bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of 360-degree Surface Mapping In Vivo Bioluminescence with Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography in Human Xenograft Tumor Models
Authors: Brannen Andrew , Eggert Matthew , Nahrendorf Matthias , Arnold Robert , Panizzi Peter 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPre-clinical monitoring of tumor growth and identification of distal metastasis requires a balance between accuracy and expediency. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is often used to track tumor growth but is primarily limited to planar 2-dimensional (2D) imaging. Consistent subject placement within a standard top-mounted, single-detector small animal imager is vital to reducing variability in repeated same-animal measures over time. Here, we describe a method for tracking tumor development using a multi-angle BLI and photo-acoustic workflow. We correlate serial caliper measurements and 2D BLI to 360° BLI and photo-acoustic datasets for the same animals. Full 360° BLI showed improved correlations with both volumes obtained from caliper measurements and photo-acoustic segmentation, as compared to planar BLI. We also determined segmented tumor volumes from photo-acoustic datasets more accurately reflects true excised tumors’ volumes compared to caliper measurements. Our results demonstrate the distinct advantages of both 360° surface mapping by BLI and photo-acoustic methodologies for non-invasive tracking of tumor growth in pre-clinical academic settings. Furthermore, our design is fully implementable in all top-mounted, single-detector imagers, thereby providing the opportunity to shift the paradigm away from planar BLI into rapid BLI tomography applications.
Alteration of rocks by endolithic organisms is one of the pathways for the beginning of soils on Earth
Authors: Mergelov Nikita , Mueller Carsten W. , Prater Isabel , Shorkunov Ilya , Dolgikh Andrey , Zazovskaya Elya , Shishkov Vasily , Krupskaya Victoria , Abrosimov Konstantin , Cherkinsky Alexander , Goryachkin Sergey 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSubaerial endolithic systems of the current extreme environments on Earth provide exclusive insight into emergence and development of soils in the Precambrian when due to various stresses on the surfaces of hard rocks the cryptic niches inside them were much more plausible habitats for organisms than epilithic ones. Using an actualistic approach we demonstrate that transformation of silicate rocks by endolithic organisms is one of the possible pathways for the beginning of soils on Earth. This process led to the formation of soil-like bodies on rocksin situand contributed to the raise of complexity in subaerial geosystems. Endolithic systems of East Antarctica lack the noise from vascular plants and are among the best available natural models to explore organo-mineral interactions of a very old “phylogenetic age” (cyanobacteria-to-mineral, fungi-to-mineral, lichen-to-mineral). On the basis of our case study from East Antarctica we demonstrate that relatively simple endolithic systems of microbial and/or cryptogamic origin that exist and replicate on Earth over geological time scales employ the principles of organic matter stabilization strikingly similar to those known for modern full-scale soils of various climates.
Molecular basis of differential nitrogen use efficiencies and nitrogen source preferences in contrasting Arabidopsis accessions
Authors: Menz Jochen , Range Tim , Trini Johannes , Ludewig Uwe , Neuhäuser Benjamin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNatural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana differ in their growth and development, but also vary dramatically in their nitrogen use efficiencies (NUE). The molecular basis for these differences has not been addressed yet. Experiments with five contrasting accessions grown in hydroponics at different levels of inorganic nitrogen confirmed low NUE of Col-0 and higher NUE in Tsu-0. At constant external nitrogen supply, higher NUE was based on nitrogen capture, rather than utilization of nitrogen for shoot biomass. This changed when a limited nitrogen amount was supplied. Nevertheless, the total NUE sequence remained similar. Interestingly, the two most contrasting accessions, Col-0 and Tsu-0, differed in the capture of single inorganic nitrogen sources, reflected by the differential consumption of 15N label from ammonium or nitrate, when supplied together. Tsu-0 acquired more nitrate than Col-0, both in roots and shoots. This preference was directly correlated with the expression of certain nitrogen uptake and assimilation systems in the root. However, early transcriptional responses of the root to nitrate deprivation were similar in both accessions, suggesting that the sensing of the external lack of nitrate was not different in the more nitrogen use efficient accession. Thus, a robust rapid nitrate-deprivation signaling exists in both genotypes.
