bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between aboveground and belowground trait responses of a dominant plant species to alterations in watertable depth
Authors: Mao Wei , Felton Andrew J. , Ma Yunhua , Zhang Tonghui , Sun Zhibin , Zhao Xueyong , Smith Melinda D. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDrought impacts to plant growth can be indicated by changes in key functional traits. However, previous research has focused on aboveground trait responses to precipitation deficits, with less emphasis on concomitant belowground impacts and deep soil drought from groundwater depletion. We assessed changes in a suite of aboveground and belowground traits of a dominant plant, Phragmites communis, in response to an experimental gradient of underground watertable depth. Our study occurred within the northeastern Inner Mongolia region, where changes to groundwater tables have been pervasive in recent years. In general, the results indicate that both aboveground and belowground traits responded positively, yet eventually negatively, to continual increases in watertable depth, indicative of reduced access to soil moisture as watertable depths increased. Key adjustments include changes to the ratio of coarse roots to fine roots, and the distribution of fine roots within the soil profile. These changes in belowground traits had strong correlations with changes in aboveground traits. In particular, specific root length of fine roots was positively correlated with leaf area, height, and aboveground biomass, whereas root biomass was linked to leaf area, specific root length of coarse roots, and root length density. Fine and coarse root production also had positive and negative relationships with aboveground biomass, respectively, suggestive of biomass allocation tradeoffs. We suggest that biomass production responses of this species to changes in watertable depths may largely be driven by interactions between the distribution of fine and coarse roots in the soil profile and changes to leaf area.
CEST imaging at 9.4 T using adjusted adiabatic spin‐lock pulses for on‐ and off‐resonant T1⍴‐dominated Z‐spectrum acquisition
Authors: Herz Kai , Gandhi Chirayu , Schuppert Mark , Deshmane Anagha , Scheffler Klaus , Zaiss Moritz 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe CEST experiment, with its correlation to rare proton species that are in exchange with the water pool, is very similar to the off‐resonant water spin‐lock (SL) experiment. In particular, low‐power SL Z‐spectrum acquisition allows insight into T1ρand exchange effects with decreased direct water saturation. Because the available SL methods either require high B1power or are instable in the presence of strong B1and B0inhomogeneity present at ultra‐high fields, the goal of this study was to find a robust adiabatic SL pulse for on‐ and off‐resonant application in the human brain at 9.4 T.MethodsA series of Bloch simulations were used to find optimal pulse shape parameters of an adjusted hyperbolic secant pulse applicable in the low power regime typically used for exchange‐weighted SL experiments. The optimized pulse was implemented and tested in phantom and in vivo experiments on a 9.4 T human scanner for on‐ and off‐resonant T1ρ‐ and Z‐spectrum measurements.ResultsThe simulation yielded a feasible pulse shape, which yielded robust images, less sensitivity to B1and B0inhomogeneity compared with previous SL approaches and less direct water saturation, as well as a higher chemical exchange weighting compared with conventional CEST approaches.ConclusionBy adapting a pulse shape for low‐power SL experiments, we were able to acquire robust on‐ and off‐resonant adiabatic SL prepared images in vivo at 9.4 T. This development leads directly to SL Z‐spectrum acquisition, beneficial for chemical‐exchange‐weighted MRI.
Reproducibility of motor unit number index and multiple point stimulation motor unit number estimation in controls
Authors: Higashihara Mana , Menon Parvathi , van den Bos Mehdi , Geevasinga Nimeshan , Vucic Steve 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Reproducibility of the multiple point stimulation motor unit number estimation (MPS‐MUNE) technique was compared with the recently developed motor unit number index (MUNIX) technique. Methods: MPS‐MUNE and MUNIX were performed on 15 healthy subjects at 3 different time‐points by the same examiner. Reproducibility was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). Results: ICC values for MUNIX and MPS‐MUNE were excellent across 3 tests (0.80 and 0.77, respectively), although CV values were significantly lower for MUNIX than MPS‐MUNE (P < 0.01). In addition, test‐retest reproducibility was better for MUNIX, a finding largely attributable to poor reproducibility of the single motor unit action potential area. MUNIX (R = −0.48, P < 0.05) and MPS‐MUNE (R = −0.53, P < 0.05) were significantly correlated with age. Discussion: MUNIX demonstrated better intrarater reproducibility and may be a more reliable neurophysiological biomarker than MPS‐MUNE. Muscle Nerve 58: 660–664, 2018
Bioarchaeology of social transition: A diachronic study of pathological conditions at Tumilaca la Chimba, Peru
Authors: Lowman Shannon A. , Sharratt Nicola , Turner Bethany L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study presents a diachronic analysis of pathological conditions from two samples of human remains at the archaeological site of Tumilaca la Chimba, Peru. The site includes two occupations, one dating to the terminal Middle Horizon or early Late Intermediate Period (LIP; ca. 950–1250 CE), as the Tiwanaku state underwent collapse. Despite political fragmentation, this occupation is characterised by substantial cultural continuity in Tiwanaku practices. The second occupation dates to the later LIP (ca. 1250–1476 CE) and is associated with significant changes in material culture. This study analyses skeletal data derived from cemeteries associated with each occupation in order to compare proxies of nutritional status, infection, and trauma.Paleopathological analysis of individuals from the terminal Middle Horizon Tumilaca cemeteries (N = 20) and LIP Estuquiña cemetery (N = 23) reveals significant differences in age and sex distributions; this could be an artefact of looting and differential excavation or a possible shift in fertility and population demography. There are also differences, though not statistically significant, in the frequencies of pathological conditions including cribra orbitalia, which is higher in the Tumilaca sample, and oral decay, which is higher in the Estuquiña sample. These results tentatively suggest that physiological stressors—particularly those occurring in childhood—did not necessarily abate at this site over time but rather shifted in their causes. These results underscore the importance of bioarchaeological contributions to theorising local experiences of larger sociopolitical transitions in the pre‐Hispanic Andes.
