bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual‐level leaf trait variation and correlation across biological and spatial scales
Authors: Jiang Feng , Cadotte Marc W. , Jin Guangze 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEven with increasing interest in the ecological importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) for better understanding ecological processes, few studies have quantified ITV in seedlings and assessed constraints imposed by trade‐offs and correlations among individual‐level leaf traits. Estimating the amount and role of ITV in seedlings is important to understand tree recruitment and long‐term forest dynamics. We measured ten different size, economics, and whole leaf traits (lamina and petiole) for more than 2,800 seedlings (height ≥ 10 cm and diameter at breast height < 1 cm) in 283 seedling plots and then quantified the amount of ITV and trait correlations across two biological (intraspecific and interspecific) and spatial (within and among plots) scales. Finally, we explored the effects of trait variance and sample size on the strength of trait correlations. We found about 40% (6%–63%) variation in leaf‐level traits was explained by ITV across all traits. Lamina and petiole traits were correlated across biological and spatial scales, whereas leaf size traits (e.g., lamina area) were weakly correlated with economics traits (e.g., specific lamina area); lamina mass ratio was strongly related to the petiole length. Trait correlations varied among species, plots, and different scales but there was no evidence that the strength of trait relationships was stronger at broader than finer biological and spatial scales. While larger trait variance increased the strength of correlations, the sample size was the most important factor that was negatively related to the strength of trait correlations. Our results showed that a large amount of trait variation was explained by ITV, which highlighted the importance of considering ITV when using trait‐based approaches in seedling ecology. In addition, sample size was an important factor that influenced the strength of trait correlations, which suggests that comparing trait correlations across studies should consider the differences in sample size.
Tracking nutrients in space and time: Interactions between grazing lawns and drought drive abundances of tallgrass prairie grasshoppers
Authors: Ozment Katerina A. , Welti Ellen A. R. , Shaffer Monica , Kaspari Michael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We contrast the response of arthropod abundance and composition to bison grazing lawns during a drought and non‐drought year, with an emphasis on acridid grasshoppers, an important grassland herbivore.

Grazing lawns are grassland areas where regular grazing by mammalian herbivores creates patches of short‐statured, high nutrient vegetation. Grazing lawns are predictable microsites that modify microclimate, plant structure, community composition, and nutrient availability, with likely repercussions for arthropod communities.

One year of our study occurred during an extreme drought. Drought mimics some of the effects of mammalian grazers: decreasing above‐ground plant biomass while increasing plant foliar percentage nitrogen.

We sampled arthropods and nutrient availability on and nearby (“off”) 10 bison‐grazed grazing lawns in a tallgrass prairie in NE Kansas. Total grasshopper abundance was higher on grazing lawns and the magnitude of this difference increased in the wetter year of 2019 compared to 2018, when drought led to high grass foliar nitrogen concentrations on and off grazing lawns. Mixed‐feeding grasshopper abundances were consistently higher on grazing lawns while grass‐feeder and forb‐feeder abundances were higher on lawns only in 2019, the wetter year. In contrast, the abundance of other arthropods (e.g., Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae) did not differ on and off lawns, but increased overall in 2019, relative to the drought of 2018.

Understanding these local scale patterns of abundances and community composition improves predictability of arthropod responses to ongoing habitat change.
