bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the effect of plantations on pine invasions in protected areas: a case study from South Africa
Authors: McConnachie Matthew M. , van Wilgen Brian W. , Richardson David M. , Ferraro Paul J. , Forsyth Aurelia T. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

Protected areas (PAs) are a key intervention for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. A major challenge for PAs is the control of invasive non‐native plants that spread into PAs from surrounding sources such as forestry plantations. The links between invasions and different source populations are poorly understood, making it difficult to apportion responsibilities for control costs.

We estimated the effect of plantations of invasive pines (Pinus species) on the spread of these trees into PAs in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR). We assessed the effect of (i) distance from plantation, (ii) plantation and PA orientation in relation to the prevailing wind and (iii) the proportionate size of the surrounding plantation on the abundance of invasions in PAs. We also estimated the historic and potential future costs of controlling invasions in the PAs.

PA management units within 3 km of a plantation had over double the pine cover of control units >6 km from plantations (6·12% vs. 2·39%). We attributed 51% of the pine invasions in PAs to plantations.

Neither the proportional size of the plantations nor their orientation relative to prevailing winds had a detectable effect on the cover of invasive pines.

Costs of controlling invasive pines in the study area totalled 98 million Rand (10 Rand = c. 1 US$ in 2013) between 2001 and 2012. It could cost between 273 and 916 million Rand (all future costs expressed in 2013 Rand), and take between 34 and 113 years, to clear the remaining invasive pines in the study area, depending on rates of spread and the cost–effectiveness of control.

