bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The learning curve of endoscopic thyroid surgery for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: CUSUM analysis of a single surgeon’s experience
Authors: Yu Jian , Rao Shangrui , Lin Zhe , Pan Zhongliang , Zheng Xiangjian , Wang Zhonglin 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Background
With the development of surgical technics, endoscopic thyroid surgery has been gradually accepted and utilized in thyroid disease treatment, including thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve for endoscopic hemithyroidectomy (EHT) with ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND) and investigate how many cases must be performed before a surgeon becomes competent and proficient in this approach.

Methods
Ninety-nine consecutive patients who underwent EHT with ipsilateral CND for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by a single surgeon between June 2015 and October 2017 were analyzed. Multidimensional cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis was performed to evaluate the learning curve.

Results
The CUSUM graph showed the learning curve ascended in the first 31 cases and declined in the following cases. The number of lymph nodes removed in phase 2 (the following 68 cases) was significantly more than that in phase 1 (the first 31 cases) (5.06 ± 1.44 vs. 4.19 ± 1.51, P = 0.001). The operation time in phase 2 was shorter than that in phase 1 (123.38 ± 12.71 min vs. 132.90 ± 13.95 min, P = 0.008) and the rate of accidental removal of parathyroid gland decreased from 35.5% in phase 1 to 16.2% in phase 2 (P = 0.040). There was a declining trend but no significant difference in the rate of postoperative complications (9.7% in phase 2 vs. 4.4% in phase 1, P = 0.309).

Conclusion
EHT with ipsilateral CND performed by surgeons was mastered after 31 cases, and the safety and feasibility of this endoscopic approach can also be demonstrated.
Remarkable morphological variation in the proboscis ofNeorhadinorhynchus nudus(Harada, 1938) (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchida)
Authors: Li Liang , Wayland Matthew Thomas , Chen Hui-Xia , Yang Yue 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe acanthocephalans are characterized by a retractible proboscis, armed with rows of recurved hooks, which serves as the primary organ for attachment of the adult worm to the intestinal wall of the vertebrate definitive host. Whilst there is a considerable variation in the size, shape and armature of the proboscis across the phylum, intraspecific variation is generally regarded to be minimal. Consequently, subtle differences in proboscis morphology are often used to delimit congeneric species. In this study, striking variability in proboscis morphology was observed among individuals ofNeorhadinorhynchus nudus(Harada, 1938) collected from the frigate tunaAuxis thazardLacépède (Perciformes: Scombridae) in the South China Sea. Based on the length of the proboscis, and number of hooks per longitudinal row, these specimens ofN. nuduswere readily grouped into three distinct morphotypes, which might be considered separate taxa under the morphospecies concept. However, analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed a level of nucleotide divergence typical of an intraspecific comparison. Moreover, the three morphotypes do not represent three separate genetic lineages. The surprising, and previously undocumented level of intraspecific variation in proboscis morphology found in the present study, underscores the need to use molecular markers for delimiting acanthocephalan species.
Cultural trauma and epigenetic inheritance
Authors: Lehrner Amy , Yehuda Rachel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe question of whether and how the effects of cultural trauma can be transmitted intergenerationally from parents to offspring, or even to later generations, has evoked interest and controversy in academic and popular forums. Recent methodological advances have spurred investigations of potential epigenetic mechanisms for this inheritance, representing an exciting area of emergent research. Epigenetics has been described as the means through which environmental influences “get under the skin,” directing transcriptional activity and influencing the expression or suppression of genes. Over the past decade, this complex environment–biology interface has shown increasing promise as a potential pathway for the intergenerational transmission of the effects of trauma. This article reviews challenges facing research on cultural trauma, biological findings in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, and putative epigenetic mechanisms for transmission of trauma effects, including through social, intrauterine, and gametic pathways. Implications for transmission of cultural trauma effects are discussed, focused on the relevance of cultural narratives and the possibilities of resilience and adaptivity.
Testing S isotopes as biomarkers for Mars
Authors: Chela-Flores Julian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe suggest testing S isotopes as biomarkers for Mars. An analogous robust biosignature has recently been proposed for the forthcoming exploration of the icy surface of Europa, and in the long term for the exploration of the surfaces of other icy moons of the outer solar system. We discuss relevant instrumentation for testing the presence of life itself in some sites, whether extinct or extant in order to complement a set of other independent biosignatures. We pay special attention to the possible early emergence of sulphate-metabolizing microorganisms, as it happened on the early Earth. Fortunately, possible sites happen to be at likely landing sites for future missions ExoMars and Mars 2020, including Oxia Planum and Mawrth Vallis. We suggest how to make additional feasible use of the instruments that have already been approved for future missions. With these instruments, the proposed measurements can allow testing S isotopes on Mars, especially with the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer.
