bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ground‐dwelling mammal diversity responds positively to productivity and habitat heterogeneity in a fire‐prone region
Authors: Swan Matthew , Christie Fiona , Steel Erin , Sitters Holly , York Alan , Di Stefano Julian
Published: September 2020

Environmental heterogeneity has a consistent, positive effect on species diversity globally, principally due to increased niche space in heterogeneous environments. In flammable ecosystems, fire‐mediated heterogeneity (pyrodiversity) is expected to increase species diversity, and the application of diverse fire regimes is a common management goal. We used landscape‐scale sampling units and linear mixed models to determine the response of ground‐dwelling mammal alpha, beta, and gamma diversity to spatial habitat heterogeneity (functional heterogeneity) and three indirect measures of spatial heterogeneity, two pyrodiversity indices based on fire history maps, and another based on mapped vegetation types. In addition, we tested the consistency of species diversity responses across a productivity gradient and examined the extent to which prescribed fire influenced habitat heterogeneity. Beta diversity responded positively to habitat heterogeneity across the productivity gradient, but more strongly at high compared with low productivity. In contrast, alpha and gamma diversity responded positively to productivity, while a weak negative effect of habitat heterogeneity on alpha diversity was also evident. At the scale of our investigation, the productivity gradient across the study area was the most influential driver of species diversity. Spatial heterogeneity within 100‐ha landscapes increased community differentiation among sites (beta diversity), had a weak negative effect on alpha diversity, but had no influence on landscape‐scale species richness (gamma diversity). The occurrence of recent fire had a strong, positive effect on habitat heterogeneity, while the diversity of vegetation types and postfire age classes had a smaller positive influence. Our findings show that prescribed fire can be used to increase landscape‐scale structural heterogeneity, but this will not always result in additional species. Finally, we suggest that using a functional representation of spatial heterogeneity (e.g., the spatial arrangement of habitat structure) as a predictor of species diversity is likely to reveal responses that may otherwise be overlooked. Modern remote‐sensing technologies will aid the development of habitat‐based heterogeneity metrics across large spatial extents.
Drought stress alters floral volatiles and reduces floral rewards, pollinator activity, and seed set in a global plant
Authors: Rering Caitlin C. , Franco Jose G. , Yeater Kathleen M. , Mallinger Rachel E.
Published: September 2020

Plant–pollinator interactions are mediated by floral signals and by the quantity and quality of floral rewards. Biotic and abiotic disturbances can influence plant reproductive success through both direct effects on plant performance and indirect effects on pollinator attraction. In this study, we examined the effects of drought on buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moensch), a globally cultivated plant that is prone to drought stress, dependent on insect pollinators for reproduction, and increasingly utilized in on‐farm conservation. Between drought‐stressed and control plants, we compared: nectar quantity and chemical composition, pollen quantity, floral volatile emissions, visits by both managed and wild pollinators, and plant reproductive success. Drought‐stressed plants produced significantly fewer flowers and less nectar per flower, though pollen quantity per flower was unaffected. Nectar from drought‐stressed plants had a lower proportion of sucrose relative to total sugars, though overall sugar concentration was unaffected. Significantly fewer bumble bees, honey bees, and flies were recorded on drought‐stressed plants. While there was no significant difference in the quantity of total floral volatile emissions, volatile compositions differed, with drought‐stressed plants having higher emissions of (Z)‐3‐hexenol, isobutyraldehyde, 2‐methylbutanal, and 3‐methylbutanal. Finally, drought stress had negative effects on seed set and total seed mass per plant. Our results show that drought stress can have significant effects on floral traits and pollinator attraction, reducing plant reproductive success, and the nectar resources available to pollinators. Thus, the potential value of this plant in pollinator conservation and as a honey plant may be reduced under drought stress.
Qishen Yiqi dripping pills for chronic ischaemic heart failure: results of the CACT‐IHF randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mao Jingyuan , Zhang Jian , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Zhu Mingjun , Yao Chen , Chen Shutao , Liu Zhongyong , Wang Fengrong , Wang Yonggang , Dai Xiaohua , Niu Tianfu , An Dongqing , Miao Yang , Xu Tao , Dong Bo , Ma Xiaofeng , Zhang Fengru , Wang Xiaolong , Fan Ruihong , Zhao Yingqiang , Jiang Tiemin , Zhang Yuhui , Wang Xianliang , Hou Yazhu , Zhao Zhiqiang , Su Quan , Zhang Junhua , Wang Baohe , Zhang Boli
Published: September 2020

Aims

Qishen Yiqi dripping pills (QSYQ) may be beneficial in patients with ischaemic heart failure (IHF). We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of QSYQ administered together with guideline‐directed medical therapy in patients with IHF.

