bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are neotropical predictors of forest epiphyte–host relationships consistent in Indonesia?
Authors: Hayward Robin Martin , Martin Thomas Edward , Utteridge Timothy Michael Arthur , Mustari Abdul Haris , Marshall Andrew Robert 
Published: January 2017

Abstract:Epiphytes represent keystone resources for many arthropod and vertebrate species, however their ecology remains poorly explored, especially within the palaeotropics. Several recent studies have examined relationships between epiphyte richness and characteristics of local habitats, although these have all focused on neotropical forests. Here, we aim to determine whether predictors of neotropical epiphyte richness are consistent at a palaeotropical site. A total of 44 host trees (dbh range 25–288 cm) were sampled at two study sites on Buton Island, Indonesia. For each tree, epiphyte richness and seven variables relating to characteristics of the host tree and surrounding habitats were recorded: site (a proxy value for disturbance level and water availability), host above-ground biomass (agb), altitude, bark texture, exposure, emergence and crown area. Gaussian GLM analyses indicated that the percentage deviance explained in epiphyte richness per host was greatest for agb (20.9%), crown area (19.6%) and site (15.5%); similar to previous findings from the neotropics. Results therefore suggest that high epiphyte diversity within palaeotropical forests is most likely to be found in large tracts of undisturbed forest, supporting large, broad-crowned trees.
Predictors of immunodeficiency-related death in a cohort of low-income people living with HIV: a competing risks survival analysis
Authors: ALBUQUERQUE M. F. P. M. , ALVES D. N. , BRESANI SALVI C. C. , BATISTA J. D. L. , XIMENES R. A. A. , MIRANDA-FILHO D. B. , MELO H. R. L. , MARUZA M. , MONTARROYOS U. R. 
Published: January 2017

SUMMARYWe conducted a survival analysis with competing risks to estimate the mortality rate and predictive factors for immunodeficiency-related death in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in northeast Brazil. A cohort with 2372 PLWH was enrolled between July 2007 and June 2010 and monitored until 31 December 2012 at two healthcare centres. The event of interest was immunodeficiency-related death, which was defined based on the Coding Causes of Death in HIV Protocol (CoDe). The predictor variables were: sociodemographic characteristics, illicit drugs, tobacco, alcohol, nutritional status, antiretroviral therapy, anaemia and CD4 cell count at baseline; and treatment or chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis (TB) during follow-up. We used Fine & Gray's model for the survival analyses with competing risks, since we had regarded immunodeficiency-unrelated deaths as a competing event, and we estimated the adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHRs). In 10 012·6 person-years of observation there were 3·1 deaths/100 person-years (2·3 immunodeficiency-related and 0·8 immunodeficiency-unrelated). TB (SHR 4·01), anaemia (SHR 3·58), CD4 <200 cells/mm3(SHR 3·33) and being unemployed (SHR 1·56) were risk factors for immunodeficiency-related death. This study discloses a 13% coverage by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in our state and adds that anaemia at baseline or the incidence of TB may increase the specific risk of dying from HIV-immunodeficiency, regardless of HAART and CD4.
Raptor and large soaring bird migration across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico: distribution, seasonality, and phenology
Authors: CABRERA-CRUZ SERGIO A. , CERVANTES-PASQUALLI JUAN A. , RUELAS INZUNZA ERNESTO , HERNÁNDEZ-MORALES TERESO , VILLEGAS-PATRACA RAFAEL 
Published: January 2017

SummaryWe present the first study of the spatial and temporal dynamics of raptors and large soaring birds from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Using systematic migration counts from multiple localities in the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, as well as observations of their flight trajectories during eight consecutive years (2007–2014), we describe the magnitude of these movements, their geographic extent, and the phenology of the most abundant species in both spring and fall seasons. The most abundant species were Turkey VultureCathartes aura, Swainson’s HawkButeo swainsoni, Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus, Wood StorkMycteria americana, American White PelicanPelecanus erythrothynchos, Franklin’s GullLeucophaeus pipixcan, and American KestrelFalco sparverius. In spring, the seasonal average magnitude of migration was over 28,000 birds, while in autumn the average was over one million. The aggregated seasonal phenologies recorded illustrate a variety of migration patterns. The inter-annual variation is lower in autumn than in spring. Migrating raptors and other soaring birds did not seem to use any topographical feature as a leading line for their movements in spring, while in autumn they did. We estimated the main axis of spring flights to run along a SE–NW vector, while autumn migration follows a WNW–ESE general trajectory. Our results place the isthmus as one of the five most important sites in the world for raptors and soaring migrants. Sustaining annual migration counts at these sites is of high importance to track substantial portions (> 90%) of the global population of Turkey Vulture and Swainson’s Hawk, as well as over 10% of the global population of Broad-winged Hawk. Autumn migration counts have the potential for long-term population monitoring.
