bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between number of prostate biopsies and patient‐reported functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy: implications for active surveillance protocols
Authors: Anderson Christopher B. , Tin Amy L. , Sjoberg Daniel D. , Mulhall John P. , Sandhu Jaspreet , Touijer Karim , Laudone Vincent P. , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T. , Ehdaie Behfar 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether the number of preoperative prostate biopsies affects functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP).MethodsWe identified patients treated with RP at our institution between 2008 and 2011. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the patients completed questionnaires assessing erectile and urinary function. Patients with preoperative incontinence or erectile dysfunction or who did not complete the questionnaire were excluded. Primary outcomes were urinary and erectile function at 12 months postoperatively. We used logistic regression to estimate the impact of number of prostate biopsies on functional outcomes after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors.ResultsWe identified 2 712 patients treated with RP between 2008 and 2011. Most of the patients (80%) had one preoperative prostate biopsy, 16% had two, and 4% had at least three. On adjusted analysis, erectile function at 12 months was not significantly different for patients with two (odds ratio [OR] 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90, 1.75) or three or more (OR 1.52; 95% CI 0.84, 2.78) biopsies, compared with those with one biopsy. Similarly, urinary function at 12 months was not significantly different for patients with two (0.84, 95% CI 0.64, 1.10) or three or more (0.99, 95% CI 0.60, 1.61) biopsies compared with those with one.ConclusionsWe did not find evidence that a greater number of preoperative prostate biopsies adversely affected erectile or urinary function at 12 months after RP.
A synthesis of two decades of research documenting the effects of noise on wildlife
Authors: Shannon Graeme , McKenna Megan F. , Angeloni Lisa M. , Crooks Kevin R. , Fristrup Kurt M. , Brown Emma , Warner Katy A. , Nelson Misty D. , White Cecilia , Briggs Jessica , McFarland Scott , Wittemyer George 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTGlobal increases in environmental noise levels – arising from expansion of human populations, transportation networks, and resource extraction – have catalysed a recent surge of research into the effects of noise on wildlife. Synthesising a coherent understanding of the biological consequences of noise from this literature is challenging. Taxonomic groups vary in auditory capabilities. A wide range of noise sources and exposure levels occur, and many kinds of biological responses have been observed, ranging from individual behaviours to changes in ecological communities. Also, noise is one of several environmental effects generated by human activities, so researchers must contend with potentially confounding explanations for biological responses. Nonetheless, it is clear that noise presents diverse threats to species and ecosystems and salient patterns are emerging to help inform future natural resource‐management decisions. We conducted a systematic and standardised review of the scientific literature published from 1990 to 2013 on the effects of anthropogenic noise on wildlife, including both terrestrial and aquatic studies. Research to date has concentrated predominantly on European and North American species that rely on vocal communication, with approximately two‐thirds of the data set focussing on songbirds and marine mammals. The majority of studies documented effects from noise, including altered vocal behaviour to mitigate masking, reduced abundance in noisy habitats, changes in vigilance and foraging behaviour, and impacts on individual fitness and the structure of ecological communities. This literature survey shows that terrestrial wildlife responses begin at noise levels of approximately 40 dBA, and 20% of papers documented impacts below 50 dBA. Our analysis highlights the utility of existing scientific information concerning the effects of anthropogenic noise on wildlife for predicting potential outcomes of noise exposure and implementing meaningful mitigation measures. Future research directions that would support more comprehensive predictions regarding the magnitude and severity of noise impacts include: broadening taxonomic and geographical scope, exploring interacting stressors, conducting larger‐scale studies, testing mitigation approaches, standardising reporting of acoustic metrics, and assessing the biological response to noise‐source removal or mitigation. The broad volume of existing information concerning the effects of anthropogenic noise on wildlife offers a valuable resource to assist scientists, industry, and natural‐resource managers in predicting potential outcomes of noise exposure.
