bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aligned contiguous microfiber platform enhances neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Liu Zhenjie , Hu Zhengqing 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA microfiber platform that is able to enhance neuronal differentiation and guide aligned neurite outgrowths is essential to the repair of nerve damage. To achieve this aim, we utilized biocompatible and biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) to design a novel Aligned Contiguous Microfiber Platform (ACMFP) as substrates for the neuronal induction of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. To generate the ACMFP, a modified micro-fluid chip system was established to control microfiber parameters including fiber diameter, alignment, and the distance between fibers. Further, Pluronic-F127 was applied to the ACMFP system to maintain a stable and highly aligned fiber platform for at least 12 days. We found that the ACMFP can enhance the neuronal differentiation of mouse ES cells. The ACMFP system showed significantly better neurite outgrowth alignment guidance compared to the control substrate. The effects of alignment guidance were inversely proportionate to the diameter of the fiber, with the optimal diameter size of 60 µm. This study demonstrates a novel ACMFP system that can be used as a biomaterial substrate for neurite outgrowth alignment guidance, which may provide a new model for the development of a multidisciplinary treatment option for nerve injuries.
Increasing thermal stress for tropical coral reefs: 1871–2017
Authors: Lough J. M. , Anderson K. D. , Hughes T. P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTropical corals live close to their upper thermal limit making them vulnerable to unusually warm summer sea temperatures. The resulting thermal stress can lead to breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis, essential for the functioning of reefs, and cause coral bleaching. Mass coral bleaching is a modern phenomenon associated with increases in reef temperatures due to recent global warming. Widespread bleaching has typically occurred during El Niño events. We examine the historical level of stress for 100 coral reef locations with robust bleaching histories. The level of thermal stress (based on a degree heating month index, DHMI) at these locations during the 2015–2016 El Niño was unprecedented over the period 1871–2017 and exceeded that of the strong 1997–1998 El Niño. The DHMI was also 5 times the level of thermal stress associated with the ‘pre-industrial’, 1877–1878, El Niño. Coral reefs have, therefore, already shown their vulnerability to the modest (~0.92 °C) global warming that has occurred to date. Estimates of future levels of thermal stress suggest that even the optimistic 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target is insufficient to prevent more frequent mass bleaching events for the world’s reefs. Effectively, reefs of the future will not be the same as those of the past.
Regulatory T cell-derived extracellular vesicles modify dendritic cell function
Authors: Tung Sim L. , Boardman Dominic A. , Sen Monica , Letizia Marilena , Peng Qi , Cianci Nicole , Dioni Laura , Carlin Leo M. , Lechler Robert , Bollati Valentina , Lombardi Giovanna , Smyth Lesley A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRegulatory T cells (Treg) are a subpopulation of T cells that maintain tolerance to self and limit other immune responses. They achieve this through different mechanisms including the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes as shown by us, and others. One of the ways that Treg derived EVs inhibit target cells such as effector T cells is via the transfer of miRNA. Another key target for the immunoregulatory function of Tregs is the dendritic cells (DCs). In this study we demonstrate directly, and for the first time, that miRNAs are transferred from Tregs to DCs via Treg derived EVs. In particular two miRNAs, namely miR-150-5p and miR-142-3p, were increased in DCs following their interaction with Tregs and Treg derived exosomes. One of the consequences for DCs following the acquisition of miRNAs contained in Treg derived EVs was the induction of a tolerogenic phenotype in these cells, with increased IL-10 and decreased IL-6 production being observed following LPS stimulation. Altogether our findings provide data to support the idea that intercellular transfer of miRNAs via EVs may be a novel mechanism by which Tregs regulate DC function and could represent a mechanism to inhibit immune reactions in tissues.
