bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of modern pollen and plant richness across northern Europe
Authors: Reitalu Triin , Bjune Anne E. , Blaus Ansis , Giesecke Thomas , Helm Aveliina , Matthias Isabelle , Peglar Sylvia M. , Salonen J. Sakari , Seppä Heikki , Väli Vivika , Birks H. John B. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Sedimentary pollen offers excellent opportunities to reconstruct vegetation changes over past millennia. Number of different pollen taxa or pollen richness is used to characterise past plant richness. To improve the interpretation of sedimentary pollen richness, it is essential to understand the relationship between pollen and plant richness in contemporary landscapes. This study presents a regional‐scale comparison of pollen and plant richness from northern Europe and evaluates the importance of environmental variables on pollen and plant richness.

We use a pollen dataset of 511 lake‐surface pollen samples ranging through temperate, boreal and tundra biomes. To characterise plant diversity, we use a dataset formulated from the two largest plant atlases available in Europe. We compare pollen and plant richness estimates in different groups of taxa (wind‐pollinated vs. non‐wind‐pollinated, trees and shrubs vs. herbs and grasses) and test their relationships with climate and landscape variables.

Pollen richness is significantly positively correlated with plant richness (r = 0.53). The pollen plant richness correlation improves (r = 0.63) when high pollen producers are downweighted prior to estimating richness minimising the influence of pollen production on the pollen richness estimate. This suggests that methods accommodating pollen‐production differences in richness estimates deserve further attention and should become more widely used in Quaternary pollen diversity studies.

The highest correlations are found between pollen and plant richness of trees and shrubs (r = 0.83) and of wind‐pollinated taxa (r = 0.75) suggesting that these are the best measures of broad‐scale plant richness over several thousands of square kilometres.

Mean annual temperature is the strongest predictor of both pollen and plant richness. Landscape openness is positively associated with pollen richness but not with plant richness. Pollen richness values from extremely open and/or cold areas where pollen production is low should be interpreted with caution because low local pollen production increases the proportion of extra‐regional pollen.

Synthesis. Our results confirm that pollen data can provide insights into past plant richness changes in northern Europe, and with careful consideration of pollen‐production differences and spatial scale represented, pollen data make it possible to investigate vegetation diversity trends over long time‐scales and under changing climatic and habitat conditions.
Quantitative assessment of oral phase efficiency: validation of the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS)
Authors: Lamvik‐Gozdzikowska Kristin , Guiu Hernandez Esther , Apperley Olivia , McIntosh Theresa , Huckabee Maggie‐Lee 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) has been developed to provide clinicians with objective data regarding the efficiency of oral phase function and solid bolus ingestion.AimsTo determine if the TOMASS will detect changes in the oral phase of swallowing imposed by topical anaesthesia, thus providing validation of its clinical utility.Methods & ProceduresPer the standard protocol, 10 healthy participants ate one‐quarter of an Arnotts SaladaTM biscuit. The number of bites per cracker, number of masticatory cycles, number of swallows and total time taken were recorded at baseline, following application of topical oral anaesthetic; this was additionally compared with a post‐anaesthetic condition. Median and interquartile range (IQR) were calculated. Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were conducted to evaluate trial effect, and Friedman's tests were used to detect differences in the number of bites, number of swallows, number of chews and time taken to eat the crackers.Outcomes & ResultsResults indicated that the number of both bites and swallows did not significantly change across conditions (χ²(2) = 0.105, p = 0.949, χ²(2) = 1.357, p = 0.507); however, the number of chews for the anaesthetic condition was significantly higher when compared with the baseline (p = 0.02) and post‐anaesthesia conditions (p = 0.02). Further, the durations of ingestion in the anaesthetic condition were significantly longer than the baseline (p = 0.01) and post‐anaesthesia (p = 0.01) conditions. Across all measures, there were no differences between baseline and post‐anaesthesia conditions.Conclusions & ImplicationsAlthough further exploration is required, these early data suggest the TOMASS is a sensitive measure in the evaluation of the oral‐phase preparation of solid textures.
