bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fire‐triggered flowering is the dominant post‐fire strategy in a tropical savanna
Authors: L. Zirondi Heloiza , Ooi Mark K. J. , Fidelis Alessandra 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuestionsIn fire‐prone ecosystems, fire can enhance the flowering and fruiting of many species, a strategy assumed to be well represented in savanna. Despite this, there are surprisingly few studies assessing how prevalent fire‐stimulated flowering is. Thus, we asked: (a) are there differences in the reproductive phenology of Cerrado plants between recently burned and unburned areas; (b) how does fire affect the speed of flowering and how does this differ between growth forms; and (c) what are the post‐fire flowering (PFF) strategies of Cerrado species and is there evidence for high proportions of obligate PFF?LocationOpen savannas (campo sujo in the Cerrado) in Central Brazil (Reserva Natural Serra do Tombador — RNST, 13°35–13°38' S and 47°45'–47°51' W).MethodsWe established six plots, three recently and frequently burned (FB) and three excluded from fire for six years (E). In all treatments, the number of species flowering and fruiting was counted every 15 days for three months, and then at six, nine and 12 months after fire. We also counted the number of reproductive and vegetative shoots in 10 subplots (1 m × 1 m) per plot.ResultsApproximately 66% of species studied were fire‐stimulated, with half of these only flowering after fire (obligate PFF). Fire‐enhanced flowering was rapid, with the clearest differences between burned and unburned plots seen in the first 30 days, and up to three months after fire, where there were up to two times more species flowering in the FB than E areas.ConclusionsThe extremely high proportion of PFF species, at least five times that reported for heathlands and other shrub communities, highlights the role that short‐interval fire regimes have in savanna ecosystems, selecting for resprouting life forms and PFF dominance, particularly in herbaceous species. Rapid post‐fire reproduction may be a strategy to disperse large quantities of seed into an environment with a small recruitment window.
The Bruce effect should be defined by function, not mechanism: comments on ‘How to escape male infanticide: mechanisms for avoiding or terminating pregnancy in mammals’
Authors: Zipple Matthew N. , Roberts Eila K. , Alberts Susan C. , Beehner Jacinta C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBartoš et al. (2021; Mammal Review 51: 143–153; https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12219) reviewed the mechanisms involved in the ‘Bruce effect’ – a phenomenon originally documented in inseminated female house mice Mus musculus, who block pregnancy following exposure to a novel (non‐sire) male. They argue that the term ‘Bruce effect’ should be applied in cases that are mechanistically equivalent to this original observation in mice. We argue that the Bruce effect should be defined instead by its function: a phenomenon by which inseminated or pregnant females benefit by blocking or terminating pregnancy following exposure to a non‐sire male. Only functional definitions of phenomena allow for the articulation and testing of evolutionary hypotheses.
The effect of the 2008 employment support programme on young men’s labour market outcomes in Turkey: Evidence from a regression discontinuity design
Authors: Ozdamar Oznur , Giovanis Eleftherios , Dağlıoğlu Cansu , Gerede Cemaleddin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractActive labour market policies (ALMPs), such as subsidies for wages, social security contributions (SSCs) and employment, are one of the most important tools of countries’ efforts to tackle unemployment. The Turkish government launched the employment subsidy programme in 2008, aiming to decrease unemployment and to encourage formal employment by subsidizing the SSCs for relatively disadvantaged groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the 2008 policy on various labour outcomes. The entire analysis relies on micro‐level panel data derived by the Survey of Income and Living Conditions over the period of 2008–2011. Young men aged between 18 and 29 years are eligible to the programme. To infer causality, we apply a regression discontinuity design analysis using as the cut‐off point those who are aged 30 years. The findings show that the policy of 2008 had a positive impact on employment and the probability of being employed in the formal sector and working full time.
