bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amrubicin for relapsed small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 803 patients
Authors: Horita Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Masaki , Sato Takashi , Tsukahara Toshinori , Nagakura Hideyuki , Tashiro Ken , Shibata Yuji , Watanabe Hiroki , Nagai Kenjiro , Nakashima Kentaro , Ushio Ryota , Ikeda Misako , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Shinkai Masaharu , Kudo Makoto , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCurrently, amrubicin is permitted for relapsed small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) only in Japan. The efficacy and adverse effects of amrubicin as reported by previous studies varied greatly. The inclusion criterion was a prospective study that was able to provide data for efficacy and safety by the AMR single agent regimen as second-line chemotherapy for a patient with SCLC. Binary data were meta-analyzed with the random-model generic inverse variance method. We included nine articles consisted of 803 patients. The pooled three-, six- and nine-month progression-free survival were 63% (95% CI 57–69%, I2 = 53%), 28% (95% CI 21–35%, I2 = 71%) and 10% (95% CI 6–14%, I2 = 41%), respectively. The pooled six-, 12- and 18-month overall survival were 69% (95% CI 61–78%, I2 = 83%), 36% (95% CI 28–44%, I2 = 80%) and 15% (95% CI 8–21%, I2 = 81%), respectively. Amrubicin seemed much more beneficial for Japanese patients. However, compared to the efficacy of topotecan presented in a previous meta-analysis, amrubicin may be a better treatment option than topotecan for both Japanese and Euro-American. Adverse effects by amrubicin were almost exclusively observed to be hematological. Notably, grade III/IV neutropenia incidence was 70% and febrile neutropenia incidence was 12%.
Spatial Abundance and Distribution of Potential Microbes and Functional Genes Associated with Anaerobic Mineralization of Pentachlorophenol in a Cylindrical Reactor
Authors: Li Zhi-Ling , Nan Jun , Huang Cong , Liang Bin , Liu Wen-Zong , Cheng Hao-Yi , Zhang Chunfang , Zhang Dongdong , Kong Deyong , Kanamaru Kyoko , Kobayashi Tetsuo , Wang Ai-Jie , Katayama Arata 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFunctional interplays of microbial activity, genetic diversity and contaminant transformation are poorly understood in reactors for mineralizing halogenated aromatics anaerobically. Here, we investigated abundance and distribution of potential microbes and functional genes associated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) anaerobic mineralization in a continuous-flow cylindrical reactor (15 cm in length). PCP dechlorination and the metabolite (phenol) were observed at segments 0–8 cm from inlet, where key microbes, including potential reductive dechlorinators (Dehalobacter, Sulfurospirillum, Desulfitobacterium and Desulfovibrio spp.) and phenol degraders (Cryptanaerobacter and Syntrophus spp.), as well as putative functional genes, including putative chlorophenol reductive dehalogenase (cprA) and benzoyl-CoA reductase (bamB), were highly enriched simultaneously. Five types of putative cprAs, three types of putative bamBs and seven types of putative nitrogenase reductase (nifHs) were determined, with their copy numbers decreased gradually from inlet to outlet. Distribution of chemicals, bacteria and putative genes confirmed PCP dechlorination and phenol degradation accomplished in segments 0–5 cm and 0–8 cm, respectively, contributing to a high PCP mineralization rate of 3.86 μM d−1. Through long-term incubation, dechlorination, phenol degradation and nitrogen fixation bacteria coexisted and functioned simultaneously near inlet (0–8 cm), verified the feasibility of anaerobic mineralization of halogenated aromatics in the compact reactor containing multiple functional microbes.
Experimental distinction of Autler-Townes splitting from electromagnetically induced transparency using coupled mechanical oscillators system
Authors: Liu Jingliang , Yang Hujiang , Wang Chuan , Xu Kun , Xiao Jinghua 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHere we experimentally demonstrated the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) effects in mechanical coupled pendulums. The analogue of EIT and ATS has been studied in mechanical systems and the intrinsic physics between these two phenomena are also been discussed. Exploiting the Akaike Information Criterion, we discern the ATS effect from EIT effect in our experimental results.
