bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buffering Agent Induced Lactose Content Increases via Growth Hormone-Mediated Activation of Gluconeogenesis in Lactating Goats
Authors: Li Lin , He MeiLin , Liu Ying , Zhang Yuanshu
Published: June 2017

Dairy goats are often fed a high-concentrate (HC) diet to meet lactation demands; however, long-term concentrate feeding is unhealthy and decreases milk yield and lactose content. Therefore, we tested whether a buffering agent increases the output of glucose in the liver and influences of lactose synthesis. In this study, sixteen lactating goats were randomly assigned to two groups: one group received a HC diets (Concentrate: Forage = 6:4, HG), and the other group received the same diet with a buffering agent added (0.2% NaHCO3, 0.1% MgO, BG) as a treatment for 19-weeks experimental period. The results showed that the total volatile fatty acids and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) declined in the rumen leading to the rumen pH was stabilized in the BG group. Milk yield and lactose content increased. The alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, LPS and lactate content in the plasma was significantly decreased, whereas prolactin and growth hormone levels were increased. The hepatic vein content of glucose was increased. In addition, the expression of pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) in the liver was significantly up-regulated. In mammary gland, the glucose transporter type-1, 8, 12 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-1 levels were increased. Cumulatively, the buffering agent treatment increased blood concentrations of glucose via the gluconeogenes and promoting their synthesis in the liver. It may contribute to the increase in milk yield and lactose synthesis of lactating goats.
PARP mediated chromatin unfolding is coupled to long-range enhancer activation
Authors: Benabdallah Nezha S. , Williamson Iain , Illingworth Robert S. , Boyle Shelagh , Grimes Graeme R. , Therizols Pierre , Bickmore Wendy A.
Published: June 2017

Enhancers are critical regulators of gene expression and can be located far from their target gene. It is widely assumed that mechanisms of enhancer action involve reorganization of three-dimensional chromatin architecture, but this is poorly understood. Here we identify a novel mechanism of long-range enhancer associated chromatin reorganization. At the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) locus we observe large-scale decompaction of chromatin betweenShhand its brain enhancers in neural progenitor cells. We show that the chromatin unfolding is dependent on activation of the enhancers, not the promoter, is impeded by chromatin-bound proteins located between the enhancer and promoter, and is mediated by the recruitment of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1. We suggest that large-scale chromatin decompaction, analogous to the inducible puffs inDrosophilapolytene chromosomes, represents a new mechanism of chromatin reorganization coupled to long-range gene activation from mammalian enhancers and that seems incompatible with a chromatin-looping model of enhancer-promoter communication
Adsorption and conformations of lysozyme andα-lactalbumin at a water-octane interface
Authors: Cheung David L.
Published: June 2017

As they contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids proteins will readily adsorb onto interfaces between water and hydrophobic fluids such as oil. This adsorption normally causes changes in protein structure, which can result in a loss of protein function and irreversible adsorption, leading to the formation of protein interfacial films. While this can be advantageous in some applications (e.g. food technology) in most cases it limits our ability to exploit protein functionality at interfaces. To understand and control protein interfacial adsorption and function it is necessary to understand the microscopic conformation of proteins at liquid interfaces. In this paper molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the adsorption and conformation of two similar proteins, lysozyme andα-lactalbumin, at a water-octane interface. While they both adsorb onto the interfaceα-lactalbumin does so in a specific orientation, mediated by two amphipathic helices, while lysozyme adsorbs in a non-specific manner. Using replica exchange simulations both proteins are found to possess a number of distinct interfacial conformations, with compact states similar to the solution conformation being most common for both proteins. Decomposing the different contributions to the protein energy at oil-water interfaces, suggests that conformational change forα-lactalbumin, unlike lysozyme, is driven by favourable protein-oil interactions. Revealing these differences between the factors that govern conformational change at interfaces in otherwise similar proteins can give insight into the control of protein interfacial adsorption, aggregation, and function.
Evaluating Metagenome Assembly on a Simple Defined Community with Many Strain Variants
Authors: Awad Sherine , Irber Luiz , Brown C. Titus
Published: June 2017

We evaluate the performance of three metagenome assemblers, IDBA, MetaSPAdes, and MEGAHIT, on short-read sequencing of a defined “mock” community containing 64 genomes (Shakya et al. (2013)). We update the reference metagenome for this mock community and detect several additional genomes in the read data set. We show that strain confusion results in significant loss in assembly of reference genomes that are otherwise completely present in the read data set. In agreement with previous studies, we find that MEGAHIT performs best computationally; we also show that MEGAHIT tends to recover larger portions of the strain variants than the other assemblers.
A trapped double bond-photoisomerization intermediate in a bacterial photoreceptor
Authors: Xu Xiuling , Höppner Astrid , Zhao Kai-Hong , Gärtner Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

