bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case–control study of MC1R variants in Greek patients with basal cell carcinoma: increased risk independently of pigmentary characteristics
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Sypsa Vana , Kypreou Katerina , Dimisianos Gerasimos , Kodela Elisavet , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Antoniou Christina , Stratigos Alexander J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMelanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants are a major contributor to pigmentation characteristics and the modulation of sporadic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) risk. This is a hospital‐based, case–control study to investigate the association of MC1R variants and pigmentary characteristics with the risk of BCC development in a Southern European population in Greece. In total, 141 patients with BCC and 166 controls were studied. Increased BCC risk was found for the presence of 2 or more MC1R variants (OR:3.07, 95% CI:1.13–8.34), or 2 or more variants of which at least 1 was major function (OR:7.15, 95% CI:1.37–5.52), after adjustment for the ‘red hair colour’ (RHC) phenotype. Increased BCC risk persisted in the presence of 2 or more MC1R variants (OR:4.15, 95% CI:1.35–12.72), after adjustment for potential confounding factors including skin color (P:0.237) and atypical nevi (OR:9.57, 95% CI:2.19–41.81, P:0.003). MC1R genotype is a risk factor for the development of BCC in Greek patients independently of pigmentary characteristics, and the combination of MC1R variants may modulate this risk.
Spectral and cepstral analyses for Parkinson's disease detection in Spanish vowels and words
Authors: Orozco‐Arroyave J. R. , Hönig Florian , Arias‐Londoño J. D. , Vargas‐Bonilla J. F. , Nöth Elmar 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAbout 1% of people older than 65 years suffer from Parkinson's disease (PD) and 90% of them develop several speech impairments, affecting phonation, articulation, prosody and fluency. Computer‐aided tools for the automatic evaluation of speech can provide useful information to the medical experts to perform a more accurate and objective diagnosis and monitoring of PD patients and can help also to evaluate the correctness and progress of their therapy. Although there are several studies that consider spectral and cepstral information to perform automatic classification of speech of people with PD, so far it is not known which is the most discriminative, spectral or cepstral analysis. In this paper, the discriminant capability of six sets of spectral and cepstral coefficients is evaluated, considering speech recordings of the five Spanish vowels and a total of 24 isolated words. According to the results, linear predictive cepstral coefficients are the most robust and exhibit values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve above 0.85 in 6 of the 24 words.
Higher zooplankton species richness associated with an invertebrate top predator
Authors: Walseng Bjørn , Andersen Tom , Hessen Dag O. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

A dataset of 1735 Norwegian lakes, spanning a wide range of geographical, physical, chemical and biological properties, was analysed to assess the role of the top invertebrate predator, Bythotrephes longimanus, on the crustacean species richness and community structure.

Bythotrephes was associated with a 25.5% increase in mean richness of other zooplankton species, and this effect could not be related to confounding factors. Based on presence–absence data, community composition did not differ significantly between lakes with and without this top predator.

Neither fish predation nor lake area, altitude, and geographical or physicochemical parameters offer any obvious impact on the observed diversity patterns. We suggest that Bythotrephes facilitates species richness by reducing the abundance of species controlling subdominant species.

This pattern of increased diversity offers an interesting contrast to North American lakes recently invaded by Bythotrephes, where species richness typically has decreased, suggesting different short‐term and long‐term effects of predatory invaders.
Internal transport of alien and native plants by geese and ducks: an experimental study
Authors: García‐Álvarez Alberto , van Leeuwen Casper H. A. , Luque Carlos J. , Hussner Andreas , Vélez‐Martín Alberto , Pérez‐Vázquez Andrés , Green Andy J. , Castellanos Eloy M. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Alien plant species are rapidly spreading in aquatic ecosystems around the world, causing major ecological effects. They are typically introduced by humans, after which natural vectors facilitate their further spread. Migratory waterbirds have long been recognised as important dispersal vectors for native and aquatic plants, yet little is known about their role in the spread of alien species.

We determined experimentally the potential for long‐distance dispersal of native and alien wetland plants in Europe by two abundant waterfowl: mallards Anas platyrhynchos and greylag geese Anser anser. We fed seeds from two plants alien to Europe and two native plants to 10 individuals of each bird species, testing for the effects of bird and plant species on the potential for dispersal.

Intact seeds were retrieved from faeces for up to 4 days after ingestion. The proportion of seeds retrieved intact varied significantly between plant, but not bird, species. Retrieval was highest for the invasive water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora (>35% of ingested seeds), lowest for the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora (<3%) and intermediate for the native glasswort Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and seablite Suaeda vera (5–10%).

