bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenological Changes in Alpine Grasslands and Their Influencing Factors in Seasonally Frozen Ground Regions Across the Three Parallel Rivers Region, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Chun-Ya , Wang Jin-Niu , Wang Xu-Feng , Luo Dong-Liang , Wei Yan-Qiang , Cui Xia , Wu Ning , Bagaria Priyamvada 
Published: February 2022

Alpine ecosystems are sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. In this study, we extracted three phonological parameters, viz. the start of the growing season (SOS), the end of the growing season (EOS), and the length of the growing season (LOS) from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) dataset during 2000–2019 for alpine grasslands across the three parallel rivers region (TPRR), and also examined the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the three phenological parameters in seasonally frozen ground regions (hereafter referred to as SFGR) in response to climate change. The results showed that the multiyear mean SOS gradually delayed from 100 to 160 days along higher elevation, EOS advanced as a whole (from 320 to 280 days), and LOS shortened (from 210 to 130 days). The multiyear mean spatial distribution of all the three parameters showed significant north-to-south differences in the TPRR. In general, the variation trends in all the phenological parameters were not significant (p &gt; 0.05) in the past 20 years, where SOS was advanced by 0.16 days year−l, EOS delayed by 0.08 days year−l, and consequently LOS extended at a rate of 0.07 days year−l, likely due to the warming and drying climate during the study period. In addition, annual mean temperature (AMT) was negatively correlated with SOS (50.26%) and positively correlated with EOS and LOS (72.25 and 60%, respectively). As for the annual mean total precipitation (AMP), it was positively correlated with SOS and EOS (50.77 and 52.97%, respectively) and negatively correlated with LOS (52.07%). Furthermore, a higher freezing index led to a delayed SOS and an advanced EOS and a shortened LOS at the regional scale. Similar to AMT, a higher thawing index advanced the SOS, delayed the EOS, and extended the LOS. Our results confirmed the importance of climate and permafrost status on vegetation phenological processes and also contributed toward understanding the response of cold region ecosystems to global climate change.
On the Relation Between Anomalous Clouds and Earthquakes in Italian Land
Authors: Guangmeng Guo 
Published: February 2022

In 1997 Russian scientist Morozova found some cloud anomalies possibly related to active fault systems and earthquakes. Now, 24 years later, the correlation between clouds and earthquakes is still controversial, and in this paper we checked systematically the satellite images in Italy from 2010 to 2013. The correlation between earthquakes and cloud anomalies was statistically examined by assuming different various leading times and magnitudes. The result showed that when the leading time interval was set to 23≤ΔT≤45 days and the magnitude is bigger than or equal to M4.7, 70% of earthquakes were preceded by cloud anomalies. Poisson random test showed that anomaly appearance rate (AAR) and earthquake occurrence rate (EOR) was much higher than those derived in a random situation, which means it is nearly impossible to deny the correlation between cloud anomaly and land earthquakes in Italy. Error matrix analysis showed this method provides 75% overall accuracy for the 52 total cases. Analysis also showed that cloud method provides a very high AAR value and similar EOR value compared with other earthquake prediction methods based on ionospheric or skin temperature data. The physical mechanism of cloud anomaly was likely caused by electric field, which linked active fault, atmosphere circuit conduction current, and cloud anomaly, and thus provides a reasonable hypothesis of cloud anomaly.
