bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Steal the rain: Interception loses and rainfall partitioning by a broad‐leaf and a fine‐leaf woody encroaching species in a southern African semi‐arid savanna
Authors: Skhosana Felix V. , Thenga Humbelani F. , Mateyisi Mohau J. , von Maltitz Graham , Midgley Guy F. , Stevens Nicola 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWoody plant encroachment (WPE) has been found to alter ecosystem functioning and services in savannas. In rain‐limited savannas, increasing woody cover can reduce streamflow and groundwater by altering evapotranspiration rates and rainfall partitioning, but the ecological relevance of this impact is not well known. This study quantified the altered partitioning of rainfall by two woody plant structural types (fine‐ and broad‐leaved trees) across a gradient of encroachment in a semi‐arid savanna in South Africa. Averaged across both plant functional types, loss of rainfall through canopy interception and subsequent evaporation roughly doubled (from 20.5% to 43.6% of total rainfall) with a roughly 13‐fold increase in woody cover (from 2.4 to 31.4 m2/ha tree basal cover). Spatial partitioning changes comprised fourfold increases in stemflow (from 0.8% to 3.9% of total rainfall) and a decline in throughfall proportion of about two‐fifths (from 80.2% to 47.3% of total rainfall). Changes in partitioning were dependent on plant functional type; rainfall interception by the fine‐leaved multi‐stemmed shrub Dichrostachys cinerea was almost double that of the broad‐leaved tree Terminalia sericea at the highest levels of woody encroachment (i.e., 49.7% vs. 29.1% of total rainfall intercepted at tree basal area of 31.4 m2/ha). Partitioning was also dependent on rainfall characteristics, with the proportion of rainfall intercepted inversely related to rainfall event size and intensity. Therefore, increasing tree cover in African grassy ecosystems reduces the amount of canopy throughfall, especially beneath canopies of fine‐leaved species in smaller rainfall events. Rainfall interception traits may thus confer a selective advantage, especially for fine‐leaved woody plant species in semi‐arid savannas.
Repeated divergence of amphibians and reptiles across an elevational gradient in northern Madagascar
Authors: Scherz Mark D. , Schmidt Robin , Brown Jason L. , Glos Julian , Lattenkamp Ella Z. , Rakotomalala Zafimahery , Rakotoarison Andolalao , Rakotonindrina Ricky T. , Randriamalala Onja , Raselimanana Achille P. , Rasolonjatovo Safidy M. , Ratsoavina Fanomezana M. , Razafindraibe Jary H. , Glaw Frank , Vences Miguel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHow environmental factors shape patterns of biotic diversity in tropical ecosystems is an active field of research, but studies examining the possibility of ecological speciation in terrestrial tropical ecosystems are scarce. We use the isolated rainforest herpetofauna on the Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) massif in northern Madagascar as a model to explore elevational divergence at the level of populations and communities. Based on intensive sampling and DNA barcoding of amphibians and reptiles along a transect ranging from ca. 470–1470 m above sea level (a.s.l.), we assessed a main peak in species richness at an elevation of ca. 1000 m a.s.l. with 41 species. The proportion of local endemics was highest (about 1/3) at elevations >1100 m a.s.l. Two species of chameleons (Brookesia tuberculata, Calumma linotum) and two species of frogs (Mantidactylus bellyi, M. ambony) studied in depth by newly developed microsatellite markers showed genetic divergence up the slope of the mountain, some quite strong, others very weak, but in each case with genetic breaks between 1100 and 1270 m a.s.l. Genetic clusters were found in transect sections significantly differing in bioclimate and herpetological community composition. A decrease in body size was detected in several species with increasing elevation. The studied rainforest amphibians and reptiles show concordant population genetic differentiation across elevation along with morphological and niche differentiation. Whether this parapatric or microallopatric differentiation will suffice for the completion of speciation is, however, unclear, and available phylogeographic evidence rather suggests that a complex interplay between ecological and allopatric divergence processes is involved in generating the extraordinary species diversity of Madagascar's biota. Our study reveals concordant patterns of diversification among main elevational bands, but suggests that these adaptational processes are only part of the complex of processes leading to species formation, among which geographical isolation is probably also important.
