bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Normal variation of bone marrow B‐cell precursors according to age – reference ranges for studies in myelodysplastic syndromes in Brazil
Authors: Lorand‐Metze I. , Longhini A. L. , Oliveira‐Duarte G. , Correia R. P. , Santos‐Silva M. C. , Yamamoto M. , Sandes A. F. , Oliveira A. F. , Souto E. X. , Ikoma M. R. V. , Pereira‐Cunha F. G. , Beltrame M. , Metze K. ,   on behalf of the Brazilian Group of Flow Cytometry (GBCFLUX)
Published: December 2017

BackgroundNormal B lymphoid maturation occurs in bone marrow (BM) throughout life, but immature B‐cell progenitors (BCPs) are more numerous in children than in adults. To assess the normal values according to age became important as BCPs are decreased in myelodysplastic syndromes and have been considered an important diagnostic and prognostic feature in these clonal disorders.Methodsin a multicenter retrospective study from the Brazilian Group of Flow Cytometry we analyzed the variation of BCPs in normal BM according to age and technical peculiarities of each laboratory. We analysed of 45 BM donors and 89 cases examined for elucidation of transitory reactive cytopenias presenting a normal BM immunophenotyping. BCPs were enumerated as CD19+/CD34+/CD45dim/CD10+ cells (panel 1) or CD19+/CD34+/CD45dim cells (panel 2) among the total nucleated non‐erythroid cells and as percentage of CD34+ cells.Resultswe included 134 cases. Panel 1 was applied in 88 cases and panel 2 was used in 46. Age range: 10 months to 89 years. In a multiple regression, % BCPs/total nucleated cells was an exponential function of age. Age explained alone 49.4% of the variance, while ‘panel used’ explained 1.8% and ‘laboratory’ explained 0.7%. Age explained only 24.9% of the variance of BCPs/CD34+ cells.Conclusionsin normal individuals, BM B‐cell precursors varied mainly according to age, but were also dependent on technical peculiarities of operators and equipments. Analysis by phenotype and as percentage of total nucleated cells was more accurate and less susceptible to variation than evaluating % BCPs/total CD34+ cells. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Exacerbated grassland degradation and desertification in Central Asia during 2000–2014
Authors: Zhang Geli , Biradar Chandrashekhar M. , Xiao Xiangming , Dong Jinwei , Zhou Yuting , Qin Yuanwei , Zhang Yao , Liu Fang , Ding Mingjun , Thomas Richard J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGrassland degradation and desertification is a complex process, including both state conversion (e.g., grasslands to deserts) and gradual within‐state change (e.g., greenness dynamics). Existing studies hardly separated the two components and analyzed it as a whole based on time series vegetation index data, which cannot provide a clear and comprehensive picture for grassland degradation and desertification. Here we propose an integrated assessment strategy, by considering both state conversion and within‐state change of grasslands, to investigate grassland degradation and desertification process in Central Asia. First, annual maps of grasslands and sparsely vegetated land were generated to track the state conversions between them. The results showed increasing grasslands were converted to sparsely vegetated lands from 2000 to 2014, with the desertification region concentrating in the latitude range of 43–48° N. A frequency analysis of grassland vs. sparsely vegetated land classification in the last 15 yr allowed a recognition of persistent desert zone (PDZ), persistent grassland zone (PGZ), and transitional zone (TZ). The TZ was identified in southern Kazakhstan as one hotspot that was unstable and vulnerable to desertification. Furthermore, the trend analysis of Enhanced Vegetation Index during thermal growing season (EVITGS) was investigated in individual zones using linear regression and Mann‐Kendall approaches. An overall degradation across the area was found; moreover, the second desertification hotspot was identified in northern Kazakhstan with significant decreasing in EVITGS, which was located in PGZ. Finally, attribution analyses of grassland degradation and desertification were conducted by considering precipitation, temperature, and three different drought indices. We found persistent droughts were the main factor for grassland degradation and desertification in Central Asia. Considering both state conversion and gradual within‐state change processes, this study provided reference information for identification of desertification hotspots to support further grassland degradation and desertification treatment, and the method could be useful to be extended to other regions.