Methods and results

This prospective randomized, double‐blind, multicentre placebo‐controlled study enrolled 640 patients with IHF between March 2012 and August 2014. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 6 months of QSYQ or placebo in addition to standard treatment. The primary outcome was 6 min walking distance at 6 months. Among the 638 IHF patients (mean age 65 years, 72% men), the 6 min walking distance increased from 336.15 ± 100.84 to 374.47 ± 103.09 m at 6 months in the QSYQ group, compared with 334.40 ± 100.27 to 340.71 ± 104.57 m in the placebo group (mean change +38.32 vs. +6.31 m respectively; P < 0.001). The secondary outcomes in composite clinical events, including all‐cause mortality and emergency treatment/hospitalization due to heart failure, were non‐significantly lower at 6 months with QSYQ compared with placebo (13% vs. 17%; P = 0.45), and the change of brain natriuretic peptide was non‐significantly greater with QSYQ compared with placebo (median change −14.55 vs. −12.30 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.21). By contrast, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score significantly improved with QSYQ compared with placebo (−11.78 vs. −9.17; P = 0.004). Adverse events were minor and infrequent with QSYQ, similar to the placebo group.

Conclusions

Treatment with QSYQ for 6 months in addition to standard therapy improved exercise tolerance of IHF patients and was well tolerated.
Reductive Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming Reactions with Carbonyls Mediated by Rh–H Complexes
Authors: Sato Kazuyuki , Isoda Motoyuki , Tarui Atsushi , Omote Masaaki
Published: September 2020

Carbon–carbon bond formation is a fundamental transformation of synthetic organic chemistry. This minireview focuses on our works related to reductive aldol reaction, reductive Mannich reaction, reductive α‐acylation, and reductive α‐carboxylation by using rhodium catalyst to achieve C–C bond formation. Rh‐catalyzed reductive aldol reaction successfully gave β‐hydroxy carbonyl compounds from α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with aldehydes or ketones by treating with RhCl(PPh3)3 and Et2Zn. This condition could apply to other electrophiles such as imines, acid chlorides, and acid anhydrides, and the corresponding β‐lactams, or β‐ketocarbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields, respectively. A key intermediate, Rh–H complex would play an important role to accomplish 1,4‐reduction, which could easily be derived from RhCl(PPh3)3 and Et2Zn. The synthesis of a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, was also achieved by using Rh‐catalyzed reductive Mannich reaction as an application. We expect that the reaction could be used in a wide range of fields by further development.
Rejoinder to the discussion on A high‐resolution bilevel skew‐t stochastic generator for assessing Saudi Arabia's wind energy resources
Authors: Tagle Felipe , Genton Marc G. , Yip Andrew , Mostamandi Suleiman , Stenchikov Georgiy , Castruccio Stefano
Published: September 2020

This is the rejoinder of the discussion article: env‐19‐0145, DOI: 10.1002/env.2628
Thermal management performance of cavity cold plates for pouch Li‐ion batteries using in electric vehicles
Authors: Wang Tong , Zhang Xin , Zeng Qingliang , Gao Kuidong
Published: September 2020

The cold plate cooling system has become one of the most practical and promising Li‐ion battery thermal management systems for electric vehicles. The existing cold plate has complex structure with high production cost, and the energy consumption is relatively high. In this paper, a detailed optimization study of cavity cold plate is carried out. The heat generation data of the pouch Li‐ion batteries were obtained through experiments, and the data were applied to the finite element method simulation of the cavity cold plate thermal management system. The effects of cavity cold plate thickness (d1), cold plate inlet and outlet width (d2), and inlet coolant mass flow rate on battery temperature and cold plate pressure drop were discussed. The results showed that the optimization allowed the cavity cold plate to control the battery maximum temperature within 40°C and temperature difference within 5°C. Under the same volume of cold plates, the average pressure drop reduction rates of models where Δd (the difference between d1 and d2) is 1 mm are 65% higher than that of the models where d2 is 1 mm. This study has practical significance for improving the design efficiency of cavity cold plate.
Bayesian geomorphology
Authors: Korup Oliver
Published: September 2020

The rapidly growing amount and diversity of data are confronting us more than ever with the need to make informed predictions under uncertainty. The adverse impacts of climate change and natural hazards also motivate our search for reliable predictions. The range of statistical techniques that geomorphologists use to tackle this challenge has been growing, but rarely involves Bayesian methods. Instead, many geomorphic models rely on estimated averages that largely miss out on the variability of form and process. Yet seemingly fixed estimates of channel heads, sediment rating curves or glacier equilibrium lines, for example, are all prone to uncertainties. Neighbouring scientific disciplines such as physics, hydrology or ecology have readily embraced Bayesian methods to fully capture and better explain such uncertainties, as the necessary computational tools have advanced greatly. The aim of this article is to introduce the Bayesian toolkit to scientists concerned with Earth surface processes and landforms, and to show how geomorphic models might benefit from probabilistic concepts. I briefly review the use of Bayesian reasoning in geomorphology, and outline the corresponding variants of regression and classification in several worked examples. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Predicting gully densities at sub‐continental scales: a case study for the Horn of Africa
Authors: Vanmaercke Matthias , Chen Yixian , Haregeweyn Nigussie , De Geeter Sofie , Campforts Benjamin , Heyndrickx Wouter , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Poesen Jean
Published: September 2020