On the brink: status and breeding ecology of Eleonora’s FalconFalco eleonoraein Algeria
Authors: TOUATI LAÏD , NEDJAH RIAD , SAMRAOUI FARRAH , ALFARHAN AHMED H. , GANGOSO LAURA , FIGUEROLA JORDI , SAMRAOUI BOUDJÉMA 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThis is the first study reporting the population status and reproductive biology of the Eleonora’s Falcon in Algeria. To determine the status, nest site selection, and breeding parameters, data were collected at Chetaïbi, north-east Algeria in 2010 and 2012. During this period, the number of breeding pairs decreased from 130 to 100, which represents an annual decrease rate of 12.29%. The mean clutch size was 2.6 ± 0.5 (n= 90) and 2.9 ± 0.4 (n= 34) in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Clutches displayed a low rate of hatching (56% and 41%) and productivity decreased from 0.8 chicks/nest in 2010 to 0.4 chicks/nest in 2012. Breeding outcome and productivity were negatively related to sun exposure and were weakly linked to hatching date in 2012 but not in 2010. Although fluctuations in population size have been reported across the species’ breeding range, our results suggest that the Algerian population of Eleonora’s Falcon is experiencing a sharp decline in recent times that also involves the near extinction of a small neighbouring colony. Apart from the effect of environmental factors on breeding performance, this negative population trend is likely to be explained by increasing anthropogenic pressures associated with an upsurge of recreational activities on and around the island as well as the introduction of mammal predators. Active management across the country is urgently needed to mitigate such pressures and ensure the long-term persistence of a bird listed as a priority species for conservation.
Effect of Formal Education on Vascular Cognitive Impairment after Stroke: A Meta-analysis and Study in Young-Stroke Patients
Authors: Kessels Roy P.C. , Eikelboom Willem Sake , Schaapsmeerders Pauline , Maaijwee Noortje A.M. , Arntz Renate M. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , de Leeuw Frank-Erik 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectives: The extent of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) after stroke varies greatly across individuals, even when the same amount of brain damage is present. Education level is a potentially protective factor explaining these differences, but results on its effects on VCI are inconclusive. Methods: First, we performed a meta-analysis on formal education and VCI, identifying 21 studies (N=7770). Second, we examined the effect of formal education on VCI in young-stroke patients who were cognitively assessed on average 11.0 (SD=8.2) years post-stroke (the FUTURE study cohort). The total sample consisted of 277 young-stroke patients with a mean age at follow-up 50.9 (SD=10.3). Age and education-adjusted expected scores were computed using 146 matched stroke-free controls. Results: The meta-analysis showed an overall effect size (z') of 0.25 (95% confidence interval [0.18–0.31]), indicating that formal education level had a small to medium effect on VCI. Analyses of the FUTURE data showed that the effect of education on post-stroke executive dysfunction was mediated by age (β age −0.015; p<.05). Below-average performance in the attention domain was more frequent for low-education patients (χ2(2)=9.8; p<.05). Conclusions: While education level was found to be related to post-stroke VCI in previous research, the effects were small. Further analysis in a large stroke cohort showed that these education effects were fully mediated by age, even in relatively young stroke patients. Education level in and of itself does not appear to be a valid indicator of cognitive reserve. Multi-indicator methods may be more valid, but have not been studied in relation to VCI. (JINS, 2017, 23, 223–238)
Differential effects of dietary diversity and maternal characteristics on linear growth of children aged 6–59 months in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis
Authors: Amugsi Dickson A , Dimbuene Zacharie T , Kimani-Murage Elizabeth W , Mberu Blessing , Ezeh Alex C 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the differential effects of dietary diversity (DD) and maternal characteristics on child linear growth at different points of the conditional distribution of height-for-ageZ-score (HAZ) in sub-Saharan Africa.DesignSecondary analysis of data from nationally representative cross-sectional samples of singleton children aged 0–59 months, born to mothers aged 15–49 years. The outcome variable was child HAZ. Quantile regression was used to perform the multivariate analysis.SettingThe most recent Demographic and Health Surveys from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).SubjectsThe present analysis was restricted to children aged 6–59 months (n31 604).ResultsDD was associated positively with HAZ in the first four quantiles (5th, 10th, 25th and 50th) and the highest quantile (90th) in Nigeria. The largest effect occurred at the very bottom (5th quantile) and the very top (90th quantile) of the conditional HAZ distribution. In DRC, DD was significantly and positively associated with HAZ in the two lower quantiles (5th, 10th). The largest effects of maternal education occurred at the lower end of the conditional HAZ distribution in Ghana, Nigeria and DRC. Maternal BMI and height also had positive effects on HAZ at different points of the conditional distribution of HAZ.ConclusionsOur analysis shows that the association between DD and maternal factors and HAZ differs along the conditional HAZ distribution. Intervention measures need to take into account the heterogeneous effect of the determinants of child nutritional status along the different percentiles of the HAZ distribution.
The Short Demoralization Scale (SDS): A new tool to appraise demoralization in palliative care patients
Authors: Galiana Laura , Rudilla David , Oliver Amparo , Barreto Pilar 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTObjective:The Demoralization Scale (DS) is the most widely used measure for assessing demoralization. Following the recent clamor for brief assessment tools, and taking into account that demoralization has proved to be a symptom that needs to be controlled and treated in the palliative care setting, a shorter scale is needed. The aim of the present research is to introduce and evaluate the Short Demoralization Scale (SDS).Method:We employed a cross-sectional design that included a survey of 226 Spanish palliative care patients from the Hospital General Universitario de Valencia. We employed the SDS, the DS, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results:The confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure of the SDS (χ2(5) = 12.915; p = 0.024; CFI = 0.999; RMSEA = 0.084; CI95% = [0.028, 0.141]). The reliability was found to be appropriate, with a value of Cronbach's alpha (α) equal to 0.920. A cutoff criterion of 10 was established, which favored the interpretability of the instrument.Significance of results:The SDS corrects previous limitations, has a simple scoring system, is cost-effective, and is widely and fully available. In addition, our findings demonstrate that the SDS can be employed effectively in the clinical context.
Eternal friends and erstwhile enemies: The regional sporting community of the Southeast Asian Games
Authors: Creak Simon 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA paradox lies at the heart of the biennial Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. On the one hand, the region's premier sporting event has consistently celebrated themes of regional friendship and cooperation; on the other, the SEA Games are synonymous with controversy and poor sportsmanship, especially over the strategic selection of sports by host nations. Yet the Games go on – every second year – just as they have done since 1959. In introducing sport to existing debates on regional community in Southeast Asia, this article seeks to understand the key features of the sporting community of the Southeast Asian Games, particularly the emergence and development of the institutions and norms that help this event to thrive in the face of national self-interest. Through this analysis, the article argues for a distinctive approach to regional community in Southeast Asia, based not on notions of unity but principles of reciprocity and exchange.
