bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence from giant-clam δ18O of intense El Ninõ–Southern Oscillation-related variability but reduced frequency 3700 years ago
Authors: Hu Yue , Sun Xiaoming , Cheng Hai , Yan Hong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Giant clams (Tridacna) are the largest marine bivalves, and their carbonate shells
can be used for high-resolution paleoclimate reconstructions. In this
contribution, δ18Oshell was used to estimate climatic
variation in the Xisha Islands of the South China Sea. We first evaluate sea
surface temperature (SST) and sea surface salinity (SSS) influence on the
modern resampled monthly (r-monthly) resolution of Tridacna gigas δ18Oshell. The results obtained reveal that δ18Oshell seasonal variation is mainly controlled by SST and
appears to be insensitive to local SSS change. Thus, the δ18O
of Tridacna shells can be roughly used as a proxy of local SST: a 1 ‰ δ18Oshell change is roughly equal to
4.41 ∘C of SST. The r-monthly δ18O of a 40-year-old
Tridacna squamosa (3673±28 BP) from the North Reef of the Xisha Islands was analyzed
and compared with the modern specimen. The difference between the average
δ18O of the fossil Tridacna shell (δ18O =-1.34 ‰) and the modern Tridacna specimen (δ18O =-1.15 ‰) probably implies a warm climate, roughly
0.84 ∘C, 3700 years ago. The seasonal variation 3700 years ago
was slightly lower than that suggested by modern instrumental data, and the
transition between warm and cold seasons was rapid. Higher amplitudes of
reconstructed r-monthly and r-annual SST anomalies imply an enhanced climate
variability during this warm period. Investigation of the El
Ninõ–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variation (based on the reconstructed
SST series) indicates reduced ENSO frequency but increased ENSO-related
variability and extreme El Ninõ winter events 3700 years ago.
COSMO-BEP-Tree v1.0: a coupled urban climate model with explicit representation of street trees
Authors: Mussetti Gianluca , Brunner Dominik , Henne Stephan , Allegrini Jonas , Krayenhoff E. Scott , Schubert Sebastian , Feigenwinter Christian , Vogt Roland , Wicki Andreas , Carmeliet Jan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract. Street trees are more and more regarded as an effective measure to reduce excessive heat in urban areas. However, the vast majority of mesoscale urban climate models do not represent street trees in an explicit manner and, for example, do not take the important effect of shading by trees into account. In addition, urban canopy models that take interactions of trees and urban fabrics directly into account are usually limited to the street or neighbourhood scale and hence cannot be used to analyse the citywide effect of urban greening. In order to represent the interactions between street trees, urban elements and the atmosphere in realistic regional weather and climate simulations, we coupled the Building Effect Parameterisation with Trees (BEP-Tree) vegetated urban canopy model and the Consortium for Small-scale Modeling (COSMO) mesoscale weather and climate model. The performance and applicability of the coupled model, named COSMO-BEP-Tree, are demonstrated over the urban area of Basel, Switzerland, during the heatwave event of June–July 2015. Overall, the model compared well with measurements of individual components of the surface energy balance and with air and surface temperatures obtained from a flux tower, surface stations and satellites. Deficiencies were identified for nighttime air temperature and humidity, which can mainly be traced back to limitations in the simulation of the nighttime stable boundary layer in COSMO. The representation of street trees in the coupled model generally improved the agreement with observations. Street trees produced large changes in simulated sensible and latent heat flux, and wind speed. Within the canopy layer, the presence of street trees resulted in a slight reduction in daytime air temperature and a very minor increase in nighttime air temperature. The model was found to realistically respond to changes in the parameters defining the street trees: leaf area density and stomatal conductance. Overall, COSMO-BEP-Tree demonstrated the potential of (a) enabling city-wide studies on the cooling potential of street trees and (b) further enhancing the modelling capabilities and performance in urban climate modelling studies.
