bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High bacterial diversity in nearshore and oceanic biofilms and their influence on larval settlement by Hydroides elegans (Polychaeta)
Authors: Lema Kimberley A. , Constancias Florentin , Rice Scott A. , Hadfield Michael G. 
Published: May 2019

SummarySettlement of many benthic marine invertebrates is stimulated by bacterial biofilms, although it is not known if patterns of settlement reflect microbial communities that are specific to discrete habitats. Here, we characterized the taxonomic and functional gene diversity (16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing analyses), as well as the specific bacterial abundances, in biofilms from diverse nearby and distant locations, both inshore and offshore, and tested them for their ability to induce settlement of the biofouling tubeworm Hydroides elegans, an inhabitant of bays and harbours around the world. We found that compositions of the bacterial biofilms were site specific, with the greatest differences between inshore and offshore sites. Further, biofilms were highly diverse in their taxonomic and functional compositions across inshore sites, while relatively low diversity was found at offshore sites. Hydroides elegans settled on all biofilms tested, with settlement strongly correlated with bacterial abundance. Bacterial density in biofilms was positively correlated with biofilm age. Our results suggest that the localized distribution of H. elegans is not determined by ‘selection’ to locations by specific bacteria, but it is more likely linked to the prevailing local ecology and oceanographic features that affect the development of dense biofilms and the occurrence of larvae.
Impact of different intraoperative CO2 pressure levels (8 and 15 mmHg) during laparoscopic hysterectomy performed due to benign uterine pathologies on postoperative pain and arterial pCO2: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Radosa JC , Radosa MP , Schweitzer PA , Radosa CG , Stotz L , Hamza A , Takacs Z , Lepper PM , Wagenpfeil S , Linxweiler M , Morinello E , Solomayer E‐F 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of two different intraoperative CO2 pressures (8 and 15 mmHg) during laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign uterine pathologies in terms of postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain, laparoscopy‐mediated vegetative alterations, pain medication requirement, arterial CO2 pressure (pCO2), surgical parameters, and safety.DesignProspective randomised controlled study.SettingGerman university hospital.PopulationFemale patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign uterine pathologies.MethodsPatients were randomised to a standard pressure (SP; 15 mmHg, control) or low‐pressure (LP; 8 mmHg, experimental) group.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes were postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain intensities, measured via numeric rating scale (NRS) and vegetative parameters (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, bloating) at 3, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were pain medication requirement (mg) and arterial pCO2 (mmHg). Surgical parameters and intra‐ and postoperative complications were also recorded.ResultsIn total, 178 patients were included. Patients in the LP group (n = 91) showed significantly lower postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain scores, fewer vegetative alterations, lower pain medication requirements, a shorter postoperative hospitalization, and lower intra‐ and postoperative arterial pCO2 values compared with the SP group (n = 87; P ≤ 0.01). No differences in intra‐ and postoperative complications were observed between groups.ConclusionsLow‐pressure laparoscopy seems to be an effective and safe technique for the reduction of postoperative pain and laparoscopy‐induced metabolic and vegetative alterations following laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications.Tweetable abstractLow‐pressure laparoscopy seems to be an effective and safe technique for reduction of pain following laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Metabolic Variance: A Metric to Detect Shifts in Stream Ecosystem Function as a Result of Stream Restoration
Authors: Blersch Stacey Sloan , Blersch David M. , Atkinson Joseph F. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe restoration of lotic ecosystems as currently practiced is constrained by a limited understanding of the emergence of stream ecosystem functions and their linkages to perceived ecosystem services valued by society. An investigation was made into the connections between ecosystem function and hydraulic structure of a stream impacted by gravel mining operations in western New York. Stream ecosystem metabolic parameters were measured using two‐point dissolved oxygen diurnals on multiple reaches of the same stream, and were correlated with geomorphic and hydraulic descriptors of the same reaches. Results showed ecosystem metabolism at the reach scale varied as a function of geomorphic condition, where higher primary production and community respiration (CR) were observed for reaches observed to be unstable vs. those that were stable or restored. The metabolic variance of a stream ecosystem, proposed as a measure of the degree to which a desired ecological functional goal has been achieved post‐restoration, is determined as the rate of change of the ratio of primary production to CR. Shifts in the P/R ratio were evident in reaches post‐restoration, presumably as a result of changes in hydraulic structure, supporting the utility of the ratio by describing a direct link between instream hydraulic conditions and ecosystem function.
