bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial communities associated to Chilean altiplanic native plants from the Andean grasslands soils
Authors: Fernández-Gómez Beatriz , Maldonado Jonathan , Mandakovic Dinka , Gaete Alexis , Gutiérrez Rodrigo A. , Maass Alejandro , Cambiazo Veronica , González Mauricio 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe rhizosphere is considered the primary place for soil microbiome differentiation and plays a key role in plant survival, especially for those subjected to environmental stress. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we analyzed and compared soil bacterial communities associated to four of the most abundant high altitude native plant species of the Chilean Andean grasslands. We examined three soil compartments: the rhizosphere (bacteria firmly attached to the roots), the rhizosphere-surrounding soil (bacteria loosely attached to the roots) and the bulk soil (plant-free soil). The rhizosphere microbiome was in all cases the least diverse, exposing that the bulk soil was a more complex environment. Taxonomic analysis revealed an abrupt change between the rhizosphere and the rest of the non-rhizospheric soils. Thus, while rhizobacterial communities were enriched in Proteobacteria (mainly Alphaproteobacteria), Actinobacteria (mostly Blastocatellia) dominated in bulk soils. Finally, we detected certain taxonomic rhizosphere signatures, which could be attributed to a particular genotype. Overall, our results indicate that the thin layer of soil surrounding the roots constitute a distinctive soil environment. This study contributes to expand the knowledge about soil bacterial communities in the Chilean highlands and takes the first step to understand the processes that might lead to the rhizosphere differentiation in that area.
Allabogdanite, the high-pressure polymorph of (Fe,Ni)2P, a stishovite-grade indicator of impact processes in the Fe–Ni–P system
Authors: Britvin Sergey N. , Shilovskikh Vladimir V. , Pagano Renato , Vlasenko Natalia S. , Zaitsev Anatoly N. , Krzhizhanovskaya Maria G. , Lozhkin Maksim S. , Zolotarev Andrey A. , Gurzhiy Vladislav V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAllabogdanite, (Fe,Ni)2P, is the only known natural high-pressure phase reported in the Fe–Ni–P system. The mineral, which was previously described from a single meteorite, the Onello iron, is now discovered in the Santa Catharina and Barbianello nickel-rich ataxites. The occurrence of allabogdanite in Santa Catharina, one of the largest and well-studied meteorites, suggests that this mineral is more common than was believed. The formation of allabogdanite-bearing phosphide assemblages in a given meteorite provides evidence that it experienced peak pressure of at least 8 GPa at a temperature above 800 °C. Since the pressure-temperature stability parameters of allabogdanite fall within the margins of the stishovite (rutile-type SiO2) stability area, the former can be employed as a convenient stishovite-grade indicator of significant impact events experienced by iron and stony-iron meteorites and their parent bodies.
Quality evaluation of Panax quinquefolium from different cultivation regions based on their ginsenoside content and radioprotective effects on irradiated mice
Authors: Liao Dengqun , Jia Chan , Sun Peng , Qi Jianjun , Li Xian’en 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGinsenosides are one of major types of bioactive compounds in American ginseng (AG) and utilized to assess the quality of various AG samples. The contents of ginsenosides showed cultivation region-related variation, which is possibly associated with AG’s pharmacological effect difference. Therefore, to reveal the quality difference of AGs in different cultivation regions, AG samples from seven cultivation regions were evaluated via analyzing their contents of nine ginsenosides and the biochemical parameters in AG-treated irradiated mice. Pre-administration of AG decoctions could reversely modulate the irradiation-induced changes of antioxidant enzymatic activity, cytokine level and hormone level in irradiated mice, which demonstrated that AG had the radioprotective effects due to its antioxidative, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this radioprotection effect varied among different cultivation regions of AGs. Collectively, Beijing and Canada-cultivated AGs had the best radioprotection. Heilongjiang and Jilin-originated AGs had the similar pharmacological effects while USA, Shandong and Shaanxi-grown AGs had closer pharmacological effects. This biochemical measurements-based PCA and heatmap clustering of AGs from seven cultivation regions was nearly consistent with ginsencoside content- and the previous serum metabolome-based analyses. However, the pearson correlation analysis revealed that only Rb3 and Rd were significantly correlated with some of assayed biochemical parameters in irradiated mice pretreated with different cultivation regions of AG extracts.
Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk in Hemodialysis Patients: Ten-Year Outcomes of the Q-Cohort Study