Abbreviations

ASU

asymmetric unit

BV, PCB, PVB (bilin compounds serving as chromophores)

biliverdin Ixα, phycocyanobilin, phycoviolobilin

CAPSO

N-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid

CBCR

cyanobacteriochrome

GAF (protein domain)

cGMP-specific phosphodiesterasesadenylyl cyclases andFhlA

IMAC

immobilized metal-affinity chromatography

MR

molecular replacement

PAS (protein domain)

Per-Arnt-Sim

PHY (protein domain)

phytochrome-specific

Pfr, Pg, Pr

far red-, green-, and red-absorbing states of phytochromes and CBCRs

The GAF3 domain of cyanobacteriochrome Slr1393 (SynechocystisPCC6803) with anin vivoassembled phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophore has been crystallized in parental state (1.8 Å) and photoproduct state (1.86 Å), identified by 15-Zand 15-Echromophore configuration. Comparison of both structures for the same protein allows precise determination of structural changes after photo-activation. The chromophore photoisomerization causes an outward movement and partial helix formation of a formerly unstructured loop. A tryptophan residue located in this loop, in π-π stacking distance to PCB in the dark state, moves away by 14 Å opening the binding cleft for the entry of water molecules. Also thein vitroassembled protein (chromophore addition to apo-protein) has been crystallized (1.6 Å resolution). Most importantly, an intermediate structure was solved (2.1 Å) with the protein in photoproduct conformation and the chromophore already isomerized into the parental 15-Zconfiguration, thereby giving insight into chromophore-initiated conformational protein changes.

Impact Statement

This manuscript presents crystal structures of a photochromic protein in both states, before (1.6 Å) and after (1.9 Å) the light induced photochemical event with sufficient resolution to allow detailed description of conformational changes of chromophore and protein. The light driven reaction, double bond photoisomerization of a covalently bound bilin chromophore is presented here for the first time. Our results allow determining the impact of the chromophore photochemistry on the protein conformation. In addition, we succeeded in trapping an intermediate carrying the chromophore already in isomerized state with the protein still in unchanged conformation. Absorption spectra of this intermediate clearly demonstrate a color change, thus allowing conclusion that the absorption of phytochromes is predominantly determined by the chromophore conformation alone with only moderate effect of the surrounding protein.

Authors’ Contributions

XX, KHZ, and WG designed the experiment. XX generated the protein. AH performed crystallization trials, collected the X-ray diffraction data and solved the structure. All authors contributed in preparing the manuscript.
Enhancing plant diversity in a novel grassland using seed addition
Authors: Zamin Tara J. , Jolly Alex , Sinclair Steve , Morgan John W. , Moore Joslin L.
Published: June 2017

Restoration of novel ecosystems to a historical benchmark may not always be possible or advisable. Novel ecosystems may be managed by targeting specific components and accepting the novelty of other ecosystem attributes. The feasibility of this component‐wise management of novel ecosystems has rarely been tested.

In a novel grassland, where C3 grasses have replaced C4 grasses, nutrients have been elevated, and diversity has been lost due to a history of agricultural land use, we aimed to return diversity using seed addition, without altering the dominant grass matrix or nutrient status. Using direct seeding, with and without soil disturbance, we assessed the ability of 10 species of native forbs to establish.

Eight of the 10 seeded species established in the first year. Soil disturbance increased establishment success by 50%, while high levels of exotic cover decreased it by 24%. Establishment was inversely related to total plant cover at sowing, with a 10% increase in initial plant cover decreasing establishment by 47%.

By the third year, six of the eight species persisted and five were flowering. Survival and reproduction in the third year was not associated with the soil disturbance treatment or plant cover.

Synthesis and applications. We show that native plant species can be re‐established in grasslands where abiotic and biotic conditions are novel relative to their reference state. This suggests that the conservation value of novel ecosystems can be enhanced using simple restoration tools that target specific ecosystem components.
WHEN POLICY COMES TO TOWN: DISCOURSES AND DILEMMAS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE REENTRY POLICY IN KANSAS
Authors: RENGIFO ANDRES F. , STEMEN DON , AMIDON ETHAN
Published: June 2017

In this case study, we document challenges to reform implementation posed by line staff, supervisors, and managers during a large‐scale realignment of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) in which they sought to replace a traditional approach of “risk containment” focused on surveillance and incarceration with a new model of “risk reduction” focused on service delivery and reintegration. We draw on interviews, observations, and archival research to document the staff's discursive challenges to the rollout of the new policy. More specifically, we describe how varying challenges to the reforms—“denial,” “dismissal,” and “defiance”—reflect actors’ positions within the organization, the local contexts in which they operate, and more general frames of interpretation of the long‐term orientation of the KDOC. We integrate these perspectives to contribute to the ongoing expansion of conventional models of penal change that highlight the role of actors and local social and institutional context as moderators of the gap between “law on the books” and “law in action.”
Development of Regional Curves for Hydrologic Landscape Regions (HLR) in the Contiguous United States
Authors: Blackburn‐Lynch Whitney , Agouridis Carmen T. , Barton Christopher D.
Published: June 2017

