bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of interleukin‐6 receptor blockade on allergen‐induced airway responses in mild asthmatics
Authors: Revez Joana A , Bain Lisa M , Watson Rick M , Towers Michelle , Collins Tina , Killian Kieran J , O'Byrne Paul M , Gauvreau Gail M , Upham John W , Ferreira Manuel AR 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin (IL)‐6 signalling has been implicated in allergic asthma by animal, genetic association and clinical studies. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that tocilizumab (TCZ), a human monoclonal antibody that blocks IL‐6 signalling, can prevent the development of allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction in humans.MethodsWe performed a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, with eligible participants completing two allergen inhalation challenge tests, conducted before and after treatment with a single dose of TCZ or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the magnitude of the late asthmatic response recorded between 3 and 7 after allergen challenge. The secondary efficacy endpoint was the early asthmatic response, measured 20 min to 2 h after allergen challenge.ResultsA total of 66 patients enrolled between September 2014 and August 2017, when the trial was stopped for futility based on results from an interim analysis. Eleven patients fulfilled all eligibility criteria assessed at baseline and were subsequently randomised to the TCZ (n = 6) or placebo (n = 5) groups. Both the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were not significantly different between the two groups. Five patients reported adverse events (AEs), three in the TCZ group (11 AEs) and two in the placebo group (four AEs). Only one AE was TCZ‐related (mild neutropenia), and there were no serious AEs. Significant treatment effects were observed for serum levels of C‐reactive protein, IL‐6 and soluble IL‐6R levels.ConclusionIn a small proof‐of‐concept clinical trial, we found no evidence that a single dose of tocilizumab was able to prevent allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction. (Trial registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12614000123640).
Temporal and spatial dynamics of competitive parapatry in chewing lice
Authors: Hafner David J. , Hafner Mark S. , Spradling Theresa A. , Light Jessica E. , Demastes James W. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe synthesize observations from 1979 to 2016 of a contact zone involving two subspecies of pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae connectens and T. b. opulentus) and their respective chewing lice (Geomydoecus aurei and G. centralis) along the Río Grande Valley in New Mexico, U.S.A., to test predictions about the dynamics of the zone. Historically, the natural flood cycle of the Rio Grande prevented contact between the two subspecies of pocket gophers. Flood control measures completed in the 1930s permitted contact, thus establishing the hybrid zone between the pocket gophers and the contact zone between their lice (without hybridization). Since that time, the pocket gopher hybrid zone has stabilized, whereas the northern chewing louse species has replaced the southern louse species at a consistent rate of ~150 m/year. The 0.2–0.8 width of the replacement zone has remained constant, reflecting the constant rate of chewing louse species turnover on a single gopher and within a local pocket gopher population. In contrast, the full width of the replacement zone (northernmost G. centralis to southernmost G. aurei) has increased annually. By employing a variety of metrics of the species replacement zone, we are better able to understand the dynamics of interactions between and among the chewing lice and their pocket gopher hosts. This research provides an opportunity to observe active species replacement and resulting distributional shifts in a parasitic organism in its natural setting.
Development of sexual dimorphism in two sympatric skinks with different growth rates
Authors: Yang Chen , Zhao Jinming , Diaz Raul E. , Lyu Nan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSexual size dimorphism (SSD) is widespread in animals, especially in lizards (Reptilia: Squamata), and is driven by fecundity selection, male–male competition, or other adaptive hypotheses. However, these selective pressures may vary through different life history periods; thus, it is essential to assess the relationship between growth and SSD. In this study, we tracked SSD dynamics between a “fading‐tail color skink” (blue tail skink whose tail is only blue during its juvenile stage: Plestiodon elegans) and a “nonfade color” tail skink (retains a blue tail throughout life: Plestiodon quadrilineatus) under a controlled experimental environment. We fitted growth curves of morphological traits (body mass, SVL, and TL) using three growth models (Logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy). We found that both skinks have male‐biased SSD as adults. Body mass has a higher goodness of fit (as represented by very high R2 values) using the von Bertalanffy model than the other two models. In contrast, SVL and TL for both skinks had higher goodness of fit when using the Gompertz model. Two lizards displayed divergent life history tactics: P. elegans grows faster, matures earlier (at 65 weeks), and presents an allometric growth rate, whereas P. quadrilineatus grows slower, matures later (at 106 weeks), and presents an isometric growth rate. Our findings imply that species‐ and sex‐specific trade‐offs in the allocation of energy to growth and reproduction may cause the growth patterns to diverge, ultimately resulting in the dissimilar patterns of SSD.
