bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient volumetric extraction of most positive/negative curvature and flexure for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data
Authors: Di Haibin , Gao Dengliang 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTMost positive/negative curvature and flexure are among the most useful seismic attributes for detecting faults and fractures in the subsurface based on the geometry of seismic reflections. When applied to fracture characterization and modelling of a fractured reservoir, their magnitude and azimuth help quantify both the intensity and orientation of fracturing, respectively. However, previous efforts focus on estimating only the magnitude of both attributes, whereas their associated azimuth is ignored in three‐dimensional (3D) seismic interpretation. This study presents an efficient algorithm for simultaneously evaluating both the magnitude and azimuth of most positive/negative curvature and flexure from 3D seismic data. The approach implemented in this study is analytically more accurate and computationally more efficient compared with the existing approach. The added value of extracting most positive/negative curvature and flexure is demonstrated through the application to a fractured reservoir at Teapot Dome (Wyoming). First, the newly extracted attributes make computer‐aided fault/fracture decomposition possible. This allows interpreters to focus on one particular component for fracture characterization at a time, so that a composite fractured reservoir could be partitioned into different components for detailed analysis. Second, curvature/flexure azimuth allows interpreters to plot fracture histogram and/or rose diagram in an automatic and quantitative manner. Compared with the conventional plotting rose diagram based on manual measurements, automatic plotting is more efficient and offers unbiased insights into fracture systems by illuminating the most likely orientations of natural fractures in fractured reservoirs.
Generalized moveout approximation for P–SV converted waves in vertically inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis
Authors: Hao Qi , Stovas Alexey 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTWe present an overall description of moveout formulas of P–SV converted waves in vertically inhomogeneous transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis by using the generalized moveout approximation. The term “generalized” means that this approximation can be reduced to some existing approximations by specific selections of parameters, which provides flexibility in application depending on objectives. The generalized moveout approximation is separately expressed in the phase and group domains. All five parameters of the group domain (or phase domain) generalized moveout approximation are determined using the zero offset (or horizontal slowness) ray and an additional nonzero offset (or horizontal slowness) ray. We discuss the selection of parameters to link the generalized moveout approximation to some existing approximations. The approximations presented are tested on homogeneous, factorized, and layered transversely isotropic models. The results illustrate that utilizing an additional reference ray significantly improves the accuracy of phase‐domain and group‐domain moveout approximations for a large range of horizontal slownesses and source–receiver offsets.
Diversity analysis of sulfite‐ and sulfate‐reducing microorganisms by multiplex dsrA and dsrB amplicon sequencing using new primers and mock community‐optimized bioinformatics
Authors: Pelikan Claus , Herbold Craig W. , Hausmann Bela , Müller Albert L. , Pester Michael , Loy Alexander 
Published: December 2015

SummaryGenes encoding dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DsrAB) are commonly used as diagnostic markers in ecological studies of sulfite‐ and sulfate‐reducing microorganisms. Here, we developed new high‐coverage primer sets for generation of reductive bacterial‐type dsrA and dsrB polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for highly parallel amplicon sequencing and a bioinformatics workflow for processing and taxonomic classification of short dsrA and dsrB reads. We employed two diverse mock communities that consisted of 45 or 90 known dsrAB sequences derived from environmental clones to precisely evaluate the performance of individual steps of our amplicon sequencing approach on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Although PCR cycle number, gene‐specific primer mismatches and stringent filtering for high‐quality sequences had notable effects on the observed dsrA and dsrB community structures, recovery of most mock community sequences was generally proportional to their relative input abundances. Successful dsrA and dsrB diversity analysis in selected environmental samples further proved that the multiplex amplicon sequencing approach is adequate for monitoring spatial distribution and temporal abundance dynamics of dsrAB‐containing microorganisms. Although tested for reductive bacterial‐type dsrAB, this method is readily applicable for oxidative‐type dsrAB of sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria and also provides guidance for processing short amplicon reads of other functional genes.
