bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissimilar responses of larch stands in northern Siberia to increasing temperatures—a field and simulation based study
Authors: Wieczorek Mareike , Kruse Stefan , Epp Laura S. , Kolmogorov Alexei , Nikolaev Anatoly N. , Heinrich Ingo , Jeltsch Florian , Pestryakova Lyudmila A. , Zibulski Romy , Herzschuh Ulrike 
Published: May 2017

AbstractArctic and alpine treelines worldwide differ in their reactions to climate change. A northward advance of or densification within the treeline ecotone will likely influence climate–vegetation feedback mechanisms. In our study, which was conducted in the Taimyr Depression in the North Siberian Lowlands, w present a combined field‐ and model‐based approach helping us to better understand the population processes involved in the responses of the whole treeline ecotone, spanning from closed forest to single‐tree tundra, to climate warming. Using information on stand structure, tree age, and seed quality and quantity from seven sites, we investigate effects of intra‐specific competition and seed availability on the specific impact of recent climate warming on larch stands. Field data show that tree density is highest in the forest‐tundra, and average tree size decreases from closed forest to single‐tree tundra. Age‐structure analyses indicate that the trees in the closed forest and forest‐tundra have been present for at least ~240 yr. At all sites except the most southerly ones, past establishment is positively correlated with regional temperature increase. In the single‐tree tundra, however, a change in growth form from krummholz to erect trees, beginning ~130 yr ago, rather than establishment date has been recorded. Seed mass decreases from south to north, while seed quantity increases. Simulations with LAVESI (Larix Vegetation Simulator) further suggest that relative density changes strongly in response to a warming signal in the forest‐tundra while intra‐specific competition limits densification in the closed forest and seed limitation hinders densification in the single‐tree tundra. We find striking differences in strength and timing of responses to recent climate warming. While forest‐tundra stands recently densified, recruitment is almost non‐existent at the southern and northern end of the ecotone due to autecological processes. Palaeo‐treelines may therefore be inappropriate to infer past temperature changes at a fine scale. Moreover, a lagged treeline response to past warming will, via feedback mechanisms, influence climate change in the future.
Central‐local Relations and Renewable Energy Policy Implementation in a Developing Country
Authors: Marquardt Jens 
Published: May 2017

AbstractImplementing renewable energy policies is a complex governance challenge that involves numerous jurisdictional levels. Transforming an energy system towards renewables requires not only top‐down activities from the central government, but also bottom‐up developments at subnational jurisdictions. This article investigates how complex multi‐level governance arrangements affect renewable energy policy implementation in a developing country. Speaking to current conceptual debates in multi‐level governance research, insights from pluralist power theories are incorporated into a multi‐level governance framework to investigate the role of governance structures, resources and capacities. The approach is applied exemplarily to discuss the implementation of the Philippine Renewable Energy Act. The national government struggles to implement this law due to powerful local authorities. Political factors such as unclear responsibilities, conflicting regulations, weak local capacity, a lack of awareness for national intentions and missing consultation are identified as major obstacles for renewable energy policy implementation. Results are primarily derived from documents and qualitative expert interviews. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
On the Necessity of an Integrated, Participative and Adaptive Approach to Sustainable Urban Environmental Quality Planning
Authors: van Stigt Rien , Driessen Peter , Spit Tejo 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBased on a review of recent literature, this paper addresses the question of how urban planners can steer urban environmental quality, given the fact that it is multidimensional in character, is assessed largely in subjective terms and varies across time. A novel perspective of urban environmental quality is proposed, simultaneously exploring three questions that are at the core of planning and designing cities: ‘quality of what?’, ‘quality for whom?’ and ‘quality at what time?’. The dilemmas that urban planners face in answering these questions are illustrated using secondary material. This approach provides perspectives for action. Rather than further detailing the exact nature of urban quality, it calls for sustainable urban environmental quality planning that is integrated, participative and adaptive. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
How lethal concentration changes over time: Toxicity of cadmium, copper, and lead to the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus
Authors: Van Ginneken Marjolein , Blust Ronny , Bervoets Lieven 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Metal pollution is a serious threat to environmental health. While the aquatic isopod Asellus aquaticus L. (Isopoda) is an important decomposer of freshwater ecosystems, very little research has reported its long-term or incipient lethal concentrations for metals. Moreover, the lethal concentrations at a certain percentage (LCxs) that can be found in the literature are often based on unmeasured concentrations, which could lead to a severe underestimation of the actual toxicity. In the present exploratory study, the 1-, 4-, 7-, and 14-d LC10, LC20, and LC50 values of copper, cadmium, and lead for adult A. aquaticus were determined. The LCx values were calculated using the nominal concentrations, the effective concentrations, and the free ion activities. Incipient lethal values were determined as well. In general, surprisingly lower lethal concentrations were found than in other studies. Furthermore, the present study shows that lethal concentrations based on free ion activities were generally much lower than nominal and effective concentrations. Although almost all LC values were higher than the environmental quality standards (EQS), the Cu 14-d LC10 and several (incipient) Pb LC10 and LC20 values, all calculated with free ion activities, were lower than the EQS. We conclude that lethal or effective concentrations based on free ion activities provide a more realistic view, which is vital for environmental policy making. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2849–2854. © 2017 SETAC
