bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coastal carbon processing rates increase with mangrove cover following a hurricane in Texas, USA
Authors: Kominoski John S. , Weaver Carolyn A. , Armitage Anna R. , Pennings Steven C. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractChanges in species distributions and disturbances have complex impacts on ecosystem functioning. In many subtropical coastal wetlands, plant identity and cover are changing, as salt marshes dominated by low‐stature herbaceous species transition to woody mangroves. These systems are also subject to frequent and potentially more intense hurricanes, which can alter a range of ecosystem structures and functions. We examined how changes in dominant plant species affected carbon processing in coastal wetlands following a hurricane. We experimentally manipulated cell‐scale (3 × 3 m) cover of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) and salt marsh plants (e.g., Spartina alterniflora and Batis maritima) in fringe and interior locations of 10 plots (24 × 42 m) to create a gradient in mangrove cover in coastal Texas, USA. Hurricane Harvey made direct landfall over our site on 25 August 2017, uniformly decreasing soil nutrients and impacting the spatial patterns of total soil sulfide accumulation (δ34S). To test how mangrove cover affected carbon processing and retention after the hurricane, we measured litter breakdown rates (k) of A. germinans and S. alterniflora in surface soils and associated microbial respiration rates, and fast‐ and slow‐decomposing standard litter substrates (green and red tea, respectively) in subsurface soils (15 cm depth). Soil temperatures were lower in mangrove than marsh cells, and A. germinans litter k increased linearly with plot‐level mangrove cover. Breakdown rates of S. alterniflora and fast‐decomposing green tea litter increased nonlinearly with mangrove cover (highest k at intermediate % cover). Slow‐decomposing red tea had similar k in all plots and was highest where soil δ34S was greatest. Microbial respiration rates (R) did not change with plot‐level mangrove cover for either S. alterniflora or A. germinans litter. Respiration associated with S. alterniflora litter was highest in interior marsh cells, and R associated with A. germinans litter was similar between fringe and interior mangrove cells. Despite widespread declines in soil nutrient concentrations and increases in δ34S, all predicted to decrease R and k, post‐hurricane carbon processing increased with mangrove cover in coastal wetlands. Our results indicate that disturbances can reduce local plant identity effects and may enhance carbon loss.
Association between prognosis and the use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor blockers in frail patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Sunaga Akihiro , Hikoso Shungo , Tamaki Shunsuke , Seo Masahiro , Yano Masamichi , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Kurakami Hiroyuki , Yamada Tomomi , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Sato Taiki , Oeun Bolrathanak , Kida Hirota , Sotomi Yohei , Dohi Tomoharu , Okada Katsuki , Mizuno Hiroya , Nakatani Daisaku , Yamada Takahisa , Yasumura Yoshio , Sakata Yasushi ,   OCVC‐Heart Failure Investigators
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsThe effectiveness of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐I) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) has not been demonstrated in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We recently reported significant interaction between the use of ACE‐I and/or ARB (ACE‐I/ARB) and frailty on prognosis in patients with HFpEF. In the present study, we examined the association between ACE‐I/ARB and prognosis in patients with HFpEF stratified by the presence or absence of frailty.Methods and resultsWe examined the association between the use of ACE‐I/ARB and prognosis according to the presence [Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) ≥ 5] or absence (CFS ≤ 4) of frailty in patients with HFpEF in a post hoc analysis of registry data. Primary endpoint was the composite of all‐cause mortality and heart failure admission. Secondary endpoints were all‐cause mortality and heart failure admission. Of 1059 patients, median age was 83 years and 45% were male. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the risk of composite endpoint (log‐rank P = 0.001) and all‐cause death (log‐rank P = 0.005) in patients with ACE‐I/ARB was lower in those with CFS ≥ 5, but similar between patients with and without ACE‐I/ARB in patients with CFS ≤ 4 (composite endpoint: log‐rank P = 0.830; all‐cause death: log‐rank P = 0.192). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, use of ACE‐I/ARB was significantly associated with lower risk of the composite endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33–0.83, P = 0.005] and heart failure admission (HR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.25–0.83, P = 0.010) in patients with CFS ≥ 5, but not in patients with CFS ≤ 4 (composite endpoint: HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 0.99–2.02, P = 0.059; heart failure admission: HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.94–2.18, P = 0.091). The association between ACE‐I or ARB and prognosis did not significantly differ by CFS (CFS ≤ 4: log‐rank P = 0.562; CFS ≥ 5: log‐rank P = 0.100, for with ACE‐I vs. ARB, respectively). Adjusted HRs for CFS 1–4 were higher than 1.0 but were <1.0 at CFS 5.ConclusionsIn patients with HFpEF, use of ACE‐I/ARB was associated with better prognosis in patients with frailty as assessed with the CFS, but not in those without frailty.
