bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nearshore two-step typhoon wind-wave prediction using deep recurrent neural networks
Authors: Wei Chih-Chiang , Cheng Ju-Yueh 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBecause Taiwan is located within the subtropical high and on the primary path of western Pacific typhoons, the interaction of these two factors easily causes extreme climate conditions, with strong wind carrying heavy rain and huge wind waves. To obtain precise wind-wave data for weather forecasting and thus minimize the threat posed by wind waves, this study proposes a two-step wind-wave prediction (TSWP) model to predict wind speed and wave height. The TSWP model is further divided into TSWP1, which uses data attributes at the current moment as input values and TSWP2, which uses observations from a lead time and predicts data attributes from input data. The classical one-step wave height prediction (OSWP) approach, which directly predicts wave height, was used as a benchmark to test TSWP. Deep recurrent neural networks (DRNNs) can be used to construct TSWP and OSWP approach-based models in wave height predictions. To compare with the accuracy achieved using DRNNs, linear regression, multilayer perceptron (MLP) networks, and deep neural networks (DNNs) were tested as benchmarks. The Guishandao Buoy Station located off the northeastern shore of Taiwan was used for a case study. The results were as follows: (1) compared with the shallower MLP network, the DNN and DRNN demonstrated a lower prediction error. (2) Compared with OSWP, TSWP1 and TSWP2 provided more accurate results. Therefore, the TSWP approach using a DRNN algorithm can effectively predict wind-wave heights.
Water smart technologies for irrigation water management of elephant foot yam in tropical zones of India
Authors: Sunitha S. , George James , Suja G. , Jyothi A. N. , Rajalekshmi A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWater is the most crucial input in agriculture and declared to become the most scarce input in the near future, hence, judicious management of irrigation water is the need of the hour in tropical countries. In this study, a comparison of different water smart technologies, namely, porous ground cover mat, super absorbent polymer, partial root zone drying technique, bio mulching and foliar application of antitranspirant was made for enhancing water productivity in tuber crops using elephant foot yam as the test crop. Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is an important tropical tuber crop in India, and has attained commercial status in many states under assured irrigation. Mulching with ground cover mat and soil application of cassava starch-based super absorbent polymer recorded higher water productivity, reduced irrigation water requirement to 50% and enhanced the corm yield of elephant foot yam by 8–12% and energy use efficiency by 24–28% as compared to 100% irrigation. In the context of expected climate change and water scarcity, water smart technologies such as ground cover mats and super absorbent polymers would help in the cultivation of the tuber crop elephant foot yam with less irrigation, without adversely affecting the corm yield under humid tropical situations.
Biochars preparation from waste sludge and composts under different carbonization conditions and their Pb(II) adsorption behaviors
Authors: Li Suhe , Yao Ying , Zhao Tuo , Wang Meiling , Wu Feng 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This study prepared nine biochars from three biomass wastes (CompostA, CompostB and Sludge) through different carbonization conditions. The adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of these biochars for Pb(II) were tested by a series of adsorption experiments and properties analysis. Preliminary experiments showed biochars obtained from CompostA and Sludge had better Pb(II) adsorption performance than CompostB and the optimum carbonization temperature of CompostA was lower than that of Sludge. Adsorption experimental results demonstrated that CompostA600 (numbers represent carbonization temperatures) had the largest adsorption capacity of 57.34 mg/g for Pb(II) among samples, followed by Sludge800 of 50.00 mg/g. The kinetic adsorption of CompostA600 and Sludge800 were both described by the Nth-order model very well. Pb(II) adsorption of CompostA600 most appropriately followed the Langmuir–Freundlich model and the Redlich–Peterson model. Characterization analysis suggested diverse carbonization temperatures and precursors caused discrepant pore size distributions and element contents, which determined the deposition of lead compound crystals on materials. This study examined the effects of raw materials and carbonization temperatures on obtained biochars and provided an inexpensive and environmental-friendly way for biochar sorbent preparation and heavy metal wastewater treatment.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Hevea brasiliensis Latex under Ethylene and Calcium Stimulation
Authors: Wu Bingsun , Gao Le , Sun Yong , Wu Min , Wang Dan , Wei Jiashao , Wang Guihua , Wu Wenguan , Xiao Junhan , Wang Xuchu , He Peng 
Published: October 2019

Background:Calcium ions usually act as a second messenger in the signal transmission process and a major element required by plants. In Hevea, calcium ion could alleviate the negative effects of long-term ethylene application to a certain extent. However, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.Methods:Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to determine the pattern of protein changes in latex after treatments with calcium and/or ethylene. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to determine the expression levels of some proteins and genes. STRING software was used to determine the protein-protein interaction network of the identified proteins.Results:Comparative proteomics identified 145 differentially expressed proteins, which represented 103 unique proteins. The abundance change patterns of some proteins involved in signal transduction, rubber particle aggregation, and natural rubber biosynthesis were altered upon calcium stimulation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of 29 proteins showed that gene expression did not always maintain the same trend as protein expression. The increased enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase suggested that calcium can enhance the antistress ability of plants by increasing the activity of their antioxidant enzyme systems.Conclusion:These results supplement the rubber latex proteome, and provide evidence for investigating the molecular mechanisms by which calcium alleviates the negative effects of ethylene stimulation.
Proteome Based de novo Sequencing of Novel Conotoxins from Marine Molluscivorous Cone Snail Conus amadis and Neurological Activities of Its Natural Venom in Zebrafish Model
Authors: Rajesh R.P. , Franklin Jayaseelan B. , Badsha Iffath , Arjun P. , Jain Ruchi P. , Vignesh M.S. , Kannan Rajesh R. 
Published: October 2019

Background:Conus amadis is a carnivorous snail found abundantly in coastal waters of India. Despite its abundance in southern coastal waters of India and the fact that most of the conotoxin act in neuronal system, research work on Conus amadis venom was not much focused. So we have made a brief study on the venom complex of Conus amadis to identify the library of novel conotoxins and to screen the natural venom for neurological function.Objective:De novo sequencing of novel conopeptides from the venom cocktail of Conus amadis and to screen its natural venom for the presence of biological activities in zebrafish model.Methods:Proteome based MALDI-TOF and LC-MS-MS analysis for identification of novel conotoxins and subsequent sequencing. Due to the complex disulfide rich nature of the venom peptides, the study also involves global chemical modification experiments of the venom extract to unambiguously determine the sequence of novel conotoxins. Biological function analysis of natural venom was tested in zebrafish model to ascertain anti-epileptic properties.Results:In this study, we have identified 19 novel conotoxins containing 1, 2 & 3 disulfides, belonging to different classes. Among them, 2 novel contryphans, 3 T-superfamily conotoxins, 2 A-superfamily conotoxins and 2 Mini M-Superfamily conotoxins were sequenced to its amino acid level from the fragmented spectrum of singly and doubly charged parent ions using de novo sequencing strategies. ama1054, a contryphan peptide toxin, possesses post translationally modified bromo tryptophan at its seventh position. Except ama1251, all the sequenced peptide toxins possess modified C-terminal amidation. Crude venom exhibited anticonvulsant properties in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in zebrafish larvae, which suggested anti-epileptic property of the venom cocktail. Acetylcholinesterase activity was also identified in the venom complex.Conclusion:Based on the preliminary evidence, if this study is extended further through bioassay guided purification, could possibly yield peptide toxins with anticonvulsant and other neurologically active molecules.
Plasma Clusterin as a Potential Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shi XinRui , Xie BeiJia , Xing Yi , Tang Yi 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Plasma clusterin has been reported to be associated with the pathology, prevalence,
severity, and rapid clinical progress of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, whether plasma
clusterin can be used as a biomarker of AD is inconsistent and even conflicting.

Objective:
We conducted this study to evaluate the potential of plasma clusterin as the biomarker of AD.

Method:
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies on the relationship
between plasma clusterin levels and AD diagnosis, risk and disease severity. We also compared
the difference in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) clusterin levels between AD and control groups. We
converted and pooled data using standardized mean difference, Pearson linear regression model and the
Cox regression model.

Results:
A total of 17 articles and 7228 individuals, including 1936 AD were included. The quality
ranged from moderate to high. There was no difference in plasma clusterin between AD and control
groups (SMD= 0.19 [-0.10, 0.48], p=0.20). Plasma clusterin levels were not correlated with the risk
(RR=1.03 [0.97-1.09], p=0.31), the MMSE scores (R=0.33 [-0.06, 0.71], p= 0.09), and the integrated
neuropsychological measurements (R=0.21 [-0.20, 0.63], p=0.31) of AD. Additionally, there was no
difference in CSF clusterin between AD and control groups (SMD=1.94 [ -0.49, 4.37], p=0.12).

Conclusion:
Our meta-analysis suggested no relationship between plasma clusterin levels and the diagnosis,
risk, and disease severity of AD and no difference in the CSF clusterin between AD and the control
groups. Overall, there is no evidence to support plasma clusterin as a biomarker of AD based on the
pooled results.
Novel Quinolinyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione Derivatives Against Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Rogerio Kamilla Rodrigues , Graebin Cedric Stephan , Pinto Domingues Luiza Helena , Oliveira Luana Santos , de Souza Fernandes da Silva Vitoria , Daniel-Ribeiro Claudio Tadeu , Carvalho Leonardo J.M. , Boechat Nubia 
Published: October 2019

Introduction:
In this work DHPMs were combined with the quinoline nucleus to obtain new
quinolinyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione compounds with improved antiplasmodial activity as
well as decreased cytotoxicity. Nineteen quinolinyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione derivatives connected
by a linker group to quinolone ring moieties with different substituents were synthesized and assayed
against P. falciparum.

Materials and Methods:
Nineteen quinolinyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione derivatives connected
by a linker group to quinoline ring moieties with different substituents were synthesized and assayed
against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, along with the reference drug chloroquine.
Among these compounds, the derivatives with two methylene carbon spacers showed the best activity
accompanied by low cytotoxicity.

Results:
The derivative without substituents on the aromatic ring (2a) and the derivative with a chlorine
group at position 4 (2d) provided the best results, with IC50 = 1.15 µM and 1.5 µM, respectively.

Conclusion:
Compared to the parent drugs, these compounds presented marked decreases in cytotoxicity,
with MDL50 values over 1,000 µM and selectivity indexes of >869.5 and >666.6, respectively. The
quinolinyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione framework appears to be promising for further studies as
an antimalarial for overcoming the burden of resistance in P. falciparum.
Functionalization of Silver Nanoparticles Loaded with Paclitaxel-induced A549 Cells Apoptosis Through ROS-Mediated Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zou Jianjun , Zhu Bing , Li Yinghua 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most important and effective anticancer drugs for
the treatment of human cancer. However, its low solubility and severe adverse effects limited clinical
use. To overcome this limitation, nanotechnology has been used to overcome tumors due to its excellent
antimicrobial activity.

Objective:
This study was to demonstrate the anticancer properties of functionalization silver nanoparticles
loaded with paclitaxel (Ag@PTX) induced A549 cells apoptosis through ROS-mediated signaling
pathways.

Methods:
The Ag@PTX nanoparticles were charged with a zeta potential of about -17 mv and characterized
around 2 nm with a narrow size distribution.

Results:
Ag@PTX significantly decreased the viability of A549 cells and possessed selectivity between
cancer and normal cells. Ag@PTX induced A549 cells apoptosis was confirmed by nuclear condensation,
DNA fragmentation, and activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, Ag@PTX enhanced the anti-cancer
activity of A549 cells through ROS-mediated p53 and AKT signalling pathways. Finally, in a xenograft
nude mice model, Ag@PTX suppressed the growth of tumors.

Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that Ag@PTX may be a candidate as a chemopreventive agent and
could be a highly efficient way to achieve anticancer synergism for human cancers.
Imaging Strategies for Rectal Cancer Initial Staging: Does Pelvic Computed Tomography Provide Significantly Additional Findings when High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging has Been Performed?
Authors: Liu Li-Yan , Liu Li-Heng 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Initial staging of rectal cancer is done by high-resolution magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), however, pelvic computed tomography (CT) is also frequently used. The
aim of this study was to evaluate the added clinical benefit of pelvic CT or whether it can alter the
initial staging or not.

Methods:
The study was composed of 187 patients with rectal cancer. Firstly, imaging except pelvic
CT was evaluated. Secondly, the pelvic CT was evaluated and the staging was adjusted according
to the new findings. Subsequently, the two staging results were compared to investigate
the added clinical benefit of pelvic CT.

Results:
Compared with the imaging data except pelvic CT, new findings revealed by the pelvic
CT included metastases of the pelvic bone (n = 1) and pelvic peritoneum (n = 3). However, the
new findings did not change the primary staging. Of the three patients with pelvic peritoneal metastasis,
two were already determined with peritoneal involvement and ascites by abdominal CT,
and the third patient was observed with liver and distant lymph node metastasis. Thus, none of
their initial stagings needed to be changed.

Conclusions:
The addition of pelvic CT to the pre-treatment imaging strategy cannot provide
added clinical benefit for the primary evaluation of rectal cancer.
Virtual Screening-Based Discovery of Potent Hypoglycemic Agents: In Silico, Chemical Synthesis and Biological Study
Authors: Khedr Mohammed A. , Mohafez Omar M. M. , Al-Haider Ibrahim A. 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV has been reported to be an important target for the
development and discovery of new therapies for diabetes mellitus type II.

Objective:
The main aim of this study was to discover chemical entities that target the inhibition of
DPP IV and feature potent hypoglycemic action.

Methods:
A structure-based virtual screening was applied to discover new hypoglycemic agents.
Molecular docking was performed to compute the binding free energies. Molecular dynamics simulations
were done to evaluate the binding stability of resulted hits.

Results:
Seven small non-peptide potential inhibitors of Dipeptidyl peptidase IV with 3-imino-4-(4-
substituted phenyl)-1, 2, 5-thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxide scaffold were discovered. The binding free
energies ranged from -24.50 to -36.06 kJ/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed high stability
of all protein-ligand complexes with low root mean square deviation over 10 ns simulation
time. The tested compounds expressed a significant reduction in blood glucose level up to 90%
with excellent oral glucose tolerance test after 120 minutes of injection in a diabetes mellitus type II
animal model. A promising release of insulin was observed with a potential hypoglycemic activity
for all compounds.

Conclusion:
The virtual screening was successful to discover potent hypoglycemic agents with
drug-like properties that may need more consideration for future studies and development.
Dietary Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents: Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Bonta Ramesh K. 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Cancer is a rapidly growing disease and the second most leading cause of death
worldwide. Breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer are the most diagnosed types of cancer among the majority
of the population. The prevalence of these cancers is increasing rapidly due to the lack of effective drugs. The
search for anti-cancer bioactive components from natural plant sources is gaining immense significance. The
aim of the paper is to introduce the readers about the in vitro and in vivo biochemical mechanisms of phenolic
acids and flavonoids in these four types of cancers.

Methods:
A literature search was carried out in databases, including Scopus, SciFinder, Springer, Science direct
and Google. The main keywords used were fruits & vegetables, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anticancer, bioavailability,
etc. The data obtained were integrated and analyzed.

Results:
The study revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of phenolic acids and flavonoids, which include
the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, cell-cycle arrest, induction of Poly ADP ribose
polymerase cleavage, downregulation of Matrix metalloproteinases-2 and Matrix metalloproteinases-9 activities,
decreased levels of B-cell lymphoma-2, etc. Promising effects of phenolic acids and flavonoids have been observed
against breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers.

Conclusion:
The in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer mechanisms of phenolic acids and flavonoids have been revealed
in this study. With the knowledge of specific molecular targets and the structural-functional relationship
of bioactive compounds, the current review will open a new gateway for the scientific community and provide
them a viable option to exploit more of these compounds for the development of novel and efficacious anticancer
compounds.
A Comprehensive Framework to Evaluate Websites: Literature Review and Development of GoodWeb
Authors: Allison Rosalie , Hayes Catherine , McNulty Cliodna A M , Young Vicki 
Published: October 2019

Background
Attention is turning toward increasing the quality of websites and quality evaluation to attract new users and retain existing users.

Objective
This scoping study aimed to review and define existing worldwide methodologies and techniques to evaluate websites and provide a framework of appropriate website attributes that could be applied to any future website evaluations.

Methods
We systematically searched electronic databases and gray literature for studies of website evaluation. The results were exported to EndNote software, duplicates were removed, and eligible studies were identified. The results have been presented in narrative form.

Results
A total of 69 studies met the inclusion criteria. The extracted data included type of website, aim or purpose of the study, study populations (users and experts), sample size, setting (controlled environment and remotely assessed), website attributes evaluated, process of methodology, and process of analysis. Methods of evaluation varied and included questionnaires, observed website browsing, interviews or focus groups, and Web usage analysis. Evaluations using both users and experts and controlled and remote settings are represented. Website attributes that were examined included usability or ease of use, content, design criteria, functionality, appearance, interactivity, satisfaction, and loyalty. Website evaluation methods should be tailored to the needs of specific websites and individual aims of evaluations. GoodWeb, a website evaluation guide, has been presented with a case scenario.

Conclusions
This scoping study supports the open debate of defining the quality of websites, and there are numerous approaches and models to evaluate it. However, as this study provides a framework of the existing literature of website evaluation, it presents a guide of options for evaluating websites, including which attributes to analyze and options for appropriate methods.
Group Identity, Performance Transparency, and Employee Performance
Authors: Shang Ruidi , Abernethy Margaret A. , Hung Chung-Yu 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Economics, social psychology, and management studies suggest that group identity plays an important role in directing employee behaviors. On the one hand, strong group identity could motivate high effort to resolve conflicts of interests in the workplace. On the other hand, it could encourage conformity toward group norms. We examine whether the effect of group identity is conditional on managers' performance reporting choices. Drawing on survey and archival data from a field site, we find that when performance transparency is low, the interest alignment effect is more salient and group identity positively relates to employee performance. However, when performance transparency is high, the conformity effect is more salient and higher group identity is associated with more homogeneous, but not necessarily higher, employee performance. Our findings contribute to the management control literature by documenting that managers' performance reporting choices determine whether group identity has positive effects on employee performance.
Data Availability: Data in this study are derived from a proprietary source.
Do Effort Differences between Bonus and Penalty Contracts Persist in Labor Markets?
Authors: Gonzalez George C. , Hoffman Vicky B. , Moser Donald V. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Conventional economics assumes workers provide the same effort under penalty contracts and economically equivalent bonus contracts. However, prior research finds that although workers prefer bonus contracts, they provide more effort under penalty contracts. Given these findings, the prevalence of bonus contracts in practice is puzzling. If penalty contracts yield more worker effort, why would employers not use them more often? We conduct experimental labor markets to test whether the prior finding of more effort under penalty contracts than bonus contracts (i.e., the contract frame effect) persists when workers can choose their contract and know that their employer intentionally offered the contract they choose. As predicted, these features of labor markets eliminate the difference in effort between penalty and bonus contracts reported in prior studies. This finding suggests employers may use bonus contracts more often than penalty contracts because they can offer the contract most workers prefer without sacrificing worker effort.