bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate and land‐use interactively shape butterfly diversity in tropical rainforest and savanna ecosystems of southwestern China
Authors: Miao Bai‐Ge , Peng Yan‐Qiong , Yang Da‐Rong , Kubota Yasuhiro , Economo Evan P. , Liu Cong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHuman‐induced habitat conversion and degradation, along with accelerating climatic change, have resulted in considerable global biodiversity loss. Nevertheless, how local ecological assemblages respond to the interplay between climate and land‐use change remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of climate and land‐use interactions on butterfly diversity in different ecosystems of southwestern China. Specifically, we investigated variation in the alpha and beta diversities of butterflies in different landscapes along human‐modified and climate gradients. We found that increasing land‐use intensity not only caused a dramatic decrease in butterfly alpha diversity but also significantly simplified butterfly species composition in tropical rainforest and savanna ecosystems. These findings suggest that habitat modification by agricultural activities increases the importance of deterministic processes and leads to biotic homogenization. The land‐use intensity model best explained species richness variation in the tropical rainforest, whereas the climate and land‐use intensity interaction model best explained species richness variation in the savanna. These results indicate that climate modulates the effects of land‐use intensity on butterfly alpha diversity in the savanna ecosystem. We also found that the response of species composition to climate varied between sites: specifically, species composition was strongly correlated with climatic distance in the tropical rainforest but not in the savanna. Taken together, our long‐term butterfly monitoring data reveal that interactions between human‐modified habitat change and climate change have shaped butterfly diversity in tropical rainforest and savanna. These findings also have important implications for biodiversity conservation under the current era of rapid human‐induced habitat loss and climate change.
Information exchange in cartels
Authors: Awaya Yu , Krishna Vijay 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAntitrust authorities view the exchange of information among firms regarding costs, prices, or sales as anticompetitive. Such exchanges allow competitors to closely monitor each other, thereby facilitating collusion. But the exchange of aggregate information, perhaps via a third party, is legal. The logic is that collusion is difficult if the identity of a price‐cutting firm cannot be ascertained. Here, we examine this logic using Stigler's model of secret price cuts. We first identify circumstances such that when no information exchange is possible, collusion is difficult. We then show that if firms' aggregate sales are made public, nearly perfect collusion is possible.
Autonomic modulation before and after paroxysmal atrial fibrillation events in patients with ischemic heart disease
Authors: Ernie Liao Ting‐Wei , Lo Li‐Wei , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Chang Shih‐Lin , Hu Yu‐Feng , Wu Cheng‐I , Chung Fa‐Po , Chao Tze‐Fan , Liao Jo‐Nan , Chen Shih‐Ann 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe autonomic activity plays a critical role in generating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the autonomic nerve activity before and after PAF events in patients with and without ischemic heart disease (IHD).MethodsThe study included 49 patients (71.43 ± 12.24 years old, 26 males) with PAF events lasting more than 30 s during 24‐hr ambulatory Holter monitoring. The 20‐min intervals before and after PAF events were divided into eight segments of 5 min each. Heart rate variability (HRV) analyses of the time and frequency domains were applied to each time segment.ResultsPatients with IHD had significant increases in the root mean square successive differences (r‐MSSD, p = .008) and HF component (p = .04), followed by a significant increase in the LF/HF ratio (p = .02) preceding the onset of PAF. Patients without IHD had only a significant increase in the r‐MSSD (p = .045) preceding the onset of PAF. During the termination of PAF events, patients in both the IHD and control groups had a significantly decreased r‐MSSD and HF, respectively.ConclusionIschemic heart disease causes a sympathovagal imbalance in the initiation of PAF. Decreased parasympathetic activity regulated the termination of PAF in both the IHD and control groups. The modification of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity should be individualized due to the autonomic complexity in AF arrhythmogenesis and termination.
