bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vital rates in early life history underlie shifts in biotic interactions along bioclimatic gradients: An experimental test of the Stress Gradient Hypothesis
Authors: Klanderud Kari , Meineri Eric , Goldberg Deborah E. , Michel Pascale , Berge Astrid , Guittar John L. , Vandvik Vigdis 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuestionThe Stress Gradient Hypothesis (SGH) predicts that competition and facilitation shift along stress gradients. We ask if the underlying mechanisms operate at specific points in plant life history, and if patterns are consistent along different stress gradients.LocationBoreal, sub‐alpine and alpine grasslands in southern Norway.MethodsWe test the SGH through ontogeny along stress gradients by monitoring seedlings in intact vegetation vs bare‐ground gaps across a climatic grid of temperature and precipitation gradients. We follow one seedling cohort over two years and quantify four vital rates; emergence, survival, establishment success, and growth rate, to determine if biotic interaction effects (intact vs removed vegetation) on each of these stages shift along gradients in accordance with the SGH.ResultsWe find competitive effects early in ontogeny, reflected in increased probability of seedling emergence in gaps. The magnitude of competition increases with temperature and precipitation, in line with the SGH. Growth rate of alpine seedlings was higher in intact vegetation vs gaps, indicating facilitation, and in accordance with the SGH, these effects decreased towards warmer climates. The net outcome of these processes occurring in early life history are reflected in the seedling community, where richness of emerging and surviving species is higher in bare‐ground gaps than in intact vegetation, with increasing effect toward warmer but not toward wetter sites.ConclusionOur results support the SGH for the earliest stages in plant life, predicting shifts from competitive to neutral or facilitative interactions toward colder climates. The biotic interaction effects on vital rates vary over ontogeny, with competition dominating for emergence whereas facilitation was more evident for seedling growth. The patterns along the precipitation gradient indicate stress at both the dry and the wet end. We highlight the importance of studies across ontogeny and along different gradients to disentangle the mechanisms underlying the SGH.
The Smartphone as a Personal Cognitive Artifact Supporting Participation in Interaction
Authors: EILOLA LAURA E. , LILJA NIINA S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article uses multimodal conversation analysis to investigate how the smartphone as a personal cognitive artifact features in second language (L2) use and learning. The data come from a pedagogical intervention that was organized as part of an integration learning course for adult L2 students with emerging literacy. The purpose of the intervention was to guide the students to participate in everyday interactions outside the language classroom and to learn from them. The analysis concentrates on a focal student's smartphone use during different phases of the intervention and offers a detailed account of how the smartphone provides affordances for the student to formulate recognizable social actions and participate in different phases of the pedagogical activity. The analysis adds to our current understanding of the role of mobile technology in L2 learning and illustrates how experiential pedagogy supports language learning as social activity. The findings can be used in designing pedagogical practices that support L2 students to develop their interactional competences on the basis of their own needs and goals.
Chicago Classification Update (v4.0): Technical review on diagnostic criteria for distal esophageal spasm
Authors: Roman Sabine , Hebbard Geoff , Jung Kee Wook , Katz Phil , Tutuian Radu , Wong Reuben , Wu Justin , Yadlapati Rena , Sifrim Daniel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDistal esophageal spasm (DES) is defined as a manometric pattern of at least 20% of premature contractions in a context of normal esophago‐gastric junction relaxation in a patient with dysphagia or non‐cardiac chest pain. The definition of premature contraction requires the measurement of the distal latency and identification of the contractile deceleration point (CDP). The CDP can be difficult to localize, and alternative methods are proposed. Further, it is important to differentiate contractile activity and intrabolus pressure. Multiple rapid swallows are a useful adjunctive test to perform during high‐resolution manometry to search for a lack of inhibition that is encountered in DES. The clinical relevance of the DES‐manometric pattern was raised as it can be secondary to treatment with opioids or observed in patients referred for esophageal manometry before antireflux surgery in absence of dysphagia and non‐cardiac chest pain. Further idiopathic DES is rare, and one can argue that when encountered, it could be part of type III achalasia spectrum. Medical treatment of DES can be challenging. Recently, endoscopic treatments with botulinum toxin and peroral endoscopic myotomy have been evaluated, with conflicting results while rigorously controlled studies are lacking. Future research is required to determine the role of contractile vigor and lower esophageal sphincter hypercontractility in the occurrence of symptoms in patients with DES. The role of impedance‐combined high‐resolution manometry also needs to be evaluated.