Cortical Classification with Rhythm Entropy for Error Processing in Cocktail Party Environment Based on Scalp EEG Recording
Authors: Tian Yin , Xu Wei , Yang Li 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUsing single-trial cortical signals calculated by weighted minimum norm solution estimation (WMNE), the present study explored a feature extraction method based on rhythm entropy to classify the scalp electroencephalography (EEG) signals of error response from that of correct response during performing auditory-track tasks in cocktail party environment. The classification rate achieved 89.7% with single-trial (≈700 ms) when using support vector machine(SVM) with the leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV). And high discriminative regions mainly distributed at the medial frontal cortex (MFC), the left supplementary motor area (lSMA) and the right supplementary motor area (rSMA). The mean entropy value for error trials was significantly lower than that for correct trials in the discriminative cortices. By time-varying network analysis, different information flows changed among these discriminative regions with time, i.e. error processing showed a left-bias information flow, and correct processing presented a right-bias information flow. These findings revealed that the rhythm information based on single cortical signals could be well used to describe characteristics of error-related EEG signals and further provided a novel application about auditory attention for brain computer interfaces (BCIs).
Insights into aluminum-tolerance pathways in Stylosanthes as revealed by RNA-Seq analysis
Authors: Jiang Caode , Liu Lusheng , Li Xiaofeng , Han Rongrong , Wei Yunmin , Yu Yongxiong 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStylo has a great potential for Al3+resistance in acidic soils through secretion of citrate from the roots. To get insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible, transcriptomic changes were investigated in the roots after treatment with T01 (−Al3+, pH6.0), T02 (−Al3+, pH4.3) and T03 (50 µM AlCl3, pH4.3). In total, 83,197 unigenes generated from 130,933 contigs were obtained. Of them, 282, 148 and 816 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) were revealed in T01_vs_T02, T02_vs_T03 and T01_vs_T03 comparison, respectively (FDR < 0.001, log2FC > 2). DEGs by Al3+were related to G-proteins, diacyglycerol and inositol metabolism, calcium-signaling, transcription regulation, protein modification and transporters for detoxification of Al3+. Additionally, Al3+facilitates citrate synthesis via modifying gene expression of pathways responsible for citrate metabolism. Overall, Al3+resistance in stylo involves multiple strategies and enhancement of citrate anabolism. The Al3+signal transmits through heterotrimeric G-proteins, phospholipase C, inositol triphosphate, diacylglycerol, Ca2+and protein kinases, thereby activating transcription and anion channels in plasma membrane, and resulting in citrate secretion from stylo roots.
Mean platelet volume predicts survival in pancreatic cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases
Authors: Yin Ji-bin , Wang Xin , Zhang Xin , Liu Li , Wang Rui-tao 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMost pancreatic cancer (PC) patients manifest multiple liver metastases at the time of diagnosis. Activated platelets play a key role in tumor growth and tumor metastases. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a platelet index and is altered in patients with malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate whether MPV can effectively predict death in PC patients with synchronous liver metastases. The clinical data of 411 PC patients with synchronous liver metastases between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups by MPV levels. Clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively and relationships between MPV levels and clinical parameters were evaluated. Survival analysis was performed. Increased MPV was not significantly correlated with tumor location, tumor size, and CA19.9. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the overall survival of patients with MPV > 8.7 fL was significantly shorter than that of those with MPV ≤ 8.7 fL (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model identified MPV as an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival. In conclusion, elevated MPV is associated with worse survival outcome in PC patients with synchronous liver metastases. Further studies are warranted.
New insight and metrics to understand the ontogeny and succession of Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis
Authors: Jin Yong Ju , Park Yu Kyoung , Cho Min Seok , Lee Eui Seok , Park Dong Suk 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLactobacillus plantarum is one of the most extensively studied Lactobacillus species because of its presence in a variety of environmental niches, versatility, and metabolic capabilities, resulting in the use of this organism in many industrial applications. However, although extensive effort has been invested in screening this species from a variety of habitats, a reliable and accurate method for studying the succession and ontogeny of this organism in complex ecosystems is still required to confirm the activity of L. plantarum at the subspecies level. Therefore, in this study, novel subspecies-specific genes for the quantitative detection of two L. plantarum subspecies were identified by comparative genomic analysis. The specificity of primer sets for selected genes specific to each targeted microbe was confirmed in kimchi samples. Interestingly, in all the kimchi samples at 4 °C, the presence of L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was not observed. Hence, we found that low temperatures markedly affected the ontogeny of L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis during kimchi fermentation. Subsequently, this touchstone method will offer new insight and metrics to understand the ontogeny and succession of L. plantarum subsp. plantarum and L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis in various niches.