Applying the Burr Type XII Distribution to Decompose Remanent Magnetization Curves
Authors: Zhao Xiangyu , Fujii Masakazu , Suganuma Yusuke , Zhao Xiang , Jiang Zhaoxia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDiscriminating magnetic minerals of different origins in natural samples is useful to reveal their associated geological and environmental processes, which can be achieved by the analysis of remanent magnetization curves. The analysis relies on the choice of the model distribution to unmix magnetic components. Three model distributions were proposed in past studies, namely, the lognormal, skew normal, and skewed generalized Gaussian distributions, which are related to the normal distribution. In this study, the Burr type XII distribution is tested and compared with existing model distributions. An automated protocol is proposed to assign parameters necessary to initiate the component analysis, which improves the efficiency and objectivity. Results show that the new model distribution exhibits similar flexibility to the skew normal and skewed generalized Gaussian distributions in approximating skewed coercivity distributions and can fit end‐member components better than the commonly used lognormal distribution. We demonstrate that the component analysis is sensitive to model distribution as well as measurement noise. As a consequence, the decomposition is subject to bias that is hard to identify due to the lack of ground‐truth data. It is therefore recommended to compare results derived from various model distributions to identify spurious components.
A Stable Southern Margin of Asia During the Cretaceous: Paleomagnetic Constraints on the Lhasa‐Qiangtang Collision and the Maximum Width of the Neo‐Tethys
Authors: Ma Yiming , Yang Tianshui , Bian Weiwei , Jin Jingjie , Wang Qiang , Zhang Shihong , Wu Huaichun , Li Haiyan , Cao Liwan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe timing of the north‐south collision between two terranes can be determined by the overlap of their paleolatitudes or the change of their convergence rate. For example, the overlapping paleolatitudes of the Lhasa terrane and Tethyan Himalaya and the dramatic decrease in the velocity of the Indian plate are usually ascribed to the India‐Asia collision at ~55 Ma. However, little is known about the paleolatitudinal evolution and velocity change of the Lhasa terrane resulting from the Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision during the Jurassic‐Cretaceous period. To better constrain the velocity change of the Lhasa terrane during this period, to constrain when and where the Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision occurred, and to assess the distribution of land and sea in the Tethyan realm, we provide a high‐quality Cretaceous paleomagnetic pole obtained from the limestone from the western part of the Lhasa terrane, which yields a paleolatitude of ~16.8° ± 1.9°N for the sampling area (32.2°N, 80.8°E) during the time interval of ~113–72 Ma. We compile existing paleomagnetic results from the Lhasa terrane, Qiangtang terrane, Tethyan Himalaya, and India and reveal that the Lhasa‐Qiangtang collision most likely occurred at or near the J/K boundary at ~19°N for the reference point at (32°N, 88°E) and that the Neo‐Tethys reached its maximum width (≥~7450 km) during this period.
Tobacco smoking and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Aune Dagfinn , Schlesinger Sabrina , Norat Teresa , Riboli Elio 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSeveral studies have found that smoking increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm, however, the strength of the association has differed between studies and data from cohort studies have not yet been summarized. A systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore conducted to clarify this association. We searched PubMed and Embase databases up to May 2nd 2018. A random effects model was used to estimate summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Twenty three prospective studies were included. Comparing current, former and ever smokers with never smokers the summary RRs were 4.87 (95% CI: 3.93–6.02, I2 = 92%, n = 20), 2.10 (95% CI: 1.76–2.50, I2 = 71%, n = 15) and 3.28 (95% CI: 2.60–4.15, I2 = 96%, n = 18), respectively. The summary RR was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.45–2.40, I2 = 97%) per 10 cigarettes per day, 1.78 (95% CI: 1.54–2.06, I2 = 83%) per 10 pack-years was and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.32–0.63, I2 = 92.3%) per 10 years of smoking cessation. There was evidence of nonlinearity for cigarettes per day and pack-years (pnonlinearity < 0.0001 and pnonlinearity = 0.02, respectively), but not for smoking cessation, pnonlinearity = 0.85. Among smokers who quit, the RR was similar to that of never smokers by 25 years of smoking cessation. These findings confirm a strong association between smoking and the risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Earthquake-induced structural deformations enhance long-term solute fluxes from active volcanic systems
Authors: Hosono Takahiro , Hartmann Jens , Louvat Pascale , Amann Thorben , Washington Kirstin E. , West A. Joshua , Okamura Koki , Böttcher Michael E. , Gaillardet Jérôme 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEvidence for relationships between seismotectonic activity and dissolved weathering fluxes remains limited. Motivated by the occurrence of new springs emerging after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and supported by historical groundwater data, this study focuses on the long-term effect of near-surface structural deformation on the contribution of deep, highly saline fluids to the solute fluxes from the Aso caldera, Kyushu, Japan. Available hydrologic and structural data suggest that concentrated, over-pressured groundwaters migrate to the surface when new hydraulic pathways open during seismic deformation. These new springs have a hydrochemical fingerprint (including δDH2O, δ18OH2O, δ7Li, δ11B, δ18OSO4, and δ34SSO4) indistinguishable from long-established confined groundwater that likely reflects a mixture of infiltrated meteoric water with high-sulfate hydrothermal fluids. A comparison of historical hydrochemistry data and patterns of past seismicity suggests that discharge of deep fluids is associated with similar deformation structures to those observed during the Kumamoto earthquake, and that seismic activity plays an important role over historic timescales in delivering the majority of the solutes to the caldera outlet, sustaining fluxes that are amongst the world’s highest. This upwelling mechanism might be relevant for other systems too, and could contribute to the over-proportional share of active volcanic areas in global weathering fluxes.
