bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration associated genetic risk factors and 4-year progression data in the Irish population
Authors: Connolly Emma , Rhatigan Maedbh , O’Halloran Aisling M , Muldrew Katherine Alyson , Chakravarthy Usha , Cahill Mark , Kenny Rose Anne , Doyle Sarah L 
Published: February 2018

Background/aimsAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is estimated to affect 196 million people >50 years old globally. Prevalence of AMD-associated genetic risk factors and rate of disease progression are unknown in Ireland.MethodsPrevalence of AMD-associated genetic risk variants, complement factor H (CFH) rs1061170, age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) rs10490924, component 3 (C3) rs2230199, complement factor B (CFB) rs641153 and superkiller viralicidic activity 2-like (SKIV2L) rs429608 and 4-year progression data in a population-representative cohort (The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA)) were assessed. 4473 participants ≥50 years were assessed. 4173 had no disease n=1843; 44% male and n=2330; 56% female, mean age 60±9.0, 300 had AMD n=136; 45% male and n=164; 55% female, mean age 64±9.0. A 4-year follow-up was undertaken with 66% of AMD cases attending. Progression and regression from early to late AMD were measured. Genetic association as indicators of disease and as predictors of progression were assessed by multinomial logistic regression.ResultsOlder age and the presence of CFH and ARMS2 risk alleles are two main risk factors associated with the prevalence of AMD in the TILDA cohort. 23% progressed to a higher grade of AMD. Carriers of CFH risk allele showed a strong association for disease progression. Heterozygosity for ARMS2 risk allele predicted progression to late AMD. 75% of those who progressed from early to late disease had soft drusen and hyperpigmentation at baseline.ConclusionsThe prevalence of risk-associated genes and 4-year progression rates of AMD in this Ireland cohort are comparable with other Caucasian populations. CFH Y402H is associated with disease progression, with soft drusen and hyperpigmentation as high-risk features.
Implication of exercise interventions on sleep disturbance in patients with pancreatic cancer: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yoh Kazunori , Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Ishii Noriko , Iwata Yoshinori , Ishii Akio , Yuri Yukihisa , Miyamoto Yuho , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nakano Chikage , Takata Ryo , Nishimura Takashi , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: February 2018

Introduction and purposePatients with pancreatic cancer (PC) have long been known to have high rates of depression. Depression in patients with PC can be linked to sleep disturbance. The American College of Sports Medicine notes that physical exercise is safe for most patients with cancer and physical inactivity should be avoided. However, clinical impacts of exercise interventions (EIs) on patients with PC have been poorly investigated. We aim to prospectively examine the effect of EIs on sleep disturbance in patients with PC using actigraphy, which is an objective measurement of motor activity and sleep.Methods and analysisThis trial is a non-double blind randomised controlled trial. Standard therapy for each patient with PC will be allowed. When registering study subjects, a thorough assessment of the nutritional status and the daily physical activities performed will be undertaken individually for each participant. Study subjects will be randomly assigned into two groups: (1) the EI and standard therapy group or (2) the standard therapy group. In the EI and standard therapy group, physical activities equal to or higher than walking for 60 min/day will be strongly recommended. The primary outcome measure is the sleep-related variable using actigraphy (activity index) at 12 weeks.Ethics and disseminationThe trial received approval from the Institutional Review Board at Hyogo College of Medicine (approval no. 2769). Final data will be publicly announced. A report releasing the study findings will be submitted for publication to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberUMIN000029272; Pre-results.
Genome-wide association study identifies ERBB4 on 2q34 as a novel locus associated with sperm motility in Japanese men
Authors: Sato Youichi , Tajima Atsushi , Sato Takehiro , Nozawa Shiari , Yoshiike Miki , Imoto Issei , Yamauchi Aiko , Iwamoto Teruaki 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundThe decrease in sperm motility has a potent influence on fertilisation. Sperm motility, represented as the percentage of motile sperm in ejaculated sperms, is influenced by lifestyle habits or environmental factors and by inherited factors. However, genetic factors contributing to individual differences in sperm motility remain unclear. To identify genetic factors that influence human sperm motility, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of sperm motility.MethodsA two-stage GWAS was conducted using 811 Japanese men in a discovery stage, followed by a replication study using an additional 779 Japanese men.ResultsIn the two-staged GWAS, a single nucleotide polymorphism rs3791686 in the intron of gene for erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4) on chromosome 2q34 was identified as a novel locus for sperm motility, as evident from the discovery and replication results using meta-analysis (β=−4.01, combined P=5.40×10−9).ConclusionsTogether with the previous evidence that Sertoli cell-specific Erbb4-knockout mice display an impaired ability to produce motile sperm, this finding provides the first genetic evidence for further investigation of the genome-wide significant association at the ERBB4 locus in larger studies across diverse human populations.
Characterisation of Normalisation Properties for λμ using Strict Negated Intersection Types
Authors: Bakel Steffen Van 
Published: February 2018

