bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Declines in plant palatability from polar to tropical latitudes depend on herbivore and plant identity
Authors: Demko Alyssa M. , Amsler Charles D. , Hay Mark E. , Long Jeremy D. , McClintock James B. , Paul Valerie J. , Sotka Erik E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLong‐standing theory predicts that the intensity of consumer–prey interactions declines with increasing latitude, yet for plant–herbivore interactions, latitudinal changes in herbivory rates and plant palatability have received variable support. The topic is of growing interest given that lower‐latitude species are moving poleward at an accelerating rate due to climate change, and predicting local interactions will depend partly on whether latitudinal gradients occur in these critical biotic interactions. Here, we assayed the palatability of 50 seaweeds collected from polar (Antarctica), temperate (northeastern Pacific; California), and tropical (central Pacific; Fiji) locations to two herbivores native to the tropical and subtropical Atlantic, the generalist crab Mithraculus sculptus and sea urchin Echinometra lucunter. Red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) of polar and temperate origin were more readily consumed by urchins than were tropical reds. The decline in palatability with decreasing latitude is explained by shifts in tissue organic content along with the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites, degree of calcification or both. We detected no latitudinal shift in palatability of red seaweeds to crabs, nor any latitudinal shifts in palatability of brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta) to either crabs or urchins. Our results suggest that evolutionary pressure from tropical herbivores favored red seaweeds with lower palatability, either through the production of greater levels of chemical defenses, calcification, or both. Moreover, our results tentatively suggest that the “tropicalization” of temperate habitats is facilitated by the migration of tropical herbivores into temperate areas dominated by weakly defended and more nutritious foods, and that the removal of these competing seaweeds may facilitate the invasion of better‐defended tropical seaweeds.
Graphene/Poly(vinylferrocene) Composite Based Amperometric Biosensor for L‐lysine Determination
Authors: Kaçar Ceren , Erden Pınar Esra , Kılıç Esma 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA novel and sensitive amperometric biosensor for L‐lysine determination based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with graphene (GR) and redox polymer poly(vinylferrocene) (PVF) was constructed. L‐lysine‐α‐oxidase was immobilized onto the modified GCE by a glutaraldehyde/bovine serum albumin cross‐linking procedure. SEM, CV and EIS were used for the characterization of the surface morphology and stepwise fabrication processes of PVF/GR composite. Optimal composition of the biosensor and experimental conditions that affect the performance of the biosensor are discussed. The effect of buffer pH on biosensor response was studied in detail over a wide pH range. L‐lysine biosensor displayed a linear range of 9.9×10−7‐ 3.1×10−4M with a low detection limit of 2.3×10−7M andKMappvalue of 0.4 mM. The L‐lysine biosensor was tested using pharmaceutical sample and cheese with satisfactory results.
Analysis of selected genes associated with cardiomyopathy by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Szabadosova Viktoria , Boronova Iveta , Ferenc Peter , Tothova Iveta , Bernasovska Jarmila , Zigova Michaela , Kmec Jan , Bernasovsky Ivan 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundAs the leading cause of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy represents a heterogenous group of heart muscle disorders. Despite considerable progress being made in the genetic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy by detection of the mutations in the most prevalent cardiomyopathy genes, the cause remains unsolved in many patients. High‐throughput mutation screening in the disease genes for cardiomyopathy is now possible because of using target enrichment followed by next‐generation sequencing. The aim of the study was to analyze a panel of genes associated with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy based on previously published results in order to identify the subjects at risk.MethodsThe method of next‐generation sequencing by IlluminaHiSeq 2500 platform was used to detect sequence variants in 16 individuals diagnosed with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Detected variants were filtered and the functional impact of amino acid changes was predicted by computational programs.ResultsDNA samples of the 16 patients were analyzed by whole exome sequencing. We identified six nonsynonymous variants that were shown to be pathogenic in all used prediction softwares: rs3744998 (EPG5), rs11551768 (MGME1), rs148374985 (MURC), rs78461695 (PLEC), rs17158558 (RET) and rs2295190 (SYNE1). Two of the analyzed sequence variants had minor allele frequency (MAF)<0.01: rs148374985 (MURC), rs34580776 (MYBPC3).ConclusionOur data support the potential role of the detected variants in pathogenesis of dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; however, the possibility that these variants might not be true disease‐causing variants but are susceptibility alleles that require additional mutations or injury to cause the clinical phenotype of disease must be considered.
