bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in accessory mental foramen frequency and number in extant hominoids
Authors: Robinson Chris , Yoakum Caitlin B. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNerves providing sensation to the lower face and jaw exit the mandibular canal via the mental foramen. In humans, there are many documented occurrences of additional foramina (accessory mental foramina, AMFs) on the lateral mandibular surface that may also contain nervous structures. There are large discrepancies in the literature regarding how often AMFs occur in humans, and investigations of non‐human hominoid AMFs are rare. Consequently, the causes of interspecific diversity in this variable have not been explored. This project seeks to compare the frequency and number of AMFs between males and females, and among human regional groups and hominoid subspecies and species, and to investigate possible causal factors for any differences identified. No significant differences were found between males and females in any group. Gorillas and orangutans had the highest percentages of individuals with AMFs and the highest mean number of foramina, while modern humans and siamangs had the lowest figures for these variables. Significant differences (p < .05) were found for the mean number of foramina between most pairs of species. The results also showed that species with mandibles that are larger overall, have a larger area anterior to mental foramen, and a longer mandibular canal typically present more AMFs. The strongest correlation was found between the mean number of mental foramina and mandibular canal length. We suggest that these results provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that increasing mandibular canal length increases the likelihood that that nerves will ramify, leading to greater frequencies of accessory mental foramina.
“Direct” and “Indirect” Effects of Histone Modifications: Modulation of Sterical Bulk as a Novel Source of Functionality
Authors: Krajewski Wladyslaw A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe chromatin‐regulatory principles of histone post‐translational modifications (PTMs) are discussed with a focus on the potential alterations in chromatin functional state due to steric and mechanical constraints imposed by bulky histone modifications such as ubiquitin and SUMO. In the classical view, PTMs operate as recruitment platforms for histone “readers,” and as determinants of chromatin array compaction. Alterations of histone charges by “small” chemical modifications (e.g., acetylation, phosphorylation) could regulate nucleosome spontaneous dynamics without globally affecting nucleosome structure. These fluctuations in nucleosome wrapping can be exploited by chromatin‐processing machinery. In contrast, ubiquitin and SUMO are comparable in size to histones, and it seems logical that these PTMs could conflict with canonical nucleosome organization. An experimentally testable hypothesis that by adding sterical bulk these PTMs can robustly alter nucleosome primary structure is proposed. The model presented here stresses the diversity of mechanisms by which histone PTMs regulate chromatin dynamics, primary structure and, hence, functionality.
Bakterielle Membranvesikel
Authors: Roth Tamara Heidi , Schumann Wolfgang 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungZellen aller drei Domänen des Lebens (Eukaryoten, Bakterien und Archaeen) produzieren und entlassen Membranvesikel, die von einer Lipid‐Doppelschicht umgeben sind. Diese sind meist sphärisch mit einem Durchmesser von 20–500 nm und können in ihrem Innern, dem Lumen, verschiedene Moleküle transportieren, die in ihrer Gesamtheit als Cargo bezeichnet werden. So enthalten sie in der Regel verschiedene Proteine, Polysaccharide und Metabolite, aber auch zusätzlich Nukleinsäuren (DNA, RNA) und manchmal fehlgefaltete Proteine. Sie spielen eine wichtige Rolle beim horizontalen Gentransfer und bei der Pathogenität. Außerdem können sie Phagenrezeptoren in Phagen‐resistente Zellen und nahe verwandte Spezies übertragen. Weltweit erforschen zahlreiche Firmen ihre Anwendung als Überträger von Impfstoffen beim Menschen. Zudem wird untersucht, inwieweit Membranvesikel bei der Genom‐Editierung eingesetzt werden können.
