bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motor performance in Prader-Willi syndrome patients and its potential influence on caregiver’s quality of life
Authors: Chiu Valeria Jia-Yi , Tsai Li-Ping , Wei Jang-Ting , Tzeng I-Shiang , Wu Hsin-Chi 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundPrader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex, multisystem genetic disorder characterized by a variety of physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. PWS is a unique sarcopenia model characterized by an abnormal increase in body fat mass and a decrease in muscle mass that predisposes patients to reduced physical activity, functional limitations, and disability. These manifestations may require both symptomatic and supportive management, thus negatively influencing their lifelong family caregiver’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the functional motor performance of adults with PWS in Taiwan and to measure the quality of life of their primary family caregivers.MethodsThe functional motor tests consisted of the following: (1) 30-s sit-to-stand test, (2) timed up-and-go test, (3) hand grip and lateral pinch strength tests, and (4) Berg Balance Scale. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-short form (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) were used to evaluate health-related quality of life, and the parenting stress index was used to assess the magnitude of stress within the parent-child system.ResultsThe participants included seven adults (two females and five males) with genetically confirmed PWS and their respective main caregivers. The mean age of the adults with PWS was 25.28 years; range 18–31 years, SD 5.10; the mean BMI was 29.2 kg/m2, SD 6.43. All adults with PWS showed lower hand grip and lateral pinch strengths, fewer sit-to-stand cycles during the 30-s chair stand test, and greater average time during the timed up-and-go test when compared to the normative data on healthy adults. Balance was negatively correlated with the caregiver’s health concepts of social functioning (rs−0.879,P = 0.009) and with role limitations due to physical problems (rs−0.899,P = 0.006) and emotional problems (rs−0.794,P = 0.033); hand grip strength was negatively correlated with bodily pain (rs−0.800,P = 0.031), as assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The timed up-and-go test was positively correlated with the social relationship domain (rs0.831,P = 0.021), as assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The parenting stress index showed no association with the PWS patient’s physical activities.ConclusionsAll adults with PWS showed decreased upper and lower limb strength and functional mobility when compared to healthy adults. Some of their motor performance might have negative effects on their primary family members in terms of social participation and physical and emotional role limitations. Future research should explore the relationship between physical performances, psychological difficulties of PWS and caregiver’s QOL.
The Molybdenum Isotope System as a Tracer of Slab Input in Subduction Zones: An Example From Martinique, Lesser Antilles Arc
Authors: Gaschnig Richard M. , Reinhard Christopher T. , Planavsky Noah J. , Wang Xiangli , Asael Dan , Chauvel Catherine 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMolybdenum isotopes are fractionated by Earth‐surface processes and may provide a tracer for the recycling of crustal material into the mantle. Here, we examined the Mo isotope composition of arc lavas from Martinique in the Lesser Antilles arc, along with Cretaceous and Cenozoic Deep Sea Drilling Project sediments representing potential sedimentary inputs into the subduction zone. Mo stable isotope composition (defined as δ98Mo in ‰ deviation from the NIST 3134 standard) in lavas older than ∼7 million years (Ma) exhibits a narrow range similar to and slightly higher than MORB, whereas those younger than ∼7 Ma show a much greater range and extend to unusually low δ98Mo values. Sediments from DSDP Leg 78A, Site 543 have uniformly low δ98Mo values whereas Leg 14, Site 144 contains both sediments with isotopically light Mo and Mo‐enriched black shales with isotopically heavy Mo. When coupled with published radiogenic isotope data, Mo isotope systematics of the lavas can be explained through binary mixing between a MORB‐like end‐member and different sedimentary compositions identified in the DSDP cores. The lavas older than ∼7 Ma were influenced by incorporation of isotopically heavy black shales into the mantle wedge. The younger lavas are the product of mixing isotopically light sedimentary material into the mantle wedge. The change in Mo isotope composition of the lavas at ∼7 Ma is interpreted to reflect the removal of the Cretaceous black shale component due to the arrival of younger ocean crust where the age‐equivalent Cretaceous sediments were deposited in shallower oxic waters. Isotopic fractionation of Mo during its removal from the slab is not required to explain the observed systematics in this system.
