bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous fermentation of cellulose and current production with an enriched mixed culture of thermophilic bacteria in a microbial electrolysis cell
Authors: Lusk Bradley G. , Colin Alexandra , Parameswaran Prathap , Rittmann Bruce E. , Torres Cesar I. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryAn enriched mixed culture of thermophilic (60°C) bacteria was assembled for the purpose of using cellulose to produce current in thermophilic microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Cellulose was fermented into sugars and acids before being consumed by anode‐respiring bacteria (ARB) for current production. Current densities (j) were sustained at 6.5 ± 0.2 A m−2 in duplicate reactors with a coulombic efficiency (CE) of 84 ± 0.3%, a coulombic recovery (CR) of 54 ± 11% and without production of CH4. Low‐scan rate cyclic voltammetry (LSCV) revealed a mid‐point potential (Eka) of −0.17 V versus SHE. Pyrosequencing analysis of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S rDNA and scanning electron microscopy present an enriched thermophilic microbial community consisting mainly of the phylum Firmicutes with the Thermoanaerobacter (46 ± 13%) and Thermincola (28 ± 14%) genera occupying the biofilm anode in high relative abundance and Tepidmicrobium (38 ± 6%) and Moorella (11 ± 8%) genera present in high relative abundance in the bulk medium. The Thermoanaerobacter (15 ± 16%) and Brevibacillus (21 ± 30%) genera were also present in the bulk medium; however, their relative abundance varied by reactor. This study indicates that thermophilic consortia can obtain high CE and CR, while sustaining high current densities from cellulose in MECs.
Efficacy between high and medium doses of glucocorticoid therapy in remission induction of IgG4‐related diseases: a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wu Qingjun , Chang Jie , Chen Hua , Chen Yu , Yang Hongxian , Fei Yunyun , Zhang Panpan , Zeng Xiaofeng , Zhang Fengchun , Zhang Wen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAimIn order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high versus medium doses of glucocorticoid therapy in remission induction of immunoglobulin G4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD), we set up a randomized controlled study.MethodNewly diagnosed IgG4‐RD patients were randomly assigned to two groups: high doses of prednisone (0.8–1.0 mg/kg/day) and medium doses (0.5–0.6 mg/kg/day). Patients were assessed at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24. The primary outcome was the remission rate at week 24. The secondary endpoints included IgG4‐RD responder index (IgG4‐RD RI), IgG and IgG4 levels.ResultsTwenty cases in each group finished the study. At week 24, the total response rates were 95% and 80% in high and medium dose groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. IgG4‐RD RI reduced from 14.9 to 3.0 in the high dose group, while in the medium dose group it was from 13.1 to 3.2. At week 24, the average level of IgG4 reduced from 1576 to 324 mg/dL and from 1445 to 684 mg/dL in the two groups, respectively. Relapsed patients had higher baseline IgG4‐RD RI. There was no severe adverse effect shown in both groups.ConclusionThe effect of remission induction was similar in high and medium glucocorticoid groups. However, patients with more organs involved and higher IgG4‐RD RI score at baseline might get more benefit with high dose glucocorticoid for remission induction.
Evaluation of sleep quality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and efficacy of anti‐TNF‐α therapy on sleep problems: A polisomnographic study
Authors: Karatas Gulsah , Bal Ajda , Yuceege Melike , Firat Hikmet , Gurcay Eda , Ardic Sadik , Cakci Fatma Aytul 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionThis study was conducted to investigate the relationship between sleep quality (SQ) and disease activity (DA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate the response to anti‐tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNF‐α) therapy on sleep disorders.Materials and MethodsA total of 34 patients who met the modified New York classification criteria for AS were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups as follows: Group I (n = 15) with high DA and receiving anti‐TNF‐α therapy, and Group II (n = 19) in remission. DA was assessed by the Bath AS Disease Activity Index. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were used to determine disorders and patterns of sleep, respectively, in both groups at baseline as well as at the third month of anti‐TNF‐α therapy in Group I.ResultsBaseline evaluation revealed impaired SQ in 57.9% of all patients. PSG demonstrated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, snoring and periodic leg movements in 73.7%, 74.4% and 26.3% of patients, respectively. Prior to anti‐TNF‐α therapy, PSQI and snoring score were significantly higher in Group I (P = 0.0001, P = 0.012, respectively). Although there was a significant reduction in PSQI scores in Group I (P = 0.005) at the third month of anti‐TNF‐α therapy, no change was observed in PSG parameters (P > 0.05).ConclusionSleep disorders increase in AS, particularly in patients with high DA. Anti‐TNF‐α therapy has improved SQ without any improvement in PSG. Therefore, it may be concluded that PSG parameters might be more associated with disease pathogenesis rather than DA in patients with AS.