S Coronae Australis: a T Tauri twin
Authors: Gahm G. F. , Petrov P. P. , Tambovsteva L. V. , Grinin V. P. , Stempels H. C. , Walter F. M. 
Published: April 2018

Context. The star S CrA is a tight visual binary consisting of two classical T Tauri stars. Both components are outstanding regarding their spectral characteristics and brightness variations.
Aims. Our aim is to explore the extraordinary spectral features seen in these stars, derive stellar parameters, define spectral signatures of accreting gas and winds, estimate the inclinations of the disks, and to match numerical models with observed properties.
Methods. High-resolution spectra were collected of each component over several nights at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) combined with photometric observations covering several years in UBVRI with the SMARTS telescope. The models developed include magnetospheric accretion and a disk wind.
Results. Both stars undergo large variation in brightness, ≥2 mag in V band. The variations are caused mainly by variable foreground extinction from small-size dust grains, which may be carried along with the accreting gas. The photospheric absorption lines are washed out by superimposed continuous and line emission, and this veiling becomes occasionally exceptionally high. Nevertheless, we extracted the stellar spectra and found that both stars are very similar with regard to stellar parameters (Teff, log g, v sin i, mass, radius, luminosity). The rotational periods, inferred from velocity shifts in lines originating in surface areas off-set from the pole, are also similar. Combined with the v sin i:s related inclinations were obtained, which agree well with those derived from our model simulations of Balmer line profiles: ~65° for both stars. At this orientation the trajectories of infalling gas just above the stellar surfaces are parallel to the line-of-sight, and accordingly we observe extended red-shifted absorption components extending to +380 km s−1, the estimated free-fall velocity at the surface. Rates of accretion and mass loss were obtained from the models.
Conclusions. The two stars are remarkably similar, and S CrA can be regarded as a T Tauri twin. The components differ, however, in terms of degree of veiling and emission line profiles. We have found a good match between observed signatures of accreting gas, wind features, and rotational velocities with those resulting from our modelling for inclinations of ~65°. These inclinations differ from those derived from interferometric near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and possible causes for this puzzling discrepancy are discussed.
Impact of Glucose Metabolism Disorders on IGF-1 Levels in Patients with Acromegaly
Authors: Dogansen Sema , Yalin Gulsah , Tanrikulu Seher , Yarman Sema 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the presence of glucose metabolism abnormalities and their impact on IGF-1 levels in patients with acromegaly. Ninety-three patients with acromegaly (n=93; 52 males/41 females) were included in this study. Patients were separated into three groups such as; normal glucose tolerance (n=23, 25%), prediabetes (n=38, 41%), and diabetes mellitus (n=32, 34%). Insulin resistance was calculated with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). HOMA-IR > 2.5 or ≤2.5 were defined as insulin resistant or noninsulin resistant groups, respectively. Groups were compared in terms of factors that may be associated with glucose metabolism abnormalities. IGF-1% ULN (upper limit of normal)/GH ratios were used to evaluate the impact of glucose metabolism abnormalities on IGF-1 levels. Patients with diabetes mellitus were significantly older with an increased frequency of hypertension (p<0.001, p=0.01, respectively). IGF-1% ULN/GH ratio was significantly lower in prediabetes group than in normal glucose tolerance group (p=0.04). Similarly IGF-1% ULN/GH ratio was significantly lower in insulin resistant group than in noninsulin resistant group (p=0.04). Baseline and suppressed GH levels were significantly higher in insulin resistant group than in noninsulin resistant group (p=0.024, p<0.001, respectively). IGF-1% ULN/GH ratio is a useful marker indicating glucose metabolism disorders and IGF-1 levels might be inappropriately lower in acromegalic patients with insulin resistance or prediabetes. We suggest that IGF-1 levels should be re-evaluated after the improvement of insulin resistance or glycemic regulation for the successful management of patients with acromegaly.
