bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How many were there When it Mattered?
Authors: Watson Ray , Yip Paul 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
150 000 people demonstrated in Hong Kong. 10 000 students protested in London against tuition fees. A million people lined the streets for the Royal wedding. Or did they? Do not believe what you are told, say Ray Watson and Paul Yip. Estimating the size of a crowd is a difficult business – even for those who actually want to get it right.
Underestimated effects of climate on plant species turnover in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region
Authors: Jones Mirkka M. , Gibson Neil , Yates Colin , Ferrier Simon , Mokany Karel , Williams Kristen J. , Manion Glenn , Svenning Jens‐Christian 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimSpatial turnover in plant species composition reflects the interplay between species’ environmental requirements and their dispersal dynamics. However, its origins are also historical, arising from speciation, extinction and past range dynamics. Here, we test the effects of current environmental gradients and geographical distance on regional species turnover. Using a new approach, we then interpret residual turnover patterns, unexplained by these factors.LocationNative vegetation in the wheatbelt of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR).MethodsWe fitted a generalized dissimilarity model of species turnover across 650 floristic inventory plots as a function of current climate, topography, soils and inter‐plot distances. We then decomposed the model errors into independent axes of residual variation, representing unexplained species turnover. We mapped the spatial patterns evident on the main residual axes, and interpreted these using ancillary data on the life form and geographical ranges of associated species, the distributions of some major habitat types, and anomalies between recent and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate.ResultsSoil and climatic variables (especially phosphorus and wet quarter precipitation) made sizeable independent contributions to explaining deviance in species turnover, whereas deviance explained by inter‐plot distances and climate co‐varied strongly. Total explained deviance was 34%. Analyses of residual dissimilarity highlighted unexplained floristic similarity among many southern plots. A secondary residual axis highlighted unexplained variation in a broadly westerly to easterly direction. Consistent trends in the life form and geographical ranges of associated species suggest that these patterns are climate‐related. LGM climatic anomalies were correlated with patterns on the second residual axis.Main conclusionsCurrent soil and climatic gradients are important drivers of floristic turnover in the SWAFR. However, residual analyses revealed broad‐scale gradients in floristic composition unexplained by these variables. These appear to reflect imperfect modelling of the effects of current and perhaps historical climate on species turnover.
Habitat shifts shaping the diversity of a biodiversity hotspot through time: insights from the phylogenetic structure of Caesalpinioideae in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Souza‐Neto Advaldo C. , Cianciaruso Marcus V. , Collevatti Rosane G. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimWe investigated the phylogenetic structure of woody Caesalpinioideae species to address whether in situ diversification or habitat shifts from other biomes explain the species diversity in the Cerrado.LocationAmazon and Atlantic rain forests, Cerrado and Caatinga in Brazil.MethodsWe obtained occurrence data and generated a phylogenetic hypothesis for all woody Caesalpinioideae species occurring in Brazil. We calculated the net relatedness index (NRI) to measure the phylogenetic structure and performed a nodesig analysis to identify which clades contributed to phylogenetic clustering or overdispersion. We also calculated phylogenetic and taxonomic indices of beta diversity to investigate species turnover between Cerrado habitats and neighbouring biomes.ResultsSpecies occurring in savannas and forested savannas were more related than expected by chance, i.e. phylogenetic clustering. Clades that were overabundant in savannas and forested savannas, such as Bauhinia, were poorly represented in neighbouring biomes, providing evidence of in situ diversification in some lineages. Savannas shared clades and showed lower phylogenetic than taxonomic dissimilarity from Caatinga, consistent with habitat shifts, mainly in the Cassia and Caesalpinia clades.Main conclusionsDry, open habitats (savannas, forested savannas and Caatinga) have lineages that diversified more recently than those in forest habitats. Caesalpinioideae lineages from savannas and Caatinga are closely related, and this dissimilarity was due to both turnover (55.5%) and nestedness (44.5%). Hence, species inhabiting Caatinga and savannas are often resolved as pairs of sister species, indicating habitat shifts (especially in the Cassia and Caesalpinia clades). The higher phylogenetic diversity of species in the Caatinga than in savanna and forested savanna may indicate that lineage shifts may have occurred, mainly from the Caatinga into the savanna habitats. Phylogenetic and taxonomic dissimilarity of savannas with Amazon and Atlantic rain forests was mainly due to the turnover of lineages, with evidence of in situ diversification in some clades, especially Bauhinia.
Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Failed Ablation Procedures for Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: NJEIM MARIO , YOKOKAWA MIKI , FRANK LUBA , CRAWFORD THOMAS , GOOD ERIC , MORADY FRED , BOGUN FRANK 
Published: October 2015

VT and MRIBackgroundVentricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with cardiomyopathy originates in scar tissue. Intramural or epicardial scar may result in ineffective ablation if mapping and ablation are limited to the endocardium. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is beneficial in patients with failed endocardial VT ablations in determining an appropriate ablation strategy.Methods and ResultsA cardiac MRI was performed in 20 patients with a failed ablation procedure and cardiomyopathy (nonischemic n = 12, ischemic n = 8). A subsequent ablation strategy was determined by a delayed enhanced MRI (DE‐MRI) and an epicardial subxyphoid access was planned only in patients with epicardial or intramural free‐wall scar. MRIs were performed in all patients with or without an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The location of scar tissue in the MRI predicted the origin of VT in all patients. In 9/20 patients an epicardial procedure was performed based on the result of the MRI. An endocardial procedure was performed in the remaining 11 patients who had either endocardial or septal scarring and one patient in whom the MRI only showed artifact. Five patients remained inducible postablation and four patients had VT recurrence within a follow‐up period of 17 ± 22 months. All of the latter patients had an intramural scar pattern.ConclusionsImaging with DE‐MRI prior to VT ablation in patients with previously failed endocardial ablation procedures is beneficial in identifying an ablation strategy, helps to focus on an area of interest intraprocedurally, and provides valuable outcomes information.
Low‐Level Vagus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates Myocardial Ischemic Reperfusion Injury by Antioxidative Stress and Antiapoptosis Reactions in Canines
Authors: CHEN MINGXIAN , ZHOU XIAOYA , YU LILEI , LIU QIMING , SHENG XIA , WANG ZHUO , WANG SONGYUN , JIANG HONG , ZHOU SHENGHUA 
Published: October 2015

Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Myocardial Ischemia‐Reperfusion InjuryBackgroundLow‐level vagus nerve stimulation (LL‐VNS) has been demonstrated to protect myocardium against acute ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanism of this protective effect remains unknown.ObjectiveThis study aimed to test the hypothesis that LL‐VNS exerts cardioprotective effect on acute I/R injury in canines via antioxidative stress and antiapoptosis reactions.MethodThirty anesthetized mongrel dogs were randomly divided into three groups: I/R group (N = 12, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 1 hour following by 1 hour reperfusion), LL‐VNS group (N = 9, I/R plus LL‐VNS), and sham group (N = 9, sham surgery without LL‐VNS). The voltage threshold was set at 80% of the voltage required to slow the sinus rate. Infarct size was assessed with Evans Blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Activity assays, TUNEL staining, and western blotting were performed to determine markers of oxidative stress and apoptosis.ResultsLL‐VNS significantly decreased the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, increased vagal tone, as confirmed by heart rate viability, and reduced infarct size compared with the I/R group. This improvement was associated with a reduction in myocardial neutrophil infiltration, the inhibition of oxidative stress, and the suppression in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In contrast, the lack of LL‐VNS in the I/R group induced the opposite effect compared with the sham group.ConclusionLL‐VNS exerts protective effects on myocardial I/R injury. Its potential mechanisms involve the suppression of oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
