bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can browsing by deer in winter induce defence responses in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)?
Authors: Hegland Stein Joar , Seldal Tarald , Lilleeng Marte S. , Rydgren Knut 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWild ungulates are key determinants in shaping boreal plant communities, and may also affect ecosystem function through inducing the plant defence systems of key plant species. We examined whether winter browsing by deer could increase the resistance of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). We used three indicators of induced bilberry defence: reduced growth (a), reduced reproduction (b) and decreased insect herbivory (c) in focal plants. In a field experiment, using a randomised block design, we exposed half of plants twice in winter to exogenously applied methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and crossed this factor with randomly selecting browsed and unbrowsed plants. We predicted that MeJA‐plants would have significant lower growth, reproduction and insect herbivory than Control plants. We also expected that Browsed plants would experience similar negative effects and that there would be an interaction between MeJa and Browsed indicating a possible additive effect. Growth, flowering and insect herbivory were significantly lower in MeJA than in Control, as expected. We did not find the same reduction for Browsed and no significant interaction between factors. The combined treatment, unexpectedly, flowered more and showed higher levels of insect herbivory than MeJA. Our study showed that defence responses of bilberry may be induced by exogenously‐applied MeJA in winter. Our study could not confirm whether winter browsing by deer can induce the same defence responses.
Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the drawdown zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir under different fertilization histories
Authors: Luo Xie , Su Xiaolei , Cui Jingmiao , Lou Ya , Li Ru , Luo Xiumei , Zeng Yuanqin , Xu Yaobo , Dong Jinyan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractImpoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) has dramatically influenced the riparian environment and shaped a new drawdown zone, which has experienced long‐term winter conditions and short periods of summer flooding. The community structure and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF) were investigated in three areas with different fertilization histories [Area A (5 years of fertilization), Area B (3 years of fertilization) and Area C (no fertilization)] in the drawdown zone of the TGR. Altogether, 50 AMF species were identified; the genera Acaulospora, Funneliformis and Glomus were predominant. The AM fungal community differed among areas A, B and C. A higher isolation frequency and relative abundance of Acaulospora, Ambispora, Entrophospora and Paraglomus were observed in areas A and B; however, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Sclerocystis and Septoglomus were more abundant in Area C. The highest spore density occurred in Area C, and was slightly lower in Area A and lowest in Area B. Conversely, species richness and diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener and evenness indices) were the highest in Area A, followed by areas C and B. Based on nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses, the distribution of AMF was influenced by plant host, fertilization practice and environmental factors. Among them, the soil physicochemical properties were the main drivers affecting AMF, in which three edaphic attributes (carbon/nitrogen ratio, available phosphorus and potassium content) were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the AM fungal community composition in the three areas of the drawdown zone of the TGR.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Series of Amphiphilic Mercapto‐1,2,4‐Triazole Schiff Base Ligands: Investigation of their Behavior in Hydro‐Organic Solutions
Authors: Boceiri Nadia , Benabdallah Tayeb , Hadj Youcef Mohammed , Reffas Hasnia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA novel series of four Schiff base amphiphiles derived from 3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole and different alkyl chains were successfully prepared by a new synthetic three‐step method. The chemical structures of the different ligands were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectra. The effect of the chain length on the solution behavior of the amphiphilic ligands were studied, in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, using pH‐metric and spectrophotometric methods. Based on the electronic spectroscopy data, some parameters governing their surfactant properties, such as the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the micellization free energy (ΔGmic) and the hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance (HLB) were evaluated in chloroform and discussed. The behavior of the four Schiff bases in the heterogeneous chloroform‐water mixture was then explored through the establishment of their acidity (pKA) and distribution (Log Kd) constants in 1 M chloride medium and the acidity constants in aqueous medium (pKa) were deduced. Results showed that an increase of the alkyl chain decreases the distribution of the ligands and increases their acidity. The extractive performance of the Schiff base amphiphiles were investigated towards Ni(II) from a chloride medium at 30 °C. The analysis of extraction data revealed that the synthesized Schiff bases exhibit a better and faster extractability than many ligands reported in the literature.
Synthesis, Characterization and Exploratory Application of Anionic Surfactant Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate from Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Jin Yueming , Tian Senlin , Guo Jiali , Ren Xiao , Li Xinyan , Gao Shumei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe environmentally friendly anionic surfactant fatty acid methyl ester sulfonate (MES) was prepared by esterification of waste cooking oil (WCO), a low‐cost raw material, followed by sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid. MES production from WCO (W‐MES) gave yields up to 78 %. Such a value is only slightly lower than the one obtained from soybean oil (S‐MES), 82 %, and almost the same as that from reused cooking oil (R‐MES), 76 %. According to the two‐phase titration results, the content of the active component, α‐MES, in S‐MES, R‐MES and W‐MES was equal to 76.82, 69.19 and 66.60 %, respectively. The disalt, RCH(CO2Na)SO3Na, contents were instead 3.2, 3.8 and 4.7 %, respectively. As proved by the results of the FTIR and NMR characterizations, the chemical structure of W‐MES is almost the same as that of S‐MES and R‐MES. The critical micelle concentration of W‐MES is 5.38 mmol/L and the corresponding surface tension is 32.3 mN/m. The hydrophile‐lipophile balance value of W‐MES is 12.33, which indicates that it can form oil/water emulsions. The three MES demonstrated the same adsorption efficiency, yielding a pC20 value of 3.22, and similar foam stability. Their detergency can be up to 75 % at a concentration of 400 mg/kg and the tolerance to Ca2+ is higher than the one exhibited by linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid and alpha olefin sulfonate. Additionally, W‐MES shows a considerable solubilization capacity towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon as the molar solubilization ratios to pyrene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene in a 30 mmol/L solution are 1.22 × 10−3, 2.67 × 10−3 and 3.81 × 10−3, respectively.
Prevalence of Transgender Depends on the “Case” Definition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Collin Lindsay , Reisner Sari L. , Tangpricha Vin , Goodman Michael 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate how various definitions of transgender affect prevalence estimates.