Discovery of ectosymbiotic Endomicrobium lineages associated with protists in the gut of stolotermitid termites
Authors: Izawa Kazuki , Kuwahara Hirokazu , Sugaya Kaito , Lo Nathan , Ohkuma Moriya , Hongoh Yuichi 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThe genus Endomicrobium is a dominant bacterial group in the gut of lower termites, and most phylotypes are intracellular symbionts of gut protists. Here we report the discovery of Endomicrobium ectosymbionts of termite gut protists. We found that bristle‐like Endomicrobium cells attached to the surface of spirotrichosomid protist cells inhabiting the termite Stolotermes victoriensis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a putative Endomicrobium cell likely attached to the protist surface via a protrusion from the tip of the bacterium. A phylotype, sharing 98.9% 16S rRNA sequence identity with the Endomicrobium ectosymbionts of the spirotrichosomid protists, was also found on the cell surface of the protist Trichonympha magna in the gut of the termite Porotermes adamsoni. We propose the novel species ‘Candidatus Endomicrobium superficiale’ for these bacteria. T. magna simultaneously harboured another Endomicrobium ectosymbiont that shared 93.5–94.2% 16S rRNA sequence identities with ‘Ca. Endomicrobium superficiale’. Furthermore, Spirotrichonympha‐like protists in P. adamsoni guts were associated with an Endomicrobium phylotype that possibly attached to the host flagella. A phylogenetic analysis suggested that these ectosymbiotic lineages have evolved multiple times from free‐living Endomicrobium lineages and are relatively distant from the endosymbionts. Our results provide novel insights into the ecology and evolution of the Endomicrobium.
Using taxonomic consistency with semi‐automated data pre‐processing for high quality DNA barcodes
Authors: Rulik Björn , Eberle Jonas , von der Mark Laura , Thormann Jana , Jung Manfred , Köhler Frank , Apfel Wolfgang , Weigel Andreas , Kopetz Andreas , Köhler Jonas , Fritzlar Frank , Hartmann Matthias , Hadulla Karl , Schmidt Joachim , Hörren Thomas , Krebs Detlef , Theves Florian , Eulitz Ute , Skale André , Rohwedder Dirk , Kleeberg Andreas , Astrin Jonas J. , Geiger Matthias F. , Wägele J. Wolfgang , Grobe Peter , Ahrens Dirk 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

In recent years, large‐scale DNA barcoding campaigns have generated an enormous amount of COI barcodes, which are usually stored in NCBI's GenBank and the official Barcode of Life database (BOLD). BOLD data are generally associated with more detailed and better curated meta‐data, because a great proportion is based on expert‐verified and vouchered material, accessible in public collections. In the course of the initiative German Barcode of Life data were generated for the reference library of 2,846 species of Coleoptera from 13,516 individuals.

Confronted with the high effort associated with the identification, verification and data validation, a bioinformatic pipeline, “TaxCI” was developed that (1) identifies taxonomic inconsistencies in a given tree topology (optionally including a reference dataset), (2) discriminates between different cases of incongruence in order to identify contamination or misidentified specimens, (3) graphically marks those cases in the tree, which finally can be checked again and, if needed, corrected or removed from the dataset. For this, “TaxCI” may use DNA‐based species delimitations from other approaches (e.g. mPTP) or may perform implemented threshold‐based clustering.

