bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spark plasma sintering of ultrafine WC‐10Ni‐ZrC hardmetals: Effects of adding ZrC nano‐powder
Authors: Lv Changchun , Ren Xiaoyong , Wang Chengbiao , Peng Zhijian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNovel WC‐Ni hardmetals with divergent adding amounts (0‐9 wt%) of ZrC nano‐powder were fabricated by spark plasma sintering the samples at 1350°C under a pressure of 50 MPa. Through systematic characterizations by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as physical properties measurements, the effects of adding ZrC nano‐powder on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples were explored. In the sintered samples with ZrC nano‐powder, ZrO2 instead of ZrC could be monitored by XRD in the detection limit. SEM observation revealed that the addition of ZrC nano‐powder could suppress the grain growth of WC to a certain degree. As the adding amount of ZrC nano‐powder increased, the relative density of the specimens initially rose and subsequently declined, attaining a maximum of 98.6% for the specimen with 3 wt% ZrC nano‐powder. With the enhancement of the adding amount of ZrC nano‐powder, the Vickers hardness of the acquired specimens initially increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of about 1800 HV10 for the one with 3 wt% ZrC nano‐powder. As the adding amount of ZrC nano‐powder increased, the measured flexural strength gradually decreased from approximately 1500 to 1100 MPa.
Effect of processing method on vitamin profile, antioxidant properties and total phenolic content of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar syrup
Authors: Asghar Muhammad Tuseef , Yusof Yus Aniza , Noriznan Mohd , Yaacob Mohammad Effendy , Mohd Ghazali Hasanah , Chang Lee Sin , Manaf Yanty Noorzianna 
Published: January 2020

