bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Daily and In-laboratory Gait Speed among Healthy Community-dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Takayanagi Naoto , Sudo Motoki , Yamashiro Yukari , Lee Sangyoon , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Niki Yoshifumi , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2019

AbstractGait speed in laboratory settings (in-laboratory gait speed) is one of the important indicators associated with the decline in functional abilities in older adulthood. Recently, it has become possible to measure gait speed during daily living (daily gait speed) using accelerometers. However, the relationship between these two gait speed parameters is unclear. This study aimed to compare in-laboratory gait speed, measured by a sheet-type pressure sensor, and daily gait speed, measured by an accelerometer, in healthy community-dwelling older adults. Participants were aged ≥60 years, residing in Takahama city, Aichi, Japan. To calculate daily gait speed, participants were instructed to wear a tri-axial accelerometer on their waist. A total of 1965 participants were included in the final analysis. The results showed a weak association (r = 0.333, p < 0.001) between the two gait speed parameters. Furthermore, average daily gait speed was significantly lower than average in-laboratory gait speed. However, both gait speed parameters declined significantly with age. These results suggest that, in addition to in-laboratory gait speed, daily gait speed may be a helpful parameter for predicting decline in functional abilities.
Metabolomic study of saxitoxin analogues and biosynthetic intermediates in dinoflagellates using 15N-labelled sodium nitrate as a nitrogen source
Authors: Cho Yuko , Tsuchiya Shigeki , Omura Takuo , Koike Kazuhiko , Oikawa Hiroshi , Konoki Keiichi , Oshima Yasukatsu , Yotsu-Yamashita Mari 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA stable-isotope-labelling method using 15N-labelled sodium nitrate as a nitrogen source was developed for the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella. The labelled saxitoxin analogues (STXs), their precursor, and the biosynthetic intermediates were analyzed by column-switching high-resolution hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The low contents on Day 0, high 15N incorporation % of Int-C’2 and Int-E’ suggested that their turn-over rates are high and that the sizes of the pool of these compounds are smaller than those of the other intermediates. The experimentally determined isotopomer distributions showed that arginine, Int-C’2, 11-hydroxy-Int-C’2, Int-E’, GTX5, GTX4, C1, and C2, each existed as a combination of three populations that consisted of the non-labelled molecules and the labelled isotopomers representing molecules newly synthesized by incorporation of 15N assimilated from the medium with two different incorporation rates. The order of 15N incorporation % values of the labelled populations predicted by this model largely agreed with the proposed biosynthetic route. The stable-isotope-labelling method will be useful for understanding the complex mechanism of nitrogen flux in STX-producing dinoflagellates.
A universal constant for dark matter-baryon interplay
Authors: Chan Man Ho 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRecent studies point out that there exists some rough scaling relations for dark matter and some tight connections between dark matter and baryons. However, most of the relations and tight connections can only be found in galaxies, but not in galaxy clusters. In this article, we consider a new expression that can characterize the properties of dark matter-baryon interplay for both galactic and galaxy cluster scales. By using the archival observational data of galaxies and galaxy clusters, we show that the value$${\boldsymbol{K}}{\boldsymbol{=}}{\bar{{\boldsymbol{n}}}}_{{\boldsymbol{D}}}{\bar{{\boldsymbol{n}}}}_{{\boldsymbol{B}}}{{\boldsymbol{r}}}_{{\boldsymbol{o}}}{\boldsymbol{V}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{{\boldsymbol{v}}}^{{\bf{4}}}$$K=n¯Dn¯BroV/v4is almost a constant and scale independent within the optical radiusro, where$${\bar{{\boldsymbol{n}}}}_{{\boldsymbol{D}}}$$n¯Dis the average dark matter number density,$${\bar{{\boldsymbol{n}}}}_{{\boldsymbol{B}}}$$n¯Bis the average baryon number density,vis the characteristic velocity andVis the interacting volume. This would be the first universal relation between dark matter and baryons on both galactic and galaxy cluster scales. We anticipate this result to be a starting point to explain the small-scale problem and the scaling relations for dark matter in galaxies. The constantKdiscovered may reveal some underlying global interaction between dark matter and baryons.
