bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size matters: trap size primarily determines prey spectra differences among sympatric species of carnivorous sundews
Authors: Krueger Thilo , Cross Adam T. , Fleischmann Andreas 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEven though carnivorous plants (CPs) are a popular focus of ecological research, surprisingly few studies have investigated their prey spectra (the number and composition of captured prey). This knowledge gap has important implications for our understanding of sympatric speciation processes in CPs and may potentially hinder effective conservation and ecological restoration efforts. We applied a novel photography‐based analysis method to characterize the in situ prey spectra of eight species from Drosera sect. Arachnopus, including five species that were studied across multiple populations in northern Australia. The prey spectra of all studied species predominantly comprised of flying insects, with small Nematocera (Diptera) being the most common prey group across all species. While the prey spectra of most species varied significantly among locations, differences in prey spectra among sympatric species were most strongly determined by trap size. The number of prey captured per plant and per centimeter of trapping leaf was strongly associated with increasing leaf length, and species with larger trapping leaves also captured comparatively greater numbers of large prey items than species producing smaller trapping leaves. Although niche segregation in prey spectra was not observed at any of the study sites, at one location D. fragrans (a species producing a strong, honey‐like scent from trapping leaves) was found to capture significantly more winged Hymenoptera than the unscented sympatric D. aquatica, potentially indicating selective prey attraction in D. fragrans. Small species (such as D. nana) captured a disproportionally low amount of prey, despite being relatively widespread over large areas of northern Australia. Results indicate that carnivory may not have been a primary driver of diversification in D. sect. Arachnopus.
Lactic acidosis incidence with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A retrospective nested case‐control study
Authors: Alvarez Carlos A. , Halm Ethan A. , Pugh Mary Jo V. , McGuire Darren K. , Hennessy Sean , Miller Richard T. , Lingvay Ildiko , Vouri Scott M. , Zullo Andrew R. , Yang Hui , Chansard Matt , Mortensen Eric M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveCompare rates of lactic acidosis (LA) among metformin‐exposed and unexposed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and varying degrees of chronic kidney disease (CKD).Research Design and MethodsRetrospective, nested case‐control study using data from national VA Corporate Data Warehouse. All adult patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD newly dispensed any antihyperglycaemic medication during FY 2003‐13 were included. The outcome was LA hospitalization or serum lactate >5 mEq/L. Exposure to metformin was evaluated in the three months prior to event. Estimates were adjusted for 31 covariates, including demographics, comorbidities and medications.ResultsOverall, 320 882 patients were included, contributing a total of 1 331 784 person‐years of follow‐up. LA occurred in 2 665 patients, generating an overall incidence rate of 2.00 (95% CI 1.93‐2.08) per 1000 person‐years. Metformin exposure in the prior 3 months was associated with an elevated adjusted hazard of LA (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.69‐2.29). No association was evident in patients with CKD stage 1 or 2 (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.71‐1.57), but associations were present and progressively greater in patients with CKD stage 3a through 5: HR 3.09, 95% CI 2.19‐4.35 in CKD 3a, HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.95‐5.72 in CKD 3b, HR 7.87, 95% CI 3.51‐17.61 in CKD stage 4&5.ConclusionMetformin was not associated with an elevated risk of LA in persons with stage 1‐2 CKD, but was associated with a progressively higher risk at more advanced stages of CKD.