A framework for evaluating the impacts of reservoirs on seasonal ecohydrological conditions based on new eco‐flows
Authors: Guo Xiaoming , Guo Yan , Xu Lukai , Deng Yu , Yang Chaohui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe eco‐flow metrics (ecosurplus [ES] and ecodeficit [ED]) based on flow duration curves (FDCs) are currently less popular than other metrics used to assess the ecohydrological conditions of rivers. To fully utilize their application potential, the seasonal ES and ED are redefined based on discharge hydrographs (DHs) rather than their FDCs. The annual ES and ED are redefined as the sum of the four seasonal ES and ED values, respectively. The impact of reservoirs can be measured by the rate of increase of the cumulative seasonal eco‐flows. Taking the seasonal EDs calculated by the 10% DH and 20% DH as the two threshold values, a risk evaluation method is proposed that classifies the seasonal ecohydrological conditions into four risk levels: no risk, low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. A daily discharge time series ranging from 1956 to 2015 in the Yellow River is used to perform a case study. The results showed that the Shannon diversity index (H) had a strong relevance to the annual ED. Riverine biodiversity was more sensitive to summer and autumn droughts than to floods. The Xiaolangdi Reservoir affected the seasonal eco‐flows much more than the Sanmenxia Reservoir. The winter season is currently classified as having a high risk and should be given more attention by river managers in the future. After the ecological regulation measures are implemented in the future to improve the winter conditions, their effects can be re‐evaluated by the above framework.
Type 2 diabetes in South Asians compared to Europeans: Higher risk and earlier development of major cardiovascular events irrespective of the presence and degree of retinopathy. Results from The HinDu The Hague Diabetes Study
Authors: van Niel Judith , Geelhoed‐Duijvestijn Petronella H.L.M. , Numans Mattijs E. , Kharagjitsingh Aan V. , Vos Rimke C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionSouth Asians with diabetes have more severe diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cardiovascular complications than white Caucasians. However, how big this gap is and the relation with the severity of DR has not been studied. Here, we quantify the difference in time from diabetes diagnosis until a first non‐fatal Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (TUF MACE) in different DR groups in South Asians and Europeans.Methods3831 adults with type 2 diabetes, 1358 South Asians and 2473 Europeans, treated in our diabetes clinic between 2006 and 2017 were included. Data on risk factors, diabetes duration, age of diagnosis and diabetes complications were collected from the diabetes‐specific database and analysed using descriptive statistics and Cox regression. DR was graded in 3 categories, and non‐fatal MACE was pre‐specified.ResultsPrevalence of non‐fatal MACE was the same when DR was absent, increased with increasing severity of DR in both ethnic groups, but was more frequent in South Asians with DR (mild: 50 vs. 42% and severe 62 vs. 46%. Classic risk factors only differed in relation to smoking habits, which were significantly lower in South Asians.After correction for classic risk factors and age at diabetes diagnosis TUF MACE was significantly shorter in South Asians, an effect also seen in the no‐DR group (4.1 yrs. HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.8 and 7.4 yrs. earlier, HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6–2.6 for no‐DR and severe DR, respectively).ConclusionsWhen adjusted for age at diabetes diagnosis, we show that time until first non‐fatal MACE in South Asians is significantly shorter compared to Europeans and increases from no‐ to severe DR.
Trimethylamine N‐oxide and outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kinugasa Yoshiharu , Nakamura Kensuke , Kamitani Hiroko , Hirai Masayuki , Yanagihara Kiyotaka , Kato Masahiko , Yamamoto Kazuhiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsTrimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is a metabolite derived from the gut microbiota. Elevated TMAO levels are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, the prognostic effect of elevated TMAO levels on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear.Methods and resultsWe consecutively enrolled 146 patients who were hospitalized and discharged from Tottori University Hospital with the primary diagnosis of HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥ 50%). High TMAO levels were defined as those greater than the median value in the patients (20.37 μmol/L). Patients with high TMAO levels had a significantly higher prevalence of prior hospitalization for heart failure and severe renal dysfunction than those with low TMAO levels. They also had a significantly higher acylcarnitine to free carnitine ratio than those with low TMAO levels, which indicated abnormal fatty acid metabolism and relative carnitine deficiency. After adjustment for differences in the patients' background in multivariate analysis, high TMAO levels remained independently associated with a high incidence of the composite endpoints of death due to cardiac causes and hospitalization for heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 3.62; P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction between TMAO and nutritional status on the primary outcome, and the prognostic effect of TMAO was enhanced in patients with malnutrition.ConclusionsElevated TMAO levels at discharge are associated with an increased risk of post‐discharge cardiac events in patients with HFpEF, especially those with the complication of malnutrition.
