bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advancement of magma fragmentation by inhomogeneous bubble distribution
Authors: Kameda M. , Ichihara M. , Maruyama S. , Kurokawa N. , Aoki Y. , Okumura S. , Uesugi K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDecompression times reported in previous studies suggest that thoroughly brittle fragmentation is unlikely in actual explosive volcanic eruptions. What occurs in practice is brittle-like fragmentation, which is defined as the solid-like fracture of a material whose bulk rheological properties are close to those of a fluid. Through laboratory experiments and numerical simulation, the link between the inhomogeneous structure of bubbles and the development of cracks that may lead to brittle-like fragmentation was clearly demonstrated here. A rapid decompression test was conducted to simulate the fragmentation of a specimen whose pore morphology was revealed by X-ray microtomography. The dynamic response during decompression was observed by high-speed photography. Large variation was observed in the responses of the specimens even among specimens with equal bulk rheological properties. The stress fields of the specimens under decompression computed by finite element analysis shows that the presence of satellite bubbles beneath a large bubble induced the stress concentration. On the basis of the obtained results, a new mechanism for brittle-like fragmentation is proposed. In the proposed scenario, the second nucleation of bubbles near the fragmentation surface is an essential process for the advancement of fragmentation in an upward magma flow in a volcanic conduit.
Pharmacogenetic study of seven polymorphisms in three nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in smoking-cessation therapies
Authors: Pintarelli Giulia , Galvan Antonella , Pozzi Paolo , Noci Sara , Pasetti Giovanna , Sala Francesca , Pastorino Ugo , Boffi Roberto , Colombo Francesca 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSmoking-cessation therapy reduces the risk of smoking-related diseases, but is successful only in a fraction of smokers. There is growing evidence that genetic variations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits influence the risk of nicotine dependence and the ability to quit smoking. To investigate the role of polymorphisms in nAChR genes on smoking quantity and the outcome of smoking-cessation therapies, we carried out an association study on 337 smokers who underwent pharmacotherapy with varenicline, bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) alone, or NRT plus bupropion. Smoking habit and abstention were assessed from the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and the exhaled CO (eCO), at baseline and up to 12 months. We genotyped seven polymorphisms in genes encoding the nAChR subunitsCHRNA4,CHRNA5, andCHRNB2. At baseline, both CPD and eCO were associated with polymorphisms in theCHRNA5locus (rs503464, rs55853698, rs55781567 and rs16969968;P < 0.01). rs503464, a variant in the 5′-UTR ofCHRNA5, was also associated with short-, mid- and long-term responses to therapy (P = 0.011,P = 0.0043,P = 0.020, respectively), although after correction for multiple testing only the association at the mid-term assessment remained significant (FDR = 0.03). These data support the role of individual genetic makeup in the ability to quit smoking.
Interface and material engineering for zigzag slab lasers
Authors: Liu Fei , Dong Siyu , Zhang Jinlong , Jiao Hongfei , Ma Bin , Wang Zhanshan , Cheng Xinbin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLaser damage of zigzag slab lasers occurs at interface between laser crystal and SiO2 film. Although an additional HfO2 layer could be used to manipulate electric-field on the crystal-film interface, their high absorption and polycrystalline structure were unacceptable. SiO2 was then doped in HfO2 to suppress its crystallization and to achieve low absorption by annealing. HfxSi1−xO2 nanocomposite layers were then inserted between laser crystal and SiO2 film to minimize electric-field at crystal-film interface. Laser damage resistance of this new architecture is two times higher than that of traditional zigzag slab lasers.