Maintenance of algal endosymbionts in Paramecium bursaria: a simple model based on population dynamics
Authors: Iwai Sosuke , Fujiwara Kenji , Tamura Takuro 
Published: December 2015

SummaryAlgal endosymbiosis is widely distributed in eukaryotes including many protists and metazoans, and plays important roles in aquatic ecosystems, combining phagotrophy and phototrophy. To maintain a stable symbiotic relationship, endosymbiont population size in the host must be properly regulated and maintained at a constant level; however, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of algal endosymbionts are still largely unknown. Here we investigate the population dynamics of the unicellular ciliate Paramecium bursaria and its Chlorella‐like algal endosymbiont under various experimental conditions in a simple culture system. Our results suggest that endosymbiont population size in P. bursaria was not regulated by active processes such as cell division coupling between the two organisms, or partitioning of the endosymbionts at host cell division. Regardless, endosymbiont population size was eventually adjusted to a nearly constant level once cells were grown with light and nutrients. To explain this apparent regulation of population size, we propose a simple mechanism based on the different growth properties (specifically the nutrient requirements) of the two organisms, and based from this develop a mathematical model to describe the population dynamics of host and endosymbiont. The proposed mechanism and model may provide a basis for understanding the maintenance of algal endosymbionts.
Gut microbiota analysis reveals a marked shift to bifidobacteria by a starter infant formula containing a synbiotic of bovine milk‐derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I‐3446
Authors: Simeoni Umberto , Berger Bernard , Junick Jana , Blaut Michael , Pecquet Sophie , Rezzonico Enea , Grathwohl Dominik , Sprenger Norbert , Brüssow Harald ,   The Study Team, Szajewska Hania , Bartoli J.‐M. , Brevaut‐Malaty V. , Borszewska‐Kornacka M. , Feleszko W. , François P. , Gire C. , Leclaire M. , Maurin J.‐M. , Schmidt S. , Skórka A. , Squizzaro C. , Verdot J.‐J. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryNon‐digestible milk oligosaccharides were proposed as receptor decoys for pathogens and as nutrients for beneficial gut commensals like bifidobacteria. Bovine milk contains oligosaccharides, some of which are structurally identical or similar to those found in human milk. In a controlled, randomized double‐blinded clinical trial we tested the effect of feeding a formula supplemented with a mixture of bovine milk‐derived oligosaccharides (BMOS) generated from whey permeate, containing galacto‐oligosaccharides and 3'‐ and 6'‐sialyllactose, and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strain CNCM I‐3446. Breastfed infants served as reference group. Compared with a non‐supplemented control formula, the test formula showed a similar tolerability and supported a similar growth in healthy newborns followed for 12 weeks. The control, but not the test group, differed from the breast‐fed reference group by a higher faecal pH and a significantly higher diversity of the faecal microbiota. In the test group the probiotic B. lactis increased by 100‐fold in the stool and was detected in all supplemented infants. BMOS stimulated a marked shift to a bifidobacterium‐dominated faecal microbiota via increases in endogenous bifidobacteria (B. longum, B. breve, B. bifidum, B. pseudocatenulatum).
Metal induction of aPisolithus albusmetallothionein and its potential involvement in heavy metal tolerance during mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Reddy M. Sudhakara , Kour Manpreet , Aggarwal Sipla , Ahuja Shanky , Marmeisse Roland , Fraissinet‐Tachet Laurence 
Published: December 2015

SummaryMetallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine‐rich peptides involved in intracellular sequestration of heavy metals in eukaryotes. We examined the role in metal homeostasis and detoxification of anMTfrom the ectomycorrhizal fungusPisolithus albus(PaMT1).PaMT1encodes a 35 amino acid‐long polypeptide, with 7 cysteine residues; most of them part of aC‐x‐Cmotif found in other known basidiomyceteMTs. The expression levels ofPaMT1increased as a function of increased externalCu andCd concentrations and were higher withCu than withCd. Heterologous complementation assays in metal‐sensitive yeast mutants indicated thatPaMT1encodes a polypeptide capable of conferring higher tolerance to bothCu andCd.Eucalyptus tereticornisplantlets colonized withP. albusgrown in the presence ofCu andCd showed better growth compared with those with non‐mycorrhizal plants. HigherPaMT1expression levels were recorded in mycorrhizal plants grown in the presence ofCu andCd compared with those in control mycorrhizal plants not exposed to heavy metals. These data provide the first evidence to our knowledge that fungalMTscould protect ectomycorrhizal fungi from heavy metal stress and in turn help the plants to establish in metal‐contaminated sites.
