bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using stable isotopes to estimate reliance on agricultural food subsidies and migration timing for a migratory bird
Authors: Boggie Matthew A. , Carleton Scott A. , Collins Daniel P. , Vradenburg John , Sroka Christopher J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAnthropogenic activities have adversely transformed terrestrial ecosystems consequently limiting many species to more fragmented areas and increasing human–wildlife conflicts. Under some circumstances, this creates a need for management programs to support wildlife populations by subsidizing food resources. Evaluation and improvement of supplementary feeding practices should be implemented to determine dietary importance of supplementary food and identify when to make food resources available, an important consideration for migratory species using seasonal habitats. Large aggregations of greater sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) wintering in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of central New Mexico have come into conflict with agricultural practices. Resulting crop depredation on private lands has consequently required a mitigation program that subsidizes cranes with cultivated corn to manage their foraging behavior and provide nutritive support. To assess dependency of cranes on corn subsidies and estimate arrival dates of migratory sandhill cranes, we measured stable isotope ratios of liver and muscle tissues of sandhill cranes and their food items during winter. Over 60% of sandhill crane diet in the winter came from corn subsidies. Rates of carbon isotope incorporation in liver and muscle tissues were 0.03 d−1 ± 0.02 (mean ± SE) and 0.02 d−1 ± 0.01, respectively, and differed predictably by metabolic activity of different tissues. Estimated arrival date on wintering grounds derived from rates of carbon isotope incorporation was November 6 ± 3 d (mean ± SE) and was within 17 d of the estimated arrival date on the wintering grounds of sandhill cranes equipped with satellite transmitters (November 23 ± 2 d). Our approach demonstrates a field‐based application of intrinsic biomarkers to inform supplementary feeding practices for wildlife populations by identifying dietary response to supplementary food. Additionally, estimating arrival on wintering grounds supports management and conservation decisions by synchronizing availability of supplementary food resources with arrival times.
Observation of Lidocaine‐suppressed Decrease of Magnesium in Salicylate‐induced Tinnitus with an Online Electrochemical System
Authors: Li Tao , Liu Junxiu , Li Lijuan , Xin Ying , Zhang Ke , Song Yu , Xiong Shan , Ma Furong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTinnitus, characterized by an auditory perception in the absence of actual sound, is one of the most common encountered difficulties to manage otological problems, in which, lidocaine has been shown to provide temporary relief from subjective tinnitus. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of lidocaine treatment remains to be understood. The study demonstrates the first observation on that lidocaine well suppresses the decrease in the level magnesium (Mg2+) in inferior colliculus (IC) of guinea pigs following salicylate‐induced tinnitus with an online electrochemical system (OECS) for continuously monitoring of microdialysate of Mg2+. The OECS was established by efficiently coupling a selective electrochemical detector with in vivo microdialysis to monitor Mg2+ in the microdialysate continuously sampled from animal brain. The selective detection of Mg2+ over other coexisting neurochemicals was successfully achieved through a mechanism with divalent metal cations (e. g., Mg2+, Ca2+) enhanced catalytic current of organic dyes (i. e., polymerized film of toluidine blue O, p‐TBO) toward the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and with ethyleneglcol‐bis (2‐aminoethylether) tetraacetic acid (EGTA) as selective masking agents for Ca2+. Tinnitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of sodium salicylate (350 mg/kg body weight). For the lidocaine group, using the microdialysis probe, 1 % lidocaine was perfused into IC of guinea pigs at 2 μL/min for 20 min. With the OECS, we found that the perfusion of lidocaine could recover the decrease of the Mg2+ level caused by salicylate‐induced tinnitus. The basal level of microdialysate Mg2+ in IC of guinea pigs was previously determined to be 1.29±0.44 mM, which was decreased significantly following salicylate‐induced tinnitus. The lidocaine perfusion significantly recovers the Mg2+ level by 37.7±14.8 %. This observation suggests that Mg2+ plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of tinnitus.
