bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Last exit before the brink: Conservation genomics of the Cambodian population of the critically endangered southern river terrapin
Authors: Çilingir F. Gözde , Seah Adeline , Horne Brian D. , Som Sitha , Bickford David P. , Rheindt Frank E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe southern river terrapin, Batagur affinis is one of the world's 25 most endangered freshwater turtle species. The major portion of the global population is currently found in peninsular Malaysia, with the only remnant Indochinese population in southern Cambodia. For more than a decade, wild nests in this remnant Cambodian population have been fenced and hatchlings reared in captivity. Here we amplified 10 microsatellite markers from all 136 captive individuals, obtained 2,658 presumably unlinked and neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms from 72 samples with ddRAD‐seq, and amplified 784 bp of mtDNA from 50 samples. Our results reveal that the last Indochinese population comprised only four kinship groups as of 2012, with all offspring sired from <10 individuals in the wild. We demonstrate an obvious decrease in genetic contributions of breeders in the wild from 2006–2012 and identify high‐value breeders instrumental for ex‐situ management of the contemporary genetic stock of the species.
Evolution and losses of spines in slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chi , Lin Rung‐Juen , Braby Michael F. , Hsu Yu‐Feng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLarvae of the cosmopolitan family Limacodidae, commonly known as “slug” caterpillars, are well known because of the widespread occurrence of spines with urticating properties, a morpho‐chemical adaptive trait that has been demonstrated to protect the larvae from natural enemies. However, while most species are armed with rows of spines (“nettle” caterpillars), slug caterpillars are morphologically diverse with some species lacking spines and thus are nonstinging. It has been demonstrated that the evolution of spines in slug caterpillars may have a single origin and that this trait is possibly derived from nonstinging slug caterpillars, but these conclusions were based on limited sampling of mainly New World taxa; thus, the evolution of spines and other traits within the family remains unresolved. Here, we analyze morphological variation in slug caterpillars within an evolutionary framework to determine character evolution of spines with samples from Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. The phylogeny of the Limacodidae was reconstructed based on a multigene dataset comprising five molecular markers (5.6 Kbp: COI, 28S, 18S, EF‐1α, and wingless) representing 45 species from 40 genera and eight outgroups. Based on this phylogeny, we infer that limacodids evolved from a common ancestor in which the larval type possessed spines, and then slug caterpillars without spines evolved independently multiple times in different continents. While larvae with spines are well adapted to avoiding generalist predators, our results imply that larvae without spines may be suited to different ecological niches. Systematic relationships of our dataset indicate six major lineages, several of which have not previously been identified.
Spin‐thermoelectric voltage in longitudinal SSE elements incorporating LPE YIG films and polycrystalline YIG slabs with an ultrathin Pt layer
Authors: Imamura Masaaki , Asada Hironori , Tashima Daisuke , Kitagawa Jiro 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA spin‐thermoelectric (STE) voltage is generated when a temperature gradient ∇T is applied to an element having a thin Pt layer coated on a magnetic substance. In this study, yttrium iron garnet (YIG) ferrimagnetic films prepared by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) were tested as magnetic insulators. In addition, polycrystalline YIG slabs were tested to compare the STE voltages of film and slab samples. In a Pt coating and YIG film bilayer structure made by an ultrathin Pt layer of 1‐4 nm thickness and an LPE film of approximately 10 µm thickness, a large STE voltage of 600 µV was observed at a probe distance of 5 mm with a temperature difference ∆T of 30 K. On the other hand, the STE voltage of a Pt layer and YIG slab bilayer structure was 340 µV, which is roughly half of that of the Pt/YIG‐film element. The cause of the large voltage observed experimentally for the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect element incorporating an LPE YIG film was discussed mainly from the viewpoint of the Pt layer resistivity and the effects of YIG specimen surface conditions on crystallinity and the magnetization process.
