bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Similar successional development of functional community structure in glacier forelands despite contrasting bedrocks
Authors: Greinwald Konrad , Gebauer Tobias , Musso Alessandra , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael 
Published: April 2021

AbstractQuestionsPrimary plant succession is expected to be driven by habitat filtering and competitive exclusion. However, such findings typically come from experimental or single‐site case studies. As a result, we lack field studies that investigate the functional community structures across successional series with differing site conditions. Here, we address the following question: how do plant trait patterns and functional diversity change along two chronosequences with distinct bedrocks?MethodsWe established two soil chronosequences with contrasting bedrock types (siliceous vs calcareous) in the Swiss Alps spanning a terrain age gradient of 13,500 years. We analysed plant ecological strategies at 40 plots per glacier foreland relating six functional traits to terrain age using RLQ analysis. We used the variation in plant ecological strategies revealed by RLQ analysis to calculate indices of functional diversity and analysed their temporal development with terrain age.ResultsThe RLQ analysis revealed that canopy height and dispersal type were significantly associated with terrain age. In both glacier forelands, functional richness (FRic) increased with terrain age, suggesting similar development of niche differentiation along the chronosequences, irrespective of bedrock types. In addition, we observed a decrease of functional evenness (FEve) and functional divergence (FDiv) in both sites, indicating an overall trend to habitat filtering.ConclusionsThe results support the idea of a similar development of functional community structure along the two chronosequences, underlining the deterministic model of functional structure during succession. The functional approach of this study improves knowledge of the adaptive strategies of plant communities colonising glacier forefields and highlights the potential of comparing successional series with differing site conditions to gain a deeper understanding of successional drivers and underlying mechanisms.
Synthesizing tree biodiversity data to understand global patterns and processes of vegetation
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Craven Dylan , Weigelt Patrick , Smith Stephen A. , van der Sande Masha T. , Sandel Brody , Levin Sam C. , Kreft Holger , Knight Tiffany M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsTrees dominate the biomass in many ecosystems and are essential for ecosystem functioning and human well‐being. They are also one of the best‐studied functional groups of plants, with vast amounts of biodiversity data available in scattered sources. We here aim to illustrate that an efficient integration of these data could produce a more holistic understanding of vegetation.MethodsTo assess the extent of potential data integration, we use key databases of plant biodiversity to: (a) obtain a list of tree species and their distributions; (b) identify coverage of and gaps in different aspects of tree biodiversity data; and (c) discuss large‐scale patterns of tree biodiversity in relation to vegetation.ResultsOur global list of trees included 58,044 species. Taxonomic coverage varies in three key databases, with data on the distribution, functional traits, and molecular sequences for about 84%, 45% and 44% of all tree species, which is >10% greater than for plants overall. For 28% of all tree species, data are available in all three databases. However, less data are digitally accessible about the demography, ecological interactions, and socio‐economic role of tree species. Integrating and imputing existing tree biodiversity data, mobilization of non‐digitized resources and targeted data collection, especially in tropical countries, could help closing some of the remaining data gaps.ConclusionsDue to their key ecosystem roles and having large amounts of accessible data, trees are a good model group for understanding vegetation patterns. Indeed, tree biodiversity data are already beginning to elucidate the community dynamics, functional diversity, evolutionary history and ecological interactions of vegetation, with great potential for future applications. An interoperable and openly accessible framework linking various databases would greatly benefit future macroecological studies and should be linked to a platform that makes information readily accessible to end users in biodiversity conservation and management.