The Single and Combined Effects of Wildfire Runoff and Sediment-Bound Copper on the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca
Authors: Plomp Raegan D. , Klemish Jaimie L. , Pyle Gregory G. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The frequency of wildfire is expected to increase with time as a function of climate change. Recent studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can cause greater-than-additive effects in Hyalella azteca in the presence of low concentrations of Cu. We hypothesized that freshwater animals inhabiting Cu-contaminated sites, such as those in the vicinity of Cu mines, may be vulnerable to nonadditive toxicity from contaminants released by wildfires. To investigate the interaction between Cu and water conditioned by burnt wood ash (fire extract), we exposed H. azteca for 14 d to binary mixtures of 225 mg/kg Cu-enriched artificial sediment (225 mg Cu/kg) and a fire extract dilution series (12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). All binary mixtures of Cu-enriched sediment and fire extract resulted in complete mortality with the exception of Cu-enriched sediment + 12.5% fire extract. The combination of Cu-enriched sediment with 12.5% fire extract had a more-than-additive effect on survival and tissue Cu concentration, but there was no reduction in growth or acetylcholinesterase activity compared to the 225 mg/kg Cu–contaminated sediment or fire extract control, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly reduced in amphipods exposed to fire extract, but the presence of Cu did not exacerbate this effect. The results suggest that Cu-contaminated water bodies that receive runoff from wildfires are at risk of enhanced toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1988–1997. © 2020 SETAC
Accounting comparability and the value relevance of earnings and book value
Authors: Chen Bingyi , Kurt Ahmet C. , Wang Irene Guannan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe value relevance of financial statements is of great significance to investors and standard setters. The present research examines whether accounting comparability among industry peers enhances the value relevance of earnings and book value. This is an important question because both the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities Exchange Commission seek greater comparability in financial reporting. However, there is limited empirical evidence on how comparability affects the value relevance of accounting information in the United States. Our results show that accounting comparability increases the value relevance of earnings, but not book value. That is, when firms exhibit greater accounting comparability vis‐à‐vis industry peers, investors attach higher value to reported earnings. In terms of economic significance, the value relevance of earnings is 25.2% higher when accounting comparability is higher by one standard deviation. However, the incremental benefits of accounting comparability are attenuated when financial reporting opacity is high or when there exists an internal control material weakness over financial reporting. In contrast, comparability benefits are enhanced when an industry specialist auditor is employed. Our results are robust to using different model specifications.
Long non‐coding RNA CASC19 facilitates non‐small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting the miR‐301b‐3p/LDLR axis
Authors: Wang Lijun , Lin Cunzhi , Sun Nina , Wang Qiang , Ding Xiaoqian , Sun Yong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a lethal tumor resulting in a large number of cancer‐related deaths globally. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may modulate tumor initiation and metastasis. Although dysregulation of lncRNA cancer susceptibility 19 (CASC19) is validated in NSCLC, further exploration of the CASC19‐regulated mechanism in NSCLC is still needed.MethodsCASC19 expression was examined in NSCLC cells by a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. The specific role of CASC19 in NSCLC was analyzed by cell counting kit‐8, EdU, Transwell and western blot assays. The interaction between miR‐301b‐3p and CASC19 or low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was confirmed by luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays.ResultsCASC19 is markedly overexpressed in NSCLC. Its deficiency impairs cell proliferation, as well as metastasis in NSCLC. Molecular mechanism experiments indicated that CASC19 negatively modulates the expression of miR‐301b‐3p and miR‐301b‐3p can bind with CASC19 in NSCLC. In addition, miR‐301b‐3p binds to LDLR to impair its expression in NSCLC. Finally, rescue experiments showed that miR‐301b‐3p inhibition or LDLR overexpression counteracted the CASC19 knockdown‐mediated function on cell proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC.ConclusionsCASC19 facilitates NSCLC cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting the miR‐301b‐3p/LDLR axis, offering a possible strategy for lncRNA‐targeted treatment in NSCLC.
