bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flammability thresholds or flammability gradients? Determinants of fire across savanna–forest transitions
Authors: Newberry Brooklynn M. , Power Collin R. , Abreu Rodolfo C. R. , Durigan Giselda , Rossatto Davi R. , Hoffmann William A. 
Published: June 2020

Summary

Vegetation–fire feedbacks are important for determining the distribution of forest and savanna. To understand how vegetation structure controls these feedbacks, we quantified flammability across gradients of tree density from grassland to forest in the Brazilian Cerrado.

We experimentally burned 102 plots, for which we measured vegetation structure, fuels, microclimate, ignition success and fire behavior.

Tree density had strong negative effects on ignition success, rate of spread, fire‐line intensity and flame height. Declining grass biomass was the principal cause of this decline in flammability as tree density increased, but increasing fuel moisture contributed. Although the response of flammability to tree cover often is portrayed as an abrupt, largely invariant threshold, we found the response to be gradual, with considerable variability driven largely by temporal changes in atmospheric humidity. Even when accounting for humidity, flammability at intermediate tree densities cannot be predicted reliably.

Fire spread in savanna–forest mosaics is not as deterministic as often assumed, but may appear so where vegetation boundaries are already sharp. Where transitions are diffuse, fire spread is difficult to predict, but should become increasingly predictable over multiple fire cycles, as boundaries are progressively sharpened until flammability appears to respond in a threshold‐like manner.
The Arabidopsis Nα‐acetyltransferase NAA60 locates to the plasma membrane and is vital for the high salt stress response
Authors: Linster Eric , Layer Dominik , Bienvenut Willy V. , Dinh Trinh V. , Weyer Felix A. , Leemhuis Wiebke , Brünje Annika , Hoffrichter Marion , Miklankova Pavlina , Kopp Jürgen , Lapouge Karine , Sindlinger Julia , Schwarzer Dirk , Meinnel Thierry , Finkemeier Iris , Giglione Carmela , Hell Ruediger , Sinning Irmgard , Wirtz Markus 
Published: June 2020

Summary

In humans and plants, N‐terminal acetylation plays a central role in protein homeostasis, affects 80% of proteins in the cytoplasm and is catalyzed by five ribosome‐associated N‐acetyltransferases (NatA–E). Humans also possess a Golgi‐associated NatF (HsNAA60) that is essential for Golgi integrity. Remarkably, NAA60 is absent in fungi and has not been identified in plants.

Here we identify and characterize the first plasma membrane‐anchored post‐translationally acting N‐acetyltransferase AtNAA60 in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana by the combined application of reverse genetics, global proteomics, live‐cell imaging, microscale thermophoresis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, nano‐differential scanning fluorometry, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and X‐ray crystallography.

We demonstrate that AtNAA60, like HsNAA60, is membrane‐localized in vivo by an α‐helical membrane anchor at its C‐terminus, but in contrast to HsNAA60, AtNAA60 localizes to the plasma membrane. The AtNAA60 crystal structure provides insights into substrate‐binding, the broad substrate specificity and the catalytic mechanism probed by structure‐based mutagenesis. Characterization of the NAA60 loss‐of‐function mutants (naa60‐1 and naa60‐2) uncovers a plasma membrane‐localized substrate of AtNAA60 and the importance of NAA60 during high salt stress.

Our findings provide evidence for the plant‐specific evolution of a plasma membrane‐anchored N‐acetyltransferase that is vital for adaptation to stress.
Changes in soil fungal community composition depend on functional group and forest disturbance type
Authors: Rodriguez‐Ramos Jean C. , Cale Jonathan A. , Cahill James F. , Simard Suzanne W. , Karst Justine , Erbilgin Nadir 
Published: June 2020

Summary

Disturbances have altered community dynamics in boreal forests with unknown consequences for belowground ecological processes. Soil fungi are particularly sensitive to such disturbances; however, the individual response of fungal guilds to different disturbance types is poorly understood.