Proximate causes of altitudinal differences in body size in an agamid lizard
Authors: Lu Hong‐Liang , Xu Chun‐Xia , Jin Yuan‐Ting , Hero Jean‐Marc , Du Wei‐Guo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBody size is directly linked to key life history traits such as growth, fecundity, and survivorship. Identifying the causes of body size variation is a critical task in ecological and evolutionary research. Body size variation along altitudinal gradients has received considerable attention; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we compared the growth rate and age structure of toad‐headed lizards (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) from two populations found at different elevations in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. We used mark‐recapture and skeletochronological analysis to identify the potential proximate causes of altitudinal variation in body size. Lizards from the high‐elevation site had higher growth rates and attained slightly larger adult body sizes than lizards from the low‐elevation site. However, newborns produced by high‐elevation females were smaller than those by low‐elevation females. Von Bertalanffy growth estimates predicted high‐elevation individuals would reach sexual maturity at an earlier age and have a lower mean age than low‐elevation individuals. Relatively lower mean age for the high‐elevation population was confirmed using the skeletochronological analysis. These results support the prediction that a larger adult body size of high‐elevation P. vlangalii results from higher growth rates, associated with higher resource availability.
Can mesophotic reefs replenish shallow reefs? Reduced coral reproductive performance casts a doubt
Authors: Shlesinger Tom , Grinblat Mila , Rapuano Hanna , Amit Tal , Loya Yossi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMesophotic coral ecosystems (i.e., deep coral reefs at 30–120 m depth) appear to be thriving while many shallow reefs in the world are declining. Amid efforts to understand and manage their decline, it was suggested that mesophotic reefs might serve as natural refuges and a possible source of propagules for the shallow reefs. However, our knowledge of how reproductive performance of corals alters with depth is sparse. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the reproductive phenology, fecundity, and abundance of seven reef‐building conspecific corals in shallow and mesophotic habitats. Significant differences were found in the synchrony and timing of gametogenesis and spawning between shallow and mesophotic coral populations. Thus, mesophotic populations exhibited delayed or protracted spawning events, which led to spawning of the mesophotic colonies in large proportions at times where the shallow ones had long been depleted of reproductive material. All species investigated demonstrated a substantial reduction in fecundity and/or oocyte sizes at mesophotic depths (40–60 m). Two species (Seriatopora hystrix and Galaxea fascicularis) displayed a reduction in both fecundity and oocyte size at mesophotic depths. Turbinaria reniformis had only reduced fecundity and Acropora squarrosa and Acropora valida only reduced oocyte size. In Montipora verrucosa, reduced fecundity was found during one annual reproductive season while, in the following year, only reduced oocyte size was found. In contrast, reduced oocyte size in mesophotic populations of Acropora squarrosa was consistent along three studied years. One species, Acropora pharaonis, was found to be infertile at mesophotic depths along two studied years. This indicates that reproductive performance decreases with depth; and that although some species are capable of reproducing at mesophotic depths, their contribution to the replenishment of shallow reefs may be inconsequential. Reduced reproductive performance with depth, combined with the possible narrower tolerance to environmental factors, further suggests that mesophotic corals may in fact be more vulnerable than previously conceived. Furthermore, we posit that the observed temporal segregation in reproduction could lead to assortative mating, and this, in turn, may facilitate adaptive divergence across depth.
Phosphorus limitation of aboveground production in northern hardwood forests
Authors: Goswami Shinjini , Fisk Melany C. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Garrison‐Johnston Mariann , Yanai Ruth D. , Fahey Timothy J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractForest productivity on glacially derived soils with weatherable phosphorus (P) is expected to be limited by nitrogen (N), according to theories of long‐term ecosystem development. However, recent studies and model simulations based on resource optimization theory indicate that productivity can be co‐limited by N and P. We conducted a full factorial N × P fertilization experiment in 13 northern hardwood forest stands of three age classes in central New Hampshire, USA, to test the hypothesis that forest productivity is co‐limited by N and P. We also asked whether the response of productivity to N and P addition differs among species and whether differential species responses contribute to community‐level co‐limitation. Plots in each stand were fertilized with 30 kg N·ha−1·yr−1, 10 kg P·ha−1·yr−1, N + P, or neither nutrient (control) for four growing seasons. The productivity response to treatments was assessed using per‐tree annual relative basal area increment (RBAI) as an index of growth. RBAI responded significantly to P (P = 0.02) but not to N (P = 0.73). However, evidence for P limitation was not uniform among stands. RBAI responded to P fertilization in mid‐age (P = 0.02) and mature (P = 0.07) stands, each taken as a group, but was greatest in N‐fertilized plots of two stands in these age classes, and there was no significant effect of P in the young stands. Both white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) responded significantly to P; no species responded significantly to N. We did not find evidence for N and P co‐limitation of tree growth. The response to N + P did not differ from that to P alone, and there was no significant N × P interaction (P = 0.68). Our P limitation results support neither the N limitation prediction of ecosystem theory nor the N and P co‐limitation prediction of resource optimization theory, but could be a consequence of long‐term anthropogenic N deposition in these forests. Inconsistencies in response to P suggest that successional status and variation in site conditions influence patterns of nutrient limitation and recycling across the northern hardwood forest landscape.
Development and Characterization of Needle‐type Ion‐selective Microsensors for in situ Determination of Foliar Uptake of Zn2+ in Citrus Plants
Authors: Church Jared , Armas Stephanie M. , Patel Parth K. , Chumbimuni‐Torres Karin , Lee Woo Hyoung 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor over a decade, the incidence of Huanglongbing (HLB) has grown at an alarming rate, affecting citrus crops worldwide. Current methods of nutrient therapy have little to no effect in alleviating symptoms of HLB, and scarce research has been put forth towards non‐destructive tools for monitoring zinc transport in citrus plants. Here, we have developed and characterized a solid contact micro‐ion‐selective electrode (SC‐μ‐ISE) for the determination of zinc transport in sour orange seedlings using a non‐invasive microelectrode ion flux estimation (MIFE) technique. The SC‐μ‐ISE displayed a 26.05±0.13 mV decade−1 Nernstian response and a LOD of (3.96±2.09)×10−7 M. Results showed a significant Zn2+ uptake in the leaves and roots of sour orange seedlings when bulk concentrations were higher than 5.99 mM. Above this concentration, a linear relationship between flux and bulk Zn2+ concentration was observed. This relationship suggests passive diffusion may be a key mechanism for Zn transport into plants. Overall, this study is the first to use a Zn2+ SC‐μ‐ISE for the determination of ion transport processes in plants. This novel tool can be used to further knowledge the effect of nutrient therapy and disease progression on HLB infected citrus plants.
Hummock corridors in the south‐central sector of the Fennoscandian ice sheet, morphometry and pattern
Authors: Peterson Gustaf , Johnson Mark D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSubglacial conditions strongly influence the flow of ice‐sheets, in part due to the availability of melt water. Contemporary ice sheets are retreating and are affected by increased melting as climate warms. The south Swedish uplands (SSU) were deglaciated during the relatively warm Bølling‐Allerød interval, and by studying the glacial landforms there it is possible to increase the understanding of the subglacial environment during this period of warming. Across the study area, vast tracts of hummocks have long been recognized. However, recent mapping shows a pattern of elongated zones of hummocks radially oriented, hereafter referred to as ‘hummock corridors’. Morphometric parameters were measured on the hummock corridors using a 2 m horizontal resolution digital elevation model. Corridor width varies between 0.2 and 4.9 km and their length between 1.5 and 11.8 km. A majority of hummock corridors are incised in drumlinised till surfaces. The pattern of hummock corridors shows a clear relation to the overall ice‐flow. Further, hummock corridors do not follow topographic gradients, and in at least one place an esker overlies hummocks on the corridor floor. The lateral spacing of hummock corridors and corridor morphology are similar to tunnel valleys, eskers and glaciofluvial corridors reported elsewhere. Such relationships support a subglacial genesis of the corridors in the SSU by water driven by the subglacial hydraulic gradient and that hummock corridors are forms that can be identified as tunnel valleys and glaciofluvial corridors (GFC). Ages were assigned to hummock‐corridor cross‐sections from a deglacial reconstruction of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet. By comparing the frequency of corridors per age interval with climate variations from a Greenland ice core, we hypothesize that an increase in the number of corridors is related to the Bølling‐Allerød warming, indicating a higher rate of delivery of surface melt water to the bed at this time. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How pixel size affects a sediment connectivity index in central Belgium
Authors: Cantreul Vincent , Bielders Charles , Calsamiglia Aleix , Degré Aurore 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConnectivity has become an increasingly used concept in hydrological and sediment research. In order to quantify it, various indices have been proposed since the start of the 21st century including the index of connectivity. This index is based on a limited number of factors, the most important one being topography. Sediment connectivity indices values probably depend on the digital elevation model (DEM) resolution. The aim of this study was, first, to compare the effect of DEM pixel size (between 0.25 and 10 m, using an UAV) in the Belgian loess belt, a lowland area. We show that the index values were lower when the pixel size decreased (a difference of about 20% in value between 0.25 and 10 m). In addition, the impact of linear features in the watershed (e.g. grass strip, bank and road) was lower with the largest pixel sizes, and the connectivity pattern was affected with a pixel size of 5 m or more. At lower pixel sizes (1 m or below), some more disconnected regions appeared. These corresponded with zones where there had been water stagnation during and after rainfalls, and was corroborated by field observations. This confirmed the need for a proper resolution according to the objectives of the study. The second aim of this study was to deduce a minimum pixel size for connectivity study, helping local erosion or sedimentation location and consequent land management decisions. In our context, 1 m stands as the optimum DEM resolution. This pixel size permitted location of all ‘key areas’ in terms of erosion. Very high resolutions (<0.5 m) did not generate much more information, and their calculation time was far greater. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CPS‐Rater: Automated Sequential Annotation for Conversations in Collaborative Problem‐Solving Activities
Authors: Hao Jiangang , Chen Lei , Flor Michael , Liu Lei , von Davier Alina A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConversations in collaborative problem‐solving activities can be used to probe the collaboration skills of the team members. Annotating the conversations into different collaboration skills by human raters is laborious and time consuming. In this report, we report our work on developing an automated annotation system, CPS‐rater, for conversational data from collaborative activities. The linear chain conditional random field method is used to model the sequential dependencies between the turns of the conversations, and the resulting automated annotation system outperforms those systems that do not model the sequential dependency.
An Empirical Investigation of the Potential Impact of Item Misfit on Test Scores
Authors: Kim Sooyeon , Robin Frederic 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, we examined the potential impact of item misfit on the reported scores of an admission test from the subpopulation invariance perspective. The target population of the test consisted of 3 major subgroups with different geographic regions. We used the logistic regression function to estimate item parameters of the operational items based on the empirical data accumulated over 3 years. A new set of item parameter estimates derived using the data from each subgroup separately was compared to the original (i.e., operational) item parameter estimates to assess the degree of item misfit due to subgroup memberships. Using the new set of item parameter estimates for each subgroup, we also updated the conversion tables, which were derived from the original item parameter estimates, and compared them to their original conversions to determine whether score invariance was achieved at the scaled score level. Score invariance was not absolutely achieved. Even so, the magnitude of reported score differences (systematic error or bias) caused by subgroup dependence was still smaller than the standard error of measurement (random error) of the test. This study suggests a practical remedy for enhancing the level of score invariance of the test.
