bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of spatial genetic structure in an ant–plant symbiosis reveals a tension zone and highlights speciation processes in tropical Africa
Authors: Blatrix Rumsaïs , Peccoud Jean , Born Céline , Piatscheck Finn , Benoit Laure , Sauve Mathieu , Djiéto‐Lordon Champlain , Atteke Christiane , Wieringa Jan J. , Harris David J. , McKey Doyle
Published: February 2017

Aim

Pleistocene climatic oscillations induced range fluctuations in African rain forest organisms and may have shaped species diversification through allopatric speciation events. We compared the spatial genetic structure of two forest species that live in obligate symbiosis and thus must have experienced the same range fluctuations, as a means to discriminate incipient speciation from transient differentiation simply resulting from past divergence.

Location

Western central Africa.

Methods

We genotyped 765 individuals of the tree Barteria fistulosa and 605 colonies of its symbiotic ant Tetraponera aethiops at 12 and 13 microsatellite loci, respectively. We compared the spatial genetic structure of the two symbionts by using Bayesian clustering algorithms, isolation‐by‐distance analyses and clines of synthetic alleles. We used species niche modelling (climatic and soil variables) to investigate ecological variables associated with genetic discontinuities in tree populations.

Results

The trees and the ants showed congruent patterns of spatial genetic structure. However, the trees showed a very steep genetic discontinuity between groups north and south of latitude 1° N, which was much weaker in the ants. There was no evidence for effective gene flow between the two tree lineages in contact at the transition zone, despite the presence of a few hybrids. Niche modelling did not predict the occurrence of northern trees south of this genetic transition, and vice versa.

Main conclusions

The genetic discontinuity near latitude 1° N is inferred to be a tension zone resulting from reproductive incompatibilities between previously allopatric tree lineages. This tension zone may have stabilized at a climatic transition (between boreal and austral seasonal regimes), and matches patterns of genetic structure previously observed in other forest plant species. Our results illustrate independent speciation between two species that live in specific and obligate symbiosis and suggest that a tension zone may separate lineages of several central African forest plants near the thermal equator.
Dynamic Benchmarking of Mass Transit Systems in the United States Using Data Envelopment Analysis and the Malmquist Productivity Index
Authors: Min Hokey , Ahn Young‐Hyo
Published: February 2017

For more than five decades, the federal, state, and local governments have subsidized mass transit systems through sales, gasoline, and property taxes with an expectation that it would improve mobility to low‐income citizens, reduce carbon footprints and traffic congestion, and facilitate regional economic growth. However, in times of financial crisis and chronic government budget deficits, the inefficient use of a mass transit system can increase public outcry over the wasteful spending of government funds and taxpayers’ monies. To find ways to utilize mass transit systems more efficiently across the United States, this paper aimed to identify the benchmark transit practices that every mass transit system can emulate and then continuously improve its performance. To achieve these goals, this paper analyzed the multiple years of past performances of 262 mass transit agencies in the United States using data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity index and then provided practical guidelines for enhancing mass transit efficiency.
GPC1 exosome and its regulatory miRNAs are specific markers for the detection and target therapy of colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Yuxiang , Guo Xiong , Zhou Lin , Jia Zeming , Peng Zha , Tang Yaping , Liu Weidong , Zhu Bin , Wang Lei , Ren Caiping
Published: February 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. However, a biomarker for a sensitive and simple diagnostic test and highly effective target therapy of CRC is still clinically unavailable. This study is to investigate the evidence and significance of plasma GPC1 positive exosomes as a biomarker of CRC. Results showed that GPC1+ exosomes were successfully isolated from tissues and plasma. The percentage of GPC1+ exosomes and the GPC1 protein expression in exosomes from tumour tissues and plasma of CRC patients before surgical treatment was significantly elevated compared to that in the peritumoural tissues and the plasma of healthy controls. miR‐96‐5p and miR‐149 expression in tumour tissues and plasma of CRC patients as well as in the GPC1+ exosomes from CRC patients were significantly decreased compared to that in the peritumoural tissues and the plasma of healthy controls. Two months after surgical treatment, levels of all tested markers significantly normalized. Overexpression of miR‐96‐5p and miR‐149 significantly decreased GPC1 expression in HT‐29 and HCT‐116 cells, xenograft tumours, plasma in mice bearing HT‐29 and HCT‐116 tumours, and the secretion of GPC1+ exosomes from the HT‐29 and HCT‐116 cells and xenograft tumours. Overexpression of miR‐96‐5p and miR‐149 significantly decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis in HT‐29 and HCT‐116 cells, and inhibited the growth of xenograft HT‐29 and HCT‐116 tumours. In conclusion, the increased plasma GPC1+ exosomes and reduced plasma miR‐96‐5p and miR‐149 expression are specific markers for the diagnosis of CRC and targets for the therapy of CRC.
Print media representations of UK Accident and Emergency treatment targets: Winter 2014–2015
Authors: Grant Aimee , Hoyle Louise
Published: February 2017

Aims and Objectives

To undertake an analysis of UK national daily newspaper coverage of accident and emergency treatment targets, in order to understand whether the media could be seen to be creating a scandal.

