bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential responses of ecosystem carbon flux components to experimental precipitation gradient in an alpine meadow
Authors: Zhang Fangyue , Quan Quan , Ma Fangfang , Tian Dashuan , Zhou Qingping , Niu Shuli 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Changes in precipitation have the potential to cause dramatic changes in ecosystem carbon (C) cycling; however, it remains unclear whether different components of the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) (e.g., C uptake vs. release, plant vs. microbe respiration, above‐ground vs. below‐ground plant respiration) have similar or differential sensitivity to precipitation gradients.

We conducted a manipulative field experiment (from 2015 to 2017) with six precipitation treatments, including 1/12 annual precipitation (P), 1/4 P, 1/2 P, 3/4 P, P and 5/4 P in an alpine meadow to investigate the responses of the NEE components.

Over the 3 years, all C fluxes showed a nonlinear response to the precipitation gradients, except for root respiration. The most extreme drought treatment (1/12 P) caused strong reductions in NEE by 15.57%, gross primary productivity by 17.26% and ecosystem respiration by 19.05%, in contrast to the control. Plant respiration was more sensitive to precipitation change than microbe respiration, and above‐ground plant respiration was more susceptible than below‐ground respiration. Structural equation models revealed that the response of C fluxes under precipitation changes was primarily due to changes in the soil water content and above‐ground net primary productivity.

Our findings indicate that future precipitation changes, particularly extreme drought, will decrease ecosystem C fluxes with different magnitudes, leading to a consequent reduction of NEE. These emergent ecosystem properties are essential for the improved elucidation of carbon cycle dynamics and benchmarking models, to predict ecosystem responses to precipitation changes.

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Elastic properties of sands, Part 2: Implementation of contact‐based model to determine the elasticity of the grains from ultrasonic measurements
Authors: Ahmed Zubair , Lebedev Maxim 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThe prediction of effective elastic properties of a granular medium using ultrasonic data based on contact models has been studied widely in both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. In contrast, a calculation of the elastic properties of the constituent grains using similar data by inverting the equations from those models is a rather new concept. To do so, we have developed a controlled experiment technique that includes a uniaxial compaction test and measures ultrasonic velocities of four unconsolidated quartz sand samples with different sorting and grain shapes. We observe that both P‐ and S‐wave velocities are significantly influenced by the microstructure or internal arrangement of the grains. Well sorted and more spherical and rounded samples show higher velocities than the poorly sorted and less spherical and rounded samples. A microstructural parameter – namely coordination number – we have calculated from high resolution micro computed tomography images provides a good match between the model and dynamic effective bulk moduli of the sand pack. Combining this coordination number with a frictional parameter calculated from the measured velocity ratios has been very effective to fit the model with the dynamic effective shear moduli. Using these two key parameters along with the experiment results in the contact model we have been able to obtain the elastic parameters of the quartz sand grains in the sample. Elastic parameters obtained thus are very close to the actual values of the quartz grains found in the literature. This technique can be useful in hard rock mineral exploration where missing core samples or an absence of well logs can be replaced by laboratory measurements of powders to find the elasticity or velocities of the rocks. Moreover, the elastic properties of the solid phase calculated using this technique can be used as input parameters for the fluid substitution and rock physics characterization of unconsolidated reservoir sands.
Development of a Protein‐based Human Identification Capability from a Single Hair
Authors: Mason Katelyn E. , Paul Phillip H. , Chu Fanny , Anex Deon S. , Hart Bradley R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractShed human hair (lacking root nuclear DNA) frequently contributes important information to forensic investigations involving human identification. Detection of genetic variation observed in amino acid sequences of hair proteins provides a new suite of identity markers that augment microscopic hair analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In this study, a new method that completely dissolves single hairs using a combination of heat, ultrasonication, and surfactants was developed. Dissolved proteins were digested and genetically variant peptide (GVP) profiles were obtained for single hairs (25 mm) via high‐resolution nanoflow liquid chromatography‐based mass spectrometry and a novel exome‐driven bioinformatic approach. Overall, 6519 unique peptides were identified and a total of 57 GVPs were confirmed. Random match probabilities ranged between 2.6 × 10−2 and 6.0 × 10−9. The new bioinformatic strategy and ability to analyze GVPs in forensically relevant samples sizes demonstrate applicability of this approach to distinguish individuals in forensic contexts.
