bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statin treatment may lower the risk of postradiation epilepsy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Rong Xiaoming , Yin Jing , Wang Hongxuan , Zhang Xiaoni , Peng Ying 
Published: October 2017

SummaryObjectiveThis study aimed to clarify the effect of statins on preventing the risk of postradiation epilepsy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of neurological nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with a history of radiotherapy. Patients with a history of epilepsy before radiation and those who received prophylactically antiepileptic treatment were excluded. The demographic and clinical data of these patients were collected through chart review. We used Kaplan–Meier analysis (log‐rank test) to examine the effect of statins on epilepsy‐free survival. Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify independent predictive variables.ResultsOur study included 532 patients (405 males and 127 females) with a mean follow‐up of 28.1 months. During follow‐up, 471 (88.5%) patients developed radiation‐induced brain necrosis (RN). Within a mean latency of 24.1 months, 88 (16.5%) patients experienced epilepsy, of whom 27 (27 of 88, 30.7%) patients suffered from epilepsy before the diagnosis of RN. Thirty‐six (36 of 88, 40.9%) cases of epilepsy occurred after RN onset, and in 22 cases (22 of 88, 25.0%) epilepsy was the first presentation of RN. Three patients suffered from epilepsy but did not have RN. Eighty‐eight patients in our cohort were treated with statins because of hyperlipidemia or prevention of cardiocerebrovascular diseases, of whom six (6.8%) developed epilepsy, whereas in those without statin, the epileptic rate was 18.5%. Log‐rank test found that there was a significant difference in epilepsy‐free survival between patients who used statins and those who did not (p = 0.016). After adjusting for confounding variables, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that statin use could still significantly reduce the risk of epilepsy after radiation (hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval = 0.15–0.82, p = 0.015). However, for the patients who already suffered from RN, statin treatment did not lower the risk of post‐RN epilepsy.SignificanceEarly statin use may reduce the risk of postradiotherapy epilepsy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Cortical light scattering during interictal epileptic spikes in frontal lobe epilepsy in children: A fast optical signal and electroencephalographic study
Authors: Manoochehri Mana , Mahmoudzadeh Mahdi , Bourel‐Ponchel Emilie , Wallois Fabrice 
Published: October 2017

SummaryObjectiveInterictal epileptic spikes (IES) represent a signature of the transient synchronous and excessive discharge of a large ensemble of cortical heterogeneous neurons. Epilepsy cannot be reduced to a hypersynchronous activation of neurons whose functioning is impaired, resulting on electroencephalogram (EEG) in epileptic seizures or IES. The complex pathophysiological mechanisms require a global approach to the interactions between neural synaptic and nonsynaptic, vascular, and metabolic systems. In the present study, we focused on the interaction between synaptic and nonsynaptic mechanisms through the simultaneous noninvasive multimodal multiscale recording of high‐density EEG (HD‐EEG; synaptic) and fast optical signal (FOS; nonsynaptic), which evaluate rapid changes in light scattering related to changes in membrane configuration occurring during neuronal activation of IES.MethodsTo evaluate changes in light scattering occurring around IES, three children with frontal IES were simultaneously recorded with HD‐EEG and FOS. To evaluate change in synchronization, time–frequency representation analysis of the HD‐EEG was performed simultaneously around the IES. To independently evaluate our multimodal method, a control experiment with somatosensory stimuli was designed and applied to five healthy volunteers.ResultsAlternating increase–decrease–increase in optical signals occurred 200 ms before to 180 ms after the IES peak. These changes started before any changes in EEG signal. In addition, time–frequency domain EEG analysis revealed alternating decrease–increase–decrease in the EEG spectral power concomitantly with changes in the optical signal during IES. These results suggest a relationship between (de)synchronization and neuronal volume changes in frontal lobe epilepsy during IES.SignificanceThese changes in the neuronal environment around IES in frontal lobe epilepsy observed in children, as they have been in rats, raise new questions about the synaptic/nonsynaptic mechanisms that propel the neurons to hypersynchronization, as occurs during IES. We further demonstrate that this noninvasive multiscale multimodal approach is suitable for studying the pathophysiology of the IES in patients.