Historical and future changes in global flood magnitude – evidence from a model–observation investigation
Authors: Do Hong Xuan , Zhao Fang , Westra Seth , Leonard Michael , Gudmundsson Lukas , Boulange Julien Eric Stanislas , Chang Jinfeng , Ciais Philippe , Gerten Dieter , Gosling Simon N. , Müller Schmied Hannes , Stacke Tobias , Telteu Camelia-Eliza , Wada Yoshihide 
Published: April 2020

Abstract. To improve the understanding of trends in extreme flows related to flood events at the global scale, historical and future changes of annual maxima of 7 d streamflow are investigated, using a comprehensive streamflow archive and six global hydrological models. The models' capacity to characterise trends in annual maxima of 7 d streamflow at the continental and global scale is evaluated across 3666 river gauge locations over the period from 1971 to 2005, focusing on four aspects of trends: (i) mean, (ii) standard deviation, (iii) percentage of locations showing significant trends and (iv) spatial pattern. Compared to observed trends, simulated trends driven by observed climate forcing generally have a higher mean, lower spread and a similar percentage of locations showing significant trends. Models show a low to moderate capacity to simulate spatial patterns of historical trends, with approximately only from 12 % to 25 % of the spatial variance of observed trends across all gauge stations accounted for by the simulations. Interestingly, there are statistically significant differences between trends simulated by global hydrological models (GHMs) forced with observational climate and by those forced by bias-corrected climate model output during the historical period, suggesting the important role of the stochastic natural (decadal, inter-annual) climate variability. Significant differences were found in simulated flood trends when averaged only at gauged locations compared to those averaged across all simulated grid cells, highlighting the potential for bias toward well-observed regions in our understanding of changes in floods. Future climate projections (simulated under the RCP2.6 and RCP6.0 greenhouse gas concentration scenarios) suggest a potentially high level of change in individual regions, with up to 35 % of cells showing a statistically significant trend (increase or decrease; at 10 % significance level) and greater changes indicated for the higher concentration pathway. Importantly, the observed streamflow database under-samples the percentage of locations consistently projected with increased flood hazards under the RCP6.0 greenhouse gas concentration scenario by more than an order of magnitude (0.9 % compared to 11.7 %). This finding indicates a highly uncertain future for both flood-prone communities and decision makers in the context of climate change.
Beyond Liveness: Experimentation in the Stand-Up Special
Authors: Gillota David 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT
A live audience is typically considered an essential component for a stand-up comedy performance. For this reason, most recorded stand-up specials use various formal devices in order to try to make the special feel as “live” as possible. This article considers a number of comedians who challenge and complicate these conventions. Comedians such as Chelsea Peretti, Fred Armisen, and Maria Bamford utilize different forms of editing and filming or record their “live” acts in nontraditional venues. This results in stand-up specials that parody or subvert traditional recorded stand-up. This element of parody or subversion challenges basic assumptions about televisual stand-up even as it serves to complement and reinforce the content of a comedian's stage performance. It also establishes the stand-up special as a distinct text in its own right, as opposed a “next-best-thing” approximation of the live performance. Finally, experimental stand-up specials complicate the ways in which we understand the relationship between a comedian and his or her audience.
Profiles, potential and string tension of the flux tube in SU(2) and SU(3) lattice gauge theories
Authors: Chagdaa Sodbileg , Galsandorj Enkhtuya , Purev Battogtokh 
Published: April 2020

In this work, we have studied SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories explaining the colour interaction of a quark and an antiquark, and their identical and dissimilar properties. Using both gauge theories, we have performed simulations under similar conditions and have studied the differences in the results obtained. We have compared the transverse and longitudinal profiles of the chromoelectric and chromomagnetic components of the field strength, potential, and temperature-dependent string tension of the flux tube. The potential between the quark and antiquark of the SU(3) theory was larger than that of the SU(2) under all temperatures. The string tension of SU(3) tends to stabilize starting from the critical temperature while that of SU(2) has a gradual decreasing feature.
Dynamics of an autumn phytoplankton bloom in a hypereutrophic urban lake in the semiarid Pampean region (Argentina)
Authors: Pilati Alberto , Echaniz Santiago Andrés , Vignatti Alicia María , Bazán Graciela Inés 
Published: April 2020

Dinámica de un florecimiento algal otoñal en un lago hipereutrófico urbano de la región pampeana semiárida (Argentina).
