bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased aridity drives post‐fire recovery of Mediterranean forests towards open shrublands
Authors: Baudena Mara , Santana Victor M. , Baeza M. Jaime , Bautista Susana , Eppinga Maarten B. , Hemerik Lia , Garcia Mayor Angeles , Rodriguez Francisco , Valdecantos Alejandro , Vallejo V. Ramon , Vasques Ana , Rietkerk Max 
Published: October 2019

SummaryRecent observations suggest that repeated fires could drive Mediterranean forests to shrublands, hosting flammable vegetation that regrows quickly after fire. This feedback supposedly favours shrubland persistence and may be strengthened in the future by predicted increased aridity. An assessment was made of how fires and aridity in combination modulated the dynamics of Mediterranean ecosystems and whether the feedback could be strong enough to maintain shrubland as an alternative stable state to forest.A model was developed for vegetation dynamics, including stochastic fires and different plant fire‐responses. Parameters were calibrated using observational data from a period up to 100 yr ago, from 77 sites with and without fires in Southeast Spain and Southern France.The forest state was resilient to the separate impact of fires and increased aridity. However, water stress could convert forests into open shrublands by hampering post‐fire recovery, with a possible tipping point at intermediate aridity.Projected increases in aridity may reduce the resilience of Mediterranean forests against fires and drive post‐fire ecosystem dynamics toward open shrubland. The main effect of increased aridity is the limitation of post‐fire recovery. Including plant fire‐responses is thus fundamental when modelling the fate of Mediterranean‐type vegetation under climate‐change scenarios.
Endohyphal bacteria associated with virulence, increased expression of fumonisin biosynthetic genes, and production of fumonisin and macroconidia in Fusarium fujikuroi W343
Authors: Obasa K. , Adesemoye A. , Obasa R. , Moraga‐Amador D. , Shinogle H. , Alvarez S. , Kelley K. 
Published: October 2019

Until recently, Fusarium fujikuroi was widely described as a non‐producer or a producer of little B‐series fumonisin toxins despite having a complement of fumonisin biosynthetic genes similar to those in F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. Although high and low fumonisin‐producing F. fujikuroi strains have been shown to induce typical disease symptoms, the relationship between fumonisin production and virulence in F. fujikuroi has not been fully established. Following recent reports on the roles of bacterial endosymbionts in influencing the biology of their fungal hosts, including virulence, reproduction and the production of secondary metabolites, this study investigated the association of two strains of bacteria of the genus Enterobacter with a F. fujikuroi strain isolated from wheat in Nebraska. Results demonstrated the intracellular localization of bacteria within the hyphae of the fungus. The association with the bacteria was also correlated with macroconidia production and higher levels of virulence in the fungus. Additionally, fumonisin production was consistently and significantly (α = 0.05) higher in the bacteria‐containing F. fujikuroi strain compared with the bacteria‐free strain. Furthermore, higher levels of fumonisin production by bacteria‐containing F. fujikuroi correlated with higher expression levels of the fumonisin biosynthetic genes fum1, fum8 and fum21 under fumonisin‐inducing and non‐inducing conditions. Expression of fum15, which encodes a P450 monooxygenase, was similarly observed to be significantly (α = 0.05) higher in the bacteria‐containing fungus. Analysis of transcripts also revealed significantly (α = 0.05) higher expression of the sexual and asexual development activator protein, VeA, in the bacteria‐containing F. fujikuroi under fumonisin‐inducing conditions.
