bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A feature weighting and selection method for improving the homogeneity of regions in regionalization of watersheds
Authors: Ahani Ali , Mousavi Nadoushani S. Saeid , Moridi Ali 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe method used for feature selection or feature weighting in regionalization of watersheds may affect the results of regionalization methods considerably. It can play a key role in forming hydrologically homogeneous regions for regional flood frequency analysis. In this study, a method based on exploring the nearest and farthest neighbours of data points is introduced for identifying salient features for regionalization of watersheds. The method includes options to relate watershed features to flood data records in order to increase the homogeneity of the regions. The nearest and farthest neighbours are identified based on the criteria such as the mutual information criterion and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Then, the watershed features more able to explain the relationships between the nearest and farthest neighbours are identified as salient features to form homogeneous features for regional flood frequency analysis. The results show that the optimum option of the proposed method improves the performances of the hard and fuzzy clustering algorithms in more than half of the cases based on the cluster validity indices. Furthermore, the results reveal that the optimum option can increase the number of the homogeneous regions formed by clustering algorithms to a great extent. By using the optimum option with 5 nearest and 5 farthest neighbours, longitude, drainage area, and run‐off coefficient are identified as the salient features to regionalize Sefidrud basin. The results show that the proposed method can be considered as an efficient method to form homogeneous regions for regional flood frequency analysis.
Effectiveness of landscape‐based green infrastructure for stormwater management in suburban catchments
Authors: Woznicki Sean A. , Hondula Kelly L. , Jarnagin S. Taylor 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLand cover changes associated with urbanization have negative effects on downstream ecosystems. Contemporary urban development attempts to mitigate these effects by designing stormwater infrastructure to mimic predevelopment hydrology, but their performance is highly variable. This study used in situ monitoring of recently built neighbourhoods to evaluate the catchment‐scale effectiveness of landscape decentralized stormwater control measures (SCMs) in the form of street connected vegetated swales for reducing runoff volumes and flow rates relative to curb‐and‐gutter infrastructure. Effectiveness of the SCMs was quantified by monitoring runoff for 8 months at the outlets of 4 suburban catchments (0.76–5.25 ha) in Maryland, USA. Three “grey” catchments installed curb‐and‐gutter stormwater conveyances, whereas the fourth “green” catchment built parcel‐level vegetated swales. The catchment with decentralized SCMs reduced runoff, runoff ratio, and peak runoff compared with the grey infrastructure catchments. In addition, the green catchment delayed runoff, resulting in longer precipitation–runoff lag times. Runoff ratios across the monitoring period were 0.13 at the green catchment and 0.37, 0.35, and 0.18 at the 3 grey catchments. Runoff only commenced after 6 mm of precipitation at the decentralized SCM catchment, whereas runoff occurred even during the smallest events at the grey catchments. However, as precipitation magnitudes reached 20 mm, the green catchment runoff characteristics were similar to those at the grey catchments, which made up 37% of the total precipitation in only 10 of 72 events. Therefore, volume‐based reduction goals for stormwater using decentralized SCMs such as vegetated swales require additional redundant SCMs in a treatment train as source control and/or end‐of‐pipe detention to capture a larger fraction of runoff and more effectively mimic predevelopment hydrology for the relatively rare but larger precipitation events.
Ethnicity‐related trends in gynecologic malignancies in Israel, 1993–2013
Authors: Michaan Nadav , Gortzak‐Uzan Limor , Grisario Dan , Laskov Ido 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe trends and ethnic differences in incidence of gynecologic cancer in Israel.MethodsIn the present retrospective epidemiologic study, age‐standardized rates (ASRs) rates of gynecologic malignancies that occurred between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2013, were extracted from the Israeli National Cancer Registry. The annual percent change (APC) was calculated separately for Jewish and Arab patients for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.ResultsAmong Jewish patients, the ASR of ovarian cancer decreased (APC −2.27%, 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.7 to −1.84; P<0.001), the ASR of endometrial cancer increased (APC 1.50%, 95% CI 0.87–2.14; P<0.001), and the ASR of cervical cancer did not change (P=0.737). Among Arab patients, the ASRs of ovarian and cervical cancer did not change (P=0.181 and P=0.575, respectively), and the ASR of endometrial cancer increased (APC 1.98%, 95% CI 0.15–3.85; P=0.021).ConclusionsBetween 1993 and 2013, the incidence of gynecologic malignancies showed different trends among Jewish and Arab populations. Endometrial cancer increased among both populations and ovarian cancer decreased among Jewish patients. ASR of cervical cancer was low and stable among both Jewish and Arab groups. These trends could reflect differences in lifestyle and exposure to risk factors associated with each malignancy.