Background

Emergency department treatment targets have become common in developed countries. In the UK, hospitals are required to treat and discharge patients within four hours, and statistics are published daily. Breaches of targets are regularly reported by the UK print media.

Design

Exploratory research of tabloid newspaper articles that reported on four‐hour treatment targets in the UK during a seven‐month period over the winter of 2014–2015 (n = 1,317). An interpretivist thematic approach was used during analysis.

Results

The main “problem” identified by newspapers was the failure to meet the target, rather than negative effects on patient care (where they existed). Proposed solutions were diverse. Many articles did not describe who was to blame for the failure.

Conclusion

We conclude that the media created a feeling of scandal, and hypothesise that this is related to political reasons and the availability of data on a daily basis.

Relevance to clinical practice

It is important for nursing staff to understand the influence of the media on patients and how stories are reported.
The effectiveness of a nursing discharge programme to improve medication adherence and patient satisfaction in the psychiatric intensive care unit
Authors: Virgolesi Michele , Pucciarelli Gianluca , Colantoni Anna Maria , D'Andrea Fabio , Di Donato Barbara , Giorgi Fabio , Landi Lidia , Salustri Eleonora , Turci Carlo , Proietti Maria Grazia
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

To observe the extent to which a nursing discharge plan is effective in promoting therapeutic adherence and improving patient satisfaction with their treatment based on information interventions provided by nursing staff, direct hospital medication distribution and follow‐up telephone calls.

Background

Patient adherence is a fundamental requirement for the treatment of chronic diseases. Among psychiatric patients, adherence to the prescribed course of treatment allows patients to keep the symptoms of their disease under control, allowing for improvements in the management of their condition, minimising the risks of relapse and reducing the number of hospitalisations.

Design

This study uses a prospective correlational design.

Methods

The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Satisfaction with Information about Medicine Scale and the General Satisfaction Questionnaire were used.

Results

Of the 135 patients enrolled in the study, 57% of the sample was female, and, on average, patients were aged 33 years. About 72.9% were unmarried, and 88.1% were educated at less than high school level. This study showed that patients who received more information on their health status and on what would be done for them after their hospitalisation had a higher adherence to treatment. In addition, patients who were more satisfied with the nursing care provided had a higher rate of adherence to their treatment plan.

Conclusions

The interpersonal and educational nursing intervention improves adherence to a treatment plan by allowing patients to express themselves not only as individuals who rely on health care but also as protagonists able to effectively manage their disease and to empower themselves by acquiring disease management skills.

Relevance to clinical practice

A patient–nurse communication programme could help to analyse the individual patient circumstances that might become barriers to adherence and to apply nursing interventions that promote better patient adherence.
Being in protective isolation following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A phenomenological study
Authors: Biagioli Valentina , Piredda Michela , Annibali Ombretta , Iacorossi Laura , D'Angelo Daniela , Matarese Maria , Alvaro Rosaria , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: February 2017

Aims and Objectives

To explore the lived experiences of patients with haematological malignancies who had been in protective isolation during their hospital stay for autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background

Although protective isolation aims to benefit patients’ health by preventing infection, it could also imply harmful psycho‐social implications for patients, such as loneliness.

Design

A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted in an Italian university hospital.

Methods

Nine patients with haematological malignancies who had been in protective isolation for autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation were enrolled. They were interviewed during their weekly ambulatory visits, which are usually carried out up to 100 days post‐transplant, and asked about their stay in isolation. Giorgi's method of analysis was used to describe the experience of protective isolation from the patient’ perspective.

Results

Eight themes emerged: isolation is a defence, threats from which patients have to defend themselves, rules for defence, the burden of the defence, external strategies for defence, inner strengths for defence, defending loved ones and outcomes of the defence. The general structure was expressed as a defence from suffering.

Conclusions

While fighting a hard battle against cancer, informants largely accepted the strict isolation measure and represented it as a shield for an effective defence.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses should provide emotional and social support to help patients feel like active fighters and strengthen their strategies for an effective defence from suffering.
The Macroeconomic Effects of Shocks to Large Banks’ Capital
Authors: Mésonnier Jean‐Stéphane , Stevanovic Dalibor
Published: February 2017

We propose a simple approach to quantifying the macroeconomic effects of shocks to large banks’ leverage. We first estimate a standard dynamic model of leverage targeting at the bank level and use it to derive an aggregate measure of the economic capital buffer of large US bank holding corporations. We then evaluate the response of key macro variables to a shock to this aggregate bank capital buffer using standard monetary VAR models. We find that shocks to the capital of large US banks explain a substantial share of the variance of credit to firms and real activity.
A Factor Analytical Approach to Price Discovery
Authors: Westerlund Joakim , Reese Simon , Narayan Paresh
Published: February 2017

