bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Chenoweth Damaris A. , Schlaepfer Daniel R. , Chambers Jeanne C. , Brown Jessi L. , Urza Alexandra K. , Hanberry Brice , Board David , Crist Michele , Bradford John B. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn drylands, water‐limited regions that cover ~40% of the global land surface, ecosystems are primarily controlled by access to soil moisture and exposure to simultaneously hot and dry conditions. Quantifying ecologically relevant environmental metrics is difficult in drylands because the response of vegetation to moisture and temperature conditions is not easily explained solely by climate‐based metrics. To address this knowledge gap, we developed and examined 27 climate and ecological drought metrics across dryland areas of the western United States. Included in the 27 metrics is a suite of 19 largely new “ecological drought metrics” that are designed to quantify multiple aspects of environmental limitation in drylands, including overall growing conditions, seasonal fluctuations, seasonal moisture timing, exposure to extreme drought and recruitment potential for perennial plants. To quantify these metrics, we simulated water balance pools and fluxes of daily soil moisture at multiple depths with historical weather from 1970 to 2010 using the SOILWAT2 ecosystem water balance model. We assessed the relationships among these metrics and their spatial and temporal patterns. We found that the inclusion of ecological drought metrics substantially increased the dimensionality of the climate metrics dataset; the number of independent variables needed to explain 90% of the variance in the dataset increased with the addition of ecological drought metrics. Spatial patterns in overall growing conditions represented well‐known differences among ecoregions, for example, high temperatures and low precipitation in the southwest and cool temperatures and greater precipitation in the northeast. Seasonal fluctuation in soil water availability (SWA) was greatest in the southwest (Mojave Desert), whereas fluctuation in climatic water deficit (CWD) was greatest in the northwest (northern Great Basin and Columbia Plateau). Seasonal timing of moisture also differed among metrics; the timing of wet degree days (WDD), the timing of SWA and the timing of CWD were only weakly related to seasonal timing of precipitation. Plant recruitment metrics varied strongly across western drylands. In the Great Plains, recruitment events occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in the intermountain regions, where recruitment events were comparatively rare and short. These ecological drought metrics provide new insight into patterns of soil moisture and temperature that shape the structure and function of dryland ecosystems. The metrics will be useful for assessing the potential impact of climate change on dryland ecosystems and developing adaptive resource management strategies to sustain dryland ecosystem services in a changing world.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy: a brief summary on lipid toxicity
Authors: Ke Jiahan , Pan Jianan , Lin Hao , Gu Jun 
Published: November 2022

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious epidemic around the globe, and cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of deaths in patients with DM. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as a cardiac dysfunction derived from DM without the presence of coronary artery diseases and hypertension. Patients with either type 1 or type 2 DM are at high risk of developing DCM and even heart failure. Metabolic disorders of obesity and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic environments result in dyslipidaemia and subsequent lipid‐induced toxicity (lipotoxicity) in organs including the heart. Although various mechanisms have been proposed underlying DCM, it remains incompletely understood how lipotoxicity alters cardiac function and how DM induces clinical heart syndrome. With recent progress, we here summarize the latest discoveries on lipid‐induced cardiac toxicity in diabetic hearts and discuss the underlying therapies and controversies in clinical DCM.
Tissue adaptation of regulatory T cells in adipose tissue
Authors: Yu Yimeng , Bai Hongyu , Wu Fenglin , Chen Jieqiong , Li Bin , Li Yangyang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractFoxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells critically suppress over‐activated immune responses and therefore maintain immune homeostasis. Adipose tissue‐resident Treg (AT Treg) cells are known for modulating immunity and metabolism in adipose tissue microenvironment through various physiological signals, as well as their heterogeneous subsets, which potentially play disparate roles in aging and obesity. Recent single‐cell studies of Treg cells have revealed specialized trajectories of their tissue adaptation and development in lymphoid tissues and at barrier sites. Here, we reviewed a T Cell Receptor (TCR)‐primed environmental cue‐boosted model of adipose Treg cells’ tissue adaptation, especially in response to IL‐33, IFN‐α, insulin, and androgen signals, which trigger sophisticated transcriptional cascades and ultimately establish unique transcriptional modules in adipose Treg cell subsets. In addition, we further discuss potential therapeutic strategies against aging and obesity by blocking detrimental environmental cues, strengthening the functions of specific AT Treg subsets and modifying the communications between AT Treg subsets and adipocytes.
