bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aquifer Imaging with Oscillatory Hydraulic Tomography: Application at the Field Scale
Authors: Cardiff Michael , Zhou YaoQuan , Barrash Warren , Kitanidis Peter K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractModeling and laboratory experiments have demonstrated the ability of oscillatory hydraulic tomography (OHT) to characterize heterogeneity in aquifer hydraulic properties. In OHT, a location is stressed via periodic pumping/injection at a set frequency, and the resulting head signal is measured at a number of monitoring locations. The source of oscillations is repeatedly moved, allowing tomographic imaging of aquifer properties. Changing the period of oscillation also results in observations with additional information. In theory, OHT is comparable to other hydraulic tomography methods in that distributed pressure change measurements provide characterization information. In practice, OHT has several benefits including: (1) little to no water injected into or extracted from the aquifer; and (2) an observational signal at a set period that can be easily extracted in the presence of noise. We report the first field application of OHT, carried out at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS) using an oscillating signal generator with a very small cycling volume of <2 L, and a period range of 5 to 70 s. For these tests, signals were detected at distances of over 15 m. After processing to extract periodic signal properties, we perform tomography using a frequency‐domain numerical model for groundwater flow. In comparing results against prior characterization results from the BHRS, we find moderate to strong positive correlations between K profiles estimated via different methods at multiple wells, with moderate overall correlation between estimated three‐dimensional (3D) K volumes.
Why buy new when one can share? Exploring collaborative consumption motivations for consumer goods
Authors: Kim Naeun Lauren , Jin Byoungho Ellie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe notion of collaborative consumption or sharing economy—where consumers share access to ownership of properties such as cars, clothes and accommodations—has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. Development of communication technologies and peer‐to‐peer communities has enabled consumers to coordinate sharing activities through various online platforms. Collaborative consumption involves sharing of both intangible (e.g., music, space and car rides) and tangible assets (e.g., household items, clothes and furniture). Activities such as renting, swapping, trading and purchasing/selling used consumer goods are included in the latter. Despite increasing academic attention on collaborative consumption, little research has been pursued in the context of consumer goods. The nature of consumption for tangible goods can be entirely different from that of intangible goods because people can exercise greater control over tangible goods, which results in greater psychological ownership than that for intangible goods. To address this gap, the objective of this study is to develop a scale that examines consumer motivations for collaborative consumption of consumer goods. Following Churchill's paradigm of scale development, the procedures of scale item generation, purification and validation were conducted via in‐depth interviews, literature review and surveys. The study identified five underlying dimensions of collaborative consumption of consumer goods: concern‐for‐sustainability, social, variety‐seeking, fun and cost‐saving. Study findings and implications are discussed, and future research avenues are suggested.
Molecular basis of Hb H and AEBart’s diseases in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Authors: Singha Kritsada , Srivorakun Hataichanok , Fucharoen Goonnapa , Fucharoen Supan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionAs compared to other neighboring countries, limited information on α‐thalassemia diseases is available for Lao PDR. We reported for the first time a genetic diversity associated with Hb H and AEBart's diseases in Laos patients.MethodsStudy was done on Laos patients with Hb H disease (n = 14) and AEBart's disease (n = 14) whose blood specimens were transferred to our laboratory for the investigation of thalassemia. Hematological parameters were recorded. Hb analysis was done using a capillary electrophoresis system. α‐ and β‐globin genotypes were determined using PCR and related techniques.ResultsHb and DNA analyses identified Hb H disease resulted from [‐‐SEA/−α3.7, βA/βA] (n = 7), [‐‐THAI/−α3.7, βA/βA] (n = 1), Hb H‐Constant Spring (CS) disease (‐‐SEA/αCSα, βA/βA; n = 5), and Hb H‐IVSI‐117 (‐‐SEA/ααIVSI‐117G>A, βA/βA; n = 1). For those of the AEBart's disease (n = 14), five were found to be AEBart's‐CS disease [‐‐SEA/αCSα, βE/βA], two had [‐‐THAI/αCSα, βE/βA] genotype, six had AEBart's disease with (‐‐SEA/−α3.7, βE/βA) genotype, and the remaining one was a patient with AEBart's‐Pakse′ [‐‐SEA/αPSα, βE/βA] disease. These ‐‐THAI and αIVSI‐117G>A mutations are reported herein for the first time in Laos population. Accurate diagnosis in most cases was obtained after DNA analysis.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the diverse heterogeneity and highlights the importance of molecular diagnosis of α‐thalassemia diseases in Laos population. Data on the molecular basis of α‐thalassemia should prove useful for setting up a molecular diagnostic testing for thalassemia in Laos and further hemoglobin genetic study in the region.
Methods for the generation of heritable germline mutations in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus using clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats‐associated protein 9
Authors: Li M. , Li T. , Liu N. , Raban R. R. , Wang X. , Akbari O. S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCulex quinquefasciatus is a vector of many diseases that adversely impact human and animal health; however, compared to other mosquito vectors limited genome engineering technologies have been characterized for this vector. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR‐Cas9) based technologies are a powerful tool for genome engineering and functional genetics and consequently have transformed genetic studies in many organisms. Our objective was to improve upon the limited technologies available for genome editing in C. quinquefasciatus to create a reproducible and straightforward method for CRISPR‐Cas9‐targeted mutagenesis in this vector. Here we describe methods to achieve high embryo survival and mutagenesis rates and we provide details on the injection supplies and procedures, embryo handling and guide RNA (gRNA) target designs. Through these efforts, we achieved embryo survival rates and germline mutagenesis rates that greatly exceed previously reported rates in this vector. This work is also the first to characterize the white gene marker in this species, which is a valuable phenotypic marker for future transgenesis or mutagenesis of this vector. Overall, these tools provide the framework for future functional genetic studies in this important disease vector and may support the development of future gene drive and genetic technologies that can be used to control this vector.
Feeling Attached and Feeling Accepted: Implications for Political Inclusion among Visible Minority Immigrants in Canada
Authors: Bilodeau Antoine , White Stephen E. , Turgeon Luc , Henderson Ailsa 
Published: November 2019

AbstractImmigrants’ sense of belonging to their host communities is viewed as a core condition for their successful inclusion, but there is no consensus on which attributes of belonging are most relevant to understanding inclusion, nor is there agreement on how the sense of belonging ought to be measured empirically. This study examines how two related but independent dimensions of belonging help to better understand the political inclusion of visible minority immigrants in Canada. More specifically, it examines the role of feeling attached (immigrants’ feeling toward the host community) and the role of feeling accepted (immigrants’ sense of how their host communities feel about them). We assess the relationship between attachment, acceptance and political inclusion for both first‐ and second‐generation visible minority Canadians; the results suggest there is analytical value in utilising separate measures of attachment and acceptance: political inclusion is more likely when both are stronger.
The role of Th1/Th2 cell chemokine expression in hypertrophic scar
Authors: Chen Baoguo , Li Huichao , Xia Wei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to study the role of Th1/Th2 cell‐associated chemokines in the formation of hypertrophic scars in rabbit ears. Twenty‐six New Zealand white rabbits were used to establish the hypertrophic scar model of rabbit ear and the normal scar model of rabbit's back. Two rabbits were sacrificed on days 0 and 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 after operation. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin‐eosin (HE). Scar elevation index (SEI) was used to detect the expression of 10 chemokines related to Th1/Th2 cells in both scar formation expressions. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results showed that two chemokines (CXCL10, CXCL12) were highly expressed during the formation of normal scar, and there was almost no expression during the formation of hypertrophic scar (*P < 0.05). The chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL13, CX3CL1) were almost non‐expressed in the formation of normal scars but were expressed for a long time in the formation of hypertrophic scars. The four chemokines, CCL2, CCL4, CCL5, and CX3CL1, maintained a long‐term high expression level during the formation of hypertrophic scars (P < 0.01). There were also three chemokines (CCL14, CCL19, CCL21) that were almost undetectable in normal scarring, but there was transiently low‐level expression (P < 0.05) only during the peak proliferative phase in proliferative scarring. Th1/Th2 cell‐associated chemokines are different in the type, quantity and expression, and maintenance time of rabbit ear hypertrophic scars.
Selective disclosure and the role of Form 8‐K in the post‐Reg FD era
Authors: Gleason Cristi , Ling Zhejia , Zhao Rong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe investigate the impact of Form 8‐K filings on cross‐firm differences in analysts’ private or idiosyncratic information in the post‐Reg FD era. Using firms’ connections to the investment community to identify the likelihood of selective disclosure, we document differences in analysts’ idiosyncratic information arising from selective disclosure before 8‐K filings. While filings of 8‐Ks pursuant to Reg FD attenuate the link between connections and analysts’ idiosyncratic information, they do so only after selective disclosures have already resulted in some analysts having better private information. In addition, the connections continue to facilitate private information search after the filings of non‐Reg FD‐specific 8‐Ks.
Approach to repeat ablation of atrial fibrillation when the pulmonary veins are already isolated
Authors: Chiocchini Andrea , Verma Atul 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this article, we summarize our approach to a repeat ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation when the pulmonary veins are already isolated. We summarize the approach to posterior wall isolation, ablation of drivers of atrial fibrillation, and also ablation of incompletely ablated regions identified during sinus rhythm.
TNIP1‐mediated TNF‐α/NF‐κB signalling cascade sustains glioma cell proliferation
Authors: Lei Qingchun , Gu Huan , Li Lei , Wu Tingting , Xie Wentao , Li Meizhang , Zhao Ninghui 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAs a malignant tumour of the central nervous system, glioma exhibits high incidence and poor prognosis. Although TNIP1 and the TNF‐α/NF‐κB axis play key roles in immune diseases and inflammatory responses, their relationship and role in glioma remain unknown. Here, we revealed high levels of TNIP1 and TNF‐α/NF‐κB in glioma tissue. Glioma cell proliferation was activated with TNF‐α treatment and showed extreme sensitivity to the TNF receptor antagonist. Furthermore, loss of TNIP1 disbanded the A20 complex responsible for IκB degradation and NF‐κB nucleus translocation, and consequently erased TNFα‐induced glioma cell proliferation. Thus, our investigation uncovered a vital function of the TNIP1‐mediated TNF‐α/NF‐κB axis in glioma cell proliferation and provides novel insight into glioma pathology and diagnosis.
Pre‐treatments enhance the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in liver diseases
Authors: Hu Chenxia , Wu Zhongwen , Li Lanjuan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLiver diseases caused by viral infection, alcohol abuse and metabolic disorders can progress to end‐stage liver failure, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which are a growing cause of death worldwide. Although liver transplantation and hepatocyte transplantation are useful strategies to promote liver regeneration, they are limited by scarce sources of organs and hepatocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) restore liver injury after hepatogenic differentiation and exert immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidative stress and antiapoptotic effects on liver cells in vivo. After isolation and culture in vitro, MSCs are faced with nutrient and oxygen deprivation, and external growth factors maintain MSC capacities for further applications. In addition, MSCs are placed in a harsh microenvironment, and anoikis and inflammation after transplantation in vivo significantly decrease their regenerative capacity. Pre‐treatment with chemical agents, hypoxia, an inflammatory microenvironment and gene modification can protect MSCs against injury, and pre‐treated MSCs show improved hepatogenic differentiation, homing capacity, survival and paracrine effects in vitro and in vivo in regard to attenuating liver injury. In this review, we mainly focus on pre‐treatments and the underlying mechanisms for improving the therapeutic effects of MSCs in various liver diseases. Thus, we provide evidence for the development of MSC‐based cell therapy to prevent acute or chronic liver injury. Mesenchymal stem cells have potential as a therapeutic to prolong the survival of patients with end‐stage liver diseases in the near future.
A new FGFR inhibitor disrupts the TGF‐β1‐induced fibrotic process
Authors: Kim Mi‐Hyoung , Jung Seung‐Youn , Song Kyung‐Hee , Park Jeong‐In , Ahn Jiyeon , Kim Eun‐Ho , Park Jong Kuk , Hwang Sang‐Gu , Woo Hee‐Jong , Song Jie‐Young 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis (PF) is chronic and irreversible damage to the lung characterized by fibroblast activation and matrix deposition. Although recently approved novel anti‐fibrotic agents can improve the lung function and survival of patients with PF, the overall outcomes remain poor. In this study, a novel imidazopurine compound, 3‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorobenzyl)‐1,6,7‐trimethyl‐1H‐imidazo[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(3H,8H)‐dione (IM‐1918), markedly inhibited transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β‐stimulated reporter activity and reduced the expression of representative fibrotic markers, such as connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin, on human lung fibroblasts. However, IM‐1918 neither decreased Smad‐2 and Smad‐3 nor affected p38MAPK and JNK. Instead, IM‐1918 reduced Akt and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation increased by TGF‐β. Additionally, IM‐1918 inhibited the phosphorylation of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 3. In a bleomycin‐induced murine lung fibrosis model, IM‐1918 profoundly reduced fibrotic areas and decreased collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin accumulation. These results suggest that IM‐1918 can be applied to treat lung fibrosis.
The Chromatin Extrusion Phenomenon in Amoeba proteus Cell Cycle
Authors: Goodkov Andrew V. , Berdieva Mariia A. , Podlipaeva Yuliya I. , Demin Sergei Yu. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAmoeba proteus is possibly the best known of all unicellular eukaryotes. At the same time, several quintessential issues of its biology, including some aspects of the cell cycle, remain unsolved. Here, we show that this obligate agamic amoebae and related species have a special type of cyclic polyploidy. Their nucleus has an euploid status only for a small fraction of the cell cycle, during metaphase and telophase. The rest of the time it has an aneuploid status, which is a consequence of polyploidization. Extrusion of “excess” chromatin from the nucleus in late interphase and during prophase results in depolyploidization. Such a strategy of life cycle in unicellular eukaryotes is thought to be the main mechanism of “resetting” the Muller's ratchet and is a satisfactory alternative to the meiotic recombination for agamic protists.
Quantifying the impact of temperature variation on birnavirus transmission dynamics in hard clamsMeretrix lusoria
Authors: Lu Tien‐Hsuan , Yang Ying‐Fei , Chen Chi‐Yun , Wang Wei‐Ming , Liao Chung‐Min 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSusceptibility of hard clamsMeretrix lusoriato birnavirus (BV) infections caused by temperature variations, from a mechanistic perspective, has rarely been explored. We used a deterministic susceptible–infectious–mortality (SIM) model to derive temperature‐dependent key epidemiologic parameters based on data sets of viral infections in hard clams subjected to acute temperature changes. To parameterize seasonal pattern dependence, we estimated monthly based cumulative mortality and basic reproduction numbers (R0) between 1997 and 2017 by way of statistical analysis. Two alternative disease control models were also proposed to assess status of controlled temperature‐mediated BV infection by using, respectively, control reproduction number (RC)‐control line criterion and removal strategy‐based control measure. We showed that based onRC‐control strategy, when temperatures ranged from 15 to 26.8°C, proportion of susceptible hard clams removed should be at least 0.22%. Based on removal‐control strategy, we found that by limiting pond water temperature to 25–30°C, together with increased removal rates and periods to remove hard clams, it is better to remove hard clams from June and August to reduce both mortality rate and spread of BV. Our results can be used to monitor BV transmission potential in hard clams that will contribute to government control strategy to eradicate future BV epidemics.
TaqMan probe real‐time polymerase chain reaction targeting the ATPase 6 gene for the detection of pork adulteration in meat and meatballs
Authors: Raharjo Tri Joko , Chudori Yusrina Nabila Chairani , Agustina Fransentino Wahyu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe developed an assay for detecting pork adulteration in meat and meatballs using real‐time polymerase chain reaction involving specific primers and a TaqMan probe targeting the porcine mitochondrial (mt) ATPase 6 gene. We proved the specificity of the probe by showing no amplification from DNA isolated from six different meat‐providing species: cattle, dog, mouse, chicken, goat, and horse. On the contrary, DNA isolated from pork was positive for amplification, with a Ct (threshold cycle) of 18.69 using a standard amount of DNA template (50 ng). The presence of matrix and food processing steps in meatball sample had no influence on the specificity of the probe. The developed technique also has a good repeatability (CV, coefficient of variation = 3.86% for meat and 5.07% for meatballs), showing good linearity and sensitivity, with a limit of detection up to 5 pg of pork total DNA, which equivalent to approximately 6.8 copies of pork mtDNA. In addition, the analysis of spiked pork in beef meatballs showed that the method could determine up to 1% pork contamination. Moreover, the system was successfully applied to detect pork adulteration in commercial meatballs by detecting the presence of pork DNA in two samples.
Occurrence of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli in inline milk filters from Swedish dairy farms
Authors: Flink Catarina , Nyberg Karin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis study investigated the occurrence of shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC), thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in Swedish dairy milk. A total of 302 inline milk filters were analyzed. Salmonella was not isolated from any filters. Polymerase chain reaction screening detected thermotolerant Campylobacter in 30.5% of the milk filters analyzed and it was isolated from 12.6% of filters. The stx genes (stx
1, stx
2, or both) were screened from 71% of the filters and STEC was isolated from 14% of these. Of the STEC isolates, 21 contained the stx
1 gene, 19 the stx
2 gene, and five a combination of both stx
1 and stx
2 genes. Whole genome sequence typing on 34 of the 45 STEC showed that they belonged to 21 different serotypes, of which STEC O145:H28 was the most common (2%). STEC O157:H7 was only found from one (0.3%) of the filters. A combination of stx
2 and eae genes was found from 0.7% of the total number of inline milk filters analyzed, while stx
2a was found in 24% of the whole genome‐sequenced isolates. There was a significant positive correlations between number of animals per farm and presence of pathogens on milk filters.
Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to lactulose use in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Varelas Lee J , Klinge Matthew J , Malik Shahid M , Borhani Amir A , Neal Matthew 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimFew case reports exist that link lactulose use with pneumatosis intestinalis in cirrhotics. This study investigates the relationship between lactulose use and idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis in a cohort of cirrhotic patients.MethodsThis case series considers several notable cases of patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis and concurrent lactulose use. Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis was defined as pneumatosis intestinalis with no identifiable etiology. A cohort of 119 patients with cirrhosis and pneumatosis intestinalis were identified in a tertiary care setting, via chart review by a multidisciplinary team. Eleven of these patients were found to have idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis. Nine of these patients were being treated with lactulose.ResultsSix out of 9 patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis that were being treated with lactulose saw resolution of pneumatosis intestinalis following discontinuation of treatment.ConclusionsThe etiology of idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis is likely multifactorial, but lactulose might play a preventable role in its formation.
Effect of preventive closure of the frenulum after endoscopic papillectomy: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Kagawa Koichi , Kubota Kensuke , Kurita Yusuke , Takagi Yuri , Ishii Ken , Hasegawa Sho , Iwasaki Akito , Sato Takamitsu , Fujita Yuji , Kato Shingo , Watanabe Seitaro , Sekino Yusuke , Hosono Kunihiro , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and AimThe usefulness of preventive closure of the frenulum after endoscopic papillectomy (EP) could reduce bleeding. The feasibility and safety of clipping were evaluated in this prospective pilot study.MethodsThis study involved 40 consecutive patients who underwent preventive closure of the frenulum by clipping just after EP. The outcome data were compared with those of the previous 40 patients in whom no preemptive closure had been performed (no‐closure group) (UMIN000014783). Additionally, the bleeding sites were examined.ResultsThe clipping procedure was successful in all patients. As compared to the no‐closure group, the rate of bleeding (P = 0.026) and period of hospital stay (P < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the closure group. There was no difference in the procedure time between the two groups. Furthermore, the incidence rates of pancreatitis and perforation were comparable in the two groups. The bleeding was noted in the frenulum area rather than at any other site in 90.9% of cases.ConclusionPreventive closure of the frenulum after EP is an effective, safe, rational, and economical method to reduce the incidence of delayed bleeding, without prolonging the procedure time or increasing the risk of post‐procedure pancreatitis perforation.