bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the mechanisms behind winter snow impact on vegetation activity in northern ecosystems
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Tao , Guo Hui , Liu Dan , Zhao Yutong , Zhang Taotao , Liu Qiang , Piao Shilong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAlthough seasonal snow is recognized as an important component in the global climate system, the ability of snow to affect plant production remains an important unknown for assessing climate change impacts on vegetation dynamics at high‐latitude ecosystems. Here, we compile data on satellite observation of vegetation greenness and spring onset date, satellite‐based soil moisture, passive microwave snow water equivalent (SWE) and climate data to show that winter SWE can significantly influence vegetation greenness during the early growing season (the period between spring onset date and peak photosynthesis timing) over nearly one‐fifth of the land surface in the region north of 30 degrees, but the magnitude and sign of correlation exhibits large spatial heterogeneity. We then apply an assembled path model to disentangle the two main processes (via changing early growing‐season soil moisture, and via changing the growth period) in controlling the impact of winter SWE on vegetation greenness, and suggest that the “moisture” and “growth period” effect, to a larger extent, result in positive and negative snow–productivity associations, respectively. The magnitude and sign of snow–productivity association is then dependent upon the relative dominance of these two processes, with the “moisture” effect and positive association predominating in Central, western North America and Greater Himalaya, and the “growth period” effect and negative association in Central Europe. We also indicate that current state‐of‐the‐art models in general reproduce satellite‐based snow–productivity relationship in the region north of 30 degrees, and do a relatively better job of capturing the “moisture” effect than the “growth period” effect. Our results therefore work towards an improved understanding of winter snow impact on vegetation greenness in northern ecosystems, and provide a mechanistic basis for more realistic terrestrial carbon cycle models that consider the impacts of winter snow processes.
Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity
Authors: Rode Karyn D. , Wilson Ryan R. , Douglas David C. , Muhlenbruch Vanessa , Atwood Todd C. , Regehr Eric V. , Richardson Evan S. , Pilfold Nicholas W. , Derocher Andrew E. , Durner George M. , Stirling Ian , Amstrup Steven C. , St. Martin Michelle , Pagano Anthony M. , Simac Kristin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe effects of declining Arctic sea ice on local ecosystem productivity are not well understood but have been shown to vary inter‐specifically, spatially, and temporally. Because marine mammals occupy upper trophic levels in Arctic food webs, they may be useful indicators for understanding variation in ecosystem productivity. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators that primarily consume benthic and pelagic‐feeding ice‐associated seals. As such, their productivity integrates sea ice conditions and the ecosystem supporting them. Declining sea ice availability has been linked to negative population effects for polar bears but does not fully explain observed population changes. We examined relationships between spring foraging success of polar bears and sea ice conditions, prey productivity, and general patterns of ecosystem productivity in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas (CSs). Fasting status (≥7 days) was estimated using serum urea and creatinine levels of 1,448 samples collected from 1,177 adult and subadult bears across three subpopulations. Fasting increased in the Beaufort Sea between 1983–1999 and 2000–2016 and was related to an index of ringed seal body condition. This change was concurrent with declines in body condition of polar bears and observed changes in the diet, condition and/or reproduction of four other vertebrate consumers within the food chain. In contrast, fasting declined in CS polar bears between periods and was less common than in the two Beaufort Sea subpopulations consistent with studies demonstrating higher primary productivity and maintenance or improved body condition in polar bears, ringed seals, and bearded seals despite recent sea ice loss in this region. Consistency between regional and temporal variation in spring polar bear fasting and food web productivity suggests that polar bears may be a useful indicator species. Furthermore, our results suggest that spatial and temporal ecological variation is important in affecting upper trophic‐level productivity in these marine ecosystems.
