bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited seed retention during winter inhibits vegetation establishment in spring, affecting lateral marsh expansion capacity
Authors: van Regteren Marin , Colosimo Irene , de Vries Pepijn , van Puijenbroek Marinka Elisabeth Barbara , Freij Victor Sebastiaan , Baptist Martin Josephus , Elschot Kelly 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCoastal systems worldwide deliver vital ecosystem services, such as biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and coastal protection. Effectivity of these ecosystem services increases when vegetation is present. Understanding the mechanisms behind vegetation establishment in bio‐geomorphic systems is necessary to understand their ability to recover after erosive events and potential adaptations to climate change. In this study, we examined how seed availability affects vegetation establishment in the salt marsh–intertidal flat transition zone: the area with capacity for lateral marsh expansion. This requires vegetation establishment; therefore, seed availability is essential. In a 6‐month field experiment, we simulated a before and after winter seed dispersal at two locations, the salt‐marsh vegetation edge and the intertidal flat, and studied seed retention, the seed bank, and the seed viability of three pioneer marsh species: Salicornia procumbens, Aster tripolium, and Spartina anglica. During winter storm conditions, all supplied seeds eroded away with the sediment surface layer. After winter, supplied seeds from all three species were retained, mostly at the surface while 9% was bioturbated downwards. In the natural seed bank, A. tripolium and S. anglica were practically absent while S. procumbens occurred more frequently. The viability of S. procumbens seeds was highest at the surface, between 80% and 90%. The viability quickly decreased with depth, although viable S. procumbens seeds occurred up to 15 cm depth. Only when seeds were supplied after winter, many S. procumbens and some S. anglica individuals did establish successfully in the transition zone. Viable seed availability formed a vegetation establishment threshold, even with a local seed source. Our results suggest that, although boundary conditions such as elevation, inundation, and weather conditions were appropriate for vegetation establishment in spring, the soil surface in winter can be so dynamic that it limits lateral marsh expansion. These insights can be used for designing effective nature‐based coastal protection.
Population genetics of Anopheles koliensis through Papua New Guinea: New cryptic species and landscape topography effects on genetic connectivity
Authors: Ambrose Luke , Hanson Jeffrey O. , Riginos Cynthia , Xu Weixin , Fordyce Sarah , Cooper Robert D. , Beebe Nigel W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNew Guinea is a topographically and biogeographically complex region that supports unique endemic fauna. Studies describing the population connectivity of species through this region are scarce. We present a population and landscape genetic study on the endemic malaria‐transmitting mosquito, Anopheles koliensis (Owen). Using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data, as well as microsatellites, we show the evidence of geographically discrete population structure within Papua New Guinea (PNG). We also confirm the existence of three rDNA ITS2 genotypes within this mosquito and assess reproductive isolation between individuals carrying different genotypes. Microsatellites reveal the clearest population structure and show four clear population units. Microsatellite markers also reveal probable reproductive isolation between sympatric populations in northern PNG with different ITS2 genotypes, suggesting that these populations may represent distinct cryptic species. Excluding individuals belonging to the newly identified putative cryptic species (ITS2 genotype 3), we modeled the genetic differences between A. koliensis populations through PNG as a function of terrain and find that dispersal is most likely along routes with low topographic relief. Overall, these results show that A. koliensis is made up of geographically and genetically discrete populations in Papua New Guinea with landscape topography being important in restricting dispersal.