Policy implications. Estimating the contribution of an invasion source, in this case forestry plantations, requires estimating an unobservable counterfactual outcome: the invasions that would have occurred in the absence of the plantations. We have made a first step towards doing this by using empirical approaches that vary in the strictness of their assumptions, along with robustness tests to that assess the plausibility of these assumptions. Our study provides the starting point for estimating the contribution of plantation forestry to protected area invasions in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa.
Hormonal contraceptive use before and after conception in relation to preterm birth and small for gestational age: an observational cohort study
Authors: Jensen ET , Daniels JL , Stürmer T , Robinson WR , Williams CJ , Vejrup K , Magnus P , Longnecker MP 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether hormonal contraceptives, used before or in early pregnancy, confer increased risk of preterm birth or reduced fetal growth.DesignPopulation‐based cohort study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Mother and Child Cohort Study, 1998–2008) with linkage to the Norwegian Prescription Registry and to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.SettingNorway.PopulationOf the 48 615 pregnancies meeting study inclusion criteria, 44 734 pregnancies were included in the complete case analysis.MethodsWe characterised hormonal contraception by type (combination oral, progestin‐only oral, vaginal ring, transdermal, and injectable) and specific progestin component. We used generalised estimating equations to estimate the odds of adverse outcome according to formulation used. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted.Main outcome measuresPreterm birth, small for gestational age.ResultsWe observed a positive association between use of a combination oral contraceptive and preterm birth for all exposure periods (e.g. adjusted odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.41 for last use 12 to >4 months before conception); combination contraceptives containing the progestin norethisterone were consistently related to risk. Other types of hormonal contraception were generally not associated with preterm birth; none were related to small for gestational age. Observed associations were robust to sensitivity analyses.ConclusionHormonally active agents may exert dose‐, agent‐, and timing‐specific effects on growth and development. We found that the particular progestin component is important when assessing the potential for adverse effects among former users of hormonal contraceptives.
Loss expression of micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)‐200c induces adverse post‐surgical prognosis of advanced stage non‐small cell lung carcinoma and its potential relationship with ETAR messenger RNA
Authors: Zhao Jinpeng , Zhao Yandong , Wang Zizong , Xuan Yunpeng , Luo Yiren , Jiao Wenjie 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. As micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)‐200 and ETAR may play an essential role in the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) simultaneously, the purpose of this study was to detect the expression of miRNA‐200c and ETAR messenger (m)RNA and assess their prognostic significance in early stage NSCLC.MethodsOur study included 78 advanced stage (IIB, IIIA, IIIB) NSCLC patients. All patients were smokers. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis, we detected the expression of miRNA‐200c and ETAR mRNA and assessed their correlation by χ2 test. Time to progression was used as the recurrent index and was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis in the Cox hazard model.ResultsBoth miRNA‐200c and ETAR mRNA expression are associated with N stage and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage in a series of advanced NSCLC patients. Among N stage and TNM stage patients, significant differences were found in IIB (P = 0.0126), IIIB (P = 0.0107) and N0 (P = 0.0023) and in N1 + N2 groups (P = 0.0133). Using both univariate and multivariate survival analyses, we found that miRNA‐200c (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.352, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.187–0.662) and ETAR mRNA (HR = 2.500 95% CI: 1.345–4.647) were independent prognostic factors, independent of TNM stage (HR = 2.414, 95% CI: 1.600–3.642) and differentiation (HR = 1.530, 95% CI: 1.050–2230).Conclusions miRNA‐200c induces an expedient surgical survival, whereas ETAR mRNA has the reverse prognosis in advanced stage NSCLC patients. A potential relationship exists in that miRNA‐200c targets ETAR mRNA during EMT.
Anatomical and Morphometric Variations in the Arterial System of the Domestic Cat
Authors: Gonzalez V. H. , Ball S. , Cramer R. , Smith A. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryWe document the anatomical architecture and frequency of occurrence of variations in the branching pattern of the brachiocephalic artery and the origin of the internal iliac arteries in the domestic cat, a widely used model organism in both anatomical training and research. Based on the study of 56 preserved specimens, we observed three distinct arrangements in the branching pattern of the brachiocephalic artery. The most common pattern (52% of the examined specimens) was that in which the brachiocephalic artery was divided into two branches, the left common carotid artery and a common branch for the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery. The frequency of occurrence of each variation type was independent of the gender and body size. The internal iliac arteries originated caudal to the point at which the external iliac arteries branched off from the abdominal aorta. However, the portion of the abdominal aorta between the external and internal iliac arteries varied greatly in length and was not significantly correlated with its width, nor with body size or gender. This study is the first to report and quantify the occurrence of such variations in North American cats. Given the anatomical similarity between the cat and other felids, the results of this study can be applied to other species, including endangered species.
Operating Performance Following Acquisitions: Evidence from Taiwan's IT Industry
Authors: Huang Hsu‐Huei , Chan Min‐Lee , Huang I‐Hsiang , Wu Kuo‐Hsing 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper examines the performance of Taiwanese firms following acquisitions and finds that, when contrasted with the acquisitions that take place in the U.S., Taiwanese acquirers exhibit negative industry‐adjusted accounting performance. The negative performance is mostly driven by firms with low growth opportunities, but is mitigated under more concentrated shareholdings and better board structures. These findings suggest that while weak corporate governance at the country‐level may adversely affect the overall effectiveness of the takeover market in Taiwan, there is substantial cross‐sectional variation in corporate governance at the firm‐level. The evidence also shows that the announcement of an acquisition is accompanied by a positive announcement effect, and the poor operating performance might be related to the decreased assets turnover and sales growth rate.
