bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root‐associated fungi not tree density influences stand nitrogen dynamics at the larch forest–tundra ecotone
Authors: Hewitt Rebecca E. , Alexander Heather D. , Miller Samantha N. , Mack Michelle C. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Greater tree density and forest productivity at the tundra–taiga ecotone (TTE) are expected with climate warming, with potential feedbacks to the climate system. Yet, competition for nitrogen (N) may impact TTE dynamics. Greater tree density will likely increase N demand, while reducing N supply through soil shading and slower decomposition rates. We explored whether characteristics of roots and root‐associated fungi important to N acquisition responded to changes in density at the TTE and were related to above‐ground stand productivity and N cycling.

We measured rooting depth, uptake of N forms among soil layers and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) colonization and composition along a natural tree density gradient of monodominant larch Larix cajanderi in northeastern Siberia. We tested relationships between larch root and fungal characteristics, above‐ground productivity and stand‐level N cycling parameters.

Overall, there was preferential uptake of ammonium compared to glycine or nitrate. Nitrogen uptake was greatest in shallow soils of the organic horizon and related to root chemistry, root‐associated fungi and above‐ground N cycling parameters, but the direction of these relationships depended on N form. Uptake of different N forms, rooting depth and EcM colonization and composition were not related to tree density, but fungal composition was correlated with root N chemistry and above‐ground N cycling parameters. In addition to EcM, the abundance of dark septate endophytes and other ascomycetous taxa was positively related to N uptake and above‐ground N cycling parameters.

Synthesis. There was little impact of tree density on root and fungal parameters related to N acquisition suggesting intraspecific larch competition for N was not amplified with increased density. There was, however, a strong impact of root‐associated fungi on N uptake and stand N dynamics regardless of tree density. Together, this suggests an important role of root‐associated fungi on broadscale patterns of N cycling in TTE larch forests independent of changes in tree density expected with climate warming.
Randomised controlled trial on the effect of simethicone bowel preparation on rectal variability during image‐guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer (SPoRT study)
Authors: Ward Jennifer , Gill Suki , Armstrong Kevin , Fogarty Tamara , Tan Daren , Scott Alison , Yahya Aylin , Dhaliwal Satvinder Singh , Jacques Angela , Tang Colin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to assess whether simethicone reduces the rectal volume (RV) and gas volume (GV), to increase treatment accuracy and to decrease toxicity of prostate radiation therapy.Methods30 patients were randomised to simethicone or no intervention. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were performed on Days 1–3 and weekly until completion of radiation. RV and GV were measured using volume delineation. Toxicity data were collected.Results264 CBCTs were analysed. RV and GV were not significantly different in the simethicone group compared with the control group at each time point (P >0.05) after adjusting for Week 0 values as a covariate. The simethicone group showed an average reduction in RV and GV of 10% and 21%, respectively, compared with the control group (P >0.05). Standard deviations were calculated over 10 time points, which were grouped to represent the first 2–3 weeks of radiation therapy versus subsequent weeks. These were not significantly different between the simethicone and control group. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the variability of RV at time points 6–10 compared with time points 1–5 within the simethicone group (P = 0.012), but no significant difference was found between these grouped time points in the control group (P = 0.581). The toxicity questionnaires showed no significant difference between the groups.ConclusionsSimethicone did not decrease the RV or GV overall. However, simethicone appeared to significantly decrease the RV variability from Week three onwards. This suggests that taking simethicone two to three weeks before starting radiation therapy may reduce RV variability, although a larger study is needed to confirm this.