The data‐processing pipeline was tested on a newly generated set of barcodes, using the available BOLD records as a reference. A data revision based on the first run of the TaxCI tool resulted in the second TaxCI analysis in a taxonomic match ratio very similar to the one recorded from the reference set (92% vs. 94%). The revised dataset improved by nearly 20% through this procedure compared to the original, uncorrected one.

Overall, the new processing pipeline for DNA barcode data allows for the rapid and easy identification of inconsistencies in large datasets, which can be dealt with before submitting them to public data repositories like BOLD or GenBank. Ultimately, this will increase the quality of submitted data and the speed of data submission, while primarily avoiding the deterioration of the accuracy of the data repositories due to ambiguously identified or contaminated specimens.
Statistical design and analysis for plant cover studies with multiple sources of observation errors
Authors: Wright Wilson J. , Irvine Kathryn M. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Barnett Jenny K. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEffective wildlife habitat management and conservation requires understanding the factors influencing distribution and abundance of plant species. Field studies, however, have documented observation errors in visually estimated plant cover including measurements which differ from the true value (measurement error) and not observing a species that is present within a plot (detection error). Unlike the rapid expansion of occupancy and N‐mixture models for analysing wildlife surveys, development of statistical models accounting for observation error in plants has not progressed quickly. Our work informs development of a monitoring protocol for managed wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System.Zero‐augmented beta (ZAB) regression is the most suitable method for analysing areal plant cover recorded as a continuous proportion but assumes no observation errors. We present a model extension that explicitly includes the observation process thereby accounting for both measurement and detection errors. Using simulations, we compare our approach to a ZAB regression that ignores observation errors (naïve model) and an “ad hoc” approach using a composite of multiple observations per plot within the naïve model. We explore how sample size and within‐season revisit design affect the ability to detect a change in mean plant cover between 2 years using our model.Explicitly modelling the observation process within our framework produced unbiased estimates and nominal coverage of model parameters. The naïve and “ad hoc” approaches resulted in underestimation of occurrence and overestimation of mean cover. The degree of bias was primarily driven by imperfect detection and its relationship with cover within a plot. Conversely, measurement error had minimal impacts on inferences. We found >30 plots with at least three within‐season revisits achieved reasonable posterior probabilities for assessing change in mean plant cover.For rapid adoption and application, code for Bayesian estimation of our single‐species ZAB with errors model is included. Practitioners utilizing our R‐based simulation code can explore trade‐offs among different survey efforts and parameter values, as we did, but tuned to their own investigation. Less abundant plant species of high ecological interest may warrant the additional cost of gathering multiple independent observations in order to guard against erroneous conclusions.
Sustained NFκB inhibition improves insulin sensitivity but is detrimental to muscle health
Authors: Zhang Ning , Valentine Joseph M. , Zhou You , Li Mengyao E. , Zhang Yiqiang , Bhattacharya Arunabh , Walsh Michael E. , Fischer Katherine E. , Austad Steven N. , Osmulski Pawel , Gaczynska Maria , Shoelson Steven E. , Van Remmen Holly , Chen Hung I. , Chen Yidong , Liang Hanyu , Musi Nicolas 
Published: May 2017

SummaryOlder adults universally suffer from sarcopenia and approximately 60–70% are diabetic or prediabetic. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying these aging‐related metabolic disorders are unknown. NFκB has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several aging‐related pathologies including sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes and has been proposed as a target against them. NFκB also is thought to mediate muscle wasting seen with disuse, denervation, and some systemic diseases (e.g., cancer, sepsis). We tested the hypothesis that lifelong inhibition of the classical NFκB pathway would protect against aging‐related sarcopenia and insulin resistance. Aged mice with muscle‐specific overexpression of a super‐repressor IκBα mutant (MISR) were protected from insulin resistance. However, MISR mice were not protected from sarcopenia; to the contrary, these mice had decreases in muscle mass and strength compared to wild‐type mice. In MISR mice, NFκB suppression also led to an increase in proteasome activity and alterations in several genes and pathways involved in muscle growth and atrophy (e.g., myostatin). We conclude that the mechanism behind aging‐induced sarcopenia is NFκB independent and differs from muscle wasting due to pathologic conditions. Our findings also indicate that, while suppressing NFκB improves insulin sensitivity in aged mice, this transcription factor is important for normal muscle mass maintenance and its sustained inhibition is detrimental to muscle function.