Safety and efficacy of (+)‐epicatechin in subjects with Friedreich's ataxia: A phase II, open‐label, prospective study
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Yasir , Patterson Marc C. , Clark Vicki , Johnson Jonathan N. , Moutvic Margaret A. , Driscoll Sherilyn W. , Kemppainen Jennifer L. , Huston John , Anderson Jeff R. , Badley Andrew D. , Tebben Peter J. , Wackel Philip , Oglesbee Devin , Glockner James , Schreiner George , Dugar Sundeep , Touchette Jillienne C. , Gavrilova Ralitza H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackground(+)‐Epicatechin (EPI) induces mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant metabolism in muscle fibers and neurons. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of (+)‐EPI in pediatric subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).MethodsThis was a phase II, open‐label, baseline‐controlled single‐center trial including 10 participants ages 10 to 22 with confirmed FA diagnosis. (+)‐EPI was administered orally at 75 mg/d for 24 weeks, with escalation to 150 mg/d at 12 weeks for subjects not showing improvement of neuromuscular, neurological or cardiac endpoints. Neurological endpoints were change from baseline in Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) and 8‐m timed walk. Cardiac endpoints were changes from baseline in left ventricular (LV) structure and function by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiogram, changes in cardiac electrophysiology, and changes in biomarkers for heart failure and hypertrophy.ResultsMean FARS/modified (m)FARS scores showed nonstatistically significant improvement by both group and individual analysis. FARS/mFARS scores improved in 5/9 subjects (56%), 8‐m walk in 3/9 (33%), 9‐peg hole test in 6/10 (60%). LV mass index by cardiac MRI was significantly reduced at 12 weeks (P = .045), and was improved in 7/10 (70%) subjects at 24 weeks. Mean LV ejection fraction was increased at 24 weeks (P = .008) compared to baseline. Mean maximal septal thickness by echocardiography was increased at 24 weeks (P = .031). There were no serious adverse events.Conclusion(+)‐EPI was well tolerated over 24 weeks at up to 150 mg/d. Improvement was observed in cardiac structure and function in subset of subjects with FRDA without statistically significant improvement in primary neurological outcomes.SynopsisA (+)‐epicatechin showed improvement of cardiac function, nonsignificant reduction of FARS/mFARS scores, and sustained significant upregulation of muscle‐regeneration biomarker follistatin.
Synthesis of folic acid functionalized terbium‐doped dendritic fibrous nano‐silica and Interaction withHEK293 normal,MDAbreast cancer andHT29 colon cancer cells
Authors: Azizi Sajjad , Soleymani Jafar , Shadjou Nasrin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA novel folic acid functionalized terbium‐doped dendritic fibrous nanoparticle (Tb@KCC‐1‐NH2‐FA) with high surface area was synthesized using a novel hydrothermal protocol. In the present work, we report the fluorescent Tb‐doted nanomaterial with emission wavelength at 497 nm which confirms the formation of Tb@KCC‐1‐NH2‐FA. Synthesized nanoparticles were investigated through transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller, energy dispersive X‐ray, Zeta potential and particle size distribution values and AFM (Atomic force microscopy) techniques. Specially, our desired nanomaterial which has FA moieties on the surface of Tb@KCC‐1‐NH2‐FA where interact with folate receptor (FR) which there is on the surface of the various cancer cells. For this purpose, fluorescence microscopy images were used to prove the uptake of FA based nanomaterial with FR‐positive MDA breast cancer and HT 29 colon cancer cells. Also HEK 293 normal cells as FR‐negative cells verified the specificity of our desired nanomaterial toward the FR‐positive cells. The cytotoxicity survey of Tb@KCC‐1‐NH2‐FA was examined by MTT assays against MDA breast cancer, HT 29 colon cancer and HEK 293 Normal cell lines which confirmed their biocompatible nature with any significant cytotoxic effects even for concentration higher than 900 μg/mL which could be used as a non‐toxic catalyst or carrier in biological ambient. Hence, Tb@KCC‐1‐NH2‐FA were synthesized using green and hydrothermal method; the process was simple with good productivity and desired nanocomposite was non‐toxic.
