bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant phenology and global climate change: Current progresses and challenges
Authors: Piao Shilong , Liu Qiang , Chen Anping , Janssens Ivan A. , Fu Yongshuo , Dai Junhu , Liu Lingli , Lian Xu , Shen Miaogen , Zhu Xiaolin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPlant phenology, the annually recurring sequence of plant developmental stages, is important for plant functioning and ecosystem services and their biophysical and biogeochemical feedbacks to the climate system. Plant phenology depends on temperature, and the current rapid climate change has revived interest in understanding and modeling the responses of plant phenology to the warming trend and the consequences thereof for ecosystems. Here, we review recent progresses in plant phenology and its interactions with climate change. Focusing on the start (leaf unfolding) and end (leaf coloring) of plant growing seasons, we show that the recent rapid expansion in ground‐ and remote sensing‐ based phenology data acquisition has been highly beneficial and has supported major advances in plant phenology research. Studies using multiple data sources and methods generally agree on the trends of advanced leaf unfolding and delayed leaf coloring due to climate change, yet these trends appear to have decelerated or even reversed in recent years. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the plant phenology responses to climate warming is still limited. The interactions between multiple drivers complicate the modeling and prediction of plant phenology changes. Furthermore, changes in plant phenology have important implications for ecosystem carbon cycles and ecosystem feedbacks to climate, yet the quantification of such impacts remains challenging. We suggest that future studies should primarily focus on using new observation tools to improve the understanding of tropical plant phenology, on improving process‐based phenology modeling, and on the scaling of phenology from species to landscape‐level.
Skeletal muscle volume loss during transarterial chemoembolization predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fujita Masashi , Takahashi Atsushi , Hayashi Manabu , Okai Ken , Abe Kazumichi , Ohira Hiromasa 
Published: March 2019

AimSarcopenia has a negative impact on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the significance of skeletal muscle volume and its changes in HCC patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 179 HCC patients receiving TACE from 2006 to 2017. Skeletal mass index was calculated as the left–right sum of the major × minor axis of the psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebra, divided by height squared (psoas muscle index [PMI]). Patients were classified into two groups (low and normal PMI) depending on an index <6.0 and <3.4 cm2/m2 for men and women, respectively. We assessed overall survival (OS) and TACE period (between the first TACE [Pre] and the time of TACE refractoriness [Post]). Changes in PMI per month during the TACE period (CPMI; (PMI [Pre] − PMI [Post]) / TACE period) were calculated as an index of progressive muscle atrophy.ResultsThere were no significant differences in OS between groups with low and normal PMI at Pre. Multivariate analysis showed that CPMI was significantly associated with poor OS (hazard ratio, 1.884; P = 0.001). Patients with severe muscle atrophy (CPMI above the upper quartile) had a significantly lower OS than those with mild muscle atrophy (CPMI below the upper quartile). Compared with patients with mild muscle atrophy, patients with severe muscle atrophy had a significant loss of liver function reserves at Post.ConclusionProgressive loss of skeletal muscle volume is an important predictor of poor prognosis in HCC patients treated with TACE.