En este trabajo, se reporta un raro florecimiento fitoplanctónico otoñal en un lago somero de la región semiárida pampeana (Argentina). La biomasa fitoplanctónica presentó un solo pico otoñal, seguido dos meses más tarde por un pico en la clorofila. El pico de biomasa coincidió con un débil pastoreo sobre la comunidad fitoplanctónica (dominada por la poco pastoreada Planktothrix agardhii (Gomont) Anagnostidis et Komárek) junto con una reducción de la limitación por N en el otoño. El pico de clorofila ocurrió cuando las algas aumentaron su contenido de clorofila probablemente debido a la reducción de la radiación solar y la baja transparencia del agua. Esto indicará que la estacionalidad del fitoplancton en esta área particular depende de múltiples factores bióticos y abióticos.
In this paper we report a rare autumm phytoplankton bloom in a shallow lake of the semiarid Pampean area of Argentina. Phytoplankton biomass peaked only once during the autumn, followed 2 months later by a chlorophyll peak. The biomass peak might have been the result of a weak grazing pressure on the phytoplankton community (dominated by the nongrazeable Planktothrix agardhii (Gomont) Anagnostidis et Komárek) coupled with a reduction in the N-limitation towards the autumm. The chlorophyll peak took place when phytoplankton cells increased their chlorophyll content probably due to a reduction of solar irradiance and low water transparency. This findings indicate that phytoplankton seasonality in this particular area may depend on multiple biotic and abiotic factors.
The efficiency of universal mitochondrial DNA barcodes for species discrimination of Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata
Authors: Kannan Adrian , Rama Rao Suganiya , Ratnayeke Shyamala , Yow Yoon-Yen 
Published: April 2020

Invasive apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata, have a widespread distribution globally and are regarded as devastating pests of agricultural wetlands. The two species are morphologically similar, which hinders species identification via morphological approaches and species-specific management efforts. Advances in molecular genetics may contribute effective diagnostic tools to potentially resolve morphological ambiguity. DNA barcoding has revolutionized the field of taxonomy by providing an alternative, simple approach for species discrimination, where short sections of DNA, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in particular, are used as ‘barcodes’ to delineate species boundaries. In our study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of two mitochondrial markers, the COI and 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (16S rDNA) markers for DNA barcoding of P. canaliculata and P. maculata. The COI and 16S rDNA sequences of 40 Pomacea specimens collected from six localities in Peninsular Malaysia were analyzed to assess their barcoding performance using phylogenetic methods and distance-based assessments. The results confirmed both markers were suitable for barcoding P. canaliculata and P. maculata. The phylogenies of the COI and 16S rDNA markers demonstrated species-specific monophyly and were largely congruent with the exception of one individual. The COI marker exhibited a larger barcoding gap (6.06–6.58%) than the 16S rDNA marker (1.54%); however, the magnitude of barcoding gap generated within the barcoding region of the 16S rDNA marker (12-fold) was bigger than the COI counterpart (approximately 9-fold). Both markers were generally successful in identifying P. canaliculata and P. maculata in the similarity-based DNA identifications. The COI + 16S rDNA concatenated dataset successfully recovered monophylies of P. canaliculata and P. maculata but concatenation did not improve individual datasets in distance-based analyses. Overall, although both markers were successful for the identification of apple snails, the COI molecular marker is a better barcoding marker and could be utilized in various population genetic studies of P. canaliculata and P. maculata.
Isolation, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Ergosta-5, 7, 22-triene-3β, 14α – diol (22Z) from Kenyan Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Sande Ebrahim , Baraza Danstone Lilechi , Ooko Selline , Nyongesa Peter Kuloba 
Published: April 2020

Aims: To determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Kenyan Ganoderma lucidum.
Study Design: Structural determination of the isolated compound was done using spectral evidences and in comparison with literature. The antibacterial properties of the compound was done using disc diffusion method.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, between January and November, 2019.
Methodology: Sequential extraction of dried samples of Kenyan G. lucidum were done using solvents hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Chromatographic separation of hexane extract of Ganoderma lucidum was done using spectroscopic data. The compound was assayed against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillin–Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes. Standard antibiotic namely; ampicillin was used as the control. Disc diffusion method was used and zones of inhibition, after respective incubation periods, were used to quantify antibacterial activity.
