bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Topography shapes the structure, composition and function of tropical forest landscapes
Authors: Jucker Tommaso , Bongalov Boris , Burslem David F. R. P. , Nilus Reuben , Dalponte Michele , Lewis Simon L. , Phillips Oliver L. , Qie Lan , Coomes David A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTopography is a key driver of tropical forest structure and composition, as it constrains local nutrient and hydraulic conditions within which trees grow. Yet, we do not fully understand how changes in forest physiognomy driven by topography impact other emergent properties of forests, such as their aboveground carbon density (ACD). Working in Borneo – at a site where 70‐m‐tall forests in alluvial valleys rapidly transition to stunted heath forests on nutrient‐depleted dip slopes – we combined field data with airborne laser scanning and hyperspectral imaging to characterise how topography shapes the vertical structure, wood density, diversity and ACD of nearly 15 km2 of old‐growth forest. We found that subtle differences in elevation – which control soil chemistry and hydrology – profoundly influenced the structure, composition and diversity of the canopy. Capturing these processes was critical to explaining landscape‐scale heterogeneity in ACD, highlighting how emerging remote sensing technologies can provide new insights into long‐standing ecological questions.
Can mutation‐mediated effects occurring early in development cause long‐term seizure susceptibility in genetic generalized epilepsies?
Authors: Reid Christopher Alan , Rollo Ben , Petrou Steven , Berkovic Samuel F. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryEpilepsy has a strong genetic component, with an ever‐increasing number of disease‐causing genes being discovered. Most epilepsy‐causing mutations are germ line and thus present from conception. These mutations are therefore well positioned to have a deleterious impact during early development. Here we review studies that investigate the role of genetic lesions within the early developmental window, specifically focusing on genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). Literature on the potential pathogenic role of sub‐mesoscopic structural changes in GGE is also reviewed. Evidence from rodent models of genetic epilepsy support the idea that functional and structural changes can occur in early development, leading to altered seizure susceptibility into adulthood. Both animal and human studies suggest that sub‐mesoscopic structural changes occur in GGE. The existence of sub‐mesoscopic structural changes prior to seizure onset may act as biomarkers of excitability in genetic epilepsies. We also propose that presymptomatic treatment may be essential for limiting the long‐term consequences of disease‐causing mutations in genetic epilepsies.
Lottery preferences and the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle
Authors: Chichernea Doina C. , Kassa Haimanot , Slezak Steve L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe investigate the empirical implications of investors’ heterogeneous preferences for skewness with respect to the idiosyncratic volatility (IVOL) puzzle, that is, the negative correlation between IVOL and mean returns. We show that the IVOL puzzle is stronger: (1) within stocks held primarily by agents with a preference for lottery‐like payoffs; and (2) during economic downturns, when the demand for lottery‐like payoffs is high. These results support recent theories that suggest lottery preferences could be a significant source of the IVOL puzzle.
Equine acupuncture methods and applications: A review
Authors: Pellegrini D. Z. , Müller T. R. , Fonteque J. H. , de Souza L. P. , de Souza A. F. , Joaquim J. G. F. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis review discusses the applications of acupuncture (AP) and its eastern medical philosophy in equine health, and the main techniques used to stimulate acupoints in equine practice. These methods include dry needling, electroacupuncture (EA), moxibustion, laser therapy, haemopuncture, aquapuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupressure and gold implants.
