bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phosphorus bioavailability of biochars produced by thermo‐chemical conversion
Authors: Weber Bernd , Stadlbauer Ernst A. , Schlich Elmar , Eichenauer Sabrina , Kern Juergen , Steffens Diedrich 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRecycling of P is a common strategy in efficient use of P. The aims of our investigation were to study the P extractability of biochars produced by low temperature conversion and to determine the effect of soda application on low‐temperature conversion of organic compounds and the bioavailability of P to rye grass (Lolium perenne L., cv. Grazer). In this study canola cake, dried distillers grains with solubles, and meat‐and‐bone meal were converted to biochars with thermo‐chemical conversion at 400°C. The P availability was measured in terms of solubility in water, 2% citric, and 2% formic acid, and in a pot experiment with rye grass (Lolium perenne L.) which was cut three times. Application of 8% (w/w) soda to the process of thermo‐chemical conversion of canola cake, dried distillers grains with soluble and meat‐and‐bone meal resulted in an increase of water‐, 2% citric‐, and 2% formic‐acid‐extractable P in the biochars. In contrast to the application of soda, addition of 12% wood ash (w/w) to the conversion of dried distillers grains with solubles resulted in a lower increase of water‐soluble P in the corresponding biochar compared to processing biochar without additives. Addition of biochar P (100 mg P [kg soil]–1) to a Luvisol resulted in an increase of CAL‐extractable soil P. The P uptake of rye grass from biochars produced with the addition of soda was as effective as basic slag and MgNH4 phosphate fertilizers and even better than rock phosphate.
Laser speckle contrast analysis for quantifying the Allen test: A feasibility study
Authors: Sandker Stefan C. , Hondebrink Erwin , Grandjean Jan G. , Steenbergen Wiendelt 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBackground and ObjectiveThe radial artery has become a routinely used conduit for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Prior to surgery the Allen test is performed to test the patency of the ulnar artery. A positive Allen test, reperfusion >5 seconds, suggests an insufficient perfusion of the hand by the ulnar artery. In this study we investigated if laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) provides an objective determination of the reperfusion time.Materials and MethodsWhen the hand is illuminated with coherent laser light, the backscattered light will result in an interference pattern consisting of bright and dark areas called speckles. This speckle pattern will change due to movement of red blood cells. LASCA uses these changes to visualize the perfusion during the Allen test. Reperfusion is measured on the palmar side of the hand. The reperfusion time is defined as the time from onset of reperfusion to maximum perfusion calculated by a polynomial curve fit. The reperfusion time of the hand of patients undergoing CABG (n = 30) is measured using LASCA and is compared to the conventional Allen test performed by the nurse practitioner.ResultsLASCA measurements showed a negative Allen test of both hands of 16 patients. Fourteen had a borderline reperfusion time of 5–6 seconds and/or a positive Allen test of one or both hands. No statistical significant difference was observed for the LASCA Allen test compared to the conventional Allen test, P = 0.549 for the left hand and P = 0.223 for the right hand.ConclusionLASCA is able to visualize perfusion of the hand and measure a quick, moderate, slow reperfusion response or no reperfusion. It is technically feasible to determine the reperfusion time of the hand. LASCA can be a useful and objective tool to assess ulnar collateral blood supply to the hand prior to harvesting of the radial artery as a bypass graft. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:186–192, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gait impairment precedes clinical symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6
Authors: Rochester Lynn , Galna Brook , Lord Sue , Mhiripiri Dadirayi , Eglon Gail , Chinnery Patrick F. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundSpinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is an inherited ataxia with no established treatment. Gait ataxia is a prominent feature causing substantial disability. Understanding the evolution of the gait disturbance is a key step in developing treatment strategies.MethodsWe studied 9 gait variables in 24 SCA6 (6 presymptomatic; 18 symptomatic) and 24 controls and correlated gait with clinical severity (presymptomatic and symptomatic).ResultsDiscrete gait characteristics precede symptoms in SCA6 with significantly increased variability of step width and step time, whereas a more global gait deficit was evident in symptomatic individuals. Gait characteristics discriminated between presymptomatic and symptomatic individuals and were selectively associated with disease severity.ConclusionsThis is the largest study to include a detailed characterization of gait in SCA6, including presymptomatic subjects, allowing changes across the disease spectrum to be compared. Selective gait disturbance is already present in SCA6 before clinical symptoms appear and gait characteristics are also sensitive to disease progression. Early gait disturbance likely reflects primary pathology distinct from secondary changes. These findings open the opportunity for early evaluation and sensitive measures of therapeutic efficacy using instrumented gait analysis which may have broader relevance for all degenerative ataxias. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Magnetic resonance support vector machine discriminates between Parkinson disease and progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Cherubini Andrea , Morelli Maurizio , Nisticó Rita , Salsone Maria , Arabia Gennarina , Vasta Roberta , Augimeri Antonio , Caligiuri Maria Eugenia , Quattrone Aldo 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe aim of the current study was to distinguish patients with Parkinson disease (PD) from those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) at the individual level using pattern recognition of magnetic resonance imaging data.MethodsWe combined diffusion tensor imaging and voxel‐based morphometry in a support vector machine algorithm to evaluate 21 patients with PSP and 57 patients with PD.ResultsThe automated algorithm correctly distinguished patients who had PD from those who had PSP with 100% accuracy. This accuracy value was obtained when white matter atrophy was considered. Diffusion parameters combined with gray matter atrophy exhibited 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that automated pattern recognition can help distinguish patients with PSP from those with PD on an individual basis. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Plasma levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors are associated with cognitive performance in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Rocha Natália Pessoa , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , Scalzo Paula Luciana , Barbosa Izabela Guimarães , de Sousa Mariana Soares , Morato Isabela Boechat , Vieira Érica Leandro Marciano , Christo Paulo Pereira , Palotás András , Reis Helton José 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTInflammatory mechanisms have been implicated in a series of neuropsychiatric conditions, including behavioral disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, and affective disorders. Accumulating evidence also strongly suggests their involvement in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to evaluate plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers, and their association with cognitive performance and other non‐motor symptoms of PD. PD patients and control individuals were subjected to various psychometric tests, including the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Biomarker plasma levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PD patients exhibited worse performance on MMSE and the programming task of FAB, and presented higher soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) plasma levels than control individuals. Among PD patients, increased sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 concentrations were associated with poorer cognitive test scores. After multiple linear regression, sTNFR1 and education remained a significant predictor for FAB scores. Our data suggest that PD is associated with a proinflammatory profile, and sTNFRs are putative biomarkers of cognitive performance, with elevated sTNFR1 levels predicting poorer executive functioning in PD patients. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The Use of Avian Resources by the Forgotten Slaves of Tromelin Island (Indian Ocean)
Authors: Laroulandie V. , Lefèvre C. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTOn 31 July 1761, theUtile, a French slave ship from theCompagnie française des Indes, illegally loaded with Malagasy slaves, was shipwrecked on the desert islet of Tromelin. Two months after the disaster, the French crew left the island on a boat constructed from the wreckage and abandoned the slaves. Fifteen years later, Chevalier de Tromelin rescued eight survivors. An archaeological excavation recently conducted by M. Guérout and T. Romon revealed how the forgotten slaves adapted themselves to this hostile environment. The Malagasy survived using natural resources of the islet and material from theUtile. This paper, based on the archaeozoological analysis of almost 18 000 bird bones, focuses on their use of avian resources. The Malagasy survivors captured numerous individuals from a breeding colony of sooty ternOnychoprion fuscatus, as indicated by the presence of medullary bone and immature birds. Cut marks and localised burning at the bone extremities testify to the cooking method used. Under‐representation of the bones from the distal extremity of the wing, together with the rare written archives collected after the rescue, give evidence of the utilisation of feathers as raw material. An estimate of the total number of terns and eggs that were collected, compared with historical and modern ornithological observations, allows us to discuss the consequences of human predation on the disappearance of the sooty tern colony from Tromelin Island. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marker (+) CNS germ cell tumors in remission: Are surveillance MRI scans necessary?