Microbial communities and organic biomarkers in a Proterozoic‐analog sinkhole
Authors: Hamilton T. L. , Welander P. V. , Albrecht H. L. , Fulton J. M. , Schaperdoth I. , Bird L. R. , Summons R. E. , Freeman K. H. , Macalady J. L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLittle Salt Spring (Sarasota County, FL, USA) is a sinkhole with groundwater vents at ~77 m depth. The entire water column experiences sulfidic (~50 μM) conditions seasonally, resulting in a system poised between oxic and sulfidic conditions. Red pinnacle mats occupy the sediment–water interface in the sunlit upper basin of the sinkhole, and yielded 16S rRNA gene clones affiliated with Cyanobacteria, Chlorobi, and sulfate‐reducing clades of Deltaproteobacteria. Nine bacteriochlorophyll e homologues and isorenieratene indicate contributions from Chlorobi, and abundant chlorophyll a and pheophytin a are consistent with the presence of Cyanobacteria. The red pinnacle mat contains hopanoids, including 2‐methyl structures that have been interpreted as biomarkers for Cyanobacteria. A single sequence of hpnP, the gene required for methylation of hopanoids at the C‐2 position, was recovered in both DNA and cDNA libraries from the red pinnacle mat. The hpnP sequence was most closely related to cyanobacterial hpnP sequences, implying that Cyanobacteria are a source of 2‐methyl hopanoids present in the mat. The mats are capable of light‐dependent primary productivity as evidenced by 13C‐bicarbonate photoassimilation. We also observed 13C‐bicarbonate photoassimilation in the presence of DCMU, an inhibitor of electron transfer to Photosystem II. Our results indicate that the mats carry out light‐driven primary production in the absence of oxygen production—a mechanism that may have delayed the oxygenation of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere during the Proterozoic Eon. Furthermore, our observations of the production of 2‐methyl hopanoids by Cyanobacteria under conditions of low oxygen and low light are consistent with the recovery of these structures from ancient black shales as well as their paucity in modern marine environments.
Targeted subfield switchgrass integration could improve the farm economy, water quality, and bioenergy feedstock production
Authors: Brandes Elke , McNunn Gabe S. , Schulte Lisa A. , Muth David J. , VanLoocke Andy , Heaton Emily A 
Published: October 2017

AbstractProgress on reducing nutrient loss from annual croplands has been hampered by perceived conflicts between short‐term profitability and long‐term stewardship, but these may be overcome through strategic integration of perennial crops. Perennial biomass crops like switchgrass can mitigate nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N) leaching, address bioenergy feedstock targets, and – as a lower‐cost management alternative to annual crops (i.e., corn, soybeans) – may also improve farm profitability. We analyzed publicly available environmental, agronomic, and economic data with two integrated models: a subfield agroecosystem management model, Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF), and a process‐based biogeochemical model, DeNitrification‐DeComposition (DNDC). We constructed a factorial combination of profitability and NO3‐N leaching thresholds and simulated targeted switchgrass integration into corn/soybean cropland in the agricultural state of Iowa, USA. For each combination, we modeled (i) area converted to switchgrass, (ii) switchgrass biomass production, and (iii) NO3‐N leaching reduction. We spatially analyzed two scenarios: converting to switchgrass corn/soybean cropland losing >US$ 100 ha−1 and leaching >50 kg ha−1 (‘conservative’ scenario) or losing >US$ 0 ha−1 and leaching >20 kg ha−1 (‘nutrient reduction’ scenario). Compared to baseline, the ‘conservative’ scenario resulted in 12% of cropland converted to switchgrass, which produced 11 million Mg of biomass and reduced leached NO3‐N 18% statewide. The ‘nutrient reduction’ scenario converted 37% of cropland to switchgrass, producing 34 million Mg biomass and reducing leached NO3‐N 38% statewide. The opportunity to meet joint goals was greatest within watersheds with undulating topography and lower corn/soybean productivity. Our approach bridges the scales at which NO3‐N loss and profitability are usually considered, and is informed by both mechanistic and empirical understanding. Though approximated, our analysis supports development of farm‐level tools that can identify locations where both farm profitability and water quality improvement can be achieved through the strategic integration of perennial vegetation.