Whole‐rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotope of Late Carboniferous–Triassic sediments in the Bogda region, NW China: Clues for provenance and tectonic setting
Authors: Wang Jialin , Wu Chaodong , Li Zhuang , Zhu Wen , Zhou Tianqi , Wu Jun , Wang Jun 
Published: February 2018

Detailed petrological, whole‐rock geochemical, and zircon Hf isotopic researches were conducted on the Late Carboniferous–Triassic sedimentary rocks in the Bogda region to evaluate the effects of weathering, sorting, and alteration, as well as to understand their provenance and tectonic setting. These rocks show variable major element compositions, but most are generally similar to post‐Archean Australian shales. The relatively narrow range of TiO2–Zr variation and good correlation between Th/Sc and Zr/Sc signify no obvious sorting and recycling of the sedimentary rocks. The relatively high index of compositional variability (0.8–3.1) and low chemical index of alteration values (44.4–76.4) of the sedimentary rocks indicate that they are immature and probably undergo weak to moderate chemical weathering. In the chondrite‐normalized diagrams, almost all the samples are distinguished by moderately enriched light rare earth element and flat heavy rare earth element patterns with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.5–0.8). In conjunction with their Th/Sc, Zr/Sc, La/Th, Zr/Al2O3, TiO2/Zr, Co/Th, and La/Sc ratios, we infer that the major sources of these sedimentary rocks were the intermediate–acidic igneous rocks from the North Tianshan and Yili–Central Tianshan. Combining the orientation of the Bogda region in the Palaeozoic that was roughly perpendicular to the Tianshan and/or East Junggar orogens with the sedimentologic, petrologic, and tectonic researches, we suggest that the Bogda region was a rift basin that occurs at high angles to the orogenic belt. On the other hand, the zircons from these sediments have minor Precambrian grains (<0.2%), positive εHf(t) values (mostly +7.1–+15.0) and young 2‐stage Hf model ages (major peak <1,000 Ma), suggesting that a juvenile continental crust exists as the basement of the Junggar Basin.
Ergonomics study and analysis of workstations in Tunisian mechanical manufacturing
Authors: Boulila Atef , Ayadi Mahfoudh , Mrabet Khadija 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe workers’ performance in the mechanical manufacturing sector is the main factor for the improvement of productivity and quality. At present, it seems that the available information on the ergonomics and the working environment of the mechanical manufacturing actors is scarce. This study deals with the relationship between the working method and the workstation in injection mold manufacturing. An original methodology, based on the survey of operators using participatory ergonomic tools, is proposed in order to evaluate the ergonomic performance of 3 workstations: milling, turning, and drilling. The surveys concerned 3 operators. Obtained results showed that ergonomics play a key role in improving mechanical manufacturing. The results obtained from the analysis showed that ergonomics has a key role in the quality of the various tasks performed by operators. Using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) investigation tools, the examination of the workstations revealed 4 machining operations and 12 operator postures that have a direct influence on the performance of all machining stations. In addition, data from the analysis conducted on injection mold manufacturing revealed that neither the workstations were ergonomic nor the operators complied with the ergonomic rules. Based on the results obtained, a new standardized score is proposed for the RULA and REBA calculations. This score was applied and validated through another study conducted in a leaf spring manufacturing plant. The results of these studies were concretized by proposing the digital factory where CATIA software was used for the virtual design of the ergonomic workstations and their environments.
Type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer survival: The multiethnic cohort
Authors: Amshoff Yvette , Maskarinec Gertraud , Shvetsov Yurii B. , Raquinio Phyllis H. , Grandinetti Andrew , Setiawan Veronica W. , Haiman Christopher A. , Le Marchand Loïc 
Published: February 2018

This analysis examined type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a predictor of colorectal cancer (CRC) survival within the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Registry linkages in Hawaii and California identified 5,284 incident CRC cases. After exclusion of cases with pre‐existing cancer diagnosis within 1 year and systemic disease, the analytic dataset had 3,913 cases with 1,800 all‐cause and 678 CRC‐specific deaths after a mean follow‐up of 9.3 ± 5.2 years. Among CRC cases, 707 were diagnosed with T2D 8.9 ± 5.3 years before CRC. Cox regression with age as time metric was applied to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for T2D status as predictor of CRC‐specific and all‐cause survival while adjusting for known confounders. Overall, CRC‐specific survival was not associated with pre‐existing T2D (HR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.67–1.07). However, a significant interaction was seen for comorbidity (pinteraction = 0.03) with better survival among those without pre‐existing conditions (HR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.25–0.96) while no association was seen in patients with comorbid conditions. All‐cause mortality was also not related to pre‐existing T2D (HR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.98–1.27), but significantly elevated for individuals with T2D reporting comorbid conditions (HR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.19–1.56). Stratification by T2D duration suggested higher CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality among participants with a T2D history of ≥10 than <10 years. The findings were consistent across sex and ethnic subgroups. In contrast to previous reports, pre‐existing T2D had no influence on disease‐specific and all‐cause survival among CRC patients. Only participants with additional comorbidity and possibly those with long T2D duration experienced higher mortality related to T2D.