The evolutionary ecology of deception
Authors: Mokkonen Mikael , Lindstedt Carita 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThrough dishonest signals or actions, individuals often misinform others to their own benefit. We review recent literature to explore the evolutionary and ecological conditions for deception to be more likely to evolve and be maintained. We identify four conditions: (1) high misinformation potential through perceptual constraints of perceiver; (2) costs and benefits of responding to deception; (3) asymmetric power relationships between individuals and (4) exploitation of common goods. We discuss behavioural and physiological mechanisms that form a deception continuum from secrecy to overt signals. Deceptive tactics usually succeed by being rare and are often evolving under co‐evolutionary arms races, sometimes leading to the evolution of polymorphism. The degree of deception can also vary depending on the environmental conditions. Finally, we suggest a conceptual framework for studying deception and highlight important questions for future studies.
Effect of testosterone treatment on cardiac biomarkers in a randomized controlled trial of men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gianatti Emily J. , Hoermann Rudolf , Lam Que , Dupuis Philippe , Zajac Jeffrey D. , Grossmann Mathis 
Published: June 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo assess the effect of testosterone treatment on cardiac biomarkers in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D).DesignRandomized double‐blind, parallel, placebo‐controlled trial.PatientsMen aged 35–70 years with T2D and a total testosterone level ≤12·0 nmol/l (346 ng/dl) at high risk of cardiovascular events, median 10‐year United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) coronary heart disease (CHD) risk 21% (IQR 16%, 27%). Eighty‐eight participants were randomly assigned to 40 weeks of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (n = 45) or matching placebo (n = 43).Main Outcome MeasuresN‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT).ResultTestosterone treatment reduced NT‐proBNP (mean adjusted difference (MAD) in change over 40 weeks across the testosterone and placebo groups, −17·9 ng/l [95% CI −32·4, −3·5], P = 0·047), but did not change hs‐cTnT (MAD, 0·41 ng/l (95% CI −0·56, 1·39), P = 0·62). Six men, three in each group experienced an adverse cardiac event, displaying already higher baseline NT‐proBNP (P < 0·01) and hs‐cTnT levels (P = 0·01). At baseline, 10‐year UKPDS CHD risk was associated positively with NT‐proBNP (τ = 0·21, P = 0·004) and hs‐cTnT (τ = 0·23, P = 0·003) and inversely with testosterone (total testosterone τ = −0·18, P = 0·02, calculated free testosterone τ = −0·19, P = 0·01), but there was no significant association between testosterone and cardiac biomarkers (P > 0·05).ConclusionsIn this trial of men with T2D and high cardiovascular risk, testosterone treatment reduced NT‐proBNP and did not change hs‐cTnT. Further studies should determine whether men with increased cardiac biomarkers prior to testosterone therapy are at higher risk of testosterone treatment‐associated adverse cardiac events.
Happiness, Equivalent Incomes and Respect for Individual Preferences
Authors: Decancq Koen , Fleurbaey Marc , Schokkaert Erik 
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we study interpersonal comparisons of wellbeing. We show that using subjective wellbeing (SWB) levels can be in conflict with individuals' judgments about their own lives. We propose therefore an alternative wellbeing measure in terms of equivalent incomes that respects individual preferences. We show how SWB surveys can be used to derive the ordinal information about preferences needed to calculate equivalent incomes. We illustrate our approach with Russian panel data (RLMS‐HSE) for the period 1995–2003 and compare it to standard wellbeing measures such as expenditures and SWB. We find that different groups are identified as worst off.
