bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple environmental changes drive forest floor vegetation in a temperate mountain forest
Authors: Helm Norbert , Essl Franz , Mirtl Michael , Dirnböck Thomas 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHuman‐induced changes of the environment and their possible impacts on temperate forest understory plant communities have been examined in many studies. However, the relative contribution of individual environmental factors to these changes in the herb layer is still unclear. In this study, we used vegetation survey data covering a time period of 21 years and collected from 143 permanent plots in the Northern Limestone Alps, Austria. Data on soil chemistry (49 plots), light condition (51 plots), soil temperature and moisture (four and six plots), disturbance (all plots), climate (one station in a clearing area), and airborne sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition (two forest stands) were available for analyses. We used these data together with plot mean Ellenberg indicator values in a path analysis to attribute their relative contributions to observed vegetation changes. Our analysis reveals a strong directional shift of the forest understory plant community. We found strong evidence for a recovery of the ground‐layer vegetation from acidification as response to decreased S deposition. We did not observe a community response to atmospheric N deposition, but we found a response to altered climatic conditions (thermophilization and drying). The path analysis revealed that changes in the light regime, which were related to small‐scale disturbances, had most influence on herb layer community shifts. Thermophilization and drying were identified as drivers of understory community changes independent of disturbance events.
Multidimensional tree niches in a tropical dry forest
Authors: Pulla Sandeep , Suresh Hebbalalu S. , Dattaraja Handanakere S. , Sukumar Raman 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe extent to which interspecific niche differences structure plant communities is highly debated, with extreme viewpoints ranging from fine‐scaled niche partitioning, where every species in the community is specialized to a distinct niche, to neutrality, where species have no niche or fitness differences. However, there exists a default position wherein niches of species in a community are determined by their evolutionary and biogeographic histories, irrespective of other species within the community. According to this viewpoint, a broad range of pair‐wise niche overlaps—from completely overlapping to completely distinct—are expected in any community without the need to invoke interspecific interactions. We develop a method that can test for both habitat associations and niche differences along an arbitrary number of spatial and temporal niche dimensions and apply it to a 24‐yr data set of the eight dominant woody‐plant species (representing 84% and 76% of total community abundance and basal area, respectively) from a 50‐ha permanent plot in a southern Indian tropical dry forest, using edaphic, topographic, and precipitation variables as niche axes. Species separated into two broad groups in niche space—one consisting of three canopy species and the other of a canopy species and four understory species—along axes that corresponded mainly to variation in soil P, Al and a topographic index of wetness. Species within groups tended to have significantly greater niche overlap than expected by chance. Community‐wide niche overlap in spatial and temporal niche axes was never smaller than expected by chance. Species‐habitat associations were neither necessary nor sufficient preconditions for niche differences to be present. Our results suggest that this tropical dry‐forest community consists of several tree species with broadly overlapping niches, and where significant niche differences do exist, they are not readily interpretable as evidence for niche differentiation. We argue, based on a survey of the literature, that many of the observed niche differences in tropical forests are more parsimoniously viewed as autecological differences between species that exist independently of interspecific interactions.
Development and validation of multivariable models to predict mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure
Authors: Voors Adriaan A. , Ouwerkerk Wouter , Zannad Faiez , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Samani Nilesh J. , Ponikowski Piotr , Ng Leong L. , Metra Marco , ter Maaten Jozine M. , Lang Chim C. , Hillege Hans L. , van der Harst Pim , Filippatos Gerasimos , Dickstein Kenneth , Cleland John G. , Anker Stefan D. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionFrom a prospective multicentre multicountry clinical trial, we developed and validated risk models to predict prospective all‐cause mortality and hospitalizations because of heart failure (HF) in patients with HF.Methods and resultsBIOSTAT‐CHF is a research programme designed to develop and externally validate risk models to predict all‐cause mortality and HF hospitalizations. The index cohort consisted of 2516 patients with HF from 69 centres in 11 European countries. The external validation cohort consisted of 1738 comparable patients from six centres in Scotland, UK. Patients from the index cohort had a mean age of 69 years, 27% were female, 83% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–III and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 31%. The full prediction models for mortality, hospitalization owing to HF, and the combined outcome, yielded c‐statistic values of 0.73, 0.69, and 0.71, respectively. Predictors of mortality and hospitalization owing to HF were remarkably different. The five strongest predictors of mortality were more advanced age, higher blood urea nitrogen and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, lower haemoglobin, and failure to prescribe a beta‐blocker. The five strongest predictors of hospitalization owing to HF were more advanced age, previous hospitalization owing to HF, presence of oedema, lower systolic blood pressure and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients from the validation cohort were aged 74 years, 34% were female, 85% were in NYHA class II–III, and mean LVEF was 41%; c‐statistic values for the full and compact model were comparable to the index cohort.ConclusionA small number of variables, which are usually readily available in the routine clinical setting, provide useful prognostic information for patients with HF. Predictors of mortality were remarkably different from predictors of hospitalization owing to HF.