Benefits and costs of hosting facultative symbionts in plant‐sucking insects: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zytynska Sharon E. , Tighiouart Karim , Frago Enric 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMany animals have evolved associations with symbiotic microbes that benefit the host through increased growth, lifespan, and survival. Some interactions are obligate (essential for survival) while others are facultative (usually beneficial but not essential). Not all individuals host all facultative symbionts in a population, and thus there is probably a trade‐off between the cost of hosting these symbionts and the benefits they confer to the host. Plant‐sucking insects have been one of the most important models to test these costs and benefits experimentally. This research is now moving beyond the description of symbiont effects towards understanding the mechanisms of action, and their role in the wider ecological community. We present a quantitative and systematic analysis of the published evidence exploring this question. We found that whitefly and true bugs experience benefits through increased growth and fecundity, whereas aphids experience costs to their fecundity but benefits through increased resistance to natural enemies. We also report the lack of data in some plant‐sucking groups, and explore variation in effect strengths and directions across aphid host, symbiont and plant species thus highlighting the importance of considering the context dependency of these interactions.
DNA methylation occurring in Cre‐expressing cells inhibits loxP recombination and silences loxP‐sandwiched genes
Authors: Liu Ruochen , Long Qin , Zou Xiuping , Wang You , Pei Yan 
Published: March 2021

Summary

The low DNA recombination efficiency of site‐specific recombinase systems in plants limits their application; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown.

We evaluate the gene deletion performance of four recombinase systems (Cre/loxP, Flp/FRT, KD/KDRT and B3/B3RT) in tobacco where the recombinases are under the control of germline‐specific promoters.

We find that the expression of these recombinases results mostly in gene silencing rather than gene deletion. Using the Cre/loxP system as a model, we reveal that the region flanked by loxP sites (floxed) is hypermethylated, which prevents floxed genes from deletion while silencing the expression of the genes. We further show CG methylation alone in the recombinase binding element of the loxP site is unable to impede gene deletion; instead, CHH methylation in the crossover region is required to inhibit loxP recombination.

Our study illustrates the important role of recombinase‐induced DNA methylation in the inhibition of site‐specific DNA recombination and uncovers the mechanism underlying recombinase‐associated gene silence in plants.
Enablers and barriers to women's lifestyle behavior change during the preconception period: A systematic review
Authors: Kandel Pragya , Lim Siew , Pirotta Stephanie , Skouteris Helen , Moran Lisa J. , Hill Briony 
Published: March 2021

SummaryHealthy lifestyle behaviors during the preconception period are important to optimize maternal and child outcomes, including weight. However, the majority of women do not have optimal preconception lifestyle behaviors. This systematic review explored enablers and barriers to women's preconception lifestyle behaviors using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM‐B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Preconception was defined as the time before conception, capturing planned and unplanned pregnancies. Medline Complete, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched for peer‐reviewed, quantitative and qualitative primary studies (English, 2006–2020) that explored enablers and barriers to lifestyle behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, supplement intake). Forty‐two studies (of 3406) were included, assessing supplement use (n = 37), diet (n = 10), smoking (n = 10), alcohol use (n = 8), and physical activity (n = 5). All three COM‐B components were identified only for diet and supplement use. Of the 14 TDF domains, 7 were identified: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, goals, intentions, social support, and environmental context and resources. The presence/absence of knowledge on healthy behaviors was the most commonly assessed enabler/barrier. Future studies should explore a wider range of factors influencing preconception women's capability, opportunity, and motivation to modify their lifestyle behaviors.
Reducing the wait: TCV can expand the donor pool for heart transplant candidates
Authors: Szugye Nicholas A. , Moore Ryan A. , Dani Alia , Lorts Angela , Zafar Farhan , Morales David L. S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA 16‐year‐old with new‐onset dilated cardiomyopathy underwent VAD placement, later complicated by low flow from outflow graft kinking. To expedite heart transplantation, TCV was calculated and compared with 141 normal patients pinpointing the upper weight threshold. He was transplanted 2 days later within the expanded weight range with no post‐transplant complications.
