bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interspecific variation in large mammal responses to human observers along a conservation gradient with variable hunting pressure
Authors: Kiffner C. , Kioko J. , Kissui B. , Painter C. , Serota M. , White C. , Yager P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWhen subject to anthropogenic hunting risks, wildlife populations may adjust their anti‐predator behaviour; however, such plastic response has rarely been assessed. We assessed the response of eight species (African elephant,Maasai giraffe, plains zebra, common wildebeest,Grant's gazelle, impala,Thomson's gazelle andKirk's dik dik) towards human observers in a landscape with variable anthropogenic hunting pressure. Using logistic regressions, we tested the effect of habitat type, group size, distance to observer and conservation status of the area on the likelihood of animal behavioural adjustments (walking away, fleeing or giving alarm calls). Habitat type did not affect the likelihood of a response towards humans. Dik diks were less likely to respond towards human when they were in larger groups. In contrast, zebras and Thomson's gazelles were marginally significantly more likely to show a response when in larger groups. Responses of all species were significantly or marginally significantly (elephant) lower with increasing distance from observers (an increase by one meter distance changed the response likelihood by 0.01–0.30). Four species (zebra, wildebeest, impala, dik dik) showed a gradual adjustment of responsiveness according to conservation status and were most responsive in non‐protected and least responsive in fully protected areas (0.02–0.29 times less responsive in fully vs. multiple‐use areas). However, elephants, giraffes and both gazelle species did not significantly adjust their behaviour according to conservation status. This suggests that the behaviour of some species can be used as useful indicator of conservation status of an area whereas the behaviour of other species does not allow discriminating between management types. More generally, our study highlights the importance of assessing and controlling illegal hunting in multiple‐use areas and suggests a stronger consideration of human‐induced risk effects in the conservation of ungulates.
Annual cycle of nest composition in the queen‐dimorphic weaver antPolyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870 (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) in northernQueensland
Authors: Downes Michael F 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTheAustralian spiny weaver antPolyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870 is an arboreal formicine ant that constructs nests using silk and particulate matter (carton). BetweenSeptember 2009 andDecember 2012, the contents of 181P. australisnests were recorded. Of these, 14% were queenless, 21% were monogynous and 65% were polygynous. Monogynous nests had more than double the number of brood per queen, but were outnumbered nine to one by polygynous nests inJanuary, just after the reproductive phase and before the heaviest rain of the wet season. This proportion fell close to equal before the start of the next reproductive phase inSeptember, suggesting attrition of queens by competition during the ergonomic phase of the annual cycle that peaks inMay. The reproductive phase of the annual cycle started with the appearance of new gynes inSeptember throughNovember. Male production increased inOctober, peaked inNovember andDecember, and declined inJanuary. Hence, gynes were produced before males (protogyny). The pupal sex ratio was heavily male‐biased during this time. Males continued to be produced in relatively low numbers throughout the year, supporting (along with other evidence including nest‐size limiting habitat structure) the view thatP. australiscolonies are polygynous and polydomous. The polygynous status of most nests may have arisen more from retention of queens in the mother nest than from adoption. Queen size was bimodal and the microgyne–macrogyne dimorphism may point to a mixed strategy of nest/colony founding whereby macrogynes typically fly and establish colonies independently, while microgynes typically walk to new nest sites and found nests dependently under the protection of a retinue of workers. In support of this inference, all of 49 queens which displayed brachyptery or other wing malformations were microgynes.
