bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic asset allocation by mixing shrinkage, vine copula and market equilibrium
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Zhichao 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe propose a new portfolio optimization method combining the merits of the shrinkage estimation, vine copula structure, and Black–Litterman model. It is useful for many investors to satisfy simultaneously the three investment objectives: estimation sensitivity, asymmetric risks appreciation, and portfolio stability. A typical investor with such objectives is a sovereign wealth fund (SWF). We use China's SWF as an example to empirically test the method based on a 15‐asset strategic asset allocation problem. Robustness tests using subsamples not only show the method's overall effectiveness but also manifest that the function of each component is as expected.
Comparing theoretically supported rainfall‐runoff erosivity factors at the Sparacia (South Italy) experimental site
Authors: Bagarello Vincenzo , Di Stefano Costanza , Ferro Vito , Pampalone Vincenzo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInterpreting rainfall‐runoff erosivity by a process‐oriented scheme allows to conjugate the physical approach to soil loss estimate with the empirical one. Including the effect of runoff in the model permits to distinguish between detachment and transport in the soil erosion process. In this paper, at first, a general definition of the rainfall‐runoff erosivity factor REFe including the power of both event runoff coefficient QR and event rainfall erosivity index EI30 of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is proposed. The REFe factor is applicable to all USLE‐based models (USLE, Modified USLE [USLE‐M] and Modified USLE‐M [USLE‐MM]) and it allows to distinguish between purely empirical models (e.g., Modified USLE‐M [USLE‐MM]) and those supported by applying theoretical dimensional analysis and self‐similarity to Wischmeier and Smith scheme. This last model category includes USLE, USLE‐M, and a new model, named USLE‐M based (USLE‐MB), that uses a rainfall‐runoff erosivity factor in which a power of runoff coefficient multiplies EI30. Using the database of Sparacia experimental site, the USLE‐MB is parameterized and a comparison with soil loss data is carried out. The developed analysis shows that USLE‐MB (characterized by a Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency Index NSEI equal to 0.73 and a root mean square error RMSE = 11.7 Mg ha−1) has very similar soil loss estimate performances as compared with the USLE‐M (NSEI = 0.72 and RMSE = 12.0 Mg ha−1). However, the USLE‐MB yields a maximum discrepancy factor between predicted and measured soil loss values (176) that is much lower than that of USLE‐M (291). In conclusion, the USLE‐MB should be preferred in the context of theoretically supported USLE type models.
Landscape metrics as predictors of hydrologic connectivity between Coastal Plain forested wetlands and streams
Authors: Epting Steven M. , Hosen Jacob D. , Alexander Laurie C. , Lang Megan W. , Armstrong Alec W. , Palmer Margaret A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGeographically isolated wetlands, those entirely surrounded by uplands, provide numerous landscape‐scale ecological functions, many of which are dependent on the degree to which they are hydrologically connected to nearby waters. There is a growing need for field‐validated, landscape‐scale approaches for classifying wetlands on the basis of their expected degree of hydrologic connectivity with stream networks. This study quantified seasonal variability in surface hydrologic connectivity (SHC) patterns between forested Delmarva bay wetland complexes and perennial/intermittent streams at 23 sites over a full‐water year (2014–2015). Field data were used to develop metrics to predict SHC using hypothesized landscape drivers of connectivity duration and timing. Connection duration was most strongly related to the number and area of wetlands within wetland complexes as well as the channel width of the temporary stream connecting the wetland complex to a perennial/intermittent stream. Timing of SHC onset was related to the topographic wetness index and drainage density within the catchment. Stepwise regression modelling found that landscape metrics could be used to predict SHC duration as a function of wetland complex catchment area, wetland area, wetland number, and soil available water storage (adj‐R2 = 0.74, p < .0001). Results may be applicable to assessments of forested depressional wetlands elsewhere in the U.S. Mid‐Atlantic and Southeastern Coastal Plain, where climate, landscapes, and hydrological inputs and losses are expected to be similar to the study area.