Fluorescence of 1,2‐Indanedione with Amino Acids Present in the Fingerprint Residue: Application in Gender Determination
Authors: Mekkaoui Alaoui Ismail , Halamek Jan 
Published: February 2019

Abstract1,2‐indanedione is used for latent fingerprint visualization on porous surfaces. In this paper, fluorescence spectra of 1,2‐indanedione after reacting with 21 individual amino acids present in latent fingerprints residue were measured in water‐methanol solutions. The fluorescence intensity depends on the amino acid used, while the fluorescence peak does not change much. The concentration of amino acids in fingerprint residue in females is almost the double of their concentration in males. This property combined with fluorescence of 1,2‐indanedione‐amino acids compounds is used for gender determination, by comparing the fluorescence intensity peaks in the same experimental conditions. In this preliminary study, the fluorescence signal from the samples representing females was almost two times the signal for samples representing males. In addition to the reduction by almost 50% of the number of suspects in a criminal research case, these results could be helpful in gaining some knowledge about the papillary residue composition.
Bioaerosol biomonitoring: Sampling optimization for molecular microbial ecology
Authors: Ferguson Robert M. W. , Garcia‐Alcega Sonia , Coulon Frederic , Dumbrell Alex J. , Whitby Corinne , Colbeck Ian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBioaerosols (or biogenic aerosols) have largely been overlooked by molecular ecologists. However, this is rapidly changing as bioaerosols play key roles in public health, environmental chemistry and the dispersal ecology of microbes. Due to the low environmental concentrations of bioaerosols, collecting sufficient biomass for molecular methods is challenging. Currently, no standardized methods for bioaerosol collection for molecular ecology research exist. Each study requires a process of optimization, which greatly slows the advance of bioaerosol science. Here, we evaluated air filtration and liquid impingement for bioaerosol sampling across a range of environmental conditions. We also investigated the effect of sampling matrices, sample concentration strategies and sampling duration on DNA yield. Air filtration using polycarbonate filters gave the highest recovery, but due to the faster sampling rates possible with impingement, we recommend this method for fine ‐scale temporal/spatial ecological studies. To prevent bias for the recovery of Gram‐positive bacteria, we found that the matrix for impingement should be phosphate‐buffered saline. The optimal method for bioaerosol concentration from the liquid matrix was centrifugation. However, we also present a method using syringe filters for rapid in‐field recovery of bioaerosols from impingement samples, without compromising microbial diversity for high ‐throughput sequencing approaches. Finally, we provide a resource that enables molecular ecologists to select the most appropriate sampling strategy for their specific research question.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: A large population‐based analysis
Authors: Yang Qiao , Xu Zihan , Chen Xiewan , Zheng Linpeng , Yu Yongxin , Zhao Xianlan , Chen Mingjing , Luo Bangyu , Wang Jianmin , Sun Jianguo 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe study was conducted to compare the clinicopathological characteristics, survival outcomes, and metastatic patterns between pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and other non‐small cell lung cancer (ONSCLC), and to identify the prognostic factors of LCNEC.MethodsData of patients diagnosed with LCNEC and ONSCLC from 2004 to 2014 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results dataset. Pearson’s chi‐square tests were used to compare differences in clinicopathological characteristics. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. A propensity score was used for matching and a Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate and subgroup analyses.ResultsA total of 2368 LCNEC cases and 231 672 ONSCLC cases were identified. LCNEC incidence increased slightly over time. Except for marital status, LCNEC patients had obviously different biological features to ONSCLC patients. Survival analysis showed that LCNEC had poorer outcomes than ONSCLC. Multivariate analysis revealed that female gender, black race, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were protective factors for LCNEC. Matched subgroup analysis further demonstrated that most subgroup factors favored ONSCLC, especially in early stage. Early‐stage LCNEC patients had a higher risk of lung cancer‐specific death than early‐stage ONSCLC patients. Moreover, metastatic patterns were different between LCNEC and ONSCLC. LCNEC patients with isolated liver metastasis or combined invasion to other organs had poorer survival rates.ConclusionsLCNEC has totally different clinicopathological characteristics and metastatic patterns to ONSCLC. LCNEC also has poorer survival outcomes, primarily because of isolated liver metastasis or combined invasion to other organs. Most subgroup factors are adverse factors for LCNEC.