Seed retrieval patterns over time varied between both plant and bird species. Contrary to expectations, seeds were retained in the gut for longer in the smaller mallards. No Spartina seeds germinated after retention for over 8 h, whereas some seeds of the other species germinated even after retention for 72 h. Germinability was reduced by gut passage for Ludwigia and Arthrocnemum seeds. Ludwigia seeds recovered from geese were more likely to germinate than those recovered from mallards. Time to germination was reduced by gut passage for Spartina and Ludwigia, but increased with retention time.

Ducks and geese evidently have the potential for long‐distance transport of alien and native plant seeds, with maximal dispersal distances of well over 1000 km. The much greater potential of Ludwigia than Spartina for dispersal by waterfowl is consistent with its faster expansion across Europe. Maximum retention times of wetland seeds have been underestimated in previous experimental studies that lasted only 1–2 days. Contrary to previous studies, wetland plants with large seeds, such as Ludwigia, can still show high potential for long‐distance dispersal. More attention should be paid to the role of waterbirds as vectors of alien plants and to the role of migratory geese as vectors of plants in general.
A laboratory experiment to determine the dispersal response of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry to street light intensity
Authors: Riley W. D. , Davison P. I. , Maxwell D. L. , Newman R. C. , Ives M. J. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

The effect of a range of ecologically relevant broader spectrum street light intensities on the dispersal timing of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry was investigated to assess the efficacy of a proposed management tool, the dimming of lamp brightness, for reducing the ecological consequences of artificial night light on aquatic ecosystems. Dispersal timing under treatment street light intensities of 8, 4, 2 and 1 lux was compared to that under a control night light intensity of 0.1 lux, representative of approximately half that experienced from a full moon.

Dispersal timing was significantly delayed (by 1.4 to 2.2 days), and its diel pattern significantly disrupted under the treatment street light intensities. However, the dose–response for both delay and disruption effects was not linear, with a strong effect apparent at 1 lux, and little or no additional impact seen when the light intensity was increased further. Under control conditions, the mean time of dispersal was 3:58 h after dusk, with very few fry (<4%) dispersing during daylight hours. For the treatment street light intensities, the mean time of dispersal of fry was significantly later (5:31 h after dusk at 1 lux) at night, and a much wider distribution of fry dispersal times was apparent with many more fry (19% at 1 lux) dispersing during daylight hours.

Survival to dispersal in aquarium conditions was high (≥97.8%) and comparable in the control and treatment street light intensities. However, in the wild, the period between fry dispersal and the establishment of feeding territories is considered to be of critical importance in the dynamics of salmonid populations and any disruption may significantly increase predation and reduce fitness.

The findings of this aquarium‐based investigation suggest that the dimming of lamp brightness has little potential as a successful management strategy to reduce the disruptive impact of street lighting surrounding freshwater ecosystems. We therefore recommend that the best course of action is to maintain and increase natural unlit areas.
Acute cholecystitis in elderly patients after hip fracture: Incidence and epidemiology
Authors: Choo Suk Kyu , Park Hyung Jun , Oh Hyoung‐Keun , Kang Yoo Kyung , Kim Youngwoo 
Published: March 2015

AimAcute cholecystitis is a medical complication that can develop in the postoperative period after hip surgery. However, few studies have examined this complication in elderly patients. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the incidence and clinical manifestations of acute cholecystitis after hip fracture in elderly patients.MethodsMedical records and radiological studies of patients aged older than 65 years who underwent hip surgery for femoral neck or intertrochanteric fractures at a single hospital from April 2003 to March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed the type of cholecystitis (acalculous or calculous), clinical manifestations, fracture type (neck or trochanteric fracture), age, sex, body mass index, type of surgery, time to surgery, time from surgery to onset of acute cholecystitis and the timing of ambulation in acute cholecystitis cases.ResultsThere were nine confirmed acute cholecystitis cases among 1211 hip fractures; thus, the incidence of acute cholecystitis within 2 months after hip fracture surgery was 0.74%.ConclusionsThe incidence of acute cholecystitis was higher than we expected, and this condition can lead to more serious problems if overlooked. Acute cholecystitis as a medical complication after hip fracture was underestimated in previous studies. Furthermore, acute cholecystitis should be considered as a complication of hip fracture, not hip surgery, in the elderly. The present study does not imply that hip fracture causes acute cholecystitis, although elderly hip fracture patients are in an extremely debilitated state and are prone to developing acute cholecystitis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 16: 380–383.
Non‐elective cardiac surgery in octogenarians: Do these patients benefit in terms of clinical outcomes and quality of life?
Authors: Deschka Heinz , Müller Dirk , Dell'Aquila Angelo , Matthäus Martin , Erler Stefan , Wimmer‐Greinecker Gerhard 
Published: March 2015