Two‐year functional and anatomical results after converting treatment resistant eyes with exudative age‐related macular degeneration to aflibercept in accordance with a treat and extend protocol
Authors: Jørstad Øystein Kalsnes , Faber Rowan Thomas , Moe Morten Carstens 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPurposeTo study the effects of converting to aflibercept in accordance with a treat and extend (T&E) strategy in eyes with treatment resistant exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsTwo‐year prospective study of eyes with exudative AMD and persistent macular fluid despite monthly treatment with ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Eyes were converted to 2.0 mg aflibercept in accordance with a T&E protocol.ResultsFifty eyes from 47 patients were included. At baseline, the mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 273 μm and mean best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 0.25 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR). The mean number of aflibercept injections the first year was 9.2. After 1 year, there was a reduction in mean CRT to 228 μm (p < 0.001); 22 eyes (44%) had a dry macula; and the mean BCVA was 0.24 logMAR (p = 0.531). The mean number of aflibercept injections the second year was 8.0 (p = 0.013 compared to first year). After 2 years, 24 eyes (48%) received treatment more frequently than every eighth week. The mean CRT was 225 μm (p < 0.001 compared to baseline); 31 eyes (62%) had a dry macula; and mean BCVA was 0.32 logMAR (p = 0.005 compared to baseline). Five eyes did not complete 2 years of aflibercept treatment after failing to improve.ConclusionA majority of eyes showed improved anatomic outcomes. There was a small decrease in mean BCVA after the second year of treatment. About half of the eyes required treatment more frequently than the recommended aflibercept label of an 8‐week interval.
Evaluation of clinical validity of the Rabin cone contrast test in normal phakic or pseudophakic eyes and severely dichromatic eyes
Authors: Fujikawa Masato , Muraki Sanae , Niwa Yuichi , Ohji Masahito 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the clinical validity of the Rabin cone contrast test (RCCT; Innova Systems, Inc.) in patients with normal phakic/pseudophakic eyes and severe dichromatic colour vision deficiency (CVD).MethodsWe evaluated age‐related changes in the RCCT scores in 166 phakic eyes and 34 pseudophakic eyes and the RCCT sensitivity and specificity in 28 men with severe dichromatic CVD (10 with protanopia, 18 with deutanopia) and nine age‐matched controls. All participants had 20/20 or better Snellen best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The RCCT was used to measure the L, M and S‐CCT scores (range, 0–100).ResultsIn normal phakic eyes, the mean L, M and S‐CCT scores decreased gradually with ageing, with normal levels in patients in the second to seventh decades of life and some below normal in the eighth and ninth decades of life. In normal pseudophakic eyes, the mean L, M and S‐CCT scores were normal in patients in the seventh to ninth decades of life. In eyes with severe CVD, the mean L, M and S‐CCT scores were, respectively, 31.5 ± 18.3, 86.0 ± 12.6 and 98.0 ± 6.3 in patients with protanopia; 92.8 ± 10.5, 50.8 ± 19.6 and 97.8 ± 5.2 in patients with deutanopia; and 99.4 ± 1.7, 98.3 ± 5.0 and 99.4 ± 1.7 in controls. The RCCT sensitivity and specificity were 100% for diagnosing the CVD type.ConclusionThe RCCT can be used in non‐visually impaired patients up to the seventh decade of life and after cataract surgery in elderly patients. The RCCT is available for CVD screening and typing and the score has a wide distribution range even in patients with severe CVD.
