bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zooplankton Community Response to the Introduction of Cisco in Tiber Reservoir, Montana
Authors: Vivian Mary K. , Frazer Daniel 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Prey fish introductions, some planned and some unplanned, can have major influences on ecosystem dynamics. In 1997, Cisco Coregonus artedi were introduced in Tiber Reservoir, Montana. The introduction of the planktivorous fish was intended to provide an alternative prey resource to predators. After the introduction of Cisco, average zooplankton densities increased 184% from 9.95 organisms/L (1990–1997 [preintroduction period]) to 28.25 organisms/L (1998–2014). Diet analysis indicated targeted feeding by Cisco on larger-sized zooplankton relative to the average size of zooplankton within the water column. Within 2 years, Daphnia spp. mean length decreased from 1.45 mm in 1997 to 0.85 mm in 1999. From the preintroduction period to the establishment of Cisco, mean length of Daphnia spp. decreased by 29% (from 1.33 to 0.94 mm). Daphnia spp. over 1.5 mm became rare, and those over 2.0 mm were absent from all samples. Prior to Cisco introduction, 0.4–0.7-mm individuals comprised 4–8% of the Daphnia spp. population; after the introduction, this size-group increased to 26–46% of the Daphnia spp. population. The zooplankton community composition shifted toward a smaller, more diverse community with decreased calanoid copepods and increased cladocerans Diaphanosoma birgei and Bosmina spp. Prior to the Cisco introduction, D. birgei were not present in any samples. After 17 years, significant changes to the zooplankton community resulting from the introduction of Cisco persisted in Tiber Reservoir. This study provides information that fish managers should consider when contemplating the consequences of adding planktivorous prey to a forage base or when managing this species after an illegal introduction.
Nursing students' competence profiles in gerontological nursing—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tohmola Anniina , Elo Satu , Mikkonen Kristina , Kyngäs Helvi , Lotvonen Sinikka , Saarnio Reetta 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimThe study aimed to describe and explain the self‐assessed gerontological nursing competence levels of Finnish nursing students and factors relating to it.DesignA cross‐sectional study design, reported by The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines.MethodsData were collected with the GeroNursingCom instrument, which features 53 items relating to 11 competence factors. The K‐clustering technique and the Chi‐squared, Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyse the data.ResultsSeven hundred and ninety‐nine nursing students from nine randomly selected higher education institutions were invited to participate in 2019. Three distinct student profiles were identified according to the data (N = 274): Profile A—lower intermediate competence (23.1% of students), Profile B—intermediate competence (45.8%) and Profile C—high competence (31.1%). The strongest competence area for all students was appreciative encounter and interaction, and the weakest was supporting the older person’s sexuality. Nursing students have diverse backgrounds and their overall competence in gerontological nursing is shaped in part by their previous education, motivations and work experience.Relevance to clinical practiceRecognizing students’ different gerontological nursing competence profiles enables the implementation of targeted education to improve competence in clinical practice.
Tunable self‐assembled stereocomplexed‐polylactic acid nanoparticles as a drug carrier
Authors: Forouharshad Mahdi , Ajalloueian Fatemeh 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study, a model hydrophilic drug (porphyrin) was encapsulated within hydrophobic polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) with different crystallinity and the relevant release behaviors were investigated. The crystalline modification was done using a modified nanoprecipitation method, where homo and stereocomplexed PLA NPs with different average diameters based on varying polymer concentrations and solvent/nonsolvent ratios (S/N) were prepared. Entrapment efficiency and drug release of sterocomplexed‐PLA NPs were compared with neat poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) NPs. Furthermore, to get the more sustained release, porphyrin‐loaded NPs were immobilized within electrospun poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide (PLGA) nanofibers (NFs). Outcomes revealed that solution concentration and solvent/nonsolvent ratio play significant roles in the formation of homo and stereocomplexed NPs. On the other hand, it was found that the formation of stereocrystals did not significantly affect the size and morphology of NPs compared with neat NPs. With regard to the entrapment efficiency and drug content, stereocomplexd‐PLA NPs behave relatively the same as neat PLLA NPs while the more sustained release was observed for stereocomplexed NPs. Also, it was observed that electrospinning of PLGA solution loaded by NPs led to the uniform distribution of NPs into PLGA fibers. Encapsulating the drug‐loaded NPs into nanofibers decreased the rate of drug release by 50% after 24 h, compared with direct loading of drug into PLGA NFs. We conclude that it is possible to tune the entrapment efficiency and modify the release rate of the drug by giving small changes in the process parameters without altering the physical properties of the original drug substance and polymer.
