bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary guild composition and disaggregation of avian assemblages under climate change
Authors: Ko Chia‐Ying , Schmitz Oswald J. , Barbet‐Massin Morgane , Jetz Walter 
Published: October 2013

AbstractClimate change is expected to cause geographic redistributions of species. To the extent that species within assemblages have different niche requirements, assemblages may no longer remain intact and dis‐ and reassemble at current or new geographic locations. We explored how climate change projected by 2100 may transform the world's avian assemblages (characterized at a 110 km spatial grain) by modeling environmental niche‐based changes to their dietary guild structure under 0, 500, and 2000 km‐dispersal distances. We examined guild structure changes at coarse (primary, high‐level, and mixed consumers) and fine (frugivores, nectarivores, insectivores, herbivores, granivores, scavengers, omnivores, and carnivores) ecological resolutions to determine whether or not geographic co‐occurrence patterns among guilds were associated with the magnitude to which guilds are functionally resolved. Dietary guilds vary considerably in their global geographic prevalence, and under broad‐scale niche‐based redistribution of species, these are projected to change very heterogeneously. A nondispersal assumption results in the smallest projected changes to guild assemblages, but with significant losses for some regions and guilds, such as South American insectivores. Longer dispersal distances are projected to cause greater degrees of disassembly, and lead to greater homogenization of guild composition, especially in northern Asia and Africa. This arises because projected range gains and losses result in geographically heterogeneous patterns of guild compensation. Projected decreases especially of primary and mixed consumers most often are compensated by increases in high‐level consumers, with increasing uncertainty about these outcomes as dispersal distance and degree of guild functional resolution increase. Further exploration into the consequences of these significant broad‐scale ecological functional changes at the community or ecosystem level should be increasingly on the agenda for conservation science.
Community composition has greater impact on the functioning of marine phytoplankton communities than ocean acidification
Authors: Eggers Sarah L. , Lewandowska Aleksandra M. , Barcelos e Ramos Joana , Blanco‐Ameijeiras Sonia , Gallo Francesca , Matthiessen Birte 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEcosystem functioning is simultaneously affected by changes in community composition and environmental change such as increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and subsequent ocean acidification. However, it largely remains uncertain how the effects of these factors compare to each other. Addressing this question, we experimentally tested the hypothesis that initial community composition and elevatedCO2are equally important to the regulation of phytoplankton biomass. We full‐factorially exposed three compositionally different marine phytoplankton communities to two differentCO2levels and examined the effects and relative importance (ω2) of the two factors and their interaction on phytoplankton biomass at bloom peak. The results showed that initial community composition had a significantly greater impact than elevatedCO2on phytoplankton biomass, which varied largely among communities. We suggest that the different initial ratios between cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dinoflagellates might be the key for the varying competitive and thus functional outcome among communities. Furthermore, the results showed that depending on initial community composition elevatedCO2selected for larger sized diatoms, which led to increased total phytoplankton biomass. This study highlights the relevance of initial community composition, which strongly drives the functional outcome, when assessing impacts of climate change on ecosystem functioning. In particular, the increase in phytoplankton biomass driven by the gain of larger sized diatoms in response to elevatedCO2potentially has strong implications for nutrient cycling and carbon export in future oceans.
Using CO2 to enhance carbon capture and biomass applications of freshwater macroalgae
Authors: Cole Andrew J. , Mata Leonardo , Paul Nicholas A. , de Nys Rocky 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA major limiting factor in the development of algae as a feedstock for the bioenergy industry is the consistent production and supply of biomass. This study is the first to access the suitability of the freshwater macroalgal genus Oedogonium to supply biomass for bioenergy applications. Specifically, we quantified the effect of CO2 supplementation on the rate of biomass production, carbon capture, and feedstock quality of Oedogonium when cultured in large‐scale outdoor tanks. Oedogonium cultures maintained at a pH of 7.5 through the addition of CO2 resulted in biomass productivities of 8.33 (±0.51) g DW m−2 day−1, which was 2.5 times higher than controls which had an average productivity of 3.37 (±0.75) g DW m−2 day−1. Under these productivities, Oedogonium had a carbon content of 41–45% and a higher heating value of 18.5 MJ kg−1, making it an ideal biomass energy feedstock. The rate of carbon fixation was 1380 g C m−2 yr−1 and 1073.1 g C m−2 yr−1 for cultures maintained at a pH of 7.5 and 8.5, and 481 g C m−2 yr−1 for cultures not supplemented with CO2. This study highlights the potential of integrating the large‐scale culture of freshwater macroalgae with existing carbon waste streams, for example coal‐fired power stations, both as a tool for carbon sequestration and as an enhanced and sustainable source of bioenergy.
