bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced effects of biotic interactions on predicting multispecies spatial distribution of submerged macrophytes after eutrophication
Authors: Song Kun , Cui Yichong , Zhang Xijin , Pan Yingji , Xu Junli , Xu Kaiqin , Da Liangjun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWater eutrophication creates unfavorable environmental conditions for submerged macrophytes. In these situations, biotic interactions may be particularly important for explaining and predicting the submerged macrophytes occurrence. Here, we evaluate the roles of biotic interactions in predicting spatial occurrence of submerged macrophytes in 1959 and 2009 for Dianshan Lake in eastern China, which became eutrophic since the 1980s. For the four common species occurred in 1959 and 2009, null species distribution models based on abiotic variables and full models based on both abiotic and biotic variables were developed using generalized linear model (GLM) and boosted regression trees (BRT) to determine whether the biotic variables improved the model performance. Hierarchical Bayesian‐based joint species distribution models capable of detecting paired biotic interactions were established for each species in both periods to evaluate the changes in the biotic interactions. In most of the GLM and BRT models, the full models showed better performance than the null models in predicting the species presence/absence, and the relative importance of the biotic variables in the full models increased from less than 50% in 1959 to more than 50% in 2009 for each species. Moreover, co‐occurrence correlation of each paired species interaction was higher in 2009 than that in 1959. The findings suggest biotic interactions that tend to be positive play more important roles in the spatial distribution of multispecies assemblages of macrophytes and should be included in prediction models to improve prediction accuracy when forecasting macrophytes’ distribution under eutrophication stress.
Sensitive phosphoprotein detection in SDS‐PAGE via Anthracene Chrome Red A stain
Authors: Hwang Sun‐Young , Choi Jung‐Kap 
Published: August 2017

AbstractProtein phosphorylation, one of the most important post‐translational modifications, plays critical roles in many biological processes. Thus, it is necessary to precisely detect, identify and understand the phosphoproteins from protein mixture for the study of cell biology. We introduce a sensitive and specific detection method for phosphoproteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Anthracene Chrome Red A (ACRA) combined with the trivalent metal ion (Al3+) is converted to fluorescent complex and the fluorescence is sharply increased by a change of pH environment. Phosphoproteins and non‐phosphoproteins can be easily distinguished by the fluorescence quenching due to the structural change of ACRA‐Al3+‐phosphoprotein complex, unlike non‐phosphoprotein complex. The method using ACRA is a negative staining based on the fluorescence quenching and has a high sensitivity comparable to Pro‐Q Diamond stain. ACRA stain can detect 1–2 ng of α‐casein and β‐casein, 8–16 ng of ovalbumin (OVA) and κ‐casein within 130 min. Moreover, the ACRA stain showed similar linear dynamic ranges and RSD to Pro‐Q stain. The linear dynamic ranges of ACRA and the values of correlation coefficient were for OVA (8–500 ng, correlation coefficient r = 0.999), α‐casein (4–500 ng, r = 0.992), β‐casein (4–500 ng, r = 0.996), and κ‐casein (8–500 ng, 0.998), respectively. On the other hand, the values of the relative standard deviations (RSD) ranged from 2.33 to 3.56% for ACRA. The method is sensitive, specific, simple, rapid and compatible with total protein stain such as SYPRO Ruby stain. Therefore, ACRA stain can be an advanced method for phosphoprotein detection in gels.
Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth) as a feedstock for ethanol fermentation with the aid of response surface methodology
Authors: Gul Ambreen , Irfan Muhammad , Nadeem Muhammad , Syed Quratulain , Haq Ikram ul 
Published: August 2017

In this study, Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth or Kallar grass (KG) was thermochemically (0.625M NaOH solution followed by steam treatment at 121°C for 1 h) pretreated and utilized as a substrate for ethanol production in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process. A four‐factor, full factorial, rotatable central composite design of response surface methodology was used to develop a statistical model for the optimization of process variables such as substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, temperature, and time. Analysis of variance for ethanol production and the substrate conversion efficiency (SCE) by Kluyveromyces marxianus demonstrated that 10% pretreated KG, 0.6 mg/mL enzyme concentration, 40°C temperature and 48 h of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation time were the optimized variables. At optimum factor setting, predicted values of ethanol production and SCE were 30 g/L and 82%, respectively. The Experimental/validation experiment was in close agreement with the predictive model and the results obtained was 40 g/L and 83.74% for ethanol production and SCE, respectively. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 569–576, 2018
Love mode surface acoustic wave and impedance sensors for water toxicity sensing
Authors: Furniss Jonathan , Qin Lifeng , Ng Simon , Voiculescu Ioana , Li Fang 
Published: August 2017

Clean water supply systems and infrastructure require periodic testing of water samples to maintain water quality. To enable this, toxicity tests need to be rapid, accurate, portable, and low cost to provide affordable water security especially in developing countries. Qualitative and quantitative measurement of contaminants in water is classically done by standard analytic chemical methods, which are time‐consuming, labor‐intensive, expensive, and cannot be performed easily outside the laboratory. An alternative to these methods is cell‐based sensors, which can detect the presence of a wide range of toxicants by monitoring the cell states.Although electric cell‐substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) has been demonstrated to be an effective method for water toxicity sensing, the use of ECIS only is not sensitive enough to detect many toxicants at low concentrations. Merging a sensor platform with multiparametric measurement capabilities could increase the security of detection. Love mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is considered as one of the powerful candidates for cell‐based toxicity biosensors. In this study, a hybrid Love mode SAW/ECIS sensor was developed. Theoretical analysis and experiments were performed to demonstrate the capability of two sensing techniques (i.e., SAW and ECIS) for toxicity sensing. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 172–179, 2018
The association of antidepressant treatment with COPD maintenance medication use and adherence in a comorbid Medicare population: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Wei Yu‐Jung , Simoni‐Wastila Linda , Albrecht Jennifer S. , Huang Ting‐Ying , Moyo Patience , Khokhar Bilal , Harris Ilene , Langenberg Patricia , Netzer Giora , Lehmann Susan W. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundThe effect of treating comorbid depression to achieve optimal management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not yet empirically tested. We examined the association between antidepressant treatment and use of and adherence to COPD maintenance medications among patients with new‐onset COPD and comorbid depression.MethodsUsing 2006‐2012 Medicare data, this retrospective cohort study identified patients with newly diagnosed COPD and new‐onset major depression. Two exposures—antidepressant use (versus non‐use) and adherence measured by proportion of days covered (PDC) (PDC ≥0.8 versus <0.8)—were assessed quarterly. We used marginal structural models to estimate the effects of prior antidepressant use and adherence on subsequent COPD maintenance inhaler use and adherence outcomes, accounting for time‐varying confounders.ResultsA total of 25 458 COPD‐depression patients, 82% with antidepressant treatment, were followed for a median of 2.5 years. Nearly half (48%) used at least 1 COPD maintenance inhaler in any given quarter; among users, 3 in 5 (61%) had a PDC of <0.8. Compared to patients with no antidepressant treatment, those with antidepressant use were more likely to use (relative ratio [RR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12‐ 1.17) and adhere to (RR = 1.08, 95% = 1.03‐1.14) their COPD maintenance inhalers. Patients who adhered to antidepressant treatment were more likely to use and adhere to COPD maintenance inhalers.ConclusionRegularly treated depression may increase use of and adherence to necessary maintenance medications for COPD. Antidepressant treatment may be a key determinant to improving medication‐taking behaviors among COPD patients comorbid with depression.
