bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of Ionospheric Tomography Using Residual Minimization Training Neural Network
Authors: HIROOKA SHINJI , HATTORI KATSUMI 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYA numerical simulation has been performed to evaluate the performance of ionospheric tomography using the residual minimization training neural network (RMTNN) method. The results indicate that reconstruction with high precision is possible when the standard deviation of the noise is about 2.5% or less of the average value of the observed data (slant total electron content [STEC]). Moreover, in the daytime, when the value of STEC becomes large, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) increases and the reconstruction accuracy becomes high; at night when the SNR falls, conversely, it becomes low. The results of detectability tests show that the RMTNN method has a good performance at about F‐layer height with shape and peak intensity reconstruction. In conclusion, the newly developed RMTNN ionospheric tomography is effective in reconstructing the 3D electron density distribution from realistic STEC data in the daytime, and is able to estimate images around the F‐layer.
SnoVault and encodeD: A novel object-based storage system and applications to ENCODE metadata
Authors: Hitz Benjamin C. , Rowe Laurence D. , Podduturi Nikhil R. , Glick David I. , Baymuradov Ulugbek K. , Malladi Venkat S. , Chan Esther T. , Davidson Jean M. , Gabdank Idan , Narayanan Aditi K. , Onate Kathrina C. , Hilton Jason , Ho Marcus C. , Lee Brian T. , Miyasato Stuart R. , Dreszer Timothy R. , Sloan Cricket A. , Strattan J. Seth , Tanaka Forrest Y. , Hong Eurie L. , Cherry J. Michael 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe Encyclopedia of DNA elements (ENCODE) project is an ongoing collaborative effort[1–6] to create a comprehensive catalog of functional elements initiated shortly after the completion of the Human Genome Project[7][1]. The current database exceeds 6500 experiments across more than 450 cell lines and tissues using a wide array of experimental techniques to study the chromatin structure, regulatory and transcriptional landscape of theH. sapiensandM. musculusgenomes. All ENCODE experimental data, metadata, and associated computational analyses are submitted to the ENCODE Data Coordination Center (DCC) for validation, tracking, storage, unified processing, and distribution to community resources and the scientific community. As the volume of data increases, the identification and organization of experimental details becomes increasingly intricate and demands careful curation. The ENCODE DCC[8–10] has created a general purpose software system, known as SnoVault, that supports metadata and file submission, a database used for metadata storage, web pages for displaying the metadata and a robust API for querying the metadata. The software is fully open-source, code and installation instructions can be found at:http://github.com/ENCODE-DCC/snovault/(for the generic database) andhttp://github.com/ENCODE-DCC/encoded/to store genomic data in the manner of ENCODE. The core database engine, SnoVault (which is completely independent of ENCODE, genomic data, or bioinformatic data) has been released as a separate Python package.Database URL:https://www.encodeproject.org/
Extent of EMT promotes invasive, contact-induced sliding on progressively narrower fiber-like tracks
Authors: Milano Daniel F. , Muthuswamy Senthil K. , Asthagiri Anand R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEpithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process by which cells acquire invasive properties that enable escape from the primary tumor. Complete EMT, however, is not required for metastasis: circulating tumor cells exhibit hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal states, and genetic perturbations promoting partial EMT induce metastasisin vivo. An open question is whether and to what extent intermediate stages of EMT promote invasiveness. Here, we investigate this question, building on recent observation of a new invasive property. Migrating cancer cell lines and cells transduced with prometastatic genes slide around other cells on spatially-confined, fiber-like micropatterns. We show here that low-dosage/short-duration exposure to TGFβ induces partial EMT and enables sliding on narrower (26 µm) micropatterns than untreated counterparts (41 µm). High-dosage/long-duration exposure induces more complete EMT, including disrupted cell-cell contacts and reduced E-cadherin expression, and promotes sliding on the narrowest (15 µm) micropatterns. These results demonstrate that EMT is a potent inducer of cell sliding, even under significant spatial constraints, and EMT-mediated invasive sliding is progressive, with partial EMT promoting intermediate sliding behavior. Our findings suggest a model in which fiber maturation and partial EMT work synergistically to promote invasiveness during cancer progression.
