bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying local‐scale meteorological conditions favorable to large fires in Brazil
Authors: Li Sihan , Rifai Sami , Anderson Liana O. , Sparrow Sarah 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study aims to investigate local‐scale meteorological conditions associated with large fires in Brazil during recent decades. We assess whether there are large fire types with preceding predictors. Our results show that large fires, defined with a threshold of a daily burned area >95th percentile of the historical record, mainly occur in August and September in Brazil, and Amazônia and Cerrado experience much higher numbers of large fires than the other biomes. There are two large fire types that have robust meteorological signatures: (1) a wind driven type, characterized by peak wind speed on the day of the fire, and anomalously high wind speed a few (∼3) days before and after the fire; and (2) a Hot‐Drought driven type, characterized by anomalously high temperature, low relative humidity, and consistent drought conditions indicated by anomalously high fuel aridity starting as far back as 5 months prior to the fires. A third one is characterized by no anomalous meteorological conditions. The wind driven type most frequently occurs in southern and southeastern Amazônia, Pantanal, and western and northern‐to‐central Cerrado, with some occurrences over the western Caatinga region bordering Cerrado, southern Cerrado, and southern Mata Atlântica; whereas the Hot‐Drought driven type most frequently occurs in southern and southeastern Amazônia, Pantanal and western and northern‐to‐central Cerrado, with some occurrences over the western Caatinga region bordering Cerrado, southern Cerrado, central‐to‐southern Mata Atlântica, and a few occurrences over Northern Brazil where the Amazônia meets Roraima. Southern and southeastern Amazônia, Pantanal and western and northern‐to‐central Cerrado are the major large fire prone regions. Our results highlight that understanding the temporal and spatial variability of the meteorological conditions associated with large fires is essential for developing spatially explicit forecasting, and future projections of large fire hazards under climate change in Brazil, in particular the Hot‐Drought driven type.
An optimal control approach to determine resistance‐type boundary conditions from in‐vivo data for cardiovascular simulations
Authors: Fevola Elisa , Ballarin Francesco , Jiménez‐Juan Laura , Fremes Stephen , Grivet‐Talocia Stefano , Rozza Gianluigi , Triverio Piero 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe choice of appropriate boundary conditions is a fundamental step in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the cardiovascular system. Boundary conditions, in fact, highly affect the computed pressure and flow rates, and consequently haemodynamic indicators such as wall shear stress (WSS), which are of clinical interest. Devising automated procedures for the selection of boundary conditions is vital to achieve repeatable simulations. However, the most common techniques do not automatically assimilate patient‐specific data, relying instead on expensive and time‐consuming manual tuning procedures. In this work, we propose a technique for the automated estimation of outlet boundary conditions based on optimal control. The values of resistive boundary conditions are set as control variables and optimized to match available patient‐specific data. Experimental results on four aortic arches demonstrate that the proposed framework can assimilate 4D‐Flow MRI data more accurately than two other common techniques based on Murray's law and Ohm's law.
Influence of CYP2C19 Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics of Omeprazole in Elderly Subjects
Authors: Na Joo Young , Jeon Inseung , Yoon Jangsoo , Choi Yewon , Yoon Seo Hyun , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Chung Jae‐Yong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOmeprazole blocks the gastric H+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase, thus inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19. Due to the physiological changes in the elderly, there are different pharmacokinetic consequences compared to young people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of omeprazole in 15 elderly participants according to the CYP2C19 genotype. The concentration‐time profiles of omeprazole and its metabolites, 5‐hydroxy (5‐OH) omeprazole and omeprazole sulfone, were similar between the CYP2C19 extensive metabolizer (EM) and intermediate metabolizer groups. In contrast, when comparing the EM group and CYP2C19 poor metabolizer (PM) group, the EM/PM geometric mean ratio (95% confidence interval) of area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time of dosing to the last measurable concentration was 0.52 (0.27‐1.01) and that of the IM group was 0.71 (0.32‐1.59), indicating that the exposure of omeprazole in the PM group was increased. The exposure of 5‐OH omeprazole was significantly decreased in the PM group when compared to the EM group, with an EM/PM geometric mean ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.20 (1.50‐3.22). In conclusion, the tendency of drug exposure according to the CYP2C19 genotype in the elderly and young adults was similar in that the exposure level was highest in the PM group. However, when compared to young adults, the difference between the genotype groups was smaller in the elderly.