On Wiener polarity index of bicyclic networks
Authors: Ma Jing , Shi Yongtang , Wang Zhen , Yue Jun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractComplex networks are ubiquitous in biological, physical and social sciences. Network robustness research aims at finding a measure to quantify network robustness. A number of Wiener type indices have recently been incorporated as distance-based descriptors of complex networks. Wiener type indices are known to depend both on the network’s number of nodes and topology. The Wiener polarity index is also related to the cluster coefficient of networks. In this paper, based on some graph transformations, we determine the sharp upper bound of the Wiener polarity index among all bicyclic networks. These bounds help to understand the underlying quantitative graph measures in depth.
Distribution, congruence and hotspots of higher plants in China
Authors: Zhao Lina , Li Jinya , Liu Huiyuan , Qin Haining 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIdentifying biodiversity hotspots has become a central issue in setting up priority protection areas, especially as financial resources for biological diversity conservation are limited. Taking China’s Higher Plants Red List (CHPRL), including Bryophytes, Ferns, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, as the data source, we analyzed the geographic patterns of species richness, endemism and endangerment via data processing at a fine grid-scale with an average edge length of 30 km based on three aspects of richness information: species richness, endemic species richness and threatened species richness. We sought to test the accuracy of hotspots used in identifying conservation priorities with regard to higher plants. Next, we tested the congruence of the three aspects and made a comparison of the similarities and differences between the hotspots described in this paper and those in previous studies. We found that over 90% of threatened species in China are concentrated. While a high spatial congruence is observed among the three measures, there is a low congruence between two different sets of hotspots. Our results suggest that biodiversity information should be considered when identifying biological hotspots. Other factors, such as scales, should be included as well to develop biodiversity conservation plans in accordance with the region’s specific conditions.
Electrical and mechanical switching of ferroelectric polarization in the 70 nm BiFeO3 film
Authors: Chen Liufang , Cheng Zhihao , Xu Wenting , Meng Xiangjian , Yuan Guoliang , Liu Junming , Liu Zhiguo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFerroelectric polarization switching and its domain evolution play a key role on the macroscopic electric properties of ferroelectric or piezoelectric devices. Mechanical switching has been reported recently in ~5 nm BaTiO3 and PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 epitaxial films; however it is still a challenge for a mechanical force to switch polarization of a slightly thicker film in the same way as an electric field. Here, we report that the polarization of a 70 nm BiFeO3 epitaxial film can be completely switched by a mechanical force and its domain evolution is similar to that observed with electrical switching. With the gradual increase of the field/force, new domains nucleate preferentially at domain boundaries, the μm-size domains commonly decompose to a mass of nm-size domains and finally they may reorganize to μm-size domains which undergo 180o polarization switching through multi steps. Importantly, the complete mechanical switching of polarization was also established in the (0 0 1) film with a smooth surface. Furthermore, either upward or downward polarization can be read out nondestructively by a constant current. Our study sheds light on prospective applications of ferroelectrics in the absence of an electric field, such as memory devices and other micro-electromechanical systems.
Tumor necrosis factor-α G-308A (rs1800629) polymorphism and aggressive periodontitis susceptibility: a meta-analysis of 16 case-control studies
Authors: Wei Xue-Mei , Chen Yong-Ji , Wu Lan , Cui Li-Jun , Hu Ding-Wei , Zeng Xian-Tao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAssociation between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) G-308A (rs1800629) polymorphism and susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (AgP) were inconsistent, hence we performed this meta-analysis to clarify the association between them using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v2.2 software. 16 case-control studies were searched from the PubMed, Embase and CNKI databases up to February 2, 2015. The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk in A vs. G (OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.04–1.44), AA vs. GG (OR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.11–3.87) and AA vs. AG+GG genetic models (OR = 2.09, 95%CI = 1.13–3.86); however, the non-significantly increased risk was shown in AG vs. GG (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.85–1.32) and AA+AG vs. GG genetic models (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.85–1.31). Cumulative analysis showed that the association changed from non-significant to significant with new studies accumulated and the CIs became more and more narrow, sensitivity analysis indicated results were statistically robust. Stratified analyses of confirmed of HWE, Asians, Caucasians and population-based controls obtained results similar to that of overall analysis. There was no evidence of publication bias. In summary, current evidence demonstrates that TNF-a G-308A polymorphism might be associated with AgP susceptibility, especially in Asians and Caucasians.