Reconstruction and analysis of the aberrant lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network based on competitive endogenous RNA in CESC
Authors: Song Jukun , Ye Aizhu , Jiang Enli , Yin Xinhai , Chen Zhu , Bai Guohui , Zhou Yu , Liu Jianguo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA growing body of studies has demonstrated that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) are regarded as the primary section of the ceRNA network. This is thought to be the case owing to its regulation of protein‐coding gene expression by functioning as miRNA sponges. However, functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA‐mediated ceRNA in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), as well as their use for potential prediction of CESC prognosis, remains unknown. The aberrant expression profiles of mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA of 306 cervical squamous cancer tissues and three adjacent cervical tissues were obtained from the TCGA database. A lncRNA‐mRNA‐miRNA ceRNA network in CESC was constructed. Meanwhile, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using Cytoscape plug‐in BinGo and DAVID database. We identified a total of 493 lncRNA, 70 miRNA, and 1921 mRNA as differentially expressed profiles. An aberrant lncRNA‐mRNA‐miRNA ceRNA network was constructed in CESC, it was composed of 50 DElncRNA, 18 DEmiRNA, and 81 DEmRNA. According to the overall survival analysis, 3 out of 50 lncRNA, 10 out of 81 mRNA, and 1 out of 18 miRNA functioned as prognostic biomarkers for patients with CESC (P value < 0.05). We extracted the sub‐network in the ceRNA network and found that two novel lncRNA were recognized as key genes. These included lncRNA MEG3 and lncRNA ADAMTS9‐AS2. The present study provides a new insight into a better understanding of the lncRNA‐related ceRNA network in CESC, and the novel recognized ceRNA network will help us to improve our understanding of lncRNA‐mediated ceRNA regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of CESC.
Heteronuclear 5‐Fluoroisatin Dimers: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Their In Vitro Anti‐mycobacterial Activities
Authors: Deng Jia‐Lun , Liu Xiao‐Cheng , Cai Guang‐Wei , Zhang Gang , Hu Li , Qiu Li , Li Zi‐Yong , Xu Zhi 
Published: May 2018

A series of novel heteronuclear 5‐fluoroisatin dimers 4a–j tethered through ethylene were designed, synthesized, and examined for their in vitro anti‐mycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and multi‐drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB). All hybrids exhibited potential anti‐mycobacterial activities against the tested two strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in a range of 25 to 256 μg/mL. In particular, the heteronuclear 5‐fluoroisatin dimer 4a (MIC: 25 and 32 μg/mL) was most active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and MDR‐TB strains, which was twofold and greater than fourfold more potent than rifampicin (MIC: 64 μg/mL) and isoniazid (MIC: >128 μg/mL) against MDR‐TB, warrant further optimization.
Natural killer cell immunotherapy against multiple myeloma: Progress and possibilities
Authors: Liu Pan , Jin Yanxia , Sattar Haseeb , Liu Hailing , Xie Weiling , Zhou Fuling 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is a complex aggressive mature B-cell malignancy. Although with the wide application of chemotherapy drugs, it remains incurable and the vast majority of patients relapse. Natural killer (NK) cells, also known as CD56+CD3− large granular lymphocytes, are cytotoxic innate immune cells against MM without prior sensitization steps. NK cell-based immunotherapy is extensively promising in a wide range of clinical settings. It is worthy of note that some novel drugs such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and immunomodulators (IMiDs) directly or indirectly activate NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, and the combined regimens significantly improve the prognosis of MM patients. In this review, we summarize recent findings that support a role for NK cells in the pathogenesis of MM and outline innovative approaches in the implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapy against MM.