True gene-targeting events by CRISPR/Cas-induced DSB repair of the PPO locus with an ectopically integrated repair template
Authors: de Pater Sylvia , Klemann Bart J. P. M. , Hooykaas Paul J. J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn recent years, several tools have become available for improved gene-targeting (GT) in plants. DNA breaks at specific sites activate local DNA repair and recombination, including recombination with ectopic sequences leading to GT. Large-scale transformation with the repair template can be avoided by pre-insertion of the repair template in the genome and liberation by sequence-specific nucleases (in planta GT procedure). Here, we tested whether release of the repair template was required for GT. Plants were transformed with constructs encoding a CRISPR/Cas nuclease with a recognition site in the endogenous PPO gene and a repair template harboring a 5′ truncated PPO gene with two amino acid substitutions rendering the enzyme insensitive to the herbicide butafenacil. Selection resulted in so-called true GT events, repaired via homologous recombination at both ends of the gene and transmitted to the next generation. As the template was surrounded by geminiviral LIR sequences, we also tested whether replication of the template could be induced by crossing-in an integrated geminivirus REP gene. However, we could not find evidence for repair template replication by REP and we obtained similar numbers of GT events in these plants. Thus, GT is possible without any further processing of the pre-inserted repair template.
A novel P300 BCI speller based on the Triple RSVP paradigm
Authors: Lin Zhimin , Zhang Chi , Zeng Ying , Tong Li , Yan Bin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA brain–computer interface (BCI) is an advanced human–machine interaction technology. The BCI speller is a typical application that detects the stimulated source-induced EEG signal to identify the expected characters of the subjects. The current mainstream matrix-based BCI speller involves two problems that remain unsolved, namely, gaze-dependent and space-dependent problems. Some scholars have designed gaze-independent and space-independent spelling systems. However, this system still cannot achieve a satisfactory information transfer rate (ITR). In this paper, we propose a novel triple RSVP speller with gaze-independent and space-independent characteristics and higher ITR. The triple RSVP speller uses rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm, each time presents three different characters, and each character is presented three times to increase the ITR. The results of the experiments show the triple RSVP speller online average accuracy of 0.790 and average online ITR of 20.259 bit/min, where the system spelled at a speed of 10 s per character, and the stimulus presentation interface is a 90 × 195 pixel rectangle. Thus, the triple RSVP speller can be integrated into mobile smart devices (such as smartphones, smart watches, and others).
Spina bifida-predisposing heterozygous mutations in Planar Cell Polarity genes and Zic2 reduce bone mass in young mice
Authors: Orriss Isabel R. , Lanham Stuart , Savery Dawn , Greene Nicholas D. E. , Stanier Philip , Oreffo Richard , Copp Andrew J. , Galea Gabriel L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFractures are a common comorbidity in children with the neural tube defect (NTD) spina bifida. Mutations in the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway contribute to NTDs in humans and mice, but whether this pathway independently determines bone mass is poorly understood. Here, we first confirmed that core Wnt/PCP components are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro. In vivo, we performed detailed µCT comparisons of bone structure in tibiae from young male mice heterozygous for NTD-associated mutations versus WT littermates. PCP signalling disruption caused by Vangl2 (Vangl2Lp/+) or Celsr1 (Celsr1Crsh/+) mutations significantly reduced trabecular bone mass and distal tibial cortical thickness. NTD-associated mutations in non-PCP transcription factors were also investigated. Pax3 mutation (Pax3Sp2H/+) had minimal effects on bone mass. Zic2 mutation (Zic2Ku/+) significantly altered the position of the tibia/fibula junction and diminished cortical bone in the proximal tibia. Beyond these genes, we bioinformatically documented the known extent of shared genetic networks between NTDs and bone properties. 46 genes involved in neural tube closure are annotated with bone-related ontologies. These findings document shared genetic networks between spina bifida risk and bone structure, including PCP components and Zic2. Genetic variants which predispose to spina bifida may therefore independently diminish bone mass.