IL‐33 overexpression in gallbladder cancers associated with pancreatobiliary maljunction
Authors: Tomioka Yuichiro , Sung You‐Na , Sawada Ryuichiro , Hong Seung‐Mo , Akita Masayuki , Itoh Tomoo , Ajiki Tetsuo , Fukumoto Takumi , Zen Yoh 
Published: March 2019

AimsTo investigate whether genetic or inflammatory pro‐oncogenic factors are relevant to the increased risk of gallbladder cancers in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM).Methods and resultsMutations in KRAS exon 2 were examined by a highly sensitive, droplet digital PCR platform using surgically resected specimens of PBM‐associated (n = 31) and non‐associated gallbladder cancers (n = 49). The tissue expression of IL‐6 and IL‐33, which are suspected to promote biliary carcinogenesis, was analysed by quantitative real‐time PCR and in‐situ hybridisation. The incidence of KRAS mutations was similarly low in PBM‐associated (five of 32 cases; 16%) and non‐associated cancers (four of 49 cases; 8%) (P = 0.272). The tissue expression of IL‐33 mRNA, but not IL‐6 mRNA, was significantly higher in PBM‐associated gallbladder cancers than in gallbladder cancers without PBM (P = 0.004). A similar degree of IL‐33 overexpression was also observed in the background non‐cancerous mucosa in cases of PBM‐associated gallbladder cancers, and was significantly greater than that in PBM cases with cholecystitis alone (P < 0.001). The results of in‐situ hybridisation indicated that the source of IL‐33 production in PBM‐associated carcinomas was the endothelium, cancer cells and non‐neoplastic biliary epithelium. In a combined PBM‐associated and non‐associated cohort, IL‐33 overexpression in gallbladder cancers correlated with less aggressive features (e.g. a lower pT stage and longer overall survival), similar to recently reported findings on large‐duct cholangiocarcinomas.ConclusionsKRAS mutations do not appear to be associated with a high risk of malignancy in PBM, while IL‐33 overexpression may provide a pro‐oncogenic microenvironment in the gallbladder mucosa of patients with PBM.
Continuous forming of ultrathin glass by float process
Authors: Shou Peng , Hongcan Ren , Xin Cao , Yong Yang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this paper we report a novel development in forming ultrathin glasses by float process. The design principal and theoretical consideration for the tin bath, which is the heart for the process, are presented in relation to the ultrathin glass forming. Continuous stretching of glass to 0.12 mm on the top of molten tin is essentially a process of accurately controlling and maintaining a dynamic equilibrium of a large‐scale open system where not only thermal energy is exchanged but also the mass is in a constant moving state. Due to this complicated nature, despite many computer simulation attempts, no one has come up with a physical model that can reasonably depict stretching process on molten tin. Through pilot plant experiments, we have established essential technical parameters for continuous stretching of 0.12 mm glass including distributions of temperature/viscosity, glass ribbon traveling speed, and thickness along the longitudinal direction of the tin bath. The action and settings of edge rollers that allow smooth stretching of the glass ribbon to take place are described and discussed. We believe that this novel development not only attracts interests of materials researchers, but also contributes substantially to the knowledge reservoir of glass science and technology.
Comparative study of the electrical characteristics of ALD‐ZnO thin films using H2O and H2O2 as the oxidants
Authors: Lee Woo‐Jae , Bera Susanta , Wan Zhixin , Dai Wei , Bae Jong‐Seong , Hong Tae Eun , Kim Kwang‐Ho , Ahn Ji‐Hoon , Kwon Se‐Hun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractZnO thin films were deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) using H2O and H2O2 as oxidants with substrate temperatures from 100°C to 200°C. The ZnO films deposited using H2O2 (H2O2‐ZnO) showed lower growth rates than those deposited with H2O (H2O‐ZnO) at these temperature range due to the lower vapor pressure of H2O2, which produces fewer OH− functional groups; the H2O2‐ZnO films exhibited higher electrical resistivities than the H2O‐ZnO films. The selection of H2O2 or H2O as oxidants was revealed to be very important for controlling the electrical properties of ALD‐ZnO thin films, as it affected the film crystallinity and number of defects. Compared to H2O‐ZnO, H2O2‐ZnO exhibited poor crystallinity within a growth temperature range of 100‐200°C, while H2O2‐ZnO showed a strong (002) peak intensity. Photoluminescence showed that H2O2‐ZnO had more interstitial oxygen and fewer oxygen vacancies than H2O‐ZnO. Finally, both kinds of ZnO thin films were prepared as transparent resistive oxide layers for CIGS solar cells and were evaluated.