Vitamin D deficiency is endemic in neurosurgical patients and is associated with a longer length of inpatient stay
Authors: Ved Ronak , Taylor Peter , Stewart Philippa , Foulkes Jonathan , Fields‐Jewell Wilem , Davies Steve , Hayhurst Caroline 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionVitamin D deficiency is common in spinal surgery and critical care. Hypovitaminosis D may impact on outcomes in cranial neurosurgical care and play roles in underlying disease processes.MethodsA prospective observational cohort study was performed. All emergency cranial neurosurgical ward admissions from 1st January to 10th May 2017 were screened for inclusion (n = 406). Patients already receiving vitamin D supplementation, spinal patients and elective admissions were excluded. Admission vitamin D levels were checked for all remaining patients (n = 95). Patients with vitamin D <30 nmol/L were defined as “deficient” and those 30‐50 nmol/L as “inadequate.” All patients with levels <50 nmol/L were replaced, as per local guidelines. Descriptive analyses of the cohorts were undertaken, with multivariate regression used to assess the effect of vitamin D on length of stay, inpatient morbidity and mortality.ResultsThe median age of participants was 61 years (n = 95; 57% male, 43% female). The median vitamin D level was 23 nmol/L (deficient). 84% (n = 80) of patients had low vitamin D levels, with 61% (n = 58) classed as deficient (<30 nmol/L). Vitamin D deficiency rates were similar in those aged below 65 years (86%; n = 38/44) and those above 65 years (82%; n = 42/51). Deficient vitamin D level was associated with longer hospital stay (P = .03), and this relationship persisted after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex and preadmission Charlson co‐morbidity index. No statistically significant association was seen with vitamin D status and inpatient morbidity or mortality.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is common in cranial neurosurgical patients, even in predefined low‐risk groups (age <65). Lower vitamin D level was associated with longer length of stay. This study supports the need for: (a) further investigation into the roles of vitamin D in neurosurgical pathologies and management and (b) an appropriately powered, randomised investigation into the impact of vitamin D status upon neurosurgical diagnoses and complications.
Immobilization of laccase onto modified PU/RC nanofiber via atom transfer radical polymerization method and application in removal of bisphenol A
Authors: Li Xin , Li Dawei , Lv Pengfei , Hu Jinyan , Feng Quan , Wei Qufu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this study, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was used as the monomers for surface grafting on electrospun PU/RC nanofiber membrane via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method, and the PU/RC‐poly(HEMA) nanofiber membrane was investigated as a carrier for LAC. Free and immobilized LAC was characterized, and efficiency of bisphenol A (BPA) removal was determined. The results indicated that the PU/RC‐poly(HEMA)‐LAC showed relatively higher pH stability, temperature stability, and storage stability than free and PU/RC‐LAC; moreover, more than 60% of the PU/RC‐poly(HEMA)‐LAC activity was retained after 10 cycles of ABTS treatment. Notably, the BPA removal efficiency of PU/RC‐poly(HEMA)‐LAC membrane generally ranged from 87.3 to 75.4% for the five cycles. Therefore, the PU/RC‐poly(HEMA) nanofiber membrane has great potential as a carrier for the LAC immobilization for various industrial applications and bioremediation.
Simplification bias: lessons from laboratory and field experiments on flow through aquatic vegetation
Authors: Tinoco Rafael O. , San Juan Jorge E. , Mullarney Julia C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe present a critical analysis of experimental findings on vegetation–flow–sediment interactions obtained through both laboratory and field experiments on tidal and coastal environments. It is well established that aquatic vegetation provides a wide range of ecosystem services (e.g. protecting coastal communities from extreme events, reducing riverbank and coastal erosion, housing diverse ecosystems), and the effort to better understand such services has led to multiple approaches to reproduce the relevant physical processes through detailed laboratory experiments. State‐of‐the‐art measurement techniques allow researchers to measure velocity fields and sediment transport with high spatial and temporal resolution under well‐controlled flow conditions, yielding predictions for hydrodynamic and sediment transport scenarios that depend on simplified or bulk vegetation parameters. However, recent field studies have shown that some simplifications on the experimental setup (e.g. the use of rigid elements, a single diameter, a single element height, regular or staggered layout) can bias the outcome of the study, by either hiding or amplifying some of the relevant physical processes found in natural conditions. We discuss some observed cases of bias, including general practices that can lead to compromises associated with simplified assumptions. The analysis presented will identify potential pathways to move forward with laboratory and field measurements, which could better inform predictors to produce more robust, universal and accurate predictions on flow–vegetation–sediment interactions. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risky short positions and investor sentiment: Evidence from the weekend effect in futures markets
Authors: Singal Vijay , Tayal Jitendra 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the weekend effect in futures markets and presents rational and behavioral reasons for its existence. Specifically, we document a weekend effect (Friday's return minus the following Monday's return) in futures markets. The weekend effect occurs partly because of asymmetric risk between long and short positions around weekends; the weekend effect increases when short positions are relatively more risky. In addition, we find that both lagged and contemporaneous changes in investor sentiment are related to the weekend effect. These results are consistent with the investor sentiment literature that finds that mood improves on Fridays but deteriorates on Mondays.