Age‐dependent changes and biomarkers of aging in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Son Heehwa G. , Altintas Ozlem , Kim Eun Ji E. , Kwon Sujeong , Lee Seung‐Jae V. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCaenorhabditis elegans is an exceptionally valuable model for aging research because of many advantages, including its genetic tractability, short lifespan, and clear age‐dependent physiological changes. Aged C. elegans display a decline in their anatomical and functional features, including tissue integrity, motility, learning and memory, and immunity. Caenorhabditis elegans also exhibit many age‐associated changes in the expression of microRNAs and stress‐responsive genes and in RNA and protein quality control systems. Many of these age‐associated changes provide information on the health of the animals and serve as valuable biomarkers for aging research. Here, we review the age‐dependent changes in C. elegans and their utility as aging biomarkers indicative of the physiological status of aging.
Assessment of Skin Blood Flow Following Acute Intravenous Alcohol, and Association with Subjective Perceptions, in Social Drinkers
Authors: Vatsalya Vatsalya , Stangl Bethany L. , Ramchandani Vijay A. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of acute intravenous (IV) alcohol infusion on skin blood flow (SBF) response, measured at fingertip and earlobe, and subjective responses associated with SBF in social drinkers.MethodsTwenty‐four social drinkers underwent a computer‐assisted alcohol self‐infusion study. SBF was measured continuously using laser Doppler flow meter, with the probe placed on the fingertip or earlobe. Perfusion recordings were collected at baseline, and at 0‐minute (0 to 5 minutes), 10‐minute (10 to 15 minutes), and 20‐minute (20 to 25 minutes) time points during the priming phase of IV alcohol self‐administration paradigm at low breath alcohol levels of approximately 30 mg%. Subjective response was measured using the Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ) and Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale.ResultsOverall SBF (collective data from both fingertip and earlobe) and SBF by each site showed significant drop at 0 minutes and then subsequent significant elevation with alcohol self‐administration. Males showed higher overall SBF at baseline and 0 minutes than the females. At fingertip site, lowering in 0‐minute SBF compared to baseline, and subsequent significant increase at the 10‐ and 20‐minute SBF recordings were observed. DEQ measures of “like” and “want more” alcohol were significantly associated with 10‐ and 20‐minute SBF recordings collected at fingertip site.ConclusionsThe changes in SBF following acute IV alcohol exposure are consistent with the sympathetic response of alcohol on the cardiovascular system. This acute hemodynamic effect characterizes differences in blood flow that are sensitive to relatively low levels of acute alcohol exposure. The association of subjective perceptions with the SBF response provides evidence of the psychophysiological effects of alcohol at low levels of exposure.
