bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf N resorption efficiency and litter N mineralization rate have a genotypic tradeoff in a silver birch population
Authors: Mikola Juha , Silfver Tarja , Paaso Ulla , Possen Boy J. M. H. , Rousi Matti 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPlants enhance N use efficiency by resorbing N from senescing leaves. This can affect litter N mineralization rate due to the C:N‐ratio requirements of microbial growth. We examined genotypic links between leaf N resorption and litter mineralization by collecting leaves and litter from 19 Betula pendula genotypes and following the N release of litter patches on forest ground. We found significant genotypic variation for N resorption efficiency, litter N concentration, cumulative three‐year patch N‐input and litter N release with high broad‐sense heritabilities (H2 = 0.28–0.65). The genotype means of N resorption efficiency varied from 46% to 65% and correlated negatively with the genotype means of litter N concentration, cumulative patch N‐input and litter N release. NH4+ yield under patches had a positive genotypic correlation with the cumulative patch N‐input. During the first year of litter decomposition, genotypes varied from N immobilization (max 2.71 mg/g dry litter) to N release (max 1.41 mg/g dry litter), creating a genotypic tradeoff between the N conserved by resorption and the N available for root uptake during the growing season. We speculate that this tradeoff is one likely reason for the remarkably wide genotypic range of N resorption efficiencies in our birch population.
Affordances for drinking alcohol: A non‐participant observation study in licensed premises
Authors: Hill Kimberley M. , Pilling Michael , Foxcroft David R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlcohol misuse is a pressing area of public health concern. This non‐participant observational study investigated the functional characteristics of on‐licensed premises where alcohol is consumed. Seven different licensed premises from South Central England were visited and observed for similar three hour periods on Saturday evenings. Observations within these ecological niches were grouped using a functional taxonomy of affordances and effectivities related to alcohol drinking. Affordances provide a theoretically grounded and useful concept for evaluating how individuals behave in drinking contexts, while identifying action opportunities for inhibiting and promoting consumption. Identified alcohol‐related affordances were related to: Alcohol access, regulations, furnishing, alternative opportunities for action, décor and lighting, drink and accessory availability, and action opportunities provided by others. This research has implications for understanding alcohol consumption in real‐time, social environments, with direct implications for preventing excessive consumption within community alcohol outlets.
Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Cd(II) Using ZnSe‐Xanthan Gum Complex/CNT Modified Electrodes
Authors: Ding Yongling , Hao Xiaojuan , Yin Hong , Kyratzis Ilias Louis , Shen Shirley , Sun Kangning , Liu Futian , Musameh Mustafa M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis work describes for the first time the employment of water soluble GSH‐ZnSe QDs stabilized by XG and MWCNT for electrode modification in the detection of Cd ions in a highly sensitive and selective manner resulting from the unique structure and surface chemistry of the used QDs. The surface of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified through casting a thin layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) followed by a complex layer of ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) stabilized by xanthan gum (XG). Due to the electrocatalytic properties of MWCNT and electroanalytical performance of ZnSe‐XG complex, the new modified electrode significantly improves the sensitivity and selectivity of Cd(II) detection and exhibits enhanced performance in comparison to bare GC, ZnSe/GC and ZnSe/MWCNT/GC electrodes. Strong interactions between ZnSe QDs and XG resulting from hydrogen bonding and complexing association led to stabilization of ZnSe QDs and higher affinity towards Cd(II) ions adsorption compared to a ZnSe QDs film alone. The modified electrode showed linear response in a wide concentration range from 100 nM to 5 μM (R2=0.9967) along with a high sensitivity of 156.6 nA ⋅ mol−1 ⋅ L−1 and a low detection limit of 20 nM. The electrode shows high selectivity to Cd with negligible interference from other metal ions and salts.
