bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Woody plant diversity in relation to environmental factors in a seasonally dry tropical forest landscape
Authors: Dattaraja Handanakere S. , Pulla Sandeep , Suresh Hebbalalu S. , Nagaraja Mavinakoppa S. , Srinivasa Murthy Chilakunda A. , Sukumar Raman 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQuestionsWater availability is known to be a first‐order driver of plant diversity; yet water also affects fire regimes and soil fertility, which, in turn, affect plant diversity. We examined how precipitation, fire and soil properties jointly determine woody plant diversity. Specifically, we asked how woody plant diversity varies along a sharp precipitation gradient (about 600–1,800 mm mean annual precipitation [MAP]within a ~45‐km distance) exhibiting considerable variation in long‐term fire burn frequency and soil fertility, in a southern Indian seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) landscape.LocationMudumalai, Western Ghats, India.MethodsWoody plants ≥1‐cm DBH were enumerated in 19 1‐ha permanent plots spanning a range of tropical vegetation types from dry thorn forest, through dry and moist deciduous forest to semi‐evergreen forest. Burn frequencies were derived from annual fire maps. Six measures of surface soil properties – total exchangeable bases (Ca + Mg + K), organic carbon (OC), total N, pH, plant available P and micronutrients (Fe + Cu + Zn + Mn) were used in the analyses. Five measures of diversity – species richness, Shannon diversity, the rarefied/extrapolated versions of these two measures, and Fisher's α – were modelled as functions of MAP, annual fire burn frequency and the principal components of soil properties.ResultsMost soil nutrients and OC increased with MAP, except in the wettest sites. Woody productivity increased with MAP, while fire frequency was highest at intermediate values of MAP. Woody plant diversity increased with MAP but decreased with increasing fire frequency, resulting in two local diversity maxima along the MAP gradient – in the semi‐evergreen and dry thorn forest – separated by a low‐diversity central region in dry deciduous forest where fire frequency was highest. Soil variables were, on the whole, less strongly correlated with diversity than MAP.ConclusionsAlthough woody plant diversity in this landscape, representative of regional SDTFs, is primarily limited by water availability, our study emphasizes the role of fire as a potentially important second‐order driver that acts to reduce diversity in this landscape.
Left ventricular strain analysis using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing in‐centre nocturnal haemodialysis
Authors: Ong Jann P , Wald Ron , Goldstein Marc B , Leipsic Jonathon , Kiaii Mercedeh , Deva Djeven P , Kirpalani Anish , Jimenez‐Juan Laura , Bello Olugbenga , Azizi Paymon M , Wald Rachel M , Wright Graham A , Harel Ziv , Connelly Kim A , Yan Andrew T 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTAimIntensified haemodialysis is associated with regression of left ventricular (LV) mass. Compared to LV ejection fraction, LV strain allows more direct assessment of LV function. We sought to assess the impact of in‐centre nocturnal haemodialysis (INHD) on global LV strain (radial, circumferential, and longitudinal) and torsion by cardiac MRI (CMR).MethodsIn this prospective, two‐centre cohort study, 37 participants on conventional haemodialysis (CHD, 3–4 h/session for three sessions/week) converted to INHD (7–8 h/session for three sessions/week) and 30 participants continued CHD. Participants underwent CMR using a standardized protocol and had biomarker measurements at baseline and 52 weeks.ResultsAmong the 55 participants (mean age 55; 40% women) with complete CMR data, those who converted to INHD had a significant improvement in their global circumferential strain (GCS, P = 0.025), while those continuing CHD did not have any significant changes in LV strain. When the two groups were compared, there was significant improvement in torsion. LV strains were significantly correlated with each other, but not with troponin I, C‐reactive protein, or brain natriuretic protein (NT‐proBNP), except for global longitudinal strain (GLS) with troponin I (P = 0.001) and NT‐proBNP (P = 0.038).ConclusionConversion to INHD was associated with significant improvement in GCS over one year of study, although comparisons with the CHD group were not significant. There was also a significant decrease in torsion in the INHD group compared with CHD. Improvement in LV regional function would support the notion that INHD has favourable effects on both LV structure and function.