Mode of larval development as a key factor to explain contrasting effects of temperature on species richness across oceans
Authors: Pappalardo Paula , Fernández Miriam 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimIt has been proposed that the mode of larval development (MLD) could explain the exceptions to the latitudinal gradient of species richness exhibited by several groups of marine organisms. We evaluate the generality of the latitudinal patterns of species richness for different MLDs, and analyse the effects of environmental variables on species richness – explicitly considering feeding type during the larval phase – to identify the relevance of the dichotomies between feeding and non‐feeding larvae and between pelagic and non‐pelagic development.LocationSouth America, from 10° to 54° S in the south‐western Atlantic and from 18° to 54° S in the south‐eastern Pacific.MethodsUsing molluscs and crustaceans in two oceans, we deconstructed latitudinal patterns of species richness for three MLDs (planktotrophic, lecithotrophic and direct development). The effects of sea water temperature, chlorophyll a concentration and shelf area on the spatial variation in species richness were analysed for each MLD.ResultsWe found remarkably similar trends in species richness deconstructed by MLD. Planktotrophic species richness decreased polewards, and the converse pattern was observed in direct developers. In the majority of groups with lecithotrophic development, species richness increased from middle to higher latitudes. The main component explaining the variation in species richness was the spatial structure of sea water temperature. Temperature showed positive effects on planktotrophic species and negative effects in almost all lecithotrophic or direct‐developing groups in both oceans and both taxa.Main conclusionsThe similar relationship of temperature with lecithotrophic and direct developers, which contrasts with planktotrophic species, suggests that food availability during planktonic larval development is a critical factor determining species distribution of marine invertebrates. We ruled out the cost of brooding as a single causal factor explaining the poleward increase in diversity of direct developers. Simple linear models can describe changes in the proportion of species with temperature within each MLD.
Disparities in arteriovenous fistula placement in older hemodialysis patients
Authors: Patibandla Bhanu K. , Narra Akshita , DeSilva Ranil , Chawla Varun , Vin Yael , Brown Robert S. , Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev Alexander S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe benefits of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis have been clearly demonstrated. However, only about 20% of patients in the United States initiate hemodialysis with an AVF. In this study, we assessed whether disparities exist in the type of first hemodialysis access placed prior to dialysis start (rather than that used at dialysis initiation), to detect whether certain disadvantaged groups might have lower likelihood of AVF placement. Study cohort of 118,767 incident hemodialysis patients ≥67 years of age (1/2005–12/2008) derived from the United States Renal Data System was linked with Medicare claims data to identify the type of initial access placed predialysis. We used logistic regression model with outcome being the initial predialysis placement of an AVF as opposed to an arteriovenous graft or a central venous catheter. Increasing age, female sex, black race, lower body mass index, urban location, certain comorbidities, and shorter pre–end‐stage renal disease nephrology care are all associated with a significantly lower likelihood of AVF placement as initial access predialysis. Our study suggests the presence of significant disparities in the placement of an AVF as initial hemodialysis vascular access. We suggest that additional attention should be paid to these patient groups to improve disparities by patient education, earlier referral, and close follow‐up.