Memory re‐differentiation and reduced lymphocyte activation in chronic HCV‐infected patients receiving direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Burchill M. A. , Golden‐Mason L. , Wind‐Rotolo M. , Rosen H. R. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryRecently, the treatment of HCV has advanced significantly due to the introduction of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). Studies using interferon (IFN)‐containing regimens failed to consistently show restoration of immunologic responses. Therefore, IFN‐free DAA formulations provide a unique opportunity to dissect the immunologic effect of HCV cure. This study investigates the restoration of the immune compartment as a consequence of rapid viral clearance in patients successfully treated with DAAs and in the absence of IFN and ribavirin. Here, we evaluate the immunologic changes that occurred following DAA‐mediated HCV cure. Peripheral blood from nineteen previously treatment‐naïve patients with chronic HCV genotype 1a/1b who received an IFN and ribavirin‐free regimen of daclatasvir, asunaprevir and BMS‐791325 was evaluated. Immune reconstitution occurs in patients in whom HCV was successfully eradicated via DAA therapy. Restoration of the CD4+ T‐cell compartment in the peripheral blood and a re‐differentiation of the T lymphocyte memory compartment resulted in a more effector memory cell population and a reduction in expression in the co‐inhibitory molecule TIGIT in bulk T lymphocytes. Furthermore, we observed a partial reversal of the exhausted phenotype in HCV‐specific CD8+ T cells and a dampening of the activation state in peripheral NK cells. Collectively, our data provide the groundwork for dissecting the effect of DAA therapy on the immune system and identifying novel mechanisms by which chronic HCV infection exerts immunosuppressive effects on T cells through the recently described co‐inhibitory molecule TIGIT.
Winter conditions – not summer temperature – influence establishment of seedlings at white spruce alpine treeline in Eastern Quebec
Authors: Renard Sébastien M. , McIntire Eliot J.B. , Fajardo Alex 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimsWhile treeline positions are globally correlated to growing season temperatures, seedling establishment, an important process of alpine treeline dynamics, is additionally controlled by regional‐scale factors such as snow cover duration, desiccating winds and biotic interactions. Knowing that alpine treelines have shown contrasting responses to climate change, we determined the relative importance of key abiotic and biotic factors involved in seedling survival and growth.LocationMcGerrigle Mountains, Parc National de la Gaspésie, Appalachian Range, eastern Quebec, Canada.MethodsIn two white spruce (Picea glauca) treeline sites, we used the microclimate in the vicinity of tree islands, densely packed clusters of trees isolated from each other by alpine tundra vegetation, to assess the effects of abiotic variables (sum of degree days [DD], snowpack duration and a wind exposure index) as well as the effects of biotic interactions with neighbouring vegetation on the survival and growth of transplanted white spruce seedlings. For 3 yr, we surveyed seedling survival twice a year to discriminate between winter and summer survival, and measured seedling growth at the end of each growing season. We used Bayesian hierarchical models to estimate the relative effects of covariates on survival and growth.ResultsSurvival probability decreased in microsites where winter DD was high, and increased in microsites with longer snowpack duration. In wind‐exposed microsites, seedling survival increased when neighbouring vegetation was present, indicating facilitative mechanisms. Seedling growth was positively affected by the duration of snow cover and tended to increase with higher DD during the previous year. In wind‐sheltered microsites, seedling growth tended to be negatively affected by neighbouring vegetation, indicating competitive mechanisms.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that seedling establishment is more sensitive to winter conditions, notably to the length of snow cover (which protects seedlings from frost and desiccation), than to summer temperature. Biotic interactions increased seedling establishment when environmental stresses were higher. We suggest that regional‐scale factors such as winter climate and biotic interactions should be included in modelling exercises to improve future treeline location forecasts.