Imaging canopy temperature: shedding (thermal) light on ecosystem processes
Authors: Still Christopher J. , Rastogi Bharat , Page Gerald F. M. , Griffith Dan M. , Sibley Adam , Schulze Mark , Hawkins Linnia , Pau Stephanie , Detto Matteo , Helliker Brent R. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryCanopy temperature Tcan is a key driver of plant function that emerges as a result of interacting biotic and abiotic processes and properties. However, understanding controls on Tcan and forecasting canopy responses to weather extremes and climate change are difficult due to sparse measurements of Tcan at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Burgeoning observations of Tcan from thermal cameras enable evaluation of energy budget theory and better understanding of how environmental controls, leaf traits and canopy structure influence temperature patterns. The canopy scale is relevant for connecting to remote sensing and testing biosphere model predictions. We anticipate that future breakthroughs in understanding of ecosystem responses to climate change will result from multiscale observations of Tcan across a range of ecosystems.
Robot‐Aided Minimally Invasive Lumbopelvic Fixation in Treatment of Traumatic Spinopelvic Dissociation
Authors: Liu Zhao‐jie , Hu Yong‐cheng , Tian Wei , Jin Xin , Qi Hao‐tian , Sun Yu‐xi , Jia Jian 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical strategy, safety, and efficacy of close reduction and robot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation in treatment of traumatic spinopelvic dissociation.MethodsData of 32 patients (21 males and 11 females) with traumatic spinopelvic dissociation treated by lumbopelvic fixation with robot‐aided minimally invasive technique or conventional open procedure in our institution from March 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into robot group and control group. Intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, fluoroscopy frequency, total drilling times, infection rate, hospitalization time, and sacral fracture healing time were reviewed. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were totally acquired to evaluate the reduction quality, residual fracture displacement, and Gras classification on screws insertion after surgery. According to the Majeed scoring system, functional outcome was assessed for each patient at the final follow‐up.ResultsThere were 12 patients in the robot group and 20 patients in the control group with no significant difference about the demographic data. The average surgical time was 148.3 ± 40.5 min with intraoperative blood loss of 142.5±36.7 mL in the robot group and 185.0 ± 47.8 min with 612.5 ± 182.7 mL in the control group (P = 0.034, P = 0.000). The robot group had a shorter mean hospitalization time at 19.9 ± 7.0 days compared to the control group with 28.6 ± 5.4 days (P = 0.010). The fluoroscopy frequency was 35.4 ± 3.0 in the robot group and 45.5 ± 3.6 in the control group (P = 0.000) and total drilling times were 7.1 ± 1.1 and 9.6 ± 1.3 (P = 0.000), respectively. The infection rate was 0% (0/12) in the robot group and 15% (3/20) in the control group (P = 0.159). According to the Gras classification on screw positioning, there were 11 cases in Grade I and 1 case in Grade II in the robot group, and 14 cases in Grade I and 6 cases in Grade II in the control group. All the patients were followed up consecutively for at least 12 months, with an average follow‐up period of 17.1 ± 3.6 months. All sacral fractures healed with an average time of 3.8 ± 0.6 months in the robot group and 4.7 ± 0.7 months in the control group (P = 0.000). According to Majeed functional assessment investigation, the mean score of the patients was 87.2 ± 4.0 in the robot group and 83.1 ± 4.5 in the control group (P = 0.015).ConclusionsRobot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation for traumatic spinopelvic dissociation is a safe and feasible option with advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, less radiation damage, less hospitalization time, and better functional outcome.
Spatial imaging reveals the pathways of Zn transport and accumulation during reproductive growth stage in almond plants
Authors: Xie Ruohan , Zhao Jianqi , Lu Lingli , Jernstedt Judy , Guo Jiansheng , Brown Patrick H. , Tian Shengke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe reproductive processes of several deciduous trees are highly sensitive to Zn deficiency. An understanding of the patterns of Zn storage and remobilization during bud development and bud break is critical for the development of fertilization strategies to prevent deficiencies and may be valuable in selection and breeding programs to develop more Zn‐resilient cultivars. In this study, we provide insights into the in situ distribution of Zn in almond reproductive organs at tissue, cellular, and subcellular scales using synchrotron‐based X‐ray fluorescence. The concentrations of Zn in different parts of the vegetative and reproductive tissues were also analysed. Our results show that the small branches subtending the flower and fruit, pollen grain, transmitting tissues of styles, and seed embryo are all important storage sites for Zn. An increase in Zn concentrations in almond reproductive organs mostly occur during the expanding growth phase, such as bud‐flush and the mid‐fruit enlargement stage; however, Zn transport to floral parts and fruit tissues was restricted at the pedicel and seed coat, suggesting a bottleneck in the export of Zn from the mother plant to filial tissues. Our results provide direct visual evidence for in‐situ Zn distribution within the reproductive tissues of a deciduous tree species.
