bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facies architecture of submarine channel deposits on the western Niger Delta slope: Implications for grain‐size and density stratification in turbidity currents
Authors: Jobe Zane , Sylvester Zoltán , Bolla Pittaluga Michele , Frascati Alessandro , Pirmez Carlos , Minisini Daniel , Howes Nick , Cantelli Alessandro 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHigh‐resolution bathymetry, seismic reflection, and piston core data from a submarine channel on the western Niger Delta slope demonstrate that thick, coarse‐grained, amalgamated sands in the channel thalweg/axis transition to thin, fine‐grained, bedded sands and muds in the channel margin. Radiocarbon ages indicate that axis and margin deposits are coeval. Core data show that bed thickness, grain size, and deposition rate strongly decrease with increasing height above channel thalweg and/or distance from channel centerline. A 5 times decrease in bed thickness and 1–2 ψ decrease in grain size are evident over a 20 m elevation change (approximately the elevation difference between axis and margin). A simplified in‐channel sedimentation model that solves vertical concentration and velocity profiles of turbidity currents accurately reproduces the vertical trends in grain size and bed thickness shown in the core data set. The close match between data and model suggests that the vertical distribution of grain size and bed thickness shown in this study is widely applicable and can be used to predict grain size and facies variation in data‐poor areas (e.g., subsurface cores). This study emphasizes that facies models for submarine channel deposits should recognize that grain‐size and thickness trends within contemporaneous axis‐margin packages require a change in elevation above the thalweg. The transition from thick‐bedded, amalgamated, coarser‐grained sands to thin‐bedded, nonamalgamated, finer‐grained successions is primarily a reflection of a change in elevation. Even a relatively small elevation change (e.g., 1 m) is enough to result in a significant change in grain size, bed thickness, and facies.
Semi‐intrinsic self‐healing performance of liquid‐cored microcapsules in epoxy matrix
Authors: Yilmaz Cagatay , Yildiz Mehmet , Menceloglu Yusuf 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe present an experimental study on the microcapsule‐based semi‐intrinsic self‐healing behavior of low viscosity epoxy resin used in Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The microcapsules containing RTM epoxy resin are prepared using in situ polymerization of urea‐formaldehyde. Single type of microcapsules with six different agitation rates is prepared, resulting in microcapsules with a mean diameter ranging from 52 to 202 μm. The thermal characteristics of each microcapsule batch are investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA). In addition to thermal characterization tools, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is also used as a qualitative technique to determine the composition of microcapsules. The mechanical properties of the self‐healing specimen such as Mode‐I fracture toughness and flexure strength are assessed by a universal testing machine, and the obtained results are compared with the findings in literature.
Bioarchaeology of adaptation to a marginal environment in bronze age Western China
Authors: Berger Elizabeth , Wang Hui 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesThis study examines human adaptation to the 4000 BP climate change event, which is said to have increased the marginality of Inner Asian environments. We propose to define “marginal” environments not in relation to a specific economic activity (e.g., agriculture), but in relation to whether humans living there are physiologically stressed.MethodsThree sites in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu were studied, one from the early and two from the late Bronze Age (N = 125). The study includes three indicators of physiological stress: linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH); tibial periosteal lesions; and fertility. The early and late Bronze Age groups were compared to examine whether human physiological stress increased.ResultsThe percent of individuals with LEH declined dramatically, indicating fewer growth disruptions. Tibial periosteal reactions also changed, from mostly active to mostly healing at the time of death, indicating that frailty declined. Fertility, which is sensitive to changes in population health and resource availability, did not change significantly.ConclusionsCounter to the dominant narrative of environmental deterioration and subsistence system collapse, the Bronze Age residents of the Hexi Corridor show no skeletal evidence that they suffered from resource shortages or struggled to adapt in the fluctuating climate that pertained after the 4000 BP climate event. In fact, this study found that people suffered from less frailty and fewer growth disruptions after the unstable climate had persisted for some time. Therefore, in human biological terms, the Hexi Corridor did not become more marginal for human habitation during the Bronze Age.