DNA methylation dynamics in mouse preimplantation embryos revealed by mass spectrometry
Authors: Okamoto Yoshinori , Yoshida Naoko , Suzuki Toru , Shimozawa Nobuhiro , Asami Maki , Matsuda Tomonari , Kojima Nakao , Perry Anthony C. F. , Takada Tatsuyuki 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFollowing fertilization in mammals, paternal genomic 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5 mC) content is thought to decrease via oxidation to 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5 hmC). This reciprocal model of demethylation and hydroxymethylation is inferred from indirect, non-quantitative methods. We here report direct quantification of genomic 5 mC and 5 hmC in mouse embryos by small scale liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (SMM). Profiles of absolute 5 mC levels in embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were almost identical. By 10 h after fertilization, 5 mC levels had declined by ~40%, consistent with active genomic DNA demethylation. Levels of 5 mC in androgenotes (containing only a paternal genome) and parthenogenotes (containing only a maternal genome) underwent active 5 mC loss in the first 6 h, showing that both parental genomes can undergo demethylation independently. We found no evidence for net loss of 5 mC 10–48 h after fertilization, implying that any passive ‘demethylation’ following DNA replication was balanced by active 5 mC maintenance methylation. However, levels of 5 mC declined during development after 48 h, to 1% (measured as a fraction of G-residues) in blastocysts (~96 h). 5 hmC levels were consistently low (<0.2% of G-residues) throughout development in normal diploid embryos. This work directly quantifies the dynamics of global genomic DNA modification in mouse preimplantation embryos, suggesting that SMM will be applicable to other biomedical situations with limiting sample sizes.
Network-Based Comparative Analysis of Arabidopsis Immune Responses to Golovinomyces orontii and Botrytis cinerea Infections
Authors: Jiang Zhenhong , Dong Xiaobao , Zhang Ziding 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA comprehensive exploration of common and specific plant responses to biotrophs and necrotrophs is necessary for a better understanding of plant immunity. Here, we compared the Arabidopsis defense responses evoked by the biotrophic fungus Golovinomyces orontii and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea through integrative network analysis. Two time-course transcriptional datasets were integrated with an Arabidopsis protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to construct a G. orontii conditional PPI sub-network (gCPIN) and a B. cinerea conditional PPI sub-network (bCPIN). We found that hubs in gCPIN and bCPIN played important roles in disease resistance. Hubs in bCPIN evolved faster than hubs in gCPIN, indicating the different selection pressures imposed on plants by different pathogens. By analyzing the common network from gCPIN and bCPIN, we identified two network components in which the genes were heavily involved in defense and development, respectively. The co-expression relationships between interacting proteins connecting the two components were different under G. orontii and B. cinerea infection conditions. Closer inspection revealed that auxin-related genes were overrepresented in the interactions connecting these two components, suggesting a critical role of auxin signaling in regulating the different co-expression relationships. Our work may provide new insights into plant defense responses against pathogens with different lifestyles.