Detection rate and outcome of colonic serrated epithelial changes in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis
Authors: Johnson D. H. , Khanna S. , Smyrk T. C. , Loftus E. V. , Anderson K. S. , Mahoney D. W. , Ahlquist D. A. , Kisiel J. B. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundChronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) and colonic Crohn's disease (CD) increase colorectal neoplasia (CRN) risk. While sessile serrated polyp (SSP) is a known cancer precursor, serrated epithelial changes (SEC) are of uncertain prevalence and neoplastic risk.AimTo assess the serrated lesion detection rates in CUC and CD and documented incidence of subsequent CRN in a retrospective, single‐centre cohort study.MethodsPatients were identified by a central diagnostic index and pathology review confirmed SEC, SSP, CUC and CD diagnoses from 2006–12. Matched controls were identified from among all CUC and CD patients having colonoscopy during the second half of the time period. All were followed for incident CRN, estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsBetween 2006 and 2012, 79 SEC and 10 SSP cases were identified. Detection rates were estimated to be 10/1000 and 2/1000 patients, for SEC and SSP respectively, among 4208 unique CUC or CD patients having colonoscopy from 2010–12. With only 10 cases, SSP patients were not further analysed. Cumulative incidence of subsequent CRN at 1 and 3 years was 12% (95% CI, 0–30%) and 30% (3–57%), respectively, in SEC patients compared to 4% (0–12%) and 9% (0–23%), respectively, in CUC or CD controls (P = 0.047, log‐rank). However, this statistical difference was not significant after patients were stratified for history of prior or synchronous dysplasia (P = 0.09).ConclusionsSerrated epithelial changes and sessile serrated polyps are uncommonly detected by colonoscopy in chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients. Histology with changes of serrated epithelium may be associated with risk of subsequent colorectal neoplasia, however further studies are needed to explore this relationship.
Technology use and learning characteristics of students in higher education: Do generational differences exist?
Authors: Lai Kwok‐Wing , Hong Kian‐Sam 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAs digital technologies form an inextricable part of young people's everyday lives, some commentators claim that the current generation of learners think and learn differently from their predecessors. This study investigated the validity of this claim by surveying 799 undergraduate and 81 postgraduate students at a large research‐intensive university in New Zealand to document their use of digital technologies on university and social activities and comparing three age groups of students (under 20, 20–30 and over 30) to see whether there were any differences in their learning characteristics. The findings of the study showed that while students spent a large amount of time on digital technologies, the range of digital technologies they used was rather limited. There were also no practical generational differences in the technology use pattern and learning characteristics found in this study. The results of this study suggest that generation is not a determining factor in students' use of digital technologies for learning nor has generation had a radical impact on learning characteristics of higher education students.
Linking Land‐Use Scenarios, Remote Sensing and Monitoring to Project Impact of Management Decisions
Authors: Farwig Nina , Lung Tobias , Schaab Gertrud , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLarge‐scale modifications of natural ecosystems lead to mosaics of natural, semi‐natural and intensively used habitats. To improve communication in conservation planning, managers and other stakeholders need spatially explicit projections at the landscape scale of future biodiversity under different land‐use scenarios. For that purpose, we visualized the potential effect of five forest management scenarios on the avifauna of Kakamega Forest, western Kenya using different measures of bird diversity and GIS data. Future projections of bird diversity combined: (1) remotely sensed data on the spatial distribution of different forest management types; (2) field‐based data on the biodiversity of birds in the different management types; and (3) forest management scenarios that took into account possible views of various stakeholder groups. Management scenarios based on the species richness of forest specialists were very informative, because they reflected differences in the proportions of near‐natural forest types among the five scenarios. Projections based on community composition were even more meaningful, as they mirrored not only the proportions of near‐natural forest types, but also their perimeter to area ratios. This highlights that it is important to differentiate effects of the total area of available habitat and the degree of habitat fragmentation, both for species richness and community composition. Furthermore, our study shows that an approach that combines land‐use scenarios, remote sensing and field data on biodiversity can be used to visualize future biodiversity. As such, visualizations of alternative scenarios are valuable for successful communication about conservation planning considering different groups of stakeholders in species‐rich tropical forests.
Mutations in POT1 predispose to familial cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Trigueros‐Motos L. 