Cross‐domain comparison and the politics of difference
Authors: Brubaker Rogers , Fernández Matías 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper makes the case for cross‐domain comparison as an undertheorized form of comparative analysis. The units of analysis in such comparisons are not (as in most comparative analysis) predefined units within a domain or system of formally similar yet substantively different categories or entities; they are the domains or systems of categorically organized differences themselves. Focusing on domains of categorical difference that are central to the contemporary politics of difference, we consider two examples of cross‐domain comparison. The first compares sex/gender and race/ethnicity as systems of ascribed identities that are increasingly, yet to differing degrees and in differing ways, open to choice and change. The second compares religion and language as domains of categorically organized cultural difference that are centrally implicated in the politics of cultural pluralism. We situate these cross‐domain comparisons, premised on a logic of ‘different differences’, between generalizing and particularizing approaches to the politics of difference, arguing that these domains are similar enough to make comparison meaningful yet different enough to make comparison interesting. We outline five analytical focal points for cross‐domain comparison: the criteria of membership and belonging, the categorical versus gradational structure of variation within domains of difference, the consolidation or proliferation of categories of difference, the procedures for dealing with mixed or difficult‐to‐classify instances, and the relation between categories of difference and the production and reproduction of inequality. We conclude by considering several potential objections to cross‐domain comparison.
The Evidentiary Significance of Automotive Paint from the Northeast: A Study of Red Paint
Authors: Kruglak Kaitlin J. , Dubnicka Mara , Kammrath Brooke , Maxwell Virginia , Reffner John A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis population study was conducted to assess the frequency of physical, microscopical, and chemical properties of automotive paint chips. Population studies of trace evidence provide valuable analytical data for criminalists to assess evidentiary significance. Two‐hundred automotive paint chips were collected from auto body shops from the Northeastern United States. All samples were analyzed using stereomicroscopy, brightfield, and polarized light microscopy. Red paints were targeted for further analysis using a sequence of modern instrumental techniques commonly used by forensic paint examiners: Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), Raman, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) microspectroscopy. The discrimination potential of each analytical method was evaluated by inter‐comparing the paint samples. Results demonstrated that macroscopic and microscopic properties were able to differentiate 99.995% of the population (one undifferentiated pair out of 19,900). When combined with either FT‐IR or UV–Vis microspectroscopy, all paints were differentiated. The results of this research lead to the conclusion that one would not expect to encounter two indistinguishable paint chips originating from different sources during the investigation of a single event.
Effects on Surface and Physicochemical Properties of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma‐Treated Whey Protein Concentrate/Wheat Cross‐Linked Starch Composite Film
Authors: Song Jingxin , Jiang Bingxue , Wu Yuanyuan , Chen Shanshan , Li Shuai , Sun Huimin , Li Xinxin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is a new type of polymer surface modification technology. This study is mainly about the changes in film surface structure and physicochemical properties of whey protein concentrate (WPC)/wheat cross‐linked starch (WCS) composite films after DBD plasma treatment with different plasma parameters. The results show that the proper plasma treatment parameters (400 W to 60 s) can increase the surface roughness, tensile strength, barrier properties, and thermal stability of the edible film and decrease elongation at break and the water contact angle. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction showed that DBD plasma treatment could increase the content of oxygen‐containing groups on the WPC/WCS film surfaces instead of damaging the internal crystal structure. The results showed that use of proper DBD plasma treatment technology has a positive effect on the mechanical and barrier properties and thermal stability of WPC/WCS films.Practical ApplicationDBD plasma treatment can improve the mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of WPC/WCS films without generating any pollution. The DBD plasma can be potentially applied in the enhancement of edible film properties. WPC/WCS films are more environmentally friendly than plastics and can be a replacement for traditional plastics.