Prospects of large‐scale photovoltaic‐based power plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Imteyaz Binash , Lawal Dahiru Umar , Tahir Furqan , Rehman Shafiqur 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe techno‐economic analyses of 67 MW and 144 MW photovoltaics (PV) power plants are performed and the results are compared with the diesel power plants situated in two cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The feasibility analysis is conducted with the aim to show the technical and economic viability of replacing the conventional fossil fuel‐based plants with clean production systems in the country. The production capacity of the proposed PV plants based on the single‐axis tracking configuration is around 35% higher than that of the tilted‐fixed configuration, equivalent to a reduction in the production cost by more than 20% for both the plants. PV plants with a tracking system can produce up to 23% excess electricity than the base‐case diesel plants. Moreover, the production costs at the Bisha plant can be as low as 1.77 ¢/kWh, considering the credit resulting from the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The feasibility of installing a 144 MW PV plant in six cities in the country is also evaluated. The results indicate that the average cost of electricity production is 2.22 ¢/kWh and the average annual reduction of GHG emissions is 462 tCO2/GWh with the replacement of a diesel power plant of similar capacity. The effects of subsidies, feed‐in tariff rates, and electricity export escalation rates are also evaluated.
Effects of cinnamon essential oil and Persian gum on preservation of pomegranate arils
Authors: Jokar Akbar , Barzegar Hasan , Maftoon Azad Neda , Shahamirian Maryam 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGiven the high perishability of pomegranate arils, edible antimicrobial coating will enhance their shelf life and maintain their marketability. An antimicrobial coating was prepared using 1% (w/v) soluble part of Persian gum (PG) and different concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% (v/v)) of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) to extend the shelf life of pomegranate arils. Microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensorial characteristics of coated and uncoated samples were evaluated at 7‐day intervals. Total anthocyanin (TAN), titrable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid showed a decreasing trend, during the whole period of the storage. TAN, TA, and ascorbic acid decreased from 119.8 to 44.5 mg/L, 1.6% to 1.37%, and 682 to 140 mg/L, respectively. Firmness increased during the storage time, while total soluble solids (TSS, around 17.4 °Brix) and total phenolic compounds (TP, around 14.21 mg/100 ml) showed no significant changes with CEO concentrations. Coatings containing 0.5% and 0.75% CEO significantly prevented fungal growth on the samples at least for 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Optimization proved that 1‐week cold storage and 0.43% CEO could dramatically meet 80% of the research targets including maximum nutritional quality and freshness, as well preventing microbial spoilage. It was concluded that coating the pomegranate arils by PG and selecting an appropriate concentration of the CEO could considerably increase shelf life, marketability, and nutritional quality of pomegranate arils at a suitable and acceptable level.
Online digital archive of aerial photographs (1935–1941) of Ethiopia
Authors: Nyssen Jan , Debever Martijn , Gebremeskel Gezahegne , De Wit Bart , Hadgu Kiros Meles , De Vriese Steven , Verbeurgt Jeffrey , Frankl Amaury , Besha Tulu , Kropáček Jan , Forceville Astrid , Demissie Biadgilgn 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe archive of aerial photographs, dating 1935–1941 and covering parts of north and central of Ethiopia, is one of the few archives with pre‐1960 remotely sensed data in Africa. It allows adding 30 years of time depth for geographical studies, in contrast to the commonly known oldest imagery dating to 1964, sometimes 1958. These photographs were originally acquired by the Italian military forces, to obtain raw material for warfare purposes and the production of topographic maps. To make the archive accessible, it has been scanned and georeferenced. Procedures used in georeferencing and digitally archiving are detailed in this paper, as well as our experiences with orthorectification and use of the photosets in scientific research. This data set of aerial photographs of Ethiopia in the 1930s has been availed to the wider scientific community through the Pangaea website http://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.920077 (Nyssen et al., 2020, Aerial photographs of Ethiopia 1935–1941) Additionally, a web interface (http://www.ethiopia1935.ugent.be/) allows scientists visualizing the location of relocated photographs, and to select and freely order scenes of interest.