Determination of Three Capsaicinoids in Raw Red Pepers and Seasoning Powders by Liquid Chromatography with Coulometric Detection
Authors: Watanabe Hayaki , Murakami Kazuo , Imazawa Hiroka , Kauffmann Jean‐Michel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe simultaneous determination of three capsaicinoids in raw red pepper and in foods was studied by liquid chromatography coupled to a coulometric detector. The capsaicinoids were separated on an ODS C18 reversed column by isocratic elution with a mobile phase based on acetonitrile −0.15 M acetic acid (51:49%, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min−1. The limit of detection (S/N> 3) was 10 pg (injected mass) at an applied potential of 0.650 V vs. Pd. The peak area of the three studied compounds was found to be related to the amount injected from 50 pg to 100 ng range (r=0.999). The relative standard deviation (RSD, n=10) was comprised between 1.5∼4.4 and 1.0∼3.5 % for 100 pg and 5 ng, respectively. The determination of three capsaicinoids in raw red peppers and red pepper containing foods was successfully realized.
Osteogenesis and mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells in collagen type I‐based recombinant peptide scaffolds
Authors: Pawelec Kendell M. , Confalonieri Davide , Ehlicke Franziska , van Boxtel Huibert A. , Walles Heike , Kluijtmans Sebastiaan G. J. M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRecombinant peptides have the power to harness the inherent biocompatibility of natural macromolecules, while maintaining a defined chemistry for use in tissue engineering. Creating scaffolds from peptides requires stabilization via crosslinking, a process known to alter both mechanics and density of adhesion ligands. The chemistry and mechanics of linear scaffolds from a recombinant peptide based on human collagen type I (RCP) was investigated after crosslinking. Three treatments were compared: dehydrothermal treatment (DHT), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDIC), and genipin. With crosslinking, mechanical properties were not significantly altered, ranging from 1.9 to 2.7 kPa. However, the chemistry of the scaffolds was changed, affecting properties such as water uptake, and initial adhesion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Genipin crosslinking supported the lowest adhesion, especially during osteoblastic differentiation. While significantly altered, RCP scaffold chemistry did not affect osteoblastic differentiation of hMSCs. After four weeks in vitro, all scaffolds showed excellent cellular infiltration, with up‐regulated osteogenic markers (RUNX2, Osteocalcin, Collagen type I) and mineralization, regardless of the crosslinker. Thus, it appears that, without significant changes to mechanical properties, crosslinking chemistry did not regulate hMSC differentiation on scaffolds from recombinant peptides, a growing class of materials with the ability to expand the horizons of regenerative medicine. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1856–1866, 2017.
A birth of bipartite exon by intragenic deletion
Authors: Nozu Kandai , Iijima Kazumoto , Igarashi Toru , Yamada Shiro , Kralovicova Jana , Nozu Yoshimi , Yamamura Tomohiko , Minamikawa Shogo , Morioka Ichiro , Ninchoji Takeshi , Kaito Hiroshi , Nakanishi Koichi , Vorechovsky Igor 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundDisease‐causing mutations that activate transposon‐derived exons without creating a new splice‐site consensus have been reported rarely, but they provided unique insights into our understanding of structural motifs required for inclusion of intronic sequences in mature transcripts.MethodsWe employ a combination of experimental and computational techniques to characterize the first de novo bipartite exon activation in genetic disease.ResultsThe exon originated from two separate introns as a result of an in‐frame COL4A5 deletion associated with a typical Alport syndrome. The deletion encompassed exons 38 through 41 and activated a cryptic 3′ and 5′ splice site that were derived from intron 37 and intron 41, respectively. The deletion breakpoint was in the middle of the new exon, with considerable complementarity between the two exonic parts, potentially bringing the cryptic 3′ and 5′ splice site into proximity. The 3′ splice site, polypyrimidine tract and the branch site of the new exon were derived from an inactive, 5′ truncated LINE‐1 retrotransposon. This ancient LINE‐1 copy sustained a series of mutations that created the highly conserved AG dinucleotide at the 3′ splice site early in primate development. The exon was fully included in mature transcripts and introduced a stop codon in the shortened COL4A5mRNA, illustrating pitfalls of inferring disease severity from DNA mutation alone.ConclusionThese results expand the repertoire of mutational mechanisms that alter RNA processing in genetic disease and illustrate the extraordinary versatility of transposed elements in shaping the new exon‐intron structure and the phenotypic variability.
Assessing the effects of subject motion on T2 relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) cerebral oxygenation measurements using volume navigators
Authors: Stout Jeffrey N. , Tisdall M. Dylan , McDaniel Patrick , Gagoski Borjan , Bolar Divya S. , Grant Patricia Ellen , Adalsteinsson Elfar 
Published: March 2017