Despite its environmental and scientific significance, predicting gully erosion remains problematic. This is especially so in strongly contrasting and degraded regions such as the Horn of Africa. Machine learning algorithms such as random forests (RF) offer great potential to deal with the complex, often non‐linear, nature of factors controlling gully erosion. Nonetheless, their applicability at regional to continental scales remains largely untested. Moreover, such algorithms require large amounts of observations for model training and testing. Collecting such data remains an important bottleneck.

Here we help to address these gaps by developing and testing a methodology to simulate gully densities across Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti (total area: 1.2 million km2). We propose a methodology to quickly assess the gully head density (GHD) for representative 1 km2 study sites by visually scoring the presence of gullies in Google Earth and then converting these scores to realistic estimates of GHD. Based on this approach, we compiled GHD observations for 1,700 sites. We used these data to train sets of RF regression models that simulate GHD at a 1 km2 resolution, based on topographic/geomorphic, land cover, soil and rainfall conditions. Our approach also accounts for uncertainties in GHD observations. Independent validations showed generally acceptable simulations of regional GHD patterns. We further show that: (i) model performance strongly depends on the amount of training data used, (ii) large prediction errors mainly occur in areas where also the predicted uncertainty is large and (iii) collecting additional training data for these areas results in more drastic model performance improvements. Analyses of the feature importance of predictor variables further showed that patterns of GHD across the Horn of Africa strongly depend on NDVI and annual rainfall, but also on normalized steepness index (ksn) and distance to rivers. Overall, our work opens promising perspectives to assess gully densities at continental scales. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mafic subvolcanic intrusions from the southern Paraná‐Etendeka Large Igneous Province, Brazil: Insights from geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes
Authors: Sarmento Carla Cecília Treib , Sommer Carlos Augusto , de Lima Evandro Fernandes , Barreto Carla Joana Santos , de Magalhães May Rossetti Lucas , Lafon Jean Michel
Published: September 2020

The Early Cretaceous Paraná‐Etendeka Igneous Province is a predominantly tholeiitic sequence of continental flood basalts and silicic magmatism that is intimately associated with the rupture of the western Gondwana. Intrusions of tholeiitic compositions are very common within the province and represent the magmatic plumbing system that fed the lavas at the surface. The investigated dikes are in the southeast of the Paraná Basin, southermost Brazil. The Silica Saturated Olivine Tholeiite (SSOT) dikes show restricted isotopic ranges (87Sr/86Sri = 0.70570 to 0.70585; ɛNdi = −1.01 to −4.49; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.031), with no equivalent low‐Ti magma type in the Paraná Province, but are close to the isotopic ratios of low‐Ti magma types with MgO > 7 wt%, such as Nil Desperandum in the Etendeka Province. The Silica Supersaturated Tholeiite dikes show broader isotopic ranges (87Sr/86Sri = 0.70787 to 0.71336; ɛNdi = −2.51 to −8.65; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.578–19.049), similar to the Gramado magma‐type and Tafelberg magma‐type in the Paraná‐Etendeka Province. This variation may have occurred due to the contamination at the time of magma rise and extrusion. Isotopic modelling showed that the fractional crystallization process and crustal assimilation played an important role from the magma rise through the conduits to the extrusion of the lavas. For the most primitive SSOT dikes, fractional crystallization was the most important factor for the magma evolution. The behaviour of the trace elements revealed that the assimilation of crust rocks with both Palaeoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic ages can be considered.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale for detecting mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A bivariate meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Hui‐Chuan , Tseng Yu‐Min , Chen Yi‐Chun , Chen Pin‐Yuan , Chiu Hsiao‐Yean
Published: September 2020

Objective

The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale comprising global score (CDR‐GS) and sum of boxes scores (CDR‐SB) is commonly used in staging cognitive impairment; however, its diagnostic accuracy is not well clarified. The meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the CDR for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in older populations.

Methods

Studies examining the diagnostic accuracy of the CDR for MCI or dementia against reference standards were included from seven electronic databases. The bivariate analysis with a random‐effects model was adopted to calculate the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the CDR for MCI and dementia.

Results

Fifteen studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of the CDR‐GS (n = 13) or CDR‐SB (n = 5) for MCI or dementia were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the CDR‐GS for MCI were 93% and 97%, respectively. With respect to dementia, the CDR‐GS had superior pooled specificity compared to the CDR‐SB (99% vs. 94%), while similar sensitivities were found between the CDR‐GS and CDR‐SB (both 87%). Significant moderators of an old age, a high educational level, a high prevalence of MCI or dementia, being in a developing country, and a lack of informants' observations may affect the estimation of the sensitivity or specificity of the CDR.

