bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolong network lifetime and improve efficiency in WSN‐UAV systems using new clustering parameters and CSMA modification
Authors: Tarighi Reza , Farajzadeh Kamran , Hematkhah Hooman 
Published: January 2020

SummarySince unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been introduced as mobile nodes for data gathering, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have progressed considerably. The resulting WSN‐UAV systems are employed for emergency applications and also for remote monitoring purposes. WSN‐UAV systems yield an optimum data gathering method using the WSN. In the proposed method, the nodes' data are transferred using a remotely operated vehicle (drone) rather than the conventional data transferring methods like the direct and hop‐to‐hop data transmission approaches. Then, the gathered data are delivered in the pre‐determined destination point. WSN‐UAV systems, in fact, are a special case of the systems with the mobile sink in which the sink path is previously specified and controlled. In this paper, the effects of clustering parameters on the WSNs are studied; then, the network's lifetime is prolonged by applying some parameters. In addition, the network's performance is enhanced to some extent by assigning some changes in the media access control (MAC) layer. Also, the effect of drone's path pattern on the lifetime of the network is studied.
Novel 3‐aryl‐5‐substituted‐coumarin analogues: Synthesis and bioactivity profile
Authors: Kavetsou Eleni , Katopodi Annita , Argyri Letta , Chainoglou Eirini , Pontiki Eleni , Hadjipavlou‐Litina Dimitra , Chroni Angeliki , Detsi Anastasia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEighteen 3‐aryl‐5‐substituted‐coumarins—six 5‐acetyloxy‐derivatives, six 5‐hydroxy‐derivatives, and six 5‐geranyloxy‐derivatives—were synthesized, structurally characterized and their antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase inhibitory ability, as well as their cytotoxic activity against human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH and HeLa adenocarcinoma cell lines were evaluated. The 5‐acetyloxy‐compounds 3a‐3f were found to be the best cytotoxic agents among all the compounds studied. The bromo‐substituted coumarins 3a and 3b were remarkably active against HeLa cell line showing IC50 1.8 and 6.1 μM, respectively. Coumarin 5e possessing a geranyloxy‐chain on position 5 of the coumarin scaffold presented dual bioactivity, while 5‐geranyloxy‐coumarin 5f was the most competent soybean lipoxygenase inhibitor of this series (IC50 10 μM). As shown by in silico docking studies, the studied molecules present allosteric interactions with soybean lipoxygenases.
Impact of diabetes mellitus on immature platelet fraction and its association with coronary artery disease
Authors: Verdoia Monica , Nardin Matteo , Rolla Roberta , Pergolini Patrizia , Suryapranata Harry , Kedhi Elvin , Carriero Alessandro , De Luca Giuseppe ,   Novara Atherosclerosis Study Group (NAS)
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundHigher prothrombotic status and alterations in platelet function and thrombopoiesis are associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). We assessed the impact of diabetes and glucose control on the immature platelet fraction (IPF) and their relationship with prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were included. Significant CAD was defined as at least one vessel stenosis greater than 50%. IPF levels were measured at admission by routine blood cells count (A Sysmex XE‐2100).ResultsWe included 1781 patients, of whom 660 (37.1%) suffered from diabetes. Diabetes was associated with advanced age and a higher cardiovascular risk profile. No difference in the mean values of IPF were observed between patients with or without DM (3.6 ± 2.5 vs 3.5 ± 2.5, P = 0.39) and neither in the rate of patients with IPF above the median (2.9%) (51.6% vs 50.6%, P = 0.73). In patients with DM, the IPF levels did not relate with glucose control parameters (glycaemia:
r = −0.024, P = 0.54, glycosylated haemoglobin: r = 0.11, P = 0.72). The prevalence of CAD was significantly lower in patients with DM and IPF greater than the median (80.5% vs 86.5%, P = 0.04, adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}] = 0.57[0.36–0.91], P = 0.02), while not left main/three‐vessel CAD (36.9% vs 38.2%, P = 0.75, adjusted OR [95%CI] = 0.91[0.64–1.28], P = 0.90).ConclusionIn the present study, neither DM nor glucose control are independent predictors of IPF above the median. In patients with DM, higher IPF levels were associated with a lower prevalence of CAD and with a similar extent of severe CAD and angiographic findings. Therefore, until new data become available, elevated IPF should not be systematically applied on a large scale as cardiovascular risk marker in patients with diabetes.