How to design the cost‐effectiveness appraisal process of new healthcare technologies to maximise population health: A conceptual framework
Authors: Johannesen Kasper M. , Claxton Karl , Sculpher Mark J. , Wailoo Allan J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a conceptual framework to analyse the design of the cost‐effectiveness appraisal process of new healthcare technologies. The framework characterises the appraisal processes as a diagnostic test aimed at identifying cost‐effective (true positive) and non‐cost‐effective (true negative) technologies. Using the framework, factors that influence the value of operating an appraisal process, in terms of net gain to population health, are identified. The framework is used to gain insight into current policy questions including (a) how rigorous the process should be, (b) who should have the burden of proof, and (c) how optimal design changes when allowing for appeals, price reductions, resubmissions, and re‐evaluations.The paper demonstrates that there is no one optimal appraisal process and the process should be adapted over time and to the specific technology under assessment. Optimal design depends on country‐specific features of (future) technologies, for example, effect, price, and size of the patient population, which might explain the difference in appraisal processes across countries. It is shown that burden of proof should be placed on the producers and that the impact of price reductions and patient access schemes on the producer's price setting should be considered when designing the appraisal process.
The impact of spousal bereavement on hospitalisations: Evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tseng Fu‐Min , Petrie Dennis , Wang Shaolin , Macduff Colin , Stephen Audrey I. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper estimates the impact of spousal bereavement on hospital inpatient use for the surviving bereaved by following the experience of 94,272 married Scottish individuals from 1991 until 2009 using a difference‐in‐difference model. We also consider the sample selection issues related to differences in survival between the bereaved and non‐bereaved using a simple Cox Proportional‐Hazard model. Before conducting these estimations, propensity score approaches are used to re‐weight the non‐bereaved to generate a more random‐like comparison sample for the bereaved.We find that those bereaved who survive are both more likely to be admitted and to stay longer in hospital than a comparable non‐bereaved cohort. Bereavement is estimated to induce on average an extra 0.24 (95% CI [0.15, 0.33]) hospital inpatient days per year. Similar to previous studies, we estimate the bereaved have a 19.2% (95% CI [12.5%, 26.3%]) higher mortality rate than the comparable non‐bereaved cohort.
The effectiveness of medical and vocational interventions for reducing sick leave of self‐employed workers
Authors: Baert Stijn , van der Klaauw Bas , van Lomwel Gijsbert 
Published: August 2017

SummaryWe investigate whether interventions by (a) medical doctors and (b) occupational specialists are effective in reducing sick leave durations among self‐employed workers. Therefore, we exploit unique administrative data comprising all sick leave claims by self‐employed workers insured with a major Dutch private insurer between January 2009 and March 2014. We estimate a multivariate duration model dealing with nonrandom selection into the two intervention types by controlling for observable and unobservable claimant characteristics. We find adverse treatment effects for both interventions, irrespective of whether they are started early or (middle) late in the sickness spell.
Exploring women's experiences with a decision aid for neoadjuvant systemic therapy for operable breast cancer
Authors: Herrmann Anne , Boyle Frances , Butow Phyllis , Hall Alix E. , Zdenkowski Nicholas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundSome women with operable breast cancer have a choice between receiving upfront surgery followed by chemotherapy or neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) prior to receiving surgery. While survival outcomes are equivalent for both options, the decision about treatment sequence can be difficult due to its complexity and perceived urgency. A decision aid has been developed to help patients decide on whether to receive NAST.AimsTo explore, qualitatively, women's use and perceived benefit of a decision aid to help with their decision on NAST.MethodsA framework analysis process was conducted on a purposeful sample of 20, one‐on‐one, semistructured phone interviews with early‐stage breast cancer patients eligible for NAST. Participants had recently decided on whether or not to have NAST.ResultsPatients perceived the decision aid as useful to becoming more informed and involved in making a decision as to whether they receive NAST. They described the information provided in the decision aid as reliable, relevant, sufficient in terms of amount, and tailored to their needs. Reading and rereading the decision aid at home in‐between the consultations with their surgeon and their medical oncologist allowed women to better understand their treatment options and easily integrate the decision aid into their care. The decision aid seemed to confirm but not change women's decisions on NAST.ConclusionThe decision aid appears to help breast cancer patients support their decision about whether to receive NAST. Patients' ability to review the decision aid in‐between two consultations seems to be an acceptable and feasible way of integrating the decision aid into patients' care.
