bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical range, extirpation and prospects for reintroduction of saigas in China
Authors: Cui Shaopeng , Milner-Gulland E. J. , Singh Navinder J. , Chu Hongjun , Li Chunwang , Chen Jing , Jiang Zhigang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAn assessment of historical distribution patterns and potential reintroduction sites is important for reducing the risk of reintroduction failure of endangered species. The saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, was extirpated in the mid-20th century in China. A captive population was established in the Wuwei Endangered Wildlife Breeding Centre (WEWBC) in the 1980s. Reintroduction is planned, but so far, no action has been taken. In this study, we delineated the historical distribution and potential reintroduction areas of saigas in China, using a literature review, interviews and predictive modelling. Results suggest that most of the seasonally suitable areas are non-overlapping, and China may have been a peripheral part of the main saiga range. WEWBC is not an ideal reintroduction site due to its low habitat suitability. Furthermore, we infer that two different movement patterns existed historically (regular migration and nomadic wandering). Our results demonstrate the challenges of restoring a free-ranging, self-sustaining saiga population in China. We recommend the setting up of additional breeding centres in protected areas within the potential saiga range in Xinjiang, and the development of a national action plan to provide a framework for the future recovery of the species.
TASK channels contribute to neuroprotective action of inhalational anesthetics
Authors: Yao Chengye , Li Yu , Shu Shaofang , Yao Shanglong , Lynch Carl , Bayliss Douglas A. , Chen Xiangdong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPostconditioning with inhalational anesthetics can reduce ischemia-reperfusion brain injury, although the cellular mechanisms for this effect have not been determined. The current study was designed to test if TASK channels contribute to their neuroprotective actions. Whole cell recordings were used to examine effects of volatile anesthetic on TASK currents in cortical neurons and to verify loss of anesthetic-activated TASK currents from TASK−/− mice. A transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model was used to establish brain ischemia-reperfusion injury. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that TASK mRNA was reduced by >90% in cortex and hippocampus of TASK−/− mice. The TASK−/− mice showed a much larger region of infarction than C57BL/6 J mice after tMCAO challenge. Isoflurane or sevoflurane administered after the ischemic insult reduced brain infarct percentage and neurological deficit scores in C57BL/6 J mice, these effect were reduced in TASK−/− mice. Whole cell recordings revealed that the isoflurane-activated background potassium current observed in cortical pyramidal neurons from wild type mice was conspicuously reduced in TASK−/− mice. Our studies demonstrate that TASK channels can limit ischemia-reperfusion damage in the cortex, and postconditioning with volatile anesthetics provides neuroprotective actions that depend, in part, on activation of TASK currents in cortical neurons.
Characterization of Chinese Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus with Novel Insertions and Deletions in Genome
Authors: Fan Baochao , Jiao Dian , Zhao Xiaona , Pang Fengjiao , Xiao Qi , Yu Zhengyu , Mao Aihua , Guo Rongli , Yuan Wanzhe , Zhao Pandeng , He Kongwang , Li Bin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOutbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) have caused great economic losses to the global pig industry. PEDV strains with variants in the spike (S) gene have been reported in several countries. To better understand the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of PEDV field isolates, in this study, we characterised the complete genome sequence of a novel PEDV variant JSCZ1601 from a outbreak in China in 2016. The PEDV isolate was 28,033 nucleotides (nt) in length without the polyadenylated sequences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length genome sequence of JSCZ1601 grouped it with the pandemic variants determined post-2010 into group 2 (G2). However, the S gene of JSCZ1601 formed a new subgroup separated from the subgroups containing the other G2 strains. Comparative analysis of the amino acids encoded by the S genes revealed the N-terminal of the deduced JSCZ1601 S protein had a novel two-amino-acid deletion (N58 and S59) compared with all identified genogroups. Further, compared with the reference strains, a ‘G’ insertion was detected in the 5′ terminal of the 5′UTR of the JSCZ1601. The animal experiment revealed that this strain was high pathogenic to neonatal pigs. Taken together, a PEDV strain with the new molecular characterizations and phylogenies was found in mainland China. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of PEDV variations.
Mitochondrial genomes of the hoverflies Episyrphus balteatus and Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae), with a phylogenetic analysis of Muscomorpha
Authors: Pu De-qiang , Liu Hong-ling , Gong Yi-yun , Ji Pei-cheng , Li Yue-jian , Mou Fang-sheng , Wei Shu-jun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe hoverflies Episyrphus balteatus and Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Muscomorpha: Syrphidae) are important natural aphid predators. We obtained mitochondrial genome sequences from these two species using methods of PCR amplification and sequencing. The complete Episyrphus mitochondrial genome is 16,175 bp long while the incomplete one of Eupeodes is 15,326 bp long. All 37 typical mitochondrial genes are present in both species and arranged in ancestral positions and directions. The two mitochondrial genomes showed a biased A/T usage versus G/C. The cox1, cox2, cox3, cob and nad1 showed relatively low level of nucleotide diversity among protein-coding genes, while the trnM was the most conserved one without any nucleotide variation in stem regions within Muscomorpha. Phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages of Muscomorpha were reconstructed using a complete set of mitochondrial genes. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses generated congruent topologies. Our results supported the monophyly of five species within the Syrphidae (Syrphoidea). The Platypezoidea was sister to all other species of Muscomorpha in our phylogeny. Our study demonstrated the power of the complete mitochondrial gene set for phylogenetic analysis in Muscomorpha.
Novel Programmable Shape Memory Polystyrene Film: A Thermally Induced Beam-power Splitter
Authors: Li Peng , Han Yu , Wang Wenxin , Liu Yanju , Jin Peng , Leng Jinsong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMicro/nanophotonic structures that are capable of optical wave-front shaping are implemented in optical waveguides and passive optical devices to alter the phase of the light propagating through them. The beam division directions and beam power distribution depend on the design of the micro/nanostructures. The ultimate potential of advanced micro/nanophotonic structures is limited by their structurally rigid, functional singleness and not tunable against external impact. Here, we propose a thermally induced optical beam-power splitter concept based on a shape memory polystyrene film with programmable micropatterns. The smooth film exhibits excellent transparency with a transmittance of 95% in the visible spectrum and optical stability during a continuous heating process up to 90 °C. By patterning double sided shape memory polystyrene film into erasable and switchable micro-groove gratings, the transmission light switches from one designed light divided directions and beam-power distribution to another because of the optical diffraction effect of the shape changing micro gratings during the whole thermal activated recovery process. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate a proof-of-principle of the beam-power splitter. Our results can be adapted to further extend the applications of micro/nanophotonic devices and implement new features in the nanophotonics.
Public service approach to car‐sharing in mid‐sized towns: the example of Belfort (France)
Authors: Röhr Thomas , Rovigo Marc 
Published: March 2017