Reduced vertebrate diversity independent of spatial scale following feral swine invasions
Authors: Ivey Matthew R. , Colvin Michael , Strickland Bronson K. , Lashley Marcus A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBiological invasions often have contrasting consequences with reports of invasions decreasing diversity at small scales and facilitating diversity at large scales. Thus, previous literature has concluded that invasions have a fundamental spatial scale‐dependent relationship with diversity. Whether the scale‐dependent effects apply to vertebrate invaders is questionable because studies consistently report that vertebrate invasions produce different outcomes than plant or invertebrate invasions. Namely, vertebrate invasions generally have a larger effect size on species richness and vertebrate invaders commonly cause extinction, whereas extinctions are rare following invertebrate or plant invasions. In an agroecosystem invaded by a non‐native ungulate (i.e., feral swine, Sus scrofa), we monitored species richness of native vertebrates in forest fragments ranging across four orders of magnitude in area. We tested three predictions of the scale‐dependence hypothesis: (a) Vertebrate species richness would positively increase with area, (b) the species richness y‐intercept would be lower when invaded, and (c) the rate of native species accumulation with area would be steeper when invaded. Indeed, native vertebrate richness increased with area and the species richness was 26% lower than should be expected when the invasive ungulate was present. However, there was no evidence that the relationship was scale dependent. Our data indicate the scale‐dependent effect of biological invasions may not apply to vertebrate invasions.
Hypoglycaemia and treatment patterns among insulin‐treated patients with type 2 diabetes who switched to insulin glargine 300 units/mL versus other basal insulin in a real‐world setting
Authors: Zhou Fang L. , Nicholls Charlie , Xie Lin , Wang Yuexi , Vaidya Neel , Meneghini Luigi F. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionType 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by worsening pancreatic β‐cell function often requiring treatment escalation with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and eventually insulin. Although there is much evidence available on the initiation of basal insulins, fewer studies have investigated the effects of switching from one basal insulin to another. This study aims to evaluate treatment persistence and hypoglycaemia in adult patients with T2D on prior basal insulin who were switched to insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla‐300) or other basal insulins in a real‐world setting.Materials and methodsThis study is a retrospective cohort analysis of patient‐level data extracted from the Optum® Clinformatics™ database between 1 October 2014 and 30 June 2016. Adult patients (≥18 years) with T2D who were being treated with basal insulin during the 6‐month baseline period, who switched to either Gla‐300 or other basal insulins, were followed up for ≥3 months after switching. Outcomes included treatment persistence, and incidence and number of hypoglycaemic events.ResultsOf the included patients, 1204 switched to Gla‐300 and 616 switched to other basal insulins. Adjusting for baseline confounders, patients who switched to Gla‐300 were 34% less likely to discontinue their basal insulin than patients who switched to other basal insulins (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54‐0.81; P < 0.001). Patients who switched to Gla‐300 were less likely to experience hypoglycaemia at 3‐month follow‐up (odds ratio [OR] 0.56, 95% CI 0.32‐0.97; P = 0.039) and at 6‐month follow‐up (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38‐0.87; P = 0.009) compared with patients who switched to other basal insulins.ConclusionsPatients with T2D on prior basal insulin in a real‐world setting who switched to Gla‐300 were more persistent with their basal insulin and experienced less hypoglycaemia than patients who switched to other basal insulins.
Transformation of TBHQ in Lard and Soybean Oils During Room Temperature Storage
Authors: Xu Xiaolan , Bi Yanlan , Wang Hongyan , Li Jun , Xu Ziyan 
Published: June 2019

Tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) has been widely used in oils and oleaginous foods as powerful antioxidants, and TBHQ can be easily converted to tert‐butylquinone (TQ) at room temperature. In this work, the changes in TBHQ and TQ contents in lard and soybean oil during storage are investigated in detail. Results show TBHQ content decreases gradually during storage as the TQ content increases in both lard and soybean oil at room temperature. Moreover, the decrement in TBHQ is much larger than the increment in TQ, and the difference increase over storage time. This suggests that TBHQ is transformed into other compounds in addition to TQ. To identify these compounds, lard containing 200 mg kg−1 of TBHQ stored for 150 days is extracted by methanol. Prep‐LC is used to purify the transformation products of TBHQ during storage. The products are identified as 2‐methylallyl‐hydroquinon and 2‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐methylpropyl)‐hydroquinone by LC/MS and NMR. The transformation mechanism of these products is also proposed.Practical Applications: TBHQ is very prone to transformation due to its strong antioxidant activity. However, the transformation products of TBHQ in fats and oils may have an adverse effect on the shelf‐life and safety of lipid rich products. Moreover, the accuracy of TBHQ quantitative detection is also affected. The contents change of TBHQ, TQ, and other transformation products in lard and soybean oil containing 200 mg kg−1 TBHQ are investigated at room temperature. Apart from TQ, other transformation products of TBHQ are purified and identified. This work enriches the research on the transformation mechanism and products of TBHQ in lipid systems at room temperature. It provides better understanding on the safety and detection accuracy of TBHQ as well.Lard and soybean oil containing 200 mg kg−1 tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are stored for 150 days at room temperature. TBHQ and the transformation products of TBHQ are extracted by methanol and detected by NP‐HPLC. To identify the transformation products of TBHQ, Prep‐LC is used to isolate and purify the transformation products of TBHQ during storage. The products are identified as 2‐methylallyl‐hydroquinon and 2‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐methylpropyl)‐hydroquinone by LC‐MS and NMR. The transformation mechanism of these products is also proposed.