Physics‐based model of lithium‐ion batteries running on a circuit simulator
Authors: Sato Kosuke , Kono Akihiko , Urushibata Hiroaki , Fujita Yoji , Koyama Masato 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe authors developed a physics‐based equivalent circuit model of a lithium‐ion battery (LIB) whose parameters are continually updated, reflecting the theoretical calculation results of the Butler‐Volmer equation, diffusion equations of the lithium‐ion and lithium, and Nernst equations of the liquid and solid phases. The developed model was applied to the charge/discharge simulations of an LIB, and the experimental and simulated results of constant current discharges and pulsed‐charge/discharge were found to be in excellent agreement. In particular, using the developed model, analyzing transient responses of the LIB derived from the transition of the electric double layer charging to the electrode reaction is possible. These results demonstrate that the electrochemical performance of an LIB can be calculated on a circuit simulator using the developed model.
Mixotrophic cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate
Authors: Manzoor Maleeha , Ahmad Qurat‐ul‐Ain , Aslam Ambreen , Jabeen Faiza , Rasul Azhar , Schenk Peer M. , Qazi Javed I. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOveruse of the fossil fuels to fulfill existing energy requirements has generated various environmental problems like global warming. Emergence of environmental issues due to burning of the fossil fuel resources has provoked researchers to explore alternative sources of fuel. In this scenario, microalgal biofuels could present a promising alternative fuel if produced cost‐effectively without competing for freshwater resources and arable land. Aim of the present study was to grow microalgae by employing lignocellulosic waste for production of lipids. Scenedesmus dimorphus NT8c was chosen based on its ability to tolerate heat, rapid growth, and ease of harvesting by overnight settling. Biochemical composition and growth parameters of microalgae were analyzed when cultivated mixotrophically on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, a low‐value agricultural by‐product, that is, currently underutilized. Despite a slight increase in turbidity in the medium, S. dimorphus NT8c cultures raised mixotrophically in 5 g/L sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate displayed significantly higher growth rates compared to photoautotrophic cultivation with an overall biomass productivity of 119.5 mg L d−1, protein contents of 34.82% and fatty acid contents of 15.41%. Thus, microalgae cultivated mixotrophically are capable of photosynthesizing while metabolizing and assimilating organic carbon, significant increases of biomass and lipid productivity can be achieved. However, high supplementation with organic carbon can result in unfavorable levels of turbidity and bacterial growth, reducing microalgal biomass productivity.
Adsorption and dissociation of H2 on Al4Sim (m = 2, 3, and 4) clusters
Authors: Ma Li , Li Jinyun , Chen Hongshan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHydrogen in alanates forms unit and the bonding strength depends on the electron donor property of the metal atoms. The electronic structures of Al─Si clusters are similar to metal clusters but the Al atom is a weaker electron donor than that in light metal alanates, so hydrogen may form weaker Al─H bonds in Al─Si systems. This article studies the adsorption and dissociation of H2 on Al4Si
m (m = 2, 3, and 4) clusters by using density functional theory. The physisorption of H2 molecules on Al4Si
m is very weak, the average binding energies of two H atoms on Al4Si
m fall in the range –0.61 to –1.50 eV. It suggests that Al─Si hydrides can be candidates for hydrogen storage at ambient conditions. The investigation on the H2 dissociation processes shows that the lowest energy barrier is 0.76 eV, which implies that H2 dissociation can occur at moderate temperatures.
Performance and evaluation of calcined limestone as catalyst in biodiesel production from high viscous nonedible oil
Authors: Bharadwaj A. V. S. L. Sai , Niju S. , Meera Sheriffa Begum K. M. , Narayanan Anantharaman 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBiodiesel production by transesterification of rubber seed oil (RSO) using calcium oxide (CaO) derived from calcined limestone as a heterogeneous catalyst is presented in this study. Optimization of process parameters affecting the conversion of RSO to biodiesel is done by design of experiments (DOE) and an effective comparison of two different optimization methods, namely, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) is presented. A high conversion of 95.2% was obtained at 12:1 methanol: Oil molar ratio, 4 (wt%) catalyst and 5 hr of reaction time. The proposed design model of RSM is found to fit well with the predicted conversion and with molar ratio and reaction time as the significant process parameters affecting the conversion. Best validation performance of 8.8991 occurred at epoch 4 with a mean square error (MSE) of 1.55 in ANN model trained with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. By comparing the predicted coefficient of determination, R2, values of 0.8452 obtained by using RSM, and 0.9939 obtained by using ANN for biodiesel conversion, it is concluded that ANN model is the best model for predicting the percentage conversion of RSO to biodiesel with minimum error between experimental and predicted values.