Here, we profiled soil fungal communities in lodgepole pine forests following a bark beetle outbreak, wildfire, clear‐cut logging, and salvage‐logging. Using Illumina MiSeq to sequence ITS1 and SSU rDNA, we characterized communities of ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, and pathogenic fungi in sites representing each disturbance type paired with intact forests. We also quantified soil fungal biomass by measuring ergosterol.

Abiotic disturbances changed the community composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi and shifted the dominance from ectomycorrhizal to saprotrophic fungi compared to intact forests. The disruption of the soil organic layer with disturbances correlated with the decline of ectomycorrhizal and the increase of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Wildfire changed the community composition of pathogenic fungi but did not affect their proportion and diversity. Fungal biomass declined with disturbances that disrupted the forest floor.

Our results suggest that the disruption of the forest floor with disturbances, and the changes in C and nutrient dynamics it may promote, structure the fungal community with implications for fungal biomass–C.
The role of root community attributes in predicting soil fungal and bacterial community patterns
Authors: López‐Angulo Jesús , de la Cruz Marcelino , Chacón‐Labella Julia , Illuminati Angela , Matesanz Silvia , Pescador David S. , Pías Beatriz , Sánchez Ana M. , Escudero Adrián 
Published: June 2020

SummaryRoots are assumed to play a major role in structuring soil microbial communities, but most studies exploring the relationships between microbes and plants at the community level have only used aboveground plant distribution as a proxy. However, a decoupling between belowground and aboveground plant components may occur due to differential spreading of plant canopies and root systems. Thus, soil microbe–plant links are not completely understood.Using a combination of DNA metabarcoding and spatially explicit sampling at the plant neighbourhood scale, we assessed the influence of the plant root community on soil bacterial and fungal diversity (species richness, composition and β‐diversity) in a dry Mediterranean scrubland.We found that root composition and biomass, but not richness, predict unique fractions of variation in microbial richness and composition. Moreover, bacterial β‐diversity was related to root β‐diversity, while fungal β‐diversity was related to aboveground plant β‐diversity, suggesting that plants differently influence both microbial groups.Our study highlights the role of plant distribution both belowground and aboveground, soil properties and other spatially structured factors in explaining the heterogeneity in soil microbial diversity. These results also show that incorporating data on both plant community compartments will further our understanding of the relationships between soil microbial and plant communities.
E‐cigarettes damage the liver and alter nutrient metabolism in pregnant mice and their offspring
Authors: Li Gerard , Chan Yik L. , Wang Baoming , Saad Sonia , George Jacob , Oliver Brian G. , Chen Hui 
Published: June 2020

