bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproductive biology of female franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina
Authors: Panebianco María V. , Del Castillo Daniela L. , Denuncio Pablo E. , Negri María F. , Bastida Ricardo , Failla Mauricio , Vitullo Alfredo D. , Cappozzo Humberto L. 
Published: September 2015

The ovaries of 31 franciscana dolphins (19 immature and 12 mature) by-caught in coastal waters of Argentina were examined to describe the reproductive biology. No ovarian polarity was found, both ovaries were functional and showed similar amounts of corpora. A positive trend was observed between the number of corpora and age (3–8 years old), indicating that ovulation scars are detectable for at least 4 years, and a ovulation rate of 0.39 was found for the sampled population. Age, length and weight at sexual maturity were estimated at 3.92 ± 0.09 years, 133.47 ± 11.11 cm and 32.68 ± 2.72 kg, respectively. The annual pregnancy rate was 0.36 ± 0.02 (95% CI = 0.10–0.65). The proportion of lactating and resting females found were 0.25 and 0.33 respectively. These outcomes constitute the first reproductive and life history information on franciscana dolphins from the southernmost population and are important in relation with adequate conservation management plans for this small cetacean.
‘Before the breaking of the day, in a riotous manner and with great shouts and outcries’: Disputes over Common Land in Shropshire in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Authors: BOWEN JAMES P. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract:Enclosure disputes have long attracted attention given their perceived political motivations, the importance of custom and customary practices in legitimising action and various forms of protest. Based on research undertaken at local and national record offices and the study of both written records and maps, this paper explores a series of disputes over common land in the wood-pasture countryside of Shropshire, placing them within the wider historiography concerning enclosure riots and popular protest. It complements the existing body of local and regional studies which have provided insight into the national historical context of the enclosure process. Historians need to examine economic and social developments at a local level to ascertain the causation of enclosure protest and the motivation of those involved. This evidence suggests that disputes arose between lords and tenants over the loss of customary rights and also neighbouring manorial lords as a result of ownership or boundary disputes.
Food insecurity, coping strategies and glucose control in low-income patients with diabetes
Authors: Mayer Victoria L , McDonough Kevin , Seligman Hilary , Mitra Nandita , Long Judith A 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between food insecurity and coping strategies (actions taken to manage economic stress) hypothesized to worsen glucose control in patients with diabetes.DesignUsing a cross-sectional telephone survey and clinical data, we compared food-insecure and food-secure individuals in their use of coping strategies. Using logistic regression models, we then examined the association between poor glucose control (glycated Hb, HbA1c≥8·0 %), food insecurity and coping strategies.SettingAn urban medical centre, between June and December 2013.SubjectsFour hundred and seven adults likely to be low income (receiving Medicaid or uninsured and/or residing in a zip code with >30 % of the population below the federal poverty level) with type 2 diabetes.ResultsOf respondents, 40·5 % were food insecure. A significantly higher percentage of the food-insecure group reported use of most examined coping strategies, including foregone medical care, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) and use of emergency food programmes. Food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control (OR=2·23; 95 % CI 1·22, 4·10); coping strategies that were more common among the food insecure were not associated with poor glucose control. Among the food insecure, receipt of SNAP was associated with lower risk of poor glucose control (OR=0·27; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·80).ConclusionsWhile food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control, most examined coping strategies did not explain this relationship. However, receipt of SNAP among food-insecure individuals was associated with better diabetes control, suggesting that such programmes may play a role in improving health.
The impact of modelling method selection on predicted extent and distribution of deep-sea benthic assemblages
Authors: Piechaud Nils , Downie Anna , Stewart Heather A. , Howell Kerry L. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTPredictive modelling of deep-sea species and assemblages with multibeam acoustic datasets as input variables is now a key tool in the provision of maps upon which spatial planning and management of the marine environment can be based. However, with a multitude of methods available, advice is needed on the best methods for the task at hand. In this study, we predictively modelled the distribution and extent of three vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) at the assemblage level (‘Lophelia pertusa reef frameworks’; ‘Stylasterids and lobose sponges’; and ‘Xenophyophore fields’) on the eastern flank of Rockall Bank, using three modelling methods: MaxEnt; RandomForests classification with multiple assemblages (gRF); and RandomForests classification with the presence/absence of a single VME (saRF). Performance metrics indicated that MaxEnt performed the best, but all models were considered valid. All three methods broadly agreed with regard to broad patterns in distribution. However, predicted extent presented a variation of up to 35 % between the different methods, and clear differences in predicted distribution were observed. We conclude that the choice of method is likely to influence the results of predicted maps, potentially impacting political decisions about deep-sea VME conservation.
Counter inhibition between leukotoxins attenuates Staphylococcus aureus virulence
Authors: Yoong Pauline , Torres Victor J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus subverts host defences by producing a collection of virulence factors including bi-component pore-forming leukotoxins. Despite extensive sequence conservation, each leukotoxin has unique properties, including disparate cellular receptors and species specificities. How these toxins collectively influence S. aureus pathogenesis is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the leukotoxins LukSF-PV and LukED antagonize each other’s cytolytic activities on leukocytes and erythrocytes by forming inactive hybrid complexes. Remarkably, LukSF-PV inhibition of LukED haemolytic activity on both human and murine erythrocytes prevents the release of nutrients required for in vitro bacterial growth. Using in vivo murine models of infection, we show that LukSF-PV negatively influences S. aureus virulence and colonization by inhibiting LukED. Thus, while S. aureus leukotoxins can certainly injure immune cells, the discovery of leukotoxin antagonism suggests that they may also play a role in reducing S. aureus virulence and maintaining infection without killing the host.
Microgravity protein crystallization
Authors: McPherson Alexander , DeLucas Lawrence James 
Published: September 2015