Frontline Science: Pathological conditioning of human neutrophils recruited to the airway milieu in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Forrest Osric A , Ingersoll Sarah A , Preininger Marcela K , Laval Julie , Limoli Dominique H , Brown Milton R , Lee Frances E , Bedi Brahmchetna , Sadikot Ruxana T , Goldberg Joanna B , Tangpricha Vin , Gaggar Amit , Tirouvanziam Rabindra 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Recruitment of neutrophils to the airways, and their pathological conditioning therein, drive tissue damage and coincide with the loss of lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). So far, these key processes have not been adequately recapitulated in models, hampering drug development. Here, we hypothesized that the migration of naïve blood neutrophils into CF airway fluid in vitro would induce similar functional adaptation to that observed in vivo, and provide a model to identify new therapies. We used multiple platforms (flow cytometry, bacteria-killing, and metabolic assays) to characterize functional properties of blood neutrophils recruited in a transepithelial migration model using airway milieu from CF subjects as an apical chemoattractant. Similarly to neutrophils recruited to CF airways in vivo, neutrophils migrated into CF airway milieu in vitro display depressed phagocytic receptor expression and bacterial killing, but enhanced granule release, immunoregulatory function (arginase-1 activation), and metabolic activities, including high Glut1 expression, glycolysis, and oxidant production. We also identify enhanced pinocytic activity as a novel feature of these cells. In vitro treatment with the leukotriene pathway inhibitor acebilustat reduces the number of transmigrating neutrophils, while the metabolic modulator metformin decreases metabolism and oxidant production, but fails to restore bacterial killing. Interestingly, we describe similar pathological conditioning of neutrophils in other inflammatory airway diseases. We successfully tested the hypothesis that recruitment of neutrophils into airway milieu from patients with CF in vitro induces similar pathological conditioning to that observed in vivo, opening new avenues for targeted therapeutic intervention.
Active degranulation and metabolic licensing of neutrophils recruited to cystic fibrosis airways can be recapitulated and modulated by drugs in vitro.
Phase contrast MRI measurements of net cerebrospinal fluid flow through the cerebral aqueduct are confounded by respiration
Authors: Spijkerman Jolanda M. , Geurts Lennart J. , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Luijten Peter R. , Zwanenburg Jaco J.M. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundNet cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the cerebral aqueduct may serve as a marker of CSF production in the lateral ventricles, and changes that occur with aging and in disease.PurposeTo investigate the confounding influence of the respiratory cycle on net CSF flow and stroke volume measurements.Study TypeCross‐sectional study.SubjectsTwelve young, healthy subjects (seven male, age range 19–39 years, average age 28.3 years).Field Strength/SequencePhase contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) measurements were performed at 7T, with and without respiratory gating on expiration and on inspiration. All measurements were repeated.AssessmentNet CSF flow and stroke volume in the aqueduct, over the cardiac cycle, was determined.Statistical TestsRepeatability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and linear regression analysis between the repeated measurements. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the measurements during inspiration/expiration/no gating. Linear regression analysis was performed between the net CSF flow difference (inspiration minus expiration) and stroke volume.ResultsNet CSF flow (average ± standard deviation) was 0.64 ± 0.32 mL/min (caudal) during expiration, 0.12 ± 0.49 mL/min (cranial) during inspiration, and 0.31 ± 0.18 mL/min (caudal) without respiratory gating. Respiratory gating did not affect stroke volume measurements (41 ± 18, 42 ± 19, 42 ± 19 μL/cycle for expiration, no respiratory gating and inspiration, respectively). Repeatability was best during inspiration (ICC = 0.88/0.56/–0.31 for gating on inspiration/expiration/no gating). A positive association was found between average stroke volume and net flow difference between inspiration and expiration (R = 0.678/0.605, P = 0.015/0.037 for the first/second repeated measurement).Data ConclusionMeasured net CSF flow is confounded by respiration effects. Therefore, net CSF flow measurements with PC‐MRI cannot in isolation be directly linked to CSF production.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:433–444.