Relationship between adhesion molecules and virological response to pegylated interferon‐alpha‐2a treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A pilot study
Authors: Gong Xueyan , Qin Bo , Ma Qian 
Published: October 2013

AimWe performed a clinical study to investigate potential association between serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules and virological response to pegylated interferon‐alpha‐2a (PEG IFN‐α‐2a) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).MethodsThirty‐two patients with chronic hepatitis B virus genotype B were recruited in this study, who were treated with PEG IFN‐α‐2a 180 μg every week and then followed up for 24 weeks. Thirty healthy control subjects were recruited from volunteer blood donors. Serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1), soluble E‐selectin (sE‐selectin), soluble L‐selectin (sL‐selectin) in patients were investigated by enzyme‐linked immunoassay before and after treatment.ResultsSerum concentrations of sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sE‐selectin and sL‐selectin in CHB patients were significantly higher compared to the control group before treatment (P < 0.00001, respectively). In CHB patients responding to the PEG IFN‐α‐2a treatment, serum levels of sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sE‐selectin and sL‐selectin were higher than those in non‐responders before treatment (PI = 0.001, PV = 0.002, PE = 0.02, PL = 0.004). The levels of sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sE‐selectin and sL‐selectin decreased in virological responders of treatment at 12 and 24 weeks (PI = 0.0001, PV = 0.00004, PE = 0.002, PL = 0.0004; PI = 0.00007, PV = 0.00001, PE = 0.0003, PL = 0.00003), while no obvious changes were observed in non‐responders (P > 0.05, respectively).ConclusionResults obtained indicated increased levels of sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, sE‐selectin and sL‐selectin could be related to virological response to PEG IFN‐α‐2a treatment in CHB patients, and have a prognostic effect on virological response.
Neuroendocrine differentiation correlates with hormone receptor expression and decreased survival in patients with invasive breast carcinoma
Authors: Kwon Sun Young , Bae Young Kyung , Gu Mi Jin , Choi Jung Eun , Kang Su Hwan , Lee Soo Jung , Kim Aeri , Jung Hye Ra , Kang Sun Hee , Oh Hoon Kyu , Park Ji Young 
Published: October 2013

AimsInvasive breast carcinoma (IBC) with neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation has been controversial in terms of its definition and clinical outcome. We investigated the incidence and clinical significance of NE differentiation in patients with IBC.Methods and resultsWe performed immunohistochemistry for NE markers, chromogranin‐A and synaptophysin on 1428 IBC samples using tissue microarrays and classified cases with NE differentiation into two groups, focal (1–49% tumour cells positive for any NE marker) and diffuse (≥50% tumour cells positive) groups. Fifty‐nine cases (4.1%) showed NE differentiation immunohistochemically, and the majority did not show typical NE morphology. The presence of NE differentiation showed a significant association with positive oestrogen receptor (P = 0.001) and progesterone receptor (P = 0.008) status. Patients with NE differentiation showed worse overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) than those without NE differentiation in both univariate (P < 0.001 for both) and multivariate (OS, P = 0.004; DFS, P < 0.001) analyses.ConclusionsIBC with NE differentiation is a distinct subtype of mammary carcinoma with an aggressive clinical outcome.
Occult hepatitis B virus coinfection in HIV‐positive African migrants to the UK: a point prevalence study
Authors: Chadwick D , Doyle T , Ellis S , Price D , Abbas I , Valappil M , Geretti AM 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesOccult (surface antigen‐negative/DNA‐positive) hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common in areas of the world where HBV is endemic. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HIV‐infected African migrants to the UK and to determine factors associated with occult coinfection.MethodsThis anonymized point‐prevalence study identified Africans attending three HIV clinics, focussing on patients naïve to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Stored blood samples were tested for HBV DNA. Prevalence was calculated in the entire cohort, as well as in subpopulations. Risk factors for occult HBV coinfection were identified using logistic regression analysis.ResultsAmong 335 HIV‐positive African migrants, the prevalence of occult HBV coinfection was 4.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8–7.4%] overall, and 6.5% (95% CI 3.9–10.6%) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.2–4.6%) in ART‐naïve and ART‐experienced patients, respectively. Among ART‐naïve anti‐HBV core (anti‐HBc)‐positive patients, the prevalence was 16.4% (95% CI 8.3–25.6%). The strongest predictor of occult coinfection was anti‐HBc positivity [odds ratio (OR) 7.4; 95% CI 2.0–27.6]. Median HBV DNA and ALT levels were 54 IU/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 33–513 IU/mL] and 22 U/L (IQR 13–27 U/L), respectively.ConclusionsOccult HBV coinfection remains under‐diagnosed in African HIV‐infected patients in the UK. Given the range of HBV DNA levels observed, further studies are warranted to determine its clinical significance and to guide screening strategies and ART selection in these patients.
