bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining abilities and elite germplasm enhancement across U.S. public sorghum breeding programs
Authors: Fonseca Jales M. O. , Perumal Ramasamy , Klein Patricia E. , Klein Robert R. , Rooney William L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractFor mature breeding programs, maintaining genetic variation in elite germplasm requires a continual assessment of the most efficient methods to maximize functional genetic variation while improving productivity. This research assessed the relative value (defined as population means and variances) derived from elite germplasm exchange between distinct public breeding programs. Ten elite A‐ and R‐lines from Texas A&M and Kansas State sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) breeding programs were crossed in a factorial design to generate 100 hybrids. Hybrid combinations were grouped to represent hybrids within and across programs. Grain yield, plant height, and days to anthesis were measured in 10 environments over 2 yr. Combining abilities and their interactions with the environment were assessed. Combined analysis detected significant effects for all traits, but genetic effects for grain yield were not consistently significant within each group of hybrid combinations. Hybrids derived from only Texas inbreds had limited genetic variation for grain yield but the highest mean of all four groups; hybrids derived from only Kansas inbreds produced moderate genetic variation but lower grain yield potential. Maximum genetic variation for grain yield and plant height occurred when Kansas A‐lines were crossed to Texas R‐lines, whereas hybrids between Texas A‐lines and Kansas R‐lines maximized variation for days to antheses. Results demonstrated the potential benefit from crossing elite inbred parents derived from distinct breeding programs to increase genetic variation and enhance agronomic performance.
Organizations' engagement with sustainable development goals: Fromcherry‐pickingto SDG‐washing?
Authors: Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Urbieta Laida , Boiral Olivier 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes the organizational engagement with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), an initiative for corporate social responsibility also referred to as the 2030 Agenda. Engagement with the SDGs by organizations all around the world, whatever their sector and size, has attracted a lot of media interest and heightened expectations. Nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical work that sheds light on the commitment to this initiative at the organizational level. In order to fill this gap, this article examines the characteristics of engagement with the SDGs of 1370 organizations from 97 countries, taking data from their sustainability reports. The study looks at how and why organizations engage with the SDGs, as well as the priority they assign to them. The findings point to a superficial engagement with the SDGs for the vast majority of organizations, which suggests a process of “SDG‐washing”. Implications for managers, public policy makers and other stakeholders are analyzed.
Head injury is associated with tau deposition on PET in MCI and AD patients
Authors: Risacher Shannon L. , West John D. , Deardorff Rachael , Gao Sujuan , Farlow Martin R. , Brosch Jared R. , Apostolova Liana G. , McAllister Thomas W. , Wu Yu‐Chien , Jagust William J. , Landau Susan M. , Weiner Michael W. , Saykin Andrew J. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative#
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionHead injuries (HI) are a risk factor for dementia, but the underlying etiology is not fully known. Understanding whether tau might mediate this relationship is important.MethodsCognition and tau deposition were compared between 752 individuals with (impaired, n = 302) or without cognitive impairment (CN, n = 450) with amyloid and [18F]flortaucipir positron emission tomography, HI history information, and cognitive testing from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and the Indiana Memory and Aging Study.ResultsSixty‐three (38 CN, 25 impaired) reported a history of HI. Higher neuropsychiatric scores and poorer memory were observed in those with a history of HI. Tau was higher in individuals with a history of HI, especially those who experienced a loss of consciousness (LOC). Results were driven by impaired individuals, especially amyloid beta‐positive individuals with history of HI with LOC.DiscussionThese findings suggest biological changes, such as greater tau, are associated with HI in individuals with cognitive impairment. Small effect sizes were observed; thus, further studies should replicate and extend these results.
Per‐oral endoscopic myotomy as treatment for Killian–Jamieson diverticulum
Authors: Shimamura Yuto , Fujiyoshi Mary Raina Angeli , Fujiyoshi Yusuke , Nishikawa Yohei , Ono Masashi , Owada Kaori , Ikeda Haruo , Onimaru Manabu , Inoue Haruhiro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractKillian–Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) is a rare type of esophageal diverticulum less commonly encountered compared with Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). Endoscopic approach for these diverticula has been rapidly evolving. Currently, a flexible endoscopic septum division is considered the first‐line treatment for symptomatic ZD patients, however reported recurrence rates are over 10% according to recent literature. With the advent of submucosal tunneling technique established by per‐oral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia, it has been applied to treat ZD named as Zenker's diverticulum per‐oral endoscopic myotomy (Z‐POEM) as a minimally invasive treatment. Although there are very few reports utilizing submucosal tunneling approach to KJD, we have opted to perform Z‐POEM in order to safely perform complete dissection of the muscle septum while maintaining mucosal integration. Due to the difficulty of anatomical location of KJD, we created mucosal incision and subsequent submucosal tunnel directly at the level of the septum as opposed to creating a submucosal tunnel few centimeters proximal to the septum as being previously proposed. We report a case in which this technique was successfully performed with complete resolution of dysphagia without any adverse event. This technique permits to perform complete myotomies without the fear of causing perforation. Although larger cohorts are required to assess its safety and efficacy, Z‐POEM to treat KJD seems to be promising.
Beyond the single index: Investigating ecological mechanisms underpinning ecosystem multifunctionality with network analysis
Authors: Siwicka Ewa , Gladstone‐Gallagher Rebecca , Hewitt Judi E. , Thrush Simon F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEcosystems simultaneously deliver multiple functions that relate to both the activities of resident species and environmental conditions. One of the biggest challenges in multifunctionality assessment is balancing analytical simplicity with ecosystem complexity. As an alternative to index‐based approaches, we introduce a multivariate network analysis that uses network theory to assess multifunctionality in terms of the relationships between species' functional traits, environmental characteristics, and functions. We tested our approach in a complex and heterogeneous ecosystem, marine intertidal sandflats. We considered eight ecosystem function, five macrofaunal functional trait groups derived from 36 species, and four environmental characteristics. The indicators of ecosystem functions included the standing stock of primary producers, oxygen production, benthic oxygen consumption, DIN (ammonium and NOx efflux) and phosphate release from the sediments, denitrification, and organic matter degradation at the sediment surface. Trait clusters included functional groups of species that shared combinations of biological traits that affect ecosystem function: small mobile top 2 cm dwellers, suspension feeders, deep‐dwelling worms, hard‐bodied surface dwellers, and tube‐forming worms. Environmental characteristics included sediment organic matter, %mud, %shell hash, and %sediment water content. Our results visualize and quantify how multiple ecosystem elements are connected and contribute to the provision of functions. Small mobile top 2 cm dwellers (among trait clusters) and %mud (among environmental characteristics) were the best predictor for multiple functions. Detailed knowledge of multifunctionality relationships can significantly increase our understanding of the real‐world complexity of natural ecosystems. Multivariate network analysis, as a standalone method or applied alongside already existing single index multifunctionality methods, provides means to advance our understanding of how environmental change and biodiversity loss can influence ecosystem performance across multiple dimensions of functionality. Embedding such a detailed yet holistic multifunctionality assessment in environmental decision‐making will support the assessment of multiple ecosystem services and social‐ecological values.
Temperature affects the repeatability of evolution in the microbial eukaryote Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Tarkington Jason , Zufall Rebecca A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEvolutionary biologists have long sought to understand what factors affect the repeatability of adaptive outcomes. To better understand the role of temperature in determining the repeatability of adaptive trajectories, we evolved populations of different genotypes of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila at low and high temperatures and followed changes in growth rate over 6,500 generations. As expected, growth rate increased with a decelerating rate for all populations; however, there were differences in the patterns of evolution at the two temperatures. The growth rates of the different genotypes tended to converge as evolution proceeded at both temperatures, but this convergence was quicker and more pronounced at the higher temperature. Additionally, over the first 4,000 generations we found greater repeatability of evolution, in terms of change in growth rate, among replicates of the same genotype at the higher temperature. Finally, we found limited evidence of trade‐offs in fitness between temperatures, and an asymmetry in the correlated responses, whereby evolution in a high temperature increases growth rate at the lower temperature significantly more than the reverse. These results demonstrate the importance of temperature in determining the repeatability of evolutionary trajectories for the eukaryotic microbe Tetrahymena thermophila and may provide clues to how temperature affects evolution more generally.
Inhibition of aluminum‐silicon alloy dust explosion and flame byKH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder
Authors: Xiao Qin , Meng Xiangbao , Li Zhiyong , Ma Xuesong , Yan Ke , Wang Zheng 
Published: August 2021

SummaryTo obtain a good explosive suppressant, KH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder was prepared by the solvent‐antisolvent method by using montmorillonite as the carrier and KH2PO4as the supported particles. Flame propagation inhibition and explosion inhibition of aluminum‐silicon alloy dust by the KH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder were investigated in a vertical quartz glass combustion tube and 20‐L spherical explosive tank, respectively. The results showed that the flame propagation of aluminum‐silicon alloy dust was basically suppressed as the inerting ratio of KH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder was 1.2, and the explosion of aluminum‐silicon alloy dust was basically inhibited as the inerting ratio of KH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder was 1.8. The flame and explosion inhibition mechanism of KH2PO4/montmorillonite composite powder on aluminum‐silicon alloy dust was further analyzed in this paper.
Recurrent NF1 gene variants and their genotype/phenotype correlations in patients with Neurofibromatosis type I
Authors: Riva Matteo , Martorana Davide , Uliana Vera , Caleffi Edoardo , Boschi Elena , Garavelli Livia , Ponti Giovanni , Sangiorgi Luca , Graziano Claudio , Bigoni Stefania , Rocchetti Luca Maria , Madeo Simona , Soli Fiorenza , Grosso Enrico , Carli Diana , Goldoni Matteo , Pisani Francesco , Percesepe Antonio 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNeurofibromatosis type I, a genetic condition due to pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene, is burdened by a high rate of complications, including neoplasms, which increase morbidity and mortality for the disease. We retrospectively re‐evaluated the NF1 gene variants found in the period 2000–2019 and we studied for genotype/phenotype correlations of disease complications and neoplasms 34 variants, which were shared by at least two unrelated families (range 2–11) for a total 141 of probands and 21 relatives affected by Neurofibromatosis type I. Recurrent variants could be ascribed to the most common mutational mechanisms (C to T transition, microsatellite slippage, non‐homologous recombination). In genotype/phenotype correlations, the variants p.Arg440*, p.Tyr489Cys, and p.Arg1947*, together with the gross gene deletions, displayed the highest rates of complications. When considering neoplasms, carriers of variants falling in the extradomain region at the 5′ end of NF1 had a lower age‐related cancer frequency than the rest of the gene sequence, showing a borderline significance (p = 0.045), which was not conserved after correction with covariates. We conclude that (1) hotspots in NF1 occur via different mutational mechanisms, (2) several variants are associated with high rates of complications and cancers, and (3) there is an initial evidence toward a lower cancer risk for carriers of variants in the 5′ end of the NF1 gene although not significant at the multivariate analysis.
Thermotectonic constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the Pindos fold‐and‐thrust‐belt by low‐temperature (U–Th)/He thermochronometry
Authors: Athanassas Constantin D. , Papanikolaou Dimitrios I. , Falkowski Sarah , Papanikolaou Ioannis D. , Ntokos Dimitrios 
Published: August 2021

This study presents new thermochronometric data to constrain the cooling history of the Pindos fold‐and‐thrust‐belt (PFTB) on the NW Peloponnese, and the timing of nappe stacking in the external Hellenides in western Greece. Low‐temperature thermochronology was performed on apatite and zircon minerals extracted from basal exposures of the PFBT in Mt. Erymanthos (NW Peloponnese) using the (U‐Th)/He system. Three bedrock samples collected from a profile across the strike of the PFBT returned thermochronometric ages for the apatite (AHe) between 15 and 9 Ma, while for the zircon (ZHe) the ages are interpreted as unreset (or partially reset). The AHe ages are interpreted as cooling ages related to the Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the PFTB. Thermal models generated in this research demonstrate two phases of geodynamic evolution of the PFBT during the Cenozoic: an early one associated with the heating of the fold‐and‐thrust belt during 40–20 Ma and a later one associated with fast cooling from 20 Ma onwards. Heating is attributed to the structural thickening of the PFTB while cooling is associated with enhanced uplift and exhumation, which became widespread in Erymanthos by 9 Ma. The initiation of cooling on Mt. Erymanthos echoes the substantial geometric remodelling that underwent the Hellenic arc during the Middle Miocene, associated with slab rollback and arc extension, and is connected to the underplating of the internal segments of the external platform (Gavrovo‐Tripolis unit) by the external metamorphic segments (Mani and Arna units). The current inverse thermal modelling offers the first continuous description of the geodynamic evolution of the most prominent fold‐and‐thrust belt of the Hellenides, from the oceanic stage through basin inversion to uplift and orogen decay.
Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging techniques in mild traumatic brain injury research and diagnosis
Authors: Lunkova Ekaterina , Guberman Guido I. , Ptito Alain , Saluja Rajeet Singh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), frequently referred to as concussion, is one of the most common neurological disorders. The underlying neural mechanisms of functional disturbances in the brains of concussed individuals remain elusive. Novel forms of brain imaging have been developed to assess patients postconcussion, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI), diffusion MRI (dMRI), and perfusion MRI [arterial spin labeling (ASL)], but results have been mixed with a more common utilization in the research environment and a slower integration into the clinical setting. In this review, the benefits and drawbacks of the methods are described: fMRI is an effective method in the diagnosis of concussion but it is expensive and time‐consuming making it difficult for regular use in everyday practice; SWI allows detection of microhemorrhages in acute and chronic phases of concussion; dMRI is primarily used for the detection of white matter abnormalities, especially axonal injury, specific for mTBI; and ASL is an alternative to the BOLD method with its ability to track cerebral blood flow alterations. Thus, the absence of a universal diagnostic neuroimaging method suggests a need for the adoption of a multimodal approach to the neuroimaging of mTBI. Taken together, these methods, with their underlying functional and structural features, can contribute from different angles to a deeper understanding of mTBI mechanisms such that a comprehensive diagnosis of mTBI becomes feasible for the clinician.
Modeling the Covid‐19 epidemic using time series econometrics
Authors: Goliński Adam , Spencer Peter 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe classic “logistic” model has provided a realistic model of the behaviour of Covid‐19 in China and many East Asian countries. Once these countries passed the peak, the daily case count fell back, mirroring its initial climb in a symmetric way, just as the classic model predicts. However, in Italy and Spain and most other Western countries, the first wave of the epidemic was very different. The daily count fell back gradually from the peak but remained stubbornly high. The reason for the divergence from the classical model remain unclear. We take an empirical stance on this issue and develop a model framework based upon the statistical characteristics of the time series. With the possible exception of China, the workhorse logistic model is decisively rejected against more flexible alternatives.
Western Diet Changes Gut Microbiota and Ameliorates Liver Injury in a Mouse Model with Human‐Like Bile Acid Composition
Authors: Iwamoto Junichi , Honda Akira , Miyazaki Teruo , Monma Tadakuni , Ueda Hajime , Morishita Yukio , Yara Sho‐ichiro , Hirayama Takeshi , Ikegami Tadashi 
Published: August 2021

Western‐style high‐fat/high‐sucrose diet (HFHSD) changes gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) profiles. Because gut microbiota and BAs could influence each other, the mechanism of changes in both by HFHSD is complicated and remains unclear. We first aimed to clarify the roles of BAs in the HFHSD‐induced change of gut microbiota. Then, we studied the effects of the changed gut microbiota on BA composition and liver function. Male wild‐type (WT) and human‐like Cyp2a12/Cyp2c70 double knockout (DKO) mice derived from C57BL/6J were fed with normal chow or HFHSD for 4 weeks. Gut microbiomes were analyzed by fecal 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and BA composition was determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The DKO mice exhibited significantly reduced fecal BA concentration, lacked muricholic acids, and increased proportions of chenodeoxycholic and lithocholic acids. Despite the marked difference in the fecal BA composition, the profiles of gut microbiota in the two mouse models were quite similar. An HFHSD resulted in a significant increase in the BA pool and fecal BA excretion in WT mice but not in DKO mice. However, microbial composition in the two mouse models was drastically but similarly changed by the HFHSD. In addition, the HFHSD‐induced change of gut microbiota inhibited BA deconjugation and 7α‐dehydroxylation in both types of mice, which improved chronic liver injury observed in DKO mice. Conclusion: The HFHSD itself causes the change of gut microbiota due to HFHSD, and the altered composition or concentration of BAs by HFHSD is not the primary factor. On the contrary, the gut microbiota formed by HFHSD affects BA composition and ameliorates liver injury in the mouse model with human‐like hydrophobic BA composition.
Cognitive Impairment and Physical Frailty in Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Berry Kacey , Duarte‐Rojo Andres , Grab Joshua D. , Dunn Michael A. , Boyarsky Brian J. , Verna Elizabeth C. , Kappus Matthew R. , Volk Michael L. , McAdams‐DeMarco Mara , Segev Dorry L. , Ganger Daniel R. , Ladner Daniela P. , Shui Amy , Tincopa Monica A. , Rahimi Robert S. , Lai Jennifer C. ,   from the Multi‐Center Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation (FrAILT) Study
Published: August 2021

Physical frailty and impaired cognition are common in patients with cirrhosis. Physical frailty can be assessed using performance‐based tests, but the extent to which impaired cognition may impact performance is not well characterized. We assessed the relationship between impaired cognition and physical frailty in patients with cirrhosis. We enrolled 1,623 ambulatory adult patients with cirrhosis waiting for liver transplantation at 10 sites. Frailty was assessed with the liver frailty index (LFI; “frail,” LFI ≥ 4.4). Cognition was assessed at the same visit with the number connection test (NCT); continuous “impaired cognition” was examined in primary analysis, with longer NCT (more seconds) indicating worse impaired cognition. For descriptive statistics, “impaired cognition” was NCT ≥ 45 seconds. Linear regression associated frailty and impaired cognition; competing risk regression estimated subhazard ratios (sHRs) of wait‐list mortality (i.e., death/delisting for sickness). Median NCT was 41 seconds, and 42% had impaired cognition. Median LFI (4.2 vs. 3.8) and rates of frailty (38% vs. 20%) differed between those with and without impaired cognition. In adjusted analysis, every 10‐second NCT increase associated with a 0.08‐LFI increase (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07‐0.10). In univariable analysis, both frailty (sHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.43‐1.87) and impaired cognition (sHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.10) associated with wait‐list mortality. After adjustment, frailty but not impaired cognition remained significantly associated with wait‐list mortality (sHR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.33‐1.79). Impaired cognition mediated 7.4% (95% CI, 2.0%‐16.4%) of the total effect of frailty on 1‐year wait‐list mortality. Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis with higher impaired cognition displayed higher rates of physical frailty, yet frailty independently associated with wait‐list mortality while impaired cognition did not. Our data provide evidence for using the LFI to understand mortality risk in patients with cirrhosis, even when concurrent impaired cognition varies.