Corticotropin‐releasing factor induces inflammatory cytokines via the NLRP6‐inflammatory cytokine axis in a murine model of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Yu Lei Min , Zhao Ke Jia , Wang Shuang Shuang , Wang Xi , Lu Bin 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effect of corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) on regulating the NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain‐containing protein 6 (NLRP6)‐inflammatory cytokine axis in a murine model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).MethodsC57BL/6 mice were subjected to water avoidance stress (WAS) for 1 h per day for 10 days, and the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and colonic inflammation were assessed. We also measured the levels of CRF, NLRP6 inflammasome components, myeloperoxidase, D‐lactate, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐18. In vitro experiments with Caco‐2 cell line were also performed. In addition, we assessed the effect of Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) on IBS mice.ResultsIBS mice exhibited visceral hypersensitivity and inflammation, accompanied by increases in CRF, myeloperoxidase, D‐lactate, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 levels, but a decrease in NLRP6 expression. In vitro data showed that CRF suppressed NLRP6, but induced IL‐1β and IL‐18 levels, in Caco‐2 cells. C. butyricum restored CRF levels and maintained the NLRP6‐inflammatory cytokine axis in IBS mice.ConclusionsCRF induces the NLRP6‐inflammatory cytokine axis in IBS mice. C. butyricum could be beneficial in controlling IBS.
Grave‐goods from the long chamber tomb “Dibba 76/1” (Fujairah, UAE): a first inventory
Authors: Pellegrino Maria Paola , Esposti Michele Degli , Buta Marilisa , Tagliamonte Enrica , Hassan Salah Ali 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to present the rich set of finds collected inside the grave Dibba 76/1, in the Emirate of Fujairah, during a season of rescue excavation conducted under the direction of S. Ali Hassan in 1994. The recovered grave‐goods include pottery, soft‐stone vessels, metal finds, personal ornaments, coins, and other items. Although comparable with other corpuses of material excavated in south‐eastern Arabia, the material of Dibba 76/1 stands out for the inner variety of the different artefacts’ classes and their remarkable chronological heterogeneity. The study of the grave‐goods suggests that Dibba 76/1 was reused over several centuries, showing a strong continuity in the funerary destination of this specific place from the end of the Wadi Suq period (2000–1600 BC) to the first phases of the late pre‐Islamic period (250 BC–AD 400), and the full integration of the area of Dibba in the succession of the various cultural facies known during this long time span.
Continuation of Gender Disparities in Pay Among Academic Emergency Medicine Physicians
Authors: Wiler Jennifer L. , Rounds Kirsten , McGowan Becky , Baird Janette 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to identify the effects of gender and other predictors of change in the salary of academic emergency physicians over a four sequential time period of survey administration, across a sample of physicians within different emergency departments (EDs) and within states representing the four main geographical regions of the United States.MethodsThis was a successive cross‐sectional observational study of EDs in the United States using an annual salary survey distributed to all Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine (AACEM) and Academy of Administrators in Academic Emergency Medicine (AAAEM) members in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 with a sample size of 7,102 respondents over all time periods. The primary variable of interest was the adjusted base salary, calculated to be the full‐time effort of the physician without any enhancements (e.g., without stipend, release time, extra hours). Institutional predictive variables included U.S. region that ED was in and if the site was an academic or community academic hybrid (“community”) ED. Individual level variables included gender, academic rank, years at academic rank, years at rank within the ED, and primary duty (clinical or other). A series of Wilcoxon tests were conducted to determine if the unadjusted difference in salaries by gender for each year of the survey were significantly different. The effects of relative change in adjusted base salary over time were assessed using a mixed‐effects regression model, with institutional‐ and individual‐level predictors included in the model.ResultsData were provided by 81 departments across the four geographic regions of the United States (Northeast, South, West, and Midwest). Most of the survey respondents across the four time periods of administration were male (65%) and reported primary clinical appointments at an academic ED (94%). Overall salaries increased across the four time points of the data with an overall relative 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.6%–12%) change in median salary between 2013 and 2017; the relative percentage change for female respondents was 10.6% (95% CI = 9.4%–11.85%) and 11.1% (95% CI = 10.2%–12%) for males. Within survey years, not adjusting for academic rank, the median salary increase for males was higher ($226,746 in 2013 to $252,000 in 2017) than females ($217,000 in 2013 to $240,000 in 2017), with significance at all four time points (Z = 6.33, p < 0.001), with a median average salary gap of $12,000 in 2017. In the predictive model that adjusted for covariates, gender significantly predicted median adjusted salary, with males earning significantly more than females (F(1) = 22.5, p < 0.001).ConclusionsDespite previously published data showing an inappropriate gender salary gap in emergency medicine, this gap has remained essentially unchanged over the past 4 years.
