bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY AND HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE GUBAN BASIN, NORTHERN SOMALILAND
Authors: Ali M. Y. 
Published: September 2015

The Guban Basin is a NW‐SE trending Mesozoic‐Tertiary rift basin located in northern Somaliland (NW Somalia) at the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. Only seven exploration wells have been drilled in the basin, making it one of the least explored basins in the Horn of Africa – southern Arabia region. Most of these wells encountered source, reservoir and seal rocks. However, the wells were based on poorly understood subsurface geology and were located in complex structural areas.The Guban Basin is composed of a series of on‐ and offshore sub‐basins which cover areas of 100s to 1000s of sq. km and which contain more than 3000 m of sedimentary section. Seismic, gravity, well, outcrop and geochemical data are used in this study to investigate the petroleum systems in the basin. The basin contains mature source rocks with adequate levels of organic carbon together with a variety of reservoir rocks. The principal exploration play is the Mesozoic petroleum system with mature source rocks (Upper Jurassic Gahodleh and Daghani shales) and reservoirs of Upper Jurassic to Miocene age. Maturity data suggest that maximum maturity was achieved prior to Oligocene rift‐associated uplift and unroofing. Renewed charge may have commenced during post‐ Oligocene‐Miocene rifting as a result of the increased heat flows and the increased depth of burial of the Upper Jurassic source rocks in localised depocentres. The syn‐rift Oligocene‐Miocene acts as a secondary objective owing to its low maturity except possibly in localised offshore sub‐basins. Seals include various shale intervals some of which are also source rocks, and the Lower Eocene evaporites of the Taleh Anhydrite constitute an effective regional seal. Traps are provided by drag and rollover anticlines associated with tilted fault blocks. However, basaltic volcanism and trap breaching as a consequence of the Afar plume and Oligocene‐Miocene rifting of the Gulf of Aden cause considerable exploration risk in the Guban Basin.
Why mean indicator values are not biased
Authors: Wildi Otto 
Published: September 2015

AbstractQuestionsZelený & Schaffers (Journal of Vegetation Science 2012, 23: 419–431)) blame mean Ellenberg indicator values for producing ‘highly biased results’ that are ‘too good to be true’, statements causing considerable confusion among plant ecologists. I ask if (1) the detrimental phenomena they observed can be reproduced in yet another real‐world data set using the recently revised indicator values of Landolt et al. (Flora indicativa. Ecological indicator values and biological attributes of the flora of Switzerland and the Alps, 2010, Haupt, Bern, CH), (2) the issue of supposed bias also applies to species‐based functional traits, and (3) the assumed ‘bias’ also concerns principal components analysis.MethodsIn a first step, I probe the effect of randomizing indicator values by verification of classifications through ANOVA and CCA using published data. Then, I repeat the same procedure replacing the matrix of indicator values with a species by traits matrix. In a third step I apply testing with ANOVA to an ordination of principal components. Finally, patterns of alternative vegetation descriptors (species, mean indicator values, traits frequency, site factors) are compared using Mantel correlation.ResultsThe results at first glance confirm the failings of tests as found by Zelený & Schaffers. However, when using traits data instead of mean indicator values, precisely the same happens, raising the possibility that mean species‐based traits are also ‘biased’. The effect prevails when applied to PCA scores. I conclude that Zelený & Schaffers overlooked that unrealistic significances in ANOVA emerge from statistical dependence; they are artefacts of a non‐valid null model.ConclusionsRestrictions in the use of mean indicator values and species‐based traits concern statistical tests only that assume statistical independence from species scores when there is none. I conclude that mean indicator values deserve rehabilitation as there is no bias involved in their use.
SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1 or HAIKU2 mixepression alters canola and Arabidopsis seed development
Authors: Xiao Yu‐Guo , Sun Qing‐Bin , Kang Xiao‐Jun , Chen Chang‐Bin , Ni Min 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Canola (Brassica napus) is a widely cultivated species and provides important resources of edible vegetable oil, biodiesel production and animal feed. Seed development in Arabidopsis and canola shares a similar path: an early proliferation of endosperm to form a large seed cavity, followed by a second phase in which the embryo grows to replace the endosperm. In Arabidopsis, the seed reaches almost its final volume before the enlargement of the embryo. SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1 (SHB1) is a key regulatory gene of seed development with a broad expression beyond endosperm development. By contrast, its two target genes, MINISEED3 (MINI3) and HAIKU2 (IKU2), are narrowly expressed in early developing endosperm and early embryo.

