bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Instability of Surface Quasigeostrophic Spatially Periodic Flows
Authors: Kalashnik M. V. , Kurgansky M. V. , Kostrykin S. V. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe surface quasigeostrophic (SQG) model is developed to describe the dynamics of flows with zero potential vorticity in the presence of one or two horizontal boundaries (Earth surface and tropopause). Within the framework of this model, the problems of linear and nonlinear stability of zonal spatially periodic flows are considered. To study the linear stability of flows with one boundary, two approaches are used. In the first approach, the solution is sought by decomposing into a trigonometric series, and the growth rate of the perturbations is found from the characteristic equation containing an infinite continued fraction. In the second approach, few-mode Galerkin approximations of the solution are constructed. It is shown that both approaches lead to the same dependence of the growth increment on the wavenumber of perturbations. The existence of instability with a preferred horizontal scale on the order of the wavelength of the main flow follows from this dependence. A similar result is obtained within the framework of the SQG model with two horizontal boundaries. The Galerkin method with three basis trigonometric functions is also used to study the nonlinear dynamics of perturbations, described by a system of three nonlinear differential equations similar to that describing the motion of a symmetric top in classical mechanics. An analysis of the solutions of this system shows that the exponential growth of disturbances at the linear stage is replaced by a stage of stable nonlinear oscillations (vacillations). The results of numerical integration of full nonlinear SQG equations confirm this analysis.
The Impact of Grants on Homeowner Decisions to Retrofit to Reduce Hurricane-Induced Wind and Flood Damage
Authors: Chiew Esther , Davidson Rachel A. , Trainor Joseph E. , Nozick Linda K. , Kruse Jamie L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn increasing number of national, state, and local programs have offered grants or other monetary incentives to encourage homeowners to retrofit their homes to reduce damage from natural hazard events. Despite this fact, little is known about how these offerings influence a homeowner’s decision to carry out such structural retrofits. This paper studies the impact that different grant program designs in particular have on the decision to undertake different types of retrofits to mitigate against hurricane damage. Using data from a survey of homeowners in the eastern half of North Carolina, we implement a mixed logit model that allows for the combination of both revealed-preference and stated-preference data available from the survey. Our findings show that offering a grant results in households being, on average, 3 times as likely to retrofit as when a grant is not offered. In addition, both the percentage of retrofit cost and the maximum dollar amount covered by the grant have a substantial impact on the probability that households choose to retrofit. Living closer to the coastline also has a significant impact on the probability that households will choose to retrofit. Counter to some previous research, we find that households who have experienced two or more hurricanes are less likely to choose to retrofit their homes. From our research, we find that the percentage of retrofit cost covered by the grant and the total cost are both important factors when deciding on the best grant program configuration.
Factors influencing cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional clinical study
Authors: Xiong Nanqing , Shen Jun , Wu Bangwei , Yan Pingping , Shi Haiming , Li Jian , Luo Xinping 
Published: October 2019

Background The factors that influence cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. Methods This study involved an AF group and control group (normal sinus rhythm) of 150 patients each. Cognitive function was assessed with the adjusted Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSEadj) score and Memory and Executive Screening (MES) score. The relationship between cognitive function and the CHA2DS2VASc score was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed according to stroke history. Clinical factors affecting the MMSE score were screened by logistic regression analysis. Results Baseline data were similar between the two groups. The MMSEadj and MES scores were significantly lower in the AF than control group; the mean MMSEadj score in the AF non-stroke subgroup and control non-stroke subgroup was 26.2 ± 2.7 and 27.9 ± 2.0, respectively. In non-stroke patients with AF, the MMSEadj and MES scores were negatively correlated with the CHA2DS2VASc score. Factors significantly influencing the MMSE score in these patients were age, education, smoking history, NT-proB-type natriuretic peptide, hemoglobin, and anticoagulation. Conclusion AF is associated with cognitive dysfunction regardless of stroke history. High CHA2DS2VASc scores are associated with impaired cognitive function. Factors influencing cognitive function in non-stroke patients with AF are age, education, smoking history, NT-proB-type natriuretic peptide, hemoglobin, and anticoagulation.
Comparative assessment of individual RONS in serum of smokers compared with non-smokers and their correlation with the lipid profile and antioxidant status
Authors: Khojah Hani MJ , Ahmed Sameh A 
Published: October 2019