Gonadal hormones modulate the HPA‐axis and the SNS in response to psychosocial stress
Authors: Barel Efrat , Abu‐Shkara Randa , Colodner Raul , Masalha Refaat , Mahagna Lila , Zemel Or Chen , Cohen Ami 
Published: May 2018

AbstractExposure to stress activates both the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). A growing body of research points to the contribution of sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), the end products of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis, in modulating stress reactivity. The present study aimed at investigating the potential modulating role of sex hormones on HPA and SNS reactivity to psychosocial stress. The reactivity, induced by the Trier Social Stress Test, was analyzed by measuring the levels of cortisol and alpha‐amylase (markers for SNS activity) in four saliva samples each of 21 men and 37 women (17 not using oral contraceptives and in their luteal phase, and 20 women using oral contraceptives). In addition, basal sex hormones were sampled prior to the psychosocial stress exposure. Results revealed that controlling for testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone diminished the impact of stress on cortisol reactivity and on alpha‐amylase reactivity. Moreover, controlling for sex hormones also diminished the differential pattern of cortisol reactivity in each experimental group among responders. Furthermore, correlation analyses revealed differences between groups in the association between sex hormones and alpha‐amylase. The present findings indicate a modulatory role for sex hormones in HPA and SNS reactivity and emphasize the need for control of sex hormone fluctuations when examining cortisol and alpha‐amylase reactivity to stress.
The long arm of email incivility: Transmitted stress to the partner and partner work withdrawal
Authors: Park YoungAh , Haun Verena C. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryAs email communication becomes increasingly pervasive in the workplace, incivility can be manifested through work email. Integrating conservation of resources theory with spillover–crossover frameworks, the authors propose and test a couple‐dyadic model regarding email incivility's effects on work withdrawal for employees and their domestic partners. Online survey data were collected from 167 dual‐earner couples at multiple time points. Results from actor–partner interdependence mediation and moderation modeling showed that when employees experience more frequent incivility via work email during a week, they withdraw from work the following week. Furthermore, employees transmit their stress to their domestic partner on the weekend, and, as a result, the partner also withdraws from work the next week. More important, employees' negative work reflection during the weekend exacerbates the effects of email incivility on stress transmission to their partner, whereas the partner's negative work reflection during the weekend aggravated the effects of transmitted stress on their work withdrawal. The study sheds light on the stress effects of email incivility that span work and family domains and affect both employees and their partners.
Correlating phosphorus extracted by simple soil extraction methods with foliar phosphorus concentrations of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Fagus sylvatica (L.)
Authors: Manghabati Hadi , Kohlpaintner Michael , Ettl Rasmus , Mellert Karl , Blum Uwe , Göttlein Axel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPhosphorus (P) concentrations in needles and leaves of forest trees are declining in the last years in Europe. For a sustainable forest management the knowledge of site specific P nutrition/availability in forest soils is vital, but we are lacking verified simple methods for the estimation of plant available P. Within this study, four soil P extraction methods [water (
), double‐lactate (Plac), citric acid (Pcit), and sodium bicarbonate (
)], as well as total P content of the soil (Ptot) were tested to investigate which method is best correlated with foliar P concentrations of spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] and beech [Fagus sylvatica (L.)]. Mineral soil samples from 5 depth levels of 48 forest sites of the Bavarian sample set of the second National Forest Soil Inventory (BZE II) were stratified according to tree species (spruce and beech) and soil pH (pH < 6.2 and > 6.2), covering the whole range of P nutrition. The extractable amount of P per mass unit of soil increased in the order
<< Plac <
< Pcit, decreased with soil depth, and was higher in soils with pH < 6.2. Citric acid extracted up to 10% of Ptot in acidic soils. Whereas Pcit delivers adequate regression models for P nutrition in the case of spruce (R2 up to 0.53) and beech (R2 up to 0.58) for acidic soils,
shows good results for spruce growing on acidic soils (R2 up to 0.66) and for beech on soils with pH > 6.2 (R2 up to 0.57). Plac produces adequate models only for beech on high pH soils (R2 up to 0.64), while
did not produce acceptable regression models. Ptot seems suitable to explain the P nutrition status of beech on acidic (R2 up to 0.62) and alkaline soils (R2 up to 0.61). Highest R2s are obtained mostly in soil depths down to 40 cm. As
and Pcit showed good results for both investigated tree species, they should be considered preferentially in future studies.