The risk factor of false‐negative and false‐positive for T‐SPOT.TB in active tuberculosis
Authors: Di Li , Li Yan 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesT‐SPOT.TB is a promising diagnosis tool to identify both pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, as well as latent tuberculosis; however, the factors that affect the results of T‐SPOT.TB remains unclear. In this study, we aim to figure out the risk factor of T‐SPOT.TB for active TB.MethodsA total of 349 patients were recruited between January 1st, 2016 and January 22st, 2017 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, including 98 subjects with TB and 251 subjects with non‐TB disease, and received T‐SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotec Ltd). Statistics were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 using logistic regression.ResultsThe overall specificity and sensitivity of the T‐SPOT.TB was 92.83% (233/251; 95%CI 0.8872‐0.9557) and 83.67% (82/98; 95%CI 0.7454‐0.9010), respectively. Patients with tuberculous meningitis were more likely to have false‐negative results (OR 17.4, 95%CI 3.068‐98.671; P<.001) while patients with cured TB tended to induce false‐positive results (OR 30.297; 95%CI 7.069‐129.849; P<.001). The results were not affected by sex, age, onset time, smoke, alcohol, treatment, allergic history, co‐morbidity, TB (exclude tuberculous meningitis) (P>.05).ConclusionTuberculous meningitis was a risk factor of false‐negative for T‐SPOT.TB, while cured TB was a risk factor of false‐positive.
Temporal variability of ENSO effects on corn yield at the central region of Argentina
Authors: Jozami Emiliano , Montero Bulacio Enrique , Coronel Alejandra 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTThe yield of corn is strongly affected by climatic conditions during the growing season. In the central region of Argentina, this crop is mainly managed under rainfed conditions. Hence, in most years, it is subjected to drought at some period during the growing season. El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is known to influence rainfall in this region, mainly during the warm semester, hence affecting summer crops yields. This study assessed the relationship between ENSO [analysed through the June–July–August Oceanic Niño Index (JJA‐ONI)] and corn yields in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos and Santa Fe, which is the main corn‐growing area in Argentina. This was performed for two contrasting periods regarding technology applied in the agricultural sector: 1972–1991 and 1992–2012. Remarkable increases in corn yield between periods were found for the entire region. Except for the province of Entre Ríos, we found statistically significant differences between periods in the trends of corn yield by performing the Chow test. Significant correlations (P < 0.01) between the JJA‐ONI and corn yield were found in many counties of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos and Santa Fe provinces. The correlation was higher in the second period for most counties. We consider that two hypotheses could explain this correlation increase: (1) in previous decades the best growing seasons (from a climatic point of view) were not fully exploited because of a low use of inputs and technology; and (2) the correlation between the ONI and rainfall could have increased in the last decades. We confirmed the latter hypothesis with rainfall data from conventional meteorological stations of 11 locations of the region under analysis. The JJA‐ONI assessed in this research is available before farmers make their most relevant corn management decisions (fertilizer dose, sowing date, density, etc.), thus making this index highly valuable.