Authors: Tanaka Shigeru , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Hiyamuta Hiroto , Taniguchi Masatomo , Tokumoto Masanori , Masutani Kosuke , Ooboshi Hiroaki , Nakano Toshiaki , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Kitazono Takanari 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThere has been limited data discussing the relationship between apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (ATRH) and cardiovascular disease risk in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. We analyzed data for 2999 hypertensive patients on maintenance hemodialysis. ATRH was defined as uncontrolled blood pressure despite the use of three or more classes of antihypertensive medications, or four or more classes of antihypertensive medications regardless of blood pressure level. We examined the relationships between ATRH and cardiovascular events using a Cox proportional hazards model. The proportion of participants with ATRH was 18.0% (539/2999). During follow-up (median: 106.6 months, interquartile range: 51.3–121.8 months), 931 patients experienced cardiovascular events including coronary heart disease (n = 424), hemorrhagic stroke (n = 158), ischemic stroke (n = 344), and peripheral arterial disease (n = 242). Compared with the non-ATRH group, the ATRH group showed a significant increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.49), coronary heart disease (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.01–1.62), ischemic stroke (HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.01–1.69), and peripheral arterial disease (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.91) even after adjusting for potential confounders. This study demonstrated that ATRH was significantly associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients.
Arctic climate change and pollution impact little auk foraging and fitness across a decade
Authors: Amélineau Françoise , Grémillet David , Harding Ann M. A. , Walkusz Wojciech , Choquet Rémi , Fort Jérôme 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOngoing global changes apply drastic environmental forcing onto Arctic marine ecosystems, particularly through ocean warming, sea-ice shrinkage and enhanced pollution. To test impacts on arctic marine ecological functioning, we used a 12-year integrative study of little auks (Alle alle), the most abundant seabird in the Atlantic Arctic. We monitored the foraging ecology, reproduction, survival and body condition of breeding birds, and we tested linkages between these biological variables and a set of environmental parameters including sea-ice concentration (SIC) and mercury contamination. Little auks showed substantial plasticity in response to SIC, with deeper and longer dives but less time spent underwater and more time flying when SIC decreased. Their diet also contained less lipid-rich ice-associated prey when SIC decreased. Further, in contrast to former studies conducted at the annual scale, little auk fitness proxies were impacted by environmental changes: Adult body condition and chick growth rate were negatively linked to SIC and mercury contamination. However, no trend was found for adult survival despite high inter-annual variability. Our results suggest that potential benefits of milder climatic conditions in East Greenland may be offset by increasing pollution in the Arctic. Overall, our study stresses the importance of long-term studies integrating ecology and ecotoxicology.
Using DNA Barcoding to Investigate Patterns of Species Utilisation in UK Shark Products Reveals Threatened Species on Sale
Authors: Hobbs Catherine A. D. , Potts Robert W. A. , Bjerregaard Walsh Matthew , Usher Jane , Griffiths Andrew M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMany shark populations are in decline, primarily due to overexploitation. In response, conservation measures have been applied at differing scales, often severely restricting sales of declining species. Therefore, DNA barcoding was used to investigate sales of shark products in fishmongers and fish and chip takeaways in England. The majority of samples were identified as Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias), which is critically endangered in the Northeast Atlantic and landings have been prohibited (although there is evidence of importation of this species). Significant differences in the species sold between retailer types were also identified, suggesting differing supply chains. The results underline issues surrounding the use of ‘umbrella’ sales terms where many species are labelled with the same designation. This denies consumer choice as purchasers cannot easily avoid declining species or those associated with high levels of toxicants. For the first time in Europe, minibarcodes are also used to identify species from dried shark fins. Despite a small sample size, analysis of UK wholesaler fins identified threatened sharks, including the endangered and CITES listed Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini). This highlights the global nature of the damaging trade in endangered shark species, in which Europe and the UK have a continuing role.
Remote photoacoustic sensing using speckle-analysis
Authors: Lengenfelder Benjamin , Mehari Fanuel , Hohmann Martin , Heinlein Markus , Chelales Erika , Waldner Maximilian J. , Klämpfl Florian , Zalevsky Zeev , Schmidt Michael 
Published: January 2019