Prostate tumors of native men from West Africa show biologically distinct pathways—A comparative genomic study
Authors: Yamoah Kosj , Asamoah Francis A. , Abrahams Afua O. D. , Awasthi Shivanshu , Mensah James E. , Dhillon Jasreman , Mahal Brandon A. , Gueye Serigne Magueye , Jalloh Mohamed , Farahani Sahar J. , Lal Priti , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Yarney Joel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundNative African men (NAM) experience a disproportionate burden of prostate cancer (PCa) and have higher mortality rates compared to European American men (EAM). While socioeconomic status has been implicated as a driver of this disparity, little is known about the genomic mechanisms and distinct biological pathways that are associated with PCa of native men of African origin.MethodsTo understand biological factors that contribute to this disparity we utilized a total of 406 multi‐institutional localized PCa samples, collected by Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate biospecimen network and Moffitt Cancer Center/University of Pennsylvania Health science system. We performed comparative genomics and immunohistochemistry to identify the biomarkers that are highly enriched in NAM from west Africa and compared them with African American Men (AAM) and EAM. Quantified messenger RNA expression and Median H scores based on immune reactivity of staining cells, were compared using Mann Whitney test. For gene expression analysis, p values were further adjusted for multiple comparisons using false discovery rates.ResultsImmunohistochemical analysis on selected biomarkers showed a consistent association between ETS related gene (ERG) status and race with 83% of NAM exhibiting tumors that lacked TMPRSS2‐ERG translocation (ERGnegative) as compared to AAM (71%) and EAM (52%). A higher proportion of NAM (29%) were also found to be double negative (ERGnegative and PTENLoss) as compared to AAM (6%) and EAM (7%). NAM tumors had significantly higher immunoreactivity (H‐score) for PSMA, and EZH2, whereas they have lower H‐score for PTEN, MYC, AR, RB and Racemase, (all p < .05). Comparative genomics revealed that NAM had significant transcriptomic variability in AR‐activity score. In pathways enrichment analysis NAM tumors exhibited the enrichment of proinflammatory pathways including cytokine, interleukins, inflammatory response, and nuclear factor kappa B signaling.ConclusionsProstate tumors in NAM are genomically distinct and are characterized by the dysregulation of several biomarkers. Furthermore, these tumors are also highly enriched for the major proinflammatory pathways. These distinct biological features may have implications for diagnosis and response to targeted therapy among Black men, globally.
Critical assessment of methods of protein structure prediction (CASP)—Round XIV
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Schwede Torsten , Topf Maya , Fidelis Krzysztof , Moult John 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCritical assessment of structure prediction (CASP) is a community experiment to advance methods of computing three‐dimensional protein structure from amino acid sequence. Core components are rigorous blind testing of methods and evaluation of the results by independent assessors. In the most recent experiment (CASP14), deep‐learning methods from one research group consistently delivered computed structures rivaling the corresponding experimental ones in accuracy. In this sense, the results represent a solution to the classical protein‐folding problem, at least for single proteins. The models have already been shown to be capable of providing solutions for problematic crystal structures, and there are broad implications for the rest of structural biology. Other research groups also substantially improved performance. Here, we describe these results and outline some of the many implications. Other related areas of CASP, including modeling of protein complexes, structure refinement, estimation of model accuracy, and prediction of inter‐residue contacts and distances, are also described.