Aims
To evaluate the epidemiology of transgender and examine how various definitions of transgender affect prevalence estimates and to compare findings across studies that used different methodologies, in different countries, and over different periods.

Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline were searched to identify studies reporting prevalence estimates of transgender in a population. All studies were grouped based on the case definition applied to the numerator. Summary estimates were derived using a random-effects model for total prevalence of transgender and for male-to-female and female-to-male subgroups. Overall and stratum-specific meta-prevalence estimates (mPs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were accompanied by tests for heterogeneity and meta-regressions to assess sources of heterogeneity.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measure was population prevalence of transgender. Secondary outcomes included gender-specific prevalence estimates for male-to-female and female to male subgroups.

Results
Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review. Of those, 27 studies provided necessary data for a meta-analysis. Overall mP estimates per 100,000 population were 9.2 (95% CI = 4.9–13.6) for surgical or hormonal gender affirmation therapy and 6.8 (95% CI = 4.6–9.1) for transgender-related diagnoses. Of studies assessing self-reported transgender identity, the mP was 871 (95% CI = 519–1,224); however, this result was influenced by a single outlier study. After removal of that study, the mP changed to 355 (95% CI = 144–566). Significant heterogeneity was observed in most analyses.

Conclusion
The empirical literature on the prevalence of transgender highlights the importance of adhering to specific case definitions because the results can range by orders of magnitude. Standardized and routine collection of data on transgender status and gender identity is recommended.
Results of SMSNA Survey Regarding Complications Following Intralesional Injection Therapy with Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Yafi Faysal A. , Anaissie James , Zurawin Jonathan , Sikka Suresh C. , Hellstrom Wayne J.G. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Intralesional injection of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for Peyronie’s disease (PD) can result in serious adverse events such as hematoma formation and corporal rupture.

Aim
To investigate the prevalence of complications from CCH and management trends among CCH prescribers.

Methods
A survey was sent to all 693 members of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) with valid email addresses. Responders were asked to participate if they were prescribers of CCH. Data regarding prescriber experience with CCH, procedural preferences, and rates and management strategies of complications were collected.

Main Outcome Measure
One hundred SMSNA members completed the survey, with 36%, 23%, and 41% of responders having performed ≤10, 10 to 20, and &gt;20 CCH injections, respectively.

Results
Of the responders, 94% reported hematomas in &lt;25% of patients, with 63% preferring to observe and 37% treated with a combination of observation, application of a compressive dressing, and/or drainage of the hematoma. Corporal ruptures were encountered by 34% of physicians at a median of 5 days (0.5 to 30 days) from the last CCH injection. Rupture was located over the treated plaque in 84% of cases, and surgical intervention was the preferred management option by 67% of members. A distal circumcising degloving incision was used in 76% of cases, and 62% of responders reported the quality of tissue to be worse than would be expected with a non-CCH penile fracture. There were no significant differences in erectile function, ability to have intercourse, change in penile curvature, and patient satisfaction among patients who underwent surveillance vs surgery. One observed patient developed a penile abscess.

Conclusion
A wide variation exists among SMSNA members’ strategies to prevent and manage complications of CCH. One in 3 prescribers reported encountering a corporal rupture during CCH therapy, and it is currently undetermined if there is a benefit of surgery vs conservative management.
Robust and simple intelligent observer-based fault estimation and reconstruction for a class of non-linear systems: HIRM aircraft
Authors: Khooban M.H. , Siahi M. , Soltanpour M.-R. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper introduces an observer strategy, namely a Sliding Mode Observer (SMO), to realise the fault detection and estimation of general uncertain non-linear systems. The use of a non-linear observer is considered for monitoring the states of a high incidence research model (HIRM) aircraft system. For a special class of Lipschitz non-linear system, a fault reconstruction scheme is presented where the reconstructed signal can approximate the fault signal to any accuracy. The proposed method is based only on the available plant input-output information and can be calculated online. Moreover, the globally asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is mathematically proved. Finally, an HIRM aircraft system example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Modeling the evolution of the Juneau Icefield between 1971 and 2100 using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM)
Authors: ZIEMEN FLORIAN A. , HOCK REGINE , ASCHWANDEN ANDY , KHROULEV CONSTANTINE , KIENHOLZ CHRISTIAN , MELKONIAN ANDREW , ZHANG JING 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTWe study the evolution of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America (>3700 km2), using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM). We test two climate datasets: 20 km Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) output, and data from the Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP), derived from spatial interpolation of observations. Good agreement between simulated and observed surface mass balance was achieved only after substantially adjusting WRF precipitation to account for unresolved orographic effects, while SNAP's climate pattern is incompatible with observations of surface mass balance. Using the WRF data forced with the RCP6.0 emission scenario, the model projects a decrease in ice volume by 58–68% and a 57–63% area loss by 2099 compared with 2010. If the modeled 2070–99 climate is held constant beyond 2099, the icefield is eliminated by 2200. With constant 1971–2010 climate, the icefield stabilizes at 86% of its present-day volume. Experiments started from an ice-free state indicate that steady-state volumes are largely independent of the initial ice volume when forced by identical scenarios of climate stabilization. Despite large projected volume losses, the complex high-mountain topography makes the Juneau Icefield less susceptible to climate warming than low-lying Alaskan icefields.
Consortia of low-abundance bacteria drive sulfate reduction-dependent degradation of fermentation products in peat soil microcosms
Authors: Hausmann Bela , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Schreck Katharina , Tringe Susannah G , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Loy Alexander , Pester Michael 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Dissimilatory sulfate reduction in peatlands is sustained by a cryptic sulfur cycle and effectively competes with methanogenic degradation pathways. In a series of peat soil microcosms incubated over 50 days, we identified bacterial consortia that responded to small, periodic additions of individual fermentation products (formate, acetate, propionate, lactate or butyrate) in the presence or absence of sulfate. Under sulfate supplementation, net sulfate turnover (ST) steadily increased to 16–174 nmol cm−3 per day and almost completely blocked methanogenesis. 16S rRNA gene and cDNA amplicon sequencing identified microorganisms whose increases in ribosome numbers strongly correlated to ST. Natively abundant (⩾0.1% estimated genome abundance) species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) showed no significant response to sulfate. In contrast, low-abundance OTUs responded significantly to sulfate in incubations with propionate, lactate and butyrate. These OTUs included members of recognized sulfate-reducing taxa (Desulfosporosinus, Desulfopila, Desulfomonile, Desulfovibrio) and also members of taxa that are either yet unknown sulfate reducers or metabolic interaction partners thereof. Most responsive OTUs markedly increased their ribosome content but only weakly increased in abundance. Responsive Desulfosporosinus OTUs even maintained a constantly low population size throughout 50 days, which suggests a novel strategy of rare biosphere members to display activity. Interestingly, two OTUs of the non-sulfate-reducing genus Telmatospirillum (Alphaproteobacteria) showed strongly contrasting preferences towards sulfate in butyrate-amended microcosms, corroborating that closely related microorganisms are not necessarily ecologically coherent. We show that diverse consortia of low-abundance microorganisms can perform peat soil sulfate reduction, a process that exerts control on methane production in these climate-relevant ecosystems.
Facile preparation of multifunctional superparamagnetic PHBV microspheres containing SPIONs for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Wei , Jan Zaloga  , Ding Yaping , Liu Yufang , Janko Christina , Pischetsrieder Monika , Alexiou Christoph , Boccaccini Aldo R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe promising potential of magnetic polymer microspheres in various biomedical applications has been frequently reported. However, the surface hydrophilicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) usually leads to poor or even failed encapsulation of SPIONs in hydrophobic polymer microspheres using the emulsion method. In this study, the stability of SPIONs in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) solution was significantly increased after surface modification with lauric acid. As a result, magnetic PHBV microspheres with high encapsulation efficiencies (71.0–87.4%) were prepared using emulsion-solvent extraction/evaporation method. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed significant contrast for the magnetic PHBV microspheres. The toxicity of these magnetic PHBV microspheres towards human T-lymphoma suspension cells and adherent colon carcinoma HT-29 cells was investigated using flow cytometry and they were shown to be non-toxic in a broad concentration range. A model drug, tetracycline hydrochloride, was used to demonstrate the drug delivery capability and to investigate the drug release behavior of the magnetic PHBV microspheres. The drug was successfully loaded into the microspheres using lauric acid-coated SPIONs as drug carrier and was released from the microspheres in a diffusion controlled manner. The developed magnetic PHBV microspheres are promising candidates for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery and MRI.
Electrophysiological evidence of inhibited orthographic regularity effect on the recognition of real Chinese characters
Authors: He Weiqi , Fan Cong , Ren Jie , Liu Tiantian , Zhang Mingming , Luo Wenbo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOrthographic regularity is important for processing Chinese characters. However, the issues how orthographic regularity influences the visual recognition of real Chinese characters and whether common processes related to the potential effect exist between successive (SUCC) and concurrent (CONC) conditions with asynchronous presentation of S1 and S2 are still unclear. In the current study, event-related potential (ERP) technique was adopted to investigate electrophysiological correlates of the orthographic regularity effect. Behaviorally, we found fewer errors and shorter response times for SUCC and CONC conditions compared to simultaneous (SIM) condition with synchronous presentation and disappearance of S1 and S2, which demonstrates similarities between SUCC and CONC and their differences from SIM. We found bilaterally smaller N170 responses for real Chinese characters preceded by false characters compared to real characters, demonstrating that orthographic regularity may inhibit the recognition of real Chinese characters. Additionally, the inhibition effect was present in SUCC and CONC rather than SIM, which shows that smaller N170 responses may have been due to asynchronous presentations of S1 and S2 and common inhibition processes in the SUCC and CONC conditions.
Human EAG channels are directly modulated by PIP2 as revealed by electrophysiological and optical interference investigations
Authors: Han Bo , He Kunyan , Cai Chunlin , Tang Yin , Yang Linli , Heinemann Stefan H. , Hoshi Toshinori , Hou Shangwei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractVoltage-gated ether à go-go (EAG) K+ channels are expressed in various types of cancer cells and also in the central nervous system. Aberrant overactivation of human EAG1 (hEAG1) channels is associated with cancer and neuronal disorders such as Zimmermann-Laband and Temple-Baraitser syndromes. Although hEAG1 channels are recognized as potential therapeutic targets, regulation of their functional properties is only poorly understood. Here, we show that the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a potent inhibitory gating modifier of hEAG1 channels. PIP2 inhibits the channel activity by directly binding to a short N-terminal segment of the channel important for Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) binding as evidenced by bio-layer interferometry measurements. Conversely, depletion of endogenous PIP2 either by serotonin-induced phospholipase C (PLC) activation or by a rapamycin-induced translocation system enhances the channel activity at physiological membrane potentials, suggesting that PIP2 exerts a tonic inhibitory influence. Our study, combining electrophysiological and direct binding assays, demonstrates that hEAG1 channels are subject to potent inhibitory modulation by multiple phospholipids and suggests that manipulations of the PIP2 signaling pathway may represent a strategy to treat hEAG1 channel-associated diseases.
Association of serum fatty acid and estimated desaturase activity with hypertension in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population
Authors: Yang Bo , Ding Fang , Wang Feng-Lei , Yan Jing , Ye Xiong-Wei , Yu Wei , Li Duo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of serum fatty acid (FA) and related Δ-desaturase with hypertension among 2,447 community-dwellers aged 35–79 years living in Zhejiang Province, China. Individual FA was determined in serum, Δ5-desaturase (D5D) and Δ6-desaturase (D6D) activities were indirectly estimated by FA product/precursor ratios. Participants in the highest quartile of D5D component scores (20:4n–6, 20:5n–3, 22:6n–3 and D5D) have significantly lower odds of hypertension compared with individuals in the lowest (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46–0.98). When further stratified by gender, high D5D component scores were significantly associated with lower odds of hypertension in women (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35–0.80), but not in men (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.52-1.18). Multivariate-adjusted prevalent OR for an interquartile increment of individual FA and estimated desaturase was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.08–1.50) for 16:0, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01–1.30) for 16:1n–7, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80–0.99) for 22:6n–3, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.01–1.72) for D6D (18:3n–6/18:2n–6) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.98) for D5D (20:4n–6/20:3n–6). Present findings suggested that high serum 22:6n–3 and D5D as well as low 16:0, 16:1n–7 and D6D were associated with a low prevalence of hypertension in this Chinese population.