Coverage and rate analysis in two‐tier heterogeneous networks under suburban and urban scenarios
Authors: Ghosh Arijeet , Saha Misra Iti , Kundu Anindita 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMassive boost in data traffic demand and inconsistent user's behavior have necessitated modern cellular networks to evolve toward heterogeneous architectural framework consisting of macro and small cells to accommodate ever‐increasing user's density. Literature survey reveals that the deployment of additional small cells can encounter the booming coverage, capacity, and QoS constraints by maintaining the overall operational cost of the network. In this paper, at first, a suitable model based on nonhomogeneous Poisson point process (NHPPP) is designed for heterogeneous wireless network (HetNet) consisting of two‐tiers eNodeBs (Macro and Small Cell), where each of the tiers is differentiated in terms of transmitting power, eNodeB density, and supported data rate. Subsequently, analytical expressions are derived for coverage probability (CP) and average rate (AR) to assess the performance of the HetNet. The contribution of the paper further lies in integrating the K‐means clustering algorithm with NHPPP to find the optimal locations of the small cell eNodeBs for extended coverage and rate improvement. The proposed model is investigated under differently dense scenarios like urban and suburban areas in India. It establishes the requisite of an optimal number of small cells along with the traditional infrastructure to maximize the performance in terms of CP and AR. Finally, the proposed integrated model is compared with the traditional homogeneous Poisson point process (HPPP) and NHPPP for coverage and rate analysis. It is observed that the K‐means clustering algorithm in integration with NHPPP overshadows both HPPP and NHPPP in terms of coverage and rate under both urban and suburban deployment scenarios.
Transitions to greater legume inclusion in cropland: Defining opportunities and estimating benefits for the nitrogen economy
Authors: Squire Geoffrey R. , Quesada Nora , Begg Graham S. , Iannetta Pietro P. M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGrain legumes have declined to a low base in many regions of intensified agriculture yet have the potential both to safeguard food security and satisfy rising ethical demands from food consumers. Here, the scope for legume expansion is examined in a long‐established agricultural region in eastern Scotland where grain legumes declined to <0.3% of cropped area in the 1930s and now vary around 1%. Data from the EU's Integrated Administrative and Control System (IACS) were combined with national agricultural survey to resolve uncertainties over possible restrictions to expansion following 20th‐century intensification. The grain legumes, peas and beans for animal and human consumption, were found to occupy six crop‐grass systems covering a wide range of agronomic input and geographical location. The phase of agricultural intensification between 1950 and 1990 had widened rather than restricted the systems in which they occur and could expand. Moreover, the diversity of the crop‐grass systems provides scope for complementary expansion of several products such as beans for aquaculture, pulses for human consumption, and peas for stockfeed without diminishing the areas of the most profitable crops. Among crop systems, N inputs following 20% legume inclusion would fall from the current 178 to 140 kg/ha (78.6%) at the high‐input end of the range and from 92 to 71 kg/ha (77.0%) at the low‐input end. Further reductions to 50%–60% of the existing N input to intensive crop sequences were estimated assuming a residual fixed nitrogen of 50–75 kg/ha and legume inclusion of 33%. Legume expansion would also bring a range of environmental benefits across all crop‐grass systems. While analysis using IACS brought many insights, major limitations to estimating national N‐balances were identified in lack of data on residual N following legumes, in imported animal feed and in the contribution of forage legumes to grassland.