We show characterisation results for normalisation, head-normalisation, and strong normalisation for λ μ using intersection types. We reach these results for a strict notion of type assignment for λ μ that is the natural restriction of the domain-based system of van Bakel et al. (2011) for λ μ by limiting the type inclusion relation to just intersection elimination. We show that this system respects β μ-equality, by showing both soundness and completeness results. We then define a notion of reduction on derivations that corresponds to cut-elimination, and show that this is strongly normalisable.
We use this strong normalisation result to show an approximation result, and through that a characterisation of head-normalisation. Using the approximation result, we show that there is a very strong relation between the system of van Bakel et al. (2011) and ours.
We then introduce a notion of type assignment that eliminates ω as an assignable type, and show, using the strong normalisation result for derivation reduction, that all terms typeable in this system are strongly normalisable as well, and show that all strongly normalisable terms are typeable.
We conclude by adding type variables to our system, and show that system essentially is that of van Bakel (2010b).
Intelligent workflows for visual stylometry
Authors: Buell Catherine A. , Gil Yolanda , Seeley William P. , Sethi Ricky J. 
Published: February 2018

Using Intelligent Workflows to Analyze Artistic Style
USC Information Sciences Institute (ISI) alumnus Ricky J. Sethi and his colleagues at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts are using ISI's WINGS workflow system for art history in the WAIVS (Workflows for Analysis of Images and Visual Stylometry) project. WAIVS workflows were demonstrated at a workshop held at the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) in Spring, 2017.
Load-Independent Systolic and Diastolic Right Ventricular Function in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction as Assessed by Resting and Handgrip Exercise Pressure–Volume Loops
Authors: Rommel Karl-Philipp , von Roeder Maximilian , Oberueck Christian , Latuscynski Konrad , Besler Christian , Blazek Stephan , Stiermaier Thomas , Fengler Karl , Adams Volker , Sandri Marcus , Linke Axel , Schuler Gerhard , Thiele Holger , Lurz Philipp 
Published: February 2018

Background:
Although systolic right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been shown to be a potent predictor for adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), RV functional abnormalities in the course of the syndrome are not well characterized. We, therefore, sought to assess load-independent and load-dependent systolic and diastolic characteristics of RV function in stable outpatients with HFpEF.

Methods and Results:

We invasively obtained RV and left ventricular pressure–volume loops in 24 HFpEF patients and 9 patients without heart failure symptoms with a conductance catheter during basal conditions and handgrip exercise. Transient preload reduction was used to extrapolate the RV end-systolic elastance and diastolic stiffness constant. HFpEF patients and controls showed similar left ventricular and RV dimensions and ejection fractions with elevated left ventricular filling pressures. In HFpEF patients, invasively determined load-independent RV contractility (
P
=0.04) and load-independent passive RV stiffness constant β (
P
<0.01) were elevated. Although RV relaxation and cardiac output were similar at baseline, HFpEF patients demonstrated a blunted increase in cardiac output under exercise (
P
=0.01) associated with prolonged RV relaxation (
P
=0.01), decrease in stroke volume (
P
<0.01), higher RV-filling pressures (
P
<0.01), and a marked increase in the end-diastolic pressure–volume relationship (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions:
In compensated stages of the HFpEF syndrome, systolic RV function is preserved, but diastolic abnormalities with intrinsic RV stiffness and prolonged RV relaxation are already present. Impaired diastolic RV reserve contributes to a blunted increase in cardiac output during exertion. Because impairments in diastolic function seem to be a biventricular phenomenon, RV diastolic dysfunction warrants further consideration when characterizing HFpEF patients.

Clinical Trial Registration:

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02459626.
Novel Adipokine, FAM19A5, Inhibits Neointima Formation After Injury Through Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2
Authors: Wang Yingbao , Chen Dixin , Zhang Yan , Wang Pingzhang , Zheng Can , Zhang Songyang , Yu Bing , Zhang Lu , Zhao Guizhen , Ma Baihui , Cai Zeyu , Xie Nan , Huang Shiyang , Liu Ziyi , Mo Xiaoning , Guan Youfei , Wang Xian , Fu Yi , Ma Dalong , Wang Ying , Kong Wei 
Published: February 2018

Background:
Obesity plays crucial roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms that link obesity and cardiovascular diseases remain elusive. Compelling evidence indicates that adipokines play an important role in obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. Here, we found a new adipokine-named family with sequence similarity 19, member A5 (FAM19A5), a protein with unknown function that was predicted to be distantly related to the CC-chemokine family. We aimed to test whether adipose-derived FAM19A5 regulates vascular pathology on injury.