Diabetes Aggravates Post-ischaemic Renal Fibrosis through Persistent Activation of TGF-β1 and Shh Signalling
Authors: Kim Dong-Jin , Kang Jun Mo , Park Seon Hwa , Kwon Hyuk-Kwon , Song Seok-Jong , Moon Haena , Kim Su-Mi , Seo Jung-Woo , Lee Yu Ho , Kim Yang Gyun , Moon Ju-Young , Lee So-Young , Son Youngsook , Lee Sang-Ho 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDiabetes is a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diabetic patients are easy to progress to CKD after AKI. Currently, activation of fibrotic signalling including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is recognized as a key mechanism in CKD. Here, we investigated the influence of diabetes on CKD progression after AKI by using a unilateral renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) model in diabetic mice. IRI induced extensive tubular injury, fibrosis and lymphocyte recruitment at 3 weeks after IRI, irrespective of diabetes. However, diabetes showed sustained tubular injury and markedly increased fibrosis and lymphocyte recruitment compared with non-diabetes at 5 week after IRI. The mRNAs and proteins related to TGF-β1 and sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling were significantly higher in diabetic versus non-diabetic IRI kidneys. During the in vitro study, the hyperglycaemia induced the activation of TGF-β1 and Shh signalling and also increased profibrogenic phenotype change. However, hyperglycaemic control with insulin did not improve the progression of renal fibrosis and the activation of TGF-β1 and Shh signalling. In conclusion, diabetes promotes CKD progression of AKI via activation of the TGF-β1 and Shh signalling pathways, but insulin treatment was not enough for preventing the progression of renal fibrosis.
The Uniform Pattern of Growth and Skeletal Maturation during the Human Adolescent Growth Spurt
Authors: Sanders James O. , Qiu Xing , Lu Xiang , Duren Dana L. , Liu Raymond W. , Dang Debbie , Menendez Mariano E. , Hans Sarah D. , Weber David R. , Cooperman Daniel R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHumans are one of the few species undergoing an adolescent growth spurt. Because children enter the spurt at different ages making age a poor maturity measure, longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the growth patterns and identify commonalities in adolescent growth. The standard maturity determinant, peak height velocity (PHV) timing, is difficult to estimate in individuals due to diurnal, postural, and measurement variation. Using prospective longitudinal populations of healthy children from two North American populations, we compared the timing of the adolescent growth spurt’s peak height velocity to normalized heights and hand skeletal maturity radiographs. We found that in healthy children, the adolescent growth spurt is standardized at 90% of final height with similar patterns for children of both sexes beginning at the initiation of the growth spurt. Once children enter the growth spurt, their growth pattern is consistent between children with peak growth at 90% of final height and skeletal maturity closely reflecting growth remaining. This ability to use 90% of final height as easily identified important maturity standard with its close relationship to skeletal maturity represents a significant advance allowing accurate prediction of future growth for individual children and accurate maturity comparisons for future studies of children’s growth.
Enhancement and suppression of turbulence by energetic-particle-driven geodesic acoustic modes
Authors: Sasaki M. , Itoh K. , Hallatschek K. , Kasuya N. , Lesur M. , Kosuga Y. , Itoh S.-I. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe propose a novel mechanism of enhancement of turbulence by energetic-particle-driven geodesic acoustic modes (EGAMs). The dynamics of drift-wave-type turbulence in the phase space is investigated by wave-kinetic equation. Spatially inhomogeneous turbulence in the presence of a transport barrier is considered. We discovered that trapping of turbulence clumps by the EGAMs is the key parameter that determines either suppress or enhance turbulence. In regions where turbulence is unstable, EGAM suppresses the turbulence. In contrast, in the stable region, EGAM traps clumps of turbulence and carries them across the transport barrier, so that the turbulence can be enhanced. The turbulence trapped by EGAMs can propagate independent of the gradients of density and temperature, which leads to non-Fickian transport. Hence, there appear a new global characteristic velocity, the phase velocity of GAMs, for turbulence dynamics, in addition to the local group velocity and that of the turbulence spreading. With these effect, EGAMs can deteriorate transport barriers and affect turbulence substantially. This manuscript provides a basis to consider whether a coherent wave breaks or strengthen transport barriers.