Graphene oxide/silver nanohybrid: Optimization, antibacterial activity and its impregnation on bacterial cellulose as a potential wound dressing based on GO‐Ag nanocomposite‐coated BC
Authors: Mohammadnejad Javad , Yazdian Fatemeh , Omidi Meisam , Rostami Arash Darzian , Rasekh Behnam , Fathinia Atena 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecently, bacterial cellulose (BC) based wound dressing have raised significant interests in medical fields. However, to our best knowledge, it is apparent that the BC itself has no antibacterial activity. In this study, we optimized graphene oxide‐silver (GO‐Ag) nanohybrid synthesis using Response Surface Methodology and impregnate it to BC and carefully investigate their antibacterial activities against both the Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and the Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. We discover that, compared to silver nanoparticles, GO‐Ag nanohybrid with an optimal GO suspension's pH and ratio is much more effective and shows synergistically enhanced, strong antibacterial activities at rather low dose. The GO‐Ag nanohybrid is more toxic to E. coli than that to S. aureus. The antibacterial and mechanical properties of BC/GO‐Ag composite are further investigated.
Fire safety of thermoplastic polyurethane based on pyromellitic dianhydride
Authors: Jiao Chuanmei , Wang Hongzhi , Chen Xilei 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIn this paper, pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) was firstly used as fire safety agent for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). And, the fire safety improvement of PMDA in TPU was intensively investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density test (SDT), cone calorimeter test, and thermogravimetric/infrared spectroscopy, respectively. It has been found that PMDA could significantly improve the ignition level, and the LOI value increase to 28.5% when 8.0 wt% PMDA was incorporated into TPU; PMDA also could effectively suppress the smoke production and heat release during the combustion process. The peak heat release rate and total smoke release of the sample with 8.0 wt% PMDA were decreased by 68% and 22% compared with pure TPU in cone calorimeter test. The thermogravimetric/infrared spectroscopy results showed that PMDA could improve the thermal stability of TPU composites at high temperature and increased the release of CO2, H2O, and so on. All results confirmed that PMDA would have a good prospect in reducing the fire hazard of TPU.
Efficient Pt‐C MEA for PEMFC with Low Platinum Content Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Ostroverkh A. , Dubau M. , Johánek V. , Václavů M. , Šmíd B. , Veltruská K. , Ostroverkh Y. , Fiala R. , Matolín V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe presented research is focused on improvement of platinum utilization in Pt‐C composite catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. A series of 25 nm thick nanostructured Pt‐C thin films were deposited on carbon paper gas diffusion layer substrates (GDL; Sigracet 29 BC) by a single‐step magnetron sputtering method.Total Pt loading in the thin films varied in the range 6.7–9.7 µg cm−2 as determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These catalysts were examined for their activity in hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), continuously operating for periods exceeding 24 hours. The dependence of cell output power on Pt concentration and on the working pressure in the cell was examined.Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with both magnetron sputtered electrodes and a total (anode + cathode) Pt loading 16.7 µg cm−2 was also examined during an extended 250‐hour durability test. A stable power density 0.73 W cm−2 was achieved with cell pressure of 300 kPa. Apart from reasonably small power fluctuations no long‐term efficiency loss has been detected.
Integrating eQTL data with GWAS summary statistics in pathway‐based analysis with application to schizophrenia
Authors: Wu Chong , Pan Wei 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTMany genetic variants affect complex traits through gene expression, which can be exploited to boost statistical power and enhance interpretation in genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) as demonstrated by the transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS) approach. Furthermore, due to polygenic inheritance, a complex trait is often affected by multiple genes with similar functions as annotated in gene pathways. Here, we extend TWAS from gene‐based analysis to pathway‐based analysis: we integrate public pathway collections, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data and GWAS summary association statistics (or GWAS individual‐level data) to identify gene pathways associated with complex traits. The basic idea is to weight the SNPs of the genes in a pathway based on their estimated cis‐effects on gene expression, then adaptively test for association of the pathway with a GWAS trait by effectively aggregating possibly weak association signals across the genes in the pathway. The P values can be calculated analytically and thus fast. We applied our proposed test with the KEGG and GO pathways to two schizophrenia (SCZ) GWAS summary association data sets, denoted by SCZ1 and SCZ2 with about 20,000 and 150,000 subjects, respectively. Most of the significant pathways identified by analyzing the SCZ1 data were reproduced by the SCZ2 data. Importantly, we identified 15 novel pathways associated with SCZ, such as GABA receptor complex (GO:1902710), which could not be uncovered by the standard single SNP‐based analysis or gene‐based TWAS. The newly identified pathways may help us gain insights into the biological mechanism underlying SCZ. Our results showcase the power of incorporating gene expression information and gene functional annotations into pathway‐based association testing for GWAS.
