bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prey availability and intraguild competition regulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of a modified large carnivore guild
Authors: Davis Robert S. , Yarnell Richard W. , Gentle Louise K. , Uzal Antonio , Mgoola William O. , Stone Emma L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEffective conservation management requires an understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics driving large carnivore density and resource partitioning. In African ecosystems, reduced prey populations and the loss of competing guild members, most notably lion (Panthera leo), are expected to increase the levels of competition between remaining carnivores. Consequently, intraguild relationships can be altered, potentially increasing the risk of further population decline. Kasungu National Park (KNP), Malawi, is an example of a conservation area that has experienced large‐scale reductions in both carnivore and prey populations, leaving a resident large carnivore guild consisting of only leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Here, we quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of these two species and their degree of association, using a combination of co‐detection modeling, time‐to‐event analyses, and temporal activity patterns from camera trap data. The detection of leopard and spotted hyena was significantly associated with the detection of preferred prey and competing carnivores, increasing the likelihood of species interaction. Temporal analyses revealed sex‐specific differences in temporal activity, with female leopard activity patterns significantly different to those of spotted hyena and male conspecifics. Heightened risk of interaction with interspecific competitors and male conspecifics may have resulted in female leopards adopting temporal avoidance strategies to facilitate coexistence. Female leopard behavioral adaptations increased overall activity levels and diurnal activity rates, with potential consequences for overall fitness and exposure to sources of mortality. As both species are currently found at low densities in KNP, increased risk of competitive interactions, which infer a reduction in fitness, could have significant implications for large carnivore demographics. The protection of remaining prey populations is necessary to mitigate interspecific competition and avoid further alterations to the large carnivore guild.
State changes: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network
Authors: Zinnert Julie C. , Nippert Jesse B. , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Pennings Steven C. , González Grizelle , Alber Merryl , Baer Sara G. , Blair John M. , Burd Adrian , Collins Scott L. , Craft Christopher , Di Iorio Daniela , Dodds Walter K. , Groffman Peter M. , Herbert Ellen , Hladik Christine , Li Fan , Litvak Marcy E. , Newsome Seth , O’Donnell John , Pockman William T. , Schalles John , Young Donald R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the complex and unpredictable ways ecosystems are changing and predicting the state of ecosystems and the services they will provide in the future requires coordinated, long‐term research. This paper is a product of a U.S. National Science Foundation funded Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) network synthesis effort that addressed anticipated changes in future populations and communities. Each LTER site described what their site would look like in 50 or 100 yr based on long‐term patterns and responses to global change drivers in each ecosystem. Common themes emerged and predictions were grouped into state change, connectivity, resilience, time lags, and cascading effects. Here, we report on the “state change” theme, which includes examples from the Georgia Coastal (coastal marsh), Konza Prairie (mesic grassland), Luquillo (tropical forest), Sevilleta (arid grassland), and Virginia Coastal (coastal grassland) sites. Ecological thresholds (the point at which small changes in an environmental driver can produce an abrupt and persistent state change in an ecosystem quality, property, or phenomenon) were most commonly predicted. For example, in coastal ecosystems, sea‐level rise and climate change could convert salt marsh to mangroves and coastal barrier dunes to shrub thicket. Reduced fire frequency has converted grassland to shrubland in mesic prairie, whereas overgrazing combined with drought drive shrub encroachment in arid grasslands. Lastly, tropical cloud forests are susceptible to climate‐induced changes in cloud base altitude leading to shifts in species distributions. Overall, these examples reveal that state change is a likely outcome of global environmental change across a diverse range of ecosystems and highlight the need for long‐term studies to sort out the causes and consequences of state change. The diversity of sites within the LTER network facilitates the emergence of overarching concepts about state changes as an important driver of ecosystem structure, function, services, and futures.