Published: April 2014

POT1 loss‐of‐function variants predispose to familial melanomaRobles‐Espinoza et al. (2014)Nat Genet 46(5):478–481Rare missense variants in POT1 predispose to familial cutaneous malignant melanomaShi et al. (2014)Nat Genet 46(5):482–486
Genotyping of high‐risk human papillomaviruses in p16/Ki‐67‐positive urothelial carcinoma cells: even a worm will turn
Authors: Advenier A.‐S. , Casalegno J.‐S. , Mekki Y. , Decaussin‐Petrucci M. , Mège‐Lechevallier F. , Ruffion A. , Piaton E. 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveCo‐expression of p16INK4a protein and Ki‐67 (p16/Ki‐67) is noted in almost all high‐grade urothelial lesions. However, the aetiological role or, conversely, the absence of causative effect of high‐risk human papillomaviruses (hr‐HPVs) has not been documented. The purpose of this study is to evaluate HPV DNA in p16/Ki‐67‐positive, high‐grade urothelial tumour cells.MethodsFifty‐seven urine samples collected from 50 patients, including 55 histologically proven high‐grade proliferations and two cases with clinical evidence of malignancy, were analysed for p16/Ki‐67. Immunolabelling was performed in destained Papanicolaou‐stained slides after ThinPrep® processing. HPV genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a DNA microarray for 35 HPV types. Confirmation of the presence (or absence) of HPV in tissue samples was verified using a reasoned approach combining PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) for hr‐HPVs.ResultsCo‐expression of p16/Ki‐67 was noted in 43 of 57 (75.4%) cases. In these, hr‐HPVs 16, 31 and 70, and low risk HPV 84, were detected in the urine in four patients (8%). Upregulation of p16INK4a protein was confirmed on bladder biopsy or transurethral resection specimens, but PCR and ISH for hr‐HPVs were both negative on the tissue sections.ConclusionOur results show a low prevalence of HPV infection in the urinary tract of patients with p16/Ki‐67‐positive urothelial malignancy. The study confirms that the deregulated cell cycle, as demonstrated by p16/Ki‐67 dual labelling, is independent of the oncogenic action of hr‐HPVs in high‐grade urothelial proliferations.
Parabiotic ants: the costs and benefits of symbiosis
Authors: MENZEL FLORIAN , KRIESELL HANNAH , WITTE VOLKER 
Published: April 2014

1. Mutualisms are important drivers of co‐evolution and speciation. However, they typically imply costs for one or both partners. Each partner consequently tries to maximise benefits and minimise costs. Mutualisms can therefore develop towards commensalism or parasitism if one partner fails to provide sufficient benefits. This is particularly likely in diffuse interactions, where multiple species can associate with each other. If costs and benefits of a species vary with the identity of the partner species, this may result in a geographical mosaic of co‐evolution.2. In the present study, inter‐specific interactions in two parabiotic associations of ants were studied (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). One Crematogaster species was associated with one of two closely related Camponotus species. We assessed cost and benefits by studying behavioural interactions, foraging behaviour, and nest defence in the associations.3. While parabioses had been shown to be mutualistic, evidence was found for exploitation and aggressive competition between species. In spite of apparent costs of being exploited, we found no benefits for one partner (Crematogaster). The magnitude of potential costs to Crematogaster varied between the two Camponotus species.4. We conclude that the cost/benefit ratio for Crematogaster varies between the two Camponotus partners, and between environmental conditions. Parabiosis can thus fluctuate between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, with Crematogaster being the species that may have higher costs than benefits.5. We suggest that geneflow in the Crematogaster population hinders local adaptation to the resulting mosaic of locally varying selection pressures. This study demonstrates how diffuse interactions and environmental variation can result in a complex of local selection pressures.
[¹²³I]FP‐CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) may be a useful tool to differentiate between Parkinson's disease and vascular or drug‐induced parkinsonisms: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Brigo F. , Matinella A. , Erro R. , Tinazzi M. 