Economic value of Greater Montreal's non‐market ecosystem services in a land use management and planning perspective
Authors: Dupras Jérôme , Alam Mahbubul , Revéret Jean‐Pierre 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe Greater Montreal (Quebec, Canada) area is currently re‐evaluating the future of its land use planning and development sector. One of the approaches being considered is the monetization of non‐market goods and services provided by biodiversity and ecosystems in this region. This is in the interest of providing decision makers and stakeholders a tool for quantification and comparison. Herein we analyzed land use cover in 2010 and applied benefit transfer using 103 monetary observations from 62 studies. The value measured for the 11 non‐market ecosystem services monetized for the Greater Montreal area reached $2.2 billion/year. More than three‐quarters of this total value is provided by the services of air quality regulation, recreation, and habitat for biodiversity. Ecosystems providing the highest non‐market values are urban forests, woodlands, and wetlands. We believe that the results of this ecosystem services value mapping could lead to better resource allocation and enable policy‐makers to design more effective land use policies in southern Quebec.
Aminopenicillin‐associated exanthem: lymphocyte transformation testing revisited
Authors: Trautmann A. , Seitz C. S. , Stoevesandt J. , Kerstan A. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) has been promoted as in‐vitro test for diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity. For determination of statistical LTT sensitivity, series of patients with clinically uniform reactions followed by complete drug hypersensitivity work‐up are mandatory. Assessment of LTT specificity requires control patients who tolerated exposure to the drug studied.ObjectiveTo prospectively determine the diagnostic value of the LTT in a clinically and diagnostically well‐defined series of patients.MethodsPatients with exanthematous skin eruptions after ampicillin (AMP) intake were included in this study. After exclusion or confirmation of delayed‐onset allergic AMP hypersensitivity by skin and provocation testing, two independent LTTs were performed: one standard LTT and a modified LTT with additional anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 monoclonal antibody stimulation.ResultsBy testing, delayed‐onset allergic AMP hypersensitivity was diagnosed in 11 patients and definitely ruled out in 26. The standard LTT reached a diagnostic sensitivity of 54.5% while the modified LTT yielded 72.7%. However, the methodical test modification resulted in a decline of specificity from 92.3% (standard LTT) to 76.9%.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceIn cases of AMP‐associated exanthems, the diagnostic value of the LTT compared with routine allergy testing is limited. When evaluating such exanthems, provocation testing remains the gold standard. Delayed reading of intradermal skin tests remains most useful to avoid positive provocation reactions.
The defects of cholangiocyte primary cilia in patients with graft cholangiopathies
Authors: Lu Hong‐wei , Dong Jia‐hong , Li Chong‐hui , Yu Qiang , Tang Wei 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPurposeTo observe the morphologic changes in intrahepatic bile ducts and the defects of cholangiocyte primary cilia in patients with graft cholangiopathies.MethodsFour patients who were diagnosed as graft cholangiopathies and underwent retransplantation were chosen as the study group; another four patients who underwent liver transplantation during the same period and recovered normally six months after the operation were the control group. The serum levels of biochemical indicators were measured, the morphologic changes in intrahepatic bile ducts and cholangiocyte primary cilia were observed, and the ciliary marker (α‐tubulin) and membrane proteins (polycystin‐1, TPPV4) were detected by immunofluorescence analysis and Western blot.ResultsIn the study group, biliary structures were vague and some bile ducts disappeared in portal areas; some epithelial cells were lost; lots of collagen was deposited and many phlogocytes infiltrated; microliths were found in some ductal lumens; partial biliary epithelial cells were necrosed; primary cilia and microvilli disappeared. In the control group, the structures of intrahepatic bile ducts and biliary epithelial cells were integrated and the primary cilia were present.ConclusionsThe morphologic changes in biliary epithelial cells and the defects of cholangiocyte primary cilia have a close correlation with graft cholangiopathies in liver transplantation.
A map of the topsoil organic carbon content of Europe generated by a generalized additive model
Authors: de Brogniez D. , Ballabio C. , Stevens A. , Jones R. J. A. , Montanarella L. , van Wesemael B. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThere is an increasing demand for up‐to‐date soil organic carbon (OC) data for global environmental and climatic modelling. The aim of this study was to create a map of topsoil OC content at the European scale by applying digital soil mapping techniques to the first European harmonized geo‐referenced topsoil (0–20 cm) database, which arises from the Land use/Cover Area frame statistical Survey (LUCAS). A map of the associated uncertainty was also produced to support careful use of the predicted OC contents. A generalized additive model (GAM) was fitted on 85% of the dataset (R2 = 0.29), using OC content as dependent variable; a backward stepwise approach selected slope, land cover, temperature, net primary productivity, latitude and longitude as suitable covariates. The validation of the model (performed on 15% of the data‐set) gave an overall R2 of 0.27 and an R2 of 0.21 for mineral soils and 0.06 for organic soils. Organic C content in most organic soils was under‐predicted, probably because of the imposed unimodal distribution of our model, whose mean is tilted towards the prevalent mineral soils. This was also confirmed by the poor prediction in Scandinavia (where organic soils are more frequent), which gave an R2 of 0.09, whilst the prediction performance (R2) in non‐Scandinavian countries was 0.28. The map of predicted OC content had the smallest values in Mediterranean countries and in croplands across Europe, whereas largest OC contents were predicted in wetlands, woodlands and mountainous areas. The map of the predictions' standard error had large uncertainty in northern latitudes, wetlands, moors and heathlands, whereas small uncertainty was mostly found in croplands. The map produced gives the most updated general picture of topsoil OC content at the European Union scale.
Trends in body condition of native piscivores following invasion of Lakes Erie and Ontario by the round goby
Authors: Crane Derek P. , Farrell John M. , Einhouse Donald W. , Lantry Jana R. , Markham James L. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

