bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of seasonal precipitation change on soil respiration processes in a seasonally dry tropical forest
Authors: Yu Shiqin , Mo Qifeng , Chen Yuanqi , Li Yingwen , Li Yongxing , Zou Bi , Xia Hanping , Jun Wang , Li Zhian , Wang Faming 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPrecipitation is projected to change intensity and seasonal regime under current global projections. However, little is known about how seasonal precipitation changes will affect soil respiration, especially in seasonally dry tropical forests. In a seasonally dry tropical forest in South China, we conducted a precipitation manipulation experiment to simulate a delayed wet season (DW) and a wetter wet season (WW) over a three‐year period. In DW, we reduced 60% throughfall in April and May to delay the onset of the wet season and irrigated the same amount water into the plots in October and November to extend the end of the wet season. In WW, we irrigated 25% annual precipitation into plots in July and August. A control treatment (CT) receiving ambient precipitation was also established. Compared with CT, DW significantly increased soil moisture by 54% during October to November, and by 30% during December to April. The treatment of WW did not significantly affect monthly measured soil moisture. In 2015, DW significantly increased leaf area index and soil microbial biomass but decreased fine root biomass. In contrast, WW significantly decreased fine root biomass and forest floor litter stocks. Soil respiration was not affected by DW, which could be attributed to the increased microbial biomass offsetting the decrease in fine root biomass. In contrast, WW significantly increased soil respiration from 3.40 to 3.90 μmol m−2 s−1 in the third year, mainly due to the increased litter decomposition and soil pH (from 4.48 to 4.68). The present study suggests that both a delayed wet season and a wetter wet season will have significant impacts on soil respiration‐associated ecosystem components. However, the ecosystem components can respond in different directions to the same change in precipitation, which ultimately affected soil respiration.
Biomass allocation and productivity–richness relationship across four grassland types at the Qinghai Plateau
Authors: Dai Licong , Guo Xiaowei , Ke Xun , Lan Yuting , Zhang Fawei , Li Yikang , Lin Li , Li Qian , Cao Guangmin , Fan Bo , Qian Dawen , Zhou Huakun , Du Yangong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) allocation and productivity–richness relationship are controversial. Here, we assessed AGB and BGB allocation and the productivity–richness relationship at community level across four grassland types based on the biomass data collected from 80 sites across the Qinghai Plateau during 2011–2012. The reduced major axis regression and general linear models were used and showed that (a) the median values of AGB were significantly higher in alpine meadow than in other three grassland types; the ratio of root to shoot (R/S) was significantly higher in desert grassland (36.06) than intemperate grassland (16.60), alpine meadow (13.35), and meadow steppe (19.46). The temperate grassland had deeper root distribution than the other three grasslands, with about 91.45% roots distributed in the top 30 cm soil layer. (b) The slopes between log AGB and log BGB in the temperate grassland and meadow steppe were 1.09 and 1, respectively, whereas that in the desert grassland was 1.12, which was significantly different from the isometric allocation relationship. A competitive relationship between AGB and BGB was observed in the alpine meadow with a slope of −1.83, indicating a trade‐off between AGB and BGB in the alpine meadow. (c) A positive productivity–richness relationship existed across the four grassland types, suggesting that the positive productivity–richness relationship might not be affected by the environmental factors at the plant location. Our results provide a new insight for biomass allocation and biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research.
