bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial sedimentary imprint on the deep Dead Sea sediment
Authors: Thomas Camille , Ebert Yael , Kiro Yael , Stein Mordechai , Ariztegui Daniel ,   the DSDDP Scientific Team
Published: May 2016

AbstractA study of an International Continental Drilling Program core recovered from the middle of the modern Dead Sea has identified microbial traces within this subsurface hypersaline environment. A comparison with an active microbial mat exhibiting similar evaporative processes characterized iron‐sulphur mineralization and exopolymeric substances resulting from microbial activity. Exopolymeric substances were identified in the drilled sediment but unlike other hypersaline environments, it appears that they have a limited effect on the precipitation of calcium carbonate in the sedimentary column. Sulphate reduction, however, plays a role in all types of evaporative facies, leading to the formation of diagenetic iron sulphides in glacial and interglacial intervals. Their synthesis seems to occur under progressive sulphidation that generally stops at greigite because of incomplete sulphate reduction. The latter may be caused by a lack of suitable organic matter in this hypersaline, hence energy‐demanding, environment. Pyrite may be found in periods of high lake productivity, when more labile organic matter is available. The carbon and sulphur cycles are thus influenced by microbial activity in the Dead Sea environment and this influence results in diagenetic transformations in the deep sediment.
Comparison between SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP4 inhibitors added to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with indirect comparison meta‐analysis
Authors: Min Se Hee , Yoon Jeong‐Hwa , Hahn Seokyung , Cho Young Min 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundBoth sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) inhibitors can be used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that is inadequately controlled with insulin therapy, and yet there has been no direct comparison of these two inhibitors.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov through June 2015. Randomized controlled trials published in English that compare SGLT2 inhibitor plus insulin (SGLT2i/INS) with placebo plus insulin or DPP4 inhibitor plus insulin (DPP4i/INS) with placebo plus insulin in patients with T2DM were selected. Data on the study characteristics, efficacy and safety outcomes were extracted. We compared the efficacy and safety between SGLT2i/INS and DPP4i/INS indirectly with covariates adjustment. Risk of potential bias was assessed.ResultsFourteen eligible randomized controlled trials comprising 6980 patients were included (five SGLT2 inhibitor studies and nine DPP4 inhibitor studies). Covariate‐adjusted indirect comparison using meta‐regression analyses revealed that SGLT2i/INS achieved greater reduction in HbA1c [weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.24%, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.43 to −0.05%], fasting plasma glucose (WMD −18.0 mg/dL, 95% CI −28.5 to −7.6 mg/dL) and body weight (WMD −2.38 kg, 95% CI −3.18 to −1.58 kg) from baseline than DPP4i/INS without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia (relative risks 1.19, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.82).ConclusionsSodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors achieved better glycaemic control and greater weight reduction than DPP4 inhibitors without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with T2DM that is inadequately controlled with insulin.There has been no direct comparison of SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP4 inhibitors in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with insulin therapy. In this study, we performed indirect meta‐analysis comparing SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP4 inhibitors added to insulin therapy. Without increasing hypoglycaemia, SGLT2 inhibitors showed better glycaemic control and greater weight reduction than DPP4 inhibitors in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with insulin. The results of the current study could serve as the best available evidence in selecting oral agents to improve glycaemic control in insulin‐treated T2DM patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a protection gradient on carnivore density and survival: an example with leopards in the Luangwa valley, Zambia
Authors: Rosenblatt Elias , Creel Scott , Becker Matthew S. , Merkle Johnathan , Mwape Henry , Schuette Paul , Simpamba Twakundine 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHuman activities on the periphery of protected areas can limit carnivore populations, but measurements of the strength of such effects are limited, largely due to difficulties of obtaining precise data on population density and survival. We measured how density and survival rates of a previously unstudied leopard population varied across a gradient of protection and evaluated which anthropogenic activities accounted for observed patterns. Insights into this generalist's response to human encroachment are likely to identify limiting factors for other sympatric carnivore species. Motion‐sensitive cameras were deployed systematically in adjacent, similarly sized, and ecologically similar study areas inside and outside Zambia's South Luangwa National Park (SLNP) from 2012 to 2014. The sites differed primarily in the degree of human impacts: SLNP is strictly protected, but the adjacent area was subject to human encroachment and bushmeat poaching throughout the study, and trophy hunting of leopards prior to 2012. We used photographic capture histories with robust design capture–recapture models to estimate population size and sex‐specific survival rates for the two areas. Leopard density within SLNP was 67% greater than in the adjacent area, but annual survival rates and sex ratios did not detectably differ between the sites. Prior research indicated that wire‐snare occurrence was 5.2 times greater in the areas adjacent to the park. These results suggest that the low density of leopards on the periphery of SLNP is better explained by prey depletion, rather than by direct anthropogenic mortality. Long‐term spatial data from concurrent lion studies suggested that interspecific competition did not produce the observed patterns. Large carnivore populations are often limited by human activities, but science‐based management policies depend on methods to rigorously and quantitatively assess threats to populations of concern. Using noninvasive robust design capture–recapture methods, we systematically assessed leopard density and survival across a protection gradient and identified bushmeat poaching as the likely limiting factor. This approach is of broad value to evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic activities on carnivore populations that are distributed across gradients of protection.
Impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems: a region by region overview
Authors: Ward Raymond D. , Friess Daniel A. , Day Richard H. , Mackenzie Richard A. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Inter-related and spatially variable climate change factors including sea level rise, increased storminess, altered precipitation regime and increasing temperature are impacting mangroves at regional scales. This review highlights extreme regional variation in climate change threats and impacts, and how these factors impact the structure of mangrove communities, their biodiversity and geomorphological setting. All these factors interplay to determine spatially variable resiliency to climate change impacts, and because mangroves are varied in type and geographical location, these systems are good models for understanding such interactions at different scales. Sea level rise is likely to influence mangroves in all regions although local impacts are likely to be more varied. Changes in the frequency and intensity of storminess are likely to have a greater impact on N and Central America, Asia, Australia, and East Africa than West Africa and S. America. This review also highlights the numerous geographical knowledge gaps of climate change impacts, with some regions particularly understudied (e.g., Africa and the Middle East). While there has been a recent drive to address these knowledge gaps especially in South America and Asia, further research is required to allow researchers to tease apart the processes that influence both vulnerability and resilience to climate change. A more globally representative view of mangroves would allow us to better understand the importance of mangrove type and landscape setting in determining system resiliency to future climate change.
Analysis of soil moisture dynamics beneath olive trees
Authors: Espejo‐Pérez Antonio Jesús , Brocca Luca , Moramarco Tommaso , Giráldez Juan V. , Triantafilis John , Vanderlinden Karl 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOlive cultivation is a widespread land use in Mediterranean climates. The proper implementation of soil and water conservation practices in groves requires detailed knowledge of the governing hydrological processes. In this work topsoil moisture dynamics under wet and dry conditions and across a small catchment was investigated in the inter row (IR) and directly under the olive tree canopies (UC). We do this using a sensor network (11 stations) and a simple bucket model which was calibrated (June, 2011–2012) and validated (June, 2012–2013). During most of the year the normalized soil moisture contents (s) were greater in the IR than under UC, with an average normalized soil moisture difference of 0.12. The difference between UC and IR normalized soil moisture followed a seasonal pattern, reaching a maximum near 0.30 during spring. An analysis of the normalized soil moisture probability density functions (pdfs) was bimodal, showing characteristic dominant wet and dry soil moisture states, with the highest probability densities for the dry state. Overall the spatial variability of soil moisture was lower UC than in the IR. This was a result of the soil moisture buffering capacity of the canopy with respect to rainfall and evaporation, in addition to observed differences in soil properties. Hourly soil moisture data were successfully modelled (R2 > 0.85), both UC and in the IR, yet with the inclusion of a simple formulation for canopy interception for the former. The results provide insight into how olive trees change hydrological processes in their neighbourhood. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disorder, Promiscuous Interactions, and Stochasticity Regulate State Switching in the Unstable Prostate
Authors: Kulkarni Prakash , Getzenberg Robert H. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTA causal link between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer has long been suspected but not widely accepted. A new model is proposed that supports such a connection. In contrast to the prevailing wisdom, our model, that draws on dynamical systems theory, suggests that in response to stress, epithelial cells in the unstable gland can give rise to both types of diseases via a phenotypic switching mechanism. The central idea is that phenotypic switching is a stochastic process which exploits the plasticity of the epithelial cell. It is driven by ‘noise’ contributed by the conformational dynamics of proteins that are intrinsically disordered. In a system that is noisy when stressed, disorder promotes promiscuity, unmasks latent information, and rewires the network to cause phenotypic switching. Cells with newly acquired phenotypes can transcend the traditional zonal boundaries to give rise to BPH or prostate cancer depending on the microenvironment. Establishing causality between the two diseases may provide us with an opportunity to better understand their etiology and guide prevention and treatment strategies. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2235–2240, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hyperosmotic Stress Induces Tau Proteolysis by Caspase‐3 Activation in SH‐SY5Y Cells