Expression profiles of tyrosine metabolic pathway genes and functional analysis of DOPA decarboxylase in puparium tanning of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)
Authors: Chen Er‐Hu , Hou Qiu‐Li , Dou Wei , Yang Pei‐Jin , Wang Jin‐Jun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDTanning is an important physiological process with critical roles in cuticle pigmentation and sclerotization. Previous studies have shown that insect cuticle tanning is closely associated with the tyrosine metabolism pathway, which consists of a series of enzymes.RESULTSIn this study, 24 tyrosine metabolism pathway genes were identified in the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) genome. Gene expression profiles throughout 15 developmental stages of B. dorsalis were established based on our previous RNA sequencing data, and we found that 13 enzyme genes could be involved in the process of pupariation. Accordingly, a tyrosine‐mediated tanning pathway during the pupariation of B. dorsalis was predicted and a critical enzyme, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase (DDC), was used to explore its possible roles in formation of the puparium. First, a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed that BdDDC had an epidermis‐specific expression pattern, and was highly expressed during larval metamorphosis in B. dorsalis. Subsequent disruption of BdDDC by feeding 5‐day‐old larvae with DDC inhibitor (l‐α‐methyl‐DOPA) could lead to: (i) a significant decrease in BdDDC enzyme activity and dopamine concentration; (ii) defects in puparium pigmentation; (iii) impairment of the morphology and less thickness of the puparium; and (iv) lower pupal weight and obstacles to eclosion.CONCLUSIONThis study provided a potential tyrosine metabolic pathway that was responsible for insect tanning during pupariation, and the BdDDC enzyme has been shown to have crucial roles in larval–pupal tanning of B. dorsalis. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Marketplace lending of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Hornuf Lars 
Published: September 2021

AbstractResearch SummaryWhen evaluating Internet‐based loan project of small and medium size enterprises (SME), lenders can rely on easy‐to‐understand risk ratings or more sophisticated financial information. We investigate lenders decisions and its effect on loan funding success on the marketplace‐lending platform Zencap. The data set has been provided by the platform Zencap and includes 414 SME marketplace loans and 2,196 lenders. The data examined provide strong support for the importance of simple platform ratings in influencing investor behavior, while the effect of more detailed financial information is less pronounced, controlling for relevant variables. Higher interest rates appear more profitable to investors without any serious concern about non‐repayment.Managerial SummaryPlatform managers and potential borrowers are interested in how to encourage lenders to pledge their money on marketplace‐lending platforms. We investigate the influence of easy‐to‐understand risk ratings and more sophisticated financial information on investment decisions and their effect on loan funding success on the marketplace‐lending platform Zencap. We investigate 414 SME marketplace loans and 2,196 lenders. We find that for marketplace lending on Zencap the effect of more detailed financial information is less pronounced than easy‐to‐understand risk ratings. Platforms base risk ratings on information other than the entrepreneurs' financial information.
A risk‐based methodology for privacy requirements elicitation and control selection
Authors: Manna Asmita , Sengupta Anirban , Mazumdar Chandan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe purpose of the paper is to provide a comprehensive privacy model for identifying the privacy risks of an enterprise based on its privacy requirements. A risk‐based methodology for automated privacy control selection against identified privacy requirements is also proposed. The privacy model has been designed using first order logic and it is semi‐formal in nature. Privacy risks are defined using the proposed formalism in terms of privacy properties. Algorithm for assessing privacy risk considering the actual information infrastructure of the enterprise is proposed. Based on the risk assessment, appropriate privacy controls should be selected from a control database. An algorithm for the same is also proposed. This methodology is easy to implement and can be used by any mid or large‐scale enterprise for privacy control implementation. The effectiveness of our proposed approach is shown using a case study. From the literature review, it has emerged that there is a dearth of comprehensive privacy models that can identify the privacy requirements emanating from different sources and can eventually help the enterprise to implement privacy controls as per privacy requirements. The proposed model attempts to address this research gap by helping an enterprise to identify the specific privacy requirements and automatically select privacy controls from an appropriate knowledge base. Privacy requirements can be customized as per the needs of the enterprise.
Experimental investigation of the shear strength of one‐way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs subjected to concentrated loads and in‐plane transverse axial tension
Authors: Fernández Pablo G. , Marí Antonio , Oller Eva 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an experimental campaign carried out to investigate the effects of in‐plane transverse tensile forces on the shear strength of linearly supported one‐way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs without shear reinforcement subjected to concentrated loads. A total of 5 half scale slabs (1650 × 1650 × 120 mm), subjected simultaneously to different levels of in‐plane tensile forces and a concentrated load were tested up to failure. The clear shear span to effective depth ratio av/d was equal to 3 in all tests, to minimize the effects of the direct transmission of the load to the closest support, the so called arching action. As observed, the shear strength barely decreases with increasing values of the tensile force applied, even for values of the external force that cracked the concrete cross‐section of the slabs in the direction perpendicular to the span. These observations may indicate that the shear–flexural behavior in the spanning direction is not significantly affected by the membrane forces in the transverse direction.
Aeroelastic load analysis of a co‐rotating quad‐rotor wind turbine
Authors: Ferede Etana , Gandhi Farhan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAn aeroelastic analysis is carried out to assess the loads on a selected quad‐rotor wind turbine vis‐à‐vis those on an equivalent rated single‐rotor turbine, with a specific focus on a comparison of support structure loads (e.g., tower root, yaw‐bearing, and boom loads). A quad‐rotor wind turbine with combined rated power of 6 MW and a single‐rotor with equivalent machine rating are modeled in SIMAPCK coupled with AerodynV15 (including turbulent wind input from TurbSim) to calculate the aerodynamic loads. A correction for tower/boom shadow is implemented in Matlab to account for reduction in (axial) incoming wind due to the presence of support structures that carry the rotors. The performance of the quad‐rotor wind turbine, with the single‐rotor as baseline, is carried out for load cases selected from wind turbine certification standard (IEC‐61400‐1) covering the following: nominal loads under normal wind speed profile, fatigue loads under normal turbulence, and ultimate loads under extreme turbulence. Results show that, comparing the quad‐rotor tower root loads to those of the single‐rotor turbine under extreme turbulence, the side‐side force is up to 31% higher, the force‐aft bending moment is up to 15% higher, and the normal force is up to 46% higher due to additional boom/nacelle inertial loads.