For nothing is more certain, than that despair has almost the same effect on us with enjoyment, and that we are no sooner acquainted with the impossibility of satisfying any desire, than the desire itself vanishes. David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature
Developing integrated clinical reasoning competencies in dental students using scaffolded case‐based learning – empirical evidence
Authors: Postma T. C. , White J. G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionThis study provides empirical evidence of the development of integrated clinical reasoning in the discipline‐based School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Students were exposed to case‐based learning in comprehensive patient care (CPC) in the preclinical year of study, scaffolded by means of the four‐component instructional design model for complex learning.MethodsProgress test scores of third‐ to fifth‐year dental students, who received case‐based teaching and learning in the third year (2009–2011), were compared to the scores of preceding fourth‐ and fifth‐year cohorts. These fourth‐ and fifth‐year cohorts received content‐based teaching concurrently with their clinical training in CPC. The progress test consisted of a complex case study and 32 MCQs on tracer conditions. Students had to gather the necessary information and had to make diagnostic and treatment‐planning decisions.ResultsPreclinical students who participated in the case‐based teaching and learning achieved similar scores compared to final‐year students who received lecture‐based teaching and learning. Final‐year students who participated in the case‐based learning made three more correct clinical decisions per student, compared to those who received content‐based teaching. Students struggled more with treatment‐planning than with diagnostic decisions.ConclusionThe scaffolded case‐based learning appears to contribute to accurate clinical decisions when compared to lecture‐based teaching. It is suggested that the development of integrated reasoning competencies starts as early as possible in a dental curriculum, perhaps even in the preclinical year of study. Treatment‐planning should receive particular attention.
The Art of Reflection: Turning the Strange into the Familiar
Authors: Weingarten Kaethe 
Published: June 2015

There are a great many useful articles on the dynamics and pragmatics of reflecting teams but few articles address what constitutes a good or inept reflection and why. I provide a conceptual model for thinking about what a good reflection does, distinguishing it from a nice reflection. With some further refinements in place, I then illustrate how reflections can be part of any relationship, not just clinical ones. We have opportunities to make them and to recognize when others make them to us. By using examples from my personal life—as a grandmother, daughter, radio listener, cancer survivor, and client—I attempt to ease the personal/professional binary, a project of mine for the last 35 years. In the second part of the article, I address how writing can serve reflection. Although best offered at the moment one is called for, it is never too late for a reflection. Writing allows people to offer reflections after the fact to those who have shared their stories. Sometimes, it is to ourselves we offer those reflections, when the reflector has long since dropped the thread of obligation or interest. I provide an example of working with iconic imagery to unpack meaning so that reflection can eventually take place, allowing integration to proceed, facilitating the strange becoming the familiar.
Deep soil carbon dynamics are driven more by soil type than by climate: a worldwide meta‐analysis of radiocarbon profiles
Authors: Mathieu Jordane A. , Hatté Christine , Balesdent Jérôme , Parent Éric 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe response of soil carbon dynamics to climate and land‐use change will affect both the future climate and the quality of ecosystems. Deep soil carbon (>20 cm) is the primary component of the soil carbon pool, but the dynamics of deep soil carbon remain poorly understood. Therefore, radiocarbon activity (C), which is a function of the age of carbon, may help to understand the rates of soil carbon biodegradation and stabilization. We analyzed the publishedC contents in 122 profiles of mineral soil that were well distributed in most of the large world biomes, except for the boreal zone. With a multivariate extension of a linear mixed‐effects model whose inference was based on the parallel combination of two algorithms, the expectation–maximization (EM) and the Metropolis–Hasting algorithms, we expressed soilC profiles as a four‐parameter function of depth. The four‐parameter model produced insightful predictions of soilC as dependent on depth, soil type, climate, vegetation, land‐use and date of sampling (). Further analysis with the model showed that the age of topsoil carbon was primarily affected by climate and cultivation. By contrast, the age of deep soil carbon was affected more by soil taxa than by climate and thus illustrated the strong dependence of soil carbon dynamics on other pedologic traits such as clay content and mineralogy.