SummaryCoconut (Cocos nucifera L.) sugar is a more nutritious alternative sugar source as compared to sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). This work was aimed to investigate the browning index (BI), vitamin profile and antioxidant properties of coconut sap sugar syrups, which were produced by different processing methods: rotary evaporation (RE), microwave evaporation (ME) and open‐heat evaporation (OHE). The results obtained showed that coconut sugar syrup produced by RE‐60 contained high antioxidant activities [DPPH (36.71%) and ABTS (34.84%), TPC (299.87 mg per 100 g sample) and FRAP (3.74 mm)]. These values were slightly lower than those of ME and OHE. Coconut sugar syrup (RE‐60) also contained higher amounts of vitamin C (1587.27 mg L−1), vitamin B1 (97.44 mg L−1) and vitamin B3 (19.84 mg L−1) compared with those of ME and OHE coconut sugar syrups. RE‐60 was the best method to produce coconut sugar syrup in a shorter time with lower browning index and higher vitamin contents.
Comparison of single‐ and multiple‐dose cefazolin as prophylaxis for transurethral enucleation of prostate: A multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial by the Japanese Research Group for Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Togo Yoshikazu , Fukui Koji , Ueda Yasuo , Kanamaru Sojun , Shimizu Yosuke , Wada Koichiro , Sadahira Takuya , Yamada Yusuke , Matsumoto Masahiro , Hamasuna Ryoichi , Ishikawa Kiyohito , Takai Manabu , Maekawa Yuka , Yasuda Mitsuru , Kokura Koji , Kondoh Nobuyuki , Takiuchi Hidekazu , Yamamoto Shingo 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesTo compare the optimal administration period of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing transurethral enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsWe carried out a randomized controlled trial to compare the differences in incidence of perioperative genitourinary tract infection between single and multiple (3 days) administrations of cefazolin for transurethral enucleation of the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients without pyuria or bacteriuria between January 2015 and December 2018.ResultsThis multicenter randomized controlled trial included 203 patients who underwent a transurethral enucleation of the prostate procedure. All received antimicrobial prophylaxis, and were randomized into those who received single‐dose (n = 101) or multiple‐dose (n = 102) therapy. The rate of genitourinary tract infection after transurethral enucleation of the prostate for all patients was 1.5%, whereas that in the single‐dose group was 1.0% and in the multiple‐dose group was 2.0%, which were not significantly different (P = 1.00).ConclusionsA single dose of antimicrobial prophylaxis as a prophylactic antibacterial drug is sufficient for patients undergoing transurethral enucleation of the prostate who do not have presurgical pyuria or bacteriuria.
The global distribution of grass functional traits within grassy biomes
Authors: Jardine Emma C. , Thomas Gavin H. , Forrestel Elisabeth J. , Lehmann Caroline E. R. , Osborne Colin P. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimThe sorting of functional traits along environmental gradients is an important driver of community and landscape scale patterns of functional diversity. However, the significance of environmental factors in driving functional gradients within biomes and across continents remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the relationship of soil nutrients and climate to leaf traits in grasses (Poaceae) that are hypothesized to reflect different strategies of resource use along gradients of resource availability.LocationGlobal.TaxonPoaceae.MethodsWe made direct measurements on herbarium specimens to compile a global dataset of functional traits and realized environmental niche for 279 grass species that are common in grassland and savanna biomes. We examined the strength and direction of correlations between pairwise trait combinations and measured the distribution of traits in relation to gradients of soil properties and climate, while accounting for phylogenetic relatedness.ResultsLeaf trait variation among species follows two orthogonal axes. One axis represents leaf size and plant height, and we showed positive scaling relationships between these size‐related traits. The other axis corresponds to economic traits associated with resource acquisition and allocation, including leaf tensile strength (LTS), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen content (LNC). Global‐scale variation in LNC was primarily correlated with soil nutrients, while LTS, SLA and size‐related traits showed weak relationships to environment. However, most of the trait variation occurred within different vegetation types, independent of large‐scale environmental gradients.Main conclusionsOur work provides evidence among grasses for relationships at the global scale between leaf economic traits and soil fertility, and for an influence of aridity on traits related to plant size. However, large unexplained variance and strong phylogenetic signal in the model residuals imply that at this scale the evolution of functional traits is driven by factors beyond contemporary environmental or climatic conditions.
Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity predicted to substantially decline due to climate changes in North American Pinaceae forests
