes of morphology and movements of cells affected by applied EFs were evaluated by time‐lapse microphotography, and cell survival rates and intracellular calcium oscillations were also detected. Results showed that EF facilitated ADSC morphological changes, under 6 V/cm EF strength, and that ADSCs in 2D‐culture aligned vertically to EF vector and kept a good cell survival rate. In 3D‐culture, cell galvanotaxis responses were subject to the synergistic effect of applied EF and scaffold materials. Fast cell movement and intracellular calcium activities were observed in the cells of 3D‐culture. We believe our research will provide some experimental references for the future study in cell galvanotaxis behaviors.
Reproducibility and experience dependence of echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function: Side‐by‐side comparison of global longitudinal strain and ejection fraction
Authors: Medvedofsky Diego , Kebed Kalie , Laffin Luke , Stone Jeremy , Addetia Karima , Lang Roberto M. , Mor‐Avi Victor 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundAlthough left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are recommended by the current echocardiographic chamber quantification guidelines, these measurements are not performed routinely. Because EF measurements rely on manual tracing of LV boundaries, and are subject to inter‐reader variability and experience dependence, we hypothesized that semiautomated GLS measurements using speckle tracking would be more reproducible and less experience‐dependent.MethodsImages from 30 patients were analyzed to obtain biplane EF using manual tracing. GLS was measured in three long‐axis views using EchoInsight software (Epsilon Imaging) that automatically detects LV endocardial boundary, which is edited manually as necessary and is then automatically tracked throughout the cardiac cycle. All measurements were performed by an expert echocardiographer and three first‐year cardiology fellows.ResultsSemiautomated GLS analysis showed excellent correlation (r=.98) and small bias (−1.0±13% of measured value) between the experienced and less experienced readers, superior to EF (r=.91, bias 7.3±16%). Also, in repeated measurements, GLS showed higher intra‐class correlation (ICC=.98) than EF (ICC=.89). Additionally, GLS analysis required ~1 minute per patient, while biplane EF measurements took twice as long.ConclusionsSemiautomated GLS measurements are fast, less experience‐dependent, and more reproducible than conventional EF measurements. This is probably because, irrespective of experience, the readers' choice of boundary position varies less when asked to refine the automated detection than to draw borders without initial clues. This technique may facilitate the workflow of a busy laboratory and make a step forward toward incorporating quantitative analysis into everyday echocardiography practice.
The group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist LY354740 and the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol reduce locomotor hyperactivity but fail to rescue spatial working memory in GluA1 knockout mice
Authors: Boerner Thomas , Bygrave Alexei M. , Chen Jingkai , Fernando Anushka , Jackson Stephanie , Barkus Chris , Sprengel Rolf , Seeburg Peter H. , Harrison Paul J. , Gilmour Gary , Bannerman David M. , Sanderson David J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGroup II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists have been suggested as potential anti‐psychotics, at least in part, based on the observation that the agonist LY354740 appeared to rescue the cognitive deficits caused by non‐competitive N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, including spatial working memory deficits in rodents. Here, we tested the ability of LY354740 to rescue spatial working memory performance in mice that lack the GluA1 subunit of the AMPA glutamate receptor, encoded by Gria1, a gene recently implicated in schizophrenia by genome‐wide association studies. We found that LY354740 failed to rescue the spatial working memory deficit in Gria1−/− mice during rewarded alternation performance in the T‐maze. In contrast, LY354740 did reduce the locomotor hyperactivity in these animals to a level that was similar to controls. A similar pattern was found with the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol, with no amelioration of the spatial working memory deficit in Gria1−/− mice, even though the same dose of haloperidol reduced their locomotor hyperactivity. These results with LY354740 contrast with the rescue of spatial working memory in models of glutamatergic hypofunction using non‐competitive NMDAR antagonists. Future studies should determine whether group II mGluR agonists can rescue spatial working memory deficits with other NMDAR manipulations, including genetic models and other pharmacological manipulations of NMDAR function.