Heavy metal–induced toxicity in the Indian green frog: Biochemical and histopathological alterations
Authors: Jayawardena Uthpala Apekshani , Angunawela Preethika , Wickramasinghe Deepthi Devika , Ratnasooriya Wanigasekara Daya , Udagama Preethi Vidya 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination may have adverse effects on wetland biota, particularly on amphibians. Severe immunotoxic effects elicited in Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Indian green frog) because of metal exposure (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary, a polluted urban wetland in Sri Lanka, provided the rationale for the present study. We evaluated the biochemical and histopathological effects of this metal contamination with a reference E. hexadactylus population and a laboratory exposure group that was subjected to 28 d of exposure to a mixture of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn (5 ppm in each mixture). A histopathological scoring for the semiquantification of tissue damage was established. Results of the biochemical and histopathological markers were remarkably consistent between the 2 exposure scenarios, providing validation for the heavy metal exposure hypothesis. Damage to liver, kidney, lung, and skin of metal-exposed E. hexadactylus quantified multiple impairments absent in the reference frogs. Liver injuries complemented significantly elevated aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and alkaline phosphatases in frog liver homogenate, indicating hepatocellular leakage and loss of functional and structural integrity of the hepatocyte membrane in both field- and laboratory-exposed frogs. Significant elevation of Kupffer cell hypertrophy, pigmentation, inflammatory cell infiltrates and hepatic inflammation, extramedullary hematopoiesis, karyocytomegaly of hepatocytes (p &lt; 0.05) of the liver, and degeneration of epithelia and necrosis of the lung, manifested as impairments in both metal exposure scenarios. Significantly reduced serum total protein and albumin and significantly elevated urea and creatinine in metal-exposed frogs were indicative of hepatic and renal dysfunction, respectively. The present study affirms histopathology-related biochemical alterations as potential biomarkers for heavy metal toxicity in amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2855–2867. © 2017 SETAC
Subcortical hyperintensities in the cholinergic system are associated with improvements in executive function in older adults with coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Santiago Calvin , Herrmann Nathan , Swardfager Walter , Saleem Mahwesh , Oh Paul I. , Black Sandra E. , Bradley Janelle , Lanctôt Krista L. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveCoronary artery disease (CAD) is frequently accompanied by white matter hyperintensities and executive dysfunction. Because acetylcholine is important in executive function, these symptoms may be exacerbated by subcortical hyperintensities (SH) located in cholinergic (CH) tracts. This study investigated the effects of SH on cognitive changes in CAD patients undergoing a 48‐week cardiac rehabilitation program.MethodsFifty patients (age 66.5 ± 7.1 years, 84% male) underwent the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Canadian Stroke Network neurocognitive battery at baseline and 48 weeks. Patients underwent a 48‐week cardiac program and completed neuroimaging at baseline. Subcortical hyperintensities in CH tracts were measured using Lesion Explorer. Repeated measures general linear models were used to examine interactions between SH and longitudinal cognitive outcomes, controlling for age, education, and max VO2 change as a measure of fitness.ResultsIn patients with SH in CH tracts, there was a significant interaction with the Trail Making Test (TMT) part A and part B over time. Patients without SH improved on average 16.6 and 15.0% on the TMT‐A and TMT‐B, respectively. Patients with SH on average showed no improvements in either TMT‐A or TMT‐B over time. There were no significant differences in other cognitive measures.ConclusionThese results suggest that CAD patients with SH in CH tracts improve less than those without SH in CH tracts, over 48 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation. Thus, SH in CH tracts may contribute to longitudinal cognitive decline following a cardiac event and may represent a vascular risk factor of cognitive decline. © 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Disrupted topological organization of structural networks revealed by probabilistic diffusion tractography in Tourette syndrome children