Conclusions

Evidence supports the CDR being useful for detecting MCI and dementia; applying the CDR for staging cognitive impairment in at risk populations should be considered. Furthermore, including objective observations from relevant informants or proxies to increase the accuracy of the CDR for dementia is suggested.
Estrogen, brain structure, and cognition in postmenopausalwomen
Authors: Boyle Christina P. , Raji Cyrus A. , Erickson Kirk I. , Lopez Oscar L. , Becker James T. , Gach H. Michael , Kuller Lewis H. , Longstreth William , Carmichael Owen T. , Riedel Brandalyn C. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: September 2020

Declining estrogen levels before, during, and after menopause can affect memory and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Undesirable side effects of hormone variations emphasize a role for hormone therapy (HT) where possible benefits include a delay in the onset of dementia—yet findings are inconsistent. Effects of HT may be mediated by estrogen receptors found throughout the brain. Effects may also depend on lifestyle factors, timing of use, and genetic risk. We studied the impact of self‐reported HT use on brain volume in 562 elderly women (71–94 years) with mixed cognitive status while adjusting for aforementioned factors. Covariate‐adjusted voxelwise linear regression analyses using a model with 16 predictors showed HT use as positively associated with regional brain volumes, regardless of cognitive status. Examinations of other factors related to menopause, oophorectomy and hysterectomy status independently yielded positive effects on brain volume when added to our model. One interaction term, HTxBMI, out of several examined, revealed significant negative association with overall brain volume, suggesting a greater reduction in brain volume than BMI alone. Our main findings relating HT to regional brain volume were as hypothesized, but some exploratory analyses were not in line with existing hypotheses. Studies suggest lower levels of estrogen resulting from oophorectomy and hysterectomy affect brain volume negatively, and the addition of HT modifies the relation between BMI and brain volume positively. Effects of HT may depend on the age range assessed, motivating studies with a wider age range as well as a randomized design.
Prognostic potential of mid‐treatment nodal response in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Byun David J. , Tam Moses M. , Jacobson Adam S. , Persky Mark S. , Tran Theresa T. , Givi Babak , DeLacure Mark D. , Li Zujun , Harrison Louis B. , Hu Kenneth S.
Published: September 2020

Background

We examine the prognostic implications of mid‐course nodal response in oropharyngeal cancer (OPX) to radiation therapy.

Methods

In 44 patients with node‐positive OPX undergoing concurrent chemoradiation, nodal volumes were measured on cone beam CTs from days 1, 10, 20, and 35. Nodal decrease (ND) was based on percent shrinkage from day 1.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 17 months, the 2‐year disease‐free survival (DFS), locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) were 87%, 92%, 89%, and 92%, respectively. Patients with ND ≥43% at D20 had improved LRC (100% vs 78.4%, P = .03) compared to D20 ND <43%. On multivariate analysis, D20 ≥43% was independently prognostic for LRC (HR 1.17, P = .05).

Conclusion

Patients with low‐risk oropharynx cancer with ND of ≥43% by treatment day 20 had significantly improved LRC. The prognostic benefit of ND may assist in identifying candidates for treatment de‐escalation.
In the temporal organization of episodic memory, the hippocampus supports the experience of elapsed time
Authors: Sabariego Marta , Tabrizi Nina S. , Marshall Greer J. , McLagan Ali N. , Jawad Safa , Hales Jena B.
Published: September 2020

Space and time are both essential features of episodic memory, for which the hippocampus is critical (Howard & Eichenbaum, 2015). Spatial tasks have been used effectively to study the behavioral relevance of place cells. However, the behavioral paradigms utilized for the study of time cells have not used time duration as a variable that animals need to be aware of to solve the task. Therefore, the behavioral relevance of this cell firing is unclear. In order to directly study the role of the hippocampus in processing elapsed time, we created a novel time duration discrimination task. Rats learned to make a decision to turn left or right depending on the preceding tone duration (10 s, left turn; 20 s, right turn). Once the rats reached criterion performance of 90% correct on two out of three consecutive days, they received either an excitotoxic hippocampal lesion or a sham‐lesion surgery. After recovery, rats were tested to determine hippocampal involvement in discriminating time duration. Rats with hippocampal lesions performed at chance level on their first testing day postlesion, and they were impaired relative to the sham‐lesioned rats. Although the hippocampal‐lesioned rats began discriminating at above chance level, their performance never returned to criterion even with 50 days of postoperative testing. Furthermore, while sham rats showed no difference in the number of errors they made on 10‐ versus 20‐s delay trials, hippocampal lesion rats similarly improved their performance under the 10‐s delay condition, but not under the 20‐s delay condition. Results indicate that hippocampal lesions resulted in a selective impairment in discriminating elapsed time only during the longer delay trials. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the limits of working‐memory capacity and to the role of sustained hippocampal time cell activity in memory performance depending on the perceived relevance of the delay period.
Residue Levels of Pesticides on Fruits for Use in Wildlife Risk Assessments
Authors: Schabacker Jens , Hahne Joerg , Ludwigs Jan-Dieter , Vallon Martin , Foudoulakis Manousos , Murfitt Roger , Ristau Kai
Published: September 2020