Potential Policies and Laws to Prohibit Weight Discrimination: Public Views from 4 Countries
Authors: PUHL REBECCA M. , LATNER JANET D. , O'BRIEN KERRY S. , LUEDICKE JOERG , DANIELSDOTTIR SIGRUN , SALAS XIMENA RAMOS 
Published: December 2015

Policy Points:
Policies and legal protections against weight‐based discrimination have broad public support in 4 nations where this discrimination is widely documented.
Public support was strongest for policies and laws that would prohibit employers from denying employment, assigning lower wages, and refusing promotion to people based on their weight status. Women and individuals with higher weight expressed the greatest support.
Weight discrimination is common in numerous life settings, creating social and economic inequities and adverse health outcomes. Policies and legal measures protecting against such discrimination need to be developed and implemented in the United States and elsewhere and would have considerable public support.
ContextPeople viewed as “overweight” or “obese” are vulnerable to weight‐based discrimination, creating inequities and adverse health outcomes. Given the high rates of obesity recorded globally, studies documenting weight discrimination in multiple countries, and an absence of legislation to address this form of discrimination, research examining policy remedies across different countries is needed. Our study provides the first multinational examination of public support for policies and legislation to prohibit weight discrimination.MethodsIdentical online surveys were completed by 2,866 adults in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Iceland. We assessed public support for potential laws to prohibit weight‐based discrimination, such as adding body weight to existing civil rights statutes, extending disability protections to persons with obesity, and instituting legal measures to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees because of body weight. We examined sociodemographic and weight‐related characteristics predicting support for antidiscrimination policies, and the differences in these patterns across countries.FindingsThe majority of participants in the United States, Canada, and Australia agreed that their government should have specific laws in place to prohibit weight discrimination. At least two‐thirds of the participants in all 4 countries expressed support for policies that would make it illegal for employers to refuse to hire, assign lower wages, deny promotions, or terminate qualified employees because of body weight. Women and participants with higher body weight expressed more support for antidiscrimination measures. Beliefs about the causes of obesity were also related to support for these laws.ConclusionsPublic support for legal measures to prohibit weight discrimination can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Iceland, especially for laws to remedy this discrimination in employment. Our findings provide important information for policymakers and interest groups both nationally and internationally and can help guide discussions about policy priorities to reduce inequities resulting from weight discrimination.
Relapse risk of endometrial hyperplasia after treatment with the levonorgestrel‐impregnated intrauterine system or oral progestogens
Authors: Ørbo A , Arnes M , Vereide AB , Straume B 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate relapse rates after the successful treatment of patients with non‐atypical endometrial hyperplasia who were randomised to either a levonorgestrel‐impregnated intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS; Mirena®) or two regimens of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) after primary histological response.DesignA multicentre randomised trial.SettingTen different outpatient clinics localised in hospitals and seven gynaecological private practices in Norway.PopulationOne hundred and fifty‐three women aged 30–70 years with low‐ or medium‐risk endometrial hyperplasia met the inclusion criteria, and 153 completed the therapy.MethodsPatients were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatment arms: LNG‐IUS; 10 mg of oral MPA administered for 10 days per cycle for 6 months; or 10 mg of oral MPA administered daily for 6 months. The women were followed for 24 months after ending therapy.Main outcome measuresHistological relapse of endometrial hyperplasia.ResultsHistological relapse was observed in 55/135 (41%) women who had an initial complete treatment response. The relapse rates were similar in the three therapy groups (P = 0.66). In the multivariable analyses relapse was dependent on menopausal status (P = 0.0005) and estrogen level (P = 0.0007).ConclusionsThe risk of histological relapse of non‐atypical endometrial hyperplasia is high within 24 months of ceasing therapy with either the LNG‐IUS or oral MPA. Continued endometrial surveillance and prolonging progestogen therapy should be considered.Tweetable abstractRelapse of endometrial hyperplasia after successful treatment is independent of therapy regime.