Machine learning models identify gene predictors of waggle dance behaviour in honeybees
Authors: Veiner Marcell , Morimoto Juliano , Leadbeater Ellouise , Manfredini Fabio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe molecular characterization of complex behaviours is a challenging task as a range of different factors are often involved to produce the observed phenotype. An established approach is to look at the overall levels of expression of brain genes—or ‘neurogenomics’—to select the best candidates that associate with patterns of interest. However, traditional neurogenomic analyses have some well‐known limitations: above all, the usually limited number of biological replicates compared to the number of genes tested—known as the “curse of dimensionality.” In this study we implemented a machine learning (ML) approach that can be used as a complement to more established methods of transcriptomic analyses. We tested three supervised learning algorithms (Random Forests, Lasso and Elastic net Regularized Generalized Linear Model, and Support Vector Machine) for their performance in the characterization of transcriptomic patterns and identification of genes associated with honeybee waggle dance. We then matched the results of these analyses with traditional outputs of differential gene expression analyses and identified two promising candidates for the neural regulation of the waggle dance: boss and hnRNP A1. Overall, our study demonstrates the application of ML to analyse transcriptomics data and identify candidate genes underlying social behaviour. This approach has great potential for application to a wide range of different scenarios in evolutionary ecology, when investigating the genomic basis for complex phenotypic traits, and can present some clear advantages compared to the established tools of gene expression analysis, making it a valuable complement for future studies.
Top Management Team Incentive Dispersion and Earnings Quality*
Authors: Kim Taejin , Kyung Hangsoo , Ng Jeff 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the relation between the dispersion in pay‐performance sensitivities (PPS) among top management team (TMT) members and earnings quality. Prior research suggests that the PPS from executives' equity compensation induce earnings manipulation incentives. Most of this research, however, focuses on the PPS of individual executives, even though the financial reporting process requires the coordination among a broad range of executives. Focusing on the dispersion in PPS among TMTs, we develop a model that shows that, due to the coordination incentives embedded in compensation arrangements, managers with more closely aligned PPS will be more willing to work together to manipulate earnings as the rewards are shared more evenly among them. We empirically test the implications from our model and find a positive relation between PPS dispersion and earnings quality. We further find that the stock price reaction to firms' reported earnings relates to the earnings manipulation incentives based on PPS dispersion. Our results suggest that differences in PPS among TMT members hamper the coordination necessary to manipulate earnings and that investors are aware of this impact. Our study has important implications related to compensation‐related disclosures (e.g., those under section 953a of the Dodd‐Frank Act of 2010) and their potential impact on investors' understanding of earnings quality.
CaptuRING: A do‐it‐yourself tool for wood sample digitization
Authors: García‐Hidalgo Miguel , García‐Pedrero Ángel , Colón Daniel , Sangüesa‐Barreda Gabriel , García‐Cervigón Ana I. , López‐Molina Juan , Hernández‐Alonso Héctor , Rozas Vicente , Olano José Miguel , Alonso‐Gómez Víctor 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Standard procedures to obtain high‐quality images of wood samples have become a bottleneck in the digitization of dendrochronology. Digitization is currently dominated by flatbed scanners, but the use of these devices is limited by sample length and surface flatness. Although several solutions based on digital photography have been published, they lack effective digitization processes or are too expensive to be widely adopted.

Free open‐source software and hardware has emerged as an alternative to create research tools that combine reduced costs with high reliability. Here we present CaptuRING, an open‐source tool for wood sample digitization combining a do‐it‐yourself hardware based on Arduino® with a DSLR camera and a free open‐source software with an easy‐to‐use graphical user interface.

We compared CaptuRing with image acquisition from a standard flatbed scanner Epson® V750PRO. CaptuRING outperforms scanner image resolution and sharpness, while it removes sample size limitations. Moreover, CaptuRing performs this task in less than half of the time needed by Epson® V750PRO flatbed scanner.

CaptuRING emerges as a reliable and low‐cost tool to capture high‐resolution images of wood samples boosting current digitization processes. The combination of free open software and hardware empowers dendrochronology to advance in wood sample digitization.