Preliminary recovery of coastal sharks in the south‐east United States
Authors: Peterson Cassidy D , Belcher Carolyn N , Bethea Dana M , Driggers William B , Frazier Bryan S , Latour Robert J 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRelative abundance of many shark species in the Atlantic is assessed by compiling data from several independently conducted, but somewhat spatially limited surveys. Although these localized surveys annually sample the same populations, resulting trends in yearly indices often conflict with one another, thereby hindering interpretation of abundance patterns at broad spatial scales. We used delta‐lognormal generalized linear models (GLMs) to generate indices of abundance for seven Atlantic coastal shark species from six fishery‐independent surveys along the US east coast and Gulf of Mexico from 1975 to 2014. These indices were further analysed using dynamic factor analysis (DFA) to produce simplified, broad‐scale common trends in relative abundance over the entire sampled distribution. Effects of drivers including the North Atlantic Oscillation index, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation index, annually averaged sea surface temperature and species landings were evaluated within theDFAmodel. The two decadal oscillations and species landings were shown to affect shark distribution along south‐east US coast. Estimated common trends of relative abundance for all large coastal shark species showed similar decreasing patterns into the early 1990s, periods of sustained low index values thereafter and recent indications of recovery. Small coastal shark species exhibited more regional variability in their estimated common trends, such that two common trends were required to adequately describe patterns in relative abundance throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. Overall, all species’ (except the Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark) time series concluded with an increasing trend, suggestive of initial recovery from past exploitation.
Testosterone supplementation, glucocorticoid milieu and bone homeostasis in the ageing male
Authors: Ajdžanović Vladimir Z. , Filipović Branko R. , Šošić Jurjević Branka T. , Milošević Verica Lj. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMale ageing is entwined with a continuous fall in free testosterone levels, which contributes to the pathogenesis of bone loss. Glucocorticoid excess, either dependent on the ageing process or iatrogenically induced, was found to additionally impair the bone structure and metabolism. Cautious testosterone supplementation in this respect may positively affect the glucocorticoid milieu and bone homeostasis, while testosterone‐induced changes in the glucocorticoid output could serve as a determinant of bone‐related therapeutic outcome. Namely, bone mineral content/density, the parameters of trabecular bone structure as well as bone strength are enhanced, serum calcitonin levels tend to increase, while serum osteocalcin, serum parathyroid hormone and urinary calcium decrease, all upon testosterone administration to the ageing male. In parallel, testosterone application decreases glucocorticoid secretion in the animal models of male ageing, while clinical data in this field are still inconsistent. Importantly, a physiological link exists between testosterone‐induced changes in glucocorticoid levels and the tendency of bone status improvement in the ageing male. We believe that the assessment of circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations together with glucocorticoid levels, reflecting the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis feedback loop operativeness during testosterone supplementation, represents a well‐balanced bone‐related therapeutic update.
Dexmedetomidine enhances human lung fluid clearance through improving alveolar sodium transport
Authors: Cui Yong , Ding Yan , Chen Lei , Li Yue , Li Yan Chun , Nie Hongguang 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAccumulating evidence shows that dexmedetomidine can attenuate lung edema with acute lung injury in experimental mouse and rat models, but the mechanisms of dexmedetomidine on human alveolar fluid transport are still unknown. We measured the effects of dexmedetomidine on alveolar fluid clearance in human lung lobes ex vivo. Moreover, we measured the regulation of transepithelial Na+ transport by dexmedetomidine in H441 cells by electrophysiological technique and Western blot method. Our results showed that intratracheal instillation of dexmedetomidine markedly increased the reabsorption of 5% bovine serum albumin instillate (19.8 ± 1.4%, P < 0.01 vs. Control, n = 5). Further studies suggested that dexmedetomidine increased amiloride‐sensitive short‐circuit currents in permeabilized H441 monolayers and whole cell amiloride‐sensitive Na+ currents in a dose‐dependent fashion. Real‐time PCR and Western blot results showed that dexmedetomidine could enhance the mRNA and protein expression of α‐ENaC subunit, while inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. These data demonstrate that dexmedetomidine could improve human lung fluid clearance and lung epithelial Na+ channel activity, and these effects may be mediated through the enhancement of α‐ENaC expression and inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway.