Competition among native and invasive Phragmites australis populations: An experimental test of the effects of invasion status, genome size, and ploidy level
Authors: Pyšek Petr , Čuda Jan , Šmilauer Petr , Skálová Hana , Chumová Zuzana , Lambertini Carla , Lučanová Magdalena , Ryšavá Hana , Trávníček Pavel , Šemberová Kristýna , Meyerson Laura A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAmong the traits whose relevance for plant invasions has recently been suggested are genome size (the amount of nuclear DNA) and ploidy level. So far, research on the role of genome size in invasiveness has been mostly based on indirect evidence by comparing species with different genome sizes, but how karyological traits influence competition at the intraspecific level remains unknown. We addressed these questions in a common‐garden experiment evaluating the outcome of direct intraspecific competition among 20 populations of Phragmites australis, represented by clones collected in North America and Europe, and differing in their status (native and invasive), genome size (small and large), and ploidy levels (tetraploid, hexaploid, or octoploid). Each clone was planted in competition with one of the others in all possible combinations with three replicates in 45‐L pots. Upon harvest, the identity of 21 shoots sampled per pot was revealed by flow cytometry and DNA analysis. Differences in performance were examined using relative proportions of shoots of each clone, ratios of their aboveground biomass, and relative yield total (RYT). The performance of the clones in competition primarily depended on the clone status (native vs. invasive). Measured in terms of shoot number or aboveground biomass, the strongest signal observed was that North American native clones always lost in competition to the other two groups. In addition, North American native clones were suppressed by European natives to a similar degree as by North American invasives. North American invasive clones had the largest average shoot biomass, but only by a limited, nonsignificant difference due to genome size. There was no effect of ploidy on competition. Since the North American invaders of European origin are able to outcompete the native North American clones, we suggest that their high competitiveness acts as an important driver in the early stages of their invasion.
Estimating the inbreeding level and genetic relatedness in an isolated population of critically endangered Sichuan taimen (Hucho Bleekeri) using genome‐wide SNP markers
Authors: Zhang Yongquan , Luan Peixian , Ren Guangming , Hu Guo , Yin Jiasheng 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri) is critically endangered fish listed in The Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF‐seq)‐based genotyping was performed for Sichuan taimen with 43 yearling individuals from three locations in Taibai River (a tributary of Yangtze River) that has been sequestered from its access to the ocean for more than 30 years since late 1980s. Applying the inbreeding level and genetic relatedness estimation using 15,396 genome‐wide SNP markers, we found that the inbreeding level of this whole isolated population was at a low level (2.6 × 10−3 ± 0.079), and the means of coancestry coefficients within and between the three sampling locations were all very low (close to 0), too. Genomic differentiation was negatively correlated with the geographical distances between the sampling locations (p < .001), and the 43 individuals could be considered as genetically independent two groups. The low levels of genomic inbreeding and relatedness indicated a relatively large number of sexually mature individuals were involved in reproduction in Taibai River. This study suggested a genomic‐relatedness‐guided breeding and conservation strategy for wild fish species without pedigree information records.
