bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized clinical trial evaluating choroidal blood flow and morphology after conventional and pattern scan laser panretinal photocoagulation
Authors: Mikoshiba Yuji , Iwase Takeshi , Ueno Yoshitaka , Yamamoto Kentaro , Ra Eimei , Terasaki Hiroko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe prospectively investigated the changes in choroidal blood flow and morphology after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in 39 eyes with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (S-NPDR). Seventeen eyes underwent PRP by conventional laser and 22 eyes underwent pattern scan laser (PASCAL). The choroidal blood flow was assessed by laser speckle flowgraphy, and the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured with optical coherence tomography before and 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the two types of PRP treatments. The choroidal mean blur rate (MBR) at the macular region was significantly reduced to 86.4% of the baseline level in the conventional laser group and 85.7% in the PASCAL group at Week 12 (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The SFCT was significantly increased at 1 week following PRP but it was significantly reduced at Week 8 (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) in both groups. The differences in the ratio of the MBR and the SFCT was not significant between the conventional laser and PASCAL groups at any time after PRP. The results suggest that appropriate PRP treatments even by the PASCAL method will reduce the choroidal blood flow and the choroidal morphological components.
Intentional polarity conversion of AlN epitaxial layers by oxygen
Authors: Stolyarchuk N. , Markurt T. , Courville A. , March K. , Zúñiga-Pérez J. , Vennéguès P. , Albrecht M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNitride materials (AlN, GaN, InN and their alloys) are commonly used in optoelectronics, high-power and high-frequency electronics. Polarity is the essential characteristic of these materials: when grown along c-direction, the films may exhibit either N- or metal-polar surface, which strongly influences their physical properties. The possibility to manipulate the polarity during growth allows to establish unique polarity in nitride thin films and nanowires for existing applications but also opens up new opportunities for device applications, e.g., in non-linear optics. In this work, we show that the polarity of an AlN film can intentionally be inverted by applying an oxygen plasma. We anneal an initially mixed-polar AlN film, grown on sapphire substrate by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), with an oxygen plasma in a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) chamber; then, back in MOVPE, we deposit a 200 nm thick AlN film on top of the oxygen-treated surface. Analysis by high-resolution probe-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) evidences a switch of the N-polar domains to metal polarity. The polarity inversion is mediated through the formation of a thin AlxOyNz layer on the surface of the initial mixed polar film, induced by the oxygen annealing.
Promoted Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis by Dexamethasone-loaded Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles/Collagen Composite Scaffolds with Microgroove Networks
Authors: Chen Ying , Chen Shangwu , Kawazoe Naoki , Chen Guoping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractReconstruction of large bone defects remains a clinical challenge because current approaches involving surgery and bone grafting often do not yield satisfactory outcomes. For artificial bone substitutes, angiogenesis plays a pivotal role to achieve the final success of newly regenerated bone. In this study, dexamethasone-loaded biphasic calcium phosphate nanoparticles/collagen composite scaffolds with several types of concave microgrooves were prepared for simultaneous promotion of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Microgrooves in the scaffolds were supposed to guide the assembly of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) into well aligned tubular structures, thus promoting rapid angiogenesis. The scaffolds were used for co-culture of HUVECs and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Subcutaneous implantation in mice showed that more blood vessels and newly formed bone were observed in the microgrooved composite scaffolds than in the control scaffold. Scaffold bearing parallel microgrooves with a concave width of 290 µm and a convex ridge width of 352 µm showed the highest promotion effect on angiogenesis and osteogenesis among the parallelly microgrooved composite scaffolds. The scaffolds bearing a grid network had further superior promotion effect to the scaffolds bearing parallel microgrooves. The results indicated that microgrooves in the composite scaffolds facilitated angiogenesis and stimulated new bone formation. The microgrooved composite scaffolds should be useful for repairing of large bone defects.
Evidence for a maximum “shelf-life” of oocytes in mammals suggests that human menopause may be an implication of meiotic arrest
Authors: Huber Susanne , Fieder Martin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThere is an ongoing debate why a trait like human menopause should have evolved. Adaptive explanations explain menopause with fitness benefits of ceasing reproduction, whereas non-adaptive explanations view it as an epiphenomenon. Here we present data in support of non-adaptive explanations of menopause suggesting a maximum shelf-life of oocytes. By analyzing the association between lifespan and age at reproductive senescence across 49 mammal species, we find that the positive association levels off in long lived species, indicating that the age at reproductive senescence has an upper limit. Only in baleen whales there seems to be no evidence for reproductive senescence. We suggest that apart from the baleen whales, the confinement of reproductive senescence in long-lived species may be the result of physiological constraints imposed by the long period of time oocytes remain inactive in an arrested phase of meiosis from their production in utero until ovulation. We therefore conclude that menopause may be an implication of the long duration of meiotic arrest caused by semelgametogenesis together with long lifespan.