Facies analysis, depositional activity, and internal structure of sieve deposits on an active alluvial fan
Authors: Novak Andrej , Vrabec Marko , Popit Tomislav , Vižintin Goran , Šmuc Andrej 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSieve lobes typically appear in gravel‐rich and matrix‐poor alluvial fans. Despite being extensively studied, the sieve‐lobe facies has been defined largely based on qualitative field observations without quantitative sedimentological analyses. Additionally, depositional activity of sieve lobes has not been monitored over extended periods (monthly to annually) and not directly associated with specific precipitation triggers. Furthermore, the internal geometry of sieve‐lobe built alluvial fans has not yet been imaged by subsurface methods. We performed a multi‐method analysis of sieve lobes in the Julian Alps (NW Slovenia) on an alpine alluvial fan composed of carbonate gravels. We performed a detailed textural and structural sedimentological analysis of 11 recent sieve lobes differing in size and age. A three‐year aerial survey of the alluvial fan surface with a small unmanned aircraft and photogrammetric modelling was used to detect active sieve‐lobe evolution. Detected sieve‐lobe formation events and volumetric surface changes were paired with triggering precipitation events. Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) profiling depicted the geometry of the sieve‐lobe built alluvial fan. The sieve‐lobe facies consists of over 80% poorly sorted, open‐framework gravels and less than 2% mud. Lobes exhibit downward coarsening and increase in clast mean size. These textural and structural characteristics are present in all sieve lobes regardless of their age and size. Sieve lobes form with a sub‐annual frequency, usually following 24 h rainfall events exceeding 50 mm. Over 1000 m3 of sediment was deposited during these events. The GPR profiles confirm that the studied alluvial fan is formed predominantly by stacked sieve lobes. Quantitative sedimentary analysis of sieve lobes, monitoring of their recent evolution, and depiction of their subsurface geometry—demonstrated in this study—reinforce the challenged concept that sieve lobes are one of the main building blocks of alluvial fans. This work also demonstrates that, under specific conditions, sieving may become the dominant alluvial fan‐forming process.
Was the termination of the Jizera River meandering during the Late Holocene caused by anthropogenic or climatic forcing?
Authors: Elznicová Jitka , Kiss Timea , von Suchodoletz Hans , Bartyik Tamás , Sipos György , Lenďáková Zuzana , Fačevicová Kamila , Pavlů Ivana , Kovárník Jaromír , Matys Grygar Tomáš 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Jizera River in Czechia is a typical mid‐sized Central European watercourse. Its floodplain shows a morphological contrast between the laterally stable low‐sinuous current channel and preserved palaeomeanders. The aim of this paper was to date and explain the obvious metamorphosis of the channel pattern from meandering to low‐sinuous. We analysed the morphology of the lower river reach using a digital terrain model (DTM) and historical maps from the 1840s. Furthermore, the floodplain architecture was described based on the DTM, geophysical imaging (ground penetrating radar, GPR), sediment lithology and anthropogenic contamination using geochemical proxies, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The geochemical proxies were processed using log‐ratio methods from the compositional data analysis toolbox. According to our results the Jizera River showed signs of systematic lateral floodplain reworking during the Late Holocene with only minor aggradation, although parts of the catchment are covered by easily erodible loess. Interestingly, vertical aggradation did not show a significant increase during the last millennium. In the main study area, this limited vertical aggradation resulted in the preservation of palaeomeander fragments and palaeochannel belts with 100–200 m mean width in the 300–600 m wide floodplain, which are recognisable in the topography and in subsurface GPR imaging. This channel meandering took place between around 4 and 1.2 ka, and the transition towards the laterally stable modern channel with low sinuosity occurred around 1.2 ka. This timing indicates a climatic rather than anthropogenic impact, which was rather weak around that time. One likely cause for this transition was the influx of material from ravines incised into the sandstone valley edges during past climatic extremes. Subsequently, the re‐establishment of a meandering pattern was possibly prevented by a combination of low fluvial activity and the construction of weirs that reduced stream power.