Resting-state functional MRI reveals altered brain connectivity and its correlation with motor dysfunction in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Li Qiang , Li Gang , Wu Dan , Lu Hanbing , Hou Zhipeng , Ross Christopher A. , Yang Yihong , Zhang Jiangyang , Duan Wenzhen 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder, and no cure is available currently. Treatment of HD is likely to be most beneficial in the early, possibly pre-manifestation stage. The challenge is to determine the best time for intervention and evaluate putative efficacy in the absence of clinical symptoms. Resting-state functional MRI may represent a promising tool to develop biomarker reflecting early neuronal dysfunction in HD brain, because it can examine multiple brain networks without confounding effects of cognitive ability, which makes the resting-state fMRI promising as a translational bridge between preclinical study in animal models and clinical findings in HD patients. In this study, we examined brain regional connectivity and its correlation to brain atrophy, as well as motor function in the 18-week-old N171-82Q HD mice. HD mice exhibited significantly altered functional connectivity in multiple networks. Particularly, the weaker intra-striatum connectivity was positively correlated with striatal atrophy, while striatum-retrosplenial cortex connectivity is negatively correlated with striatal atrophy. The resting-state brain regional connectivity had no significant correlation with motor deficits in HD mice. Our results suggest that altered brain connectivity detected by resting-state fMRI might serve as an early disease biomarker in HD.
Imaging viscosity of intragranular mucin matrix in cystic fibrosis cells
Authors: Requena Sebastian , Ponomarchuk Olga , Castillo Marlius , Rebik Jonathan , Brochiero Emmanuelle , Borejdo Julian , Gryczynski Ignacy , Dzyuba Sergei V. , Gryczynski Zygmunt , Grygorczyk Ryszard , Fudala Rafal 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAbnormalities of mucus viscosity play a critical role in the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis. Currently, there are no approaches to assess the rheological properties of mucin granule matrices in live cells. This is the first example of the use of a molecular rotor, a BODIPY dye, to quantitatively visualize the viscosity of intragranular mucin matrices in a large population of individual granules in differentiated primary bronchial epithelial cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.
On the proportional abundance of species: Integrating population genetics and community ecology
Authors: Marquet Pablo A. , Espinoza Guillermo , Abades Sebastian R. , Ganz Angela , Rebolledo Rolando 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe frequency of genes in interconnected populations and of species in interconnected communities are affected by similar processes, such as birth, death and immigration. The equilibrium distribution of gene frequencies in structured populations is known since the 1930s, under Wright’s metapopulation model known as the island model. The equivalent distribution for the species frequency (i.e. the species proportional abundance distribution (SPAD)), at the metacommunity level, however, is unknown. In this contribution, we develop a stochastic model to analytically account for this distribution (SPAD). We show that the same as for genes SPAD follows a beta distribution, which provides a good description of empirical data and applies across a continuum of scales. This stochastic model, based upon a diffusion approximation, provides an alternative to neutral models for the species abundance distribution (SAD), which focus on number of individuals instead of proportions, and demonstrate that the relative frequency of genes in local populations and of species within communities follow the same probability law. We hope our contribution will help stimulate the mathematical and conceptual integration of theories in genetics and ecology.
Disrupted superior collicular activity may reveal cervical dystonia disease pathomechanisms
Authors: Mc Govern Eavan M. , Killian Owen , Narasimham Shruti , Quinlivan Brendan , Butler John B. , Beck Rebecca , Beiser Ines , Williams Laura W. , Killeen Ronan P. , Farrell Michael , O’Riordan Sean , Reilly Richard B. , Hutchinson Michael 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCervical dystonia is a common neurological movement disorder characterised by muscle contractions causing abnormal movements and postures affecting the head and neck. The neural networks underpinning this condition are incompletely understood. While animal models suggest a role for the superior colliculus in its pathophysiology, this link has yet to be established in humans. The present experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that disrupted superior collicular processing is evident in affected patients and in relatives harbouring a disease-specific endophenotype (abnormal temporal discrimination). The study participants were 16 cervical dystonia patients, 16 unaffected first-degree relatives with abnormal temporal discrimination, 16 unaffected first-degree relatives with normal temporal discrimination and 16 healthy controls. The response of participant’s superior colliculi to looming stimuli was assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Cervical dystonia patients and relatives with abnormal temporal discrimination demonstrated (i) significantly reduced superior collicular activation for whole brain and region of interest analysis; (ii) a statistically significant negative correlation between temporal discrimination threshold and superior collicular peak values. Our results support the hypothesis that disrupted superior collicular processing is involved in the pathogenesis of cervical dystonia. These findings, which align with animal models of cervical dystonia, shed new light on pathomechanisms in humans.