Coagulation parameters following equine herpesvirus type 1 infection in horses
Authors: Wilson M. E. , Holz C. L. , Kopec A. K. , Dau J. J. , Luyendyk J. P. , Soboll Hussey G. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundEquine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) is the cause of respiratory disease, abortion storms, and outbreaks of herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Infection of the spinal cord is characterised by multifocal regions of virally infected vascular endothelium, associated with vasculitis, thrombosis and haemorrhage that result in ischaemia and organ dysfunction. However, the mechanism of thrombosis in affected horses is unknown.ObjectivesTo evaluate tissue factor (TF) procoagulant activity and thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) levels in horses following infection with EHV‐1.Study designIn vitro and in vivo studies following experimental EHV‐1 infection.MethodsHorses were infected with EHV‐1 and levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)‐associated TF activity; plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐derived microvesicle (MV)‐associated TF activity and TAT complexes in plasma were examined.ResultsEHV‐1 infection increased PBMC TF procoagulant activity in vitro and in vivo. In infected horses, this increase was observed during the acute infection and was most marked at the onset and end of viraemia. However, no significant differences were observed between the horses that showed signs of EHM and the horses that did not develop EHM. Significant changes in MV‐associated TF procoagulant activity and TAT complexes were not observed in infected horses.Main limitationsA small number of horses typically exhibit clinical EHM following experimental infection.ConclusionsThe results indicate that EHV‐1 infection increases PBMC‐associated TF procoagulant activity in vivo and in vitro. Additional in vivo studies are needed to better understand the role of TF‐dependent coagulation during EHM pathogenesis in horses.
Subchondral bone microdamage accumulation in distal metacarpus of Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Whitton R. C. , Ayodele B. A. , Hitchens P. L. , Mackie E. J. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundMicrodamage accumulation leads to subchondral bone injury and/or fracture in racehorses. An understanding of this process is essential for developing strategies for injury prevention.ObjectivesTo quantify subchondral bone microdamage in the third metacarpal bone of Thoroughbred racehorses at different stages of the training cycle.Study designCross‐sectional.MethodsBone blocks from the palmar aspect of the medial condyles of third metacarpal bones from 46 racing Thoroughbred horses undergoing post‐mortem were examined with micro computed tomography (microCT) to detect calcified microcracks, and light microscopy to quantify bulk stained microcracks. Racing and training histories were obtained for comparison with microdamage data using regression modelling.ResultsSubchondral bone microcracks were observed in all bones with at least one method. Microdamage grade was greater in older horses, levelling‐off for horses 5 years and older (quadratic term P = 0.01), and with lower bone material density in the parasagittal groove (P = 0.02). Microcrack density was higher in older horses (P = 0.004), and with higher bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the parasagittal groove in horses in training (interaction effect, P = 0.01) and lower in horses resting from training (P = 0.02).Main limitationsCross‐sectional data only. Incomplete detection of microdamage due to the limits of resolution of microCT and lack of three‐dimensional imaging with microscopy. Multicollinearity between variables that indicated career progression (e.g. age, number of career starts, duration of training period) was detected.ConclusionsFatigue damage in the distal metacarpal subchondral bone is common in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing post‐mortem and appears to accumulate throughout a racing career. Reduced intensity or duration of training and racing and/or increased duration of rest periods may limit microdamage accumulation. Focal subchondral bone sclerosis indicates the presence of microdamage.
Texture analysis of second‐harmonic‐generation images for quantitative analysis of reticular dermal collagen fibre in vivo in human facial cheek skin
Authors: Ogura Yuki , Tanaka Yuji , Hase Eiji , Yamashita Toyonobu , Yasui Takeshi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSecond‐harmonic‐generation (SHG) microscopy is a powerful tool for in vivo visualisation of collagen fibres in human skin because of its specific collagen selectivity without the need for staining, non‐invasiveness and high‐resolution three‐dimensional imaging. Although texture analysis of SHG images is a promising method for the quantitative analysis of well‐orientated collagen fibre structure in the tendon and cornea, there are few attempts to assess cutaneous ageing. In this study, we applied two texture analysis techniques, namely autocorrelation (2D‐AC) analysis and two‐dimensional Fourier transform (2D‐FT), to evaluate the age‐dependent changes in reticular dermal collagen fibres in in vivo human cheek skin. Age‐dependent changes in the reticular dermal collagen fibres of female subjects in their 20s, 40s and 60s clearly appeared in these texture analyses. Furthermore, the parameter from 2D‐AC analysis showed a significantly higher correlation with skin elasticity measured by a Cutometer®. These results clearly indicate that 2D‐AC analysis of SHG images is highly promising for the quantitative evaluation of age‐dependent change in facial collagen fibres as well as skin elasticity. An appropriate texture analysis will help to provide quantitative insight into collagen fibre structure and will be useful for the diagnosis of pathological conditions as well as cutaneous ageing in skin.