Policy Frameworks Influencing Outdoor Water‐use Restrictions
Authors: Milman Anita , Polsky Colin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWater‐use efficiency in the United States (U.S.) has improved in recent years. Yet continued population growth coupled with increasingly conservation‐oriented regulatory frameworks suggest that residential water suppliers will have to realize additional efficiency gains in coming decades. Outdoor water‐use restrictions (OWRs) appear to be an increasingly prevalent demand‐side management policy tool. To date little research has investigated the policy mechanisms that govern OWR adoption and influence the prevalence of OWRs. This article fills this gap with an assessment of state‐level policies influencing local‐level restrictions on residential outdoor water use in each of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, and with a detailed illustration of the cross‐scalar dynamic of one state's policy framework in practice. An examination of the implementation of OWRs in 24 neighboring towns in Massachusetts across the 2003‐2012 period indicates the interplay between state‐level and local‐level policies leads to OWRs implementation over extended time‐periods, even when drought conditions are not present. This finding suggests OWRs are being used as a tool for general‐purpose water conservation rather than as a stopgap measure justified by temporary water shortage conditions. Future research should investigate how local‐level water savings vary with differing state‐level approaches.
Replacing qualitative life‐history traits by quantitative indices in parasitoid evolutionary ecology
Authors: Boivin G. , Ellers J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLife‐history traits, which describe the various aspects of the life cycle of a species, can be either quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative traits are likely to adapt to gradual changes in the environment of a species, whereas qualitative traits, which refer to traits that are discontinuous in their variation, pose constraints on the evolution of a species. Traits that are described as qualitative may indeed represent discontinuous characteristics or they can be the result of an oversimplification in the description of the life history of a species. The ovigeny index, which describes the temporal distribution of egg production for a species, has replaced a qualitative life‐history trait and has been an important contribution in our understanding of the reproductive ecology of insect parasitoids. We propose here that several other qualitative life‐history traits, currently used to describe the evolutionary ecology of insect parasitoids, could advantageously be replaced by quantitative life‐history traits. Although replacing these qualitative life‐history traits will require devising indices that are biologically and ecologically meaningful, the potential gain in our understanding of the evolutionary forces that have shaped the diversity of life‐history strategies of insect parasitoids is important and would fully warrant this effort.
Nutritional integration between insect hosts and koinobiont parasitoids in an evolutionary framework
Authors: Harvey Jeffrey A. , Malcicka Miriama 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMark Jervis was one of the world's foremost experts on life history and development strategies in parasitoids. He held a special place for the nutritional ecology of immature and adult parasitoids; his work on adult nutritional ecology and reproduction is considered seminal. Here, we discuss aspects of parasitoid growth and development, focusing on species that attack feeding, growing hosts (so‐called koinobiont parasitoids). We provide a simple graphical model illustrating how selection pressures can alter host usage strategies, employing growth trajectories as a useful comparative tool. Furthermore, we discuss how the recent evolution of the hemolymph‐feeding strategy in koinobionts has enabled these parasitoids to greatly expand the suitable size range of hosts, as well as providing additional adaptive functions such as gregarious development, resource sharing, and the use of the dying host as a ‘bodyguard’ against predators and hyperparasitoids. Overall, we conclude that koinobionts exhibit a wide array of strategies in exploiting and utilizing variably sized hosts in response to a suite of quite divergent selection pressures that influence their growth, development, and survival.
Simultaneous assessment of key properties of arid soil by combined PXRF and Vis–NIR data
Authors: Weindorf D. C. , Chakraborty S. , Herrero J. , Li B. , Castañeda C. , Choudhury A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryArid soil is common worldwide and has unique properties that often limit agronomic productivity, specifically, salinity expressed as soluble salts and large amounts of calcium carbonate and gypsum. Currently, the most common methods for evaluating these properties in soil are laboratory‐based techniques such as titration, gasometry and electrical conductivity. In this research, we used two proximal sensors (portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) and visible near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (Vis–NIR DRS)) to scan a diverse set (n = 116) of samples from arid soil in Spain. Then, samples were processed by standard laboratory procedures and the two datasets were compared with advanced statistical techniques. The latter included penalized spline regression (PSR), support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF) analysis, which were applied to Vis–NIR DRS data, PXRF data and PXRF and Vis–NIR DRS data, respectively. Independent validation (30% of the data) of the calibration equations showed that PSR + RF predicted gypsum with a ratio of performance to interquartile distance (RPIQ) of 5.90 and residual prediction deviation (RPD) of 4.60, electrical conductivity (1:5 soil : water) with RPIQ of 3.14 and RPD of 2.10, Ca content with RPIQ of 2.92 and RPD of 2.07 and calcium carbonate equivalent with RPIQ of 2.13 and RPD of 1.74. The combined PXRF and Vis–NIR DRS approach was superior to those that use data from a single proximal sensor, enabling the prediction of several properties from two simple, rapid, non‐destructive scans.