Low volume proximal suprascapular nerve block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery – A randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Steen‐Hansen Christian , Rothe Christian , Kjeldgaard Line D. , Lyngeraa Tobias S. , Lundstrøm Lars H. , Lange Kai H. W. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundA proximal suprascapular nerve block has been suggested as an alternative to an interscalene brachial plexus block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to compare the analgesic and opioid‐sparing effect of a low volume proximal suprascapular nerve block with placebo in patients with moderate‐to‐severe pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.MethodsPatients with a VAS score equal to or above 50 during the first postoperative hour after planned arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. They were randomised to an ultrasound‐guided proximal suprascapular nerve block with either 5 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml or 5 ml isotonic NaCl. Primary outcome was change in VAS score at rest from baseline to 30 min after the block procedure (T30). Secondary outcomes included total morphine consumption from 0–6 h after block procedure.ResultsThere was a significant difference in mean VAS reductions at T30 between the two groups favouring the ropivacaine group (−50.2 vs −26.8, p < .001). Total intravenous morphine consumption from 0–6 h after block procedure was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared to the placebo group (8.5 mg vs 18.5 mg, p < .01).ConclusionIn this study, a proximal suprascapular nerve block with only 5 ml ropivacaine resulted in a substantial pain reduction and opioid‐sparing effect in patients with VAS of 50 or more after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Chronic critical illness in polytrauma. Results of the Spanish trauma in ICU registry
Authors: Ballesteros María Ángeles , Sánchez‐Arguiano María Juncal , Chico‐Fernández Mario , Barea‐Mendoza Jesús Abelardo , Serviá‐Goixart Luis , Sánchez‐Casado Marcelino , García Sáez Iker , Pino‐Sánchez Francisca I. , Antonio Llompart‐Pou Juan , Miñambres Eduardo ,   the Neurointensive Care, Trauma Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SEMICYUC)
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeChronic critical illness after trauma injury has not been fully evaluated, and there is little evidence in this regard. We aim to describe the prevalence and risk factors of chronic critical illness (CCI) in trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit.Material and MethodsRetrospective observational multicenter study (Spanish Registry of Trauma in ICU (RETRAUCI)). Period March 2015 to December 2019. Trauma patients admitted to the ICU, who survived the first 48 h, were included. Chronic critical illness (CCI) was considered as the need for mechanical ventilation for a period greater than 14 days and/or placement of a tracheostomy. The main outcomes measures were prevalence and risk factors of CCI after trauma.Results1290/9213 (14%) patients developed CCI. These patients were older (51.2 ± 19.4 vs 49 ± 18.9); p < .01) and predominantly male (79.9%). They presented a higher proportion of infectious complications (81.3% vs 12.7%; p < .01) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (27.02% vs 5.19%; p < .01). CCI patients required longer stays in the ICU and had higher ICU and overall in‐hospital mortality. Age, injury severity score, head injury, infectious complications, and development of MODS were independent predictors of CCI.ConclusionCCI in trauma is a prevalent entity in our series. Early identification could facilitate specific interventions to change the trajectory of this process.
Resource managers' and users' perspectives on factors contributing to unauthorised hunting in western Tanzania
Authors: Kisingo Alex , Wilfred Paulo , Magige Flora J. , Kayeye Heri , Nahonyo Cuthbert L. , Milner‐Gulland E. J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUnauthorised use of natural resources is one of the challenges facing protected areas in Africa. Understanding factors influencing this behaviour can help improve the efficiency of conservation efforts. We conducted focus group discussions with authorised resource users and managers in the Ugalla ecosystem of western Tanzania to determine factors facilitating and motivating unauthorised hunting. The two groups of study participants had different perspectives on the subject. Resource managers dwelt on factors facilitating hunting, for example, inadequate patrol resources and impassable patrol roads. On the other hand, resource users discussed both motivating factors, for example, limited income‐generating opportunities; and facilitating factors, some of which were also mentioned by resource managers (e.g., poorly managed hunting cases). There was also variability in how study participants perceived the importance of different factors. Some factors were perceived as highly important but mentioned less frequently and others were mentioned often but ranked low. Some were mentioned by both resource managers and users with the same frequency but ranked differently (e.g., the management of unauthorised hunting cases). Overall, we suggest considering the views of people with different interests in natural resources to comprehensively understand the factors that influence unauthorised hunting for improved conservation outcomes.