AbstractLaser surgery is a rising surgical technique, which offers several advantages compared to the traditional scalpel. However, laser surgery lacks a contact-free feedback system which offers high imaging contrast to identify the tissue type ablated and also a high penetration depth. Photoacoustic imaging has the potential to fill this gap. Since photoacoustic detection is commonly contact based, a new non-interferometric detection technique based on speckle-analysis for remote detection is presented in this work. Phantom and ex-vivo experiments are carried out in transmission and reflection-mode for proof of concept. In summary, the potential of the remote speckle sensing technique for photoacoustic detection is demonstrated. In future, this technique might be applied for usage as a remote feedback system for laser surgery, which could help to broaden the applications of lasers as smart surgical tools.
Discovering highly selective and diverse PPAR-delta agonists by ligand based machine learning and structural modeling
Authors: Da’adoosh Benny , Marcus David , Rayan Anwar , King Fred , Che Jianwei , Goldblum Amiram 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPPAR-δ agonists are known to enhance fatty acid metabolism, preserving glucose and physical endurance and are suggested as candidates for treating metabolic diseases. None have reached the clinic yet. Our Machine Learning algorithm called “Iterative Stochastic Elimination” (ISE) was applied to construct a ligand-based multi-filter ranking model to distinguish between confirmed PPAR-δ agonists and random molecules. Virtual screening of 1.56 million molecules by this model picked ~2500 top ranking molecules. Subsequent docking to PPAR-δ structures was mainly evaluated by geometric analysis of the docking poses rather than by energy criteria, leading to a set of 306 molecules that were sent for testing in vitro. Out of those, 13 molecules were found as potential PPAR-δ agonist leads with EC50 between 4–19 nM and 14 others with EC50 below 10 µM. Most of the nanomolar agonists were found to be highly selective for PPAR-δ and are structurally different than agonists used for model building.
Screening for epistatic selection signatures: A simulation study
Authors: Id-Lahoucine S. , Molina A. , Cánovas A. , Casellas J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDetecting combinations of alleles that diverged between subpopulations via selection signature statistics can contribute to decipher the phenomenon of epistasis. This research focused on the simulation of genomic data from subpopulations under divergent epistatic selection (ES). We used D’IS2 and FST statistics in pairs of loci to scan the whole-genome. The results showed the ability to identify loci under additive-by-additive ES (ESaa) by reporting large statistical departures between subpopulations with a high level of divergence, while it did not show the same advantage in the other types of ES. Despite this, limitations such as the difficulty to distinguish between the quasi-complete fixation of one locus by ESaa from other events were observed. However, D’IS2 can detect loci under ESaa by defining a minimum boundary for the minor allele frequency on a multiple subpopulation analysis where ES only takes place in one subset. Even so, the major limitation was distinguishing between ES and single-locus selection (SS); therefore, we can conclude that divergent locus can be also a result of ES. The test conditions with D-statistics of both Ohta (1982a, 1982b) and Black and Krafsur (1985) did not provide evidence to differentiate ES in our simulation framework of isolated subpopulations.
Somatic mutation detection and classification through probabilistic integration of clonal population information
Authors: Dorri Fatemeh , Jewell Sean , Bouchard-Côté Alexandre , Shah Sohrab P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSomatic mutations are a primary contributor to malignancy in human cells. Accurate detection of mutations is needed to define the clonal composition of tumours whereby clones may have distinct phenotypic properties. Although analysis of mutations over multiple tumour samples from the same patient has the potential to enhance identification of clones, few analytic methods exploit the correlation structure across samples. We posited that incorporating clonal information into joint analysis over multiple samples would improve mutation detection, particularly those with low prevalence. In this paper, we develop a new procedure called MuClone, for detection of mutations across multiple tumour samples of a patient from whole genome or exome sequencing data. In addition to mutation detection, MuClone classifies mutations into biologically meaningful groups and allows us to study clonal dynamics. We show that, on lung and ovarian cancer datasets, MuClone improves somatic mutation detection sensitivity over competing approaches without compromising specificity.
Nanoclay-modulated oxygen vacancies of metal oxide
Authors: Zhao Qihang , Fu Liangjie , Jiang Denghui , Ouyang Jing , Hu Yuehua , Yang Huaming , Xi Yunfei 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe formation of oxygen vacancies is one of the most critical factors that can improve the electronic and catalytic properties of metal oxides, in which an important challenge is to lower the formation energy of oxygen vacancies at the interface structure. Here we show that clay surfaces rich with hydroxyl groups can induce the formation of oxygen vacancies in metal oxide catalysts. Based on density functional theory calculations, kaolinite is shown to hinder the surface dehydration process of Co3O4 nanoparticles, and enhances the charge transfer process at the interface by the highly diffusible protons. Experimental results confirm that vacancy-rich Co3O4 is easily produced by a reduction method and kaolinite enhances the formation of oxygen vacancies and divalent cobalt on the nanoparticle surface. As expected, the defective Co3O4/kaolinite exhibits enhanced catalytic and electrocatalytic performances. This finding provides an improved way to design efficient clay-based catalysts.
Enhancement of protein stability by an additional disulfide bond designed in human neuroglobin
Authors: Liu Hai-Xiao , Li Lianzhi , Yang Xin-Zhi , Wei Chuan-Wan , Cheng Hui-Min , Gao Shu-Qin , Wen Ge-Bo , Lin Ying-Wu 
Published: January 2019

