bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 and the emergency presentation of colorectal cancer
Authors: Shinkwin Michael , Silva Louise , Vogel Irene , Reeves Nicola , Cornish Julie , Horwood James , Davies Michael M , Torkington Jared , Ansell James 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimThe COVID‐19 pandemic led to widespread disruption of colorectal cancer services during 2020. Established cancer referral pathways were modified in response to reduced diagnostic availability. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of COVID‐19 on colorectal cancer referral, presentation and stage.MethodsThis was a single centre, retrospective cohort study performed at a tertiary referral centre. Patients diagnosed and managed with colorectal adenocarcinoma between January and December 2020 were compared with patients from 2018 and 2019 in terms of demographics, mode of presentation and pathological cancer staging.ResultsIn all, 272 patients were diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma during 2020 compared with 282 in 2019 and 257 in 2018. Patients in all years were comparable for age, gender and tumour location (P > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in urgent suspected cancer referrals, diagnostic colonoscopy and radiological imaging performed between March and June 2020 compared with previous years. More patients presented as emergencies (P = 0.03) with increased rates of large bowel obstruction in 2020 compared with 2018–2019 (P = 0.01). The distribution of TNM grade was similar across the 3 years but more T4 cancers were diagnosed in 2020 versus 2018–2019 (P = 0.03).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that a relatively short‐term impact on the colorectal cancer referral pathway can have significant consequences on patient presentation leading to higher risk emergency presentation and surgery at a more advanced stage. It is therefore critical that efforts are made to make this pathway more robust to minimize the impact of other future adverse events and to consolidate the benefits of earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Experimentally guided development of a food bait for European fire ants
Authors: Hoefele Danielle , Chalissery Jaime M. , Renyard Asim , Gries Gerhard 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDeployment of lethal food baits could become a control tactic for the invasive European fire ant (EFA), Myrmica rubra L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), because foraging ants carry the lethal food to their nest and share it with their nest mates, ultimately causing the demise of nests. Our objective was to develop a food bait that elicits a strong foraging response from EFAs, has extended shelf life, and is cost‐effective to produce. To develop a bait composition with ‘ant appeal’, we ran two separate field experiments testing pre‐selected carbohydrate sources (oranges, apples, bananas) and protein/lipid sources [tuna, pollen, sunflower seeds, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L., Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)]. Whereas foraging EFAs responded equally well to the three types of carbohydrates, they preferred mealworms to all other protein/lipid sources. In a follow‐up laboratory experiment, the combination of apples and mealworms elicited a stronger foraging response from EFAs than either apples or mealworms alone. To help reduce bait ingredient costs, we tested house crickets, Acheta domesticus (L.) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), as a less expensive mealworm alternative and found crickets and mealworms comparably appealing. Addressing the shelf life of baits, we tested freeze‐dried and heat‐dried apple/cricket combinations. Rehydrated freeze‐dried baits proved as appealing as fresh baits and superior to rehydrated heat‐dried baits, suggesting that freeze‐drying may retain essential nutrients and/or aroma constituents. Insecticide‐laced baits had no off‐putting effect on foraging responses of worker ants and caused significant mortality. As freeze‐drying is expensive, further research should investigate the preservation of moist food baits or the development of dry baits that are hydrated prior to deployment.
Population genomics and phylogeography of the boll weevil,Anthonomus grandisBoheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the United States, northern Mexico, and Argentina
Authors: Raszick Tyler J. , Dickens C. Michael , Perkin Lindsey C. , Tessnow Ashley E. , Suh Charles P.‐C. , Ruiz‐Arce Raul , Boratynski Theodore N. , Falco Marcelo R. , Johnston J. Spencer , Sword Gregory A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe boll weevil,Anthonomus grandisBoheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of commercial cotton across the Americas. In the United States, eradication of this species is complicated by re‐infestations of areas where eradication has been previously successful and by the existence of morphologically similar variants that can confound identification efforts. To date, no study has applied a high‐throughput sequencing approach to better understand the population genetic structure of the boll weevil. Furthermore, only a single study has investigated genetic relationships between populations in North and South America. We used double digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to resolve the population genomic structure of the boll weevil in the southern United States, northern Mexico, and Argentina. Additionally, we assembled the first complete mitochondrial genome for this species and generated a preliminary whole genome assembly, both of which were used to improve the identification of informative loci. Downstream analyses revealed two main lineages—one consisting of populations found geographically west of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range and the second consisting of populations found to the east—were revealed, and both were sub‐structured. Population geographic structure was consistent with the isolation by distance model, indicating that geogrpahic distance is likely a primary mechanism driving divergence in this species. Boll weevil populations from Argentina were found to be more closely related to the eastern lineage, suggesting a recent colonization of South America by the eastern lineage, but additional sampling across Mexico, Central America and South America is needed to further clarify their origin. Finally, we uncovered an instance of population turnover or replacement, highlighting the temporal instability of population structure.