Stratigraphic record in the transition from basin floor to continental slope sedimentation in the ancient passive‐margin Windermere turbidite system
Authors: Navarro Lilian , Arnott Robert William (Bill) C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWell‐exposed, vertically dipping, glacially polished outcrops of the Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup in the southern Canadian Cordillera include basin‐floor deposits of the Upper Kaza Group overlain by slope channel complexes of the Isaac Formation. Within the 2·5 km thick Kaza and Isaac succession is an up to 360 m thick interval composed of diverse deep‐water stratal elements including scour and interscour deposits, distributary channels, fine‐grained turbidites, terminal splays, mass‐transport deposits, erosional and levéed channels and avulsion splays, which collectively were formed during the development of an ancient passive‐margin channel‐lobe system. The proportion and vertical and lateral arrangement of stratal elements reveal three distinct complexes. The lower complex, consisting mostly of distributary channels and small and large scours, is interpreted to represent the detachment of lobes from an upflow levéed channel, wherein a well‐developed channel‐lobe transition zone was formed by efficient, siliciclastic flows during a period of sustained transport bypass and limited deposition coincident with the onset of falling relative sea level. The middle, comparatively thicker and more sandstone‐rich complex, comprises distributary channel fills, fine‐grained turbidites and lesser terminal splays that are interspersed with small scours, capped by a slope levéed channel filled with coarser‐grained siliciclastic sediment. The abundance of basin‐floor elements suggests negligible separation between the levéed channel and lobe, and therefore a poorly‐developed channel‐lobe transition zone, resulting from inefficient, siliciclastic‐rich depositional flows that became dominant during lowstand and/or ensuing transgression. The stratal makeup of the upper complex resembles the lower detached complex, suggesting a return to efficient flows, and an abrupt change to mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sediments associated with highstand conditions. Accordingly, the stratigraphic architecture and stacking pattern of the Kaza–Isaac interval, which relate to the formation of multiple channel‐lobe transition zones, were controlled by temporal changes in sediment supply and flow characteristics during the long‐term progradation of the Laurentian continental margin.
Does deprivation affect the demand for NHS Direct? Observational study of routine data from Wales
Authors: Peconi Julie , Macey Steven , Rodgers Sarah E , Russell Ian T , Snooks Helen , Watkins Alan 
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of deprivation on the demand for calls to National Health Service Direct Wales (NHSDW) controlling for confounding factors.DesignStudy of routine data on over 400 000 calls to NHSDW using multiple regression to analyse the logarithms of ward-specific call rates across Wales by characteristics of call, patient and ward, notably the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.Setting810 electoral wards with average population of 3300, defined by 1998 administrative boundaries.PopulationAll calls to NHSDW between January 2002 and June 2004.Main outcome measuresWe used ward populations as denominators to calculate the rates of three categories of calls: calls seeking advice, calls seeking information and all calls combined.ResultsConfounding variables explained 31% of variation in advice call rates, but only 14% of variation in information call rates and in all call rates (all significant at 0.1% level). However, deprivation was only a statistically significant predictor of information call rates. The proportion of the ward population categorised as ‘white’ was a highly significant predictor of all three call rates. For advice calls and combined calls, rates decreased highly significantly with the proportion of those who called the service for themselves. Information call rates were higher on weekdays and highest on Mondays, while advice call rates were highest on Sundays.ConclusionsDeprivation had no consistent effect on demand for the service and the relationship needs further exploration. While our data may have underestimated the ‘need’ of deprived patients, they yield no evidence that policy-makers should seek to improve demand from those patients. However, we found differences in the way callers use advice and information calls. Previously unexplored variables that help to predict ward-specific call rates include: ethnicity, day of the week and whether patients made the calls themselves.
On searches for gravitational dark matter with quantum sensors
Authors: Calmet Xavier 
Published: October 2019

Abstract.
The possibility of searching for dark matter with quantum sensors has recently received a lot of attention. In this short paper, we discuss the possibility of searching for gravitational dark matter with quantum sensors and identify a very narrow window of opportunity for future quantum sensors with improved sensitivity. Gravitational dark matter candidates with masses in the range [10-3, 1] eV could lead to an effective time variation of the proton mass that could be measured with, e.g., future atomic clocks.