The guidance document on risk assessment for birds and mammals (GD) provides generic residue values of pesticides on potential diet items for use in wildlife risk assessments. For most diet items, these values are based on a large number of residue studies. However, the default residues per unit dose (RUD; standardized for application of 1 kg substance per hectare) values for fruits were taken from a few literature trials of unclear relevance for regulatory purposes. These trials were conducted according to neither current European Union (EU) agricultural practice nor to recommendations given in the GD about how to conduct wildlife-relevant residue studies. Therefore, field study data on fruit residue levels from applications of pesticides in fruiting crops were compiled and evaluated. Corresponding studies had been conducted during the last 26 y in the EU. In the final data set, 291 studies provided 1002 residue values in different fruits, including grapes, berries (currants, raspberries, gooseberries), fruits from orchards (apple, peach, pear, lemon, mandarin, orange, apricot, cherry, plum), gourds (pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, melons), and strawberries. This data set provides a basis for revising registration-relevant RUD values for fruits as potential diet items for birds and mammals in environmental wildlife risk assessments. The objective of this study was to estimate the resulting residue levels in different fruits determined under field conditions following the application of pesticides across their growing areas within the EU in diverse climatic areas that can be used directly in wildlife risk assessments. The large data set of usually about more than 100 residue values per “fruit group,” all evaluated at EU member state level, revealed significantly lower RUDs compared to the current default RUDs presented in the GD. These new RUD values for fruits should be considered for use as default values in future bird and mammal risk assessments and in respective guidance documents. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:552–561. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology   Chemistry (SETAC)

KEY POINTS

Extensive data sets on pesticide residues in fruit are analyzed, which considerably increases the knowledge base in this area. The extent of the data sets used to calculate new fruit residues per unit dose (RUD) values is a major strength. This work provides valuable information for regulatory risk assessments and tests some of the underlying assumptions that play a role in the risk assessment of pesticides to birds and mammals. It adds to the ongoing revision of the European Food Safety Authority's guidance document on risk assessment for birds and mammals.
Value of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastric cancer surveillance in patients with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Ladigan‐Badura Swetlana , Vangala Deepak B. , Engel Christoph , Bucksch Karolin , Hueneburg Robert , Perne Claudia , Nattermann Jacob , Steinke‐Lange Verena , Rahner Nils , Schackert Hans K. , Weitz Jürgen , Kloor Matthias , Kuhlkamp Judith , Nguyen Huu Phuc , Moeslein Gabriela , Strassburg Christian , Morak Monika , Holinski‐Feder Elke , Buettner Reinhard , Aretz Stefan , Loeffler Markus , Schmiegel Wolff , Pox Christian , Schulmann Karsten ,   German Consortium for Familial Intestinal Cancer
Published: September 2020

In our study, we evaluated the effectiveness of upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy as an instrument for early gastric cancer (GC) detection in Lynch syndrome (LS) patients by analyzing data from the registry of the German Consortium for Familial Intestinal Cancer. In a prospective, multicenter cohort study, 1128 out of 2009 registered individuals with confirmed LS underwent 5176 upper GI endoscopies. Compliance was good since 77.6% of upper GI endoscopies were completed within the recommended interval of 1 to 3 years. Forty‐nine GC events were observed in 47 patients. MLH1 (n = 21) and MSH2 (n = 24) mutations were the most prevalent. GCs in patients undergoing regular surveillance were diagnosed significantly more often in an early‐stage disease (UICC I) than GCs detected through symptoms (83% vs 25%; P = .0231). Thirty‐two (68%) patients had a negative family history of GC. The median age at diagnosis was 51 years (range 28‐66). Of all GC patients, 13 were diagnosed at an age younger than 45. Our study supports the recommendation of regular upper GI endoscopy surveillance for LS patients beginning no later than at the age of 30.
Rapid rise of life expectancy in Bangladesh: Does financial development matter?
Authors: Alam Md Samsul , Islam Md Shahidul , Shahzad Syed Jawad Hussain , Bilal Shazia
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the role of financial development in the rapid rise of life expectancy in Bangladesh by using the annual data covering the period of 1972–2013. We examine the unit root properties of the variables employing a structural break unit root test. The combined cointegration and ARDL bounds testing approach confirm the long‐run association between financial development and life expectancy in the presence of globalization, income inequality, and economic growth. The long‐run elasticities indicate that financial development and globalization (income inequality and economic growth) positively (negatively) affect life expectancy in Bangladesh. The VECM Granger causality analysis indicates that the feedback effect exists between financial development and life expectancy, and income inequality and life expectancy. Economic growth and globalization are also found to Granger cause life expectancy. Our findings offer new insights to policy makers which are crucial to improve life expectancy in Bangladesh.
The impact of bank ownership on lending behavior: Evidence from the 2008–2009 financial crisis
Authors: Haldarov Zamon , Asteriou Dimitrios , Trachanas Emmanouil
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the lending behavior of banks with different ownership types (domestic‐private, foreign, and government‐owned) during normal and financial crisis periods. Using panel data for the period 2004–2013, our results indicate that the 2008–2009 crisis caused a negative shock to banking sector loan growth rates which was considerably higher during 2008 compared to 2009. Although loan supply decreased during the crisis, there were differences under different ownership types and between high and upper‐middle income countries. Our findings suggest that consumer and retail loans declined significantly more in high income economies compared to upper‐middle income countries. Further, in upper‐middle income economies, the reduction in consumer and retail loans in 2009 was higher under foreign bank ownership in comparison to domestic‐private bank ownership. Overall, the results indicate that the lending behavior of banks with different types of ownership is significantly different in upper middle income countries compared to high‐income countries.
Monetary policy reaction to uncertainty in Japan: Evidence from a quantile‐on‐quantile interest rate rule
Authors: Christou Christina , Naraidoo Ruthira , Gupta Rangan , Hassapis Christis
Published: September 2020