Early life infection, but not breastfeeding, predicts adult blood telomere lengths in the Philippines
Authors: Eisenberg Dan T. A. , Borja Judith B. , Hayes M. Geoffrey , Kuzawa Christopher W. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesTelomeres are repetitive DNA at chromosomes ends that shorten with age due to cellular replication and oxidative stress. As telomeres shorten, this can eventually place limits on cell replication and contribute to senescence. Infections are common during early development and activate cellular immune responses that involve clonal expansion and oxidative stress. As such, a high infectious disease burden might shorten blood telomere length (BTL) and accelerate the pace of immune senescence.MethodsTo test this, BTL measured in young adults (21.7 ± 0.3 years old) from the Philippines (N = 1,759) were linked to prospectively collected early life data on infectious burden.ResultsAs predicted, increased early life diarrheal prevalence was associated with shorter adult BTL. The association was most marked for infections experienced from 6 to 12 months, which corresponds with weaning and maximal diarrheal burden. A standard deviation increase in infections at 6–12 m predicts a 45 bp decrease in BTL, equivalent to 3.3 years of adult telomeric aging in this population. Contrary to expectations, breastfeeding duration was not associated with BTL, nor did effects vary by sex.ConclusionsThese findings show that infancy diarrheal disease predicts a marker of cellular aging in adult immune cells. These findings suggest that early life infectious burden may influence late life health, or alternatively, that short TL in early life increases infectious disease susceptibility.
Trends in cardiometabolic parameters among Spanish children from 2006 to 2010: The Cuenca study
Authors: Arellano‐Ruiz Paola , García‐Hermoso Antonio , Martínez‐Vizcaíno Vicente , Salcedo‐Aguilar Fernando , Garrido‐Miguel Miriam , Solera‐Martinez Montserrat 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the trends in cardiometabolic risk factors among schoolchildren in Cuenca, Spain, from 2006 to 2010.MethodsData were taken from two cross‐sectional surveys conducted in 2006 and 2010 among schoolchildren aged 8–12 years from 20 public schools in the province of Cuenca. The final sample consisted of 2148 participants with measured anthropometric variables, biochemical assessment, and blood pressure.ResultsWe observed an increase in mean serum total cholesterol (8.5 mg/dL and 10.7 mg/dL), LDL‐cholesterol (13.7 mg/dL and 17.3 md/dL), triglycerides (3.6 mg/dL and 2.6 md/dL), fasting insulin (1.2 µU/mL and 0.3 µU/mL) and HOMA‐IR (0.2 and 0.02) and a decrease in mean serum HDL‐cholesterol (4.4 mg/dL and 5.7 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (3.8 mmHg and 5.4 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (0.8 mmHg and 2.0 mmHg) in both sexes. In girls, mean arterial pressure (3.2 mmHg) also decreased in this period. In addition, we found an increase in the prevalence of adverse total cholesterol concentration (≥200 mg/dL) (7.8% and 8.9%), HDL‐cholesterol concentration (<40 mg/dL) (1.9% in boys and 3.5% in girls) and LDL cholesterol concentration (≥130mg/dL) (4.8% and 5.8%) in boys and girls, respectively.ConclusionsThere has been a worsening of the lipid profile in schoolchildren from Cuenca, independent of weight status and age.