Heeding humanity in an age of electronic health records: Heidegger, Levinas, and Healthcare
Authors: Rentmeester Casey 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) required healthcare providers in the United States to adopt and demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) by January 1, 2014. In many ways, EHRs mark a notable improvement over paper medical records as they are more easily accessible and allow for electronic searching and sharing of medical history. However, as EHRs have become mandated by ARRA, many nurses now rely upon computers far more heavily during nurse–patient interactions, thereby decreasing the level of direct interpersonal communication between the two. There is evidence that eye contact between nurses and patients positively affects patient satisfaction. Above and beyond the issue of patient satisfaction is the more basic ethical issue of respecting the patient as a person. The author argues that the templates used in electronic health systems have the possibility of eroding the respect for humanity that is the hallmark of nurse–patient relationships, as signalled by the American Nurses Association’s first principle in their Code of Ethics. Using concepts from philosophers Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Levinas, the author provides guidance as to what an ethical interaction between nurse and patient should look like in an age of EHRs.
Gestational dyslipidaemia and adverse birthweight outcomes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang J. , Moore D. , Subramanian A. , Cheng K. K. , Toulis K. A. , Qiu X. , Saravanan P. , Price M. J. , Nirantharakumar K. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundLow and high birthweight is known to increase the risk of acute and longer‐term adverse outcomes, such as stillbirth, infant mortality, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Gestational dyslipidaemia is associated with a numbers of adverse birth outcomes, but evidence regarding birthweight is still inconsistent to reliably inform clinical practice and treatment recommendations.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal gestational dyslipidaemia and neonatal health outcomes, namely, birthweight, metabolic factors and inflammatory parameters.MethodsWe searched systematically Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL Plus and Cochrane Library up to 1 August 2016 (with an updated search in MEDLINE at the end of July 2017) for longitudinal studies that assessed the association of maternal lipid levels during pregnancy with neonatal birthweight, or metabolic and inflammatory parameters up to 3 years old.ResultsData from 46 publications including 31,402 pregnancies suggest that maternal high triglycerides and low high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol levels throughout pregnancy are associated with increased birthweight, higher risk of large for gestational age and macrosomia and lower risk of small‐for‐gestational age. The findings were consistent across the studied populations, but stronger associations were observed in women who were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis suggested that the potential under‐recognized adverse effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal dyslipidaemia may warrant further investigation into the relationship between maternal dyslipidaemia and birthweight in large prospective cohorts or in randomized trials.
Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review
Authors: Pearl R. L. , Puhl R. M. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryA robust literature has documented the negative health effects of being the target of weight bias. Weight bias internalization (WBI) occurs when individuals apply negative weight stereotypes to themselves and self‐derogate because of their body weight. Compared with experiences of weight bias, less is known about the relationship between WBI and mental and physical health, although more literature on this topic has emerged in recent years. The current systematic review identified 74 studies assessing the relationship between WBI and health and interventions designed to reduce WBI and improve health. Over half of identified studies were published from 2016 to 2017. Results showed strong, negative relationships between WBI and mental health outcomes. Fewer studies have examined the relationship between WBI and physical health, and results were less consistent. Key directions for future research are highlighted, including the need for prospective and experimental studies with greater sample diversity.