Dietary fatty acids and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Singapore Chinese health study
Authors: Koh Woon‐Puay , Dan Yock Young , Goh George Boon‐Bee , Jin Aizhen , Wang Renwei , Yuan Jian‐Min 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground & AimLipidomic signature of lipid metabolism suggests that omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may play a role in oncogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, we examined the association between dietary fatty acids and risk of HCC.MethodsWe used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population‐based prospective cohort of 63 257 Chinese men and women aged 45–74 years enrolled between 1993 and 1998. Information on current diet assessed via a validated semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire, medical history and lifestyle factors were obtained through in‐person interview, and incidence of HCC recorded through 31 Dec 2010. We also examined the association between dietary fatty acids and HCC risk using a case–control set of 92 cases and 274 controls with available serological biomarkers of chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) nested within this cohort.ResultsAmong the dietary fat components examined, which included saturated, monounsaturated, omega‐3 and omega‐6 PUFA, only omega‐6 PUFA intake displayed a dose‐dependent, positive association with HCC risk (p for trend = 0.02). Compared to the lowest quartile, the hazard ratio for the highest quartile intake was 1.49 [(95% confidence interval (CI):1.08–2.07)]. In the nested case–control study, only among individuals negative for serology markers of chronic infection with HBV or HCV, those who consumed above median levels of dietary omega‐6 PUFA had increased HCC risk (odds ratio = 4.36, 95% CI = 1.59–11.94) compared to those with lower intake.ConclusionDietary omega‐6 PUFA may be implicated in the risk of non‐viral hepatitis related HCC.
Childhood Bereavement and Type 1 Diabetes: a Danish National Register Study
Authors: Virk Jasveer , Ritz Beate , Li Jiong , Obel Carsten , Olsen Jørn 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundDeath of a close family member such as a parent or a sibling can cause prolonged stress and changes in the family structure that may have extensive social and health effects on a young child. The aim of this paper is to examine the rate of type 1 diabetes following bereavement due to death of a first‐degree family member in early life.MethodsWe used data from the Danish Civil Registration System (CRS) to identify singleton births in Denmark born 1 January 1980 through 31 December 2005, n = 1 740 245 and their next of kin. We categorised children as exposed to bereavement if they lost a mother, father or sibling from age 5 years onwards, the remaining children were considered unexposed. Children were followed until first diagnosis of diabetes, death, emigration, or 31 December 2010. We estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) from birth using log‐linear Poisson regression models with person‐years as an offset variable. Exposed children were followed up for an average of 9.1 years [standard deviation (SD) 6.7] and unexposed children were followed up for an average of 12.3 years (SD 7.3).ResultsIn our sample 94 943 children were exposed to bereavement, and 6110 cases of type 1 diabetes were identified. Bereavement was associated with an increased rate of type 1 diabetes when exposure onset began after 11 years of age (adjusted IRR 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.08, 1.51).ConclusionWe found some evidence to indicate an increase in the rate of type 1 diabetes among children exposed to bereavement when exposure occurred after 11 years of age.
Opportunity or Threat: Dissecting Tensions in a Post‐Carbon Rural Transition
Authors: Lennon Mick , Scott Mark 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe deployment of renewable energy technologies represents a highly visible and contested indicator of rural change in terms of the function and appearance of rural places. In this article, we examine how notions of rurality and place intersect with macro‐level objectives for reducing carbon emissions, and how competing storylines underpin opposing and supporting coalitions in the deployment of wind energy projects. The article explores a series of recent controversial proposals for mega‐wind energy projects in the Irish midlands driven by energy companies seeking to take advantage of an Irish‐UK intergovernmental agreement to export green energy from Ireland to assist the UK in meeting its renewable energy targets. To examine these issues we develop and apply an interpretive approach to policy analysis inspired by the work of Laclau and Mouffe on the role of signifiers, antagonistic narratives and the constitutive outside. We identify how opposing and supporting discourses talk ‘past one another’ by framing narratives through different spatial referents (national versus local) and competing conceptualisation of the rural ‘resource’. This inhibits the potential to imagine alternative post‐carbon rural trajectories.