Utility of osteon circularity for determining species and interpreting load history in primates and nonprimates
Authors: Keenan Kendra E. , Mears Chad S. , Skedros John G. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesHistomorphological analyses of bones are used to estimate an individual's chronological age, interpret a bone's load history, and differentiate species. Among various histomorphological characteristics that can influence mechanical properties of cortical bone, secondary osteon (Haversian system) population density and predominant collagen fiber orientation are particularly important. Cross‐sectional shape characteristics of secondary osteons (On.Cr = osteon circularity, On.El = osteon ellipticality) are considered helpful in these contexts, but more robust proof is needed. We sought to determine if variations in osteon shape characteristics are sufficient for accurately differentiating species, load‐complexity categories, and regional habitual strain‐mode distributions (e.g., tension vs. compression regions).Materials and MethodsCircularly polarized light images were obtained from 100‐micron transverse sections from diaphyses of adult deer calcanei; sheep calcanei, radii, and tibiae; equine calcanei, radii, and third metacarpals (MC3s); chimpanzee femora; and human femora and fibulae. Osteon cross‐sectional area (On.Ar), On.Cr, and On.El were quantified indiscriminately and in the contexts of load‐complexity and regional strain‐mode distributions.ResultsOn.Cr and On.El, when examined independently in terms of all data, or mean (nested) data, for each bone, exceeded 80% accuracy in the inter‐species comparisons only with respect to distinguishing humans from nonhumans. Correct classification among the nonhuman species was <70%. When On.Cr and On.El were coupled together and with On.Ar in discriminant function analyses (nested and unnested data) there were high misclassifications in all but human vs. nonhuman comparisons.DiscussionFrequent misclassifications in nonhuman comparisons might reflect influences of habitual load complexity and/or strain‐mode distributions, or other factors not accounted for by these two considerations.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoglobulin G as biomarker of autoimmune astrocytopathy: Analysis of 102 patients
Authors: Flanagan Eoin P. , Hinson Shannon R. , Lennon Vanda A. , Fang Boyan , Aksamit Allen J. , Morris P. Pearse , Basal Eati , Honorat Josephe A. , Alfugham Nora B. , Linnoila Jenny J. , Weinshenker Brian G. , Pittock Sean J. , McKeon Andrew 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveA novel autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disorder with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐IgG as biomarker was recently characterized. Here, 102 patients with GFAP‐IgG positivity are described.MethodsThe 102 included patients had: (1) serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or both that yielded a characteristic astrocytic pattern of mouse tissue immunostaining; (2) confirmation of IgG reactive with specific GFAP isoforms (α, ɛ, or κ) by cell‐based assays; and (3) clinical data available. Control specimens (n = 865) were evaluated by tissue (n = 542) and cell‐based (n = 323) assays.ResultsMedian symptom onset age was 44 years (range = 8–103), and 54% were women. The predominant phenotype (83 patients; 81%) was inflammation of meninges, brain, spinal cord, or all 3 (meningoencephalomyelitis). Among patients, highest specificity for those phenotypes was observed for CSF testing (94%), and highest sensitivity was for the GFAPα isoform (100%). Rare GFAP‐IgG positivity was encountered in serum controls by tissue‐based assay (0.5%) or cell‐based assay (1.5%), and in CSF controls by cell‐based assay (0.9%). Among patients, striking perivascular radial enhancement was found on brain magnetic resonance imaging in 53%. Although cases frequently mimicked vasculitis, angiography was uniformly negative, and spinal imaging frequently demonstrated longitudinally extensive myelitic lesions. Diverse neoplasms encountered were found prospectively in 22%. Ovarian teratoma was most common and was predicted best when both N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor–IgG and aquaporin‐4–IgG coexisted (71%). Six patients with prolonged follow‐up had brisk corticosteroid response, but required additional immunosuppression to overcome steroid dependency.InterpretationGFAPα‐IgG, when detected in CSF, is highly specific for an immunotherapy‐responsive autoimmune CNS disorder, sometimes with paraneoplastic cause. Ann Neurol 2017;81:298–309
A Boronic Acid Conjugate of Angiogenin that Shows ROS‐Responsive Neuroprotective Activity
Authors: Hoang Trish T. , Smith Thomas P. , Raines Ronald T. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAngiogenin (ANG) is a human ribonuclease that is compromised in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ANG also promotes neovascularization, and can induce hemorrhage and encourage tumor growth. The causal neurodegeneration of ALS is associated with reactive oxygen species, which are also known to elicit the oxidative cleavage of carbon–boron bonds. We have developed a synthetic boronic acid mask that restrains the ribonucleolytic activity of ANG. The masked ANG does not stimulate endothelial cell proliferation but protects astrocytes from oxidative stress. By differentiating between the two dichotomous biological activities of ANG, this strategy could provide a viable pharmacological approach for the treatment of ALS.
Defining critical habitat conditions for the conservation of three endemic and endangered cyprinids in a Mediterranean intermittent river before the onset of drought
Authors: Vardakas Leonidas , Kalogianni Eleni , Papadaki Christina , Vavalidis Theocharis , Mentzafou Angeliki , Koutsoubas Drosos , Skoulikidis Th. Nikolaos 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Identifying key factors in species' habitat requirements can be of use in defining critical habitats for their conservation, as well as in assisting the prioritization of habitat restoration actions. So far, most studies on habitat use by freshwater fishes have been focused on widespread and economically important species (e.g. salmonids).