The Impact of Past and Current Alcohol Consumption Patterns on Progression of Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness Among Women and Men Living with HIV Infection
Authors: Chichetto Natalie E. , Plankey Michael W. , Abraham Alison G. , Sheps David S. , Ennis Nicole , Chen Xinguang , Weber Kathleen M. , Shoptaw Steven , Kaplan Robert C. , Post Wendy S. , Cook Robert L. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe relationship between alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis has not been sufficiently examined among people living with HIV (PLWH).MethodsWe analyzed data from PLWH in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS; n = 1,164) and the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS; n = 387) with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Repeated measures of intima‐media thickness of the right common carotid artery (CCA‐IMT) were assessed using B‐mode ultrasound from 2004 to 2013. Current alcohol consumption was collected at time of CCA‐IMT measurement and was categorized according to gender‐specific weekly limits. Group‐based trajectory models categorized participants into past 10‐year consumption patterns (1994 to 2004). Multivariate generalized estimating equations were conducted to assess the association of past and current alcohol use patterns on change in CCA‐IMT by cohort, controlling for age, race, cigarette and illicit drug use, probable depression, HIV RNA viral load, antiretroviral therapy exposure, and hepatitis C coinfection.ResultsAmong the WIHS, past heavy alcohol consumption was associated with increased CCA‐IMT level over time (β = 8.08, CI 0.35, 15.8, p = 0.04), compared to abstinence. Among the MACS, compared to abstinence, all past consumption patterns were associated with increased CCA‐IMT over time (past low: β = 15.3, 95% CI 6.46, 24.2, p < 0.001; past moderate: β = 14.3, CI 1.36, 27.2, p = 0.03; past heavy: β = 21.8, CI 4.63, 38.9, p = 0.01). Current heavy consumption was associated with decreased CCA‐IMT among the WIHS (β = −11.4, 95% CI −20.2, −2.63, p = 0.01) and MACS (β = −15.4, 95% CI −30.7, −0.13, p = 0.04). No statistically significant time by consumption pattern effects were found.ConclusionsIn both cohorts, 10‐year heavy consumption was associated with statistically significant increases in carotid artery thickness, compared to abstinence. Long‐term patterns of drinking at any level above abstinence were particularly significant for increases in IMT among men, with heavy consumption presenting with the greatest increase. Our results suggest a potentially different window of risk among past and current heavy drinkers. Further studies are needed to determine whether alcohol consumption level is associated with intermediate measures of atherosclerosis. Alcohol screening and interventions to reduce heavy consumption may benefit PLWH who are at risk of CVD.
N‐acetylcysteine yields sex‐specific efficacy for cue‐induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking
Authors: Goenaga Julianna , Powell Gregory L. , Leyrer‐Jackson Jonna M. , Piña Jose , Phan Sandy , Prakapenka Alesia V. , Koebele Stephanie V. , Namba Mark D. , McClure Erin A. , Bimonte‐Nelson Heather A. , Gipson Cassandra D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWomen report greater craving during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. As well, research indicates that pharmacotherapies for smoking may be less efficacious in women compared with men, which may be due to interactions with natural fluctuations in ovarian hormone levels. N‐Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a glutamatergic compound that has shown some efficacy in treating substance use disorders and aids in the prevention of relapse. However, it is unclear whether NAC has sex‐specific effectiveness for nicotine relapse treatment. Given that NAC has shown promise to reduce nicotine reinstatement in preclinical models using male rats, the exploration of potential sex differences in the efficacy of NAC is warranted. Using a rat model, we first investigated the ability of NAC treatment (100 mg/kg, ip) during nicotine withdrawal with extinction training to reduce cue‐induced nicotine seeking in male and female rats. Next, we assessed whether NAC's effects were estrous cycle–dependent for female rats. Results show that following NAC treatment during extinction, reinstatement of nicotine seeking was significantly decreased in males but not females, indicating a sex‐specific effect of NAC. Furthermore, for females, both vehicle‐ and NAC‐treated groups significantly reinstated nicotine‐seeking behavior compared with extinction, regardless of estrous cycle phase. These results suggest that NAC is inefficacious in reducing nicotine relapse in females regardless of estrous cycle phase at the dose evaluated here. These collective findings could have important clinical implications for use and efficacy of NAC as a pharmacotherapy for freely cycling women smokers.