Diverse and complex male polymorphisms in Odontolabis stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)
Authors: Matsumoto Keita , Knell Robert J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhen male animals engage in intrasexual contests then any alternative tactics they use can be associated with dimorphisms in the expression of weapons. Some species have recently been found to exhibit trimorphism in their weaponry, suggesting that the processes leading to their evolution and maintenance of these polymorphisms can be more complex than previously thought. Here, we describe the extraordinary diversity of polymorphism within the genus Odontolabis: there are dimorphic species (O. siva and O. platynota), trimorphic species (O. cuvera, as previously described, and O. sommeri s.stricto) and, uniquely, tetramorphic species, with males of O. sommeri lowei and O. brookeana showing four clearly differentiated male morphs: small “Gammas”, “Alphas” which express large, long mandibles, “Betas” which have long mandibles with different morphology and “Boltcutters”, with short, wide mandibles. Such polymorphisms are usually thought of as being maintained as a status-dependent conditional strategy, but we found only one size threshold: in most cases males develop into Gamma males below a certain size but there is no relationship between morph and body size amongst the larger, ‘weaponised’ morphs. We suggest that the complex polymorphisms in these animals are probably maintained by a combination of a conditional strategy and a genetic polymorphism.
Investigation of Atrial Vortices Using a Novel Right Heart Model and Possible Implications for Atrial Thrombus Formation
Authors: Gülan Utku , Saguner Ardan , Akdis Deniz , Gotschy Alexander , Manka Robert , Brunckhorst Corinna , Holzner Markus , Duru Firat 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe main aim of this paper is to characterize vortical flow structures in the healthy human right atrium, their impact on wall shear stresses and possible implications for atrial thrombus formation. 3D Particle Tracking Velocimetry is applied to a novel anatomically accurate compliant silicone right heart model to study the phase averaged and fluctuating flow velocity within the right atrium, inferior vena cava and superior vena cava under physiological conditions. We identify the development of two vortex rings in the bulk of the right atrium during the atrial filling phase leading to a rinsing effect at the atrial wall which break down during ventricular filling. We show that the vortex ring formation affects the hemodynamics of the atrial flow by a strong correlation (ρ = 0.7) between the vortical structures and local wall shear stresses. Low wall shear stress regions are associated with absence of the coherent vortical structures which might be potential risk regions for atrial thrombus formation. We discuss possible implications for atrial thrombus formation in different regions of the right atrium.
Screening and identification of lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Chen Zhong-liang , Wei Li-Liang , Shi Li-Ying , Li Meng , Jiang Ting-Ting , Chen Jing , Liu Chang-Ming , Yang Su , Tu Hui-hui , Hu Yu-ting , Gan Lin , Mao Lian-Gen , Wang Chong , Li Ji-Cheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is among the diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective diagnostic methods for TB are lacking. In this study, we investigated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in plasma using microarray and the potential diagnostic value of lncRNAs for TB. We found a total of 163 up-regulated lncRNAs and 348 down-regulated lncRNAs. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and coding-noncoding co-expression (CNC) analyses showed that functions of differentially expressed lncRNAs were mainly enriched in the regulation of alpha-beta T cell activation and the T cell receptor signalling pathway. Four differentially expressed lncRNAs, NR_038221 (fold change = 3.79, P < 0.01), NR_003142 (fold change = 1.69, P < 0.05), ENST00000570366 (fold change = 3.04, P < 0.05), and ENST00000422183 (fold change = 2.11, P < 0.001), were verified using RT-qPCR. Among those, NR_038221, NR_003142, and ENST00000570366 were found to be up-regulated, while ENST00000422183 was down-regulated. The value of the area under the curve (AUC) for the diagnostic model consisting of the four lncRNAs was 0.845 (sensitivity = 79.2%, specificity = 75%). We further predicted 85 mRNAs and 404 miRNAs that potentially interact with these lncRNAs. Our study revealed the potential value of lncRNAs as biomarkers for early diagnosis of TB and the underlying mechanisms of these abnormally expressed lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of TB.