AbstractOver the past 20 years a variety of technological advances in X-ray crystallography have shortened the time required to determine the structures of large macromolecules (i.e., proteins and nucleic acids) from several years to several weeks or days. However, one of the remaining challenges is the ability to produce diffraction-quality crystals suitable for a detailed structural analysis. Although the development of automated crystallization systems combined with protein engineering (site-directed mutagenesis to enhance protein solubility and crystallization) have improved crystallization success rates, there remain hundreds of proteins that either cannot be crystallized or yield crystals of insufficient quality to support X-ray structure determination. In an attempt to address this bottleneck, an international group of scientists has explored use of a microgravity environment to crystallize macromolecules. This paper summarizes the history of this international initiative along with a description of some of the flight hardware systems and crystallization results.
Measures of kidney function by minimally invasive techniques correlate with histological glomerular damage in SCID mice with adriamycin-induced nephropathy
Authors: Scarfe Lauren , Rak-Raszewska Aleksandra , Geraci Stefania , Darssan Darsy , Sharkey Jack , Huang Jiaguo , Burton Neal C. , Mason David , Ranjzad Parisa , Kenny Simon , Gretz Norbert , Lévy Raphaël , Kevin Park B. , García-Fiñana Marta , Woolf Adrian S. , Murray Patricia , Wilm Bettina 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMaximising the use of preclinical murine models of progressive kidney disease as test beds for therapies ideally requires kidney function to be measured repeatedly in a safe, minimally invasive manner. To date, most studies of murine nephropathy depend on unreliable markers of renal physiological function, exemplified by measuring blood levels of creatinine and urea and on various end points necessitating sacrifice of experimental animals to assess histological damage, thus counteracting the principles of Replacement, Refinement and Reduction. Here, we applied two novel minimally invasive techniques to measure kidney function in SCID mice with adriamycin-induced nephropathy. We employed i) a transcutaneous device that measures the half-life of intravenously administered FITC-sinistrin, a molecule cleared by glomerular filtration; and ii) multispectral optoacoustic tomography, a photoacoustic imaging device that directly visualises the clearance of the near infrared dye, IRDye 800CW carboxylate. Measurements with either technique showed a significant impairment of renal function in experimental animals versus controls, with significant correlations with the proportion of scarred glomeruli five weeks after induction of injury. These technologies provide clinically relevant functional data and should be widely adopted for testing the efficacies of novel therapies. Moreover, their use will also lead to a reduction in experimental animal numbers.
Imaging transplanted stem cells in real time using an MRI dual-contrast method
Authors: Ngen Ethel J. , Wang Lee , Kato Yoshinori , Krishnamachary Balaji , Zhu Wenlian , Gandhi Nishant , Smith Barbara , Armour Michael , Wong John , Gabrielson Kathleen , Artemov Dmitri 
Published: September 2015