Contingent faculty in ecology and STEM: an uneven landscape of challenges for higher education
Authors: Fetcher Ned , Lam Mimi E. , Cid Carmen R. , Mourad Teresa 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe number of contingent or non‐tenure‐track faculty at colleges and universities in the United States has been growing over the past several decades; they now constitute nearly 70% of the non‐student academic workforce. A significant fraction of contingent faculty teaches in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As an initiative of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), contingent faculty in ecology were surveyed and the results were compared with a survey of STEM faculty conducted by the Coalition for the Academic Workforce (CAW). Most respondents to the ESA survey were employed in research or research and teaching activities at doctorate‐granting institutions, whereas in the CAW sample, most were engaged in teaching at associate's and master's degree‐granting institutions. The ESA sample was almost evenly divided between women and men; women outnumbered men in the younger age classes, whereas men outnumbered women in the older age classes. The respondents to the CAW survey were older than the ESA respondents, with more men in computer sciences, engineering, and physical sciences, more women in the biological and health sciences, and a balanced gender ratio in mathematics. The ESA survey asked respondents to rank possible activities that ESA could undertake to support contingent faculty. The highest ranked activities included reduced fees for membership, page charges, and meeting registrations, followed closely by small grants for travel and research. The lowest ranked was the formation of an ESA section for contingent faculty. The causes and implications of contingency are analyzed in light of other recent surveys. Academic institutions and professional societies such as the ESA can reduce the loss of qualified individuals from the scientific community by recognizing and legitimizing contingency as an academic career stage and by offering professional development to support the careers of contingent faculty.
Prognostic role of NYHA class in heart failure patients undergoing primary prevention ICD therapy
Authors: Briongos‐Figuero Sem , Estévez Alvaro , Pérez M. Luisa , Martínez‐Ferrer José B. , García Enrique , Viñolas Xavier , Arenal Ángel , Alzueta Javier , Muñoz‐Aguilera Roberto 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimsConcerns about the prognostic value of NYHA functional class (FC) in heart failure (HF) patients carrying a prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are still present. We aimed to compare whether mortality and arrhythmic risk were different, in a cohort of HF patients undergoing ICD‐only implant, according to their FC.Methods and resultsHF patients with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, undergoing first prophylactic ICD‐only implant were collected from a multicentre nationwide registry (2006–2015). Six hundred and twenty‐one patients were identified (101 patients in NYHA I; 411 in NYHA II; 109 in NYHA III). After a mean follow‐up of 4.4 years (±2.1), 126 patients died (20.3%). All‐cause mortality risk was higher in symptomatic patients: 13.9% in NYHA I patients, 18.3% in NYHA II patients (HR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.2), and 32.9% in NYHA III patients (HR: 3.9, 95% CI 2.1–7.3). Seventy‐eight out of all deaths were due to cardiovascular causes (12.6%). Cardiovascular mortality risk was also higher in symptomatic patients: 6.9% in NYHA I patients, 11% in NYHA II patients (HR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.9), and 23.9% in NYHA III (HR: 5.5, 95% CI 2.4–12.7). One hundred and seventeen patients received a first appropriate ICD therapy (19.4%). Arrhythmia free survival did not differ among study groups [20.8% in NYHA I patients, 18.7% in NYHA II (HR: 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–1.7) and 20.8% in NYHA III patients (HR: 1.3, 95% CI 0.7–2.5)]. NYHA class independently predicted cardiovascular mortality (NYHA III vs. NYHA I: HR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.7–12.8, P = 0.002; NYHA II vs. NYHA I: HR, 2.1, 95% CI, 1.0–5.6, P = 0.05) but not all‐cause death (NYHA III vs. NYHA I: HR: 1.8, 95% CI 0.8–3.9, P = 0.11; NYHA II vs. NYHA I: HR, 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–2.2, P = 0.71;). Atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes emerged as predictors of both all‐cause death [(HR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.8, P = 0.005), (HR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.4, P < 0.001), (HR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.3–3.1, P = 0.001), respectively] and cardiovascular mortality [(HR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.1, P = 0.02), (HR: 3.1, 95% CI 1.8–5.4, P < 0.001), (HR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–3, P = 0.032), respectively].ConclusionsMortality in HF patients undergoing prophylactic ICD implantation was higher in symptomatic patients. NYHA functional class along with other comorbidities might be helpful to identify a subgroup of ICD carriers with poorer prognosis and higher risk of cardiovascular death.
Multimodality imaging and three‐dimensional printed model in patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Authors: Hamatani Yasuhiro , Shiraishi Isao , Nishii Tatsuya , Okada Atsushi , Amaki Makoto , Yamasahita Kizuku , Matsumoto Yorihiko , Kanzaki Hideaki , Fukuda Tetsuya , Fujita Tomoyuki , Yasuda Satoshi , Kobayashi Junjiro , Izumi Chisato 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSurgical treatment is an effective therapy and the gold standard for patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and drug‐refractory symptoms. However, it is difficult to arrange a concrete surgical plan due to the heterogenous and complex cardiac anatomy. Three‐dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology that is able to reproduce complex cardiac anatomy. Here, we present two patients with LVOTO in whom we created 3D printed models. In these two patients, we compared the 3D printed model and the intraoperative findings and confirmed that the 3D printed model we created could reproduce the complex cardiac anatomy including the interventricular septum, papillary muscles, and abnormally thickened chordae. By using 3D printed models, cardiologists and surgeons can comprehend the complex 3D cardiac structure and spatial positional relationship preoperatively and perform surgical rehearsal. 3D printing could be a valuable tool for the management of patients with LVOTO.
Directional discrimination is better for noxious laser stimuli than for innocuous laser stimuli
Authors: Frahm K.S. , Mørch C.D. , Andersen O.K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe directional discrimination is lower for painful laser heat compared to non‐painful mechanical stimulation. The aim of the current study was to investigate how the directional discrimination of radiant heat stimulation depends on stimulation intensity and displacement velocity.MethodsFifteen healthy subjects were stimulated in the right volar forearm with a CO2 laser at intensities that were expected to be either painful (46°C) or non‐painful (39°C). The laser beam was continuously displaced distal‐proximally along the arm during the stimulation. After the stimulation, subjects indicated the perceived direction and intensity (NRS: 0: perception 3: pain 10: maximum pain). Stimulations were delivered with five lengths (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm) and three velocities (10, 30 and 100 mm/s). To estimate the directional discrimination threshold (DDT) the data were fitted to a sigmoidal curve.ResultsFor the lower intensity (39°C) the DDT was 81.8 mm for the slowest velocity, and above 100 mm for the two faster velocities. For the higher intensity (46°C) the DDT was 58.8 and 69.6 mm for the slowest velocity and middle velocity, respectively, and above 100 mm for the fastest velocity. The perceived intensity increased with stimulation length, stimulation intensity and decreasing velocity (LMM, p < .001).ConclusionsThis study shows how the DDT for thermal stimuli is shorter for higher intensity and lower displacement velocities. Additionally, it was shown that for the velocity where directional discrimination is optimal for mechanical stimuli it is not possible to discriminate a thermal stimulus.SignificanceThis study showed that the directional discrimination of painful laser stimuli is better than that for non‐painful laser stimuli. These findings supplements our current knowledge regarding the tempo‐spatial discrimination in the nociceptive system, where evidence from previous discrimination studies differs somewhat regarding difference between painful and non‐painful discrimination. This, therefore, indicates that there is lacking knowledge regarding the discrimination within the nociceptive system.
Methylation of the OXTR gene in women with anorexia nervosa: Relationship to social behavior
Authors: Thaler Lea , Brassard Sarah , Booij Linda , Kahan Esther , McGregor Kevin , Labbe Aurelie , Israel Mimi , Steiger Howard 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDNA methylation allows for the environmental regulation of gene expression and is believed to link environmental stressors to psychiatric disorder phenotypes, such as anorexia nervosa (AN). The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene is epigenetically regulated, and studies have shown associations between OXTR and social behaviours in various samples, including women with AN. The present study examined differential levels of methylation at various CG sites of the OXTR gene in 69 women with active AN (AN‐Active), 21 in whom AN was in remission (AN‐Rem) and 35 with no eating disorder (NED). Within each group, we explored the correlation between methylation and measures of social behaviour such as insecure attachment and social avoidance. Hypermethylation of a number of CG sites was seen in AN‐Active participants as compared with AN‐Rem and NED participants. In the AN‐Rem sample, methylation at CG27501759 was significantly positively correlated with insecure attachment (r = .614, p = .003, permutation Q = 0.008) and social avoidance (r = .588, p = .005, permutation Q = 0.0184). Our results highlight differential methylation of the OXTR gene among women with AN, those in remission from AN, and those who never had AN and provide some evidence of associations between OXTR methylation and social behaviour in women remitted from AN.
Morphodynamics of alternate bars in the presence of riparian vegetation
Authors: Jourdain Camille , Claude Nicolas , Tassi Pablo , Cordier Florian , Antoine Germain 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlpine gravel‐bed rivers are dynamic systems that have been subjected to many anthropic alterations in the past centuries. Riparian vegetation development on previously bare sediment bedforms has been a common adjustment, raising important management issues in terms of flood risks and biodiversity. Many of these rivers are also channelized, and as a result present a pattern of alternate bars. Considering recent advances in numerical biomorphodynamic modeling, this study aims at exploring numerically the morphodynamics of alternate bars in the presence of riparian vegetation. To this end, a dynamic vegetation module has been implemented on top of an existing morphodynamic model, accounting for ecological processes of seed dispersal, seedling recruitment, growth, and mortality. Numerical simulations have been performed on a simplified reach of a gravel‐bed river with free migrating alternate bars at initial state. In this work 96 scenarios have been simulated, each representing 50 years of channel evolution, with different flood regimes characterized by various peak discharges and flood durations. Yearly peak discharge variability is explicitly modeled in 48 scenarios. Model outcomes present two possible equilibrium biomorphodynamic behaviors: stationary vegetated bars, or free migrating bars in the case of frequent vegetation removal during floods. This binary behavior holds true when the stochasticity of annual peak discharges is represented, and for a wide range of parameter values included in vegetation dynamic modeling. Transient mobility of vegetated bars is observed in specific configurations where large sediment deposits deflect the flow field, eroding bar heads. Modeled bar wavelengths are in the range of values predicted for free bars by linear bar theory, and remain far from the theoretical values of hybrid, steady bars. The shift from unvegetated migrating bars to steady vegetated bars seems to show that in these simulations vegetation constitutes a hydraulic forcing, leading to a shift from free bars to forced bars, with a final configuration largely inherited from the initial state. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A predictive model of train delays on a railway line
Authors: Wen Chao , Mou Weiwei , Huang Ping , Li Zhongcan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDelay prediction is an important issue associated with train timetabling and dispatching. Based on real‐world operation records, accurate forecasting of delays is of immense significance in train operation and decisions of dispatchers. In this study, we established a model that illustrates the interaction between train delays and their affecting factors via train describer records on a Dutch railway line. Based on the main factors that affect train delay and the time series trend, we determined the independent and dependent variables. A long short‐term memory (LSTM) prediction model in which the actual delay time corresponded to the dependent variable was established via Python. Finally, the prediction accuracy of the random forest model and artificial neural network model was compared. The results indicated that the LSTM model outperformed the other two models.
Pricing and integration of credit default swap index tranches
Authors: Carverhill Andrew , Luo Dan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper first designs an efficient procedure to value Credit Default Swap Index tranches using an intensity‐based model. The tranche spreads are effectively explained by a three‐factor version of this model, both before and during the financial crisis of 2008. We then construct tradable tranche portfolios to track the intensity factors and compare the pricing of the tranches with equities and their derivatives. Our results show that the senior tranche spreads do not offer returns in excess of the common risk compensations in the equity and derivatives markets, while the junior tranche is not spanned by these standard factors.
Atopy patch tests may identify patients at risk for systemic contact dermatitis
Authors: Pootongkam Suwimon , Havele Sonia A. , Orillaza Hanna , Silver Eli , Rowland Douglas Y. , Nedorost Susan T. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundA subset of patients with positive patch tests demonstrates systemic contact dermatitis (SCD) upon ingestion or inhalation of the allergen. Concern has been raised about the use of patch tests for protein allergens (APTs) to detect SCD in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.MethodsWe present atopy patch test (APT) data for 97 people. We reviewed APTs and tests for antigen‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to the same allergen in pediatric AD patients. We compared the frequency of APTs as a function of age in AD patients. To study the irritancy potential of APTs, we prospectively tested consenting non‐AD dermatitis patients undergoing evaluation for allergic contact dermatitis and healthy controls to an APT panel.ResultsAPT demonstrated fewer positive results than serum‐specific IgE or skin prick tests to the same allergen. Positive APT to food was more common in children under 3 years, whereas positive APT to aeroallergens were more common in teens and adults. Only positive APTs to dust mite were significantly more common positive in subjects without AD.ConclusionOur aggregate findings suggest that most APTs, but not dust mite, behave like conventional patch tests to low‐potency allergens. They are more likely to be positive in patients with chronically inflamed skin and to identify allergens that cause SCD. The higher prevalence of APT positivity to foods in young children is consistent with food allergy as a trigger of AD (also known as SCD) being more common in children than adults. Positive APTs define patients who may have SCD; negative APTs may guide elimination diets.
Base‐Assisted C−H Bond Cleavage in Cross‐Coupling: Recent Insights into Mechanism, Speciation, and Cooperativity
Authors: Carrow Brad P. , Sampson Jessica , Wang Long 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis review analyzes recent mechanistic studies that have provided new insights into how the structure of a metal complex influences the rate and selectivity of base‐assisted C−H cleavage. Partitioning a broader mechanistic continuum into classes delimited by the polarization between catalyst and substrate during C−H cleavage is postulated as a method to identify catalysts favoring electrophilic or nucleophilic reactivity patterns, which may be predictive based on structural features of the metal complex (i. e., oxidation state, d‐electron count, charge). Multi‐metallic cooperativity and polynuclear speciation also provide new avenues to affect energy barriers for C−H cleavage and site selectivity beyond the limitations of single metal catalysts. An improved understanding of mechanistic nuances and structure‐activity relationships on this important bond activation step carries important implications for efficiency and controllable site selectivity in non‐directed C−H functionalization.
Decarboxylative Oxygenation via Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Faraggi Tomer M. , Li Wei , MacMillan David W. C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe direct conversion of aliphatic carboxylic acids to their dehomologated carbonyl analogues has been accomplished through photocatalytic decarboxylative oxygenation. This transformation is applicable to an array of carboxylic acid motifs, producing ketones, aldehydes, and amides in excellent yields. Preliminary results demonstrate that this methodology is further amenable to aldehyde substrates via in situ oxidation to the corresponding acid and subsequent decarboxylative oxygenation. We have exploited this strategy for the sequential oxidative dehomologation of linear aliphatic chains.
Prognostic value of distant metastatic sites in stage IV endometrial cancer: A SEER database study of 2948 women
Authors: Liu Yan , Chi Shuqi , Zhou Xing , Zhao Rong , Xiao Chengyu , Wang Hongbo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the prognosis of women with distant metastasis at the time of endometrial cancer (EC) diagnosis and identify prognostic factors according to metastatic site.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with EC according to the SEER database between 2010 and 2014. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to identify variables associated with overall survival. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used to compare survival among different groups.ResultsOverall, 2948 women with stage IV EC were identified. The most common distant metastatic site was the lung. Having a distant metastatic site independently predicted overall survival. Using brain metastasis as a reference, overall survival was longer for liver (P=0.049), lung (P=0.005), and bone (P=0.019) metastasis. Relative to no distant metastasis, overall survival was shorter for women with one (P<0.001) or two or more (P<0.001) sites of distant metastasis. Overall survival was independently influenced by tumor grade, insurance status, and surgery among women with only lung metastasis.ConclusionThe findings showed that the prognosis of women with stage IV EC differs by distant metastatic site, and identified several predictors of poor survival. They may help clinicians to better predict prognosis for newly diagnosed cases of EC with distant metastasis.