bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutrients mitigate the impacts of extreme drought on plant invasions
Authors: Kelso Megan A. , Wigginton Rachel D. , Grosholz Edwin D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractExtreme climate events, such as drought, are becoming increasingly important drivers of plant community change, yet little is known about their impacts on invasive plants. Further, drought impacts may be altered by other anthropogenic stressors, such as eutrophication. We found drought dramatically reduced density of invasive Lepidium latifolium in salt marshes, and this die‐back was mitigated by nutrient addition. In a 3‐yr field experiment (2014–2016) conducted during an unprecedented drought (2012–2015), we tracked the effects of drought and nutrient addition on the plant community. We conducted this research at four salt marshes across a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Bay, California, USA. We manipulated paired native and invaded plots, one‐half of which were treated monthly with N and P for 1.5 yr during the most intense period of the drought and one subsequent wet winter. In addition, we monitored unmanipulated L. latifolium‐invaded transects within our freshest and most saline sites throughout the three years of our manipulative experiment and one additional wet winter. We documented a dramatic die‐back of invasive L. latifolium during extreme drought, with reductions in stem density (52–100%) and height (17–47%) that were more severe at low salinity sites than high salinity sites. We found nutrient application lessened the effect of drought on L. latifolium stem density, but not height. In native plots, extreme drought reduced native plant cover (4–24%), but nutrient addition mitigated this impact. Interestingly, native plants in invaded plots did not suffer reductions in cover due to drought, perhaps because they were simultaneously benefiting from the die‐back of the invader. Our results show drought negatively impacted both native and invasive plants and this impact was stronger on the invader, which experienced persistent declines two years after the end of the drought. However, by mitigating the effect of drought on invasive plants, nutrient addition potentially erased the advantage drought provided native plants over invasive plants under ambient nutrient conditions.
Foundation species promote community stability by increasing diversity in a giant kelp forest
Authors: Lamy Thomas , Koenigs Craig , Holbrook Sally J. , Miller Robert J. , Stier Adrian C. , Reed Daniel C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFoundation species structure communities, promote biodiversity, and stabilize ecosystem processes by creating locally stable environmental conditions. Despite their critical importance, the role of foundation species in stabilizing natural communities has seldom been quantified. In theory, the stability of a foundation species should promote community stability by enhancing species richness, altering the population fluctuations of individual species, or both. Here we tested the hypothesis that the stability of a marine foundation species, the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, increased the stability of the aggregate biomass of a phylogenetically diverse assemblage of understory algae and sessile invertebrates that compete for space beneath the giant kelp canopy. To achieve this goal, we analyzed an 18‐yr time series of the biomass of giant kelp and its associated benthic community collected from 32 plots distributed among nine shallow reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel, USA. We showed that the stability of understory algae and sessile invertebrates was positively and indirectly related to the stability of giant kelp, which primarily resulted from giant kelp's direct positive association with species richness. The stability of all community types was positively related to species richness via increased species stability and species asynchrony. The stabilizing effects of richness were three to four times stronger when algae and invertebrates were considered separately rather than in combination. Our finding that diversity–stability relationships were stronger in communities consisting of species with similar resource requirements suggests that competition for shared resources rather than differential responses to environmental conditions played a more important role in stabilizing the community. Increasing threats to structure‐forming foundation species worldwide necessitates a detailed understanding of how they influence their associated community. This study is among the first to show that dampened temporal fluctuations in the biomass of a foundation species is an important determinant of the stability of the complex communities it supports.
Resistance and robustness of the global coral–symbiont network
Authors: Williams Sara D. , Patterson Mark R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIncreasing ocean temperatures have widespread consequences for coral reefs, one of which is coral bleaching. We analyzed a global network of associations between coral species and Symbiodiniaceae for resistance to temperature stress and robustness to perturbations. Null networks were created by changing either the physiological parameters of the nodes or the structures of the networks. We developed a bleaching model in which each link, association, is given a weight based on temperature thresholds for specific host–symbiont pairs and links are removed as temperature increases. Resistance to temperature stress was determined from the response of the networks to the bleaching model. Ecological robustness, defined by how much perturbation is needed to decrease the number of nodes by 50%, was determined for multiple removal models that considered traits of the hosts, symbionts, and their associations. Network resistance to bleaching and robustness to perturbations differed from the null networks and varied across spatial scales, supporting that thermal tolerances, local association patterns, and environment play an important role in network persistence. Networks were more robust to attacks on associations than to attacks on species. Although the global network was fairly robust to random link removals, when links are removed according to the bleaching model, robustness decreases by about 20%. Specific environmental attacks, in the form of increasing temperatures, destabilize the global network of coral species and Symbiodiniaceae. On a global scale, the network was more robust to removals of links with susceptible Symbiodiniaceae than it was to removals of links with susceptible hosts. Thus, the symbionts convey more stability to the symbiosis than the hosts when the system is under an environmental attack. However, our results also provide evidence that the environment of the networks affects robustness to link perturbations. Our work shows that ecological resistance and robustness can be assessed through network analysis that considers specific biological traits and functional weaknesses. The global network of associations between corals and Symbiodiniaceae and its distribution of thermal tolerances are non‐random, and the evolution of this architecture has led to higher sensitivity to environmental perturbations.
