bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution of environmental filtering and dispersal limitation to species turnover of temperate deciduous broad‐leaved forests in China
Authors: Liu Yining , Tang Zhiyao , Fang Jingyun 
Published: March 2014

AbstractQuestionsHow and to what extent do environmental filtering and dispersal limitation affect species turnover among sites in the temperate deciduous broad‐leaved forests of China? Do different life forms respond to environmental filtering and dispersal limitation in the same way?LocationSeventeen mountains (31°8′–44°22′N, to 104°42′–128°8′E) in China.MethodsWe measured the plant species composition of 495 plots. We calculated the Jaccard's similarity (SJac) of species composition, geographic distance (Dg) and environmental divergence (De) for each plot pair for trees, shrubs and herbs. Three plot pair groups were distinguished: (1) plot pairs with both plots from the same mountain; (2) plot pairs with two plots from different mountains but with a similar environment; (3) plot pairs with two plots from different mountains and with a heterogeneous environment. We analysed the relationship between SJac, Dg and De for all three groups, and performed partial redundancy analysis. We also calculated beta‐diversity of mountains, and explored latitudinal and climatic patterns of beta‐diversity.ResultsSJac decreases significantly with both De and Dg for all three plot pair groups. Environmental and geographic variables together explain 13.8%, 11.6% and 11.1% of variance in species composition of trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. For all life forms, environment explains more variance than geography, and environment and geography have strong co‐varying effects. The beta‐diversity for each mountain decreases with latitude, but increases with mean annual temperature (MAT).ConclusionEnvironmental filtering rather than dispersal limitation predominantly regulates patterns of species turnover in the temperate deciduous broad‐leaved forests of China. Furthermore, the increases of beta‐diversity along MAT also support the effects of environment on species turnover. These results indicate that environment might influence the distribution of most species in temperate forests of China. However, dispersal limitation still independently accounts for a small amount of variance in species turnover. We therefore conclude that environmental filtering and dispersal limitation have both combined and independent effects, but environmental filtering is more important in shaping the community assembly of temperate deciduous broad‐leaved forests of China.
The impact of androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) on the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer: a population‐based study
Authors: Gandaglia Giorgio , Sun Maxine , Popa Ioana , Schiffmann Jonas , Abdollah Firas , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Saad Fred , Graefen Markus , Briganti Alberto , Montorsi Francesco , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo examine and quantify the contemporary association between androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) and three separate endpoints: coronary artery disease (CAD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and sudden cardiac death (SCD), in a large USA contemporary cohort of patients with prostate cancer.Patients and MethodsIn all, 140 474 patients diagnosed with non‐metastatic prostate cancer between 1995 and 2009 within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare linked database were abstracted. Patients treated with ADT and those not receiving ADT were matched using propensity score methodology. The 10‐year CAD, AMI, and SCD rates were estimated. Competing‐risks regression analyses tested the association between the type of ADT (GnRH agonists vs bilateral orchidectomy) and CAD, AMI, and SCD, after adjusting for the risk of dying during follow‐up.ResultsOverall, the 10‐year rates of CAD, AMI, and SCD were 25.9%, 15.6%, and 15.8%, respectively. After stratification according to ADT status (ADT‐naïve vs GnRH agonists vs bilateral orchidectomy), the CAD rates were 25.1% vs 26.9% vs 23.2%, the AMI rates were 14.8% vs 16.6% vs 14.8%, and the SCD rates were 14.2% vs 17.7% vs 16.4%, respectively. In competing‐risks multivariable regression analyses, the administration of GnRH agonists (all P < 0.001), but not bilateral orchidectomy (all P ≥ 0.7), was associated with higher risk of CAD, AMI, and SCD.ConclusionsThe administration of GnRH agonists, but not orchidectomy, is still associated with a significantly increased risk of CAD, AMI, and, especially, SCD in patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer. Alternative forms of ADT should be considered in patients at higher risk of CV events.