We overexpressed SHB1 in canola to explore the possibility of altering seed development. As an alternative strategy, we expressed the canola IKU2 ortholog in Arabidopsis endosperm under the control of a stronger MINI3 promoter.

SHB1 targeted canola orthologs of Arabidopsis MINI3 and IKU2 and caused a significantly increased seed mass. Overaccumulation of IKU2 in the early stage of Arabidopsis seed development also significantly increased the final seed mass.

Our studies provide a strong case for increasing the final seed mass by manipulating endosperm proliferation at a rather early developmental stage in crops.
The legume NOOT‐BOP‐COCH‐LIKE genes are conserved regulators of abscission, a major agronomical trait in cultivated crops
Authors: Couzigou Jean‐Malo , Magne Kevin , Mondy Samuel , Cosson Viviane , Clements Jonathan , Ratet Pascal 
Published: September 2015

Summary

Plants are able to lose organs selectively through a process called abscission. This process relies on the differentiation of specialized territories at the junction between organs and the plant body that are called abscission zones (AZ). Several genes control the formation or functioning of these AZ.

We have characterized BLADE‐ON‐PETIOLE (BOP) orthologues from several legume plants and studied their roles in the abscission process using a mutant approach.

Here, we show that the Medicago truncatula NODULE ROOT (NOOT), the Pisum sativum COCHLEATA (COCH) and their orthologue in Lotus japonicus are strictly necessary for the abscission of not only petals, but also leaflets, leaves and fruits. We also showed that the expression pattern of the M. truncatula pNOOT::GUS fusion is associated with functional and vestigial AZs when expressed in Arabidopsis. In addition, we show that the stip mutant from Lupinus angustifolius, defective in stipule formation and leaf abscission, is mutated in a BOP orthologue.

In conclusion, this study shows that this clade of proteins plays an important conserved role in promoting abscission of all aerial organs studied so far.
The hidden season: growing season is 50% longer below than above ground along an arctic elevation gradient
Authors: Blume‐Werry Gesche , Wilson Scott D. , Kreyling Juergen , Milbau Ann 
Published: September 2015

Summary

There is compelling evidence from experiments and observations that climate warming prolongs the growing season in arctic regions. Until now, the start, peak, and end of the growing season, which are used to model influences of vegetation on biogeochemical cycles, were commonly quantified using above‐ground phenological data. Yet, over 80% of the plant biomass in arctic regions can be below ground, and the timing of root growth affects biogeochemical processes by influencing plant water and nutrient uptake, soil carbon input and microbial activity.

We measured timing of above‐ and below‐ground production in three plant communities along an arctic elevation gradient over two growing seasons.

Below‐ground production peaked later in the season and was more temporally uniform than above‐ground production. Most importantly, the growing season continued c. 50% longer below than above ground.