What makes university students perfectionists? The role of childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, academic anxiety, and social support
Authors: Dobos Bianka , Piko Bettina F. , Mellor David 
Published: March 2021

While most studies concentrate on the negative psychological consequences of perfectionism, we know less about its antecedents. This study examined the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, difficulties in emotion regulation, academic anxiety and social support and maladaptive perfectionism among university students. A large sample of 1,750 students (81% female; M = 21.6 years, SD = 4.8) completed an online self‐report survey assessing these constructs. Relative to males, female participants recorded higher scores for difficulties in emotion regulation, perceived social support and debilitating anxiety but not for perfectionism. In line with previous studies, perfectionism was positively related to difficulties in emotion regulation and childhood trauma, with the former being the stronger predictive variable. Debilitating academic anxiety was also a positive but much weaker contributor. In contrast, perceived social support was a significant negative predictor of perfectionism, suggesting that perfectionists can benefit from social connections. Age and gender did not play a role in perfectionism scores. These findings draw attention to the predictive role of emotion regulation and childhood adverse experiences in maladaptive perfectionism and stimulate further research into exploring its association with social support and test anxiety.
Brucellosis in transplant recipients: A systematic review
Authors: Rabiei Mohammad M. , Imanzade Fariba , Hatami Firouze , Hesami Hamed , Irvani Seyed S. N. , Alavi Darazam Ilad 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundBrucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Brucella species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brucellosis in all types of transplant patients.MethodsAll the cases of brucellosis in transplant patients with no time and language limitations were searched and retrieved on May 20, 2020, using the following search keywords: (Brucella OR Brucellosis) AND (Transplant OR Transplantation) through the following medical databases: Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and regional databases, for example, SID. All clinical features, including the time of transmission (before, during, and after transplantation), treatment protocols and medications, and patients’ outcomes were investigated.ResultsA total of 14 cases reported in 14 studies (out of 777 studies) were retrieved. Kidney (50%), liver (28.5%), and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (14.2%) were the most reported types of transplantation. The presentation of brucellosis in 42.8% of the patients occurred in the early post‐transplantation period, whereas 57.1% of the cases presented with late onset disease.ConclusionBrucellosis in transplant recipients seems to be uncommon even in the endemic regions. However, rare cases could be transmitted through bone marrow transplantation and transfusion. Precise screening and meticulous supervision during and after transplantation might lead to a reduction in the frequency of brucellosis.
An Experimental and Computational Study on the Low Velocity Impact-Induced Damage of a Highly Anisotropic Laminated Composite Panel
Authors: Lin Shiyao , Waas Anthony M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The low velocity impact (LVI)-induced damage of a highly anisotropic laminate [0/90/0/909]s has been studied experimentally and numerically. The purpose of the analyses of this laminate is that this stacking sequence resembles a sandwich composite panel, in the sense that the [0/90/0] outer layers serve as the “face sheet” while the inner 18 plies of 90 deg layers serve as the “core.” The LVI-induced damage pattern of this laminate is unique and referred to as the “kidney” shape. The “kidney” shape damage is caused by a strong interaction between matrix transverse cracking and delamination, hence is challenging to be computationally captured. The enhanced Schapery theory (EST) model has been improved with the capability to model material inelasticity, as well as a novel mixed-mode cohesive law, to tackle this problem. EST with inelasticity (EST-InELA) is shown to be able to predict load responses and damage morphology accurately and efficiently. The aim of this paper is to provide a challenging LVI case to examine and calibrate computational models.