Abnormal bone remodelling activity of dental follicle cells from a cleidocranial dysplasia patient
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Xianli , Sun Xiangyu , Wang Xiaozhe , Zhang Chenying , Zheng Shuguo 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo explore the role of dental follicle cells (DFCs) with a novel cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) causative gene RUNX2 mutation (DFCsRUNX2+/m) in delayed permanent tooth eruption.Materials and methodsA CCD patient with typical clinical features was involved in this study. DFCsRUNX2+/m were cultured and DNA was extracted for RUNX2 mutation screening. Measurements of cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining and osteoblast‐specific genes expression were performed to assess osteogenesis of DFCsRUNX2+/m. Co‐culture of DFCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), followed tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, real‐time PCR and western blot were performed to evaluate osteoclast‐inductive capacity of DFCsRUNX2+/m.ResultsA missense RUNX2 mutation (c. 557G>C) was found in DFCsRUNX2+/m from the CCD patient. Compared with normal controls, this mutation did not affect the proliferation of DFCsRUNX2+/m, but down‐regulated the expression of osteogenesis‐related genes, leading to a decrease in ALP activity and mineralisation. Co‐culture results showed that DFCsRUNX2+/m reduced the formation of TRAP+ multinucleated cells and the expression of osteoclastogenesis‐associated genes. Furthermore, the mutation reduced the ratio of RANKL/OPG in DFCsRUNX2+/m.ConclusionsDFCsRUNX2+/m disturbs bone remodelling activity during tooth eruption through RANK/RANKL/OPG signalling pathway and may thus be responsible for impaired permanent tooth eruption in CCD patients.
Awareness of and phobias about topical corticosteroids in parents of infants with eczema in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Li Yunling , Han Ting , Li Wei , Li Yin , Guo Xiaoxuan , Zheng Lei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesKnowledge of and phobias about topical corticosteroids in parents of infants with eczema affect efficacy of eczema treatment.MethodsWe surveyed 300 parents of children with eczema using a questionnaire to investigate knowledge of and phobias about topical corticosteroids.ResultsOverall, 85.7% (n = 257) of children had used topical corticosteroids, with 12.8% (n = 33) of children having steroids applied for only 1‐3 days per episode; 79.4% (n = 204) of patients discontinued topical steroid therapy immediately after improvement. Twenty‐five percent (n = 75) of parents refused a prescription of steroid ointment, and 32.3% (n = 97) did not use the steroid ointment on their children despite having received a prescription. During steroid treatment, 95.7% (246) of parents were very concerned about the side effects of topical steroids. One hundred eight parents (42%) did not use a topical steroid ointment for recurrence of eczema because of concerns about using topical corticosteroids.ConclusionMost parents of infants with eczema had excessive concerns about topical corticosteroids, leading to inadequate treatment of atopic dermatitis. In clinical practice, physicians should reinforce parents' understanding of steroid treatment for eczema and guide rational use of topical steroids for infantile eczema.
Self‐initiated use of topical cannabidiol oil for epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Chelliah Malcolm P. , Zinn Zachary , Khuu Phoung , Teng Joyce M. C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEpidermolysis bullosa is a rare blistering skin disorder that is challenging to manage because skin fragility and repeated wound healing cause itching, pain, limited mobility, and recurrent infections. Cannabidiol, an active cannabinoid found in cannabis, is postulated to have antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. We report 3 cases of self‐initiated topical cannabidiol use in patients with epidermolysis bullosa in an observational study. One patient was weaned completely off oral opioid analgesics. All 3 reported faster wound healing, less blistering, and amelioration of pain with cannabidiol use. Although these results demonstrate promise, further randomized, double‐blind clinical trials are necessary to provide scientific evidence of our observed benefits of cannabidiol for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa.
Exhaled nitric oxide and mannitol test to predict exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction
Authors: Kim Kyubo , Cho Hong Je , Yoon Jung Won , Choi Sun Hee , Sheen Youn Ho , Han Man Yong , Baek Heysung 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundExercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is diagnosed via exercise challenge on a treadmill, but such testing requires complex equipment and sufficient health‐care resources. The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test and mannitol bronchial provocation test (BPT) may serve as a surrogate for exercise testing.MethodsWe compared the diagnostic utilities of the FeNO test and mannitol BPT in predicting EIB in asthmatic children. We retrospectively analyzed data from 60 asthmatic children aged 6–16 years. We compared the exercise BPT results, FeNO levels, and mannitol BPT data.ResultsAll subjects were divided into exercise‐positive (n = 41) or ‐negative (n = 19) BPT groups. Of the 41 exercise‐positive patients, 32 were mannitol BPT positive and nine were mannitol BPT negative. Of the 19 exercise‐negative patients, nine and 10, respectively, were mannitol BPT positive and BPT negative. The maximum % forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decrease after exercise was positively correlated with FeNO (r = 0.556, P < 0.001), and with mannitol response–dose ratio (RDR; r = 0.416, P = 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for FeNO to discriminate between asthmatic subjects with and without EIB had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.771 (95%CI: 0.643–0.870). The discriminatory ROC curve for mannitol RDR had an AUC of 0.763 (95%CI: 0.633–0.864). The AUC of FeNO and mannitol RDR did not differ significantly.ConclusionsEIB significantly correlated with both FeNO and mannitol BPT data. Given that both methods similarly predicted EIB in asthmatic children, the simpler and safer FeNO test alone may be a clinically useful diagnostic tool.