Authors: Wen Hongwei , Liu Yue , Rekik Islem , Wang Shengpei , Zhang Jishui , Zhang Yue , Peng Yun , He Huiguang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood‐onset neurobehavioral disorder. Although previous TS studies revealed structural abnormalities in distinct corticobasal ganglia circuits, the topological alterations of the whole‐brain white matter (WM) structural networks remain poorly understood. Here, we used diffusion MRI probabilistic tractography and graph theoretical analysis to investigate the topological organization of WM networks in 44 drug‐naive TS children and 41 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy children. The WM networks were constructed by estimating inter‐regional connectivity probability and the topological properties were characterized using graph theory. We found that both TS and control groups showed an efficient small‐world organization in WM networks. However, compared to controls, TS children exhibited decreased global and local efficiency, increased shortest path length and small worldness, indicating a disrupted balance between local specialization and global integration in structural networks. Although both TS and control groups showed highly similar hub distributions, TS children exhibited significant decreased nodal efficiency, mainly distributed in the default mode, language, visual, and sensorimotor systems. Furthermore, two separate networks showing significantly decreased connectivity in TS group were identified using network‐based statistical (NBS) analysis, primarily composed of the parieto‐occipital cortex, precuneus, and paracentral lobule. Importantly, we combined support vector machine and multiple kernel learning frameworks to fuse multiple levels of network topological features for classification of individuals, achieving high accuracy of 86.47%. Together, our study revealed the disrupted topological organization of structural networks related to pathophysiology of TS, and the discriminative topological features for classification are potential quantitative neuroimaging biomarkers for clinical TS diagnosis.Hum Brain Mapp 38:3988–4008, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical perineural invasion of the trigeminal and facial nerves in cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Outcomes and prognostic implications of multimodality and salvage treatment
Authors: Erkan Serkan , Savundra James M. , Wood Bradley , Acharya Aanand N. , Rajan Gunesh P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundClinical perineural invasion (PNI) of the trigeminal and facial nerves from cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cutaneous HNSCC) is a rare clinical entity that poses unique therapeutic challenges.MethodsA retrospective chart review of a skull base oncology database was performed of patients with the diagnosis of clinical PNI from a cutaneous HNSCC. Patients who were previously untreated underwent multimodal treatment entailing surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and patients who were previously treated with radiotherapy underwent salvage surgical resection between the years 2006 and 2012. Survival outcomes, such as disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), were analyzed and correlated with surgical factors, such as margin status, previous treatment, zone involvement, and trigeminal involvement (branch‐specific), as well as the pretreatment and posttreatment pain scores.ResultsOf 21 patients with clinical PNI from cutaneous HNSCC, 7 patients (33%) were previously treated for their disease with primary radiotherapy. Negative tumor margins were achieved in 18 patients (86%). Three of the 7 patients (43%) undergoing salvage surgery had positive margins. One‐year and 3‐year DFS for previously untreated patients was 91% and 67%, respectively, whereas 1‐year and 3‐year DFS was 72% and 28%, respectively, for the previously treated patients. Previous radiotherapy, ophthalmic nerve involvement, and positive margins portended poorer survival outcomes in this study.ConclusionThe retrospective study of this rare clinical entity demonstrates that multimodal treatment can achieve favorable survival outcomes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1280–1286, 2017
Robotic thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: An initial experience with retroauricular approach
Authors: Alshehri Mohammed , Mohamed Hossam Eldin , Moulthrop Thomas , Kandil Emad 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundNew approaches for robotic‐assisted thyroidectomy were recently described. The purpose of this study was to present the report of our initial experience using a retroauricular approach for thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.MethodsThis is a prospective study that was conducted under institutional review board approval and all surgeries were performed by a single surgeon at a North American academic institution. Some patients underwent an additional concomitant neck lift surgery in addition to the thyroid surgery. Some cases were performed without the use of the robot and they have been evaluated compared with the robotic cases. Clinical characteristics, total operative time, blood loss, surgical outcome, and length of hospital stay were evaluated.ResultsForty cases representing thirty‐eight female patients were included in this study, which includes 37 thyroid lobectomies and 3 parathyroid surgeries. Mean age was 44 ± 13 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.9 ± 5.31. Mean thyroid nodule size was 2.01 ± 0.94 cm. All cases were completed successfully via a single retroauricular incision. There was no conversion to an open approach. Six of 38 patients underwent additional neck lift surgery with a mean total operative time of 189 ± 45 minutes. The mean operative time for the remaining 34 patients who underwent retroauricular robotic‐assisted hemithyroidectomy without neck lift surgery was 156 ± 39 minutes. Five patients underwent an endoscopic, retroauricular approach to the thyroid and parathyroid without using the robot. Two of 38 patients developed postoperative hematoma, in whom one of them needed a surgical evacuation. There were no cases of permanent vocal cord paralysis or permanent hypoparathyroidism. However, 2 patients developed transient hoarseness, which resolved 9 weeks and 10 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Mean blood loss was 19.0 ± 30.93 mL. Twenty‐one patients were discharged on the same day of surgery, 17 patients were discharged after an overnight stay, and the remaining 2 patients were discharged after 2 days.ConclusionSingle‐incision retroauricular robotic hemithyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy can be safe and feasible and concomitant neck lift surgery can be offered in a select group of patients. In addition, the nonrobotic retroauricular approach can be performed safely; however, future studies are warranted to further evaluate the benefits and limitations of this novel robotic retroauricular surgical approach.
