bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is a biocrust? A refined, contemporary definition for a broadening research community
Authors: Weber Bettina , Belnap Jayne , Büdel Burkhard , Antoninka Anita J. , Barger Nichole N. , Chaudhary V. Bala , Darrouzet‐Nardi Anthony , Eldridge David J. , Faist Akasha M. , Ferrenberg Scott , Havrilla Caroline A. , Huber‐Sannwald Elisabeth , Malam Issa Oumarou , Maestre Fernando T. , Reed Sasha C. , Rodriguez‐Caballero Emilio , Tucker Colin , Young Kristina E. , Zhang Yuanming , Zhao Yunge , Zhou Xiaobing , Bowker Matthew A. 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTStudies of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) have proliferated over the last few decades. The biocrust literature has broadened, with more studies assessing and describing the function of a variety of biocrust communities in a broad range of biomes and habitats and across a large spectrum of disciplines, and also by the incorporation of biocrusts into global perspectives and biogeochemical models. As the number of biocrust researchers increases, along with the scope of soil communities defined as ‘biocrust’, it is worth asking whether we all share a clear, universal, and fully articulated definition of what constitutes a biocrust. In this review, we synthesize the literature with the views of new and experienced biocrust researchers, to provide a refined and fully elaborated definition of biocrusts. In doing so, we illustrate the ecological relevance and ecosystem services provided by them. We demonstrate that biocrusts are defined by four distinct elements: physical structure, functional characteristics, habitat, and taxonomic composition. We describe outgroups, which have some, but not all, of the characteristics necessary to be fully consistent with our definition and thus would not be considered biocrusts. We also summarize the wide variety of different types of communities that fall under our definition of biocrusts, in the process of highlighting their global distribution. Finally, we suggest the universal use of the Belnap, Büdel & Lange definition, with minor modifications: Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) result from an intimate association between soil particles and differing proportions of photoautotrophic (e.g. cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, bryophytes) and heterotrophic (e.g. bacteria, fungi, archaea) organisms, which live within, or immediately on top of, the uppermost millimetres of soil. Soil particles are aggregated through the presence and activity of these often extremotolerant biota that desiccate regularly, and the resultant living crust covers the surface of the ground as a coherent layer. With this detailed definition of biocrusts, illustrating their ecological functions and widespread distribution, we hope to stimulate interest in biocrust research and inform various stakeholders (e.g. land managers, land users) on their overall importance to ecosystem and Earth system functioning.
Global status, impacts, and management of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems
Authors: Bell James J. , Micaroni Valerio , Harris Benjamin , Strano Francesca , Broadribb Manon , Rogers Alice 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe ecology and function of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs) remain poorly understood globally despite their widespread distribution. They typically occur at 20–150 m (the limit of photosynthesis), and on rocky substratum they support rich benthic communities and mobile fauna. We determined the distribution of rocky TMEs, their conservation status, and their most characteristic biological groups. Rocky TMEs were dominated by algae, turf‐invertebrate matrices (<50 m only), sponges, bryozoans, and cnidarians. The community composition of TMEs differed significantly from shallow (0–15 m) subtidal reefs. Data were geographically biased and variable, available only from the North and South Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Temperate Australasia. Degree of protection of rocky TMEs varied considerably across the world. The biggest threats to rocky TMEs were identified changes in temperature, sedimentation rates, nutrient concentrations, and certain fishing types. We propose a conservation framework to inform future rocky TME management and conservation, highlighting the need to recognize the importance of these biologically diverse and functionally important ecosystems.