Car‐sharing (CS) is an alternative to private cars able to change mobility customs and to participate in the greenhouse gas emission reduction. The administration board of the Belfort bus operator decided in January 2013 to build‐up a visible and attractive CS service following a public service idea and integrated into the urban mobility offer, with significantly higher vehicle density and vehicle/inhabitants ratio than in the other French cities. This innovative approach resulted in a remarkably high ratio of nearly 42 members/1000 inhabitants in December 2016. In 2015, the service totalled >2300 clients, 33,000 rentals and 1.5 million kilometres after only 2 years running. These figures confirm the hypothesis that CS can be rapidly developed as a veritable alternative even in mid‐sized towns. This article focuses on the design elements of the Belfort CS service as well as first analyses based on 2015 data and problems encountered.
Markov chain Monte Carlo and acceptance–rejection algorithms for synthesising short‐term variations in the generation output of the photovoltaic system
Authors: Kim Insu 
Published: March 2017

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is fast being deployed in electric power grids. For its more reliable integration into grids, the impact of its intermittent generation on grids should be further examined. However, high‐resolution solar and meteorological measurement data in 1 s or 1 min intervals are often not available for many areas or they are expensive to obtain. Thus, the objective of this study is to present a first‐order Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method that synthesises the short‐term variation, or sudden energy shortages and overages, in the power generation of a PV system in high‐resolution, from low‐resolution solar and meteorological data. In addition, up and down ramp rates in PV output are significant for the application of battery storage systems or grid operation. Thus, the acceptance–rejection algorithm able to limit such ramp rates is proposed. The proposed MCMC and acceptance–rejection methods are verified by comparing the statistical characteristics of the synthesised data to those of the original data. From case studies, this study found that the proposed methods could present the sufficient short‐term variation in generation output of a PV system.
Street nanotexturing of n‐GaN for enhancing light extraction in GaN LEDs
Authors: Hsu Chia‐Liang , Kumar Amarendra , Kashyap Kunal , Hou Max Ti‐Kuang , Yeh Jer‐Liang Andrew 
Published: March 2017