Crop residue harvest impacts wind erodibility and simulated soil loss in the Central Great Plains
Authors: He Yuxin , Presley DeAnn R. , Tatarko John , Blanco‐Canqui Humberto 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCrop residue removal can affect the susceptibility to soil wind erosion in climates such as those of the Central Great Plains, United States. Six on‐farm trials were conducted in Kansas from 2011 to 2013 to determine the effects of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), residue removal at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of initial height on soil wind erosion parameters. Those parameters include soil surface random roughness (RR), and wind erodible fraction (EF; aggregates <0.84 mm), geometric mean diameter (GMD) and geometric standard deviation (GSD), stability of dry aggregates (DAS). Complete (100%) residue removal decreased the surface RR, increased EF, and decreased GMD. Overwinter EF values increased for five of six sites from fall 2011 to spring of 2012, particularly for the uppermost removal height (≥75%). Measured EF, GMD, GSD, DAS, and RR were also input into the Single‐event Wind Erosion Evaluation Program (SWEEP) to determine the effect of these parameters on simulated soil loss. The SWEEP simulated the wind velocity needed to initiate wind erosion as well as soil loss under each residue removal height at a wind velocity of 13 m s−1 for three hours. Threshold wind velocity required to initiate wind erosion generally decreased with increasing crop residue removal height, particularly for >75% removal. Total estimated soil loss over the three‐hour event ranged from ≈2 to 25 Mg ha−1, depending on EF, GMD, GSD, RR, and percent crop residue cover. Removing 75% residue increased simulated wind erosion at three of six sites while removing 50% appears sustainable at all six study sites. Findings reinforce the need for site‐by‐site consideration of the potential amount of crop residue that may be harvested while mitigating wind erosion. Study results indicate the value of maintaining residue at >75% of original height.
The Eurasian hot nightlife: Environmental forces associated with nocturnality in lizards
Authors: Vidan Enav , Roll Uri , Bauer Aaron , Grismer Lee , Guo Peng , Maza Erez , Novosolov Maria , Sindaco Roberto , Wagner Philipp , Belmaker Jonathan , Meiri Shai 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimLizards are ancestrally diurnal, and most of them remain so. Nocturnality is common among lizards, but the environmental factors associated with lizard nocturnal activity are still unknown. Here, we contrasted the ambient temperature and productivity hypotheses, where we predicted that cold temperatures will pose a stonger limit to nocturnal species richness than diurnal lizards. Moreover, we contrasted the relative importance of annual, day and night mean temperatures to pinpoint the drivers of nocturnal lizard richness.LocationMainland Eurasia.MethodsWe collected distribution range and activity time data for all 1,113 lizard species found throughout mainland Eurasia. This represents the largest geographical scope to date, for studies of lizard species richness. We examined the spatial patterns of nocturnal species richness in relationship to diurnal species richness across environmental gradients of ambient temperature and productivity.ResultsNocturnal lizards are richest in the tropics and in deserts, and their richness decreases with latitude. However, nocturnal lizards are absent from the highest latitudes and coldest regions inhabited by lizards. Diurnal and nocturnal lizards respond in a similar manner to climatic factors. Ambient temperature has a strong influence on both, whereas productivity is more tightly related to the proportion of nocturnal species.Main conclusionsNocturnality is widespread among Eurasian lizards. However, nocturnal lizards are absent from invariably cold regions, and low temperatures seem to be a limiting factor for lizard activity period. We suggest that the year‐round warm nights of the tropics reduce the cost of being active at night and open the nocturnal niche for many lizards. In hot deserts, the combination of hot days and aridity increases the cost of diurnal activity, whereas nocturnal activity provides a shelter from these extreme conditions.
Naturally occurring ω‐Hydroxyacids
Authors: Wertz P. W. 