AbstractApproximately 15% of pregnant women vape electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes), exposing the fetus to a range of toxic compounds, including nicotine and by‐products of e‐cigarette liquid (e‐liquid) pyrolysis. Owing to the recent emergence of these products, research mainly focuses on immediate users, and not on in utero exposure. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the impact of intrauterine e‐cigarette vapor (e‐vapor) exposure, with and without nicotine, on liver metabolic markers in the male offspring. E‐vapor was generated using an e‐cigarette filled with tobacco‐flavored e‐liquid (18 or 0 mg/mL nicotine). Female Balb/c mice were exposed to e‐vapor for 6 weeks before mating, through gestation and lactation, without direct exposure to the offspring. Livers and plasma from dams and male offspring (13 weeks old) were examined. Exposure to nicotine‐free e‐vapor promoted metabolic changes and liver damage in both the dams and their offspring. Furthermore, exposure to nicotine‐containing e‐vapor did not cause liver damage but induced hepatic steatosis in the adult offspring. Therefore, maternal vaping is detrimental to both the dams and their offspring, with nicotine providing a potential protective effect.
Autopsy evaluation of the implantation site of a His bundle pacing lead demonstrating selective capture
Authors: Kato Hiroyuki , Igawa Osamu , Suga Kazumasa , Murakami Hisashi , Kada Kenji , Tsuboi Naoya , Yanagisawa Satoshi , Inden Yasuya , Murohara Toyoaki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEvaluations of His bundle pacing (HBP) lead location at autopsy examination have been rarely reported. We report an autopsy case of a 98‐year‐old man who underwent HBP implantation due to atrioventricular block and heart failure. Although selective HBP was achieved with an acceptable threshold, the stimulus‐to‐QRS interval was relatively longer without correction of the right bundle‐branch block. A macroscopic examination revealed that the HBP lead was inserted on the ventricular side passing through the anteroseptal commissure of the tricuspid valve. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis may affect the distal conduction system resulting in a long stimulus‐to‐QRS interval during selective HBP.
Time course of attentional bias in social anxiety: The effects of spatial frequencies and individual threats
Authors: Dong Xiaofei , Gao Chuanji , Guo Chunyan , Li Wen , Cui Lixia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHypervigilance and attentional bias to threat faces with low‐spatial‐frequency (LSF) information have been found in individuals with social anxiety. The vigilance–avoidance hypothesis posits that socially anxious individuals exhibit initial vigilance and later avoidance to threatening cues. However, the temporal dynamics of these two processes in response to various LSF threats in social anxiety remain unclear. In the current study, we presented faces containing anger, disgust, and fear in high and low spatial frequencies and compared the neural correlates with sensory perception and attention in individuals with high versus low social anxiety (HSA/LSA, n = 24). A visual search task was used to investigate the attentional effects of threats and spatial frequencies, and event‐related potentials, particularly, the visual components of P1 and P250, were measured to index visual perceptual and attentional processes, respectively. We found that HSA individuals showed pronounced P1 and reduced P250 to LSF (vs. HSF) faces, regardless of emotion type, suggesting a general pattern of initial vigilance and later avoidance to LSF faces in social anxiety. Furthermore, while LSA individuals showed enhanced P250 to both fear and disgust (vs. neutral) faces, HSA individuals showed pronounced P250 to disgust faces alone. Our results, thus, elucidate the temporal profile of early vigilance and later avoidance in social anxiety, highlighting its broad implication for all faces and predominance in the low spatial frequency. Considering individual threats, our results demonstrate specific attentional avoidance of fear faces in social anxiety.
US–China rivalry: The macro policy choices
Authors: Tyers Rod , Zhou Yixiao 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStylised representations of recent US and Chinese tax reforms, tariffs against imports and alternative Chinese monetary targeting are examined using a calibrated global macro model that embodies both trade and financial interdependencies. For both countries, unilateral capital tax relief and bilateral tariffs are shown to be ‘beggar thy neighbor’ policies. As large economies, both enjoy ‘optimal tariffs’, even bilaterally, though net outcomes are shown to depend on the allocation of revenues. Bilateral tariffs are most advantageous for the US if the additional revenue finances indirect tax relief. Once US bilateral tariffs are imposed, China is a net loser irrespective of its policy response, though a currency float is shown to cushion the effects on its GDP in the short run. Equilibria in normal form non‐cooperative tariff games have the US imposing tariffs while China liberalises.
First robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in a client‐owned Bernese mountain dog with prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Schlake Alexander , Dell'Oglio Paolo , Devriendt Nausikaa , Stammeleer Lisa , Binetti Anna , Bauwens Kevin , Terriere Naomi , Saunders Jimmy , Mottrie Alexandre , de Rooster Hilde 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo describe robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and report the short‐term outcome of a dog with prostatic cancer treated with RARP.Study designCase reportAnimalsClient‐owned 6‐year‐old male‐neutered Bernese mountain dog.MethodsRobot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was performed with a daVinci Si Surgical System through a transperitoneal approach. An interfascial nerve‐sparing approach was used to preserve the neurovascular bundles and increase the likelihood of postoperative urinary continence. Urinary continence was assessed by placing white cloth bedding in the kennel during hospitalization and by owners' observation at home.ResultsThe console time was 120 minutes, and the estimated intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The urinary catheter was removed after 7 days, at which point the dog urinated normally. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was diagnosed 43 days after surgery, and the dog was euthanized.ConclusionRobot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was successfully completed in a dog with prostatic neoplasia and led to postoperative urinary continence.Clinical significanceThis single‐case report provides evidence to justify further evaluation of RARP in dogs with prostatic neoplasms.
Performance Evaluation of a 1 kW Variable Pitch-Straight Blade Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Jamal Muhammad Azfar , Shah Owaisur Rahman 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This research work represents a study of the design, analysis, and experimental study of a 1 kW variable pitch-straight blade vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) using natural fiber reinforced composite. Wind turbine which is an emerging technology is of great interest for researchers nowadays. The VAWT was chosen for this study because of its numerous advantages over horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). A new concept of variable pitch was implemented by the introduction of a pitching mechanism associated with the turbine blades which helps the blade to maximize the generation of torque and power. For this purpose, the straight blade H-rotor design was chosen. The analytical calculations were performed for variable pitch and the fixed pitch blade followed by the computer aided design modeling of the rotor exhibiting the variable pitching mechanism. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the blade at the azimuth position of 0–360 deg was performed and the CFD results were imported into static structural module of ansys for the finite element analysis of the blade. The blade was 3D-printed at a reduced scale and tested in a wind tunnel for aerodynamic properties including lift, drag, and aerodynamic forces. A comparison was done between the analytical, software, and experimental values. Furthermore, basalt fiber which is a natural fiber was used as the material for the turbine blade and analysis was performed to obtain high strength to weight ratio of the composite material. The structure was analyzed under the damage tolerance study to determine for how long the structure can bear damage. The experimental results showed a good agreement with the analytical and numerical values. The introduction of the variable pitching mechanism resulted in an increase in the cumulative torque as compared with the fixed pitching mechanism which in turn enhanced the resulting power.
Subduction of trench-fill sediments beneath an accretionary wedge: Insights from sandbox analogue experiments
Authors: Noda Atsushi , Koge Hiroaki , Yamada Yasuhiro , Miyakawa Ayumu , Ashi Juichiro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSandy trench-fill sediments at accretionary margins are commonly scraped off at the frontal wedge and rarely subducted to the depth of high-pressure (HP) metamorphism. However, some ancient exhumed accretionary complexes are associated with high-pressure–low-temperature (HP-LT) metamorphic rocks, such as psammitic schists, which are derived from sandy trench-fill sediments. This study used sandbox analogue experiments to investigate the role of seafloor topography in the transport of trench-fill sediments to depth during subduction. We conducted two different types of experiments, with or without a rigid topographic high (representing a seamount). We used an undeformable backstop that was unfixed to the side wall of the apparatus to allow a seamount to be subducted beneath the overriding plate. In experiments without a seamount, progressive thickening of the accretionary wedge pushed the backstop down, leading to a stepping down of the décollement, narrowing of the subduction channel, and underplating of the wedge with subducting sediment. In contrast, in experiments with a topographic high, the subduction of the topographic high raised the backstop, leading to a stepping up of the décollement and widening of the subduction channel. These results suggest that the subduction of stiff topographic relief beneath an inflexible overriding plate might enable trench-fill sediments to be deeply subducted and to become the protoliths of HP-LT metamorphic rocks.
Comparison of outcomes between Aurolab aqueous drainage implant placed in the
superotemporal versus inferonasal quadrant
Authors: Puthuran George Varghese , Palmberg Paul Frederic , Wijesinghe Hiruni Kaushalya , Shreya Thandra Sai , Krishnadas S R , Gedde Steven J , Robin Alan L 
Published: June 2020

Aim
To determine the outcomes of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI)
placed in the superotemporal versus the inferonasal quadrant in adult eyes with
refractory glaucoma.

Methods
This was a retrospective study of eyes that had AADI placement and
completed a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The choice of the quadrant was at the
surgeon’s discretion and mainly depended on the amount of scarring and
conjunctival mobility. The cumulative failure rate of the AADI was defined as
intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg or not reduced by 20% below baseline on
two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤5 mm Hg on two
consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma or a
complication, or loss of light perception vision.

Results
We included 84 eyes with AADI in the inferonasal quadrant versus 69 eyes
in the superotemporal quadrant. A significant drop in IOP was seen in both
groups (18.4±10.4 mm Hg in the inferonasal group vs 17.7±11.1 mm Hg in the
superotemporal group; p=0.63) at 3-month follow-up and this was maintained
until last follow-up. Best-corrected visual acuity, IOP, number of IOP-lowering
medications and complications were similar between the two groups at all time
points. The cumulative success rate at 2-year follow-up without IOP-lowering
medications was 57.1% (47.1%–68.1%) in the inferonasal group and 50.7%
(39.8%–63.1%) in the superotemporal group (p=0.47).

Conclusions
Inferonasal AADI placement appears to be an equally safe and effective
surgical option compared with superotemporal AADI placement and may be helpful
in certain clinical situations.
Enhanced injury prevention programme for recreational runners (the SPRINT study): design of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fokkema Tryntsje , de Vos Robert-Jan , Visser Edwin , Krastman Patrick , IJzerman John , Koes Bart W , Verhaar Jan A N , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M A , van Middelkoop Marienke 
Published: June 2020

IntroductionRunning-related injuries (RRIs) are frequent, but no effective injury prevention measures have been identified yet. Therefore, we have set up the INSPIRE trial in 2017, in which the effectiveness of an online injury prevention programme was tested. Although this programme was not effective in reducing the number of RRIs, we gained new insights from this study, which we used to design an enhanced, online multidisciplinary injury prevention programme. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of this enhanced injury prevention programme in a group of recreational runners.Methods and analysisFor this randomised controlled trial, we aim to include 3394 recreational runners aged 18 years or older who register for a running event (distances 10 to 42.2 km). During the preparation for the running event, runners in the intervention group get access to the enhanced online injury prevention programme. This online programme consists of 10 steps, all covering separate items of RRI prevention. Runners in the control group will follow their regular preparation. With three follow-up questionnaires (1 month before, 1 week before and 1 month after the running event), the proportions of self-reported RRIs in the intervention group and the control group are compared.Ethics and disseminationAn exemption for a comprehensive application has been obtained by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The results of the study will be disseminated among the running population, published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented on international conferences.Trial registration numberNL7694
Impact of a targeted bundle of audit with tailored education and an intubation checklist to improve airway management in the emergency department: an integrated time series analysis
Authors: Groombridge Christopher , Maini Amit , Olaussen Alexander , Kim Yen , Fitzgerald Mark , Mitra Biswadev , Smit De Villiers 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundEndotracheal intubation (ETI) is a commonly performed but potentially high-risk procedure in the emergency department (ED). Requiring more than one attempt at intubation has been shown to increase adverse events and interventions improving first-attempt success rate should be identified to make ETI in the ED safer. We introduced and examined the effect of a targeted bundle of airway initiatives on first-attempt success and adverse events associated with ETI.MethodsThis prospective, interventional cohort study was conducted over a 2-year period at an Australian Major Trauma Centre. An online airway registry was established at the inception of the study to collect information related to all intubations. After 6 months, we introduced a bundle of initiatives including monthly audit, monthly airway management education and an airway management checklist. A time series analysis model was used to compare standard practice (ie, first 6 months) to the postintervention period.ResultsThere were 526 patients, 369 in the intervention group and 157 in the preintervention comparator group. A total of 573 intubation attempts were performed. There was a significant improvement in first-attempt success rates between preintervention and postintervention groups (88.5% vs 94.6%, relative risk 1.07; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.14, p=0.014). After the introduction of the intervention the first-attempt success rate increased significantly, by 13.4% (p=0.006) in the first month, followed by a significant increase in the monthly trend (relative to the preintervention trend) of 1.71% (p<0.001). The rate of adverse events were similar preintervention and postintervention (hypoxia 8.3% vs 8.9% (p=0.81); hypotension 8.3% vs 7.0% (p=0.62); any complication 27.4% vs 23.6% (p=0.35)).ConclusionsThis bundle of airway management initiatives was associated with significant improvement in the first-attempt success rate of ETI. The introduction of a regular education programme based on the audit of a dedicated airway registry, combined with a periprocedure checklist is a worthwhile ED quality improvement initiative.