Xylem transport of root‐derived CO2 caused a substantial underestimation of belowground respiration during a growing season
Authors: Aubrey Doug P. , Teskey Robert O. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPrevious research has indicated that a potentially large portion of root‐respired CO2 can move internally through tree xylem, but these reports are relatively scarce and have generally been limited to short observations. Our main objective was to provide a continuous estimate of the quantity and variability of root‐respired CO2 that moves either internally through the xylem (FT) or externally through the soil to the atmosphere (FS) over most of a growing season. Nine trees were measured in a Populus deltoides stand for 129 days from early June to mid‐October. We calculated FT as the product of sap flow and dissolved [CO2] in the xylem (i.e., [CO2*]) and calculated FS using the [CO2] gradient method. During the study, stem and soil CO2 concentrations, temperature, and sap flow were measured continuously. We determined that FT accounted for 33% of daily total belowground CO2 flux (i.e., FS + FT; FB) during our observation period that spanned most of a growing season. Cumulative daily FT was lower than FS 74% of the time, equivalent to FS 26% of the time, and never exceeded FS. One‐third of the total CO2 released by belowground respiration over most of the growing season in this forest stand followed the FT pathway rather than diffusing into the soil. The magnitude of FT indicates that measurements of FS alone substantially underestimate total belowground respiration in some forest ecosystems by systematically underestimating belowground autotrophic respiration. The variability in FT observed during the growing season demonstrated the importance of making long‐term, high‐frequency measurements of different flux pathways to better understand physiological and ecological processes and their implications to global change.
Global patterns and drivers of alpine plant species richness
Authors: Testolin Riccardo , Attorre Fabio , Borchardt Peter , Brand Robert F. , Bruelheide Helge , Chytrý Milan , De Sanctis Michele , Dolezal Jiri , Finckh Manfred , Haider Sylvia , Hemp Andreas , Jandt Ute , Kessler Michael , Korolyuk Andrey Yu , Lenoir Jonathan , Makunina Natalia , Malanson George P. , Montesinos‐Tubée Daniel B. , Noroozi Jalil , Nowak Arkadiusz , Peet Robert K. , Peyre Gwendolyn , Sabatini Francesco Maria , Šibík Jozef , Sklenář Petr , Sylvester Steven P. , Vassilev Kiril , Virtanen Risto , Willner Wolfgang , Wiser Susan K. , Zibzeev Evgeny G. , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimAlpine ecosystems differ in area, macroenvironment and biogeographical history across the Earth, but the relationship between these factors and plant species richness is still unexplored. Here, we assess the global patterns of plant species richness in alpine ecosystems and their association with environmental, geographical and historical factors at regional and community scales.LocationGlobal.Time periodData collected between 1923 and 2019.Major taxa studiedVascular plants.MethodsWe used a dataset representative of global alpine vegetation, consisting of 8,928 plots sampled within 26 ecoregions and six biogeographical realms, to estimate regional richness using sample‐based rarefaction and extrapolation. Then, we evaluated latitudinal patterns of regional and community richness with generalized additive models. Using environmental, geographical and historical predictors from global raster layers, we modelled regional and community richness in a mixed‐effect modelling framework.ResultsThe latitudinal pattern of regional richness peaked around the equator and at mid‐latitudes, in response to current and past alpine area, isolation and the variation in soil pH among regions. At the community level, species richness peaked at mid‐latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, despite a considerable within‐region variation. Community richness was related to macroclimate and historical predictors, with strong effects of other spatially structured factors.Main conclusionsIn contrast to the well‐known latitudinal diversity gradient, the alpine plant species richness of some temperate regions in Eurasia was comparable to that of hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems, such as the páramo. The species richness of these putative hotspot regions is explained mainly by the extent of alpine area and their glacial history, whereas community richness depends on local environmental factors. Our results highlight hotspots of species richness at mid‐latitudes, indicating that the diversity of alpine plants is linked to regional idiosyncrasies and to the historical prevalence of alpine ecosystems, rather than current macroclimatic gradients.