Der „Sekundenkleber“ der Stummelfüßer
Authors: Baer Alexander , de Sena Oliveira Ivo , Schmidt Stephan , Harrington Matthew J. , Mayer Georg 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungDer biologische Sekundenkleber der Stummelfüßer ist eine Quelle der Inspiration für die nachhaltige Produktion „intelligenter“ polymerbasierter Materialien. In der Natur jagen die Stummelfüßer ihre Beute mit dem proteinreichen Sekret, welches in der Lage ist, enorm belastbare Fasern zu bilden. Die Anleitung für diese Transformation ist in den Bausteinen programmiert und läuft selbstständig ohne jegliche Regulation durch den tierischen Körper ab. Elektrostatische Wechselwirkungen zwischen geladenen Proteinarealen und Ionen bewirken die Faltung, Zusammenlagerung (Koazervation) und Stabilisierung der Bausteine in nanoskopisch kleine Speicherpartikel. Mechanische Einwirkung von außen löst den Umwandlungsprozess zu reißfesten Fasern aus. Die Speicherpartikel verschmelzen, die Proteine entfalten sich teilweise und gehen miteinander starke Bindungen ein. Die physikalisch‐chemischen Prinzipien werden sich künftig extrahieren lassen und neue Wege der Biomaterialsynthese ermöglichen.
Utilization of novel systemic therapies for multiple myeloma: A retrospective study of front‐line regimens using the SEER‐Medicare data
Authors: Goto Daisuke , Khairnar Rahul , Yared Jean A. , Yong Candice , Romanus Dorothy , Onukwugha Eberechukwu , Slejko Julia F. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe landscape of treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) has significantly changed over the last decade due to novel agents that have shown superiority in efficacy such as proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) over traditional therapies. However, the real‐world utilization of these new agents has not been studied well. This study evaluated year‐to‐year changes in treatment choices in a cohort of patients aged 66 or older in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry linked with Medicare claims (SEER‐Medicare) data who were diagnosed with MM between 2007 and 2011. We identified 2477 symptomatic newly diagnosed patients who were followed for 6 months or more postdiagnosis and treated with systemic therapies but not with stem cell transplantation. Symptomatic patients were identified by evidence of hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, or bone lesions (CRAB criteria). The minimum follow‐up was imposed to ensure sufficient data to characterize treatment. Our analysis found that the proportion of treated patients increased from 75% in the 2007 cohort to 79% in the 2011 cohort. The share of PI‐based regimens including PI plus alkylating agents, PI plus IMiD, and PI‐only increased from 9% to 21%, 3% to 11%, and 16% to 22%, respectively, between 2007 and 2011. These findings translate to the share of PI‐based regimens having increased from 28% to 55% and that of IMiDs‐based regimens (excluding PI plus IMiD) having decreased from 43% to 27%. In conclusion, while the usage of PIs among elderly MM patients increased significantly replacing IMiD‐based regimens (with or without alkylating agents but not with PI) between 2007 and 2011, this significant shift did not increase the proportion of treated patients.
Desmoplastic melanoma: The role of pure and mixed subtype in sentinel lymph node biopsy and survival
Authors: Laeijendecker Annelien E. , El Sharouni Mary‐Ann , Sigurdsson Vigfús , van Diest Paul J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundDesmoplastic melanoma (DM) is an uncommon type of melanoma. Two histological subtypes of DM can be distinguished: pure and mixed (PDM and MDM). We hypothesized that discrimination between these subtypes is associated with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) status and survival.MethodsClinicopathological data from PALGA, the Dutch Pathology Register were retrieved from patients diagnosed with DM in The Netherlands between 2000 and 2014. Clinical and pathological variables were extracted from pathology text files, including pure or mixed desmoplastic morphology. A Cox proportional hazard model was performed for overall and recurrence‐free survival (OS and RFS).ResultsA total of 239 patients with DM were included, representing 0.4% of all primary cutaneous melanoma in The Netherlands. A total of 114 PDM and 125 MDM patients were identified. MDM was significantly associated with positive SLNB status (P = .035). In multivariable analysis, age (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07‐1.14, P < .001) and ulceration (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.05‐3.75, P = .036) were significant predictors for OS. For RFS, mixed subtype (HR 2.72 95% CI 1.07‐6.89, P = .035), male gender (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.03‐6.27, P = .043), and Breslow thickness (HR 1.13 per mm, 95% CI 1.05‐1.21, P = .001) were significant predictors.ConclusionMDM is significantly associated with a positive SLNB status. Mixed subtype is significantly correlated with RFS, but not with OS. The distinction between pure and mixed desmoplastic subtype therefore seems to be of clinical importance.