Frequency Domain Analysis of Multiwavelength Photoacoustic Signals for Differentiating Among Malignant, Benign, and Normal Thyroids in an Ex Vivo Study With Human Thyroids
Authors: Sinha Saugata , Dogra Vikram S. , Chinni Bhargava K. , Rao Navalgund A. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesThis study investigated the capability of spectral parameters, extracted by frequency domain analysis of photoacoustic signals, to differentiate among malignant, benign, and normal thyroid tissue.MethodsWe acquired multiwavelength photoacoustic images of freshly excised thyroid specimens collected from 50 patients who underwent thyroidectomy after having a diagnosis of suspected thyroid lesions. A thyroid cytopathologist marked histologic slides of each tissue specimen. These marked slides were used as ground truth to identify the regions of interest (ROIs) corresponding to malignant, benign, and normal thyroid tissue. Three spectral parameters: namely, slope, midband fit, and intercept, were extracted from photoacoustic signals corresponding to different ROIs.ResultsSpectral parameters were extracted from a total of total of 65 ROIs. According to the ground truth, 12 of 65 ROIs belonged to malignant thyroids; 28 of 65 ROIs belonged to benign thyroids; and 25 of 65 ROIs belonged to normal thyroids. Besides slope, the other 2 spectral parameters and grayscale photoacoustic image pixel values were found to be significantly different (P < .05) between malignant and normal thyroids. Between benign and normal thyroids, all 3 spectral parameters and photoacoustic pixel values were significantly different (P < .05).ConclusionsPreliminary results of our ex vivo human thyroid study show that the spectral parameters extracted from radiofrequency photoacoustic signals as well as the pixel values of 2‐dimensional photoacoustic images can be used for differentiating among malignant, benign, and normal thyroid tissue.
Rapid computation of single PET scan rest‐stress myocardial blood flow parametric images by table look up
Authors: Guehl Nicolas J. , Normandin Marc D. , Wooten Dustin W. , Rozen Guy , Ruskin Jeremy N. , Shoup Timothy M. , Woo Jonghye , Ptaszek Leon M. , Fakhri Georges El , Alpert Nathaniel M. 
Published: June 2017

PurposeWe have recently reported a method for measuring rest‐stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) using a single, relatively short, PET scan session. The method requires two IV tracer injections, one to initiate rest imaging and one at peak stress. We previously validated absolute flow quantitation in ml/min/cc for standard bull's eye, segmental analysis. In this work, we extend the method for fast computation of rest‐stress MBF parametric images.MethodsWe provide an analytic solution to the single‐scan rest‐stress flow model which is then solved using a two‐dimensional table lookup method (LM). Simulations were performed to compare the accuracy and precision of the lookup method with the original nonlinear method (NLM). Then the method was applied to 16 single scan rest/stress measurements made in 12 pigs: seven studied after infarction of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory, and nine imaged in the native state. Parametric maps of rest and stress MBF as well as maps of left (fLV) and right (fRV) ventricular spill‐over fractions were generated. Regions of interest (ROIs) for 17 myocardial segments were defined in bull's eye fashion on the parametric maps. The mean of each ROI was then compared to the rest (K1r) and stress (K1s) MBF estimates obtained from fitting the 17 regional TACs with the NLM.ResultsIn simulation, the LM performed as well as the NLM in terms of precision and accuracy. The simulation did not show that bias was introduced by the use of a predefined two‐dimensional lookup table. In experimental data, parametric maps demonstrated good statistical quality and the LM was computationally much more efficient than the original NLM. Very good agreement was obtained between the mean MBF calculated on the parametric maps for each of the 17 ROIs and the regional MBF values estimated by the NLM (K1map LM = 1.019 × K1ROI NLM + 0.019, R2 = 0.986; mean difference = 0.034 ± 0.036 mL/min/cc).ConclusionsWe developed a table lookup method for fast computation of parametric imaging of rest and stress MBF. Our results show the feasibility of obtaining good quality MBF maps using modest computational resources, thus demonstrating that the method can be applied in a clinical environment to obtain full quantitative MBF information.