Effects of Simvastatin on Augmentation Index Are Transient: Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gepner Adam D. , Lazar Karen , Hulle Carol Van , Korcarz Claudia E. , Asthana Sanjay , Carlsson Cynthia M. 
Published: October 2019

Background
Statins improve endothelial function, but their effects on arterial stiffness and aortic blood pressure in middle‐aged adults are uncertain.

Methods and Results

This was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of middle‐aged (40‐72 years old) adults who were randomly assigned to receive simvastatin 40 mg (n=44) or placebo (n=44) daily for 18 months to evaluate impact on dementia‐related biomarkers (primary end points) and measures of vascular health (secondary end points). This analysis focuses on the predetermined secondary end points of changes in central aortic blood pressure, aortic augmentation index, and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation. Measurements were performed at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months. Multivariable models were used to identify predictors of these prespecified vascular end points. Study groups were similar at baseline; low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol declined in the statin group but not in the placebo group (
P
<0.01). There were no significant differences in changes in central blood pressure parameters or flow‐mediated dilation (all
P
>0.2). After 12 months, augmentation index decreased from baseline in the statin group compared with the placebo group (−2.3% [5.5%] versus 1.2% [5.7%],
P
=0.007), but by 18 months the response in both groups trend toward baseline (−1.1% [5.8%] versus 0.2% [4.8%],
P
=0.3). Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was not associated with changes in augmentation index at any time point.

Conclusions
Statin therapy led to a short‐term reduction in augmentation index after 12 months, but this effect did not persist after 18 months despite continued reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that statins may have a transient effect on aortic stiffness.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier: NCT00939822.
Materiali per una raccolta degli scoli greci agli Analitici posteriori di Aristotele
Authors: Lorusso Vito 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This article aims at mapping the scholia on the first lines from Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics A 1. It offers the first edition of the scholia on 71a1–21 from Vaticanus Gr. 241 (13th century), Laurentianus 72,3 (second half of the 13th century) and Laurentianus 72,4 (second half of the 13th / beginning of the 14th century). Appendix II and III present the content of a brief writing of Psellus about the Aristotelian Organon and the Praefatio to the Latin translation of Themistius’ Paraphrasis to Posterior Analytics written by Hermolaus Barbarus in the 15th century.
Age-Related Effects on Cross-Modal Duration Perception
Authors: Scurry Alexandra N. , Dutcher Dustin , Werner John S. , Jiang Fang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Reliable duration perception of external events is necessary to coordinate perception with action, precisely discriminate speech, and for other daily functions. Visual duration perception can be heavily influenced by concurrent auditory signals; however, age-related effects on this process have received minimal attention. In the present study, we examined the effect of aging on duration perception by quantifying (1) duration discrimination thresholds, (2) auditory temporal dominance, and (3) visual duration expansion/compression percepts induced by an accompanying auditory stimulus of longer/shorter duration. Duration discrimination thresholds were significantly greater for visual than auditory tasks in both age groups, however there was no effect of age. While the auditory modality retained dominance in duration perception with age, older adults still performed worse than young adults when comparing durations of two target stimuli (e.g., visual) in the presence of distractors from the other modality (e.g., auditory). Finally, both age groups perceived similar visual duration compression, whereas older adults exhibited visual duration expansion over a wider range of auditory durations compared to their younger counterparts. Results are discussed in terms of multisensory integration and possible decision strategies that change with age.