Soil Use Legacy as Driving Factor for Soil Erosion under Conservation Agriculture
Authors: Grahmann Kathrin , Rubio Valentina , Perez-Bidegain Mario , Quincke Juan Andrés 
Published: February 2022

Water erosion can cause irreversible depletions in soil quality and crop productivity. The susceptibility of the soil to erosion is affected by current and historical management practices. Historical soil management practices like ploughing or subsoil loosening may lead to irreversible degradations of soils, which in turn increases soil erosion risk. Six “Wischmeier” plots under conservation agriculture, but with different historic treatments regarding soil use and management, were evaluated. These plots were installed in 1984 in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay on a Vertic Argiudoll. The objective of this study was to quantify how changes in soil quality, generated by different historical soil use and management over the last 35 years, contribute to current runoff and soil erosion in a cropping system under soil conservation practices using no-till, residue retention and cover crops. Considering differences in soil legacy effects of previous land use, plots were grouped in three treatments with contrasting historic index of agricultural intensification (IAI). The IAI was developed combining the duration of land use under agricultural production and the number and intensity of tillage activity resulting in the treatments: tillage with crop-pasture rotation (TIL_CP), no-tillage under several rotations (NT_Mix) and tillage with continuous cropping (TIL_CROP) with an increasing IAI of 3.5, 7.1 and 11.8, respectively. Rainfall events, runoff water and total, fixed and volatile solids were studied from 2017 to 2019. Soil physical (bulk density, penetration resistance, infiltration rate, aggregate stability), chemical (soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, phosphorous (P-Bray)) and biological properties (particulate organic matter (POM), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN)) were assessed in 2019. Yearly average runoff amounted 209, 579 and 320 mm in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Yearly average soil losses were 233, 805 and 139 kg/ha with significant differences among years. The lowest soil losses were observed in TIL_CP (231, 615 and 146 kg/ha in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively) with lowest IAI of 3.5. Infiltration rate was the lowest in plots with highest IAI. Soil bulk density was highest (1.3 g/cm3) in plots with high IAI. SOC and PMN were lowest in TIL_CROP (3.0% SOC and 34 mg/kg PMN), holding the highest IAI of 11.8. Conservation agriculture minimized soil erosion losses in all plots and years, and erosion was much lower than the maximum tolerable threshold of 7,000 kg/ha for this particular soil. However, in historically intensively tilled and cropped soils, soil quality showed long-term adverse effects pointing towards a reduced resilience of the agricultural system.
Increased Rate of Epigenetic Aging in Men Living With HIV Prior to Treatment
Authors: Sehl Mary E. , Breen Elizabeth Crabb , Shih Roger , Chen Larry , Wang Ruibin , Horvath Steve , Bream Jay H. , Duggal Priya , Martinson Jeremy , Wolinsky Steven M. , Martinez-Maza Otoniel , Ramirez Christina M. , Jamieson Beth D. 
Published: February 2022

Background: Epigenetic aging is accelerated in tissues of persons living with HIV (PLWH) and may underlie the early onset of age-related illnesses. This study examines the rate-of-change in epigenetic age in PLWH following HIV infection but before HAART, using archived longitudinal samples from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.Methods: DNA was isolated from cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 101 men living with HIV, with baseline visit &lt;2.5 years after HIV seroconversion (Visit 1) and follow-up visit &lt;1.5 years before the initiation of HAART (Visit 2), and 100 HIV-uninfected men matched on age and visits with comparable time intervals. DNA methylation (DNAm) age was estimated for five clocks (Pan-tissue, Extrinsic, Phenotypic, Grim, and Skin &amp; Blood age), and a DNAm-based estimate of telomere length (DNAmTL). Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine baseline factors associated with rate-of-aging, defined as (DNAm age visit 2–DNAm age visit 1)/(age visit 2–age visit 1).Results: Epigenetic age increased approximately twice as fast in PLWH as uninfected controls (Pan-tissue, Extrinsic, and Phenotypic clocks). Shortening of DNAmTL was nearly 3-fold faster in PLWH than controls. Faster rate-of-aging was associated with HIV status (Pan-Tissue, Extrinsic, Phenotypic, and DNAmTL), white race (Extrinsic, DNAmTL), higher cumulative HIV viral load (Grim), and lower baseline DNAm age (Phenotypic, Skin &amp; Blood).Conclusion: Epigenetic rates-of-aging were significantly faster for untreated PLWH. Our findings expand on the important impact of HIV infection on biologic aging, both in elevating epigenetic age and increasing the rate-of-aging in the years following infection.