Psychosocial Influences on Fruit and Vegetable Intake Following a NYC Supermarket Discount
Authors: Bernales‐Korins Maria , Ang Ian Yi Han , Khan Shamima , Geliebter Allan 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of a 50% discount on fruits and vegetables (F&V) on the purchase and intake of F&V and on psychosocial determinants of F&V intake: self‐efficacy (SE), stages of change (SOC), and perceived barriers (PB).MethodsThis randomized controlled trial was conducted in local supermarkets over 16 weeks, including a 4‐week baseline, 8‐week discount intervention, and 4‐week follow‐up. Shoppers with overweight or obesity (BMI > 25) were randomized to receive a discount or no discount via their reward scan card after the baseline. Twenty‐four‐hour recalls and psychosocial measures were obtained for each study period.ResultsPurchases (P < 0.0005) and intakes (P = 0.019) of F&V increased significantly during the intervention, while only F&V intake was sustained at follow‐up. The discount intervention increased SE (P < 0.01) and SOC (P < 0.05) and did not decrease PB (P = 0.057) during the intervention. SOC mediated the discount intervention effect on F&V intake (P < 0.05) during the intervention, explaining 43% of variance.ConclusionsA supermarket discount intervention led to increases in purchases and intakes of F&V and increases in the psychosocial factors SE and SOC and did not decrease PB. The discount intervention prompted participants to move from the preparation to action stage of SOC, which acted as a mediator for increased F&V intake.
Trends in antidepressant prescribing to children and adolescents in Canadian primary care: A time‐series analysis
Authors: Morkem Rachael , Williamson Tyler , Patten Scott , Queenan John A. , Wong Sabrina T. , Manca Donna , Barber David 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe the trends and patterns of antidepressant (AD) prescribing to children and adolescents in Canadian primary care before and after the black‐box warning in 2004.MethodsPrescription data from the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network, a repository of primary care data on over 1 million patients, was used to analyze AD prescribing to children (8‐11 y) and adolescents (12‐18 y) between 2000 and 2014. Interrupted time series analyses were used to assess the impact of the 2004 black‐box warning on the prescribing levels of ADs.ResultsThe 2004 black‐box warning had a significant and immediate effect on the prescribing of AD. However, this drop was not sustained, and 5 years after the advisory AD prescribing rates reversed direction and started to rise. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors dominated as the most common AD prescribed throughout the study period, increasing from 66% prior to the black‐box warning to 83.12% after 2009.ConclusionsThe black‐box warning effectively reduced AD prescribing in primary care for approximately 5 years before a reversal back to a positive rate of prescribing. This rebounding could reflect an emerging consensus about the trade‐off in risks and benefits.
Improvement in open circuit voltage of n‐ZnO/p‐Si solar cell by using amorphous‐ZnO at the interface
Authors: Hussain Babar 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSeveral research groups are currently working on n‐ZnO/p‐Si heterojunction solar cell, and recently, Pietruszka et al [Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. Cells 147 (2016) 164‐170] has reported the highest efficiency of 7.1% for this structure. The main challenge is to enhance the open circuit voltage up to theoretically predicted value of >0.6 V. This paper reports >20% improvement in open circuit voltage of n‐ZnO/p‐Si solar cell by depositing amorphous‐ZnO at the interface at room temperature that possibly improves the passivation and/or avoids oxide formation at the interface during ZnO deposition. Two other materials, aluminum nitride and amorphous‐Si, have also been used as buffer layers to evaluate their effect on suppression of interface states. Furthermore, additional advantage of ZnO as an antireflector has been experimentally verified for different thicknesses of ZnO film.
Investigation of Energetic Particle Distribution from High‐Order Detonations of Munitions
Authors: Walsh Michael R. , Temple Tracey , Bigl Matthew F. , Tshabalala Seipati F. , Mai Nathalie , Ladyman Melissa 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMilitary training with munitions containing explosives will result in the deposition of energetic materials on ranges. These residues contain compounds that may result in human health impacts when off‐range migration occurs. Models exist that predict the spatial and mass distribution of particles, but they have proven to be difficult to apply to detonating munitions. We have conducted a series of tests to determine if modelling results can be directly applied to simple detonation scenarios. We also command detonated several rounds to obtain an initial indication of high‐order detonation particle distributional heterogeneity. The detonation tests indicate that particle distributions will be quite heterogeneous and that the model used did not adequately describe the distribution of detonation residues. This research will need to be expanded to build an empirical database sufficient to enable the refinement of existing models and improve their predictions. Research on low‐order detonations should be conducted as low‐order detonations will result in higher mass deposition than high‐order detonations. Distribution models verified with empirical data may then be incorporated into range management models.
Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels in the transition zone correlate with prostate volume
Authors: Pejčić Tomislav , Tosti Tomislav , Tešić Živoslav , Milković Borivoj , Dragičević Dejan , Kozomara Milutin , Čekerevac Milica , Džamić Zoran 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundThere is still no consensus regarding intraprostatic androgen levels and the accumulation of androgens in the hyperplastic prostatic tissue. The current opinion is that intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations are maintained but not elevated in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), while there is no similar data concerning intraprostatic testosterone (T).MethodsTissue T (tT) and tissue DHT (tDHT) concentration were determined in 93 patients scheduled for initial prostate biopsy. The criteria for biopsy were abnormal DRE and/or PSA > 4 ng/mL. Total prostate volume (TPV) was determined by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). During TRUS‐ guided prostate biopsy, 10‐12 samples were collected from the peripheral zone (PZ) and two additional samples were collected from the transition zone (TZ). The samples from the TZ were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen at −70°C, and transported for tissue androgen determination, using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS).ResultsPathological analysis revealed that prostate cancer (PCa) was present in 45 and absent in 48 patients. In the whole group, there were 42 men with small prostate (TPV < 30 mL) and 51 with enlarged prostate (TPV ≥ 31 mL). The overall average tT level was 0.79 ± 0.66 ng/g, while the average tDHT level was 10.27 ± 7.15 ng/g. There were no differences in tT and tDHT level in prostates with and without PCa. However, tT and tDHT levels were significantly higher in larger, than in smaller prostates (tT: 1.05 ± 0.75 and 0.46 ± 0.29 ng/g, and tDHT: 15.0 ± 6.09 and 4.51 ± 2.75 ng/g, respectively). There were strong correlations between tT and TPV (r = 0.71), and tDHT and TPV (r = 0.74).ConclusionsThe present study confirmed that both T and DHT accumulated in the stroma of enlarged prostates; the degree of accumulation correlated with prostate volume.
Realistic simulations of the July 1, 2011 severe wind event over the Buffalo Ridge Wind Farm
Authors: Hawbecker Patrick , Basu Sukanta , Manuel Lance 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSevere winds from thunderstorm outflows pose a challenge to wind turbine arrays. They can cause significant power ramps and disruption in energy production. They can also cause extreme structural damage to turbines as was seen in the severe storm event over the Buffalo Ridge Wind Farm on July 1, 2011. At this southwestern Minnesota site, blades from multiple turbines broke away and a tower buckled in the intense winds. In this study, we attempt to characterize meteorological conditions over the Buffalo Ridge Wind Farm area during this event. The observational network included NEXRAD radars, automated surface observation stations and a wind profiler. Storm reports from the Storm Prediction Center and damage surveys provided additional insight to the in situ measurements. Even with these datasets, assessing wind speeds around turbine rotors is difficult. Thus, Weather Research and Forecasting model simulations of the event are carried out that consider current and anticipated future operational model setups. This work addresses model spatial resolution versus parameterization complexity. Parameterizations of the planetary boundary layer and microphysics processes are evaluated based on their impact on storm dynamics and the low‐level wind field. Results are also compared with the Wind Integration National Dataset, which utilizes data assimilation and an extensive continental domain. Enhanced horizontal resolution with simplistic parameterization helps increase resolved wind speeds and ramp intensity. Enhanced sophistication of microphysics parameterizations also helps increase resolved wind speeds, improve storm timing and structure and resolve higher values of turbulent kinetic energy in the lowest 1 km of the atmosphere. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.