An allied reprogramming, selection, expansion and differentiation platform for creating hiPSC on microcarriers
Authors: Lam Alan Tin Lun , Ho Valerie , Vassilev Svetlan , Reuveny Shaul , Oh Steve Kah Weng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectivesInduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated by monolayer cultures is plagued by low efficiencies, high levels of manipulation and operator unpredictability. We have developed a platform, reprogramming, expansion, and differentiation on Microcarriers, to solve these challenges.Materials and MethodsFive sources of human somatic cells were reprogrammed, selected, expanded and differentiated in microcarriers suspension cultures.ResultsImprovement of transduction efficiencies up to 2 times was observed. Accelerated reprogramming in microcarrier cultures was 7 days faster than monolayer, providing between 30 and 50‐fold more clones to choose from fibroblasts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, T cells and CD34+ stem cells. This was observed to be due to an earlier induction of genes (β‐catenin, E‐cadherin and EpCAM) on day 4 versus monolayer cultures which occurred on days 14 or later. Following that, faster induction and earlier stabilization of pluripotency genes occurred during the maturation phase of reprogramming. Integrated expansion without trypsinization and efficient differentiation, without embryoid bodies formation, to the three germ‐layers, cardiomyocytes and haematopoietic stem cells were further demonstrated.ConclusionsOur method can solve the inherent problems of conventional monolayer cultures. It is highly efficient, cell dissociation free, can be operated with lower labor, and allows testing of differentiation efficiency without trypsinization and generation of embryoid bodies. It is also amenable to automation for processing more samples in a small footprint, alleviating many challenges of manual monolayer selection.
Common single‐nucleotide polymorphisms combined with a genetic risk score provide new insights regarding the etiology of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fang Xiangnan , Jin Li , Tang Mengyang , Lu Wenqian , Lai Siyu , Zhang Rong , Zhang Hong , Jiang Feng , Luo Mingjuan , Hu Cheng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimsFew studies have constructed a genetic risk score (GRS) to predict the risk of gestaional diabetes mellitus (GDM). We tested the hypothesis that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) confirmed for diabetes and obesity and the GRS are associated with GDM.MethodsWe conducted a case‐control study comprising 971 GDM cases and 1682 controls from the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital. A total of 1448 SNPs reported with type 2 diabetes (T2D), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and obesity were selected and the GRS based on SNPs associated with GDM was created.ResultsWe confirmed that rs10830963 (OR = 1.41,95% CI = 1.25, 1.59) in MTNR1B and rs2206734 (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.55) in CDKAL1 were strongly associated with the risk of GDM. Compared with participants with GRS based on T2D SNPs in the low tertile, the ORs of GDM across increasing GRS tertiles were 1.63 (95% CI 1.29, 2.06) and 2.72 (95% CI 2.18, 3.38) in the middle and high tertile, respectively. The positive associations between the GRS and the risk of GDM were also observed in GRS based on obesity/waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR)/body mass index (BMI) SNPs. The resulting GRS for each allele increase was significantly associated with higher glycemic indices and lower HOMA‐B values for GRS based on T2D SNPs, but not for GRS based on T1D SNPs and GRS based on obesity/WHR/BMI SNPs.ConclusionThese findings indicate that GDM may share a common genetic background with T2D and obesity and that SNPs associated with insulin secretion defects have a vital role in the development of GDM.
Development and validation of the sickle cell stress scale‐adult
Authors: Smith Wally R. , McClish Donna K. , Bovbjerg Viktor E. , Singh Harjot K. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDisease‐specific stress can partly explain Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) healthcare utilization. We developed and validated two measures of adult SCD‐specific stress for research and clinical care. A large cohort of adults with SCD completed both the 3‐item Likert‐scale adapted from a previous disease stress measure and a 10‐item Likert‐scale questionnaire drafted specifically to measure SCD stress. They concurrently completed a psychosocial and health‐related quality of life scale battery, then subsequently daily pain diaries. Diaires measured: daily intensity, distress and interference of pain; self‐defined vaso‐occlusive crises (VOC), opioid use, and types of healthcare utilization for up to 24 weeks. Analyses tested Cronbach's alpha, correlation of the three‐item and 10‐item stress scales with the concurrent battery, with percentages of pain days, VOC days, opioid use days, and healthcare utilization days, and correlation of baseline stress and 6‐month stress for the 10‐item scale. Cronbach's alpha was high for both the 3‐item (0.73) and 10‐item (0.83) SCD stress scales, test–retest correlation of 0.55, expected correlation with the concurrent battery, and correlation with diary‐measured healthcare utilization over 6 months. The correlations with the 3‐item scale were stronger, but only statistically significant for depression‐anxiety. The correlation between the two stress scales was 0.59. Both the 3‐item and the 10‐item stress scales exhibited good face, construct, concurrent, and predictive validity as well as moderate test–retest reliability. Further scale validation should determine population norms and response to interventions.