Is the association between maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy and pre‐school child behavioural and emotional problems causal? Multiple approaches for controlling unmeasured confounding
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Moen Eilertsen Espen , Gjerde Line C. , Røysamb Espen , Wood Mollie , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Ted , Ystrom Eivind 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground and aimsHazardous drinking (i.e. alcohol consumption that places drinkers at risk for adverse health outcomes) during pregnancy is associated with adverse child outcomes. To address whether the associations are causal, we aimed to estimate the effect of maternal hazardous drinking during the first trimester on offspring emotional and behavioural problems throughout the pre‐school age. We adjusted for: (1) measured confounding (e.g. smoking), (2) familial risk factors by sibling control design and (3) non‐shared environmental risk factors by using hazardous drinking the 3 months before pregnancy as an instrumental variable.DesignProspective cohort study. Participants were recruited between 1999 and 2009 at ultrasound examination offered to all pregnant women in Norway. Data were collected during the 17th and the 30th weeks of gestation, and when the children were aged 1.5, 3 and 5 years.SettingNorway, 1999–2015.ParticipantsThe sample consisted of 14 639 mothers with 25 744 offspring siblings from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study.MeasurementsRespondents self‐reported on: alcohol consumption, children's emotional problems (i.e. emotional reactive, anxiety/depression, somatic complaints) and children's behavioural problems (i.e. attention and aggressive behaviour) throughout pre‐school age. We used longitudinal latent growth curve models to estimate the effect of maternal drinking during the first trimester on offspring emotional and behavioural problems.FindingsMost associations were strongly reduced after controlling for both familial and measured environmental risk factors. After adjustment, exposed children were more emotionally reactive [β = 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.13–4.53] and had more somatic complaints (β = 1.93; 95% CI = 0.09–3.77) at age 3, but not at age 5. Exposed children were less aggressive than unexposed siblings at age 5 (β = −2.27; 95% CI = –4.02 to –0.52).ConclusionsChildren exposed to their mothers’ hazardous drinking during the first trimester appear to be more emotionally reactive and have more somatic complaints at age 3, but not at age 5, and are less aggressive at age 5 compared with unexposed siblings.
Ultrastructural observations on the platelets of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)
Authors: Al‐Amri Ahmed Saif Hilal , Al‐Marzooqi Waleed , Al‐Abri Mohammed , Johnson Eugene H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAn ultrastructural study on the platelets from peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy adult Arabian oryx (Oryx leucocoryx) was performed. Characteristic was the extreme polymorphism of both the platelets, as well as their alpha granules. They vary in size from 100 to 800 nm in diameter and their numbers typically are less than those reported for humans and other animal species. Also, the alpha granules in contrast to those of humans and animals, such as the Arabian tahr, do not have nucleoids. Typically, the oryx platelets exhibit only 1–2 electron‐dense bodies per cell and they lack an open canalicular system. Of particular interest is the presence of Type I multivesicular bodies, which have previously only been described in human megakaryocytes and are hypothesized as being intermediate development stages of alpha and dense granules.
Intravenous immunoglobulin G use in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: An uncommon cause of drug‐induced discoid lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jennings Tara , Ahmed Sarah , Aphale Abhishek , Lee Jason , Valdes‐Rodriguez Rodrigo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDrug‐induced chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or drug‐induced discoid lupus erythematosus, is a rare cutaneous phenomenon. Various medications have been associated with drug‐induced discoid lupus erythematosus including fluorouracile agents, especially tegafur and uraciltegafur, and TNF‐α antagonists such as infliximab or etanercept. Recent literature has described a case series of six patients receiving IgG immunoglobulin for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with subsequent presentations of discoid lupus erythematosus. We present a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy who developed discoid lupus erythematosus secondary to IgG immunoglobulin.