A 7000‐year record of environmental change: Evolution of Holocene environment and human activities in the Hangjiahu Plain, the lower Yangtze, China
Authors: Zhao Chengshuangping , Mo Duowen , Yuxiang Jin , lu Peng , Bin Liu , Wang Ningyuan , Chen Minghui , Liao Yinan , Zhan Peng , Zhuang Yijie 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Hangjiahu Plain in the lower Yangtze is one of the core areas that sustained the flourishment of the Liangzhu Civilization. This study reconstructed Holocene environmental change on the Hangjiahu Plain based on a sediment core collected from the Tangqi ZK‐3 location situated on the low‐lying Hangzhou‐Taihu region of the Yangtze Delta. We applied OSL dating, grain size analysis, pollen analysis, and magnetic susceptibility to reconstruct Holocene environmental change and compared our data with other published results. Our results showed that (i) before ~7.0 ka B.P., the ZK‐3 core recorded a strong hydrodynamic force, resulting in the widespread deposition of light grayish silt clay or clayey silt in the region. The climate was warm and humid, and the vegetation was mixed evergreen deciduous coniferous forest. (ii) Between 7.0 and 6.0 ka B.P., the hydrodynamic condition in ZK‐3 core became weaker, and the climate remained warm and humid. Although most of the Hangjiahu Plain were still covered by the light grayish silt clay or clayey silt, some higher grounds began to emerge as sea‐level rise slowed, which coincided with the development of the Majiabang culture. (iii) Between 6.0 and 4.5 ka B.P., the deposition of yellowish silty clay indicates a shallow‐water hydrological environment at ZK‐3, as the regional water level was dropping while more land was emerging, which provided a favorable physical environment for the prosperity of the Songze and Liangzhu cultures. The period experienced a drier and cooler climate, with evidence of deforestation. (iv) Between 4.5 and 3.0 ka B.P., the sediments in the ZK‐3 core were dominated by light grayish clay, indicative of a return to a deep‐water environment with a prolonged waterlogging condition. The climate remained dry and cool with further deforestation. However, the widely distributed yellowish silt clay suggests frequent floods in the region, resulting in a sharp reduction of settlement sites and the eventual decline of the Liangzhu Civilization.
Rare Holocene sediment deposits from Sodmein Playa (Eastern Desert, Egypt)—Stratigraphic assessment and environmental setting
Authors: Henselowsky Felix , Klasen Nicole , Timms Rhys , White Dustin , Lincoln Paul , Blockley Simon , Kindermann Karin , Bubenzer Olaf 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSodmein Playa is one of the rare Pleistocene open‐air sites in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Based on the associated stone artefact material, it could be assigned to the Middle Stone Age/Last Interglacial. However, it has not yet been possible to clarify whether the sediments at the basin originated during the Pleistocene or later during Holocene wet phases. Our integrative approach combining Optically Stimulated Luminescence chronology, and cryptotephra analysis, allows us to link the environmental archive of Sodmein Playa with the site of Sodmein Cave. Sodmein Playa indicates wetter climate conditions starting around 9 ka with a (relative) maximum around 7 ka, in line with the general framework of the Holocene Humid Period in Northeast Africa. Despite the climatic similarity, regional environmental differences can still be identified and the effective available water around Sodmein Playa is reduced. The results are well integrated into the current archaeological knowledge with the change from hunter‐gatherers to herders during the Holocene in the area. Analyses of cryptotephra reveal a wide range of source regions, including Eastern and Central Anatolian, the Azores, and the Aegean, as well as those which remain uncorrelated. A tentative correlation with the Holocene cryptotephra record from Sodmein Cave is established.