The output power of conventional light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) is enhanced by 9% at 120 mA current without alterations to the existing fabrication techniques and to the multi‐quantum well (MQW) junction. The output power is improved by nanotexturing the street of the n‐gallium nitride (GaN) layer that was unexploited, for the enhancement of the optical or electrical properties. The nanotextured street enhances the light extraction exclusively near the street of the n‐GaN layer by reducing the reflections from the LED surface. Similar light output patterns and I–V characteristics for LEDs with and without street nanotexturing were observed, confirming that the enhanced light extraction has been achieved without a change in the spatial distribution of light or in the properties of the MQW junction. A new approach for the output power enhancement of all types of existing LEDs is provided.
Roller embossing process for the replication of shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets
Authors: Guo Chunfang , Tian Qianqian , Wang Hairui , Sun Jianxing , Du Liqun , Wang Minjie , Zhao Danyang 
Published: March 2017

The riblet structures of shark skin have a significant biological function for drag reduction, which has been verified. However, it is difficult to fabricate large‐scale bionic shark skin surface with high precision and low cost. The real shark skin micro‐riblets were first measured and approximately simplified to obtain shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets. Numerical simulations were performed to explore the drag‐reduction effect of the micro‐riblets surface. According to the simplified micro‐riblets, a nickel mould with negative micro‐structures was manufactured by Ultra‐Violet Lithographie, Galvanoformung and Abformung technique. Roller embossing process was adopted to replicate shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets, capable of transferring the micro‐riblets to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. After embossing experiments, the effect of process parameters on roller embossing qualities including mould temperature, rolling pressure and rolling speed, evaluated by the depths of riblets embossed on the polymer films, were investigated. The results showed that the roller embossing process is a feasible and effective method to continuously replicate shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets on polymer substrates. Moreover, the optimal process parameters were determined, including mould temperatures of 70°C (for PVC) and 60°C (for PET), compression ratios of 1.22 (for PVC) and 1.53 (for PET) and rolling speed of 1 r/min.
Paliperidone Long-Acting Plasma Level Monitoring and a New Method of Evaluation of Clinical Stability
Authors: Mauri Massimo , Paletta Silvia , Di Pace Chiara , Reggiori Alessandra , Rovera Chiara , Fiorentini Alessio , Altamura Carlo 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The second generation long-acting antipsychotics can be a pharmacologic strategy, both in the early phase of illness and in the case of low compliance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of one monthly injection of paliperidone palmitate (PP1M), paliperidone plasma levels (PLs), and the clinical outcome.
21 outpatients, affected by Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder, were recruited. PP1M started with 150 mg on day 1 and 100 mg on day 8. Following patients were given a dosage ranging from 50 mg to 150 mg every 28 days. At baseline, and then monthly, patients were clinically evaluated.
BPRS and PANSS total score showed a statistically significant decrease from T2 (after 2 months) to T12 (after 12 months). The PLs steady-state was approximatively reached after the fifth injection (T4).
All the patients showed a clinical stabilization: BPRS and PANSS scores showed a significant improvement from T2. PLs data seems to suggest the initial possibility of an oral supplementation, although clinical evaluation demonstrated no relapse during the study.
Immune protection against reinfection with nonprimate hepacivirus
Authors: Pfaender Stephanie , Walter Stephanie , Grabski Elena , Todt Daniel , Bruening Janina , Romero-Brey Inés , Gather Theresa , Brown Richard J. P. , Hahn Kerstin , Puff Christina , Pfankuche Vanessa M. , Hansmann Florian , Postel Alexander , Becher Paul , Thiel Volker , Kalinke Ulrich , Wagner Bettina , Bartenschlager Ralf , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Feige Karsten , Pietschmann Thomas , Cavalleri Jessika M. V. , Steinmann Eike 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays a narrow species tropism severely hampering development of small animal models that are required for vaccine and pathogenesis studies in vivo. The recent discoveries of HCV-related hepaciviruses in diverse hosts offer new opportunities with respect to the development of an immunocompetent animal model for HCV research. Among the hepaciviruses, the equine nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) represents the closest homolog of HCV discovered to date. We defined key aspects of natural immunity to NPHV challenge in the cognate host and provide evidence for natural protection from NPHV infection. Further characterization of the immune signatures that confer protection against NPHV could provide important information that may facilitate the development of new prophylactic strategies including protective vaccines against HCV.
Correlated variability modifies working memory fidelity in primate prefrontal neuronal ensembles
Authors: Leavitt Matthew L. , Pieper Florian , Sachs Adam J. , Martinez-Trujillo Julio C. 
Published: March 2017