Parasympathetic activity as a potential biomarker of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Wei‐Chia , Liu Wei‐Shih , Chen Tzu‐ting , Chen Wen‐Hao , Huang Wei‐Lieh 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionAutonomic dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia has raised concern considering the higher cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rate. This phenomenon has been demonstrated using various measurements and is inferred to be associated with demographics, medical treatment, and psychopathology. However, few have targeted the role of negative symptoms within schizophrenia.MethodsSchizophrenia patients with stationary psychopathology were recruited from a chronic ward, a daycare center, and a nonintensive case management program. Demographic data, medication history, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score, the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) score, and the five‐minute resting‐state heart rate variability (HRV) were collected at trial initiation (Time 1) and a year later (Time 2). The relationships between variables and HRV indices were evaluated using correlation and regression analyses.ResultsA total of 63 participants were recruited at Time 1, with 29 participants remaining at Time 2. Correlation analyses showed a negative correlation between the PANSS negative score (PANSS‐N) and total power (TP), low‐frequency power (LF), and high‐frequency power (HF) at Time 1. The results were further examined with multiple linear regression analysis and remained significant between the PANSS‐N score and HF (β = −0.306, P = .012). A generalized estimating equation model revealed the above negative association to be significant considering both timepoints.DiscussionThe negative association between negative symptom severity and parasympathetic activity was significant, which may inspire further research into the corresponding treatment, the mechanisms, and the use of HRV as an applicable biomarker for treatment response.
Randomised clinical trial: standard of care versus early‐transjugular intrahepatic porto‐systemic shunt (TIPSS) in patients with cirrhosis and oesophageal variceal bleeding
Authors: Dunne Philip D. J. , Sinha Rohit , Stanley Adrian J. , Lachlan Neil , Ireland Hamish , Shams Aman , Kasthuri Ram , Forrest Ewan H. , Hayes Peter C. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryBackgroundEarly‐transjugular intrahepatic porto‐systemic shunt (TIPSS) has been recommended in international guidelines for high‐risk patients with oesophageal variceal bleeding.AimTo validate the results of a previous randomised control trial which supports use of early‐TIPSS.MethodsIn a two‐centre open‐label parallel‐group randomised control trial, patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding were recruited following haemostasis with vaso‐active drugs and endoscopic band ligation. Participants were randomised to standard of care or early‐TIPSS. The primary outcome was 1‐year survival, secondary outcomes included early and late rebleeding, and complications of portal hypertension.ResultsFifty‐eight patients (58 ± 11.12 years; 32.7% female) were randomised. After one year, seven patients died in the standard of care group and six in the early‐TIPSS group, a 1‐year survival of 75.9% vs 79.3% respectively (P = 0.79). Variceal rebleeding occurred in eight patients in the standard of care group compared with three patients in the early‐TIPSS group (P = 0.09). Not all participants randomised to early‐TIPSS received the intervention in time. For those receiving TIPSS per‐protocol, variceal rebleeding rates were reduced (0% vs 27.6%, P = 0.04) but this had no effect on survival (76.9% vs 75.9%, P = 0.91). Serious adverse events were similar in both treatment groups, except that rates of hepatic encephalopathy were higher in patients receiving TIPSS (46.1% vs 20.7%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsEarly‐TIPSS reduced variceal rebleeding, increased encephalopathy but had no effect on survival in high‐risk patients with oesophageal variceal bleeding. Early‐TIPSS may not be feasible in many centres however, larger studies are needed. ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT02377141.
