bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ortholog of CURLY LEAF/ENHANCER OF ZESTE like‐1 is required for proper flowering in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Lomax Aaron , Woods Daniel P. , Dong Yinxin , Bouché Frédéric , Rong Ying , Mayer Kevin S. , Zhong Xuehua , Amasino Richard M. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryMany plants require prolonged exposure to cold to acquire the competence to flower. The process by which cold exposure results in competence is known as vernalization. In Arabidopsis thaliana, vernalization leads to the stable repression of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C via chromatin modification, including an increase of trimethylation on lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) by Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). Vernalization in pooids is associated with the stable induction of a floral promoter, VERNALIZATION 1 (VRN1). From a screen for mutants with a reduced vernalization requirement in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon, we identified two recessive alleles of ENHANCER OF ZESTE‐LIKE 1 (EZL1). EZL1 is orthologous to A. thaliana CURLY LEAF 1, a gene that encodes the catalytic subunit of PRC2. B. distachyon ezl1 mutants flower rapidly without vernalization in long‐day (LD) photoperiods; thus, EZL1 is required for the proper maintenance of the vegetative state prior to vernalization. Transcriptomic studies in ezl1 revealed mis‐regulation of thousands of genes, including ectopic expression of several floral homeotic genes in leaves. Loss of EZL1 results in the global reduction of H3K27me3 and H3K27me2, consistent with this gene making a major contribution to PRC2 activity in B. distachyon. Furthermore, in ezl1 mutants, the flowering genes VRN1 and AGAMOUS (AG) are ectopically expressed and have reduced H3K27me3. Artificial microRNA knock‐down of either VRN1 or AG in ezl1‐1 mutants partially restores wild‐type flowering behavior in non‐vernalized plants, suggesting that ectopic expression in ezl1 mutants may contribute to the rapid‐flowering phenotype.
Moho temperature and mobility of lower crust in the western United States
Authors: Schutt Derek L. , Lowry Anthony R. , Buehler Janine S. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
We use measurements of mantle P-wave velocity from the Moho refracted phase, Pn, to estimate temperature within the uppermost few km of the western U.S. mantle. Relative to other approaches to modeling the deep geotherm, using Pn velocities requires few assumptions and provides a less uncertain temperature at a tightly constrained depth. Assuming a homogeneous mantle composition, Moho temperatures are lowest in an arc that extends from the High Lava Plains through western Montana and the high-plains region of Wyoming and western Kansas/Nebraska. Highest temperatures are observed under recent (&lt;10 Ma) volcanic provinces and are consistent with melting. Estimates of lower crustal viscosity suggest that the western U.S. west of the Laramide deformation front likely has regions of mobile lower crust that decouple upper crustal and upper mantle tractions.
Mineral changes quantify frictional heating during a large low-friction landslide
Authors: Hu Wei , Huang Runqiu , McSaveney Mauri , Zhang Xiang-hui , Yao Lu , Shimamoto Toshi 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Data on thermal decomposition constrain events around the transition on 5 June 2009 from creep deformation (over many decades) with sporadic rockfalls to catastrophic collapse of Jiweishan Mountain, China, which poured millions of tons of limestone rubble from a cliff top into the valley below, causing 79 deaths. We quantified frictional resistance (µ, 0.1–0.2) and rapid frictional heating using thermogravimetry, mineral alteration close to the sliding surface, and high-speed rotary experiments. The differential thermogravimetry (DTG) trough temperature varied from 794 ± 4 °C at the sliding interface to ∼720 °C below 10 mm. We inferred that DTG trough changes reflected the substrate thermal history due to landslide frictional heating. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed thermal decomposition of talc (a major mineral in the shale at Jiweishan Mountain) to magnesium metasilicate (formation temperature of ∼600 °C) and enstatite (formation temperature of 800–905 °C). The intensity of the enstatite XRD peak decreased with increasing depth below the sliding surface to disappear below 6.5 mm. Magnesium metasilicate appeared between 6.5 mm and 10.5 mm depth. We replicated the temperatures and mineral changes in high-speed rotary shear experiments. Heating above 800 °C at the sliding surface was confirmed by temperature measurements and thermal decomposition of dolomite to magnesium and calcium oxides in the shallowest samples (which could not have survived for 7 yr at our field site and thus were not detected in the field). We inferred that the slide surface was heated to at least 800 °C by frictional sliding and that the temperature below 10.5 mm depth did not rise above 600 °C. Evidence of dynamic localized recrystallization was found on both field and experimental sliding surfaces, which may be a further explanation for the ultra-low friction during the rapid sliding, besides the presence of a significant basal pore-gas pressure from CO2 and steam.
Topography-guided identification of leakage point in central serous chorioretinopathy: a base for fluorescein angiography-free focal laser photocoagulation
Authors: Maltsev Dmitrii S , Kulikov Alexei N , Chhablani Jay 
Published: January 2018