Published: April 2014

Background and purposeDifferentiating idiopathic Parkinson's disease from secondary parkinsonian syndromes is crucial since their management and prognosis differ considerably. Functional imaging of the dopaminergic pathway by means of [¹²³I]FP‐CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) might be useful in this regard, but its role is still controversial. The accuracy of DaTSCAN in the differential diagnosis between Parkinson's disease and vascular or drug‐induced parkinsonism was therefore systematically reviewed.MethodsMEDLINE and CENTRAL were searched for studies aiming to determine accuracy measures (sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive and negative likelihood ratios) of DaTSCAN in differentiating between Parkinson's disease and vascular or drug‐induced parkinsonism.ResultsFive studies were included. Pooled accuracy measures in differentiating between Parkinson's disease and vascular or drug‐induced parkinsonism were relatively high, with sensitivity and specificity values above 85% and 80%, respectively.ConclusionsDaTSCAN might accurately differentiate between early Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonian conditions, namely vascular or drug‐induced, in patients with clinically unclear parkinsonism. However, all the studies reviewed here show several methodological limits, which prevent definitive conclusions on the role of DaTSCAN being drawn in this context. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and definitely evaluate the utility of DaTSCAN in differentiating between Parkinson's disease and vascular or drug‐induced parkinsonism.
Early‐onset Alzheimer's disease: a global cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Panegyres P. K. , Chen H. Y. ,   the Coalition against Major Diseases (CAMD)
Published: April 2014

Background and purposeLittle is known about factors associated with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD), which occurs before 65 years of age. The identification of factors of EOAD might provide insights into Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.MethodsData from over 3000 subjects with AD from C‐Path Online Data Repository were used to compare demographics, comorbidities and prescribed medications between EOAD and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). The generalized estimating equations binomial model was used to identify factors associated with EOAD, allowing for within‐trials correlation (multiple patients from one single trial).ResultsDespite the similar proportions in White, Asian and Black between EOAD and LOAD, a significantly higher proportion of EOAD population was from other races: Native American Indian, Alaskan and Hawaiian and other minorities (including Hispanics) (P < 0.0001); and were more likely to have anxiety or depression (P < 0.0001). A high proportion of the LOAD population reported a history of AD from any relative (70% vs. 58%); atrial fibrillation, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, hypercholesterolaemia and hypothyroidism were over‐represented in LOAD (P < 0.01). LOAD patients used more risperidone and donepezil (P < 0.01). The multivariable model results showed that, compared with LOAD, EOAD patients were more frequently from other races and were more likely to have anxiety or depression, with less hypertension, stroke and atrial fibrillation.ConclusionEarly‐onset Alzheimer's disease is found more frequently in Native American Indians, Alaskans, Hawaiians and other minorities, including Hispanics; patients with EOAD have more anxiety or depression. EOAD occurs independently of hypertension, stroke and atrial fibrillation.
Structure of the iron‐free true C‐terminal half of bovine lactoferrin produced by tryptic digestion and its functional significance in the gut
Authors: Rastogi Nilisha , Singh Avinash , Pandey Sada Nand , Sinha Mau , Bhushan Asha , Kaur Punit , Sharma Sujata , Singh Tej P. 
