bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beaver dams attenuate flow: A multi‐site study
Authors: Puttock Alan , Graham Hugh A. , Ashe Josie , Luscombe David J. , Brazier Richard E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBeavers can profoundly alter riparian environments, most conspicuously by creating dams and wetlands. Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) populations are increasing and it has been suggested they could play a role in the provision of multiple ecosystem services, including natural flood management. Research at different scales, in contrasting ecosystems is required to establish to what extent beavers can impact on flood regimes. Therefore, this study determines whether flow regimes and flow responses to storm events were altered following the building of beaver dams and whether a flow attenuation effect could be significantly attributed to beaver activity. Four sites were monitored where beavers have been reintroduced in England. Continuous monitoring of hydrology, before and after beaver impacts, was undertaken on streams where beavers built sequences of dams. Stream orders ranged from 2nd to 4th, in both agricultural and forest‐dominated catchments. Analysis of >1000 storm events, across four sites showed an overall trend of reduced total stormflow, increased peak rainfall to peak flow lag times and reduced peak flows, all suggesting flow attenuation, following beaver impacts. Additionally, reduced high flow to low flow ratios indicated that flow regimes were overall becoming less “flashy” following beaver reintroduction. Statistical analysis, showed the effect of beaver to be statistically significant in reducing peak flows with estimated overall reductions in peak flows from −0.359 to −0.065 m3 s−1 across sites. Analysis showed spatial and temporal variability in the hydrological response to beaver between sites, depending on the level of impact and seasonality. Critically, the effect of beavers in reducing peak flows persists for the largest storms monitored, showing that even in wet conditions, beaver dams can attenuate average flood flows by up to ca. 60%. This research indicates that beavers could play a role in delivering natural flood management.
Ghrelin ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by chronic low‐grade inflammation via blockade of Kupffer cell M1 polarization
Authors: Yin Yue , Wang Qin , Qi Meiyuzhen , Zhang Chen , Li Ziru , Zhang Weizhen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhether the stomach influences the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains largely unknown. Ghrelin, a 28‐amino acid gastric hormone, is critical for the regulation of energy metabolism and inflammation. We investigated whether ghrelin affects the progression of NASH. NASH was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 240 μg/kg/day) in male C57BL/6J mice with high‐fat diet (HFD). Ghrelin (11 nmol/kg/day) was administrated by a subcutaneous mini‐pump. Liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis were assessed. Kupffer cells and hepatocytes isolated from wild type, GHSR1a−/− or PPARγ+/− mice were cocultured to determine the cellular and molecular mechanism by which ghrelin ameliorates NASH. A low concentration of LPS activates the Kupffer cells, leading to the development of NASH in mice fed HFD. Ghrelin blocked the progression of NASH induced by LPS via GHSR1a‐mediated attenuation of Kupffer cells M1 polarization. GHSR1a was detected in Kupffer cells isolated from wild‐type mice but not in GHSR1a deficient animals. Upon binding with ghrelin, internalization of GHSR1a occurred. Ghrelin reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α and inducible nitricoxide synthase while increasing Arg1 in Kupffer cells treated with LPS. Ghrelin markedly attenuated the upregulation of lipid accumulation induced by the supernatant of Kupffer cells under both basal and LPS‐treated conditions. Deficiency of PPARγ significantly reduced the effect of LPS on the hepatic steatosis in mice and in cultured hepatocytes. Our studies indicate that the stomach may improve the development of NASH via ghrelin. Ghrelin may serve as a marker and therapeutic target for NASH.
Paternal contributors in recurrent pregnancy loss: Cues from comparative proteome profiling of seminal extracellular vesicles
Authors: Jena Soumya R. , Nayak Jasmine , Kumar Sugandh , Kar Sujata , Dixit Anshuman , Samanta Luna 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecent evidence entail paternal factors as plausible contributors in spontaneous recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Seminal extracellular vesicles secreted from cells of male reproductive tract carry regulatory proteins and RNAs. They are proposed to regulate sperm maturation and function while their fusion to endometrial stromal cells helps in decidualization. Nevertheless, the mechanism(s) involved in these processes are poorly understood. This study aims at elucidating the molecular basis of paternal contribution by comparative proteomics (label‐free LC‐MS/MS) of isolated seminal extracellular vesicles from fertile men and partners of patients with RPL (n = 21 per group). Bioinformatics analysis revealed the identified differentially expressed proteins to be involved in DNA replication, recombination and repair, gene expression, cellular assembly and organization, cell death, and survival. Major disease pathways affected were identified as developmental, hereditary, and immunological disorders. Of the three identified hub genes regulating the above disease pathways, two (HNRNPC and HNRNPU) are overexpressed while RUVBL1 is underexpressed along with over expression of HIST1H1C, DDX1, surmising defective chromatin packaging, and histone removal in spermatozoa resulting in improper expression in paternal genes thereby leading to abnormal embryo development. Besides, alteration in GSTP1 expression points oxidative predominance in RPL group. Differential expression of C3, C4a/C4b, CFB, and GDF 15 may be involved in altered maternal immune response to paternal antigens resulting in impaired decidualization.