Long-Term Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Risk and Prognosis in Elderly Women With Abdominal Aortic Calcification on Lateral Spine Images Captured During Bone Density Testing: A Prospective Study
Authors: Lewis Joshua R , Schousboe John T , Lim Wai H , Wong Germaine , Wilson Kevin E , Zhu Kun , Thompson Peter L , Kiel Douglas P , Prince Richard L 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Lateral spine images are captured using bone densitometers for vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) in older women. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is commonly seen on these images; however, the long-term prognosis in women with AAC remains uncertain. In a prospective study of 1052 community-dwelling ambulant white women over 70 years old abdominal aortic calcification 24 scale (AAC24) scores were calculated from digital lateral spine images captured during bone density testing in 1998 or 1999. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 1998, whereas 14.5-year atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD)-related hospitalizations and deaths (events) were available through linked health records. Using established cut points for AAC 471 women (45%) had low AAC (AAC24 score 0 or 1), 387 (37%) moderate AAC (AAC24 score 2–5), and 197 (19%) had high AAC (AAC24 score ≥6). Over 14.5 years, 420 women experienced an ASVD event. Increasing severity of AAC was associated with increased absolute risk of ASVD events (37%, 39%, and 49%, respectively, p = 0.008 for trend), ASVD deaths (15%, 21%, and 27%, respectively, p &lt; 0.001 for trend), and all-cause mortality (30%, 38%, and 44%, respectively, p &lt; 0.001 for trend). After adjusting for Framingham risk scores, women with high AAC had increased relative hazard for ASVD events, HR 1.37 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.77; p = 0.013) compared to women with low AAC. Similarly, women with moderate AAC and high AAC had increased relative hazards for ASVD deaths HR 1.41 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.94; p = 0.034) and HR 1.80 (95% CI, 1.26 to 2.57; p = 0.001), or any deaths HR 1.30 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.64; p = 0.026) and HR 1.53 (95% CI, 1.17 to 2.00; p = 0.002), compared to women with low AAC. In conclusion, more advanced AAC on images captured for VFA is associated with long-term ASVD hospitalizations and deaths before and after adjusting for Framingham risk scores. AAC assessment could be considered in addition to VFA to identify individuals who may benefit for more aggressive cardiovascular primary prevention strategies. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Chemokines and receptors in intestinal B lymphocytes
Authors: Zhiming Wang , Luman Wang , Tingting Qian , Yiwei Chu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecent studies indicate that chemoattractant cytokines (chemokines) and their receptors modulate intestinal B lymphocytes in different ways, including regulating their maturity and differentiation in the bone marrow and homing to intestinal target tissues. Here, we review several important chemokine/chemokine receptor axes that guide intestinal B cells, focusing on the homing and migration of IgA antibody-secreting cells (IgA-ASCs) to intestinal-associated lymphoid tissues. We describe the selective regulation of these chemokine axes in coordinating the IgA-ASC trafficking in intestinal diseases. Finally, we discuss the role of B cells as chemokine producers serving dual roles in regulating the mucosal immune microenvironment.
Methyl group transfer upon gas phase decomposition of protonated methyl benzoate and similar compounds
Authors: Frański Rafał , Gierczyk Błażej , Zalas Maciej , Jankowski Wojciech , Hoffmann Marcin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGas phase decompositions of protonated methyl benzoate and its conjugates have been studied by using electrospray ionization‐collision induced dissociation‐tandem mass spectrometry. Loss of CO2 molecule, thus transfer of methyl group, has been observed. In order to better understand this process, the theoretical calculations have been performed. For methyl benzoate conjugates, it has been found that position of substituent affects the loss of CO2 molecule, not the electron donor/withdrawing properties of the substituent. Therefore, electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry in positive ion mode may be useful for differentiation of isomers of methyl benzoate conjugates.
Efficacy of tendency and linear inverse models to predict southern Peru's rainy season precipitation
Authors: Wu Shu , Notaro Michael , Vavrus Stephen , Mortensen Eric , Montgomery Rob , de Piérola José , Block Paul 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTSouthern Peru receives over 60% of its annual climatological precipitation during the short period of January–March. This rainy season precipitation exhibits strong inter‐annual and decadal variability, including severe drought events that incur devastating societal impacts and cause agricultural communities and mining facilities to compete for limited water resources. Improving existing seasonal prediction models of summertime precipitation could aid in water resource planning and allocation across this water‐limited region. While various underlying mechanisms modulating inter‐annual variability have been proposed by past studies, operational forecasts continue to be largely based on rudimentary El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐based indices, such as Niño3.4, justifying further exploration of predictive skill. To bridge the gap between understanding precipitation mechanisms and operational forecasts, we perform systematic studies on the predictability and prediction skill of southern Peru's rainy season precipitation by constructing statistical forecast models using best available weather station and reanalysis data sets. We construct a simple regression model, based on the principal component (PC) tendency of tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SST), and a more advanced linear inverse model (LIM), based on the empirical orthogonal functions of tropical Pacific SST and large‐scale atmospheric variables from reanalysis. Our results indicate that both the PC tendency and LIM models consistently outperform the ENSO‐only based regression models in predicting precipitation at both the regional scale and for individual station, with improvements for individual stations ranging from 10 to over 200%. These encouraging results are likely to foster further development of operational precipitation forecasts for southern Peru.