Causes of stillbirths in diabetic and gestational diabetes pregnancies at a NSW tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Wang Mawson , Athayde Neil , Padmanabhan Suja , Cheung Ngai Wah 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundDiabetes in pregnancy may result in stillbirth or neonatal death.AimThis audit examined stillbirths of mothers with pre‐existing diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) and gestational diabetes (GDM) to determine maternal and diabetic characteristics implicated in these deaths.Materials and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify stillbirths occurring in diabetic pregnancies at Westmead Hospital during 2006–2017. Medical records were reviewed to obtain data relating to maternal factors, diabetes history, glycaemic control and cause of death.ResultsThere were 37 women (seven with type 1 diabetes [T1DM], 11 with type 2 diabetes [T2DM] and 19 with GDM) who had 38 stillbirths. The leading cause of stillbirth was lethal congenital malformations in nine cases, followed by placental and umbilical abnormalities in six, intra‐uterine growth restriction (IUGR) in six, and obstetric factors in four cases. Malformations were predominantly cardiovascular (n = 7), musculoskeletal (n = 5) and gastrointestinal (n = 4). There was no difference in the proportion of stillbirths related to malformations between the DIP and GDM groups (P = 0.22). In the pre‐conception period or first trimester, all T1DM subjects and all but two T2DM subjects had HbA1c >7% or there was no measurement. HbA1c was >7% in 6/7 T1DM subjects and 7/11 T2DM subjects at some stage during the pregnancy.ConclusionStillbirth remains a problem in diabetic pregnancy in the 21st century. Lethal malformations, placental abnormalities and IUGR were the leading causes of stillbirth related to diabetes. Pre‐conception counselling and planning to achieve better glycaemic control in pregnancy needs to be improved.
Maternal mortality and ‘near miss’ morbidity at a tertiary hospital in Timor‐Leste
Authors: Jayaratnam Skandarupan , Soares Maria Lucia de Fatima Godinho , Jennings Belinda , Thapa Amitha Pradan , Woods Cindy 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundAssessment of severe maternal morbidity is increasingly being undertaken to understand the aetiology and factors which lead to adverse maternal outcomes. Their use in conjunction with maternal deaths may allow a comprehensive assessment of care provided, highlight areas for improvement within the health system and allow benchmarking of care against other institutions. Timor‐Leste has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the Asia‐Pacific region; however, there has been limited research into the level of severe obstetric morbidity in the country.AimTo determine the aetiology and rates of severe obstetric morbidity and mortality at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Timor‐Leste.Methods and MaterialsCases of maternal ‘near misses’ and deaths were prospectively identified over a period of 12 months using the World Health Organization maternal near‐miss criteria. Cases of maternal death and near miss were combined (severe maternal outcomes) for descriptive analysis.ResultsDuring the audit period, 69 severe maternal outcomes were identified: 30 maternal deaths and 39 ‘near misses’. The maternal mortality ratio and the maternal near‐miss ratio were 662/100 000 live births and 8/1000 live births, respectively. The main identified obstetric aetiologies were haemorrhage and pre‐eclampsia, while 22% of severe maternal outcomes did not have a clearly identified cause.ConclusionThe high institutional maternal mortality ratio requires urgent attention and identification of areas for improvement. Auditing and benchmarking using the WHO near‐miss criteria provide a mechanism for standardised comparison of obstetric care but require further refinement to the local context.