Variation in Black Bass Angler Characteristics by Stream Size and Accessibility in Oklahoma’s Ozark Highland Streams
Authors: Chapagain Binod P. , Long James M. , Taylor Andrew T. , Joshi Omkar 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Fishing in streams and rivers is a popular outdoor recreation activity in eastern Oklahoma, where most anglers target black bass (Micropterus) species. Since the early 1990s, when the last assessment of black bass fishing in the region was conducted, broadscale factors such as harvesting behavior, state fishery regulations, and bass population dynamics have changed. In 2018, we conducted creel and fish tagging surveys in three tributaries of Lake Tenkiller (Caney Creek, Baron Fork, and Illinois River) that differed in size and accessibility to provide current estimates of catch, harvest, and effort directed toward black bass. We then related these estimates to angler socioeconomic characteristics. The amount of angler effort was concomitant with stream size and accessibility, being greatest in the largest stream with the most access (Illinois River). However, catch rates were highest in the medium-sized stream (Baron Fork). Harvest rates and exploitation were near zero in all systems. Anglers fishing Caney Creek, the smallest and least accessible stream, were nearly all local, coming from zip codes ~42 km away, with low median household incomes compared to anglers at the other streams who came from a broader array of more distant zip codes and had higher median household incomes. Anglers fishing the smallest stream were also more interested in harvesting fish and having higher creel limits than anglers at the other two systems. In the Oklahoma Ozark Highlands, stream size and accessibility appear to be a significant factor in angler demographics, potentially necessitating different management strategies.
Development of Genetic Baseline Information to Support the Conservation and Management of Wild Brook Trout in North Carolina
Authors: Kazyak David C. , Lubinski Barbara A. , Rash Jacob M. , Johnson Thomas C. , King Timothy L. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
After centuries of declines, there is growing interest in conserving extant wild populations of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis and reintroducing Brook Trout populations of native ancestry. A population genetic baseline can enhance conservation outcomes and promote restoration success. Consequently, it is important to document existing patterns of genetic variation across the landscape and translate these data into an approachable format for fisheries managers. We genotyped 9,507 Brook Trout representing 467 wild collections at 12 microsatellite loci to establish a genetic baseline for North Carolina, USA. Rarefied allelic richness (mean = 3.12) and observed heterozygosity (mean = 0.42), which reflect within-population diversity, were low to moderate relative to levels typically observed at higher latitudes. Effective population sizes (Ne) varied widely but were often very low (151 collections had an estimated Ne &lt; 10). Despite decades of intensive stocking across the state, we found little to no evidence of hatchery introgression in most populations. Although genetic variation was significant at a variety of spatial scales (mean pairwise = FST′ 0.73), substantial genetic variation occurred between patches within individual watersheds. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that a substantial portion (28.5%) of the observed genetic variation was attributable to differences among populations, with additional genetic variation among hydrologic unit codes (HUCs; 16.0, 16.6, 12.1, and 9.4% of the overall variation among 12-, 10-, 8-, and 6-digit HUCs, respectively). We discuss a suite of potential applications for this type of genetic data to enhance management outcomes, such as conservation prioritization and selection of source stocks for reintroductions or genetic rescue.
Conjoint cognitive and emotional death‐preparedness states and their changes within cancer patients' last 6 months
Authors: Wen Fur‐Hsing , Chou Wen‐Chi , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun , Chen Jen‐Shi , Chang Wen‐Cheng , Tang Siew Tzuh 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackground/ObjectiveCognitive prognostic awareness (PA) and emotional preparedness for death are distinct but related concepts that have rarely been investigated conjointly and without considering the dynamic nature of death preparedness. To fill this gap, this secondary‐analysis study identified distinct patterns/states of death preparedness and their changes within cancer patients' last 6 months.MethodsDistinct death‐preparedness states, determined by conjoint cognitive PA and emotional preparedness for death, as well as their changes between consecutive times were identified and estimated, respectively, by latent transition modeling with hidden Markov modeling among 383 cancer patients within their last 6 months.ResultsFour death‐preparedness states (prevalence) were initially identified: no death preparedness (17.1%), cognitive death preparedness only (23.3%), emotional death preparedness only (39.9%), and sufficient death preparedness (19.7%). Patients in the no‐death‐preparedness state had neither accurate PA nor adequate emotional preparedness for death. The sufficient‐death‐preparedness state was characterized by both accurate