Patternable and Widely Colour-Tunable Elastomer-Based Electroluminescent Devices
Authors: Song Seongkyu , Shim Hyunseok , Lim Sang Kyoo , Jeong Soon Moon 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate wide colour tunability of polydimethylsiloxane-based alternating-current-driven electroluminescent devices with intrinsically stretchable characteristics achieved by simply modulating the electrical frequency. By employing both a screen-printed emitting layer and frequency-dependent colour tuning of ZnS:Cu-based phosphors, we demonstrate various coloured patterned images in a single device. We also show enhanced colour-tuning performance by mixing multi-colour phosphors, which results in a broad range of available coordinates in colour space. We believe that our demonstrated method could be used for manipulating broader colour expression as well as in various applications involving stretchable devices.
Consequences of asynchronous heading in a perennial bunchgrass (Elymus excelsus)
Authors: Li Haiyan , Jin Xiaowei , Yang Yunfei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractReproduction is vital to plant population adaptation. The consequences of asynchronous reproduction in a perennial bunchgrass grass is not well studied. The heading reproductive tillers from early to late forms a continuum due to asynchronous heading and flowering in Elymus excelsus population. In two peak years of production, the three-year-old and four-year-old reproductive tillers of experimental E. excelsus population were marked from the early to late heading stage every four days at five different heading times and these tillers were harvested at the dough stage, respectively. The growth, biomass, seed production and reproductive allocation were measured to analyze the consequences of asynchronous reproduction. Reproductive tiller height, biomass, inflorescence length, inflorescence biomass, floret number, seed number, seed biomass, seed-set percentage, biomass allocation to inflorescence (RA1) and to seed (RA2) significantly decreased with the delay of heading date over the two years. Above ten phenotypic characteristics exponentially increased at a significant or extremely significant level with increasing differences in reproductive period. Reproductive tillers preferentially allocated the biomass to inflorescences, and then the inflorescences preferentially allocated the biomass to seeds throughout reproductive period. Earlier heading tillers had more contribution to E. excelsus population adaptation and development in the two peak years of production.
Proliferation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Pietruczuk Krzysztof , Lisowska Katarzyna A. , Grabowski Karol , Landowski Jerzy , Witkowski Jacek M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate proliferation capacity and susceptibility to apoptosis of T lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and to investigate in vitro influence of two standard mood stabilizers: lithium and valproic acid on these parameters using flow cytometry. Our results show that T lymphocytes of BD patients, especially those treated with lithium, have reduced proliferation capacity compared to healthy people. In vitro studies showed that valproic acid reduces the number of cell divisions and percentages of proliferating cells regardless of health status but mainly in very high dose, while lithium has no significant influence on proliferation capacity of patients’ T lymphocytes. Lymphocytes of BD patients are also more prone to apoptosis compared with healthy individuals which is related to high expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein. In vitro lithium protected patients’ lymphocytes from apoptosis proportionally to dose used. Valproic acid protected lymphocytes of patients from apoptosis mainly in therapeutic concentration. Our results show that mood stabilizers used to prevent relapses of the disease have anti-apoptotic effect on T lymphocytes of BD patients but they are not able to improve their proliferation capacity.
Poor Speech Perception Is Not a Core Deficit of Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Zuk Jennifer , Iuzzini-Seigel Jenya , Cabbage Kathryn , Green Jordan R. , Hogan Tiffany P. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is hypothesized to arise from deficits in speech motor planning and programming, but the influence of abnormal speech perception in CAS on these processes is debated. This study examined speech perception abilities among children with CAS with and without language impairment compared to those with language impairment, speech delay, and typically developing peers.