Coupling paraecology and hunter GPS self‐follows to quantify village bushmeat hunting dynamics across the landscape scale
Authors: Froese Graden Z. L. , Ebang Mbélé Alex , Beirne Christopher , Atsame Lucie , Bayossa Charlottte , Bazza Blaise , Bidzime Nkoulou Martine , Dzime N'noh Sylvain , Ebeba Jovin , Edzidzie Jocelin , Ekazama Koto Serge , Imbomba Serge , Mandomobo Mapio Edouard , Mandou Mabouanga Hervé Gildas , Mba Edang Edouard , Landry Metandou Jonas , Mossindji Clotaire , Ngoboutseboue Irma , Nkwele Christ , Nzemfoule Eric , Sala Elie Bonaventure , Sergent Aimé‐Placide , Poulsen John R. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHunting for bushmeat represents a complex social–ecological system ill‐suited to top‐down management. Community participatory management is an alternative approach with increasing support for both ethical and pragmatic reasons. Key to a community approach is long‐term monitoring: this can both catalyse local ownership of and cohesion around management and is necessary to assess the effects of interventions and make changes as needed through adaptive management. Yet community‐driven methods to monitor hunting remain underdeveloped: they often fail to account for sampling bias and do not incorporate space in a thorough way, and data are not communally analysed to simulate effects of potential management decisions. We created a novel community bushmeat monitoring programme to address these gaps across 20 villages in north‐eastern Gabon. Paraecologists conducted standardised monitoring of bushmeat, and hundreds of hunters conducted GPS self‐follows mapping village hunting catchments. We integrated these data to estimate the proportion of bushmeat sampled and make robust extrapolations of total offtake across space and time, estimating an annual offtake of ~30,000 animals of >56 species across all villages. Here, we present our approach and data—and apply them through a case study of six sympatric duiker species—to inform new directions for social–ecological bushmeat research and management.
Vouchers control for illegal bushmeat transport and reveal dynamics of authorised wild meat trade in central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Authors: Hart John A. , Omene Ohm , Hart Terese B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHunting of species not protected by national law and during open hunting season is authorised by Maniema Province regulations in the buffer zone of the Lomami National Park (LNP). Since 2017, vouchers tally numbers and species of authorised bushmeat, as well as shotgun ammunition and snare cable transported across LNP on established tracks. The voucher system has high rates of compliance. Vouchers provide proof to park rangers checking caravans that bushmeat was not illegally harvested, and ammunition and snare cable not illegally deployed in LNP. Vouchers facilitate monitoring of bushmeat commerce in about 1/5 of Kindu's bushmeat catchment. Numbers of animals reported in vouchers has declined 2017–2021. However, the proportion of large mammals in bushmeat loads has not declined during this period. This suggests faunal depletion has not occurred in areas sourced by transporters. Insecurity in the area in 2019 led Congolese military to limit shotgun ammunition in transporters loads. This was associated with a decline in numbers of primates in bushmeat loads. Increasing costs and risks of bushmeat transport versus increasing availability and decreasing cost of domestic meat in Kindu have reduced the economic value of bushmeat trade from the LNP buffer zone.