The ethics of crashes with self‐driving cars: A roadmap, II
Authors: Nyholm Sven 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSelf‐driving cars hold out the promise of being much safer than regular cars. Yet they cannot be 100% safe. Accordingly, we need to think about who should be held responsible when self‐driving cars crash and people are injured or killed. We also need to examine what new ethical obligations might be created for car users by the safety potential of self‐driving cars. The article first considers what lessons might be learned from the growing legal literature on responsibility for crashes with self‐driving cars. Next, worries about responsibility gaps and retribution gaps from the philosophical literature are introduced. This leads to a discussion of whether self‐driving cars are a form of agents that act independently of human agents. It is suggested that it is better to analyze their apparent agency in terms of human–robot collaborations, within which humans play the most important roles. The next topic is the idea that the safety potential of self‐driving cars might create a duty to either switch to self‐driving cars or seek means of making conventional cars safer. Lastly, there is a short discussion of ethical issues related to safe human–robot coordination within mixed traffic featuring both self‐driving cars and conventional cars.
High‐frequency attitude jitter correction for the Gaofen‐9 satellite
Authors: Zhang Guo , Guan Zhichao 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWith the gradually improving resolution of earth observation satellite images, attitude determination accuracy has become a key factor influencing image geometric positioning accuracy. However, high‐frequency attitude jitters caused by the instability of the satellite platform lead to image distortions which cannot be corrected by the low‐frequency star sensor and gyro attitude measurement. Therefore, this paper proposes a high‐frequency attitude jitter correction method based on micro‐vibration accelerometer measurement. Three images from the GaoFen‐9 (GF‐9) satellite over Lijiang in China were selected to verify the method. The correction effect was assessed in terms of road straightness and image relative registration error. The results show that the proposed method can effectively eliminate image distortions caused by high‐frequency jitters, providing a feasible way to process images from small agile satellite platforms.
Reproductive ecology ofOcotea catharinensis, an endangered tree species
Authors: Montagna T. , Silva J. Z. , Pikart T. G. , Reis M. S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOcotea catharinensis(Lauraceae) is an endangered tree species from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Currently, little is known about the reproductive ecology of this species. Aiming to propose conservation measures, we described aspects related to phenology, floral biology, pollination, seed dispersal and mating system ofO. catharinensis.We conducted phenological observations in 62 individuals for 2 years. In one reproductive event, we evaluated nectar production, stigmatic receptivity and pollen viability. Floral visitors were observed, identified and classified on a scale of pollination effectiveness. Seed dispersers were observed and identified using camera traps. Finally, the mating system was evaluated through pollen/ovule ratios, experimental pollination treatments and genetic analysis with molecular markers.Ocotea catharinensispresented asupra‐annual fruiting pattern with a substantial reduction of reproducing individuals from bud phase to ripe fruit phase. Several mechanisms prompting cross‐fertilisation were identified, such as attractive, herkogamic and protogynic flowers. The main floral visitors and pollinators were from the Diptera order, and all seed dispersers were birds. The species presented a predominantly outcrossed mixed mating system with significant selfing rate (17.3%).Although based on restricted evidence, we hypothesised that selfing is an escape mechanism for situations unfavourable to cross‐fertilisation. Specifically, for the studied population selfing is a response to reduced population size, which is caused by the non‐reproduction of all potentially reproductive individuals and by past exploitation events. Therefore, conservation efforts should be able to enhance population sizes, as well as prevent overexploitation.