Burden of hospitalizations in newly diagnosed heart failure patients in Poland: real world population based study in years 2013–2019
Authors: Leszek Przemysław , Waś Daniel , Bartolik Kinga , Witczak Kladiusz , Kleinork Andrzej , Maruszewski Bohdan , Brukało Katarzyna , Rolska‐Wójcik Paulina , Celińska‐Spodar Małgorzata , Hryniewiecki Tomasz , Załęska‐Kocięcka Marta 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsWe aim to report trends in unplanned hospitalizations among newly diagnosed heart failure patients with regard to hospitalizations types and their impact on outcomes.Methods and resultsA nation‐wide study of all citizens in Poland with newly diagnosed heart failure based on ICD‐10 coding who were beneficiaries of either public primary, secondary, or hospital care between 2013 and 2018 in Poland. Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2019, there were 1 124 118 newly diagnosed heart failure patients in Poland in both out‐ and inpatient settings. The median observation time was 946 days. As many as 49% experienced at least one acute heart failure hospitalization. Once hospitalized, 44.6% patients experienced at least one all‐cause rehospitalization and 26% another heart failure rehospitalization. The latter had the highest Charlson co‐morbidity index (1.36). The 30 day heart failure readmission rate was 2.96%. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed very early readmissions (up to 1–7 days) were associated with better survival compared with rehospitalization between 8 and 30 days. All‐cause mortality was related to the number of hospitalization with adjusted estimated hazard ratios: 1.550 (95% CI: 1.52–158) for the second HF hospitalization, 2.158 (95% CI: 2.098–2.219) for third, and 2.788 (95% CI: 2.67–2.91) for the fourth HF hospitalization and subsequent ones, as compared with the first hospitalization.ConclusionsAmong newly diagnosed heart failure patients in Poland between 2013 and 2019, nearly half required at least one unplanned heart failure hospitalization. The risk of death was growing with every other hospital reoccurrence due to heart failure.
Association between tramadol use and risk of pneumonia in the middle‐aged and elderly populations: a propensity‐score matched cohort study
Authors: Wu Ziying , Li Xiaoxiao , Lu Na , Wang Yilun , Ding Xiang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundTramadol is a widely used weak opioid; however, the evidence for its safety profile in respiratory system needs additional information. We aimed to examine whether tramadol use is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in the general population.MethodsWe conducted five propensity‐score (PS) matched cohort studies in The Health Improvement Network database. Participants aged ≥50‐years initiated tramadol were compared with those initiated one of the following analgesics: codeine (n = 144,506), naproxen (n = 113,028), diclofenac (n = 74,297), celecoxib (n = 42,538), or etoricoxib (n = 27,232). The outcome was incident pneumonia.OutcomesDuring 6‐month follow‐up, 395 pneumonia (5.6/1000 person‐years) occurred in the tramadol group and 414 pneumonia (5.9/1000 person‐years) occurred in the PS matched codeine group. Compared with codeine group, the risk of pneumonia was lower in the tramadol group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–0.82) during the first 30‐day follow‐up, but comparable between groups over the entire 6‐month follow‐up (HR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.83–1.09). In addition, the risk of pneumonia was higher in the tramadol group than that in the PS matched naproxen (HR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.37–2.06), diclofenac (HR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.31–2.03), celecoxib (HR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.20–2.24) or etoricoxib (HR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.04–2.49) group.ConclusionsThe present study indicated that tramadol initiators had a lower risk of incident pneumonia than codeine initiators during the short‐time follow‐up, but had a comparable pneumonia risk compared with codeine initiators and had a higher risk of pneumonia compared with NSAIDs initiators over the entire 6‐month follow‐up duration. Confirmation of the present findings and determination of the underlying mechanism will require more studies.SignificanceTramadol might not be a safer alternative analgesic to codeine or NSAIDs. Both of health‐care providers and patients may need to be on alert for its safety profile in respiratory system in future clinical practice.
Thermal performance analysis of a novel direct absorption solar collector augmented solar still using silver nanofluids
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Kumar Ashish , Chander Nikhil , Singh Dwesh K. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSolar desalination is a viable alternative for clean water for the areas where plenty of sunshine is available throughout the year. Due to less productivity of distilled water in passive solar still, it is still a challenge for the researchers to commercialize this low‐cost renewable technology. In the last decade, much effort has been made by researchers to improve the overall productivity of solar stills by expanding novel active system methods. For the work presented here, a novel nanofluid‐laden reverse‐irradiated direct absorption solar collector (RI‐DASC) augmented active solar still is proposed and tested under laboratory conditions for the very first time. Ag nanoparticles of sizes ~5–10 nm were used to prepare the nanofluids and were used as working fluid in the RI‐DASC system. The system transfers the heat to the basin of active solar still directly omitting the need of piping arrangement. Experiments were conducted under different ambient conditions and for different mass loadings of Ag nanoparticles, that is, 0.1 mg L−1, 0.2 mg L‐1, and 0.4 mg L−1 in RI‐DASC augmented active solar still. The results showed that the temperature difference between the top glass cover and the basin of solar still was significantly higher in novel active solar compared to the conventional single slope passive still. Ag nanofluids with a mass fraction of 0.4 mg L−1 lead to a maximum temperature rise and thus overall thermal efficiency over other tested Ag nanofluids. The novel DASC augmented active solar still is practically viable using reflectors and can enhance the freshwater productivity over a conventional solar still.