Methods:
DNA cloning, protein expression, purification, and N-terminal sequencing were applied to characterize FAM19A5. Adenovirus infection and siRNA transfection were performed to regulate FAM19A5 expression. Balloon and wire injury were performed in vivo on the rat carotid arteries and mouse femoral arteries, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis, radioactive ligand-receptor binding assays, receptor internalization, and calcium mobilization assays were used to identify the functional receptor for FAM19A5.

Results:

We first characterized FAM19A5 as a secreted protein, and the first 43 N-terminal amino acids were the signal peptides. Both FAM19A5 mRNA and protein were abundantly expressed in the adipose tissue but were downregulated in obese mice. Overexpression of FAM19A5 markedly inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and neointima formation in the carotid arteries of balloon-injured rats. Accordingly, FAM19A5 silencing in adipocytes significantly promoted vascular smooth muscle cell activation. Adipose-specific FAM19A5 transgenic mice showed greater attenuation of neointima formation compared with wild-type littermates fed with or without Western-style diet. We further revealed that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 was the functional receptor for FAM19A5, with a dissociation constant (
K
d
) of 0.634 nmol/L. Inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 or its downstream G12/13-RhoA signaling circumvented the suppressive effects of FAM19A5 on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.

Conclusions:
We revealed that a novel adipokine, FAM19A5, was capable of inhibiting postinjury neointima formation via sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2-G12/13-RhoA signaling. Downregulation of FAM19A5 during obesity may trigger cardiometabolic diseases.
Biodiversity Conservation of the Third Pole: Potential Lessons from the Mekong River Basin
Authors: Marsden Simon 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The focus of this article is on the viability of developing an environmental management regime focused on biodiversity conservation in relation to the Third Pole, specifically the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. The global significance of this region, somewhat neglected in legal scholarship, lies in the fact that, outside the Arctic and Antarctic, it contains more snow and ice than anywhere in the world and hosts the largest reserve of freshwater beyond those regions. Regional cooperative instruments on environmental management outside the region such as the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention are drawn upon as precedents. The transboundary legal framework applicable to the Mekong River is drawn on to spell out the benefits as well as the pitfalls for the establishment of a Third Pole environmental regime on biodiversity conservation. The central argument is that there is a clear need in the Third Pole region to improve collaborative governance and planning frameworks to contend with the challenges of climate change, dam development, water management, resource extraction, infrastructure development and Indigenous/minority rights. It finds that the Mekong regime has failed to deal effectively with the assessment of transboundary environmental effects on biodiversity, or to appropriately involve communities and ngos in the process, and this serves as a major lesson in the design of any Third Pole regime. The article contends that an appropriate biodiversity conservation instrument for the region could take the form of a protocol relating to a regional framework convention on environmental management, with both needing to be developed from the ground up, drawing on the recognized needs of the relevant stakeholders for both environmental protection and equitable utilization.
Characteristic Atmospheric Radiative Heating Rate Profiles in Arctic Clouds as Observed at Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Turner D. D. , Shupe M. D. , Zwink A. B. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA 2-yr cloud microphysical property dataset derived from ground-based remote sensors at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site near Barrow, Alaska, was used as input into a radiative transfer model to compute radiative heating rate (RHR) profiles in the atmosphere. Both the longwave (LW; 5–100 μm) and shortwave (SW; 0.2–5 μm) RHR profiles show significant month-to-month variability because of seasonal dependence in the vertical profiles of cloud liquid and ice water contents, with additional contributions from the seasonal dependencies of solar zenith angle, water vapor amount, and temperature. The LW and SW RHR profiles were binned to provide characteristic profiles as a function of cloud type and liquid water path (LWP). Single-layer liquid-only clouds are shown to have larger (10–30 K day−1) LW radiative cooling rates at the top of the cloud layer than single-layer mixed-phase clouds; this is due primarily to differences in the vertical distribution of liquid water between the two classes. However, differences in SW RHR profiles at the top of these two classes of clouds are less than 3 K day−1. The absolute value of the RHR in single-layer ice-only clouds is an order of magnitude smaller than in liquid-bearing clouds. Furthermore, for double-layer cloud systems, the phase and condensed water path of the upper cloud strongly modulate the radiative cooling both at the top and within the lower-level cloud. While sensitivity to cloud overlap and phase has been shown previously, the characteristic RHR profiles are markedly different between the different cloud classifications.
Role of Finite-Amplitude Rossby Waves and Nonconservative Processes in Downward Migration of Extratropical Flow Anomalies
Authors: Lubis Sandro W. , Huang Clare S. Y. , Nakamura Noboru , Omrani Nour-Eddine , Jucker Martin 
Published: February 2018