Authors: Olivera‐Santa Catalina Marta , Caballero‐Bermejo Montaña , Argent Ricardo , Alonso Juan C. , Cuenda Ana , Lorenzo María J. , Centeno Francisco 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTTau is a microtubule‐associated protein implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other related tauopathies. In this subset of neurodegenerative disorders, Tau auto‐assembles into insoluble fibrils that accumulate in neurons as paired helical filaments (PHFs), promoting cellular dysfunction and cytotoxic effects. Growing evidence suggests that abnormal post‐translational regulation, mainly hyperphosphorylation and aberrant cleavage, drives Tau to this pathological state. In this work we show that sorbitol‐induced hyperosmotic stress promotes Tau proteolysis in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The appearance of cleaved Tau was preceded by the activation of μ‐calpain, the proteasome system and caspase‐3. Tau proteolysis was completely prevented by caspase‐3 inhibition but unaffected by neither the proteasome system nor μ‐calpain activity blockade. Concomitantly, hyperosmotic stress induced apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells, which was efficiently avoided by the inhibition of caspase‐3 activity. Altogether, our results provide the first evidence that Tau protein is susceptible to caspase‐3 proteolysis under hyperosmotic stress and suggest a positive relationship between Tau proteolysis and apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2781–2790, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonographic measurements of the achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and heel fat pad are reliable: A test‐retest intra‐ and intertester study
Authors: Johannsen Finn , Jensen Signe , Stallknecht Sandra E. , Olsen Lars Otto , Magnusson S. Peter 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeTo determine intra‐ and interobserver reliability and precision of sonographic (US) scanning in measuring thickness of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and heel fat pad in patients with heel pain.MethodsSeventeen consecutive patients referred with heel pain were included. Two evaluators blinded to the diagnosis performed independently US scanning of both feet without any dialogue with the patient. The examiner left the room, and the next examiner entered. All patients had two US scans performed by each examiner. Two months later, the US images were randomly presented to the evaluators for measurements. Reliability and agreement were assessed by calculation of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), 95% limits of agreement (LOA), and typical error (TE). LOA was calculated as a percentage of the mean thickness of each structure to obtain a unitless parameter.ResultsWe found excellent intratester reliability (ICC 0.78–0.98) and good intertester reliability using one measurement (ICC 0.72–0.91) and excellent (ICC 0.85–0.95) when using average of two measurements. The intratester agreements were good with LOA: 9.5–23.4% and TE: 3.4–8.4%. The intertester agreements were acceptable using one measurement with LOA: 16.1–36.4%, and better using two measurements with LOA: 14.4–33.2%.ConclusionsUS is a reliable technique of measurement in the daily clinic, and one single measurement is sufficient. In research, we recommend that the same observer performs the US measurements, if one single scanning is preferred; if more researchers are involved, the average measurement of two US scans is recommended. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:480–486, 2016
Predicting eagle fatalities at wind facilities
Authors: Bay Kimberly , Nasman Kristen , Erickson Wallace , Taylor Kenton , Kosciuch Karl 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recommends using a Bayesian modeling framework to predict the annual golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) fatality rate at a wind energy facility, and the modeling approach defines prior distributions for collision rate and exposure rate from data at existing wind projects. Collision rate is defined as the number of collisions per exposure. Exposure rate is a function of minutes of eagle activity and survey effort; we used site‐specific data to update the prior distribution, resulting in the posterior distribution. An expansion factor adjusts the fatality prediction by accounting for daylight hours and the hazardous area within a wind project footprint. The product of the collision rate, posterior exposure rate, and expansion factor is the predicted annual fatality rate. We reviewed the input data for the prior distribution for collision rate, and provided an updated prior distribution for collision rate using more contemporary information. As suggested by the current USFWS guidance, we updated the prior distribution for collision rate from the USFWS baseline model with data from a site with modern specifications to obtain an updated prior distribution. We also created alternative prior distributions by estimating parameters for the distributions from data at 26 modern facilities only. Using more recent data and a larger data set, we determined the predictions using the alternative prior distributions for collision rate are approximately half the estimates using the original distribution. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Wheat Growing and Changing Farming Systems in South African Dryland Margins: The Case of the Sneeuberg, South Africa
Authors: Suich Helen , Boardman John 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe contribution of stock keeping to land degradation in the Karoo has been extensively studied, but other causes have been rarely examined. The paper uses a combination of key informant interviews and a review of published and unpublished documentary sources to describe the history of wheat growing in the Sneeuberg area of the Karoo since European settlement, until the 1970s when annual crop cultivation collapsed. Early cultivation was primarily for subsistence purposes, although the development of infrastructure and growth in markets in the 19th century encouraged commercial crop production. Some farmers continued growing wheat partly to sustain the tradition into the mid‐20th century, although by that time, most growers relied on the wheat as a winter stockfeed. Several factors were found to have contributed to the collapse, with land degradation only rarely playing a part in contemporary decisions to stop wheat farming. Far more important were the comparative advantages of other stockfeeds such as lucerne, changes in state regulations governing crops and prices, and the perceptions of farmers regarding changes in rainfall patterns. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent advances delivered by Mobile Cloud Computing and Internet of Things for Big Data applications: a survey