The effect of parity on exercise physiology in women with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Beale Anna L. , Cosentino Carmela , Segan Louise , Mariani Justin A. , Vizi Donna , Evans Shona , Nanayakkara Shane , Kaye David M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimsWomen are overrepresented amongst patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); however, the underpinning mechanism for this asymmetric distribution is unclear. Pregnancy represents a potential gender‐specific risk factor for HFpEF. It leads to significant physiological adaption, and increasing parity has been associated with some cardiovascular risk. We sought to examine the relationship between prior parity with the rest and exercise haemodynamic and echocardiographic profile of women with HFpEF.Methods and resultsPatients referred for assessment of exertional dyspnoea and confirmed to have a haemodynamic and clinical profile consistent with HFpEF were included. Detailed evaluation consisted of rest and exercise right heart catheterization and echocardiography. A socio‐economic and obstetric history was also documented. Fifty‐eight women were assessed and categorized as having either 0–2 births or ≥3 births, dividing the cohort equally. Women with ≥3 births achieved a lower symptom‐limited workload than those with 0–2 births [38 (24–51) vs. 46 (31–68) W, P = 0.04]. Women with ≥3 births had a greater rise in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure indexed to workload with exercise [0.5 (0.3–0.8) vs. 0.3 (0.2–0.5) mmHg/W, P = 0.03], paralleled by a greater rise in right atrial pressure [10 (8–12) vs. 7 (3–11), P = 0.01]. Pulmonary vascular resistance was also higher in women with ≥3 births [1.9 (1.6–2.4) vs. 1.6 (1.4–1.9) mmHg/L/min rest, P = 0.046, and 1.9 (2.4–2.4) vs. 1.4 (1–1.8) mmHg/L/min exercise, P = 0.024]. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower at rest [60 (57–61) vs. 63 (60–66), P = 0.008] and during exercise [65 (62–67) vs. 68 (66–70), P = 0.038] in women with higher parity.ConclusionsHigher parity is associated with greater impairments in multiple physiologic parameters of HFpEF severity in women, including diastolic reserve, pulmonary vascular resistance, and systolic dysfunction.
Small diameter blood vessels with controllable micropore structure induced by centrifugal force for improved endothelialization
Authors: Li Jinge , Gao Qinwei , Chen Zhaobin , Yang Xiaoniu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe micropore structure is prerequisite for fast and durable endothelialization of artificial small diameter blood vessels (ASDBVs). Although some methods, such as salt leaching, coagulation, and electrospinning, have been developed to construct micropores for ASDBVs, the uncontrollability of the structure and the complicated procedures of the process are still the issues to be concerned about. In this study, a compact device based on the principle of centrifugal force is established and used to prepare polyurethane (PU) ASDBVs with micropore structures by blasting different porogens. It is found that the glass beads could construct micropores with regular round shape, uniform distribution, and controllable size (60–350 µm), which significantly improves the endothelialization of PU‐based ASDBVs, especially when the pore size is about 60 µm. This method is easy‐accessible and wide‐applicable, which provides a new pathway for the research and development of ASDBVs.
A novel method to evaluate cleaning quality of oil in shale using pyrolysis pyrogram
Authors: Dong Xu , Shen Luyi , Zhao Jianpeng , Liu Xuefeng , Sun Yuli , Golsanami Naser , Wang Fei , Bi Haisheng , Zitha Pacelli 
Published: January 2020

AbstractComplete and thorough core cleaning is a critical prerequisite for the precise measurements of most rock's petrophysical parameters. In shale, the oil cleaning process, aimed to remove the volatile hydrocarbons, is often complicated by the requirement for intact solid organic. Evaluation of shale's cleaning methods needs to take structural integrity of organic matrix into account but neglected in the existing researches. Here, we develop a novel evaluation method using a modified ESH (extended slow heating) pyrolysis cycle, which starts at a lower initial temperature of 150°C for 10 minutes and then slowly increases to 650°C by 10°C/min. Hydrocarbons on the ESH pyrogram were divided into light free hydrocarbon (SA), FHR (fluid‐like hydrocarbon, SB), and solid organic matter (SC). We propose a set of quantitative evaluation criterions comparing the results of pyrograms, for different types of the hydrocarbons, at different cleaning conditions. We showed that a modified pyrogram achieves complete cleaning with SA and SB removed while SC remains almost intact. The modified pyrogram achieves complete removal of FHR in the second stage of pyrogram, while earlier researches often report residual FHR. The introduced method improves the accuracy in the identification of production potential in kerogen‐rich shale reservoirs up to about 3% of the total pore volume. Further, the new approach allows a quantitative assessment for the cleaning quality without altering the sample's organic matrix. Future studies on the petrophysical properties of the hydrocarbon‐bearing reservoir rocks may benefit from the thorough hydrocarbon removal achieved through the modified pyrogram methods proposed in this study.