Existing econometric approaches for studying price discovery presume that the number of markets are small, and their properties become suspect when this restriction is not met. They also require making identifying restrictions and are in many cases not suitable for statistical inference. The current paper takes these shortcomings as a starting point to develop a factor analytical approach that makes use of the cross‐sectional variation of the data, yet is very user‐friendly in that it does not involve any identifying restrictions or obstacles to inference.
Generation mean analysis of phosphorus‐use efficiency in freely nodulating soybean crosses grown in low‐phosphorus soil
Authors: Uzokwe Veronica N. E. , Asafo‐Adjei Baffour , Fawole Iyiola , Abaidoo Robert , Odeh Inakwu O. A. , Ojo David K. , Dashiell Kenton , Sanginga Nteranya
Published: February 2017

Freely nodulating soybean genotypes vary in their phosphorus (P) uptake and P‐use efficiency (PUE) in low‐P soils. Understanding the genetic basis of these genotypes’ performance is essential for effective breeding. To study the inheritance ofPUE, we conducted crosses using two high‐PUEgenotypes, two moderate‐PUEgenotypes and two inefficient‐PUEgenotypes, and obtained F1, F2,BC1andBC2populations. The inheritance ofPUEwas evaluated using a randomized complete block design. A generation mean analysis of phenotypic data showed thatPUEwas heritable, with complex inheritance patterns and the presence of additive, dominance and epistatic gene effects. Seed P, shoot P, root P, P‐incorporation efficiency andPUEwere largely quantitatively inherited traits. There were dominance, additive × additive and dominance × dominance gene effects onPUE, grain yield, shoot dry weight, 100‐seed weight, root dry weight and shoot dry matter per unit P for populations grown under low‐P conditions. Dominance effects were generally greater than additive effects onPUE‐related indices. ThesePUEindices can be used to select P‐efficient soybean genotypes from segregating populations.
Parasites, nutrition, immune responses and biology of metabolic tissues
Authors: Shea‐Donohue T. , Qin B. , Smith A.
Published: February 2017

Nutritional immunology, immunometabolism and identification of novel immunotherapeutic targets are areas of active investigation in parasitology. There is a well‐documented crosstalk among immune cells and cells in metabolically active tissues that is important for homeostasis. The numbers and function of these cells are altered by obesity leading to inflammation. A variety of helminths spend some part of their life cycle in the gastrointestinal tract and even entirely enteral nematode infections exert beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The foundation of this review is the ability of enteric nematode infections to improve obesity‐induced type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, which are significant health issues in developed areas. It considers the impact of nutrition and specific nutritional deficiencies, which are occur in both undeveloped and developed areas, on the host's ability mount a protective immune response against parasitic nematodes. There are a number of proposed mechanisms by which parasitic nematodes can impact metabolism including effects gastrointestinal hormones, altering epithelial function and changing the number and/or phenotype of immune cells in metabolic tissues. Nematodes can also exert their beneficial effects through Th2 cytokines that activate the transcription factor STAT6, which upregulates genes that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism.
Blood donors' awareness and attitudes towards blood transfusion safety in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Bogdanović S. , Đurić P. , Jovanović R. , Bogdanović J.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To assess the awareness and attitudes related to blood transfusion safety among blood donors from the Autonomous Province (AP) Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia.

Background

Blood donors are at the initial point of safe blood transfusion systems. The active participation of blood donors in the selection process contributes to increasing the safety of blood transfusions and reduces potential risks for the recipients.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional survey included 1191 blood donors from AP Vojvodina. The awareness and attitudes regarding safe blood supply were measured as 5‐point scales of agreement/disagreement with statements on a Likert scale. The data were analysed using non‐parametric methods by frequency modalities.

Results

Male blood donors, the youngest age group (18–20 years), those who donate blood for the first time and those with a lower educational level showed the lowest awareness of, and the most negative attitudes about, blood safety.

Conclusions

The study found that there is a small but, for the safety of transfusion, significant number of blood donors who do not have a positive attitude or awareness of their own impact on safe transfusion therapy and who are not discovered during standard selection procedures.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Harboring the New and Recently Described Subtilase Cytotoxin Allelic Variant

subAB
2-3
Authors: Tasara Taurai , Fierz Lisa , Klumpp Jochen , Schmidt Herbert , Stephan Roger
Published: February 2017

We present here the draft genome sequences of five Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains which tested positive in a primary
subAB
screening. Assembly and annotation of the draft genomes revealed that all strains harbored the recently described allelic variant
subAB

2-3

. Based on the sequence data, primers were designed to identify and differentiate this variant.
Genome Sequence of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strain FMU073332
Authors: Saldaña-Ahuactzi Zeus , Cruz-Córdova Ariadnna , Rodea Gerardo E. , Porta Helena , Navarro-Ocaña Armando , Eslava-Campos Carlos , Cevallos Miguel A. , Xicohtencatl-Cortes Juan
Published: February 2017