A disulfide bond of Cys120 and Cys15 was rationally designed in human neuroglobin (Ngb) by A15C mutation, which caused minimal structural alterations, whereas enhanced both chemical and pH stability, with a thermal stability higher than 100 °C.
ppm Pd-catalyzed, Cu-free Sonogashira couplings in water using commercially available catalyst precursors
Authors: Jin Bo , Gallou Fabrice , Reilly John , Lipshutz Bruce H. 
Published: January 2019

A new catalyst that derives from commercially available precursors for copper-free, Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira reactions at the sustainable ppm level of precious metal palladium under mild aqueous micellar conditions has been developed.
Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy precedes interlaminar discectomy in the efficacy and safety for lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Chen Peng , Hu Yihe , Li Zhanzhan 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We searched several databases from the times of their inception to 20 December 2018. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that compared percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) with percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) were identified. We used a random-effects model to calculate the relative risks (RRs) of, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) between the two techniques, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Twenty-six studies with 3294 patients were included in the final analysis. Compared with PEID, PETD reduced the short-term (SMD −0.68; 95% CI −1.01, −0.34; P=0.000) and long-term (SMD −0.47; 95% CI −0.82, −0.12; P=0.000) visual analog scale scores, blood loss (SMD −4.75; 95% CI −5.80, −3.71; P=0.000), duration of hospital stay (SMD −1.86; 95% CI −2.36, −1.37; P=0.000), and length of incision (SMD −3.93; 95% CI −5.23, −2.62; P=0.000). However, PEID was associated with a lower recurrence rate (P=0.035) and a shorter operative time (P=0.014). PETD and PEID afforded comparable excellent- and good-quality data, long- and short-term Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and complication rates. PETD treated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) more effectively than PEID. Although PETD required a longer operative time, PETD was as safe as PEID, and was associated with less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a shorter incision. PETD is the best option for patients with LDH.
Effects of Home Language, Oral Language Skills, and Cross-Linguistic Phonological Abilities on Whole-Word Proximity in Spanish-English–Speaking Children
Authors: Scarpino Shelley E. , Hammer Carol Scheffner , Goldstein Brian , Rodriguez Barbara L. , Lopez Lisa M. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
This study examined language use and language ability factors that predict phonological whole-word proximity in young Spanish-English–speaking children.