There is growing evidence that stratospheric variability exerts a noticeable imprint on tropospheric weather and climate. Despite clear evidence of these impacts, the principal mechanism whereby stratospheric variability influences tropospheric circulation has remained elusive. Here, the authors introduce a novel approach, based on the theory of finite-amplitude wave activity, for quantifying the role of adiabatic and nonconservative effects on the mean flow that shape the downward coupling from the stratosphere to the troposphere during stratospheric vortex weakening (SVW) events. The advantage of using this theory is that eddy effects (at finite amplitude) on the mean flow can be more readily distinguished from nonconservative effects. The results show (in confirmation of previous work) that the downward migration of extratropical wind anomalies is largely attributable to dynamical adjustments induced by fluctuating finite-amplitude wave forcing. The nonconservative effects, on the other hand, contribute to maintaining the downward signals in the recovery stage within the stratosphere, hinting at the importance of mixing and diabatic heating. The analysis further indicates that variations in stratospheric finite-amplitude wave forcing are too weak to account for the attendant changes and shapes in the tropospheric flow. It is suggested that the indirect effect of tropospheric finite-amplitude wave activity through the residual displacements is needed to amplify and prolong the tropospheric wind responses over several weeks. The results also reveal that the local tropospheric wave activity over the North Pacific and North Atlantic sectors plays a significant role in shaping the high-latitude tropospheric wind response to SVW events.
Contrasting Local and Remote Impacts of Surface Heating on Polar Warming and Amplification
Authors: Park Kiwoong , Kang Sarah M. , Kim Doyeon , Stuecker Malte F. , Jin Fei-Fei 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The polar region has been one of the fastest warming places on Earth in response to greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing. Two distinct processes contribute to the observed warming signal: (i) local warming in direct response to the GHG forcing and (ii) the effect of enhanced poleward heat transport from low latitudes. A series of aquaplanet experiments, which excludes the surface albedo feedback, is conducted to quantify the relative contributions of these two physical processes to the polar warming magnitude and degree of amplification relative to the global mean. The globe is divided into zonal bands with equal area in eight experiments. For each of these, an external heating is prescribed beneath the slab ocean layer in the respective forcing bands. The summation of the individual temperature responses to each local heating in these experiments is very similar to the response to a globally uniform heating. This allows the authors to decompose the polar warming and amplification signal into the effects of local and remote heating. Local polar heating that induces surface-trapped warming due to the large tropospheric static stability in this region accounts for about half of the polar surface warming. Cloud radiative effects act to enhance this local contribution. In contrast, remote nonpolar heating induces a robust polar warming pattern that features a midtropospheric peak, regardless of the meridional location of the forcing. Among all remote forcing experiments, the deep tropical forcing case contributes most to the polar-amplified surface warming pattern relative to the global mean, while the high-latitude forcing cases contribute most to enhancing the polar surface warming magnitude.
TRMM Version 8 Reprocessing Improvements and Incorporation into the GPM Data Suite
Authors: Stocker E. F. , Alquaied F. , Bilanow S. , Ji Y. , Jones L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has always included data reprocessing as a major component of every science mission. A final reprocessing is typically a part of mission closeout (known as phase F). The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is currently in phase F, and NASA is preparing for the last reprocessing of all the TRMM precipitation data as part of the closeout. This reprocessing includes improvements in calibration of both the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR). An initial step in the version 8 reprocessing is the improvement of geolocation. The PR calibration is being updated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) using data collected as part of the calibration of the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) on the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory. JAXA undertook a major effort to ensure TRMM PR and GPM Ku-band calibration is consistent.A major component of the TRMM version 8 reprocessing is to create consistent retrievals with the GPM version 05 (V05) retrievals. To this end, the TRMM version 8 reprocessing uses retrieval algorithms based on the GPM V05 algorithms. This approach ensures consistent retrievals from December 1997 (the beginning of TRMM) through the current ongoing GPM retrievals. An outcome of this reprocessing is the incorporation of TRMM data products into the GPM data suite. Incorporation also means that GPM file naming conventions and reprocessed TRMM data carry the V05 data product version. This paper describes the TRMM version 8 reprocessing, focusing on the improvements in TMI level 1 products.