Impact of acute sleep deprivation on dynamic functional connectivity states
Authors: Li Changhong , Fronczek‐Poncelet Judith , Lange Denise , Hennecke Eva , Kroll Tina , Matusch Andreas , Aeschbach Daniel , Bauer Andreas , Elmenhorst Eva‐Maria , Elmenhorst David 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSleep deprivation (SD) could amplify the temporal fluctuation of spontaneous brain activities that reflect different arousal levels using a dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) approach. Therefore, we intended to evaluate the test–retest reliability of dFC characteristics during rested wakefulness (RW), and to explore how the properties of these dynamic connectivity states were affected by extended durations of acute sleep loss (28/52 hr). We acquired resting‐state fMRI and neuropsychological datasets in two independent studies: (a) twice during RW and once after 28 hr of SD (n = 15) and (b) after 52 hr of SD and after 14 hr of recovery sleep (RS; n = 14). Sliding‐window correlations approach was applied to estimate their covariance matrices and corresponding three connectivity states were generated. The test–retest reliability of dFC properties demonstrated mean dwell time and fraction of connectivity states were reliable. After SD, the mean dwell time of a specific state, featured by strong subcortical–cortical anticorrelations, was significantly increased. Conversely, another globally hypoconnected state was significantly decreased. Subjective sleepiness and objective performances were separately positive and negative correlated with the increased and decreased state. Two brain connectivity states and their alterations might be sufficiently sensitive to reflect changes in the dynamics of brain mental activities after sleep loss.
Safety and efficacy of transoral robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy: The first 100 cases
Authors: Tae Kyung , Ji Yong Bae , Song Chang Myeon , Park Jeong Seon , Park Jung Hwan , Kim Dong Sun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transoral robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy.MethodsWe analyzed and compared the first 100 cases of transoral robotic (71 cases) and endoscopic (29 cases) thyroidectomy with 207 cases of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.ResultsTransoral thyroidectomy was completed successfully in all patients, except for three who were converted to the robotic facelift or transcervical approach. The mean operative time of the transoral procedure was significantly longer than that of the conventional procedure. Perioperative complications such as hypoparathyroidism, vocal cord palsy, hematoma, and seroma did not differ between the two groups. However, there were some unusual complications such as CO2 embolism, surgical site infection, skin trauma, burn, and ecchymosis in transoral thyroidectomy. Postoperative cosmesis was significantly better in the transoral group.ConclusionTransoral robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy is feasible and comparable to conventional transcervical thyroidectomy in highly selected patients.
Going beyond health efficiency: What really matters?
Authors: Radojicic Milan , Jeremic Veljko , Savic Gordana 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBoth citizens and policymakers demand the best possible results from a country's healthcare system. It is of utmost importance to accurately and objectively assess the efficiency of a healthcare system and to note the key indicators, where resources are lost, and possibilities for improvement. This paper evaluates the efficiency of health systems in 38 countries, mainly members of the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development, using data envelopment analysis (DEA). In the first stage, bootstrapped Ivanovic distance is used to generate weights for the indicators, thus taking into consideration different country's goals, but not to the extent of reducing the possibility of comparison. The analysis shows that human resources are the most important health system resource and countries should pay special attention to developing and employing competent medical workers. The reorganization of human resources and the funds allocated to them could also increase efficiency. The second stage examines environmental indicators to find the causes of inefficiency. No proof is found that any one basic health system funding model produces better health outcomes than the others. Obesity is identified as a major issue.