Manual versus automated streaking system in clinical microbiology laboratory: Performance evaluation of Previ Isola for blood culture and body fluid samples
Authors: Choi Qute , Kim Hyun Jin , Kim Jong Wan , Kwon Gye Cheol , Koo Sun Hoe 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe process of plate streaking has been automated to improve routine workflow of clinical microbiology laboratories. Although there were many evaluation reports about the inoculation of various body fluid samples, few evaluations have been reported for blood. In this study, we evaluated the performance of automated inoculating system, Previ Isola for various routine clinical samples including blood.MethodsBlood culture, body fluid, and urine samples were collected. All samples were inoculated on both sheep blood agar plate (BAP) and MacConkey agar plate (MCK) using Previ Isola and manual method. We compared two methods in aspect of quality and quantity of cultures, and sample processing time. To ensure objective colony counting, an enumeration reading reference was made through a preliminary experiment.ResultsA total of 377 nonduplicate samples (102 blood culture, 203 urine, 72 body fluid) were collected and inoculated. The concordance rate of quality was 100%, 97.0%, and 98.6% in blood, urine, and other body fluids, respectively. In quantitative aspect, it was 98.0%, 97.0%, and 95.8%, respectively. The Previ Isola took a little longer to inoculate the specimen than manual method, but the hands‐on time decreased dramatically. The shortened hands‐on time using Previ Isola was about 6 minutes per 10 samples.ConclusionWe demonstrated that the Previ Isola showed high concordance with the manual method in the inoculation of various body fluids, especially in blood culture sample. The use of Previ Isola in clinical microbiology laboratories is expected to save considerable time and human resources.
New surface cross‐linking method to fabricate positively charged nanofiltration membranes for dye removal
Authors: Wang Xiao , Ju Xiaohui , Jia Tian‐Zhi , Xia Qian‐Cheng , Guo Jia‐Lin , Wang Chen , Cui Zhaoliang , Wang Yong , Xing Weihong , Sun Shi‐Peng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDAt present, most commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes are negatively charged. An effective way to prepare a positively charged NF membrane is to cross‐link polyimide (PI) substrate with polyethyleneimine (PEI). However, the lack of an efficient process for selecting proper cross‐linking conditions is an important issue. Therefore, the major objective of this work is to develop an efficient method to cross‐link only the top surface of the membranes.RESULTSThe optimum cross‐linking condition was found to be at a cross‐linking temperature of 70 °C, cross‐linking time of 80 minutes and stirring speed of 500 rpm. Comparing the membrane before and after cross‐linking, the molecular weight cut‐off changed from 17520 Da to 458 Da and the membrane surface changed from positive from negative. The cross‐linked membrane showed high rejection (>95%) for basic dyes with different molecular weights and relatively high antifouling properties to these dyes (flux recovery ratio > 92%, total flux decline ratio < 26.7%, irreversible flux decline ratio < 7.3%).CONCLUSIONSStirring speed was found to greatly influence the membrane performance. It was found that there exists an optimum stirring speed at which the cross‐linker distributes evenly on the membrane surface for the most effective cross‐linking to take place. The newly developed surface cross‐linking method also may have the potential to modify other types of membrane surfaces. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Chronic repeated exposure to weather‐related stimuli elicits few symptoms of chronic stress in captive molting and non‐molting European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
Authors: de Bruijn Robert , Reed J. Michael , Romero L. Michael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRepeated exposure to acute stressors causes dramatic changes in an animal's stress physiology and the cumulative effects are often called chronic stress. Recently we showed that short‐term exposure to weather‐related stimuli, such as temperature change, artificial precipitation, and food restriction, cause acute responses in captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Here, we examined the effect of repeated exposure to weather‐related stressors on heart rate and corticosterone (CORT) of captive non‐molting and molting European starlings. Four times every day for 3 weeks, birds were exposed to either 30 min of a subtle (3°C) decrease in temperature, a short bout of simulated rain, or 2 hr of food removal. The order and time of presentation were randomly assigned on each day. We found no differences in heart rate or heart rate variability. Furthermore, there were no changes in baseline CORT levels, CORT negative feedback efficacy, or maximal adrenal capacity. Mass increased across the experimental period only in molting birds. CORT responses to restraint were decreased in both groups following treatment, suggesting the birds had downregulated their responses to acute stress. Molting birds showed evidence of suppression of the HPA axis compared with non‐molting birds, which is consistent with previous research. Overall, our data show that repeated exposure to weather‐related stressors does not elicit most of the symptoms normally associated with chronic stress.