DDX59 promotes DNA replication in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: You Jin , Wang Xingshun , Wang Jiuling , Yuan Baolei , Zhang Yandong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDEAD box proteins are multifunctional proteins involved in every aspect in RNA metabolism and have essential roles in many cellular activities. Despite their importance, many DEAD box proteins remain uncharacterized. In this report, we found DDX59 overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma. DDX59 knockdown reduced cell proliferation, anchorage-independent cell growth, and caused reduction of tumor formation in immunocompromised mice. In multiple lung cancer cells, we found that DDX59 knockdown inhibits DNA synthesis; wild-type DDX59 but not helicase-defective mutant of DDX59 enhances DNA synthesis. DDX59 knockdown caused reduction of MCM protein levels, decreased the loading of MCM ring protein onto chromatin, and therefore inhibited DNA replication. Our study reveals for the first time that DDX59 has an important role in lung cancer development through promoting DNA replication.
The exact Laplacian spectrum for the Dyson hierarchical network
Authors: Agliari Elena , Tavani Flavia 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe consider the Dyson hierarchical graph "Equation missing", that is a weighted fully-connected graph, where the pattern of weights is ruled by the parameter σ ∈ (1/2, 1]. Exploiting the deterministic recursivity through which "Equation missing" is built, we are able to derive explicitly the whole set of the eigenvalues and the eigenvectors for its Laplacian matrix. Given that the Laplacian operator is intrinsically implied in the analysis of dynamic processes (e.g., random walks) occurring on the graph, as well as in the investigation of the dynamical properties of connected structures themselves (e.g., vibrational structures and relaxation modes), this result allows addressing analytically a large class of problems. In particular, as examples of applications, we study the random walk and the continuous-time quantum walk embedded in "Equation missing", the relaxation times of a polymer whose structure is described by "Equation missing", and the community structure of "Equation missing" in terms of modularity measures.
Autophagy-related protein MoAtg14 is involved in differentiation, development and pathogenicity in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Liu Xiao-Hong , Zhao Ya-Hui , Zhu Xue-Ming , Zeng Xiao-Qing , Huang Lu-Yao , Dong Bo , Su Zhen-Zhu , Wang Yao , Lu Jian-Ping , Lin Fu-Cheng 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAutophagy is the major intracellular degradation system by which cytoplasmic materials are delivered to and degraded in the vacuole/lysosome in eukaryotic cells. MoAtg14 inM. oryzae, a hitherto uncharacterized protein, is the highly divergent homolog of the yeast Atg14 and the mammal BARKOR. TheMoATG14deletion mutant exhibited collapse in the center of the colonies, poor conidiation and a complete loss of virulence. Significantly, the ΔMoatg14mutant showed delayed breakdown of glycogen, less lipid bodies, reduced turgor pressure in the appressorium and impaired conidial autophagic cell death. The autophagic process was blocked in the ΔMoatg14mutant, and the autophagic degradation of the marker protein GFP-MoAtg8 was interrupted. GFP-MoAtg14 co-localized with mCherry-MoAtg8 in the aerial hypha. In addition, a conserved coiled-coil domain was predicted in the N-terminal region of the MoAtg14 protein, a domain which could mediate the interaction between MoAtg14 and MoAtg6. The coiled-coil domain of the MoAtg14 protein is essential for its function in autophagy and pathogenicity.
Polydatin protects the respiratory system from PM2.5 exposure
Authors: Yan Xiao-Dan , Wang Qi-Ming , Tie Cai , Jin Hong-Tao , Han Yan-Xing , Zhang Jin-Lan , Yu Xiao-Ming , Hou Qi , Zhang Piao-Piao , Wang Ai-Ping , Zhang Pei-Cheng , Gao Zhonggao , Jiang Jian-Dong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAtmospheric particle is one of the risk factors for respiratory disease; however, their injury mechanisms are poorly understood, and prevention methods are highly desirable. We constructed artificial PM2.5 (aPM2.5) particles according to the size and composition of actual PM2.5 collected in Beijing. Using these artificial particles, we created an inhalation-injury animal model. These aPM2.5 particles simulate the physical and chemical characteristics of the actual PM2.5, and inhalation of the aPM2.5 in rat results in a time-dependent change in lung suggesting a declined lung function, injury from oxidative stress and inflammation in lung. Thus, this aPM2.5-caused injury animal model may mimic that of the pulmonary injury in human exposed to airborne particles. In addition, polydatin (PD), a resveratrol glucoside that is rich in grapes and red wine, was found to significantly decrease the oxidative potential (OP) of aPM2.5in vitro. Treating the model rats with PD prevented the lung function decline caused by aPM2.5, and reduced the level of oxidative damage in aPM2.5-exposed rats. Moreover, PD inhibited aPM2.5-induced inflammation response, as evidenced by downregulation of white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammation-related lipids and proinflammation cytokines in lung. These results provide a practical means for self-protection against particulate air pollution.