Transient natural convective heat transfer and fluid flow in an undulated cavity: Effects of localized heat sources
Authors: Choudhary Pankaj , Ray Rajendra K. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this research work is to investigate two‐dimensional transient natural convective heat transfer and fluid flows in an undulated cavity by placing solid objects with isolated heated surfaces on the bottom wall. We discretize the coupled nonlinear transport equations using a higher‐order compact finite‐difference scheme. First, we test our scheme using existing experimental and numerical data. Then, we analyze the transient and steady‐state natural convective flow phenomena for distributed heat sources on corrugations on the lower wall for a range of the Rayleigh number and Prandtl number . These simulated outcomes are presented in the form of central‐line velocity , local and averaged Nusselt numbers, streamlines , dispersion of isotherms , and so forth. It is found that the transient fluid flow behavior is more magnificent than the steady‐state solutions and shows the dominant behavior of the prominent primary cells over secondary cells, where it influences the heat transfer rates inside the entire enclosure. In steady states, at high Rayleigh numbers; convection dominates, formation of thermal boundary layers, compression of isotherms, and stratification of isotherms are significantly observed. Our results show many interesting flow phenomena that have not been analyzed previously.
The flow of a Jeffrey fluid in a composite horizontal channel partially filled with a deformable porous material
Authors: Kumaraswamy Naidu K. , Sreenadh S. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe flow of a Jeffrey liquid in a composite deformable porous layer is examined. The Jeffrey model governs fluid flow in the free‐flow zone, while the theory of mixtures describes the fluid flow in the deformable porous region. The governing equations are transformed to dimensionless by using appropriate nondimensional quantities. The velocity field is achieved in both the clear flow and deformable porous regions. The displacement expression in the porous zone is also established. The results are discussed for various substantial parameters in detail. It is scrutinized that the flow rate accelerates with a rise in the Jeffrey parameter . Also, it is perceived that the flow rate is less for a Newtonian liquid than the non‐Newtonian Jeffrey liquid. The fluid momentum enhances by increasing the volume fraction of the fluid phase. It is found that the magnitude of skin friction at the clear flow region and porous region grows with an increase in the Jeffrey parameter . Furthermore, it is noticed that the wall shear stress is less for a Newtonian liquid when compared with non‐Newtonian Jeffrey liquid both in the free‐flow region as well as in the porous regions.
Forest stand complexity controls ecosystem‐scale evapotranspiration dynamics: Implications for landscape flux simulations
Authors: Leonard Rhoswen , Moore Paul , Krause Stefan , Chasmer Laura , Devito Kevin J. , Petrone Richard M. , Mendoza Carl , Waddington James Michael , Kettridge Nicholas 
Published: November 2022

AbstractOpen‐canopy forested systems are found across a range of terrestrial biomes. Forest structure and organization in open‐canopy systems exhibit substantial controls on system process dynamics such as evapotranspiration (ET). The energy reaching sub‐canopy forest layers is greater in open‐canopy systems compared to closed canopy systems, with high spatiotemporal variability in the distribution of energy that both drives ET and controls sub canopy species composition and organization. Yet the impact of their structural complexity and organization on whole system ET dynamics is poorly understood. Using the BETA+ model and measured eddy covariance‐based ET fluxes from a boreal treed peatland, we critically evaluate how stand compositional and organizational complexity influences ET dynamics. Model simulations iteratively increase complexity from a simple ‘big‐leaf’ model to a model representing spatial complexity of all system layers, demonstrating the effect of each complex system component on stand ET dynamics. We show that including forest stand complexity and associated canopy and radiation variability increases ET model estimates by ~26%. In addition to changes in the ET estimates, the inclusion of this spatial complexity is shown to induce temporal variations in the simulated ET that improves model performance by reducing unexplained variance between modelled and measured ET by 10% and reducing hysteresis in model results. These results have clear implications for flux modelling of forest systems and for larger scale climate models where open canopy systems such as this dominate the landscape. Demonstrating that whilst big leaf simulation can approximate ET fluxes, the inclusion of forest‐stand complexity and its influence on spatiotemporal radiation fluxes and ecohydrological processes are necessary to effectively represent ET dynamics within open canopies.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate creditworthiness: Evidence from the UK
