bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
North American Boreal Forests Are a Large Carbon Source Due to Wildfires From 1986 to 2016
Authors: Zhao Bailu , Zhuang Qianlai , Shurpali Narasinha , Köster Kajar , Berninger Frank , Pumpanen Jukka 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Wildfires are a major disturbance to forest carbon (C) balance through both immediate combustion emissions and post-fire ecosystem dynamics. Here we use a process-based biogeochemistry model, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM), to simulate C budget in Alaska and Canada during 1986-2016, as impacted by fire disturbances. We extracted the data of difference Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) for fires from Landsat TM/ETM imagery and estimated the proportion of vegetation and soil C combustion. We observed that the region is a C source of 2.74 Pg C during the 31-year period. The observed C loss, 57.1 Tg C yr-1, was attributed to fire emissions, overwhelming the net ecosystem production (1.9 Tg C yr-1) in the region. Our simulated during-fire emissions for Alaska and Canada are within the range of field measurements and other model estimates. As burn severity increases, combustion emission tended to switch from vegetation origin towards soil origin. When dNBR is below 300, fires increase soil temperature and decrease soil moisture and thus, enhance soil respiration. However, the opposite trend was found under moderate or high burn severity. The proportion of post-fire soil emission in total emissions increased with burn severity. Net nitrogen mineralization gradually recovered after fire, enhancing net primary production. Net ecosystem production recovered fast under higher burn severities. The impact of fire disturbance on the C balance of northern ecosystems and the associated uncertainties can be better characterized with long-term, prior, during- and post-disturbance data across the geospatial spectrum. Our findings suggest that the regional source of carbon to the atmosphere will persist if the observed forest wildfire occurrence and severity continues into the future.
Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Changes and Visual Acuity Among Palestinian Retinitis Pigmentosa Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shalabi Orjowan , Nazzal Zaher , Natsheh Muath , Erakat Salam , Michaelides Michel , Ghanem Muyassar , Alsanian Alice , Alswaity Yehia , AlTalbishi Alaa 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited ocular diseases that result in progressive retinal degeneration. This study aims to describe different Swept-source Optical Coherence Tomographic (SS-OCT) changes in Palestinian RP patients and to explore possible correlations with Visual Acuity (VA)Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Retinitis Pigmentosa patients diagnosed with RP in a tertiary eye hospital. Full history and ocular examination were made. SS-OCT imaging was done for all eyes assessing the presence of cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, macular holes, and external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone status. Also, central macular thickness and choroidal vascular thickness were measured.Results: the study was run on 161 eyes of 81 patients; 53 males and 28 females. The average age at examination was 26.1 (6-78) years. Twenty-six eyes (16.1%) were of syndromic RP patients, mostly Usher syndrome; 20 eyes (12.4%). The mean LogMAR BCVA of the study sample was 0.66 ±0.7. The most prevalent change was cystoid macular edema [28 eyes, (17.4 %)], followed by epiretinal membrane [17eye, (10.6%)]. A macular hole was noted only in one eye (0.6%). Ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane were absent in 55 eyes (35.0%) and 60 eyes 37.5%. Vitreous hyperreflective foci were found in 35 eyes (43.8%). LogMAR of BCVA was associated significantly with cystoid macular edema (p=0.001), ellipsoid zone(p=0.001), and external limiting membrane (p=0.001). Conclusions: Detailed SS-OCT assessment in Palestinian patients diagnosed with RP identified different morphologies from other populations. Cystoid macular edema and vitreous hyperreflective foci may reflect signs of early or intermediate stages of the disease. Disease progression can be monitored by measuring the length/width (area) of ellipsoid zone +/- external limiting membrane and choroidal vascular thickness, which should be evaluated serially using high-resolution OCT.
