bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthetic mammalian pattern formation driven by differential diffusivity of Nodal and Lefty
Authors: Sekine Ryoji , Shibata Tatsuo , Ebisuya Miki 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA synthetic mammalian reaction-diffusion pattern has yet to be created, and Nodal-Lefty signaling has been proposed to meet conditions for pattern formation: Nodal is a short-range activator whereas Lefty is a long-range inhibitor. However, this pattern forming possibility has never been directly tested, and the underlying mechanisms of differential diffusivity of Nodal and Lefty remain unclear. Here, through a combination of synthetic and theoretical approaches, we show that a reconstituted Nodal-Lefty network in mammalian cells spontaneously gives rise to a pattern. Surprisingly, extracellular Nodal is confined underneath the cells, resulting in a narrow distribution compared with Lefty. The short-range distribution requires the finger 1 domain of Nodal, and transplantation of the finger 1 domain into Lefty shortens the distribution of Lefty, successfully preventing pattern formation. These results indicate that the differences in localization and domain structures between Nodal and Lefty, combined with the activator-inhibitor topology, are sufficient for reaction-diffusion patterning.
Effective fetch and relative exposure index maps for the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Mason Lacey A. , Riseng Catherine M. , Layman Andrew J. , Jensen Robert 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWind exposure is a key physical driver of coastal systems in aquatic environments influencing circulation and wave dynamics. A measure of wind exposure is fetch, the distance over which wind can travel across open water. In large lake systems, such as the Laurentian Great Lakes, estimating fetch has proven to be difficult due to their vast size and complex topobathymetry. Here we describe the development of two spatially discrete indicators of exposure to provide a more accurate indicator of the influence of wind exposure in the nearshore of the Laurentian Great Lakes. We summarized wind data from offshore buoys and used existing tools to calculate effective fetch and a relative exposure index (effective fetch scaled by mean wind speed) at a 30-m grid cell resolution. We validated these models by comparing our exposure maps to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wave Information Studies models and found general agreement. These exposure maps are available for public download for the years 2004–2014.
Effects of dietary leucine and phenylalanine on gastrointestinal development and small intestinal enzyme activities in milk-fed holstein dairy calves
Authors: Cao Yangchun , Liu Shimin , Yang Xinjian , Guo Long , Cai Chuanjiang , Yao Junhu 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of leucine and phenylalanine on the development of the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal digestive enzyme activity in male Holstein dairy calves. Twenty calves with a body weight of 38 ± 3 kg at 1 day of age were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a leucine group (1.435 g·l−1), a phenylalanine group (0.725 g·l−1), and a mixed amino acid group (1.435 g·l−1 leucine plus 0.725 g·l−1 phenylalanine). The supplementation of leucine decreased the short-circuit current (Isc) of the rumen and duodenum (P&lt;0.01); phenylalanine did not show any influence on the Isc of rumen and duodenum (P&gt;0.05), and also counteracted the Isc reduction caused by leucine. Leucine increased the trypsin activity at the 20% relative site of the small intestine (P&lt;0.05). There was no difference in the activity of α-amylase and of lactase in the small intestinal chyme among four treatments (P&gt;0.05). The trypsin activity in the anterior segment of the small intestine was higher than other segments, whereas the α-amylase activity in the posterior segment of the small intestine was higher than other segments. Leucine can reduce Isc of the rumen and duodenum, improve the development of the gastrointestinal tract, and enhance trypsin activity; phenylalanine could inhibit the effect of leucine in promoting intestinal development.