Results: From hexane extract of Ganoderma lucidum, Ergosta-5, 7, 22-triene-3β, 14α – diol (22Z) was isolated. Ethylacetate and methanol extracts produced a mixture of complex compounds. Ergosta-5,7,22-triene-3β,14α-diol (22Z) exhibited significant activity against Methicillin-Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (p=0.022) and Streptococcus pyogenes (p = 0.05). The most sensitive microbe was Streptococcus pyogenes.
Conclusion: One major compound, Ergosta-5, 7, 22-triene-3β, 14α – diol (22Z) was isolated, characterized and antibacterial activity determined.
Effect of Parental Socio-economic Status and Lifestyle Habits on Risk of Childhood Obesity in a Developing Nation: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ekpenyong Christopher Edet , Asuquo Abasifreke Godwin 
Published: April 2020

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity (COB) in the developing world is currently high and is rising rapidly. Unlike developed countries, studies evaluating the association between parental socio-economic status (SES) and risk of COB in developing countries are limited. Besides, the association varies across country and race/ethnicity and changes overtime. The aim of this study was to assess the association between parental SES and life style habits (LSHs) and risk of COB in Uyo, Southern Nigeria.
Methods: Five hundred pupils and the corresponding number of parents were examined between April and September 2018 using socio-demographic/LSHs assessment questionnaire and body mass index (BMI) evaluation. Data analysis was performed and frequencies and percentages were computed. Associations between SES and LSHs of parents and risk of COW/COB were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated.
Results: The prevalence of COW and COB was 3.4% and 16% respectively. The risk of COW/COB was higher among children whose parents had high level of education (OR=1.81, C.I=1.985-3.327,P=0.046), high level of income(OR=16.07, C.I=3.773-68.455,P=0.0001), employed(OR=1.138,C.I=0.157-12.057) and poor dietary habits. High level of physical activity of fathers and high income level of mothers decreased the risk of COW/COB.
Conclusion: High SES and poor LSHs of parents are associated with increased risk of COW/COB. Interventions necessary to reduce high prevalence of COW/COB in our cities and other developing countries should include among other risk factors parental SES and LSHs.
Etiological Spectrum and Clinical Profile of Patients Admitted with Pancytopenia
Authors: Dhooria Harmeet Pal Singh , Kaur Sandeep , Dhooria Gurdeep Singh , Gupta Dinesh , Garg Bhawna 
Published: April 2020

Aims: The etiological spectrum and clinical profile of admitted patients presenting with pancytopenia were studied.
Study Design: This was a prospective study conducted on 200 patients presenting to the Department of Medicine, Department of Oncology and the Allied Specialities of Medicine, Dayan and Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana and were found to have pancytopenia during hospital stay.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 45.69 ± 17.05 years with maximum number of patients (23%) in the age group of 51-60 years and 119 patients were males and 81 patients were females. Most common physical finding was pallor (95%), followed by splenomegaly (22%) and hepatomegaly (17%). Total of 107 patients were vegetarians (53.5%) and 93 patients (46.5%) were non-vegetarians. Mean hemoglobin was 7.16 ± 2.04 g/dl, mean total leucocyte count was 2.51 ± 1.02 x 103/cu. mm, mean platelet count was 54885.37 x 103/ul ± 40320.96 and mean the absolute neutrophil count was 1.59 x 103 /cu.mm ± 0.84. Ten patients of pancytopenia were because of tropical fever which included 4 cases of dengue, 3 cases of malaria, 2 cases of enteric fever and 1case of mixed infection (malaria + scrub typhus). Viral markers were positive in 14 out of the 63 patients tested. Out of these 14 patients, 4 were HBsAg reactive, 7 were HCV +ve and 3 were HIV +ve. Most common red blood cell picture on peripheral blood film was normocytic normochromic (34.5%), followed by mixed morphology (33.5%). Macrocytic and microcytic morphology was seen in 19.5% and 12.5% of the patients respectively. Hypercellular marrow was seen in 82 patients (42.9%), normocellular marrow was seen in 58 patients (30.3%) and hypocellular marrow was seen in 51 patients (26.7%). The most common cause of pancytopenia in this study was megaloblastic anemia in 59 patients (29.5%), the 2nd common cause was leukemias in 28 patients (14%) and the 3rd cause was aplastic anemia in 22 patients (11%). Drug induced pancytopenia was seen in 21 patients (10.5%) and hypersplenism in 9 cases (4.5%).