Changing Abundance of Magnetofossil Morphologies in Pelagic Red Clay Around Minamitorishima, Western North Pacific
Authors: Usui Yoichi , Yamazaki Toshitsugu , Saitoh Masafumi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRecent investigations have discovered an unexpected abundance of magnetofossils in oxic pelagic red clays. These have potential to serve as paleoenvironmental tracers in otherwise nonfossiliferous sediments. Here, we report on variations in the abundance and morphology of magnetofossils in red clay from the western North Pacific. Magnetic measurements revealed that magnetofossils dominate the magnetic mineral assemblage of the sediments. An endmember analysis of isothermal remanent magnetization acquisition curves, supplemented by an analysis of S ratios, indicates that the magnetic assemblage can be unmixed into three endmembers, two corresponding to magnetofossils and one to terrigenous magnetic minerals. Direct counting of magnetofossil morphologies under a transmission electron microscope shows that the two magnetofossil endmembers differentiate equant magnetofossils and bullet‐shaped magnetofossils, respectively. The stratigraphic variation of the endmember contributions revealed that the equant magnetofossils are dominant for the most part, while an interval at around 7 m in core depth shows higher abundance of the bullet‐shaped magnetofossils. This may reflect enhanced organic carbon flux to the sediments. The organic carbon content is low throughout the sediments, and it does not show any change corresponding to the increase of bullet‐shaped magnetofossils, pointing at extensive remineralization of the organic carbon. On the basis of lithostratigraphic correlation to nearby drilling sites, we tentatively estimate the age of the bullet‐shaped magnetofossil increase as sometime between ∼75 and 25 Ma. These results suggest that environmental information can be obtained from magnetofossils in pelagic red clay.
Neogene Uplift and Magmatism of Anatolia: Insights From Drainage Analysis and Basaltic Geochemistry
Authors: McNab F. , Ball P. W. , Hoggard M. J. , White N. J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIt is agreed that mantle dynamics have played a role in generating and maintaining the elevated topography of Anatolia during Neogene times. However, there is debate about the relative importance of subduction zone and asthenospheric processes. Key issues concern onset and cause of regional uplift, thickness of the lithospheric plate, and the presence/absence of temperature and/or compositional anomalies within the convecting mantle. Here, we tackle these interlinked issues by analyzing and modeling two disparate suites of observations. First, a drainage inventory of 1,844 longitudinal river profiles is assembled. This database is inverted to calculate the variation of Neogene regional uplift through time and space by minimizing the misfit between observed and calculated river profiles subject to independent calibration. Our results suggest that regional uplift commenced at 20 Ma in the east and propagated westward. Second, we have assembled a database of geochemical analyses of basaltic rocks. Two different approaches have been used to quantitatively model this database with a view to determining the depth and degree of asthenospheric melting across Anatolia. Our results suggest that melting occurs at depths as shallow as 60 km in the presence of mantle potential temperatures as high as 1400°C. There is evidence that temperatures are higher in the east, consistent with the pattern of subplate shear wave velocity anomalies. Our combined results are consistent with isostatic and admittance analyses and suggest that elevated asthenospheric temperatures beneath thinned Anatolian lithosphere have played a first‐order role in generating and maintaining regional dynamic topography and basaltic magmatism.
Predicting Sediment Thickness on Vanished Ocean Crust Since 200 Ma
Authors: Dutkiewicz A. , Müller R. D. , Wang X. , O'Callaghan S. , Cannon J. , Wright N. M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTracing sedimentation through time on existing and vanished seafloor is imperative for constraining long‐term eustasy and for calculating volumes of subducted deep‐sea sediments that contribute to global geochemical cycles. We present regression algorithms that incorporate the age of the ocean crust and the mean distance to the nearest passive margin to predict sediment thicknesses and long‐term decompacted sedimentation rates since 200 Ma. The mean sediment thickness decreases from ∼220 m at 200 Ma to a minimum of ∼140 m at 130 Ma, reflecting the replacement of old Panthalassic ocean floor with young sediment‐poor mid‐ocean ridges, followed by an increase to ∼365 m at present‐day. This increase reflects the accumulation of sediments on ageing abyssal plains proximal to passive margins, coupled with a decrease in the mean distance of any parcel of ocean crust to the nearest passive margin by over 700 km, and a doubling of the total passive margin length at present‐day. Mean long‐term sedimentation rates increase from ∼0.5 cm/ky at 160 Ma to over 0.8 cm/ky today, caused by enhanced terrigenous sediment influx along lengthened passive margins, superimposed by the onset of ocean‐wide carbonate sedimentation. Our predictive algorithms, coupled to a plate tectonic model, provide a framework for constraining the seafloor sediment‐driven eustatic sea‐level component, which has grown from ∼80 to 210 m since 120 Ma. This implies a long‐term sea‐level rise component of 130 m, partly counteracting the contemporaneous increase in ocean basin depth due to progressive crustal ageing.
3‐D Characterization of Detrital Zircon Grains and its Implications for Fluvial Transport, Mixing, and Preservation Bias
Authors: Markwitz V. , Kirkland C. L. , Mehnert A. , Gessner K. , Shaw J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDetrital zircon studies can suffer from selective loss of provenance information due to U‐Pb age discordance, metamictization, metamorphic overprinting and fluviatile transport processes. The relationship between isotopic composition and zircon grain shape, and how grain shape is modified during transport, is largely unknown. We combine X‐ray tomography with U‐Pb geochronology to quantify how fluvial transport affects 3‐D zircon shape, detrital age signature, and grain density along the Murchison River, whose catchment comprises Eoarchean to Early Paleozoic source rocks in Western Australia. We acquired tomographic volumes and isotopic data from 373 detrital zircons to document changes in size, shape and density in transport direction, and explore how grain shape, age spectra and the proportion of discordant material vary along the channel. Results show that shape characteristics are sensitive to transport distance, stream gradient, proximity to source material, and whether the source consists of primary or recycled zircons. With increasing transport distance, grain lengths decrease more than their widths. Furthermore, the loss of metamict grains occurs at a near constant rate, resulting in a linear increase of mean calculated zircon density by ca. 0.03 g/cm3 per 100 km transport distance. 3‐D grain shape is therefore strongly linked to detrital age signature, and mean grain density is a function of the absolute transport distance. 3‐D shape characteristics provide valuable information on detrital zircon populations, including the interaction between source materials with fluvial transport processes, which significantly affects preservation bias and, by inference, the representativeness of the sampled data.
Genesis, Pathways, and Terminations of Intense Global Water Vapor Transport in Association with Large‐Scale Climate Patterns
Authors: Sellars S. L. , Kawzenuk B. , Nguyen P. , Ralph F. M. , Sorooshian S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe CONNected objECT (CONNECT) algorithm is applied to global Integrated Water Vapor Transport data from the NASA's Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications – Version 2 reanalysis product for the period of 1980 to 2016. The algorithm generates life‐cycle records in time and space evolving strong vapor transport events. We show five regions, located in the midlatitudes, where events typically exist (off the coast of the southeast United States, eastern China, eastern South America, off the southern tip of South Africa, and in the southeastern Pacific Ocean). Global statistics show distinct genesis and termination regions and global seasonal peak frequency during Northern Hemisphere late fall/winter and Southern Hemisphere winter. In addition, the event frequency and geographical location are shown to be modulated by the Arctic Oscillation, Pacific North American Pattern, and the quasi‐biennial oscillation. Moreover, a positive linear trend in the annual number of objects is reported, increasing by 3.58 objects year‐over‐year.
Rupture Along 400 km of the Bering Fracture Zone in the Komandorsky Islands Earthquake (MW 7.8) of 17 July 2017