Vegetation and hydrogeomorphic features of a large lowland river: NDVI patterns summarizing fluvial dynamics and supporting interpretations of ecological patterns
Authors: Marchetti Z.Y. , Ramonell C.G. , Brumnich F. , Alberdi R. , Kandus P. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe interactions among hydrogeomorphic features of large lowland rivers regulate the spatio‐temporal fluvial dynamics and influence the occurrence and understanding of the ecological patterns in these systems. We studied the hydrogeomorphic features that explain the fluvial dynamics of the Paraná River floodplain and investigated the usefulness of NDVI patterns in summarizing these dynamics. Information layers related to elevation, drainage network, geomorphic units, runoff dynamics, and NDVI patterns of the study area were generated from multi‐source remote sensing data and fieldwork measurements. All these layers were integrated and analysed in a GIS environment, and the statistical association among them was corroborated. In our study area, the interaction among hydrogeomorphic features determined a centrifugal flooding pattern through which inundation occurs when water from remote courses, fluvial lakes, and secondary tributaries reaches the main channel. The areas closest to the main channel are flooded only when it overflows. Five NDVI patterns statistically different in terms of their means and standard deviations were identified and characterized. These NDVI patterns were significantly associated with elevation, geomorphic units, and runoff dynamics, highlighting their usefulness to characterize the fluvial dynamics and support understanding of the ecological patterns. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forecasting local currency bond risk premia of emerging markets: The role of cross‐country macrofinancial linkages
Authors: Cepni Oguzhan , Gupta Rangan , Güney I. Ethem , Yilmaz M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we forecast local currency debt of five major emerging market countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey) over the period January 2010 to January 2019 (with an in‐sample period: March 2005 to December 2009). We exploit information from a large set of economic and financial time series to assess the importance not only of “own‐country” factors (derived from principal component and partial least squares approaches), but also create “global” predictors by combining the country‐specific variables across the five emerging economies. We find that, while information on own‐country factors can outperform the historical average model, global factors tend to produce not only greater statistical and economic gains, but also enhance market timing ability of investors, especially when we use the target variable (bond premium) approach under the partial least squares method to extract our factors. Our results have important implications not only for fund managers but also for policymakers.
Kynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase: A new direction for the treatment in different diseases
Authors: Lu Yifei , Shao Mingmei , Wu Tao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractKynurenine‐3‐monooxygenase (KMO) is an enzyme that relies on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a key site in the kynurenine pathway (KP), which has great effects on neurological diseases, cancer, and peripheral inflammation. This review mainly pay attention to the research of KMO mechanism for the treatment of different diseases, and hopes to provide assistance for clinical and drug use. KMO controlling the chief division of the KP, which directly controls downstream product quinolinic acid (QUIN) and indirectly controls kynurenic acid (KYNA), plays an important role in many diseases, especially neurological diseases.
Epidemiology and management of uterine fibroids
Authors: Giuliani Emma , As‐Sanie Sawsan , Marsh Erica E. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractUterine leiomyomas are one of the most common and yet understudied diseases in women. These tumors, commonly known as fibroids, affect women mainly during their reproductive years and are diagnosed in up to 70% of white women and more than 80% of women of African ancestry during their lifetime. This disease has a profound impact on health care delivery and costs worldwide. Though most women with fibroids are asymptomatic, approximately 30% of them will present with severe symptoms which can include abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, pelvic pain and pressure, back pain, urinary frequency, constipation, or infertility, and will require intervention. Furthermore, fibroids have been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes. The current options for symptomatic fibroid treatment include expectant, medical, and surgical management, and interventional radiology procedures. This article reviews the recent progress and available management strategies for uterine fibroids and highlights areas where further research is needed to find new therapeutic targets and better personalize treatments.