The effect of change in soil volume on organic matter distribution in a volcanic ash soil
Authors: Tonneijck F. H. , Velthuis M. , Bouten W. , Van Loon E. E. , Sevink J. , Verstraten J. M. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryVolcanic ash soil contains large stocks of organic matter per unit area. A large proportion of organic matter is stored in the subsoil; therefore, a thorough understanding of its vertical distribution is needed to predict the effects of change in climate and land use. Faunal bioturbation is often cited as the dominant process that affects the vertical distribution of organic matter. An additional but often overlooked process is change in the volume of the soil. Such change might affect the vertical distribution of organic matter by changing the position of the soil surface, which can affect the soil‐forming processes related to depth, such as weathering, decomposition, bioturbation and rooting. We calculated the change in volume with geochemical mass balance equations, and showed the effect of change in soil volume on the vertical distribution of organic matter using a dynamic model. Then we evaluated the plausibility of the model concept with an independent model for parameter identification and through a model sensitivity analysis. Results show that volume change is a major soil‐forming process that determines the vertical distribution of organic matter in volcanic ash soil as the active bioturbation zone moves upwards in response to soil thickening.
Are you a budding academic writer?
Authors: Grant Maria J. , Bonnett Penny , Sutton Anthea , Marshall Audrey , Murphy Jeannette , Spring Hannah 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAcademic writing can seem a daunting prospect although with the right support and information it can be more achievable than you think. In this first set of editorial comments of 2016, editors from all sections of the Health Information and Libraries Journal outline the origins of the individual section of the journal which they oversee and highlight some of the things you might want to consider when thinking of submitting your writing for publication.
Gene mutation‐based and specific therapies in precision medicine
Authors: Wang Xiangdong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrecision medicine has been initiated and gains more and more attention from preclinical and clinical scientists. A number of key elements or critical parts in precision medicine have been described and emphasized to establish a systems understanding of precision medicine. The principle of precision medicine is to treat patients on the basis of genetic alterations after gene mutations are identified, although questions and challenges still remain before clinical application. Therapeutic strategies of precision medicine should be considered according to gene mutation, after biological and functional mechanisms of mutated gene expression or epigenetics, or the correspondent protein, are clearly validated. It is time to explore and develop a strategy to target and correct mutated genes by direct elimination, restoration, correction or repair of mutated sequences/genes. Nevertheless, there are still numerous challenges to integrating widespread genomic testing into individual cancer therapies and into decision making for one or another treatment. There are wide‐ranging and complex issues to be solved before precision medicine becomes clinical reality. Thus, the precision medicine can be considered as an extension and part of clinical and translational medicine, a new alternative of clinical therapies and strategies, and have an important impact on disease cures and patient prognoses.
An approximation of occupational lifetime UVR exposure: algorithm for retrospective assessment and current measurements
Authors: Wittlich M. , Westerhausen S. , Kleinespel P. , Rifer G. , Stöppelmann W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundSince non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been adopted as an occupational disease in Germany, in any single suspected case a retrospective estimation of the outdoor workers’ occupational UVR exposure is mandatory.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to introduce the recent German standard procedure as a mathematical algorithm for retrospectively estimating individual occupational UVR lifetime exposure. In addition, to present results of exemplary on‐the‐job UVR dosimetry measurements on outdoor workers during their various occupational activities. These dosimetry data form the basis of the mathematical model for UVR exposure estimation.MethodsOn‐the‐job personal dosimetry in various outdoor professions was conducted using the GENESIS‐UV measurement system for individual UVA/UVB exposure assessment. The algorithm is derived from the results of these pars pro toto exemplary dosimetric measurements. For retrospective UVR lifetime estimation in suspected cases, a standardized patient interview serves as input and delivers all necessary information for using the algorithm. With defined factors, an individual adjustment is achieved.ResultsInserting the data derived from the patient interview, the algorithm shows to be feasible to calculate the lifetime UVR exposure retrospectively. As an example, an assessment for a 67‐year‐old agricultural teacher with three distinct occupational UVR exposure episodes is calculated.ConclusionThe presented algorithm has proven to facilitate the anamnestic procedure to estimate the lifetime UVR dose of exposed outdoor workers. With a recently developed computer‐based tool, standardized interviews of suspected workers with NMSC become simple. UVR dose as well as matching of requirements for recognition as an occupational disease in an individual worker are calculated automatically. Furthermore, with ongoing on‐the‐job measurements, a database is created to continuously adjust the algorithm's reference values for the various UVR‐exposed occupations. In addition, a job exposure matrix UVA/UVB is created as a pivotal tool for improved health and safety of outdoor workplaces and prevention of occupational actinic damage to the skin.