Fabrication of interconnected macroporosity in geopolymers via inverse suspension polymerization
Authors: Thakur Nimisha , Weatherly Choyce A. , Wimalasinghe Rasangi M. , Armstrong Daniel W. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA new approach to fabricate geopolymer monoliths with interconnected macroporosity and a permeable structure is presented. This was achieved using an unconventional route of inverse suspension polymerization in which the aqueous geopolymer slurry consisting of potassium hydroxide, fumed silica, and natural metakaolin was dispersed in a continuous phase of soybean oil. The geopolymer monolith was synthesized by taking advantage of the so‐called “sticky period” that occurs during inverse suspension polymerization. During this period, individual droplets can coalesce but cannot re‐divide because of the partially polymerized matrix. We deliberately brought the partially polymerized geopolymer particles in proximity during the sticky period to fuse the particles. Hence this method, termed as “sticky period particle fusion,” helped to form a monolithic structure with inter‐particle spacing as macropores which resulted in high permeability. The sticky period was observed to depend on synthesis conditions such as stirring speed, temperature, and viscosity of continuous phase which in turn helped to tune the surface and pore properties of geopolymer monoliths. The BET surface area up to 67 m2/g and total pore volumes of 0.4 cm3/g from pycnometry were obtained.
Gyrodinium jinhaense n. sp., a New Heterotrophic Unarmored Dinoflagellate from the Coastal Waters of Korea
Authors: Jang Se Hyeon , Jeong Hae Jin , Lee Moo Joon , Kim Ji Hye , You Ji Hyun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractFour unarmored heterotrophic dinoflagellates were isolated from the coastal waters of southern Korea. The rDNA sequences of four clonal cultures were determined, and the morphology of one of the four strains was examined using light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences of each of the strains differed by 0–0.9% from those of the other strains, and the SSU rDNA sequence of the strain differed by 1.8–4.4% from those of other Gyrodinium species, whereas the LSU (D1–D2) rDNA sequence differed by 12.4–22.2%. Furthermore, phylogenetic trees showed that Gyrodinium jinhaense n. sp. formed a distinctive clade among the other Gyrodinium species. Meanwhile, microscopy revealed an elliptical bisected apical structure complex and a cingulum that was displaced by approximately one‐quarter of the cell length, which confirmed that the dinoflagellate belonged to the genus Gyrodinium. However, the cell surface was ornamented with 16 longitudinal striations, both on the episome and hyposome, unlike other Gyrodinium species. Furthermore, the cells were observed to have pusule systems and trichocysts but lacked mucocysts. Based on morphology and molecular data, we consider this strain to be a new species in the genus Gyrodinium and thus, propose that it be assigned to the name G. jinhaense n. sp.
Delirium Incidence and Functional Outcomes After Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Shi Sandra M. , Sung Minhee , Afilalo Jonathan , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Kim Caroline A. , Popma Jeffrey J. , Khabbaz Kamal R. , Laham Roger J. , Guibone Kimberly , Lee Jung , Marcantonio Edward R. , Kim Dae Hyun 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be associated with less delirium and allow faster recovery than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).ObjectiveTo examine the association of delirium and its severity with clinical and functional outcomes after SAVR and TAVR.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingAn academic medical center.ParticipantsA total of 187 patients, aged 70 years and older, undergoing SAVR (N = 77) and TAVR (N = 110) in 2014 to 2016.MeasurementsDelirium was assessed daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), with severity measured by the CAM‐Severity (CAM‐S) score (range = 0‐19). Outcomes were prolonged hospitalization (9 days or more); institutional discharge; and functional status, measured by ability to perform 22 daily activities and physical tasks over 12 months.ResultsSAVR patients had a higher incidence of delirium than TAVR patients (50.7% vs 25.5%; P < .001), despite younger mean age (77.9 vs 83.7 years) and higher baseline Mini‐Mental State Examination score (26.9 vs 24.7). SAVR patients with delirium had a shorter duration (2.2 vs 3.4 days; P = .04) with a lower mean CAM‐S score (4.5 vs 5.7; P = .01) than TAVR patients with delirium. The risk of prolonged hospitalization in no, mild, and severe delirium was 18.4%, 30.8%, and 61.5% after SAVR (P for trend = .009) and 26.8%, 38.5%, and 73.3% after TAVR (P for trend = .001), respectively. The risk of institutional discharge was 42.1%, 58.3%, and 84.6% after SAVR (P for trend = .01) and 32.5%, 69.2%, and 80.0% after TAVR (P for trend <.001), respectively. Severe delirium was associated with delayed functional recovery after SAVR and persistent functional impairment after TAVR at 12 months.ConclusionLess invasive TAVR was associated with lower incidence of delirium than SAVR. Once delirium developed, TAVR patients had more severe delirium and worse functional status trajectory than SAVR patients did.RegistrationNCT01845207.