Authors: Martinez Sybila , Khakoo Yasmin , Gilheeney Stephen , Kramer Kim , Wolden Suzanne , Souweidane Mark , Dunkel Ira J. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundPatients with marker (+) CNS germ cell tumors are usually followed with both surveillance MRI scans and serum tumor markers. We hypothesized that patients with elevated serum tumor markers at diagnosis who achieve a complete biochemical and radiological remission may not need surveillance MRI scans.ProcedureWe retrospectively identified 31 patients with CNS germ cell tumors who presented with an elevated serum tumor marker at the time of diagnosis. We reviewed the records of those patients who (1) achieved a complete biochemical and radiological remission and (2) later suffered tumor recurrence to determine whether the recurrence was detectable biochemically, radiologically, or via both modalities.ResultsNine patients suffered tumor recurrence following initial remission. All 9 had elevated serum tumor markers at recurrence and 8 had MRI evidence of recurrence. The 1 patient with isolated biochemical evidence of recurrence developed MRI evidence of recurrence 15 months later without intervening treatment. One other patient (not one of the 9) had a secondary malignancy (anaplastic astrocytoma) identified by brain MRI scan.ConclusionsPatients with CNS germ cell tumors who present with elevated serum tumor markers at diagnosis and achieve a complete biochemical and radiological remission may not need surveillance MRI scans to monitor for recurrence, but MRI scans may be considered to monitor for secondary malignancy. If other series replicate these findings, surveillance via monitoring of serum tumor markers only could be done and omission or reduction of the frequency of surveillance MRI scans could save a significant amount of money. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:853–854. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bemisia tabaci females from the Mediterranean (Q) species detect and avoid laying eggs in the presence of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue
Authors: Moshitzky Pnina , Morin Shai 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDPyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue, disrupts embryogenesis, metamorphosis and adult formation in Bemisia tabaci, but does not directly affect adult females. The effect of pyriproxyfen on egg‐laying preference and performance of B. tabaci females and the influence of resistance to pyriproxyfen on these reproductive behaviours were studied.RESULTSChoice experiments utilising cotton plants treated and not treated with pyriproxyfen revealed a significant preference for egg laying on non‐treated plants both by resistant and susceptible females. No‐choice assays indicated a reduction of ∼60% in the number of eggs laid on pyriproxyfen‐treated plants by both resistant and susceptible females. The reduction in oviposition on treated plants was not accompanied with reduced expression of the vitellogenin gene or a delay in oocyte maturation, but significant accumulation of mature oocytes in the ovaries was observed, and could be reversed by transferring the females to non‐treated plants.CONCLUSIONPyriproxyfen caused reduced oviposition and enhanced mature oocyte accumulation in pyriproxyfen‐resistant and pyriproxyfen‐susceptible females. These findings can be explained by two alternative mechanisms: pyriproxyfen‐regulated physiological arrest of oviposition, involving hormonal regulation of myotrophic factors, or the hierarchy‐threshold behavioural theory of host choice, in which pyriproxyfen‐treated plants are defined as low‐quality hosts. Aspects of application are discussed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultra‐thin (002)‐oriented Al‐doped zinc oxide transparent electrode grown on oxygen‐controlled homo‐seed layer
Authors: Wang Muqin , Yang Ye , Lan Pinjun , Zhu Ke , Huang Jinhua , Lu Yuehui , Tan Ruiqin , Song Weijie 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHighly (002)‐oriented Al‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films with the thickness of less than 200 nm have been deposited on an oxygen‐controlled homo‐seed layer at 200 °C by DC magnetron sputtering. With the homo‐seed layer being employed, the full‐width at half maximum (FWHM) of the (002) diffraction peak for the AZO ultra‐thin films decreased from 0.33° to 0.22°, and, the corresponding average grain size increased from 26.8 nm to 43.0 nm. The XRD rocking curves revealed that the AZO ultra‐thin film grown on the seed layer deposited in atmosphere of O2/Ar of 0.09 exhibited the most excellent structural order. The AZO ultra‐thin film with homo‐seed layer reached a resistivity of 4.2 × 10–4 Ω cm, carrier concentration of 5.2 × 1020 cm–3 and mobility of 28.8 cm2 V–1 s–1. The average transmittance of the AZO ultra‐thin film with homo‐seed layer reached 85.4% in the range of 380–780 nm including the substrate. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mapping, Planning, and Sample Detection Strategies for Autonomous Exploration
Authors: Das Arun , Diu Michael , Mathew Neil , Scharfenberger Christian , Servos James , Wong Andy , Zelek John S. , Clausi David A. , Waslander Steven L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper presents algorithmic advances and field trial results for autonomous exploration and proposes a solution to perform simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), complete coverage, and object detection without relying on GPS or magnetometer data. We demonstrate an integrated approach to the exploration problem, and we make specific contributions in terms of mapping, planning, and sample detection strategies that run in real‐time on our custom platform. Field tests demonstrate reliable performance for each of these three main components of the system individually, and high‐fidelity simulation based on recorded data playback demonstrates the viability of the complete solution as applied to the 2013 NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge.
Job Stress in the United Kingdom: Are Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises and Large Enterprises Different?