The effect of thermal stresses on the relation between rock failure and temperature and pressure of supercritical carbon dioxide jet
Authors: Li Mukun , Ni Hongjian , Wang Ruihe , Song Weiqiang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) jet is a new‐type of rock‐breaking method that effectively combines pressure impact and thermal shock. Current studies show that a carbon dioxide jet produces a larger damaged area and requires a lower threshold pressure for rock breaking compared to a water jet; however, the rock‐breaking mechanism of the SC‐CO2 jet has not been clearly explained. This study developed a heat‐fluid‐solid coupling model using ANSYS. The simulation and experimental results show good agreement, clearly explaining the effect of thermal stress in the rock breaking of the SC‐CO2 jet. The study shows that the temperature field of the SC‐CO2 jet could result in an increase in the maximum stress and the high‐stress area. The thermal gradient between the rock surface and the internal parts decreases with jet time, further contributing to lower rock stress. When jet temperature and jet pressure differences at the entrance/exit increase, the jet temperature field contributes more to the increase in rock stress. For hard rocks with a higher elastic modulus, the thermal gradient can reduce the depth of high stress in the rock's interior and lead to greater stress on the rock surface. The study provides a basis for employing the SC‐CO2 technique in well drilling and in fracturing for shale gas exploitation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tanycytes and hypothalamic control of energy metabolism
Authors: Ebling Francis J. P. , Lewis Jo E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractStudies from a number of areas of neuroendocrinology indicate that hypothalamic tanycytes play a key role in control of energy metabolism. First, profound annual changes in gene expression have been identified in these unusual glial cells in seasonal mammals, for example in genes relating to the transport and metabolism of thyroid hormone into the hypothalamus. The consequent changes in local thyroid hormone availability in the hypothalamus have been shown experimentally to regulate annual cycles in energy intake, storage and expenditure in seasonal species. This is reflected in overt seasonal changes in appetite, body fat composition and torpor. Second, studies in laboratory rodents demonstrate that hypothalamic tanycytes possess transport mechanisms and receptors that indicate they have a cellular function as nutrient sensors. Ex vivo studies with organotypic tanycyte cultures confirm that acute changes in nutrient availability alter calcium and purinergic signalling within and between tanycytes. Finally, tanycytes are components of a stem cell niche in the hypothalamus whose activity can be regulated by the nutritional environment. Experimental depletion of cell division in the hypothalamus alters the homeostatic response to nutrient excess in mice raised in high fat diets. These convergent lines of evidence suggest that tanycytes are nutrient and metabolite sensors that impact upon plasticity and neuronal function in the surrounding hypothalamus, and consequently have an important role in energy intake and expenditure.