Seasonal and diel acoustic presence of North Atlantic minke whales in the North Sea
Authors: Risch Denise , Wilson Samuel C. , Hoogerwerf Mathilde , van Geel Nienke C. F. , Edwards Ewan W. J. , Brookes Kate L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDespite frequent records from other parts of the North Atlantic, minke whales have never been acoustically recorded in the North Sea. This study investigated the detectability of pulse trains previously associated with this species in other regions, in acoustic data from ten sites along the east coast of Scotland. Since preliminary results confirmed pulse train presence, subsequently, an automated detector was applied to these data to record the seasonal and diel presence of minke whale pulse trains. Minke whales were detected from May to November, with most detections occurring in June, July and October. No acoustic detections were made in December, January or in the month of April, whilst no data were available for February and March. This pattern of acoustic presence supports available visual data and suggested an absence of minke whales from the study area during winter. Minke whale acoustic presence showed a statistically significant diel pattern, with a detection peak during night time. This study established the acoustic detectability of minke whales in the North Sea and highlights the potential of using passive acoustic monitoring to study the seasonal presence and spatial distribution of minke whales in the North Sea and wider Northeast Atlantic.
Impact of Polymerase Fidelity on Background Error Rates in Next-Generation Sequencing with Unique Molecular Identifiers/Barcodes
Authors: Filges Stefan , Yamada Emiko , Ståhlberg Anders , Godfrey Tony E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLiquid biopsy and detection of tumor-associated mutations in cell-free circulating DNA often requires the ability to identify single nucleotide variants at allele frequencies below 0.1%. Standard sequencing protocols cannot achieve this level of sensitivity due to background noise from DNA damage and polymerase induced errors. Addition of unique molecular identifiers allows identification and removal of errors responsible for this background noise. Theoretically, high fidelity enzymes will also reduce error rates in barcoded NGS but this has not been thoroughly explored. We evaluated the impact of polymerase fidelity on the magnitude of error reduction at different steps of barcoded NGS library construction. We find that barcoding itself displays largest impact on error reduction, even with low fidelity polymerases. Use of high fidelity polymerases in the barcoding step of library construction further suppresses error in barcoded NGS, and allows detection of variant alleles below 0.1% allele frequency. However, the improvement in error correction is modest and is not directly proportional to polymerase fidelity. Depending on the specific application, other polymerase characteristics such as multiplexing capacity, PCR efficiency, buffer requirements and ability to amplify targets with high GC content may outweigh the relatively small additional decrease in error afforded by ultra-high fidelity polymerases.
Screening for HPV infection in exfoliated cervical cells of women from different ethnic groups in Yili, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Pan Zhenzhen , Song Yuning , Zhe Xiangyi , Wang Weibin , Zhu Junling , Zheng Weinan , Li Hongtao , Li Dongmei , Cao Dongdong , Pan Zemin , Shao Renfu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe investigated the infection status and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women of different ages and various ethnic groups in the Yili region, Xinjiang, China. We checked the HPV genotypes of 3,445 samples of exfoliated cervical cells using the PCR–reverse dot blot method. The total infection rate of HPV was 25.60% (882/3,445). The ethnic stratification showed that the infection rates were 22.87% (196/857) in Uygur, 21.55% (122/566) in Kazak, and 27.89% (564/2,022) in Han individuals. The most prevalent high-risk genotypes were HPV16, HPV52, and HPV53 in Uygur and Kazak and HPV16, HPV52, and HPV58 in Han ethnic groups. The age stratification showed that the infection rates in Han, Uygur, and Kazak women were up to 40.9% (61/149) in those aged 26–30 years, 41.5% (22/53) in those over 61 years old, and 30.2% (29/96) in those 46–50 years old, respectively. Therefore, HPV infection and HPV genotype distribution varied among the different age groups of the three ethnic groups.