Effects of midodrine in patients with ascites due to cirrhosis: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Ting Ting , Yang Yue , Song Yang , Ren Yu , Liu Zhi Xin , Cheng Gang 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveMidodrine has been reported to improve systemic and renal hemodynamics in patients with cirrhotic ascites. However, the results of clinical trials are conflicting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of midodrine on cirrhotic ascites through a meta‐analysis and systematic review.MethodsWe searched PubMed (January 1966–December 2014), EMBASE (January 1966–December 2014), the Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2014), ScienceDirect (January 1966–December 2014), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (January 1979–December 2014) databases using the terms ‘midodrine’ AND ‘cirrhosis’ AND ‘ascites’ AND ‘paracentesis’ for all relevant randomized controlled trials using midodrine for treatment of cirrhotic ascites.ResultsIn all, 10 trials with a total of 462 patients were included. As a novel therapy for cirrhotic ascites, midodrine was not found to improve survival [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–2.91]; although it might improve response rates (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.47–7.69) and reduce plasma renin activity (MD −3.10, 95% CI −5.37 to −0.84). When midodrine was used as an alternative to albumin in large‐volume paracentesis, the mortality was higher for midodrine than for albumin (OR 10.76, 95% CI 1.35–85.97). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the development of paracentesis‐induced circulatory dysfunction between midodrine group and albumin group (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.43–6.72).ConclusionsMidodrine may have treatment effects on cirrhotic ascites. Better powered and well‐designed trials are required to assess the extent of the efficacy of midodrine in specifically targeted patients.
Voluntary ethanol consumption reduces GABAergic neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP) in the amygdala of the cynomolgus monkey
Authors: Beattie Matthew C. , Maldonado‐Devincci Antoniette M. , Porcu Patrizia , O'Buckley Todd K. , Daunais James B. , Grant Kathleen A. , Morrow A. Leslie 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNeuroactive steroids such as (3α,5α)3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THP, allopregnanolone) enhance the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic effects of ethanol and modulate excessive drinking in rodents. Moreover, chronic ethanol consumption reduces 3α,5α‐THP levels in human plasma, rat hippocampus and mouse limbic regions. We explored the relationship between 3α,5α‐THP levels in limbic brain areas and voluntary ethanol consumption in the cynomolgus monkey following daily self‐administration of ethanol for 12 months and further examined the relationship to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function prior to ethanol exposure. Monkeys were subjected to scheduled induction of ethanol consumption followed by free access to ethanol or water for 22 h/day over 12 months. Immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti‐3α,5α‐THP antibody. Prolonged voluntary drinking resulted in individual differences in ethanol consumption that ranged from 1.2 to 4.2 g/kg/day over 12 months. Prolonged ethanol consumption reduced cellular 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity by 13 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the lateral amygdala and 17 ± 2 percent (P < 0.05) in the basolateral amygdala. The effect of ethanol was most pronounced in heavy drinkers that consumed ≥3 g/kg ≥ 20 percent of days. Consequently, 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity in both the lateral and basolateral amygdala was inversely correlated with average daily ethanol intake (Spearman r = −0.87 and −0.72, respectively, P < 0.05). However, no effect of ethanol and no correlation between drinking and 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity were observed in the basomedial amygdala. 3α,5α‐THP immunoreactivity following ethanol exposure was also correlated with HPA axis function prior to ethanol exposure. These data indicate that voluntary ethanol drinking reduces amygdala levels of 3α,5α‐THP in non‐human primates and that amygdala 3α,5α‐THP levels may be linked to HPA axis function.