PurposeTo identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings associated with the leakage points in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) to provide fluorescein angiography (FA)-free focal laser photocoagulation (FLP) of the leakage point.MethodsA retrospective study included 48 patients with CSC (48 eyes). Colocalisation of leakage points with pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) and with areas of photoreceptor outer segments (PROS) layer thinning was evaluated with OCT. Using FA for each leakage point, the relationship to neurosensory detachment was evaluated with retro-mode confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.ResultsCoincidence with PED was found in 52 of 65 (80.0%) leakage points. The PROS thinning was found in 47 of 52 (90.4%) of the PEDs coincided with leakage point. The mean distance from the upper border of neurosensory detachment to the leakage point was 27.3%±13.0% of the vertical dimension of the neurosensory detachment.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that PEDs localised in the upper half of the neurosensory detachment area and associated with the PROS thinning area coincided with the leakage point in a significant number of patients with CSC. The patients with non-resolving CSC with a small single PED localising in the upper one-third to one-half of the neurosensory detachment area with an area of PROS thinning above this PED may undergo FA-free OCT-guided FLP treating whole PED.
Removing user fees to improve access to caesarean delivery: a quasi-experimental evaluation in western Africa
Authors: Ravit Marion , Audibert Martine , Ridde Valéry , de Loenzien Myriam , Schantz Clémence , Dumont Alexandre 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionMali and Benin introduced a user fee exemption policy focused on caesarean sections in 2005 and 2009, respectively. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of this policy on service utilisation and neonatal outcomes. We focus specifically on whether the policy differentially impacts women by education level, zone of residence and wealth quintile of the household.MethodsWe use a difference-in-differences approach using two other western African countries with no fee exemption policies as the comparison group (Cameroon and Nigeria). Data were extracted from Demographic and Health Surveys over four periods between the early 1990s and the early 2000s. We assess the impact of the policy on three outcomes: caesarean delivery, facility-based delivery and neonatal mortality.ResultsWe analyse 99 800 childbirths. The free caesarean policy had a positive impact on caesarean section rates (adjusted OR=1.36 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.66; P≤0.01), particularly in non-educated women (adjusted OR=2.71; 95% CI 1.70 to 4.32; P≤0.001), those living in rural areas (adjusted OR=2.02; 95% CI 1.48 to 2.76; P≤0.001) and women in the middle-class wealth index (adjusted OR=3.88; 95% CI 1.77 to 4.72; P≤0.001). The policy contributes to the increase in the proportion of facility-based delivery (adjusted OR=1.68; 95% CI 1.48 to 1.89; P≤0.001) and may also contribute to the decrease of neonatal mortality (adjusted OR=0.70; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.85; P≤0.001).ConclusionThis study is the first to evaluate the impact of a user fee exemption policy focused on caesarean sections on maternal and child health outcomes with robust methods. It provides evidence that eliminating fees for caesareans benefits both women and neonates in sub-Saharan countries.
Mental disorder in children with physical conditions: a pilot study
Authors: Butler Alexandra , Van Lieshout Ryan J , Lipman Ellen Louise , MacMillan Harriet L , Gonzalez Andrea , Gorter Jan Willem , Georgiades Kathy , Speechley Kathy N , Boyle Michael H , Ferro Mark A 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesMethodologically, to assess the feasibility of participant recruitment and retention, as well as missing data in studying mental disorder among children newly diagnosed with chronic physical conditions (ie, multimorbidity). Substantively, to examine the prevalence of multimorbidity, identify sociodemographic correlates and model the influence of multimorbidity on changes in child quality of life and parental psychosocial outcomes over a 6-month follow-up.DesignProspective pilot study.SettingTwo children’s tertiary-care hospitals.ParticipantsChildren aged 6–16 years diagnosed in the past 6 months with one of the following: asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, food allergy or juvenile arthritis, and their parents.Outcome measuresResponse, participation and retention rates. Child mental disorder using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview at baseline and 6 months. Child quality of life, parental symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and family functioning. All outcomes were parent reported.ResultsResponse, participation and retention rates were 90%, 83% and 88%, respectively. Of the 50 children enrolled in the study, the prevalence of multimorbidity was 58% at baseline and 42% at 6 months. No sociodemographic characteristics were associated with multimorbidity. Multimorbidity at baseline was associated with declines over 6 months in the following quality of life domains: physical well-being, β=−4.82 (–8.47, –1.17); psychological well-being, β=−4.10 (–7.62, –0.58) and school environment, β=−4.17 (–8.18, –0.16). There was no association with parental psychosocial outcomes over time.ConclusionsPreliminary evidence suggests that mental disorder in children with a physical condition is very common and has a negative impact on quality of life over time. Based on the strong response rate and minimal attrition, our approach to study child multimorbidity appears feasible and suggests that multimorbidity is an important concern for families. Methodological and substantive findings from this pilot study have been used to implement a larger, more definitive study of child multimorbidity, which should lead to important clinical implications.
Microstructure and thermoelectric properties of CuInSe2/In2Se3 compound
Authors: Wang Kang , Feng Jing , Ge Zhen-Hua , Qin Peng , Yu Jie 
Published: January 2018