Different response modes and cooperation modulations of blue‐light receptors in photomorphogenesis
Authors: Wu Yuning , Wang Qin , Qu Jing , Liu Wen , Gao Xuejuan , Li Xiang , Ouyang Xinhao , Lin Chentao , Shuai Jianwei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCryptochromes photoreceptors, CRY1 and CRY2 in Arabidopsis, mediate blue light responses in plants and metazoa. The signalling interactions underlying photomorphogenesis of cryptochromes action have been extensively studied in experiment, expecting a systematical analysis of the dynamic mechanisms of photosensory signalling network from a global view. In this study, we developed a signalling network model to quantitatively investigate the different response modes and cooperation modulations on photomorphogenesis for CRY1 and CRY2 under blue light. The model shows that the different modes of time‐dependent and fluence‐rate‐dependent phosphorylations for CRY1 and CRY2 are originated from their different phosphorylation rates and degradation rates. Our study indicates that, due to the strong association between blue‐light inhibitor of cryptochromes (BIC) and CRY2, BIC negatively modulates CRY2 phosphorylation, which was confirmed by our experiment. The experiment also validated the model prediction that the time‐dependent BIC‐CRY1 and the fluence‐rate‐dependent BIC‐CRY2 are both bell‐shaped under blue light. Importantly, the model proposes that the COP1‐SPA abundance can strongly inhibit the phosphorylation response of CRY2, resulting in the positive regulation of CRY2 phosphorylation by CRY1 through COP1‐SPA. The model also predicts that the CRY1‐HY5 axis, rather than CRY2‐HY5 pathway, plays a dominant role in blue‐light‐dependent photomorphogenesis.
Phosphorus toxicity, not deficiency, explains the calcifuge habit of phosphorus‐efficient Proteaceae
Authors: Guilherme Pereira Caio , Hayes Patrick E. , Clode Peta L. , Lambers Hans 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe calcifuge habit of plants is commonly explained in terms of high soil pH and its effects on nutrient availability, particularly that of phosphorus (P). However, most Proteaceae that occur on nutrient‐impoverished soils in south‐western Australia are calcifuge, despite their ability to produce cluster‐roots, which effectively mobilize soil P and micronutrients. We hypothesize that the mechanism explaining the calcifuge habit in Proteaceae is their sensitivity to P and calcium (Ca), and that soil‐indifferent species are less sensitive to the interaction of these nutrients. In this study, we analyzed growth, gas‐exchange rate, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two soil‐indifferent and four calcifuge Hakea and Banksia (Proteaceae) species from south‐western Australia, across a range of P and Ca concentrations in hydroponic solution. We observed Ca‐enhanced P toxicity in all analyzed species, but to different extents depending on distribution type and genus. Increasing P supply enhanced plant growth, leaf biomass, and photosynthetic rates of soil‐indifferent species in a pattern largely independent of Ca supply. In contrast, positive physiological responses to increasing [P] in calcifuges were either absent or limited to low Ca supply, indicating that calcifuges were far more sensitive to Ca‐enhanced P toxicity. In calcifuge Hakeas, we attributed this to higher leaf [P], and in calcifuge Banksias to lower leaf zinc concentration. These differences help to explain these species' contrasting sensitivity to Ca‐enhanced P toxicity and account for the exclusion of most Proteaceae from calcareous habitats. We surmise that Ca‐enhanced P toxicity is a major factor explaining the calcifuge habit of Proteaceae, and, possibly, other P‐sensitive plants.
The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the adaptation of elderly women to depression and old age: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Gökşin İlknur , Aşiret Güler Duru 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThe changes that occur during the ageing process affect the mental health of individuals and their adaptation to old age. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on the depression level of elderly women and their adaptation to old age.MethodsA randomised controlled trial design was used. The sample consisted of 49 elderly women (21 intervention and 28 controls) from a family health centre of a city in Turkey. The research data were collected using the introductory information form, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Barthel index, Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale, and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly. Two home visits were made to women in the first and eighth week of the application. PMR was applied by women in the intervention group in 28 min sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks the women were called by the researcher once a week and PMR was reminded.ResultsAs a result of the PMR exercises performed for 8 weeks, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean Geriatric Depression‐15 Scale and Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly scores of the women in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn this study, it was found that PMR exercises reduce the depression level of elderly women and increase their adaptation to old age.
Extending working lives: How policies shape retirement and labour market participation of older workers
Authors: Kuitto Kati , Helmdag Jan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study investigates how policies shape retirement and labour market participation of older workers and thus help extending working lives. It employs a time‐series–cross‐section analysis of the effects of macro‐level institutional pull, push and retention factors on effective retirement age and employment rate of older workers in 15 OECD countries from 1992 to 2010. The comparative approach reveals that public pension system rules that have been geared towards postponing retirement in many countries in past decades, indeed, are significant determinants of lengthening working lives. In particular, statutory retirement age and financial disincentives for early retirement proof important. Institutional effects differ by gender, though. Furthermore, the results point to the importance of social policies supporting labour market participation throughout the life‐course: social investment in human capital and public services clearly supports extending working lives.
