bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Grazing intensity alters the plant diversity–ecosystem carbon storage relationship in rangelands across topographic and climatic gradients
Authors: Sanaei Anvar , Sayer Emma J. , Yuan Zuoqiang , Saiz Hugo , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Sadeghinia Majid , Ashouri Parvaneh , Ghafari Sahar , Kaboli Hasan , Kargar Mansoureh , Seabloom Eric W. , Ali Arshad 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPlant diversity supports multiple ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration. Recent shifts in plant diversity in rangelands due to increased grazing pressure and climate changes have the potential to impact the sequestration of carbon in arid to semi‐humid regions worldwide. However, plant diversity, grazing intensity and carbon storage are also influenced by environmental factors such as nutrient availability, climate and topography. The complexity of these interactions limits our ability to fully assess the impacts of grazing on biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationships.We assessed how grazing intensity modifies BEF relationships by determining the links between plant diversity and ecosystem carbon stocks (plant and soil carbon) across broad environmental gradients and different plant growth forms. To achieve this, we surveyed 1493 quadrats across 10 rangelands, covering an area of 23,756 ha in northern Iran.We show that above‐ground carbon stocks increased with plant diversity across topographic, climatic and soil fertility gradients. The relationship between above‐ground carbon stocks and plant diversity was strongest for forbs, followed by shrubs and grasses. Soil carbon stocks increased strongly with soil fertility across sites, but aridity, grazing, plant diversity and topography were also important in explaining variation in soil carbon stocks. Importantly, above‐ground and soil carbon stocks declined at high grazing intensity, and grazing modified the relationship between plant diversity and carbon stocks regardless of differences in abiotic conditions across sites.Our study demonstrates that relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem carbon stocks persist across gradients of aridity, topography and soil fertility, but the relationships are modified by grazing intensity. Our findings suggest that potential losses in plant diversity under grazing intensification could reduce ecosystem carbon storage across wide areas of arid to semi‐humid rangelands. We discuss the potential mechanisms underpinning rangeland BEF relationships to stimulate future research.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Plastic responses of below‐ground foraging traits to soil phosphorus‐rich patches across 17 coexisting AM tree species in a subtropical forest
Authors: Zhu Liqin , Yao Xiaodong , Chen Weile , Robinson David , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Tingting , Jiang Qi , Jia Linqiao , Fan Ailian , Wu Dongmei , Chen Guangshui 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Below‐ground plastic responses to soil nutrient ‘hot‐spots’ form a key nutrient foraging strategy of plants coexisting in natural ecosystems. However, it is unclear how plant species differ in these below‐ground plastic responses and how they covary.

Plastic responses to soil phosphorus (P)‐rich patches of absorptive root, mycorrhizal, and exudation traits of 17 coexisting arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) tree species in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest were investigated using a root bag method.

There was considerable variation and heterogeneity in species‐specific responses to P‐rich patches. Negative log response ratios usually occurred for high‐cost traits and positive log response ratios for low‐cost traits. There were trade‐offs in the plastic responses between root acid phosphatase activity and extraradical hyphal length, which were unaffected by phylogeny, and between root acid phosphatase activity and specific root length. Thicker‐rooted species responded to P‐rich patches more through root exudation plasticity than mycorrhizal plasticity. Thinner‐rooted species relied more on mycorrhizal plasticity.