AimThe general assumption that non‐elective cardiac procedures in octogenarians are related to poor postoperative outcomes and quality of life (QOL) might lead to a non‐justified exclusion of elderly patients from surgical treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess survival, functional outcome and quality of life of octogenarians undergoing non‐elective cardiac surgery.MethodsBetween 2009 and 2011, 62 consecutive octogenarians (mean age 83.5 ± 3.5 years) underwent urgent (n = 33) or emergency (n = 29) cardiac surgery. In 69% of patients, coronary artery bypass grafting was carried out, and 24% of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting plus valve surgery. Preoperative risk, as well as the postoperative course, was analyzed. All discharged patients were contacted to gain information about survival, functional capacity and QOL using the Barthel Mobility Index and the Short Form 12 Health Survey questionnaire. Results were compared with age‐adjusted population data.ResultsIn‐hospital mortality was 32.3% overall, 9.3% in urgent cases and 56.7% in emergency cases. After a mean follow‐up period of 447 ± 359 days, survival of the discharged patients was 93.1% (urgent) and 76.9% (emergency), respectively. QOL measures of the survivors were equivalent to those of the general elderly population. Functional capacity, calculated with Barthel Index, was high in both groups (86 ± 13 and 81 ± 21). A total of 92% of the patients were living at home.ConclusionsAlthough non‐elective cardiac surgery in the elderly is related to high in‐hospital mortality, physical and psychological recovery of the survivors is encouraging. QOL equals that of the general elderly population, and good functional status offers a highly independent life. Therefore, age per se should not disqualify patients from urgent or emergency cardiac surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 416‐423.
NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers
Authors: Knight Rosemary , Walsh David O. , Butler James J. , Grunewald Elliot , Liu Gaisheng , Parsekian Andrew D. , Reboulet Edward C. , Knobbe Steve , Barrows Mercer 
Published: March 2015

AbstractNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging provides a new means of estimating the hydraulic conductivity (K) of unconsolidated aquifers. The estimation of K from the measured NMR parameters can be performed using the Schlumberger‐Doll Research (SDR) equation, which is based on the Kozeny–Carman equation and initially developed for obtaining permeability from NMR logging in petroleum reservoirs. The SDR equation includes empirically determined constants. Decades of research for petroleum applications have resulted in standard values for these constants that can provide accurate estimates of permeability in consolidated formations. The question we asked: Can standard values for the constants be defined for hydrogeologic applications that would yield accurate estimates of K in unconsolidated aquifers? Working at 10 locations at three field sites in Kansas and Washington, USA, we acquired NMR and K data using direct‐push methods over a 10‐ to 20‐m depth interval in the shallow subsurface. Analysis of pairs of NMR and K data revealed that we could dramatically improve K estimates by replacing the standard petroleum constants with new constants, optimal for estimating K in the unconsolidated materials at the field sites. Most significant was the finding that there was little change in the SDR constants between sites. This suggests that we can define a new set of constants that can be used to obtain high resolution, cost‐effective estimates of K from NMR logging in unconsolidated aquifers. This significant result has the potential to change dramatically the approach to determining K for hydrogeologic applications.
Practical Use of Computationally Frugal Model Analysis Methods
Authors: Hill Mary C. , Kavetski Dmitri , Clark Martyn , Ye Ming , Arabi Mazdak , Lu Dan , Foglia Laura , Mehl Steffen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThree challenges compromise the utility of mathematical models of groundwater and other environmental systems: (1) a dizzying array of model analysis methods and metrics make it difficult to compare evaluations of model adequacy, sensitivity, and uncertainty; (2) the high computational demands of many popular model analysis methods (requiring 1000's, 10,000 s, or more model runs) make them difficult to apply to complex models; and (3) many models are plagued by unrealistic nonlinearities arising from the numerical model formulation and implementation. This study proposes a strategy to address these challenges through a careful combination of model analysis and implementation methods. In this strategy, computationally frugal model analysis methods (often requiring a few dozen parallelizable model runs) play a major role, and computationally demanding methods are used for problems where (relatively) inexpensive diagnostics suggest the frugal methods are unreliable. We also argue in favor of detecting and, where possible, eliminating unrealistic model nonlinearities—this increases the realism of the model itself and facilitates the application of frugal methods. Literature examples are used to demonstrate the use of frugal methods and associated diagnostics. We suggest that the strategy proposed in this paper would allow the environmental sciences community to achieve greater transparency and falsifiability of environmental models, and obtain greater scientific insight from ongoing and future modeling efforts.
“Emerging from the Shadows: New Developments in the History of Interracial Sex and Intermarriage in Colonial North America and the Caribbean”
Authors: Livesay Daniel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article analyzes recent historical scholarship on cross‐racial pairings in colonial North America and the Caribbean. The degree of tolerance for these matches, as well as the accommodation of the mixed‐race children born from them, illuminates the contours and experiences of racial prejudice in this period. For many years scholars believed this to be primarily a phenomenon in Iberian colonies, and occasionally the French, with much work focusing on pairings between indigenous and European populations. However, recent scholarship has shown a greater degree of racial mixture in both the British and French colonies than once thought, even between African‐descended and European groups. This is especially true when the Caribbean is added to considerations of colonial attitudes. These developments open new doors into historical understandings of colonial race relations, slavery, and family compositions.
Evaluating effectiveness of small group information literacy instruction for Undergraduate Medical Education students using a pre‐ and post‐survey study design
Authors: McClurg Caitlin , Powelson Susan , Lang Eddy , Aghajafari Fariba , Edworthy Steven 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) programme at the University of Calgary is a three‐year programme with a strong emphasis on small group learning.ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to determine whether librarian led small group information literacy instruction, closely integrated with course content and faculty participation, but without a hands on component, was an effective means to convey EBM literacy skills.MethodFive 15‐minute EBM information literacy sessions were delivered by three librarians to 12 practicing physician led small groups of 15 students. Students were asked to complete an online survey before and after the sessions. Data analysis was performed through simple descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 144 of 160 students responded to the pre‐survey, and 112 students answered the post‐survey. Instruction in a small group environment without a mandatory hands on component had a positive impact on student's evidence‐based information literacy skills. Students were more likely to consult a librarian and had increased confidence in their abilities to search and find relevant information.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that student engagement and faculty involvement are effective tools for delivering information literacy skills when working with students in a small group setting outside of a computer classroom.
Overexpression of Ras‐GTPase‐activating protein SH3 domain‐binding protein 1 correlates with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Min Lingqiang , Ruan Yuanyuan , Shen Zhenbin , Jia Dongwei , Wang Xuefei , Zhao Junjie , Sun Yihong , Gu Jianxin 
Published: March 2015