Method
Speech perception was measured by discrimination of synthesized speech syllable continua that varied in frequency (/dɑ/–/ɡɑ/). Groups were classified by performance on speech and language assessments and compared on syllable discrimination thresholds. Within-group variability was also evaluated.

Results
Children with CAS without language impairment did not significantly differ in syllable discrimination compared to typically developing peers. In contrast, those with CAS and language impairment showed significantly poorer syllable discrimination abilities compared to children with CAS only and typically developing peers. Children with speech delay and language impairment also showed significantly poorer discrimination abilities, with appreciable within-group variability.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that speech perception deficits are not a core feature of CAS but rather occur with co-occurring language impairment in a subset of children with CAS. This study establishes the significance of accounting for language ability in children with CAS.

Supplemental Materials

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5848056
Analysis and design of two‐switch flyback converter with double passive lossless snubber
Authors: Soltanzadeh Karim , Yousefi Mohammad Reza 
Published: February 2018

A double passive lossless snubber (DPLS) is applied to a pulse width modulation two‐switch flyback converter (TSFC). The DPLS, which has two capacitors, two inductors, and four diodes, has achieved zero voltage turn off and zero current (ZC) turn on for power switches without high voltage and current stresses; ZC turn on and ZC turn off for a rectifier diode without a reverse recovery problem. In this study, the steady‐state operating modes of TSFC–DPLS are analysed and the proposed converter design procedure to operate in the continuous conduction mode is taken. To validate the theoretical analysis, a 240 W prototype TSFC–DPLS under an 85–135 Vrms input, 24 VDC output, and 300 kHz is implemented. Finally, by utilising the experimental results, the soft switching conditions under wide input voltage and output load ranges are discussed.
A Generalized Technique in Numerical Integration
Authors: Safouhi Hassan 
Published: February 2018

Integration by parts is one of the most popular techniques in the analysis of integrals and is one of the simplest methods to generate asymptotic expansions of integral representations. The product of the technique is usually a divergent series formed from evaluating boundary terms; however, sometimes the remaining integral is also evaluated. Due to the successive differentiation and anti-differentiation required to form the series or the remaining integral, the technique is difficult to apply to problems more complicated than the simplest. In this contribution, we explore a generalized and formalized integration by parts to create equivalent representations to some challenging integrals.As a demonstrative archetype, we examine Bessel integrals, Fresnel integrals and Airy functions.
Optimal Approximation of Biquartic Polynomials by Bicubic Splines
Authors: Kačala Viliam , Török Csaba 
Published: February 2018

Recently an unexpected approximation property between polynomials of degree three and four was revealed within the framework of two-part approximation models in 2-norm, Chebyshev norm and Holladay seminorm. Namely, it was proved that if a two-component cubic Hermite spline’s first derivative at the shared knot is computed from the first derivative of a quartic polynomial, then the spline is a clamped spline of classC2and also the best approximant to the polynomial.Although it was known that a 2 × 2 component uniform bicubic Hermite spline is a clamped spline of classC2if the derivatives at the shared knots are given by the first derivatives of a biquartic polynomial, the optimality of such approximation remained an open question.The goal of this paper is to resolve this problem. Unlike the spline curves, in the case of spline surfaces it is insufficient to suppose that the grid should be uniform and the spline derivatives computed from a biquartic polynomial. We show that the biquartic polynomial coefficients have to satisfy some additional constraints to achieve optimal approximation by bicubic splines.
Orbitopterional Approach with Extradural Clinoidectomy for the Resection of a Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma: Adapting the Strategy to the Microsurgical and Pathological Anatomy
Authors: Basma Jaafar , Nguyen Vincent , Sorenson Jeffrey , Michael L. 
Published: February 2018