How do Co‐ and Non‐Residential Children Impact your Subjective Life Expectancy: An Empirical Study on CHARLS Data?
Authors: Wu Hong 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBackgroundExisting studies conclude SLE predicts decision‐making in the future. This paper studied how contacts with children influence subjective life expectancy (SLE) of the mid‐age and elderly in China. We also investigated the moderation effect of living arrangement preference (LAP). A better understanding of impact factors that contribute to the mid‐age and elderly's thoughts about their lifetime is essential for the late‐career financial planning and health interventions.MethodsOur study examines the relationship between co‐ and non‐residential children and SLE by using two waves of data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).ResultsOur findings suggest that contacts with children help older people construct positive SLE. However, with an increased number of non‐residential children, older people will become pessimistic about their SLE. When older people prefer living alone, it decreases the impact of the number of non‐residential children on SLE.ConclusionOur results encourage children to live with their parents and contact their parents from time to time. Interventions that change their ideas about living arrangement preference may actually be useful for mid‐age and elderly. The best living arrangement should take the living arrangement preference of older people into consideration and give them the best arrangement according to their preference.
Trade‐size clustering and informed trading in global markets
Authors: Chen Tao 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBased on intraday data across 41 markets, this study examines whether informed traders exploit trade‐size clustering. Clustering trades are documented to predict price movements, to generate perpetual return impact, and to improve informational efficiency. Collectively, these findings suggest that the clustering strategy is leveraged by the informed to cover up their activities in global markets. In addition, the cross‐country analysis indicates that larger market capacity and better legal protection, as two predominant institutional features, are associated with a lower level of informed‐trade clustering. Finally, such negative interaction attenuates in countries with lot‐size regulations and at bellwether stocks.
Optical coherence tomography as a noninvasive 3D real time imaging tool for the rapid evaluation of phenotypic variations in insect embryonic development
Authors: Su Ya , Wei Liya , Tan Hao , Li Jing , Li Wenping , Fu Lei , Wang Tongxin , Kang Le , Yao X. Steve 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNoninvasive visualization of embryos at different development stages is crucial for the understanding of the basic developmental biology. It is therefore desirable to have an imaging tool capable of rapidly evaluating the effects of gene manipulation or genome editing in developing embryos for the studies of gene functions and genetic engineering. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to noninvasively exam the embryonic development of the migratory locusts in real time with 3‐dimensional (3D) view capability. In particular, we obtain the sufficiently high spatial resolution tomographic 2D and 3D images of live locust embryos throughout their development processes. We show that not only we are able to noninvasively observe all previously known forms of blastokinesis as an embryo develops, such as anatrepsis, katatrepsis, revolution, rotation and diapauses, and determine their precise occurring time or duration, but also discover an unreported rotation form we named “twist.” In addition, with the OCT images we determined the exact occurring time of diapauses of the locusts from Tibetan plateau for the first time. Finally, we demonstrate that OCT systems can be used to rapidly capture the development defects of genetically modified embryos in which certain genes essential for embryonic development were suppressed by RNA interference. Our work shows that OCT is an enabling imaging tool with sufficient spatial resolution for the rapid evaluation of embryonic variations of small animals.
A comparative study on solubility improvement of tetracycline and dexamethasone by poly(propylene imine) and polyamidoamine dendrimers: An insight into cytotoxicity and cell proliferation
Authors: Najafi Faezeh , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi , Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Kahaie‐Khosrowshahi Amir 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMany of new chemical discovered in pharmaceutical industry are hydrophobic compounds. Various techniques have been used to overcome solubility problems of hydrophobic drugs in aqueous media. In the meantime, dendrimers have been considered for sustainability, nanoscale size, high carry capacity, tunable terminal functional groups in terms of drug delivery and solubility. In this work, we have synthesized poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer up to fifth generation using reduction of nitrile groups after Michael addition and also, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer up to fourth generation using Michael addition and amidation reactions. fourth and fifth generations of PPI dendrimer and fourth and third generations of PAMAM dendrimer in different concentrations were used to evaluate the solubility of two hydrophobic drugs (tetracycline and dexamethasone). Furthermore, cytotoxicity of dendrimers and dendrimers/drugs hybrids was studied. The results showed that with increasing concentrations and also the generation of dendrimers, the solubility of these two hydrophobic drugs was increased. Cytotoxicity study through MTT assay against Osteoblast‐like cell line (MG‐63 cells) showed that dendrimers were relatively cytotoxic where adding dexamethasone caused higher cytotoxicity. However, tetracycline showed no significant effect on cytotoxicity whereas prevented cell proliferation.