Retinoic acid receptor stimulation ameliorates experimental autoimmune optic neuritis
Authors: Keino Hiroshi , Watanabe Takayo , Sato Yasuhiko , Shudo Koichi , Kitaoka Yasushi , Harada Takayuki , Okada Annabelle A 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo determine whether all‐trans retinoic acid or a synthetic retinoic acid receptor‐α/β‐specific agonist, Am80, can reduce the degree of experimental autoimmune optic neuritis in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.MethodsOptic neuritis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunizing them with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35‐55. All‐trans retinoic acid (350 μg/mouse/time point) or Am80 (5 mg/kg/time point) was administered every other day from day 0 to day 20. The degree of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was scored and histopathological analysis of the optic neuritis was performed on day 22 after the immunization. In vivo‐primed draining lymph node cells obtained from vehicle‐treated or all‐trans retinoic acid‐treated mice were stimulated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35‐55, and the culture supernatant was collected for assays of interferon‐γ and interleukin‐17.ResultsAll‐trans retinoic acid treatment significantly reduced the clinical score of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and the severity of the optic neuritis by histopathological analysis. The production of interferon‐γ and interleukin‐17 was significantly reduced in all‐trans retinoic acid‐treated mice compared with vehicle‐treated mice. Am80 treatment also significantly decreased the severity of the optic neuritis in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that all‐trans retinoic acid and Am80 treatment were able to reduce the severity of optic neuritis in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Activation of retinoic acid receptor‐α/β may be a molecular target for the treatment of autoimmune optic neuritis induced by Th1 or Th17‐dominated immune responses.
Radiation‐inducible HtrA2 gene enhances radiosensitivity of uveal melanoma OCM‐1 cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Fan , Yu Tian , Yi Cheng‐la , Sun Xu‐fang 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo explore an effective approach for the treatment of patients with uveal melanomas, we designed a strategy that combines HtrA2 gene therapy and radiation therapy.MethodspIRES‐Egr1‐Omi/HtrA2 (pEgr1‐HtrA2) recombinant plasmids were constructed and transfected into human uveal melanoma cells (OCM‐1) in vitro. The transfected cells were exposed to irradiation. HtrA2 messenger RNA and protein level was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Combined with radiation, assays that evaluated the apoptotic inducibility caused by HtrA2 gene therapy was performed by flow cytometry. Followingly, the effects of HtrA2 overexpression on the in vitro radiosensitivity of uveal melanoma cells were investigated by clonogenic formation assay. The in vivo effects of HtrA2 gene therapy combined with radiation therapy were evaluated in different groups.ResultsThe recombinant plasmids could be successfully transferred into OCM‐1 cells, and transfection of pEgr1‐HtrA2 plasmids combined with radiotherapy caused dramatically elevation of HtrA2 compared with non‐irradiated cells in messenger RNA and protein levels, which was associated with increased apoptosis. Furthermore, we observed that the transfection of pEgr1‐HtrA2 could significantly enhance radiosensitivity of OCM‐1 cell in vitro. In mice bearing xenograft tumours, pEgr1‐HtrA2 combined with radiation therapy significantly inhibited tumour growth compared with the other treatment groups (P < 0.01).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that radiation‐inducible gene therapy may have potential to be a more effective and specific therapy for uveal melanoma because the therapeutic gene can be spatially or temporally controlled by exogenous radiation.