Evaluating the effectiveness of retention forestry to enhance biodiversity in production forests of Central Europe using an interdisciplinary, multi‐scale approach
Authors: Storch Ilse , Penner Johannes , Asbeck Thomas , Basile Marco , Bauhus Jürgen , Braunisch Veronika , Dormann Carsten F. , Frey Julian , Gärtner Stefanie , Hanewinkel Marc , Koch Barbara , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Kuss Thomas , Pregernig Michael , Pyttel Patrick , Reif Albert , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Segelbacher Gernot , Schraml Ulrich , Staab Michael , Winkel Georg , Yousefpour Rasoul 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRetention forestry, which retains a portion of the original stand at the time of harvesting to maintain continuity of structural and compositional diversity, has been originally developed to mitigate the impacts of clear‐cutting. Retention of habitat trees and deadwood has since become common practice also in continuous‐cover forests of Central Europe. While the use of retention in these forests is plausible, the evidence base for its application is lacking, trade‐offs have not been quantified, it is not clear what support it receives from forest owners and other stakeholders and how it is best integrated into forest management practices. The Research Training Group ConFoBi (Conservation of Forest Biodiversity in Multiple‐use Landscapes of Central Europe) focusses on the effectiveness of retention forestry, combining ecological studies on forest biodiversity with social and economic studies of biodiversity conservation across multiple spatial scales. The aim of ConFoBi is to assess whether and how structural retention measures are appropriate for the conservation of forest biodiversity in uneven‐aged and selectively harvested continuous‐cover forests of temperate Europe. The study design is based on a pool of 135 plots (1 ha) distributed along gradients of forest connectivity and structure. The main objectives are (a) to investigate the effects of structural elements and landscape context on multiple taxa, including different trophic and functional groups, to evaluate the effectiveness of retention practices for biodiversity conservation; (b) to analyze how forest biodiversity conservation is perceived and practiced, and what costs and benefits it creates; and (c) to identify how biodiversity conservation can be effectively integrated in multi‐functional forest management. ConFoBi will quantify retention levels required across the landscape, as well as the socio‐economic prerequisites for their implementation by forest owners and managers. ConFoBi's research results will provide an evidence base for integrating biodiversity conservation into forest management in temperate forests.
Plant invasions alter settlement patterns of breeding grassland birds
Authors: Andersen Erik M. , Steidl Robert J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAnimals have evolved strategies to identify areas that provide the resources and environmental conditions they need to survive and reproduce. To explore how invasions by nonnative plants might disrupt this fundamental process, we evaluated settlement patterns of migratory birds that breed in grasslands being invaded by two structurally different congeneric grasses. We established 40, 2.25‐ha plots across an area where the composition of each nonnative grass ranged from 0% to nearly 100% of total grass cover, which provided individuals with the full range of alternatives in species composition. We then used the temporal sequence by which birds established territories to infer their habitat preferences. We evaluated responses of the most common species that settled the area, two confamilial sparrows that differed markedly in habitat breadth. The species with narrower habitat breadth, the grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus), first established territories in areas dominated by native grasses, where grass height and cover were substantially lower than in areas dominated by the nonnative grasses. As the settlement period progressed, they increasingly established territories in areas dominated by the smaller nonnative grass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), but never established territories in areas dominated by the larger grass (E. curvula). In contrast, the species with broader habitat breadth, the Botteri's sparrow (Peucaea botterii arizonae), established territories without regard to grass composition, likely because both nonnative grasses were within the structural range of native grasses used by this grassland generalist. Our results demonstrate that in areas invaded by nonnative plants, changes in habitat use by animals can reflect the interaction between their habitat breadth and the amount of structural contrast between invading plants and the native plant species that are displaced. This interaction provides a mechanism to explain the variation in responses among species to invasions by nonnative plants, which has consequences for broad‐scale changes in the geographic distribution of many species.