This study aimed to identify the early summer habitat use (i.e. before the start of the drought period) of three endemic and endangered Greek cyprinids – the Evrotas chub Squalius keadicus, the Spartian minnowroach Tropidophoxinellus spartiaticus and the Evrotas minnow Pelasgus laconicus, with regard to depth, water velocity, substrate and macrophyte cover. In the case of the chub, habitat use by juvenile and adult fish was assessed separately. Data were collected for each fish group from four habitat types (riffles, runs, glides, pools) by using a modified point‐abundance sampling with an electrofishing device. In total, 120 sampling points were sampled, in two near‐reference perennial reaches of the Evrotas River (southern Greece) in early summer 2014, when there was continuous flow and full connectivity between habitats.
All three target species had their highest densities in deeper habitats with low water velocities and depositional substrates such as pools and runs. A high overlap in habitat use was evident for the three species. Habitat use curves based on microhabitat data were created for all species. Μinnowroaches, minnows and large chubs actively selected deep habitats. Minnowroaches and minnows favoured slow‐flowing, vegetated habitats with fine substrate located close to the river bank, while chubs had no clear affinity for particular velocities or substrate types. However, size class comparisons in chub indicated differences in both water depth and velocity.
Overall, the results of this study provide the first detailed report of the habitat use of these endangered fish species. These patterns of habitat use highlight the importance of deep habitats that must be preserved as refugia while the drought events progress.
Intraseasonal rainfall variability in the Bay of Bengal during the Summer Monsoon: coupling with the ocean and modulation by the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Jongaramrungruang Siraput , Seo Hyodae , Ummenhofer Caroline C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall exhibits pronounced intraseasonal variability in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). This study examines the intraseasonal rainfall variability with foci on the coupling with sea surface temperatures (SST) and its interannual modulation. The lagged composite analysis reveals that, in the northern BoB, SST warming leads the onset of intraseasonal rainfall by 5 days. Latent heat flux is reduced before the rain event but is greatly amplified during the rainfall maxima. Further analysis reveals that this intraseasonal rainfall‐SST relationship through latent heating is strengthened in negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) years when the bay‐wide local SST is anomalously warm. Latent heat flux is further increased during the intraseasonal rainfall maxima leading to strengthened rainfall variability. The moisture budget analysis shows this is primarily due to stronger low‐level moisture convergence in negative IOD years. The results provide important predictive information on the monsoon rainfall and its active/break cycles.
Airline flight scheduling for oligopolistic competition with direct flights and a point to point network
Authors: Tang Ching‐Hui , Hsu Yueh‐Ling 
Published: January 2017

SummaryIn this research, we consider a flight scheduling problem for oligopolistic competition with direct flights and a point to point network. In this type of market situation, passengers are sensitive to the departure time of a flight rather than the transfer time. The airline needs to carefully consider the departure times of their competitors when determining their own. Therefore, unlike past approaches which have only considered one departure time for a competitor's flight, a flight scheduling framework is developed which takes into consideration possible competitor departure times. The framework includes two dependent stages which are repeatedly solved during the solution process. In addition, an upper bound model is also designed to evaluate the solution quality. Numerical tests are performed using data for Taiwan's outlying island route which is characterized by the above market situation. Satisfactory results are obtained, showing the good performance of the framework. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized clinical trial of extended versus single-dose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for acute calculous cholecystitis
Authors: Loozen C S , Kortram K , Kornmann V N N , van Ramshorst B , Vlaminckx B , Knibbe C A J , Kelder J C , Donkervoort S C , Nieuwenhuijzen G A P , Ponten J E H , van Geloven A A W , van Duijvendijk P , Bos W J W , Besselink M G H , Gouma D J , van Santvoort H C , Boerma D 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background
Many patients who have surgery for acute cholecystitis receive postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, with the intent to reduce infectious complications. There is, however, no evidence that extending antibiotics beyond a single perioperative dose is advantageous. This study aimed to determine the effect of extended antibiotic prophylaxis on infectious complications in patients with mild acute cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy.