Delayed platelet recovery after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Association with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease and survival outcome
Authors: Akahoshi Yu , Kimura Shun‐ichi , Gomyo Ayumi , Hayakawa Jin , Tamaki Masaharu , Harada Naonori , Kusuda Machiko , Kameda Kazuaki , Ugai Tomotaka , Wada Hidenori , Ishihara Yuko , Kawamura Koji , Sakamoto Kana , Sato Miki , Terasako‐Saito Kiriko , Kikuchi Misato , Nakasone Hideki , Kako Shinichi , Kanda Yoshinobu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDelayed platelet recovery (DPR) despite prompt neutrophil engraftment is frequently observed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, few studies have evaluated the risk factors and long‐term outcome. Therefore, we retrospectively analysed 219 adult patients who underwent their first allogenic HSCT with neutrophil engraftment. Of these 219 patients, 50 (22.8%) had DPR that was defined as relapse‐free survival at day 60 after HSCT without primary platelet recovery despite neutrophil engraftment. The results of a multivariate analysis showed that a high‐risk underlying disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04‐5.48; P = .041) and human leukocyte antigen–mismatched HSCT (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.28‐5.43; P = .009) were associated with an increased risk of DPR. In univariate analyses, the occurrence of DPR was significantly associated with inferior overall survival, high nonrelapse mortality, and a low incidence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), despite a comparable relapse rate. In multivariate analyses, DPR was associated with inferior overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.23‐3.27; P = .005) and a low incidence of chronic GVHD (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22‐0.78; P = .002). In conclusion, DPR was a strong predictor of shorter survival but also less frequent chronic GVHD.
Impact of comorbidity on survival in peripheral T‐cell lymphomas: A Swedish Lymphoma Registry study
Authors: Ellin Fredrik , Jerkeman Mats , Törnqvist Jenny , Brudin Lars , Relander Thomas 
Published: May 2017

AbstractComorbidity impacts survival in B‐cell lymphoma patients, but the influence in peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCLs) has been little studied. To investigate the impact of comorbidity on outcome in PTCL, we identified adult patients with newly diagnosed PTCL from 2000 to 2009 in the Swedish Lymphoma Registry. Data on comorbidity at diagnosis were retrospectively collected according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Comorbid conditions were present in 263 out of 694 (38%) patients. A CCI score of ≥2 was associated with inferior overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.63, P < .001) and progression‐free survival (HR 1.54, P < .001) in multivariate analysis. In patients undergoing front‐line autologous stem cell transplantation (auto SCT), CCI >0 was associated with inferior OS (HR 2.40, P = .013). Chemotherapy regimens were classified as curative or low‐intensity treatments. Among patients aged ≥75 years (n = 214), low‐intensity and curative treatment groups had similar OS (HR 0.8, P = .6), also when adjusted for CCI. In summary, our results demonstrate CCI to be independently associated with survival in PTCLs. Even limited comorbidity impacted survival after front‐line auto SCT, which needs to be considered in treatment decisions. Intensive anthracycline‐based chemotherapy in elderly PTCL patients might be of limited benefit.
The use and design of the BSC in the health care sector: A systematic literature review for Italy, Spain, and Portugal
Authors: Gonzalez‐Sanchez Maria Beatriz , Broccardo Laura , Martins Pires Amélia Maria 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of how the balanced scorecard (BSC) has evolved in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. It reviews all the articles on the BSC in the health care sector written between 1992 and 2015 by Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese authors and published in Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese as well as in English.Our study first shows the state of knowledge on BSC in health care for a homogeneous group of Southern European countries. Second, it uncovers the perspectives, indicators, and generation used in the countries under observation to reveal the extent to which this management tool has evolved. Third, it analyses international variations in design and use within the health care context, especially in the United States. Moreover, it also highlights a number of important issues. The BSC is in its early stage of development in these 3 countries, which do not use it as a tool to implement strategy and align all of the elements that help integrate the organization.