Effects of Leukocyte-Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Alveolar Bone Changes During Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Rabbits: A Micro-CT Study
Authors: Nakornnoi Theerasak , Leethanakul Chidchanok , Samruajbenjakun Bancha 
Published: October 2019

Objective: To investigate the effects of leukocyte-platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) on the alveolar bone changes at the compression and tension sides during orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: Around 20 New Zealand white rabbits were used in a split-mouth design. The maxillary first premolar was moved mesially with a nickel-titanium closed-coil spring. One side of the maxilla was randomly injected with L-PRP, while the contralateral side served as the control which received normal saline. The alveolar bone adjacent to the maxillary first premolar was scanned using microcomputed tomography at days 0, 7, 14, and 28. Microstructural parameters including bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation of alveolar bone were assessed on the compression and tension sides of the maxillary first premolar. Results: Compared between the groups, the L-PPR group showed a significantly decreased bone volume fraction on the compression side on days 7 and 14 but significantly increased bone volume fraction on the tension side on day 14. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the parameters of trabecular thickness and trabecular separation. Conclusion: Local administration of L-PRP may promote bone resorption on the compression side and bone formation on the tension side at the initial stage of orthodontic tooth movement.
Use of Thromboelastography to Assess Haemostatic Changes during Paediatric Cardiac Surgery and to Predict Post-Operative Bleeding.
Authors: Hunt Beverley J. , Moganansundram S. , Tibby S. M. , Holton F. , Durward A. , Anderson D. , Austin C. , Murdoch I. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The management of post-operative bleeding in paediatric cardiac surgery is difficult because the underlying haemostatic changes have been poorly studied. The thromboelastogram (TEG) provides a real-time, functional measure of haemostasis, quantifying clot formation, strength and lysis. We investigated the use of serial intra-operative TEG to assess perioperative haemostatic changes and as an adjunct to demographic and laboratory variables for the prediction of bleeding following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. Ethical committee approval was obtained to study fifty-one children, median (interquartile) age 6.8 months (0.5 to 10.5) prospectively through CPB and for the first 24 hours after intensive care unit admission. Significant post-operative blood loss was defined as more than 10ml/kg in the first four post-operative hours. TEG readings and traditional coagulation parameters were measured throughout CPB. Forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to predict bleeding.
The incidence of bleeding was 37% (19/51), with a mean 4-hour blood loss of 24 ml/kg. Both groups showed abnormalities in all TEG parameters (apart from lysis) at the end of CPB, which were more marked among those who bled (all p<0.05).
Hyperfibrinolysis was not seen. Addition of heparinase to the TEG samples taken after protamine administration demonstrated a small but consistent heparin effect for all TEG parameters only among patients who bled, however this group exhibited comparable protamine:heparin ratios to those who did not (p = 0.22). Significant multivariate predictors of bleeding included fibrinogen level at induction of anaesthesia; occurrence of circulatory arrest; and two TEG parameters taken at the end of CPB: “k” (the time to maximal clot formation) and “angle” (the rate of clot formation). The final model predicted bleeding well, producing an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.855 (95% CI 0.750 to 0.960).
In summary, the aetiology of bleeding after paediatric cardiac surgery appears to be due to inadequate clot formation rather than fibrinolysis. TEG readings taken at the end of CPB, in conjunction with laboratory and demographic variables may provide a useful predictor of post-operative bleeding.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Disease: Updated Results of the Multicenter Trial.