An update of pathogenic variants in ASPM, WDR62, CDK5RAP2, STIL, CENPJ, and CEP135 underlying autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in 32 consanguineous families from Pakistan
Authors: Rasool Sajida , Baig Jamshaid Mahmood , Moawia Abubakar , Ahmad Ilyas , Iqbal Maria , Waseem Syeda Seema , Asif Maria , Abdullah Uzma , Makhdoom Ehtisham Ul Haq , Kaygusuz Emrah , Zakaria Muhammad , Ramzan Shafaq , Haque Saif ul , Mir Asif , Anjum Iram , Fiaz Mehak , Ali Zafar , Tariq Muhammad , Saba Neelam , Hussain Wajid , Budde Birgit , Irshad Saba , Noegel Angelika Anna , Höning Stefan , Baig Shahid Mahmood , Nürnberg Peter , Hussain Muhammad Sajid 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrimary microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder manifesting as small brain and intellectual disability. It underlies isolated reduction of the cerebral cortex that is reminiscent of early hominids which makes it suitable model disease to study the hominin‐specific volumetric expansion of brain. Mutations in 25 genes have been reported to cause this disorder. Although majority of these genes were discovered in the Pakistani population, still a significant proportion of these families remains uninvestigated.MethodsWe studied a cohort of 32 MCPH families from different regions of Pakistan. For disease gene identification, genome‐wide linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, gene panel, and whole‐exome sequencing were performed.ResultsBy employing these techniques individually or in combination, we were able to discern relevant disease‐causing DNA variants. Collectively, 15 novel mutations were observed in five different MCPH genes; ASPM (10), WDR62 (1), CDK5RAP2 (1), STIL (2), and CEP135 (1). In addition, 16 known mutations were also verified. We reviewed the literature and documented the published mutations in six MCPH genes. Intriguingly, our cohort also revealed a recurrent mutation, c.7782_7783delGA;p.(Lys2595Serfs*6), of ASPM reported worldwide. Drawing from this collective data, we propose two founder mutations, ASPM:c.9557C>G;p.(Ser3186*) and CENPJ:c.18delC;p.(Ser7Profs*2), in the Pakistani population.ConclusionsWe discovered novel DNA variants, impairing the function of genes indispensable to build a proper functioning brain. Our study expands the mutational spectra of known MCPH genes and also provides supporting evidence to the pathogenicity of previously reported mutations. These novel DNA variants will be helpful for the clinicians and geneticists for establishing reliable diagnostic strategies for MCPH families.
Statistical process control and process capability analysis for non‐normal volumetric modulated arc therapy patient‐specific quality assurance processes
Authors: Xiao Qing , Bai Sen , Li Guangjun , Yang Kaixuan , Bai Long , Li Zhibin , Chen Li , Xian Lixun , Hu Zhenyao , Zhong Renming 
Published: July 2020

PurposeApplying statistical process control (SPC) to intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)/volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA) program was recommended by the American Association of Physics in Medicine Task Group 218 report, but a comprehensive analysis of PSQA processes with non‐normal distributions is lacking. This study investigates SPC and process capability analysis (PCA) methods for non‐normal IMRT/VMAT PSQA processes.Methods1119 VMAT PSQAs were performed on three beam‐matched linear accelerators (linacs), using gamma analysis. The Anderson–Darling statistic was used to test normality. The control charts for each PSQA process were obtained using three non‐normal‐based methods and compared with the conventional Shewhart method. The ability of each PSQA process to produce an output within the specification limit was measured using theindex; in this study, theindex was calculated using two transformation methods and compared with that calculated using the conventional method. The performances of the three linacs were assessed using SPC and PCA methods.ResultsAll three PSQA processes were non‐normal (P < 0.005). Compared to the non‐normal‐based SPC and PCA methods, the false alarm rates of the conventional method for linac1, linac2, and linac3 were 0.83%, 3.77%, and 4.95% respectively; the minimum overestimatedvalues were 0.59, 0.87, and 1.49, respectively. The process capabilities of the three beam‐matched linacs were at different levels.ConclusionFor non‐normal VMAT PSQA processes, the conventional SPC and PCA methods increase the false alarm rates and overestimate process capabilities. Instead, non‐normal‐based SPC and PCA methods are more reliable and accurate in non‐normal PSQA processes. Statistical process control and PCA are useful tools for assessing the performance of beam‐matched linacs.