Patterns and determinants of elephant attacks on humans in Nepal
Authors: Ram Ashok Kumar , Mondol Samrat , Subedi Naresh , Lamichhane Babu Ram , Baral Hem Sagar , Natarajan Laxminarayanan , Amin Rajan , Pandav Bivash 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAttacks on humans by Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is an extreme form of human–elephant conflict. It is a serious issue in southern lowland Nepal where elephant‐related human fatalities are higher than other wildlife. Detailed understanding of elephant attacks on humans in Nepal is still lacking, hindering to devising appropriate strategies for human–elephant conflict mitigation. This study documented spatiotemporal pattern of elephant attacks on humans, factors associated with the attacks, and human/elephant behavior contributing to deaths of victims when attacked. We compiled all the documented incidences of elephant attacks on humans in Nepal for last 20 years across Terai and Chure region of Nepal. We also visited and interviewed 412 victim families (274 fatalities and 138 injuries) on elephant attacks. Majority of the victims were males (87.86%) and had low level of education. One fourth of the elephant attacks occurred while chasing the elephants. Solitary bulls or group of subadult males were involved in most of the attack. We found higher number of attacks outside the protected area. People who were drunk and chasing elephants using firecrackers were more vulnerable to the fatalities. In contrast, chasing elephants using fire was negatively associated with the fatalities. Elephant attacks were concentrated in proximity of forests primarily affecting the socioeconomically marginalized communities. Integrated settlement, safe housing for marginalized community, and community grain house in the settlement should be promoted to reduce the confrontation between elephants and humans in entire landscape for their long‐term survival.
Epigenetic variation associated with responses to different habitats in the context of genetic divergence in Phragmites australis
Authors: Qiu Tian , Liu Zhiyuan , Yang Yunfei , Liu Bao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying heritable phenotypic divergence associated with adaptation in response to environmental stresses may involve both genetic and epigenetic variations. Several prior studies have revealed even higher levels of epigenetic variation than genetic variation. However, few population‐level studies have explored the effects of epigenetic variation on species with high levels of genetic diversity distributed across different habitats. Using AFLP and methylation‐sensitive AFLP markers, we tested the hypothesis that epigenetic variation may contribute to differences in plants occupying different habitats when genetic variation alone cannot fully explain adaptation. As a cosmopolitan invasive species, Phragmites australis (common reed) together with high genetic diversity and remarkable adaptability has been suggested as a model for responses to global change and indicators of environmental fluctuations. We found high levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity and significant genetic/epigenetic structure within each of 12 studied populations sampled from four natural habitats of P. australis. Possible adaptive epigenetic variation was suggested by significant correlations between DNA methylation‐based epigenetic differentiation and adaptive genetic divergence in populations across the habitats. Meanwhile, various AMOVAs indicated that some epigenetic differences may respond to various local habitats. A partial Mantel test was used to tease out the correlations between genetic/epigenetic variation and habitat after controlling for the correlation between genetic and epigenetic variations. We found that epigenetic diversity was affected mostly by soil nutrient availability, suggesting that at least some epigenetic differentiation occurred independently of genetic variation. We also found stronger correlations between epigenetic variation and phenotypic traits than between genetic variation and such traits. Overall, our findings indicate that genetically based differentiation correlates with heterogeneous habitats, while epigenetic variation plays an important role in ecological differentiation in natural populations of P. australis. In addition, our results suggest that when assessing global change responses of plant species, intraspecific variation needs to be considered.