Emplacement processes of proto‐arc basalt in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc system
Authors: Kusano Yuki , Ishizuka Osamu , Hickey‐Vargas Rosemary , Arculus Richard J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAscertaining the emplacement mechanism of oceanic basaltic lavas is important in understanding how ocean floor topography is produced and oceanic plates evolve, particularly during the early stages of crustal development of a supra‐subduction zone. A detailed study of the volcanic stratigraphy at International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1438 in the Amami Sankaku Basin, west of the Kyushu–Palau Ridge, has revealed the development of lava accretion and ridge topography on the Philippine Sea plate at about 49 Ma. Igneous basement rocks penetrated at Site U1438 are the uppermost 150 m of ~6 km‐thick oceanic crust, and comprise, in a downhole direction, sheet flows (12.6 m), lobate sheet flows (61.3 m), pillow lavas (50.7 m), and thin sheet flows (25.3 m). The lowermost sheet flows are intercalated with layers of limestone and epiclastic tuff. Lithofacies analysis reveals that the lowermost sheet flows, limestone, and tuff formed on an axial rise, the pillow lavas were emplaced on a ridge slope, and the lobate sheet flows formed off ridge on an abyssal plain. The lithofacies of the basement basalt corresponds to the upper portions of fast‐spreading oceanic crust, suggesting that subduction initiation was associated with intermediate to fast rates of seafloor spreading. The surface sheet flows are olivine–clinopyroxene‐phyric basalt and differ from the lower basalt flows that contain phenocrysts of olivine and plagioclase, with or without clinopyroxene. The depleted chrome‐spinel composition and olivine–clinopyroxene phenocryst assemblage in the surface sheet flows suggests a slight contribution of water for magma generation not present for the lower basalt flows. Considering the lithological difference between the backarc and forearc oceanic crust in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc, with sheet flow dominant in the former, seafloor spreading occurred faster in the later stage of subduction initiation.
Psychometric properties of the Illness Attitude Toward COVID‐19 Scale (IATCS)
Authors: Al‐Ma'seb Hend Batel , Al‐Sejari Maha Meshari 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study examines the psychometric properties of the Illness Attitude Toward COVID‐19 Scale (IATCS). The IATCS was tested on a sample of individuals who were living in Kuwait during the COVID‐19 pandemic (n = 1413). The reliability and validity of the scale were examined to assess the scale's internal consistency reliability, criterion validity, and factorial validity. The results of the study showed alpha values that were satisfactory for the overall scale and for five subscales. The findings support the criterion and factorial validity of the scale. The findings also support the use of the scale in surveys and for educational and trainings purposes.
Constrained sintering and cracking of air plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings: Experimental observation and modeling
Authors: Zhang Xun , Cocks Alan C.F. , Okajima Yoshifumi , Takeno Kazuma , Torigoe Taiji 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe development of vertical cracks in air plasma sprayed (APS) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) during thermal cycling and constrained sintering under a temperature gradient is investigated. Microstructural analysis shows that the development of the vertical cracks is associated with multiple processes, including sintering during the hold period and cleavage during cooldown. Inspired by the experimental observations, an image‐based sintering model is used to simulate the development of vertical cracks as the coating sinters while constrained by a substrate. The computational results show that microstructural imperfections can develop into vertical cracks, which then propagate toward the interface. A simple analytical model is presented for the threshold level of in‐plane stress for the onset of propagation of a vertical crack during constrained sintering. By combining the results of these different modeling approaches, the cross‐coupling of the material and geometric parameters, and how this determines the sintering response (microstructure evolution) and vertical crack formation is evaluated. In addition, the growth of vertical cracks by a cleavage mechanism during cooldown is examined and the coupling between sintering, cleavage crack growth, and TBC lifetime is explored.
Deconstructing water sorption isotherms in cement pastes by lattice density functional theory simulations
Authors: Zhang Yao , Liu Han , Zhao Cheng , Ju J. Woody , Bauchy Mathieu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe moisture content in cement pastes influences their mechanical properties and durability. However, the complex, multiscale nature of cement pastes makes it challenging to isolate the contributions of each scale to their macroscopic water sorption isotherms. In particular, the contribution of the calcium–silicate–hydrate gel (the binding phase of cement pastes) remains only partially understood. Here, we introduce a density functional theory lattice model describing water sorption in calcium–silicate–hydrate, which properly reproduces experimental water sorption isotherms in cement pastes. Based on this model, we deconstruct the contribution of each pore scale (interlayer spacing, gel pores, and capillary pores) to the total sorption isotherm. We show that, when the relative humidity is below 80%, the calcium–silicate–hydrate gel accounts for more than 90% of the moisture content adsorbed in cement pastes. In turn, we find that the contribution of the interlayer space within the calcium–silicate–hydrate grains is governed by the competition between the rate of interlayer space opening and the increasing propensity for water to fill larger pores upon increasing relative humidity. Overall, our results highlight the key role played by the calcium–silicate–hydrate in governing the sorption isotherms of cement pastes.