Objective Cigarette smoking generates free radicals, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that contribute to many diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of individual RONS in serum from smokers and non-smokers, and to examine their impact on lipid profiles and the endogenous antioxidant status, which is represented by vitamins C and E. Methods Ninety-four healthy Egyptian volunteers (48 smokers and 46 non-smokers) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected and analysed for common haematological tests, lipid profiles, and serum antioxidants. Six reactive oxygen species and three reactive nitrogen species were measured. Results A significant increase in radical levels was observed, as well as significant increases in haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, platelet count, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in smokers compared with non-smokers. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly reduced in smokers compared with non-smokers. A moderate negative correlation was found between serum levels of vitamins C and E and O2–•, HO•, H2O2, NO•, and ONO•, reflecting a negative impact of elevated RONS levels on the endogenous antioxidant status. Conclusion These results may increase our understanding of the pathological role of smoking in several diseases.
Patients’ survival rates and their correlated factors in the prehospital setting of a dust explosion incident
Authors: Lin Hui‐An , Wang Tsung‐Hsi , Kao Wei‐Fong , Chao Chun‐Chieh 
Published: October 2019

Background:Triage plays a critical role in mass casualty incidents by optimizing the use of medical resources. The Formosa Fun Coast (Baxian Water Park) dust explosion incident in 2015 revealed the lack of resources in the Taiwanese medical system to handle large‐scale burn and scald casualties; however, this incident resulted in only 3% mortalities (15/499) by the end of 2015.Objective:This study aims to examine the key features and correlated factors of the prehospital setting in 15 mortalities.Materials and methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled all patients from the Formosa Fun Coast incident (N = 499). The follow‐up period was from 27 June to 31 December 2015. We first examined the correlation between patient survival and various variables and then tested the correlation between survival‐correlated variables and the level of hospitals that provided treatment.Results:The survivor and nonsurvivor groups shared similar distributions of all study variables. Emergency medical technician performed the triage assessment, and the Baux score correlated with patient survival. This study further tested whether the hospital level correlated with the emergency medical technician–performed triage assessment or Baux score. A chi‐square test revealed that the emergency medical technician–performed triage assessment and Baux score correlated with patient survival, thereby indirectly affirming the planning, training, and auditing of the Taiwanese emergency medical technician system.Conclusion:The lack of the effect of the hospital level on patient mortality indicated that mortality might be related to the severity of burn injury rather than the level of hospital chosen for initial treatment, besides being related to a satisfactory emergency medical technician–performed triage system.
Worth changing? Clinical effects of switching treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration from intravitreal ranibizumab and aflibercept to bevacizumab in a region in southern Sweden
Authors: Bro Tomas , Hägg Staffan 
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To examine the clinical effects of switching intravitreal drug treatment from the approved vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, ranibizumab and aflibercept, to off label use of bevacizumab in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. Methods: This retrospective study scrutinized medical records of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration who switched therapy to bevacizumab due to a policy decision. Best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and number of injections before and 1 year after the switch was compared. The non-inferiority margin of best corrected visual acuity was five Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters. Results: A switch from ranibizumab was evaluable in 93 eyes and from aflibercept in 19 eyes. Neither of the groups had a significant non-inferior visual acuity 16 month after the switch. Mean best corrected visual acuity in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters was 63.8 (95% confidence interval: 61.3–66.4) before and 62.2 (95% confidence interval: 59.3–65.1) after in the ranibizumab group and 68.2 (95% confidence interval: 63.3–73.1) before and 67.7 (95% confidence interval: 62.8–72.6) after in the aflibercept group. Mean central retinal thickness in micrometers decreased from 254 (95% confidence interval: 247–261) to 250 (95% confidence interval: 225–275) in the ranibizumab group and from 265 (95% confidence interval: 255–276) to 262 (95% confidence interval: 251–273) in the aflibercept group. The treatment was changed again after the switch in 18% of the patients in the ranibizumab group and 19% in the aflibercept group and these subjects were excluded from the analyses. Conclusion: In patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a switch from ranibizumab or aflibercept to bevacizumab seems possible without a significant decrease in visual acuity in most patients.
Physical and mechanical properties of composites made from bamboo and woody wastes in Taiwan
Authors: Chung Min Jay , Wang Sheng Yang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This study investigated the physical and mechanical properties of six groups of bamboo–wood composites (BWC) made from bamboo and wood wastes, which are produced from the industry processing in Taiwan. Results obtained from non-destructive testing (NDT) indicated that the boards made with 100% bamboo residues (Group B) revealed higher ultrasonic-wave velocity (Vu) and tap tone sound velocity (Vt) than other BWC boards. Both Vu and Vt of composite boards were proportional to the ratio of bamboo residues contains. Three-layer composites made with bamboo/wood/bamboo residues at 1:2:1 ratio (Group B/2W/B) had the highest specific strength as well as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) among all the composites. B/2W/B composite board had structural characteristics similar to those of medium-density fiberboards (MDF) and particleboards; thus, it might have better compression resistance than other types of boards. B/2W/B composite board also had the highest screw holding strength (SHS); next was the boards composed entirely of woody wastes (Group W). The results obtained from analysis of water absorption rate (WA%) show a positive correlation with porous bamboo contents; meanwhile, wood chips have higher water-absorption swelling rate than bamboo residues. Hence, it showed greater change in thickness swelling coefficient (TS%) and volume swelling coefficient (S%).
Identification of genomic regions regulating sex determination in Atlantic salmon using high density SNP data
Authors: Gabián María , Morán Paloma , Fernández Ana I. , Villanueva Beatriz , Chtioui Amel , Kent Matthew P. , Covelo-Soto Lara , Fernández Almudena , Saura María 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundA complete understanding of the genetic basis for sexual determination and differentiation is necessary in order to implement efficient breeding schemes at early stages of development. Atlantic salmon belongs to the family Salmonidae of fishes and represents a species of great commercial value. Although the species is assumed to be male heterogametic with XY sex determination, the precise genetic basis of sexual development remains unclear. The complexity is likely associated to the relatively recent salmonid specific whole genome duplication that may be responsible for certain genome instability. This instability together with the capacity of the sex-determining gene to move across the genome as reported by previous studies, may explain that sexual development genes are not circumscribed to the same chromosomes in all members of the species. In this study, we have used a 220 K SNP panel developed for Atlantic salmon to identify the chromosomes explaining the highest proportion of the genetic variance for sex as well as candidate regions and genes associated to sexual development in this species.ResultsResults from regional heritability analysis showed that the chromosomes explaining the highest proportion of variance in these populations were Ssa02 (heritability = 0.42, SE = 0.12) and Ssa21 (heritability = 0.26, SE = 0.11). After pruning by linkage disequilibrium, genome-wide association analyses revealed 114 SNPs that were significantly associated with sex, being Ssa02 the chromosome containing a greatest number of regions. Close examination of the candidate regions evidenced important genes related to sex in other species of Class Actinopterygii, includingSDY, genes from familySOX, RSPO1, ESR1, U2AF2A, LMO7, GNRH-R, DNDandFIGLA.ConclusionsThe combined results from regional heritability analysis and genome-wide association have provided new advances in the knowledge of the genetic regulation of sex determination in Atlantic salmon, supporting that Ssa02 is the candidate chromosome for sex in this species and suggesting an alternative population lineage in Spanish wild populations according to the results from Ssa21.
Rapid adaptation of signaling networks in the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Bohnert Stefan , Antelo Luis , Grünewald Christiane , Yemelin Alexander , Andresen Karsten , Jacob Stefan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
One fundamental question in biology is how the evolution of eukaryotic signaling networks has taken place. “Loss of function” (lof) mutants from components of the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) signaling pathway in the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae are viable, but impaired in osmoregulation.

Results
After long-term cultivation upon high osmolarity, stable individuals with reestablished osmoregulation capacity arise independently from each of the mutants with inactivated HOG pathway. This phenomenon is extremely reproducible and occurs only in osmosensitive mutants related to the HOG pathway – not in other osmosensitive Magnaporthe mutants. The major compatible solute produced by these adapted strains to cope with high osmolarity is glycerol, whereas it is arabitol in the wildtype strain. Genome and transcriptome analysis resulted in candidate genes related to glycerol metabolism, perhaps responsible for an epigenetic induced reestablishment of osmoregulation, since these genes do not show structural variations within the coding or promotor sequences.