Preliminary assessment of cavity‐nesting Hymenopterans in a low‐intensity agricultural landscape in Transylvania
Authors: Lajos Károly , Demeter Imre , Mák Róbert , Balog Adalbert , Sárospataki Miklós 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, our aim was to assess several traits of cavity‐nesting Hymenopteran taxa in a low‐intensity agricultural landscape in Transylvania. The study took place between May and August 2018 at eight study sites in the hilly mountainous central part of Romania, where the majority of the landscape is used for extensive farming or forestry. During the processing of the trap nest material, we recorded several traits regarding the nests of different cavity‐nesting Hymenopteran taxa and the spider prey found inside the nests of the spider‐hunting representatives of these taxa. We also evaluated the relationship between the edge density and proportion of low‐intensity agricultural areas surrounding the study sites and some of these traits.The majority of nests were built by the solitary wasp genus Trypoxylon, followed by the solitary wasp taxa Dipogon and Eumeninae. Solitary bees were much less common, with Hylaeus being the most abundant genus. In the nests of Trypoxylon, we mostly found spider prey from the family of Araneidae, followed by specimens from the families of Linyphiidae and Theridiidae. In the nests of Dipogon, we predominantly encountered spider prey from the family of Thomisidae. We found significant effects of low‐intensity agricultural areas for the genera of Auplopus, Megachile, Osmia, and the Thomisid prey of Dipogon. We also found that the spider prey of Trypoxylon was significantly more diverse at study sites with higher proportions of low‐intensity agricultural areas.Our results indicate that solitary bees seem to be more abundant in areas, where the influence of human activities is stronger, while solitary wasps seem to rather avoid these areas. Therefore, we suggest that future studies not only should put more effort into sampling in low‐intensity agricultural landscapes but also focus more on solitary wasp taxa, when sampling such an area.
The role of individual behavioral traits on fishway passage attempt behavior
Authors: Lothian Angus J. , Lucas Martyn C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractVariations in behavioral traits are widely recognized to drive animal behaviors exhibited within a population. However, information on how behavior traits influence behavior in anthropogenically modified habitats is lacking. Many habitats have become highly fragmented as a result of human processes. To mitigate this and improve habitat connectivity, wildlife passes are increasingly employed, with the aim of enabling animals to move freely between habitats. However, wildlife passes (e.g., fishways) are not always effective in achieving passage and it remains uncertain what factors play a role in an individual's likelihood of passing successfully. This study measured three behavioral traits (boldness, exploration, and activity) in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta; n = 78) under field conditions within a river and tested whether these behavior traits influenced both the passage success and the behaviors exhibited during upstream fishway passage attempts. Although behavioral traits were found and collapsed into two behavioral trait dimensions, behavioral traits had low repeatability and so did not contribute to a personality spectrum. Boldness was found to negatively influence the number of passage attempts carried out by an individual and to positively influence passage success, with bolder individuals carrying out fewer attempts and having an increased probability of passage success. No behavioral traits were found to be related to other passage metrics (passage success, Time until First Attempt, and Passage Duration) during the first passage. But all three behavioral traits were significantly negatively related to the changes in passage behaviors at consecutive, successful passage attempts, with bolder, more exploratory and more active individuals passing through a fishway quicker on the second passage than on the first. This study suggests that bolder and more active individuals may perform better during fishway passage attempts, particularly within rivers where multiple barriers to movement exist.
Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices do not worsen endothelial function in subjects with chronic heart failure: a pilot study
Authors: Cortese Francesca , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Gesualdo Michele , Iacoviello Massimo , Frigerio Maria , Cipriani Manlio , Giannattasio Cristina , Maloberti Alessandro , Giordano Paola 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimsTo evaluate endothelial function in subjects with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), comparing them with subjects with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction on the list for heart transplant (HT) and with HT patients with a normal systolic cardiac function to identify any differences.MethodsWe enrolled 28 subjects with LVAD, 55 subjects with HT, and 42 subjects with heart failure on the transplant list. The subjects underwent a general physical examination, assessment of laboratory blood parameters, and assessment of endothelial function through flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) of brachial artery.ResultsThe three groups were homogeneous as regards age, gender, smoke abuse, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and FMD parameters (P = ns). In LVAD group percentage of FMD change showed an inverse correlation with CRP (rho: −0.5, P: 0.003), a well‐known marker of inflammation and tissue damage.ConclusionsContinuous flow related to LVAD seems to not worsen endothelial function. Endothelial function was not affected by cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco habit), by the functional status expressed by New York Heart Association class, by the left ventricular systolic function and by the presence or absence of ischaemic heart disease in all the populations analysed. CRP was the only factor able to influence percentage of FMD change in patient with LVAD, reinforcing the hypothesis that inflammation is the main determinant of endothelial function.