Published: May 2014

Bovine lactoferrin, a 76‐kDa glycoprotein (Ala1–Arg689) consists of two similar N‐ and C‐terminal molecular halves with the ability to bind two Fe3+ ions. The N‐terminal half, designated as the N‐lobe (Ala1–Arg341) and the C‐terminal half designated as the C‐lobe (Tyr342–Arg689) have similar iron‐binding properties, but the resistant C‐lobe prolongs the physiological role of bovine lactoferrin in the digestive tract. Here, we report the crystal structure of true C‐lobe, which was produced by limited proteolysis of bovine lactoferrin using trypsin. In the first proteolysis step, two fragments of 21 kDa (Glu86–Lys282) and 45 kDa (Ser283–Arg689) were generated because two lysine residues, Lys85 and Lys282, in the structure of iron‐saturated bovine lactoferrin were fully exposed. The 45‐kDa fragment was further digested at the newly exposed side chain of Arg341, generating a 38‐kDa perfect C‐lobe (Tyr342–Arg689). By contrast, the apo‐lactoferrin was cut by trypsin only at Arg341, which was exposed in the structure of apo‐lactoferrin, whereas the other two sites with Lys85 and Lys282 are inaccessible. The purified iron‐saturated C‐lobe was crystallized at pH 4.0. The structure was determined by the molecular replacement method using coordinates of the C‐terminal half (Arg342–Arg689) of intact camel apo‐lactoferrin. The structure determination revealed that the iron atom was absent and the iron‐binding cleft was found in a wide‐open conformation, whereas in the previously determined structure of iron‐saturated C‐lobe of bovine lactoferrin, the iron atom was present and the iron‐binding site was in the closed confirmation.Structured digital abstract

trypsin cleaves lactoferrin by enzymatic study (
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Fatigue crack growth analysis of a reinforced cylindrical shell under random loading
Authors: Salari M. , Shahani A. R. , Moayeri Kashani H. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTIn this paper, fatigue crack growth analysis and reliability evaluation of a reinforced cylindrical shell subjected to random loading have been studied. At first, random loading is extracted from an experimentally obtained power spectral density curve. Then, stress analysis of the shell is carried out using Abaqus® (ABAQUS Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA) standard code with the aid of a shell‐to‐solid submodelling technique, and the critical positions susceptible of crack nucleation are determined. Then, the fatigue crack propagation is simulated three‐dimensionally in these regions using the Zencrack® software (Zentech International Ltd, London, UK), and the fatigue life and reliability are calculated using the central limit theory. For the evaluation of fatigue life of the full‐scale structure, a procedure of fatigue crack growth and linking up of the two adjacent cracks emanating from critical rivet holes is outlined under random cyclic loading. Using stochastic analysis, closed‐form relations are derived for the probability of failure and reliability.
Taguchi sensitivity analysis of damage parameters for predicting the damage Mechanism of 9Cr steel under low‐cycle fatigue test
Authors: Hormozi R. , Biglari F. , Nikbin K. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTNumerical investigations of low‐cycle fatigue damage parameters of a 9Cr steel have been studied and compared with the previous results in order to understand the effect of the damage parameters on predicting the damage development of the material. Using the nonlinear kinematic softening criterion, the Chaboche constitutive equation is combined with the hysteresis total stress–strain energy concept to implement damage initiation and evolution; the remaining life of the specimen can be predicted. In this paper, the cyclic softening model in conjunction with the progressive damage evolution model successfully predicted the failure times of the experimental tests. By using a novel sensitivity analysis of the damage parameters c1, c2, c3 and c4 based on the Taguchi method, the highest parameter effect has been determined.
Fisheries management scenarios: trade‐offs between economic and biological objectives
Authors: Maravelias C. D. , Pantazi M. , Maynou F. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAn age‐structured, population biology submodel and an economic submodel with vessel‐specific dynamics were applied to a demersal fishery in the North Aegean (NE Mediterranean) that consists of three main stocks: European hake Merluccius merluccius (L.), red mullet Mullus barbatus L. and striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus L. The Mefisto model is a bioeconomic simulation model through which the biological and economic submodels (disaggregated at the vessel level) are linked by means of a fishing mortality vector. Alternative management scenarios were built and tested based on input controls, and the performance of these strategies was examined against those of current policies. Three alternative management strategies were as follows: (1) reducing the coastal fisheries' fleet units; (2) limiting the effort level (days at sea) of the trawl fleets; and (3) changing the selectivity patterns of the trawl by increasing mesh size. The results show that for all three species, any of the three management measures (input controls) would be beneficial to both the stock and the fleets (over the medium and long terms) compared with the projections over time for the status quo. Improving the selectivity of the fishing gear proved to be more beneficial than limiting nominal effort, which was in turn more beneficial than decreasing coastal fleet size.