Authors: Walters Mark C. , Patience Melinda , Edwards Sandie , Robertson Shanda , McMurray Marsha , Donfield Sharyne , Sullivan Keith M. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Between 1991 and 2000, 59 children with symptomatic sickle cell disease (SCD) were enrolled in a multicenter investigation of myeloablative HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Patients had stroke (N=30) or other significant central nervous system disease (CNS) (N=1), recurrent episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS) (N=20), or recurrent painful episodes (N=8) before study entry. Currently, 55 patients survive, and 50 survive free of sickle cell disease. Four patients died of complications of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)(N=3) or intracranial hemorrhage (N=1). Five patients had graft rejection accompanied by return of SCD. With a median follow-up of 5.2 years, the Kaplan-Meier probabilities of survival and event-free survival are 93% and 85%, respectively. To investigate the toxicity of transplantation and to assess its impact on the natural history of SCD, long-term follow-up evaluations of the CNS, pulmonary function, and gonadal function were performed. As reported previously, engrafted patients with stroke had no subsequent stroke events after BMT, and cerebral MRI and MRA exams demonstrated stable or improved appearance. One patient with graft rejection experienced a second stroke when the Hb S fraction reached 60% after BMT. Forty-three of 55 surviving (78%) patients had pulmonary function testing (PFT) performed at least 1 year after BMT, and 24 were tested 3 or more years after BMT. Seven of the 12 who lacked follow-up testing had normal baseline testing. Of the 43 with follow-up exams, 30 had stable, and 8 had improved PFTs. Five had worsened pulmonary function, 4 with restrictive changes, and 1 with obstructive changes. Three of the 4 with progression of restrictive changes had a history of ACS before BMT. One patient with a history of ACS died of pulmonary complications caused by graft-versus-host disease. Currently, 24 males and 19 females treated by BMT are >14 years of age. Of these, 15 males (63%) and 14 (74%) females had post-BMT gonadal function studies performed. Eleven of 15 males had normal LH and FSH levels, however, a normal testosterone level was observed only in 4. In contrast, 9 of 14 females had elevated gonadotropin and decreased estradiol levels that mimicked a post-menopausal state. Six females had primary or secondary amenorrhea. In summary, patients with stable engraftment of donor cells had cessation of clinical complications of SCD after BMT. In addition, most had stabilization or improvement in sub-clinical markers of disease. However, a limited number of patients who had progression of PFT abnormalities also had a history of ACS before BMT. In addition, gonadal toxicity was observed commonly in females after BMT. Together, these data confirm that BMT is a suitable intervention for patients with severe sickle cell disease, however efforts to reduce the toxicity of BMT should be pursued.
Maternal Exposures and Risk of Infant Acute Leukemia in Brazil.
Authors: Pombo-de-Oliveira Maria S. , Emerenciano Mariana , Araujo Paulo I.C. , Magalhaes Isis Q. , Pinheiro Vitoria R.P. , Koifman Sergio 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Associations between some environmental exposures and IAL with MLL rearrangements have been pointed out in the literature. We performed an investigative analysis to determine the frequency of MLL gene rearrangement in IAL in order to explore the risk factors for maternal exposure to DNA-damaging substances. Three different methods to detect the possible abnormalities involving this gene were used during a Brazilian epidemiological study: conventional karyotyping, RT-PCR assay, and FISH. The distribution of ALL and AML cases was very similar with respect to gender, age and region of residence at the time of diagnosis, and it was possible to study the MLL status in 198 of these cases. A statistically significant association was observed between pro-B ALL and MLL+ve cases and also, the age group 0–2 months was associated with MLL+ve cases, as expected. The FISH technique was clearly the most efficient one to detect the rearrangements, followed by RT-PCR assay. The maternal exposure data were obtained from cases and controls by interview, using a structured questionnaire. Up to now, 171 incident IAL cases were eligible for the study and 379 aged-frequency matched controls showing severe no-neoplasic diseases in the same regions were retrieved and their respective mothers interviewed. Intrauterine and childhood exposure to medicines, pesticides and other chemicals, smoking, alcohol intake, pets and reproductive antecedents were ascertained for both groups. A high frequency of molecular MLL+ve (84,4%) and other chromosomal abnormalities were found. A statistically significant association with MLL+ve was observed for pesticides exposure at home (OR 2.38, 95% CI, 1.27–3.96), and intake of hormones during the first weeks of pregnancy (OR 5,93 CI, 2,05–17,11) p=0,001. Statistically no significant increased risks were seen for urban families (OR 1.33, 95% CI, 0.70–2.52), metronidazol (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.58–2.95) and dipirona (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.85–2.68). It is therefore important that the associations observed in this study regarding hormone in taking should be re-evaluated in an extended case-control study. In view of the association recently reported between MLL+ve infant leukaemia and lack of function NQ01 alleles, screening for metabolic polymorphisms involved in carcinogen metabolism should also be included in subsequent studies.