C‐5 Aryl Substituted Azaspirooxindolinones Derivatives: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation as Potential Inhibitors of Tec Family Kinases
Authors: Mudasani Gopal , Paidikondala Kalyani , Gurská Soňa , Maddirala Shambabu Joseph , Džubák Petr , Das Viswanath , Gundla Rambabu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe interleukin‐2‐inducible kinase (ITK) and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) are two crucial Tec family kinase members with important roles in the development of hematopoietic malignancies, autoimmune disorders and other diseases in humans. Thus, ITK and BTK are key targets for drug development. Spirooxindoles are important scaffolds for the synthesis of small molecules with broad and potent biological activities. In this study, we performed a structure‐activity relationship study of a new series of 5′‐(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)spiro[piperidine‐4,3′‐pyrrolo[2,3–b]pyridin]‐2′(1′H)‐one linked with N‐acyl and C‐5 aryl‐substituted scaffolds in a panel of ITK and BTK cancer cell lines. Four compounds 11, 12, 14, and 15 showed high antiproliferative activity against ITK and BTK cell lines. Compounds 11 and 12 with a C‐5 benzodioxole group and gem‐dialkyl group attached to carbonyl on piperidine were highly effective in ITK‐high Jurkat and CEM cell lines, and compound 14, a biotin analogue, was identified as a good inhibitor of BTK‐high RAMOS cells. Compound 15 with cyclopropyl group attached to carbonyl on piperidine also showed good activity in ITK and BTK cell lines.
Signal‐off Photoelectrochemical Aptasensor for S. aureus Detection Based on Graphite‐like Carbon Nitride Decorated with Nickel Oxide
Authors: Chen Xiaoqi , Yang Zhiqing , Ai Luchen , Zhou Shuang , Fan Hai , Ai Shiyun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA signal‐off photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was proposed for pathogenic bacteria detection based on graphite‐like carbon nitride decorated with NiO. The S. aureus be captured by the specific recognition of DNA aptamer, which was immobilized on the PEC electrode surface according to the specific effect of carboxylic group and NiO. The PEC signal would be obviously suppressed due to the transfer blocking of electron donor to PEC active material surface by steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion. The PEC aptasensor showed excellent specificity and high sensitivity for S. aureus, and this provides simple strategy to construct point‐of‐care testing aptasensor for bacteria analysis.
Potential dependent spectroelectrochemistry of electrofluorogenic dyes on indium‐tin oxide
Authors: Sundaresan Vignesh , Cutri Allison R. , Metro Jarek , Madukoma Chinedu S. , Shrout Joshua D. , Hoffman Anthony J. , Willets Katherine A. , Bohn Paul W. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIndium‐tin oxide (ITO) is used in a variety of applications due to its electrical conductivity and optical transparency. Moreover, ITO‐coated glass is a common working electrode for spectroelectrochemistry. Thus, the ITO substrates should exhibit well‐understood spectroscopic characteristics. Here, we report anomalous potential‐dependent luminescence emission from three structurally dissimilar electrofluorogenic probe on ITO‐coated glass. The three probes, flavin mononucleotide, resorufin, and Nile blue, show the expected fluorescence modulation between their oxidized, emissive forms and their reduced, nonfluorescent forms at low laser irradiance and/or high concentrations. However, at high irradiance and/or low concentration, the emission intensity increases at reducing potentials, contrary to expectations. In addition, a strong interplay between probe molecule concentration and laser irradiance is observed. We attribute the anomalous behavior to a combination of (1) irradiance‐dependent ITO carrier dynamics, and (2) interaction of the fluorescent probe with ITO at reducing potentials resulting in a charge transfer state with altered emission behavior. Thus, the potential‐ and irradiance‐dependent behavior of ITO and the resulting charge transfer state may not only interfere with the observation of potential‐dependent fluorescence from redox probes but can completely reverse the polarity of the potential‐dependent luminescence, especially at high irradiance and low concentration.