Improvement of telescope resolution using a diffractive phase modulater
Authors: Wen Yuxiang , Wang Kunpeng , Kuang Dengfeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMetasurface, fluorescent microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy can improve the resolution of microscopes remarkably, while the resolution of the telescope remains unimproved constrained by its giant objective lenses and distant targets. Here we put forward a way to raise the resolution of telescopes simply by adding a binary optical thin surface around its focal plane. Simulation results show that the surface can raise the image quality in the Cassegrain and Kepler telescope. By nano-lathe, we fabricated a designed binary surface and experiment it in the Kepler telescope. The results are consistent with those of simulation results. More details of the calibrated target are resolvable on the image plane after applying the binary optical surface. It proves that the binary optic surface can make contribute to the resolution of the telescope, thus is beneficial in astronomy, military surveillance field.
Decoding the contents and strength of imagery before volitional engagement
Authors: Koenig-Robert Roger , Pearson Joel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIs it possible to predict the freely chosen content of voluntary imagery from prior neural signals? Here we show that the content and strength of future voluntary imagery can be decoded from activity patterns in visual and frontal areas well before participants engage in voluntary imagery. Participants freely chose which of two images to imagine. Using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) and multi-voxel pattern analysis, we decoded imagery content as far as 11 seconds before the voluntary decision, in visual, frontal and subcortical areas. Decoding in visual areas in addition to perception-imagery generalization suggested that predictive patterns correspond to visual representations. Importantly, activity patterns in the primary visual cortex (V1) from before the decision, predicted future imagery vividness. Our results suggest that the contents and strength of mental imagery are influenced by sensory-like neural representations that emerge spontaneously before volition.
Sex-specific spatial and temporal gene expressions of Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and binding proteins (PBP/OBP) in Spoladea recurvalis
Authors: Senthilkumar Rajendran , Srinivasan Ramasamy 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSpoladea recurvalis is one of the most destructive insect pests of amaranth, a leafy vegetable in both Asia and Africa. The present study characterized the pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (DH-PBAN) and pheromone/odorant binding proteins in S. recurvalis. The open reading frame of 600 base pairs encodes a 200-amino acid protein possessing five neuropeptide motifs (DH, PBAN, α-, β-, and γ- subesophageal ganglion neuropeptides) and shares a characteristic conserved C-terminal pentapeptide fragment FXPRL. The full-length genome of Spre-DH-PBAN was 4,295 bp in length and comprised of six exons interspersed by five introns. Sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis of Spre-DH-PBAN have high similarity to its homologs in Crambidae of Lepidopteran order. We quantitatively measured the relative expression level (qRT_PCR) of Spre-DH-PBAN gene, the binding proteins such as odorant binding proteins (OBPs) and pheromone binding protein (PBPs) at different developmental stages. The results confirmed their role in recognition and chemoreception of sex pheromone components, and they were distinct, tissue- and sex-specific. This is the first report on the molecular analysis of PBAN gene and binding proteins, which can improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms of growth, development, and reproductive behavior of S. recurvalis, and may become effective targets for controlling this insect.