Positive Caricature Transcriptomic Effects Associated with Broad Genomic Aberrations in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Condorelli Daniele F. , Spampinato Giorgia , Valenti Giovanna , Musso Nicolò , Castorina Sergio , Barresi Vincenza 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe re-examined the correlation between Broad Genomic Aberrations (BGAs) and transcriptomic profiles in Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Two types of BGAs have been examined: Broad Copy-Number Abnormal regions (BCNAs), distinguished in gain- and loss-type, and Copy-Neutral Loss of Heterozygosities (CNLOHs). Transcripts are classified as “OverT” or “UnderT” if overexpressed or underexpressed comparing CRCs bearing a specific BGA to CRCs not bearing it and as “UpT” or “DownT” if upregulated or downregulated in cancer compared to normal tissue. BGA-associated effects were evaluated by changes in the “Chromosomal Distribution Index” (CDI) of different transcript classes. Data show that UpT are more sensitive than DownT to BCNA-associated gene dosage effects. “Over-UpT” genes are upregulated in cancer and further overexpressed by gene dosage, defining the so called “positive caricature transcriptomic effect”. When Over-UpT genes are ranked according to overexpression, top positions are occupied by genes implicated at the functional and therapeutic level in CRC. We show that cancer-upregulated transcripts are sensitive markers of BCNA-induced effects and suggest that analysis of positive caricature transcriptomic effects can provide clues toward the identification of BCNA-associated cancer driver genes.
Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed water dispersible Fe3O4 nanoparticles and in vitro studies on human breast carcinoma cell line under hyperthermia condition
Authors: Sharma K. S. , Ningthoujam R. S. , Dubey A. K. , Chattopadhyay A. , Phapale S. , Juluri R. R. , Mukherjee S. , Tewari R. , Shetake Neena G. , Pandey B. N. , Vatsa R. K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMonodispersed Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) having size of 7 nm have been prepared from iron oleate and made water dispersible by functionalization for biomedical applications. Three different reactions employing thioglycolic acid, aspartic acid and aminophosphonate were performed on oleic acid coated Fe3O4. In order to achieve a control on particle size, the pristine nanoparticles were heated in presence of ferric oleate which led to increase in size from 7 to 11 nm. Reaction parameters such as rate of heating, reaction temperature and duration of heating have been studied. Shape of particles was found to change from spherical to cuboid. The cuboid shape in turn enhances magneto-crystalline anisotropy (Ku). Heating efficacy of these nanoparticles for hyperthermia was also evaluated for different shapes and sizes. We demonstrate heat generation from these MNPs for hyperthermia application under alternating current (AC) magnetic field and optimized heating efficiency by controlling morphology of particles. We have also studied intra-cellular uptake and localization of nanoparticles and cytotoxicity under AC magnetic field in human breast carcinoma cell line.
Effect of central lesions on a spinal circuit facilitating human wrist flexors
Authors: Aguiar Stefane A. , Choudhury Supriyo , Kumar Hrishikesh , Perez Monica A. , Baker Stuart N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA putative spinal circuit with convergent inputs facilitating human wrist flexors has been recently described. This study investigated how central nervous system lesions may affect this pathway. We measured the flexor carpi radialis H-reflex conditioned with stimulation above motor threshold to the extensor carpi radialis at different intervals in fifteen patients with stroke and nine with spinal cord injury. Measurements after stroke revealed a prolonged facilitation of the H-reflex, which replaced the later suppression seen in healthy subjects at longer intervals (30–60 ms). Measurements in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury at cervical level revealed heterogeneous responses. Results from patients with stroke could represent either an excessive facilitation or a loss of inhibition, which may reflect the development of spasticity. Spinal cord injury results possibly reflect damage to the segmental interneuron pathways. We report a straightforward method to assess changes to spinal circuits controlling wrist flexors after central nervous system lesion.