Authors: Steidinger Brian S. , Bhatnagar Jennifer M. , Vilgalys Rytas , Taylor John W. , Qin Clara , Zhu Kai , Bruns Thomas D. , Peay Kabir G. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimEctomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) are partners in a globally distributed tree symbiosis implicated in most major ecosystem functions. However, resilience of ECMF to future climates is uncertain. We forecast these changes over the extent of North American Pinaceae forests.LocationAbout 68 sites from North American Pinaceae forests ranging from Florida to Ontario in the east and southern California to Alaska in the west.TaxonEctomycorrhizal fungi (Asco‐ and Basidiomycetes).MethodsWe characterized ECMF communities at each site using molecular methods and modelled climatic drivers of diversity and community composition with general additive, generalized dissimilarity models and Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN). Next, we projected our models across the extent of North American Pinaceae forests and forecast ECMF responses to climate changes in these forests over the next 50 years.ResultsWe predict median declines in ECMF species richness as high as 26% in Pinaceae forests throughout a climate zone comprising more than 3.5 million square kilometres of North America (an area twice that of Alaska state). Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions can reduce these declines, but not prevent them. The existence of multiple diversity optima along climate gradients suggest regionally divergent trajectories for North American ECMF, which is corroborated by corresponding ECMF community thresholds identified in TITAN models. Warming of forests along the boreal–temperate ecotone results in projected ECMF species loss and declines in the relative abundance of long‐distance foraging ECMF species, whereas warming of eastern temperate forests has the opposite effect.Main ConclusionsOur results reveal potentially unavoidable ECMF species‐losses over the next 50 years, which is likely to have profound (if yet unclear) effects on ECMF‐associated biogeochemical cycles.
Effects of the multi‐kinase inhibitor midostaurin in combination with chemotherapy in models of acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Weisberg Ellen , Meng Chengcheng , Case Abigail E. , Tiv Hong L. , Gokhale Prafulla C. , Buhrlage Sara J. , Yang Jing , Liu Xiaoxi , Wang Jinhua , Gray Nathanael , Adamia Sophia , Sattler Martin , Stone Richard , Griffin James D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecently, several targeted agents have been developed for specific subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), including midostaurin, the first FDA‐approved FLT3 inhibitor for newly diagnosed patients with FLT3 mutations. However, in the initial Phase I/II clinical trials, some patients without FLT3 mutations had transient responses to midostaurin, suggesting that this multi‐targeted kinase inhibitor might benefit AML patients more broadly. Here, we demonstrate submicromolar efficacy of midostaurin in vitro and efficacy in vivo against wild‐type (wt) FLT3‐expressing AML cell lines and primary cells, and we compare its effectiveness with that of other FLT3 inhibitors currently in clinical trials. Midostaurin was found to synergize with standard chemotherapeutic drugs and some targeted agents against AML cells without mutations in FLT3. The mechanism may involve, in part, the unique kinase profile of midostaurin that includes proteins implicated in AML transformation, such as SYK or KIT, or inhibition of ERK pathway or proviability signalling. Our findings support further investigation of midostaurin as a chemosensitizing agent in AML patients without FLT3 mutations.
Photoadaptation to ultraviolet B TL01 in psoriatic patients
Authors: Pacifico A. , Damiani G. , Iacovelli P. , Conic R.R.Z. , Scarabello A. , Filoni A. , Malagoli P. , Bragazzi N.L. , Pigatto P.D.M. , Morrone A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn the biologic era, narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy still remains a valuable, effective, inexpensive, safe anti‐psoriatic treatment. Patients can lose response to NB‐UVB over time due to photoadaptation. This phenomenon is the tendency of the skin to respond to ultraviolet (UV) exposure by undergoing changes that may result in a decreased future response to an equivalent dose of radiation, thus leading to the need for an increased exposure during phototherapy course.AimTo characterize and quantify the determinants of photoadaptation in NB‐UVB treated psoriatic patients.MethodsWe enrolled 57 adult patients with moderate plaque psoriasis. Patients underwent 24 sessions of NB‐UVB phototherapy delivered thrice a week. Dosing was started with 70% of the minimal erythema dose (MED) with percentage‐based dose increments every two treatments. MED as well as change in the erythema and melanin index (MI) were measured at baseline and at the end of phototherapy course. Moreover, an adaptation factor (AF) was calculated for each patient.ResultsAdaptation factor was not influenced by both baseline MED and skin type. We found a weak correlation between higher cumulative dosages and the initial MED (Spearman's rho = 0.32, P = 0.0154) as well as with the mean initial MI (Spearman's rho = 0.25, P = 0.0624, statistically borderline). Clearance and mean number of treatments were correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.48, P < 0.001).ConclusionPhotoadaptation is a physiological skin response that negatively influences NB‐UVB responsiveness and is not predictable by the baseline MED and skin type. Thus, starting with more aggressive protocols and increasing rapidly dosage progression to prevent AF may increase NB‐UVB response.
Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use: The Impact of Nursing Home Socioeconomic and Racial Composition
Authors: Fashaw Shekinah , Chisholm Latarsha , Mor Vincent , Meyers David J. , Liu Xinliang , Gammonley Denise , Thomas Kali 