Cryopreserving Jewish Motherhood: Egg Freezing in Israel and the United States
Authors: Birenbaum‐Carmeli Daphna , Inhorn Marcia C. , Vale Mira D. , Patrizio Pasquale 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOocyte cryopreservation (i.e., egg freezing) is one of the newest forms of assisted reproduction and is increasingly being used primarily by two groups of women: (1) young cancer patients at risk of losing their fertility through cytotoxic chemotherapy (i.e., medical egg freezing); and (2) single professionals in their late 30s who are facing age‐related fertility decline in the absence of reproductive partners (i.e., elective egg freezing). Based on a binational ethnographic study, this article examines the significance of egg freezing among Jewish women in Israel and the United States. As they face the Jewish maternal imperative, these women are turning to egg freezing to relieve both medical and marital uncertainties. In both secular and religious Jewish contexts, egg freezing is now becoming naturalized as acceptable and desirable precisely because it cryopreserves Jewish motherhood, keeping reproductive options open for Jewish women, and serving as a protective self‐preservation technology within their pronatalist social environments.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Parr vision test, single crowded Lea symbols and Spot vision screener for vision screening of preschool children aged 4–5 years in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Findlay Rebecca , Black Joanna , Goodman Lucy , Chelimo Carol , Grant Cameron C , Anstice Nicola 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposePreschool children in New Zealand undergo vision screening to detect amblyopia at 4–5 years of age. The current test, the Parr vision test, does not meet international visual acuity chart guidelines and has not been validated against other commonly used paediatric vision tests. New Zealand vision screening protocols are also not targeted for detecting other eye conditions such as uncorrected refractive error, which may affect school performance. We compared the Parr vision test with the single crowded Lea symbols and the Spot vision screener for detecting ocular pathology, refractive error and amblyopic risk factors in preschool children.MethodsA cross‐sectional diagnostic accuracy study recruited children aged 4–5 years via convenience sampling from the University of Auckland Optometry Clinic and through primary schools in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants received vision screening with the three different instruments administered by a lay screener. Comprehensive eye examinations were completed by a paediatric optometrist to determine the presence of vision disorders.ResultsOf 197 children who received a comprehensive eye examination, 14 (7.1%) had amblyopic risk factors and 43 (21.8%) had significant refractive error (15.7% with astigmatism, 9.1% with hyperopia). The sensitivity for detecting any ocular condition did not differ significantly between the tests (50.0% for Parr, 43.5% for Lea, 42.5% for Spot). Specificity was significantly lower for the Parr vision test (80.8%) than for the Lea symbols (93.4%) and Spot vision screener (98.0%). Adding the Spot vision screener to measurements of visual acuity significantly improved sensitivity in detecting any ocular condition with the Parr vision test (67.5% for Parr/Spot vs 50% for Parr alone), but not with the Lea symbols (52.5% for Lea/Spot vs 43.5% for Lea alone).ConclusionThe sensitivity of the Parr vision test for detecting ocular conditions in preschool children does not vary significantly from that achieved by the Lea symbols or the Spot vision screener. However, current New Zealand vision screening protocols could be improved by expanding the target conditions to include significant refractive error and incorporating the use of the Spot vision screener to increase the accuracy with which children with refractive error are identified. Future research should include longitudinal studies to determine the effect of preschool vision screening on later ocular and academic outcomes.
Short‐term intensive gastrointestinal endoscopy training program
Authors: Morita Atsushi , Kudo Takahiro , Horiuchi Akira , Kajiyama Masashi , Tanaka Naoki , Takada Hidetoshi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn Japan there are limited opportunities for pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) trainees to learn GI endoscopy. This study investigated whether a short‐term intensive training for 3 months in an adult GI unit enabled pediatric GI trainees to acquire the required number of cases and the technical competence to perform pediatric GI endoscopic procedures.MethodsThis was a retrospective case series of pediatric GI trainees who underwent 3 months of intensive endoscopy training, which also included direct observation and a questionnaire. The numbers of esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD), ileocolonoscopies, and snare polypectomies each trainee performed as well as cecal intubation rates were collected with the goal of meeting the standards of overseas educational guidelines. The trainees were also asked about continuing experience with pediatric endoscopic procedures after the intensive training.ResultsThere were 10 enrolled trainees, 9 men, average age, 34 (range, 29–41). The average number (range) of EGD and ileocolonoscopies that the 10 trainees had done before this training period was 52 (0–200) and 15 (0–20), respectively. The average number (range) of EGD, ileocolonoscopies and snare polypectomies per each trainee was 651.7 (485–814), 159.2 (130–195) and 25.8 (10–55), respectively, over 3 months: all trainees thus fulfilled all of the criteria of the minimal training requirements. All trainees also reached the required threshold in the cecal intubation rate (>90%). In addition, all trainees were able to perform pediatric endoscopic procedures alone after the intensive training period.ConclusionsShort‐term intensive training for 3 months in an adult GI setting enabled pediatric GI trainees to acquire technical competence for pediatric endoscopic procedures.
Considerations for utilizing medullary sponge kidney allografts in pediatric patients
Authors: Mahajan Ruchi G. , Chang Jae‐Hyung , Runge Brian , Carpenter Christina , Sandoval Pedro R. , Ratner Lloyd E. , Uy Natalie S. , Jain Namrata G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundMedullary sponge kidney (MSK) disease predisposes patients to recurrent nephrolithiasis, which affects one in every 5000 people in the United States.MethodsWe report a rare case of a pediatric recipient of a living donor MSK transplant and discuss considerations when discussing risks and benefits of accepting MSK allografts for this population.ResultsThe recipient was admitted due to concerns for nephrolithiasis, hydronephrosis, and urinary tract infection at 1‐month post‐transplant. The hydronephrosis was resolved by surgical removal of an encrusted ureteral stent; this was followed by supplementation with oral medications to prevent future episodes of nephrolithiasis. The recipient did not have any further episodes after this as seen at a 1‐year follow‐up. The donor has remained well through this period.ConclusionsWith increasing organ shortages, the use of variety of donors may need to be considered to enlarge the organ pool.
