bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do invasive plants structure microbial communities to accelerate decomposition in intermountain grasslands?
Authors: McTee Michael R. , Lekberg Ylva , Mummey Dan , Rummel Alexii , Ramsey Philip W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractInvasive plants are often associated with greater productivity and soil nutrient availabilities, but whether invasive plants with dissimilar traits change decomposer communities and decomposition rates in consistent ways is little known. We compared decomposition rates and the fungal and bacterial communities associated with the litter of three problematic invaders in intermountain grasslands; cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), as well as the native bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Shoot and root litter from each plant was placed in cheatgrass, spotted knapweed, and leafy spurge invasions as well as remnant native communities in a fully reciprocal design for 6 months to see whether decomposer communities were species‐specific, and whether litter decomposed fastest when placed in a community composed of its own species (referred to hereafter as home‐field advantage–HFA). Overall, litter from the two invasive forbs, spotted knapweed and leafy spurge, decomposed faster than the native and invasive grasses, regardless of the plant community of incubation. Thus, we found no evidence of HFA. T‐RFLP profiles indicated that both fungal and bacterial communities differed between roots and shoots and among plant species, and that fungal communities also differed among plant community types. Synthesis. These results show that litter from three common invaders to intermountain grasslands decomposes at different rates and cultures microbial communities that are species‐specific, widespread, and persistent through the dramatic shifts in plant communities associated with invasions.
Sampling intraspecific variability in leaf functional traits: Practical suggestions to maximize collected information
Authors: Petruzzellis Francesco , Palandrani Chiara , Savi Tadeja , Alberti Roberto , Nardini Andrea , Bacaro Giovanni 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe choice of the best sampling strategy to capture mean values of functional traits for a species/population, while maintaining information about traits’ variability and minimizing the sampling size and effort, is an open issue in functional trait ecology. Intraspecific variability (ITV) of functional traits strongly influences sampling size and effort. However, while adequate information is available about intraspecific variability between individuals (ITVBI) and among populations (ITVPOP), relatively few studies have analyzed intraspecific variability within individuals (ITVWI). Here, we provide an analysis of ITVWI of two foliar traits, namely specific leaf area (SLA) and osmotic potential (π), in a population of Quercus ilex L. We assessed the baseline ITVWI level of variation between the two traits and provided the minimum and optimal sampling size in order to take into account ITVWI, comparing sampling optimization outputs with those previously proposed in the literature. Different factors accounted for different amount of variance of the two traits. SLA variance was mostly spread within individuals (43.4% of the total variance), while π variance was mainly spread between individuals (43.2%). Strategies that did not account for all the canopy strata produced mean values not representative of the sampled population. The minimum size to adequately capture the studied functional traits corresponded to 5 leaves taken randomly from 5 individuals, while the most accurate and feasible sampling size was 4 leaves taken randomly from 10 individuals. We demonstrate that the spatial structure of the canopy could significantly affect traits variability. Moreover, different strategies for different traits could be implemented during sampling surveys. We partially confirm sampling sizes previously proposed in the recent literature and encourage future analysis involving different traits.
Relationship between self‐reported cognitive difficulties, objective neuropsychological test performance and psychological distress in chronic pain
Authors: Baker K.S. , Gibson S.J. , Georgiou‐Karistianis N. , Giummarra M.J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundPersons with chronic pain often report problems with cognitive abilities, such as memory or attention. There is limited understanding of whether objective performance is consistent with subjective reports, and how psychological factors contribute. We aimed to investigate these relationships in a group of patients expressing cognitive concerns, and evaluate the utility of self‐report tools for pain management settings.MethodParticipants with chronic pain (n = 41) completed standardized neuropsychological tests, and self‐report measures of cognitive functioning, pain, mood and sleep, as part of a broader study investigating cognitive performance in pain.ResultsAverage neuropsychological test performance was subtly below normative means (within one standard deviation). Twenty‐five percent of the sample scored substantially below age‐adjusted norms on one or more objective tests. There were moderate‐to‐large associations between objective performance (e.g. Trail‐Making B) and subjective cognitive complaints (e.g. Everyday Memory Questionnaire – Revised), controlling for age and education level. This was moderated by anxiety, such that subjective–objective relationships were particularly strong in those with higher anxiety. Poorer test performance was associated with higher pain intensity and catastrophizing. Subjective–objective cognition relationships remained after controlling for catastrophizing.ConclusionPatients’ self‐reported cognitive concerns concurred with objectively measured performance, independent of age, education and catastrophizing. Moreover, those with severe anxiety were more accurate in predicting their cognitive performance. The findings highlight some interesting cognition–mood relationships, and suggest that easy‐to‐administer questionnaires, such as the Everyday Memory Questionnaire – Revised and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version, may be useful to capture cognitive concerns in clinical settings.SignificanceCognitive concerns in chronic pain reflected objective neurocognitive performance. This was moderated by anxiety, such that self‐reported cognition was more consistent with objective performance in those with high anxiety. Our findings suggest that reported cognitive concerns should be heeded, and self‐report measures may be used clinically to facilitate dialogue about cognitive functioning.