Cave clastic sediments as a tool for refining the study of human occupation of prehistoric sites: insights from the cave site of La Cala (Cilento, southern Italy)
Authors: Martini Ivan , Ronchitelli Annamaria , Arrighi Simona , Capecchi Giulia , Ricci Stefano , Scaramucci Sem , Spagnolo Vincenzo , Gambassini Paolo , Moroni Adriana 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTLa Cala (southern Italy) is an important prehistoric cave site containing a clastic sedimentary infill recording evidence of an almost constant human occupation from the Mousterian to the Copper Age. However, a cultural gap (estimated to be approx. 10.5–6.2 ka) has been identified between the Evolved Gravettian and the Evolved Epigravettian. This study presents a sedimentological and allostratigraphic study of the cave clastic infill. The succession at La Cala can be subdivided into four allostratigraphic units (CC1–4 in stratigraphic order), each one bounded by major erosional surfaces. The most prominent erosional surface (UN1), which separates unit CC1 from CC2, has a channel‐like geometry and is directly overlaid by cross‐stratified sediments, suggesting deposition in an underground stream setting. This documents an important hydrological change in the cave drainage with the development of an important phase of sediment erosion. The erosional surface UN1 stratigraphically marks the cultural time‐gap revealed by the archaeological excavations, suggesting that this hiatus may be due to the erosion of sediments rather than to a lack in human occupation. This study confirms the importance of cave clastic sediments in archaeological cave sites as a helpful tool for refining the timeframe of human presence.
Rituximab in refractory myasthenia gravis: Extended prospective study results
Authors: Beecher Grayson , Anderson Dustin , Siddiqi Zaeem A. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Rituximab appears to be beneficial in treatment‐refractory myasthenia gravis (MG); however, prospective, long‐term durability data are lacking. Methods: In this prospective, open‐label study of rituximab in refractory MG, 22 patients (10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, 9 muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase, 3 seronegative) received rituximab at baseline, with repeat cycles driven by clinical worsening. Manual muscle testing (MMT) scores and CD19/CD20+ B‐cell counts were serially monitored. Results: At mean follow‐up of 28.8 ± 19.0 months (range, 6–66), mean MMT scores declined from 10.6 ± 5.4 to 3.3 ± 3.1 (P < 0.0001). Mean prednisone dosage declined from 25.2 ± 15.1 to 7.3 ± 7.1 mg/d (P = 0.002). Ten relapses occurred, with average time to first relapse of 17.1 ± 5.5 months (range, 9–23). CD19/CD20+ count recovery did not predict relapse. Three patients experienced prolonged B‐cell depletion (range, 24–45 months) after 1 cycle. Discussion: Sustained clinical improvement was associated with rituximab after 1 cycle, with prolonged time to relapse and reduction in steroid dosage. Muscle Nerve 58: 453–456, 2018
Longitudinal timed function tests in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: ImagingDMD cohort natural history
Authors: Arora Harneet , Willcocks Rebecca J. , Lott Donovan J. , Harrington Ann T. , Senesac Claudia R. , Zilke Kirsten L. , Daniels Michael J. , Xu Dandan , Tennekoon Gihan I. , Finanger Erika L. , Russman Barry S. , Finkel Richard S. , Triplett William T. , Byrne Barry J. , Walter Glenn A. , Sweeney H. Lee , Vandenborne Krista 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Tests of ambulatory function are common clinical trial endpoints in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Using these tests, the ImagingDMD study has generated a large data set that can describe the contemporary natural history of DMD in 5–12.9‐year‐olds. Methods: Ninety‐two corticosteroid‐treated boys with DMD and 45 controls participated in this longitudinal study. Participants performed the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) and timed function tests (TFT: 10‐m walk/run, climbing 4 stairs, supine to stand). Results: Boys with DMD had impaired functional performance even at 5–6.9 years old. Boys older than 7 had significant declines in function over 1 year for 10‐m walk/run and 6MWT. Eighty percent of participants could perform all functional tests at 9 years old. TFTs appear to be slightly more responsive and predictive of disease progression than the 6MWT in 7–12.9 year olds. Discussion: This study provides insight into the contemporary natural history of key functional endpoints in DMD. Muscle Nerve 58: 631–638, 2018