Conclusion: This study has helped us in knowing the various etiologies of pancytopeniain this hospital. Megaloblastic anemia was the most common etiology in this study followed by leukemiasand aplastic anemia. The study helped us in understanding of the age and gender distribution, the hematological parameters, the peripheral blood film in pancytopenia and the bone marrow picture in these patients.
The effect of the horizontal metallic drive on reference dosimetry in the SNC 3D scanner water tank
Authors: Aftab Sadia , Barnes Michael P. , Doebrich Marcus , Lehmann Joerg 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAccurate quantification of absorbed radiation dose is important for safe and effective delivery of radiation therapy. An important aspect to this is reference dosimetry, which is performed under reference conditions specified by international codes of practice. Such measurements are usually performed in a water phantom. In the Sun Nuclear Corporation (SNC) three‐dimensional (3D) scanner water tank system the detector holder is fixed to a horizontal metallic drive rail (MDR) which is in close proximity to the active volume of the detector. In this project, the dosimetric effects of the MDR on reference dosimetry were investigated for MV photons, MeV electrons, and kV photons by comparing reference dosimetry measurements in the SNC 3D scanner against similar measurements in a Standard Imaging (SI) one‐dimensional (1D) tank and against measurements in the SNC 3D scanner with an additional, custom‐made spacer placed beneath the chamber holder to increase the chamber ‐ MDR separation. A second experiment investigated the difference in chamber reading dependent on chamber to MDR separation by fixing the chamber in the tank independently of the MDR and successively moving the MDR vertically to alter the separation. The results showed that measurements in the SNC 3D scanner agree with both SI 1D tank and SNC 3D scanner with spacer to within ±0.3% for MV photons, ±0.1% for electrons and ±1.2% for kV photons within the calculated setup uncertainty. The second experiment showed that the contribution of backscatter from the MDR was significant if the distance between MDR and chamber was reduced below the chamber's designed position in the SNC 3D scanner. The exception was for kV photons where the contribution of backscatter from the MDR was measured to be 0.5% at the designed distance. Further investigation would be useful for kV photons, where the experiment showed relatively large measurement uncertainties.
Expanding the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of SPAX5
Authors: Dosi Claudia , Galatolo Daniele , Rubegni Anna , Doccini Stefano , Pasquariello Rosa , Nesti Claudia , Sicca Federico , Barghigiani Melissa , Battini Roberta , Tessa Alessandra , Santorelli Filippo M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMutations in the ATPase family 3‐like gene (AFG3L2) have been linked to autosomal‐dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 28 and autosomal recessive spastic ataxia‐neuropathy syndrome. Here, we describe the case of a child carrying bi‐allelic mutations in AFG3L2 and presenting with ictal paroxysmal episodes associated with neuroimaging suggestive of basal ganglia involvement. Studies in skin fibroblasts showed a significant reduction of AFG3L2 expression. The relatively mild clinical presentation and the benign course, in spite of severe neuroimaging features, distinguish this case from data reported in the literature, and therefore expand the spectrum of neurological and neuroradiological features associated with AFG3L2 mutations.
Heat Engine Drives Transport of an FeII4L4 Cage and Cargo
Authors: Nguyen Bao‐Nguyen T. , Grommet Angela B. , Tron Arnaud , Georges Maureen C. A. , Nitschke Jonathan R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe directed motion of species against a chemical potential gradient is a fundamental feature of living systems, underpinning processes that range from transport through cell membranes to neurotransmission. The development of artificial active cargo transport could enable new modes of chemical purification and pumping. Here, a heat engine is described that drives chemical cargo between liquid phases to generate a concentration gradient. The heat engine, composed of a functionalized FeII4L4 coordination cage, is grafted with oligoethylene glycol imidazolium chains. These chains undergo a conformational change upon heating, causing the cage and its cargo to reversibly transfer between aqueous and organic phases. Furthermore, sectional heating and cooling allow for the cage to traverse multiple phase boundaries, allowing for longer‐distance transport than would be possible using a single pair of phases.