Examining Workflow in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Develop a Clinical Decision Support for an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
Authors: Ozkaynak Mustafa , Wu Danny , Hannah Katia , Dayan Peter , Mistry Rakesh 
Published: April 2018

Background Clinical decision support (CDS) embedded into the electronic health record (EHR), is a potentially powerful tool for institution of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in emergency departments (EDs). However, design and implementation of CDS systems should be informed by the existing workflow to ensure its congruence with ED practice, which is characterized by erratic workflow, intermittent computer interactions, and variable timing of antibiotic prescription.
Objective This article aims to characterize ED workflow for four provider types, to guide future design and implementation of an ED-based ASP using the EHR.
Methods Workflow was systematically examined in a single, tertiary-care academic children's hospital ED. Clinicians with four roles (attending, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, resident) were observed over a 3-month period using a tablet computer-based data collection tool. Structural observations were recorded by investigators, and classified using a predetermined set of activities. Clinicians were queried regarding timing of diagnosis and disposition decision points.
Results A total of 23 providers were observed for 90 hours. Sixty-four different activities were captured for a total of 6,060 times. Among these activities, nine were conducted at different frequency or time allocation across four roles. Moreover, we identified differences in sequential patterns across roles. Decision points, whereby clinicians then proceeded with treatment, were identified 127 times. The most common decision points identified were: (1) after/during examining or talking to patient or relative; (2) after talking to a specialist; and (3) after diagnostic test/image was resulted and discussed with patient/family.
Conclusion The design and implementation of CDS for ASP should support clinicians in various provider roles, despite having different workflow patterns. The clinicians make their decisions about treatment at different points of overall care delivery practice; likewise, the CDS should also support decisions at different points of care.
Mögliche Einflussfaktoren für die postoperative Visusprognose bei retroiridaler Irisklauenlinsenimplantation
Authors: Schmidt Isabell , Langenbucher Achim , Eppig Timo , Seitz Berthold 
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund und Fragestellung Lassen sich aus den präoperativen Befunden Einflussgrößen für den erreichbaren korrigierten postoperativen Visus (VA) sowie den Visusgewinn (ΔVA, prä- nach postoperativ) nach retroiridaler Verisyse-Implantation bestimmen?
Material und Methoden In die Studie wurden 19 Augen von 19 Patienten im Alter von 70 ± 17 Jahren aufgenommen, die sich einer retroiridalen Implantation einer Verisyse-Irisklauenlinse unterzogen hatten. Einschlusskriterien waren ein fehlender Kapselsacksupport sowie vollständige Daten des präoperativen und postoperativen korrigierten Visus, optische Biometrie sowie Begleiterkrankungen und Voroperationen. Anhand der gewonnenen Daten wurde jeweils ein verallgemeinertes lineares Modell definiert mit den abhängigen Größen postoperativer korrigierter Visus bzw. Visusgewinn. Als Faktoren wurden berücksichtigt: Pseudoexfoliationssyndrom, Trauma, Geschlecht, vorangegangene okuläre Eingriffe sowie als Kovariaten Augenlänge, mittlerer Hornhautbrechwert und -astigmatismus und der präoperative Visus.
Ergebnisse Der mittlere präoperative Visus betrug 0,72 ± 0,65 logMAR, der postoperative Visus lag bei 0,36 ± 0,39 logMAR und der Visusgewinn bei 0,36 ± 0,69 logMAR bzw. 4 Stufen. Die mittlere IOL-Brechkraft betrug 19,4 ± 4,9 dpt. Im verallgemeinerten linearen Modell ergab sich als signifikante Effektgröße für VA die Augenlänge (p = 0,001), für ΔVA waren der präoperative Visus (p < 0,001) sowie die Achslänge (p = 0,001) entscheidend.