UVA, metabolism and melanoma: UVA makes melanoma hungry for metastasis
Authors: Kamenisch York , Ivanova Irina , Drexler Konstantin , Berneburg Mark 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUltraviolet (UV) radiation has a plethora of effects on human tissues. In the UV spectrum, wavelengths above 320 nm fall into the UVA range, and for these, it has been shown that they induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA mutations and are capable to induce melanoma in mice. In addition to this, it was recently shown that UVA irradiation and UVA‐induced ROS also increase glucose metabolism of melanoma cells. UVA irradiation causes a persistent increase in glucose consumption, accompanied by increased glycolysis, increased lactic acid production and activation of the pentose phosphate pathway. Furthermore, it was shown that the enhanced secretion of lactic acid is important for invasion of melanoma in vitro. The current knowledge of this link between UVA, metabolism and melanoma, possible mechanisms of UVA‐induced glucose metabolism and their starting points are discussed in this review with focus on ROS‐ and UVA‐induced cellular stress signalling, DNA damage signalling and DNA repair systems. When looking at the benefits of UVA‐induced glucose metabolism, it becomes apparent that there are more advantages of these metabolic changes than one would expect. Besides the role of lactic acid as initiator of protease expression and invasion, its role for immune escape of melanoma cells and the pentose phosphate pathway‐derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as part of a ROS detoxification strategy are discussed.
An empirical study on evolutionary feature selection in intelligent tutors for learning concept detection
Authors: Gunel Korhan , Erdogdu Kazim , Polat Refet , Ozarslan Yasin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractConcept map mining (CMM) has emerged as a new research area with recent developments in computational intelligence in educational technology. CMM includes the following steps: extracting the learning concepts from educational content, specifying relations among them, and generating a concept map as a result. The purpose of this study was to develop a mechanism using data mining technique to determine the features that characterize a learning concept extracted automatically from a single educational text. The 3 major features that distinguish the real learning concepts from other sequences of strings are detected by using a hybrid system of a feed‐forward neural network and some evolutionary algorithms. Ant colony optimization and genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization are used as a binary feature selection method. In addition, the aforementioned methods are hybridized to get better accuracy and precision. The performance comparisons with two different state‐of‐the‐art algorithms have been made from the viewpoint of a typical classification problem.
Digital image analysis improves precision of PD‐L1 scoring in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Koelzer Viktor H , Gisler Aline , Hanhart Jonathan C , Griss Johannes , Wagner Stephan N , Willi Niels , Cathomas Gieri , Sachs Melanie , Kempf Werner , Thommen Daniela S , Mertz Kirsten D 
Published: April 2018

AimsImmune checkpoint inhibitors have become a successful treatment in metastatic melanoma. The high response rates in a subset of patients suggest that a sensitive companion diagnostic test is required. The predictive value of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) staining in melanoma has been questioned due to inconsistent correlation with clinical outcome. Whether this is due to predictive irrelevance of PD‐L1 expression or inaccurate assessment techniques remains unclear. The aim of this study was to develop a standardised digital protocol for the assessment of PD‐L1 staining in melanoma and to compare the output data and reproducibility to conventional assessment by expert pathologists.Methods and resultsIn two cohorts with a total of 69 cutaneous melanomas, a highly significant correlation was found between pathologist‐based consensus reading and automated PD‐L1 analysis (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001). Digital scoring captured the full diagnostic spectrum of PD‐L1 expression at single cell resolution. An average of 150 472 melanoma cells (median 38 668 cells; range = 733–1 078 965) were scored per lesion. Machine learning was used to control for heterogeneity introduced by PD‐L1‐positive inflammatory cells in the tumour microenvironment. The PD‐L1 image analysis protocol showed excellent reproducibility (r = 1.0, P < 0.0001) when carried out on independent workstations and reduced variability in PD‐L1 scoring of human observers. When melanomas were grouped by PD‐L1 expression status, we found a clear correlation of PD‐L1 positivity with CD8‐positive T cell infiltration, but not with tumour stage, metastasis or driver mutation status.ConclusionDigital evaluation of PD‐L1 reduces scoring variability and may facilitate patient stratification in clinical practice.
Knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals relating to oral medicine use in swallowing-impaired patients: a scoping review
Authors: Masilamoney Mehrusha , Dowse Ros 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Swallowing impairment is a growing problem that affects 16% of the overall population and can significantly affect medicine-taking. However, little is known about the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) relating to swallowing-impaired (SI) patients. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the knowledge and practice of HCPs in supporting SI patients with their medicine-taking, to identify their reference sources, and to describe their training and information needs.

Method
Databases searched included Scopus, Web of Science, Medline and Google Scholar from inception to August 2017. Qualitative and quantitative studies describing knowledge and practice of HCPs relating to medicine use in SI patients were included.

Key findings
The nine included studies, from an initial 142, involved nurses (nine studies), pharmacists (one study) and doctors (two studies) in hospitals or aged-care facilities. A knowledge deficit linked to lack of training was revealed, particularly with identification of modified-release dosage forms, medication that can/cannot be crushed, vehicle for safe dispersion, consequences of inappropriate modification, drug stability and legal aspects. Written information sources were named, but not used in practice. Pharmacists were the primary experts for consultation, and were involved in nurse education, and were members of multidisciplinary teams.

Conclusions
Knowledge in nurses was inadequate, with practice indicating potentially serious medication-related errors. Additional training, either undergraduate or as continuing professional development, is recommended. Information to guide safe medicine modification practice should be accessible to all practitioners. Pharmacists could take the lead role in offering training to nurses.
Identification and characterization of doublesex in Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Guo L. , Xie W. , Liu Y. , Yang Z. , Yang X. , Xia J. , Wang S. , Wu Q. , Zhang Y. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Although B. tabaci is known to have a unique haplodiploid reproductive strategy, its sex determination mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we cloned the full‐length sequence of B. tabaci doublesex (Btdsx) and found that Btdsx has 28 splicing isoforms. We found two new splicing isoforms of transformer 2 (Bttra2), which encode two proteins. We also confirmed that both genes lack sex‐specific splicing isoforms. Real‐time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of Btdsx and Bttra2 is higher in males than in females. RNA interference of Bttra2 affected the expression of Btdsx and vice versa. Furthermore, silencing of Bttra2 or Btdsx caused malformation of the male genitalia (anal style). It did not affect the female phenotype, but reduced the expression of vitellogenin gene in females. These results indicate that Btdsx is associated with sex determination in B. tabaci and that Btdsx and Bttra2 affect each other and are important for male genitalia formation. In addition to increasing our understanding of the roles of dsx and tra2 in the sex determination of B. tabaci, the results will be useful for studies of sex determination in other haplodiploid species.