Canopy warming caused photosynthetic acclimation and reduced seed yield in maize grown at ambient and elevated [CO2]
Authors: Ruiz‐Vera Ursula M. , Siebers Matthew H. , Drag David W. , Ort Donald R. , Bernacchi Carl J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRising atmosphericCO2concentration ([CO2]) and attendant increases in growing season temperature are expected to be the most important global change factors impacting production agriculture. Although maize is the most highly produced crop worldwide, few studies have evaluated the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and temperature on its photosynthetic physiology, agronomic traits or biomass, and seed yield under open field conditions. This study investigates the effects of rising [CO2] and warmer temperature, independently and in combination, on maize grown in the field throughout a full growing season. Free‐airCO2enrichment (FACE) technology was used to target atmospheric [CO2] to 200 μmol mol−1above ambient [CO2] and infrared heaters to target a plant canopy increase of 3.5 °C, with actual season mean heating of ~2.7 °C, mimicking conditions predicted by the second half of this century. Photosynthetic gas‐exchange parameters, leaf nitrogen and carbon content, leaf water potential components, and developmental measurements were collected throughout the season, and biomass and yield were measured at the end of the growing season. As predicted for a C4plant, elevated [CO2] did not stimulate photosynthesis, biomass, or yield. Canopy warming caused a large shift in aboveground allocation by stimulating season‐long vegetative biomass and decreasing reproductive biomass accumulation at bothCO2concentrations, resulting in decreased harvest index. Warming caused a reduction in photosynthesis due to down‐regulation of photosynthetic biochemical parameters and the decrease in the electron transport rate. The reduction in seed yield with warming was driven by reduced photosynthetic capacity and by a shift in aboveground carbon allocation away from reproduction. This field study portends that future warming will reduce yield in maize, and this will not be mitigated by higher atmospheric [CO2] unless appropriate adaptation traits can be introduced into future cultivars.
Coral population dynamics across consecutive mass mortality events
Authors: Riegl Bernhard , Purkis Sam 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAnnual coral mortality events due to increased atmospheric heat may occur regularly from the middle of the century and are considered apocalyptic for coral reefs. In the Arabian/Persian Gulf, this situation has already occurred and population dynamics of four widespread corals (Acropora downingi, Porites harrisoni, Dipsastrea pallida, Cyphastrea micropthalma) were examined across the first‐ever occurrence of four back‐to‐back mass mortality events (2009–2012). Mortality was driven by diseases in 2009, bleaching and subsequent diseases in 2010/2011/2012. 2009 reduced P. harrisoni cover and size, the other events increasingly reduced overall cover (2009: −10%; 2010: −20%; 2011: −20%; 2012: −15%) and affected all examined species. Regeneration was only observed after the first disturbance. P. harrisoni and A. downingi severely declined from 2010 due to bleaching and subsequent white syndromes, while D. pallida and P. daedalea declined from 2011 due to bleaching and black‐band disease. C. microphthalma cover was not affected. In all species, most large corals were lost while fission due to partial tissue mortality bolstered small size classes. This general shrinkage led to a decrease of coral cover and a dramatic reduction of fecundity. Transition matrices for disturbed and undisturbed conditions were evaluated as Life Table Response Experiment and showed that C. microphthalma changed the least in size‐class dynamics and fecundity, suggesting they were ‘winners’. In an ordered ‘degradation cascade’, impacts decreased from the most common to the least common species, leading to step‐wise removal of previously dominant species. A potentially permanent shift from high‐ to low‐coral cover with different coral community and size structure can be expected due to the demographic dynamics resultant from the disturbances. Similarities to degradation of other Caribbean and Pacific reefs are discussed. As comparable environmental conditions and mortality patterns must be expected worldwide, demographic collapse of many other coral populations may soon be widespread.
How do Clostridium difficile infections affect nurses’ everyday hospital work: A qualitative study
Authors: Guillemin Isabelle , Marrel Alexia , Beriot‐Mathiot Axelle , Doucet Carole , Kazoglou Odysseas , Luxemburger Christine , Reygrobellet Camille , Arnould Benoit 
Published: June 2015

This qualitative study explored the impact of Clostridium difficile infections on nurses’ everyday work in the hospital.Twelve nurses (six in France and six in the United States) were interviewed in depth using a semi‐structured interview guide. Thematic analysis of the interviews was performed.Managing diarrhoea and taking precautionary measures for infection control were the two most inconvenient aspects nurses reported with C. difficile patient management. Precautions included contact isolation, hand hygiene and reorganization/coordination of nursing care and ward. Precautions were time consuming and significantly increased nurses’ workload when combined with caring for patients with uncontrollable, frequent bouts of diarrhoea.Management of C. difficile infection is extremely burdensome for nurses in their everyday work and disruptive to hospital organizations as a whole. Prevention of C. difficile infections, together with coordinated team work and communication, would therefore contribute to decreasing nurses’ workload and the burden to health‐care facilities associated with caring for these patients.