PA and adequate emotional preparedness for death. In the cognitive‐ and emotional‐death‐preparedness‐only states, patients were accurately aware of their prognosis and adequately emotionally prepared for their forthcoming death only, respectively. As death approached, state prevalence fluctuated within a narrow range for the no‐ and sufficient‐death‐preparedness states, whereas prevalence of cognitive‐ and emotional‐death‐preparedness‐only states increased and decreased substantially, respectively.ConclusionCancer patients heterogeneously experienced conjoint cognitive PA and emotional preparedness for death, and prevalence of death‐preparedness states changed substantially as death approached. Effective interventions are warranted to cultivate cognitive PA and facilitate emotional death‐preparedness to improve end‐of‐life‐care quality, thereby helping patients achieve a good death.
Effects of male lure dispensers and trap types for monitoring of Ceratitis capitata and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Manrakhan Aruna , Daneel John‐Henry , Beck Rooikie , Love Claire N , Gilbert Martin J , Virgilio Massimiliano , De Meyer Marc 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAttractant‐based trapping is used in the establishment of pest‐free areas and areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). Male lures are commonly used attractants in fruit fly trapping. In this study, the effects of male lure dispensers, traps and combinations of dispensers and traps on monitoring of two fruit fly pests, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), were investigated in South Africa.RESULTSIn the male‐lure‐based trapping systems evaluated, trimedlure (TML) for C. capitata and methyl eugenol (ME) for B. dorsalis, the type of dispenser affected catches for both species. Higher catches of B. dorsalis males were recorded in bucket traps baited with a dispenser containing 15 g ME compared with traps baited with dispensers containing either 4 g ME or 2 g ME. Catches of C. capitata males were higher with dispensers containing TML than those with TML plus extender (Capilure®). The type of trap used with TML also influenced catches of C. capitata with higher numbers recorded in yellow Delta trap compared with the Sensus bucket trap.CONCLUSIONSDispensers with higher ME loadings are more effective for monitoring of B. dorsalis. The yellow Delta trap baited with TML (without extender) would be an effective monitoring system for C. capitata. Fruit fly prevalence levels as determined by specific trapping systems should be related to their efficiency in terms of catches of the target pests. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Distinguishability of discrete‐time linear systems
Authors: Silvestre Daniel , Rosa Paulo , Silvestre Carlos 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article introduces the notion of absolutely distinguishable discrete‐time dynamic systems, with particular applicability to linear time‐invariant and linear parameter‐varying systems. The motivation for this novel type of distinguishability stems, in particular, from the stability and performance requirements of worst‐case adaptive control methodologies. The main results presented herein show that, in most practical cases, a persistence of excitation type of condition and a minimum number of iterations are required to properly distinguish two dynamic systems. We also demonstrate that the former constraint can be written as a lower bound on the intensity of the exogenous disturbances. The applicability of the developed theory is illustrated with a set of examples.
Semiclassical limit of topological Rényi entropy in 3d Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Dwivedi Siddharth , Singh Vivek Kumar , Roy Abhishek 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We study the multi-boundary entanglement structure of the state associated with the torus link complement S3\Tp,q in the set-up of three-dimensional SU(2)k Chern-Simons theory. The focal point of this work is the asymptotic behavior of the Rényi entropies, including the entanglement entropy, in the semiclassical limit of k → ∞. We present a detailed analysis of several torus links and observe that the entropies converge to a finite value in the semiclassical limit. We further propose that the large k limiting value of the Rényi entropy of torus links of type Tp,pn is the sum of two parts: (i) the universal part which is independent of n, and (ii) the non-universal or the linking part which explicitly depends on the linking number n. Using the analytic techniques, we show that the universal part comprises of Riemann zeta functions and can be written in terms of the partition functions of two-dimensional topological Yang-Mills theory. More precisely, it is equal to the Rényi entropy of certain states prepared in topological 2d Yang-Mills theory with SU(2) gauge group. Further, the universal parts appearing in the large k limits of the entanglement entropy and the minimum Rényi entropy for torus links Tp,pn can be interpreted in terms of the volume of the moduli space of flat connections on certain Riemann surfaces. We also analyze the Rényi entropies of Tp,pn link in the double scaling limit of k → ∞ and n → ∞ and propose that the entropies converge in the double limit as well.
Surface Energy and Boundary Layers for a Chain of Atoms at Low Temperature
Authors: Jansen Sabine , König Wolfgang , Schmidt Bernd , Theil Florian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe analyze the surface energy and boundary layers for a chain of atoms at low temperature for an interaction potential of Lennard–Jones type. The pressure (stress) is assumed to be small but positive and bounded away from zero, while the temperature $$\beta ^{-1}$$