“A change in perspective”: Exploring the experiences of adolescents with hereditary tumor predisposition
Authors: Weber Evan , Shuman Cheryl , Wasserman Jonathan D. , Barrera Maru , Patenaude Andrea F. , Fung Karen , Chitayat David , Malkin David , Druker Harriet 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundHereditary tumor predisposition syndromes (HTPSs) are being recognized more frequently in the etiology of pediatric cancer. Previous research indicates that disclosure of tumor susceptibility is a significant event in adolescents’ lives. Insight into adolescents’ adjustment to knowledge of their syndromes can guide healthcare delivery, particularly genetic counseling. This study explored the experiences of adolescents with hereditary tumor predisposition and their perceptions of living at risk.MethodsSeven adolescents, ages 14 to 17, representing six different childhood‐onset HTPSs, were purposively sampled and interviewed using a study‐specific semistructured interview guide. We explored the disclosure process, support systems, and the perceived benefits and harms of knowledge of hereditary tumor susceptibility. Interview transcripts were analyzed via interpretive description.ResultsThree major themes emerged from the data: (1) The benefits of knowledge outweigh the harms; (2) context surrounding genetic testing must be recognized; and (3) self‐concept is influenced but not defined by tumor risk.ConclusionsWe conclude that adolescents recognize the challenges associated with awareness of tumor predisposition but may also identify positive aspects in their experiences, reflecting a changed life perspective. Results of this exploratory study suggest strategies that can guide pretest and posttest genetic counseling of adolescents for HTPSs, facilitating the adaptive incorporation of genetic information into an adolescent's self‐concept.
Duality Constraints on Counterterms in Supergravities
Authors: Freedman Daniel Z. , Kallosh Renata , Yamada Yusuke 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe UV finiteness found in calculations of the 4‐point amplitude in supergravity at loop order has not been explained, which motivates our study of the relevant superspace invariants and on‐shell superamplitudes for both and . The local 4‐point superinvariants for are expected to have nonlinear completions whose 6‐point amplitudes have non‐vanishing SSL's (soft scalar limits), violating the behavior required of Goldstone bosons. For , we find at that local 6‐point superinvariant and superamplitudes, which might cancel these SSL's, do not exist. This rules out the candidate 4‐point counterterm and thus gives a plausible explanation of the observed finiteness. However, at we construct a local 6‐point superinvariant with non‐vanishing SSL's, so the SSL argument does not explain the observed UV finiteness. For supergravity there are no 6‐point invariants at either or 4, so the SSL argument predicts UV finiteness.
Identification of FDA‐approved drugs as novel allosteric inhibitors of human executioner caspases
Authors: Krishna Deepak R. N. V. , Abdullah Ahmad , Talwar Priti , Fan Hao , Ravanan Palaniyandi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe regulation of apoptosis is a tightly coordinated process and caspases are its chief regulators. Of special importance are the executioner caspases, caspase‐3/7, the activation of which irreversibly sets the cell on the path of death. Dysregulation of apoptosis, particularly an increased rate of cell death lies at the root of numerous human diseases. Although several peptide‐based inhibitors targeting the homologous active site region of caspases have been developed, owing to their non‐specific activity and poor pharmacological properties their use has largely been restricted. Thus, we sought to identify FDA‐approved drugs that could be repurposed as novel allosteric inhibitors of caspase‐3/7. In this study, we virtually screened a catalog of FDA‐approved drugs targeting an allosteric pocket located at the dimerization interface of caspase‐3/7. From among the top‐scoring hits we short‐listed 5 compounds for experimental validation. Our enzymatic assays using recombinant caspase‐3 suggested that 4 out of the 5 drugs effectively inhibited caspase‐3 enzymatic activity in vitro with IC50 values ranging ~10‐55 μM. Structural analysis of the docking poses show the 4 compounds forming specific non‐covalent interactions at the allosteric pocket suggesting that these molecules could disrupt the adjacently‐located active site. In summary, we report the identification of 4 novel non‐peptide allosteric inhibitors of caspase‐3/7 from among FDA‐approved drugs.