Ground motion selection for seismic slope displacement analysis using a generalized intensity measure distribution method
Authors: Du Wenqi , Wang Gang 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYSelecting ground motions based on the generalized intensity measure distribution (GIMD) approach has many appealing features, but it has not been fully verified in engineering practice. In this paper, several suites of ground motions, which have almost identical distributions of spectral acceleration (SA) ordinates but different distributions of non‐SA intensity measures, are selected using the GIMD‐based approach for a given earthquake scenario. The selected ground motion suites are used to compute the sliding displacements of various slopes. Comparisons of the resulting displacements demonstrate that selecting ground motions with biased distribution of some intensity measures (ie, Arias intensity) may yield systematic biases (up to 60% for some slope types). Therefore, compared to the ground motions selected based only on the distribution of SA ordinates, the ground motion suite selected by the GIMD‐based approach can better represent the various characteristics of earthquake loadings, resulting in generally unbiased estimation in specific engineering applications.
Brain responses to social norms: Meta‐analyses of fMRI studies
Authors: Zinchenko Oksana , Arsalidou Marie 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSocial norms have a critical role in everyday decision‐making, as frequent interaction with others regulates our behavior. Neuroimaging studies show that social‐based and fairness‐related decision‐making activates an inconsistent set of areas, which sometimes includes the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and others lateral prefrontal cortices. Social‐based decision‐making is complex and variability in findings may be driven by socio‐cognitive activities related to social norms. To distinguish among social‐cognitive activities related to social norms, we identified 36 eligible articles in the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) literature, which we separate into two categories (a) social norm representation and (b) norm violations. The majority of original articles (>60%) used tasks associated with fairness norms and decision‐making, such as ultimatum game, dictator game, or prisoner's dilemma; the rest used tasks associated to violation of moral norms, such as scenarios and sentences of moral depravity ratings. Using quantitative meta‐analyses, we report common and distinct brain areas that show concordance as a function of category. Specifically, concordance in ventromedial prefrontal regions is distinct to social norm representation processing, whereas concordance in right insula, dorsolateral prefrontal, and dorsal cingulate cortices is distinct to norm violation processing. We propose a neurocognitive model of social norms for healthy adults, which could help guide future research in social norm compliance and mechanisms of its enforcement.
Clinical diagnosis and treatment outcomes for parapharyngeal space schwannomas: A single‐institution review of 21 cases
Authors: Sato Yoichiro , Imanishi Yorihisa , Tomita Toshiki , Ozawa Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Koji , Fujii Ryoichi , Shigetomi Seiji , Habu Noboru , Otsuka Kuninori , Watanabe Yoshihiro , Sekimizu Mariko , Ogawa Kaoru 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundBecause the incidence of schwannoma arising from the parapharyngeal space (PPS) is very low, no studies have analyzed extirpation methods and postoperative neurological complications exclusively in PPS schwannomas.MethodsThe preoperative diagnosis and clinical outcomes of surgical treatment in 21 patients with PPS schwannoma who underwent surgery were investigated.ResultsNeurological deficit of the involved nerve developed in all patients regardless of the extirpation method used. However, the incidence of first bite syndrome in sympathetic chain schwannoma was significantly lower after intracapsular enucleation (40%) than after total resection (100%; P = .045). Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative complications unrelated to the involved nerve was lower after intracapsular enucleation (0%) than after total resection (42.9%; P = .055).ConclusionAlthough postoperative neurological deficit of the involved nerve was unavoidable in PPS schwannoma, intracapsular enucleation could be beneficial by reducing its severity and the incidence of complications unrelated to the involved nerve.