Authors: Stergiou Christos , Psannis Kostas E. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe Internet of Things (IoT) is a new technology that is growing rapidly in the field of telecommunications and especially in the modern field of wireless telecommunications. The main goal of the interaction and cooperation between things and objects sent through the wireless networks is to fulfill the objective set to them as a combined entity. In addition, based on the technology of wireless networks, both the technologies of Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) and IoT develop rapidly. In this paper, we combine the two aforementioned technologies (i.e., MCC and IoT) with the technology of the Big Data in order to examine the common features and tο discover which of the MCC and IoT benefits improve the use of the Big Data applications. Finally, we present the contribution of MCC and IoT individually to the technology of Big Data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of music therapy in patients with high‐dose chemotherapy and stem cell support: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Tuinmann Gert , Preissler Pia , Böhmer Hauke , Suling Anna , Bokemeyer Carsten 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectivePatients with high dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are highly distressed. Psycho‐oncological support might be beneficial but is not routinely provided. Our aim was to investigate whether music therapy (MT) in addition to standard supportive treatment had any effect on quality of life, depression, anxiety, side effects of therapy, medication, and immunological changes during and within three months after HDC plus ASCT.MethodsPatients (n = 66) with HDC plus ASCT were randomly assigned to either MT (Intervention Group = IG) or standard supportive treatment (Control Group = CG). Quality of life was measured by EORTC QLQ‐C30. Depression and anxiety were measured by the HADS‐D before transplantation, during and after the inpatient stay. In addition, adverse events (AE), medication, and immunological parameters were observed.ResultsThere was no improvement of global quality of life for patients receiving additional MT, but their perception of pain significantly changed (p = 0.027). Patients were neither depressed nor anxious on admission, therefore no improvements were found. IG patients had less 3–4° toxicities (e.g., mucositis). Aprepitant for antiemetic therapy was administered significantly more often in the CG (p = 0.040). The IgA decline and T4 count was less in IG, T8, and NK count decreased most in IG. These findings failed significance.ConclusionsMT may improve pain perception in patients receiving HDC plus ASCT. Additionally positive effects on toxicities, use of antiemetic medication, and immunological changes were observed. As some of these findings failed significance, studies with larger sample sizes are needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A retrospective look at anthranilic diamide insecticides: discovery and lead optimization to chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole
Authors: Selby Thomas P , Lahm George P , Stevenson Thomas M 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAnthranilic diamides are an important commercial synthetic class of insecticides (IRAC Group 28) that bind to the ryanodine receptor with selective potency against insect versus mammalian forms of the receptor. The first commercialized diamide, chlorantraniliprole, has exceptional activity against lepidopteran pests. The second anthranilamide product, cyantraniliprole, has excellent cross‐spectrum activity against a range of insect orders, including both lepidopteran and hemipteran pests. Here, a retrospective look is presented on the discovery of the class, along with chemistry highlights of the lead evolution to both products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Entrepreneurial Finance and Innovation: Informal Debt as an Empirical Case
Authors: Wu Jie , Si, Steven , Wu Xiaobo 
Published: May 2016

Research SummaryDrawing on entrepreneurial finance theory, we examine the trade‐offs among different sources of capital for entrepreneurial firms in emerging economies and their impact on innovation. In emerging economies, one of the unique aspects of firm financing is the presence of informal capital, as many formal sources of capital for new entrepreneurs have more constrained access than is the case in mature economies. We suspect that informal debt has an important effect on innovation, and this effect is contingent on the accessibility of formal debt and institutional development. The hypotheses are tested using survey data from 3,235 entrepreneurs in an emerging economy, China.Managerial SummaryThis study demonstrates an inverted U‐shaped relationship between the level of informal debt and entrepreneurial ventures’ innovation performance. The value of informal debt for promoting innovation was found to be weaker for firms having little or no access to often less expensive institutional finance, whereas a better‐developed institutional environment strengthens the effects of informal debt. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.