Authors: Lay Thorne , Ye Lingling , Bai Yefei , Cheung Kwok Fai , Kanamori Hiroo , Freymueller Jeffrey , Steblov Grigory M. , Kogan Mikhail G. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe 17 July 2017 Komandorsky Islands MW 7.8 earthquake involved arc‐parallel right‐lateral patchy strike‐slip faulting along ~400 km of the Bering Fracture Zone (BFZ) in the westernmost Aleutian Islands back arc. The large size of the earthquake indicates that the BFZ serves regionally as the primary plate boundary extending from the Near Islands to Kamchatka, with the fore‐arc Komandorsky Sliver translating rapidly parallel to the Aleutian Trench. The slip distribution is determined by analysis of seismic, tsunami, and geodetic observations. Fault displacements of 4 to 8.5 m, mostly in the upper 15 km, but with localized extension to 20 to 30 km depth along a ~100 km long segment of the BFZ, are comparable to the possible slip deficit since the last major earthquakes in this region in 1849 and 1858, given an estimated 5.1 cm/yr rate between the Komandorsky Sliver and the Bering Plate.
Microwave Nondestructive Imaging of Buried Objects Using Improved Scattered‐Field Calibration Technique
Authors: Govind Greeshmaja , Akhtar M. J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA novel microwave subsurface imaging scheme based on an improved electric field calibration technique is proposed in this paper. The proposed imaging scheme requires RF measurement system comprising of a uniform linear transmitter‐receiver antenna array wherein the region under examination is illuminated sequentially to measure the scattering parameters of the test. An appropriate imaging frequency is selected so as to minimize the errors introduced due to coupling among the coresident antennas. The electric field required for the imaging algorithm is obtained from the measured scattering parameters using the proposed calibration methodology in two subsequent steps. The first step of calibration removes the systematic errors inherent in the measured scattering parameters by using known standards such as a metal plate and absorber foam. The second calibration step transforms the calibrated scattering parameters of the test object into electric field values so as to use them in the required inverse reconstruction procedure. The transformation is based on comparison of the measured scattering parameters of a known specimen and test object under the same test environment. The imaging algorithm based on the electric field formulation uses the standard iterative distorted Born procedure. For determining the location of the buried object, a novel data interpretation scheme based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) applied to time domain reflection coefficients obtained from various antenna elements is also proposed here. The applicability including performance evaluation of the proposed imaging scheme is tested by retrieving microwave image of various standard objects buried inside sand.
Calibration and Validation of Swarm Plasma Densities and Electron Temperatures Using Ground‐Based Radars and Satellite Radio Occultation Measurements
Authors: Lomidze Levan , Knudsen David J. , Burchill Johnathan , Kouznetsov Alexei , Buchert Stephan C. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study we calibrate and validate in situ ionospheric electron density (Ne) and temperature (Te) measured with Langmuir probes (LPs) on the three Swarm satellites orbiting the Earth in circular, nearly polar orbits at ~500 km altitude. We assess the accuracy and reliability of the LP data (December 2013 to June 2016) by using nearly coincident measurements from low‐ and middle‐latitude incoherent scatter radars (ISRs), low‐latitude ionosondes, and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) satellites, covering all latitudes. The comparison results for plasma frequency (
) for each Swarm satellite are consistent across these three, principally different measurement techniques. It shows that the Swarm LPs systematically underestimate plasma frequency by about 10% (0.5–0.6 MHz). The correlation coefficients are high (≥0.97), indicating accurate relative variation in the Swarm LP densities. The comparison of Te from high‐gain LPs and those from ISRs reveals that all three satellites overestimate it by 300–400 K but exhibit high correlations (0.92–0.97) against the validation data. The low‐gain LP Te data show larger overestimation (~700 K) and lower correlation (0.86–0.90). The adjustment of the Swarm LP data based on Swarm‐ISR comparison results removes the systematic biases in the Swarm data and gives plasma frequencies and high‐ and low‐gain electron temperatures that are precise within about 0.4 MHz (8%), 150–230 K, and 260–360 K, respectively. We demonstrate that the applied correction significantly improves the agreement between (1) the plasma densities from Swarm, and from ionosondes and COSMIC, and (2) the Te from Swarm LPs and International Reference Ionosphere 2016.
Immune Regulation in Human Health and Disease
Authors: Bartolucci Sabrina , Piccirillo Ciriaco A 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