Systems-wide Effects of Short-term Feed Deprivation in Obese Mice
Authors: Andersen Daniel , Roager Henrik , Zhang Li , Moll Janne , Frandsen Henrik , Danneskiold-Samsøe Niels , Hansen Axel , Kristiansen Karsten , Licht Tine , Brix Susanne 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
While prolonged fasting induces significant metabolic changes in humans and mice, less is known about systems-wide metabolic changes in response to short-term feed deprivation, which is used in experimental animal studies prior to metabolic challenge tests, and hence, information on the effects of varying length of feed deprivation is warranted. We here performed a systems biology-based investigation of connections between gut bacterial composition and function, inflammatory and metabolic parameters in the intestine, liver, visceral adipose tissue, blood and urine in obese mice that were feed deprived for varying durations up to 12 hours. The systems-wide analysis revealed that increased duration of feed deprivation linked to enhanced intestinal butyric acid production and expression of the gene encoding the pro-thermogenic uncoupling protein UCP1 in visceral adipose tissue of obese mice. Ucp1 expression was also positively associated with Il33 expression in ileum, colon and adipose tissue as well as with the abundance of colonic Porphyromonadaceae, the latter also correlating to cecal butyric acid levels. Collectively, the data highlighted presence of a three-tiered system of inter-tissue communication involving intestinal, immune and metabolic functions which is affected by the duration of feed deprivation in obese mice, thus pointing to careful use of short-feed deprivation in metabolic studies using mice.
Dental Caries Thresholds among Adolescents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2013 at 12, and 15 years: Implications for Epidemiology and Clinical Care
Authors: Wang Xiaozhe , Bernabe Eduardo , Pitts Nigel , Zheng Shuguo , Gallagher Jennifer 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundDental caries is the most prevalent condition globally. Despite improvements over the past few decades, there remains a significant disease burden in childhood. Epidemiological surveys provide insight to disease patterns and trends, have traditionally focused on obvious decay which are inconsistent with contemporary clinical criteria. This study examined the distribution of dental caries in 12- and 15-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, by severity threshold, at surface, tooth and child level and explored its association with socioeconomic, psychological and behavioural factors. MethodsData from 12- and 15-year-olds in the 2013 Children’s Dental Health Survey (CDHS 2013) were analysed at three levels, taking account of dental caries thresholds which involved recording both clinical decay (visual enamel caries (AV) and above) and obvious decay (non-cavitated dentine lesions (2V) and above). Negative binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with dental caries experience at both thresholds. Results The prevalence and severity of dental caries experience was higher among 15-year-olds at all levels. Lesions in AV were by far the most common stage of caries recorded in both ages. The average number of surfaces with obvious decay experience, which has been the traditional epidemiological threshold, in 12- and 15-year-olds was 2.3 and 3.9 respectively. The corresponding values under the clinical decay threshold were higher, at 3.9 and 5.9 respectively. Visualisation of the distribution of dental caries at surface/tooth-level exhibited left:right symmetry and to a lesser extent upper:lower. In the adjusted models for both ages, country/region, school type, area deprivation, high frequency sugar consumption and irregular dental attendance were associated with greater caries experience in both groups. Dental anxiety was inversely associated with caries experience among 15-year-olds. ConclusionThis research highlights the importance of recognising dental caries patterns by surface, tooth and child-level amongst adolescents and the value of reporting dental caries distribution by threshold in epidemiological surveys and its relevance for clinical care. Inclusion of enamel caries reveals the extent of caries management required at a point when non-invasive care is possible, emphasising the importance of prevention in primary care.
Quantum Paradigm of the Foldover Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Bunkov Y. , Kuzmichev A. , Safin T. , Vetoshko P. , Belotelov V. , Tagirov M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The explosive development of quantum magnonics requires considering several previously known effects from a new angle. In this article, we revise the phenomenon of "foldover" (bi-stable) magnetic resonance from the point of view of quantum magnonics. The density of magnons under strong excitation can exceed the critical value for the formation of a magnon Bose condensate. Under these conditions, the effect of quantum transport of magnons should be considered. In particular, the effect of spin superfluidity, discovered earlier in super fluid 3He should lead to spatial redistribution of the precessing magnetization. Our experimental results confirm a significant change in properties of the foldover magnetic resonance in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) due to superfluid magnetization transport. This discovery paves the way for many quantum applications of supermagnonics, such as magnetic Josephson effect, long-distance spin transport, Q-bit, quantum logics, magnetic sensors, and others.