Our results strongly suggest that traditional above‐ground estimates of phenology in arctic regions, including remotely sensed information, are not as complete a representation of whole‐plant production intensity or duration, as studies that include root phenology. We therefore argue for explicit consideration of root phenology in studies of carbon and nutrient cycling, in terrestrial biosphere models, and scenarios of how arctic ecosystems will respond to climate warming.
Neglect‐induced pseudo‐thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura due to vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Asano Takeshi , Narazaki Hidehiko , Kaizu Kiyohiko , Matsukawa Shouhei , Takema‐Tochikubo Yuki , Fujii Shuichi , Saitoh Nobuyuki , Mashiko Kunihiko , Fujino Osamu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAlthough thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is rare, early diagnosis and treatment are important for decreasing the mortality rate. Acquired vitamin B12 deficiency is frequently overlooked because of its rarity in developed countries, particularly in children and adolescents. The hematological changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as megaloblastic anemia, increased lactate dehydrogenase, vasoconstriction, increased platelet aggregation, and abnormal activation of the coagulation followed by microangiopathy as well as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. We report herein the case of a 15‐year‐old girl who had been neglected, which might have caused pseudo‐TTP through malnutrition, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency. When we encounter cases of TTP in children, clinicians must be aware of the possibility of malnutrition, particularly with vitamin B12 deficiency, even in developed countries, and investigate the cause of malnutrition including neglect.
Use of Pediatric Health Information System database to study the trends in the incidence, management, etiology, and outcomes due to pediatric acute liver failure in the United States from 2008 to 2013
Authors: Kulkarni Sakil , Perez Carla , Pichardo Caren , Castillo Lina , Gagnon Michael , Beck‐Sague Consuelo , Gereige Rani , Hernandez Erick 
Published: September 2015

AbstractData were collected of children admitted with ALF to 16 US pediatric liver transplant centers from 2008 to 2013 using the PHIS for a retrospective analysis of PALF trends. Patient data linked to the principal diagnosis code for acute necrosis of the liver (570.00) were analyzed for the following: demographics, regional differences, changes over time, pharmaceutical trends, procedural trends, associated diagnoses, and patient outcomes. In 52.5% of 583 patients who met the selection criteria for PALF, the etiology remained undetermined. Acetaminophen toxicity (18.7%) was the most common identifiable etiology, and hepatic encephalopathy (38.6%) was the most common complication. Mortality was lower than previously reported; 95.4% survived and 73.2% survived without a liver transplant. Acute respiratory failure (OR = 3.4, p = 0.035), acute kidney injury (OR = 3.6, p = 0.003), and cerebral edema (OR = 3.6, p = 0.02) were independently associated with increased risk of mortality. The use of N‐acetylcysteine in non‐acetaminophen‐related ALF, the use of intracranial pressure monitoring, and the proportion of sepsis decreased significantly during the study period. The PHIS database can be a useful tool to study the future trends of PALF patients.
Effectiveness of electric toothbrushing in patients with neuromuscular disability: A randomized observer‐blind crossover trial
Authors: Ikeda Tokuhei , Yoshizawa Kunio , Takahashi Kazuya , Ishida Chiho , Komai Kiyonobu , Kobayashi Kazuhiko , Sugiura Shirou 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush for oral care in patients with neuromuscular disability.MethodsIn this randomized observer‐blind crossover trial, 30 patients with neuromuscular disease performed either electric or manual toothbrushing each for 4 weeks. Plaque status (plaque control record), periodontal pocket depth, oral status (oral assessment guide), salivary bacterial count, and toothbrushing time were assessed after each period and compared between the two groups by Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients completed the study, including 18 communicative patients. Periodontal pockets were significantly shallower and toothbrushing time was significantly shorter with electric toothbrush use than with manual toothbrush use. No significant differences in oral status and salivary bacterial counts were noted between the approaches, but plaque status significantly improved after electric toothbrushing in communicative patients.ConclusionsElectric toothbrushing is beneficial for maintaining oral health in patients with neuromuscular disability and reducing the caregivers’ oral care burden.
Analysis of non‐coding transcriptome in rice and maize uncovers roles of conserved lncRNAs associated with agriculture traits
Authors: Wang Huan , Niu Qi‐Wen , Wu Hui‐Wen , Liu Jun , Ye Jian , Yu Niu , Chua Nam‐Hai 
Published: September 2015

SummaryLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been found to widely exist in eukaryotes and play important roles in key biological processes. To extend our knowledge of lncRNAs in crop plants we performed both non‐directional and strand‐specific RNA‐sequencing experiments to profile non‐coding transcriptomes of various rice and maize organs at different developmental stages. Analysis of more than 3 billion reads identified 22 334 long intergenic non‐coding RNAs (lincRNAs) and 6673 pairs of sense and natural antisense transcript (NAT). Many lincRNA genes were associated with epigenetic marks. Expression of rice lincRNA genes was significantly correlated with that of nearby protein‐coding genes. A set of NAT genes also showed expression correlation with their sense genes. More than 200 rice lincRNA genes had homologous non‐coding sequences in the maize genome. Much more lincRNA and NAT genes were derived from conserved genomic regions between the two cereals presenting positional conservation. Protein‐coding genes flanking or having a sense‐antisense relationship to these conserved lncRNA genes were mainly involved in development and stress responses, suggesting that the associated lncRNAs might have similar functions. Integrating previous genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), we found that hundreds of lincRNAs contain trait‐associated SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) suggesting their putative contributions to developmental and agriculture traits.
Responsiveness of platelets during storage studied with flow cytometry – formation of platelet subpopulations and LAMP‐1 as new markers for the platelet storage lesion
Authors: Södergren A. L. , Tynngård N. , Berlin G. , Ramström S. 
Published: September 2015

Background and ObjectivesStorage lesions may prevent transfused platelets to respond to agonists and arrest bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the capacity of platelet activation during storage using flow cytometry and new markers of platelet activation.Materials and MethodsActivation responses of platelets prepared by apheresis were measured on days 1, 5, 7 and 12. In addition, comparisons were made for platelet concentrates stored until swirling was affected. Lysosome‐associated membrane protein‐1 (LAMP‐1), P‐selectin and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure were assessed by flow cytometry on platelets in different subpopulations in resting state or following stimulation with platelet agonists (cross‐linked collagen‐related peptide (CRP‐XL), PAR1‐ and PAR4‐activating peptides).ResultsThe ability to form subpopulations upon activation was significantly decreased already at day 5 for some agonist combinations. The agonist‐induced exposure of PS and LAMP‐1 also gradually decreased with time. Spontaneous exposure of P‐selectin and PS increased with time, while spontaneous LAMP‐1 exposure was unchanged. In addition, agonist‐induced LAMP‐1 expression clearly discriminated platelet concentrates with reduced swirling from those with retained swirling. This suggests that LAMP‐1 could be a good marker to capture changes in activation capacity in stored platelets.ConclusionThe platelet activation potential seen as LAMP‐1 exposure and fragmentation into platelet subpopulations is potential sensitive markers for the platelet storage lesion.
Race Factors Affecting Performance Times in Elite Long-Track Speed Skating
Authors: Noordhof Dionne A. , Mulder Roy C.M. , de Koning Jos J. , Hopkins Will G. 
Published: September 2015

Analysis of sport performance can provide effects of environmental and other venue-specific factors in addition to estimates of within-athlete variability between competitions, which determines smallest worthwhile effects.Purpose:To analyze elite long-track speed-skating events.Methods:Log-transformed performance times were analyzed with a mixed linear model that estimated percentage mean effects for altitude, barometric pressure, type of rink, and competition importance. In addition, coefficients of variation representing residual venue-related differences and within-athlete variability between races within clusters spanning ~8 d were determined. Effects and variability were assessed with magnitude-based inference.Results:A 1000-m increase in altitude resulted in very large mean performance improvements of 2.8% in juniors and 2.1% in seniors. An increase in barometric pressure of 100 hPa resulted in a moderate reduction in performance of 1.1% for juniors but an unclear effect for seniors. Only juniors competed at open rinks, resulting in a very large reduction in performance of 3.4%. Juniors and seniors showed small performance improvements (0.4% and 0.3%) at the more important competitions. After accounting for these effects, residual venue-related variability was still moderate to large. The within-athlete within-cluster race-to-race variability was 0.3–1.3%, with a small difference in variability between male (0.8%) and female juniors (1.0%) and no difference between male and female seniors (both 0.6%).Conclusion:The variability in performance times of skaters is similar to that of athletes in other sports in which air or water resistance limits speed. A performance enhancement of 0.1–0.4% by top-10 athletes is necessary to increase medal-winning chances by 10%.
The Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness in Adolescence on Cognition in Adulthood and the Role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Authors: Ferro Doeschka A. , Deijen Jan Berend , Koppes Lando L. , van Mechelen Willem , Twisk Jos W. , Drent Madeleine L. 
Published: September 2015