Published: October 2017

Abstractω‐Hydroxyacids are fatty acids bearing a hydroxyl group on the terminal carbon. They are found in mammals and higher plants and are often involved in providing a permeability barrier, the primary purpose of which is to reduce water loss. Some ω‐hydroxyacid derivatives may be involved in waterproofing and signalling. The purpose of this review was to survey the known natural sources of ω‐hydroxyacids. ω‐Hydroxyacids are produced by two different P450‐dependent mechanisms. The longer (30–34 carbons) ω‐hydroxyacids are produced by chain extension from palmitic acid until the chain extends across the membrane in which the extension is taking place, and then the terminal carbon is hydroxylated. Shorter fatty acids can be hydroxylated directly to produce C16 and C18 ω‐hydroxyacids found in plants and 20‐eicosatetraenoic acid (20‐HETE) by a different P450. The C16 and C18 ω‐hydroxyacids are components of polymers in plants. The long‐chain ω‐hydroxyacids are found in epidermal sphingolipids, in giant‐ring lactones from the sebum of members of the equidae, as a component of meibum and in carnauba wax and wool wax.
Macrophage subtypes in recurrent nodular basal cell carcinoma after Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: Padoveze Emerson H. , Chiacchio Nilton Di , Ocampo‐Garza Jorge , Cernea Selma S. , Belda Walter , Sotto Mirian N. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe macrophages associated with solid tumors are related to the progression or regression of tumors, depending on the differentiation in M1 or M2. M2 subtype promotes angiogenesis, remodeling, and tissue repair (tumor proliferation). In contrast, M1 produces toxic mediators and presents antigens, destroying microorganisms and tumor cells. The microenvironment of most aggressive forms of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) shows an increase in macrophages due to M2 phenotype compared to noninvasive forms. The treatment of nodular BCC by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) provides high cure rates, but relapses can occur.AimsTo compare the total population of macrophages and their subpopulations M1 and M2 in cases of recurrent and nonrecurrent nodular BCC after excision by MMS.Materials & MethodsHistological sections obtained from paraffin blocks of nine cases of recurrent nodular BCC after MMS and 18 cases of nonrecurrent nodular BCC operated by MMS were immunostained for iNOS, CD204, CD163, and CD68. The expression of these markers was analyzed by image analysis.ResultsNo significant differences were found between the groups in relation to the average percentage of M1 cells, M2 cells, and total cells.Discussion and ConclusionA relationship was not seen between tumor‐associated macrophages (TAM) and tumor recurrence.
Demographics, management and treatment outcomes of benign and malignant retroperitoneal tumors in Japan
Authors: Fujimoto Naohiro , Kubo Tatsuhiko , Hisaoka Masanori , Udo Kazuma , Yokomizo Akira , Shibuya Tadamasa , Wakeda Hironobu , Nishihara Kiyoaki , Moriya Ryosuke , Iwakuma Keiko ,   the Kyushu Cooperative Urological Research Group
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesTo show the demographics, type of treatment and clinical outcomes of patients with retroperitoneal tumors in Japan.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective analysis of patients with retroperitoneal tumors treated between 2000 and 2012 at 12 university hospitals in Japan. Histology was re‐evaluated using the 2013 World Health Organization classification.ResultsA total of 167 patients were included in the analysis. The number of diagnosed patients increased over the 12‐year study period. Liposarcoma and schwannoma were the most common histological types among intermediate/malignant and benign tumors, respectively. The intermediate/malignant tumors were larger and were more frequently found in older people. Surgical resection was the primary treatment for 151 patients. The median survival duration for patients with malignant tumors was 91 months, and was significantly shorter than that for patients with benign and intermediate tumors (P < 0.01). R2 resection was associated with significantly shorter survival than R0/R1 resection for malignant tumors (P < 0.01), but not for intermediate. Grossly complete resection of the recurrent tumors improved survival.ConclusionThe number of patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal tumors increased over time. R2 resection of primary tumors was found to be associated with poor prognosis in malignant tumors, but not in intermediate tumors. Complete surgical resection of recurrent tumors was associated with a better oncological outcome.