Authors: Lai Yanqing , Saridakis George , Blackburn Robert 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the relationships between firm size and employees' experience of work stress. We used a matched employer–employee dataset (Workplace Employment Relations Survey 2011) that comprises of 7182 employees from 1210 private organizations in the United Kingdom. Initially, we find that employees in small and medium‐sized enterprises experience lower level of overall job stress than those in large enterprises, although the effect disappears when we control for individual and organizational characteristics in the model. We also find that quantitative work overload, job insecurity and poor promotion opportunities, good work relationships and poor communication are strongly associated with job stress in the small and medium‐sized enterprises, whereas qualitative work overload, poor job autonomy and employee engagements are more related with larger enterprises. Hence, our estimates show that the association and magnitude of estimated effects differ significantly by enterprise size. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MicroRNA-26 Family Is Required for Human Adipogenesis and Drives Characteristics of Brown Adipocytes
Authors: Karbiener Michael , Pisani Didier F. , Frontini Andrea , Oberreiter Lisa M. , Lang Eleonore , Vegiopoulos Alexandros , Mössenböck Karin , Bernhardt Gerwin A. , Mayr Torsten , Hildner Florian , Grillari Johannes , Ailhaud Gérard , Herzig Stephan , Cinti Saverio , Amri Ez-Zoubir , Scheideler Marcel 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Adipose tissue contains thermogenic adipocytes (i.e., brown and brite/beige) that oxidize nutrients at exceptionally high rates via nonshivering thermogenesis. Its recent discovery in adult humans has opened up new avenues to fight obesity and related disorders such as diabetes. Here, we identified miR-26a and -26b as key regulators of human white and brite adipocyte differentiation. Both microRNAs are upregulated in early adipogenesis, and their inhibition prevented lipid accumulation while their overexpression accelerated it. Intriguingly, miR-26a significantly induced pathways related to energy dissipation, shifted mitochondrial morphology toward that seen in brown adipocytes, and promoted uncoupled respiration by markedly increasing the hallmark protein of brown fat, uncoupling protein 1. By combining in silico target prediction, transcriptomics, and an RNA interference screen, we identified the sheddase ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) as a direct target of miR-26 that mediated the observed effects on white and brite adipogenesis. These results point to a novel, critical role for the miR-26 family and its downstream effector ADAM17 in human adipocyte differentiation by promoting characteristics of energy-dissipating thermogenic adipocytes. Stem Cells 2014;32:1578–1590
Excessive versus Physiologically Relevant Levels of Retinoic Acid in Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Sheikh Bilal N. , Downer Natalie L. , Kueh Andrew J. , Thomas Tim , Voss Anne K. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Over the past two decades, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been established as a valuable system to study the complex molecular events that underlie the collinear activation of Hox genes during development. When ESCs are induced to differentiate in response to retinoic acid (RA), Hox genes are transcriptionally activated in their chromosomal order, with the most 3′ Hox genes activated first, sequentially followed by more 5′ Hox genes. In contrast to the low levels of RA detected during gastrulation (∼33 nM), a time when Hox genes are induced during embryonic development, high levels of RA are used to study Hox gene activation in ESCs in vitro (1–10 µM). This compelled us to compare RA-induced ESC differentiation in vitro with Hox gene activation in vivo. In this study, we show that treatment of ESCs for 2 days with RA best mimics activation of Hox genes during embryonic development. Furthermore, we show that defects in Hox gene expression known to occur in embryos lacking the histone acetyltransferase MOZ (also called MYST3 or KAT6A) were masked in Moz-deficient ESCs when excessive RA (0.5–5 µM) was used. The role of MOZ in Hox gene activation was only evident when ESCs were differentiated at low concentrations of RA, namely 20 nM, which is similar to RA levels in vivo. Our results demonstrate that using RA at physiologically relevant levels to study the activation of Hox genes, more accurately reflects the molecular events during the early phase of Hox gene activation in vivo. Stem Cells 2014;32:1451–1458
A Growth-Promoting Signaling Component Cyclin D1 in Neural Stem Cells Has Antiastrogliogenic Function to Execute Self-Renewal
Authors: Bizen Norihisa , Inoue Toshihiro , Shimizu Takeshi , Tabu Kouichi , Kagawa Tetsushi , Taga Tetsuya 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Self-renewing proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is intimately linked to the inhibition of neuronal and glial differentiation, however, their molecular linkage has been poorly understood. We have proposed a model previously explaining partly this linkage, in which fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and Wnt signals cooperate to promote NSC self-renewal via β-catenin accumulation, which leads to the promotion of proliferation by lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF)/T-cell factor (TCF)-mediated cyclin D1 expression and at the same time to the inhibition of neuronal differentiation by β-catenin-mediated potentiation of Notch signaling. To fully understand the mechanisms underlying NSC self-renewal, it needs to be clarified how these growth factor signals inhibit glial differentiation as well. Here, we demonstrate that cyclin D1, a NSC growth promoting signaling component and also a common component of FGF2 and Wnt signaling pathways, inhibits astroglial differentiation of NSCs. Interestingly, this effect of cyclin D1 is mediated even though its cell cycle progression activity is blocked. Forced downregulation of cyclin D1 enhances astrogliogenesis of NSCs in culture and in vivo. We further demonstrate that cyclin D1 binds to STAT3, a transcription factor downstream of astrogliogenic cytokines, and suppresses its transcriptional activity on the glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap) gene. Taken together with our previous finding, we provide a novel molecular mechanism for NSC self-renewal in which growth promoting signaling components activated by FGF2 and Wnts inhibit neuronal and glial differentiation. Stem Cells 2014;32:1602–1615