Carbonization of Cellulose in Supercritical CO2 for Value-Added Carbon
Authors: Burra Kiran G. , Daristotle Nick , Gupta Ashwani K. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, carbonization of biomass in the presence of supercritical CO2 is investigated to obtain carbon solids with enhanced properties and potential to provide a sustainable pathway for high-value solid products which are currently resourced from expensive and carbon driven fossil-fuel routes. Carbonization of cellulose was carried out in supercritical CO2 at temperatures of 523 K and 623 K at ∼100 bar pressure in a stirred reactor for 1–8 h of residence times. The obtained solid residue was characterized for morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface graphitization using Raman spectroscopy, thermal stability using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and crystallinity using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The solid chars were found to be dominated by clusters of microspheres (&lt;5 μm), especially at temperatures of 623 K. Raman spectroscopy revealed the formation of graphitic crystallite units connected by sp3 carbons (i.e., aliphatic) suggesting significant graphitization. G-band peak ratio was found to be highest for a residence time of 5 h for both the temperatures. TGA data revealed that higher carbonization temperature led to higher thermal decomposition peaks of the chars. The peak value of thermal decomposition ranged between 700 and 800 K for char obtained at 523 K and between 750 and 900 K for char at 623 K. The values were significantly higher than the decomposition peak cellulose at ∼610 K. Proximate analysis results revealed significant increase of fixed carbon content compared with cellulose. Fixed carbon to volatile content ratios revealed increase from 0.052 in cellulose to values ranging from 1.4 to 4.3 making these chars similar in character to coal (with ranking of bituminous coal and petroleum coke). The net yield of solid chars from carbonization was around 50–66% depending upon the extent of carbonization. These results suggest this pathway to produce high yields of high-quality carbon solids with low volatile content, high thermal stability, and significant graphitization. The graphitized carbon offers potential applications in catalysis, electrode materials, pollutant absorption, and energy storage and solid fuels while avoiding drying to remove moisture unlike pyrolysis.
Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion by Flow-Induced Oscillation of Two Tandem Cylinders of Different Stiffness
Authors: Yuan Wenyong , Sun Hai , Kim Eun Soo , Li Hui , Beltsos Nicholas , Bernitsas Michael M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe vortex-induced vibration for aquatic clean energy (VIVACE) converter harnesses hydrokinetic energy by enhancing flow-induced oscillations (FIOs) of elastically supported rigid cylinders in a river, tide, or ocean current. The harnessing power depends on the intensity of the oscillation, which is a consequence of the flow–structure interaction. The inflow condition for the downstream (second) cylinder is slowed down and perturbed by the upstream (first) cylinder, due to the shielding effect. Therefore, the optimal structural parameters, i.e., stiffness and damping ratio, for the second cylinder may be different from the first cylinder, in terms of energy harnessing. To improve the performance of the VIVACE converter, a series of experiments are conducted in a recirculating water channel, with various stiffness combinations of two cylinders in tandem. Results show that the stiffness of the second cylinder, K2, does not affect the energy harnessing power in vortex-induced vibration (VIV) occurring at low speeds, because the oscillation of the downstream cylinder in this velocity range is completely dominated by the wake of the upstream cylinder. K2 has a great influence on the harnessing power at higher velocities in the transition region from VIV to galloping and in galloping. Changing K2 onsets and enhances galloping at lower flow velocity and harnesses up to 110% more energy than the case of K1 = K2.
Sequential Sampling Framework for Metamodeling Uncertainty Reduction in Multilevel Optimization of Hierarchical Systems
Authors: Xu Can , Zhu Ping , Liu Zhao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Metamodels instead of computer simulations are often adopted to reduce the computational cost in the uncertainty-based multilevel optimization. However, metamodel techniques may bring prediction discrepancy, which is defined as metamodeling uncertainty, due to the limited training data. An unreliable solution will be obtained when the metamodeling uncertainty is ignored, while an overly conservative solution, which contradicts the original intension of the design, may be got when both parametric and metamodeling uncertainty are treated concurrently. Hence, an adaptive sequential sampling framework is developed for the metamodeling uncertainty reduction of multilevel systems to obtain a solution that approximates the true solution. Based on the Kriging model for the probabilistic analytical target cascading (ATC), the proposed framework establishes a revised objective-oriented sampling criterion and sub-model selection criterion, which can realize the location of additional samples and the selection of subsystem requiring sequential samples. Within the sampling criterion, the metamodeling uncertainty is decomposed by the Karhunen–Loeve expansion into a set of stochastic variables, and then polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) is used for uncertainty quantification (UQ). The polynomial coefficients are encoded and integrated in the selection criterion to obtain subset sensitivity indices for the sub-model selection. The effectiveness of the developed framework for metamodeling uncertainty reduction is demonstrated on a mathematical example and an application.