CuInSe2 powders were synthesized by solvothermal method, and then the CuInSe2/In2Se3 bulk samples were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. To investigate the phase composition, the powders were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructures of the powders and bulk samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The transportation of the electronic properties and thermal conductivity were measured at room temperature to 700 K. According to the results, the CuInSe2 powders appeared in flower-like patterns which ranged from 3 [Formula: see text]m to 6 [Formula: see text]m. CuInSe2 powders were synthesized at 180[Formula: see text]C with a chalcopyrite structure. The Seebeck coefficient increased significantly in composite thermoelectric materials up to [Formula: see text] at 623 K. The thermal conductivity of the sample significantly decreases from the room temperature to 700 K. The CuInSe2 bulk composite by solvothermal method achieves the highest ZT value of 0.187 at 700 K.
Reducing Curse of Dimensionality
Authors: Chan T.-H. Hubert , Jiang Shaofeng H.-C. 
Published: January 2018

We consider the Traveling Salesman Problem with Neighborhoods (TSPN) in doubling metrics. The goal is to find the shortest tour that visits each of a given collection of subsets (regions or neighborhoods) in the underlying metric space.
We give a randomized polynomial-time approximation scheme (PTAS) when the regions are fat weakly disjoint. This notion of regions was first defined when a QPTAS was given for the problem in SODA 2010 (Chan and Elbassioni 2010). The regions are partitioned into a constant number of groups, where in each group, regions should have a common upper bound on their diameters and each region designates one point within it such that these points are far away from one another.
We combine the techniques in the previous work, together with the recent PTAS for TSP (STOC 2012: Bartal, Gottlieb, and Krauthgamer 2012) to achieve a PTAS for TSPN. However, several nontrivial technical hurdles need to be overcome for applying the PTAS framework to TSPN:
(1) Heuristic to detect sparse instances. In the STOC 2012 paper, a minimum spanning tree heuristic is used to estimate the portion of an optimal tour within some ball. However, for TSPN, it is not known if an optimal tour would use points inside the ball to visit regions that intersect the ball.
(2) Partially cut regions in the recursion. After a sparse ball is identified by the heuristic, the PTAS framework for TSP uses dynamic programming to solve the instance restricted to the sparse ball and recurse on the remaining instance. However, for TSPN, it is an important issue to decide whether each region partially intersecting the sparse ball should be solved in the sparse instance or considered in the remaining instance.
Surprisingly, we show that both issues can be resolved by conservatively making the ball in question responsible for all intersecting regions. In particular, a sophisticated charging argument is needed to bound the cost of combining tours in the recursion.

Moreover, more refined procedures are used to improve the dependence of the running time on the doubling dimension
k
from the previous exp[(
O
(1))

k
2

] (even for just TSP) to exp[2

O
(
k
log
k
)

].
Using DDS middleware in distributed partitioned systems
Authors: García-Valls Marisol , Domínguez-Poblete Jorge , Touahria Imad Eddine 
Published: January 2018

Communication middleware technologies are slowly being integrated also into critical domains that are also progresively transitioning to partitioned systems. Especially, avionics systems have transitioned from federated architectures to IMA (Integrated Modular Avionics) standard that targets partitioned systems to comply with the requirements of cost, safety, and weight. In the future developments, it is fully considered the integration of middleware to support data communication and application interoperability. As specified in FACE (Future Airborne Capability Environment), middleware will be integrated into mixed criticality systems to ease the development of portable components that can interoperate effectively. Still nowadays, in realtime environments, communication middleware is perceived as a source of unpredictability; and still there are very few contributions that present real applications of the integration of communication middleware into partitioned systems to support distribution.
This paper describes the usage of a publish-subscribe middleware (precisely, DDS -Data Distribution Service for real-time systems-) into a fully distributed partitioned system. We explain the design of a reliable communication setting enabled by the middleware, and we exemplify it using a distributed monitoring application for an emulated partitioned system with the goal of obtaining the middleware communication overhead. Implementation results show stable communication times that can be integrated in the resource assignment to partitions.
Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Axitinib in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Preclinical and Phase II Correlative Study
Authors: Hui Edwin P. , Ma Brigette B. Y. , Loong Herbert H. F. , Mo Frankie , Li Leung , King Ann D. , Wang Ki , Ahuja Anil T. , Chan Charles M. L. , Hui Connie W. C. , Wong Chi H. , Chan Anthony T. C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPurpose: We hypothesized that axitinib is active with an improved safety profile in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Experimental Design: We evaluated axitinib in preclinical models of NPC and studied its efficacy in a phase II clinical trial in recurrent or metastatic NPC patients who progressed after at least one line of prior platinum-based chemotherapy. We excluded patients with local recurrence or vascular invasion. Axitinib was started at 5 mg twice daily in continuous 4-week cycles. Primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as the percentage of patients achieving complete response, partial response, or stable disease by RECIST criteria for more than 3 months.Results: We recruited 40 patients, who received a median of 3 lines of prior chemotherapy. Axitinib was administered for a mean of 5.6 cycles, with 16 patients (40%) receiving ≥6 cycles. Of 37 patients evaluable for response, CBR was 78.4% (95% CI, 65.6%–91.2%) at 3 months and 43.2% (30.4%–56.1%) at 6 months. Grade 3/4 toxicities were uncommon, including hypertension (8%), diarrhea (5%), weight loss (5%), and pain (5%). All hemorrhagic events were grade 1 (15%) or grade 2 (3%). Elevated diastolic blood pressure during the first 3 months of axitinib treatment was significantly associated with improved overall survival (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13–0.64, P = 0.0012). Patient-reported fatigue symptom was associated with hypothyroidism (P = 0.039). Axitinib PK parameters (Cmax and AUC(0-t)) were significantly correlated with tumor response, toxicity, and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone changes.Conclusions: Axitinib achieved durable disease control with a favorable safety profile in heavily pretreated NPC patients. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1030–7. ©2018 AACR.
Associations of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 with Markers of Inflammation and Leukocyte Transmigration in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wallquist Carin , Mansouri Ladan , Norrbäck Mattias , Hylander Britta , Jacobson Stefan H. , Larsson Tobias E. , Lundahl Joachim 
Published: January 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) show elevated levels of inflammatory markers and have an increased risk of infections as well as cardiovascular morbidity. Recent studies have implied effects of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) on inflammation in CKD. We analyzed potential correlations between levels of FGF23 with pro-inflammatory chemokines and markers of leukocyte transmigration in CKD patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> One hundred three patients with CKD 2–5ND and 54 healthy controls, had biochemical markers in blood and urine analyzed according to routine protocol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by Milliplex technique and leukocyte CD11b adhesion molecule expression was measured by flow cytometry. FGF23 levels were measured with ELISA technique. Treatment of leukocytes from healthy blood donors with FGF23 was performed in vitro and effects analyzed by flow cytometry. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, RANTES and interleukin (IL)-12 levels were significantly higher (<i>p</i> = 0.001, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, and <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) in patients with CKD. Elevated FGF23 levels in the CKD group correlated to glomerular filtration rate, parathyroid hormone, urinary albumin excretion and phosphate as well as to IL-12 and RANTES. CD11b expression on resting granulocytes and monocytes, and on activated monocytes, was associated with FGF23<i>.</i> In vitro treatment of leukocytes with FGF23 reduced CD11b expression in resting as well as in formyl-methyinoyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated granulocytes (<i>p</i> = 0.03). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b><i></i> FGF23 levels are associated with various inflammatory markers such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules on innate immune cells. However, further studies are warranted to define the direct role of FGF23 in modulation of the innate immune system in CKD.
Akt2 (Protein Kinase B Beta) Stabilizes ATP7A, a Copper Transporter for Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase, in Vascular Smooth Muscle
Authors: Sudhahar Varadarajan , Okur Mustafa Nazir , Bagi Zsolt , O’Bryan John P. , Hay Nissim , Makino Ayako , Patel Vijay S. , Phillips Shane A. , Stepp David , Ushio-Fukai Masuko , Fukai Tohru 
Published: January 2018

Objective—
Copper transporter ATP7A (copper-transporting/ATPase) is required for full activation of SOD3 (extracellular superoxide dismutase), which is secreted from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and anchors to endothelial cell surface to preserve endothelial function by scavenging extracellular superoxide. We reported that ATP7A protein expression and SOD3 activity are decreased in insulin-deficient type 1 diabetes mellitus vessels, thereby, inducing superoxide-mediated endothelial dysfunction, which are rescued by insulin treatment. However, it is unknown regarding the mechanism by which insulin increases ATP7A expression in VSMCs and whether ATP7A downregulation is observed in T2DM (type2 diabetes mellitus) mice and human in which insulin–Akt (protein kinase B) pathway is selectively impaired.

Approach and Results—

Here we show that ATP7A protein is markedly downregulated in vessels isolated from T2DM patients, as well as those from high-fat diet–induced or db/db T2DM mice. Akt2 (protein kinase B beta) activated by insulin promotes ATP7A stabilization via preventing ubiquitination/degradation as well as translocation to plasma membrane in VSMCs, which contributes to activation of SOD3 that protects against T2DM-induced endothelial dysfunction. Downregulation of ATP7A in T2DM vessels is restored by constitutive active Akt or PTP1B
−/−
(protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B-deficient) T2DM mice, which enhance insulin–Akt signaling. Immunoprecipitation, in vitro kinase assay, and mass spectrometry analysis reveal that insulin stimulates Akt2 binding to ATP7A to induce phosphorylation at Ser1424/1463/1466. Furthermore, SOD3 activity is reduced in Akt2
−/−
vessels or VSMCs, which is rescued by ATP7A overexpression.

Conclusion—
Akt2 plays a critical role in ATP7A protein stabilization and translocation to plasma membrane in VSMCs, which contributes to full activation of vascular SOD3 that protects against endothelial dysfunction in T2DM.