LncRNA TMPO‐AS1 serves as a ceRNA to promote osteosarcoma tumorigenesis by regulating miR‐199a‐5p/WNT7B axis
Authors: Cui Huaan , Zhao Jiang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) is a common kind of aggressive tumor in bone which was mostly identified in children and adolescents with extremely high risk of death. Accumulating research works have displayed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert an essential role in the development of multiple cancers. It has been reported that TMPO‐AS1 is an oncogene in cancers; nonetheless, its molecular mechanism in OS is totally unclear. Our present study elucidated that a remarkable overexpression of TMPO‐AS1 was found in OS tissues and cells. Moreover, TMPO‐AS1 depletion restrained Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and cell proliferation as well as facilitated cell apoptosis. Further molecular mechanism investigations showed that TMPO‐AS1 can sponge to miR‐199a‐5p. Moreover, miR‐199a‐5p was at a low level at OS cells. Importantly, miR‐199a‐5p's overexpression was associated with the OS cells' decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, WNT7B was confirmed as a downstream gene of miR‐199a‐5p. Also the WNT7B expression was reversely modulated by miR‐199a‐5p and positively modulated by TMPO‐AS1. Rescue experiments suggested that downregulated WNT7B rescued miR‐199a‐5p inhibitor‐mediated repression on OS progression, but the treatment of LiCl counteracted the effect of WNT7B downregulation. In a word, TMPO‐AS1 serves as a competing endogenous RNA to boost osteosarcoma tumorigenesis by regulating miR‐199a‐5p/WNT7B axis, which provided an underlying therapeutic target for patients with OS.
CAPN2 acts as an indicator of hepatitis B virus to induce hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Feng Rui , Du Weixing , Lui Ping , Zhang Jun , Liu Yanqing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis study is aimed to investigate whether calpain 2 (CAPN2) serves as an indicator of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to induce hepatic fibrosis. Differentially‐expressed genes (DEGs) in HBV‐induced hepatic fibrosis and normal liver tissues were analyzed, and signal pathway which was analyzed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis using DEGs. Next, the gene‐related network map was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Moreover, CAPN2 protein expression, level of hepatic fibrosis, CAPN2 messenger RNA level, and protein levels of CAPN2, a‐SAM, COL3A1, COL1A1, and MAPK1 were determined using Immunohistochemistry (IHC), hematoxylin and eosin, RT‐qPCR, and western blot (WB), respectively. There were 420 DEGs screened in HBV‐induced hepatic fibrosis and normal liver tissues, among which, 373 were significantly upregulated and 47 were obviously downregulated. KEGG analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly concentrated in extracellular matrix‐receptor interaction, protein digestion, and absorption signaling pathways. The network diagram analysis showed that the DEGs, such as CAPN2, ITGAV, and CCR2, play the key role in the DEG network map, and CAPN2 related to hepatic fibrosis via MAPK1. The increased CAPN2 expression and obvious hepatic fibrosis was displayed in the HBV‐induced hepatic fibrosis tissues. In addition, HBV could induce CAPN2 expression, and the interference of CAPN2 could inhibit the expression of hepatic fibrosis markers, including a‐SAM, COL3A1, COL1A1, and MAPK1. CAPN2 is regarded as a biomarker of hepatic fibrosis induced by HBV.