COVID‐19 infection in a pediatric kidney transplant population: A single‐center experience
Authors: Singer Pamela S. , Sethna Christine , Molmenti Ernesto , Fahmy Ahmed , Grodstein Elliot , Castellanos‐Reyes Laura , Fassano Jessica , Teperman Lewis 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical course of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the pediatric kidney transplant population is not well described.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of a pediatric kidney transplant population at a New York transplant center. Baseline characteristics and clinical course of patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 positivity (Ab or PCR) were described, and comparison between COVID‐positive and COVID‐negative transplant patients was performed.ResultsTwenty‐two patients had COVID‐19 IgG testing performed, eight of whom also had PCR testing. 23% of our cohort had evidence of COVID‐19 infection. Four patients had positive IgG only, and one patient had a positive PCR. All five patients with a positive COVID test were female. Two patients had COVID‐19 symptoms, which were mild. Of the symptomatic patients, one had a positive PCR at time of symptoms, while the other had a negative PCR during symptoms but subsequently had positive IgG. As compared to patients with COVID‐19 negative results, those with COVID‐19 positivity were significantly more likely to have a known COVID‐19 exposure, and were also more likely to be female. There was no significant difference in time from transplant between the groups. Those in the COVID‐positive group had higher baseline antimetabolite dose and CNI troughs, although these did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsPediatric kidney transplant recipients are at risk for development of COVID‐19 infection. While this population may be more at risk for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection due to their immunosuppressed status, their clinical course appears mild and similar to a healthy pediatric population.
Impact of poverty reduction on access to water and sanitation in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries: country‐specific Bayesian projections to 2030
Authors: Swe Khin Thet , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Rahman Md. Shafiur , Teng Yvonne , Abe Sarah Krull , Hashizume Masahiro , Shibuya Kenji 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn 2017, 785 million people globally lacked access to basic services of drinking water and 2 billion people lived without basic sanitation services. Most of these people live in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. To monitor the progress towards universal access to water and sanitation, this study aimed to predict the coverage of access to basic drinking water supply and sanitation (WSS) services as well as the reduction in the practice of open defecation by 2030, under two assumptions: following the current trends and accelerated poverty reduction.Methods and findingsHouseholds reporting access to basic WSS services and those practising open defecation were extracted from 210 nationally representative Demographic Health Surveys and Multiple Cluster Indicator Surveys (1994–2016) from 51 countries. A Bayesian hierarchical mixed effect linear regression model was developed to predict the indicators in 2030 at national, urban–rural and wealth‐specific levels. A Bayesian regression model with accelerated reduction in poverty by 2030 was applied to assess the impact of poverty reduction on these indicators. Out of 51 countries, only nine (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ghana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines, Togo and Vietnam) were predicted to reach over 90% coverage in access to basic services of drinking water by 2030. However, none of the countries were projected to achieve equivalent coverage for access to basic sanitation services. By 2030, 21 countries were projected to achieve the target of less than 10% households practising open defecation. Urban–rural and wealth‐derived disparities in access to basic WSS services, especially sanitation, were more pronounced in sub‐Saharan Africa than South Asia and Southeast Asia. Access to basic sanitation services was projected to benefit more from poverty reduction than access to basic drinking water services. Households residing in rural settings were predicted to receive greater benefit from poverty reduction than urban populations in access to both basic WSS services.ConclusionAchieving poverty eradication targets may have a substantial positive impact on access to basic water supply and sanitation services. However, many low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries will struggle to achieve the goal of universal access to basic services, especially in the sanitation sector.
Integration of municipal state, society and university efforts for sanitary risk prevention associated withAedes aegyptimosquito in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Ruggerio Carlos Alberto , Querejeta Giselle Andrea , Conicelli Katherine Belen , Lombardo Rubén Jorge 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe sanitary problem ofAedes aegyptimosquito acquires relevance around the world because it is the vector of dengue, zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. The vector is adapting to southern regions faster, and the propagation of these diseases in urban areas is a complex problem for society. We aimed to contribute to the risk prevention of disease transmission in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, through monitoringAedes aegyptipopulation levels and developing education campaigns with government agencies and society participation. Monitoring activities aimed to diagnose the presence of the vector and its ecology behaviour, and to generate education and prevention politics to avoid its propagation. The results show that (1) the mosquito is in the territory and it is spreading, (2) prevention activities of the municipalities are insufficient to generate an effective sanitary response and (3) it is necessary to improve the education programmes to the population about the life cycle of the vector. The integration of university, government and society improved the work of the team because it combined knowledge about vector ecology, diseases and territory characteristics.