AbstractStem cell therapies are currently being investigated for the repair of brain injuries. Although exogenous stem cell labelling with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) prior to transplantation provides a means to noninvasively monitor stem cell transplantation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), monitoring cell death is still a challenge. Here, we investigate the feasibility of using an MRI dual-contrast technique to detect cell delivery, cell migration and cell death after stem cell transplantation. Human mesenchymal stem cells were dual labelled with SPIONs and gadolinium-based chelates (GdDTPA). The viability, proliferation rate and differentiation potential of the labelled cells were then evaluated. The feasibility of this MRI technique to distinguish between live and dead cells was next evaluated using MRI phantoms and in vivo using both immune-competent and immune-deficient mice, following the induction of brain injury in the mice. All results were validated with bioluminescence imaging. In live cells, a negative (T2/T2*) MRI contrast predominates and is used to track cell delivery and cell migration. Upon cell death, a diffused positive (T1) MRI contrast is generated in the vicinity of the dead cells and serves as an imaging marker for cell death. Ultimately, this technique could be used to manage stem cell therapies.
The stability and activity of human neuroserpin are modulated by a salt bridge that stabilises the reactive centre loop
Authors: Noto Rosina , Randazzo Loredana , Raccosta Samuele , Caccia Sonia , Moriconi Claudia , Miranda Elena , Martorana Vincenzo , Manno Mauro 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNeuroserpin (NS) is an inhibitory protein belonging to the serpin family and involved in several pathologies, including the dementia Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies (FENIB), a genetic neurodegenerative disease caused by accumulation of NS polymers. Our Molecular Dynamics simulations revealed the formation of a persistent salt bridge between Glu289 on strand s2C and Arg362 on the Reactive Centre Loop (RCL), a region important for the inhibitory activity of NS. Here, we validated this structural feature by simulating the Glu289Ala mutant, where the salt bridge is not present. Further, MD predictions were tested in vitro by purifying recombinant Glu289Ala NS from E. coli. The thermal and chemical stability along with the polymerisation propensity of both Wild Type and Glu289Ala NS were characterised by circular dichroism, emission spectroscopy and non-denaturant gel electrophoresis, respectively. The activity of both variants against the main target protease, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), was assessed by SDS-PAGE and chromogenic kinetic assay. Our results showed that deletion of the salt bridge leads to a moderate but clear reduction of the overall protein stability and activity.
Personalized screening intervals for biomarkers using joint models for longitudinal and survival data
Authors: Rizopoulos Dimitris , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Van Rosmalen Joost , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Takkenberg Johanna J. M. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Screening and surveillance are routinely used in medicine for early detection of disease and close monitoring of progression. Motivated by a study of patients who received a human tissue valve in the aortic position, in this work we are interested in personalizing screening intervals for longitudinal biomarker measurements. Our aim in this paper is 2-fold: First, to appropriately select the model to use at the time point the patient was still event-free, and second, based on this model to select the optimal time point to plan the next measurement. To achieve these two goals, we combine information theory measures with optimal design concepts for the posterior predictive distribution of the survival process given the longitudinal history of the subject.
Linear traveltime perturbation interpolation: a novel method to compute 3-D traveltimes
Authors: Zhang Jianzhong , Shi Junjie , Song Lin-Ping , Zhou Hua-wei 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The linear traveltime interpolation has been a routine method to compute first arrivals of seismic waves and trace rays in complex media. The method assumes that traveltimes follow a linear distribution on each boundary of cells. The linearity assumption of traveltimes facilitates the numerical implementation but its violation may result in large computational errors. In this paper, we propose a new way to mitigate the potential shortcoming hidden in the linear traveltime interpolation. We use the vertex traveltimes in a calculated cell to introduce an equivalent homogeneous medium that is specific to the cell boundary from a source. Therefore, we can decompose the traveltime at a point on the cell boundary into two parts: (1) a reference traveltime propagating in the equivalent homogeneous medium and (2) a perturbation traveltime that is defined as the difference between the original and reference traveltimes. We now treat that the traveltime perturbation is linear along each boundary of cells instead of the traveltime. With the new assumption, we carry out the bilinear interpolation over traveltime perturbation to complete traveltime computation in a 3-D heterogeneous model. The numerical experiments show that the new method, the linear traveltime perturbation interpolation, is able to achieve much higher accuracy than that based on the linear traveltime interpolation.
Microsatellite DNA analysis of Pacific hake Merluccius productus population structure in the Salish Sea