Japan's episodes of lower bound of interest rates together with macroeconomic uncertainty for over the past two decades stands as a tremendous hurdle for the estimation of Taylor‐type rule models. We demarcate our study from previous literature by conducting the estimations not only at various points on the conditional distribution of the interest rate but also at various quantiles of an additional regressor on top of inflation and output, viz., an economic uncertainty measure, by adopting a quantile nonseparable triangular system estimation. The results show that the reaction to uncertainty seems to have substituted the Bank's reaction to inflation and output, lending support to the Brainard attenuation principle. In essence, faced with higher economic uncertainty, the monetary authority reacts by cutting (attenuating) its policy rate across all quantiles of uncertainty at all conditional quantiles of interest rate, with an increased response of the Bank of Japan to uncertainty at its lower quantiles when interest rate is at its lower conditional quantiles. A possible explanation is the greater concern of getting out from the lower bounds of interest rate amidst deflationary outcomes.
Environmentally friendly process based on a combination of ultrasound and peracetic acid treatment to obtain cellulose from orange bagasse
Authors: Marim Beatriz M , Mantovan Janaina , Giraldo Gina AG , Mali Suzana
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Brazil is responsible for 60% of the global production of orange juice, accounting for over three‐quarters of global orange juice exports, resulting in large quantities of orange bagasse (OB). This is an underutilized byproduct of the orange juice industry and corresponds to 50% of the fruit weight. The objectives of this study were to produce cellulose from OB using a combination of ultrasound and peracetic acid (PA) treatment, and to characterize the obtained materials according to their microstructure, crystallinity, thermal stability and water sorption behavior, and their cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents.

RESULTS

Ultrasound pretreatment alone was not effective in altering the composition of OB. Samples subjected to both ultrasound and PA presented higher cellulose contents and lower hemicellulose and lignin contents in comparison to their respective samples undergoing PA treatment alone. The sample subjected to ultrasound for 10 min at a 30% amplitude combined with PA treatment for 24 h (USPA.24) resulted in the highest crystallinity index (54%), with 81.49% cellulose, 0.88% hemicellulose and 2.68% lignin. The increase in cellulose content of samples also resulted in lower water‐holding capacity, solubility and water adsorption capacity of samples.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonication associated with PA treatment can be considered a promising approach and effective protocol for the extraction of cellulose from lignocellulosic residues, and it has the advantages of simplicity and environmental friendliness when compared to conventional methods, reducing the toxicity and amount of the resulting effluents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
miR‐381‐3p inhibits high glucose‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by targeting HMGB1
Authors: Zhu Xiao‐Shan , Zhou Han‐Yun , Yang Feng , Zhang Hong‐Shen , Ma Ke‐Zhong
Published: September 2020

Background

Hyperglycemia increases the risk of many cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the dysregulation of proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) also participates in the pathogenesis of CVD. miR‐381‐3p is known to suppress the proliferation and migration of multiple human cell types. Nevertheless, the function of miR‐381‐3p in VSMCs remains largely indistinct.

Methods

A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was employed to investigate miR‐381‐3p expression in high‐glucose‐induced VSMCs. Inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐6, as well as oxidative stress markers SOD and MDA, were determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Reactive oxygen species generation was examined using a 2,7'‐dichlorofluorescein kit. The proliferation, migration and apoptosis of VSMCs were monitored by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazl2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetazolium bromide (MTT), transwell and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The TargetScan database (http://www.targetscan.org) was employed to seek the potential target gene of miR‐381‐3p. Interaction between miR‐381‐3p and HMGB1 was determined by a qRT‐PCR, western blotting and a luciferase reporter assay.