Design of graphene oxide by a one‐pot synthetic route for catalytic conversion of furfural alcohol to ethyl levulinate
Authors: Wu Jiaming , Shao Yuewen , Jing Guojian , Zhang Zhanming , Ye Zhengmao , Hu Xun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundGraphene oxide (GO) has abundant oxygen‐containing functionalities such as hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups with distinct acidities. This feature makes GO a potential solid acid catalyst for the acid‐catalyzed reactions such as the production of ethyl levulinate (EL), a platform chemical, from the acid‐treatment of furfuryl alcohol (FA). The structure and functionalities of GO are closely related to its catalytic performance, and thus it is necessary to establish the relationship between the chemical structure and the catalytic properties of GO. To achieve this aim, in this work, the GO catalysts were designed by a facile one‐pot synthetic route with no subsequent modification. By controlling the parameters of oxidation process in preparation, multiple functional groups were immobilized onto graphitic substrate, significantly impacting the catalytic activity of GO in the conversion of FA to EL in an ethanol (EtOH) medium.ResultsThe results showed that, the oxidation process significantly influenced the distribution of oxygen‐containing functionalities on the surface of GO. The amount of the oxygen‐containing functionalities can be adjusted by the oxidation parameters such as oxidizing agent equivalent, reaction time and temperature, while the organosulfate can only be remained at a moderate oxidation temperature. The existence of the synergistic effect between the oxygen‐containing functionalities and the organosulfate functionalities promoted the catalytic activity of GO for the acid‐catalyzed conversion of FA to EL.ConclusionsThis work provides a new strategy of design and development of functional graphene‐based catalysts for the acid‐catalyzed reactions, and lays foundation of the practicability of GO in biomass conversion. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of microleakage in class v cavities prepared by different caries removal methods
Authors: Ertürk Avunduk Ayşe T. , Bağlar Serdar 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effects of different caries removal methods on microleakage success of class V adhesive restorations by means of light microscopy (stereomicroscope) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Sixty‐four human teeth with class V caries that measured with DIAGNOdent were used. The samples were divided into four groups (n = 16) randomly according to caries removing methods of conventional method, Carisolv, Papacarie, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser system. The self‐etch Clearfıl SE Bond and Clearfıl Majesty Es‐II were used as restoration materials. After thermal cycles of 2,000 (5 and 55°C) samples were immersed in a 50% wt/wt AgNO3. Samples were finally imaged and scored under light microscopy and SEM, respectively. The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis H, pairwise comparison and Wilcoxon's T tests at 5% significance level (p < .05). Statistical analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference between microleakage scores in dentin regions but there were significant difference between the Papacarie and Er,Cr:YSGGlaser in terms of leakage scores in enamel sites. No statistically significant difference in leakage scores emerged between light microscopy and SEM.
High‐quality sea surface temperature measurements along coast of the Bohai and Yellow Seas in China and their long‐term trends during 1960–2012
Authors: Li Yan , Mu Lin , Wang Qingyuan , Ren Guoyu , You Qinglong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAs semi‐enclosed and shallow seas, the Bohai and Yellow Seas (hereafter, BYS) marine ecosystems are more easily affected by natural and anthropogenic climate changes than those in the open oceans. An accurate assessment of sea surface temperature (SST) change is crucial for the near‐shore water environment. In this work, new high‐quality monthly mean SST time series from 11 in situ coastal hydrological stations at BYS for the period of 1960–2012 have been generated. Monthly mean SST time series were initially subjected to penalized maximal t (PMT) test, using homogeneous monthly mean surface air temperature (SAT) series as references. Homogenized monthly mean SST series were obtained by adjusting all significant change points which have been supported by historic metadata. Our study shows that there are 29 significant change points in these 11 SST series. The majority of them are caused by instrument changes and station relocations—both account for about 51.7 and 31%, respectively. Then, homogeneous SST series are used to assess the long‐term trends. As the regional average, the annual mean homogeneous SST series shows a rapid warming trend, with the rate of 0.21°C/decade. Compared to the homogeneous SST series, the original SST series underestimate the long‐term trend (only 0.13°C/decade), indicating the artificial change points usually result in a warm‐bias in the early period measurements. Seasonally, the most significant warming occurs in boreal winter during the period analysed. The relationships of the significant warming in boreal winter and atmospheric circulation modes have also been investigated. Results reflect the remarkable and direct influence of the East Asian Trough (EAT) on SST along the coastal BYS.
Nitramine and nitrosamine formation is a minor pathway in the atmospheric oxidation of methylamine: A theoretical kinetic study of the CH3NH + O2 reaction
Authors: Alam Mohammad Ashraful , Ren Zhonghua , da Silva Gabriel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe atmospheric oxidation of amines proceeds via initial radical attack at C–H or N–H bonds to form carbon‐ and nitrogen‐centered radicals, respectively. It is conventionally assumed that nitrogen‐centered aminyl radicals react slowly with oxygen in the troposphere and
associate predominantly with the radicals •NO and NO2• to form toxic nitrosamines and nitramines. We have used theoretical kinetic modeling techniques to study the prototypical CH3N•H + O2 reaction and have shown that it proceeds to CH2NH + HO2• under tropospheric conditions with a rate coefficient of 3.6 × 10−17 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Although this value is low compared to the competing NOx reactions (∼10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1), the much higher concentration of O2 versus NOx in air makes it the dominant process in the atmospheric oxidation of methylamine for NOx concentrations below 100 ppb. The mechanism identified here is available to amines with primary, secondary, and tertiary α carbons and suggests that they may be less likely to form nitramines and nitrosamines than is currently thought.