AimsRas‐GTPase‐activating protein SH3 domain‐binding protein 1 (G3BP1) is a downstream effector of Ras signalling, and is overexpressed in several types of human malignancy. However, its role in gastric cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of G3BP1 in gastric cancer.Methods and resultsG3BP1 mRNA and protein levels in paired frozen tumour samples were detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Paraffin‐embedded tumour samples were used for immunohistochemistry. Gastric cancer cells were used to detect the tumorigenic role of G3BP1 in vitro. We found that G3BP1 protein expression was markedly increased in gastric cancer tissues as compared with corresponding non‐malignant mucosa, whereas corresponding changes in mRNA levels were not observed. G3BP1 staining was positively correlated with tumour size, vascular invasion, T classification, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and reduced overall survival. Further analysis identified G3BP1 as an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis, and combining G3BP1 with TNM stage generated a better predictive model for patient outcomes. G3BP1 also promoted proliferation, migration/invasion and extracellular signal‐related kinase and AKT activation in gastric cancer cells.ConclusionsOur data define G3BP1 as a novel independent prognostic factor that is correlated with gastric cancer progression.
Non‐destructive biomass estimation of Oecophylla smaragdina colonies: a model species for the ecological impact of ants
Authors: Pinkalski Christian , Damgaard Christian , Jensen Karl‐Martin V. , Gislum Rene , Peng Renkang , Offenberg Joachim 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

In most ecosystems, ants are a dominant part of the arthropod community. A thorough understanding of their ecological impact, however, has been hampered by limited availability of data on ant abundance. Therefore, we developed a method allowing quick and non‐destructive estimates of the biomass of Oecophylla smaragdina colonies in mango plantations.
The method was based on assessments of ant nest volume in relation to ant trail density and biomass content in relation to nest volume. The relationships between these variables were modelled using Bayesian latent variable models. The resulting models predicted ant biomass from ant trail activity with a maximum uncertainty of approximately 75% of the predicted value.
Five O. smaragdina colonies assessed in a mango plantation, ranged in size from 0.67 to 2.98 kg total ant biomass (fresh wt) and 84.578–376.635 workers for the smallest and largest colony respectively. Correspondingly, the density of ants in the plantation was 254 workers m−2 and a total biomass of 2.0 g ant fresh wt m−2.
With this proposed method, estimates of O. smaragdina abundance can be obtained non‐destructively with a minimum of workload and it enables the scaling up of physiological experiments on per capita rates. Thus, O. smaragdina can serve as a model species providing information on the impact of ants in tropical ecosystems.