LncRNA CDKN2BAS rs2157719 genetic variant contributes to medulloblastoma predisposition
Authors: Chen Yi‐Dong , Zhang Nasha , Qiu Xiao‐Guang , Yuan Jupeng , Yang Ming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundHow germline single nucleotide polymorphisms are involved in the etiology of medulloblastoma remans poorly understood. We hypothesized that CCDKN2A/B rs1063192 and rs4977756 and also the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CDKN2BAS rs2157719 glioma susceptibility polymorphisms identified by genome‐wide association studies may contribute to medulloblastoma predisposition.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we genotyped these genetic variants among 160 medulloblastoma patients and 443 health controls in a Chinese population. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression.ResultsWe found that only the lncRNA CDKN2BAS rs2157719 T>C genetic polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased medulloblastoma risk (C allele: OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.32–2.58; p = 2.7 × 10–4). The stratified analyses showed an elevated risk of pediatric medulloblastoma associated with CDKN2BAS rs2157719 CC or TC genotype (both p < 0.05). Moreover, the association between the CDKN2BAS rs2157719 polymorphism and medulloblastoma risk is more pronounced in males (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.36–3.62; p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings of the present study provide important insights into the genetic complexities and predisposition of medulloblastoma in Chinese, especially at the lncRNA germline variation level.
Chiral detection of entecavir stereoisomeric impurities through coordination with R‐besivance and ZnII using mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yali , Wang Lu , Chen Xiaolei , Sun Cuirong , Zhu Yixin , Kang Yu , Zeng Su 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, a mass spectrometry (MS)‐based kinetic method (KM) is shown to be successful at analyzing a multichiral center drug stereoisomer, entecavir (ETV), both qualitatively and quantitatively. On the basis of the KM, the bivalent complex ion [MII(A)(ref*)2]2+ (MII = divalent metal ion, A = analyte, and ref* = chiral reference) was set as precursor ion in MS/MS. The experiment results suggest strong chiral selectivity between ETV and its isomers when using ZnII coordinated with the chiral reference R‐besivance (R‐B). The logarithm of the fragment ion abundance ratio and the enantiomeric percentage (%) exhibits a strong linear relation because of the competitive loss of the reference and analyte. The product ion pair [ZnII(R‐B)A‐H]+ (m/z 733) and [ZnII(R‐B)2‐H]+ (m/z 849), together with [R‐B + H]+ (m/z 394) and [A + H]+ (m/z 278), can realize the identification of ETV and all of its chiral isomers. Theoretical calculation were also performed using the B3LYP functional with the 6‐31G* and LanL2DZ basis set to clarify the mechanism of structural difference of these bivalent complex ions. The results reveal that MS‐KM can be used to detect optical impurities without a chiral chromatographic column and fussy sample pretreatment. The established method has been used to determine stereoisomeric impurities of less than 0.1% in ETV crude drug, a demonstration of its simple and effective nature for rapid detection of stereoisomeric impurities.