Regional curves relate drainage area to the bankfull channel characteristics discharge, cross‐sectional area, width, and mean depth. These curves are used for a variety of purposes, including aiding in the field identification of bankfull elevation and in the natural channel design process. When developing regional curves, the degree to which landform, geology, climate, and vegetation influence stream systems within a single physiographic province may not be fully considered. This study examined the use of the U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic Landscape Regions (HLR), as well as data from 2,856 independent sites throughout the contiguous United States (U.S.), to develop a set of regional curves (bankfull discharge, cross‐sectional area, width, and mean depth) for (1) the contiguous U.S., (2) each of the 20 HLRs, (3) each of the eight physiographic divisions, (4) 22 of the 25 physiographic provinces, and (5) individual HLRs within the physiographic provinces. These regional curves were then compared to each other, as well as those from the literature. Regional curves developed for individual HLRs, physiographic divisions, and physiographic provinces tended to outperform the contiguous U.S. indicating increased stratification was beneficial. Further stratifying physiographic provinces by HLR markedly improved regional curve reliability. Use of HLR as a basis of regional curve development, rather than physiographic region alone, may allow for the development of more robust regional curves.
Can Shareholders Be at Rest after Adopting Clawback Provisions? Evidence from Stock Price Crash Risk
Authors: Bao Dichu , Fung Simon Yu Kit , Su Lixin (Nancy)
Published: June 2017

Using a propensity score matched sample and a difference‐in‐differences research design, we find that stock price crash risk increases after a firm voluntarily incorporates clawback provisions in executive officers' compensation contracts. This heightened crash risk is concentrated in adopters that increase upward real activities‐based earnings management and those that reduce the readability of 10‐K reports. Based on cross‐sectional analyses, we also find that the increased crash risk is more pronounced for adopters with high ex ante fraud risk, low‐ability managers, high CEO equity incentives, and low dedicated institutional ownership. Collectively, our results suggest that the clawback adoption per se does not curb managerial opportunism but rather induces managers to use alternative channels for concealing bad news, which may contribute to a greater stock price crash risk; and the increase in crash risk is more likely in cases where incentives are strong or monitoring is weak. Our results should be of interest to regulators and policymakers considering the effects of clawback adoption on the investing public.
Fibroblast‐derived exosomes promote epithelial cell proliferation through TGF‐β2 signalling pathway in severe asthma
Authors: Haj‐Salem I. , Plante S. , Gounni A. S. , Rouabhia M. , Chakir J.
Published: June 2017

Background

Bronchial fibroblasts play a key role in airway remodelling in asthma. They regulate epithelial cell functions such as proliferation through growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and exosomes. The role of exosomes in the communication between epithelial cells and fibroblasts by vehiculing these mediators in asthma remains to be determined.

Objective

To evaluate the role of exosomes released by bronchial fibroblasts on epithelial cell proliferation in severe asthma.

Methods

Exosomes were obtained from culture media of primary bronchial fibroblasts and characterized using Western blot, electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Uptake profile of fluorescent‐labelled exosomes in epithelial cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Exosome cytokine content was analysed by Cytokine Arrays. Bronchial epithelial cell proliferation was evaluated by BrdU incorporation test. Exosome biogenesis/release was blocked using sphingomyelinase inhibitor. Plasmid transfection was used to modulate transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF‐β2) gene expression.

Results

We showed that bronchial fibroblasts secreted exosomes, which were internalized by bronchial epithelial cells. Exosomes of severe asthmatic subjects' fibroblasts showed a lower level of TGF‐β2 and significantly increased the epithelial cell proliferation of both healthy and severe asthmatic subjects compared to healthy controls' exosomes. Overexpression of TGF‐β2 in severe asthmatics' fibroblasts induced enhanced TGF‐β2 in exosomes leading to a reduced proliferation of epithelial cells, whereas knockdown of TGF‐β2 enhanced epithelial cell proliferation.

Conclusion

Our study shows that exosomes are involved in fine‐tuning intercellular communication in asthma. Exosomes of severe eosinophilic asthmatics' fibroblasts can contribute to airway remodelling, at least in part, by modulating epithelial cell proliferation observed in severe asthma.
Synthesis, evaluation of cytotoxic properties of promising curcumin analogues and investigation of possible molecular mechanisms
Authors: Jordan Brian C. , Kumar Bhavna , Thilagavathi Ramasamy , Yadhav Arti , Kumar Pawan , Selvam Chelliah
Published: June 2017

Curcumin is a popular, plant‐derived compound that has been extensively investigated for diverse range of biological activities. Anticancer activity against various types of cancers and high‐safety profile associated with curcumin makes it very attractive. In this study, we report the synthesis and evaluation of pyrazole and click chemistry curcumin analogues for Head and Neck cancer. MTT assay against head and neck cancer cell lines CAL27 and UM‐SCC‐74A revealed the micromolar potency of the synthesized compounds. To determine the possible molecular mechanisms, effect of these analogues in the expression of pSTAT3, pFAK, pERK1/2 and pAKT was studied. Interestingly, compounds 2 and 5 significantly inhibited the pSTAT3 (Tyr 705) phosphorylation. As far as other compounds, they showed potent cytotoxicity against CAL27; however, these compounds did not show any activity on pSTAT3 phosphorylation at IC50 concentration level. Molecular docking studies revealed the possible binding mode of pyrazole compound 2 in the SH2 domain of STAT3.
OM‐LV20, a novel peptide from odorous frog skin, accelerates wound healing in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Xiaojie , Wang Ying , Zou Zhirong , Yang Meifeng , Wu Chunyun , Su Yunshan , Tang Jing , Yang Xinwang
Published: June 2017

The healing of chronic wounds remains a considerable challenge in clinical trials and imposes severe financial and physiological burdens on patients. Many works are being tried to find ideal clinical promoting wound healing biomaterials. Small bioactive peptides with low cost and easy production, store and transfer become excellent candidates. Here, we identified a novel peptide (named OM‐LV20) from skin secretions of odorous frog Odorrana margaretae. The peptide had an amino acid sequence of “LVGKLLKGAVGDVCGLLPIC,” contained an intramolecular disulfide bridge at the C‐terminus, and was produced by post‐translational processing of a 71‐residue prepropeptide. Our results showed that OM‐LV20 had no direct microbe‐killing effects, hemolytic activity, or acute toxicity, but did exhibit weak antioxidant activity. OM‐LV20 promoted wound healing against human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human skin fibroblasts (HSF) in both time‐ and dose‐dependent manners. In addition, it induced the proliferation of HaCaT but not HSF cells. Of note, OM‐LV20 showed strong wound healing‐promoting activity in a mice model of full‐thickness skin wound. Our research indicates the cellular and animal level wound healing potential of OM‐LV20, and thus provides a novel bioactive peptide template for the development of wound healing agents and medicine.
Cognitive interviews in patient‐reported outcome measures of function for young people with neurodisabilities
Authors: Eddy Linda
Published: June 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Kramer and Schwartz on pages 1083–1088 of this issue.
Measuring canopy loss and climatic thresholds from an extreme drought along a fivefold precipitation gradient across Texas
Authors: Schwantes Amanda M. , Swenson Jennifer J. , González‐Roglich Mariano , Johnson Daniel M. , Domec Jean‐Christophe , Jackson Robert B.
Published: June 2017

Globally, trees are increasingly dying from extreme drought, a trend that is expected to increase with climate change. Loss of trees has significant ecological, biophysical, and biogeochemical consequences. In 2011, a record drought caused widespread tree mortality in Texas. Using remotely sensed imagery, we quantified canopy loss during and after the drought across the state at 30‐m spatial resolution, from the eastern pine/hardwood forests to the western shrublands, a region that includes the boundaries of many species ranges. Canopy loss observations in ~200 multitemporal fine‐scale orthophotos (1‐m) were used to train coarser Landsat imagery (30‐m) to create 30‐m binary statewide canopy loss maps. We found that canopy loss occurred across all major ecoregions of Texas, with an average loss of 9.5%. The drought had the highest impact in post oak woodlands, pinyon‐juniper shrublands and Ashe juniper woodlands. Focusing on a 100‐km by ~1,000‐km transect spanning the State's fivefold east–west precipitation gradient (~1,500 to ~300 mm), we compared spatially explicit 2011 climatic anomalies to our canopy loss maps. Much of the canopy loss occurred in areas that passed specific climatic thresholds: warm season anomalies in mean temperature (+1.6°C) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD, +0.66 kPa), annual percent deviation in precipitation (−38%), and 2011 difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (−1,206 mm). Although similarly low precipitation occurred during the landmark 1950s drought, theVPDand temperature anomalies observed in 2011 were even greater. Furthermore, future climate data under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 trajectory project that average values will surpass the 2011VPDanomaly during the 2070–2099 period and the temperature anomaly during the 2040–2099 period. Identifying vulnerable ecological systems to drought stress and climate thresholds associated with canopy loss will aid in predicting how forests will respond to a changing climate and how ecological landscapes will change in the near term.
Full‐text publication rates of research abstracts presented at the European Society of Endodontology congresses in the last 20 years
Authors: Tzanetakis G. N. , Tzimpoulas N. , Floratos S. , Agrafioti A. , Kontakiotis E. G. , Shemesh H.
Published: June 2017

Aim

To evaluate the full‐text publication rates of scientific research abstracts presented at the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) congresses held between 1993 and 2013 (a total of 11 occasions) and to determine factors associated with the manuscripts.

Methodology

An electronic database search was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 to identify full‐text English‐written publications of the research abstracts presented at the last 11 ESE Biennial congresses from 1993 to 2013. For each occasion, research abstract information was retrieved from the International Endodontic Journal (IEJ) through the official website of the ESE, and the following parameters for each abstract presentation were recorded: year of presentation, first author's affiliation, geographic origin and type of study. Following full‐text article identification, additional information was recorded such as: year and journal of publication, elapsed time until full publication and number of authors per presentation and publication.

Results

A total of 1165 research abstracts were presented, of which 401 (34.4%) were finally published as full‐length articles. Overall 235 articles (58.6%) were published either in the International Endodontic Journal (IEJ, 35.7%) or Journal of Endodontics (JOE, 22.9%). The mean time between abstract presentation and full‐text publication was 18.95 months. Munich (2001) had the highest publication rate (44%), whereas Lisbon (2013) had the highest number of published articles (77). Turkey was the country with the highest number of published abstracts (56). However, the Netherlands was the country with the highest number of publications related to the number of presentations (21/26) (80.7%). Differences in authorship between presentation and full publication were found in 179 (44.6%) articles.

Conclusion

A substantial number of research abstracts presented at ESE congresses were not published in peer‐reviewed journals. Authors prefer to publish their research papers in international journals with high impact factor.
Safety of a benazepril and pimobendan combination tablet in adult healthy dogs
Authors: Kuntz E. A. , Strehlau G. , Giraudel J. M. , King J. N.
Published: June 2017

The objective of the study was to investigate the safety of a combination tablet of benazepril and pimobendan, Fortekor PLUS®, in a randomized, blinded, parallel‐group design study in healthy adult beagle dogs. The test article, Fortekor PLUS® tablets, was administered orally twice daily for 6 months at one, two, and four times the highest recommended dosage of 0.5 mg/kg benazepril hydrochloride/0.25 mg/kg pimobendan (four males and four females per group). An additional control group was sham‐dosed. Fortekor PLUS® did not induce any treatment‐related effects on body weight, food consumption, neurological, ophthalmologic or physical assessments over the 6‐month treatment period. The test article was possibly associated with an increased frequency of occasional vomiting. Fortekor PLUS® was associated with small, but significant, increases in heart rate and reductions in PR and QT intervals, which were assessed by electrocardiography. These effects were most probably related to reflex tachycardia secondary to reduced systemic blood pressure. Statistically significant changes in some clinical pathology variables were noted after test article administration, but were considered to be of no clinical relevance as values remained within reference ranges and/or were not dose‐dependent. No treatment‐related macroscopic or microscopic findings were observed. In conclusion, Fortekor PLUS® tablets were well tolerated in healthy adult dogs when administered at one, two, and four times the highest recommended dosage for 6 months.
Artificial magnetic disturbance from the mass rapid transit system in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chieh‐Hung , Lin Cheng‐Horng , Yen Horng‐Yuan , Chen Chun‐Rong , Jan Jyh Cherng , Wang Chung‐Ho , Liu Jann‐Yenq
Published: June 2017

An obvious magnetic disturbance has been repeatedly observed by magnetometers located outside of urban areas in Yangmingshan National Park and has affected the monitoring of volcanic activity in the northern region of Taiwan. The disturbance has amplitudes of approximately 3–5 nanoteslas, and regularly appears for approximately 21 hours per day, except during the New Year period, when it is observed continuously for 45 hours. This change coincides with the annual extended operation of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. A 750‐volt direct current drives the MRT trains and leaks to the ground, with a maximum value of approximately 1000 amperes measured along the routes. The disturbance is dominated by the unbalanced supply and return currents resulting from the leakage. The daily changes in the magnetic noise levels are correlated with the electricity consumption of the MRT system because the leakage is proportional to the use of electric power.
Formation of a giant Zn–Pb deposit from hot brines injecting into a shallow oil–gas reservoir in sandstones, Jinding, southwestern China
Authors: Chi Guoxiang , Xue Chunji , Sun Xianda , Lai Jianqing , Luo Peng , Song Hao , Li Sheng , Zeng Rong
Published: June 2017

The association between mineralisation and hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins is widely recognised, but the nature and significance of their relationships are not fully understood. This paper provides an example of metalliferous brines injecting into a palaeo‐oil–gas reservoir to form a world‐class Zn–Pb deposit (Jinding, China). Petrographic and microthermometric studies of oil inclusions and PVT simulations suggest that oil and gas were charged in a shallow (<1300 m) environment before mineralisation. This environment favoured bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR), which produced large amounts of H2S that accumulated in the gas cap. Forceful injection of hot brines penetrated the oil zone to reach the H2S‐rich gas cap and precipitated sulphide ores. Individual fluid injection events were short‐lived, and the reservoir was only partly and briefly heated to beyond the bacterial survival temperature. Episodic injection of metalliferous brines and sustained supply of H2S through BSR resulted in the formation of a large Zn–Pb deposit.
Application of dual frequency identification sonar for the study of deep diving odontocetes prey fields
Authors: Giorli Giacomo , Au Whitlow W. L.
Published: June 2017

A dual frequency identification sonar was used to estimate density and size of potential deep diving odontocetes' prey in deep sea scattering layers in Hawaii. Size distributions data showed a bimodal pattern, with a population of data above the 50 cm of length, possibly big squids, and a population of data below 50 cm, mainly micronekton. The number of animals bigger than 50 cm was correlated with the length of the peak of the frequency distribution. Data suggest that big predators, like squids that constitute prey for beaked, pilot, and sperm whales, are more likely to be found where they have better chance to find micronectonic prey.
Inability of a negative faecal occult blood test to rule out intussusception in children
Authors: Chin Alvin , De Wit Kerstin
Published: June 2017

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether a negative faecal occult blood test was sufficiently sensitive to rule out a diagnosis of intussusception in children. 5 papers presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that a negative faecal occult blood test cannot reliably rule out the diagnosis of intussusception .
Search by Screenshots for Universal Article Clipping in Mobile Apps
Authors: Umemoto Kazutoshi , Song Ruihua , Nie Jian-Yun , Xie Xing , Tanaka Katsumi , Rui Yong
Published: June 2017

To address the difficulty in clipping articles from various mobile applications (apps), we propose a novel framework called UniClip, which allows a user to snap a screen of an article to save the whole article in one place. The key task of the framework is
search by screenshots
, which has three challenges: (1) how to represent a screenshot; (2) how to formulate queries for effective article retrieval; and (3) how to identify the article from search results. We solve these by (1) segmenting a screenshot into structural units called blocks, (2) formulating effective search queries by considering the role of each block, and (3) aggregating the search result lists of multiple queries. To improve efficiency, we also extend our approach with learning-to-rank techniques so that we can find the desired article with only one query. Experimental results show that our approach achieves high retrieval performance (
F
1
= 0.868), which outperforms baselines based on keyword extraction and chunking methods. Learning-to-rank models improve our approach without learning by about 6%. A user study conducted to investigate the usability of UniClip reveals that ours is preferred by 21 out of 22 participants for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Immigration and Crime: Assessing a Contentious Issue
Authors: Ousey Graham C. , Kubrin Charis E.
Published: June 2017

Are immigration and crime related? This review addresses this question in order to build a deeper understanding of the immigration-crime relationship. We synthesize the recent generation (1994 to 2014) of immigration-crime research focused on macrosocial (i.e., geospatial) units using a two-pronged approach that combines the qualitative method of narrative review with the quantitative strategy of systematic meta-analysis. After briefly reviewing contradictory theoretical arguments that scholars have invoked in efforts to explain the immigration-crime relationship, we present findings from our analysis, which (a) determined the average effect of immigration on crime rates across the body of literature and (b) assessed how variations in key aspects of research design have impacted results obtained in prior studies. Findings indicate that, overall, the immigration-crime association is negative—but very weak. At the same time, there is significant variation in findings across studies. Study design features, including measurement of the dependent variable, units of analysis, temporal design, and locational context, impact the immigration-crime association in varied ways. We conclude the review with a discussion of promising new directions and remaining challenges in research on the immigration-crime nexus.
Combined Diffusion Tensor and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging Methodology for Automated Regional Brain Analysis: Application in a Normal Pediatric Population
Authors: Ghosh Nirmalya , Holshouser Barbara , Oyoyo Udo , Barnes Stanley , Tong Karen , Ashwal Stephen
Published: June 2017

During human brain development, anatomic regions mature at different rates. Quantitative anatomy-specific analysis of longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data may improve our ability to quantify and categorize these maturational changes. Computational tools designed to quickly fuse and analyze imaging information from multiple, technically different datasets would facilitate research on changes during normal brain maturation and for comparison to disease states. In the current study, we developed a complete battery of computational tools to execute such data analyses that include data preprocessing, tract-based statistical analysis from DTI data, automated brain anatomy parsing from T1-weighted MR images, assignment of metabolite information from MRSI data, and co-alignment of these multimodality data streams for reporting of region-specific indices. We present statistical analyses of regional DTI and MRSI data in a cohort of normal pediatric subjects (n = 72; age range: 5-18 years; mean 12.7 ± 3.3 years) to establish normative data and evaluate maturational trends. Several regions showed significant maturational changes for several DTI parameters and MRSI ratios, but the percent change over the age range tended to be small. In the subcortical region (combined basal ganglia [BG], thalami [TH], and corpus callosum [CC]), the largest combined percent change was a 10% increase in fractional anisotropy (FA) primarily due to increases in the BG (12.7%) and TH (9%). The largest significant percent increase in N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio was seen in the brain stem (BS) (18.8%) followed by the subcortical regions in the BG (11.9%), CC (8.9%), and TH (6.0%). We found consistent, significant (p < 0.01), but weakly positive correlations (r = 0.228-0.329) between NAA/Cr ratios and mean FA in the BS, BG, and CC regions. Age- and region-specific normative MR diffusion and spectroscopic metabolite ranges show brain maturation changes and are requisite for detecting abnormalities in an injured or diseased population.
Association of IL-6 Gene (-174 and -572 G/C) Polymorphisms with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy of Type 2 Diabetes in a Chinese Population
Authors: Lu Qin-kang , Zhang Jun-tao , Zhao Na , Wang Hui-yun , Tong Qi-hu , Wang Shou-li
Published: June 2017

Purpose: To investigate the association of interleukin (IL)-6 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a Chinese population. Methods: Two subtypes of the IL-6 promoter (-174 and -572 G/C) were genotyped in 215 T2D patients with PDR and 207 T2D patients with a normal retinal function (controls) using the PCR-RFLP method. The mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 was examined by real-time PCR. Results: T2D patients with PDR had a significantly higher frequency of IL-6 -174 GC (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.34-0.99; p = 0.011) and IL-6 -572 GG (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.24-1.14; p = 0.016) than T2D controls. The mRNA expressions of the rs1800795 GC and rs1800796 GG genotype were significantly increased compared to other cases (Fsig = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively), followed by a relative increase in IL-6 in protein. Conclusions: IL-6 genotypes of rs1800795 GC and rs1800796 GG might point to a relatively high risk for T2D patients suffering from PDR in a Chinese population and they were associated with elevation of IL-6 expression in both mRNA and protein.
Development of a Perfusion Platform for Dynamic Cultivation of in vitro Skin Models
Authors: Strüver Kay , Friess Wolfgang , Hedtrich Sarah
Published: June 2017

Reconstructed skin models are suitable test systems for toxicity testing and for basic investigations on (patho-)physiological aspects of human skin. Reconstructed human skin, however, has clear limitations such as the lack of immune cells and a significantly weaker skin barrier function compared to native human skin. Potential reasons for the latter might be the lack of mechanical forces during skin model cultivation which is performed classically in static well-plate setups. Mechanical forces and shear stress have a major impact on tissue formation and, hence, tissue engineering. In the present work, a perfusion platform was developed allowing dynamic cultivation of in vitro skin models. The platform was designed to cultivate reconstructed skin at the air-liquid interface with a laminar and continuous medium flow below the dermis equivalent. Histological investigations confirmed the formation of a significantly thicker stratum corneum compared to the control cultivated under static conditions. Moreover, the skin differentiation markers involucrin and filaggrin as well as the tight junction proteins claudin 1 and occludin showed increased expression in the dynamically cultured skin models. Unexpectedly, despite improved differentiation, the skin barrier function of the dynamically cultivated skin models was not enhanced compared with the skin models cultivated under static conditions.
Memoria and Endowments in Islam
Authors: Pahlitzsch Johannes
Published: June 2017

In this article first the Islamic understanding of the relationship between the living and dead, who stayed in contact above all through dreams, as the basis for the development ofmemoriain Islam is treated. How and to what degree the deeds of the living could have an effect on the situation of the dead was debated by Islamic scholars amidst great controversy. On this basis the various practices of Islamic commemoration of the dead are discussed in their chronological development, from the architectural form of tombs to the recitation of the Qur’an for the dead, the visitation of the grave or the funerary meal. The funerary poem (marthiya) is also included as its own form ofmemoriain the examination. Thewaqf, the Islamic pious foundation, acquired a particular importance which indicated the institutionalization of these practices and thus developed to become one of the most important forms of expression of Islamicmemoria.
Taxonomic review of dwarf species of Eumicrotremus (Actinopterygii: Cottoidei: Cyclopteridae) with descriptions of two new species from the western North Pacific
Authors: LEE SOO JEONG , KIM JIN-KOO , KAI YOSHIAKI , IKEGUCHI SHIN’ICHIRO , NAKABO TETSUJI
Published: June 2017

A taxonomic review of the dwarf species of the genus Eumicrotremus (Actinopterygii: Cottoidei: Cyclopteridae), previously recognized as belonging to Lethotremus, established the existence of three species, viz. Eumicrotremus awae (Jordan and Snyder, 1902), Eumicrotremus uenoi sp. nov., and Eumicrotremus jindoensis sp. nov., from the western North Pacific. Eumicrotremus awae, known from the Pacific coast of Honshu Is. (Chiba southward to Mie), is characterized by the absence of spiny tubercles or fleshy papillae on the body, the anterior three mandibular pores each with a barbel-like tube, interorbital and suborbital pores usually absent, the opercular flap rounded, many papillae present on the ventral disk and the caudal-fin relatively short, 21.0–30.5% of SL (standard length). Eumicrotremus uenoi, known from the western coast of Honshu Is. and the southern coast of Korean Peninsula, is characterized by the absence of spiny tubercles or fleshy papillae on the body (or weak if present), the anterior three mandibular pores each with a barbel-like tube, interorbital and suborbital pores usually present, the opercular flap rounded, the ventral disk with many papillae and the caudal-fin relatively short, 19.5–31.4% of SL. Eumicrotremus jindoensis, known from the southwestern coast of Korean Peninsula, and the coasts of Yellow Sea, is characterized by a smooth soft body, triangular opercular flap, absence of papillae on the ventral disk and a long caudal fin, 32.7–42.1% of SL. Sequence variations of the mictochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtDNA COI) and the nuclear myh6 genes supported the validity of the three species.
A review of the aphaenopsian ground beetle genus Uenotrechus Deuve et Tian, 1999 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)
Authors: WEI GUOFU , CHEN JUJIAN , TIAN MINGYI
Published: June 2017

Uenotrechus Deuve et Tian, 1999, one of the highly cave-adapted genera of the ground beetles, is reviewed. New record of the type species U. liboensis Deuve et Tian, 1999 and descriptions and illustrations of two remarkable new species are provided: Uenotrechus gejianbangi Tian et Wei, sp. n. (type locality: Cave Ji Dong, Neiwen Tun, Huanjiang County, northernmost Guangxi), Uenotrechus deuvei Tian et Chen, sp. n. (type locality: Cave Longmu Dong I, Du’an County, northern Guangxi). U. nandanensis bona sp. is proposed as an independent species. A distribution map and a key to all species of Uenotrechus are also given.
Agent-based modeling for the self-management of chronic diseases: An exploratory study
Authors: Montagna Sara , Omicini Andrea
Published: June 2017

The impact of mobile technologies on healthcare is particularly evident in the case of self-management of chronic diseases, where they can decrease spending and improve life quality of patients. We propose the adoption of agent-based modeling and simulation techniques as built-in tools to dynamically monitor the state of patient health and provide recommendations for self-management. To demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal we focus on Type 1 diabetes mellitus as our case study, and provide simulation results where the dynamic evolution of signal parameters is shown in the case of healthy and Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, focussing in particular on the beneficial effects that self-management interventions have on plasma glucose values.
Does Public Service Motivation Always Lead to Organizational Commitment? Examining the Moderating Roles of Intrinsic Motivation and Ethical Leadership
Authors: Potipiroon Wisanupong , Ford Michael T.
Published: June 2017

Much of the work in public management indicates that public service motivation (PSM) generally leads to higher levels of organizational commitment. We argue that this relationship is more complex than generally assumed. First, drawing from self-determination theory, we propose that intrinsic motivation is conceptually distinct from PSM and that the two variables could interact. Second, drawing from the fit perspective, we further propose that ethical leadership is a contextual variable that will enhance the effect of PSM. A field study of public employees in Thailand provides support for this contingency perspective. We found that intrinsic motivation moderated the effect of PSM, such that the effect was positive only for individuals with high-intrinsic motivation but negative for those with low-intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, our analysis revealed a three-way interaction, which indicated that PSM was most positively related to organizational commitment when accompanied by high-intrinsic motivation and ethical leadership.
A stroboscopic online three-dimensional measurement for fast rotating object with binary dithered patterns
Authors: Chen Yuting , Cao Yiping , Yuan Han , Wan Yingying
Published: June 2017

In the three-dimensional (3D) measurement, phase measuring profilometry (PMP) requires no less than three deformed sinusoidal patterns, limiting its applications to static scenarios only. In this paper, a stroboscopic online PMP for fast rotating object with binary dithered patterns is proposed. N frames of novel circular binary grating patterns are designed to measure a rotating object. A defocused digital light projector projects the designed patterns onto the object with stroboscopic method, the corresponding deformed patterns can be “frozen” by charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Owing to the repeatability and periodicity of rotating movement, a synchronization control unit is used to keep the object at the fixed position in each “frozen” deformed pattern. Every projected pattern is shifted from the previous pattern by a factor of 2π/N. This method makes the images of the object appear stationary in the deformed patterns. The experimental results show the accurate 3D shape of fast rotating object can be reconstructed with the proposed method.
Criteria for stability of uncertain discrete-time systems with time-varying delays and finite wordlength nonlinearities
Authors: Tadepalli Siva Kumar , Kandanvli V Krishna Rao , Vishwakarma Abhilav
Published: June 2017

This paper considers the problem of global asymptotic stability of a class of uncertain discrete-time systems under the influence of finite wordlength nonlinearities (quantization and/or overflow) and time-varying delays. The parameter uncertainties are assumed to be norm-bounded. Utilizing the concept of a Wirtinger-based inequality and a reciprocally convex method, two delay-dependent stability criteria are presented. The selection of the criteria depends on the type of the nonlinearities, that is, a combination of quantization and overflow or saturation overflow nonlinearities involved in the present systems. The approach presented in this paper yields less conservative results and reduces the computational burden as compared to previously reported criteria. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented approach.