bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying priority habitats and monitoring species for conservation and restoration of lentic Odonata habitats: assemblage nestedness on Amami‐Oshima Island, Japan
Authors: Sakai Masaru , Suda Shin‐ichi , Okeda Taichi , Washitani Izumi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe investigated Odonata faunal and habitat characteristics (forest cover, emergent, submerged, floating‐leaved and floating plant covers, pond area, NO3−, chemical oxygen demand, and presence/absence of a nonnative fish) in 10 ponds on Amami‐Oshima Island. In total, 26 species of six odonate families were found, and we detected significant nestedness of species composition among the ponds (22 species in the most species‐rich pond, and 8 species in the most species‐poor pond). Species found only in the most species‐rich ponds were: Anax nigrofasciatus nigrofasciatus, Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides, Agriocnemis famina oryzae, Rhyothemis severini, Anasiaeschna martini, Hemicordulia okinawaensis, Lyriothemis elegantissima, and Hydrobasileus croceus (hereafter referred to as the rare species). These rare species are generally known to preferentially inhabit ponds with lush emergent plants and/or to prefer cooler habitats shaded by forest cover, such as Anax nigrofasciatus nigrofasciatus, Anac. martini, He. okinawaensis, and L. elegantissima. In contrast, the common species also found in species‐poor ponds were: Ischnura senegalensis, Pantala flavescens, Anax parthenope julis, Ictinogomphus pertinax, and Tramea verginia, which are known to prefer an open water surface as spawning habitat. These differences in habitat preference between the rare and common species may be among the major reasons for the significant positive effects of percent forest cover and emergent plants on Odonata species richness. These results suggest that nestedness helped identify precise habitat characteristics and rare species that should be considered for conservation and restoration of lentic habitats on Amami‐Oshima Island.
Correlation of age and rurality with low-urgency use of emergency medical services (LUEMS): A geographic analysis
Authors: Terashima Mikiko , Carter Alix J.E. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesStudies suggest that addressing the needs of the older population in rural areas may substantially reduce their low-urgency use of emergency medical services (LUEMS). It may ultimately also help improve the efficiency in our health system. There is, however, a dearth of evidence substantiating geographic patterns in LUEMS by different age cohorts. This exploratory study was aimed to clarify the understanding of emergency medical services (EMS) use in Nova Scotia through a geographic analysis.MethodsRecords with Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale of 4 and 5 were considered as LUEMS. We assessed the distribution of LUEMS incidence rates (proportion of LUEMS out of all EMS uses) by age and rurality, using descriptive statistics and Geographic Information Systems mapping.ResultsNearly half of all EMS transports were individuals of 65+ years of age; 35% of those were LUEMS. The rates increased along with the level of rurality, and the older cohort had the highest incidence rates in non-metro communities. High rates were seen primarily in some rural communities farthest away from the capital/tertiary care centre.ConclusionHigh LUEMS incidence rates are rural phenomena but not specific to the older population. However, the absolute number of LUEMS by the older cohort is significant, and elder-specific interventions in rural regions could still lead to effective cost savings. Further investigation of other factors, such as distance to the emergency department, availability of public transportation, and socioeconomic conditions of EMS users, is needed.
Linear stability of two-layer Couette flows
Authors: Mohammadi Alireza , Smits Alexander J. 
Published: August 2017

The stability of two-layer Couette flow is investigated under variations in viscosity ratio, thickness ratio, interfacial tension and density ratio. The effects of the base flow on eigenvalue spectra are explained. A new type of interfacial mode is discovered at low viscosity ratio with properties that are different from Yih’s original interfacial mode (Yih, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 27, 1967, pp. 337–352). No unstable Tollmien–Schlichting waves were found over the range of parameters considered in this work. The results for thin films with different thicknesses can be collapsed onto a single curve if the Reynolds number and wavenumber are suitably defined based on the parameters of the thin layer. Interfacial tension always has a stabilizing effect, but the effects of density ratio cannot be so easily generalized. Neutral stability curves for water–alkane and water–air systems are presented as an initial step towards better understanding the effects of flow stability on the longevity and performance of liquid-infused surfaces and superhydrophobic surfaces.