Real‐world experience with decitabine as a first‐line treatment in 306 elderly acute myeloid leukaemia patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Bocchia Monica , Candoni Anna , Borlenghi Erika , Defina Marzia , Filì Carla , Cattaneo Chiara , Sammartano Vincenzo , Fanin Renato , Sciumè Margherita , Sicuranza Anna , Imbergamo Silvia , Riva Marta , Fracchiolla Nicola , Latagliata Roberto , Caizzi Emanuela , Mazziotta Francesco , Alunni Giulia , Di Bona Eros , Crugnola Monica , Rossi Marianna , Consoli Ugo , Fontanelli Giulia , Greco Giuseppina , Nadali Gianpaolo , Rotondo Francesco , Todisco Elisabetta , Bigazzi Catia , Capochiani Enrico , Molteni Alfredo , Bernardi Massimo , Fumagalli Monica , Rondoni Michela , Scappini Barbara , Ermacora Anna , Simonetti Federico , Gottardi Michele , Lambertenghi Deliliers Daniela , Michieli Mariagrazia , Basilico Claudia , Galeone Carlotta , Pelucchi Claudio , Rossi Giuseppe 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDespite widespread use of decitabine to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), data on its effectiveness and safety in the real‐world setting are scanty. Thus, to analyze the performance of decitabine in clinical practice, we pooled together patient‐level data of three multicentric observational studies conducted since 2013 throughout Italy, including 306 elderly AML patients (median age 75 years), unfit for intensive chemotherapy, treated with first‐line decitabine therapy at the registered schedule of 20 mg/m2/iv daily for 5 days every 4 weeks. Overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) curves, and multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) of all‐cause mortality were computed. Overall, 1940 cycles of therapy were administered (median, 5 cycles/patient). A total of 148 subjects were responders and, therefore, ORR was 48.4%. Seventy‐one patients (23.2%) had complete remission, 32 (10.5%) had partial remission, and 45 (14.7%) had haematologic improvement. Median OS was 11.6 months for patients with favourable‐intermediate cytogenetic risk and 7.9 months for those with adverse cytogenetic risk. Median relapse‐free survival after CR was 10.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.7‐16.0). In multivariate analysis, mortality was higher in patients with adverse cytogenetic risk (HR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.13‐2.21) and increased continuously with white blood cell (WBC) count (HR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.18). A total of 183 infectious adverse events occurred in 136 patients mainly (>90%) within the first five cycles of therapy. This pooled analysis of clinical care studies confirmed, outside of clinical trials, the effectiveness of decitabine as first‐line therapy for AML in elderly patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. An adverse cytogenetic profile and a higher WBC count at diagnosis were, in this real life setting, unfavourable predictors of survival.
China's policy experimentation on long‐term care insurance: Implications for access
Authors: Zhu Yumei , Österle August 
Published: August 2019

SummaryChina's population is aging rapidly, while the traditional long‐term care (LTC) system that heavily relies on families is eroding. In response, China has embarked on a journey of policy experimentation for long‐term care insurance (LTCI) since 2016, launching LTCI pilots in 15 pioneer cities. These pilots have a great diversity in participation, eligibility, and provision. This paper estimates the prevalence of LTC needs and analyzes the impact of the LTCI pilots on access. Although substantial progress has been achieved, the overall coverage of LTCI is still relatively small, and a large proportion of vulnerable people needing LTC seem to be left behind because of the strict eligibility criteria. This analysis suggests that future policy experimentation on LTCI reform in China needs to address the following pressing policy issues: expanding the coverage of LTCI; narrowing rural–urban disparities in access; improving access for vulnerable subpopulations; and reducing the heavy reliance on institutional care.