Increased eDNA detection sensitivity using a novel high‐volume water sampling method
Authors: Schabacker Jenna C. , Amish Stephen J. , Ellis Bonnie K. , Gardner Beth , Miller Dulaney L. , Rutledge Elizabeth A. , Sepulveda Adam J. , Luikart Gordon 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEnvironmental DNA analysis has revolutionized the way we study rare, invasive, and endangered taxa. However, if eDNA testing is to become an increasingly reliable tool, high detection sensitivity is crucial. Current eDNA sampling methods, like filtration and precipitation, can only process small volumes of water per sample. If only a few samples are collected, eDNA from the target organism might be missed, leading to false‐negative results. We developed an eDNA collection method for lentic systems that improved detection sensitivity while keeping the total number of samples low. Unlike filtration and precipitation, which mainly target extracellular DNA, this method specifically targets eDNA in larger particle sizes and is not limited to processing small volumes of water. A 64‐micrometer mesh tow net was used to process >3,000 L of water per eDNA sample. We compared the tow net method to a common collection method, a 0.45 μm cellulose nitrate filter that processes about 1 L of water per eDNA sample. Paired tow and filter samples were collected at 37 locations and tested for two taxa: an aquatic plant, Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum), and aquatic mollusks, including Helisoma anceps, using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assays. We detected M. sibiricum significantly more frequently in tow samples than filter samples. Mollusks were detected in all eDNA samples (tow nets and filters), but when eDNA samples were diluted 25‐fold to mimic a low target concentration scenario, mollusk DNA was detected significantly more frequently in tow samples than filter samples. This high‐volume eDNA sampling method, using a tow net to process thousands of liters of water, can improve detection sensitivity for multiple taxa, making it a useful tool for researchers and managers.
Species discrimination and total polyphenol prediction of porcini mushrooms by fourier transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectrometry combined with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Li Xiu‐Ping , Li Jieqing , Li Tao , Liu Honggao , Wang Yuanzhong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe plateau specialty agricultural products, wild porcini mushrooms, have great value both as a superb cuisine and as a potential medication. Due to quality different between species added with the fraud behavior in sales process, make poor quality or poisonous sample inflow into the market, which pose a health risk for consumers, but also disrupted the mushroom market. Traditional analysis way is time‐consuming and laborious. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a way using fourier transform mid‐infrared (FT‐MIR) spectrometry and data fusion strategies for the fast and accurate species discrimination and predict amount of total polyphenol in four porcini mushrooms. The t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding based on mid‐level data fusion showed two species of Boletus edulis and B. umbriniporus have been identified. The order of correct rate of PLS‐DA models was mid‐level data fusionq (100%) > mid‐level data fusione (97.06%) = mid‐level data fusionv (97.06%) = stipes (97.06%) > low‐level data fusion (94.12%) > caps (91.18%). The order of correct rate of grid‐search support vector machine models was low‐level data fusion (100%) > caps (94.12%) > stipes (91.18%), and the order of particle swarm optimization support vector machine was low‐level data fusion (100%) > caps (97.06%) > stipes (88.24%). The mid‐level data fusionq and low‐level data fusion had best discrimination accuracy (100%) allowing each mushroom classed into its real species, which could be used for accurate discrimination of samples. B. edulis mushrooms had highest total polyphenol, with 14.76 mg/g dw and 17.33 in caps and stipes mg/g dw, respectively. The phenols were easier to accumulate in the caps in Leccinum rugosiceps (1.03) and B. tomentipes (1.19), and the opposite phenomenon is observed in B. edulis (0.85) and B. umbriniporus (0.95). The correlation coefficient and residual predictive deviation of best prediction model were 86.76% and 2.40%, respectively, indicating that that there is good relevance between FT‐MIR and total polyphenol content, which could be used to predict roughly polyphenols content in mushrooms.
Holocene large lake development and desiccation: Changing habitats in the Kharga Basin of the Egyptian Sahara
Authors: Bunbury Judith , Ikram Salima , Roughley Corinne 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe Sahara Desert, known today as one of the world's great wildernesses, was periodically dotted with large lakes that formed during the Holocene pluvial periods. As the lakes dried, the fertile and flat‐lying damp muds formed a rich habitat that was occupied by human settlers before being abandoned, as the area dried out completely. In Kharga, our work shows that a combination of pluvial periods with short term storage in the Upper Nubian aquifer, access to artesian water in the Lower Nubian Aquifer and over‐flow water from the Nile via the Wadi Toshka created a biodiverse environment which, although drier today, sustained refugia of plants and animals throughout the Holocene.