Optical and THz investigations of mid-IR materials exposed to alpha particle irradiation
Authors: Sporea Dan , Mihai Laura , Sporea Adelina , Vâţã Ion 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe paper is the first comprehensive study on alpha particle irradiation effects on four mid-IR materials: CaF2, BaF2, Al2O3(sapphire) and ZnSe. The measurements of the optical spectral transmittance, spectral diffuse reflectance, radioluminescent emission, terahertz (THz) spectral response, transmittance, absorbance, refractive index, real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant and THz imaging are used as complementary investigations to evaluate these effects. The simulations were run to estimate: (i) the penetration depth, (ii) the scattering of alpha particle beam, (iii) the amount of material affected by this interaction, and (iv) the number of vacancies produced by the radiation exposure for each type of material. The simulation results are compared to the off-line measurement outcomes. The delay and spectral composition change of the reflected THz signal highlight the modification induced in the tested materials by the irradiation process.
KANK1 inhibits cell growth by inducing apoptosis through regulating CXXC5 in human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Authors: Cui Zhibin , Shen Yingjia , Chen Kenny H. , Mittal Suresh K. , Yang Jer-Yen , Zhang GuangJun 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are a type of rare sarcomas with a poor prognosis due to its highly invasive nature and limited treatment options. Currently there is no targeted-cancer therapy for this type of malignancy. Thus, it is important to identify more cancer driver genes that may serve as targets of cancer therapy. Through comparative oncogenomics, we have found that KANK1 was a candidate tumor suppressor gene (TSG) for human MPNSTs. Although KANK1 is known as a cytoskeleton regulator, its tumorigenic function in MPNSTs remains largely unknown. In this study, we report that restoration of KANK1 in human MPNST cells inhibits cell growth both in human cell culture and xenograft mice by increasing apoptosis. Consistently, knockdown of KANK1 in neurofibroma cells promoted cell growth. Using RNA-seq analysis, we identified CXXC5 and other apoptosis-related genes, and demonstrated that CXXC5 is regulated by KANK1. Knockdown of CXXC5 was found to diminish KANK1-induced apoptosis in MPNST cells. Thus, KANK1 inhibits MPNST cell growth though CXXC5 mediated apoptosis. Our results suggest that KANK1 may function as a tumor suppressor in human MPNSTs, and thus it may be useful for targeted therapy.
Coexistence of topological Dirac fermions on the surface and three-dimensional Dirac cone state in the bulk of ZrTe5 single crystal
Authors: Pariari Arnab , Mandal Prabhat 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAlthough, the long-standing debate on the resistivity anomaly in ZrTe5 somewhat comes to an end, the exact topological nature of the electronic band structure remains elusive till today. Theoretical calculations predicted that bulk ZrTe5 to be either a weak or a strong three-dimensional (3D) topological insulator. However, the angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy and transport measurements clearly demonstrate 3D Dirac cone state with a small mass gap between the valence band and conduction band in the bulk. From the magnetization and magneto-transport measurements on ZrTe5 single crystal, we have detected both the signature of helical spin texture from topological surface state and chiral anomaly associated with the 3D Dirac cone state in the bulk. This implies that ZrTe5 hosts a novel electronic phase of material, having massless Dirac fermionic excitation in its bulk gap state, unlike earlier reported 3D topological insulators. Apart from the band topology, it is also apparent from the resistivity and Hall measurements that the anomalous peak in the resistivity can be shifted to a much lower temperature (T < 2 K) by controlling impurity and defects.