The growing tree of Archaea: new perspectives on their diversity, evolution and ecology
Authors: Adam Panagiotis S , Borrel Guillaume , Brochier-Armanet Céline , Gribaldo Simonetta 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The Archaea occupy a key position in the Tree of Life, and are a major fraction of microbial diversity. Abundant in soils, ocean sediments and the water column, they have crucial roles in processes mediating global carbon and nutrient fluxes. Moreover, they represent an important component of the human microbiome, where their role in health and disease is still unclear. The development of culture-independent sequencing techniques has provided unprecedented access to genomic data from a large number of so far inaccessible archaeal lineages. This is revolutionizing our view of the diversity and metabolic potential of the Archaea in a wide variety of environments, an important step toward understanding their ecological role. The archaeal tree is being rapidly filled up with new branches constituting phyla, classes and orders, generating novel challenges for high-rank systematics, and providing key information for dissecting the origin of this domain, the evolutionary trajectories that have shaped its current diversity, and its relationships with Bacteria and Eukarya. The present picture is that of a huge diversity of the Archaea, which we are only starting to explore.
The sex ratio of singleton and twin delivery offspring in assisted reproductive technology in China
Authors: Chen Mengxi , Du Jiangbo , Zhao Jing , Lv Hong , Wang Yifeng , Chen XiaoJiao , Zhang Junqiang , Hu Lingmin , Jin Guangfu , Shen Hongbing , Hu Zhibin , Xiong Fang , Chen Li , Ling Xiufeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn order to evaluate the impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure and individual factors on the sex ratio of singletons and twins at birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment in China. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients undergoing their first cycle of IVF or ICSI with autologous oocytes from 2001 to 2015. A total of 7410 babies were born from 5832 women with 7410 live birth. The secondary sex ratio (SSR) in singletons was significantly higher than twins (53.97% vs. 50.89%, P = 0.009). The largest disparity was observed in ‘thawed blastocyst embryos ICSI’ subgroup that SSR was 59.84% in singletons and 42.45% in twins (P = 0.013). Blastocyst transfer was positively associated with elevated SSR when compared to cleavage stage embryos in singletons (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.17, P < 0.001). In addition, paternal age was significantly associated with SSR (OR = 0.75, P = 0.014). While the decrease of SSR was significantly associated with ICSI when compared to IVF (OR = 0.61, P = 0.046) in twins. Blastocyst transfer increases SSR in comparing with cleavage stage embryos in singletons, while the use of ICSI reduces SSR in twins. Our findings offered important complement for better understanding the underlying determinant of SSR in ART offspring.
Modeling the transmission and control of Zika in Brazil
Authors: Wang Liping , Zhao Hongyong , Oliva Sergio Muniz , Zhu Huaiping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractZika virus, a reemerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, started spread across Central and Southern America and more recently to North America. The most serious impacted country is Brazil. Based on the transmission mechanism of the virus and assessment of the limited data on the reported suspected cases, we establish a dynamical model which allows us to estimate the basic reproduction number R0 = 2.5020. The wild spreading of the virus make it a great challenge to public health to control and prevention of the virus. We formulate two control models to study the impact of releasing transgenosis mosquitoes (introducing bacterium Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti) on the transmission of Zika virus in Brazil. Our models and analysis suggest that simultaneously releasing Wolbachia-harboring female and male mosquitoes will achieve the target of population replacement, while releasing only Wolbachia-harboring male mosquitoes will suppress or even eradicate wild mosquitoes eventually. We conclude that only releasing male Wolbachia mosquitoes is a better strategy for control the spreading of Zika virus in Brazil.