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVESPrevious research suggests black nursing home (NH) residents are more likely to receive inappropriate antipsychotics. Our aim was to examine how NH characteristics, particularly the racial and socioeconomic composition of residents, are associated with the inappropriate use of antipsychotics.DESIGNThis study used a longitudinal approach to examine national data from Long‐Term Care: Facts on Care in the US (LTCFocUS.org) between 2000 and 2015. We used a multivariate linear regression model with year and state fixed effects to estimate the prevalence of inappropriate antipsychotic use at the NH level.SETTINGFree‐standing NHs in the United States.PARTICIPANTSThe sample consisted of 12 964 NHs.MEASUREMENTSThe outcome variable was inappropriate antipsychotic use at the facility level. The primary indicator variables were whether a facility had high proportions of black residents and the percentage of residents with Medicaid as their primary payer.RESULTSNHs with high and low proportions of blacks had similar rates of antipsychotic use in the unadjusted analyses. NHs with high proportions of black residents had significantly lower rates of inappropriate antipsychotic use (β = −2; P < .001) in the adjusted analyses. Facilities with high proportions of Medicaid‐reliant residents had higher proportions of inappropriate use (β = .04; P < .001).CONCLUSIONFindings from this study indicate a decline in the use of antipsychotics. Although findings from this study indicated facilities with higher proportions of blacks had lower inappropriate antipsychotic use, facility‐level socioeconomic disparities continued to persist among NHs. Policy interventions that focus on reimbursement need to be considered to promote reductions in antipsychotic use, specifically among Medicaid‐reliant NHs. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:630–636, 2020
A mink‐free GB: perspectives on eradicating American minkNeovison visonfrom Great Britain and its islands
Authors: Martin Anthony R. , Lea Vince J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the case for, and plausibility of, eradicating American minkNeovison visonfrom mainland Great Britain and its associated offshore islands. This invasive species causes extensive damage to native fauna throughout Europe, and the UK Government is obliged to eradicate it, if feasible, under the Bern Convention. Current mink control buys time, but is patchy and dependent on substantial funding in perpetuity. If enacted, eradication would be cheaper in the long term and much more effective in preserving native wildlife. The methodology of an eradication campaign is explored, together with risks, challenges, and a tentative timeline and cost. We judge that mink eradication is now logistically feasible, due to technological developments and experience gained from landscape‐scale control. Using live traps fitted with electronic sensors – ‘smart’ traps – as the primary means of catching mink would render the campaign efficient, humane and free of non‐target mortality and negative environmental impacts. The ecological benefits of mink eradication would be profound, including greatly improving prospects for water voleArvicola amphibiuspopulations. Reinvasion is highly unlikely. The greatest logistical challenge is probably removing mink from Scottish west coast islands. Eradication might take around a decade and be dependent on co‐ordination between many conservation, fishing, farming, and water‐related organisations, together with the consent of landowners. By adding alarms to existing mink traps, land and water managers can pave the way to eradication now. A mink‐free Great Britain would plausibly cost tens of millions of pounds, against which could be set the limitless future costs of mink control. Such a campaign would be by far the world's largest invasive predator eradication project by geographical area and would set a precedent for citizen‐led conservation action globally. Regional trials would be extremely valuable in determining the costs and practicality of a GB‐wide campaign.
Role of salicylic acid glucosyltransferase in balancing growth and defence for optimum plant fitness
Authors: Kobayashi Yudai , Fukuzawa Noriho , Hyodo Ayaka , Kim Hangil , Mashiyama Shota , Ogihara Tsuyoshi , Yoshioka Hirofumi , Matsuura Hideyuki , Masuta Chikara , Matsumura Takeshi , Takeshita Minoru 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSalicylic acid (SA), an essential secondary messenger for plant defence responses, plays a role in maintaining a balance (trade‐off) between plant growth and resistance induction, but the detailed mechanism has not been explored. Because the SA mimic benzothiadiazole (BTH) is a more stable inducer of plant defence than SA after exogenous application, we analysed expression profiles of defence genes after BTH treatment to better understand SA‐mediated immune induction. Transcript levels of the salicylic acid glucosyltransferase (SAGT) gene were significantly lower in BTH‐treated Nicotiana tabacum (Nt) plants than in SA‐treated Nt control plants, suggesting that SAGT may play an important role in SA‐related host defence responses. Treatment with BTH followed by SA suppressed SAGT transcription, indicating that the inhibitory effect of BTH is not reversible. In addition, in BTH‐treated Nt and Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb) plants, an early high accumulation of SA and SA 2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside was only transient compared to the control. This observation agreed well with the finding that SAGT‐overexpressing (OE) Nb lines contained less SA and jasmonic acid (JA) than in the Nb plants. When inoculated with a virus, the OE Nb plants showed more severe symptoms and accumulated higher levels of virus, while resistance increased in SAGT‐silenced (IR) Nb plants. In addition, the IR plants restricted bacterial spread to the inoculated leaves. After the BTH treatment, OE Nb plants were slightly larger than the Nb plants. These results together indicate that SAGT has a pivotal role in the balance between plant growth and SA/JA‐mediated defence for optimum plant fitness.
A HemK class glutamine‐methyltransferase is involved in the termination of translation and essential for iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kailasam Sakthivel , Singh Surjit , Liu Ming‐Jung , Lin Chih‐Ching , Yeh Kuo‐Chen 
Published: January 2020