Reconstruction of atmospheric soot history in inland regions from lake sediments over the past 150 years
Authors: Han Y. M. , Wei C. , Huang R.-J. , Bandowe B. A. M. , Ho S. S. H. , Cao J. J. , Jin Z. D. , Xu B. Q. , Gao S. P. , Tie X. X. , An Z. S. , Wilcke W. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHistorical reconstruction of atmospheric black carbon (BC, in the form of char and soot) is still constrained for inland areas. Here we determined and compared the past 150-yr records of BC and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediments from two representative lakes, Huguangyan (HGY) and Chaohu (CH), in eastern China. HGY only receives atmospheric deposition while CH is influenced by riverine input. BC, char and soot have similar vertical concentration profiles as PACs in both lakes. Abrupt increases in concentrations and mass accumulation rates (MARs) of soot have mainly occurred since ~1950, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, when energy usage changed to more fossil fuel contributions reflected by the variations in the concentration ratios of char/soot and individual PACs. In HGY, soot MARs increased by ~7.7 times in the period 1980–2012 relative to the period 1850–1950. Similar increases (~6.7 times) were observed in CH. The increase in soot MARs is also in line with the emission inventory records in the literature and the fact that the submicrometer-sized soot particles can be dispersed regionally. The study provides an alternative method to reconstruct the atmospheric soot history in populated inland areas.
Does oral exposure to cadmium and lead mediate susceptibility to colitis? The dark-and-bright sides of heavy metals in gut ecology
Authors: Breton Jérôme , Daniel Catherine , Vignal Cécile , Body-Malapel Mathilde , Garat Anne , Plé Coline , Foligné Benoît 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAlthough the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are known environmental health concerns, their long-term impacts on gut ecology and susceptibility to gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases have not been extensively investigated. We sought to determine whether subchronic oral exposure to Cd or Pb is a risk factor for the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mice were exposed to various doses of CdCl2 or PbCl2 in drinking water for 1, 4 or 6 weeks prior to infection with Salmonella, the induction of colitis with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In human cell-based models, exposure to Cd and Pb is associated with reduced transepithelial electric resistance and changes in bacteria-induced cytokine responses. Although 1- and 6-week exposures did not have clear effects on the response to Salmonella infectious challenges, 1-week short-term treatments with CdCl2 tended to enhance intestinal inflammation in mice. Unexpectedly, subchronic exposure to Cd and (to a lesser extent) Pb significantly mitigated some of the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis and reduced the severity of TNBS colitis in a dose-dependent manner. The possible adaptive and immunosuppressive mechanisms by which heavy metals might reduce intestinal inflammation are explored and discussed.
A burrowing frog from the late Paleocene of Mongolia uncovers a deep history of spadefoot toads (Pelobatoidea) in East Asia
Authors: Chen Jianye , Bever Gaberiel S. , Yi Hong-Yu , Norell Mark A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFossils are indispensible in understanding the evolutionary origins of the modern fauna. Crown-group spadefoot toads (Anura: Pelobatoidea) are the best-known fossorial frog clade to inhabit arid environments, with species utilizing a characteristic bony spade on their foot for burrowing. Endemic to the Northern Hemisphere, they are distributed across the Holarctic except East Asia. Here we report a rare fossil of a crown-group spadefoot toad from the late Paleocene of Mongolia. The phylogenetic analysis using both morphological and molecular information recovered this Asian fossil inside the modern North American pelobatoid clade Scaphiopodidae. The presence of a spade and the phylogenetic position of the new fossil frog strongly support its burrowing behavior. The late Paleocene age and other information suggestive of a mild climate cast doubt on the conventional assertion that burrowing evolved as an adaptation to aridity in spadefoot toads. Temporally and geographically, the new fossil provides the earliest record of Scaphiopodidae worldwide and the only member of the group in Asia. Quantitative biogeographic analysis suggests that Scaphiopodidae, despite originating in North America, dispersed into East Asia via Beringia in the Early Cenozoic. The absence of spadefoot toads in East Asia today is a result of extinction.