Can biodiversity of preexisting and created salt marshes match across scales? An assessment from microbes to predators
Authors: Keppeler Friedrich W. , Junker James R. , Shaw Margaret J. , Alford Scott B. , Engel Annette S. , Hooper‐Bùi Linda M. , Jensen Olaf P. , Lamb Katelyn , López‐Duarte Paola C. , Martin Charles W. , McDonald Ashley M. , Olin Jill A. , Paterson Audrey T. , Polito Michael J. , Rabalais Nancy N. , Roberts Brian J. , Rossi Ryann E. , Swenson Erick M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCoastal wetlands are rapidly disappearing worldwide due to a variety of processes, including climate change and flood control. The rate of loss in the Mississippi River Delta is among the highest in the world and billions of dollars have been allocated to build and restore coastal wetlands. A key question guiding assessment is whether created coastal salt marshes have similar biodiversity to preexisting, reference marshes. However, the numerous biodiversity metrics used to make these determinations are typically scale dependent and often conflicting. Here, we applied ecological theory to compare the diversity of different assemblages (surface and below‐surface soil microbes, plants, macroinfauna, spiders, and on‐marsh and off‐marsh nekton) between two created marshes (4–6 years old) and four reference marshes. We also quantified the scale‐dependent effects of species abundance distribution, aggregation, and density on richness differences and explored differences in species composition. Total, between‐sample, and within‐sample diversity (γ, β, and α, respectively) were not consistently lower at created marshes. Richness decomposition varied greatly among assemblages and marshes (e.g., soil microbes showed high equitability and α diversity, but plant diversity was restricted to a few dominant species with high aggregation). However, species abundance distribution, aggregation, and density patterns were not directly associated with differences between created and reference marshes. One exception was considerably lower density for macroinfauna at one of the created marshes, which was drier because of being at a higher elevation and having coarser substrate compared with the other marshes. The community compositions of created marshes were more dissimilar than reference marshes for microbe and macroinfauna assemblages. However, differences were small, particularly for microbes. Together, our results suggest generally similar taxonomic diversity and composition between created and reference marshes. This provides support for the creation of marsh habitat as tools for the maintenance and restoration of coastal biodiversity. However, caution is needed when creating marshes because specific building and restoration plans may lead to different colonization patterns.
Spatiotemporal dynamics in freshwater amphipod assemblages are associated with surrounding terrestrial land use type
Authors: Cereghetti Eva , Altermatt Florian 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBiological assemblages are the result of dynamic processes that have explicit temporal and spatial dimensions. Although biodiversity patterns can be directly inferred from the structure of these assemblages, an assessment of changes through time and space is needed to understand how organisms initially assembled and how they are responding to local environmental and biotic factors. Small freshwater streams are particularly affected by contemporary anthropogenic activities and biological invasions, yet they are commonly less studied, as studies often focus on lakes and large streams. Here, we conducted a spatially explicit analysis of keystone shredder assemblages across eight years in 12 replicated small tributary streams. In each stream, we monitored multiple sites per kilometer of stream length. By assessing temporal beta diversity dynamics, defined by the gain or loss of species or abundance per species at individual sites, we show that changes in amphipod assemblages occur within the context of the surrounding terrestrial matrix and reflect recent amphipod colonization history. While amphipod composition was mostly constant in streams located in forested catchments, streams embedded in catchments with more extensive agricultural land use displayed more pronounced temporal changes, either driven by colonization of unoccupied upstream locations or by more pronounced but undirected fluctuations in gains and losses of species or abundance per species. Our study thus suggests that agricultural landscapes might destabilize aquatic amphipod assemblages, causing higher temporal changes in community structures and highlighting the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial land use drivers.