Summary

Iron (Fe) transport and utilization are controlled by Fe‐dependent transcriptional cascades. Many genes participate in these processes, transcriptionally controlled by Fe‐status. Thorough knowledge of the translational check‐points is lacking.

We identified a non‐response to Fe‐deficiency1‐1 (nrf1‐1) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, which displayed a hypersensitive phenotype under Fe‐deficient conditions. By mapping nrf1‐1, we found that the AT3G13440 locus encoding a HemK methyltransferase is responsible for the phenotype. Analyses of ProUBQ10:NRF1CDS overexpression nrf1‐1 lines and a T‐DNA insertion mutant nrf1‐2, confirmed that loss‐of‐function of NRF1 results in enhanced Fe‐starvation‐sensitivity.

NRF1 is required for the proper expression of the majority of Fe‐deficiency‐inducible (FDI) genes. The nrf1 mutants accumulated more polysomes in the roots, due to stalled ribosomes on several transcripts. Ribosome‐footprint (RF) mapping revealed that ribosomes are stalled at a stop codon that amplified the stalling of trailing ribosomes. We detected higher RF levels in many FDI transcripts in nrf1‐2.

Our study demonstrates the requirement of NRF1 for an accurate termination of protein synthesis essential not only for a precise iron homeostasis, but also cellular ion balance. NRF1 is also important for normal growth and development. A check‐point that fine‐tunes peptide release in plants is uncovered.
The individual focus of nursing research in breastfeeding: Perpetuating a neoliberal perspective
Authors: Kett Paula M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, I argue for the need to shift the focus of nursing research regarding breastfeeding from that of individual responsibility to include a more system‐focused, population health approach. In the 2011, “Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding,” the U.S. Surgeon General called attention to the pervasive disparities in breastfeeding outcomes in the United States. A plethora of nursing research exists aimed at addressing these disparities; however, this research leans toward a neoliberal perspective, mainly focusing on individual factors and failing to address the systemic inequities contributing to these disparities. A shift in nursing science that focuses research at a population level would more effectively support addressing disparities in breastfeeding outcomes and embrace a commitment to social justice. In focusing at a population level, specific inequities that must be addressed include the negative history of breastfeeding in the Black population, systemic racism, and gender inequality. Critical research methodologies are proposed as useful approaches to address these inequities. By engaging in this level of research and using a critical lens, nurse scientists broaden their scope of care to include the entire population, motivate needed social and policy change, facilitate the choice to breastfeed, and ultimately eliminate breastfeeding disparities.
Factors affecting the dormancy and germination of bleeding heart [Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara] seeds
Authors: Cho J. S. , Jang B. K. , Lee S. M. , Lee I. J. , Lee C. H. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Information on the optimal conditions to promote the germination of Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara seeds is limited; consequently, this study was conducted to establish the requirements to break seed dormancy and promote germination.

The selected seeds had morphophysiological dormancy and had not begun embryo development. To study the dormancy breaking and embryo development processes, seeds were subjected to constant or changing temperature treatments during moist stratification.

High temperature and humidity resulted in vigorous embryo growth, with the longest embryos occurring after 1 month of incubation at 20 °C. At 4 °C, the seeds required incubation period of at least 3 months to germinate. Embryo growth and germination were higher with changing high and low temperatures than under a constant temperature, and changing temperatures also considerably changed the endogenous hormone levels, embryo development and germination. Bioactive gibberellin (GA) content was higher in seeds incubated at 20 °C for 1 month, then at 4 °C for 2 months. The content of endogenous abscisic acid in seeds subjected to the same treatment decreased by 97.6% compared with that of the untreated seeds.

Embryo growth and seed germination require changing high and low temperatures; however, exogenous GA3 could substitute for high temperatures, as it also causes accelerated germination. In this study, the seeds of L. spectabilis were identified as an intermediate simple type, a sub‐level of morphophysiologically dormant seeds.