bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemostratigraphic characteristics of trace elements, biomarkers and clay mineralogy indicating environmental conditions within Aptian sediments of the Organyà Basin, North‐east Spain, prior to the onset of OAE 1a
Authors: Herdocia Carlos , Maurrasse Florentin J‐M. R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractShifting palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic conditions together with fluctuating eustatic sea levels during the Early Cretaceous Aptian stage led to a globally widespread deposition of organic‐rich marine sediments designated Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a. Here a detailed lithostratigraphic and geochemical study is presented for 35.6 m of the Cabó Formation, part of the Organyà Basin, North‐east Spain, to assess intermittent periods of enhanced organic carbon preservation in Lower Aptian sediments preceding Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a. The Organyà area contains well‐exposed outcrops of Mesozoic black to dark grey marlstones and limestones with variable amount of organic matter (OM) indicative of oxygen‐deficient conditions. Previous work in a section near the town of Organyà focussed on lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy and assigned a Barremian–Aptian age. This study aims to provide an updated age based on carbon isotope correlation established elsewhere, and assess the chemostratigraphic characteristics of the Barremian–Aptian to clarify environmental changes regarding oxygen deficient conditions in the basin at that time. The δ13Corg values fluctuate from −22.1 to −24.4‰ showing concurrence with results at the El Pui section west of the studied section. Chemostratigraphic correlation of the δ13Corg reveals that the section is within segment C2, in the Lower Aptian. Redox‐sensitive trace elements (V, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo) indicate heightened dysoxic conditions at five organic‐rich layers, here designated carbonaceous layers (TOC >2%), associated with enhanced terrigenous fluxes coincident with increased major elements (Al, Si and Ti) during these intervals. Biomarkers from six levels showed n‐alkane distributions with chain lengths from nC14 to nC34, mostly below nC21 indicating a predominance of marine‐derived OM. Climate conditions inferred from variable smectite, and kaolinite content suggests fluctuating humid‐warm conditions. The results thus reveal that the Organyà Basin experienced intervals of distinct oxygen‐poor conditions prior to the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a.
Insect defoliation modulates influence of climate on the growth of tree species in the boreal mixed forests of eastern Canada
Authors: Boakye Emmanuel Amoah , Houle Daniel , Bergeron Yves , Girardin Martin P. , Drobyshev Igor 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIncreasing air temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change can affect tree growth in boreal forests. Periodic insect outbreaks affect the growth trajectory of trees, making it difficult to quantify the climate signal in growth dynamics at scales longer than a year. We studied climate‐driven growth trends and the influence of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks on these trends by analyzing the basal area increment (BAI) of 2058 trees of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, Thuja occidentalis L., Populus tremuloides Michx., and Betula papyrifera Marsh, which co‐occurs in the boreal mixedwood forests of western Quebec. We used a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to analyze species‐specific trends in BAI dynamics from 1967 to 1991. The model relied on tree size, cambial age, degree of spruce budworm defoliation, and seasonal climatic variables. Overall, we observed a decreasing growth rate of the spruce budworm host species, A. balsamea and P. glauca between 1967 and 1991, and an increasing growth rate for the non‐host, P. tremuloides, B. papyrifera, and T. occidentalis. Our results suggest that insect outbreaks may offset growth increases resulting from a warmer climate. The observation warrants the inclusion of the spruce budworm defoliation into models predicting future forest productivity.
Impacts of spruce budworm defoliation on the habitat of woodland caribou, moose, and their main predators
Authors: Chagnon Catherine , Bouchard Mathieu , Pothier David 
Published: March 2022

AbstractForest logging has contributed to the decline of several woodland caribou populations by causing the fragmentation of mature coniferous stands. Such habitat alterations could be worsened by spruce budworm (SBW) outbreaks. Using 6201 vegetation plots from provincial inventories conducted after the last SBW outbreak (1968–1992) in boreal forests of Québec (Canada), we investigated the influence of SBW‐caused tree defoliation and mortality on understory vegetation layers relevant to woodland caribou and its main predators. We found a positive association between severe outbreaks and the cover of most groups of understory plant species, especially in stands that were dominated by balsam fir before the outbreak, where a high canopy openness particularly benefited relatively fast‐growing deciduous plants. Such increases in early successional vegetation could provide high‐quality forage for moose, which is likely to promote higher wolf densities and increase predation pressure on caribou. SBW outbreaks may thus negatively affect woodland caribou by increasing predation risk, the main factor limiting caribou populations in managed forests. For the near future, we recommend updating the criteria used to define critical caribou habitat to consider the potential impacts of spruce budworm defoliation.
Variation in the intestinal microbiota at different developmental stages of Hynobius maoershanensis
Authors: Yang Bo , Cui Zhenzhen , Ning Meihong , Chen Yu , Wu Zhengjun , Huang Huayuan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntestinal microbiota play an important role in the life of amphibians and its composition may vary by developmental stage. In this study, 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing was used to profile the intestinal microbiota of Hynobius maoershanensis, which exclusively inhabit the Maoer Mountain swamp at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m. We characterized the bacterial composition, structure, and function of the microbiota of H. maoershanensis at different developmental stages. The alpha diversity was not markedly different for the Simpson, Shannon, Ace, and Sobs indices of microbes. The beta diversity revealed that there were age‐related differences in the structure of the intestinal microbes of H. maoershanensis, specifically, at the phylum level. Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria present in the adult stage, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly higher compared with that of tadpoles. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum during the tadpole stage and their relative abundance was significantly higher compared with the adult period. Functional analysis revealed that the pathways associated with organismal systems and metabolism were significantly enriched in the adults, whereas human diseases, genetic information processing, and cellular processes were more enriched in the hindlimb bud stage. Human diseases and environmental information processing were more enriched in the forelimb bud stage at KEGG pathway level 1. Possibilities for the observed discrepancies include the adaptation to eating habits and the remodeling of the intestines during development. We speculated that H. maoershanensis adults may be more suitable to a high‐fiber diet, whereas the tadpoles are associated with a carnivorous diet. Our study provides evidence of variations in the intestinal microbiota during development in amphibians, highlighting the influence of historical developments on the intestinal microbiota and an increased understanding of the importance of physiological characteristics in shaping the intestinal microbiota of amphibians. These data will help us formulate more effective protection measures for H. maoershanensis.
Shifting season of fire and its interaction with fire severity: Impacts on reproductive effort in resprouting plants
Authors: Thomsen Alexandria M. , Ooi Mark K. J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractFire regimes shape plant communities but are shifting with changing climate. More frequent fires of increasing intensity are burning across a broader range of seasons. Despite this, impacts that changes in fire season have on plant populations, or how they interact with other fire regime elements, are still relatively understudied. We asked (a) how does the season of fire affect plant vigor, including vegetative growth and flowering after a fire event, and (b) do different functional resprouting groups respond differently to the effects of season of fire? We sampled a total of 887 plants across 36 sites using a space‐for‐time design to assess resprouting vigor and reproductive output for five plant species. Sites represented either a spring or autumn burn, aged one to three years old. Season of fire had the clearest impacts on flowering in Lambertia formosa with a 152% increase in the number of plants flowering and a 45% increase in number of flowers per plant after autumn compared with spring fires. There were also season × severity interactions for total flowers produced for Leptospermum polygalifolium and L. trinervium with both species producing greater flowering in autumn, but only after lower severity fires. Severity of fire was a more important driver in vegetative growth than fire season. Season of fire impacts have previously been seen as synonymous with the effects of fire severity; however, we found that fire season and severity can have clear and independent, as well as interacting, impacts on post‐fire vegetative growth and reproductive response of resprouting species. Overall, we observed that there were positive effects of autumn fires on reproductive traits, while vegetative growth was positively related to fire severity and pre‐fire plant size.
Decline effects are rare in ecology
Authors: Costello Laura , Fox Jeremy W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe scientific evidence base on any given topic changes over time as more studies are published. Currently, there is widespread concern about nonrandom, directional changes over time in the scientific evidence base associated with many topics. In particular, if studies finding large effects (e.g., large differences between treatment and control means) tend to get published quickly, while small effects tend to get published slowly, the net result will be a decrease over time in the estimated magnitude of the mean effect size, known as a “decline effect.” If decline effects are common, then the published scientific literature will provide a biased and misleading guide to management decisions, and to the allocation of future research effort. We compiled data from 466 meta‐analyses in ecology to look for evidence of decline effects. We found that decline effects are rare. Only ~5% of ecological meta‐analyses truly exhibit a directional change in mean effect size over time arising for some reason other than random chance, usually but not always in the direction of decline. Most apparent directional changes in mean effect size over time are attributable to regression to the mean, consistent with primary studies being published in random order with respect to the effect sizes they report. Our results are good news: decline effects are the exception to the rule in ecology. Identifying and rectifying rare cases of true decline effects remains an important task, but ecologists should not overgeneralize from anecdotal reports of decline effects.
Application of uniconazole (S3307) promotes selenium accumulation inCyphomandra betaceaseedlings under selenium stress
Authors: Wang Jin , Xiao Yunying , Zhu Jinpeng , Xu Xiangting , Dong Yiping , Chen Xu , Deng Qunxian 
Published: March 2022

AbstractTo improve the ability ofCyphomandra betaceato accumulate selenium (Se), the effects of uniconazole (S3307) at different concentrations on the growth and Se accumulation ofC. betaceaseedlings were studied in this experiment. S3307 at different concentrations increased the biomass ofC. betaceaseedlings, and 20 mg L−1 S3307 had the best effect. The application of S3307 also increased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2concentration, transpiration rate, photosynthetic pigment (chlorophylla, chlorophyllb, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) content, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) activity ofC. betaceaseedlings. Application of S3307 increased the Se content in the different organs ofC. betaceaseedlings to some extent. Besides, the different S3307 concentrations demonstrated a polynomial regression relationship with the root and shoot biomass and the root and shoot Se content. Besides, Se content of the various organs significantly positive correlated with the different organs' biomass. These results indicate that S3307 promotesC. betaceaseedling growth and improves Se accumulation ability, with 20 mg L−1demonstrating the highest response.
Sustainability assessment of single slope solar still with glass cover cooling using naturally available fibers
Authors: Suraparaju Subbarama Kousik , Natarajan Sendhil Kumar 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe objective of the present study is to evaluate the sustainability of solar still by enhancing the condensation rate using natural fibers on the glass cover. It is accomplished by employing naturally available Banana Fibers (BF) and Jute Fibers (JF) over the glass of the solar still (SS). The experimental investigation on Conventional Solar Still (CSS), Solar Still with Banana Fibers (SSBF) and Solar Still with Jute Fibers (SSJF) is conducted under similar meteorological conditions. The results reported that the glass cover temperatures of SSBF and SSJF are significantly reduced by 23% and 28% respectively relative to CSS. Also, the condensation rate in SSJF is comparatively better than SSBF and CSS. The significant factor for improving the condensation rate is the absorption, retention, and porosity of natural fibers. Nevertheless, the potable water yield of CSS, SSBF, and SSJF is noticed as 2.23, 2.87, and 3.18 L/m2, respectively. Besides, the viability of solar stills is assessed by economic analysis and the cost per liter (CPL) of water obtained from SSJF is about $ 0.029 with a payback period (PBP) of 4.7 months whereas SSBF and CSS are having a CPL of $ 0.034 and $ 0.041 with a PBP of 5.6 months and 6.8 months respectively.
Performance enhancement for differential energy signal detection of ambient backscatter communications
Authors: Liu Yuan , Ren Pinyi , Du Qinghe , Xu Dongyang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAmbient backscatter communications are a critical enabling technology of radio frequency identification in Internet of Things due to its full usage of ambient signals with low cost to transmit tag signals. However, the signal detection of tag signals is a challenging task as tag signals are usually superposed on the ambient radio frequency signals and the channel state information is unavailable due to its huge and unacceptable computation complexity at tags. To solve this, we in this article proposed an enhanced signal detection scheme for the differential energy detection in ambient backscatter communications. We discovered that the single detection threshold in classic detection will not provide desirable results in smart storage scenarios. We proposed a double‐threshold detection method which subtly integrates differential energy detection with maximum likelihood method to improve the detection accuracy while reducing the complexity of the reader. In addition, we derived the closed‐form expressions for bit error rate (BER), miss detection, and false alarm probabilities of the data bits sent by the tag. Simulation results are presented to show that our proposed detector can offer lower BER and computational complexity compared with single threshold detection schemes in low‐power and low‐storage scenarios, especially when the system is in a poor channel status environment.
Assessment of autonomic symptoms may assist with early identification of mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies
Authors: Hamilton Calum A. , Frith James , Donaghy Paul C. , Barker Sally A. H. , Durcan Rory , Lawley Sarah , Barnett Nicola , Firbank Michael , Roberts Gemma , Taylor John‐Paul , Allan Louise M. , O’Brien John , Yarnall Alison J. , Thomas Alan J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesAutonomic symptoms are a common feature of the synucleinopathies, and may be a distinguishing feature of prodromal Lewy body disease. We aimed to assess whether the cognitive prodrome of dementia with Lewy bodies, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with Lewy bodies (MCI‐LB), would have more severe reported autonomic symptoms than cognitively healthy older adults, with MCI due to Alzheimer's disease (MCI‐AD) also included for comparison. We also aimed to assess the utility of an autonomic symptom scale in differentiating MCI‐LB from MCI‐AD.MethodsNinety‐three individuals with MCI and 33 healthy controls were assessed with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31‐item scale (COMPASS). Mild cognitive impairment patients also underwent detailed clinical assessment and differential classification of MCI‐AD or MCI‐LB according to current consensus criteria. Differences in overall COMPASS score and individual symptom sub‐scales were assessed, controlling for age.ResultsAge‐adjusted severity of overall autonomic symptomatology was greater in MCI‐LB (Ratio = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.37–2.96), with higher orthostatic intolerance and urinary symptom severity than controls, and greater risk of gastrointestinal and secretomotor symptoms. MCI‐AD did not have significantly higher autonomic symptom severity than controls overall. A cut‐off of 4/5 on the COMPASS was sensitive to MCI‐LB (92%) but not specific to this (42% specificity vs. MCI‐AD and 52% vs. healthy controls).ConclusionsMild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies had greater autonomic symptom severity than normal ageing and MCI‐AD, but such autonomic symptoms are not a specific finding. The COMPASS‐31 may therefore have value as a sensitive screening test for early‐stage Lewy body disease.
Navigating the paradox of global scaling
Authors: Tippmann Esther , Monaghan Sinéad , Reuber Rebecca A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractResearch summaryMuch global strategy research explores the management of competing strategic demands. Although these demands vary by a firm's context, the focus has been largely on established long‐lived multinational enterprises (MNEs) that are not based on digital technologies. There is thus a need to extend theory to take into account the co‐existence of rapid growth and digitization, a condition which is increasingly prominent. This study of globally scaling digital firms shows that they navigate the paradoxical demands of replication, to achieve frictionless rapid growth, and entrepreneurship, to innovate and remain competitive. We provide a theoretical model, which shows how MNEs navigate this global scaling paradox through a virtuous cycle of identifying innovations that can be replicated. Surprisingly, given the ease of modifying digital products and services, navigating the global scaling paradox involves minimizing local responsiveness, which is regarded as antithetical to replication. This research also builds insights on the global strategies of digital firms.Managerial summaryMany digital firms strive to scale globally to achieve market dominance in competitive, fast‐paced industries, but only a few succeed. Studying software‐as‐a‐service firms that have successfully scaled globally, we illustrate that the core demands of global scaling are replication and entrepreneurship. Although contradictory, both demands need to be satisfied in tandem. Leaders of globally scaling firms can achieve this through a strategy that sustains three interrelated mechanisms: top‐down replication, bottom‐up entrepreneurial orientation, and replicable innovation generation to engender and screen replicable ideas. These mechanisms represent a virtuous cycle through which globally scaling digital firms can revise their global business model in a replicable way in order to sustain competitiveness.
Polo‐like kinase 4 inhibitor CFI‐400945 suppresses liver cancer through cell cycle perturbation and eliciting antitumor immunity
Authors: Chan Cerise Yuen‐Ki , Yuen Vincent Wai‐Hin , Chiu David Kung‐Chun , Goh Chi‐Ching , Thu Kelsie L. , Cescon David W. , Soria‐Bretones Isabel , Law Cheuk‐Ting , Cheu Jacinth Wing‐Sum , Lee Derek , Tse Aki Pui‐Wah , Tan Kel Vin , Zhang Misty Shuo , Wong Bowie Po‐Yee , Wong Chun‐Ming , Khong Pek‐Lan , Ng Irene Oi‐Lin , Bray Mark R. , Mak Tak Wah , Yau Thomas Chung‐Cheung , Wong Carmen Chak‐Lui 
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims:
Prognosis of HCC remains poor due to lack of effective therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have delayed response and are only effective in a subset of patients. Treatments that could effectively shrink the tumors within a short period of time are idealistic to be employed together with ICIs for durable tumor suppressive effects. HCC acquires increased tolerance to aneuploidy. The rapid division of HCC cells relies on centrosome duplication. In this study, we found that polo‐like kinase 4 (PLK4), a centrosome duplication regulator, represents a therapeutic vulnerability in HCC.

Approach and Results:
An orally available PLK4 inhibitor, CFI‐400945, potently suppressed proliferating HCC cells by perturbing centrosome duplication. CFI‐400945 induced endoreplication without stopping DNA replication, causing severe aneuploidy, DNA damage, micronuclei formation, cytosolic DNA accumulation, and senescence. The cytosolic DNA accumulation elicited the DEAD box helicase 41–stimulator of interferon genes–interferon regulatory factor 3/7–NF‐κβ cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, thereby driving the transcription of senescence‐associated secretory phenotypes, which recruit immune cells. CFI‐400945 was evaluated in liver‐specific p53/phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mouse HCC models established by hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Tumor‐infiltrated immune cells were analyzed. CFI‐400945 significantly impeded HCC growth and increased infiltration of cluster of differentiation 4–positive (CD4+), CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Combination therapy of CFI‐400945 with anti–programmed death‐1 showed a tendency to improve HCC survival.

Conclusions:
We show that by targeting a centrosome regulator, PLK4, to activate the cytosolic DNA sensing‐mediated immune response, CFI‐400945 effectively restrained tumor progression through cell cycle inhibition and inducing antitumor immunity to achieve a durable suppressive effect even in late‐stage mouse HCC.
Activin A regulates the excitability of hippocampal mossy cells
Authors: Schmidt Carla C. , Zheng Fang , Alzheimer Christian 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMossy cells (MCs) in the hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG) receive increasing attention as a major player controlling information processing in the DG network. Furthermore, disturbed MC activity has been implicated in widespread neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and major depression. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from MCs in acute hippocampal slices from wild type and transgenic mice, we demonstrate that activin, a member of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) family, has a strong neuromodulatory effect on MC activity. Disruption of activin receptor signaling reduced MC firing, dampened their excitatory input and augmented their inhibitory input. By contrast, acute application of recombinant activin A strongly increased MC activity and promoted excitatory synaptic drive. Notably, similar changes of MC activity have been observed in a rodent model of depression and after antidepressant drug therapy, respectively. Given that a rise in activin signaling particularly in the DG has been proposed as a mechanism of antidepressant action, our data suggest that the effect of activin on MC excitability might make a considerable contribution in this regard.