Patient‐reported outcome measures and patient engagement in heart failure clinical trials: multi‐stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Zannad Faiez , Alikhaani Jacqueline , Alikhaani Sadegh , Butler Javed , Gordon Jason , Jensen Klaus , Khatib Rani , Mantovani Lorenzo , Martinez Robin , Moore Wanda F. , Murakami Masahiro , Roessig Lothar , Stockbridge Norman , Van Spall Harriette G.C. , Yancy Clyde , Spertus John A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThere are many consequences of heart failure (HF), including symptoms, impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and physical and social limitations (functional status). These have a substantial impact on patients' lives, yet are not routinely captured in clinical trials. Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) can quantify patients' experiences of their disease and its treatment. Steps can be taken to improve the use of PROs in HF trials, in regulatory and payer decisions, and in patient care. Importantly, PRO measures (PROMs) must be developed with involvement of patients, family members, and caregivers from diverse demographic groups and communities. PRO data collection should become more routine not only in clinical trials but also in clinical practice. This may be facilitated by the use of digital tools and interdisciplinary patient advocacy efforts. There is a need for standardization, not only of the PROM instruments, but also in procedures for analysis, interpretation and reporting PRO data. More work needs to be done to determine the degree of change that is important to patients and that is associated with increased risks of clinical events. This ‘minimal clinically important difference’ requires further research to determine thresholds for different PROMs, to assess consistency across trial populations, and to define standards for improvement that warrant regulatory and reimbursement approvals. PROs are a vital part of patient care and drug development, and more work should be done to ensure that these measures are both reflective of the patient experience and that they are more widely employed.
PBMC‐derived extracellular vesicles in a smoking‐related inflammatory disease model
Authors: Gomez Nancy E. , James Victoria , Arkill Kenton P. , Nizamudeen Zubair A. , Onion David , Fairclough Lucy C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) function as mediators of intercellular communication and as such influence the recipient cell function. EVs derived from immune cells can carry out many of the same functions as their parental cells, as they carry costimulatory molecules, antigens, and antigen–MHC complexes. As a result, there is a strong interest in understanding the composition and origin of immune cell–derived EVs in order to understand their role in the pathogenesis of diseases. This study aimed to optimize methodologies to study immune cell–derived EVs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell‐derived small EVs were isolated and observed using conventional transmission electron microscopy and sized by nanoparticle tracking analysis. They were then enumerated and profiled using imaging flow cytometry and were further characterized using a flow cytometric multiplex bead assay. These techniques were then applied to our current research, namely smoking‐related inflammatory disease. We present here a comprehensive approach to analyze PBMC‐derived small EVs in smoking‐related inflammatory disease following the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicle 2018 guidelines.
Characterizing the seismic response of a molten salt nuclear reactor
Authors: Mir Faizan Ul Haq , Whittaker Andrew S. , Kosbab Benjamin D. , Nguyen Nam 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOne Generation IV nuclear reactor, which uses a fluoride salt as a coolant, graphite reflector blocks as a moderator, and circulating buoyant TRISO pebbles as fuel is at an advanced stage of development. To characterize the seismic behavior of components of this reactor, validate numerical models for analysis, and develop recommendations for design, a set of earthquake‐simulator experiments on a scaled model of the reactor vessel and its internals was executed on a six‐degree‐of‐freedom earthquake simulator. The model was seismically isolated at its base using two types of spherical sliding bearings. The scaled model involved representations of the prototype reactor vessel, core barrel, reflector blocks, coolant, and spherical fuel pebbles. The material and geometric properties of different test components were selected based on a dynamic similitude scaling analysis and an approximate length scale of 0.4. Four sets of three‐component earthquake motions were used as inputs for testing. Instrumentation on the test specimen recorded the dynamic responses of the outer vessel, core barrel, and reflector‐block assembly, the hydrodynamic responses (sloshing and hydrodynamic pressure) of the liquid coolant, pebble consolidation under earthquake shaking, and the behavior of the isolation systems. This paper describes the design of the experiments and presents key results from the tests. The dynamic responses of the outer vessel, core barrel, and the reflector blocks revealed that the components responded as a unit for the intense shaking used in the experiments. The sloshing response of the fluid in a thin annulus near the perimeter of the vessel was heavily damped. The change in the packing fraction of the pebble bed under repeated, intense 3D earthquake shaking was less than 3%. Seismically isolating the vessel substantially reduced demands on its internal components.