SignificanceThe working memory (WM)-related activity in the primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) is hypothesized to arise from the structure of the network in which the neurons are embedded. Recent studies have also shown that it is difficult to predict the properties of neuronal ensembles from the properties of individually examined neurons. By recording the activity of neuronal ensembles in the macaque PFC, we found evidence supporting the network origins of WM activity and discovered features of WM coding in neuronal ensembles that were inaccessible in prior single neuron studies. Most notably, we found that correlated firing rate variability between neurons (i.e., noise correlations) can improve WM coding and that neurons not selective for WM can improve WM coding when part of an ensemble.
The 2016 Josephine Waters Bennett Lecture: Humanism and Printing in the Work of Conrad Gessner
Authors: Blair Ann 
Published: March 2017

AbstractI discuss how printing affected the practice of scholarship by examining the working methods of Conrad Gessner (1516–65), a prolific humanist, bibliographer, and natural historian. Gessner supplemented his revenue as city physician in Zurich through his publishing activities. He hailed printing, along with libraries to preserve the books, as crucial to the successful transmission of learning to the distant future. Gessner also used printing as a kind of social media: to reach readers rapidly all over Europe, in order to solicit contributions to his research projects underway, to advertise forthcoming books, and to develop his own thinking through multiple iterations.
The Italian London of John North: Cultural Contact and Linguistic Encounter in Early Modern England
Authors: Gallagher John 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article takes as its subject the remarkable diary kept by a young English gentleman named John North from 1575 to 1579. On his journey home from Italy in 1575–77, North changed the language of his diary from English to Italian. On his return to London, he continued to keep a record of his everyday life in Italian. This article uses North’s diary as a starting point from which to reconstruct the social and sensory worlds of a returned traveler and Italianate gentleman. In doing so, it offers a way of bridging the gap between individual experiences and personal networks on the one hand, and the wider processes of cultural encounter and linguistic contact on the other.
QRank: a novel quantile regression tool for eQTL discovery
Authors: Song Xiaoyu , Li Gen , Zhou Zhenwei , Wang Xianling , Ionita-Laza Iuliana , Wei Ying 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable improvement in our understanding of the role of genetic variation in complex human diseases, especially via genome-wide association studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly characterized, impending the development of therapeutic interventions. Identifying genetic variants that influence the expression level of a gene, i.e. expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), can help us understand how genetic variants influence traits at the molecular level. While most eQTL studies focus on identifying mean effects on gene expression using linear regression, evidence suggests that genetic variation can impact the entire distribution of the expression level. Motivated by the potential higher order associations, several studies investigated variance eQTLs.

Results
In this paper, we develop a Quantile Rank-score based test (QRank), which provides an easy way to identify eQTLs that are associated with the conditional quantile functions of gene expression. We have applied the proposed QRank to the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, an international tissue bank for studying the relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in human tissues, and found that the proposed QRank complements the existing methods, and identifies new eQTLs with heterogeneous effects across different quantile levels. Notably, we show that the eQTLs identified by QRank but missed by linear regression are associated with greater enrichment in genome-wide significant SNPs from the GWAS catalog, and are also more likely to be tissue specific than eQTLs identified by linear regression.

Availability and Implementation
An R package is available on R CRAN at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/QRank.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Endoscopic Endonasal Interdural Middle Fossa Approach to the Maxillary Nerve: Anatomic Considerations and Surgical Relevance
Authors: Abhinav Kumar , Panczykowski David , Wang Wei-Hsin , Synderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A. , Wang Eric W. , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The maxillary nerve (V2) can be approached via the open middle fossa approach.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the anatomy of V2 and its specific segments with respect to the endonasal landmarks. We present the endoscopic endonasal interdural middle fossa approach to V2 and its potential application for the treatment of perineural spread in sinonasal/skull base tumors.

METHODS: Five human head silicon-injected specimens underwent bilateral endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches. V2 prominence and the maxillary strut were identified in the lateral recess along with paraclival carotid protruberance. The regions superior and inferior to V2 corresponding to the anteromedial and anterolateral triangles of the middle fossa were exposed.

RESULTS: V2 can be classified into 3 segments: interdural (from the Gasserian ganglion to the proximal part of the maxillary strut), intracanalicular (corresponding to the anteroposterior length of the maxillary strut), and pterygopalatine (distal to the maxillary strut and the site of its divisions). Endonasally, the average length of the interdural and the intracanalicular segments were approximately 9 and 4.4 mm, respectively. V2, following its division distal to the maxillary strut, was successfully dissected off the middle fossa dura and transected just distal to the Gasserian ganglion.

CONCLUSION: Endonasally, the interdural segment can be safely mobilized between the periosteal and meningeal dural layers while ensuring the integrity of the middle fossa dura. This allows transection of infiltrated V2 to facilitate tumor resection without entering the intradural/arachnoidal space. Posteriorly, this is limited by the Gasserian ganglion and superomedially by the dural envelope surrounding the cavernous sinus and the paraclival carotid artery.