Comparative Study of Recessive Spherical Headed Silicone Intubation and Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy under Nasal Endoscopy for Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Authors: Deng Hui-yi , Wang Tao , Huang Xue-kun , Yang Qin-tai , Ling Shi-qi , Wang Wei-hao , Li Mei-jiao , Ning Fang-qin , Zhang Ge-hua 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBetween July 2014 and November 2015, we compared the curative effects and cost-effectiveness of two kinds of nasal endoscopic surgery for nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a single-centre, two-armed clinical trial with a 1-year follow-up. We included two groups: a recessive spherical headed silicone intubation (RSHSI) group and an endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) group; both received nasal endoscopy. Patients were recruited from the Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology departments. The main outcome measures were epiphora improvement (classified as cure, effective, or invalid), cost-effectiveness, visual analogue scale (VAS) intraoperative pain score, bleeding volume, operating time, hospitalisation time, total cost, and VAS postoperative epiphora score. No significant group difference was identified in postoperative epiphora VAS scores (P > 0.050) or success rate (P = 0.406). However, average VAS intraoperative pain score, operating time, bleeding volume, hospitalisation time and total cost in the RSHSI group were clearly lower to those in the En-DCR group (P = 0.000). In conclusion, RSHSI under nasal endoscopy can provide similar treatment outcomes to En-DCR. RSHSI has advantages including minimal invasiveness, reduced risk, shorter duration of surgery and hospitalisation, reduced intraoperative discomfort, and lower financial burden, which is more acceptable to patients. Thus, RSHSI may be the preferred option for NLDO.
Virtual touch tissue imaging and quantification: value in malignancy prediction for complex cystic and solid breast lesions
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhao Chong-Ke , Li Xiao-Long , He Ya-Ping , Ren Wei-Wei , Zou Cai-Ping , Du Yue-Wu , Xu Hui-Xiong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study was aimed to evaluatethe usefulness of conventional ultrasound (US) and US elastography, including the latest virtual touch tissue imaging and quantification (VTIQ), in malignancy prediction for complex cystic and solid breast lesions. Eighty-nine complex cystic and solid breast lesions were subject to conventional US and US elastography, including strain elastography (SE), virtual touch tissue imaging (VTI) and VTIQ. Among the 89 lesions, thirty-four (38.2%) lesions were malignant and 55 (61.8%) lesions were benign. Sixteen variables were subject to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Pattern 4b in VTI (odds ratio, OR:15.278), not circumscribed margin of lesion (OR:12.346), SWS mean >4.6 m/s in VTIQ (OR:11.896), and age elder than 50 years (OR:6.303) were identified to be independent predictors for malignancy. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, associated areas under the ROC curve (Az) for conventional US could be significantly elevated, from 0.649 to 0.918, by combining with US elastography (p < 0.0001). The combined diagnostic method was able to improve the specificity (32.7% vs. 87.3%, p < 0.0001) without sacrificing the sensitivity (97.1% vs. 85.3%, p = 0.075). Both conventional US and US elastography contribute substantially to malignancy prediction in complex cystic and solid lesions. The diagnostic efficacy of conventional US in terms of Az and specificity could be significantly improved by combining with US elastography.
Orthosteric- versus allosteric-dependent activation of the GABAA receptor requires numerically distinct subunit level rearrangements
Authors: Amin Jahanshah , Subbarayan Meena S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAnaesthetic molecules act on synaptic transmission via the allosteric modulation of ligand-gated chloride channels, such as hetero-oligomeric α1β2γ2 GABAA receptors. To elucidate the overall activation paradigm via allosteric versus orthosteric sites, we used highly homologous, but homo-oligomeric, ρ1 receptors that are contrastingly insensitive to anaesthetics and respond partially to several full GABA α1β2γ2 receptor agonists. Here, we coexpressed varying ratios of RNAs encoding the wild-type and the mutated ρ1 subunits, which are anaesthetic-sensitive and respond with full efficacy to partial GABA agonists, to generate distinct ensembles of receptors containing five, four, three, two, one, or zero mutated subunits. Using these experiments, we then demonstrate that, in the pentamer, three anaesthetic-sensitive ρ1 subunits are needed to impart full efficacy to the partial GABA agonists. By contrast, five anaesthetic-sensitive subunits are required for direct activation by anaesthetics alone, and only one anaesthetic-sensitive subunit is sufficient to confer the anaesthetic-dependent potentiation to the GABA current. In conclusion, our data indicate that GABA and anaesthetics holistically activate the GABAA ρ1 receptor through distinct subunit level rearrangements and suggest that in contrast to the global impact of GABA via orthosteric sites, the force of anaesthetics through allosteric sites may not propagate to the neighbouring subunits and, thus, may have only a local and limited effect on the ρ1 GABAA receptor model system.