Microbial communities in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract in East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)
Authors: Wan Xiao-Ling , McLaughlin Richard William , Zheng Jin-Song , Hao Yu-Jiang , Fan Fei , Tian Ren-Mao , Wang Ding 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbial communities are critical for host health. However, the microbiota along the GI tract in cetaceans has not been well characterized compared to other animals. In this study, the bacteria and fungi present in the stomach, foregut, hindgut and feces, of East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri, EAFPs) were characterized using high-throughput sequencing analysis. The bacterial and fungal diversity and richness in the stomach, hindgut and fecal samples tended to be higher than those in the foregut. Bacterial taxonomic compositions found in the hindgut and feces were different from those seen in the stomach and foregut. A greater proportion of strict anaerobic bacteria including Clostridia, Fusobacteria, and Ruminococcaceae were found in the hindgut and fecal samples. The fungal communities present in stomach samples differed from those detected in other regions to some extent. Zygomycota and Neocallimastigomycota were more predominant in the stomach. Some potential pathogens, such as Helicobacter spp. and Vibrio spp., were commonly present along the GI tract. Our study confirms that the fecal microbiota can represent the whole GI tract to some extent because of their relatively higher microbial diversity and presence of potential pathogens. Our study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the EAFPs GI microbiota, expanding on the current knowledge about the bacterial diversity in the GI tract of cetaceans. In addition, this is the first study characterizing the fungal diversity of any species of porpoise.
Walking in orthostatic tremor modulates tremor features and is characterized by impaired gait stability
Authors: Wuehr M. , Schlick C. , Möhwald K. , Schniepp R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPrimary orthostatic tremor (OT) is characterized by high-frequency lower-limb muscle contractions and a disabling sense of unsteadiness while standing. Patients consistently report a relief of symptoms when starting to ambulate. Here, we systematically examined and linked tremor and gait characteristics in patients with OT. Tremor and gait features were examined in nine OT patients and controls on a pressure-sensitive treadmill for one minute of walking framed by two one-minute periods of standing. Tremor characteristics were assessed by time-frequency analysis of surface EMG-recordings from four leg muscles. High-frequency tremor during standing (15.29 ± 0.17 Hz) persisted while walking but was consistently reset to higher frequencies (16.34 ± 0.25 Hz; p < 0.001). Tremor intensity was phase-dependently modulated, being predominantly observable during stance phases (p < 0.001). Tremor intensity scaled with the force applied during stepping (p < 0.001) and was linked to specific gait alterations, i.e., wide base walking (p = 0.019) and increased stride-to-stride fluctuations (p = 0.002). OT during walking persists but is reset to higher frequencies, indicating the involvement of supraspinal locomotor centers in the generation of OT rhythm. Tremor intensity is modulated during the gait cycle, pointing at specific pathways mediating the peripheral manifestation of OT. Finally, OT during walking is linked to gait alterations resembling a cerebellar and/or sensory ataxic gait disorder.
Liquid Marble Actuator for Microfluidic Logic Systems
Authors: Draper Thomas C. , Fullarton Claire , Phillips Neil , de Lacy Costello Ben P. J. , Adamatzky Andrew 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA mechanical flip-flop actuator has been developed that allows for the facile re-routing and distribution of liquid marbles (LMs) in digital microfluidic devices. Shaped loosely like a triangle, the actuating switch pivots from one bistable position to another, being actuated by the very low mass and momentum of a LM rolling under gravity (~4 × 10−6 kg ms−1). The actuator was laser-cut from cast acrylic, held on a PTFE coated pivot, and used a PTFE washer. Due to the rocking motion of the switch, sequential LMs are distributed along different channels, allowing for sequential LMs to traverse parallel paths. This distributing effect can be easily cascaded, for example to evenly divide sequential LMs down four different paths. This lightweight, cheap and versatile actuator has been demonstrated in the design and construction of a LM-operated mechanical multiplication device — establishing its effectiveness. The actuator can be operated solely by gravity, giving it potential use in point-of-care devices in low resource areas.