Structural Changes in the Labor Market and the Rise of Early Retirement in France and Germany
Authors: Batyra Anna , Pierrard Olivier , Croix David de la , Sneessens Henri R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe rise of early retirement in Europe is typically attributed to the European system of taxes and transfers. A model with an imperfectly competitive labor market allows us to consider also the effects of bargaining power and of matching efficiency on pre-retirement. We find that lower bargaining power of workers and declining matching efficiency have been important determinants of early retirement in France and Germany. These structural changes, combined with early retirement transfers and population aging, are also consistent with the employment and unemployment rates, labor share and seniority premia.
Low‐temperature sintering of ceramic proppants by adding solid wastes
Authors: Hao Jianying , Ma Haiqiang , Feng Xin , Gao Yunfeng , Wang Kaiyue , Tian Yuming 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLow‐density bauxite‐based ceramic proppants were prepared at sintering temperatures below 1300°C by adding solid wastes coal gangue and magnesium slag. The addition of solid wastes greatly decreases sintering temperature and preparation cost. The density and strength of ceramic proppants were tested according to the standard, and the morphology and phase composition were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the main crystal phases are corundum and mullite, and the most suitable sintering temperature is 1250°C. At the sintering temperature apparent density is 2.84 g/cm3, and breakage ratio is 7.16% under 52 MPa closed pressure. Magnesium slag will react with some oxides of raw material at high temperature and form liquid phase, making the structure of ceramic more compact. The prepared ceramic proppants meet China industrial standard requirements SY/T5108‐2014.
“Now I am also Israeli”: From Illegality to Legality ‐ Life experiences and identities of migrant workers’ children after receiving civil status in Israel
Authors: Babis Deby , Lifszyc‐Friedlander Anabel , Sabar Galia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn 2006 and 2010, following demands from local and international civil society organizations, Israel granted civil status to approximately 1500 undocumented migrant workers’ children. This was considered a “one time humanitarian gesture,” not to be repeated. Thousands of other children, who did not fulfill the required criteria, were left without civil status. Within the context of Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people, this mixed‐methods study explored how the children's life experiences have been constructed and reconstructed since the inception of their new civil status. According to the findings, 80 per cent of migrant workers’ children reveal a high degree of belonging to Israeli society, defining themselves as Israelis. For them, receiving civil status has four practical implications: being able to serve in the Israeli army; the ability to travel abroad; better access to the job market; and freedom from fear of deportation. Our study also revealed difficulties due to their religious and ethnic identities, reflected in the children's understandings of what it means to be Israeli. The complex manifestations of their newly acquired civil status is embedded in the concept of “freedom,” i.e. to do and to be what they really want to be.
Customer‐oriented employees: Blessing or curse for firms?
Authors: Manna Ester 
Published: October 2017

AbstractI investigate whether the presence of customer‐oriented employees benefits firms in a competitive environment. Employees are defined as customer‐oriented if they are interested not only in their wage but also in the well‐being of their customers. I find that firms may obtain higher profits by hiring self‐interested rather than customer‐oriented employees. This is because the employees' customer orientation has opposing effects on the profits obtained by the firms. On the one hand, customer‐oriented employees provide a given level of quality for a lower wage. On the other hand, the employees' customer orientation increases competition reducing prices. If the second effect dominates, firms find themselves trapped in a prisoners' dilemma as the strategy of hiring self‐interested employees is strictly dominated by that of hiring customer‐oriented employees. Hence, the very presence of customer‐oriented employees may hurt firms. If motivated employees are merely interested in the quality of the good provided, the effect on the price outlined before disappears.