β

-
1

goes to zero. Our main results are: (1) As $$\beta \rightarrow \infty $$

β
→
∞

at fixed positive pressure $$p>0$$

p
>
0

, the Gibbs measures $$\mu _\beta $$

μ
β

and $$\nu _\beta $$

ν
β

for infinite chains and semi-infinite chains satisfy path large deviations principles. The rate functions are bulk and surface energy functionals $$\overline{{\mathcal {E}}}_{\mathrm {bulk}}$$

E
¯

bulk

and $$\overline{{\mathcal {E}}}_\mathrm {surf}$$

E
¯

surf

. The minimizer of the surface functional corresponds to zero temperature boundary layers; (2) The surface correction to the Gibbs free energy converges to the zero temperature surface energy, characterized with the help of the minimum of $$\overline{{\mathcal {E}}}_\mathrm {surf}$$

E
¯

surf

; (3) The bulk Gibbs measure and Gibbs free energy can be approximated by their Gaussian counterparts; (4) Bounds on the decay of correlations are provided, some of them uniform in $$\beta $$
β
.
Consequences of Brian Josephson’s Theoretical Discovery
Authors: Braginski A. I. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTheoretical discovery of Josephson effects has beneficial consequences for science and economy, and in the future promises more benefits for public health. The strongest impact thus far has the use of Josephson devices and circuits in many areas of science and in geophysical prospecting for minerals. I highlight a few examples of present and future benefits.
An Lp-Comparison, $p\in (1,\infty )$, on the Finite Differences of a Discrete Harmonic Function at the Boundary of a Discrete Box
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIt is well-known that for a harmonic function u defined on the unit ball of the d-dimensional Euclidean space, d ≥ 2, the tangential and normal component of the gradient ∇u on the sphere are comparable by means of the Lp-norms, $p\in (1,\infty )$
p
∈
(
1
,
∞
)
, up to multiplicative constants that depend only on d,p. This paper formulates and proves a discrete analogue of this result for discrete harmonic functions defined on a discrete box on the d-dimensional lattice with multiplicative constants that do not depend on the size of the box.
Progestogen-induced alterations and their ecological relevance in different embryonic and adult behaviours of an invertebrate model species, the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)
Authors: Svigruha Reka , Fodor Istvan , Padisak Judit , Pirger Zsolt 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe presence of oral contraceptives (basically applying estrogens and/or progestogens) poses a challenge to animals living in aquatic ecosystems and reflects a rapidly growing concern worldwide. However, there is still a lack in knowledge about the behavioural effects induced by progestogens on the non-target species including molluscs. In the present study, environmental progestogen concentrations were summarised. Knowing this data, we exposed a well-established invertebrate model species, the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) to relevant equi-concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 500 ng L−1) of mixtures of four progestogens (progesterone, drospirenone, gestodene, levonorgestrel) for 21 days. Significant alterations were observed in the embryonic development time, heart rate, feeding, and gliding activities of the embryos as well as in the feeding and locomotion activity of the adult specimens. All of the mixtures accelerated the embryonic development time and the gliding activity. Furthermore, the 10, 100, and 500 ng L−1 mixtures increased the heart rate and feeding activity of the embryos. The 10, 100, and 500 ng