A rare case of spontaneous rupture of uterine surface vessels in pregnancy mimicking acute appendicitis
Authors: Thain Serene , Rajeswari Kathirvel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSpontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP), an unprovoked, non‐traumatic intraperitoneal bleed in pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum, is a rare but potentially life‐threatening clinical condition. Here, we report a rare case of spontaneous rupture of uterine surface variceal vessels in the second trimester of pregnancy mimicking acute appendicitis that posed diagnostic difficulties and challenges in management.
The Hierarchical Erosion Effect: A New Perspective on Perceptual Differences and Business Performance
Authors: Gibson Cristina B. , Birkinshaw Julian , McDaniel Sumpter Dana , Ambos Tina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOrganizations are coalitions of individuals with heterogeneous interests and perceptions (March and Simon, 1958/1993). We examine an important source of heterogeneity, namely the different perceptions individuals hold across hierarchical levels. We introduce the notion of a hierarchical erosion effect whereby individual perceptions about specific practices become less favourable the lower one goes in the hierarchy. Using data from 4,243 employees across four levels in 38 business units, we provide evidence that this effect exists, controlling for other factors, including the overall favourability of the business unit culture across eight practices. We show how the size of this hierarchical erosion effect varies depending on the nature of the organizational practice being evaluated and the extent to which executives share strategic information widely, and we also show that a lower hierarchical erosion effect is correlated with higher business unit growth. In doing so, we enrich understanding of two aspects of March and Simon's work, their notion of intra‐organizational heterogeneity and their distinctive view of the nature of hierarchy.
Role of the global regulator Rex in control of NAD+‐regeneration in Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile
Authors: Bouillaut Laurent , Dubois Thomas , Francis Michael B. , Daou Nadine , Monot Marc , Sorg Joseph A. , Sonenshein Abraham L. , Dupuy Bruno 
Published: March 2019

SummaryFor the human pathogen Clostridioides (also known as Clostridium) difficile, the ability to adapt to nutrient availability is critical for its proliferation and production of toxins during infection. Synthesis of the toxins is regulated by the availability of certain carbon sources, fermentation products and amino acids (e.g. proline, cysteine, isoleucine, leucine and valine). The effect of proline is attributable at least in part to its role as an inducer and substrate of D‐proline reductase (PR), a Stickland reaction that regenerates NAD+ from NADH. Many Clostridium spp. use Stickland metabolism (co‐fermentation of pairs of amino acids) to generate ATP and NAD+. Synthesis of PR is activated by PrdR, a proline‐responsive regulatory protein. Here we report that PrdR, in the presence of proline, represses other NAD+‐generating pathways, such as the glycine reductase and succinate‐acetyl CoA utilization pathways leading to butyrate production, but does so indirectly by affecting the activity of Rex, a global redox‐sensing regulator that responds to the NAD+/NADH ratio. Our results indicate that PR activity is the favored mechanism for NAD+ regeneration and that both Rex and PrdR influence toxin production. Using the hamster model of C. difficile infection, we revealed the importance of PrdR‐regulated Stickland metabolism in the virulence of C. difficile.
Inner thigh friction as a cause of acne mechanica
Authors: Mazhar Momina , Simpson Meagan , Marathe Kalyani 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAcne mechanica is defined as being any acneiform eruption in areas of friction, pressure, stretching, rubbing, pinching, or occlusion of the skin in any individual, regardless of preexisting acne. Various causes have been reported, including prolonged back rest against a chair or bed, occlusive clothing, pressure from a prosthetic limb, and others. This is the first reported case of bilateral open comedones caused by inner thigh friction.