Primary stability and healing outcomes of apically tapered and straight implants placed into fresh extraction sockets. A pre‐clinical in vivo study
Authors: Ellis Rebecca , Chen Stephen , Davies Helen , Fitzgerald Wayne , Xu Junhua , Darby Ivan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the stability of apically tapered and straight (non‐tapered cylindrical) implants at the time of immediate placement and to histologically evaluate the healing outcomes after 6 weeks.Materials and MethodsThe second maxillary incisors were extracted bilaterally in nine dogs. After randomization, apically tapered and straight implants with a 3.3 mm shoulder diameter were inserted into the extraction sockets. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) of the implants was recorded after placement. Peri‐implant defects on the buccal aspect were filled with deproteinized bovine bone mineral and covered with resorbable type I/III porcine collagen matrix. After 6 weeks of healing, sections were prepared for histological and morphometric analysis.ResultsAll implant sites healed uneventfully. The apically tapered implants had significantly higher ISQ values compared to straight implants at placement (p = .009). The histomorphometric outcomes 6 weeks following implant placement in both experimental groups were similar, except in the apico‐palatal region. Apically tapered implants demonstrated significantly less percentage bone‐to‐implant contact (p = .035) in the apico‐palatal region. At both implant types, substantial corono‐apical resorption of the buccal bone wall was noted in the coronal 2 mm of the implant.ConclusionApically tapered implants had significantly higher ISQ values at immediate placement compared to straight implants. The healing outcomes and remodelling of the buccal bone wall were similar for both implant designs. In the apico‐palatal region, there was less %BIC at the implant surface at apically tapered implants compared to straight implants.
Greater variability in lipid measurements associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality: A 10‐year diabetes cohort study
Authors: Wan Eric Y. F. , Yu Esther Y. T. , Chin Weng Y. , Barrett Jessica K. , Mok Anna H. Y. , Lau Christie S. T. , Wang Yuan , Wong Ian C. K. , Chan Esther W. Y. , Lam Cindy L. K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimTo examine the associations between variability in lipids and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes based on low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), the total cholesterol (TC) to high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) ratio and triglycerides (TG).Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study included 125 047 primary care patients with type 2 diabetes aged 45‐84 years without CVD during 2008‐2012. The variability of LDL‐C, TC to HDL‐C and TG was determined using the standard deviation of variables in a mixed effects model to minimize regression dilution bias. The associations between variability in lipids and CVD and mortality risk were assessed by Cox regression. Subgroup analyses based on patients’ baseline characteristics were also conducted.ResultsA total of 19 913 CVD events and 15 329 mortalities were recorded after a median follow‐up period of 77.5 months (0.8 million person‐years), suggesting a positive linear relationship between variability in lipids and the risk of CVD and mortality. Each unit increase in the variability of LDL‐C (mmol/L), the TC to HDL‐C ratio and TG (mmol/L) was associated with a 27% (HR: 1.27 [95% CI: 1.20‐1.34]), 31% (HR:1.31 [95% CI: 1.25‐1.38]) and 9% (HR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.04‐1.15]) increase in the risk of composite endpoint of CVD and mortality, respectively. Age‐specific effects were also found when comparing LDL‐C variability, with patients aged 45‐54 years (HR: 1.70 [95% CI: 1.42‐2.02]) exhibiting a 53% increased risk for the composite endpoints than those aged 75‐84 years (HR: 1.11 [95% CI: 1.01‐1.23]). Similar age effects were observed for both the TC to HDL‐C ratio and TG variability. Significant associations remained consistent among most of the subgroups.ConclusionsVariability in respective lipids are significant factors in predicting CVD and mortality in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes, with the strongest effects related to LDL‐C and the TC to HDL‐C ratio and most significant in the younger age group of patients aged 45‐54 years. Further study is warranted to confirm these findings.