Passive SAR satellite (PASSAT) system: airborne demonstrator and first results
Authors: Atkinson George , Sayin Alp , Stove Andrew , Underwood Craig I. , Cherniakov Mikhail , Antoniou Michael 
Published: December 2018

This study presents the development and execution of an airborne experimental campaign as a part of the continuing investigation of a passive synthetic aperture radar using digital television broadcasting stations as illuminators of opportunity, and micro‐/nano‐satellite receivers in low earth orbit. For the flight experiments, a hardware demonstrator was developed that utilised two receiving antennas, allowing both cross‐correlation and auto‐correlation range compression schemes, and was mounted to an airborne platform to image stationary rural areas up to 50 km from the transmitter. This study presents the first image results of these experiments as well as initial analysis of image formation aspects, including range compression scheme and effects on the image quality of the signal to noise on the reference channel.
Optimal design and stress analysis of the transmission line inspection robot along the ground line
Authors: Haitao Wang , Biwu Yan , Ziheng Pu , Yuyao Xiong , Qiang Fan , Jian Li , Lei Zheng 
Published: December 2018

Most of the previous literatures of the transmission line inspection robot along the ground wire tend to focus on the obstacle‐surmounting method and motion characteristics. There is less research on the mechanics calculation of the corresponding ground wire. Most of the existing robots are designed with the wheel‐claw mechanism. There is less research on other types of robots. A caterpillar track robot along the ground line is designed in this study. The optimisation design of the obstacle‐surmounting method is carried out. The typical 500 kV transmission line model is established. The stress of the ground wire in the process of robot moving along the ground wire is calculated and analysed under different control climate conditions with the help of the finite element method. The results show that the stress of the ground line has a certain safety margins. However, it may exceed the safety range under harsh climate conditions when the transmission line has heavy gradient. The inspection robot operations need reasonable planning according to the calculation results and the transmission line conditions.
Impacts of different defects on electrical field distribution in cable joint
Authors: Yang Haisheng , Liu Ling , Sun Kai , Li Jinxian 
Published: December 2018

Defects in cable joints, induced in the process of manufacturing or assembling, can alter the distribution of the electrical field seriously. To investigate the impacts of different defects on electrical field distribution in cable joints, equivalent models of 110 kV cable joints with needle damage, impurity defect and scratch in insulation are established, respectively. The distribution of electrical potential and field strength in cable joints with dissimilar defects is obtained by finite element analysis (FEA). The results indicate that the needle damage, among the three different defects, generates most excessive electrical field strength distortion surrounding the defect, even exceeding the breakdown strength of air. The results show that these defects can easily result in partial discharge (PD), which leads them to pay more attention to the operation of cable joints.
Optimal design of the mechanical switch suitable for the ATS
Authors: Wu Jian , Xu Jindong , Lv Dong 
Published: December 2018

The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is a medium‐voltage switchgear, which can improve the reliability and quality of the power supply. The mechanical switch is an important part of the ATS based on the LC resonance, and its breaking time directly affects the overall switching time of the ATS. In order to reduce the breaking time and improve the breaking performance, the optimal design of the mechanical switch is made. Firstly, the working principle of the ATS based on the LC resonance is introduced, the general technical scheme of the magnetically controlled mechanical switch is given, and then, two aspects of increasing the voltage of the driving power supply and the size of the discharge capacitance are considered to reduce the breaking time. Experimental results show that the breaking time of the magnetically controlled mechanical switch is significantly reduced from 15 down to 6.39 ms or so by optimising the design, and the breaking performance is effectively improved, which is conducive to the design of the ATS based on the LC resonance.
Effects of persistence time and Au catalyst on the morphology and optical properties of ZnO micro/nanostructures
Authors: Negintaji Zohreh , Mortezaali Abdollah , Torabi Jahromi Amin , Yousefi Elham 
Published: December 2018

Zinc oxide (ZnO) micro and nanostructures were synthesised on a quartz substrate by the carbothermal evaporation method. The thin layers of gold were used as a catalyst and syntheses were carried out at different persistence time. Characterisation of the layer was conducted in order to study the effect of persistence time on morphology and crystal structure and optical properties of the fabricated ZnO nanostructures. The samples were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–vis spectrophotometry which were performed to investigate the optical properties of the fabricated ZnO layer. The XRD spectrum clearly shows that the structure is in a hexagonal wurtzite phase. Optical properties of ZnO micro and nanostructures were evaluated from transmittance data using the method proposed by Swanepoel (in the regions λ = 200–900 nm). The study’s results indicate that increasing the persistence time as well as decreasing the size of ZnO nanostructures enhances the optical bandgap to about 3.‏46 eV. To the best of this work's knowledge, this is the first report on the study of the correlation of optical properties obtained by Swanepoel method and morphology of ZnO nanostructures.
Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis versus intramedullary nail fixation for closed distal tibial fractures: a meta-analysis of the clinical outcomes
Authors: Goh En Lin , Chidambaram Swathikan , Eigenmann Denise , Ma Shaocheng , Jones Gareth G. 
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) has emerged as a viable alternative for the treatment of distal tibial fractures. However, the clinical outcomes of this procedure compared to intramedullary (IM) nail fixation have yet to be established. The present meta-analysis aims to compare the clinical outcomes following MIPPO and IM nail fixation for closed distal tibial fractures.
Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from date of inception to 10th April 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MIPPO with IM nail fixation for closed and Gustilo Grade I distal tibial fractures were included. Outcomes assessed included time to union, complications and functional outcomes. Quality and risk of bias of the RCTs were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool.
Results: Five RCTs comprising 497 patients were included. MIPPO was associated with a longer time to union (MD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.26, 1.90, p = 0.010, I
2 = 84%) and increased risk of wound complications (RR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.46, p = 0.04, I
2 = 0%). Both MIPPO and IM nail fixation had comparable risks of malunion, delayed union, non-union and deep infections, with similar functional outcomes.
Discussion: Compared to IM nail fixation, a MIPPO fixation technique for distal tibial fractures is associated with a longer time to fracture union and an increased risk of wound complications. Neither technique demonstrates a clear advantage with regard to risk of malunion/non-union, or functional outcome. Assuming equivalent surgical expertise with both techniques, the results suggest that IM nail fixation is the treatment modality of choice for these challenging fractures.
Depression and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Birds of a Feather, But When do They Flock Together?
Authors: Vas Prashanth R.J. , Papanas Nikolaos 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe association between diabetes and depression is well recognised. Similarly, diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a frequent complication of diabetes. Given the high prevalence of these conditions individually, it is hardly surprising they frequently interact, conferring additional morbidity and a higher mortality risk. Despite this, the specific clinical characteristics that underpin co-morbid depression and DPN remain unclear. Additionally, there is insufficient insight into causal pathways and temporal trends. High-quality epidemiological data is limited, but they suggest that these conditions may share certain common risk factors, although there are also distinct differences such as gender. Improved insights into the risk factors for the co-existence of DPN and depression may help towards improved screening for and treatment of these conditions.
Inhibitory Effect of Damulin B from Gynostemma pentaphyllum on Human Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Xing Shao-Fang , Liu Lin-Hua , Zu Ma-Li , Lin Man , Zhai Xin-Fang , Piao Xiang-Lan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDamulin B, a dammarane-type saponin from steamed Gynostemma pentaphyllum, exhibits the strongest activity against human lung carcinoma A549 cells among the isolated active saponins. In this study, the structure-activity relationship of a series of saponin compounds was discussed. The inhibitory effect of damulin B on human lung cancer A549 and H1299 cells was investigated from apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration aspects. In vitro, human lung cancer cells were more susceptible to damulin B treatment than human normal fibroblasts. Damulin B exhibited a strong cytotoxic effect, as evidenced by the increase of apoptosis rate, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), generation of reactive oxygen species, and G0/G1 phase arrest. Furthermore, damulin B activated the following: both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways along with early G1 phase arrest via the upregulation of the Bax, Bid, tBid, cleaved caspase-8, and p53 expression levels; downregulation of the procaspase-8/-9, CDK4, CDK6, and cyclin D1 expression levels; and more release of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm. In addition, antimigratory activities and suppressive effects on metastasis-related factors, such as MMP-2 and MMP-9, accompanied by the upregulation of IL-24 were revealed. Altogether, the results proved that damulin B could inhibit human lung cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, blocking the cell cycle at early G0/G1 phase and suppressing the migration. Hence, damulin B has potential therapeutic efficacy against lung cancer.