Low and high‐cycle fatigue properties of an ultrahigh‐strength TRIP bainitic steel
Authors: Benedetti M. , Fontanari V. , Barozzi M. , Gabellone D. , Tedesco M. M. , Plano S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe scope of this study is to characterize the mechanical properties of a novel Transformation‐Induced Plasticity bainitic steel grade TBC700Y980T. For this purpose, tensile tests are carried out with loading direction 0, 45 and 90° with respect to the L rolling direction. Yield stress is found to be higher than 700 MPa, ultimate tensile strength larger than 1050 MPa and total elongation higher than 15%. Low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) tests are carried out under fully reverse axial strain exploring fatigue lives comprised between 102 and 105 fatigue cycles. The data are used to determine the parameters of the Coffin–Manson as well as the cyclic stress–strain curve. No significant stress‐induced austenite transformation is detected. The high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) behaviour is investigated through load controlled axial tests exploring fatigue tests up to 5 × 106 fatigue cycles at two loading ratios, namely R = −1 and R = 0. At fatigue lives longer than 2 × 105 cycles, the strain life curve determined from LCF tests tends to greatly underestimate the HCF resistance of the material. Apparently, the HCF behaviour of this material cannot be extrapolated from LCF tests, as different damage, cyclic hardening mechanisms and microstructural conditions are involved. In particular, in the HCF regime, the predominant damage mechanism is nucleation of fatigue cracks in the vicinity of oxide inclusions, whereby mean value and scatter in fatigue limit are directly correlated to the dimension of these inclusions.
Estimating the ability of plants to plastically track temperature‐mediated shifts in the spring phenological optimum
Authors: Tansey Christine J. , Hadfield Jarrod D. , Phillimore Albert B. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOne consequence of rising spring temperatures is that the optimum timing of key life‐history events may advance. Where this is the case, a population's fate may depend on the degree to which it is able to track a change in the optimum timing either via plasticity or via adaptation. Estimating the effect that temperature change will have on optimum timing using standard approaches is logistically challenging, with the result that very few estimates of this important parameter exist. Here we adopt an alternative statistical method that substitutes space for time to estimate the temperature sensitivity of the optimum timing of 22 plant species based on >200 000 spatiotemporal phenological observations from across the United Kingdom. We find that first leafing and flowering dates are sensitive to forcing (spring) temperatures, with optimum timing advancing by an average of 3 days °C−1 and plastic responses to forcing between −3 and −8 days °C−1. Chilling (autumn/winter) temperatures and photoperiod tend to be important cues for species with early and late phenology, respectively. For most species, we find that plasticity is adaptive, and for seven species, plasticity is sufficient to track geographic variation in the optimum phenology. For four species, we find that plasticity is significantly steeper than the optimum slope that we estimate between forcing temperature and phenology, and we examine possible explanations for this countergradient pattern, including local adaptation.
Vulnerability of European freshwater catchments to climate change
Authors: Markovic Danijela , Carrizo Savrina F. , Kärcher Oskar , Walz Ariane , David Jonathan N. W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractClimate change is expected to exacerbate the current threats to freshwater ecosystems, yet multifaceted studies on the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater biodiversity at scales that inform management planning are lacking. The aim of this study was to fill this void through the development of a novel framework for assessing climate change vulnerability tailored to freshwater ecosystems. The three dimensions of climate change vulnerability are as follows: (i) exposure to climate change, (ii) sensitivity to altered environmental conditions and (iii) resilience potential. Our vulnerability framework includes 1685 freshwater species of plants, fishes, molluscs, odonates, amphibians, crayfish and turtles alongside key features within and between catchments, such as topography and connectivity. Several methodologies were used to combine these dimensions across a variety of future climate change models and scenarios. The resulting indices were overlaid to assess the vulnerability of European freshwater ecosystems at the catchment scale (18 783 catchments). The Balkan Lakes Ohrid and Prespa and Mediterranean islands emerge as most vulnerable to climate change. For the 2030s, we showed a consensus among the applied methods whereby up to 573 lake and river catchments are highly vulnerable to climate change. The anthropogenic disruption of hydrological habitat connectivity by dams is the major factor reducing climate change resilience. A gap analysis demonstrated that the current European protected area network covers <25% of the most vulnerable catchments. Practical steps need to be taken to ensure the persistence of freshwater biodiversity under climate change. Priority should be placed on enhancing stakeholder cooperation at the major basin scale towards preventing further degradation of freshwater ecosystems and maintaining connectivity among catchments. The catchments identified as most vulnerable to climate change provide preliminary targets for development of climate change conservation management and mitigation strategies.