Recent Advances in Iron Catalyzed Oxidation Reactions of Organic Compounds
Authors: Bauer Eike B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIron‐catalyzed oxidation reactions have been increasingly investigated in the past two decades and have seen a major increase in research activity. This review article demonstrates the vigorous research activities in the field based on examples from the most recent literature. Catalyst systems are discussed that are active in the oxygenation of alkanes and alkenes to obtain alcohols, ketones or epoxides. Iron‐catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl units are also included. Enantioselective and heterogeneous catalyst systems are presented as well, and a brief overview of mechanistic pictures is given.
microRNA‐145 downregulates SIP1‐expression but differentially regulates proliferation, migration, invasion and Wnt signaling in SW480 and SW620 cells
Authors: Sathyanarayanan Anusha , Chandrasekaran Karthik Subramanian , Karunagaran Devarajan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractmicroRNA‐145 (miR‐145) has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer but its role in the regulation of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is unclear. Ectopic expression of miR‐145 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion in SW480 but surprisingly enhanced these traits in its metastatic counterpart, SW620 cells, while, antimiR‐145 reversed the effects of miR‐145 in both of these human colorectal cancer cells. In SW480 and SW620 cells, SMAD‐interacting protein 1 (SIP1), was identified as a target of miR‐145, and its expression was suppressed both at mRNA and protein levels, and siRNA‐SIP1 mimicked the effects of miR‐145. Further, re‐introduction of SIP1 alone or its co‐expression with miR‐145, rescued SW480 and SW620 cells from the effects of miR‐145, indicating that the distinct functions of miR‐145 might be mediated, in part, through SIP1. Since Wnt signaling plays an essential role in EMT in CRC progression, the effects of miR‐145 on the expression of Wnt signaling intermediates and EMT markers were studied. Re‐expression of miR‐145 was found to downregulate the expression of CTNNB1, TCF4, CCND1, VIM, and SNAI, but, upregulated CDH1 expression in SW480 cells. On the other hand, miR‐145 exhibited an oncogenic potential in SW620 cells by actuating Wnt signaling and the expression of EMT‐relevant markers. These results strongly hint that the paradoxical functions of miR‐145 in the regulation of proliferation, migration and invasion might be mediated through downregulation of SIP1, and differential tuning of Wnt signaling and EMT‐mediators.
Priests of God: An Enchanted Humanitarianism on the African Migration Route
Authors: Ngo May 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article examines a prevailing ‘enchanted humanitarianism’ discourse within a faith‐based organisation working with migrants in Morocco that encompassed tensions, contestations and ambiguity, revealing a fundamental ‘identity ambiguity’ in the organisation between evangelism and humanitarianism. This was the source of much tension in the organisation's operations and is indicative of entangling constructions of the sacred and the secular in faith‐based organisations, going against an essentialised or monolithic conception of the role of ‘religion’ in humanitarianism. These entanglements are illustrated through an examination of two organisational issues—the identity of staff and the flexibility of criteria for its beneficiaries. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Microfinance Make Households More Resilient to Shocks? Evidence From the Cyclone Phailin in India
Authors: Calis Thijmen , Gangopadhyay Shubhashis , Ghosh Namrata , Lensink Robert , Meesters Aljar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis research note examines the relevance of microfinance as a means to cope with natural disasters, using the event of the cyclone Phailin, which struck India in 2013. The results indicate that microfinance helps reduce the negative effects of extreme weather‐related shocks. In light of the somewhat disappointing outcomes suggested by several recent rigorous impact studies, this research paints a more positive picture of the importance of microfinance as an insurance mechanism to deal with weather‐related risks. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homeless People in Nicaragua: A Point‐in‐Time Count in León
Authors: Suarez Alexia , Berrios Alberto , Bonilla Enrique , Vázquez José Juan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis work analyses the difficulties encounter to determine who should be considered a homeless person in a developing country, and the result of a point‐in‐time count of homeless people done in the city of Leon (185,000 inhabitants), Nicaragua. Throughout the point‐in‐time count, 82 unduplicated persons living homeless were tallied (76% male; 23% female); 11% were under age. Half of the homeless detected seemed to have problems related to mental health, alcohol and drugs, and/or wounds, dermatological or dental problems. Sixty‐nine percent showed a bad physical appearance, 74% had poor personal hygiene, and 80% had the dirty or very dirty clothes.