Assessment of Groundwater Depletion and Implications for Management in the Denver Basin Aquifer System
Authors: Ruybal Christopher J. , Hogue Terri S. , McCray John E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Denver Basin Aquifer System (DBAS) is a critical groundwater resource along the Colorado Front Range. Groundwater depletion has been documented over the past few decades due to the increased water use among users, presenting long‐term sustainability challenges. A spatiotemporal geostatistical analysis is used to estimate potentiometric surfaces and evaluate groundwater storage changes between 1990 and 2016 in each of the four DBAS aquifers. Several key depletion patterns and spatial water‐level changes emerge in this work. Hydraulic head changes are the largest in the west‐central side of the DBAS and have decreased in some areas by up to 180 m since 1990, while areas to the northwest show increases in hydraulic head by over 30.5 m. The Denver and Arapahoe aquifers show the largest groundwater storage losses, with the highest rates occurring in the 2000s. The results highlight uncertainty in the volumetric predictions under various storage coefficient calculations and emphasize the importance of representative aquifer characterization. The observed groundwater storage depletions are due to a combination of factors, which include population growth increasing the demand for water, variable precipitation, and drought influencing recharge, and increased groundwater pumping. The methods applied in this study are transferable to other groundwater systems and provide a framework that can help assess groundwater depletion and inform management decisions at other locations.
A Parallel Computation Tool to Enable Dynamic Sensitivity and Model Performance Analysis of APEX: Evapotranspiration Modeling
Authors: Talebizadeh Mansour , Moriasi Daniel N. , Steiner Jean L. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Tadesse Haile , Nelson Amanda M. , Starks Patrick J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGlobal sensitivity analysis can be used for assessing the relative importance of model parameters on model outputs. The sensitivity of parameters usually indicates a temporal variation due to variation in the environmental conditions (e.g., variation in weather or plant growth). In addition, the size of averaging window by which the outputs of a model are aggregated or averaged may impact parameter sensitivities. In this study, temporal variation of parameters sensitives, model performance, as well as the impact of the size of time‐averaging window on evapotranspiration (ET) prediction using the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model are investigated. To achieve these goals, an open‐source package named PARAPEX was developed in R and used to perform dynamic sensitivity and model performance analysis of APEX using parallel computation. PARAPEX reduced the computation time from 5,939 to 379 s (using 20 and 1 computation nodes, respectively). The sensitivity analysis results indicated the parameters accounting for the reducing effect of plant cover on evaporation from the soil surface, the effect of soil on the plant root growth, and the effect of cycling and transformation dynamics of organic matter at the top soil layer as the top sensitive parameters based on the mean daily simulated ET and the Nash–Sutcliffe model performance measure. The dynamic performance analysis indicated poor ET predictions by APEX during the growing seasons. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Comparison of Evapotranspiration Simulation Performance by APEX Model in Dryland and Irrigated Cropping Systems
Authors: Tadesse Haile K. , Moriasi Daniel N. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Steiner Jean L. , Talebizadeh Mansour , Nelson Amanda M. , Starks Patrick J. , Marek Gary 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAccurate estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential to improve water use efficiency of crop production systems managed under different water regimes. The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was used to simulate ET using four potential ET (ETp) methods. The objectives were to determine sensitive ET parameters in dryland and irrigated cropping systems and compare ET simulation in the two systems using multiple performance criteria. Measured ET and crop yield data from lysimeter fields located in the United States Department of Agriculture‐Agricultural Research Service Bushland, Texas were used for evaluation. The number of sensitive parameters was higher for dryland (11–14) than irrigated cropping systems (6–8). Only four input parameters: soil evaporation plant cover factor, root growth soil strength, maximum rain intercept, and rain intercept coefficient were sensitive in both cropping systems. Overall, it is possible to find a set of robust parameter values to simulate ET accurately in APEX in both cropping systems using any ETp method. However, more computation time is required for dryland than irrigated cropping system due to a relatively larger number of sensitive input parameters. When all inputs are available, the Penman–Monteith method takes the shortest computation time to obtain one model run with robust parameter values in both cropping systems. However, in areas with limited datasets, one can still obtain reasonable ET simulations using either Priestley–Taylor or Hargreaves. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Rapid identification and interpretation of gene–environment associations using the new R.SamBada landscape genomics pipeline
Authors: Duruz Solange , Sevane Natalia , Selmoni Oliver , Vajana Elia , Leempoel Kevin , Stucki Sylvie , Orozco‐terWengel Pablo , Rochat Estelle , Dunner Susana ,   The NEXTGEN Consortium,   The CLIMGEN Consortium, Bruford Michael W. , Joost Stéphane 
Published: May 2019

Abstractsamβada is a genome–environment association software, designed to search for signatures of local adaptation. However, pre‐ and postprocessing of data can be labour‐intensive, preventing wider uptake of the method. We have now developed R.SamBada, an r‐package providing a pipeline for landscape genomic analysis based on samβada, spanning from the retrieval of environmental conditions at sampling locations to gene annotation using the Ensembl genome browser. As a result, R.SamBada standardizes the landscape genomics pipeline and eases the search for candidate genes of local adaptation, enhancing reproducibility of landscape genomic studies. The efficiency and power of the pipeline is illustrated using two examples: sheep populations from Morocco with no evident population structure and Lidia cattle from Spain displaying population substructuring. In both cases, R.SamBada enabled rapid identification and interpretation of candidate genes, which are further discussed in the light of local adaptation. The package is available in the r CRAN package repository and on GitHub (github.com/SolangeD/R.SamBada).