Hydrothermal thresholds for seed germination in winter annual forbs from old‐field Mediterranean landscapes
Authors: Frischie S. , Fernández‐Pascual E. , Ramirez C. G. , Toorop P. , González M. H. , Jiménez‐Alfaro B. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Under Mediterranean climates with dry‐hot summers and cool‐wet winters, many forbs with potential for habitat restoration are winter annuals, but there is little information about their germination.

We performed laboratory germination experiments on 13 ruderal dicots native to Andalusia (southern Spain). We measured the germination of recently harvested seeds from natural populations across nine temperature treatments (from 5 to 35 °C, constant and alternate); two storage periods; and eight water stress treatments (from 0 to −1.0 MPa). We then calculated the hydrothermal thresholds for seed germination.

Final germination ranged from 0–100% and results were mixed in response to temperature. Base temperature was below 6 °C, optimal temperature was around 14 °C and the ceiling temperature around 23 °C. For five species, 10 months of storage improved total germination, indicating a dormancy‐breaking effect, but the other species did not respond or had their germination reduced. All species were relatively tolerant to water stress, with base water potential ranging from −0.8 to −1.8 MPa.

Our results suggest that hydrothermal germination thresholds, rather than physiological dormancy, are the main drivers of germination phenology in annual forbs from Mediterranean semi‐dry environments. The variation in germination responses of these forb species differs from winter annual grasses, but their seeds are all suitable for being stored before restoration.
Increased resistance to Verticillium dahliae in Arabidopsis plants defective in auxin signalling
Authors: Fousia S. , Tsafouros A. , Roussos P. A. , Tjamos S. E. 
Published: May 2018

Auxin signalling and transport participate in plant–microbe interactions as positive or negative regulators of disease resistance. The present study investigated the responses of Arabidopsis thaliana plants impaired in the auxin receptors TIR1, AFB1 and AFB3 and the auxin transporter AXR4, upon infection by the soilborne root pathogen Verticillium dahliae. Fewer symptoms were recorded in afb1, afb3 and axr4 plants compared to the wild type (wt). qPCR analysis revealed that the decrease in symptom severity in afb1, afb3 and axr4 was correlated with reduction in the growth of the pathogen in the plants. Therefore, afb1, afb3 and axr4 are partially resistant to V. dahliae. Upon V. dahliae infection, the expression of TIR1, AFB1, AFB3 and AXR4 was up‐regulated in roots, while indole‐3‐acetic acid levels were similar to mocks. The partial resistance of afb1, afb3 and axr4 against V. dahliae can be attributed in part to the up‐regulation of defence‐related genes, as it was observed that afb1 and axr4 had higher PR1 levels than wt, while afb3 had higher PDF1.2 levels than wt. The findings of the present study suggest that the auxin signalling defective mutants afb1, afb3 and axr4 show increased resistance against V. dahliae.
Discussion of ‘Coarse‐sand beach ridges at Cowley Beach, north‐eastern Australia: Their formative processes and potential as records of tropical cyclone history’ by Tamura et al. (2018), Sedimentology, 65, 721–744
Authors: Nott Jonathan 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundThe processes resulting in the formation of a coarse‐grained sand beach ridge plain at Cowley Beach, north‐east Australia have been questioned by Tamura et al. (2018). These authors now acknowledge the conclusions by Nott et al. (2009) and Nott (2014) that the dominant depositional mechanisms here are waves and inundations generated during tropical cyclones. The Tamura et al. (2018) new ground penetrating radar data highlights that scarping of incipient ridges is a common feature and occurs regularly under non‐storm conditions. The upper sedimentary units deposited during storms are not scarped and demonstrate the high preservation potential and usefulness of these deposits for reconstructing long‐term records of tropical cyclones. Tamura et al. (2018) question the robustness of the methodology used by Nott & Hayne (2001), Nott (2003) and Nott et al. (2009) in estimating the magnitude of the storms responsible for these sedimentary deposits. These supposed issues though have been dealt with in detail in a series of publications over the past nearly two decades. The shortcomings of the Tamura et al. (2018) criticisms are explained in detail here.