Authors: Ftiti Zied , Jeriji Maher , Kammoun Sourour , Louhichi Waël , Zenaidi Amel 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis study investigates the way in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices are perceived by the U.K. bond market. In this respect, we distinguish between the two ambiguous subdimensions – that is, CSR disclosure and CSR performance. We analysed the association between CSR disclosure and the cost of corporate bonds by means of a multi‐theoretical framework combining economics with social theories. We also examine the moderating effect of the CSR performance on this relationship. We estimate a random‐effects GLS regression and random‐effects ordered probit regression using a sample of companies belonging to the FTSE 100 index during the 2013–2017 period. We find that bondholders and credit rating agencies incorporate CSR disclosure into their assessment and evaluation of the firms' creditworthiness. Mainly, our results show that bondholders encourage and value CSR reporting primarily for companies with weak CSR performance, but stop doing so once the company reach a certain level of CSR performance. We further examined each CSR disclosure subdimension and aspects of corporate creditworthiness through a disaggregated analysis. Both environmental and community relations disclosures are significant in corporate creditworthiness, whereas only responsibility disclosure is related to credit ratings. Finally, results highlight that disclosure of CSR information is especially relevant to financially healthy firms. Our findings have several implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers in understanding the consequences of CSR disclosure and CSR performance on bond markets and credit rating.
A case of mediastinal teratoma with malignant transformation into angiosarcoma and relapse with multiple bone metastases that was cured by a multidisciplinary treatment
Authors: Tani Masaru , Nagahara Akira , Takada Shingo , Fujita Kazutoshi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionComplete resection is essential for the treatment of teratoma with malignant transformation, and if metastasis occurs, it will be difficult to cure. We report a case of primary mediastinal teratoma with differentiation into angiosarcoma that caused bone metastases but was cured by multidisciplinary treatment.Case presentationA 31‐year‐old man with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor underwent primary chemotherapy followed by post‐chemotherapy resection, with angiosarcoma due to malignant transformation found in the surgical specimen. Femoral diaphyseal metastasis was manifested, and he underwent femur curettage followed by radiation therapy of 60 Gy in parallel with 4 cycles of chemotherapy combining gemcitabine and docetaxel. Although thoracic vertebral bone metastasis emerged 5 months after treatment, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy was successful, and metastatic lesions have remained shrunken for 39 months after treatment.ConclusionEven if complete resection is difficult, teratoma with malignant transformation may be cured by multidisciplinary treatment based on histopathology.
Why addressing digital inequality should be a priority
Authors: Imran Ahmed 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis article addresses the multifaceted and far‐reaching implications of digital inequality (DI), drawing upon emerging trends and examples. The aim is to sensitize policymakers, practitioners, and academics to issues surrounding DI and foster a common and deeper understanding among relevant stakeholders. While research has recognized digital inequality and its dimensions, it has not explicated its broader impact thoroughly, particularly in the current era of digital transformation. The information communication technology (ICT) domain has evolved significantly because of its strong interrelationship with many other sectors, encompassing critical issues such as ethics, inequality, leadership, social capital, governance, and management. There is still a considerable gap in understanding the complexities around digital inequality, which varies across different contexts. Reflecting on over 15 years of experience in information communication technology for development (ICT4D) as both a practitioner and researcher, the evolution of DI in terms of social transformation and its growing short‐ and long‐term implications are discussed. Strategies and pathways for the future are presented, grouped into six areas: a call for a renewed philosophical shift and campaign for digital equality, policy interventions, inclusive technology solutions and services, holistic human capacity building, the universities' role, and the need for a multi‐disciplinary approach to address DI.