Synthesis. Our results revealed diverse P foraging strategies comprising different combinations of plastic adjustments in absorptive root, mycorrhizal, and exudation traits among coexisting AM tree species, which suggest the potential for complementary exploitation of different soil P sources.
An analysis of data curated from 5 years of identifying human remains
Authors: Allen Robert W. , Pritchard Jane , Fu Jun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAn archive of 5 years of cases involving the identification of human remains was curated, collecting information on: The sample type submitted, the number of STR loci yielding interpretable results, the kinship challenge posed, and the outcome for the case. A total of 129 cases of remains ID were investigated using manual DNA extraction and recovery methods with amplification of STR markers using the Power Plex 21 multiplex STR kit from Promega Corp. In 52 cases, blood spots collected by the ME were provided as sample and in 100% of those cases, probabilities of relatedness to the reference samples was ≥99%. In 77 cases, tissue other than blood was provided as a source of DNA. These other samples were grouped categorically into long bones (femur and tibia; 40 cases), skull bones/teeth (11 cases), other bones (16 cases), and tissue (normally adherent to bone) (10 cases). Reference samples provided for cases included alleged parents or child(ren) of the victim (86 cases), alleged full siblings of the victim (38 cases), or alleged second‐order relatives (five cases). The overall success rate in confirming the identity of the source of the remains in these cases was 89.2%. Our results demonstrate that a laboratory can be often successful identifying human remains using methods easily implemented in any DNA typing laboratory.
Goal‐directed fluid removal with furosemide versus placebo in intensive care patients with fluid overload: A randomised, blinded trial (GODIF trial—First version)
Authors: Wichmann Sine , Schønemann‐Lund Martin , Perner Anders , Itenov Theis S. , Lange Theis , Gluud Christian , Berthelsen Rasmus E. , Brøchner Anne C. , Wiis Jørgen , Bestle Morten H. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundSalt and water accumulation leading to fluid overload is associated with increased mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but diuretics' effects on patient outcomes are uncertain. In this first version of the GODIF trial, we aimed to assess the effects of goal‐directed fluid removal with furosemide versus placebo in adult ICU patients with fluid overload.MethodsWe conducted a multicentre, randomised, stratified, parallel‐group, blinded, placebo‐controlled trial in clinically stable, adult ICU patients with at least 5% fluid overload. Participants were randomised to furosemide versus placebo infusion aiming at achieving neutral cumulative fluid balance as soon as possible. The primary outcome was the number of days alive and out of the hospital at 90 days.ResultsThe trial was terminated after the enrolment of 41 of 1000 participants because clinicians had difficulties using cumulative fluid balance as the only estimate of fluid status (32% of participants had their initially registered cumulative fluid balance adjusted and 29% experienced one or more protocol violations). The baseline cumulative fluid balance was 6956 ml in the furosemide group and 6036 ml in the placebo group; on day three, the cumulative fluid balances were 1927 ml and 5139 ml. The median number of days alive and out of hospital at day 90 was 50 days in the furosemide group versus 45 days in the placebo group (mean difference 1 day, 95% CI ‐19 to 21, p‐value .94).ConclusionsThe use of cumulative fluid balance as the only estimate of fluid status appeared too difficult to use in clinical practice. We were unable to provide precise estimates for any outcomes as only 4.1% of the planned sample size was randomised.
Intra‐operative blood transfusion in elderly patients on antithrombotic therapy
Authors: Hjelmdal Caroline , Draegert Christina , Vester‐Andersen Morten , Kowark Ana , Coburn Mark , Rasmussen Lars S. , Lundstrøm Lars H. , Steinmetz Jacob ,   POSE‐Study Group
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundMany elderly patients are receiving antithrombotics, which may increase intra‐operative blood loss. We aimed to assess whether chronic antithrombotic therapy was associated with intra‐operative transfusion of packed red blood cells in patients at least 80 years of age undergoing elective procedures.MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of the prospective, observational European multicentre study entitled POSE (peri‐interventional outcome study in the elderly) including 9497 surgical patients aged 80 years and older in 177 centres from October 2017 to December 2018. In this secondary analysis we included POSE patients who underwent elective procedures and with available data on chronic antithrombotic therapy. The primary outcome was intra‐operative transfusion of packed red blood cells and results were analysed using multiple logistic regression model. We adjusted for the following predetermined explanatory variables: Age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System, baseline haemoglobin concentration, disseminated cancer, and type and severity of surgery.ResultsA total of 7174 patients were included of whom 4073 (56.8%) were on antithrombotic therapy. Among patients on antithrombotic therapy 191 (4.7%) received intra‐operative blood transfusion compared with 98 (3.2%) of patients not on chronic antithrombotic therapy (crude odds ratio: 1.51, 95% CI 1.18–1.94). Following multiple logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio was 0.98; 0.73–1.32.We found that chronic antithrombotic therapy was associated with intra‐operative transfusion of packed red blood cells in elderly patients undergoing elective procedures in an unadjusted analysis, but not in a multivariate adjusted model.
Outcomes and management of pregnancy and puerperal group A streptococcal infections: A systematic review
Authors: Harris Kristin , Proctor Leslie K. , Shinar Shiri , Philippopoulos Eleni , Yudin Mark H. , Murphy Kellie E. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIntroductionGroup A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) is one of the most lethal bacterial pathogens of humans, with increased risk of progression to septic shock and multiorgan failure in the pregnant population. The objective of this study is to systematically review the outcomes and management strategies for pregnancy and puerperal group A streptococcus infections in an effort to provide further guidance for prevention and treatment of a rare but lethal infection worldwide.Material and methodsA comprehensive search using puerperium and streptococcus pyogenes terms was completed across several registered databases. A total of 902 articles investigating pregnancy and puerperal group A streptococcus infection were identified, with 40 studies fulfilling inclusion criteria of original research articles in humans published from 1990 onwards reporting four or more unique cases of group A streptococcus in pregnancy or postpartum. This study was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42020198983.ResultsA total of 1160 patients with pregnancy and puerperal group A streptococcus infection were identified. Most infections occurred postpartum (91.9%), with 4.7% reported antepartum and 0.6% intrapartum. Bacteremia was present in 49.0% of patients and endometritis in 45.9%. Puerperal sepsis was described in 28.2% of cases and progressed to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in one‐third of such cases. Overall, the case fatality ratio was 2.0%, with one‐third of the deaths from antenatal cases including 3/22 (13.6%) cases of septic abortion and 10/46 (21.7%) antenatal cases of group A streptococcus infection.ConclusionsGroup A streptococcus infection remains an important contributor to pregnancy and puerperal morbidity and mortality. Early recognition, diagnosis and aggressive management are important for favorable outcomes given the serious risk of sepsis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
A comparative analysis of trans‐abdominal pre‐peritoneal repair in uncomplicated vs complicated inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Prakash Prajapati Om , Krishna Asuri , Rai Sanjeet K. , S Kruthika , Kumar Subodh , Misra Mahesh C. , Bansal Virinder K. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIntroductionTrans‐abdominal pre‐peritoneal (TAPP) repair is one of the standard techniques for laparoscopic repair of groin hernias. Literature has shown that both total extraperitoneal (TEP) and TAPP are equally effective with similar outcomes but TAPP has an advantage over TEP as there is more working space, and it provides access to the opposite side for repair of occult hernias. We reviewed our experience of TAPP repair in complicated groin hernias and compared the outcomes with uncomplicated groin hernia.MethodsPatients undergoing TAPP repair from January 2004 to December 2019 were analyzed, and divided into two groups—I uncomplicated and II complicated groin hernia.ResultsTAPP repair was performed in 820 patients, of which 70.3% had uncomplicated and 29.7% patients had complicated hernias. Occult hernia was detected in 61 patients. The intra‐operative complications (16.8% vs 1.3%) and conversions (2.4%) were higher in complicated hernias. Laparoscopic assisted repair was used in 16.8% patients with complicated hernias. The incidence of post‐operative complications (62.1% vs 17.3%; P value <.01) were significantly higher in complicated groin hernia patients. The median follow‐up was 15 months; only three patients in the uncomplicated hernia group developed recurrence, and chronic groin pain was higher in the complicated hernia repair patients (P > .05) at 6 months.ConclusionAlthough operative time, incidence of intra‐operative and post‐operative complications (albeit minor in nature), and conversions to open are higher after TAPP repair for complicated groin hernias, the short‐term outcomes (hematoma, mesh infection) as well as long‐term outcomes (chronic groin pain, port site hernia and recurrence) are not different when compared with uncomplicated hernias. TAPP repair can be used in both complicated and uncomplicated groin hernias with similar short‐term and long‐term outcomes, albeit with a slightly higher incidence of minor complications in complicated hernias. This can be taken into consideration while operating on patients with complicated hernias and taking informed consent.
Towards a social psychology of precarity
Authors: Coultas Clare , Reddy Geetha , Lukate Johanna 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis article introduces the special issue ‘Towards a Social Psychology of Precarity’ that develops an orienting lens for social psychologists' engagement with the concept. As guest editors of the special issue, we provide a thematic overview of how ‘precarity’ is being conceptualized throughout the social sciences, before distilling the nine contributions to the special issue. In so doing, we trace the ways in which social psychologists are (dis)engaging with the concept of precarity, yet too, explore how precarity constitutes, and is embedded within, the discipline itself. Resisting disciplinary decadence, we collectively explore what a social psychology of precarity could be, and view working with/in precarity as fundamental to addressing broader calls for the social responsiveness of the discipline. The contributing papers, which are methodologically pluralistic and provide rich conceptualisations of precarity, challenge reductionist individualist understandings of suffering and coping and extend social science theorizations on precarity. They also highlight the ways in which social psychology remains complicit in perpetuating different forms of precarity, for both communities and academics. We propose future directions for the social psychological study of precarity through four reflexive questions that we encourage scholars to engage with so that we may both work with/in, and intervene against, ‘the precarious’.
The Chinese Export Displacement Effect Revisited: The Case of the East African Community
Authors: Elleby Christian , Yu Wusheng , Yu Qian 
Published: January 2023