PurposeSubject motion may cause errors in estimates of blood T2 when using the T2‐relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) technique on noncompliant subjects like neonates. By incorporating 3D volume navigators (vNavs) into the TRUST pulse sequence, independent measurements of motion during scanning permit evaluation of these errors.MethodsThe effects of integrated vNavs on TRUST‐based T2 estimates were evaluated using simulations and in vivo subject data. Two subjects were scanned with the TRUST+vNav sequence during prescribed movements. Mean motion scores were derived from vNavs and TRUST images, along with a metric of exponential fit quality. Regression analysis was performed between T2 estimates and mean motion scores. Also, motion scores were determined from independent neonatal scans.ResultsvNavs negligibly affected venous blood T2 estimates and better detected subject motion than fit quality metrics. Regression analysis showed that T2 is biased upward by 4.1 ms per 1 mm of mean motion score. During neonatal scans, mean motion scores of 0.6 to 2.0 mm were detected.ConclusionMotion during TRUST causes an overestimate of T2, which suggests a cautious approach when comparing TRUST‐based cerebral oxygenation measurements of noncompliant subjects. Magn Reson Med 78:2283–2289, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Step‐by‐Step Design and Synthesis of Au@SiO2@Phenyl‐azathiacrown for SERS‐Based Specific Quantification of Inorganic Mercury
Authors: Wu Yuchao , Yang Limin , Wang Qiuquan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDirect SERS‐based quantification of inorganic metal species has been a problem, because they have a small Raman cross‐section or even no vibrational mode. Here, we report a new strategy for SERS‐based quantification of such metal species, as exemplified by inorganic mercury (HgII) in waters. Step‐by‐step design and synthesis from azathioethers [3, 9‐dithia‐6‐monoazaundecane (DMA) and 3,6,12,15‐tetrathia‐9‐monoazaheptadecane (TTM)] to an azathiacrown [7‐aza‐1,4,10,13‐tetrathiacyclohexadecane (NS4)] demonstrate an improved S‐pulling effect and size‐fit specificity towards HgII to form Hg−S bonds. Modification of NS4 on the surface of Au@SiO2 by using a 4‐(bromomethyl)benzoic linker enabled direct SERS‐based specific quantification of HgII for the first time, in which the ultrathin layer (ca. 2 nm) that covered the Au core (55 nm) could be a barrier preventing the Au core from having direct interaction with the HgII, and with phenyl serving as an internal standard (IS). The ratio of the Hg−S SERS band intensity at 270 cm−1 to that of IS [(γCC+γCCC) at 1046 cm−1] was practically proportional to the concentration of HgII, eliminating the inevitable uncertainties encountered in SERS‐based measurements. Such a methodology is expected to pave a new way for SERS‐based quantification of inorganic metal species when specific complexing substrates and suitable ISs are designed.
Attachment and posttraumatic growth after breast cancer: A dyadic approach
Authors: Ávila Marisa , Coimbra Joaquim L. , Park Crystal L. , Matos Paula M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveCancer poses unique challenges for the couple relationship. From a relational perspective, successful adaptation may be less dependent on the circumstances of being the “patient” or the “caregiver” than on how couples successfully integrate cancer into their relationship. In this article, we study posttraumatic growth through attachment theory, which provides a useful framework to explore the role of intimate processes dyadically.MethodThe sample comprised 84 heterosexual married and cohabitating couples. Women were in adjuvant treatment for breast cancer or in the posttreatment phase. Both members of the couple completed measures of attachment and posttraumatic growth. Path models were used to examine associations between the constructs through the application of the actor‐partner interdependent model. Moreover, time since diagnosis was examined within the actor‐partner interdependent model as a possible moderator affecting the attachment‐posttraumatic growth associations.ResultsPartners' attachment security was an important predictor of individual posttraumatic growth for both members of the couple, while individuals' own attachment security was not associated with their posttraumatic growth for either member of the couple. The partner's effects were equal across gender. Additionally, time since breast cancer diagnosis did not affect the pattern of results.ConclusionFindings support the assessment of the couple dyadically and corroborate an attachment approach of the couple as an interdependent unit. Implications of the study for interventions assisting couples in oncological setting are discussed.
Breaking up and making up: The secret life of the vacuolar H+‐ATPase
Authors: Oot Rebecca A. , Couoh‐Cardel Sergio , Sharma Stuti , Stam Nicholas J. , Wilkens Stephan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe vacuolar ATPase (V‐ATPase; V1Vo‐ATPase) is a large multisubunit proton pump found in the endomembrane system of all eukaryotic cells where it acidifies the lumen of subcellular organelles including lysosomes, endosomes, the Golgi apparatus, and clathrin‐coated vesicles. V‐ATPase function is essential for pH and ion homeostasis, protein trafficking, endocytosis, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Notch signaling, as well as hormone secretion and neurotransmitter release. V‐ATPase can also be found in the plasma membrane of polarized animal cells where its proton pumping function is involved in bone remodeling, urine acidification, and sperm maturation. Aberrant (hypo or hyper) activity has been associated with numerous human diseases and the V‐ATPase has therefore been recognized as a potential drug target. Recent progress with moderate to high‐resolution structure determination by cryo electron microscopy and X‐ray crystallography together with sophisticated single‐molecule and biochemical experiments have provided a detailed picture of the structure and unique mode of regulation of the V‐ATPase. This review summarizes the recent advances, focusing on the structural and biophysical aspects of the field.
Cover Image, Volume 73, Issue 4
Authors: Sparks Thomas C , Lorsbach Beth A 
Published: March 2017