The conundrum in enzymatic reactions related to biosynthesis of d‐amino acids in bacteria
Authors: Pollegioni Loredano , Molla Gianluca 
Published: May 2022

d‐Amino acids (d‐AAs) are key components of the peptidoglycan matrix in bacterial cells. Various bacterial species are known to produce d‐AAs by using different enzymes, such as highly specific and broad‐spectrum racemases. Miyamoto et al. studied the biosynthesis of d‐glutamate in the hyperthermophile and anaerobic Gram‐negative bacterium, Thermotoga maritima, which does not possess a broad‐spectrum racemase. The investigated TM0831 enzyme catalyzes both a d‐amino acid aminotransferase reaction producing d‐glutamate and an amino acid racemase activity aimed at generating d‐aspartate and d‐glutamate from the corresponding l‐enantiomers. TM0831 represents an example of natural molecular evolution process favoring the enzyme versatility.Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16452
Tyred out: Natural aging and aesthetic labor in Pirelli's 2017 calendar
Authors: Pritchard Katrina , Whiting Rebecca 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe review how natural aging is constructed in contemporary media discourse by examining coverage of the 2017 Pirelli calendar. While highly digitized and provocative representations of youthfulness might be readily associated with this calendar, the 2017 edition featured actors aged 28–71, shot in black and white with limited makeup and apparently no digitization. As older women we reflexively examine this exposure of how women might age naturally; and discursively unpack tensions surrounding understandings of beauty and empowerment across media coverage. We suggest the Pirelli calendar is a complex media production, with impact that extends far beyond the product itself, spreading through the economic system and connecting tyres to art in the process. We progress understandings of aesthetic labor across the lifecourse, offer further development of the beauty and empowerment tensions embedded in the aesthetics of natural aging and explain how natural aging facilitates a multi‐layered process of binding.
Durability of left bundle branch area pacing
Authors: Mehta Nikhil A. , Saqi Bilal , Sabzwari Syed R. A. , Gupta Rahul , Vyas Apurva , Gordon Jeffrey , Cossu Sergio , Nazir Talha , Freudenberger Ronald , Bozorgnia Babak 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a form of conduction system pacing. Long‐term data on the safety and performance of LBBAP 1 year postdevice implantation has not been well described.Methods and ResultsSixty‐five patients (49% females) who received LBBAP for bradycardia indications using the SelectSecure 3830 lead (Medtronic) were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical variables were examined. Lead parameters were obtained at implant and during regular follow‐up. Mean age of patients was 75.7 ± 10.1 years with left ventricular ejection fraction 59.8 ± 10.4%. Indications for pacing were atrioventricular block 55%, sinus node dysfunction 19%, tachy‐brady syndrome 15%, atrioventricular node ablation 8%, and bail out cardiac resynchronization therapy 3%. Mean baseline QRS measured 120 ± 38 ms, paced QRS duration was 138 ± 22ms. Paced QRS narrowed by 24 ms in those with pre‐existing left bundle branch block (BBB), increased by 1 ms in those with pre‐existing right BBB, and increased by 42 ms in those with no BBB. LBBAP threshold at implant was 0.521 ± 0.153 V at 0.4 ms, and increased to 0.654 ± 0.186 V at 3 months (+26%), 0.707 ± 0.186 V at 6 months (+36%), and 0.772 ± 0.220 V at 12 months (+48%). Patients with left BBB showed the maximum benefit with QRS narrowing 24 ms. Pacing impedance remained unchanged with no procedure‐related complications.ConclusionLBBAP is a durable form of conduction system pacing with pacing thresholds remaining relatively stable over 12 months post device implantation. Patients with left BBB display the narrowest paced QRS.