Magnetite formation from ferrihydrite by hyperthermophilic archaea from Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge hydrothermal vent chimneys
Authors: Jennifer Lin T. , Breves E. A. , Dyar M. D. , Ver Eecke H. C. , Jamieson J. W. , Holden J. F. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHyperthermophilic iron reducers are common in hydrothermal chimneys found along the Endeavour Segment in the northeastern Pacific Ocean based on culture‐dependent estimates. However, information on the availability of Fe(III) (oxyhydr) oxides within these chimneys, the types of Fe(III) (oxyhydr) oxides utilized by the organisms, rates and environmental constraints of hyperthermophilic iron reduction, and mineral end products is needed to determine their biogeochemical significance and are addressed in this study. Thin‐section petrography on the interior of a hydrothermal chimney from the Dante edifice at Endeavour showed a thin coat of Fe(III) (oxyhydr) oxide associated with amorphous silica on the exposed outer surfaces of pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite in pore spaces, along with anhydrite precipitation in the pores that is indicative of seawater ingress. The iron sulfide minerals were likely oxidized to Fe(III) (oxyhydr) oxide with increasing pH and Eh due to cooling and seawater exposure, providing reactants for bioreduction. Culture‐dependent estimates of hyperthermophilic iron reducer abundances in this sample were 1740 and 10 cells per gram (dry weight) of material from the outer surface and the marcasite‐sphalerite‐rich interior, respectively. Two hyperthermophilic iron reducers, Hyperthermus sp. Ro04 and Pyrodictium sp. Su06, were isolated from other active hydrothermal chimneys on the Endeavour Segment. Strain Ro04 is a neutrophilic (pHopt 7–8) heterotroph, while strain Su06 is a mildly acidophilic (pHopt 5), hydrogenotrophic autotroph, both with optimal growth temperatures of 90–92 °C. Mössbauer spectroscopy of the iron oxides before and after growth demonstrated that both organisms form nanophase (<12 nm) magnetite [Fe3O4] from laboratory‐synthesized ferrihydrite [Fe10O14(OH)2] with no detectable mineral intermediates. They produced up to 40 mm Fe2+ in a growth‐dependent manner, while all abiotic and biotic controls produced <3 mm Fe2+. Hyperthermophilic iron reducers may have a growth advantage over other hyperthermophiles in hydrothermal systems that are mildly acidic where mineral weathering at increased temperatures occurs.
Analytical Interpretation of Slug Test in a Vertical Cutoff Wall
Authors: Lim Jeehee , Lee Dongseop , Zlotnik Vitaly A. , Choi Hangseok 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAn analysis method for slug tests performed in a partially penetrating well within a vertical cutoff wall is presented. A steady‐state shape factor for evaluating hydraulic conductivity of the material within the wall was derived by applying the method of images to the previously developed analytical solution of Zlotnik et al. (2010) for an infinite aquifer. Two distinct boundary conditions were considered: constant‐head boundary for the case of direct contact between the wall and the aquifer, and no‐flux boundary representing an impermeable filter cake on the sides of the wall. The constant‐head and no‐flux boundary conditions yield significantly higher and lower shape factors, respectively, than those for the infinite aquifer. Consequently the conventional line‐fitting method for slug test analysis would yield an inaccurate estimate of the hydraulic conductivity of a vertical cutoff wall.
Accelerating Groundwater Flow Simulation in MODFLOW Using JASMIN‐Based Parallel Computing
Authors: Cheng Tangpei , Mo Zeyao , Shao Jingli 
Published: March 2014

AbstractTo accelerate the groundwater flow simulation process, this paper reports our work on developing an efficient parallel simulator through rebuilding the well‐known software MODFLOW on JASMIN (J Adaptive Structured Meshes applications Infrastructure). The rebuilding process is achieved by designing patch‐based data structure and parallel algorithms as well as adding slight modifications to the compute flow and subroutines in MODFLOW. Both the memory requirements and computing efforts are distributed among all processors; and to reduce communication cost, data transfers are batched and conveniently handled by adding ghost nodes to each patch. To further improve performance, constant‐head/inactive cells are tagged and neglected during the linear solving process and an efficient load balancing strategy is presented. The accuracy and efficiency are demonstrated through modeling three scenarios: The first application is a field flow problem located at Yanming Lake in China to help design reasonable quantity of groundwater exploitation. Desirable numerical accuracy and significant performance enhancement are obtained. Typically, the tagged program with load balancing strategy running on 40 cores is six times faster than the fastest MICCG‐based MODFLOW program. The second test is simulating flow in a highly heterogeneous aquifer. The AMG‐based JASMIN program running on 40 cores is nine times faster than the GMG‐based MODFLOW program. The third test is a simplified transient flow problem with the order of tens of millions of cells to examine the scalability. Compared to 32 cores, parallel efficiency of 77 and 68% are obtained on 512 and 1024 cores, respectively, which indicates impressive scalability.