Increased risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in osteoporosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Byun Hayoung , Chung Jae Ho , Lee Seung Hwan , Park Chul Won , Kim Eun Mi , Kim Inah 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo, which results from dislodged vestibular otoliths. Because the otoliths are mainly composed of calcium carbonate, it has been suggested that BPPV may be associated with osteoporosis. We aimed to assess the incidence and recurrence of BPPV in osteoporosis patients using a nationwide population-based cohort study with matched control. We used the database of the National Health Insurance Service of Korea, a universal system covering all 50 million Koreans. Osteoporosis was defined as patients who underwent bone mineral density tests and visited a clinic three or more times between Jan 2004 and Dec 2006. A control cohort consisted of non-osteoporotic subjects socio-demographically matched in a ratio of 1:1. The incidence and recurrence of BPPV between Jan 2007 and Dec 2016 were evaluated. A total of 177,797 osteoporosis patients and the same number of matched controls were identified. The incidence rates (IR) of BPPV in the osteoporosis patients and controls were 31.58 and 18.09 per 1000 persons, respectively (ratio of IR, IRR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.67–1.83). The IRs of recurrent BPPV were 187.3/1000 in the osteoporosis, 163.5/1000 in the controls (IRR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.28). In multivariate analysis, osteoporosis, female gender (adjusted HR = 1.76), age <65 (adjusted HR = 0.8), living in a metropolis, earning more than the lowest income and hypertension were significantly associated with increased risk of BPPV development. For recurrence, osteoporosis was the only meaningful risk factor (adjusted HR = 1.12). In conclusion, the risks of BPPV development and recurrence are higher in osteoporosis. Physicians might consider informing osteoporosis patients of the risk of developing BPPV and related falls.
Diagnostic value of digital clock drawing test in comparison with CERAD neuropsychological battery total score for discrimination of patients in the early course of Alzheimer’s disease from healthy individuals
Authors: Müller Stephan , Herde Laura , Preische Oliver , Zeller Anja , Heymann Petra , Robens Sibylle , Elbing Ulrich , Laske Christoph 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe early detection of cognitive impairment or dementia is in the focus of current research as the amount of cognitively impaired individuals will rise intensely in the next decades due to aging population worldwide. Currently available diagnostic tools to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia are time-consuming, invasive or expensive and not suitable for wide application as required by the high number of people at risk. Thus, a fast, simple and sensitive test is urgently needed to enable an accurate detection of people with cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the earlier stages to initiate specific diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. We examined digital Clock Drawing Test (dCDT) kinematics for their clinical utility in differentiating patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) or mild Alzheimer’s dementia (mAD) from healthy controls (HCs) and compared it with the diagnostic value of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery total score. Data of 381 participants (138 patients with aMCI, 106 patients with mAD and 137 HCs) was analyzed in the present study. All participants performed the clock drawing test (CDT) on a tablet computer and underwent the CERAD test battery and depression screening. CERAD total scores were calculated by subtest summation, excluding MMSE scores. All tablet variables (i.e. time in air, time on surface, total time, velocity, pressure, pressure/velocity relation, strokes per minute, time not painting, pen-up stroke length, pen-up/pen-down relation, and CDT score) during dCDT performance were entered in a forward stepwise logistic regression model to assess, which parameters best discriminated between aMCI or mAD and HC. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to visualize the specificity in relation to the sensitivity of dCDT variables against CERAD total scores in categorizing the diagnostic groups. dCDT variables provided a slightly better diagnostic accuracy of 81.5% for discrimination of aMCI from HCs than using CERAD total score (accuracy 77.5%). In aMCI patients with normal CDT scores, both dCDT (accuracy 78.0%) and CERAD total scores (accuracy 76.0%) were equally accurate in discriminating against HCs. Finally, in differentiating patients with mAD from healthy individuals, accuracy of both dCDT (93.0%) and CERAD total scores (92.3%) was excellent. Our findings suggest that dCDT is a suitable screening tool to identify early cognitive dysfunction. Its performance is comparable with the time-consuming established psychometric measure (CERAD test battery).
Excess water storage induced by viscous strain localization during high-pressure shear experiment
Authors: Précigout Jacques , Stünitz Holger , Villeneuve Johan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractStrain localization in viscously deformed rocks commonly results in fine-grained shear zones where massive fluid circulation is regularly observed. Recently attributed to strain-induced pumping, this phenomenon may have major implications for the distribution of ores deposits and rock rheology. However, although grain size reduction and/or creep cavitation have been proposed as important processes, the source mechanism of fluid concentration remains unresolved, particularly at high pressure. Here we use secondary ion mass spectrometry to document the H2O content of fine-grained olivine across an experimental shear zone, which developed with grain size reduction during a H2O-saturated shear experiment at 1.2 GPa and 900 °C. Through data interpolation, the olivine matrix reveals high fluid concentrations where shear strain is localized. These concentrations far exceed the predicted amount of H2O that grain boundaries can contain, excluding grain size reduction as a unique source of water storage. Instead, we show that H2O increases per unit of grain boundary across the shear zone, suggesting that cavitation and “healing” processes compete with each other to produce a larger pore volume with increasing strain rate. This provides an alternative process for fluids to be collected where strain rate is the highest in deep shear zones.
A microfluidic platform towards automated multiplexed in situ sequencing
Authors: Maïno N. , Hauling T. , Cappi G. , Madaboosi N. , Dupouy D. G. , Nilsson M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAdvancements in multiplexed in situ RNA profiling techniques have given unprecedented insight into spatial organization of tissues by enabling single-molecule quantification and sub-micron localization of dozens to thousands of RNA species simultaneously in cells and entire tissue sections. However, the lack of automation of the associated complex experimental procedures represents a potential hurdle towards their routine use in laboratories. Here, we demonstrate an approach towards automated generation and sequencing of barcoded mRNA amplicons in situ, directly in fixed cells. This is achieved through adaptation of a microfluidic tool compatible with standard microscope slides and cover glasses. The adapted tool combines a programmable reagent delivery system with temperature controller and flow cell to perform established in situ sequencing protocols, comprising hybridization and ligation of gene-specific padlock probes, rolling circle amplification of the probes yielding barcoded amplicons and identification of amplicons through barcode sequencing. By adapting assay parameters (e.g. enzyme concentration and temperature), we achieve a near-identical performance in identifying mouse beta-actin transcripts, in comparison with the conventional manual protocol. The technically adapted assay features i) higher detection efficiency, ii) shorter protocol time, iii) lower consumption of oligonucleotide reagents but slightly more enzyme. Such an automated microfluidic tissue processor for in situ sequencing studies would greatly enhance its research potentials especially for cancer diagnostics, thus paving way to rapid and effective therapies.
Towards a dynamic list of Amazonian tree species
Authors: ter Steege Hans , Mota de Oliveira Sylvia , Pitman Nigel C. A. , Sabatier Daniel , Antonelli Alexandre , Guevara Andino Juan E. , Aymard Gerardo A. , Salomão Rafael P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTo provide an empirical foundation for estimates of the Amazonian tree diversity, we recently published a checklist of 11,675 tree species recorded to date in the region (ter Steege H, et al. (2016) The discovery of the Amazonian tree flora with an updated checklist of all known tree taxa. Scientific Reports 6:29549). From this total of plant records compiled from public databases and literature, widely used in studies on the Amazonian plant diversity, only 6,727 tree species belong to the first taxonomically-vetted checklist published for the region (Cardoso D, et al. (2017) Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list. PNAS 114:10695-10700). The striking difference in these two numbers spurred us to evaluate both lists, in order to release an improved Amazonian tree list; to discuss species inclusion criteria; and to highlight the ecological importance of verifying the occurrence of “non-Amazonian” trees in the region through the localization and identification of specimens. A number of species in the 2016 checklist that are not trees, non-native, synonyms, or misspellings were removed and corresponded to about 23% of the names. Species not included in the taxonomically-vetted checklist but verified by taxonomists to occur in Amazonia as trees were retained. Further, the inclusion of recently recorded/new species (after 2016), and recent taxonomic changes added up to an updated checklist including 10,071 species recorded for the Amazon region and shows the dynamic nature of establishing an authoritative checklist of Amazonian tree species. Completing and improving this list is a long-term, high-value commitment that will require a collaborative approach involving ecologists, taxonomists, and practitioners.