A Novel Y-Specific Long Non-Coding RNA Associated with Cellular Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 cells and Atherosclerosis-related Genes
Authors: Molina Elsa , Chew Guat S. , Myers Stephen A. , Clarence Elyse M. , Eales James M. , Tomaszewski Maciej , Charchar Fadi J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThere is an increasing appreciation for the role of the human Y chromosome in phenotypic differences between the sexes in health and disease. Previous studies have shown that genetic variation within the Y chromosome is associated with cholesterol levels, which is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the exact mechanism and potential genes implicated are still unidentified. To date, Y chromosome-linked long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are poorly characterized and the potential link between these new regulatory RNA molecules and hepatic function in men has not been investigated. Advanced technologies of lncRNA subcellular localization and silencing were used to identify a novel intergenic Y-linked lncRNA, named lnc-KDM5D-4, and investigate its role in fatty liver-associated atherosclerosis. We found that lnc-KDM5D-4 is retained within the nucleus in hepatocytes. Its knockdown leads to changes in genes leading to increased lipid droplets formation in hepatocytes resulting in a downstream effect contributing to the chronic inflammatory process that underpin CAD. Our findings provide the first evidence for the implication of lnc-KDM5D-4 in key processes related to fatty liver and cellular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and CAD in men.
A Multivariate Analytic Approach to the Differential Diagnosis of Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Basilakos Alexandra , Yourganov Grigori , den Ouden Dirk-Bart , Fogerty Daniel , Rorden Chris , Feenaughty Lynda , Fridriksson Julius 
Published: November 2017

PurposeApraxia of speech (AOS) is a consequence of stroke that frequently co-occurs with aphasia. Its study is limited by difficulties with its perceptual evaluation and dissociation from co-occurring impairments. This study examined the classification accuracy of several acoustic measures for the differential diagnosis of AOS in a sample of stroke survivors.MethodFifty-seven individuals were included (mean age = 60.8 ± 10.4 years; 21 women, 36 men; mean months poststroke = 54.7 ± 46). Participants were grouped on the basis of speech/language testing as follows: AOS-Aphasia (n= 20), Aphasia Only (n= 24), and Stroke Control (n= 13). Normalized Pairwise Variability Index, proportion of distortion errors, voice onset time variability, and amplitude envelope modulation spectrum variables were obtained from connected speech samples. Measures were analyzed for group differences and entered into a linear discriminant analysis to predict diagnostic classification.ResultsOut-of-sample classification accuracy of all measures was over 90%. The envelope modulation spectrum variables had the greatest impact on classification when all measures were analyzed together.ConclusionsThis study contributes to efforts to identify objective acoustic measures that can facilitate the differential diagnosis of AOS. Results suggest that further study of these measures is warranted to determine the best predictors of AOS diagnosis.Supplemental Materialshttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5611309
The Perfect Total Mesorectal Excision Obviates the Need for Anything Else in the Management of Most Rectal Cancers
Authors: Santiago Ines , Pares Oriol , Carvalho Carlos , Figueiredo Nuno , Heald Richard 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis article discusses the local control of primary rectal cancer and its locoregional spread in the light of modern advances. In recent years, the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation has spread widely. However, its true benefit is not always balanced with its morbidities. Often total mesorectal excision (TME) is the best option. We will discuss the indications for immediate surgery for chemoradiation in advance and the importance of a delay in the management plan. To understand this selection, it is mandatory to know the true extent of tissue at risk for tumor dissemination and spread. Considering that TME may be enough for many patients and that most local recurrences are failures of surgical technique we introduce a new concept of total mesorectal irradiation. This exploits the new reality that precise, focused neoadjuvant therapy can offer a better response with fewer complications. Together these important changes in cancer board (multidisciplinary team) planning can also offer selected patients complete control of their cancer with no need for surgery.