Pacemaker syndrome due to atrial lead fracture
Authors: Nguyen Thomas , Rinaldi Christopher Aldo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPacemaker syndrome signs and symptoms are shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, pulsations in the neck or abdomen, and cannon waves in the neck. Patients with pacemakers experiencing new respiratory or cardiac symptoms should undergo a chest X‐ray and a device interrogation in order to check lead integrity.
Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Urban Topsoil in Shenyang City, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhao Yueming , Adeel Muhammad , Liu Chunyue , Wang Yinggang , Luo Qing , Wu Hao , Sun Lina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSoil samples are collected from 74 sites in Shenyang city, northeast China, and the concentrations, spatial distribution, enrichment factors (EF), and potential ecological and human health risk (Er) of potentially toxic metals (Sr, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, and As) are investigated. The mean concentrations of potentially toxic metals in topsoil follow the order Sr > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As. Compared with 2011, the contamination magnitude has improved in 2017, but the pollution status still exists, especially for As and Cr. EF and the mean Er of potentially toxic metals decrease following the order As > Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr > Sr and As > Cu > Zn > Pb > Sr > Ni > Cr, suggesting that the potentially toxic metals in the topsoil of Shenyang city mainly come from natural sources, and the potential ecological risk for potentially toxic metals is low. There are potentially non‐carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, but they are not considered significant. For non‐carcinogenic health risks, oral ingestion is the main exposure pathway, and Cr and Pb are the major pollutants. Finally, As is found to be the main carcinogenic contamination metal.
On enhancing model‐based expectation maximization source separation in dynamic reverberant conditions using automatic Clifton effect
Authors: Gul Sania , Khan Muhammad Salman , Shah Syed Waqar , Lloret Jaime 
Published: December 2019

SummarySource separation algorithms based on spatial cues generally face two major problems. The first one is their general performance degradation in reverberant environments and the second is their inability to differentiate closely located sources due to similarity of their spatial cues. The latter problem gets amplified in highly reverberant environments as reverberations have a distorting effect on spatial cues. In this paper, we have proposed a separation algorithm, in which inside an enclosure, the distortions due to reverberations in a spatial cue based source separation algorithm namely model‐based expectation‐maximization source separation and localization (MESSL) are minimized by using the Precedence effect. The Precedence effect acts as a gatekeeper which restricts the reverberations entering the separation system resulting in its improved separation performance. And this effect is automatically transformed into the Clifton effect to deal with the dynamic acoustic conditions. Our proposed algorithm has shown improved performance over MESSL in all kinds of reverberant conditions including closely located sources. On average, 22.55% improvement in SDR (signal to distortion ratio) and 15% in PESQ (perceptual evaluation of speech quality) is observed by using the Clifton effect to tackle dynamic reverberant conditions.
Carbon sequestration and biodiversity co‐benefits of preserving forests in the western United States
Authors: Buotte Polly C. , Law Beverly E. , Ripple William J. , Berner Logan T. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractForest carbon sequestration via forest preservation can be a viable climate change mitigation strategy. Here, we identify forests in the western conterminous United States with high potential carbon sequestration and low vulnerability to future drought and fire, as simulated using the Community Land Model and two high carbon emission scenario (RCP 8.5) climate models. High‐productivity, low‐vulnerability forests have the potential to sequester up to 5,450 Tg CO2 equivalent (1,485 Tg C) by 2099, which is up to 20% of the global mitigation potential previously identified for all temperate and boreal forests, or up to ~6 yr of current regional fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, these forests currently have high above‐ and belowground carbon density, high tree species richness, and a high proportion of critical habitat for endangered vertebrate species, indicating a strong potential to support biodiversity into the future and promote ecosystem resilience to climate change. We stress that some forest lands have low carbon sequestration potential but high biodiversity, underscoring the need to consider multiple criteria when designing a land preservation portfolio. Our work demonstrates how process models and ecological criteria can be used to prioritize landscape preservation for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and preserving biodiversity in a rapidly changing climate.
Concealed truth: Modeling reveals unique Quaternary distribution dynamics and refugia of four related endemic keystone Abies taxa on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xiong Qinli , Halmy Marwa Waseem A. , Dakhil Mohammed A. , Pandey Bikram , Zhang Fengying , Zhang Lin , Pan Kaiwen , Li Ting , Sun Xiaoming , Wu Xiaogang , Xiao Yang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the factors driving the Quaternary distribution of Abies in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is crucial for biodiversity conservation and for predicting future anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems. Here, we collected Quaternary paleo‐, palynological, and phylogeographical records from across the TP and applied ecological niche models (ENMs) to obtain a profound understanding of the different adaptation strategies and distributional changes in Abies trees in this unique area. We identified environmental variables affecting the different historical biogeographies of four related endemic Abies taxa and rebuilt their distribution patterns over different time periods, starting from the late Pleistocene. In addition, modeling and phylogeographic results were used to predict suitable refugia for Abies forrestii, A. forrestii var. georgei, A. fargesii var. faxoniana, and A. recurvata. We supplemented the ENMs by investigating pollen records and diversity patterns of cpDNA for them. The overall reconstructed distributions of these Abies taxa were dramatically different when the late Pleistocene was compared with the present. All Abies taxa gradually receded from the south toward the north in the last glacial maximum (LGM). The outcomes showed two well‐differentiated distributions: A. fargesii var. faxoniana and A. recurvata occurred throughout the Longmen refuge, a temporary refuge for the LGM, while the other two Abies taxa were distributed throughout the Heqing refuge. Both the seasonality of precipitation and the mean temperature of the driest quarter played decisive roles in driving the distribution of A. fargesii var. faxoniana and A. recurvata, respectively; the annual temperature range was also a key variable that explained the distribution patterns of the other two Abies taxa. Different adaptation strategies of trees may thus explain the differing patterns of distribution over time at the TP revealed here for endemic Abies taxa.
Inferring responses to climate warming from latitudinal pattern of clonal hybridization
Authors: Monette Katherine , Leung Christelle , Lafond Joelle , Wittische Julian , Angers Bernard 
Published: December 2019

AbstractClimate warming may affect reproductive isolation between sympatric sister species by modifying reproductive phenology or mate choice. This is expected to result in a latitudinal progression of hybridization in response to the shifting of environmental conditions. The fish species northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos) and finescale dace (C. neogaeus) display a wide sympatric distribution in North America. The asexual reproduction of their hybrids allows determining where and when hybridization occurred. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to assess whether temperature affected reproductive isolation, and second, whether the effects of climate warming resulted in a latitudinal progression of hybridization. We performed a 500 km latitudinal survey (51 sites) in southeastern Quebec (Canada) and determined the distribution of clonal hybrid lineages. Results revealed a total of 78 hybrid lineages, including 70 which originated locally. We detected a significant difference between the southern and northern range of the survey in terms of the proportion of sites harboring local hybrids (20/23 vs. 8/28 sites, respectively) and hybrid diversity (57 vs. 13 lineages, respectively). This confirmed that there was more frequent interspecific mating in the warmest sites. In the southern range, diversity of lineages and simulations suggest that hybridization first took place (>7,000 years) in sites characterized by a longer growing season, followed by northerly adjacent sites (ca. 3,500–5,000 years). Moreover, evidence of hybridization occurring in present‐day time was detected. This suggests that the current warming episode is going beyond the limits of the previous warmest period of the Holocene.
Trend analysis of medical expenses in Shenzhen after China's new health‐care reforms
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Zhang Qilin , Xu Yong , Wu Xiaoyun , Wang Xiaofeng 
Published: December 2019

SummarySince China initiated new health‐care reforms in early 2009, a variety of measures have been implemented to slow the growth of medical expenses. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of controlling medical expenses. Based on inpatients' medical expenses at the largest tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, China, from 2009 to 2017, this study analyzed the changes in medical expenses and expense structures according to payment sources (insured or self‐financed), stratifying the medical expenses according to the ICD‐10 classification chapters of the principal diagnoses of the inpatients in two years (2009 and 2017) in order to control for confounding diseases. The results showed that mean inpatient expenses continued to rise from 2009 to 2017, and the expenses of the self‐financed group began to exceed those of the insured group after 2011. Drug and consumable expenses were still the main factors that affected inpatient expenses, and consumable expenses remarkably increased, becoming the highest proportion of expenses. New health‐care reforms were effective in controlling growing medical expenses for insured patients but did not make a significant difference in the expenses of self‐financed patients. The excessive use of consumables has become a new driver of growing medical expenses.
An Alternative Version of Purchasing Power Parity
Authors: Afat Dinçer , Frömmel Michael 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA vast literature on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) has evolved and PPP has become the most popular concept in international finance. PPP is applied with various price indices such as consumer price index, wholesale price index, etc. In this article, we introduce a revised version of PPP equation for financial products, which is strongly supported by our panel data analysis.
Enhanced nitrogen removal of low C/N wastewater using a novel microbial fuel cell (MFC) with Cupriavidus sp. S1 as a biocathode catalyst (BCS1)
Authors: Li Wenying , Liu Yuxiang , Wu Lijie , Ren Ruipeng , Lv Yongkang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn innovative microbial fuel cell (MFC) using Cupriavidus sp. S1 as the biocathode catalyst was developed to improve nitrogen removal from low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) wastewater.RESULTSThe desirable external resistance was 100 Ω in this study, with an optimal total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of 95.71%, and a maximum current density and power density of 7583.89 ± 318.11 mA m−3 and 932 mW m−3 at C/N = 2, respectively, which initially confirmed the ability of Cupriavidus sp. S1 to obtain electrons from the electrode. The maximum tolerance of the system at Rext of 100 Ω was C/N = 1, with a TN removal efficiency of 90.87%. Compared with the open circuit, the TN removal increased by approximately 21.60% and 52.02% at C/N = 2 and 1, respectively, which expanded the application area for the dominant denitrifying bacteria S1. Additionally, the system exhibits the obvious merits of less sludge production, low energy consumption and the recovery of some energy.CONCLUSIONBased on these results, domesticated Cupriavidus sp. S1 possesses electrochemical activity. Thus, the system has great potential for efficient and cost‐effective nitrogen removal from nitrate‐containing low C/N wastewater and energy recovery. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Hypothesis: determining phenotypic specificity facilitates understanding of pathophysiology in rare genetic disorders
Authors: Haijes Hanneke A. , Jaeken Jaak , van Hasselt Peter M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the rapidly growing group of rare genetic disorders, data scarcity demands an intelligible use of available data, in order to improve understanding of underlying pathophysiology. We hypothesize, based on the principle that clinical similarities may be indicative of shared pathophysiology, that determining phenotypic specificity could provide unsuspected insights in pathophysiology of rare genetic disorders. We explored our hypothesis by studying subunit deficiencies of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex, a subgroup of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). In this systematic data assessment, all 45 reported patients with COG‐CDG were included. The vocabulary of the Human Phenotype Ontology was used to annotate all phenotypic features and to assess occurrence in other genetic disorders. Gene occurrence ratios were calculated by dividing the frequency in the patient cohort over the number of associated genes, according to the Human Phenotype Ontology. Prioritisation based on phenotypic specificity was highly informative and captured phenotypic features commonly associated with glycosylation disorders. Moreover, it captured features not seen in any other glycosylation disorder, among which episodic fever, likely reflecting underappreciated other cellular functions of the COG complex. Interestingly, the COG complex was recently implicated in the autophagy pathway, as are more than half of the genes underlying disorders that present with episodic fever. This suggests that whereas many phenotypic features in these patients are caused by disrupted glycosylation, episodic fever might be caused by disrupted autophagy. Thus, we here demonstrate support for our hypothesis that determining phenotypic specificity could facilitate understanding of pathophysiology in rare genetic disorders.