The cover image of a scentless plant bug feeding on a cotton square is based on the Perspective Perspectives on the agrochemical industry and agrochemical discovery, by Thomas C. Sparks and Beth A Lorsbach, DOI: 10.1002/ps.4457. Photo Credit: William Fisher – Hillsborough, North Carolina.
image
13C‐butyrate breath test is a novel non‐invasive screening tool for anti‐inflammatory activity of kampo medicines
Authors: Endo Mari , Oikawa Tetsuro , Hoshino Takayuki , Hatori Tsutomu , Matsumoto Tsukasa , Odaguchi Hiroshi , Hanawa Toshihiko 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTAim

13C‐butyrate breath test is a non‐invasive method for detecting inflammation in experimental colitis. We investigated whether this test could assess the anti‐inflammatory effect of kampo medicines in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)‐murine colitis.Methods

13CO2
excretion was measured on
13C‐butyrate breath test, after rectal instillation of butyrate in a DSS colitis model. Colon length, myeloperoxidase activity, and histological damage were also analyzed to evaluate inflammation.Results

13CO2
excretion in the DSS groups was significantly lower than in the normal group. Orengedokuto (OGT) and saireito (SRT) improve inflammation in DSS murine colitis, and this was reflected in the significantly higher
13CO2
excretion in the OGT‐ and SRT‐treated DSS murine colitis groups compared with the vehicle (i.e. control) group.Conclusion