Rapid on‐site evaluation of routine biochemical parameters to predict right ventricular dysfunction in and the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism upon admission to the emergency room
Authors: Jia Dong , Liu Fan , Zhang Qin , Zeng Guang‐qiao , Li Xue‐lian , Hou Gang 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionPatients with acute pulmonary embolism(APE)who present with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) have a worse prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the value of routine biochemical parameters in predicting RVD and 30‐day mortality in patients with APE.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the clinical data for 154 enrolled patients, including the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), D‐dimer, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). We analyzed the correlation between RVD and the parameters and conducted a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to confirm the cut‐off values for predicting RVD and 30‐day mortality. Formulas were built with relevant parameters to predict RVD and 30‐day mortality.ResultsAge, NLR, PLR, D‐dimer, the ratio of cTnI (+), and NT‐proBNP (+) were significantly higher in RVD (+) patients. The ratio of cTnI (+) and NT‐proBNP (+) in 30‐day mortality (+) patients was significantly higher than that in 30‐day mortality (−) patients. According to the logistic regression analysis, NLR, cTnI (+), and NT‐proBNP (+) correlated with RVD. The formula for the RVD risk score is 0.072 × NLR+1.460 × NT‐proBNP (+)+2.113 × cTnI (+), and the area under the curve (AUC) = 0.890 (95% CI: 0.839‐0.941, P = .001). The formula for the 30‐day mortality risk score is 0.115 × NLR + 2.046 × NT‐proBNP (+) + 1.946 × cTnI (+) −0.016 × PLR, and the AUC = 0.903 (95% CI: 0.829‐0.976, P = .001).ConclusionsThe rapid on‐site evaluation of routine biochemical parameters, including NLR, cTnI, and NT‐proBNP levels, and the formula developed using these parameters are valuable for predicting RVD and 30‐day mortality in patients with APE.
Experimental and theoretical consideration of the factors influencing cationic pollutants retention by seashell waste
Authors: Egerić Marija , Smičiklas Ivana , Mraković Ana , Jović Mihajlo , Šljivić‐Ivanović Marija , Antanasijević Davor , Ristić Mirjana 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeashell waste (SW) is rich in biogenic calcium carbonate and potentially can substitute geological sources in various applications, such as the separation of heavy metals and radionuclides from contaminated solutions. This study aims to compare SW sorption efficiency towards different chemical species (Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Sr2+) and to evaluate the effects of various factors based on the experimental data and modeling approach.RESULTSThe reaction of SW with aqueous metal solutions is a combination of several processes that result in metal retention, Ca2+ release, and changes in pH. SW demonstrates variable selectivity for investigated cations, depending on their concentrations and reaction times. Maximum sorption capacities declined in the order Zn2+ > Pb2+ ≈ Sr2+ > Cu2+. The model based on general regression neural network (GRNN) architecture was developed, which enabled prediction of removal efficiency taking into account the process specific, metal specific parameters and their non‐linear interactions. Initial concentration and covalent radius of a cation exhibit the highest, while the initial pH the lowest significance.CONCLUSIONEcological problems caused by SW accumulation in coastal areas could be mitigated by mastering technologies for their practical utilization. The results obtained facilitate the understanding of cationic pollutants removal by SW in the range of experimental conditions, while the GRNN approach demonstrates advantages in modeling complex sorption processes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Stimulation of the germination and growth of different plant species using an electric field treatment with IrO2‐Ta2O5|Ti electrodes
Authors: Acosta‐Santoyo Gustavo , Herrada Rosa Alhelí , De Folter Stefan , Bustos Erika 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe goal of this research was to develop the electro‐culturing process for different species of plants including Arabidopsis thaliana and Mammillaria mathildae using IrO2‐Ta2O5|Ti | Ti (anode) electrodes while applying a constant direct current electric field.RESULTSGermination rate was increased in both plant species, growth rate was also enhanced during early life stages of A. thaliana, while the size of the Cactaceae M. mathildae was also increased. Root structure was analyzed in an in vitro analysis using A. thaliana and several enhanced aspects were observed.CONCLUSIONSThis Testing showed that an electro‐culturing process was beneficial during testing as soil ions underwent electro‐migration allowing the permeation of the nutrients to the seeds. Furthermore, a decrease in pH was observed near the IrO2‐Ta2O5|Ti anodes, due to electrolysis of the water during the electro‐culture process (pH = 1), and generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) was observed during this electrolysis when seeds were exposed to low intensity direct current electric fields for a short time. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of fluorescent dyes to measure protein aggregation within mammalian cell culture supernatants
Authors: Oshinbolu Sheun , Shah Rachana , Finka Gary , Molloy Mike , Uden Mark , Bracewell Daniel G 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDA current challenge in bioprocessing is the ability to analyse critical quality attributes such as aggregation without prior purification. This study evaluated the use of fluorescent dyes (Bis‐ANS, SYPRO Orange, Thioflavin T and ProteoStat) to characterise mAb aggregates in Chinese hamster ovary clarified cultures.RESULTSThe null and mAb culture supernatants showed an increase in fluorescence intensity over the duration of the culture. The null cultures on day 14 saw a rapid increase in fluorescence intensity; day 10 to day 14, Bis‐ANS and Thioflavin T had average increases of 21% and 48%, respectively, whereas ProteoStat and SYPRO Orange showed an average increase of 60%. Higher fluorescence intensity on day 14 with the null cultures, also correlated with loss of viability.CONCLUSIONFluorescent dyes are not a specific indicator of mAb aggregation, but rather an indicator of overall protein aggregation or high molecular weight species. SYPRO Orange was more sensitive at detecting very large molecular weight species and ProteoStat seemed better suited to smaller aggregates. Although the assay cannot be used to measure mAb aggregates in cell culture, it could be used to aid cell line selection in maximising viabilities and minimising the amount of aggregates. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Usefulness of Doppler waveform analysis before performing a complex procedure using femoral venous access
Authors: Shin Seung Yong , Kim Hyangkyoung , Choi Yoo Shin , Kim Sang Wook 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUltrasonography is a well‐defined and widely accepted technique in the settings of interventional procedures requiring peripheral venous access, either for the confirmation of the vein patency (with the compression test) or for guiding needle insertion. This report describes a case of unsuccessful guidewire passage through the right iliac vein in spite of successful ultrasonography‐guided puncture of the femoral vein. On repeat duplex ultrasonography, the Doppler waveform showed a continuous pattern without respiratory phasicity, which was consistent with proximal venous occlusion. Venous Doppler signal waveform analysis can be helpful for ensuring downstream patency when planning long‐distance catheterization via femoral venous access.