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) is an important cause of bacterial diarrheal illness, affecting practically every population worldwide, and was estimated to cause 120,800 deaths in 2010. Here, we report the genome sequence of ETEC strain FMU073332, isolated from a 25-month-old girl from Tlaltizapán, Morelos, México.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis VSD3, a Diesel Fuel-Degrading and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from
Hedera helix
Leaves
Authors: Stevens Vincent , Thijs Sofie , McAmmond Breanne , Langill Tori , Van Hamme Jonathan , Weyens Nele , Vangronsveld Jaco
Published: February 2017

We report here the 6.55-Mb draft genome sequence of
Rhodococcus erythropolis
VSD3, a Gram-positive bacterium of the
Nocardiaceae
family, isolated from leaves of
Hedera helix
growing at a high-traffic city center in Belgium. The exploration of its genome will contribute to the assessment of its application as an inoculant in phylloremediation approaches.
Endophytic root bacteria associated with the natural vegetation growing at the hydrocarbon-contaminated Bitumount Provincial Historic site
Authors: Blain Natalie P. , Helgason Bobbi L. , Germida James J.
Published: February 2017

The Bitumount Provincial Historic site is the location of 2 of the world’s first oil-extracting and -refining operations. Despite hydrocarbon levels ranging from 330 to 24 700 mg·(kg soil)−1, plants have been able to recolonize the site through means of natural revegetation. This study was designed to achieve a better understanding of the plant-root-associated bacterial partnerships occurring within naturally revegetated hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Root endophytic bacterial communities were characterized from representative plant species throughout the site by both high-throughput sequencing and culturing techniques. Population abundance of rhizosphere and root endosphere bacteria was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by plant species and sampling location. In general, members of the Actinomycetales, Rhizobiales, Pseudomonadales, Burkholderiales, and Sphingomonadales orders were the most commonly identified orders. Community structure of root-associated bacteria was influenced by both plant species and sampling location. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the potential functional diversity of the root endophytic bacteria. The gene copy numbers of 16S rRNA and 2 hydrocarbon-degrading genes (CYP153 and alkB) were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the interaction of plant species and sampling location. Our findings suggest that some of the bacterial communities detected are known to exhibit plant growth promotion characteristics.
Differential transferability of EST-SSR primers developed from the diploid species Pseudoroegneria spicata, Thinopyrum bessarabicum, and Thinopyrum elongatum
Authors: Wang Richard R.-C. , Larson Steve R. , Jensen Kevin B.
Published: February 2017

Simple sequence repeat technology based on expressed sequence tag (EST-SSR) is a useful genomic tool for genome mapping, characterizing plant species relationships, elucidating genome evolution, and tracing genes on alien chromosome segments. EST-SSR primers developed from three perennial diploid species of Triticeae, Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve (having St genome), Thinopyrum bessarabicum (Savul. & Rayss) Á. Löve (Jb = Eb = J), and Thinopyrum elongatum (Host) D.R. Dewey (Je = Ee = E), were used to produce amplicons in these three species to (i) assess relative transferability, (ii) identify polymorphic species-specific markers, and (iii) determine genome relationships among the three species. Because of the close relationship between Jb and Je genomes, EST-SSR primers derived from Th. bessarabicum and Th. elongatum had greater transferability to each other than those derived from the St-genome P. spicata. A large number of polymorphic species- and genome-specific EST-SSR amplicons were identified that will be used for construction of genetic maps of these diploid species, and tracing economically useful genes in breeding or gene transfer programs in various species of Triticeae.
An Automated Quiet Sleep Detection Approach in Preterm Infants as a Gateway to Assess Brain Maturation
Authors: Dereymaeker Anneleen , Pillay Kirubin , Vervisch Jan , Van Huffel Sabine , Naulaers Gunnar , Jansen Katrien , De Vos Maarten
Published: February 2017

Sleep state development in preterm neonates can provide crucial information regarding functional brain maturation and give insight into neurological well being. However, visual labeling of sleep stages from EEG requires expertise and is very time consuming, prompting the need for an automated procedure. We present a robust method for automated detection of preterm sleep from EEG, over a wide postmenstrual age ([Formula: see text] age) range, focusing first on Quiet Sleep (QS) as an initial marker for sleep assessment. Our algorithm, CLuster-based Adaptive Sleep Staging (CLASS), detects QS if it remains relatively more discontinuous than non-QS over PMA. CLASS was optimized on a training set of 34 recordings aged 27–42 weeks PMA, and performance then assessed on a distinct test set of 55 recordings of the same age range. Results were compared to visual QS labeling from two independent raters (with inter-rater agreement [Formula: see text]), using Sensitivity, Specificity, Detection Factor ([Formula: see text] of visual QS periods correctly detected by CLASS) and Misclassification Factor ([Formula: see text] of CLASS-detected QS periods that are misclassified). CLASS performance proved optimal across recordings at 31–38 weeks (median [Formula: see text], median MF 0–0.25, median Sensitivity 0.93–1.0, and median Specificity 0.80–0.91 across this age range), with minimal misclassifications at 35–36 weeks (median [Formula: see text]). To illustrate the potential of CLASS in facilitating clinical research, normal maturational trends over PMA were derived from CLASS-estimated QS periods, visual QS estimates, and nonstate specific periods (containing QS and non-QS) in the EEG recording. CLASS QS trends agreed with those from visual QS, with both showing stronger correlations than nonstate specific trends. This highlights the benefit of automated QS detection for exploring brain maturation.
Two-torsion in the grope and solvable filtrations of knots
Authors: Jang Hye Jin
Published: February 2017

We study knots of order [Formula: see text] in the grope filtration [Formula: see text] and the solvable filtration [Formula: see text] of the knot concordance group. We show that, for any integer [Formula: see text], there are knots generating a [Formula: see text] subgroup of [Formula: see text]. Considering the solvable filtration, our knots generate a [Formula: see text] subgroup of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] distinct from the subgroup generated by the previously known [Formula: see text]-torsion knots of Cochran, Harvey, and Leidy. We also present a result on the [Formula: see text]-torsion part in the Cochran, Harvey, and Leidy’s primary decomposition of the solvable filtration.
Flos Farfarae Inhibits Enterovirus 71-Induced Cell Injury by Preventing Viral Replication and Structural Protein Expression
Authors: Chiang Ya Wen , Yeh Chia Feng , Yen Ming Hong , Lu Chi Yu , Chiang Lien Chai , Shieh Den En , Chang Jung San
Published: February 2017

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection can cause airway symptoms, brainstem encephalitis, neurogenic shock, and neurogenic pulmonary edema with high morbidity and mortality. There is no proven therapeutic modality. Flos Farfarae is the dried flower bud of Tussilago farfara L. that has been used to manage airway illnesses for thousands of years. It has neuro-protective activity and has been used to manage neuro-inflammatory diseases. However, it is unknown whether Flos Farfarae has activity against EV71-induced neuropathy. The current study used both human foreskin fibroblast (CCFS-1/KMC) and human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines to test the hypothesis that a hot water extract of Flos Farfarae could effectively inhibit EV71 infection. The authenticity of Flos Farfarae was confirmed by HPLC-UV fingerprint. Through plaque reduction assays and flow cytometry, Flos Farfarae was found to inhibit EV71 infection ([Formula: see text]). Inhibition of viral replication and protein expression were further confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot, respectively. The estimated IC[Formula: see text]s were 106.3[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL in CCFS-1/KMC, and 15.0[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL in RD cells. Therefore, Flos Farfarae could be beneficial to inhibit EV71 infection by preventing viral replication and structural protein expression.
Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Effect ofGastrodia elataon Colon CancerIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Kim Na-Hyung , Xin Ming Jie , Cha Ji-Yoon , Ji Soo-Jeong , Kwon Se-Uk , Jee Ho-Kyun , Park Mi-Ran , Park Yong-Soo , Kim Chong-Tai , Kim Dae-Ki , Lee Young-Mi
Published: February 2017

Gastrodia elata Blume (GE) is a well-known kind of herb that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. The extrusion of raw materials from it could improve flavor and enhance bioavailability in food and drug development. The purpose of this study is to investigate antitumor and immune boosting effects of extruded GE in human colon carcinoma cells, splenocytes, and mice-bearing CT26 colon carcinoma cell. Treatment with 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL of extruded GE decreased cell viability and induced the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax in HT29 cells ([Formula: see text]). When we performed DAPI staining, apoptotic bodies with condensed chromatin and fragmented nuclei, known as indicative of apoptotic morphology, increased 24[Formula: see text]h after treatment with 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL of extruded GE. Treatments with extruded GE significantly promoted splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 or IFN-[Formula: see text] secretion, compared with that of control cells ([Formula: see text]). The administration of extruded GE of 200 mg/kg/day decreased tumor growth and Ki-67 or [Formula: see text]-catenin expression in mice ([Formula: see text]). Additionally, we investigated the contents of compounds in extruded GE extracts using ultra performance liquid chromatography. The contents of p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde in extruded GE were 2.97[Formula: see text]mg/g and 0.04[Formula: see text]mg/g, respectively. It was supposed that antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of extruded GE might exert by the p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde of many compositions analyzed from extruded GE. These results suggest that extruded GE have the potential to be developed into a natural pharmaceutical and functional food as a cancer chemopreventive agent.
Pricing and Design of After-Sales Service Contract: The Value of Mining Asymmetric Sales Cost Information
Authors: Lan Yanfei , Liu Zhibing , Niu Baozhuang
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we study a pricing and after-sales service contract design problem, where a retailer purchases products from a manufacturer and then sells to the consumers. The sales cost is the retailer’s private information and might be mined by the manufacturer via advanced learning algorithms and related big data techniques. We first develop a crisp equivalent model, based on which the optimal contracts and the supply chain parties’ profits under asymmetric information are derived. We show that, compared with the optimal wholesale price and after-sales service level with symmetric information, asymmetric cost information makes the wholesale price distorted upward when the retailer’s sales cost is low. When the retailer’s cost is high, the after-sales service level is distorted downward. We characterize the manufacturer’s loss and the retailer’s gains due to asymmetric sales cost information. This helps the manufacturer make the investment decision of big data techniques. Interestingly, we find that the retailer might voluntary disclose the sales cost information, which results in a win-win situation for the manufacturer and the retailer. This makes the manufacturer less favor big data techniques. Finally, we conduct extensive sensitivity analysis with respect to the retailer’s sales cost, the consumer’s sensitivity to the retailer’s after-sale service level, and the fraction of high-type retailers in the market.
Designing and Forecasting the Differentiated Carbon Tax Scheme Based on the Principle of Ability to Pay
Authors: Cui Lian-Biao , Song Ma-Lin
Published: February 2017

In the “Post-Kyoto” Era, climate change has become a serious worldwide concern, though the international community has not yet identified a cooperative solution that satisfies all parties. The carbon tariffs, which proposed by some developed countries to address competitiveness concerns and carbon leakage from unilateral reduction measures, may impose significant hardships on developing countries. This paper tries to design a global cooperation scheme against the carbon tariffs. A differentiated carbon taxation scheme is introduced based on the principle of ability to pay (CTAP). An advanced forecasting system named the energy version of the global trade analysis model (GTAP-E) was used to compare the different impacts of carbon tariffs and the CTAP scheme. The results show that CTAP is better than carbon tariffs in terms of global GDP, welfare, and emissions reduction. The CTAP scheme could yield less welfare deterioration for developing regions than the carbon tariffs, and also lessens the competitive concerns of developed countries. The proposed CTAP scheme provides new ideas for international cooperative strategies to address climate change.
Forecasting and Analyzing Internet Users of China with Lotka–Volterra Model
Authors: Fu Xiaoxia , Zhang Ping , Zhang Juzhi
Published: February 2017

In the background of big data era, the ability to accurately forecast the number of the Internet users has considerable implications for evaluating the growing trend of a newly-developed business. In this paper, we use four models, the Gompertz model, the Logistic model, the Bass model, and the Lotka–Volterra model, to forecast the Internet population in China with the historical data during 2007 to 2014. We compare the prediction accuracy of the four models using the criterions such as the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), the mean absolute error (MAE) and the root mean square error (RMSE). We find that the Lotka–Volterra model has the highest prediction accuracy. Moreover, we use the Lotka–Volterra model to investigate the relationship between the rural Internet users and the urban Internet users in China. The estimation results show that the relationship is commensalism.
Predicting Retweeting Behavior Based on BPNN in Emergency Incidents
Authors: Ding Xuejun , Tian Yong
Published: February 2017

Emergency incidents can trigger heated discussions on microblogging platforms, and a great number of tweets related to emergency incidents are retweeted by users. Consequently, social media big data related to the emergency incidents is generated from various social media platforms, which can be used to predict users’ retweeting behavior. In this paper, the characteristics of individuals’ retweeting behaviors in emergency incidents are analyzed, and then 11 important characteristics are extracted from recipient characteristics, retweeter characteristics, tweet content characteristics, and external media coverage. A back propagation neural network (BPNN) model called PRBBP is used to predict retweeting behavior in such emergency incidents. Based on PRBBP, an algorithm called PRABP is proposed to predict the number of retweets in emergency incidents. The experiments are performed on a large-scale dataset crawled from Sina weibo. The simulation results show that both the PRBBP model and the PRABP algorithm proposed by this paper have excellent predictive performance.
Fast Exemplar-Based Image Inpainting Using a New Pruning Technique
Authors: Alilou Vahid K. , Yaghmaee Farzin
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a new algorithm for fast exemplar-based image inpainting by using image pyramid and a novel pruning scheme. The proposed technique separates the inpainting process into three major steps. First the model determines which patch belonging to the inpainting region should be filled first. Then the pruning system analyzes the selected patch and weeds out regions having no chance to be the best matching patch. Finally, it performs a fast texture synthesis based on greedy search method in the remaining regions to fill the selected patch. Compared with previous methods, the proposed algorithm is much more efficient computationally. Experiments on synthetic and natural images show the advantages of the proposed algorithm, where it is shown to compare favorably with contemporary state-of-the-art schemes.
Quantum enhancements and biquandle brackets
Authors: Nelson Sam , Orrison Michael E. , Rivera Veronica
Published: February 2017

We introduce a new class of quantum enhancements we call biquandle brackets, which are customized skein invariants for biquandle colored links. Quantum enhancements of biquandle counting invariants form a class of knot and link invariants that includes biquandle cocycle invariants and skein invariants such as the HOMFLY-PT polynomial as special cases, providing an explicit unification of these apparently unrelated types of invariants. We provide examples demonstrating that the new invariants are not determined by the biquandle counting invariant, the knot quandle or the knot group.
Effect of substitution on the optoelectronic properties of dyes for DSSC. A DFT approach
Authors: Almogati Rawan N. , Aziz Saadullah G. , Hilal Rifaat
Published: February 2017

The present work aims at a better and deeper insight into the forces that govern the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and photo injection processes in dyes for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The geometry, electronic structure, electron density distribution, and absorption spectra, for a selected donor-[Formula: see text]-acceptor (D-[Formula: see text]-A) dye for DSSC were computed and analyzed at a high level of DFT theory. The coplanar geometry of the studied dye (D1) indicates a strong conjugation which facilitates ICT. NBO analyses reveal that this ICT amounts to 0.8e, which is localized on the acceptor and anchoring groups resulting in a marked total delocalization interaction energy. The origin of this stabilization is two-fold; first the [Formula: see text]-charge transfer (CT) interaction from donor to acceptor orbitals and the hyperconjugative interactions involving Rydberg states. The effect of fluorine substituents, in the [Formula: see text]-spacer, on the quantum efficiency of DSSCs was investigated. Gibb’s free energy values, redox potentials, excited state life time, non-linear optical properties (NLO) and driving forces for D1 and its fluorinated derivatives were computed.
Copolymer-Nanoparticles Mixture in a Cylindrical Pore
Authors: Pan Jun-Xing , Guo Yu-Qi , Han Yu-Fang , Sun Min-Na , Zhang Jin-Jun
Published: February 2017

Computer simulation is carried out for investigating the effect of nanoparticles on diblock copolymer morphology under cylindrical confinement. The phase diagrams of polymer nanocomposites with nanoparticle-block wetting strength and concentration of nanoparticles are obtained in different nanopores. In small diameter nanopore, there is almost no influence of nanoparticles on the diblock copolymer morphology because of the stronger confinement effect; in middle diameter nanopore, the system can self-assemble into various novel structures due to the interaction between confinement effect and nanoparticles effect; in large diameter nanopore, due to the stronger effect of nanoparticles, a disorder-order-disorder phase transition occurs with the wetting strength and concentration of nanoparticles increasing. This result can be useful in designing new nanocomposites with advanced electrical conductivity and/or mechanical strength.
Finding defectives on a line by random docking and interval group tests
Authors: Damaschke Peter
Published: February 2017

Suppose that some of the [Formula: see text] elements of a totally ordered structure is defective, and several repair robots are at our disposal. They can dock at a random element, move at unit speed or leave, and send each other signals if there is no defective between them. We show that, by using only two robots that obey simple rules, the defective can be localized in [Formula: see text] time, which is also optimal. A variation of our strategy needs three robots but has a more predictable behavior. The model is motivated by a conjectured DNA repair mechanism, and it combines group testing with geometric search.
Using palaeomagnetic and isotopic data to investigate late to post-Caledonian tectonothermal processes within the Western Terrane of Svalbard
Authors: Michalski Krzysztof , Manby Geoffrey , Nejbert Krzysztof , Domańska-Siuda Justyna , Burzyński Mariusz
Published: February 2017

The analytical results of a total of 205 metabasic specimens from 10 palaeomagnetic sites collected from Oscar II Land in Western Spitsbergen are presented. Petrographic, structural and palaeomagnetic data all demonstrate that the pre-Caledonian ferromagnetic fabric of the metabasic rocks has been extensively reoriented and intensively remineralized. New
in situ
laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
40
Ar/
39
Ar age determinations suggest that the host rocks have been subject to three resetting events during the 426 – 380 Ma (Caledonian
sensu lato
), 377 – 326 Ma and
c.
300 Ma intervals. The latter two resetting events coincide in time with the Barents Shelf-wide rift-controlled subsidence events. The derived palaeomagnetic data do not fall on the expected apparent polar wander path of Laurussia for syn- to post-Caledonian time. Consequently, four models invoking palaeogeographical great and small circle rotations, regional tectonism involving thrusting and normal listric faulting have been investigated to account for this lack of correspondence. The palaeomagnetic data do not lend support to reconstructions linking Western Svalbard with Pearya but point instead to the importance of listric faulting related to the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean that modified the geometry of the West Spitsbergen Fold and Thrust Belt.

Supplementary material:
(1) Field characteristics of metabasic sites, (2) detailed description of applied rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic procedures, (3) microscopic images of investigated geochronological samples, (4)
in situ
LA-ICP-MS
40
Ar/
39
Ar isotopic age determination results, (5) microscopic, SEM and BSE images of investigated metabasites, and (6) anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3673924
.
Contribution of Polish geologists to geology in Siberia and the Far East
Authors: Graniczny Marek , Wołkowicz Krystyna , Urban Halina , Wołkowicz Stanisław
Published: February 2017

Systematic studies of Siberia and the Far East started at the beginning of the twentieth century and Poles played an important part in these studies. These Poles included those who had been deported after the overthrow of insurrections, as well as voyagers, explorers and industrialists – all of whom were attracted to this region by their nature and cupidity. There were many geologists among these people, with interests ranging from ethnography to zoology and botany. They also carried out meteorological and topographical measurements. This paper discusses some of the well-known explorers, including P. Czekanowski, J. Czerski, K. Bohdanowicz and J. Morozewicz, and also less famous explorers, such as A. Giedrojć, L. Barszczewski, B. Grąbczewski, L. Jaczewski, K. Grochowski and S. Doktorowicz-Hrebnicki. All of these explorers were also brilliant researchers and distinguished themselves in the exploration of the territories east of the Ural Mountains. After Poland regained its independence, some of them also contributed to the development of the geological sciences in Poland.
Tsunami landfalls in the Maltese archipelago: reconciling the historical record with geomorphological evidence
Authors: Mottershead Derek N. , Bray Malcolm J. , Soar Philip J.
Published: February 2017

The Maltese Islands lie in the middle of the tsunamigenic Mediterranean domain, around whose margins and islands evidence of historical tsunami landfall has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Critical review of historical evidence of events in 1693 and 1908 indicates extremely modest tsunami impacts. In marked contrast, though, recently discovered geomorphological evidence summarized herein suggests that Malta's coastlines have been overwashed up to elevations of >20 m above sea level by an exceptional event. A new perspective is provided by a review of the central Mediterranean context within which the Maltese evidence is located. Recent advances in understanding the Holocene sequence forming the floor of the Mediterranean Sea present a new stratigraphic and temporal framework within which to elucidate tsunami history. Within 100 km of Malta, terrestrial stratigraphy on Sicily also provides supporting evidence of tsunami impact. Review of these advances suggests that the exceptional event required to emplace the most extreme sedimentary and geomorphological signatures on and around Malta is likely to have had a far-field origin. The currently available circumstantial evidence points strongly towards a probability that the AD 365 earthquake and tsunami were responsible. This, in turn, enables critical reassessment of the exposure of Malta to tsunami hazard.
Assessing students’ ability to critically evaluate evidence in an inquiry-based undergraduate laboratory course
Authors: Colthorpe Kay , Mehari Abraha Hyab , Zimbardi Kirsten , Ainscough Louise , Spiers Jereme G. , Chen Hsiao-Jou Cortina , Lavidis Nickolas A.
Published: February 2017

The ability to critically evaluate and use evidence from one’s own work or from primary literature is invaluable to any researcher. These skills include the ability to identify strengths and weakness of primary literature, to gauge the impact of research findings on a field, to identify gaps in a field that require more research, and to contextualize findings within a field. This study developed a model to examine undergraduate science students’ abilities to critically evaluate and use evidence through an analysis of laboratory reports from control and experimental groups in nonresearch-aligned and research-aligned inquiry-based laboratory classes, respectively, and contrasted these with published scientific research articles. The reports analyzed ( n = 42) showed that students used evidence in a variety of ways, most often referring to literature indirectly, and least commonly highlighting limitations of literature. There were significant positive correlations between grade awarded and the use of references, evidence, and length, but there were no significant differences between control and experimental groups, so data were pooled. The use of evidence in scientific research articles ( n = 7) was similar to student reports except that expert authors were more likely to refer to their own results and cite more references. Analysis showed that students, by the completion of the second year of their undergraduate degree, had expertise approaching that of published authors. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to provide valuable broad-scale undergraduate research experiences to all students in a cohort, giving them exposure to the methods and communication processes of research as well as an opportunity to hone their critical evaluation skills.
Relationship among Mortality of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery, Fluid Balance and Ultrafiltration of Renal Replacement Therapy: An Observational Study
Authors: Wu Buyun , Sun Jian , Liu Si , Yu Xiangbao , Zhu Yamei , Mao Huijuan , Xing Changying
Published: February 2017

Background/Aims: The study aimed to investigate the relationship among mortality of patients with cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI), fluid balance, and ultrafiltration of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: From January 2009 to October 2015, hospitalized patients with CSA-AKI receiving continuous or prolonged intermittent RRT were screened. The effects of fluid balance and ultrafiltration of RRT on clinical outcome were analyzed. Results: The 30-day mortality of all the 63 patients in the study was 58.6%. Compared with the death group, the survival group had a significantly lower fluid balance, larger ultrafiltration volume, and similar ultrafiltration rate during the first 3 days of RRT. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that positive fluid balance during the first day of RRT, cardiac function of grade IV, and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were independent risk factors of 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Fluid balance was more relevant to short-term prognosis of CSA-AKI-RRT patients than ultrafiltration volume or ultrafiltration rate.