The diet of Common GuillemotUria aalgechicks provides evidence of changing prey communities in the North Sea
Authors: Anderson Helen B. , Evans Peter G. H. , Potts Jacqueline M. , Harris Michael P. , Wanless Sarah 
Published: October 2013

Local differences in feeding conditions have been suggested as a cause of regional variation in seabird demography but multi‐colony comparisons of diet are rare. InUKwaters the main fish eaten by seabirds during the breeding season belong to three families: Ammodytidae, Clupeidae and Gadidae. Climate change and fishing are affecting these fish stocks and so probably impact on predators such as seabirds. We used standardized observations of prey brought in for chicks to make the first integrated assessment of the diet of Common GuillemotUria aalgechicks at aUKscale. Chick diet varied markedly among the 23 colonies sampled between 2006 and 2011. Sandeels (Ammodytidae), probably Lesser SandeelsAmmodytes marinus, were the commonest prey. Their contribution to the diet varied both latitudinally and among marine regions, with the proportion significantly higher for a given latitude on the west coast compared to the east. The non‐sandeel component of the diet showed latitudinal changes, with small clupeids, probably SpratsSprattus sprattus, predominant at southern colonies whereas juvenile gadids were the main alternative to sandeels in the north. Comparison of our Guillemot chick diet with data collected 15–30 years earlier suggests that the proportion of sandeels in the diet has decreased at colonies bordering the North Sea. No significant change was apparent in Atlantic colonies but historical data were limited. The early years of our study coincided with a population explosion of Snake PipefishEntelurus aequoreusin the Northeast Atlantic and North Sea. Pipefish were recorded in Guillemot chick diet at several northern and northwestern colonies in 2006 and 2007 but have been absent since 2009. Spatial and temporal variation in chick diet accorded broadly with patterns expected as a result of rising sea temperatures and impacts of fishing. Guillemot chick diet could potentially be a useful indicator of changes in the distribution and abundance of forage fish.
Biosimilars: how similar?
Authors: Strand V. , Cronstein B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAs patents expire on biological agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, we have the opportunity to develop non‐proprietary biologic agents, biosimilars. The development and approval of these agents present novel challenges to both pharma and regulatory agencies although there is great promise of high quality, less expensive biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Here, we review the definitions of biosimilars, the regulatory challenges to approval of these agents and the record of approvals of biosimilars to date.
Significant involvement of nuclear factor‐κB‐inducing kinase in proper differentiation of αβ and γδ T cells
Authors: Eshima Koji , Okabe Motohito , Kajiura Satoshi , Noma Haruka , Shinohara Nobukata , Iwabuchi Kazuya 
Published: October 2013

SummaryNuclear factor‐κB‐inducing kinase (NIK) is known to play a critical role in maintaining proper immune function. This is exemplified in the spontaneous mutant mouse lacking functional NIK, alymphoplasia (aly), which is simultaneously immune‐compromised and autoimmune‐prone. To investigate the role of NIK in αβ T‐cell repertoire formation, we analysed T‐cell development in aly/aly mice bearing a transgenic T‐cell receptor (TCR). Although there were no apparent abnormalities in the mature αβ T cells of non‐transgenic aly/aly mice, the maturation efficiency of idiotypehigh+ T cells in the TCR‐transgenic mice was lower in aly/aly mice compared with those found in aly/+ mice, suggesting that the mature αβ T‐cell repertoire could be altered by the absence of functional NIK. In one strain of TCR‐transgenic aly/aly mice with a negatively selecting H‐2 background, the proportion of CD8low+ idiotypehigh+ cells, which are thought to potentially represent the γδ lineage of T cells, was markedly decreased. When the γδ T cells in non‐transgenic aly/aly mice were investigated, the proportion of γδ T cells in the peripheral organs of aly/aly mice was found to be one‐half to one‐fifth of those in aly/+ mice. Analyses of bone marrow chimera mice indicated that NIK in host cells, rather than in donor cells was important for generating a normal number of peripheral γδ T cells. Collectively, these results suggest that NIK could be involved in thymic positive selection of some αβ T cells and that NIK in non‐haematopoietic cells is important for the optimal development and/or maintenance of γδ T cells.