Effect of ArtemiC in patients with COVID‐19: A Phase II prospective study
Authors: Hellou Elias , Mohsin Jameel , Elemy Ameer , Hakim Fahed , Mustafa‐Hellou Mona , Hamoud Shadi 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDespite intensive efforts, there is no effective remedy for COVID‐19. Moreover, vaccination efficacy declines over time and may be compromised against new SARS‐CoV‐2 lineages. Therefore, there remains an unmet need for simple, accessible, low‐cost and effective pharmacological anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 agents. ArtemiC is a medical product comprising artemisinin, curcumin, frankincense and vitamin C, all of which possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant properties. The present Phase II placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, multi‐centred, prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ArtemiC in patients with COVID‐19. The study included 50 hospitalized symptomatic COVID‐19 patients randomized (2:1) to receive ArtemiC or placebo oral spray, twice daily on Days 1 and 2, beside standard care. A physical examination was performed, and vital signs and blood tests were monitored daily until hospital discharge (or Day 15). A PCR assessment of SARS‐CoV‐2 carriage was performed at screening and on last visit. ArtemiC improved NEWS2 in 91% of patients and shortened durations of abnormal SpO2 levels, oxygen supplementation and fever. No treatment‐related adverse events were reported. These findings suggest that ArtemiC curbed deterioration, possibly by limiting cytokine storm of COVID‐19, thus bearing great promise for COVID‐19 patients, particularly those with comorbidities.
Price effects of calling out market power: A study of the COVID‐19 oil price shock
Authors: Barkley Aaron , Byrne David P. , Wu Xiaosong 
Published: May 2022

AbstractGovernments often make public announcements that call into question firms' misuse of market power. Yet little is known about how firms respond to them. We study gasoline retailers' price responses to antitrust announcements shaming them for price gouging during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We identify price effects using a high‐frequency event‐study leveraging unique real‐time station‐level price data and well‐identified, discrete antitrust announcements. We find evidence of announcement effects that depend on firms' preannouncement margins and hence exposure to being publicly shamed. Public statements by antitrust questioning firms' misuse of market power can indeed contain signals that affect equilibrium outcomes.
Arabidopsis ROOT ELONGATION RECEPTOR KINASES negatively regulate root growth putatively via altering cell wall remodeling gene expression
Authors: Wang Yanze , Chen Weiyue , Ou Yang , Zhu Yingying , Li Jia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractReceptor‐like kinases (RLKs) play key roles in regulating various physiological aspects in plant growth and development. In Arabidopsis thaliana, there are at least 223 leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) RLKs. The functions of the majority of RLKs in the LRR XI subfamily were previously revealed. Only three RLKs were not characterized. Here we report that two independent triple mutants of these RLKs, named ROOT ELONGATION RECEPTOR KINASES (REKs), exhibit increased cell numbers in the root apical meristem and enhanced cell size in the elongation and maturation zones. The promoter activities of a number of Quiescent Center marker genes are significantly up‐regulated in the triple mutant. However, the promoter activities of several marker genes known to control root stem cell niche activities are not altered. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that a number of cell wall remodeling genes are significantly up‐regulated in the triple mutant. Our results suggest that these REKs play key roles in regulating root development likely via negatively regulating the expression of a number of key cell wall remodeling genes.
A novel screening tool to predict severe acute malnutrition through automated monitoring of weight‐for‐age growth curves
Authors: Nel Sanja , Feucht Ute D. , Nel André L. , Becker Piet J. , Wenhold Friedeburg A. M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWeight‐for‐age (WFA) growth faltering often precedes severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children, yet it is often missed during routine growth monitoring. Automated interpretation of WFA growth within electronic health records could expedite the identification of children at risk of SAM. This study aimed to develop an automated screening tool to predict SAM risk from WFA growth, and to determine its predictive ability compared with simple changes in weight or WFA z‐score. To develop the screening tool, South African child growth experts (n = 30) rated SAM risk on 100 WFA growth curves, which were then used to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to assess SAM risk from consecutive WFA z‐scores. The ANN was validated in 185 children under five (63 SAM cases; 122 controls) using diagnostic accuracy methodology. The ANN's performance was compared with that of changes in weight or WFA z‐score. Even though experts' SAM risk ratings of the WFA growth curves differed considerably, the ANN achieved a sensitivity of 73.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 60.3; 83.4), specificity of 86.1% (95% CI: 78.6; 91.7) and receiver‐operating characteristic curve area of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.732; 0.859) during validation with real cases, outperforming changes in weight or WFA z‐scores. The ANN, as an automated screening tool, could markedly improve the identification of children at risk of SAM using routinely collected WFA growth information.