Methods
For this randomized controlled non-inferiority trial, adult patients with mild acute calculous cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy at six major teaching hospitals in the Netherlands, between April 2012 and September 2014, were assessed for eligibility. Patients were randomized to either a single preoperative dose of cefazolin (2000 mg), or antibiotic prophylaxis for 3 days after surgery (intravenous cefuroxime 750 mg plus metronidazole 500 mg, three times daily), in addition to the single dose. The primary endpoint was rate of infectious complications within 30 days after operation.

Results
In the intention-to-treat analysis, three of 77 patients (4 per cent) in the extended antibiotic group and three of 73 (4 per cent) in the standard prophylaxis group developed postoperative infectious complications (absolute difference 0·2 (95 per cent c.i. –8·2 to 8·9) per cent). Based on a margin of 5 per cent, non-inferiority of standard prophylaxis compared with extended prophylaxis was not proven. Median length of hospital stay was 3 days in the extended antibiotic group and 1 day in the standard prophylaxis group.

Conclusion
Standard single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis did not lead to an increase in postoperative infectious complications in patients with mild acute cholecystitis undergoing cholecystectomy. Registration number: NTR3089 (www.trialregister.nl).
Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Anti‐proliferative Capacities of Dried Leaf and Its Extract from Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera)
Authors: Nguyen Van Tang , Sakoff Jennette A. , Scarlett Christopher J. 
Published: January 2017

Xao tam phan (Paramignya trimera) has been used for the treatment of cancer and cancer‐like aliments. Among different parts of the P. trimera plant, leaf is considered as a residual part after harvesting of the root. This study aimed to determine the physiochemical properties and the antioxidant and anti‐proliferative capacities of P. trimera leaf (PTL) using microwave drying for the preparation of dry sample; MeOH and microwave‐assisted extraction for the preparation of crude extract; and freeze‐drying for the preparation of powdered extract. The results showed that total phenolic, total flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, and saponin contents of PTL prepared by microwave drying at 450 W were 25.4 mg gallic acid equiv. (GAE), 86.3 mg rutin equiv. (RE), 5.6 mg catechin equiv. (CE), and 702.1 mg escin equiv. (EE) per gram dried sample, respectively. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, and quercetin were identified in the PTL MeOH extract. Dried PTL displayed potent antioxidant activity, while the powdered PTL extract exhibited great anti‐proliferative capacity on various cancer cell lines including MiaPaCa‐2 (pancreas), HT29 (colon), A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), Du145 (prostate), BE2‐C (neuroblastoma), MCF‐7 (breast), MCF‐10A (normal breast), and U87, SJ‐G2, and SMA (glioblastoma). Anti‐proliferative capacity on pancreatic cancer cells (MiaCaPa2, BxPc3, and CFPAC1) of PTL extract (200 μg/ml) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of ostruthin (20 μg/ml) and gemcitabine (50 nm), and to be comparable to the powdered P. trimera root extract and a saponin‐enriched extract from quillajia bark (a commercial product). The findings from this study allow us to conclude that the PTL is a rich source of phytochemicals that possess promising antioxidant and anti‐proliferative activities, therefore it shows potential as lead compounds for application in the nutraceutical, medicinal and pharmaceutical industries.
Kemp Elimination Catalyzed by Naturally Occurring Aldoxime Dehydratases
Authors: Miao Yufeng , Metzner Richard , Asano Yasuhisa 
Published: January 2017

AbstractRecently, the Kemp elimination reaction has been extensively studied in computational enzyme design of new catalysts, as no natural enzyme has evolved to catalyze this reaction. In contrast to in silico enzyme design, we were interested in searching for Kemp eliminase activity in natural enzymes with catalytic promiscuity. Based on similarities of substrate structures and reaction mechanisms, we assumed that the active sites of naturally abundant aldoxime dehydratases have the potential to catalyze the non‐natural Kemp elimination reaction. We found several aldoxime dehydratases that are efficient catalysts of this reaction. Although a few natural enzymes have been identified with promiscuous Kemp eliminase activity, to the best of our knowledge, this is a rare example of Kemp elimination catalyzed by naturally occurring enzymes with high catalytic efficiency.