A fourth–order orthogonal spline collocation method for two‐dimensional Helmholtz problems with interfaces
Authors: Bhal Santosh Kumar , Danumjaya Palla , Fairweather Graeme 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOrthogonal spline collocation is implemented for the numerical solution of two‐dimensional Helmholtz problems with discontinuous coefficients in the unit square. A matrix decomposition algorithm is used to solve the collocation matrix system at a cost of O(N2 log N) on an N × N partition of the unit square. The results of numerical experiments demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, exhibiting optimal global estimates in various norms and superconvergence phenomena for a broad spectrum of wave numbers.
Visceral Adiposity and High Intramuscular Fat Deposition Independently Predict Critical Illness in Patients with SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Yang Yang , Ding Lin , Zou Xianlun , Shen Yaqi , Hu Daoyu , Hu Xuemei , Li Zhen , Kamel Ihab R. 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association between adipose tissue distribution and severity of clinical course in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.MethodsFor this retrospective study, 143 hospitalized patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) who underwent an unenhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan between January 1, 2020, and March 30, 2020, were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with the severity of COVID‐19 infection.ResultsThere were 45 patients who were identified as critically ill. High visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (called visceral adiposity) (odds ratio: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.05‐5.98, P = 0.040) and low mean attenuation of skeletal muscle (called high intramuscular fat [IMF] deposition) (odds ratio: 11.90; 95% CI: 4.50‐36.14; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for critical illness. Furthermore, visceral adiposity or high IMF deposition increased the risk of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.013, P < 0.001, respectively). High IMF deposition increased the risk of death (P = 0.012).ConclusionsCOVID‐19 patients with visceral adiposity or high IMF deposition have higher risk for critical illness. Therefore, patients with abdominal obesity should be monitored more carefully when hospitalized.
Dynamics of the mixtures of fullerene‐60 and aromatic solvents: A molecular dynamics approach
Authors: Singh Satnam 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe dynamics of the fullerene molecule (C60) in the different aromatic solvents has been probed using all‐atom molecular dynamics simulation. For this study, the four aromatic solvents, (1) 1‐chloronaphthalene, (2) 1‐methylnaphthalene, (3) 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene, and (4) chlorobenzene, have been used. The 1‐chloronaphthalene is important due to the high solubility (51 g/L) of the fullerene in it. The rest of the three solvents have the decreasing order of solubility. In this work, the nature of diffusion of the fullerene and the solvents are studied. It is found that if the concentration of the fullerene molecule is same in different solvents, then the hydrodynamic radius of the fullerene molecules obeys a linear relation with solubility. Hydrodynamic radius of fullerene is found to increase with a decrease in solubility. The radial distribution function of fullerene and solvents is used to calculate their relative orientation. The free energy of solvation of fullerene in these four solvents is also calculated.
Sound Velocities and other Thermophysical Properties of Ammonium Nitrate Solutions
Authors: Chan Sek Kwan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSound velocities of ammonium nitrate solutions are determined experimentally, with ammonium nitrate concentrations from 25 % to 92 % at initial temperatures from the fudged points to at least 20 °C above. Analytical equations are fitted to the experimental data as well as literature data on densities and specific heats. These equations are used to determine other thermophysical properties such as thermal pressure coefficient and Gruneisen parameter.
Geometric Flow Equations for Schwarzschild‐AdS Space‐Time and Hawking‐Page Phase Transition
Authors: De Biasio Davide , Lüst Dieter 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFollowing the recent observation that the Ricci flow and the infinite distance swampland conjecture are closely related to each other, we will investigate in this paper geometric flow equations for AdS space‐time geometries. First, we consider the so called Yamabe and Ricci‐Bourguignon flows and we show that these two flows ‐ in contrast to the Ricci flow ‐ lead to infinite distance fixed points for product spaces like , where denotes d‐dimensional AdS space and corresponds to a p‐dimensional sphere. Second, we consider black hole geometries in AdS space time geometries and their behaviour under the Yamabe and Ricci‐Bourguignon flows. Specifically we will examine if and how the AdS black holes will undergo a Hawking‐Page phase transition under the Ricci flow, the Yamabe flow and under the general Ricci‐Bourguignon flow.