Addiction medicine ethics: relapse, no lapse and the struggle to treat addicts like everyone else
Authors: Douglas Charles 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTwo case studies are presented as a focus for discussion of ethics in addiction medicine. The first is that of the alcohol‐dependent patient who receives a liver transplant. The second is that of a heroin‐dependent patient who continues to inject himself while in a general medical ward. I make some comments about the obligations of doctors to treat those who cause harm to themselves as they would treat those who are ‘not responsible’.
Do all services provided as part of a clinical trial require research ethics and governance review?
Authors: Kenner Jeremy , Zalcberg John R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAppropriate ethical oversight underpins the conduct of all clinical trials in Australia. In addition, clinical trials require a suitable approach to research governance in order to ensure that research is appropriately governed. However, such governance processes are often onerous and time‐consuming and are not required when trial practices are more appropriately understood as standard of care clinical services.
Recognition of giant cell arteritis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica who have a stroke: a cautionary tale
Authors: Gutteridge Donald H. , Mastaglia Frank L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAn 82‐year‐old woman with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) on prednisone 7 mg daily was admitted to an acute stroke unit with a right homonymous hemianopia, a left posterior cerebral artery occlusion and occipital lobe infarct. She had raised inflammatory markers, did not have a temporal artery biopsy, and was discharged on the same dose of prednisone. After 21 months, off prednisone, her ophthalmologist, concerned about giant cell arteritis (GCA), restarted prednisone 40 mg daily, with rapid, profound visual improvement. After 3 days her general practitioner, noting normal baseline inflammatory markers, stopped treatment‐with rapid visual reversion. It is critical to recognise GCA in patients with PMR admitted to a stroke unit and not to withdraw prematurely corticosteroids once commenced.
Long distance heart transplantation: a tale of two cities
Authors: Jain Pankaj , Prichard Roslyn A. , Connellan Mark B. , Dhital Kumud K. , Macdonald Peter S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this ‘paired’ case report, we describe two heart transplants performed 3 days apart at our centre. Both cases involved very prolonged transportation time of the donor heart. In one case, the donor heart was transported in an ice chest, while in the other case the organ was transported using a normothermic ex vivo perfusion (NEVP) system. The additional retrieval costs incurred by the use NEVP were more than offset by the reduction in subsequent inpatient costs.
Pneumococcal vaccination and incident hospitalisation for pneumonia in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II
Authors: Davis Timothy M. E. , Kauhanen Jane , Davis Wendy A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine should be given to patients with diabetes at diagnosis with up to two further 5‐yearly doses. In 1465 representative community‐based Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 66 years, 52% males), 624 (42.6%) self‐reported pneumococcal vaccination in the previous 5 years. Vaccination was significantly associated with insulin treatment and cardiovascular pharmacotherapy, suggesting that medical reviews provide the opportunity to address sub‐optimal coverage.
Asexual and puzzling sexual reproduction of the Mediterranean sponge Haliclona fulva (Demospongiae): life cycle and cytological structures
Authors: Ereskovsky Alexander V. , Geronimo Alexia , Pérez Thierry 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite the common assumption that most Haplosclerida are viviparous sponges, this study of the reproductive cycle of Haliclona fulva demonstrates that this species is actually oviparous and gonochoric. Intriguingly, not a single male was recorded in 15 months of sampling. Oogenesis is synchronous, starting in late April and terminating in September. Asexual reproduction is represented by cyclic budding, which occurs from late November to early March. During the season of asexual reproduction, the reproductive effort represents from 0.21% to 1.49% of the parental tissue, with the highest values being recorded in winter. During the season of sexual reproduction, the female reproductive effort ranges 0.05–1.15%, with the highest effort appearing in early summer. However, no significant correlation between reproductive efforts and seawater temperature fluctuations could be detected. We describe the ultrastructural morphogenesis of the buds for the first time in this species. This process is asynchronous, with buds of variable size being attached to the maternal apical surface via a short stalk. Young buds lack any particular anatomical organization, whereas bud maturity is characterized by the development of mesohyl and by the appearance of an increasing number and volume of lacunae in the central part of each bud. At this stage, buds harbor numerous small choanocyte chambers scattered throughout the inner region, and all cell types known from the mesohyl of parental sponges: microgranular cells, granular cells, archaeocytes, endopinacocytes and exopinacocytes, central cells, and sclerocytes.
Predictable tendency of Bi NIR emission in Bi‐doped magnesium aluminosilicate laser glasses
Authors: Li Xiaoman , Cao Jiangkun , Wang Liping , Peng Mingying 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBecause of superbroad luminescence in the range of near infrared (NIR), Bi‐doped glasses and fibers have received more attentions recently for the applications in super broadband optical fiber amplifiers or new wavelength lasers. As the luminescence comes from the transitions between naked 6p orbitals of bismuth, it is very susceptible to slight changes of local field around Bi. Therefore, it is always very challenging to predict NIR emission of bismuth in advance. Here, we found bismuth NIR emission shows predictable tendency in ternary glass system of MgO–Al2O3–SiO2. The emission peak shifts red along the content of magnesium upon the excitation of 484 nm, which follows a single exponential growth equation. In the meantime, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) is broadened while the lifetime keeps decreasing. Glass structure analysis on basis of FTIR, 27Al NMR, 29Si NMR spectra reveals that these changes correlate to integrity of glass network, the increased disorder of local field around bismuth and the enhanced interaction between bismuth and host, which are perhaps due to the linear increase of nonbridging oxygen, and the enhanced Si–O asymmetric stretching vibrations along with magnesium, respectively. Electron probe microanalysis shows good homogeneity of Si, Al, Mg, Bi, and O distribution within the samples, and yoyo experiments of heating and cooling between 30°C and 300°C reveal the good resistance of such doped glasses to thermal degradation. This makes the glasses promising in applications of fiber devices even under extreme condition such as at higher temperature. The finding in this work should be helpful for the design of Bi‐doped laser glasses in future.
Microstructure and EMW absorption properties of CVI Si3N4–SiCN ceramics with BN interface annealed in N2 atmosphere
Authors: Xue Jimei , Yin Xiaowei , Ye Fang , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA kind of chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) Si3N4–BN–SiCN composite ceramic with excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing properties is obtained by CVI BN interface and SiCN matrix on porous Si3N4 ceramics, and then annealed at high temperatures (1200°C‐1500°C) in N2 atmosphere. The crystallization behavior, EMW absorbing mechanism and mechanical properties of the composite ceramics have been investigated. Results showed CVI SiCN ceramics with BN interface were crystallized in the form of nanograins, and the crystallization temperature was lower. Moreover, both EMW absorbing properties and mechanical properties of CVI Si3N4–BN–SiCN composite ceramics firstly increased and then decreased with the increase in annealing temperature due to the influence of BN interface on the microstructure and phase composition of the composite ceramics. The minimum reflection coefficient (RC) and maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of the composite ceramics annealed at 1300°C were −47.05 dB at the thickness of 4.05 mm and 3.70 GHz at the thickness of 3.65 mm, respectively. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composite ceramics annealed at 1300°C were 94 MPa and 1.78 MPa/m1/2, respectively.
Families’ experiences of raising concerns in health care services: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Bright Naomi , Hutchinson Nick , Oakes Peter , Marsland Dave 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundThis exploratory study aimed to increase understanding of the experiences of families of people with intellectual disabilities when noticing and raising concerns in services. A qualitative design was employed.MethodsSeven participants (all female) were recruited through local and national voluntary agencies; five were mothers of people with intellectual disabilities, one was the aunt and one the sister. Participants took part in semi‐structured interviews centred on their experiences of noticing and raising concerns, these were recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, 1996).ResultsThe data were grouped into three superordinate themes: the nature and importance of concerns, relationships between familes and staff and the process of raising concerns. A key and surprising finding was the importance of “the little things.”ConclusionsThis research highlights important implications for services such as the need to simplify the process of raising concerns, attend to the relationship with families and ensure advocacy services are identified for those without family.