Background:Physical activity and fitness in adolescence may improve cognition in adulthood by increasing insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I).Methods:As part of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study, following subjects from age 13 to 42 years, physical activity and fitness of 303 subjects were assessed annually between the ages 13 to 16. At mean age 36, physical activity, fitness and IGF-I were measured. At mean age 42, IGF-I and cognitive factors (ie, executive functioning and visual-spatial memory) were measured. The linear regression of physical activity and fitness in adolescence and IGF-I in adulthood on cognitive scores in adulthood was investigated.Results:A significant association was found in males between physical activity in adolescence and executive function in adulthood (Spatial Working Memory Between Errors: β = –.18, B = –.13, 95% CI = –.259 to –.010; Spatial Working Memory Strategy: β = –.20, B = –.08, 95% CI = –.147 to –.014). No association between physical activity or fitness in adolescence and cognitive function in adulthood was found in females, nor any intermediate role for IGF-I in either sex.Conclusions:The results suggest a stimulating effect of adolescent physical activity in males on executive functions in adulthood, emphasizing the importance of an active lifestyle among adolescent males.
Comparison between Collagenase Injection and Partial Fasciectomy in the Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture
Authors: Tay Terence Khai Wei , Tien Huey , Lim Elizabeth Yenn Lynn 
Published: September 2015

Background: A comparative study between two treatment methods (collagenase injection and open partial fasciectomy) for Dupuytren’s contracture. This study will determine differences in clinical outcome, complication rate and patient satisfaction.Methods: 37 patients with 62 metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and 44 proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) treated. There were 21 MCP joints (34%) and 8 PIP joints (18%) treated with injection. The remaining 66% of MCP joints and 82% of PIP joints were treated by open partial fasciectomy.Results: Overall, both treatment methods were successful in correcting the passive extension deficit in the MCP and PIP joints. Minor complications were reported in 45% of patients in the injection group versus 42% in the surgery group. Patient satisfaction was nearly equal for both groups.Conclusions: Both treatment options have proven their effectiveness in treating Dupuytren’s contracture. Open surgery is able to address additional joint contracture problems commonly associated with Dupuytren’s disease. Collagenase injection has the advantage of early return of hand function and avoidance of surgical complications.
Haptic and Tactile Adjectives Are Consistently Mapped onto Color Space
Authors: Jraissati Yasmina , Slobodenyuk Nadiya , Kanso Ali , Ghanem Lama , Elhajj Imad 
Published: September 2015

Cross-modal associations refer to non-arbitrary associations of features across sensory modalities. Such associations have been observed between many different sensory features. One association that has rarely been studied so far is between touch and color. In this study, participants were asked to match tactile and haptic adjectives to color samples shown individually on a screen. They could select one to 11 tactile and haptic terms, presented in 11 pairs of opposed adjectives. The results showed a regular pattern in the way tactile and haptic terms were matched to color. Our results further revealed that the colors to which tactile and haptic terms were matched did not fall within the boundaries of color lexical categories, suggesting that the associations were not based on lexicon — despite the frequent occurrence of linguistic expressions such as ‘soft pink’, not all colors called ‘pink’ were matched to ‘soft’. In contrast with one recent study, the distribution of tactile and haptic terms across the Munsell array suggests that along with brightness and chroma, hue was also relevant to participants’ responses. Specifically in the case of hue, several opposed adjectives were relatively well matched to opposed colors, along the orthogonal Yellow/Blue and Red/Green axes, which are suggested to structure the space of hue experience. Possible accounts of these results are considered.