Effect of Photobiomodulation on Critical Swimming Velocity: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Teixeira Cesar L. , Mezzaroba Paulo V. , Machado Fabiana A. 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To analyze the acute effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) on swimming critical velocity (CV). Methods: A total of 15 male federated swimmers (20.9 [2.4] y old) participated in this study. Three sets of front crawl were performed at distances of 100, 200, and 400 m to determine the CV under 3 experimental conditions: PBM (420 J), placebo (PLA), and control (C) in this randomized, crossover, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. One-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements was used for statistical analyses. Results: The results showed that the prior application of PBM did not have ergogenic effects on CV and front crawl swimming performance: CV (PBM = 1.15 [0.15]; PLA = 1.20 [0.25]; C = 1.15 [0.14] m·s−1), swim time (ST) 100 m (PBM = 65.5 [6.3]; PLA = 65.2 [5.6]; C = 66.0 [5.9] s), ST 200 m (PBM = 148.5 [17.9]; PLA = 149.4 [16.4]; C = 150.1 [17.9] s), and ST 400 m (PBM = 327.7 [38.2]; PLA = 321.6 [47.7]; C = 329.5 [41.2] s). Conclusions: A PBM application prior to front crawl swimming test did not significantly modify the CV, ST, physiological factors of metabolic fatigue, perceptual, and front crawl stroke efficiency parameters in competition swimmers covering distances of 100, 200, and 400 m.
Quantitative analysis of the sedimentary architecture of eolian successions developed under icehouse and greenhouse climatic conditions
Authors: Cosgrove Grace I.E. , Colombera Luca , Mountney Nigel P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe continental terrestrial record preserves an archive of how ancient sedimentary systems respond to and record changes in global climate. A database-driven quantitative assessment reveals differences in the preserved sedimentary architectures of siliciclastic eolian systems with broad geographic and stratigraphic distribution that developed under icehouse versus greenhouse climatic conditions. Over 5600 geological entities, including architectural elements, facies, sediment textures, and bounding surfaces, have been analyzed from 34 eolian systems of Paleoproterozoic to Cenozoic ages. Statistical analyses have been performed on the abundance, composition, preserved thickness, and arrangement of different eolian lithofacies, architectural elements, and bounding surfaces. Results demonstrate that preserved sedimentary architectures of icehouse and greenhouse systems differ markedly. Eolian dune, sand sheet, and interdune architectural elements that accumulated under icehouse conditions are significantly thinner relative to their greenhouse counterparts; this is observed across all basin settings, supercontinents, geological ages, and dune field physiographic settings. However, this difference between icehouse and greenhouse eolian systems is exclusively observed for paleolatitudes &lt;30°, which suggests that climate-induced changes in the strength and circulation patterns of trade winds may have partly controlled eolian sand accumulation. These changes acted in combination with variations in water table levels, sand supply, and sand transport, ultimately influencing the nature of long-term sediment preservation. During icehouse episodes, Milankovitch cyclicity resulted in deposits typified by glacial accumulation and interglacial deflation. Greenhouse conditions promoted the accumulation of eolian elements into the geological record due to elevated water tables and biogenic- and chemical-stabilizing agents, which could protect deposits from wind-driven deflation. In the context of a rapidly changing climate, the results presented here can help predict the impact of climate change on Earth surface processes.