Bank and Non‐Bank Financial Deepening and Economic Growth: The Nigerian Experience (1981–2010)
Authors: Iyoboyi Martins 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe paper aimed at empirically investigating the impact of financial deepening on the growth of an economy, with particular emphasis on Nigeria over the period 1981–2010. Financial deepening was segregated to capture both bank and non‐bank financial variables, because both are imperative to economic activities. The study therefore combined a proxy of banking sector development with stock market development to capture the influence of financial deepening on growth. The analysis is based on the bound testing approach to cointegration. The empirical results confirm cointegrated relationship between economic growth and financial deepening. The study also showed that, in the period of study, while there is bidirectional causality between bank financial deepening and economic growth, causality runs from economic growth to non‐bank financial deepening. The results of the investigation are in favour of the finance‐growth cum growth‐finance hypothesis. For the period under study, Nigeria's economic growth is sensitive to changes in financial deepening, past level of growth and the openness of the economy. It is therefore imperative that policies which seek to deliberately increase financial depth be vigorously pursued, in order to stimulate growth and consequently further deepen the financial sector of the economy.
Art Maps – Mapping the Multiple Meanings of Place
Authors: Sinker Rebecca , Giannachi Gabriella , Carletti Laura 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDigital technology enables us to prospect, generate, assemble and share eclectic materials, creating virtual journeys, stories or exhibitions through the internet, viewed on computer but also on location via mobile devices. How does the ability to create and curate in this way enhance or transform our access to and understanding of art, as well as our experience of place? What kind of meanings are we making for ourselves and others? And how are the creative responses of audiences viewed and valued in relation to the museum's curated collection? This article explores these questions through the development of Art Maps, a web and mobile application that enables people to locatively and creatively explore the relationship between art and place. Through participant research we are examining possibilities for a more open approach to interpreting Tate's digitised collection of art, testing the notional democratic shift from the museum as keeper of knowledge to co‐creator with the audience.
Beauty and the Beast – Can Life Drawing Support Female Students in Challenging Gendered Media Imagery?
Authors: Stanhope Clare 
Published: October 2013

AbstractHow does life drawing impact on a group of 14–16‐year‐old female art and design students and their perception of body image? In contemporary Western society, we are bombarded with advertising, social media and celebrity culture on a daily basis, often with a focus on body image. This article questions whether, due to this visual assault, young female students have a democratic choice in forming a relationship with the body. Alternatively, do they feel pressured into conforming to a media led image? This article analyses the reaction of a group of GCSE fine art students to life drawing and a naked female nude. It questions their perceptions of ‘normal’ and discusses if art‐based research projects can challenge contemporary issues and young female students' perception of body image.
We are Spanish, Born under Franco's Dictatorship, and we are Developing the Posbolonian Uniform Performance as a Form of Global Activism
Authors: Camarero Pilar Pérez , Cruzado Raúl Díaz‐Obregón 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe Posbolonian Uniform is a creative, artistic and performative response, undertaken as a criticism and opposition to the losses of democratic freedoms that have occurred in Spain recently. It is a bid by two university instructors for the use of artistic tools, specifically performance art, as a means of social transformation in their academic environments. It is a creative rebellion and academic disobedience seeking a depoliticization of education – a change in social reconstruction through the consolidation of critical thinking tools, as art ideally should be.