Conclusion
This is the first report of a stable adaptation in eukaryotes by producing different metabolites and opens a door for the scientific community since the HOG pathway is worked on intensively in many eukaryotic model organisms.
A time-dependent genome-wide SNP-SNP interaction analysis of chicken body weight
Authors: Li Fang-Ge , Li Hui 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe important property of the quantitative traits of model organisms is time-dependent. However, the methodology for investigating the genetic interaction network over time is still lacking. Our study aims to provide insights into the mechanistic basis of epistatic interactions affecting the phenotypes of model organisms.ResultsWe performed an exhaustive genome-wide search for significant SNP-SNP interactions associated with male birds’ body weight (BW) (n = 475) at multiple time points (day of hatch (BW0) and 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks (BW1, BW3, BW5, and BW7)). Statistical analysis detected 67, four, and two significant SNP pairs associated with BW0, BW1, and BW3, respectively, with a significance threshold at 8.67 × 10− 12(Bonferroni-adjusted: 1%). Meanwhile, no significant SNP pairs associated with BW5 and BW7 were found. The SNP-SNP interaction networks of BW0, BW1, and BW3 were built and annotated.ConclusionsWith strong annotated information and a strict significant threshold, SNP-SNP interactions underpinned the gene-gene interactions that might occur between chromosomes or within the same chromosome. Comparing and combing the networks, the results indicated that the genetic network for chicken body weight was dynamic and time-dependent.
Horizontal gene transfer contributes to virulence and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio harveyi 345 based on complete genome sequence analysis
Authors: Deng Yiqin , Xu Haidong , Su Youlu , Liu Songlin , Xu Liwen , Guo Zhixun , Wu Jinjun , Cheng Changhong , Feng Juan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is affected by environmental pollution and climate change, promotes genetic communication, changing bacterial pathogenicity and drug resistance. However, few studies have been conducted on the effect of HGT on the high pathogenicity and drug resistance of the opportunistic pathogen Vibrio harveyi.

Results
V. harveyi 345 that was multidrug resistant and infected Epinephelus oanceolutus was isolated from a diseased organism in Shenzhen, Southern China, an important and contaminated aquaculture area. Analysis of the entire genome sequence predicted 5678 genes including 487 virulence genes contributing to bacterial pathogenesis and 25 antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Five ARGs (tetm, tetb, qnrs, dfra17, and sul2) and one virulence gene (CU052_28670) on the pAQU-type plasmid p345–185, provided direct evidence for HGT. Comparative genome analysis of 31 V. harveyi strains indicated that 217 genes and 7 gene families, including a class C beta-lactamase gene, a virulence-associated protein D gene, and an OmpA family protein gene were specific to strain V. harveyi 345. These genes could contribute to HGT or be horizontally transferred from other bacteria to enhance the virulence or antibiotic resistance of 345. Mobile genetic elements in 71 genomic islands encoding virulence factors for three type III secretion proteins and 13 type VI secretion system proteins, and two incomplete prophage sequences were detected that could be HGT transfer tools. Evaluation of the complete genome of V. harveyi 345 and comparative genomics indicated genomic exchange, especially exchange of pathogenic genes and drug-resistance genes by HGT contributing to pathogenicity and drug resistance. Climate change and continued environmental deterioration are expected to accelerate the HGT of V. harveyi, increasing its pathogenicity and drug resistance.

Conclusion
This study provides timely information for further analysis of V. harveyi pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance and developing pollution control measurements for coastal areas.
Proteomic analysis showing the signaling pathways involved in the rhizome enlargement process in Nelumbo nucifera
Authors: Cao Dingding , Damaris Rebecca Njeri , Zhang Yue , Liu Meihui , Li Ming , Yang Pingfang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Rhizome is the storage underground stem of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), which is enlarged before winter season and could be used for asexual propagation. In addition, the enlarged rhizome is a nutritional vegetable with abundant starch, proteins, and vitamins. Enlargement of lotus rhizome is not only significance for itself to survive from the cold winter, but also important for its economic value.

Results
To explore the mechanism underlying its enlargement, integrative analyses of morphology, physiology and proteomics were conducted on the rhizome at stolon, middle, and enlarged stages. Morphological observation and physiological analyses showed that rhizomes were gradually enlarged during this process, in which the starch accumulation was also initiated. Quantitative proteomic analysis on the rhizomes at these three stages identified 302 stage-specific proteins (SSPs) and 172 differently expressed proteins (DEPs), based on which GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted. The results indicated that light and auxin signal might be transduced through secondary messenger Ca2+, and play important roles in lotus rhizome enlargement.

Conclusion
These results will provide new insights into understanding the mechanism of lotus rhizome enlargement. Meanwhile, some candidate genes might be useful for further studies on this process, as well as breeding of rhizome lotus.