Higher Serum Uric Acid is a Risk Factor of Vertebral Fractures in Postmenopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Kanazawa Ippei , Notsu Masakazu , Sugimoto Toshitsugu 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Purpose Serum uric acid (UA) level may affect bone metabolism because it has an anti-oxidative effect. However, whether serum UA level is associated with a fracture risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is unclear. We thus aimed to clarify the association between serum UA and bone parameters in T2DM.
Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association of serum UA with bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN), bone turnover markers such as osteocalcin and urine type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (uNTX), and the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VF) in 356 postmenopausal women and 512 men with T2DM.
Results Multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index and log (serum creatinine) showed that serum UA level was significantly and negatively associated with uNTX in postmenopausal women with T2DM, whereas it was not associated with osteocalcin or BMD at each site. In men, serum UA was not associated with BMD or bone turnover markers. Because postmenopausal women with VF were significantly older and had longer duration of diabetes, higher serum creatinine level and lower BMD than those without it, logistic regression analyses adjusted for these confounding factors were performed. Higher serum UA level was significantly associated with the presence of VF.
Conclusions The present study showed that higher serum UA is a risk factor for VF independently of BMD in postmenopausal women with T2DM.
Impact of Time to Neonatal Transport on Outcomes of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
Authors: Hirata Katsuya , Nozaki Masatoshi , Mochizuki Narutaka , Hirano Shinya , Wada Kazuko 
Published: December 2018

Objective To assess effects of neonatal transport on transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in outborn term neonates.
Study Design This retrospective cohort study included 66 term neonates diagnosed with TTN and transported to the Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit between January 2003 and March 2018. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified perinatal and neonatal transport factors associated with adverse short-term outcomes defined as mechanical ventilation >48 hours, continuous positive airway pressure >72 hours, pulmonary hemorrhage, and requirement for inhaled nitric oxide, thoracentesis, or surfactant replacement therapy.
Results A lower gestational age (GA) (37.7 [37.2, 38.3] vs. 39.6 [37.8, 40.3] weeks, p = 0.002), longer time to neonatal transport (10.0 [4.3, 25.5] vs. 5.5 [2.7, 9.7] hours, p = 0.01), and higher respiratory rates during transport (70 [60, 85] vs. 60 [55, 78.8] breaths/min, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with adverse short-term outcomes. After adjusting for GA, sex, cesarean section, and time to neonatal transport, GA (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.87) and time to neonatal transport (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.13) were significantly associated with adverse outcomes.
Conclusion Short-term adverse prognosis of TTN is strongly associated with a lower GA and longer time between birth and neonatal transport.
Biotin-Thiamine Responsive Encephalopathy: Report of an Egyptian Family with a Novel SLC19A3 Mutation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Savasta Salvatore , Bassanese Francesco , Buschini Chiara , Foiadelli Thomas , Trabatti Chiara , Efthymiou Stephanie , Salpietro Vincenzo , Houlden Henry , Simoncelli Annamaria , Marseglia Gian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBiotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease (BTRBGD) is an autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder with poor genotype-phenotype correlation, caused by mutations in the SLC19A3 gene on chromosome 2q36.6. The disease is characterized by three stages: stage 1 is a sub-acute encephalopathy often triggered by febrile illness; stage 2 is an acute encephalopathy with seizures, loss of motor function, developmental regression, dystonia, external ophthalmoplegia, dysphagia, and dysarthria; stage 3 is represented by chronic or slowly progressive encephalopathy. Clinical and biochemical findings, as well as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern, resemble those of Leigh's syndrome, so that BTRBGD can be misdiagnosed as a mitochondrial encephalopathy.Here we report the clinical and radiological phenotypes of two siblings diagnosed with BTRBGD in which a novel SLC19A3 mutation (NM_025243.3: c.548C > T; p.Ala183Val) was found by whole exome sequencing (WES) of the family members.