13C‐butyrate breath test is a new non‐invasive evaluation and screening method for the anti‐inflammatory effect of kampo medicines.
Genetic Counseling Dilemmas for a Patient with Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Frontotemporal Degeneration & Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mantero Vittorio , Tarlarini Claudia , Aliprandi Angelo , Lauria Giuseppe , Rigamonti Andrea , Abate Lucia , Origone Paola , Mandich Paola , Penco Silvana , Salmaggi Andrea 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal degeneration and Parkinson's disease may be different expressions of the same neurodegenerative disease. However, association between ALS and parkinsonism‐dementia complex (ALS‐PDC) has only rarely been reported apart from the cluster detected in Guam. We report a patient presenting with ALS‐PDC in whom pathological mutations/expansions were investigated. No other family members were reported to have any symptoms of a neurological condition. Our case demonstrates that ALS‐PDC can occur as a sporadic disorder, even though the coexistence of the three clinical features in one patient suggests a single underlying genetic cause. It is known that genetic testing should be preferentially offered to patients with ALS who have affected first or second‐degree relatives. However, this case illustrates the importance of genetic counseling for family members of patients with sporadic ALC‐PDC in order to provide education on the low recurrence risk. Here, we dicuss the ethical, psychological and practical consequences for patients and their relatives.
Reliability and Reproducibility of Subject Positioning with EOS Low-Dose Biplanar X-ray
Authors: Goodbody Christine , Kedem Paz , Thompson Michaela , Do Huong T. , Mintz Douglas N. , Widmann Roger F. , Dodwell Emily R. 
Published: March 2017

Background EOS low-dose biplanar X-ray used with tantalum bead implantation is an appealing imaging modality to evaluate limb length and physeal growth due its relatively low radiation exposure, excellent inter- and intra-observer reliability, and minimal magnification/shrinkage error. Questions/Purposes The purpose of this study was to establish the error in total length and inter-bead distances using EOS and tantalum beads due to variable positioning in the EOS gantry, by assessing variation in measurements made on the same subject repeatedly positioning by one positioner (intra-positioner measurement error) and variation in measurements made on the same subject with positioning by multiple positioners (inter-positioner measurement error). Methods Tantalum bead markers were placed about the distal femoral physis of a cadaveric lamb femur. Three investigators positioned the femur in the EOS gantry 10 times, totaling 30 EOS scans. Total limb length and inter-bead distances were measured on AP and lateral views; mean and standard error were calculated. A random effects analysis of variance for nested data was used to determine the proportion of variation due to differences between positioners and differences between positioning by the same positioner. Results Intra-positioner measurement error ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 mm. Inter-positioner measurement error ranged from 0.00 to 0.09 mm. Conclusions EOS has relatively low radiation and allows standing assessment of limb length and alignment. In this study, length measurements and inter-bead distances demonstrated minimal error due to positioning in the EOS gantry, documenting that there is minimal error from positioning, minimal magnification/shrinkage error, and exceptional inter and intra-rater reliability. EOS is the preferred method for length and angular measurements, and with tantalum beads, is ideal for measuring growth about the physis.
Evolution of states in a continuum migration model
Authors: Kondratiev Yuri , Kozitsky Yuri 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The Markov evolution of states of a continuum migration model is studied. The model describes an infinite system of entities placed in

$${\mathbbm {R}}^d$$

R

d

in which the constituents appear (immigrate) with rate b(x) and disappear, also due to competition. For this model, we prove the existence of the evolution of states

$$\mu _0 \mapsto \mu _t$$

μ
0

↦

μ
t

such that the moments

$$\mu _t(N_\Lambda ^n)$$

μ
t

(

N
Λ
n

)

,

$$n\in {\mathbbm {N}}$$

n
∈
N

, of the number of entities in compact

$$\Lambda \subset {\mathbbm {R}}^d$$

Λ
⊂

R

d

remain bounded for all

$$t>0$$

t
>
0

. Under an additional condition, we prove that the density of entities and the second correlation function remain point-wise bounded globally in time.