Global temporal dynamic landscape of pathogen-mediated subversion of Arabidopsis innate immunity
Authors: Mishra Bharat , Sun Yali , Ahmed Hadia , Liu Xiaoyu , Mukhtar M. Shahid 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe universal nature of networks’ structural and physical properties across diverse systems offers a better prospect to elucidate the interplay between a system and its environment. In the last decade, several large-scale transcriptome and interactome studies were conducted to understand the complex and dynamic nature of interactions between Arabidopsis and its bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. We took advantage of these publicly available datasets and performed “-omics”-based integrative, and network topology analyses to decipher the transcriptional and protein-protein interaction activities of effector targets. We demonstrated that effector targets exhibit shorter distance to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and possess increased information centrality. Intriguingly, effector targets are differentially expressed in a sequential manner and make for 1% of the total DEGs at any time point of infection with virulent or defense-inducing DC3000 strains. We revealed that DC3000 significantly alters the expression levels of 71% effector targets and their downstream physical interacting proteins in Arabidopsis interactome. Our integrative “-omics”-–based analyses identified dynamic complexes associated with MTI and disease susceptibility. Finally, we discovered five novel plant defense players using a systems biology-fueled top-to-bottom approach and demonstrated immune-related functions for them, further validating the power and resolution of our network analyses.
Morphology, membrane nanostructure and stiffness for quality assessment of packed red blood cells
Authors: Kozlova E. , Chernysh A. , Moroz V. , Sergunova V. , Gudkova O. , Manchenko E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTransfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) to patients in critical states is often accompanied by post-transfusion complications. This may be related with disturbance of properties of PRBC and their membranes during long-term storage in the hemopreservative solution. The purpose of our work is the study of transformation of morphology, membranes stiffness and nanostructure for assessment of PRBC quality, in vitro. By atomic force microscopy we studied the transformation of cell morphology, the appearance of topological nanodefects of membranes and by atomic force spectroscopy studied the change of membrane stiffness during 40 days of storage of PRBC. It was shown that there is a transition period (20–26 days), in which we observed an increase in the Young’s modulus of the membranes 1.6–2 times and transition of cells into irreversible forms. This process was preceded by the appearance of topological nanodefects of membranes. These parameters can be used for quality assessment of PRBC and for improvement of transfusion rules.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis in Mouse Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via 67kD Laminin Receptor
Authors: Yan Xue , Li Yanfei , Yu Han , Wang Wei , Wu Chunyan , Yang Yang , Hu Yongjia , Shi Xiujuan , Li Jue 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEpigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is one of the major polyphenolic compounds present in green tea extracts and has been used as a potential drug for the treatment of numerous diseases. The present study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of EGCG in protecting against H2O2-induced apoptosis in mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VSMCs were pretreated with various concentrations of EGCG for 2 hours prior to treatment with H2O2. Treatment with H2O2 significantly decreased the cell viability and induced apoptosis of VSMCs, which were attenuated by pretreatment with EGCG. In particular, EGCG pretreatment significantly inhibited the H2O2-induced upregulation of cleaved forms of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, Bax, CathepsinD, and downregulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, the antioxidation effect of EGCG on VSMCs was determined to be associated with the 67kD laminin receptor (67LR). Our results demonstrated that EGCG improved cell viability and protected VSMCs against oxidative stress through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, while 67LR is likely to be an active and key receptor of EGCG. These findings provide a novel molecular mechanism of EGCG in inhibiting H2O2-induced apoptosis in VSMCs, as well as its function in preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