Results

miR‐381‐3p expression was significantly reduced in a VSMCs dysfunction model induced by high‐glucose in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Transfection of miR‐381‐3p mimics suppressed the inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and migration of VSMCs, whereas apoptosis of VSMCs was promoted, and the transfection of miR‐381‐3p inhibitors had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, HMGB1, an important factor in inflammation response, was confirmed as a target gene of miR‐381‐3p.

Conclusions

miR‐381‐3p targets HMGB1 to suppress the inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation and migration of high‐glucose‐induced VSMCs by targeting HMGB1.
Vulnerability of hop‐yields due to compound drought and heat events over European key‐hop regions
Authors: Potopová Vera , Lhotka Ondřej , Možný Martin , Musiolková Marie
Published: September 2020

Compound climate events in which only one variable is extreme (e.g., either hot but no drought or extreme drought but not hot) and events in which both variables are extreme (e.g., drought and heat waves) may have different impacts on hop yields and alpha‐bitter acid contents. Increasing occurrences of compound drought and heat events have led to increased income variability for beer production, and also affecting the major hop growers across Europe (EU). Our study includes the key hop‐growing regions across the EU such as Hallertau (Germany); Úštěcko, Žatecko and Tršická (Czech Republic); Kent (Great Britain); Alsace (France); Lublin (Poland); Koroška (Slovenia) and León and Galicia (Spain). For these regions, we used the concurrent bivariate return period to model the joint probability distributions of daily precipitation and maximum temperature extremes and to provide risk assessments for concurrent drought‐heat waves during the hop‐growing season. We estimated the risk of lower yields from hop cones based on concurrent dry‐cool, dry‐hot, wet‐cool and wet‐hot modes over the target areas. The results show that longer and more severe drought and heat wave concurrences have increased more frequently than shorter concurrences. The degree of risk was estimated as being higher over the extensive hop‐growing areas in the Czech Republic and Germany. A total of 22.4, 12.5 and 7.2% of EU areas with conditions suitable for commercial hop production fell into the moderate, high and very high yield loss risk categories, respectively. Integrating the damage between April and August indicated that more than 62.7% of total yield losses were due to high temperatures under dry conditions and that 21.5% of the yield losses were due to dry‐cool conditions in the top hop‐farming regions. The hotter European droughts caused decreases in noble aromatic hops by 29–68%. This indicates that hop yields are very vulnerable to these events due to a slower rate of adaptation of hops compared to field crops.
The effect of ankle osteoarthritis and total ankle arthroplasty on center of pressure position
Authors: Zeininger Angel , Schmitt Daniel , Hughes‐Oliver Cherice , Queen Robin M.
Published: September 2020

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a common surgical approach for patients with end‐stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA). However, very little is known about the path of the center of pressure (COP) of the foot, and thus important aspects of load transfer, muscle mechanical advantage, and balance, in patients before or after surgery. The objective of this study was to trace the pathway of the COP under the foot in patients with symptomatic ankle OA, comparing asymmetry between affected and unaffected limbs. From force plate data, proximodistal and mediolateral positions of the COP beneath the foot were calculated and compared for the affected and unaffected foot in patients with unilateral ankle OA (N = 93) before and after TAA. Gender and age at surgery had little or no effect in this study. Patients with ankle OA had minimal COP position asymmetry before surgery, and this asymmetry was reduced following surgery. Before surgery, patients had a slower walking speed and a shorter path of the COP which began relatively distal to the heel and ended relatively proximal to the hallux. TAA increased the proximodistal distance the COP traveled under both the unaffected and affected foot, a pattern that was maintained for over 2‐year postsurgery. TAA allows patients with ankle OA to maintain a longer COP path than they had before surgery on both sides that is closer to that reported for unaffected individuals, extending effectively from the heel to the hallux, potentially improving pedal mechanics.
Tuning gold nanostar morphology for the SERS detection of uranyl
Authors: Harder Rachel A. , Wijenayaka Lahiru A. , Phan Hoa T. , Haes Amanda J.
Published: September 2020

The impact of tunable morphologies and plasmonic properties of gold nanostars is evaluated for the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of uranyl. To do so, gold nanostars are synthesized with varying concentrations of the Good's buffer reagent, 2‐[4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]propanesulfonic acid (EPPS). EPPS plays three roles including as a reducing agent for nanostar nucleation and growth, as a nanostar‐stabilizing agent for solution phase stability, and as a coordinating ligand for the capture of uranyl. The resulting nanostructures exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectra that contain two visible and one near‐infrared plasmonic modes. All three optical features arise from synergistic coupling between the nanostar core and branches. The tunability of these optical resonances is correlated with nanostar morphology through careful transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. As the EPPS concentration used during synthesis increases, both the length and aspect ratio of the branches increase. This causes the two lower energy extinction features to grow in magnitude and become ideal for the SERS detection of uranyl. Finally, uranyl binds to the gold nanostar surface directly and via sulfonate coordination. Changes in the uranyl signal are directly correlated to the plasmonic properties associated with the nanostar branches. Overall, this work highlights the synergistic importance of nanostar morphology and plasmonic properties for the SERS detection of small molecules.
Strategic systematic for software development in industry 4.0
Authors: de Oliveira Valério Karollay Giuliani , da Silva Carlos Eduardo Sanches , Neves Sandra Miranda
Published: September 2020