Implicit model of other people’s visual attention as an invisible, force-carrying beam projecting from the eyes
Authors: Guterstam Arvid , Kean Hope H. , Webb Taylor W. , Kean Faith S. , Graziano Michael S. A. 
Published: December 2018

Significance
Much of how people process other social agents is hidden under the surface of awareness. Here we report that people automatically and unconsciously treat other people’s eyes as if beams of force-carrying energy emanate from them, gently pushing on objects in the world. The findings show how the human brain constructs surprising, rich, and at the same time schematized models of other people’s internal processes such as visual attention.
Precipitation‐based extracellular vesicle isolation from rat plasma co‐precipitate vesicle‐free microRNAs
Authors: Karttunen Jenni , Heiskanen Mette , Navarro‐Ferrandis Vicente , Das Gupta Shalini , Lipponen Anssi , Puhakka Noora , Rilla Kirsi , Koistinen Arto , Pitkänen Asla 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThe microRNA (miRNA) cargo contained in plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) offers a relatively little explored source of biomarkers for brain diseases that can be obtained noninvasively. Methods to isolate EVs from plasma, however, are still being developed. For EV isolation, it is important to ensure the removal of vesicle‐free miRNAs, which account for approximately two‐thirds of plasma miRNAs. Membrane particle precipitation‐based EV isolation is an appealing method because of the simple protocol and high yield. Here, we evaluated the performance of a precipitation‐based method to obtain enriched EV‐specific miRNAs from a small volume of rat plasma. We performed size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) on precipitation‐isolated EV pellets and whole plasma. The SEC fractions were analysed using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), protein and miRNA concentration assays, and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction for four miRNAs (miR‐142‐3p, miR‐124‐3p, miR‐23a, miR‐122). Precipitation‐isolated EVs and selected SEC fractions from the plasma were also analysed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Precipitation‐based EV isolation co‐precipitated 9% to 15% of plasma proteins and 21% to 99% of vesicle‐free miRNAs, depending on the individual miRNAs. In addition, the amount of miR‐142‐3p, found mainly in EV fractions, was decreased in the EV fractions, indicating that part of it was lost during precipitation‐based isolation. Western blot and TEM revealed both protein and lipoprotein contamination in the precipitation‐isolated EV‐pellets. Our findings indicate that a precipitation‐based method is not sufficient for purifying plasma EV‐contained miRNA cargo. The particle number measured by NTA is high, but this is mostly due to the contaminating lipoproteins. Although a part of the vesicle‐free miRNA is removed, vesicle‐free miRNA still dominates in plasma EV pellets isolated by the precipitation‐based method.
Unconditional Transfers and Tropical Forest Conservation: Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial in Sierra Leone
Authors: Wilebore Beccy , Voors Maarten , Bulte Erwin H. , Coomes David , Kontoleon Andreas 
Published: December 2018

AbstractUnconditional conservation payments are increasingly used by non‐governmental conservation organizations to further their environmental objectives. One key objective in many conservation projects that use such unconditional payments schemes is the protection of tropical forest ecosystems in buffer zone areas around protected parks where the scope of instating mandatory restrictions is more limited. We use a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of unconditional livelihood payments to local communities on land use outside a protected area—the Gola Rainforest National Park—which is a biodiversity hotspot on the border of Sierra Leone and Liberia. High resolution RapidEye satellite imagery from before and after the intervention was used to determine land use changes in treated and control villages. We find support for the hypothesis that unconditional payments, in this setting, increase land clearance in the short run. The study constitutes one of the first attempts to use evidence from a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of conservation payments and provides insights for further research.