Directional cell expansion requires NIMA-related kinase 6 (NEK6)-mediated cortical microtubule destabilization
Authors: Takatani Shogo , Ozawa Shinichiro , Yagi Noriyoshi , Hotta Takashi , Hashimoto Takashi , Takahashi Yuichiro , Takahashi Taku , Motose Hiroyasu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPlant cortical microtubules align perpendicular to the growth axis to determine the direction of cell growth. However, it remains unclear how plant cells form well-organized cortical microtubule arrays in the absence of a centrosome. In this study, we investigated the functions of Arabidopsis NIMA-related kinase 6 (NEK6), which regulates microtubule organization during anisotropic cell expansion. Quantitative analysis of hypocotyl cell growth in the nek6-1 mutant demonstrated that NEK6 suppresses ectopic outgrowth and promotes cell elongation in different regions of the hypocotyl. Loss of NEK6 function led to excessive microtubule waving and distortion, implying that NEK6 suppresses the aberrant cortical microtubules. Live cell imaging showed that NEK6 localizes to the microtubule lattice and to the shrinking plus and minus ends of microtubules. In agreement with this observation, the induced overexpression of NEK6 reduced and disorganized cortical microtubules and suppressed cell elongation. Furthermore, we identified five phosphorylation sites in β-tubulin that serve as substrates for NEK6 in vitro. Alanine substitution of the phosphorylation site Thr166 promoted incorporation of mutant β-tubulin into microtubules. Taken together, these results suggest that NEK6 promotes directional cell growth through phosphorylation of β-tubulin and the resulting destabilization of cortical microtubules.
Comparisons of magnetic charge and axial charge meson cloud distributions in the PCQM
Authors: Liu X. Y. , Liu Z. J. , Khosonthongkee K. , Limphirat A. , Yan Y. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe meson cloud distributions in r-space are extracted from the nucleon electromagnetic and axial form factors which are derived in the perturbative chiral quark model. The theoretical results indicate that the magnetic charge and axial charge distributions of the three-quark core have the similar distributions in r-space, the magnetic charge distributions of the meson cloud and three-quark core are more or less in the same region and peak at distances of around 0.4 fm, which is in good agreement with the finding of works in the framework of chiral perturbation theory, but the axial charge meson cloud distributes mainly inside the three-quark core.
Low Gestational Age Is the Strongest Predictor for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity and Adverse Outcomes at Two-Year Follow-Up in a Low Incidence Setting
Authors: Nobile Stefano , Bordignon Linda , Peretti Anna , Carnielli Virgilio 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe aimed to determine the risk factors for type 1 ROP and outcomes at 2 years of corrected age among preterms born < 30 weeks of gestational age (GA) in a low-incidence setting. A cohort study with 447 infants was conducted. Those who underwent laser therapy for type 1 ROP were compared with controls by univariate and multivariate analysis. Neurological development was assessed by Bayley scales. Using univariate analysis, gestational age, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and insulin administration were found to be associated with type 1 ROP. Only GA remained significant with logistic regression. Infants with type 1 ROP had worse visual and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years. Predictors of impaired neurodevelopment were type 1 ROP, surfactant administration, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Low GA was found to be a strong predictor of type 1 ROP, which was associated (along with surfactant administration and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) with worse neurological development.
Therapie der Essstörung durch Emotionsregulation
Authors: Sipos Valerija , Schweiger Ulrich , Jauch-Chara Kamila , Faßbinder Eva 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungPatientinnen mit Essstörung haben Schwierigkeiten in der Wahrnehmung von Emotionen. Sie haben Fertigkeitendefizite in der Akzeptanz, Modifikation und beim Handeln entgegengesetzt zu emotionsgetriebenem Verhalten. Sie nutzen gestörtes Essverhalten (Nahrungsrestriktion, Essanfälle und Erbrechen), aber auch Situationsvermeidung, Dissoziation und Substanzen als Instrumente der Emotionsvermeidung. Hieraus ergibt sich ein innovativer Ansatzpunkt der Behandlung.