Efficacy and safety of leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis treatment: A single‐arm meta‐analysis
Authors: Dai Qiaoding , Xu Liping , Yu Xiali 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimTo systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of leflunomide for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until 1 January, 2018, to include relevant studies in this single‐arm meta‐analysis. Psoriasis improvement was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. The primary outcome in patients was assessed using the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC). Other effectiveness evaluations included those of adverse events, quality of life including functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] total score), and a quality‐of‐life instrument for dermatologic diseases (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] total score).ResultsA total of 6 studies were included. After leflunomide treatment, 48% of the patients experienced a reduction of ≥50% based on PASI scores (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22‐0.73). PASI 75 improvement was observed among 25% of the patients (95% CI: 0.11‐0.38). The primary effectiveness analysis revealed that 15% of the patients (95% CI: 0.07‐0.26) discontinued leflunomide treatment. Further, 77% of the patients (95% CI: 0.59‐0.92) achieved a PsARC response. Adverse events occurred in 38% of the patients (95% CI: 0.04‐0.71). The mean ± SD percentage PASI improvement was −4.88 (95% CI: −8.92, −0.85). Moreover, DLQI and HAQ were −2.02 (95% CI: −3.01, −1.03) and −0.19 (95% CI: −0.29, −0.09), respectively.ConclusionsLeflunomide is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for PsA, and would be a safe and convenient option.
Regional Powers’ Rise and Impact on International Conflict and Negotiation: China and India as Global and Regional Players
Authors: Narlikar Amrita 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this article, I investigate the impact that the rise of regional powers as global players has had on the nature of international conflict, and also the negotiating table. I focus specifically on China and India, and analyze their negotiating behavior in two areas: one multilateral, the other regional. Despite the apparent similarities that one might assume at first glance, the article points to some significant points of difference between these two players. The differences are important from a policy perspective, besides being theoretically interesting. The argument proceeds in five parts. The first section explains the reasoning behind the case selection, with respect to the countries (China and India) as well as issue‐areas (multilateral trade governance, and the Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]). It also outlines the main hypotheses in Section 1. Section 2 investigates the two hypotheses about the negotiation behaviors of China and India in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Section 3 takes on a similar comparison with reference to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Section 4 presents the conclusions of the study, and Section 5 offers policy recommendations.
Israeli and Palestinian Stories. Can Mediators Reconfigure Incompatible Narratives?
Authors: Rosoux Valérie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe rise of further tensions and wars in the Middle East interconnects, oversimplifies and radicalizes narratives. The aim of the article is to question the scope and practical limits of the mediators’ power regarding parties’ representations of the past. The study is divided into four parts. The first describes the specific challenge faced by practitioners. The other parts explore the Israeli‐Palestinian case, focusing on three distinct approaches to contradictory narratives. The first can be summarized by the formula ‘neither nor’ (neither the Israeli narrative, nor the Palestinian narrative). In concealing interpretations of the past, mediators try to do away with the ‘tyranny of the past’. The second approach takes into consideration ‘both the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives’. It tends to be inclusive and to consider all interpretations of the past. The third and last approach applies a ‘on the one hand, on the other hand’ reasoning in order to forge new interpretations of the past. At each stage of the research, the purpose is to question the actual impact of these approaches. Do they enable the parties to move on, or do they reinforce the deadlock? Do they open the minds of the negotiators or do they rather close them?
Comparing two classes of alpha diversities and their corresponding beta and (dis)similarity measures, with an application to the Formosan sika deer Cervus nippon taiouanus reintroduction programme
Authors: Chao Anne , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Wu Shu‐Hui , Huang Chun‐Lin , Lin Yi‐Ching 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Diversity partitioning, which decomposes gamma diversity into alpha and beta components, is commonly used to obtain measures that quantify spatial/temporal diversity and compositional similarity or dissimilarity among assemblages. We focus on the decomposition of diversity as measured by Hill numbers (parameterized by a diversity order q ≥ 0).