Does cannabidiol have antiseizure activity independent of its interactions with clobazam? An appraisal of the evidence from randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bialer Meir , Perucca Emilio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFour pivotal randomized placebo‐controlled trials have demonstrated that adjunctive therapy with cannabidiol (CBD) improves seizure control in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Between 47% and 68% of patients allocated to CBD treatment in these trials were receiving clobazam (CLB), which shows complex interactions with CBD resulting, in particular, in a 3.4‐ to 5‐fold increase in plasma concentration of the active metabolite norclobazam. This raises concern as to the role played by these interactions in determining the reduction in seizure frequency in CBD‐treated patients, and the question of whether CBD per se has clinically evident antiseizure effects. We appraised available evidence on the clinical consequences of the CBD‐CLB interaction, focusing on subgroup analyses of seizure outcomes in patients on and off CLB comedication in the pivotal CBD trials, as provided by the European Medicines Agency Public Assessment Report. Evaluation of the results of individual trials clearly showed that improvement in seizure control over placebo was greater when CBD was added on to CLB than when it was added on to other medications. However, seizure control was also improved in patients off CLB, and despite the small sample size the difference vs placebo was statistically significant for the 10 mg/kg/d dose in one of the two LGS trials. Stronger evidence for an antiseizure effect of CBD independent of an interaction with CLB emerges from meta‐analyses of seizure outcomes in the pooled population of LGS and DS patients not receiving CLB comedication. Although these results need to be interpreted taking into account methodological limitations, they provide the best clinical evidence to date that CBD exerts therapeutic effects in patients with epilepsy that are independent of its interaction with CLB. Greater antiseizure effects, and a greater burden of adverse effects, are observed when CBD is combined with CLB.
Developing a novel inverse data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for evaluating after‐sales units
Authors: Hosseininia Seyed S. S. , Saen Reza F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel model of inverse data envelopment analysis (IDEA) based on the slack‐based measure (SBM) approach. The developed inverse SBM model can maintain relative efficiency of decision making units (DMUs) with new input and output. This model can also measure the input and output volumes when a decision maker (DM) increases efficiency score. The inverse SBM model is a kind of multi‐objective non‐linear programming (MONLP) problem, which is not easy to solve. Therefore, we suggest a linear programming model for solving inverse SBM model. In this model efficiency score of DMU under evaluation remains unchanged. Furthermore, we suggest an optimal combination of inputs and outputs in the production possibility set (PPS). A case study is presented to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed model.
Effect of material inhomogeneity on fracture modes in aluminium–steel resistance spot welds
Authors: Shi Liting , Kang Jidong , Chen Xu , Haselhuhn Amberlee S. , Sigler David R. , Carlson Blair E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractResistance spot welding (RSW) is attractive for joining dissimilar materials, especially, aluminium to steel in automotive body. The direct joining of aluminium to steel forms an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at their interface that dominates mechanical behaviour of the joint. A new formula was developed that considers material inhomogeneities such as the different mechanical properties in the weld such as base metal, heat affected zone (HAZ) and the weld nugget to accurately calculate the minimum weld nugget diameter required to enable pull‐out fracture. The shear strengths of weld regions such as the HAZ and IMC were directly measured and used as inputs to this new formula. The new formula was validated using experimental measurements from six combinations of aluminium–steel welds in comparison with analogous aluminium–aluminium welds. The new derivation was able to accurately predict fracture modes for all material combinations.
Battery outsourcing decision and product choice strategy of an electric vehicle manufacturer
Authors: Fan Zhi‐Ping , Chen Zhongwei , Zhao Xuan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper examines an electric vehicle manufacturer's (EVM) battery outsourcing decision and product choice strategy in a two‐stage supply chain consisting of a battery supplier and an EVM that have different power structures. We analyze two game scenarios: the EVM outsources battery production versus the EVM produces batteries in‐house. In each scenario, the EVM has three product choices: producing an electric vehicle (EV) with a low driving range only, with a high driving range only, and with both driving ranges. We show that the conditions of the EVM's product choice strategy depend on two thresholds related to the production cost of batteries, the manufacturing and assembly cost of EVs, the government subsidy and the range anxiety, while the conditions are independent of the EVM's market position and battery outsourcing decision. Furthermore, the EVM inclines to produce batteries in‐house as its market position and operation cost decrease.