Evaluation of currently employed food preservation conditions to tackle biofilm forming food pathogens
Authors: Vijayakumari Nadaraja Anupama , Jayakumaran Nair Ananthanarayan , Prameela Mary , Hari Neethu , Balakrishnan Nidhin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractControlling biofilm forming, pathogenic bacteria is an emerging challenge in the food industry, and the present study aims to test the efficacy of existing food preservation methods against these bacteria. We isolated 10 different biofilm forming pathogenic bacteria viz. Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus anthracis, and Myroides odoratimimus from spoiled milk, biscuits, and cakes. K. quasipneumonia and B. amyloliquifaciens formed strong biofilm (OD550 > 0.85), whereas B. cereus, B. anthracis, and M. odoratimimus made moderate biofilm (OD5505 > 0.6) in 72 hr. The isolates, B. amyloliquifaciencs, B. anthracis, and M. odoratimimus were found positive for protease activity. The isolates showed significant tolerance to preservation conditions: pH (4–10), salt (up to 5%), temperature (up to 50°C) and sodium benzoate (up to 0.1%). The isolates also exhibited high antibiotic resistance, maximum by M. odoratimimus (MIC ≤ 256 µg/ml) against chloramphenicol which can have serious implications especially in tackling food borne illness caused by the biofilm forming food pathogens.Practical applicationsThe present study discloses the presence of biofilm forming pathogenic bacterial strains in common food stuff and their tolerance of preservation conditions and resistance to antibiotics. The occurrence of pathogens tolerant to common preservation conditions and their resistance to antibiotic should be addressed very cautiously. The significant findings of this study warrant the need for more stringent preservation methods to control food pathogens, especially the biofilm forming type. Moreover, findings of the present study will help to design novel preservation techniques such as incorporating antibiofilm coatings in food processing units and packaging materials, which will ensure food safety and public health.
Metamorphic record of collision and collapse in the Ediacaran‐Cambrian Araçuaí orogen, SE‐Brazil: Insights from P–T pseudosections and monazite dating
Authors: Peixoto Eliza , Alkmim Fernando F. , Pedrosa‐Soares Antônio , Lana Cristiano , Chaves Alexandre O. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Araçuaí orogen is the Brazilian counterpart of the Araçuaí‐West Congo orogenic system (AWCO), a component of the Ediacaran‐Cambrian orogenic network formed during the amalgamation of West Gondwana. The northwestern portion of the Araçuaí orogen is dominated by a succession of metasedimentary rocks made up of Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic rift, passive margin and syn‐orogenic sequences, locally intruded by post‐collisional granites. These sequences are involved in three distinct tectonic units, which from west to east are: the southern Espinhaço fold‐thrust system (SE‐thrust system), the normal‐sense Chapada Acauã shear zone (CASZ) and the Salinas synclinorium. Three deformation phases were documented in the region. The first two phases (D1 and D2) are characterized by contractional structures and represent the collisional development stage of the orogen. The third phase (D3) is extensional and currently viewed as a manifestation of orogenic collapse of the system. The distribution of the metamorphic mineral assemblages in the region characterizes two metamorphic domains. The M‐Domain I on the west, encompassing the SE‐thrust system and the CASZ, is marked by a syn‐collisional (syn‐D1) Barrovian‐type metamorphism with P–T conditions increasing eastwards and reaching ~8.5 kbar at ~650°C between 575 and 565 Ma. The M‐Domain II comprises the Salinas synclinorium in the hangingwall of the CASZ, and besides the greenschist facies syn‐collisional metamorphism, records mainly a Buchan‐type metamorphic event, which took place under 3–5.5 kbar and up to 640°C at c. 530 Ma. The northwestern Araçuaí orogen exhibits, thus, a paired metamorphic pattern, in which the Barrovian and Buchan‐type metamorphic domains are juxtaposed by a normal‐sense shear zone. Lithospheric thinning during the extensional collapse of the orogen promoted ascent of the geotherms and melt generation. A large volume of granites was emplaced in the high grade and anatectic core of the orogen during this stage, and heat advected from these intrusions caused the development of Buchan facies series over a relatively large area. Renewed granite plutonism, hydrothermal activities followed by progressive cooling affected the system between 530 and 490 Ma.