A Decellularized Human Corneal Scaffold for Anterior Corneal Surface Reconstruction
Authors: Polisetti Naresh , Schmid Anke , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Maier Philip , Lang Stefan , Steinberg Thorsten , Schlunck Günther , Reinhard Thomas 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Allogenic transplants of the cornea are prone to rejection, especially in repetitive transplantation and in scarred or highly vascularized recipient sites. Patients with these ailments would particularly benefit from the possibility to use non-immunogenic decellularized tissue scaffolds for transplantation, which may be repopulated by host cells in situ or in vitro. So, the aim of this study was to develop a fast and efficient decellularization method for creating a human corneal extracellular matrix scaffold suitable for repopulation with human cells from the corneal limbus. To decellularize human donor corneas, sodium deoxycholate, deoxyribonuclease I, and dextran were assessed to remove cells and nuclei and to control tissue swelling, respectively. We evaluated the decellularization effects on the ultrastructure, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of the human cornea. Scaffold recellularization was studied using primary human limbal epithelial cells, stromal cells, and melanocytes in vitro and a lamellar transplantation approach ex vivo. Our data strongly suggest that this approach allowed the effective removal of cellular and nuclear material in a very short period of time while preserving extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans, tissue structure, and optical transmission properties. In vitro recellularization demonstrated good biocompatibility of the decellularized human cornea and ex vivo transplantation revealed complete epithelialization and stromal repopulation from the host tissue. Thus, the generated decellularized human corneal scaffold could be a promising biological material for anterior corneal reconstruction in the treatment of corneal defects.
Metal Doped Layered MgB2 Nanoparticles as Novel Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting
Authors: Sadeghi Ebrahim , Peighambardoust Naeimeh , Khatamian Masoumeh , Unal Ugur , Aydemir Umut 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Growing environmental problems along with the galloping rate of population growth have raised an unprecedented challenge to look for an ever-lasting alternative source of energy for fossil fuels. The eternal quest for sustainable energy production strategies has culminated in the electrocatalytic water splitting process integrated with renewable energy resources. The successful accomplishment of this process is thoroughly subject to highly efficient, earth-abundant, and cost-effective electrocatalysts to drive the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), preferably, in the same electrolyte. The present contribution has been dedicated to studying the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of newfangled electrocatalysts with the formal composition of Mg1-xTmxB2 (x = 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1; Tm (transition metal) = Fe and Co) primarily in HER as well as OER under 1 M KOH medium. The electrochemical tests revealed that among all the metal-doped MgB2 catalysts, Mg0.95Co0.05B2 has the best HER performance showing an overpotential of 470 mV at -10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope of 80 mV dec-1 on account of its high purity and fast electron transport. Further investigation shed some light on the fact that Fe concentration and overpotential for HER have adverse relation meaning that the highest amount of Fe doping (x = 0.1) displayed the lowest overpotential. This contribution introduces not only highly competent electrocatalysts composed of low-cost precursors for the water-splitting process but also a facile scalable method for the assembly of highly porous electrodes paving the way for further stunning developments in the field.