Mapping the tumour human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligandome by mass spectrometry
Authors: Freudenmann Lena Katharina , Marcu Ana , Stevanović Stefan 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe entirety of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐presented peptides is referred to as the HLA ligandome of a cell or tissue, in tumours often termed immunopeptidome. Mapping the tumour immunopeptidome by mass spectrometry (MS) comprehensively views the pathophysiologically relevant antigenic signature of human malignancies. MS is an unbiased approach stringently filtering the candidates to be tested as opposed to epitope prediction algorithms. In the setting of peptide‐specific immunotherapies, MS‐based strategies significantly diminish the risk of lacking clinical benefit, as they yield highly enriched amounts of truly presented peptides. Early immunopeptidomic efforts were severely limited by technical sensitivity and manual spectra interpretation. The technological progress with development of orbitrap mass analysers and enhanced chromatographic performance led to vast improvements in mass accuracy, sensitivity, resolution, and speed. Concomitantly, bioinformatic tools were developed to process MS data, integrate sequencing results, and deconvolute multi‐allelic datasets. This enabled the immense advancement of tumour immunopeptidomics. Studying the HLA‐presented peptide repertoire bears high potential for both answering basic scientific questions and translational application. Mapping the tumour HLA ligandome has started to significantly contribute to target identification for the design of peptide‐specific cancer immunotherapies in clinical trials and compassionate need treatments. In contrast to prediction algorithms, rare HLA allotypes and HLA class II can be adequately addressed when choosing MS‐guided target identification platforms. Herein, we review the identification of tumour HLA ligands focusing on sources, methods, bioinformatic data analysis, translational application, and provide an outlook on future developments.
Analysing energy consumption in the Philippines using vector error correction
Authors: Cabauatan Ronaldo , Tatlonghari Virgilio M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis research examines the causality between energy consumption and economic growth in the Philippines, and determines their long‐run relationship by including labour force and gross fixed capital formation. Results show that the variables were found to be stationary at first difference and that cointegration existed among the variables, suggesting causality in at least one direction. They also show that GDP is dependent on energy consumption, indicating that the growth hypothesis applies in the Philippines. Moving from non‐renewable to renewable energy without securing the supply of energy can possibly limit economic growth. This inference is crucial in policy development, particularly when it comes to energy conservation and switching to renewable energy sources. Considering that the Philippines remains a developing country and needs to produce energy at least cost, policy‐makers must ensure the supply of energy before deciding to switch to renewable energy and must also consider the high cost of generating renewable energy.
How to Save Bergen from the Sea? Decisions under Uncertainty
Authors: Guttorp Peter , Thorarinsdottir Thordis L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSea level rise poses a threat to the Norwegian coastal city of Bergen and its historic harbour. The threat could be reduced, but greater flood protection comes at greater cost. And, of course, no one knows for certain how far sea level will rise in future. Decision-makers must therefore decide what to do, and how much to spend, without knowing exactly how bad things could get. Peter Guttorp and Thordis L. Thorarinsdottir explain the problem, and how to deal with the uncertainty
Molten core fabrication of bismuth germanium oxide Bi4Ge3O12 crystalline core fibers
Authors: Faugas Benoît , Hawkins Thomas , Kucera Courtney , Bohnert Klaus , Ballato John 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOptical fibers possessing a crystalline oxide core have significant potential for novel and useful electro‐ or nonlinear‐optic waveguides. Presently, however, their utility suffers from the slow speed and limited cladding materials afforded by conventional crystal‐fiber‐growth techniques. Described herein is the development of single phase bismuth germanium oxide crystalline core fibers using conventional glass fiber drawing. More specifically, fibers were fabricated and evaluated based on 2 embodiments of the molten core method. In a first approach, a Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal was employed as the precursor and sleeved inside a borosilicate glass cladding. In the second approach, additional Bi2O3 was included along with the Bi4Ge3O12 precursor single crystal. Glass clad fibers drawn from the precursor Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal resulted in a polycrystalline core with various crystal morphologies (line‐like, dendrite‐like, and uniform grains) as will be discussed, while fibers drawn from the Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal surrounded by Bi2O3 resulted in a more homogeneous microstructure. The eulytine crystal structure was crystallized using both approaches, with the formation of a secondary crystal phase using the second approach. More particularly, this work aims at showing that single phase and phase pure crystalline oxide core optical fibers can be achieved using conventional glass fiber draw processes, although further optimization is necessary for obtaining single crystalline core fibers.