Losing body weight for money: How provider‐side financial incentives cause weight loss in Swiss low‐birth‐weight newborns
Authors: Hochuli Philip 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFacing steadily rising health care costs, Switzerland introduced a system of diagnosis‐related groups (DRGs) for hospital payment in 2012 (SwissDRG) along with cost‐efficiency benchmarking between hospitals. On the one hand, SwissDRG puts hospitals at financial risk and strengthens incentives for efficiency by setting a fixed price per case. On the other hand, hospitals are incentivized to game the system and exploit adverse incentives. We investigate hospitals' behavioral response to financial incentives in Swiss neonatology. First, we provide strong evidence for manipulations of reported birth weight among low‐birth‐weight newborns. Using a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐difference design, we find that 14–27% of birth weights are manipulated around specific birth weight cutoffs. Second, we find evidence of an upward‐sloping supply curve of cheating, indicating that hospitals increasingly engage in fraudulent behavior as financial incentives increase. Our estimates indicate a supply‐sided price elasticity of cheating between 0.16 and 0.52.
Is systemic risk systematic? Evidence from the U.S. stock markets
Authors: Choi Seo Joon , Kim Kanghyun , Park Sunyoung 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe distinction between the role of systemic risk and the systematic risk remains unclear and is sometimes confusing. In this paper, we exploit three types of systemic risk measurements and examine their role as a systematic risk component in the equity market. We first construct the systemic risk factors by using the portfolio mimicking method. Then we analyse the systemic risk factors through the lens of the empirical asset pricing test to determine whether the factors are systematically priced in the equity market. As a result, we empirically find evidence that the systemic risk factors are systematically priced in the equity market, indicating that the systemic risk is compensated for the higher returns.
Leaving no one behind: Is the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals possible without securing the dignity, rights, and well‐being of those who are “invisible”?
Authors: Anastasi Erin , Asiamah Bridget , Lal Geeta 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe persistence of obstetric fistula—a devastating childbirth injury occurring largely among poor, marginalized women and girls—constitutes a human rights violation and a public health crisis. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to “leave no one behind.” Failing to eliminate fistula jeopardizes attainment of several of the SDGs. Member States of the United Nations adopted a UN Resolution on ending fistula in 2018, calling for an end to fistula within a decade. Building upon recommendations of the UN Secretary General's 2018 Report on Obstetric Fistula, the Resolution calls for significantly increased commitments and investments to end fistula. Crucial interventions for eliminating fistula include high‐quality, equitable, accessible health systems; implementing costed national strategies for eliminating fistula; integrating fistula into national plans to achieve the SDGs; strengthening national fistula task forces; and significantly increased, sustained financial support. Fistula elimination necessitates protecting women's/girls’ human rights and addressing social determinants that affect women's/girls’ ability to “survive, thrive and transform,” including social and economic inequities; gender‐based violence; child marriage and early childbearing; and access to education. Enhanced awareness‐raising and advocacy; improved research, data, monitoring and evaluation; holistic social reintegration and survivor empowerment; and community engagement are additional key strategies for realizing this ambitious goal.
Challenges in the field of obstetric fistula
Authors: Rane Ajay , Browning Andrew , Majinge Peter , Pope Rachel 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThirteen years after the last supplement on obstetric fistula, the authors challenge the progress achieved. Citing the ongoing need for a standardized classification system, uniform surgical training and certification, evaluation, follow‐up, and research, we emphasize the need for improved communication and coordination between government and nongovernment entities invested in ending obstetric fistula. Struck by the call by the United Nations to end obstetric fistula by 2030, we stress the need for increased and targeted funding of programs that are of the highest quality and impact.