Parvalbumin‐producing striatal interneurons receive excitatory inputs onto proximal dendrites from the motor thalamus in male mice
Authors: Nakano Yasutake , Karube Fuyuki , Hirai Yasuharu , Kobayashi Kenta , Hioki Hiroyuki , Okamoto Shinichiro , Kameda Hiroshi , Fujiyama Fumino 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn rodents, the dorsolateral striatum regulates voluntary movement by integrating excitatory inputs from the motor‐related cerebral cortex and thalamus to produce contingent inhibitory output to other basal ganglia nuclei. Striatal parvalbumin (PV)‐producing interneurons receiving this excitatory input then inhibit medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and modify their outputs. To understand basal ganglia function in motor control, it is important to reveal the precise synaptic organization of motor‐related cortical and thalamic inputs to striatal PV interneurons. To examine which domains of the PV neurons receive these excitatory inputs, we used male bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mice expressing somatodendritic membrane–targeted green fluorescent protein in PV neurons. An anterograde tracing study with the adeno‐associated virus vector combined with immunodetection of pre‐ and postsynaptic markers visualized the distribution of the excitatory appositions on PV dendrites. Statistical analysis revealed that the density of thalamostriatal appositions along the dendrites was significantly higher on the proximal than distal dendrites. In contrast, there was no positional preference in the density of appositions from axons of the dorsofrontal cortex. Population observations of thalamostriatal and corticostriatal appositions by immunohistochemistry for pathway‐specific vesicular glutamate transporters confirmed that thalamic inputs preferentially, and cortical ones less preferentially, made apposition on proximal dendrites of PV neurons. This axodendritic organization suggests that PV neurons produce fast and reliable inhibition of MSNs in response to thalamic inputs and process excitatory inputs from motor cortices locally and plastically, possibly together with other GABAergic and dopaminergic dendritic inputs, to modulate MSN inhibition.
Impact of the North Pacific subtropical sea surface temperature front on El Niño‐Southern Oscillation
Authors: Zhang Leying , Xu Haiming , Shi Ning , Ma Jing 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe North Pacific subtropical front (NPSTF) of sea surface temperature (SST) is an important subtropical feature in the North Pacific. In this study, we reveal that the inter‐annual variability of the spring NPSTF has a robust correlation with the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the following winter over the period of 1961–2016. When there is a strong spring NPSTF, anomalous cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations in the low troposphere occur to its north and south, respectively. The northeasterly wind anomaly associated with the anticyclonic circulation increases the climatological northeasterly wind over the subtropical Northeast Pacific, resulting in SST decrease via the wind–evaporation–SST feedback. The SST and wind perturbations propagate southwards from the subtropical to the eastern central equatorial Pacific in summer and grow via the Bjerknes feedback from summer to winter, eventually leading to a La Niña event in winter.A strong spring NPSTF induces an anomalous anticyclonic circulation to its south through both transient eddy activity and atmospheric heat source anomaly. The enhanced air temperature gradient due to a strong NPSTF increases the atmospheric baroclinicity, favouring an enhanced transient eddy activity over the NPSTF and to the north. The enhanced transient eddy activity triggers a significant negative height anomaly to the north via high‐frequency transient eddy feedback forcing, which is conductive to an anticyclonic circulation over the subtropical North Pacific through the downstream effect of Rossby waves. On the other hand, the convergence and increased atmospheric baroclinicity related to the strong NPSTF act to enhance precipitation over the NPSTF and to the north, corresponding to the increased atmospheric heat source, which can also excite an anomalous anticyclonic circulation over the subtropical North Pacific.
Nondestructive, indirect assessment of the biomechanical properties of the rat intervertebral disc using contrast‐enhanced μCT
Authors: Newton Michael D. , Hartner Samantha E. , Gawronski Karissa , Davenport Erik J. , Timmons Shannon C. , Baker Kevin C. , Maerz Tristan 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTMechanical characterization of the intervertebral disc involves labor‐intensive and destructive experimental methodology. Contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography is a nondestructive imaging modality for high‐resolution visualization and glycosaminoglycan quantification of cartilaginous tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anionic and cationic contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography of the intervertebral disc can be used to indirectly assess disc mechanical properties in an ex vivo model of disc degeneration. L3/L4 motion segments were dissected from female Lewis rats. To deplete glycosaminoglycan, samples were treated with 0 U/ml (Control) or 5 U/ml papain. Contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography was performed following incubation in 40% Hexabrix (anionic) or 30 mg I/ml CA4+ (cationic) for 24 h (n = 10/contrast agent/digestion group). Motion segments underwent cyclic mechanical testing to determine compressive and tensile modulus, stiffness, and hysteresis. Glycosaminoglycan content was determined using the dimethylmethylene blue assay. Correlations between glycosaminoglycan content, contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography attenuation, and mechanical properties were assessed via the Pearson correlation. The predictive accuracy of attenuation on compressive properties was assessed via repeated random sub‐sampling cross validation. Papain digestion produced significant decreases in glycosaminoglycan content and corresponding differences in attenuation and mechanical properties. Attenuation correlated significantly to glycosaminoglycan content and to all compressive mechanical properties using both Hexabrix and CA4+. Predictive linear regression models demonstrated a predictive accuracy of attenuation on compressive modulus and stiffness of 79.8–86.0%. Contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography was highly predictive of compressive mechanical properties in an ex vivo simulation of disc degeneration and may represent an effective modality for indirectly assessing disc compressive properties. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2030–2038, 2018.