Evaluating the merits of climate smart technologies under smallholder agriculture in Malawi
Authors: Nyagumbo Isaiah , Mutenje Munyaradzi , Setimela Peter , Chipindu Lovemore , Chisaka Arisede , Simwaka Pacsu , Mwale Blessings , Ngwira Amos , Mupangwa Walter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe merits of three climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies implemented by farmers were assessed in Machinga district of Malawi with respect to their soil quality and maize yield effects. Data were collected from farms implementing the three CSA technologies, namely conservation agriculture (CA), maize–pigeonpea (Maize‐PP) intercrops and a local organic and inorganic soil amendment known as Mbeya fertilization (Mbeya‐fert), from 2018 to 2019. With respect to resilience and adaptation, particulate organic matter, soil organic carbon (SOC), N, P, K, Ca and Mg all significantly improved while bulk densities were lowered under the three CSA systems. Higher annual biomass inputs and improved water infiltration from the Maize‐PP intercrops were observed. With respect to productivity, CA and Mbeya‐fert improved maize yields by 51 and 19%, respectively, compared to conventional farmer practices. With regard to climate change mitigation, increases in measured SOC in the top 20 cm depth compared to the conventional farmer practices amounted to 6.5, 12 and 10.5 t C ha−1 for CA, Mbeya‐fert, and Maize‐PP intercrops, respectively, over a period of 2–6 years. This suggests higher potential for carbon sequestration from CSA technologies. Furthermore, use of drought tolerant varieties, timely weeding and optimum plant populations, increased productivity. Improved gross margins from CSA practices were also apparent. Thus, employing these CSA technologies could enable farmers to be more resilient, productive and adapt better to climate change shocks leading to improved food security and livelihoods.
Should Acknowledgments in Published Academic Articles Include Gratitude for Reviewers Who Reviewed for Journals that Rejected Those Articles?
Authors: Räsänen Joona , Louhiala Pekka 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIt is a common practice for authors of an academic work to thank the anonymous reviewers at the journal that is publishing it. Allegedly, scholars thank the reviewers because their comments improved the paper and thanking them is a proper way to show gratitude to them. Yet often, a paper that is eventually accepted by one journal is first rejected by other journals, and even though those journals' reviewers also supply comments that improve the quality of the work, those reviewers are not customarily thanked. We contacted prominent scholars in bioethics and philosophy of medicine and asked whether thanking such reviewers would be a welcome trend. Having received responses from 107 scholars, we discuss the suggested proposal in light of both philosophical argument and the results of this survey. We argue that when an author's work is published, the author should thank the reviewers whose comments improved the paper regardless of whether those reviewers' journals rejected or accepted the work. That is because scholars should show gratitude to those who deserve it, and those whose comments improved the paper deserve gratitude. We also consider objections against this practice raised by scholars and show why they are not entirely persuasive.
Lagrangian Trajectory Simulation of Platelets and Synchrotron Microtomography Augment Hemodynamic Analysis of Intracranial Aneurysms Treated With Embolic Coils
Authors: Chivukula Venkat Keshav , Marsh Laurel , Chassagne Fanette , Barbour Michael C. , Kelly Cory M. , Levy Samuel , Geindreau Christian , Roscoat Sabine Rolland du , Kim Louis J. , Levitt Michael R. , Aliseda Alberto 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
As frequency of endovascular treatments for intracranial aneurysms increases, there is a growing need to understand the mechanisms for coil embolization failure. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling often simplifies modeling the endovascular coils as a homogeneous porous medium (PM), and focuses on the vascular wall endothelium, not considering the biomechanical environment of platelets. These assumptions limit the accuracy of computations for treatment predictions. We present a rigorous analysis using X-ray microtomographic imaging of the coils and a combination of Lagrangian (platelet) and Eulerian (endothelium) metrics. Four patient-specific, anatomically accurate in vitro flow phantoms of aneurysms are treated with the same patient-specific endovascular coils. Synchrotron tomography scans of the coil mass morphology are obtained. Aneurysmal hemodynamics are computationally simulated before and after coiling, using patient-specific velocity/pressure measurements. For each patient, we analyze the trajectories of thousands of platelets during several cardiac cycles, and calculate residence times (RTs) and shear exposure, relevant to thrombus formation. We quantify the inconsistencies of the PM approach, comparing them with coil-resolved (CR) simulations, showing the under- or overestimation of key hemodynamic metrics used to predict treatment outcomes. We fully characterize aneurysmal hemodynamics with converged statistics of platelet RT and shear stress history (SH), to augment the traditional wall shear stress (WSS) on the vascular endothelium. Incorporating microtomographic scans of coil morphology into hemodynamic analysis of coiled intracranial aneurysms, and augmenting traditional analysis with Lagrangian platelet metrics improves CFD predictions, and raises the potential for understanding and clinical translation of computational hemodynamics for intracranial aneurysm treatment outcomes.