Proinsulin-mediated induction of type 1 diabetes in HLA-DR4-transgenic mice
Authors: Verhagen Johan , Smith Emma L. , Whettlock Emily M. , Macintyre Benedict , Peakman Mark 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAntigen-specific immunotherapy of autoimmune disease currently remains the only potentially curative approach. However, translation of promising pre-clinical results into successful clinical application has proven challenging. In part, this is because pre-clinical findings in mouse models have to be redesigned for human application due to differences in MHC II. To reduce the gap between pre-clinical and clinical studies, we have created a novel mouse model that expresses human HLA-DR4, but no endogenous MHC on antigen-presenting cells. Moreover, human B7.1 (CD80) is expressed in the pancreatic islets under the control of the rat insulin promoter. Although this model does not develop diabetes spontaneously, it is susceptible to the induction of type 1 diabetes by challenging mice with overlapping peptides derived from murine proinsulin-2 in adjuvant. Unlike the NOD model of spontaneous type 1 diabetes, but akin to the human condition, this model does not have a gender bias. Furthermore, similar to the human condition, the disease is characterised by a diverse leucocyte infiltration of the pancreatic islets and the formation of anti-proinsulin auto-antibodies. The model that we report here offers detailed insights into type-1 diabetes and is expected to prove instrumental when studying the mechanism of action in translational, antigen-specific immunotherapy.
Beyond “implementation”: digital health innovation and service design
Authors: Shaw James , Agarwal Payal , Desveaux Laura , Palma Daniel Cornejo , Stamenova Vess , Jamieson Trevor , Yang Rebecca , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDigital tools have shown great potential to enhance health services’ capacity to achieve the goals of the triple aim (enhance patient experience, improve health outcomes, and control or reduce costs), but their actual impact remains variable. In this commentary, we suggest that shifting from a perspective focused on “implementing” new digital tools in health care settings toward one focused on “service design” will help teams execute more successful digital technology adoption projects. We present value proposition design (VPD) as a service design strategy requiring that stakeholders are brutally honest in determining the value of a new digital tool for their everyday work. Incorporating a perspective focused on how the value proposition of a technology is understood by each team member, and implications for their work routines, will help project teams to better understand how services can be reinvented during technology adoption initiatives. We present the simple heuristic [Tool+Team+Routine] as a reminder of the central considerations that make up a service design initiative, and present an illustrative case scenario of designing the use of a digital care coordination platform in an actual digital technology adoption project. We conclude by outlining two important challenges that need to be addressed to advance service design approaches to technology adoption in health care.
SIW cavity‐backed dual‐band antenna with good stopband characteristics
Authors: Niu Bing‐Jian , Tan Jie‐Hong , He Chun‐Long 
Published: September 2018

A dual‐band antenna with good stopband characteristics is proposed. Different from conventional antennas, two transverse slots are etched on a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. Two half modes are excited to achieve a dual‐band operation and two non‐radiating modes, a TE110 mode and an even TE120 mode, are induced to generate radiation nulls. With the aid of the two radiation nulls, the stopband characteristics of the proposed design including non‐radiating gain and band‐edge selectivity are significantly improved. A fabricated prototype is measured. The measured centred frequency of two passbands is at 3.28 and 3.77 GHz, respectively. The maximum gain is about 5.2 dBi in the passbands while the minimum gain is only −18.9 dBi in the stopband. The measured efficiency is 86% in the lower passband and 75% in the upper passband but it sharply decreases to lower than 5% between 3.36–3.7 GHz.
The early catfish catches the worm: predation of Corydoras aeneus (Siluriformes, Callichthyidae) on freshwater nematodes
Authors: Majdi Nabil , Weber Sebastian , Traunspurger Walter 
Published: September 2018

In this study, we measured the daily consumption of four different nematode species by a small freshwater catfish species, Corydoras aeneus (Gill, 1858). Consumption of nematodes by fishes was significant with a single C. aeneus individual being able to consume in 24 h between 40 581 and 75 849 adult nematodes depending on the nematode species offered. This represented the ingestion of up to 238 mg wet weight when considering the largest nematode species: Panagrellus redivivus. Our results strengthen the growing evidence of a significant trophic channel existing between meiobenthic invertebrates like nematodes and small bottom-feeding fishes like C. aeneus. We also discuss the relevance of using P. redivivus as live food for rearing C. aeneus which is a popular ornamental fish.
Introduction.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Oil palm, EIaeis guineensis Jacq., is an important source of vegetable oil. Oil is extracted from the fruit mesocarp (crude palm oil) and from the seed (palm kernel oil). Botanically, the fruit is a drupe, with the kernel protected by a shell (nut). The commercial oil palm is Tenera (thin shelled), which is a hybrid from crossing Dura (thick shelled) seed palms with Pisifera (no shell) pollen palms. Since the shell is maternal tissue, seed for commercial planting has a thick shell. Like most seeds with very thick shells, oil palm seeds are difficult to germinate, the seed naturally germinates sporadically over time, and dormancy can last for up to 2 years. The challenges for seed production are to overcome dormancy (by weakening the operculum to allow germination), synchronize germination, produce a high germination percentage and high-quality germinated seed, free of abnormality or fungal infection. The processes used involve temperature treatments, imbibition, adjustment of seed moisture content and fungal control.