New evidence for the importance of soil nitrogen on the survival and adaptation of silver birch to climate warming
Authors: Possen B. J. H. M. , Rousi M. , Keski‐Saari S. , Silfver T. , Kontunen‐Soppela S. , Oksanen E. , Mikola J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractStrong seasonality in the subarctic causes unfavorable conditions for plant growth driving strong latitudinal clines in growth onset and cessation related to temperature and photoperiodic cues. Results from controlled experiments indeed show such clines, but results from field experiments seem to indicate that such clines may depend on site characteristics, suggesting that environmental variation, other than temperature and photoperiod, is relevant under climate change. Here, we increase our understanding of the effects of climate change on survival, height growth, and the phenological cycle by investigating their inter‐ and intrapopulation variation using three common gardens and six silver birch (Betula pendula) populations (each represented by up to five cloned genotypes) spanning the Finnish subarctic. We found clinal south–north variation among populations in survival and growth and in spring and autumn phenology to be largely absent. Sapling survival decreased with a transfer of over five degrees of latitude southward, but growth and phenology showed little evidence for adaptation to the local climate. Instead, ample genetic variation and plastic responses were found for all traits studied. Higher soil N availability increased sapling survival and growth, and phenology seemed to be adapted to soil N and day length rather than to temperature. Our results suggest that the climatic conditions predicted for the end of this century may, at least for poor soils, reduce the survival of northern silver birch trees in their early growth. However, those saplings that survive seem to have sufficient phenotypic plasticity to acclimatize to the changing climate. Along with climate, soil fertility plays a significant role and clearly warrants inclusion in the future tests of the effects of climate warming on tree growth and survival.
Far‐Red and Near‐Infrared Boron Schiff Bases (BOSCHIBAs) Dyes Bearing Anionic Boron Clusters
Authors: Corona‐López María M. , Muñoz‐Flores Blanca M. , Chaari Mahdi , Nuñez Rosario , Jiménez‐Pérez Víctor M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHere, we report a short series of six new boron Schiff bases (BOSCHIBAs), four of them bearing anionic boron clusters. The boron complexes (1–2) were synthesized by the multicomponent reaction. The Boron Schiff bases were appropriately functionalized with boron cluster anions [B12H12]2− (3–4) and [3,3’‐Co(C2B9H11)2]− (5–6). Remarkably, BOSCHIBAs bearing [B12H12]2− showed fluorescence emission to the NIR and far‐red regions (3: 747 nm, 4: 690 nm), while 5 and 6 exhibited emission in the UV region (5: 525 and 6: 475 nm). Notably, complexes 2, 5, and 6 showed the highest photostability, followed by the boron complexes 1 and 3, which suggest that the nature of the boron cluster influences photostability properties. Compounds 3–4 represent the first example of boron Schiff bases bearing boron cluster anions [B12H12]2− exhibiting fluorescence emission in the NIR and far‐red regions, make them potential candidates as fluorescence probes for bioimaging.
Asymmetric Organocatalytic [2,3]‐Wittig Rearrangement of Cyclohexanone Derivatives
Authors: Kimm Mariliis , Järving Ivar , Ošeka Maksim , Kanger Tõnis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAsymmetric rearrangement reactions are one of the perfect tools for the construction of new carbon‐carbon bonds in an enantioselective manner. The enantioselective [2,3]‐Wittig rearrangement of cinnamyloxycyclohexanone derivatives, catalyzed by a commercially available primary amine, provided α‐hydroxy ketones with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. A new and straightforward procedure for the synthesis of cinnamyloxycyclohexanone derivatives was developed.
A novel hybrid fine particulate matter (PM2.5) forecasting and its further application system: Case studies in China
Authors: Du Pei , Wang Jianzhou , Yang Wendong , Niu Tong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAir pollution has received more attention from many countries and scientists due to its high threat to human health. However, air pollution prediction remains a challenging task because of its nonstationarity, randomness, and nonlinearity. In this research, a novel hybrid system is successfully developed for PM2.5 concentration prediction and its application in health effects and economic loss assessment. First, an efficient data mining method is adopted to capture and extract the primary characteristic of PM2.5 dataset and alleviate the noises' adverse effects. Second, Harris hawks optimization algorithm is introduced to tune the extreme learning machine model with high prediction accuracy, then the optimized extreme learning machine can be established to obtain the forecasting values of PM2.5 series. Next, PM2.5‐related health effects and economic costs was estimated based on the predicted PM2.5 values, the related health effects, and environmental value assessment methods. Several experiments are designed using three daily PM2.5 datasets from Beijing, Tianjin, and Shijiazhuang. Lastly, the corresponding experimental results showed that this proposed system can not only provide early warning information for environmental management, assist in the formulation of effective measures to reduce air pollutant emissions, and prevent health problems but also help for further research and application in different fields, such as health issues due to PM2.5 pollutant.
Improving the oxidative stability of virgin olive oil using microformulated vitamin‐C
Authors: Osanloo Mahmoud , Jamali Narjes , Nematollahi Amene 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study aims to improve the oxidative stability of olive oil using microformulated vitamin‐C (Vit‐C). The microemulsion containing 10,000 µg/ml Vit‐C with a droplet size of 1,000 ± 68 nm was first prepared. Free radical scavenging of olive oil and olive oil containing blank microemulsion, different amounts of formulated Vit‐C (100–500 µg/ml), and TBHQ (100 and 200 µg/ml as a standard antioxidant) was around 90% during 21 days of incubation at 60°C. The oxidative stability of the mentioned samples during incubation was investigated using the rancimat test, and their quality criteria analysis was studied by peroxide and the acid values. Results showed that the sample's acid value containing 500 µg/ml of Vit‐C did not show significant differences (p < .05) with samples containing TBHQ. However, samples containing TBHQ's peroxide value were significant (p < .05) lower than samples containing 500 µg/ml of Vit‐C. Furthermore, the induction time of samples containing 500 µg/ml of Vit‐C was significantly (p < .05) higher than other treatments during incubation. Thus, the prepared microemulsion could be used as a natural antioxidant in the oil industry instead of harmful synthetic TBHQ.
Association between waiting time for radiotherapy initiation and disease progression among women with cervical cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Dereje Nebiyu , Addissie Adamu , Worku Alemayehu , Gebremariam Alem , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Assefa Mathewos , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThere is shortage of radiotherapy machines in low‐income countries, including Ethiopia. Data on adverse effects of this on cancer outcomes are limited, however. Herein, we examined the extent of waiting time for radiotherapy and its association with disease progression based on a prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with stage IA‐IVA cervical cancer in Addis Ababa and who were scheduled to receive radiotherapy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the only hospital that provides radiotherapy services in the country. Association was examined using Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression model. Among the 178 women with cervical cancer scheduled for receipt of radiotherapy and with vital status information, 16 deceased (9.0%) while waiting for radiotherapy. For the remaining 162 women who initiated radiotherapy, the median treatment waiting period was 137 days (IQR = 60‐234 days), with 74.1% of women waiting for >60 days. Tumor progressed to higher stage for 44.4% of these women. Compared to those women who initiated radiotherapy ≤60 days after diagnostic confirmation, the odds of tumor progression to higher stage was three times higher in those women who initiated radiotherapy between 120‐179 days (aOR =3.30, 95%CI: 1.18‐9.27) and ≥180 days (aOR =3.06, 95%CI: 1.24‐7.52). Waiting period for receipt of radiotherapy among women with cervical cancer is exceedingly long in Addis Ababa, and it is associated with disease progression to higher stages. These findings reinforce the need to expand radiotherapy infrastructure in order to mitigate the undue high burden of the disease in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa.
In silico structure evaluation of BAG3 and elucidating its association with bacterial infections through protein–protein and host‐pathogen interaction analysis
Authors: Basu Soumya , Naha Aniket , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Ramaiah Sudha , Anbarasu Anand 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBAG3, a co‐chaperone protein with a Bcl‐2‐associated athanogene (BAG) domain, has diverse functionalities in protein‐folding, apoptosis, inflammation, and cell cycle regulatory cross‐talks. It has been well characterised in cardiac diseases, cancers, and viral pathogenesis. The multiple roles of BAG3 are attributed to its functional regions like BAG, Tryptophan‐rich (WW), isoleucine‐proline‐valine‐rich (IPV), and proline‐rich (PXXP) domains. However, to study its structural impact on various functions, the experimental 3D structure of BAG3 protein was not available. Hence, the structure was predicted through in silico modelling and validated through computational tools and molecular dynamics simulation studies. To the best of our knowledge, the role of BAG3 in bacterial infections is not explicitly reported. We attempted to study them through an in‐silico protein–protein interaction network and host‐pathogen interaction analysis. From structure‐function relationships, it was identified that the WW and PXXP domains were associated with cellular cytoskeleton rearrangement and adhesion‐mediated response, which might be involved in BAG3‐related intracellular bacterial proliferation. From functional enrichment analysis, Gene Ontology terms and topological matrices, 18 host proteins and 29 pathogen proteins were identified in the BAG3 interactome pertaining to Legionellosis, Tuberculosis, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, and Pertussis through differential phosphorylation events associated with serine metabolism. Furthermore, it was evident that direct (MAPK8, MAPK14) and associated (MAPK1, HSPD1, NFKBIA, TLR2, RHOA) interactors of BAG3 could be considered as therapeutic markers to curb down intracellular bacterial propagation in humans.
Enhancing the capacity for optimal social and personality function through the mediational intervention for sensitizing caregivers: A case illustration
Authors: Sharp Carla 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjective: Based on the well‐known principle that the ability to meaningfully relate to others starts in the context of early attachment relationships, the current case illustration uses a recent extension of mentalization‐based theory and practice to demonstrate how caregivers can enhance the capacity for optimal social and personality function through the mediational intervention for sensitizing caregivers (MISC).Methods: Case material is presented to demonstrate the implementation of the MISC affective and cognitive components with a mother of an adopted 10‐year‐old girl who shows signs of affect avoidance, social isolation within and outside the family, and maladaptive personality development.Results: The case illustration shows how video feedback sessions facilitate the gradual use of affective and cognitive components in the daily interactions between mother and daughter, thereby scaffolding optimal social and personality development.Conclusions: Affective and cognitive components of the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregiving can be effectively integrated to enhance mentalizing capacity in caregiver‐child interactions.
A very present help: The role of religious support for Black adolescent girls' mental well‐being
Authors: Rose Theda , Hope Meredith O. , Powell Terrinieka W. , Chan Victoria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study explored religious emotional support as a mediator of the association between organized religious involvement (ORI) and mental well‐being among African American and Caribbean Black girls. Data are drawn from a nationally representative survey of Black adolescents. The sample was composed of African American (n = 412) and Caribbean Black (n = 165) girls, aged 13–17. Structural equation modeling tested direct and indirect effects of ORI on mental well‐being, through religious emotional support. For African American girls, ORI was not directly related to any of the mental well‐being outcomes. Religious emotional support mediated the association between ORI and self‐esteem, mastery, and life satisfaction. For Caribbean Black girls, ORI was negatively associated with mastery and life satisfaction. Religious emotional support mediated the association between ORI and life satisfaction. Results suggest that the well‐being benefits of ORI for Black girls only remain significant in the presence of religious emotional support and are different for ethnic subgroups.
Predictive Performance of Population Pharmacokinetic Models of Levetiracetam in Children and Evaluation of Dosing Regimen
Authors: Tauzin Manon , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc , Nabbout Rima , Chemaly Nicole , Billette de Villemeur Thierry , Desguerre Isabelle , Lui Gabrielle , Gana Ines , Boujaafar Sana , Zheng Yi , Benaboud Sihem , Bouazza Naim , Chenevier‐Gobeaux Camille , Freihuber Cécile , Hirt Déborah 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLevetiracetam is a broad‐spectrum antiepileptic drug that exhibits high interindividual variability in serum concentrations in children. A population pharmacokinetic approach can be used to explain this variability and optimize dosing schemes. The objectives are to identify the best predictive population pharmacokinetic model for children and to evaluate recommended doses using simulations and Bayesian forecasting. A validation cohort included children treated with levetiracetam who had a serum drug concentration assayed during therapeutic drug monitoring. We assessed the predictive performance of all the population pharmacokinetic models published in the literature using mean prediction errors, root mean squared errors, and visual predictive checks. A population model was finally constructed on the data, and dose simulations were performed to evaluate doses. We included 267 levetiracetam concentrations ranging from 2 to 69 mg/L from 194 children in the validation cohort. Six published models were externally evaluated. Most of the models underestimated the variability of our population. A 1‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination with allometric scaling was finally fitted on our data. In our cohort, 57% of patients had a trough concentration <12 mg/L and 12% <5 mg/L. To reach a trough concentration >5 mg/L, doses ≥30 mg/kg/d for patients ≤50 kg and ≥2000 mg/d for patients >50 kg are required. In our population, a high percentage of children had low trough concentrations. Our population pharmacokinetic model could be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of levetiracetam in children.
Succession patterns of the bacterial community in poultry litter after bird removal and sodium bisulfate application
Authors: Johnson Jasmine , Zwirzitz Benjamin , Oladeinde Adelumola , Milfort Marie , Looft Torey , Chai Lilong , Zock Gregory , Sommers Marlo , Tunim Supanon , Aggrey Samuel E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSulfate‐based acid amendments are used for treating litter between broiler chicken flocks and during grow‐out for in‐house ammonia abatement. These amendments reduce litter pH and inhibit ammonia volatilization by converting ammonia to nonvolatile ammonium. Research on the effects of acid amendments on litter microbiota is limited and usually done in microcosms, which do not replicate natural environments. In this study, we determined the changes in bacterial populations present in litter during downtime (the period after a flock was removed and before new broiler chicks were placed) and 24 h before and after the application of a sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4)‐based amendment. We used DNA sequencing technologies to characterize the litter microbiota, elucidating microbial shifts in litter samples with respect to downtime, litter depth, and NaHSO4 application. During downtime (∼18 d), the litter microbiota was dominated by Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Sodium bisulfate affected the microbiota in the top layer (3 cm) of reused litter topdressed with fresh pine shavings and resulted in an increase in Escherichia spp. and Faecalibacterium spp. and a decrease in members of the phylum Acidobacteria. Furthermore, culturable Escherichia coli decreased by 1.5 log units during downtime, but an increase was observed for topdressed litter after NaHSO4 was applied. Although the effect of acidifiers on ammonia reduction, bird performance, and litter performance are well documented, their effect on litter bacteria is not well understood. Our results suggest that acidifiers may perturb litter bacteria when topdressed with fresh pine shavings and that further research is required.
Prediction of mismatch repair deficient biliary tract cancer: Role of morphological features and host immune response detected by routine hematoxylin‐eosin staining
Authors: Suda Ryuichiro , Sakai Nozomu , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Ishige Takayuki , Kawasaki Yohei , Shiko Yuki , Furukawa Katsunori , Mishima Takashi , Nakadai Eri , Ohtsuka Masayuki 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe objective of this study was to determine the frequency and predictors of biliary tract cancer (BTC) with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) in Japan.MethodsImmunostaining and microsatellite instability analysis were performed for mismatch repair‐related proteins in tissue specimens from 662 patients who underwent surgery for BTC between 2001 and 2017 to identify dMMR‐BTC. We compared dMMR‐BTC and proficient MMR (pMMR)‐BTC based on patient demographics, pathological features, and host immune responses characterized by the percentage of stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL percentage) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS).ResultsThe incidence of dMMR‐BTC was 2.3%. Significant predictors of dMMR‐BTC were its primary lesion being intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR] 6.34, P = .004), presence of signet ring cell component (OR 35.62, P < .001), sTIL percentage ≥40% (OR 3.43, P = .038), and presence of TLS (OR 22.22, P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity, and negative likelihood ratio for any one or more of these four variables to be positive were 93.3%, 57.8%, and 0.12, respectively.ConclusionEvaluation of histopathological findings and host immune response based on conventional histochemical staining is useful for efficient and inexpensive diagnostic screening of dMMR‐BTC patients.