Extrusion modifies some physicochemical properties of milk protein concentrate for improved performance in high‐protein nutrition bars
Authors: Banach Justin C , Clark Stephanie , Lamsal Buddhi P 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDExtruded and ground milk protein concentrate powders, specifically those with 800 g kg–1 protein (i.e. MPC80), imparted softness, cohesion and textural stability to high‐protein nutrition (HPN) bars. The present study evaluated some physicochemical properties of extruded and conventionally produced (i.e. spray‐dried) MPC80 to explain these improvements. Protein chemical changes and aggregations within MPC80‐formulated HPN bars during storage were characterized.RESULTSExtruded MPC80 powders had broader particle size distribution (P < 0.05) and smaller volume‐weighted mean diameter (P < 0.05) than the spray‐dried control. Loose, tapped and particle densities increased (P < 0.05) and correspondingly occluded and interstitial air volumes decreased (P < 0.05) after extruding and milling MPC80. Extrusion decreased water holding capacity (P < 0.05) and solubility (P < 0.05), yet improved the wettability (P < 0.05) of MPC80. MPC80 free sulfhydryl (P < 0.05) and free amine (P < 0.05) concentrations decreased after extrusion. Sulfhydryl and amine concentrations changed (P < 0.05) and disulfide‐linked and, more prominently, Maillard‐induced aggregates developed during HPN bar storage.CONCLUSIONExtrusion and milling together changed the physicochemical properties of MPC80. Chemical changes and protein aggregations occurred in HPN bars prepared with either type of MPC80. Thus, the physicochemical properties of the formulating powder require consideration for desired HPN bar texture and stability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Color holographic system without undesirable light based on area sampling of digital lens
Authors: Xiao Dan , Wang Di , Liu Su‐Juan , Wang Qiong‐Hua 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we demonstrate a color holographic system without undesirable light based on area sampling of a digital lens. This system, which improves the quality of the reconstructed color image, is fundamentally realized by using three spatial light modulators and a rectangle aperture. By altering the sampling area of the digital lens on the spatial light modulator panels, we can control the offset position of the reconstructed image. Thus, the zero‐order diffraction light as the undesirable light and the reconstructed images are separated, and the chromatic aberration can be corrected. In addition, a rectangle aperture is used to eliminate the zero‐order diffraction light. The final reconstructed image with improved quality can be observed, which verifies the effectiveness of our proposed system.
Trismus surgical release and free flap reconstruction after radiation therapy in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: de Pablo Alba , Chen Yu‐Ting , Chen Jyh‐Kwei , Tsao Chung‐Kan 
Published: August 2017

Background and ObjectivesThis study aims to review our experience in trismus release followed by free flap reconstruction after radiotherapy in oral and oropharyngeal cancer, describe the results obtained in long‐term follow‐up and identify possible predictors of outcome.MethodsPatients’ demographics, tumor characteristics and treatment where retrieved. Surgical release and reconstructive procedures were detailed. Interincisor distances (IIDs) where measured preoperatively (PO‐IID), intraoperatively after release (IO‐IID) and in the last follow‐up (FU‐IID). Potential predictors of outcome in terms of interincisor long‐term gain (LT‐gain) and postoperative loss (PO‐loss) were analyzed.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients were included in our study. The mean LT‐gain was 8.9 ± 7.0 mm, and the PO‐loss was 22.14 ± 7.27 mm. Patients with a PO‐IID of 10 mm or less had a significant higher LT‐gain (P = 0.038). Predictors of worse outcome included having received a previous maxillectomy during tumor ablation (lower LT‐gain, P = 0.035), and previous buccal mucosa resection (higher PO‐loss, P = 0.044).ConclusionsTrismus release and free flap reconstruction after radiotherapy in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients seems to be associated with modest long term results and a high incidence of trismus recurrence, particularly in cases of prior buccal resections or maxillectomy. Patients should be adequately informed and carefully selected before indicating the procedure.