Genomic Prediction for Growth Using Low-Density SNP Panel in Dromedary Camels
Authors: Sani Morteza Bitaraf , Harofte Javad Zare , Banabazi Mohammad Hossein , Esmaeilkhanian Saeid , Naderi Ali Shafei , Salim Nader , Teimoori Abbas , Bitaraf Ahmad , Zadehrahmani Mohammad , Burger Pamela , Landi Vincenzo , Silawi Mohammad , Sheshdeh Afsaneh Taghipour , Faghihi Mohammad Ali 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
For thousands of years, camels have produced meat, milk, and fiber in harsh desert conditions. For a sustainable development to provide protein resources from desert areas, it is necessary to pay attention to genetic improvement in camel breeding. By using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method we produced over 14,500 genome wide markers to conduct a genome- wide association study (GWAS) for investigating the birth weight, daily gain, and body weight of 96 dromedaries in the Iranian central desert. A total of 99 SNPs were associated with birth weight, daily gain, and body weight (p-value < 0.002). Genomic breeding values (GEBVs) were estimated with the BGLR package using (i) all 14,522 SNPs and (ii) the 99 SNPs by GWAS. Twenty-eight SNPs located in 36 candidate genes were associated with birth weight, daily gain, and body weight (p-value < 0.001). The accuracy of GEBVs was more than 0.65 based on all 14,522 SNPs, but the regression coefficients for birth weight, daily gain, and body weight were 0.39, 0.20, and 0.23, respectively. Because of low sample size, the GEBVs were predicted using the associated SNPs from GWAS. The accuracy of GEBVs based on the 99 associated SNPs was 0.62, 0.82, and 0.57 for birth weight, daily gain, and body weight. This report is the first GWAS using GBS on dromedary camels and identifies markers associated with growth traits that could help to plan breeding program to genetic improvement. Further researches using larger sample size and collaboration of the camel farmers and more profound understanding will permit verification of the associated SNPs identified in this project. The preliminary results of study show that genomic selection could be the appropriate way to genetic improvement of body weight in dromedary camels, which is challenging due to a long generation interval, seasonal reproduction, and lack of records and pedigrees.
Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Older Women with Early Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study in China
Authors: Liu Xu , Zheng Dan , Wu Yanqi , Luo Chuanxu , Fan Yu , Zhong Xiaorong , Zheng Hong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite the proportion of elderly breast cancer patients has been consistently increasing, the optimal treatment modalities for this population have not been well explored. We summarized the treatment outcomes of these patients in our hospital.Methods: Older patients with early breast cancer were identified from the Breast Cancer Information Management System at West China Hospital, Sichuan University (2000-2019). We compared tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes between the control group (65-74 years old) and the elderly group (≥75 years old). The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were conducted to determine significant prognostic factors.Results: In total, 1094 patients were included. The median follow-up time for this cohort was 59 months. The majority of patients underwent surgery and benefited from surgical treatment. Elderly group patients were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) compared to the control group. However, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.284-0.955, P=0.035). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with grade III disease best benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy. PMRT offered a significant improvement in local disease control, but not in OS. Furthermore, endocrine therapy improved the OS of HR-positive patients (HR 0.440, 95%CI 0.261-0.741, P=0.002), especially for cases aged 65-74 years. Also, receipt of trastuzumab in HER2-positive patients was associated with better OS (HR 0.168, 95%CI 0.029-0.958, P=0.045).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, endocrine and targeted therapy are associated with improved OS in older breast cancer patients. Moreover, clinicopathological characteristics should be comprehensively considered when making treatment decisions for these patients.