The immune system requires a homeostatic equilibrium among the mechanisms that assure self‐tolerance, those that control the capacity to mount life‐long immunity to pathogenic microbes and those that attenuate effector mechanisms from inducing immune pathology. There are multiple processes in place to ensure that healthy immune regulation and FOXP3
+
T regulatory (Treg) cells are thought to be the major players. Treg cells exercise their regulatory role through various contact‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms, and FOXP3 is the master regulator of their various functions such as inhibiting T effector (Teff) cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. Various autoimmune diseases such as IPEX occur when Treg‐cell function or numbers are abrogated. Although there is evidence that supports the involvement of Treg cells in the development of autoimmune disease, there are inconsistencies in the literature owing to the lack of Treg‐cell‐specific markers.

Key Concepts

The immune system employs multiple tolerance mechanisms to maintain immune homeostasis.

Multiple specialised regulatory cells exist, FOXP3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells being one of the major players in the maintenance of immune tolerance.

FOXP3 is the master transcription factor of Treg cells, controlling Treg‐cell phenotype and suppressive functions.

Autoimmune diseases such as IPEX arise when Treg cells are defective or lacking, which can be due to mutations at the
Foxp3
gene locus.

Multiple markers are currently being used to study the Treg‐cell population; however, these markers are not specific to Treg cells and therefore are the cause of inconsistencies in the literature on the topic of Treg‐cell function in health and disease.

Disturbances in FOXP3+ Treg‐cell development, homeostasis and/or function are thought to occur in many autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases in humans.
Rhabdoviruses
Authors: Jennings Daisy L , Marston Denise A , Banyard Ashley C , Fooks Anthony R 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

The family Rhabdoviridae is classified within the order
Mononegavirales
and is made up of 18 different genera and one other virus awaiting classification into this family. Generally, Rhabdovirus virions contain a nonsegmented negative‐sense single‐stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome that, in its most basic form, encodes five proteins: the nucleocapsid protein (N), the phosphoprotein (P), the matrix protein (M), the glycoprotein (G) and the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase protein (L). All Rhabdoviruses have a distinctive bullet‐shaped morphology; however, two recently recognised genera have been shown to contain viruses with bipartite genomes. This diverse group of over 165 viruses can infect a range of species including mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects and plants. Several of these viruses cause notable economic losses to both the agriculture and aquaculture sector. However, only the lyssaviruses and the vesiculoviruses are able to infect both animals and humans to cause clinical disease, with rabies virus being the most important human pathogen.

Key Concepts

Only the lyssaviruses and the vesiculoviruses are able to infect both animals and humans to cause clinical disease.

Rabies is the most notable human pathogen and is one of the most deadly infectious diseases known with a case‐fatality rate approaching 100%.

Virions are bullet‐shaped and consist of an envelope, covered with peplomers surrounding a helically coiled cylindrical nucleocapsid.

The genome of the majority of Rhabdoviruses consists of a single molecule of linear negative‐sense single‐stranded RNA, 13–16 kb in size.

Dichorhaviruse
s
and Varicosaviruses are newly described rhabdoviruses that lack an envelope and have bipartite genomes.

The Rhabdoviridae are a diverse group of highly adaptable viruses with a broad host range.

All Rhabdoviruses have non‐Latinised binomial species names to indicate that genus the species belongs to and to facilitate differentiation between virus names and their taxonomic species name.
Genetics of
A
lzheimer's Disease
Authors: Brookes Keeley J , Morgan Kevin 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Knowledge on the genetic aetiology of Alzheimer's disease has greatly increased over the past 20 years. We are now finding that more genetic variants than previously thought play a role in disease susceptibility.

Key Concepts

Advances in genetic research into a complex disorder.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is genetically heterogeneous.

The APOE gene has the largest effect size on risk for AD, and is the most replicated finding.

Understanding of the genetic risk factors for AD has been greatly increased by advancements in technology.

Multiple gene have now been identified as being involved in the aetiology of AD, and have highlight biological pathways that may be affected.

Still, these genes do not account for all of the estimated genetic aetiology and therefore variants with even smaller effect size are being investigated through polygenic risk score analysis.