Anatomy of the Ediacaran rangeomorph Charnia masoni
Authors: Dunn Frances S. , Wilby Philip R. , Kenchington Charlotte G. , Grazhdankin Dmitriy V. , Donoghue Philip C. J. , Liu Alexander G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe Ediacaran macrofossil Charnia masoni Ford is perhaps the most iconic member of the Rangeomorpha: a group of seemingly sessile, frondose organisms that dominates late Ediacaran benthic, deep‐marine fossil assemblages. Despite C. masoni exhibiting broad palaeogeographical and stratigraphical ranges, there have been few morphological studies that consider the variation observed among populations of specimens derived from multiple global localities. We present an analysis of C. masoni that evaluates specimens from the UK, Canada and Russia, representing the largest morphological study of this taxon to date. We describe substantial morphological variation within C. masoni and present a new morphological model for this species that has significant implications both for interpretation of rangeomorph architecture, and potentially for existing taxonomic schemes. Previous reconstructions of Charnia include assumptions regarding the presence of structures seen in other rangeomorphs (e.g. an internal stalk) and of homogeneity in higher order branch morphology; observations that are not borne out by our investigations. We describe variation in the morphology of third and fourth order branches, as well as variation in gross structure near the base of the frond. The diagnosis of Charnia masoni is emended to take account of these new features. These findings highlight the need for large‐scale analyses of rangeomorph morphology in order to better understand the biology of this long‐enigmatic group.
Levator ani muscle morphology and function in women with obstetric anal sphincter injury
Authors: Volløyhaug I. , Taithongchai A. , Van Gruting I. , Sultan A. , Thakar R. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of, and explore the risk factors for, levator ani muscle (LAM) injury in women with clinically diagnosed obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). The secondary aim was to assess the association between LAM injury and pelvic floor muscle contraction, anal incontinence (AI) and urinary incontinence (UI) in women with OASI.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of 250 women with OASI, recruited between 2013 and 2015 from a tertiary referral center at Croydon University Hospital, UK. AI symptoms were assessed using the modified St Mark's incontinence score and UI was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence modular Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence – Short Form. All participants underwent three/four‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound at rest and on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction. Major LAM injury was defined as a unilateral or bilateral defect in all three central slices on tomographic ultrasound imaging. Muscle contraction was assessed using the modified Oxford scale (MOS) and measured on ultrasound as the proportional change in the anteroposterior (AP) levator hiatal diameter between rest and contraction. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to study risk factors for LAM injury. Differences in contraction and AI and UI symptoms between women with intact and those with injured LAM were studied using multivariable ANCOVA and the Mann–Whitney U‐test.ResultsOf the 248 women with OASI for whom ultrasound volumes of adequate quality were available, 29.4% were found to have major LAM injury. The prevalence of LAM injury was 23.6% after normal vaginal delivery and 40.2% after operative vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 4.1 (95% CI, 1.4–11.9); P = 0.01). LAM injury was associated with weaker pelvic floor muscle contraction, with an adjusted mean difference for proportional change in AP diameter of 5.0 (95% CI, 3.0–6.9) and MOS of 0.6 (95% CI, 0.3–0.9) (P < 0.001 for both). AI and UI symptom scores were similar between women with intact and those with injured LAM.ConclusionsOperative vaginal delivery was a risk factor for LAM injury in women with OASI. LAM injury was associated with weaker pelvic floor muscle contraction. Special attention is recommended for women with OASI and LAM injury, as they are at high risk for future pelvic floor disorders. The benefits of implementation of an intensive, focused and structured pelvic floor rehabilitation program need to be evaluated in these women. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A European or a National Solution to the Democratic Deficit?
Authors: Brun Alain 
Published: September 2018

AbstractI agree with Rainer Bauböck on his starting point. It is indeed contrary to EU law if EU citizens who take up residence in another member State lose fundamental rights as a consequence of exercising their right of free movement. But I fully disagree both with his argumentation and his proposed conclusion which are rather disproportionate with the problem to solve.