Health system strengthening—Reflections on its meaning, assessment, and our state of knowledge
Authors: Witter Sophie , Palmer Natasha , Balabanova Dina , Mounier‐Jack Sandra , Martineau Tim , Klicpera Anna , Jensen Charity , Pugliese‐Garcia Miguel , Gilson Lucy 
Published: August 2019

SummaryComprehensive reviews of health system strengthening (HSS) interventions are rare, partly because of lack of clarity on definitions of the term but also the potentially huge scale of the evidence. We reflect on the process of undertaking such an evidence review recently, drawing out suggestions on definitions of HSS and approaches to assessment, as well as summarising some key conclusions from the current evidence base. The key elements of a clear definition include, in our view, consideration of scope (with effects cutting across building blocks in practice, even if not in intervention design, and also tackling more than one disease), scale (having national reach and cutting across levels of the system), sustainability (effects being sustained over time and addressing systemic blockages), and effects (impacting on health outcomes, equity, financial risk protection, and responsiveness). We also argue that agreeing a framework for design and evaluation of HSS is urgent. Most HSS interventions have theories of change relating to specific system blocks, but more work is needed on capturing their spillover effects and their contribution to meeting overarching health system process goals. We make some initial suggestions about such goals, to reflect the features that characterise a “strong health system.” We highlight that current findings on “what works” are just indicative, given the limitations and biases in what has been studied and how, and argue that there is need to rethink evaluation methods for HSS beyond finite interventions and narrow outcomes. Clearer concepts, frameworks, and methods can support more coherent HSS investment.
Hidden group patterns in democracy developments: Bayesian inference for grouped heterogeneity
Authors: Kim Jaeho , Wang Le 
Published: August 2019

SummaryWe propose a nonparametric Bayesian approach to estimate time‐varying grouped patterns of heterogeneity in linear panel data models. Unlike the classical approach in Bonhomme and Manresa (Econometrica, 2015, 83, 1147–1184), our approach can accommodate selection of the optimal number of groups and model estimation jointly, and also be readily extended to quantify uncertainties in the estimated group structure. Our proposed approach performs well in Monte Carlo simulations. Using our approach, we successfully replicate the estimated relationship between income and democracy in Bonhomme and Manresa and the group characteristics when we use the same number of groups. Furthermore, we find that the optimal number of groups could depend on model specifications on heteroskedasticity and discuss ways to choose models in practice.
The effect of oil supply shocks on US economic activity: What have we learned?
Authors: Herrera Ana María , Rangaraju Sandeep Kumar 
Published: August 2019

SummaryEstimated responses of real oil prices and US gross domestic product (GDP) to oil supply disruptions vary widely. We show that most variation is attributable to differences in identification assumptions and in the model specification. Models that allow for a large short‐run price elasticity of oil supply imply a larger response of oil prices and a larger, longer lived contraction in US real GDP. We find that, if we condition on a range of supply elasticity values supported by microeconomic estimates, the differences in the oil price responses diminishes. We also examine the role of lag length, of using pre‐1973 data, alternative measures of real economic activity and using the median response function instead of the modal structural model.
Mitochondria could be a potential key mediator linking the intestinal microbiota to depression
Authors: Chen Jiezhong , Vitetta Luis 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe intestinal microbiota has been reported to affect depression, a common mental condition with severe health‐related consequences. However, what mediates the effect of the intestinal microbiota on depression has not been well elucidated. We summarize the roles of the mitochondria in eliciting beneficial effects on the gut microbiota to ameliorate symptoms of depression. It is well known that mitochondria play a key role in depression. An important pathogenic factor, namely inflammatory response, may adversely impact mitochondrial functionality to maintain cellular homeostasis. Dysfunction of mitochondria not only affects neuronal function but also reduces neuron cell numbers. We posit that the intestinal microbiota could affect neuronal mitochondrial function through short‐chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Brain inflammatory processes could also be affected through the modulation of gut permeability and blood lipopolysaccharide levels. Aberrant mitochondria functionality coupled to adverse cellular homeostasis could be a key mediator for the effect of the intestinal microbiota on the progression of depression.