Method

Participants were 199 Latino children aged 3;0–6;6 (years;months) and their mothers. Children's speech sound production in English and Spanish was assessed using the Bilingual Phonological Assessment (
Miccio & Hammer, 2006
). Vocabulary and story retell abilities were assessed using the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey–Revised (
Woodcock, Muñoz-Sandoval, Ruef, & Alvarado, 2005
), and information regarding the children's exposure to and use of English and Spanish was collected by means of a parent survey. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to determine the degree to which exposure to and use of each language in the home, oral language abilities, and phonological proficiency as measured by the proportion of whole-word proximity (PWP;
Ingram, 2002
) in the other language were able to predict the PWP scores in English and Spanish.

Results

A large portion of the variance in English and Spanish PWP scores (
R
2
= .66 and .51, respectively) was predicted by the language children use when communicating with their mothers, children's vocabulary scores, and children's PWP scores in the other language.

Conclusion
Language use, vocabulary, and phonological whole-word proximity in the other language are significant factors in predicting bilingual children's whole-word proximity in English and Spanish. Children's phonological abilities in one language are highly predictive of those same abilities in the other, suggesting underlying shared phonological skills across languages.
Experimental characterisation of in‐to‐out‐body path loss at 433 MHz in dairy cows
Authors: Benaissa S. , Plets D. , Nikolayev D. , Deruyck M. , Verloock L. , Vermeeren G. , Martens L. , De Poorter E. , Tuyttens F.A.M. , Sonck B. , Joseph W. 
Published: January 2019

In this Letter, for the first time, the in‐to‐out‐body path loss between an antenna placed inside the cows’ rumen and a distant gateway was characterised at 433 MHz. Measurements were conducted on seven different fistulated cows using a signal generator and a spectrum analyser. Subsequent measurement of the antenna in free space was used to quantify the path loss increase due to the cow body. Results have shown an increase of the path loss by 45.5 dB on average (all cows), with a variation between 39.7 and 51.1 dB. Also, the measured path loss values as a function of the transmitter–receiver distance in a dairy barn were well fitted by a log‐normal path loss model. The obtained models were used to calculate the range of a LoRa (Long range) based network. Ranges up to 100 m were obtained depending on the used transmit power and bit rate.
Iterative control method of voltage source converters for various high‐power applications
Authors: Lo Yu‐Hsuan , Yang Chen‐Jun , Lian Kuo‐Lung 
Published: January 2019

High‐voltage and high‐power voltage source converters (VSCs) are usually operated at low switching frequencies to minimise the switching losses. This study presents a new control method suitable for low switching frequencies. It consists of two stages. In the first stage, a simple proportional controller is used to suppress any overvoltage or overcurrent during the transients. Then, after the control variables have settled to steady‐state values, the iterative controller is activated to finely adjust the modulation index and firing angle of the converter to fulfil the control objectives. To justify the proposed control method, various control objectives are realised in a 10 MVA VSC system, and the results are validated by PSCAD/EMTDC and hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation. The results show that state variables converge within a few iterative steps, and the transient response is sufficiently fast. The proposed method is shown to perform better than the conventional PI control for eliminating the power imbalance and DC second harmonics due to the imbalance at the grid voltage.