L−1 mixtures affected the feeding activity as well as the 1, 10, and 100 ng L−1 mixtures influenced the locomotion of the adult specimens. The differences of these adult behaviours showed a biphasic response to the progestogen exposure; however, they changed approximately in the opposite way. In case of feeding activity, this dose-response phenomenon can be identified as a hormesis response. Based on the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the non-reproductive effects of progestogens occurring also in the environment on molluscan species. Our findings contribute to the global understanding of the effects of human progestogens, as these potential disruptors can influence the behavioural activities of non-target aquatic species. Future research should aim to understand the potential mechanisms (e.g., receptors, signal pathways) of progestogens induced behavioural alterations.
Digitale Innovation in der Medizin – die COVID-19-Pandemie als Akzelerator von „digital health“
Authors: Mumm Jan-Niclas , Rodler Severin , Mumm Maja-Lena , Bauer Ricarda M. , Stief Christian G. 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDie COVID-19-Pandemie hat eine Welle der Digitalisierung in der Medizin ausgelöst. Der Einsatz modernster Technologien wird in den folgenden Jahren Routinediagnostik und Therapieansätze revolutionieren und die Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung positiv beeinflussen. Die Verwendung von AI („artifical intelligence“) und Big Data ist neben den Entwicklungen der mHealth („mobile health“) einer der bedeutendsten Meilensteine im Aufbau eines digitalen und intelligenten Gesundheitssystems.
From short-term surgical missions towards sustainable partnerships. A survey among members of foreign teams
Authors: Botman M. , Hendriks T. C.C. , Keetelaar A. J. , Smit F. T.C. , Terwee C. B. , Hamer M. , Nuwass E. , Jaspers M. E.H. , Winters H. A.H. , Corlew S. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
An estimated five billion people lack access to safe surgical care across the globe. Traditionally, providing short-term surgical missions has been the main strategy for health professionals from high-income countries to support surgical care in low- and middle-income countries. However, traditional missions have come under criticism because evidence of their sustainable value is lacking, along with any robust documentation and application of recommendations by participants of ongoing surgical missions. Using survey data collection and analysis, this study aims to provide a framework on how to improve the use of visiting surgical teams to strengthen surgical services in resource-poor settings.

Method:
An online survey was conducted among members of foreign teams to collect data on five specific areas: basic characteristics of the mission, main activities. Follow-up and reporting, the local registration process and collaboration with local actors. The survey included 58 respondents from 13 countries, and representing 20 organizations.

Results:
During surgical missions, training activities were considered most impactful, and reporting on outcome/s, along with long-term follow-up was strongly recommended. According to almost all participants (94%), the focus should be on establishing collaborative practices with local actors, and encourage strategic, long-term changes under their leadership.

Conclusion:
Building sustainable partnerships within local healthcare systems is the way forward for foreign surgical parties that aim to improve surgical care in low- and- middle income countries. When foreign help is offered, local stakeholders should be in the lead.

Highlights