Oenological traits of Lachancea thermotolerans show signs of domestication and allopatric differentiation
Authors: Hranilovic Ana , Gambetta Joanna M. , Schmidtke Leigh , Boss Paul K. , Grbin Paul R. , Masneuf-Pomarede Isabelle , Bely Marina , Albertin Warren , Jiranek Vladimir 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe yeastLachancea thermotolerans(previouslyKluyveromyces thermotolerans) is a species of large, yet underexplored, oenological potential. This study delivers comprehensive oenological phenomes of 94 L. thermotoleransstrains obtained from diverse ecological niches worldwide, classified in nine genetic groups based on their pre-determined microsatellite genotypes. The strains and the genetic groups were compared for their alcoholic fermentation performance, production of primary and secondary metabolites and pH modulation in Chardonnay grape juice fermentations. The common oenological features ofL. thermotoleransstrains were their glucophilic character, relatively extensive fermentation ability, low production of acetic acid and the formation of lactic acid, which significantly affected the pH of the wines. An untargeted analysis of volatile compounds, used for the first time in a population-scale phenotyping of a non-Saccharomycesyeast, revealed that 58 out of 90 volatiles were affected at anL. thermotoleransstrain level. Besides the remarkable extent of intra-specific diversity, our results confirmed the distinct phenotypic performance ofL. thermotoleransgenetic groups. Together, these observations provide further support for the occurrence of domestication events and allopatric differentiation inL. thermotoleranspopulation.
Quantum Artificial Life in an IBM Quantum Computer
Authors: Alvarez-Rodriguez U. , Sanz M. , Lamata L. , Solano E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe present the first experimental realization of a quantum artificial life algorithm in a quantum computer. The quantum biomimetic protocol encodes tailored quantum behaviors belonging to living systems, namely, self-replication, mutation, interaction between individuals, and death, into the cloud quantum computer IBM ibmqx4. In this experiment, entanglement spreads throughout generations of individuals, where genuine quantum information features are inherited through genealogical networks. As a pioneering proof-of-principle, experimental data fits the ideal model with accuracy. Thereafter, these and other models of quantum artificial life, for which no classical device may predict its quantum supremacy evolution, can be further explored in novel generations of quantum computers. Quantum biomimetics, quantum machine learning, and quantum artificial intelligence will move forward hand in hand through more elaborate levels of quantum complexity.
Comparative synaptosome imaging: a semi-quantitative method to obtain copy numbers for synaptic and neuronal proteins
Authors: Richter Katharina N. , Wildhagen Hanna , Helm Martin S. , Ußling Jan-Eike , Schikorski Thomas , Rizzoli Silvio O. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractProtein copy numbers can be measured by biochemical methods ranging from quantitative Western Blotting to several mass spectrometry approaches. Such methods only provide average copy numbers, obtained over large cell numbers. However, copy number estimates for single cells or single organelles could be obtained by combining biochemical characterizations with an imaging approach. We performed this here for synaptic proteins, in a protocol that we termed comparative synaptosome imaging for semi-quantitative copy numbers (CosiQuant). In brief, in CosiQuant we immunostain in parallel biochemically-characterized synaptosomes, for which we have already determined the average protein copy numbers, and the samples of interest (such as neuronal cultures). We then derive the copy numbers in the samples of interest by comparing the immunofluorescence intensities. We measured the intensities not only in arbitrary fluorescence units, but also as numbers of antibodies per synaptosome, for a large number of targets. This implies that other groups can immediately apply CosiQuant for these targets, by simply estimating the number of antibodies per structure of interest. CosiQuant should therefore be a useful addition to the growing set of imaging techniques for synaptic neuroscience.
Increased spatial and temporal autocorrelation of temperature under climate change
Authors: Di Cecco Grace J. , Gouhier Tarik C. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUnderstanding spatiotemporal variation in environmental conditions is important to determine how climate change will impact ecological communities. The spatial and temporal autocorrelation of temperature can have strong impacts on community structure and persistence by increasing the duration and the magnitude of unfavorable conditions in sink populations and disrupting spatial rescue effects by synchronizing spatially segregated populations. Although increases in spatial and temporal autocorrelation of temperature have been documented in historical data, little is known about how climate change will impact these trends. We examined daily air temperature data from 21 General Circulation Models under the business-as-usual carbon emission scenario to quantify patterns of spatial and temporal autocorrelation between 1871 and 2099. Although both spatial and temporal autocorrelation increased over time, there was significant regional variation in the temporal autocorrelation trends. Additionally, we found a consistent breakpoint in the relationship between spatial autocorrelation and time around the year 2030, indicating an acceleration in the rate of increase of the spatial autocorrelation over the second half of the 21st century. Overall, our results suggest that ecological populations might experience elevated extinction risk under climate change because increased spatial and temporal autocorrelation of temperature is expected to erode both spatial and temporal refugia.