MALT1 is a potential therapeutic target in glioblastoma and plays a crucial role in EGFR‐induced NF‐κB activation
Authors: Liu Xuejiao , Yue Chenglong , Shi Lin , Liu Guanzheng , Cao Qiyu , Shan Qianqian , Wang Yifeng , Chen Xiangyu , Li Huan , Wang Jie , Gao Shangfeng , Niu Mingshan , Yu Rutong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant tumour in the adult brain and hard to treat. Nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) signalling has a crucial role in the tumorigenesis of GBM. EGFR signalling is an important driver of NF‐κB activation in GBM; however, the correlation between EGFR and the NF‐κB pathway remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of mucosa‐associated lymphoma antigen 1 (MALT1) in glioma progression and evaluated the anti‐tumour activity and effectiveness of MI‐2, a MALT1 inhibitor in a pre‐clinical GBM model. We identified a paracaspase MALT1 that is involved in EGFR‐induced NF‐kB activation in GBM. MALT1 deficiency or inhibition significantly affected the proliferation, survival, migration and invasion of GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, MALT1 inhibition caused G1 cell cycle arrest by regulating multiple cell cycle–associated proteins. Mechanistically, MALTI inhibition blocks the degradation of IκBα and prevents the nuclear accumulation of the NF‐κB p65 subunit in GBM cells. This study found that MALT1, a key signal transduction cascade, can mediate EGFR‐induced NF‐kB activation in GBM and may be potentially used as a novel therapeutic target for GBM.
Histopathological predictor of the progression from actinic keratosis to squamous cell carcinoma: quantitative computer‐aided image analysis
Authors: Lee D.Y. , Kim B.R. , Yang S. , Kim M. , Yoon T.Y. , Youn S.W. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe current histopathological classifications for actinic keratosis (AK) are subjective, and histopathological factors predicting the progression into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain unclear.ObjectivesTo quantitatively assess the histopathological findings of AK and to investigate the predisposing factors for malignant transformation of AK.MethodsA total of 502 AK specimens were retrospectively reviewed. The AK lesions were divided into the atrophic, intermediate, hypertrophic and bowenoid types. Histopathological features were quantitatively analysed using computer‐aided image analysis.ResultsThe epidermal thickness excluding the horny layer increased with statistical significance (P < 0.001) in order of atrophic, intermediate, hypertrophic and bowenoid type. The proportion of keratinocytic atypia was not significantly different among subtypes, except for the bowenoid type. Five of 498 cases were confirmed to develop into SCC. Bowenoid type, epidermal thickening and higher proportion of keratinocytic atypia were significantly associated with progression to invasive SCC in univariate analysis (OR = 12.571, 95% CI: 1.392–113.57; OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.001–1.007; OR = 1.069, 95% CI: 1.011–1.130, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only the proportion of keratinocytic atypia was an independent predisposing factor for progression to invasive SCC (OR = 1.069; 95% CI: 1.011–1.130).ConclusionsHistopathological subtypes based on the essential change of the epidermis well correlated with the actual epidermal thickness excluding the horny layer. The overall severity of keratinocytic atypia might be an independent risk factor for malignant transformation of AK.
Spatial assessment of flash‐flood vulnerability in the Moldova river catchment (N Romania) using theFFPI
Authors: Popa Mihnea Cristian , Simion Adrian Gabriel , Peptenatu Daniel , Dima Cristina , Draghici Cristian Constantin , Florescu Margareta‐Stela , Dobrea Catalin Razvan , Diaconu Daniel Constantin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe identification of the areas vulnerable to flash floods is one of the greatest challenges in flood risk management for both the scientific world and decision‐makers. Its importance is underlined by the European Directive 2007/60/EC, which sets out the general framework of public policies to reduce the impacts of floods on the development of local communities. This research was conducted in the Moldova river catchment, located in the northern part of Romania, in the Carpathian Mountains, where half of the administrative‐territorial units record floods annually. The methodology used the Flash Flood Potential Index (FFPI) which has been computed based on the correlation of various factors which have a direct impact on the surface runoff. Each geographical factor has been represented on a 30 m grid and the data aggregation has provided the spatial hazard model for floods. In addition, the impact of deforestation on flood events was also analysed. The result of the FFPI was compared with the official flood records of the local authorities from our study area. The results constitute a methodological instrument, complementary to the classical ones, for the elaboration of the flood hazard maps, with a special importance given to the modelling of this type of hazard in the area with no structural defence measures.