Incorporating Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium Law to Enhance the Association Strength for Ordinal Trait Genetic Study
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li  Qizhai 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe conventional method to examine whether genetic variants are associated with the ordinal traits is the proportional odds model. Such analyses are often conducted by assuming an additive genetic mode of inheritance. However, how the genetic variants influence the risk of occurrence of a disease is impossible to know in practice. Using an improper model might result in a low‐power test, thus it reduces the probability of detecting the deleterious genetic markers. To address these concerns, we propose a two‐phase procedure (TPP) for ordinal trait genetic studies. In the first phase, we used a linear combination to weight the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium tests in case groups and formed an omnibus test to classify the genetic models. Then based on the chosen model, the corresponding score test was used to identify the associations. To control the false positive rate, we derived the joint distribution of the test used for selecting the genetic model and that used for identifying the associations. We also obtained the closed forms of two other robust tests, MAX3 and CHI2. Extensive computer simulations were carried out and the results showed that the true selection rates of genetic models are satisfactory and the proposed TPP is more robust than MAX3 and CHI2. Finally, we demonstrated the advantage of our proposed method by applying it to analyse the antibody reactivity to cyclic citrullinated peptides data.
Chemotherapy compliance in high‐risk Merkel cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Gorayski Peter , Tripcony Lee , Poulsen Michael 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate chemotherapy (CT) compliance in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for high‐risk Merkel cell cancer (MCC).MethodsData from three prospective clinical trials in high‐risk MCC performed by the Trans‐Tasman Radiation Oncology Group were included in this analysis. Patients were treated with one of two carboplatin‐based CT schedules and standardised radiotherapy (RT) to the primary site and nodes to a dose of 50–60 Gy in 25–30 fractions. Patients’ baseline characteristics were analysed using χ2 tests to determine compliance factors for completing CT. A Cox univariate analysis was performed to assess the impact of CT compliance on time to locoregional failure, time‐to‐distant failure, time‐to‐recurrence and time‐to‐death.ResultsA total of 88 patients were identified, with a median follow up of 38.5 months. Of these, 75 (85%) completed CT (median age 64.2 years, range 62.0–66.4), while 13 did not (median age 72 years, range 68.1–75.9), P = 0.006. Women comprised 18/75 patients who completed CT and 7/13 patients who did not complete it (P = 0.03). Performance status, site, stage, surgical margins, RT dose and toxicity did not impact on their CT compliance. At 5 years, 26% of patients had locoregional relapse, 26% had distant failure and 34% had died.ConclusionsIn this small cohort of patients treated with CRT for high‐risk MCC, older age and female sex were associated with failure to complete CT. Severe acute skin and haematological toxicity did not correlate with failure to complete CT.
The Anthropologist, the Jester, and the Poet: An Oral History Interview with Bruce Grindal about the Society for Humanistic Anthropology
Authors: Sarkis Marianne M. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBruce Grindal played an instrumental role in the Society for Humanistic Anthropology (SHA), which he helped found in 1974 at an American Anthropological Association meeting in Mexico City. He became the editor of The Anthropology and Humanism Quarterly (AHQ) in 1976, a journal that eschewed traditional ethnographic writing, and celebrated and encouraged storytelling in anthropology. Poems, narratives, fictions, and short essays that were rejected as “not anthropology” by other journals found a home in AHQ. In this oral history interview, Bruce recalls the history of the SHA and the challenges it faced in its early days in gaining acceptance by other anthropologists. In his attempts to legitimize humanistic anthropology, he challenged the materialist and postmodernist anthropological paradigms of the time through a series of scathing articles that publicly challenged what he regarded as the “overly analyzed digested mystification” of reality. This oral history interview covers the periods from 1976 to 2005 at the 30th anniversary of the founding of the SHA and touches upon philosophical musings and highlights from Bruce Grindal's career.