Evaluation of treatment outcomes in patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer in Ontario, Canada: A population‐based study
Authors: Hall Stephen F. , Griffiths Rebecca J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundSupraglottic laryngeal carcinoma has an entirely different etiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis compared to glottis cancer but the only evidence for the use of concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy (CRT) is the 5.4% 5‐year improvement in overall survival (OS) for the combined laryngeal site.MethodWe conducted a retrospective population‐based study using administrative data to compare OS, disease‐specific survival (DSS), laryngectomy‐free survival, and laryngoesophageal dysfunction‐free survival over time and by treatment for all patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2014, in Ontario, Canada.ResultsThere was no improvement over time in OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.006; P = .90), DSS (HR 1.031; P = .65), or laryngoesophageal dysfunction‐free survival (P = .39). The patients selected for CRT had similar OS (HR 1.04; P = .66), laryngectomy‐free survival (HR 0.95; P = .23), and laryngoesophageal dysfunction‐free survival (P = .79) compared with patients undergoing radiotherapy.ConclusionThe addition of CRT by head and neck oncologists in Ontario, Canada, did not improve outcomes for the “real world” patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.
Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression in women from single‐child families
Authors: Xiong Ribo , Deng Aiwen , Wan Bo , Liu Yan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and its associated factors among women without siblings from south China.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted involving 468 mothers from single‐child families who were assessed at 6 weeks after childbirth at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China, from June 2015 to July 2016. The Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a self‐designed questionnaire regarding risk factors were administered to all participants.ResultsThe prevalence of PPD in women from single‐child families was 56.2%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified the following pregnancy‐related and psychological risk factors: unplanned pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73–3.32), being a first‐time mother (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.73–4.93), poor mother‐in‐law relationship (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.93–3.36), and poor family support (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.84–2.45). Sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with the development of PPD.ConclusionThe development of PPD in women from single‐child families is an important public health concern. Health practitioners should offer psychoeducation and culturally sensitive counseling during the postpartum period, and the screening of mood disorders from the prenatal to the postpartum period should be covered by maternity insurance.
Characterization of active and infiltrative tumorous subregions from normal tissue in brain gliomas using multiparametric MRI
Authors: Fathi Kazerooni Anahita , Nabil Mahnaz , Zeinali Zadeh Mehdi , Firouznia Kavous , Azmoudeh‐Ardalan Farid , Frangi Alejandro F. , Davatzikos Christos , Saligheh Rad Hamidreza 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundTargeted localized biopsies and treatments for diffuse gliomas rely on accurate identification of tissue subregions, for which current MRI techniques lack specificity.PurposeTo explore the complementary and competitive roles of a variety of conventional and quantitative MRI methods for distinguishing subregions of brain gliomas.Study TypeProspective.PopulationFifty‐one tissue specimens were collected using image‐guided localized biopsy surgery from 10 patients with newly diagnosed gliomas.Field Strength/SequenceConventional and quantitative MR images consisting of pre‐ and postcontrast T1w, T2w, T2‐FLAIR, T2‐relaxometry, DWI, DTI, IVIM, and DSC‐MRI were acquired preoperatively at 3T.AssessmentBiopsy specimens were histopathologically attributed to glioma tissue subregion categories of active tumor (AT), infiltrative edema (IE), and normal tissue (NT) subregions. For each tissue sample, a feature vector comprising 15 MRI‐based parameters was derived from preoperative images and assessed by a machine learning algorithm to determine the best multiparametric feature combination for characterizing the tissue subregions.Statistical TestsFor discrimination of AT, IE, and NT subregions, a one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and for pairwise tissue subregion differentiation, Tukey honest significant difference, and Games‐Howell tests were applied (P < 0.05). Cross‐validated feature selection and classification methods were implemented for identification of accurate multiparametric MRI parameter combination.ResultsAfter exclusion of 17 tissue specimens, 34 samples (AT = 6, IE = 20, and NT = 8) were considered for analysis. Highest accuracies and statistically significant differences for discrimination of IE from NT and AT from NT were observed for diffusion‐based parameters (AUCs >90%), and the perfusion‐derived parameter as the most accurate feature in distinguishing IE from AT. A combination of “CBV, MD, T2_ISO, FLAIR” parameters showed high diagnostic performance for identification of the three subregions (AUC ∼90%).Data ConclusionIntegration of a few quantitative along with conventional MRI parameters may provide a potential multiparametric imaging biomarker for predicting the histopathologically proven glioma tissue subregions.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:938–950.