Energy efficient federated learning in internet of vehicles: A game theoretic scheme
Authors: Zhang Jiancong , Wang Changhao , Li Shining 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA promising alternative to conventional centralized machine learning that protects privacy is federated learning. Energy efficiency, meanwhile, appears as a major problem in federated learning for the Internet of Vehicles due to frequent model aggregations. To reduce the convergence time, existing research focuses on improving vehicular communication. However, it increases the computational and communication load on servers and disregards the true energy costs of vehicles. Thus, we propose an energy‐efficient federated learning scheme based on two‐stage game theories. Specifically, the payoff function first takes into account the energy cost as well as the contribution of each vehicle, which wins the fair payment based on the Shapley value via a cooperative game. Second, under the fairness constraint, energy‐efficient vehicles cooperatively form several coalitions for further federated worker selection through multiple rounds of the hedonic game. Additionally, we also develop a multiagent reinforcement learning algorithm that is leveraged for coalition formation to lower the energy cost in the game. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the game in our scheme is Nash stable. Extensive experimental results show that the scheme improves energy efficiency by around 68.8% in the best case compared to the most widely used method.
Chimonanthus salicifolius extract alleviates DSS‐induced colitis and regulates gut microbiota in mice
Authors: Chen Lin , Li Xin , Gu Qing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractUlcerative colitis is a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal intestinal disease accompanied by inflammatory disorders, immunologic inadequacy, and intestinal flora dysbiosis, and current therapeutic pharmaceuticals have limited side effects. In this study, we revealed the extraction method of Chimonanthus salicifolius, analyzed the main component, compared the effect of its extract, Lactobacillus, and conventional drugs with different properties on DSS (dextran sodium sulfate)‐induced colitis, and indicated extract regulatory properties of inestinal flora. A colitis model was established on experimental design, and BALB/c mice (male, 7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10): control, DSS model, Chimonanthus salicifolius extract (CSE), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) groups. The three treatments could alleviate the symptoms and remit inflammation induced by DSS, in which CSE and LGG groups could both decrease the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α levels and increase anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐10 and TGF‐β. The CSE intervention significantly promoted the higher production of butyric acid than LGG and 5‐ASA groups (p < .05) after DSS challenge. Analysis of intestinal flora showed that CSE administration remarkably decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Heliobacteriaceae and Peptococcaceae and exhibited higher abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacterium than LGG in intestinal tract of mice (p < .05). These findings indicated that Chimonanthus salicifolius extract may have been beneficial for preventing and treating colitis.
Fascial layers encountered in the lateral skull base region: A cadaveric and radiological analysis
Authors: Schachtel Michael J. C. , Gandhi Mitesh , Midwinter Mark J. , Panizza Benedict J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn our experience, the anterior carotid sheath forms an important plane of dissection when excising temporal bone region cancers. However, its anatomical composition, relationships, and radiological appearance remains unclear.MethodsEight sides of cadaveric heads were dissected. Anatomical findings were correlated with a high‐resolution baseline T1 MRI.ResultsThe anterior carotid sheath was formed by the tensor‐vascular‐styloid fascia, stylopharyngeal fascia, buccopharyngeal fascia (BPF), and longus capitis fascia (LCF), and appeared as a hypointense line on MRI. Not previously described, the glossopharyngeal nerve pierced the sheath 9.0 mm (SD 2.1 mm) below the skull base and traveled through its LCF and BPF layers to exit near the pharynx.ConclusionMultiple fascial layers formed the anterior carotid sheath at the skull base, and this was radiologically identifiable. Further studies are required to validate findings and investigate the role this fascial plane has in forming an effective barrier to spread of malignancy.