Barodesy with a new concept for critical void ratio
Authors: Kolymbas Dimitrios 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWith a new concept for the critical void ratio, barodesy yields promising simulations of element tests. Some shortcomings of this theory hitherto when simulating the behaviour of sand can be overcome by generalizing the widespread assumption that the critical void ratio is a function of the mean stress. Barodesy deviates from established lines of thought in soil mechanics. The interested reader can judge from this article whether this paradigm shift is worthwhile.
Mapping default mode connectivity alterations following a single season of subconcussive impact exposure in youth football
Authors: DeSimone Jesse C. , Davenport Elizabeth M. , Urban Jillian , Xi Yin , Holcomb James M. , Kelley Mireille E. , Whitlow Christopher T. , Powers Alexander K. , Stitzel Joel D. , Maldjian Joseph A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRepetitive head impact (RHI) exposure in collision sports may contribute to adverse neurological outcomes in former players. In contrast to a concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, “subconcussive” RHIs represent a more frequent and asymptomatic form of exposure. The neural network‐level signatures characterizing subconcussive RHIs in youth collision‐sport cohorts such as American Football are not known. Here, we used resting‐state functional MRI to examine default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity (FC) following a single football season in youth players (n = 50, ages 8–14) without concussion. Football players demonstrated reduced FC across widespread DMN regions compared with non‐collision sport controls at postseason but not preseason. In a subsample from the original cohort (n = 17), players revealed a negative change in FC between preseason and postseason and a positive and compensatory change in FC during the offseason across the majority of DMN regions. Lastly, significant FC changes, including between preseason and postseason and between in‐ and off‐season, were specific to players at the upper end of the head impact frequency distribution. These findings represent initial evidence of network‐level FC abnormalities following repetitive, non‐concussive RHIs in youth football. Furthermore, the number of subconcussive RHIs proved to be a key factor influencing DMN FC.
Regulatory environment for complementary and alternative medicine in Georgia—a health policy analysis
Authors: Nadareishvili Ilia , Pkhakadze Giorgi , Japiashvili Nato , Lunze Karsten 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInternational bodies such as the WHO call on member states to regulate and, where possible, integrate Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) into health systems, to the benefit and safety of patients. Research on CAM regulations in the Republic of Georgia has been limited. The aim of this study was to identify key actors and analyse the regulatory environment for CAM in Georgia in its local and international contexts. We conducted a health policy analysis using a triangle framework of content, context and processes. We used data from national government, professional associations and academia; and drew from primary qualitative data of stakeholders' perspectives and needs regarding CAM in Georgia. The several CAM associations we identified have limited capacities for self‐regulation. CAM practices are currently not effectively regulated in Georgia, while the government has no expressed intention to develop regulatory frameworks. Georgia's CAM health policy is currently not compliant with WHO and European directives and recommendations. Government, lawmakers, public administration, academia, physicians, non‐physician CAM practitioners and other actors should constitute a national working group dedicated to CAM regulations in Georgia to identify, classify CAM practices; and develop core principles for policy making for safe and effective CAM practiced in Georgia's health system.