Authors: Iwamoto Eric M. , Elz Anna E. , García-De León Francisco J. , Silva-Segundo Claudia A. , Ford Michael J. , Palsson Wayne A. , Gustafson Richard G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis study presents the first microsatellite DNA study of population structure of Pacific hake, Merluccius productus (also known as Pacific whiting) within the Salish Sea, which has been identified as a distinct population segment under the US Endangered Species Act and is currently listed as a federal Species of Concern. In contrast, a separate coastal stock component of Pacific hake represents the most abundant commercial groundfish species on the US West Coast. We surveyed variation at 10 microsatellite DNA loci in a total of 655 individuals from three Salish Sea locations (Port Susan (PTS) and Dabob Bay in Washington and south-central Strait of Georgia (SOG) in British Columbia), three coastal locations (two off southern California and one in the Gulf of Alaska), and the Northern Gulf of California (GOC), México. No significant differences were detected among temporal samples from both PTS and SOG locations. Multilocus measures of population subdivision between coastal and Salish Sea populations (all pairwise FST ≥ 0.03) and between PTS and SOG populations (FST ≥ 0.01) suggest a moderate degree of demographic isolation among these spawning populations. No significant genetic differences were found among the three coastal Pacific hake samples; however, Pacific hake from the GOC were significantly differentiated from both coastal (FST &gt; 0.05) and Salish Sea (FST ≥ 0.03) Pacific hake. Correlations between genetic and geographic distance showed that Pacific hake display a very strong isolation by distance signal, both over the whole study area (∼4500 km; r2 = 0.94) and within the Salish Sea (∼280 km; r2 = 0.72). This study suggests that PTS and SOG populations are to some extent demographically isolated from each other.
An analysis of the Podelski–Rybalchenko termination theorem via bar recursion
Authors: Berardi Stefano , Oliva Paulo , Steila Silvia 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
We present an effective proof (with explicit bounds) of the Podelski and Rybalchenko Termination Theorem. The sub-recursive bounds we obtain make use of bar recursion, in the form of the product of selection functions, as this is used to interpret the Weak Ramsey Theorem for pairs. The construction can be seen as calculating a modulus of well-foundedness for a given program given moduli of well-foundedness for the disjunctively well-founded finite set of covering relations. When the input moduli are in system T , this modulus is also definable in system T by a result of Schwichtenberg on bar recursion.
An Automated Surveillance Strategy to Ide.jpegy Infectious Complications After Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Procedures
Authors: Boggan Joel C. , Baker Arthur W. , Lewis Sarah S. , Dicks Kristen V. , Durkin Michael J. , Moehring Rebekah W. , Chen Luke F. , Knelson Lauren P. , Hegland Donald D. , Anderson Deverick J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground.  The optimum approach for infectious complication surveillance for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures is unclear. We created an automated surveillance tool for infectious complications after CIED procedures.Methods.  Adults having CIED procedures between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011 at Duke University Hospital were ide.jpegied retrospectively using International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) procedure codes. Potential infections were ide.jpegied with combinations of ICD-9 diagnosis codes and microbiology data for 365 days postprocedure. All microbiology-ide.jpegied and a subset of ICD-9 code-ide.jpegied possible cases, as well as a subset of procedures without microbiology or ICD-9 codes, were reviewed. Test performance characteristics for specific queries were calculated.Results.  Overall, 6097 patients had 7137 procedures. Of these, 1686 procedures with potential infectious complications were ide.jpegied: 174 by both ICD-9 code and microbiology, 14 only by microbiology, and 1498 only by ICD-9 criteria. We reviewed 558 potential cases, including all 188 microbiology-ide.jpegied cases, 250 randomly selected ICD-9 cases, and 120 with neither. Overall, 65 unique infections were ide.jpegied, including 5 of 250 reviewed cases ide.jpegied only by ICD-9 codes. Queries that included microbiology data and ICD-9 code 996.61 had good overall test performance, with sensitivities of approximately 90% and specificities of approximately 80%. Queries with ICD-9 codes alone had poor specificity. Extrapolation of reviewed infectious rates to nonreviewed cases yields an estimated rate of infection of 1.3%.Conclusions.  Electronic queries with combinations of ICD-9 codes and microbiologic data can be created and have good test performance characteristics for ide.jpegying likely infectious complications of CIED procedures.
Short-Term Omega 3 Fatty Acids Treatment for Dry Eye in Young and Middle-Aged Visual Display Terminal Users
Authors: Bhargava Rahul , Kumar Prachi , Arora Yogesh 
Published: August 2015

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of an omega 3 fatty acid (O3FA) oral supplement (2,400 mg/day) for 45 days on dry eye symptoms, tear production, stability, and conjunctival cytology in young and middle-aged visual display terminal (VDT) users.

Methods:
Institutional review board approval was obtained, and a randomized, double-blind, interventional study was done; eyes of 256 VDT users were randomized to receive 4 capsules twice daily for 45 days (O3FA group), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n=266) who received 8 capsules of a placebo (olive oil). Patients were evaluated at baseline, 30 days, and 45 days. The primary outcome measure was an improvement in dry eye symptoms. Secondary outcome measures were improvement in the Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Means of groups (pretreatment, day 30, and day 45) were compared with repeated-measure analysis of variance. The relation between the outcome variables and VDT time was evaluated using linear regression.

Results:
In the O3FA group, the mean symptom score differed significantly (P<0.005) (pretreatment, 30 days, and 45 days); the TBUT and Nelson grade also improved significantly but only after 45 days of intervention. Schirmer test values did not differ significantly after adjustment for multiple comparisons (P=0.010). The change was not significant in the placebo group.

Conclusion:
Consumption of 2,400 mg/day of O3FA supplement improves symptoms, tear stability, and conjunctival cytology but not tear production in symptomatic VDT users.