Correlating Precursory Declines in Groundwater Radon with Earthquake Magnitude
Authors: Kuo T. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBoth studies at the Antung hot spring in eastern Taiwan and at the Paihe spring in southern Taiwan confirm that groundwater radon can be a consistent tracer for strain changes in the crust preceding an earthquake when observed in a low‐porosity fractured aquifer surrounded by a ductile formation. Recurrent anomalous declines in groundwater radon were observed at the Antung D1 monitoring well in eastern Taiwan prior to the five earthquakes of magnitude (Mw): 6.8, 6.1, 5.9, 5.4, and 5.0 that occurred on December 10, 2003; April 1, 2006; April 15, 2006; February 17, 2008; and July 12, 2011, respectively. For earthquakes occurring on the longitudinal valley fault in eastern Taiwan, the observed radon minima decrease as the earthquake magnitude increases. The above correlation has been proven to be useful for early warning local large earthquakes. In southern Taiwan, radon anomalous declines prior to the 2010 Mw 6.3 Jiasian, 2012 Mw 5.9 Wutai, and 2012 ML 5.4 Kaohsiung earthquakes were also recorded at the Paihe spring. For earthquakes occurring on different faults in southern Taiwan, the correlation between the observed radon minima and the earthquake magnitude is not yet possible.
ListingAnalyst: A Program for Analyzing the Main Output File from MODFLOW
Authors: Winston Richard B. , Paulinski Scott 
Published: March 2014

AbstractListingAnalyst is a Windows® program for viewing the main output file from MODFLOW‐2005, MODFLOW‐NWT, or MODFLOW‐LGR. It organizes and displays large files quickly without using excessive memory. The sections and subsections of the file are displayed in a tree‐view control, which allows the user to navigate quickly to desired locations in the files. ListingAnalyst gathers error and warning messages scattered throughout the main output file and displays them all together in an error and a warning tab. A grid view displays tables in a readable format and allows the user to copy the table into a spreadsheet. The user can also search the file for terms of interest.
Optimisation of secondary prevention of stroke: a qualitative study of stroke patients’ beliefs, concerns and difficulties with their medicines†
Authors: Souter Caroline , Kinnear Anne , Kinnear Moira , Mead Gillian 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The objectives of this study are to explore stroke patients’ and carers’ beliefs and concerns about medicines and identify the barriers to medication adherence for secondary stroke prevention.

Methods
Qualitative semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 30 patients with diagnosis of stroke. Interviews were analysed using the framework approach.

Key findings
The study suggests that stroke patients’ and carers’ perceptions of their medicines may influence medicine-taking behaviour. In some cases when beliefs outweighed concerns, practical barriers prevented participants taking their medicines. Negative beliefs about a medicine were strong enough to prevent some participants starting a new medicine. Participants’ actions were influenced by the perceived consequences of not taking the medicine and the impact of the adverse effect on their quality of life. Concerns lessened with time with no adverse effects. The importance of the role of the carer and of a medicine-taking routine was evident. Participants reported the inadequacy of information provision and the desire to have more written and verbal information. Some reported total lack of contact with their general practitioner or community pharmacist after hospital discharge.

Conclusions
Many of the difficulties stroke patients have adhering to secondary prevention strategies are potentially preventable with tailored information provision and appropriate monitoring and follow-up by primary healthcare professionals. We have designed an intervention addressing the identified barriers to medicine taking, the impact of which is currently being measured in a randomised controlled trial of a pharmacist-led home-based clinical medication review in stroke patients.