Objectives To describe the orbitopterional approach with extradural clinoidectomy for the resection of a tuberculum sellae meningioma, with an emphasis on the microsurgical and pathological anatomy of such lesions.
Design After completing the orbitopterional craniotomy in one piece, the optic nerve is identified extradurally, unroofed, and the clinoid process resected. The falciform ligament is divided and the optic nerve is decompressed extradurally. Opening the frontotemporal dura exposes the tumor in the subfrontal region. The tumor is followed along the ipsilateral and contralateral optic nerves, and its dural tail is cut and coagulated at the level of the tuberculum. Care is taken to preserve the optic nerve perforators during the dissection. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy.
Participants The surgery was performed by the senior author assisted by Dr. Jaafar Basma, neurosurgery fourth-year resident. The video was edited by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, neurosurgery third-year resident.
Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed with the extent of resection and visual symptoms.
Results A near-total resection of the tumor was achieved. A small part of tumor significantly adherent to the optic nerve was intentionally left behind. The patient had a stable vision examination postoperatively.
Conclusions Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the suprasellar region and the pathological anatomy of the tuberculum sellae meningioma is necessary to achieve a good resection of these tumors while preserving functionality of the optic apparatus. The orbitopterional approach with anterior clinoidectomy provides the appropriate access for such endeavor.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/WtAP8uqSW0M.
Relationship between Blood Glucose Fluctuation and Brain Damage in the Hypoglycemia Neonates
Authors: Lv Yuan , Zhu Ling-Ling , Shu Gui-Hua 
Published: February 2018

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood glucose fluctuation and brain damage in the hypoglycemia neonates.
Study Design A retrospective study including all neonates hospitalized due to hypoglycemia from September 2013 to August 2016 was performed. All the 58 hypoglycemia infants were divided into two groups—the brain-damaged group and the nonbrain-damaged group, according to head magnetic resonance imaging and/or amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram. Relationship between glucose variability and brain damage and whether these variation indexes could act as early indicators for hypoglycemic brain damage were investigated.
Results Of the 13 brain-damaged cases, the lowest blood glucose (LBG) level was lower, while duration of hypoglycemia was longer compared with the 45 nonbrain-damaged cases (p < 0.001). The largest amplitude of glycemic excursions, standard deviation of blood glucose, and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) of the brain-damaged group were higher (p < 0.001). Under receiver-operating characteristic curve, values of area under the curve of MAGE were 0.892, duration of hypoglycemia was 0.921, and LBG was 0.109 (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion Brain damage of the hypoglycemia neonates relates not only with LBG and duration of hypoglycemia but also with the blood glucose variation indexes; MAGE and duration of hypoglycemia could act as predictors for brain damage.
Neonatal Onset of Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures Associated with a Novel GABRB3 Variant in Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Štěrbová Katalin , Vlčková Markéta , Klement Petr , Neupauerová Jana , Staněk David , Zůnová Hana , Seeman Pavel , Laššuthová Petra 
Published: February 2018

Background Recently, a study providing insight into GABRB3 mutational spectrum was published (Møller et al 2017). The authors report considerable pleiotropy even for single mutations and were not able to identify any genotype–phenotype correlations.
Methods The proband (twin B) was referred for massively parallel sequencing of epilepsy-related gene panel because of hypotonia and neonatal seizures. The revealed variant was confirmed with Sanger sequencing in the proband and the twin A, and both parents were tested for the presence of the variant.
Results We report a case of epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) of neonatal onset in monozygotic twins with a de novo novel GABRB3 variant p.Thr281Ala. The variant has a uniform presentation on an identical genomic background. In addition, early seizure-onset epilepsy associated with GABRB3 mutation has been until now described only for the p.Leu256Gln variant in the GABRB3 (Møller et al 2017, Myers et al 2016) located in the transmembrane domain just as the p.Thr281Ala variant described here.
Conclusion De novo GABRB3 mutations may cause neonatal-onset EIMFS with early-onset hypotonia, respiratory distress, and severe developmental delay.