Onset and progression of de novo donor‐specific anti‐human leukocyte antigen antibodies after BK polyomavirus and preemptive immunosuppression reduction
Authors: Dieplinger G. , Everly M.J. , Briley K.P. , Haisch C.E. , Bolin P. , Maldonado A.Q. , Kendrick W.T. , Kendrick S.A. , Morgan C. , Terasaki P.I. , Rebellato L.M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundBK polyomavirus (BKPyV) viremia/nephropathy and reduction in immunosuppression following viremia may increase the risk of alloimmune activation and allograft rejection. This study investigates the impact of BKPyV viremia on de novo donor anti‐human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐specific antibodies (dnDSA).Patients and methodsAll primary renal transplants at East Carolina University from March 1999 to December 2010, with at least 1 post‐transplant BKPyV viral load testing, were analyzed. Patients were negative for anti‐HLA antibodies to donor antigens (tested via single antigen beads) at transplantation and at first BKPyV testing.ResultsNineteen of 174 patients (11%) tested positive for BKPyV viremia. Within 24 months of BKPyV viremia detection, 79% of BKPyV‐viremic patients developed dnDSA. Only 20% of BKPyV viremia‐persistent cases, compared to 86% of BKPyV viremia‐resolved cases, developed dnDSA (P = 0.03). Poor allograft survival was evident in BKPyV viremia‐persistent patients (60% failure by 2 years post BKPyV diagnosis) and in BKPyV viremia‐resolved patients with dnDSA (5‐year post BKPyV diagnosis allograft survival of 48%).ConclusionsPost‐transplant BKPyV viremia and preemptive immunosuppression reduction is associated with high rates of dnDSA. When preemptively treating BKPyV viremia, dnDSA should be monitored to prevent allograft consequences.
Medical Infrared Imaging of Normal and Dysplastic Elbows in Dogs
Authors: McGowan Lauren , Loughin Catherine A , Marino Dominic J. , Umbaugh Scott E. , Liu Peng , Amini Maryam , Solt Patrick , Lesser Martin L. , Akerman Meredith 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the ability of medical infrared imaging to differentiate between normal canine elbows and those with abnormal elbows (elbow dysplasia).Study DesignProspective cohort study.AnimalsDogs with normal (n = 15) and abnormal (n = 14) elbows.MethodsInfrared imaging was performed on all dogs and data analyzed via descriptive statistics and image pattern analysis software. Animals with elbow dysplasia had arthroscopic procedures to confirm the presence of elbow disease.ResultsComputer recognition pattern analysis was up to 100% correct in identifying abnormal elbows and normal elbows, with the medial images most consistent. The caudal, lateral, and cranial images correctly identified 83–100% abnormal elbows. The caudal and lateral images correctly identified 83% normal elbows. A significant difference in temperature was found between normal and abnormal elbows for the cranial full region of interest, lateral images, and each quadrant.ConclusionMedical infrared imaging was able to correctly identify known abnormal and known normal elbows in dogs.
Predictive Validity of an Adult Physical Activity “Vital Sign” Recorded in Electronic Health Records
Authors: Ball Trever J. , Joy Elizabeth A. , Gren Lisa H. , Cunningham Ruthann , Shaw Janet M. 
Published: October 2015

Background:Few have examined predictive relationships between physical activity (PA) and health using electronic health records (EHRs) of patient-reported PA.Objective:Assess initial predictive validity of the Physical Activity “Vital Sign” (PAVS) recorded in EHRs with BMI and disease burden.Methods:EHRs were from November 2011 to November 2013 (n = 34,712). Differences in not meeting Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) were tested using chi-square analysis between being normal weight versus overweight/obese, and scoring below versus above the 50th percentile of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Repeated measures logistic regression was used to determine odds of BMI and CCI classifications according to responses to the PAVS as not meeting PAG.Results:Patients who did not meet PAG according to the PAVS were more likely than normal weight patients to have a higher BMI (BMI 25.0–29.9, OR = 1.19, P = .001; BMI 30.0–34.9, OR = 1.39, P < .0001; BMI 35.0–39.9, OR = 2.42, P < .0001; BMI ≥ 40, OR = 3.7, P < .0001) and also higher disease burden (above 50th percentile for CCI, OR = 1.8, P < .0001).Conclusions:The strong association of the PAVS found with patient BMI and moderately-strong association with disease burden supports initial predictive validity of the PAVS recorded in EHRs. PA recorded in EHRs may be vastly useful for assessing patient disease and cost burdens attributed independently to PA behavior.