Aberrant promoter methylation and silencing of RASSF2A gene in cervical cancer
Authors: Zhang Xian , Ma Yingchun , Wu Yu , Lin Li , Ma Xiaoping , Zhang Youzhong 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimRas association domain family (RASSF)2A as a negative effector of Ras protein is inactivated by promoter hypermethylation in many cancers. This study evaluated the methylation status of RASSF2A in cervical cancer (CC) and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.MethodsMethylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were utilized to analyze the methylation status and RASSF2A mRNA expression in four CC cell lines and tissue samples from 25 normal controls and 46 CC patients. The CC cell lines also were treated with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC).ResultsExpression of RASSF2A was downregulated in all cell lines and CC tissue samples. Hypermethylation of RASSF2A was detected in all cell lines and 26 of 46 (56.5%) CC samples. No methylation of RASSF2A was found in the normal cervical tissues. A decreased level (P < 0.05) of RASSF2A expression was observed among RASSF2A‐methylated CC cases (0.1002 ± 0.0377, mean ± standard deviation) compared to unmethylated cases (0.2882 ± 0.0642, mean ± standard deviation). After treatment with 5‐aza‐dC, loss of RASSF2A expression was restored in four CC cell lines. RASSF2A methylation was significantly different in patients with or without lymph node metastasis (90% vs 47.2%, respectively; P < 0.05).ConclusionPromoter hypermethylation of RASSF2A is observed in CC, while not in normal cervical tissues. RASSF2A is inactivated in CC by promoter hypermethylation and may play a role in cervical carcinogenesis.
Separation Without Exclusion in Financial Insurance
Authors: Stephens Eric , Thompson James R. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis article develops a model of linearly priced financial insurance sold by default‐prone insurers. It shows that when insurers differ in their default probabilities there can exist equilibria in which different risk types partially or completely self‐sort into insurance contracts offered by different insurers. Partial separation can occur when insurer default and insurance risks are uncorrelated. Full separation is possible when they are correlated. For example, low‐risk insured parties may match with higher default‐risk insurers, while high‐risk insured parties match with lower default‐risk insurers.
Imepitoin as novel treatment option for canine idiopathic epilepsy: pharmacokinetics, distribution, and metabolism in dogs
Authors: Rundfeldt C. , Gasparic A. , Wlaź P. 
Published: March 2014

Imepitoin is a novel anti‐epileptic licensed in the European Union for the treatment of canine idiopathic epilepsy. The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of imepitoin in dogs and to evaluate the interaction with drug metabolizing enzymes. Upon administration of imepitoin tablets at a dose of 30 mg/kg to beagle dogs, high plasma levels were observed within 30 min following oral dosing, with maximal plasma concentrations of 14.9–17.2 μg/mL reached after 2–3 h. In a crossover study, co‐administration of imepitoin tablets with food reduced the totalAUCby 30%, but it did not result in significant changes inTmaxandCmax, indicating lack of clinical relevance. No clinically relevant effects of sex and no accumulation or metabolic tolerance were observed upon twice daily dosing. Following single dose administration of 10–100 mg/kg, dose linearity was found. Administering [14C] imepitoin, high enteral absorption of 92% and primary fecal excretion were identified. Plasma protein binding was only 55%. At therapeutic plasma concentrations, imepitoin did not inhibit microsomal cytochrome P450 family liver enzymesin vitro. In rats, no relevant induction of liver enzymes was found. Therefore, protein binding or metabolism‐derived drug–drug interactions are unlikely. Based on these data, imepitoin can be dosed twice daily, but the timing of tablet administration in relation to feeding should be kept consistent.
Towards a Chinese Perspective on Dickinson
Authors: Yanbin Kang 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn the context of globalization of Dickinson studies, this essay tries to chart the contours of an emerging field. Considering the philosophical premise of Daoist non‐action as a critical framework for Dickinson's corpus, and likewise a valuable complement to extant Western approaches, I will reread some of Dickinson's paradigmatic poems. I will argue that Dickinson's meditative passivity, her writing practices, and her seemingly problematic or “difficult” poems can be better understood in relation to the Eastern philosophy.