AbstractChina's increasing exports have prompted research to examine whether Chinese exports displace those that originate from elsewhere. In this paper we focus on the growth of China's exports to the East African Community (EAC) countries and show how they have affected exports from the European Union (EU). Our methodological contribution to the literature is a set of total and relative displacement estimates based on different specifications of the gravity model where we control for country–year fixed effects so as to avoid the error of not accounting for time‐varying “multilateral resistance.” Our empirical findings do not support the hypothesis that Chinese exports have displaced exports from other countries including those from the EU. These results suggest that competition in the EAC market has not been a zero‐sum game among different exporting countries.
Diagnosing the UK productivity slowdown: which sectors matter and why?
Authors: Coyle Diane , Mei Jen‐Chung 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper explores the slowdown in labour productivity growth in the UK and other advanced economies by decomposing its growth into contributions from different sectors of the economy, looking at both within‐industry productivity growth and labour reallocation between sectors. We find that the within‐industry contribution is the main source of the slowdown. Comparing trends pre‐ and post‐2008, the aggregate productivity slowdown can be attributed largely to the manufacturing sector and the information and communication (ICT) sector. Disaggregating further, the UK productivity growth slowdown can be attributed mainly to transport equipment and pharmaceuticals within manufacturing, and computer software and telecommunications within ICT. Strikingly, these are advanced, high value‐added sectors considered to be strengths of the UK economy. Looking across other advanced economies, our results confirm that manufacturing and ICT sectors are the main drivers of the slowdown, to differing degrees. Part of the explanation for the slowdown in in these sectors may relate to the underlying question of how to construct deflators for a modern economy when technological and structural changes are leading to large relative price shifts. The structure and supply chains of the key slowdown sectors also merit further investigation.
Retinal ganglion cell loss is associated with future disability worsening in early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Wauschkuhn Josephine , Solorza Buenrostro Gilberto , Aly Lilian , Asseyer Susanna , Wicklein Rebecca , Hartberger Julia Maria , Ruprecht Klemens , Mühlau Mark , Schmitz‐Hübsch Tanja , Chien Claudia , Berthele Achim , Brandt Alexander U. , Korn Thomas , Paul Friedemann , Hemmer Bernhard , Zimmermann Hanna G. , Knier Benjamin 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackground and purposeThinning of the retinal combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIP) as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a common finding in patients with multiple sclerosis. This study aimed to investigate whether a single retinal OCT analysis allows prediction of future disease activity after a first demyelinating event.MethodsThis observational cohort study included 201 patients with recently diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis from two German tertiary referral centers. Individuals underwent neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and OCT at baseline and at yearly follow‐up visits.ResultsPatients were included at a median disease duration of 2.0 months. During a median follow‐up of 59 (interquartile range = 43–71) months, 82% of patients had ongoing disease activity as demonstrated by failing the no evidence of disease activity 3 (NEDA‐3) criteria, and 19% presented with confirmed disability worsening. A GCIP threshold of ≤77 μm at baseline identified patients with a high risk for NEDA‐3 failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–2.8, p = 0.04), and GCIP measures of ≤69 μm predicted disability worsening (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2–4.3, p = 0.01). Higher rates of annualized GCIP loss increased the risk for disability worsening (HR = 2.5 per 1 μm/year increase of GCIP loss, p = 0.03).ConclusionsGanglion cell thickness as measured by OCT after the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis may allow early risk stratification as to future disease activity and progression.
Increasing air temperature relative to water temperature makes the mixed layer shallower, reducing phytoplankton biomass in a stratified lake
Authors: Ahonen Salla A. , Seppälä Jukka , Karjalainen Juha S. , Kuha Jonna , Vähätalo Anssi V. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