Hypothalamic dopamine is required for salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats
Authors: Hashizume Tsutomu , Watanabe Ryunosuke , Inaba Yuki , Sawai Ken , Fülöp Ferenc , Nagy György Miklos 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between hypothalamic dopamine (DA) and salsolinol (SAL) for the secretion of prolactin (PRL) in goats.SALor thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) was intravenously injected into female goats treated with or without the D2DAreceptor antagonist haloperidol (Hal), which crosses the blood‐brain barrier, and thePRL‐releasing response toSALwas compared with that toTRH.PRL‐releasing responses toSAL, Hal, and Hal plusSALwere also examined after a pretreatment to augment centralDAusing carbidopa (Carbi) and L‐dopa. ThePRL‐releasing response to Hal alone was greater than that toSALorTRHalone. ThePRL‐releasing response to Hal plusSALwas similar to that of Hal alone. In contrast, thePRL‐releasing response to Hal plusTRHwas greater than that toTRHor Hal alone. The treatment with Carbi plus L‐dopa inhibitedSAL‐ and Hal‐inducedPRLsecretion. The inhibition of thePRL‐releasing response toSALdisappeared whenSALwas injected with Hal. These results indicate that the mechanisms underlying theSAL‐inducedPRLresponse differ from those ofTRH, and suggest that hypothalamicDAand its synthesis is associated in part withSAL‐inducedPRLsecretion in goats.
The Impact of Audit Committee Characteristics on CSR Disclosure: An Analysis of Australian Firms
Authors: Appuhami Ranjith , Tashakor Shamim 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study examines the influence of audit committee (AC) characteristics on voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in the corporate annual reports of Australian listed firms. It develops hypotheses about the relationship between voluntary CSR disclosure and AC characteristics such as size, frequency of meetings, independence, independent chair, financial expertise and gender diversity. Using multiple regression analysis on data collected from the corporate annual reports of 300 listed firms, the study finds that AC characteristics such as size, frequency of meetings, committee independence and gender diversity have a significant positive influence on the level of CSR disclosure. However, there is no evidence that AC characteristics such as independent chair and members’ financial expertise affect CSR disclosure in Australian firms. Based on an additional analysis, the study also sheds some light on the effect of AC characteristics on environmental disclosure. The findings of this study may be of particular interest to regulators, shareholders, investment analysts and managers in assessing CSR disclosure in annual reports, and in strengthening the monitoring and oversight role of ACs.
Can bottom‐up processes of attention be a source of ‘interference’ in situations where top‐down control of attention is crucial?
Authors: Nikolla Dritan , Edgar Graham , Catherwood Dianne , Matthews Tristan 
Published: May 2017

In this study, we investigate whether emotionally engaged bottom‐up processes of attention can be a source of ‘interference’ in situations where top‐down control of attention is necessary. Participants were asked to monitor and report on a video of a war scenario showing a developing battle in two conditions: emotionally positive and emotionally negative. Half of the participants (n = 15) were exposed to task‐irrelevant pictures of positive emotional valence embedded within the scenario; the other half were exposed to task‐irrelevant pictures of negative emotional valence. Sensitivity and Bias scores were calculated using signal detection theory. Overall, task accuracy scores were dependent upon the valence; negative pictures had an adverse effect on performance, whereas positive pictures improved performance. We concluded that negative emotional pictures interfered with top‐down control of attention by attracting competing bottom‐up processes of attention. We found the opposite effect for positive emotional stimuli.
Attachment Security and Developmental Patterns of Growth in Executive Functioning During Early Elementary School
Authors: Matte‐Gagné Célia , Bernier Annie , Sirois Marie‐Soleil , Lalonde Gabrielle , Hertz Sarah 
Published: May 2017

Despite the extensive research demonstrating the importance of child executive functioning (EF) for school adjustment, little longitudinal work has formally examined developmental change in EF during the early school years. Based on a sample of 106 mother–child dyads, the current longitudinal study investigated patterns of growth in child performance on three executive tasks between kindergarten (Mage = 6 years) and Grade 3 (Mage = 9 years), and the predictive role of earlier mother–child attachment security in these patterns. The results suggest that early elementary school is a period of significant developmental improvement in child EF, although child performance on different EF tasks follows distinct trajectories across time. The study also provides evidence for a sustained relation between children's early attachment security and their ongoing acquisition of executive skills.