Flash sintering feasibility study and localized densification in boron carbide
Authors: Rosenberger Andrew , Brennan Raymond E. , Fry Aubrey L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe feasibility of flash sintering boron carbide (B4C) was investigated using a direct current (DC) electric field across different electrodes, field strengths, and thermal profiles. Flash behavior was observed at furnace temperatures as low as 386°C with field strengths of 68‐278 V/cm, but only a small channel of the specimen was densified due to hot spot effects. Application of a 2.2 V/cm·s voltage ramp at a constant temperature of 550°C caused uniform heating, but at temperatures too low for sintering. Scalable densification of B4C at low furnace temperatures with flash sintering is theorized to be possible by applying a higher current density through power supply or specimen modifications.
Reducing turnover intention to improve care outcome: A two‐wave study
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Ling , Wong May‐Kuen , Shyu Yea‐Ing Lotus , Ho Lun‐Hui , Yeh Jin‐Rong , Teng Ching‐I 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsTo ascertain how professional turnover intention impacts nurse‐assessed care outcomes, including patient‐centered care and care quality.BackgroundPatient‐centered care and care quality are critical to care outcomes. However, we do not know whether care outcomes would be improved by reducing nurses’ professional turnover intention.DesignWe implemented a two‐wave correlational follow‐up design.MethodsThis study was conducted in a large‐scale general in Taiwan during January and February 2018, and January and February 2019. We successfully obtained responses from 448 nurses in 2018 and subsequently followed up (in 2019). Most were women (97.5%), reflecting the profile of the local nurse population. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.ResultsOur findings indicate that nurses’ professional turnover intention is negatively related to nurse‐assessed, patient‐centered care. Nurses’ professional turnover intention is also negatively related to all the five perceptions of nurse‐assessed care quality: that is, assurance, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, and tangibles. Moreover, years of working as a nurse is also positively related to nurse‐assessed, patient‐centered care and all the five perceptions of nurse‐assessed care quality.ConclusionThis study examined nurses’ professional turnover intention as an antecedent of nurse‐assessed, patient‐centered care and care quality. Our study shows that professional turnover intention may predict care outcomes. Overall, our study suggests that professional turnover intention not only impacts workforce stability but also impacts health‐care outcomes.ImpactOur findings suggest that reduction of nurses’ turnover intentions could benefit care outcomes. Hospital managers should know that nurses’ turnover negatively impacts care outcomes.
Scale dependency of joint species distribution models challenges interpretation of biotic interactions
Authors: König Christian , Wüest Rafael O. , Graham Catherine H. , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Sattler Thomas , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Zurell Damaris 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimSeparating the biotic and abiotic factors controlling species distributions has been a long‐standing challenge in ecology and biogeography. Joint species distribution models (JSDMs) have emerged as a promising statistical framework towards this objective by simultaneously modelling the environmental responses of multiple species and approximating species associations based on patterns in their (co‐)occurrences. However, the signature of biotic interactions should be most evident at fine spatial resolutions. Here, we test how the resolution of input data affects the inferences from JSDMs.LocationSwitzerland.TaxonBirds.MethodsUsing standardized survey data of 43 woodland bird species and 8 climatic, topographic and vegetation structural predictors, we fit JSDMs at different spatial resolutions (125–1000 m) and sampling periods (1 and 5 years). In addition, we calculate functional similarity among all species as an independent proxy of biotic interactions, specifically competition. We then assess how JSDM performance and estimates vary with the spatial resolution of the input data and test whether species associations are consistent across grain sizes and with the alternative approach based on functional similarity.ResultsOur results show better model performance at coarser spatial resolutions and for longer sampling periods. Although pairwise species associations estimated in JSDMs were generally shifted towards positive values, we found a higher proportion of negative associations at fine spatial resolutions. Strikingly, estimates were not consistent across spatial scales and frequently switched between positive and negative values. Moreover, estimated species associations tended to be more positive for functionally similar species.Main conclusionsOur results show that species associations are more differentiated, that is, cover a broader range of values, at finer spatial resolutions. Yet, their positive correlation with functional similarity and the general over‐representation of positive associations suggest that shared responses to unobserved environmental predictors rather than biotic interactions underlie these scaling effects, cautioning against a naive interpretation of species associations estimated by JSDMs at any spatial scale.
The effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on children's lifestyles and anxiety levels
Authors: Zengin Mürşide , Yayan Emriye Hilal , Vicnelioğlu Elanur 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on children's lifestyles and anxiety levels.MethodsThis study was designed as a descriptive, cross‐sectional online questionnaire survey.ResultsOf the children, 91.9% reported that the pandemic had an important effect on their lifestyle. Children stated that they experienced changes in terms of nutrition, sleep, television‐internet use, social activity, coursework time, and school success due to the pandemic.Implication for PracticeIt was determined that the COVID‐19 pandemic caused changes in children's routines, and the children experienced moderate or high levels of anxiety. Primary healthcare providers should increase their attention to these issues to protect and improve children's mental health during the pandemic period.