Stomata on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces contribute differently to leaf gas exchange and photosynthesis in wheat
Authors: Wall Shellie , Vialet‐Chabrand Silvere , Davey Phillip , Van Rie Jeroen , Galle Alexander , Cockram James , Lawson Tracy 
Published: May 2022

Summary

Although stomata are typically found in greater numbers on the abaxial surface, wheat flag leaves have greater densities on the adaxial surface. We determine the impact of this less common stomatal patterning on gaseous fluxes using a novel chamber that simultaneously measures both leaf surfaces.

Using a combination of differential illuminations and CO2 concentrations at each leaf surface, we found that mesophyll cells associated with the adaxial leaf surface have a higher photosynthetic capacity than those associated with the abaxial leaf surface, which is supported by an increased stomatal conductance (driven by differences in stomatal density).

When vertical gas flux at the abaxial leaf surface was blocked, no compensation by adaxial stomata was observed, suggesting each surface operates independently. Similar stomatal kinetics suggested some co‐ordination between the two surfaces, but factors other than light intensity played a role in these responses.

Higher photosynthetic capacity on the adaxial surface facilitates greater carbon assimilation, along with higher adaxial stomatal conductance, which would also support greater evaporative leaf cooling to maintain optimal leaf temperatures for photosynthesis. Furthermore, abaxial gas exchange contributed c. 50% to leaf photosynthesis and therefore represents an important contributor to overall leaf gas exchange.
Role of Perforating Artery Pedicled Neurotrophic Flap in the Treatment of Compound Tissue Defect of Tibia Using the Ilizarov Technique
Authors: Wu Yuan‐jian , Zhang Yu‐bo , Hamushan Musha , Zhang Wen‐jun , Zhang Tao , Li Xu‐jun , Han Pei , Lou Teng‐fei 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveTo describe our experience with the combined use of pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis in the management of complex lower extremity injuries with composite bone and soft tissue defects and assess the functional and cosmetic results of this method.MethodsA pedicled flap with a marked perforator artery was applied for soft tissue coverage after radical debridement and temporary external fixation. In the second stage, the Ilizarov external fixator was used in place of the temporary external fixator for reconstruction of the segmental bone defect by distraction osteogenesis. Twenty‐five patients (16 men and nine women; mean age, 39.2 years) were treated by using this combined technique between 2008 and 2016. All cases were graded initially as Gustilo–Anderson grade IIIB open fractures. The soft tissue defect after radical debridement ranged from 9 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 11 cm, and the average size of segmental defect was 5.2 (Range, 2.5–8.5) cm. Seventeen of these patients had a history of local infection. The bone structure and function were evaluated by two independent evaluators using Paley's criteria.ResultsTwenty‐five patients were followed up for an average of 28.96 (Range, 15–48) months. The distally based sural neurovascular flap was applied in 13 patients, and the greater saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap in 12 patients. The flap area ranged from 10 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 12 cm. Sufficient coverage of soft tissue defect was achieved in all cases. All flaps survived completely without complications. The bone defects were corrected by a mean lengthening of 6.94 (Range, 4.5–9.5) cm. The residual discrepancy was <1 cm in all cases, which was not clinically significant. The function was evaluated as excellent in 12 patients and good in 13 patients. Bone results were graded as excellent in 18 patients and good in seven patients. Complications during treatment included pain, pin tract infections, ankle midfoot joint stiffness, and docking site nonunion. No recurrence of infection was observed in infected patients. All cases achieved successful limb salvage and satisfactory function recovery without recurrence of infection.ConclusionsThe combined technique of a perforator artery pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis is an effective alternative approach in the salvage treatment of massively traumatized and chronically infected lower extremities.