Performance of the Life Insurance Industry Under Pressure: Efficiency, Competition, and Consolidation
Authors: Bikker Jacob A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis article investigates efficiency and competition in the Dutch life insurance market by estimating unused scale economies and measuring efficiency‐market share dynamics during 1995–2010. Large unused scale economies exist for small‐ and medium‐sized life insurers, indicating that further consolidation would reduce costs. Over time average scale economies decrease but substantial differences between small and large insurers remain. A direct measure of competition confirms that competitive pressure is lower than in other markets. We do not observe any impact of increased competition from banks, the so‐called investment policy crisis or the credit crisis, apart from lower returns in 2008.
Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of African diploid barbs, ‘Barbus’, and allies in Africa and Asia (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)
Authors: Ren Qiu , Mayden Richard L. 
Published: March 2016

African diploid barbs (‘Barbus’, Clypeobarbus, Barboides, etc.) are a group of small cyprinids with a body size less than 20 cm and widely distributed in drainages across Africa. These species constitute a significant component of African freshwater fish fauna. This study is the first to focus on the molecular systematics and biogeography of African diploid barbs ‘Barbus’ and its African and Asian allies using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. We test for monophyly of groups, determine interspecific relationships and estimate the time of divergence of 52 species of ‘Barbus’ and allies using two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes. Resulting trees demonstrate that ‘Barbus’ and allies (Systomus, Barboides, Clypeobarbus and African tetraploid barbs) form a strongly supported clade; however, ‘Barbus’ is not resolved as monophyletic. Divergence time analyses identify the separation between Systomus and ‘Barbus’ plus African allies may have occurred around 26 MYA. In addition to the phylogenetic results, these findings highlight the need for more thorough taxonomic and systematic studies on ‘Barbus’ and allies using morphological and additional molecular data and greater taxon sampling, including the type species of the genus Enteromius, ‘Barbus’ potamogalis.
Resource Utilization for Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage: The Ontario GI Bleed Study
Authors: Comay Dan , Marshall John K 
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVES: Acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (LGIH) is a common indication for hospitalization. However, there are few published studies of related health care resource utilization. Resource utilization, length of stay (LOS) and direct medical costs were characterized in a cohort of patients admitted for nonmalignant LGIH to centres in Ontario.METHODS: Consecutive admissions for LGIH were identified at four Ontario hospitals. Profiles of resource utilization, LOS and estimates of direct medical costs were compiled through detailed chart review and adaptation of an administrative database. All centres were participants in the Ontario Case Cost Project. Linear regression models of log-transformed data were constructed to identify demographic variables predictive of LOS and case cost.RESULTS: Among 124 patients enrolled (mean age 58.8 years) the average case cost was $4,832 (SD $7,187) for 7.5 days in hospital (SD 12.0). Diverticular disease was the bleeding source most often identified (34.6%), followed by hemorrhoids (13.7%) and ischemic colitis (9.7%). Older age and comorbid illness, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), were associated with both increased LOS and higher case cost in univariate regression analyses. Age persisted as the lone independent predictor of LOS in the multivariate model (P<0.05, R2=0.076), and age and CAD were both independent predictors of cost (P<0.05, R2=0.109) in a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Neither sex nor nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use predicted LOS or cost.CONCLUSIONS: Admissions for acute LGIH are associated with significant resource utilization, particularly among elderly patients with CAD.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Complication in Crohn’s Disease: An Experience over 15 Years
Authors: Ben-Ami Haim , Ginesin Yeoshua , Behar Doron M , Fisher Doron , Edoute Yeouda , Lavy Alexandra 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUD: Urinary tract complications in Crohn’s disease are common but treatable, and often present diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of urinary tract complications in patients with Crohn’s disease in Israel and to report an experience over 15 years of patients with Crohn’s disease, with the aim of illustrating the diverse patterns of presentation, and thereby broadening the approach to diagnosis and treatment.METHODOLOGY: Clinical and radiological findings of 312 patients with Crohn’s disease were reviewed.RESULTS: Simple cystitis was the most common problem, occurring in 51 patients. The problem seldom required hospitalization and was instead managed in the ambulatory setting. A review revealed that 22 patients with urinary tract complications required hospitalization. Six patients had ileovesical fistulas. In one patient, the colon was also affected. In another patient, radiological and endoscopic studies failed to identify the fistula, which was confirmed during surgery. All six patients were treated surgically. Four patients had ureteral obstructions and hydronephrosis, three of whom responded well to conservative treatment. In one patient, the affected ileal segment was resected. Four patients suffered from retroperitoneal abscess accompanied by urinary symptoms. Twelve patients developed right kidney stones. All of the patients suffered from long-standing Crohn’s disease with bowel resection. Surprisingly, most of the severe complications occurred in men, although 70% of the patients were women.CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, urological complications are not rare in patients with Crohn’s disease, and necessitate a high degree of diligence and periodic urological evaluation.