VEGFR3 suppression through miR‐1236 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer via ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways
Authors: Babaei Zeinab , Panjehpour Mojtaba , Ghorbanhosseini Seyedeh Sara , Parsian Hadi , Khademi Mahsa , Aghaei Mahmoud 
Published: March 2023

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) is expressed in cancer cell lines and exerts a critical role in cancer progression. However, the signaling pathways of VEGFR3 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation remain unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the signaling pathways of VEGFR3 through the upregulated expression of miR‐1236 in ovarian cancer cells. We found that the messenger RNA and protein of VEGFR3 were expressed in the ovarian cancer cell lines, but downregulated after microRNA‐1236 (miR‐1236) transfection. The inhibition of VEGFR3, using miR‐1236, significantly reduced cell proliferation, clonogenic survival, migration, and invasion ability in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells (p < 0.01). The flow cytometry results indicated that the rate of apoptotic cells in SKOV3 (38.65%) and OVCAR3 (41.95%) cells increased following VEGFR3 inhibition. Moreover, VEGFR3 stimulation (using a specific ligand, VEGF‐CS) significantly increased extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation (p < 0.01), whereas VEGFR3 suppression reduced p‐ERK1/2 (67.94% in SKOV3 and 93.52% in OVCAR3) and p‐AKT (59.56% in SKOV3 and 78.73% in OVCAR3) compared to the VEGF‐CS treated group. This finding demonstrated that miR‐1236 may act as an endogenous regulator of ERK1/2 and AKT signaling by blocking the upstream regulator of VEGFR3. Overall, we demonstrated the important role of the miR‐1236/VEGFR3 axis in ovarian cancer cell proliferation by regulating the ERK1/2 and AKT signaling that might be an effective strategy against ovarian cancer.
ETNPPL modulates hyperinsulinemia‐induced insulin resistance through the SIK1/ROS‐mediated inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocytes
Authors: Chen Xueyi , Liu Ping , Zhang Wei , Li Xiaofang , Wang Caihua , Han Feifei , Liu Wenxuan , Huang Yaoyao , Li Man , Li Yujia , Sun Xiaomin , Fan Xiaobin , Li Wenqing , Xiong Yuyan , Qian Lu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHyperinsulinemia is a critical risk factor for the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) in metabolic tissues, including the liver. Ethanolamine phosphate phospholyase (ETNPPL), a newly discovered metabolic enzyme that converts phosphoethanolamine (PEA) to ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and acetaldehyde, is abundantly expressed in liver tissue. Whether it plays a role in the regulation of hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in hepatocytes remains elusive. Here, we established an in vitro hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR model in the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line and primary mouse hepatocyte via a high dose of insulin treatment. Next, we overexpressed ETNPPL by using lentivirus‐mediated ectopic to investigate the effects of ETNPPL per se on IR without insulin stimulation. To explore the underlying mechanism of ETNPPL mediating hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in HepG2, we performed genome‐wide transcriptional analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) to identify the downstream target gene of ETNPPL. The results showed that ETNPPL expression levels in both mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR in HepG2 and primary mouse hepatocytes. Upon silencing ETNPPL, hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR was ameliorated. Under normal conditions without IR in hepatocytes, overexpressing ETNPPL promotes IR, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and AKT inactivation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that salt‐inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) is markedly downregulated in the ETNPPL knockdown HepG2 cells. Moreover, disrupting SIK1 prevents ETNPPL‐induced ROS accumulation, damage to the PI3K/AKT pathway and IR. Our study reveals that ETNPPL mediates hyperinsulinemia‐induced IR through the SIK1/ROS‐mediated inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocyte cells. Targeting ETNPPL may present a potential strategy for hyperinsulinemia‐associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.