The depth of the mixed layer is a major determinant of nutrient and light availability for phytoplankton in stratified waterbodies. Ongoing climate change influences surface waters through meteorological forcing, which modifies the physical structure of fresh waters including the mixed layer, but effects on phytoplankton biomass are poorly known.

To determine the responses of phytoplankton biomass to the depth of the mixed layer, light availability and associated meteorological forcing, we followed daily changes in weather and water column properties in a boreal lake over the first half of a summer stratification period.

Phytoplankton biomass increased with the deepening of the mixed layer associated with high wind speeds and low air temperature relative to the temperature of the mixed layer (Tair−Tmix < 0), whereas heatwave conditions—shallow mixed layer driven by high Tair−Tmix value and low wind speed—reduced the biomass.

Improving light availability from low to moderate light conditions increased the phytoplankton biomass, while the highest light availability was associated with low phytoplankton biomass.

Our study demonstrates that the climatic impact‐drivers wind speed and Tair−Tmix are major drivers of mixed layer depth, which controlled phytoplankton biomass during the early summer stratification period. Our study suggests that increasing air temperature relative to water temperature and declining wind speeds have potential to lead to reduced phytoplankton biomass due to a shallower mixed layer during the first half of the stratification period in non‐eutrophic lakes with sufficient light availability.