Schlussfolgerung Für die erreichbare postoperative Sehschärfe bzw. den Sehschärfegewinn bei Implantation einer retroiridalen Irisklauenlinse zeigen sich die Achslänge sowie der präoperative Visus als signifikante Einflussgrößen. Augen mit schlechtem Ausgangsvisus und längere Achslängen erreichen den größeren Sehschärfegewinn.
Primary Localized Cutaneous Nodular Amyloidosis of the Cheeks
Authors: Jievaltaite V. , Stumbriene J. , Kucinskiene V. , Makstiene J. , Valiukeviciene S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe report the rare case of a primary localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis (PLCNA), which clinically appeared as waxy, yellow-red infiltrated plaques with telangiectasia on the face of a 52-year-old woman. Diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry results. Histologically, diffuse amyloid tissue infiltration could be revealed. Amyloid stained positive for lambda, but negative for kappa light chain antibodies whereas no proliferation of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow was found.
Performance of Single Friction Pendulum bearing for isolated buildings subjected to seismic actions in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen N V , Hoang H P , Huong K T 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUsing structural control technology in earthquake resistant design of buildings in Vietnam is very limited. In this paper, a performance evaluation of using Single Friction Pendulum (SFP) bearing for seismically isolated buildings with earthquake conditions in Vietnam is presented. A two-dimensional (2-D) model of the 5-storey building subjected to earthquakes is analyzed in time domain. Accordingly, the model is analyzed for 2 cases: with and without SFP bearing. The ground acceleration data is selected and scaled to suit the design acceleration in Hanoi followed by the Standard TCVN 9386:2012. It is shown that the seismically isolated buildings gets the performance objectives while achieving an 91% reduction in the base shear, a significant decrease in the inter-story drift and absolute acceleration of each story.A post-publication change was made to this article on 9 Jul 2020 to remove an author.
Promoting sustainable mobility by modelling bike sharing usage in Lyon
Authors: Tran T D , Ovtracht N 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
This paper aims to present a modelling of bike sharing demand at station level in the city of Lyon. Multiple linear regression models were used in order to predict the daily flows of each station. The data used in this project consists of over 6 million bike sharing trips recorded in 2011. The built environment variables used in the model are determined in a buffer zone of 300 meters around each bike sharing station. The results show that bike sharing is principally used for commuting purposes. An interesting finding is that the bike sharing network characteristics are important parameters to improve the prediction quality of the models. The present results could be useful for others cities which want to adopt a bike sharing system and also for a better planning and operation of existing systems. The approach in this paper can be useful for estimating car-sharing demand.
Brands as Rivals: Consumer Pursuit of Distinctiveness and the Role of Brand Anthropomorphism
Authors: Puzakova Marina , Aggarwal Pankaj 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Although past research has shown that anthropomorphism enhances consumers’ attraction to a brand when social-connectedness or effectance motives are active, the current research demonstrates that anthropomorphizing a brand becomes a detrimental marketing strategy when consumers’ distinctiveness motives are salient. Four studies show that anthropomorphizing a brand positioned to be distinctive diminishes consumers’ sense of agency in identity expression. As a result, when distinctiveness goals are salient, consumers are less likely to evaluate anthropomorphized (vs. nonanthropomorphized) brands favorably and are less likely to choose them to express distinctiveness. This negative effect of brand anthropomorphism, however, is contingent on the brand’s positioning strategy—brand-as-supporter (supporting consumers’ desires to be different) versus brand-as-agent (communicating unique brand features instead of focusing on consumers’ needs) versus brand-as-controller (limiting consumers’ freedom in expressing distinctiveness). Our results demonstrate that an anthropomorphized brand-as-supporter enhances consumers’ sense of agency in identity expression, compared to both an anthropomorphized brand-as-agent and an anthropomorphized brand-as-controller. In turn, enhancing or thwarting consumers’ sense of agency in expressing their differences from others drives the differential impact of anthropomorphizing a brand positioned to be distinctive.