Isolation of the female inflorescence.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Care is required when isolating female inflorescences to prevent damage. The developing inflorescence should be treated with insecticides to prevent insects, particularly the oil palm-pollinating weevil, from leading to pollen cross-contamination. Specialized isolation bags are designed with a window to inspect and monitor development and through which subsequent operations (spraying and pollination) are performed. The isolation process involves insect-proofing as insects, particularly weevils, carry unwanted pollen and cause seed contamination. Instructions are given on the procedures used in isolating the female inflorescence that maximize success in artificial crossing. The procedures involve the use of hazardous chemicals (insecticides) and may involve climbing tall palms. Guidance in health and safety procedures are given in Chapter 2 of this manual.
Pollination.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Pollination is controlled through a window in the specialized isolation bag; this reduces the risk of contamination (foreign pollen, disease and insects). Prior to pollination, the area around the isolation bag is sprayed to kill insects, as these can carry unwanted pollen. Pollen is normally mixed and diluted with talcum powder to provide an inert spreading media. This mixture is blown on to receptive female inflorescences using a surface-sterilized 'popper' that has a tube containing silica gel to adsorb the moisture from the pollinator's breath. The isolation bag is also shaken to spread the pollen over the entire inflorescence. Labels are then attached showing pollination dates and parental genotypes. The isolation bags may be removed once fruit set is established and harvested when fruits are mature.
Harvesting.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

The ripe bunch with red-coloured fruits can be harvested about 150 days after pollination, or when one loose fruit appears on the ground. Harvested bunches are sent to the processing area in gunny sacks, along with any loose fruit that detach during harvesting. Minimum ripeness standards are used to reduce the risk of loose fruit/seed being lost, and the use of net bags after bag removal at 21-25 days post-pollination will prevent any loose fruit loss.
Seed processing for commercial production.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Oil palm seeds have sessile embryos and, for germination to start, the operculum that blocks the germ pore (and essentially makes the seed dormant) has to be weakened. Seed processing procedures must be implemented and monitored to ensure maximum and uniform germinations are achieved; the usual commercial target is over 80%.
Pollination.
Authors: Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Dery S. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Pollination is effected through a window in the specialized isolation bag. This reduces the risk of contamination (pollen, disease and insects). Prior to pollination, the area around the isolation bag is sprayed to kill insects, as these can carry unwanted pollen. Pollen is normally mixed and diluted with talcum powder to provide a volume easy to handle. This mixture is blown on to receptive female inflorescences using specialized equipment that has been surface sterilized. The isolation bag is also shaken to spread the pollen over the entire inflorescence. Labels are then attached showing pollination dates and parental genotypes. The isolation bags may be removed once fruit set is established and harvested when fruits are mature. Pollination is normally carried out in the morning, when nectar is visible on female florets. Mature pollen grains of oil palm are binucleate, containing one vegetative and one generative nucleus. When the pollen grain arrives on a receptive stigma of a female inflorescence, it begins to germinate. The pollen tube grows down the style, carrying with it the two nuclei; the generative nucleus divides to produce two sperm cells, which are deposited into the ovary, where they effect fertilization (see Chapter 1, Section 1.4 of this manual). For more details on oil palm pollen development, see Nasution et al. (2009).
Commercial Tenera production.
Authors: Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Dery S. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Contemporary oil palm cultivars have a thick, oil-bearing mesocarp and thin-shelled fruits, that is, a Tenera phenotype, and this is controlled genetically by the shell thickness gene, Sh. The Tenera genotype is heterozygous (Sh/sh) and is produced by crossing a thick-shelled female Dura (Sh/Sh) with a no-shell male Pisifera (sh/sh). Commercial production of Teneras needs to be controlled rigorously. Crossing is carried out as described above, but additional measures are taken to ensure purity of the product; these are described below. Dura palms are used as mother palms, and the Pisiferas are used as father (pollen) palms. Pollen from selected commercial father palms is collected on a routine basis and stored ready for use. The crossing process is the same as that described above but may include more rigorous procedures to ensure quality of the commercially produced seed; for example, high pollen viability and legitimacy testing. The seed production programme requires selected Duras and Pisiferas. The Dura selection is based on progeny performance by D × P progeny trials (Forster et al., 2017). The Pisifera selection is based on individual Pisiferas through Pisifera testing trials. Most oil palm seed producers in the world use Deli Duras as mother palms, since they guarantee offspring with superior bunch and fruit characteristics. There are some research stations in Africa that do not use Deli Dura lines as female parents, because the major objectives are to obtain Fusarium oxysporum wilt resistance and drought tolerance.