Investigating the exposure and impact of chemical UV filters on coral reef ecosystems: Review and research gap prioritization
Authors: Watkins Yasmine S. D. , Sallach J. Brett 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Coral reefs are among the world's most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. In recent decades, they have experienced an unparalleled decline resulting from various anthropogenically induced stressors. Ultraviolet (UV) filters found in personal care products, such as sunscreen, are chemical pollutants that are emerging as a growing toxic threat to reef organisms. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted to (1) determine the current understanding of spatial distribution and the occurrence of UV filters exposed to the marine environment, (2) synthesize current ecotoxicological thresholds of relevant reef organisms under various UV-filter exposures, (3) identify research gaps related to both exposure and toxicity of UV filters in coral reef ecosystems. With gaps identified, a survey was developed and distributed to experts in the field representing academic, governmental, not-for-profit, and industry researchers in order to prioritize research gaps and inform future research efforts. The survey identified the need for better understanding of the impacts of co-stressors, long-term exposure, mixture, and degradation product exposure and realistic environmental conditions. Ultimately, this review will help guide priority research efforts to understand the risks of UV-filter exposure to coral reef ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:967–981. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
KEY POINTS
There is growing interest and concern over the potential exposure and ecotoxicological impacts of chemical UV-filters in coral reef ecosystems. Detection of concerning levels of UV-filters have been reported, yet comprehensive exposure and monitoring studies from coral reefs are lacking. Ecotoxicological data specific to marine and coral reef inhabitant species is sparse and limits the ability for robust environmental risk assessments. A survey of UV-filter subject experts from academic, industry, governmental, and non-profit affiliations was used to prioritise the significant number of research gaps.
Identifying risk factors for perinatal mortality from a preceding pregnancy without perinatal mortality
Authors: Levi Rinat , Pariente Gali , Sheiner Eyal , Wainstock Tamar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo identify risk factors in first pregnancy for perinatal mortality in the subsequent pregnancy.MethodsA retrospective population‐based nested case‐control study was conducted, including all women with two first singleton consecutive deliveries. Women with perinatal mortality in their first pregnancy were excluded, and cases with perinatal mortality in the second pregnancy were compared with controls who delivered a live birth. Characteristics and complications of the first pregnancy were compared between the groups using multivariable logistic models.ResultsA total of 43 043 women were included in the study, 385 (0.9%) were cases. Cases, as compared with controls (live births), were younger (22.62 ± 4.0 vs 23.22 ± 4.0 years), with shorter inter‐pregnancy interval (1.38 ± 1.55 vs 1.56 ± 1.53 years), and were more likely to have the following complications in their first pregnancy: severe pre‐eclampsia (3.4% vs 1.7%), small for gestational age (12.5% vs 8.0%), preterm delivery (17.7% vs 7.8%), and congenital or chromosomal malformations (9.6% vs 5.9%). In multivariable analysis the risk for perinatal mortality was greater with each additional complication (adjused odds ratio [aOR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.07, P < 0.001; aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.61–4.04, P < 0.001; aOR 7.88, 95% CI 3.81–16.29, P < 0.001 for one, two, and three or more complications, compared with no complications, respectively).ConclusionComplications in first pregnancy ending with live birth are associated with increased risk for perinatal mortality in a subsequent pregnancy.
Data‐driven optimization of peer‐to‐peer lending portfolios based on the expected value framework
Authors: Byanjankar Ajay , Mezei József , Heikkilä Markku 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years, peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending has been gaining popularity amongst borrowers and individual investors. This can mainly be attributed to the easy and quick access to loans and the higher possible returns. However, the risk involved in these investments is considerable, and for most investors, being nonprofessionals, this increases the complexity and the importance of investment decisions. In this study, we focus on generating optimal investment decisions to lenders for selecting loans. We treat the loan selection process in P2P lending as a portfolio optimization problem, with the aim being to select a set of loans that provide a required return while minimizing risk. In the process, we use internal rate of return as the measure of return. As the starting point of the model, we use machine‐learning algorithms to predict the default probabilities and calculate expected values for the loans based on historical data. Afterwards, we calculate the distance between loans using (i) default probabilities and, as a novel step, (ii) expected value. In the calculations, we utilize kernel functions to obtain similarity weights of loans as the input of the optimization models. Two optimization models are tested and compared on data from the popular P2P platform Lending Club. The results show that using the expected‐value framework yields higher return.