Minimum ingested iron cut‐off triggering serious iron toxicity in children
Authors: Halil Halit , Tuygun Nilden , Polat Emine , Karacan Can Demir 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundIron intoxication can occur accidentally in children or intentionally by adolescents as a suicide attempt. They usually present with various symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. Clinical studies in this field has been reported different doses of ingested elemental iron that caused serious toxicity, but none of these studies determined the minimum cut‐off of ingested iron that triggered the risk of severe toxicity. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the demographic features of iron intoxication in Turkish children and to determine the lowest cut‐off of ingested elemental iron triggering serious intoxication and the need for prompt management.MethodsThis retrospective study investigated 83 Turkish patients with accidental and intentional iron poisoning.ResultsOf the 83 cases of acute iron intoxication, accidental iron consumption was more common than intentional use. Fifty‐three patients ingested a median toxic dose of elemental iron of 40.0 mg/kg (IQR, 33.5 mg/kg). The median serum iron concentration in the first 6 h of ingestion was 150 μg/dL (IQR, 282 μg/dL). Twenty patients were given deferoxamine, whereas 63 patients were given supportive treatment.ConclusionThe cut‐off of ingested elemental iron that triggered serious toxicity and the need for deferoxamine in children <18 years of age was 28 mg/kg.
“N‐of‐1”—Study: A concept of acute and chronic stress research using the example of ballroom dancing
Authors: Strahler Jana , Luft Christina 
Published: March 2019

Athletes often report on heightened stress, higher disease susceptibility, and a deterioration in mood and performance throughout periods of high training load and competitions. This paper presents a single‐case study combining different research approaches to monitor the dynamic, idiosyncratic responses to competitive stress in elite sports using the example of professional ballroom dancing. Throughout an 8‐month period (313 data points), one international‐level female dancer provided data on mood, stress, and fatigue. In parallel, she collected saliva samples for the assessment of cortisol (sCort) and alpha‐amylase (sAA). A hair strand was collected every 3 months to examine cumulative cortisol secretion. As expected, perceived stress was related to a reduction in well‐being. On a daily basis, sCort predicted lower fatigue. In addition, tournaments resulted in a 3‐fold and a 2‐fold increase in sCort and sAA, respectively, and there was a pronounced drop in hair cortisol in the aftermath of a surgery‐related break from dancing. We confirm competitive ballroom dancing to constitute a major stressor with immediate and prolonged consequences for self‐reported well‐being and biological stress markers. Single‐case studies offer much potential for the observation of complex dynamic associations. In a next step, this approach will also become relevant when evaluating the efficacy of preventive and therapeutic interventions on an individual level.
Mycobacterium nebraskense infection in a dog in Switzerland with disseminated skin lesions
Authors: Timm Katrin , Welle Monika , Friedel Ute , Gunn‐Moore Danièlle , Peterhans Sophie 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundCutaneous disseminated mycobacteriosis is rare in dogs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the slowly growing mycobacterial species Mycobacterium nebraskense has not been described before in this species.ObjectiveDescription of clinical features, laboratory analyses and treatment regimen of this unusual case.AnimalA 9‐year‐old female‐spayed West Highland white terrier dog presented with progressive nodules and ulcerations on both sides of the thorax and the rostral aspect of the chest.Methods and materialsInvestigations involved histopathological examination of skin biopsies (including special stains for fungi, bacteria and mycobacteria), standard and mycobacterial culture (including susceptibility testing), 16S/23S rRNA sequencing and BLAST similarity searching.ResultsZiehl–Neelsen staining of decontaminated biopsy material revealed acid‐fast bacteria morphologically consistent with mycobacteria. Treatment with clarithromycin and marbofloxacin achieved partial resolution. A change in the treatment regimen to pradofloxacin and azithromycin resulted in rapid deterioration of skin lesions. Final healing occurred with the addition of prednisolone at an anti‐inflammatory dose. The results of mycobacterial culture and susceptibility testing were received 10 and 12 months, respectively, after the first presentation of the dog. Therapy was stopped after 16 months without recurrence of skin lesions.Conclusions and clinical importanceThis case is noteworthy for the description of a new mycobacterial species contributing to disseminated panniculitis in a dog and for the difficulties experienced in the lengthy empirical treatment of slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. The addition of prednisolone to induce complete healing raises the question of whether the mycobacterial infection was primary or whether it occurred secondarily to an ongoing sterile panniculitis.