Mechanical Testing of a Synthetic Canine Gastrocnemius Tendon Implant
Authors: Morton Mark A. , Whitelock Richard G. , Innes John F. 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveTo test a polyethylene terephthalate prosthesis (STIF, Chenove, France) for gastrocnemius tendon repair in dogs (cadaver model).Study DesignIn vitro mechanical study.AnimalsPelvic limbs (n = 8) from 4 recently euthanatized adult dogs (weighing 30–45 kg).MethodsProximally the implant was sutured at the myotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius and distally secured in a 4.5 mm blind ending tunnel in the medullary cavity of the calcaneus using an interference screw (STIF, Chenove, France). Proximal and distal fixation were tested independently using an electrodynamic testing machine (Electropuls 3000, Instron, UK).ResultsMean ± SD failure loads for the proximal fixation (266.13 ± 43.88 N) was significantly less than for the distal fixation (649.25 ± 210.36 N; P = .042, paired t‐test). Mean stiffness of the proximal and distal constructs were 19.08 ± 8.16 N/mm and 139.76 ± 24.51 N/mm, respectively.ConclusionsFailure loads exceeded the values reported after experimental repair of chronic gastrocnemius tendon injuries using other methods involving suturing tendon to bone. Failure of this repair method clinically is predicted to occur proximally at the level of the myotendinous junction.
Climate change, genetic markers and species distribution modelling
Authors: Gotelli Nicholas J. , Stanton‐Geddes John 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEcologists and biogeographers are currently expending great effort forecasting shifts in species geographical ranges that may result from climate change. However, these efforts are problematic because they have mostly relied on presence‐only data that ignore within‐species genetic diversity. Technological advances in high‐throughput sequencing have now made it cost‐effective to survey the genetic structure of populations sampled throughout the range of a species. These data can be used to delineate two or more genetic clusters within the species range, and to identify admixtures of individuals within genetic clusters that reflect different patterns of ancestry. Species distribution models (SDMs) applied to the presence and absence of genetic clusters should provide more realistic forecasts of geographical range shifts that take account of genetic variability. High‐throughput sequencing and spatially explicit models may be used to further refine these projections.
The circulating transcriptome as a source of non‐invasive cancer biomarkers: concepts and controversies of non‐coding and coding RNA in body fluids
Authors: Fernandez‐Mercado Marta , Manterola Lorea , Larrea Erika , Goicoechea Ibai , Arestin María , Armesto María , Otaegui David , Lawrie Charles H. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe gold standard for cancer diagnosis remains the histological examination of affected tissue, obtained either by surgical excision, or radiologically guided biopsy. Such procedures however are expensive, not without risk to the patient, and require consistent evaluation by expert pathologists. Consequently, the search for non‐invasive tools for the diagnosis and management of cancer has led to great interest in the field of circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum. An additional benefit of blood‐based testing is the ability to carry out screening and repeat sampling on patients undergoing therapy, or monitoring disease progression allowing for the development of a personalized approach to cancer patient management. Despite having been discovered over 60 years ago, the clear clinical potential of circulating nucleic acids, with the notable exception of prenatal diagnostic testing, has yet to translate into the clinic. The recent discovery of non‐coding (nc) RNA (in particular micro(mi)RNAs) in the blood has provided fresh impetuous for the field. In this review, we discuss the potential of the circulating transcriptome (coding and ncRNA), as novel cancer biomarkers, the controversy surrounding their origin and biology, and most importantly the hurdles that remain to be overcome if they are really to become part of future clinical practice.