Elevated urinary mutagenicity among those exposed to bituminous coal combustion emissions or diesel engine exhaust
Authors: Wong Jason Y. Y. , Vermeulen Roel , Dai Yufei , Hu Wei , Martin W. Kyle , Warren Sarah H. , Liberatore Hannah K. , Ren Dianzhi , Duan Huawei , Niu Yong , Xu Jun , Fu Wei , Meliefste Kees , Yang Jufang , Ye Meng , Jia Xiaowei , Meng Tao , Bassig Bryan A. , Hosgood H. Dean , Choi Jiyeon , Rahman Mohammad L. , Walker Douglas I. , Zheng Yuxin , Mumford Judy , Silverman Debra T. , Rothman Nathaniel , DeMarini David M. , Lan Qing 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUrinary mutagenicity reflects systemic exposure to complex mixtures of genotoxic/carcinogenic agents and is linked to tumor development. Coal combustion emissions (CCE) and diesel engine exhaust (DEE) are associated with cancers of the lung and other sites, but their influence on urinary mutagenicity is unclear. We investigated associations between exposure to CCE or DEE and urinary mutagenicity. In two separate cross‐sectional studies of nonsmokers, organic extracts of urine were evaluated for mutagenicity levels using strain YG1041 in the Salmonella (Ames) mutagenicity assay. First, we compared levels among 10 female bituminous (smoky) coal users from Laibin, Xuanwei, China, and 10 female anthracite (smokeless) coal users. We estimated exposure–response relationships using indoor air concentrations of two carcinogens in CCE relevant to lung cancer, 5‐methylchrysene (5MC), and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Second, we compared levels among 20 highly exposed male diesel factory workers and 15 unexposed male controls; we evaluated exposure‐response relationships using elemental carbon (EC) as a DEE‐surrogate. Age‐adjusted linear regression was used to estimate associations. Laibin smoky coal users had significantly higher average urinary mutagenicity levels compared to smokeless coal users (28.4 ± 14.0 SD vs. 0.9 ± 2.8 SD rev/ml‐eq, p = 2 × 10−5) and a significant exposure‐response relationship with 5MC (p = 7 × 10−4). DEE‐exposed workers had significantly higher urinary mutagenicity levels compared to unexposed controls (13.0 ± 10.1 SD vs. 5.6 ± 4.4 SD rev/ml‐eq, p = .02) and a significant exposure‐response relationship with EC (p‐trend = 2 × 10−3). Exposure to CCE and DEE is associated with urinary mutagenicity, suggesting systemic exposure to mutagens, potentially contributing to cancer risk and development at various sites.
Incomplete information and irrelevant attributes in stated‐preference values for health interventions
Authors: Gonzalez Sepulveda Juan M. , Johnson F. Reed , Marshall Deborah A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractViolations of the assumptions of complete information [CI] and independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) in discrete‐choice experiment (DCE) data imply sensitivity of preference estimates to the decision context and the alternatives evaluated. There is a paucity of evidence on how these two assumptions affect health‐preference results and whether the usual specifications of random‐parameters logit models are sufficient to address these violations. We assessed the appropriateness of these assumptions in a DCE valuating interventions to prevent long‐term health problems that could be identified through whole genome sequencing. A DCE survey was administered to members of a nationally representative consumer panel to elicit their preferences for options to reduce the risk of health problems. The treatment options presented (surgery, medication, and watchful waiting) and the context for the decisions elicited (severity and likelihood of the health problem) were varied experimentally to evaluate the sensitivity of preference results to such changes. We find evidence of IIA violations as the options presented to prevent health changed. Our results also are consistent with the expectation that additional substitutes decrease the monetized value of alternatives. We also find some evidence that the decision context can moderate such effects, which constitutes a new finding.