High‐flow nasal oxygen vs. standard flow‐rate facemask pre‐oxygenation in pregnant patients: a randomised physiological study
Authors: Shippam W. , Preston R. , Douglas J. , Taylor J. , Albert A. , Chau A. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryHigh‐flow nasal oxygen has been shown to provide effective pre‐oxygenation and prolong apnoeic time during intubation attempts in non‐pregnant patients. We aimed to compare pre‐oxygenation using high‐flow nasal oxygen (30–70 l.min−1 oxygen flow) via nasal prongs with standard 15 l.min−1 oxygen breathing via a tight‐fitting facemask. Forty healthy parturients were randomly allocated to these two groups, and furthermore each patient underwent the selected pre‐oxygenation method with both 3‐min tidal volume breathing and 30s tidal breathing followed by eight vital capacity breaths. With 3‐min tidal volume breathing, the respective estimated marginal means for high‐flow nasal oxygen and standard flow rate facemask pre‐oxygenation were 87.4% (95%CI 85.5–89.2%) and 91.0% (95%CI 89.3–92.7%), p = 0.02; with eight vital capacity breaths the estimated marginal means were 85.9% (95%CI 84.1–87.7%) and 91.8% (95%CI 90.1–93.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, high‐flow nasal oxygen did not reliably achieve a mean end‐tidal oxygen concentration ≥ 90% compared with the standard flow rate facemask. In this physiological study, high‐flow nasal oxygen pre‐oxygenation performed worse than standard flow rate facemask pre‐oxygenation in healthy term parturients.
A comparison of sufentanil vs. remifentanil in fast‐track cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Zakhary W. Z. A. , Turton E. W. , Flo Forner A. , von Aspern K. , Borger M. A. , Ender J. K. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryWe retrospectively compared patients receiving remifentanil with patients receiving sufentanil undergoing fast‐track cardiac surgery. After 1:1 propensity score matching there were 609 patients in each group. The sufentanil group had a significantly longer mean (SD) ventilation time compared with the remifentanil group; 122 (59) vs. 80 (44) min, p < 0.001 and longer mean (SD) length of stay in the recovery area; 277 (77) vs. 263 (78) min, p = 0.002. The sufentanil group had a lower mean (SD) visual analogue pain score than the remifentanil group; 1.5 (1.2) vs. 2.4 (1.5), p < 0.001 and consumed less mean (SD) piritramide (an opioid analgesic used in our hospital); 2.6 (4.7) vs. 18.9 (7.3) mg, p < 0.001. The results of our study show that although remifentanil was more effective in reducing time to tracheal extubation and length of stay in the recovery area, there was an increased requirement for postoperative analgesia when remifentanil was used.
Human sperm DNA damage has an effect on immunological interaction between spermatozoa and fallopian tube
Authors: Zandieh Z. , Ashrafi M. , Aflatoonian K. , Aflatoonian R. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundToll‐like receptors play a crucial role in the immunological interaction between the spermatozoa and fallopian tube and contribute to the ovulation, sperm capacitation, fertilization, and pregnancy.ObjectivesTo investigate the expression of toll‐like receptors and their adaptor molecules and cytokines under the effect of spermatozoa with high DNA fragmentation (high DF) in human fallopian tube cell line (OE‐E6/E7) and compare to those in normal spermatozoa.Materials and methodsFresh semen samples were obtained from 10 unexplained infertile males with high DF (more than 20%) and from 10 healthy donors with a DF less than 3%. After sperm preparation, samples were co‐cultured with OE‐E6/E7. Toll‐like receptors, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), TIR domain‐containing adapter protein (TIRAP), TIR domain‐containing adapter‐inducing IFN‐b (TRIF), TRIF‐related adapter molecule as well as IL‐6, IL‐8, IFN‐β, and TNFα mRNA expression were evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR. Protein levels of these cytokines and chemokines were measured using ELISA method.ResultsTLR 1‐6 mRNA expression in OE‐E6/E7 was significantly higher under the effect of spermatozoa with high DF compared to the spermatozoa with low DF. Furthermore, significantly increased mRNA expression of MyD88, TIRAP, and TRIF was observed in the high DF group compared to the low DF group, except TRIF‐related adapter molecule. Moreover, the expression of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in the high DF group was significantly higher than low DF group, although there was no significant difference in IFN‐β and TNFα expression between the groups.Discussion and conclusionDamage‐associated molecular patterns from DNA damage activate TLR signaling pathway in human fallopian tubes and result in the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This situation may provide pathologic environment for capacitation, fertilization, embryo development, and implantation in female reproductive tract and can be one of the mechanisms of infertility in men with high DF.