Local people’s knowledge of topi (Damaliscus lunatus) and their illegal hunting for bushmeat consumption in the Serengeti Ecosystem
Authors: Hariohay Kwaslema Malle , Nassary Damari Samwel , Lyamuya Richard D. , Røskaft Eivin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIllegal hunting for bushmeat in or near protected areas is a significant threat to biodiversity conservation. This study assessed knowledge by local people of the occurrence of topi (Damaliscus lunatus) in the Serengeti Ecosystem and linked it with the level of illegal hunting for bushmeat consumption. A total of 150 households from three villages were randomly selected and interviewed using semistructured questionnaires to gather the required information. The majority of local people (91.4%) were able to identify the topi species correctly, and 71.0% reported that topi were still available in their area. Moreover, the local people's knowledge of the occurrence of topi and their bushmeat consumption differed significantly between tribes and age classes. The majority of respondents (97.8%) had no hunting permit. These results indicate that illegal hunting for either subsistence or commercial purposes occurs in the area and is currently a major threat to topi survival. We recommend the establishment of bushmeat butcheries since many people prefer to eat bushmeat. Finally, we call for further research to specifically assess the magnitude of the decline of the topi population in the area.
Torsade de pointes caused by citalopram during the pacemaker battery‐depletion phase: A case report
Authors: Wang Junwen , Sun Ziyi , Tao Siming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDrug‐induced QT prolongation, primarily antiarrhythmic drugs, is a common cause of torsade de pointes (TdP). Although there have been previous reports of drug‐induced TdP in patients, it has not been well documented when caused by citalopram during the pacemaker battery‐depletion phase. To improve delirium recognition, we report a case of citalopram‐induced TdP during the pacemaker battery‐depletion phase. An 84‐year‐old Chinese female was brought to the hospital presenting recurrent syncope. She lost consciousness and was admitted after her syncope TdP was documented. Her pacemaker was inspected and found to be operating in an extremely ineffective manner. Although she had prolonged QT interval after the pacemaker was replaced, she did not suffer another syncope attack, and ECG monitoring revealed no cardiac arrhythmia or TdP. During her admission, she was treated with citalopram for depression. Citalopram was discontinued when the QT interval shortened progressively. In this study, we described a case of citalopram‐induced TdP during the depletion phase of a pacemaker battery. This case should serve as a cautionary lesson to clinicians to avoid using citalopram during the pacemaker battery‐depletion phase.
Acute adaptation of renal phosphate transporters in the murine kidney to oral phosphate intake requires multiple signals
Authors: Daryadel Arezoo , Haykir Betül , Küng Catharina J. , Bugarski Milica , Bettoni Carla , Schnitzbauer Udo , Hernando Nati , Hall Andrew M. , Wagner Carsten A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsDietary inorganic phosphate (Pi) modulates renal Pi reabsorption by regulating the expression of the NaPi‐IIa and NaPi‐IIc Pi transporters. Here, we aimed to clarify the role of several Pi‐regulatory mechanisms including parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6‐kinases) in the acute regulation of NaPi‐IIa and NaPi‐IIc.MethodsWildtype (WT) and PTH‐deficient mice (PTH‐KO) with/without inhibition of FGF23 signalling were gavaged with Pi/saline and examined at 1, 4 and 12 h.ResultsPi‐gavage elevated plasma Pi and decreased plasma Ca2+ in both genotypes after 1 h Within 1 h, Pi‐gavage decreased NaPi‐IIa abundance in WT and PTH‐KO mice. NaPi‐IIc was downregulated 1 h post‐administration in WT and after 4 h in PTH‐KO. PTH increased after 1 h in WT animals. After 4 h Pi‐gavage, FGF23 increased in both genotypes being higher in the KO group. PTHrp and dopamine were not altered by Pi‐gavage. Blocking FGF23 signalling blunted PTH upregulation in WT mice and reduced NaPi‐IIa downregulation in PTH‐KO mice 4 h after Pi‐gavage. Inhibition of IP6‐kinases had no effect.Conclusions(1) Acute downregulation of renal Pi transporters in response to Pi intake occurs also in the absence of PTH and FGF23 signalling, (2) when FGF23 signalling is blocked, a partial contribution of PTH is revealed, (3) IP6 kinases, intracellular Pi‐sensors in yeast and bacteria, are not involved, and (4) Acute Pi does not alter PTHrp and dopamine. Thus, signals other than PTH, PTHrp, FGF23 and dopamine contribute to renal adaption.