Trading Citizenship, Human Capital and the European Union
Authors: Owen David 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe state as a self-determining agent has a clear and well-established interest in structuring ‘access to citizenship’ in ways that support its goals, whether these goals concern economic development, health and social welfare, cultural standing or sporting glory. The legitimacy of the ways in which it pursues these goals is however another question. Practices that support the emergence of transnational class and status stratification in which mobility rights become radically unequally distributed are not compatible with the democratic legitimacy of states or of the EU. States whose policies are pushing to the neoliberal extreme, help bring into focus a wider range of policies that are hollowing out democratic citizenship from within.
Citizenship for Sale: Could and Should the EU Intervene?
Authors: Shaw Jo 
Published: September 2018

Abstract‘Intervention’ is much too strong a word for whatever it is that the European Parliament could and should do on 15 January, when it debates the issue of EU citizenship for sale. But a first and wide-ranging reflection on some of the emerging consequences of EU citizenship for national democracies would at least be a start. 2013 was the year of the EU citizen. It did not do much to raise public awareness about EU citizenship and it ended with moves towards its commodification. Wouldn’t it be appropriate for the European Parliament to start the new year with a real debate on the relation between national and EU citizenship?
Bloodlines and Belonging: Time to Abandon Ius Sanguinis?
Authors: Dumbrava Costica 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe transmission of citizenship status from parents to children is a widespread modern practice that offers certain practical and normative advantages. It is relatively easy to distribute legal status to children according to parents’ citizenship, especially in the context of high mobility where the links between persons and their birthplace are becoming increasingly strained. Granting citizenship status to children of citizens may also be desirable as a way of avoiding statelessness, acknowledging special family links and fostering political links between children and the political community of their parents. These apparent advantages of ius sanguinis citizenship are, however, outweighed by a series of problems. In what follows I argue that ius sanguinis citizenship is (1) historically tainted, (2) increasingly inadequate and (3) normatively unnecessary. Ius sanguinis citizenship is historically tainted because it is rooted in practices and conceptions that rely on ethno-nationalist ideas about political membership. It is inadequate because it becomes increasingly unfit to deal with contemporary issues such as advances in assisted reproduction technologies and changes in family practices and norms. Lastly, ius sanguinis citizenship is normatively unnecessary because its alleged advantages are illusory and can be delivered by other means.
Tainted Law? Why History Cannot provide the Justification for Abandoning Ius Sanguinis
Authors: Panagiotidis Jannis 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCostica Dumbrava rejects ius sanguinis as 1) historically tainted, 2) increasingly inadequate and 3) normatively unnecessary. In my response, I mainly focus on the first, historical dimension. Drawing on examples from the case of Germany, often used as the prime example to show what is wrong with ius sanguinis, I will contest the idea that ius sanguinis as such has been discredited by history. Its supposed taintedness has to do with issues not intrinsic to this principle of transmitting citizenship, namely restrictive admission practices and racially based exclusion. Its use in certain problematic ways and contexts in the past does not mean it necessarily has to be used like that in the future. If complemented by other, inclusionary mechanisms of allocating citizenship in conjunction with increased tolerance for multiple citizenship it certainly remains a useful – and necessary – method of transmitting citizenship in the day and age of multiple transnational migrations.
Denationalisation, Assassination, Territory: Some (U.S.-Prompted) Reflections
Authors: Bosniak Linda 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUnlike the several liberal states Macklin cites which have already, or will soon, deploy citizenship revocation as an anti-terrorism mechanism, the United States is unlikely to implement similar policies. The U.S. Constitution has been interpreted to prohibit unilateral citizenship-stripping as a tool of governance. Instead, denationalisation via expatriation in the U.S. requires the individual to specifically consent to relinquish the status, and such consent cannot be inferred from acts alone – even from acts which some (including some commentators in this symposium) would like to characterise as intrinsically antithetical to citizenship identity.
Disowning Citizens
Authors: Ziegler Reuven 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMacklin’s kick-off focused ‘exclusively on denationalisation for allegedly disloyal conduct by a citizen, while a citizen’. Most contributions to this debate weighed the predicament of the former citizen against state interests. In my contribution, I offer a typology of cases in which revocation could be sought according to some of the contributors. I contend that disowning of citizens by their states is incoherent, tenuous, or disingenuous.
Citizenship in the Era of Blockchain-Based Virtual Nations
Authors: De Filippi Primavera 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the last decades, modern democracies have been witnessing a low rate of political participation and civic engagement with existing governmental institutions. Civic participation is not dead, however, it is only shifting to a new space. In the shadow corners of the internet, people are looking at blockchain technology as a means to replace many of our traditional institutions. While most of the attention was put, initially, on Bitcoin disrupting banks and other financial operators, as people understood the full potential of blockchain technology they saw it a means to implement new governance structures that could potentially replace some of our existing systems of governance. At the extreme end of this spectrum are those who envision the creation of new blockchain-based virtual nations, with a view to ultimately replace the nation state, or at least experiment with new and allegedly apolitical governance systems, which nevertheless play a crucial political function.