Silicon concentrations in soil and bark in Irish Sitka spruce forests
Authors: Hogan Brian , McDermott Frank , Schmidt Olaf 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe relationship between plant‐available silicon (Si) soil concentrations and bark Si concentrations in coniferous species is poorly understood. The objectives of this research were to generate baseline data on Si concentrations in soils and bark of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) seedlings in Ireland and to understand better the relationship between soil and bark Si concentrations. Seedlings were harvested from eight plantation forestry sites and two tree nurseries, and Si concentrations in the bark tissue as well as plant‐available Si concentrations in soils (CaCl2 extractant) were measured. Bark Si concentrations varied significantly between sites and were lowest [mean 790 (± 242 SD) mg kg−1 dry plant tissue] on acidic, organic rich peat soils, while the highest Si concentrations occurred in seedlings [mean 3688 (± 633 SD) mg kg−1 dry plant tissue] grown on soils with low C concentration and higher pH values (≈ 4.5 to 5.5 in H2O). Plant‐available Si soil concentrations were not related to soil C concentrations. There was a negative (but statistically not significant) relationship between plant–soil concentrations and soil pH. A significant negative relationship was observed between plant‐available soil Si concentrations and bark Si concentrations, which may be related to the presence of soil from mixed soil horizons forming the mounds that seedlings were planted on. Uptake and sequestration of Si by seedlings may have been related to the rate of growth of the seedlings, as bark Si concentrations were highest on sites that were expected to have greater seedling growth rates. The negative relationship between bark and plant‐available Si soil concentrations suggest that uptake of Si by Sitka spruce is rejective at higher concentrations.
Effect of drying methods (microwave vacuum, freeze, hot air and sun drying) on physical, chemical and nutritional attributes of five pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) cultivars
Authors: Maurya Vaibhav Kumar , Gothandam Kodiveri Muthukaliannan , Ranjan Vijay , Shakya Amita , Pareek Sunil 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDA randomized block design experiment was performed to investigate the influence of drying on the physical, chemical and nutritional quality attributes of five prominent cultivars of India under sun drying (SD) (mean temperature 35.5 °C, average daily radiation 5.26 kW h m−2 and mean relative humidity 73.66% RH), hot air drying (HD) at 65 °C, microwave vacuum drying (MVD) (800 W, 5 kPa) and freeze drying (FD) (−50 °C, 5 kPa). Water activity, pH, total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA), capsaicin, β‐carotene, color and Scoville heat unit were studied.RESULTSTPC, AA, capsaicin content, β‐carotene, color and water activity were significantly affected by the drying method. FD was observed to be most efficient in minimizing the loss of color, capsaicin and β‐carotene. The hotness of analyzed samples decreased in the order ‘Bird's Eye’ > ‘Sannam S4’ > ‘CO‐4’ > ‘PLR‐1’ > ‘PKM‐1’ among the studied cultivars, and FD > MVD > HD > SD among the drying methods.CONCLUSIONThe FD method was observed to be the most efficient drying method for retaining capsaicin content over other drying methods (SD, HD, MVD), whereas MVD was found to be most efficient in minimizing the loss to nutritional attributes for all five pepper cultivars. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry