bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of clonal growth forms in angiosperms
Authors: Herben Tomáš , Klimešová Jitka 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Clonal growth of plants is attained by a number of morphologically different organs (e.g. stolons, rhizomes, and roots), which are not functionally equivalent. Consequently, these clonal growth organ (CGO) types can determine functional traits that are associated with clonality, although little is known about their evolutionary flexibility or the constraining role they play on clonal traits.

We investigated the rates of evolutionary change by which individual CGOs are acquired and lost using a set of 2652 species of Central European flora. Furthermore, we asked how these individual CGOs constrain functionally relevant clonal traits, such as lateral spread, number of offspring, and persistence of connections.

We show that plants can easily switch in evolution among individual types of CGO and between clonal and nonclonal habits. However, not all these transitions are equally probable. Namely, stem‐based clonal growth and root‐based clonal growth constitute evolutionarily separate forms of clonal growth.

Clonal traits are strongly constrained by individual CGO types. Specifically, fast lateral spread is attained by stolons or hypogeogenous rhizomes, and persistent connections are attained by all rhizome types. However, the ease with which clonal organs appear and disappear in evolution implies that plants can overcome these constraints by adjusting their morphologies.
Spatial regulation of GPR64/ADGRG2 signaling by β‐arrestins and GPCR kinases
Authors: Azimzadeh Pedram , Talamantez‐Lyburn Sarah C. , Chang Katarina T. , Inoue Asuka , Balenga Nariman 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMechanisms of activation, signaling, and trafficking of adhesion G protein–coupled receptors (aGPCRs) have remained largely unknown. Several aGPCRs, including GPR56/ADGRG1 and GPR64/ADGRG2, show increased activity in the absence of their N‐terminal fragment (NTF). This constitutive signaling is plausibly caused by the binding of extracellular N‐terminal 15–25 amino acid–long tethered agonist to extracellular domains of the cognate aGPCRs. To test the role of NTF and tethered agonist in GPR64 signaling and endocytosis, we generated mutants that lack either NTF alone (ΔNTF) or NTF and tethered agonist (P622). We discover that unlike full‐length GPR64, ΔNTF and P622 mutants interact with β‐arrestin1 and β‐arrestins2 and are constitutively internalized in steady states. However, only ΔNTF shows exaggerated basal activation of the Gαs–cAMP–CRE signaling cascade. Neither ΔNTF nor P622 shows constitutive activation of the Gα13–SRE pathway, but both mutants respond to exogenously added agonistic peptide via CRE and SRE. GPCR kinases and dynamin mediate the constitutive internalization of ΔNTF and P622 to early endosomes, where ΔNTF constantly induces CRE. These data suggest that NTF not only shields the tethered agonist to prevent G protein signaling but also confers a conformation that inhibits the interaction with β‐arrestins and the consequent endocytosis and sustained signaling from endosomes.
Speech rhythm as naturally occurring and culturally transmitted behavioral patterns
Authors: Ordin Mikhail 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRhythm is fundamental to every motor activity. Neural and physiological mechanisms that underlie rhythmic cognition, in general, and rhythmic pattern generation, in particular, are evolutionarily ancient. As speech production is a kind of motor activity, investigating speech rhythm can provide insight into how general motor patterns have been adapted for more specific use in articulation and speech production. Studies on speech rhythm may further provide insight into the development of speech capacity in humans. As speech capacity is putatively a prerequisite for developing a language faculty, studies on speech rhythm may cast some light on the mystery of language evolution in the human genus. Hereby, we propose an approach to exploring speech rhythm as a window on speech emergence in ontogenesis and phylogenesis, as well as on diachronic linguistic changes.
The Clinical Relevance of Pain Severity Changes: Is There Any Difference Between Asian and Caucasian Patients With Osteoarthritis Pain?
Authors: Yue Li , Wang Jianing , Enomoto Hiroyuki , Fujikoshi Shinji , Alev Levent , Cheng Yan Yolanda , Skljarevski Vladimir 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe objective of the present analysis was to determine whether changes in Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) average pain scores by patient global impression of improvement (PGI‐I) category and the cut‐off for clinically important difference (CID) were different between Asian and Caucasian patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis. This analysis used data from 3 (Caucasian) and 2 (Asian) randomized, placebo‐controlled, 10‐ to 14‐week duloxetine studies for the treatment of patients ≥40 years of age with osteoarthritis pain. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to characterize the association between changes in BPI average pain scores and PGI‐I levels at study endpoint. The CID was characterized by PGI‐I, and the cut‐off point for CID in BPI average pain scores was determined by the intersection of a 45‐degree tangent line with each ROC curve. Data from 668 Asian and 868 Caucasian patients were available for analysis. Baseline BPI average pain ratings including worst and least pain were comparable between Asians and Caucasians. Ratings for percentage change from baseline to endpoint for BPI average pain scores in Asian patients and Caucasian patients were similar across the 7 PGI‐I categories, regardless of age, gender, study, and treatment. The ROC analysis results of cut‐off points in BPI average pain scores demonstrated the raw change cut‐off was −3.0, and percentage change cut‐off was −40% for both Asian and Caucasian patients. Overall, the present analysis concludes changes in BPI average pain scores by PGI‐I category and the cut‐off for CID were similar for Asian and Caucasian patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis.
Endothelin‐1 and α‐melanocortin have redundant effects on global genome repair in UV‐irradiated human melanocytes despite distinct signaling pathways
Authors: Swope Viki B. , Starner Renny J. , Rauck Corinne , Abdel‐Malek Zalfa A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHuman melanocyte homeostasis is sustained by paracrine factors that reduce the genotoxic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV), the major etiological factor for melanoma. The keratinocyte‐derived endothelin‐1 (End‐1) and α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) regulate human melanocyte function, proliferation and survival, and enhance repair of UV‐induced DNA photoproducts by binding to the Gq‐ and Gi‐protein‐coupled endothelin B receptor (EDNRB), and the Gs‐protein‐coupled melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), respectively. We hereby report that End‐1 and α‐MSH regulate common effectors of the DNA damage response to UV, despite distinct signaling pathways. Both factors activate the two DNA damage sensors ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3‐related and ataxia telangiectasia mutated, enhance DNA damage recognition by reducing soluble nuclear and chromatin‐bound DNA damage binding protein 2, and increase total and chromatin‐bound xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) C. Additionally, α‐MSH and End‐1 increase total levels and chromatin localization of the damage verification protein XPA, and the levels of γH2AX, which facilitates recruitment of DNA repair proteins to DNA lesions. Activation of EDNRB compensates for MC1R loss of function, thereby reducing the risk of malignant transformation of these vulnerable melanocytes. Therefore, MC1R and EDNRB signaling pathways represent redundant mechanisms that inhibit the genotoxic effects of UV and melanomagenesis.
NOX4 activation is involved in ROS‐dependent Jurkat T‐cell death induced by Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Lee Young Ah , Kim Kyeong Ah , Min Arim , Shin Myeong Heon 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimsEntamoeba histolytica can induce host cell death through induction of various intracellular signalling pathways. The responses triggered by E. histolytica are closely associated with tissue pathogenesis and immune evasion. Although E. histolytica can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in host cells, which NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoform contributes to amoeba‐triggered Jurkat T‐cell death is unclear. In this study, we investigated the signalling role of NOX4‐derived ROS in E. histolytica‐induced Jurkat T‐cell death process.Methods and resultsIn resting‐state Jurkat T cells, NOX4 is strongly expressed. When Jurkat T cells were incubated with live E. histolytica trophozoites, intracellular ROS was significantly increased compared to cells incubated with medium alone. E. histolytica‐induced ROS production was inhibited by pretreating Jurkat T cells with a NOX inhibitor. In addition, pretreating Jurkat T cells with a NOX inhibitor (Diphenyleneiodonium chloride) effectively blocked E. histolytica‐induced phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and DNA fragmentation of host cells. Moreover, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of NOX4 protein expression in Jurkat T cells prevented E. histolytica‐induced ROS generation and DNA fragmentation.ConclusionThese results suggest that NOX4 has a critical role in ROS‐dependent cell death process in Jurkat T cells induced by E. histolytica.
Monitoring severe acute maternal morbidity across Europe: A feasibility study
Authors: Chantry Anne A. , Berrut Sylvan , Donati Serena , Gissler Mika , Goldacre Raphael , Knight Marian , Maraschini Alice , Monteath Kirsten , Morris Anna , Teixeira Cristina , Wood Rachael , Zeitlin Jennifer , Deneux‐Tharaux Catherine 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMonitoring severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) appears essential for optimising care and informing health care policies, especially given changes in obstetric practices and mother profiles. International comparisons can identify areas where improvement is needed, but the comparability of indicators must be evaluated.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of monitoring SAMM using common definitions from hospital discharge databases across Europe.MethodsWe used hospital discharge data in eight countries (2 826 868 deliveries) to identify women with SAMM among all hospitalisations of women of reproductive age admitted for antenatal or delivery care. Five SAMM indicators were investigated: eclampsia, septicaemia, hysterectomy, hysterectomy associated with a diagnosis of obstetric haemorrhage, and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion associated with a diagnosis of obstetric haemorrhage. Between‐country variation was described, by the ratio of the highest to lowest rates, while external validation was assessed by comparing with population‐based studies on maternal morbidity.ResultsRatios for hysterectomy and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in the context of obstetric haemorrhage were 1:2.1 and 1:3.5, respectively. High values of hysterectomy and low values of transfusion were both consistent with high maternal mortality from haemorrhage (France, Italy, Portugal). Ratios across countries were relatively low for eclampsia (1:3.4) but very high for septicaemia (1:22.5). Compared to population‐based morbidity estimates, eclampsia was over‐reported in hospital databases whereas the two indicators of severe haemorrhage had good external validity.ConclusionsIn association with diagnosis codes indicating obstetric haemorrhage, hysterectomy and RBC transfusion appear to be good candidates for surveillance of maternal morbidity in Europe.
Gestational age, kindergarten‐level literacy, and effect modification by maternal socio‐economic and demographic factors
Authors: Mallinson David C. , Grodsky Eric , Ehrenthal Deborah B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundShorter gestational age at birth is associated with worse academic performance in childhood. Socio‐economic and demographic factors that affect a child's development may modify the relationship between gestational age and later academic performance.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate socio‐economic and demographic effect modification of gestational age's association with kindergarten‐level literacy skills in a longitudinal Wisconsin birth cohort.MethodsWe sampled 153 145 singleton births (2007‐2010) that linked to Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening—Kindergarten (PALS‐K) scores (2012‐2016 school years). PALS‐K outcomes included meeting the screening benchmark (≥28 points, range 0‐102 points) and the standardised score. Multivariable linear regressions of PALS‐K outcomes on gestational age (completed weeks) included individual interactions for five maternal attributes measured at delivery: Medicaid coverage, education, age, race/ethnicity, and marital status.ResultsEach additional completed gestational week was associated with a 0.5 percentage point increase in the probability of meeting the PALS‐K literacy benchmark. The benefit of an additional week of gestational age was 0.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval 0.3, 0.7 percentage points) greater for Medicaid‐covered births (0.8 percentage points) relative to non‐Medicaid births (0.3 percentage points). Relative to only completing high school, having college education weakened this association by 0.3‐0.6 percentage points, depending on years in college. Similar but modest relations emerged with standardised scores.ConclusionsSocio‐economic advantage as indicated by non‐Medicaid coverage or higher levels of completed maternal education may diminish the cost of preterm birth on a child's kindergarten‐level literacy skills.
Maternal influences on effortful control in adolescence: Developmental pathways to externalizing behaviors
Authors: Ruof Ariana K. , Elam Kit K. , Chassin Laurie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAdolescents' effortful control is subject to numerous maternal influences. Specifically, a mother's own effortful control is associated with her child's effortful control. However, maternal substance use, psychopathology, and stress within the parenting role may also lead to poor effortful control for their child. Poor effortful control during adolescence can subsequently contribute to a variety of negative outcomes, including externalizing behaviors. A sample of 460 adolescents (47% female, 59.3% Non‐Hispanic Caucasian) was selected from a longitudinal, multigenerational study. The goal was to examine maternal effortful control, substance use, psychopathology, and stress in their offspring's childhood (Mage = 6.27) and their influence on their children's effortful control in early adolescence (Mage = 12.21) and the subsequent effect of effortful control on adolescents’ externalizing behavior (Mage = 13.53). Maternal effortful control (measured via conscientiousness) and psychopathology were associated with adolescent effortful control, which was associated with externalizing behavior a year later. Additionally, there was a significant indirect association between maternal effortful control and adolescent externalizing behaviors via adolescent effortful control. Thus, adolescent effortful control is associated with maternal effortful control but also subject to specific maternal risk factors in childhood. These results inform potential maternal strategies for promoting positive developmental outcomes in adolescents.
Theories of Change in Rural Policy Evaluation
Authors: Maye Damian , Enticott Gareth , Naylor Rhiannon 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRural policy evaluation helps to understand the extent to which policies have met pre‐defined objectives, achieve value for money and learn from implementation failures. However, there is increasing debate over the quality of policy evaluation and the extent to which its methods can fully contribute to an understanding of rural policy. Responding to these calls, this article employs a theory driven approach to policy evaluation to assess the social impacts of attempts to reduce animal disease on farms in England. Popular in other policy arenas, theory driven evaluation relies on developing a theory of change to examine the interactions between policy contexts and mechanisms and policy outcomes and determine what works for whom. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative and quantitative research, the article identifies two mechanisms of change to evaluate the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project (BVDP) in England to reduce incidence of bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. The article shows how these mechanisms – ‘seeing is believing’ and ‘practice similarity’ – are triggered by different contextual factors leading to the failure to deliver expected policy outcomes. We also consider the advantages and limitations to theory based evaluation, and the contribution it can make to the evaluation of other rural development programmes.
Major shoreline retreat and sediment starvation following Snowball Earth
Authors: Nordsvan Adam R. , Barham Milo , Cox Grant , Kirscher Uwe , Mitchell Ross N. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWhile cap dolostones are integral to the Snowball Earth hypothesis, the current depositional model does not account for multiple geological observations. Here we propose a model that rationalises palaeomagnetic, sequence‐stratigraphic and sedimentological data and supports rapid deglaciation with protracted cap dolostone precipitation. The Snowball Earth hypothesis posits that a runaway ice‐albedo can explain the climate paradox of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits occurring at low palaeolatitudes. This scenario invokes volcanic degassing to increase atmospheric greenhouse gases to a critical threshold that overcomes the albedo effect and brings the planet back from the ice‐covered state. Once this occurs, Earth should shift rapidly from a snowball to an extreme greenhouse. However, cap dolostone units overlying glacial sediments, typically interpreted as transgressive deposits, exhibit multiple magnetic reversals indicating they accumulated in >105 years. By reviewing modern post‐glacial systems, sequence stratigraphic concepts and principles of sedimentology, we suggest that cap dolostones are not restricted to the transgression but rather represent sediment starvation following a major landward shoreline migration associated with the demise of Snowball Earth. Thus, the duration in which cap dolostone accumulated is not directly coupled to the timescale of the Snowball Earth deglaciation.
Effect of storage of platelet concentrates in PAS‐B, PAS‐C, or plasma on transfusion reactions
Authors: van Hout Fabienne M.A. , Middelburg Rutger A. , van der Meer Pieter F. , Pors Aad , Wiersum‐Osselton Johanna C. , Schipperus Martin R. , Kerkhoffs Jean‐Louis , van der Bom Johanna G. 
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUNDReports on the clinical consequences of longer storage time of platelet concentrates are contradictory. The objective of this study was to assess whether longer storage times are associated with a higher risk of transfusion reactions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe gathered storage times of pooled platelet concentrates related to transfusion reactions reported to the national hemovigilance office from 2004 to 2015. These were combined with storage times of platelet concentrates in the reference population to compare incidences of transfusion‐associated circulatory overload, transfusion‐related acute lung injury, allergic reactions, febrile nonhemolytic reactions, and “other” reactions between storage time categories.RESULTSA total of 567,053 platelet concentrates and 1870 transfusion reactions were analyzed. Among platelet additive solution (PAS)‐B platelet recipients, the odds ratio of a storage time of 4 to 5 days compared to 1 to 3 days was 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17‐2.18) for allergic, and 1.47 (1.09‐1.98) for febrile reactions. For PAS‐C platelet recipients, the odds ratio for allergic reactions was 3.78 (95% CI, 1.31‐10.9) for 4 to 5 days, and 4.57 (95% CI, 1.57‐13.4) for 6‐ to 7‐day‐old platelets when compared to 1‐ to 3‐day‐old units. In all other studied reaction types, no statistically significant association was observed in platelets in plasma, PAS‐B, and PAS‐C.CONCLUSIONSIn plasma platelets, longer storage time was not associated with a higher incidence of transfusion reactions. In PAS platelets, longer storage time was associated with higher transfusion reaction incidences, in particular for allergic reactions with both PAS fluids and febrile reactions with PAS‐B. This indicates that the effect of storage time is different for different reaction types and depends on the storage fluid.
Expanded feasibility of ferritin testing: stability of ferritin stored as whole blood and validation of plastic tubes
Authors: Spencer Bryan R. , Brodsky Jaye P. , Holley Gary C. , Foster Gregory A. , Winton Colleen , Stramer Susan L. 
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUNDFerritin testing is a recommended strategy to mitigate iron depletion in blood donors. A barrier for some testing platforms is a requirement to complete sample management and testing within a temporal window incompatible with the logistics of many blood collectors. The ability to delay separation of plasma/serum from red cells and subsequent testing would enhance the feasibility of ferritin testing on a broader scale.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThirty blood donors provided a research donation of 12, 4‐mL sample tubes of whole blood. Six pairs of serum and K2‐EDTA‐plasma tubes were centrifuged and samples tested in triplicate on day of collection and on each of the next 5 days following storage at 4°C. Comparison of ferritin values for serum versus K2‐EDTA‐plasma at baseline was performed to validate plastic EDTA‐containing tubes. Variation of ferritin values during storage was assessed for direction and strength of any detectable changes.RESULTSFerritin values were comparable between EDTA‐plasma and serum, with baseline values from EDTA‐plasma samples 7% lower on average than serum (p < 0.0001 by paired t‐test). Variability over five storage days was within approved parameters in the manufacturer's instructions. Within‐run precision averaged 2% to 3% for each test day and within‐subject precision across all samples averaged less than 5% for both serum and EDTA‐plasma. Repeated measures showed no difference in changes during storage by tube type or day of testing.CONCLUSIONThese results support flexible testing procedures, expanding the opportunity for blood centers to adopt this measure for assessing donor iron status.
A Simulation-Based Approach to Data Center Thermal Efficiency Optimization
Authors: Fouladi Kamran , Schaadt Joseph 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The energy consumption for cooling electronic equipment in data centers using central systems is significant and will continue to rise. The motivation of the present research study is based on the need to determine optimization strategies to improve and optimize the thermal efficiency of data centers using a simulation-based approach. Here, simulation is used to model and optimize a proposed research data center for use as an environment to test equipment and investigate best practices and strategies such as containment and hybrid cooling. The optimization technique used in this study finds the optimal operating conditions and containment strategies of the data center while meeting specific thermal conformance criteria. More specifically, optimum supply airflow rate and temperature setpoint of cooling units are sought under different containment configurations, including both hot aisle and cold aisle containment strategies in both full and partial setups. The results of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations indicated a lower probability of hot spots with full hot aisle containment strategy in a data center operating at lower supply airflow rate and higher supply temperature setpoint. The optimization approach helped to determine a more efficient cooling system without the risk of under-provisioning. The study considered steady-state conditions with static heat load and fixed equipment layout. However, the generalized optimization process developed in the present study should add to the repertoire of tools presently used for the optimization of new air-cooled data centers.