A comparison study between the results of the Siemens ADVIA 120 analyzer and the manual method for differential leukocyte counts in sheep
Authors: Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Brozos Christos , Kiossis Evangelos , Tsouloufi Theodora K. , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou Maria 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe ADVIA 120 is a widely used hematology analyzer, which has not been previously validated for determining differential leukocyte counts in sheep.ObjectivesWe aimed to compare differential leukocyte counts on the ADVIA 120 (A‐Diff) with counts obtained using the manual method (M‐Diff) in sheep.MethodsEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐anticoagulated blood samples analyzed within 4 hours of collection were used. Samples with inappropriately filled tubes, detectable clots, overtly erroneous ADVIA peroxidase cytograms, and poor‐quality blood smears were excluded from the study. Two independent observers compared the results of the A‐Diff with those of the M‐Diff. The M‐diff was performed by counting 200 leukocytes on a blood smear.ResultsOverall, 88 samples (44 rams and 44 ewes) were included. The correlation between the A‐Diff and M‐Diff was high for neutrophils (r = .873, P < .001), lymphocytes (r = .863, P < .001), and eosinophils (r = .750, P < .001), and low for monocytes (r = .212, P = .048). The Passing‐Bablok regression analyses revealed constant error for eosinophils [1.17%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67%, 1.55%] and proportional error for lymphocytes (0.84; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.95) and eosinophils (0.85; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.96). The Bland‐Altman analyses revealed negative biases of 2.4% and 3.0% for neutrophils and lymphocytes, respectively, and positive biases of 3.2% and 0.8% for monocytes and eosinophils, respectively. The extremely low basophil percentages precluded a meaningful method comparison for this leukocyte type.ConclusionsThe ADVIA 120 appears to perform well for determining neutrophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil percentages in sheep as compared with the manual method. However, blood smear examinations are recommended for the confirmation of abnormal differential leukocyte count results.
Allocating transmissivities from constant head tests for the development of DFN models
Authors: Howroyd M. , Novakowski K.S 
Published: April 2021

Constant head tests are commonly used for field measurements of fracture transmissivity. As a bulk transmissivity is measured for each test section, it is frequently unclear how this transmissivity relates to the hydraulic properties of individual fractures. The goal of this study is to determine if constant head tests conducted at scales larger than the average fracture spacing can be used to generate discrete fracture network (DFN) models that describe transport. The methodology involved generating DFNs using measurements from constant head tests conducted at lengths both above and below the average fracture spacing at a site in Ontario, Canada. Transport predictions from DFNs produced from different scales of hydraulic tests were compared to determine if a method for proportioning larger-scale test results to obtain a DFN representative of the smaller-scale tests could be established. The results of this study indicate that the choice of method used to apportion bulk transmissivities has a significant impact on transport simulations, with a difference in mass arrival of over a factor of two at travel distances less than 50 m. While the most appropriate method is case specific, the error resulting from the choice needs to be considered when using DFN models.
Metric-affine bumblebee gravity: classical aspects
Authors: Delhom Adrià , Nascimento J. R. , Olmo Gonzalo J. , Petrov A. Yu. , Porfírio Paulo J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe consider the metric-affine formulation of bumblebee gravity, derive the field equations, and show that the connection can be written as Levi-Civita of a disformally related metric in which the bumblebee field determines the disformal part. As a consequence, the bumblebee field gets coupled to all the other matter fields present in the theory, potentially leading to nontrivial phenomenological effects. To explore this issue we compute the post-Minkowskian, weak-field limit and study the resulting effective theory. In this scenario, we couple scalar and spinorial matter to the effective metric, and then we explore the physical properties of the VEV of the bumblebee field, focusing mainly on the dispersion relations and the stability of the resulting effective theory.
School Connectedness, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Academic Performance: Mediating Role of Hope
Authors: Zeinalipour Hossien 
Published: April 2021

The present study explored the effects of school connectedness and academic self-efficacy beliefs on academic performance among male and female high school students. It was hypothesized that hope would mediate the effects of school connectedness and academic self-efficacy beliefs on academic performance. The statistical population of the study included all high school students in a city of Iran, from whom 500 individuals were selected as the study sample using multistage random sampling. To collect the required data, three questionnaires – i.e., academic self-efficacy subscale from the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scale by Midgley et al., Children’s Hope Scale by Snyder et al., and Brown and Evans’ School Connectedness Scale – were used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was also applied to evaluate the proposed model, and the results indicated the statistical significance of all the path coefficients between the variables. The model showed the positive and significant relation of school connectedness, academic self-efficacy beliefs, and hope with academic performance and the relation of school connectedness and academic self-efficacy beliefs with hope. The fit indices showed that the model was well-fitted. Furthermore, the significance of all the indirect relationships was also confirmed. We concluded that, the high levels of school connectedness and academic self-efficacy are associated with high academic performance and hope seems to be an important mediator of these relationships.