Flexibility in Wage Setting Under the Threat of Relocation
Authors: Goeddeke Anna , Haucap Justus , Herr Annika , Wey Christian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRelocation of production to countries with low labour costs has induced increased labour market flexibility, which has been praised as a silver bullet for economic growth and low unemployment. Within a unionised oligopoly framework, in which a multinational firm has the option to relocate its production to a foreign country, we analyse the welfare implications of both centralised and flexible wage‐setting regimes. For very low foreign wages, wage flexibility leads to higher welfare than a rigid centralised regime. In contrast, for ‘intermediate’ wage levels in the foreign country, an industry‐wide uniform wage leads to higher social welfare than flexible wages.
Chemical composition and iron oxidation state of amorphous matrix silicates in the carbonaceous chondrite Acfer 094
Authors: Hopp Timo , Vollmer Christian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNanoscale amorphous silicates are a major component in primitive carbonaceous chondrite matrices and anhydrous interplanetary dust particles. Owing to their metastability and sensitive response to reactions with water, this material is of particular interest in understanding nebular and parent body processes in the early solar system. Here we investigated the amorphous silicate matrix (ASM) in the ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite Acfer 094 regarding its texture, chemical composition, and Fe oxidation state. We applied transmission electron microscopy techniques on six, focused ion beam technique‐prepared, electron‐transparent lamellae of Acfer 094 to determine the textures of this material. Furthermore, we used energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy to quantify the Fe content and the Fe oxidation state of the ASM. Textural investigations reveal differences in sulfide content, porosity, and distribution of the ASM among the samples, as well as evidence for rare recrystallization of phyllosilicate fibers. The chemical composition reveals mobilization of Fe. Furthermore, the determined Fe3+/ΣFe ratios of the ASM in the six samples display a homogeneously high oxidation state (0.66–0.73). This high and homogeneous Fe oxidation state in the ASM of Acfer 094 disagrees with its formation as a primary phase in a reduced solar gas and must have been induced in a later stage process. Most likely, this process was aqueous alteration on the Acfer 094 parent body, which led to hydration and oxidation of the ASM, which is supported by textural and chemical evidence of aqueous alteration.
Overexpression of serine acetyltransferase in maize leaves increases seed‐specific methionine‐rich zeins
Authors: Xiang Xiaoli , Wu Yongrui , Planta José , Messing Joachim , Leustek Thomas 
Published: October 2017

SummaryMaize kernels do not contain enough of the essential sulphur‐amino acid methionine (Met) to serve as a complete diet for animals, even though maize has the genetic capacity to store Met in kernels. Prior studies indicated that the availability of the sulphur (S)‐amino acids may limit their incorporation into seed storage proteins. Serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is a key control point for S‐assimilation leading to Cys and Met biosynthesis, and SAT overexpression is known to enhance S‐assimilation without negative impact on plant growth. Therefore, we overexpressed Arabidopsis thaliana AtSAT1 in maize under control of the leaf bundle sheath cell‐specific rbcS1 promoter to determine the impact on seed storage protein expression. The transgenic events exhibited up to 12‐fold higher SAT activity without negative impact on growth. S‐assimilation was increased in the leaves of SAT overexpressing plants, followed by higher levels of storage protein mRNA and storage proteins, particularly the 10‐kDa δ‐zein, during endosperm development. This zein is known to impact the level of Met stored in kernels. The elite event with the highest expression of AtSAT1 showed 1.40‐fold increase in kernel Met. When fed to chickens, transgenic AtSAT1 kernels significantly increased growth rate compared with the parent maize line. The result demonstrates the efficacy of increasing maize nutritional value by SAT overexpression without apparent yield loss. Maternal overexpression of SAT in vegetative tissues was necessary for high‐Met zein accumulation. Moreover, SAT overcomes the shortage of S‐amino acids that limits the expression and accumulation of high‐Met zeins during kernel development.