Microscopic investigations of palynological features of convolvulaceous species from arid zone of Pakistan
Authors: Ashfaq Shomaila , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia , Bahadur Siraj , Khan Adeel , Shah Amin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe pollen morphology of some species of glamorous family Convolvulaceae from arid zones of Pakistan has been evaluated. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, described qualitatively, and illustrated using Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The examined species have differences in shape, size, polarity and exine ornamentation, confirming the eurypalynous character. The pollen types varies from psilate to echinate and colpi to tricolporate, tetracolporate and pantocolporate. Exine ornamentation was exposed as perforate, reticulate and echinate. Spine morphology and exine sculpture are vital for the distinction of species. Pollen fertility shows that selected plants species are well‐known in the Arid Zone. A taxonomic key is prepared to use these variations in the identification of species. Statistical analysis by using the Software XLSTAT exhibited that some morphological features is the main characters in identification of the taxa. These studied taxa were separated from each other using cluster Analysis. Our results constructed on MVSP ver. 3.22 software analyses that show morphological explanation; thus, the results highlight the importance of pollen morphology in the identification and characterization of species of the family convolvulacae in arid zone.
Improving document ranking with genetic and optimization algorithms
Authors: Master Lawrence 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThere are many applications to ranking including page searching, question answering, recommender systems, sentiment analysis, and collaborative filtering, to name a few. In the past several years, machine learning and information retrieval techniques have been used to develop ranking algorithms, and several listwise approaches to learning to rank have been developed. We propose a new method, which we call GeneticListMLE++ and GeneticListNet++, which builds on the original ListMLE and ListNet algorithms. Our method substantially improves on the original ListMLE and ListNet ranking approaches by incorporating genetic optimization of hyperparameters, a nonlinear neural network ranking model, and a regularization technique.
Early mechanical stimulation only permits timely bone healing in sheep
Authors: Tufekci Pelin , Tavakoli Aramesh , Dlaska Constantin , Neumann Mirjam , Shanker Mihir , Saifzadeh Siamak , Steck Roland , Schuetz Michael , Epari Devakar 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTBone fracture healing is sensitive to the fixation stability. However, it is unclear which phases of healing are mechano‐sensitive and if mechanical stimulation is required throughout repair. In this study, a novel bone defect model, which isolates an experimental fracture from functional loading, was applied in sheep to investigate if stimulation limited to the early proliferative phase is sufficient for bone healing. An active fixator controlled motion in the fracture. Animals of the control group were unstimulated. In the physiological‐like group, 1 mm axial compressive movements were applied between day 5 and 21, thereafter the movements were decreased in weekly increments and stopped after 6 weeks. In the early stimulatory group, the movements were stopped after 3 weeks. The experimental fractures were evaluated with mechanical and micro‐computed tomography methods after 9 weeks healing. The callus strength of the stimulated fractures (physiological‐like and early stimulatory) was greater than the unstimulated control group. The control group was characterized by minimal external callus formation and a lack of bone bridging at 9 weeks. In contrast, the stimulated groups exhibited advanced healing with solid bone formation across the defect. This was confirmed quantitatively by a lower bone volume in the control group compared to the stimulated groups.The novel experimental model permits the application of a well‐defined load history to an experimental bone fracture. The poor healing observed in the control group is consistent with under‐stimulation. This study has shown early mechanical stimulation only is sufficient for a timely healing outcome. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1790–1796, 2018.