Testing the impact of environmental change on hunter‐gatherer settlement organization during the Upper Paleolithic in western Iberia
Authors: Cascalheira João , Bicho Nuno 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTRecent cross‐disciplinary research in the Iberian Peninsula has revealed a synchronous pattern between rapid climate change and widespread cultural modifications during the Late Paleolithic. The beginning and development of each traditionally defined techno‐complex is thought to be associated with different environmental conditions. A main contrast is put on the impact of cold and arid conditions at the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and its coincidence with the development of blade/flake‐size projectiles and bifacial technologies, against the dominance of bladelet‐size backed points across more temperate and forested environments. Based on the long‐recognized assumption that lithic technology operates within the broader context of Pleistocene human ecodynamics, here we test the hypothesis that climate‐related lithic techno‐typological changes across the Upper Paleolithic are linked to modifications in land‐use patterns and settlement organization. We present statistical analysis comparing the Shannon–Weaver diversity index for retouched stone tool assemblages (used as proxy for site function) and locational parameters of a series of contexts from Central Portugal. The results show a trend of continuity and change between periods, with some of the most important deviations starting at the onset of the LGM, with the Heinrich Event 2 associated with patterns of technological diversification and biocultural expansion.
DFT calculations of the IR and Raman spectra of anthraquinone dyes and lakes
Authors: Pagliai Marco , Osticioli Iacopo , Nevin Austin , Siano Salvatore , Cardini Gianni , Schettino Vincenzo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe IR and Raman spectra of alizarin, purpurin, kermesic acid, and carminic acid have been computed performing density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The computational approach adopted has been validated on the basis of a series of calculations with different level of theory on the anthraquinone molecule, the common moiety of these dyes. The computed vibrational frequencies have been adopted as a guideline to propose the vibrational assignment of the dyes and to obtain useful information on the Raman spectra of their aluminum complexes.
Prediction of Protein−compound Binding Energies from Known Activity Data: Docking‐score‐based Method and its Applications
Authors: Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Yamashita Yasunobu , Mashimo Tadaaki , Nakamura Haruki 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe used protein−compound docking simulations to develop a structure‐based quantitative structure−activity relationship (QSAR) model. The prediction model used docking scores as descriptors. The binding free energy was approximated by a weighted average of docking scores for multiple proteins. This approximation was based on a pharmacophore model of receptor pockets and compounds. The weights of the docking scores were restricted to small values to avoid unrealistic weights by a regularization term. Additional outlier elimination improved the results. We applied this method to two groups of targets. The first target was the kinase family. The cross‐validation results of 107 kinase proteins showed that the RMSE of predicted binding free energies was 1.1 kcal/mol. The second target was the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, which has been difficult for docking programs. MMPs require metal‐binding groups in their inhibitor structures in many cases. A quantum effect contributes to the metal−ligand interaction. Despite this difficulty, the present method worked well for the MMPs. This method showed that the RMSE of predicted binding free energies was 1.1 kcal/mol. In comparison, with the original docking method the RMSE was 1.7 kcal/mol. The results suggest that the present QSAR model should be applied to general target proteins.
Can we trust the calculation of texture indices of CT images? A phantom study
Authors: Caramella Caroline , Allorant Adrien , Orlhac Fanny , Bidault Francois , Asselain Bernard , Ammari Samy , Jaranowski Patricia , Moussier Aurelie , Balleyguier Corinne , Lassau Nathalie , Pitre‐Champagnat Stephanie 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTexture analysis is an emerging tool in the field of medical imaging analysis. However, many issues have been raised in terms of its use in assessing patient images and it is crucial to harmonize and standardize this new imaging measurement tool. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability of texture indices of CT images on a phantom including a reproducibility study, to assess the discriminatory capacity of indices potentially relevant in CT medical images and to determine their redundancy.MethodsFor the reproducibility and discriminatory analysis, eight identical CT acquisitions were performed on a phantom including one homogeneous insert and two close heterogeneous inserts. Texture indices were selected for their high reproducibility and capability of discriminating different textures. For the redundancy analysis, 39 acquisitions of the same phantom were performed using varying acquisition parameters and a correlation matrix was used to explore the 2 × 2 relationships. LIFEx software was used to explore 34 different parameters including first order and texture indices.ResultsOnly eight indices of 34 exhibited high reproducibility and discriminated textures from each other. Skewness and kurtosis from histogram were independent from the six other indices but were intercorrelated, the other six indices correlated in diverse degrees (entropy, dissimilarity, and contrast of the co‐occurrence matrix, contrast of the Neighborhood Gray Level difference matrix, SZE, ZLNU of the Gray‐Level Size Zone Matrix).ConclusionsCare should be taken when using texture analysis as a tool to characterize CT images because changes in quantitation may be primarily due to internal variability rather than from real physio‐pathological effects. Some textural indices appear to be sufficiently reliable and capable to discriminate close textures on CT images.