Seismic protection by rocking with superelastic tendon restraint
Authors: Li Sheng , Tsang Hing‐Ho , Lam Nelson 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis article introduces an innovative system for enhancing the seismic performance of a structure through facilitating large rotational (rocking) motion to occur without risking overturning. The innovation of this study is in the use of tendons consisting of Nickel‐Titanium (superelastic) alloy connected in series with steel to impose partial restraints to the structure when experiencing rocking motion. Importantly, the large rotational motion is fully recoverable. Existing installations which can be made to rock may also be retrofitted with the device for improving its seismic resistance. The original contributions of the article are the derivation, and experimental validation, of an analytical model for simulating the seismic performance of a system that has been fitted with the restraining device. In a parametric study employing the newly developed modelling techniques, major trends in the seismic response behaviour of the structure have been identified.
A comprehensive review on batteries and supercapacitors: Development and challenges since their inception
Authors: Dutta Arindam , Mitra Shirsendu , Basak Mitali , Banerjee Tamal 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe chemistry underlying the storage phenomena in batteries and supercapacitors has been known to mankind for quite some time now. Nonetheless, a holistic apprehension of their rudimentary characteristics throughout their lifetime and beyond is imperative to accentuate their maximum potential. Although numerous reviews have addressed many of the facts individually, a consolidated report on the associated history, challenges, and environmental aspects considering the cutting‐edge advancements in this field is missing. This review gives a comprehensive insight into the two technologies by drawing a detailed comparison between their governing attributes and potential challenges. First, a brief history of batteries and supercapacitors along with their classifications based on materials and corresponding working mechanisms are delineated. Thereafter, some of the inexorable losses restricting the performance of these systems from reaching their theoretical limits are outlined. A picture of the significance of theoretical modeling of batteries and supercapacitors highlighting the associated challenges in the same is drawn. Furthermore, their fates after retirement as well as their scopes in the future based on their current trends are reported in the ensuing sections. Alongside detailed tutorial background of energy storage literature, this review compares different energy storage devices and the latest developments in this field.
Impact of fractional power control on downlink uplink decoupled‐based HetNets in varying path loss exponent environment
Authors: Ali Sundus , Imran Aslam Muhammad , Ahmed Irfan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUplink power control in cellular networks have proved to be an effective technique for reducing uplink interference levels, resulting in improved uplink signal to interference and noise ratio, especially for cell‐edge user equipments (UEs). Having said that, the impact of fractional power control (FPC) on the performance of downlink uplink decoupled‐ (DUDe) based HetNets while considering varying path loss exponent (PLE) environment has not been investigated as of yet, the reason behind which was to simplify the system model and obtain tractable results. In this article, we have developed a generalized analytical framework, incorporating the effect of FPC, in an effort to investigate its impact on DUDe performance in varying PLE environment. Furthermore, we have considered different small base station's (SBS) transmit powers to study its effect, paired with FPC, on DUDe‐based HetNets. Moreover, we have performed a baseline comparison of DUDe performance against conventional coupled UE association based on maximum downlink received power. Performance indicators like decoupled and coupled uplink coverage probability and decoupled and coupled average spectral efficiency have been analyzed in this paper. The results presented in this paper highlight the impact of the FPC on DUDe performance in varying PLE environment.
Anti‐diffusive alternate‐directions schemes for the transport of step functions
Authors: Batteux Léa , Duval Fabien , Herbin Raphaële , Latché Jean‐Claude , Poullet Pascal 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe purpose in this article is to design finite‐volume schemes on structured grids for the transport of piecewise‐constant functions (typically, indicator functions) with as low diffusion as possible. We first propose an extension of the so‐called Lagrange‐projection algorithm, or downwind scheme with an Ultrabee limiter, for the transport equation in one space dimension with a non‐constant velocity; as its constant velocity counterpart, this scheme is designed to capture the discontinuities separating two plateaus in only one cell, and is referred to as “anti‐diffusive.” It is shown to preserve the bounds of the solution. Then, for two and three dimensional problems, we introduce a conservative alternate‐directions algorithm, an show that this latter enjoys a discrete maximum principle, provided that the underlying one‐dimensional schemes satisfy a property which may be seen as a flux limitation, possibly incorporated a posteriori in any explicit scheme. Numerical tests of this alternate‐directions algorithm are performed, with a variety of one‐dimensional embedded schemes including the anti‐diffusive scheme developed here and the so called THINC scheme. The observed numerical diffusion is indeed very low. With the anti‐diffusive scheme, the above‐mentioned a posteriori limitation is necessary to preserve the solution bounds, but, in the performed tests, does not introduce any visible additional diffusion.
Lycopene improves testicular damage and sperm quality in experimentally induced varicocele: Relationship with apoptosis, hypoxia, and hyperthermia
Authors: Babaei Atefeh , Asadpour Reza , Mansouri Kamran , Sabrivand Adel , Kazemi‐Darabadi Siamak 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVaricocele is considered the main reason for male infertility. Antioxidants are common drugs used to reduce the complications of varicocele in these patients. So, we investigated the effects of lycopene on sperm quality, testicular histology, and the expression of some genes in experimentally induced varicocele. Fifty adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (n = 12), sham (n = 5), and varicocele (n = 33) groups. After 2 months of induced varicocele, five rats were randomly sacrificed and induced varicocele was investigated in each group. Finally, 35 rats were divided into five groups: the control, varicocele, varicocele reserving solvent, and varicocele reserving lycopene (4 and 10 mg/kg) for 2 months. At the end of the experiment, sperm viability, membrane integrity, the expression of Bax, Bcl2, hypoxia (hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α [HIF1‐α]), heat‐shock protein (heat‐shock protein A2 [HSPA2]) genes, and the histology of testes were measured. The results showed a significant decrease in the sperm viability, membrane integrity, Johnson's score, and the expression of the Bcl2 gene in the varicocele group compared to the control group. Also, there was a significant increase in Bax, HSPA2, and HIF1‐α expressions in the varicocele group compared to the control group. Although the administration of lycopene (10 mg/kg) in rats with varicocele improved sperm viability and membrane integrity, Johnson's score, and Bax expression compared to the varicocele group. Our findings indicated that the administration of lycopene in the varicocele group improved sperm quality and testicular injury induced by varicocele via decreasing apoptosis.
Millions of historical monthly rainfall observations taken in the UK and Ireland rescued by citizen scientists
Authors: Hawkins Ed , Burt Stephen , McCarthy Mark , Murphy Conor , Ross Catherine , Baldock Mike , Brazier John , Hersee Gill , Huntley Jacqui , Meats Richard , O’Grady John , Scrimgeour Ian , Silk Tim 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRecovering additional historical weather observations from known archival sources will improve the understanding of how the climate is changing and enable detailed examination of unusual events within the historical record. The UK National Meteorological Archive recently scanned more than 66,000 paper sheets containing 5.28 million hand‐written monthly rainfall observations taken across the UK and Ireland between 1677 and 1960. Only a small fraction of these observations were previously digitally available for climate scientists to analyse. More than 16,000 volunteer citizen scientists completed the transcription of these sheets of observations during early 2020 using the RainfallRescue.org website, built using the Zooniverse platform. A total of 3.34 million observations from more than 6000 locations have so far been quality controlled and made openly available. This has increased the total number of monthly rainfall observations that are available for this time period and region by a factor of six. The newly rescued observations will enable longer and much improved reconstructions of past variations in rainfall across the British and Irish Isles, including for periods of significant flooding and drought. Specifically, this data should allow the official gridded monthly rainfall reconstructions for the UK to be extended back to 1836, and even earlier for some regions.
International experience and imitation of location choices: The role of experience interpretation and assessment and its board‐level microfoundations
Authors: Spadafora Ettore , Giachetti Claudio , Kumodzie‐Dussey Makafui Kwame , Elango B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractResearch summaryDrawing on the information‐based imitation and information‐processing perspectives, we examine how experience interpretation and assessment—and in particular its board‐level microfoundations—affects the relationship between a firm's international experience and its decision to imitate the market leader's location choices. Our results show that the negative relationship between international experience and imitation of location choices is positively moderated by board turnover, board age, and board equity ownership but not influenced by board gender diversity. These findings advance our understanding of the interplay between information‐based motives for imitation and firms' information processing and organizational learning. Specifically, we contribute to research on the effect of international experience on firms' mimetic behavior by pointing out the relevance of experience interpretation and assessment from a microfoundations perspective.Managerial summaryOur study provides indications for executives attempting to predict competitors' global strategy. When it comes to location choices, we find that companies with less international experience are more likely to follow the market leader, while those internationally experienced are more likely to follow their own path. Moreover, lower board turnover, relatively younger directors, and smaller equity ownership can favor the articulation and exploitation of the lessons offered by prior international experiences, thus further reducing the company's inclination to imitate the leader's location choices. Firms seeking an independent path toward internationalization can therefore use corporate governance—and in particular board‐level factors—to enhance their ability to interpret and assess their international experience.