Design and Performance of Ultraviolet 368-nm AlGaN-Based Flip-Chip High-Voltage LEDs with Epitaxial Indium Tin Oxide/Al Reflective Mirror and Symmetry Electrode Arrangement
Authors: Ma Chuanzhe , Wang Xinchang , Lao Yuqin , Yang Jiachen , Chen Guojie , Wang Gang , Fan Bingfeng 
Published: February 2022

In this letter, we describe the design and fabrication of high-power AlGaN-based ultraviolet (UV) flip-chip high-voltage light-emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at 368 nm with an epitaxial indium tin oxide (ITO)/Al reflecting mirror and symmetry electrode layout. Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) was used to grow an ITO thin film as a transparent electrode on the LED surface. At 365 nm, epitaxial ITO thin films exhibited a transmittance of up to 93.6%. Additionally, the epitaxial ITO/Al reflective mirror has a reflectance of 81.2% at 365-nm. To investigate the electrical characteristics, four types of HV-LED micro-cells were constructed with varying n-type mesa structures and p-type interconnect electrodes. We demonstrated a forward voltage (Vf) of 7.86 V at 350 mA with a 2 × 2 mico-cells high-voltage ultraviolet 368-nm flip-chip LED after optimising electrode structure and device process.
Genetic Characteristics of Multiple Copies of Tn1546-Like Elements in ermB-Positive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus From Mainland China
Authors: Wang Haiping , Wu Dandan , Di Lingfang , Zhu Feiteng , Wang Zhengan , Sun Lu , Chen Yiyi , Jiang Shengnan , Zhuang Hemu , Chen Mengzhen , Ji Shujuan , Chen Yan 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo determine the genetic structure of ermB-positive Tn1546-like mobile elements in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from mainland China.MethodsA total of 271 erythromycin-resistant MRSA isolates were isolated from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH) from 2013 to 2015. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for the ermB-positive strains, and the genetic environment of the ermB genes was analyzed. Southern hybridization analysis and transformation tests were performed to confirm the location of the ermB gene.ResultsA total of 64 isolates (64/271, 23.6%) were ermB-positive strains, with 62 strains (62/64, 96.9%) belonging to the CC59 clone. The other two strains, SR130 and SR231, belonging to CC5-ST965, both harbored 14,567 bp ermB-positive Tn1546-like elements and displayed multidrug-resistant profiles. PFGE followed by Southern blot demonstrated that the ermB genes were located on the plasmids of both SR130 and SR231, while two copies of ermB were located on the chromosome of SR231. Further sequencing demonstrated that SR231 carried one Tn1546-ermB elements in the plasmid and two identical copies integrated on the chromosome, which had 99.99% identity to the element in the plasmid of SR130. The Tn1546-ermB elements were highly similar (100% coverage, &gt;99.9% identity) to the element Tn6636 reported in a previous study from Taiwan. The plasmids (pSR130 and pSR231) harboring ermB-positive Tn1546-like elements were also identical to the mosaic plasmid pNTUH_5066148. However, conjugation of ermB-carrying plasmids of SR130 and SR231 were failed after triple repeats.ConclusionMultiple copies of ermB-positive Tn1546-like mobile elements were found in CC5-ST965 MRSA from mainland China, showing the wide dissemination of these Enterococcus faecium-originated ermB-positive Tn1546-like elements. Molecular epidemiological study of Tn1546-like elements is essential to avoid the spreading of resistant determinants.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Diagnosis of Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Guan Ji-tian , Zheng Xin , Lai Lingfeng , Sun Shuyi , Geng Yiqun , Zhang Xiaolei , Zhou Teng , Wu Huan-ze , Chen Jia-qing , Yang Zhong-xian , zheng Xiao-hong , Wang Jia-xu , Chen Wei , Zhang You-qiao 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe current diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is mainly based on the typical clinical manifestations. However, 60% dopaminergic neurons have died when the typical clinical manifestations occur. Predictive neurobiomarkers may help identify those PD patients having non-motor disorders or in different stage and achieving the aim of early diagnosis. Up to date, few if any neuroimaging techniques have been described useful for non-movement disorders diagnosis in PD patients. Here, we investigated the alteration of metabolites in PD patients in different stage of PD and non-motor symptoms including sleep, gastrointestinal and cognitive dysfunction, by using the 1H-MRS.MethodsA total of 48 subjects were included between 2017 and 2019: 37 PD (15 men, age 47–82 years) and 11 healthy people (8 men, age 49–74 years). All participants underwent MRI and multi-voxel 1H-MRS examination within 3 days in admission. Six kinds of metabolites, such as creatine (Cr), N-acetyl aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), N-acetyl aspartate/choline (NAA/Cho), choline/creatine (Cho/Cr), lipid/creatine (LL/Cr), and myo-Inositol/creatine ratio (mI/Cr) were tested among the PD group and the control groups. Statistical analyses and correlation analyses were performed by using SPSS. The p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsCompared late PD group with a control group or early group, higher Cr ratio and lower NAA/Cr ratio were observed in the late PD group (p &lt; 0.05). The mI/Cr in the late PD group was also lower than that in the early PD group (p &lt; 0.05). Regarding the relationship between metabolites and NMS, Cho/Cr was higher in the sleep disorder group, whereas mI/Cr was lower in the gastrointestinal dysfunction group in comparison with the non-symptom groups. Moreover, Cr, Cho/Cr, mI/Cr, and LL/Cr were identified to have higher concentrations in the cognitive group in thalamus.ConclusionsProton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is an advanced tool to quantify the metabolic changes in PD. Three biomarkers (Cr, NAA/Cr, and mI/Cr) were detected in the late stage of PD, suggesting that these markers might be potential to imply the progression of PD. In addition, subgroups analysis showed that MRS of thalamus is a sensitive region for the detection of cognitive decline in PD, and the alteration of neurochemicals (involving Cr, Cho, mI, and LL) may be promising biomarkers to predict cognitive decline in PD.
Blood Plasma Metabolites in Diabetes-Associated Chronic Kidney Disease: A Focus on Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Lecamwasam Ashani , Mansell Toby , Ekinci Elif I. , Saffery Richard , Dwyer Karen M. 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundWe investigated a cross-sectional metabolomic analysis of plasma and urine of patients with early and late stage diabetes associated chronic kidney disease (CKD), inclusive of stages 1–5 CKD, to identify potential metabolomic profiles between the two groups.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 119 adults. Metabolomic biomarkers were quantified in 119 non-fasted plasma and 57 urine samples using a high-throughput proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance platform. Analyses were conducted using R with the ggforestplot package. Linear regression models were minimally adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index and p-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hockberg method with a false discovery rate of 0.05.ResultsApolipoprotein A1 concentration (ApoA1) was reduced (adj. p = 0.04) and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio (ApoB/ApoA1) was increased (adj. p = 0.04) in late CKD compared with early CKD. Low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (LDL-TG) had an increased concentration (adj. p = 0.01), while concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were reduced (adj. p = 0.04) in late CKD compared to early stages of disease.ConclusionOur results highlight the presence of abnormal lipid metabolism namely significant reduction in the protective ApoA1 and significant increase in atherogenic ApoB/ApoA1 ratio. The study also demonstrates significantly elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins such as LDL-TG. We illustrate the significant reduction in protective HDL-C in individuals with diabetic CKD. It explores a detailed plasma lipid profile that significantly differentiates between the late and early CKD groups as well as each CKD stage. The study of complex metabolite profiles may provide additional data required to enable more specific cardiovascular risk stratification.
High-Grade Glioma Treatment Response Monitoring Biomarkers: A Position Statement on the Evidence Supporting the Use of Advanced MRI Techniques in the Clinic, and the Latest Bench-to-Bedside Developments. Part 2: Spectroscopy, Chemical Exchange Saturation, Multiparametric Imaging, and Radiomics
Authors: Booth Thomas C. , Wiegers Evita C. , Warnert Esther A. H. , Schmainda Kathleen M. , Riemer Frank , Nechifor Ruben E. , Keil Vera C. , Hangel Gilbert , Figueiredo Patrícia , Álvarez-Torres Maria Del Mar , Henriksen Otto M. 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo summarize evidence for use of advanced MRI techniques as monitoring biomarkers in the clinic, and to highlight the latest bench-to-bedside developments.MethodsThe current evidence regarding the potential for monitoring biomarkers was reviewed and individual modalities of metabolism and/or chemical composition imaging discussed. Perfusion, permeability, and microstructure imaging were similarly analyzed in Part 1 of this two-part review article and are valuable reading as background to this article. We appraise the clinic readiness of all the individual modalities and consider methodologies involving machine learning (radiomics) and the combination of MRI approaches (multiparametric imaging).ResultsThe biochemical composition of high-grade gliomas is markedly different from healthy brain tissue. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows the simultaneous acquisition of an array of metabolic alterations, with choline-based ratios appearing to be consistently discriminatory in treatment response assessment, although challenges remain despite this being a mature technique. Promising directions relate to ultra-high field strengths, 2-hydroxyglutarate analysis, and the use of non-proton nuclei. Labile protons on endogenous proteins can be selectively targeted with chemical exchange saturation transfer to give high resolution images. The body of evidence for clinical application of amide proton transfer imaging has been building for a decade, but more evidence is required to confirm chemical exchange saturation transfer use as a monitoring biomarker. Multiparametric methodologies, including the incorporation of nuclear medicine techniques, combine probes measuring different tumor properties. Although potentially synergistic, the limitations of each individual modality also can be compounded, particularly in the absence of standardization. Machine learning requires large datasets with high-quality annotation; there is currently low-level evidence for monitoring biomarker clinical application.ConclusionAdvanced MRI techniques show huge promise in treatment response assessment. The clinical readiness analysis highlights that most monitoring biomarkers require standardized international consensus guidelines, with more facilitation regarding technique implementation and reporting in the clinic.
Serum Abnormal Metabolites for Evaluating Therapeutic Response and Prognosis of Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Wei Yujun , Wang Jinying , Chen Fei , Li Xin , Zhang Jiajia , Shen Man , Tang Ran , Huang Zhongxia 
Published: February 2022

AimsTo evaluate abnormal metabolites related to treatment response and prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients through ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS).MethodsForty-six symptomatic MM patients were included in this study who had a prior high level of positive monoclonal proteins before receiving targeted therapy with bortezomib-based regimens. UPLC-MS along with traditional immunofixation was performed on MM diagnostic samples and effective serum samples, and UPLC-MS was used to target valuable metabolic markers related to M protein.MM patients were segregated into pre-therapy (pre-T) and post-therapy (post-T) groups according to the response after chemotherapy. A monoclonal protein could be detected at baseline in 33 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), 13 refractory and relapsed MM (RRMM) patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) by immunofixation.ResultsBetween pre-T and post-T patients, the data showed that 32, 28 and 3 different metabolites were significantly correlated with M protein in IgG, IgA and light chain-type MM, respectively. These identified metabolites were significantly enriched in arginine and proline metabolism as well as glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Among them, PC (19:0/22:2) was displayed to increase significantly and consistently with M protein in each subtype of MM after treatment, which obviously indicated that it was related to the treatment response of MM. Further survival analysis of metabolic markers found that aspartic acid, LysoPE (16:0), SM (d18:1/17:0), PC (18:0/24:1), PC (16:0/16:0), TG (18:1/18:1/22:5) and LysoPE (18:2) reaching a certain cutoff value may be associated with shorter progression free survival (PFS). Finally, Cox multivariate regression analysis identified three factors were independent prognostic factors of MM. Moreover, there were significantly different in PC (19:0/22:2) and in aspartic acid between MM patients and healthy people.ConclusionThis work identified significant metabolic disorders in 46 pairs off pre- and post-therapy MM patients, specifically in arginine, proline and glycerophospholipid pathways. The abnormal metabolites have the potential to serve as new biomarkers for evaluating treatment response and prognosis, as well as early monitoring of disease activity. Therefore, these systematic studies on abnormal metabolites as biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment will provide the evidence for future precise treatment of MM.