Diagnostic value of platelet‐lymphocyte ratio and hemoglobin‐platelet ratio in patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Mo Cui‐ju , Hu Zuo‐jian , Qin Shan‐zi , Chen Hua‐ping , Huang Li , Li Shan , Cao Zhao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and hemoglobin‐platelet ratio (HPR) combined or not with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in rectal cancer.MethodsWe recruited 235 patients pathologically diagnosed with rectal cancer, 113 patients with benign rectal diseases, and 229 healthy control patients in this retrospective analysis. Then, the correlation between PLR, HPR, and clinicopathological findings was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of PLR and HPR combined or not with CEA in rectal cancer patients.ResultsThe levels of PLR, HPR, and CEA were higher in rectal cancer patients than those in the subjects with benign rectal diseases (P < .001) and the healthy controls (P < .001). Platelet‐lymphocyte ratio and HPR were associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor stage, rather than serosa invasion, distant metastasis, or tumor size. PLR or HPR combined with CEA produced larger area under curve (AUC) (AUCPLR+CEA = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.70‐0.79, AUCHPR+CEA = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.71‐0.80) than PLR (P < .0001), HPR (P < .0001), or CEA (P = .024) alone.ConclusionOur results suggest that PLR or HPR combined with CEA can increase diagnostic efficacy and may be a useful diagnostic marker for patients with rectal cancer.
Graphene oxide functionalized with a Schiff Base for the removal of Pb(II) ions from contaminated water: experimental and modeling approach
Authors: Zaman Brohi Rafi O , Khuhawar Muhammad Yar , Mahar Rasool Bux 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe current study suggests an experimental and modeling approach for the adsorptive removal of lead(II) ions from contaminated water sample. The Schiff base reagent, bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediimine (Salen) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) was applied as adsorbent. Salen functionalized GO was prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The batch experiment represented maximum removal efficiency of 99% at pH 6.5, adsorbent dose of 100 mg L−1 and 5 min contact time.RESULTSThe residual concentration of lead(II) after removal was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. DLS results suggested slightly smaller particle size of Salen modified GO than pristine GO. The optimized model calculated with Gaussian 09 W software showed maximum total energy (1.3959 eV) and dipole moment (6.8646 D) for model of lead interaction with Salen–GO. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was most fitted and the kinetic data indicated that the lead(II) adsorption on Salen–GO followed second‐order model. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated was 68 mg g−1.CONCLUSIONThe adsorbent was applied to remove lead(II) ions in real contaminated water samples of the battery manufacturing industry with average removal of 95% with relative standard deviation 1.23% (n = 3). The adsorbent was reusable with desorption of lead(II) from adsorbent and was 95% with 0.2 mol L‐1 nitric acid. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Luminal Water Imaging: Comparison With Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging (DWI) and PI‐RADS for Characterization of Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
Authors: Hectors Stefanie J. , Said Daniela , Gnerre Jeffrey , Tewari Ashutosh , Taouli Bachir 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundLuminal water imaging (LWI), a multicomponent T2 mapping technique, has shown promise for prostate cancer (PCa) detection and characterization.PurposeTo 1) quantify LWI parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in PCa and benign peripheral zone (PZ) tissues; and 2) evaluate the diagnostic performance of LWI, ADC, and PI‐RADS parameters for differentiation between low‐ and high‐grade PCa lesions.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsTwenty‐six PCa patients undergoing prostatectomy (mean age 59 years, range 46–72 years).Field Strength/SequenceMultiparametric MRI at 3.0T, including diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and LWI T2 mapping.AssessmentLWI parameters and ADC were quantified in index PCa lesions and benign PZ.Statistical TestsDifferences in MRI parameters between PCa and benign PZ were assessed using Wilcoxon signed tests. Spearman correlation of pathological grade group (GG) with LWI parameters, ADC, and PI‐RADS was evaluated. The utility of each of the parameters for differentiation between low‐grade (GG ≤2) and high‐grade (GG ≥3) PCa was determined by Mann–Whitney U tests and ROC analyses.ResultsTwenty‐six index lesions were analyzed (mean size 1.7 ± 0.8 cm, GG: 1 [n = 1; 4%], 2 [n = 14, 54%], 3 [n = 8, 31%], 5 [n = 3, 12%]). LWI parameters and ADC both showed high diagnostic performance for differentiation between benign PZ and PCa (highest area under the curve [AUC] for LWI parameter T2,short [AUC = 0.98, P < 0.001]). The LWI parameters luminal water fraction (LWF) and amplitude of long T2 component Along significantly correlated with GG (r = –0.441, P = 0.024 and r = –0.414, P = 0.036, respectively), while PI‐RADS, ADC, and the other LWI parameters did not (P = 0.132–0.869). LWF and Along also showed significant differences between low‐grade and high‐grade PCa (AUC = 0.776, P = 0.008 and AUC = 0.758, P = 0.027, respectively). Maximum diagnostic performance for discrimination of high‐grade PCa was found with combined LWI parameters (AUC 0.891, P = 0.001).Data ConclusionLWI parameters, in particular in combination, showed superior diagnostic performance for differentiation between low‐grade and high‐grade PCa compared to ADC and PI‐RADS assessment.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:271–279.