Early Descriptions of Pama-Nyungan Ergativity
Authors: Stockigt Clara 
Published: January 2016

Summary
Ergative marking and function are generally adequately described in the grammars of the small minority of the Aboriginal Australian Pama-Nyungan languages made before 1930. Without the benefit of an inherited descriptive framework in which to place foreign ergative morphosyntax, missionary-grammarians engaged a variety of terminology and descriptive practices when explaining foreign ergative structures exhibited by this vast genetic subgroup of languages spoken in an area larger than Europe. Some of the terminology had been previously employed in descriptions of other ergative languages. Other terms were innovated in Australia. The great distances separating missionary-grammarians describing different Pama-Nyungan languages, and the absence of a coordinating body fostering Australian grammatical description, meant that grammars were produced in geographic and intellectual isolation from one another. Regional schools of descriptive influence are however apparent, the strongest of which originates in grammars written by Lutheran missionaries of the ‘Adelaide School’. The synchronic descriptions of Pama-Nyungan languages made by missionary-grammarians in Australia informed the development of linguistics in Europe. There is however, little evidence of the movement of linguistic ideas from Europe back into Australia. The term ‘ergative’ to designate the case marking the agent of a transitive verb and the concept of an absolutive case became established practice in the modern era of Australian grammatical description without recognizing that the same terminology and concept of syntactic case had previously been employed in descriptions of Pama-Nyungan languages written in German. The genesis of the term ‘ergative’ originates in the description of Australian Pama-Nyungan case systems.
Equipartition and cosmic ray energy densities in central molecular zones of starbursts
Authors: Yoast-Hull Tova M. , Gallagher John S. , Zweibel Ellen G. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The energy densities in magnetic fields and cosmic rays (CRs) in galaxies are often assumed to be in equipartition, allowing for an indirect estimate of the magnetic field strength from the observed radio synchrotron spectrum. However, both primary and secondary CRs contribute to the synchrotron spectrum, and the CR electrons also loose energy via bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton. While classical equipartition formulae avoid these intricacies, there have been recent revisions that account for the extreme conditions in starbursts. Yet, the application of the equipartition formula to starburst environments also presupposes that time-scales are long enough to reach equilibrium. Here, we test equipartition in the central molecular zones (CMZs) of nearby starburst galaxies by modelling the observed γ-ray spectra, which provide a direct measure of the CR energy density, and the radio spectra, which provide a probe of the magnetic field strength. We find that in starbursts, the magnetic field energy density is significantly larger than the CR energy density, demonstrating that the equipartition argument is frequently invalid for CMZs.
The role of trade openness for industrial sector development: panel data evidence from SAARC region
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Ruiz Estrada Mario , Khan Imran , Afridi Muhammad Asim 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to focus on South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member economies to examine the impact of trade openness on the industrial sector development.

Design/methodology/approach
– Panel data econometric techniques are used to the data for the period 1980-2013 for the selected six countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Findings
– It is found that trade openness has positively and significantly influenced the industrial sector of the sampled countries. Other determinants such as education and investment have also played a key role in helping the selected developing countries to develop their industrial sectors.

Practical implications
– The study suggests the policy-makers of the SAARC member countries to liberalize international trade substantially to enhance the contributions of industrial sector toward gross domestic product (GDP) and to achieve the dreamed goal of sustainable long-run growth for the region.

Originality/value
– An explicit relationship between trade openness and industrial sector of the SAARC member economies is yet to be examined.
How leading companies practice software development and delivery to achieve a competitive edge
Authors: Lesser Eric , Ban Linda 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– Increasingly companies recognize that effective and rapid software development – from ideation to delivery – is crucial to achieving competitiveness. This article looks at how leading companies are establishing an enterprise capability for accelerated software delivery to differentiate themselves in the market.

Design/methodology/approach
– This research looks at how leading software organizations focus on software investments that efficiently and speedily deliver marketplace results.

Findings
– Successful companies build comprehensive skills in Agile and lean software development methods and for fostering extensive collaboration among business users, IT professionals and customers throughout the software development and delivery lifecycle.

Practical implications
– Advanced organizations are more likely to apply more mature development practices, such as service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Agile iterative development methods.

Originality/value
– Advanced organizations collaborate much more with customers and business partners to improve software development outcomes.