Differentially expressed circular RNAs in maternal and neonatal umbilical cord plasma from SGA compared with AGA
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Shu‐Fang , Dang Yu‐Jiao , Shi Xiao‐Ming , Chen Lian , Wang Nan , Cai You , Zhao Yang‐Yu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSmall for gestational age (SGA) has a high risk of mortality and morbidity and is common in obstetrics. To date, no effective prediction and treatment tools are available. Acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and disease biomarkers are clear functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, it is still unknown what role circRNAs act in SGA. To explore the role of circRNAs in SGA, circRNA expression patterns of the umbilical cord and maternal plasma in SGA was assessed. We first evaluated circRNAs in umbilical cord blood of the SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) groups by microarray sequencing. In total, 170 340 circRNAs were sequenced, and 144 circRNAs were significantly upregulated while 977 were markedly downregulated. Has_circRNA15994‐13, has_circ_0001359, and has_circ_0001360 were abundant and differentially expressed between the SGA and AGA groups, and confirmed in the umbilical cord and maternal blood specimens by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. By combining miRNA microarray data of the SGA placenta tissue in NCBI, it was found that two miRNAs were both hsa_circRNA15994‐13 targets and differentially expressed, including hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p and hsa‐miR‐4741. Further KEEG analysis revealed that the most significant pathway enriched by hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p was Wnt signaling that is closely related to SGA; meanwhile, previous reports demonstrated that hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p directly binds to β‐catenin to accommodate the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, whereby the suggestive hsa_circRNA15994‐13 → hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p → β‐catenin signaling pathway may play an important part in SGA.
Computer simulation to investigate magnetic and wave‐absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Chuan‐Wen , Liu Min‐Hsien , Tai Chung‐Chieh , Kuo Bing‐Cheng , Chen Cheng‐Lung , Shen Hua‐Zhen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractComputer simulations were carried out to investigate the magnetic and wave‐absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles. The magnetic properties were found to depend on the shape, aggregation, and array of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticle systems were simulated using a molecular dynamics (MD) method, and the resulting configurations were used to compute the magnetic properties of the systems. In this work, microdot magnetic dipoles were assumed to localize on the iron atoms of nanoparticles. The dynamics of these magnetic dipoles under an external magnetic field were simulated by solving the Landau‐Lifshitz‐Gilbert equation numerically. The energy loss of a system under an external magnetic field was computed from the hysteresis curve and was correlated with the wave‐absorbing characteristic of the system. The findings suggested that the disk‐shaped iron particles had a greater hysteresis loss energy than the ball‐shaped iron particles. It was also found that the aggregation of nanoparticles apparently reduced the wave‐absorbing characteristic of the system. All the outcomes were in good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Mutation analysis and clinical characterization of Iranian patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type I
Authors: Taghikhani Mohammad , Khatami Shohreh , Abdi Mohammad , Hakhamaneshi Mohammad Said , Alaei Mohammad Reza , Zamanfar Daniel , Vakili Rahim 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundMucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPSI) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of α‐l‐iduronidase (IDUA) encoded by the IDUA gene. We examined the mutation spectrum of the IDUA gene to explain the clinical, biochemical, and molecular features in 21 Iranian patients with MPSI.MethodsSanger sequencing was used to measure the IDUA gene sequence in the coding region and exon‐intron boundaries. We recorded the clinical findings of studied patients at the first diagnosis of disease and then during the treatment and follow‐up.ResultsFive different missense disease‐causing mutations were determined in our patient groups, indicating 90.48% of detection rate. The most widespread mutation was the p.Y109H, occurring in 15.625% of all alleles, which was reported for the first time in our study. Other frequent mutations were as follows: p.Ser157Pro (12.5%), p.Gly84Arg (12.5%), p.Asp257His (9.375%), and p.Asp301Glu (9.375%). Three ones of them were new missense mutations: p.Ser157Pro, p.Asp257His, and p.Asp301Glu.DiscussionThe results of this study explain the different spectrum of IDUA gene mutations in our patients with MPSI. We introduced here 32 different variants including four new variants: p.Y109H (15.625%), p.S157P (12.5%), p.D257H (9.375%), and p.D301E (9.375%). In this series, there was no relationship between the happening of clinical features and genotype variations and biochemical findings.