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Rural Population of the Northern Part of the Persian Gulf
Authors: Marzban Maryam , Kalantarhormozi Mohammadreza , Mahmudpour Mehdi , Ostovar Afshin , Keshmiri Saeed , Darabi Amir , khajeian Abdolmohammad , Bolkheir Amirreza , Amini Azam , Nabipour Iraj 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that vitamin D deficiency has been increased globally since the last two decades. However, the majority of these studies concerned on cities and there is scant information regarding the prevalence of vitamin D in rural areas. The main aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated risk factors among rural population in Bushehr province which has the longest border with the Persian Gulf.Methods: The rural inhabitants with ≥25 years old from three mountainous, plain, and seashore areas of Bushehr province were selected through a stratified multi-cluster random sampling method. After obtaining the participants’ demographic and anthropometric data and their past medical history, serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D was measured using ELISA.Results: A total of 1806 (means±SD, 46.30± 14.22 years old) rural subjects (34.84% males and 64.88%) participated in this study. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency were 27.87%, 50.39% and 21.74%, respectively. The deficiency of vitamin D in women was higher than men (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.54, P=0.040). There was a positive significant correlation between age and serum vitamin D levels. Men with vitamin D deficiency had higher BMI (P=0.008); this association was not observed among women (P=0.74). There was no significant difference between the food items consumption frequencies, and vitamin D status (P>0.05). The mountainous, and plain areas had the highest and lowest vitamin D levels, respectively.Conclusion: Although, Bushehr province is located in a sunny part of Iran, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high among its rural population. The shift of their life styles patterns and rapid industrialization in these rural areas may be responsible. Therefore, the enrichment of dietary sources with vitamin D and the use of vitamin D supplements are recommended to tackle the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the rural population of the northern part of the Persian Gulf.
Bioconjugate Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Using Juglans Regia Leaves Extract: Phytochemical Analysis, Optical Activity, Removal of Ciprofloxacin and Congo Red From Water
Authors: TAJ Muhammad , Alkahtani Muneera , Raheel Ahmad , Shabbir Saima , Fatima Rida , Aroob Sadia , Noor Sadia , Ahmad Raja , Alshater Heba 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In recent years, the biogenic synthesis of nanoparticle received enormous attention due to simple and eco-friendly path. Here in Jr.NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized first time using the leave extract of Juglans regia via a straightforward process. The physio and phytochemical analysis of plant confirm the presence of macromolecules which function as bio-reductant and stabilize the nanoparticles. The Jr.NiFe2O4 NPs were characterized by UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopy, PXRD pattern, SEM and TGA/ DTA analysis. The nanoparticles proved to be optically active having a value of indirect bandgap of energy in the range of 1.53 eV. Besides, the ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Congo red (CR) degradation ability of Jr.NiFe2O4 NPs were also discussed. It is seen that the highest degradation rate was acquired for CIP using pH = 3, at 254 nm, while 85 % of removal rate was analysed for CR. The kinetic studies in case of CR removal followed pseudo-first-order. Overall, these data recommend an innovative inspiring application of a plant-mediated synthesis of Jr.NiFe2O4 NPs.
Rapid and simple SNP genotyping for Bordetella pertussis epidemic strain MT27 based on a multiplexed single-base extension assay
Authors: Kamachi Kazunari , Yao Shu-Man , Chiang Chuen-Sheue , Koide Kentaro , Otsuka Nao , Shibayama Keigo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is widely used for genotyping of Bordetella pertussis, the causative bacteria for pertussis. However, MLVA genotyping is losing its discriminate power because prevalence of the epidemic MT27 strain (MLVA-27) is increasing worldwide. To address this, we developed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method for MT27 based on multiplexed single-base extension (SBE) assay. A total of 237 MT27 isolates collected in Japan during 1999−2018 were genotyped and classified into ten SNP genotypes (SG1 to SG10) with a Simpson’s diversity index (DI) of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.76–0.82). Temporal trends showed a marked increase in the genotypic diversity in the 2010s: Simpson’s DI was zero in 1999–2004, 0.16 in 2005–2009, 0.83 in 2010–2014, and 0.76 in 2015–2018. This indicates that the SNP genotyping is applicable to the recently circulating MT27 strain. Additionally, almost all outbreak-associated MT27 isolates were classified into the same SNP genotypes for each outbreak. Multiplexed SBE assay allows for rapid and simple genotyping, indicating that the SNP genotyping can potentially be a useful tool for subtyping the B. pertussis MT27 strain in routine surveillance and outbreak investigations.