Biological invaders can provide a highly abundant novel prey, yet the effect this has on the body condition of native predators is unknown.

Since invading the Laurentian Great Lakes over two decades ago, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has become an important food source for many native species.

We used long‐term data from Lakes Erie and Ontario (1993−2012) to create quantile regression models of mass–length relationships for populations of four native predators: smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), walleye (Sander vitreus) and burbot (Lota lota). Model‐based estimates of changes in mass‐at‐length following the invasion were used to compare the effects of round goby on relative trends in body condition. Water temperature data were also included in the models, to investigate its effects on body condition.

The condition of smallmouth bass increased after the invasion, varying in magnitude between lakes and among size classes. Condition of yellow perch changed variably in direction and magnitude, depending on the quantile of the mass–length relationship examined and fish length, whereas that of walleye increased only for larger fish in Lake Ontario. Minor increases in mass‐at‐length were observed for the smallest length class of burbot, while the body condition of burbot in the largest length class decreased during the study period.

Mean summer water temperature did not differ between pre‐ and post‐invasion time periods in Lakes Erie and Ontario, although water temperature was a significant predictor of body condition.

Changes in body condition may have implications for additional population and life history characteristics. Future research should investigate the effects of the round goby on growth, age at maturity, fecundity and survival of native predators.
Are the landscape‐level drivers of water column and surface sediment diatoms different?
Authors: Winegardner A. K. , Beisner B. E. , Legendre P. , Gregory‐Eaves I. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

Threats to biodiversity are fostering new collaboration between aquatic ecologists and palaeolimnologists, who have traditionally asked ecological questions on different time scales. While the differences between surface sediment and water column or snapshot sampling are well understood, less so are the consequences of comparing the predominant drivers of aquatic assemblages resulting from these two types of sampling.

Using diatom data from the 2007 USEPA National Lakes Assessment (NLA) program (468 lakes), we compared the main environmental and spatial drivers of diatom community composition between samples derived from the water column and surface sediments. We hypothesised that, in explaining community variation across the conterminous United States, the effect of environment would be stronger in diatom assemblages preserved in surface sediments because of the inclusion of benthic members and temporal integration. We used a combination of ordination overlays and variation partitioning to examine differences in community drivers between palaeolimnological (surface sediment) and water column sampling.

We found that these two types of sampling were significantly correlated with respect to the drivers of community composition in addition to having congruent patterns of ordination. Congruency between sampling methods further increased when the water column data were temporally integrated and may be explained by variation in seasonally dynamic taxa.

To our knowledge, this is the first study that has tested for differences in environmental structuring patterns between palaeolimnological and water column samples using such a highly replicated and landscape‐level approach. On the basis of our results, we encourage ecologists to consider the joint analysis of these two types of data sets where data are available.
The Role of Groundwater for Lake‐Water Quality and Quantification of N Seepage
Authors: Kidmose Jacob , Engesgaard Peter , Ommen Daniela A. Oliveira , Nilsson Bertel , Flindt Mogens R. , Andersen Frede Ø. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe heterogeneous nature of both groundwater discharge to a lake (inflow) and nitrate concentrations in groundwater can lead to significant errors in calculations of nutrient loading. Therefore, an integrated approach, combining groundwater flow and transport modelling with observed nitrate and ammonium groundwater concentrations, was used to estimate nitrate loading from a catchment via groundwater to an oligotrophic flow‐through lake (Lake Hampen, Denmark). The transport model was calibrated against three vertical nitrate profiles from multi‐level wells and 17 shallow wells bordering a crop field near the lake. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater discharging to the lake from the crop field were on average 70 times higher than in groundwater from forested areas. The crop field was responsible for 96% of the total nitrate loading (16.2 t NO3/year) to the lake even though the field only covered 4.5% of the catchment area. Consequently, a small change in land use in the catchment will have a large effect on the lake nutrient balance and possible lake restoration. The study is the first known attempt to estimate the decrease of nitrate loading via groundwater to a seepage lake when an identified catchment source (a crop field) is removed.
Statistical Testing of Association Between Menstruation and Migraine
Authors: Barra Mathias , Dahl Fredrik A. , Vetvik Kjersti G. 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveTo repair and refine a previously proposed method for statistical analysis of association between migraine and menstruation.BackgroundMenstrually related migraine (MRM) affects about 20% of female migraineurs in the general population. The exact pathophysiological link from menstruation to migraine is hypothesized to be through fluctuations in female reproductive hormones, but the exact mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, the main diagnostic criterion today is concurrency of migraine attacks with menstruation. Methods aiming to exclude spurious associations are wanted, so that further research into these mechanisms can be performed on a population with a true association.MethodsThe statistical method is based on a simple two‐parameter null model of MRM (which allows for simulation modeling), and Fisher's exact test (with mid‐p correction) applied to standard 2 × 2 contingency tables derived from the patients' headache diaries. Our method is a corrected version of a previously published flawed framework. To our best knowledge, no other published methods for establishing a menstruation–migraine association by statistical means exist today.ResultsThe probabilistic methodology shows good performance when subjected to receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Quick reference cutoff values for the clinical setting were tabulated for assessing association given a patient's headache history.ConclusionsIn this paper, we correct a proposed method for establishing association between menstruation and migraine by statistical methods. We conclude that the proposed standard of 3‐cycle observations prior to setting an MRM diagnosis should be extended with at least one perimenstrual window to obtain sufficient information for statistical processing.