A field guide for cancer diagnostics using cell‐free DNA: From principles to practice and clinical applications
Authors: Volckmar Anna‐Lena , Sültmann Holger , Riediger Anja , Fioretos Thoas , Schirmacher Peter , Endris Volker , Stenzinger Albrecht , Dietz Steffen 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRecently, many genome‐wide profiling studies provided insights into the molecular make‐up of major cancer types. The deeper understanding of these genetic alterations and their functional consequences led to the discovery of novel therapeutic opportunities improving clinical management of cancer patients. While tissue‐based molecular patient stratification is the gold standard for precision medicine, it has certain limitations: Tissue biopsies are invasive sampling procedures carrying the risk of complications and may not represent the entire tumor due to underlying genetic heterogeneity. In this context, complementary characterization of genetic information in the blood of cancer patients can serve as minimal‐invasive ‘liquid biopsy’. Fragments of circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) are released from tissues of healthy individuals as well as cancer patients. The fraction of cfDNA that is released from primary tumors or metastases (i.e. circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA) represents genetic aberrations in cancer cells, which are a potential source for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. Recent studies have demonstrated technical feasibility and clinical applications including detection of drug targets and resistance mutations as well as longitudinal monitoring of tumors under therapy. To this end, a variety of pre‐analytical procedures for blood processing, isolation and quantification of cfDNA are being employed and several analytical methods and technologies ranging from PCR‐based single locus assays to genome‐wide approaches are available, which considerably differ in sensitivity, specificity, and throughput. However, broad implementation of ctDNA analysis in daily clinical practice requires a thorough understanding of theoretical, technical, and biological concepts and necessitates standardization and validation of pre‐analytical and analytical procedures across different technologies. Here, we review the pertinent literature and discuss the advantages and limitations of available methodologies and their potential applications in molecular diagnostics.
Nutritional and hematologic markers as predictors of risk of surgical site infection in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing major oncologic surgery
Authors: Son Ho‐Jin , Roh Jong‐Lyel , Choi Seung‐Ho , Nam Soon Yuhl , Kim Sang Yoon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundSurgical site infection is a complication of surgery for patients with head and neck cancer. We examined the risk factors for surgical site infection in patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer.MethodsThe study involved 369 patients who underwent surgery for head and neck cancer. Hematological and nutritional parameters were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the risk factors for surgical site infection.ResultsOf the 369 patients, 104 (28.2%) had surgical site infections: 45 (12.2%) superficial incisional; 6 (1.6%) deep incisional; and 53 (14.4%) organ/space infections. Multivariate analyses showed that history of radiotherapy, weight loss at diagnosis (>5%), preoperative hypoalbuminemia, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), reconstructive surgery, and tracheostomy were the independent factors predictive of surgical site infection. Patients with preoperative low serum albumin levels (<3.3 g/L) had a 3‐fold higher risk of surgical site infection.ConclusionOur study shows that patient nutritional and hematological markers are associated with the risk of surgical site infection after major surgery for head and neck cancer.
Mechanisms linking acculturation, work–family conflict, and subjective well‐being among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand
Authors: Shang Sudong , O'Driscoll Michael P. , Roche Maree 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWork–family conflict (WFC) research has focused almost exclusively on nonimmigrant populations. To expand the understanding of WFC among immigrants, this longitudinal study (six‐month time lag) aimed to investigate the mechanisms linking acculturation, strain‐based WFC, and subjective well‐being. In order to do this, two theory‐based mediation models were developed and tested on a sample of 264 Chinese immigrants working in New Zealand using structural equation modeling. Results show that subjective well‐being mediated the effect of acculturation on strain‐based WFC, and acculturation did not directly influence strain‐based WFC. Furthermore, evidence was found for reciprocal relationships between strain‐based WFC and subjective well‐being, as well as for the same‐domain perspective. Strain‐based work interfering with family and strain‐based family interfering with work (two directions of strain‐based WFC) have significant effects on work‐related and family‐related well‐being, respectively, and vice versa. Overall, the present study provides an appropriate platform for future work–family research on immigrant populations and offers practical prescriptions for human resource managers to operate successfully within a diverse workplace.