Industry 4.0 is a relevant subject both in academia and practice. Organizations need systems for managing technologies and to understand how they can be essential for business strategy. The requirements of software development include points that must be discussed at a strategic level to create institutional value. Systematics that integrate technology, and theory will influence the organization's strategic decisions.

Keywords: industry 4.0, software development, systematic proposal, technology roadmapping
Overview of environmental management in an emerging market
Authors: Yan Jie , Xu Lu , Farajallah Mehdi , Zhao Shuyan , Xiong Jie
Published: September 2020

Enterprise strategic orientations influence environmental management, and external environmental characteristics moderate this relationship. Enterprise strategic orientations include policy orientation and market orientation, and external environmental characteristics contain system integrity and industrial competitiveness. Both the policy factors and market factors are important considerations for an enterprise's strategic choice and environmental management activities. System integrity shows no significant negative regulating function on the policy orientation of environmental management relationships, while industrial competitiveness plays a remarkably positive regulating role in the market orientation environmental management.
Therapeutic Ultrasound in Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors: Coiado Olivia C. , Lowe Jacques , O'Brien William D.
Published: September 2020

An advantage of therapeutic ultrasound (US) is the ability to cause controlled biological effects noninvasively. Depending on the magnitude and frequency of exposure parameters, US can interact in different ways with a variety of biological tissues. The development and clinical utility of therapeutic US techniques are now rapidly growing, especially with regard to the application of US pulses for cardiac pacing and the potential treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review outlines the basic principles of US‐based therapy in cardiology, including the acoustic properties of the cardiovascular tissue, and the use of US in therapeutic cardiovascular medicine.
Review of otitis media microbiome studies: What do they tell us?
Authors: Nogues Juan Carlos , Pérez‐Losada Marcos , Preciado Diego
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To provide a state of the art review on accruing studies focused on defining the middle ear microbiome, highlighting the relationship of the microbiome to disease pathophysiology.

Data sources

Pubmed indexed peer‐reviewed articles and published textbooks.

Review methods

Comprehensive review of the literature using the following search terms: “microbiome” “bacterial pathogens” with the term “otitis media,” and “middle ear.”

Results

A multitude of microbiome studies have been published in the recent past. In general findings from these studies underscore distinct profiles based on disease category. The adenoidal reservoir theory may not explain all etiologies of middle ear effusion production. The host immune system appears to be associated to the bacterial population identified in the middle ear space. Atopic respiratory diseases correlate to the middle ear microbiome. Some novel middle ear bacterial genera may be protective in terms of disease.

Conclusion

The understanding of otitis media disease progression pathophysiology is evolving, informed by accruing middle ear microbiomic data. The functional implications of middle ear microbiome findings need to be studied further. This may help counterbalance probiotic vs antibiotic approaches to disease mitigation.
Current Practices in Pediatric Dermatology Laser Therapy: An International Survey
Authors: Loh Tiffany Y. , Cotton Colleen H. , Vasic Jelena B. , Goldberg Gerald N.
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

To date, there are no well‐established guidelines regarding laser therapy for the treatment of cutaneous lesions in pediatric patients. We aim to ascertain the types of lasers commonly used, types of lesions treated, and factors that affect the selection of specific laser modalities in pediatric patients.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

An anonymous online survey was distributed to healthcare providers who treat children with lasers through listservs of four major national and international dermatology and laser organizations.

Results

Outpatient office‐based procedure rooms are the most common clinical setting for laser procedures (74.4%), and pulsed dye laser is the most commonly used laser (95.4%). Conditions routinely treated with lasers included port wine stains (95.4%), infantile hemangiomas (81.5%), other vascular lesions (81.5%), scars (77.7%), and hair (60.8%). 84.4% of respondents expressed concern about general anesthesia in patients <2 years old. Nevi of Ota is treated with laser more frequently (52.3%) than other pigmented lesions.

Limitations

Limited generalizability of case examples to general conditions.

Conclusions

Vascular lesions are the most common lesions treated with lasers in pediatric dermatology patients, and most providers are using these devices in the outpatient setting. Many providers are concerned about the effects of repeated general anesthesia in infants, and there appears to be a trend toward providing laser therapy in the outpatient setting without general anesthesia. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC