bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Herbivory enhances the effect of environmental variability on plant community composition and beta diversity
Authors: Brambila Alejandro , Chesnut John W. , Prugh Laura R. , Hallett Lauren M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimUnderstanding the factors that shape biodiversity over space and time is a central question in ecology. Spatiotemporal environmental variation in resource availability can favor different species, generating beta diversity patterns that increase overall diversity. A key question is the degree to which biotic processes—in particular herbivory—enhance or dampen the effect of environmental variation on resource availability at different scales.LocationWe tested this question in a semi‐arid California grassland, which is characterized by high rainfall variability. The system supports giant kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ingens), which form mounds that structure spatial variability in soil nutrient availability.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2017 we implemented a cattle herbivory exclusion experiment to test whether herbivory moderates the effect of spatial and inter‐annual resource variability on plant biomass and diversity both on and off mounds.ResultsGrazing reduced local diversity regardless of mound status or amount of precipitation. However, we found that plant productivity was higher on than off mounds, increased following high rainfall years, and that grazing increased these on‐ versus off‐mound differences in wet years—especially after a major drought. Correspondingly, grazing led to on‐mound communities that were more different from each other and from off‐mound communities.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that herbivory generally enhances habitat heterogeneity across this arid landscape, but is resource context‐dependent with greater effects seen in wetter years.
Malnutrition in rural Solomon Islands: An analysis of the problem and its drivers
Authors: Albert Joelle , Bogard Jessica , Siota Faye , McCarter Joe , Diatalau Salome , Maelaua Josephine , Brewer Tom , Andrew Neil 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSolomon Islands, like many Pacific Island nations, suffer from the burden of malnutrition. External drivers including population growth, declining agriculture and fisheries productivity and global food trade have contributed to the transition to greater reliance on imported foods. Globally, diets are recognized as both a cause of and solution to the burden of malnutrition. Using a mixed‐method approach this study assessed nutritional status and key determinants of malnutrition among women and young children in rural Solomon Island communities. Quantitative 24‐hour recall surveys identified diets of women and young children in these communities to be very limited in diversity. Typical daily diets comprised of fish, sweet potato (and/or rice) and slippery cabbage (a leafy green) usually boiled in coconut milk or baked. Participatory research using problem tree and biocultural approaches identified basic determinants of poor diets and opportunities to address these challenges. We highlight three domains of opportunity to improve diets across multiple scales; 1) improve nutrition‐sensitive agriculture and fisheries to produce and distribute diverse, productive and nutrient rich foods; 2) nutrition education and empowerment, focusing on the first 1000 days of life, to influence and inform choices regarding food consumption; and 3) reducing the consumption of imported, energy‐rich nutrient poor foods through national and regional policies. These multi‐scale domains highlight that food system approaches that strengthen integrated policy and empower people are essential for healthy and sustainable diets in Solomon Islands and more broadly in the Pacific region.
Relationships between gustatory function tests
Authors: Kang Min‐Goo , Choi Jee‐Hye , Kho Hong‐Seop 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the relationships among four different gustatory function tests in healthy young adults: electrogustometry (EGM), filter paper disk (FPD), whole‐mouth, and taste strip methods. The relationships of the results of gustatory function tests with salivary flow rate were also investigated.MethodsSixty healthy young adults (30 men, 26.9 ± 4.7 years; 30 women, 25.7 ± 4.6 years) who did not have disorders or conditions related with gustatory function were included. Four different gustatory function tests using the EGM, FPD, whole‐mouth, and taste strip methods were performed in each participant with 2‐ to 3‐day intervals between tests. The flow rates of unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva were measured.ResultsThere were no significant differences between sexes in all the examined gustatory function tests. The levels of correlations between the gustatory function tests were low. The EGM threshold correlated with the taste score of the FPD method in the chorda tympani nerve area. Different chemical gustatory function tests did not correlate significantly in any of the four taste qualities. Salivary flow rates did not correlate with taste perception.ConclusionsThe correlations between gustatory function tests were weak. A significant correlation was found between the results of EGM and FPD methods in the chorda tympani nerve area.
Right Singular Vector Projection Graphs: Fast High Dimensional Covariance Matrix Estimation under Latent Confounding
Authors: Shah Rajen D. , Frot Benjamin , Thanei Gian-Andrea , Meinshausen Nicolai 
Published: January 2020

SummaryWe consider the problem of estimating a high dimensional p × p covariance matrix Σ, given n observations of confounded data with covariance Σ+ΓΓT, where Γ is an unknown p × q matrix of latent factor loadings. We propose a simple and scalable estimator based on the projection onto the right singular vectors of the observed data matrix, which we call right singular vector projection (RSVP). Our theoretical analysis of this method reveals that, in contrast with approaches based on the removal of principal components, RSVP can cope well with settings where the smallest eigenvalue of ΓTΓ is relatively close to the largest eigenvalue of Σ, as well as when the eigenvalues of ΓTΓ are diverging fast. RSVP does not require knowledge or estimation of the number of latent factors q, but it recovers Σ only up to an unknown positive scale factor. We argue that this suffices in many applications, e.g. if an estimate of the correlation matrix is desired. We also show that, by using subsampling, we can further improve the performance of the method. We demonstrate the favourable performance of RSVP through simulation experiments and an analysis of gene expression data sets collated by the GTEX consortium.
Evaluation of three ligatures in simulated equine open castration
Authors: Gandini Marco , Comino Francesco , Caramello Vittorio , Giusto Gessica 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo compare three surgical knots for preventing leakage from the vascular bundle during ligation in simulated equine open castrations.Study designRandomized, case‐control, in vitro study.Sample populationTestes (N = 60) collected from 30 horses.MethodsTestes were collected from 30 horses and randomly assigned to one of three groups: group G (friction, giant knot), group T (modified transfixing knot), or group S (sliding, strangle knot; n = 20/group). The assigned knot was used to ligate the vascular bundle during open castration. The length of suture material used and the leak pressure of the testicular artery were measured and compared between groups.ResultsStrangle knots consistently leaked at higher pressures (median, 735.5 mm Hg; interquartile range [IQR], 735.5‐735.5) compared with giant (median, 441.3 mm Hg; IQR, 367.8‐643.6) and transfixing (median, 419.2 mm Hg; IQR, 323.6‐643.6; P < .0001) knots. Both the strangle (median, 5 cm; IQR, 4.5‐5.5) and giant (median, 6 cm; IQR, 5.35‐6.075) knots required less suture material compared with the transfixing (median, 9.2 cm; IQR, 8.425‐10.38; P < .0001) knot.ConclusionThe three surgical knots tested withstood pressure well above physiological levels in simulated open castrations. The strangle knot withstood higher pressure and required similar (giant) or less (transfixing) suture material than the other two knots.Clinical significanceThis study provides evidence to support the use of a strangle knot to ligate the vascular bundle during simulated open castrations in horses.
Sex differences in paediatric airway anatomy
Authors: Ripoll Juan G. , Guo Winston , Andersen Kylie J. , Baker Sarah E. , Wiggins Chad C. , Shepherd John R. A. , Carter Rickey E. , Welch Brian T. , Joyner Michael J. , Dominelli Paolo B. 
Published: January 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Are sex difference in the central airways present in healthy paediatric patients?

What is the main finding and its importance?
In patients ≤12 years we found no sex differences in central airway luminal area. After 14 years, the males had significantly larger central airway luminal areas than the females. The sex differences were minimized, but preserved when correcting for height. Luminal area is the main determinant of airway resistance and our finding could help explain sex differences in pulmonary system limitations to exercise in paediatric patients.

AbstractCross‐sectional airway area is the main determinant of resistance to airflow in the respiratory system. In paediatric patients (<18 years), previous evidence for sex differences in cross‐sectional airway area was limited to patients with history of pulmonary disease or cadaveric studies with small numbers of subjects. These studies either only report tracheal data and do not include a range of ages or correct for height. Therefore, we sought to assess sex differences in airway luminal area utilizing paediatric patients of varying ages and no history of respiratory disease. Using three‐dimensional reconstructions from high‐resolution computed tomography scans, we retrospectively assessed the cross‐sectional airway area in healthy paediatric females (n = 97) and males (n = 128) over a range of ages (1–17 years). The areas of the trachea, left main bronchus, left upper lobe, left lower lobe, right main bronchus, intermediate bronchus and right upper lobe were measured at three discrete points by a blinded investigator. No differences between the sexes were noted in the cross‐sectional areas of the youngest (ages 1–12 years) patients (P > 0.05). However, in patients ≥14 years the cross‐sectional areas were larger in the males compared to females in most airway sites. For instance, the cross‐sectional size of the trachea was 25% (218 ± 44 vs. 163 ± 24 mm2, P < 0.01) larger in males vs. females among ages 13–17 years. When accounting for height, these sex differences in airway areas were attenuated, but persisted. Our results indicate that sex differences in paediatric airway cross‐sectional area manifest after age ≥14 years and are independent of height.
High‐intensity interval exercise reduces tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge in heat‐stressed individuals
Authors: Trotter Claire E. , Tourula Erica , Pizzey Faith K. , Batterson Philip M. , Jacobs Robert A. , Pearson James 
Published: January 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
In heat‐stressed individuals, does high‐intensity interval exercise reduce tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge (lower body negative pressure, LBNP) relative to steady state exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?
LBNP tolerance was lower in heat‐stressed individuals following high‐intensity interval exercise relative to steady state exercise. This was likely owing to the greater cardiovascular strain required to maintain arterial blood pressure prior to and early during LBNP following high‐intensity interval exercise. These findings are of importance for individuals working in occupations in which combined heat stress and intense intermittent exercise are common and where the risk of haemorrhagic injury is increased.

AbstractThis study investigated whether tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge (lower body negative pressure, LBNP) was lower in heat‐stressed individuals following high‐intensity interval exercise relative to steady state exercise. Nine healthy participants completed two trials (Steady State and Interval). Participants cycled continuously at ∼38% (Steady State) or alternating between 10 and ∼88% (Interval) of the maximal power output whilst wearing a hot water perfused suit until core temperatures increased ∼1.4°C. Participants then underwent LBNP to pre‐syncope. LBNP tolerance was quantified as cumulative stress index (CSI; mmHg min). Mean skin and core temperatures were elevated in both trials following exercise prior to LBNP (to 38.1 ± 0.6°C and 38.3 ± 0.2°C, respectively, both P < 0.001 relative to baseline) but not different between trials (both P > 0.05). In the Interval trial, heart rate was greater (122 ± 12 beats min−1) prior to LBNP, relative to the Steady State trial (107 ± 8 beats min−1, P < 0.001) while mean arterial pressure was similarly reduced in both trials prior to LBNP (from baseline 89 ± 5 to 77 ± 7 mmHg; P = 0.001) and at pre‐syncope (to 62 ± 9 mmHg, P < 0.001). CSI was lower in the Interval trial (280 ± 194 vs. 550 ± 234 mmHg min; P = 0.0085). In heat‐stressed individuals, tolerance to a simulated haemorrhagic challenge is reduced following high‐intensity interval exercise relative to steady state exercise.
<p><strong>Effects of</strong><strong> </strong><strong>food sources on the fecundity and gene expression of vitellogenin and its receptor from </strong><strong><em>Amblyseius eharai </em></strong><strong>(Acari: Phytoseiidae)</strong><strong></strong></p>
Authors: Wang Ji , Xin Tianrong , Ye Xianyan , Huang Xinyu , Gao Shangren , Zou Zhiwen , Xia Bin 
Published: January 2020

Vitellogenin (Vg) and Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play key roles in the reproductive process and development of many arthropod species, including Amblyseius eharai, a dominant natural enemy of spider mites and other small pests. In this study, impacts of different food on A. eharai fecundity were investigated. Two Vg genes (AeVg1 and AeVg2) and AeVgR genes were cloned, with their expression pattern analyzed. When fed with different foods including Tetranychus cinnabarinus, Aleuroglyphus ovatus and Camellia oleifera pollen, the number of eggs for each female of A. eharai was influenced significantly (P<0.05), while the hatching rate of eggs not signiﬁcantly (P>0.05). The open reading frames of AeVg1, AeVg2 and AeVgR were 5673, 5634 and 5597 bp, encoding 1857, 1851 and 1830 amino acids, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences between the AeVgs and AeVgR and 35 other Vg and VgRs from other arthropod species showed that A. eharai AeVg1 was related most closely to Neoseiulus barkeri Vg1, AeVg2 was related most closely to Neoseiulus cucumeris Vg2, AeVgR was most similar to Varroa jacobsori VgR. AeVgs and AeVgR had similar expression patterns: the highest expression was observed in the oviposition female stage, and the highest expression was observed in A. eharai fed with C. oleifera pollen. Positive correlations between expression of AeVgs and AeVgR and fecundity were observed. These results will help us understand the molecular mechanism of the reproductive capacity in A. eharai.
Arctic sea ice export as a driver of deglacial climate
Authors: Condron Alan , Joyce Anthony J. , Bradley Raymond S. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A widespread theory in paleoclimatology suggests that changes in freshwater discharge to the Nordic (Greenland, Norwegian, and Icelandic) Seas from ice sheets and proglacial lakes over North America played a role in triggering episodes of abrupt climate change during deglaciation (21–8 ka) by slowing the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation (AMOC). Yet, proving this link has been problematic, as climate models are unable to produce centennial-to-millennial–length reductions in overturning from short-lived outburst floods, while periods of iceberg discharge during Heinrich Event 1 (ca. 16 ka) may have occurred after the climate had already begun to cool. Here, results from a series of numerical model experiments are presented to show that prior to deglaciation, sea ice could have become tens of meters thick over large parts of the Arctic Basin, forming an enormous reservoir of freshwater independent from terrestrial sources. Our model then shows that deglacial sea-level rise, changes in atmospheric circulation, and terrestrial outburst floods caused this ice to be exported through Fram Strait, where its subsequent melt freshened the Nordic Seas enough to weaken the AMOC. Given that both the volume of ice stored in the Arctic Basin and the magnitude of the simulated export events exceed estimates of the volumes and fluxes of meltwater periodically discharged from proglacial Lake Agassiz, our results show that non-terrestrial freshwater sources played an important role in causing past abrupt climate change.
Reshuffling the Columbia River Basalt chronology—Picture Gorge Basalt, the earliest- and longest-erupting formation
Authors: Cahoon Emily B. , Streck Martin J. , Koppers Anthony A.P. , Miggins Daniel P. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) is the world’s youngest continental flood basalt province, presumably sourced from the deep-seated plume that currently resides underneath Yellowstone National Park in the northwestern United States. The earliest-erupted basalts from this province aid in understanding and modeling plume impingement and the subsequent evolution of basaltic volcanism. We explore the Picture Gorge Basalt (PGB) formation of the CRBG, and discuss the location and geochemical significance in a temporal context of early CRBG magmatism. We report new ARGUS-VI multicollector 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating ages from known PGB localities and additional outcrops that we can geochemically classify as PGB. These 40Ar/39Ar ages range between 17.23 ± 0.04 Ma and 16.06 ± 0.14 Ma, indicating that PGB erupted earlier and for longer than other CRBG main-phase units. These ages illustrate that volcanism initiated over a broad area in the center of the province, and the geochemistry of these early lavas reflects a mantle source that is distinct both spatially and temporally. Combining ages with the strongest arc-like (but depleted) geochemical signal of PGB among CRBG units indicates that the shallowest metasomatized backarc-like mantle was tapped first and concurrently, with later units (Steens and Imnaha Basalts) showing increased influence of a plume-like source.
Breastfeeding peer counselling for mothers of preterm neonates: protocol of a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Laborie Sophie , Denis Angelique , Horsch Antje , Occelli Pauline , Margier Jennifer , Morisod Harari Mathilde , Claris Olivier , Touzet Sandrine , Fischer Fumeaux Celine Julie 
Published: January 2020

IntroductionAmong preterm infants, mother’s own milk feeding reduces neonatal morbidity and decreases the length of hospital stay. However, breastfeeding rates and duration are lower than among term infants. It is reported that peer counselling is effective in increasing breast feeding in term infants in low-income and middle-income countries, but results are mixed in high-income countries. We aim to investigate herein whether peer counselling may be a feasible and effective breastfeeding support among preterm infants in French-speaking high-income countries.Methods and analysisEight European centres will participate in this stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. We plan to include 2400 hospitalised neonates born before 35 gestational weeks. Each centre will begin with an observational period. Every 3 months, a randomised cluster (centre) will begin the interventional period with peer counsellors until the end of the study. The counsellors will be trained and supervised by the trained nurses. They will have a weekly contact with participating mothers, with a face-to-face meeting at least once every fortnight. During these meetings, peer counsellors will listen to mothers’ concerns, share experiences and help the mother with their own knowledge of breast feeding. The main outcome is breastfeeding rate at 2 months corrected age. Secondary outcomes are breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge and at 6 months, breastfeeding duration and severe neonatal morbidity and mortality. The mental health of the mother, mother–infant bonding and infant behaviour will be assessed using self-report questionnaires. A neurodevelopmental follow-up, a cost-effectiveness analysis and a cost–consequence at 2 years corrected age will be performed among infants in a French subgroup.Ethics and disseminationFrench, Belgian and Swiss ethics committees gave their agreement. Publications in peer-reviewed journals are planned on breast feeding, mental health and economic outcomes.Trial registration numberNCT03156946
How safe and effective are flow diverters for the treatment of unruptured small/medium intracranial aneurysms of the internal carotid artery? Meta-analysis for evidence-based performance goals
Authors: Fiorella David , Gache Larry , Frame Diana , Arthur Adam S 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundThe objective of this meta-analysis was to establish safety and effectiveness benchmarks for endovascular therapy of unruptured small-to-medium internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms using flow diverters.MethodsA systematic literature review and subsequent meta-analysis were performed using best research methods. Studies of any design with at least 10 patients treated with flow diverters for predominantly (≥90%) unruptured small/medium ICA aneurysms and ≥6 month follow-up were included. The primary effectiveness endpoint was complete aneurysm occlusion rate at 12 months. The primary safety endpoint was a composite measure of cumulative events that could indicate a stroke or neurologic death: any death, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, or worsening on the modified Rankin Scale.Results41 studies (2614 patients) met eligibility criteria for the meta-analysis. The core lab adjusted complete occlusion rate was 74.9% (95% CI 69.6% to 79.8%) at 12 months for studies using any flow diverter. With an aim of generating performance goals for a US Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study, a pre-specified analysis was conducted using only studies with flow diverters commercially available in the USA. In this cohort, 12 month complete occlusion was 74.6% (95% CI 66.8% to 81.7%). The primary safety event rate for flow diverters commercially available in the USA was 7.8% (95% CI 4.8% to 11.4%).ConclusionsThe treatment of small and medium-sized aneurysms with flow diverters is effective in achieving curative reconstruction in most cases and is associated with low rates of morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis informs robust performance goals for evaluating new flow diverters in small/medium unruptured carotid aneurysms.