Design and baseline characteristics of the Xarelto Post‐Authorization Safety & Effectiveness Study in Japanese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (XAPASS)
Authors: Ogawa Satoshi , Minematsu Kazuo , Ikeda Takanori , Kitazono Takanari , Nakagawara Jyoji , Miyamoto Susumu , Murakawa Yuji , Ohashi Yohei , Takeichi Makiko , Okayama Yutaka , Yamanaka Satoshi , Inuyama Lyo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe phase III Japanese Rivaroxaban Once‐Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (J‐ROCKET AF) showed that the rivaroxaban group had a lower event rate of intracranial bleeding than the warfarin group and that rivaroxaban was noninferior to warfarin for the principal safety outcome. However, safety and effectiveness data from unselected patients with AF in everyday clinical practice in Japan are lacking.MethodsThe Xarelto Post‐Authorization Safety & Effectiveness Study in Japanese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (XAPASS) is a real‐world, prospective, single‐arm, observational study mandated by the Japanese authority as postmarketing surveillance. XAPASS involves patients with nonvalvular AF prescribed rivaroxaban. The principal safety outcome is a composite of major and nonmajor bleeding events, and the primary effectiveness outcome is the incidence of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, noncentral nervous system systemic embolism, and myocardial infarction.ResultsIn total, 11 308 patients were enrolled from April 2012 to June 2014. Their age was 73.1 ± 9.9 years, and their CHADS2 score was 2.2 ± 1.3. Female patients, patients aged ≥75 years, patients with a body weight of ≤50 kg, and patients with a creatinine clearance of <50 mL/min constituted 38.1%, 48.7%, 19.5%, and 23.9% of all patients, respectively. Almost half (53.2%) of patients were prescribed other anticoagulants before starting rivaroxaban.ConclusionsData from this study will supplement those from the J‐ROCKET AF and provide practical information for the optimal use of rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in Japanese patients with AF (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01582737).
Advanced platelet‐rich fibrin and freeze‐dried bone allograft for ridge preservation: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Clark Daniel , Rajendran Yogalakshmi , Paydar Sarmad , Ho Sunita , Cox Darren , Ryder Mark , Dollard John , Kao Richard T. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundAdvanced platelet‐rich fibrin (A‐PRF) is an autogenous blood product with applications in dento‐alveolar surgery. However, there is minimal information regarding its optimal clinical application or efficacy. The aim of this multi‐arm parallel randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of A‐PRF alone or with freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) in improving vital bone formation and alveolar dimensional stability during ridge preservation.MethodsForty patients requiring extraction of non‐molar teeth and replacement with dental implants were randomized into one of four ridge preservation approaches: A‐PRF, A‐PRF+FDBA, FDBA, or blood clot. A‐PRF was prepared at 1,300 rpm for 8 minutes. Non‐traumatic extractions and ridge preservation was performed. After an average of 15 weeks healing, bone core samples were harvested at the time of implant placement for micro‐CT and histomorphometric analysis. Ridge dimensions were measured immediately after extraction and before implant placement.ResultsSignificantly greater loss of ridge height was noted in the blood clot group (3.8 ± 2.0 mm) compared to A‐PRF (1.8 ± 2.1 mm) and A‐PRF+FDBA (1.0 ± 2.3 mm) groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences in ridge width reduction were noted between groups. Significantly more vital bone was present in the A‐PRF group (46% ± 18%) compared to the FDBA group (29% ± 14%) (P < 0.05). Bone mineral density was significantly greater in the FDBA group (551 ± 58 mg/cm3) compared to blood clot (487 ± 64 mg/cm3) (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates A‐PRF alone or augmented with FDBA is a suitable biomaterial for ridge preservation. This study represents the first randomized controlled clinical trial comparing A‐PRF with and without FDBA to FDBA alone for ridge preservation.