At least three diversity‐partitioning schemes based on Hill numbers have been proposed. These schemes differ in the way they formulate alpha diversity. We focus on comparing two classes of alpha diversities, developed, respectively, by Routledge (1979) and Chiu et al. (2014). Both are defined for all diversity orders q ≥ 0. Because these two approaches to quantifying alpha have not been compared in the literature; it has been unclear how to choose a proper alpha formulation for practical applications.

We review the two classes of alpha diversities and discuss the properties of their corresponding beta and (dis)similarity measures. Our research offers clear guidelines regarding the choice of an alpha formula: (a) If the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among (unweighted) species relative abundance datasets, then the two alpha formulas are identical, leading to the same beta and (dis)similarity measures. (b) If the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among (unweighted) species raw abundance datasets, then Chiu et al.’s approach should be used. Their beta can be monotonically transformed to various (dis)similarity measures in the range [0, 1]. (c) If each assemblage is weighted by its absolute, total abundance (i.e. assemblage size), but the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among species relative abundance datasets, then Routledge’s approach should be used. In this case, construction of legitimate (dis)similarity measures among species relative abundance datasets for unequal assemblage sizes/weights, for any order q ≥ 0, has not been addressed in the literature. Here we propose non‐monotonic transformations of Routledge’s beta to fill this gap.

The extension of our analysis to phylogenetic diversity partitioning is generally parallel. We apply various species/taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity measures to Taiwan’s plant data; the results provide insights into the assessment of a reintroduction programme of Formosan sika deer into a forest area. Pertinent sampling and related issues are also discussed.
Transference of natural diversity from the apomictic germplasm of Paspalum notatum to a sexual synthetic population
Authors: Zilli Alex L. , Acuña Carlos A. , Schulz Roberto R. , Marcón Florencia , Brugnoli Elsa A. , Novo Sabina F. , Quarin Camilo L. , Martínez Eric J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGenetic improvement in apomictic forage species has been restricted because of the absence of genetic variability in sexual germplasm with the same ploidy level. Following a new breeding scheme, a sexual synthetic tetraploid population (SSTP) of Paspalum notatum has been generated. The objectives of this work were: (a) to evaluate the genetic variability in SSTP by means of molecular markers, morphologic and agronomic traits, and seed fertility and quality traits and (b) to assess the transference of genetic variability from the apomictic germplasm to the sexual one. Molecular markers revealed a twofold higher level of variability in the SSTP in comparison with the sexual germplasm utilised for its generation, and similar levels with the apomictic ones; moreover, markers showed that most of the variability was inherited from the apomictic germplasm. Morphologic and agronomic traits and seed fertility and quality traits showed high levels of variation in the three groups of genotypes indicating that the new breeding scheme was effective in transferring variability from the apomictic germplasm to the SSTP. This new population will be useful in breeding of P. notatum, and the breeding scheme used for its generation may be used in other apomictic species.
Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College Students: Patterns, Correlates, Norms, and Consequences
Authors: White Helene R. , Kilmer Jason R. , Fossos‐Wong Nicole , Hayes Kerri , Sokolovsky Alexander W. , Jackson Kristina M. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundAlcohol and marijuana users often engage in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use (i.e., using the 2 substances together so that their effects overlap), which can result in more negative consequences than using either substance alone. Nevertheless, little is known about SAM use among contemporary college students to aid in the development of preventive interventions. This study examined SAM use patterns, demographic correlates of SAM use, and normative influences on SAM use and related negative consequences among college students.MethodsStudents who had used alcohol and marijuana in the past year were recruited from 3 state universities in states with different laws regarding recreational marijuana use (N = 1,389). They completed an online survey, which assessed their own alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use and related consequences, their perceptions of the proportion of same‐gender peers and close friends who engaged in SAM use, marijuana access, and demographic characteristics.ResultsAbout three‐fourths of participants reported at least 1 occasion of SAM use in the past year with an average frequency of twice per month among SAM users. There were significant differences in SAM use prevalence and frequency by sociodemographic characteristics controlling for past‐year alcohol and marijuana frequency. Students in a state with decriminalized recreational marijuana use reported higher frequency of past‐year SAM use than students in states with legalized or criminalized use. There were significant demographic differences in perceived norms regarding SAM use among close friends and same‐gender peers. SAM users endorsed significantly higher perceived peer and friend norms than nonusers. Also, higher perceived norms predicted more frequent SAM use and more negative consequences of use.ConclusionsResults indicate a need for prevention programs on college campuses that address SAM use. Interventions that use personalized normative feedback may be effective.