Nanocarrier‐hydrogel composite delivery systems for precision drug release
Authors: Kass Lauren E. , Nguyen Juliane 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHydrogels are a class of biomaterials widely implemented in medical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Despite the many successes of hydrogel‐based delivery systems, there remain challenges to hydrogel drug delivery such as a burst release at the time of administration, a limited ability to encapsulate certain types of drugs (i.e., hydrophobic drugs, proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids), and poor tunability of geometry and shape for controlled drug release. This review discusses two main important advances in hydrogel fabrication for precision drug release: first, the incorporation of nanocarriers to diversify their drug loading capability, and second, the design of hydrogels using 3D printing to precisely control drug dosing and release kinetics via high‐resolution structures and geometries. We also outline ongoing challenges and discuss opportunities to further optimize drug release from hydrogels for personalized medicine.This article is categorized under:
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Reproductive suppression of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) under managed care using a GnRH immunological product
Authors: Moresco Anneke , Penfold Linda M. , Jankowski Gwen , McCain Stephanie , Crook Erika , Faliano Amanda , Crane John , Wack Raymund F. , Goodnight Andrea , Han Sushan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGiraffe present unique contraception challenges as males persistently pursue females during estrus. Year‐round pursuit during frequent recurring estrus can pose significant risk under slippery conditions. Complete ovarian suppression is a useful tool in giraffe because it eliminates estrous behavior, interest from the male, and controls reproduction. Effective reproduction control in giraffes has been achieved with porcine zona pellucida, oral melengestrol acetate, and depot medroxy‐progesterone acetate. However, these methods allow some degree of folliculogenesis and estrous behavior. Improvest® is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) immunological product that elicits antibodies against GnRH and abrogates the effects of endogenous GnRH. This study evaluated the efficacy of Improvest® for gonadal suppression in seven females and one male giraffe by monitoring steroid hormones. Seven female giraffe were treated intramuscularly with an initial dose, a booster at 4 weeks and maintenance boosters at 3‐month intervals (600 µg/dose) for 12 months. Six females were on supplemental contraception during the induction phase because separation from males was not possible. In the male (treated with 400 µg), testosterone concentrations decreased after the second injection. However, even with low serum testosterone concentrations, mounting (of nontreated females) behavior was still observed occasionally. Ovarian activity was suppressed in all treated females and interest by the males stopped; supplemental contraceptives (during the induction phase) did not impede the effect of Improvest®. After 15.3 months (seven doses), Improvest® was discontinued in three females which no longer needed contraception. In these females, ovarian activity was noted approximately 90 days after the last dose.
Quixotic Conrad: Betrayal, Conversion, and Flight
Authors: Parker Jay 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn Notes on Life and Letters, Conrad develops an idiosyncratic definition of conversion as an ironic double of betrayal. This chapter connects betrayal (particularly as unmasking) to critique, and conversion (as a form of positive transformation) to postcritique, and explores how conversion reveals a potentially postcritical Conrad. Secondly, through a reading practice structured by Gilles Deleuze’s thinking on betrayal and lines of flight, it makes a series of leaps, or flights, to show how Conrad’s ironic narrative in Lord Jim explores hopeful possibilities of affiliation and conversion. In so doing, it makes a case for recuperating irony, not only as the signature style of destabilizing and deconstructing, but also as a means hopefully to maintain or create solidarity and commitment across classes and cultures.
Extended corner symmetry, charge bracket and Einstein’s equations
Authors: Freidel Laurent , Oliveri Roberto , Pranzetti Daniele , Speziale Simone 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We develop the covariant phase space formalism allowing for non-vanishing flux, anomalies, and field dependence in the vector field generators. We construct a charge bracket that generalizes the one introduced by Barnich and Troessaert and includes contributions from the Lagrangian and its anomaly. This bracket is uniquely determined by the choice of Lagrangian representative of the theory. We then extend the notion of corner symmetry algebra to include the surface translation symmetries and prove that the charge bracket provides a canonical representation of the extended corner symmetry algebra. This representation property is shown to be equivalent to the projection of the gravitational equations of motion on the corner, providing us with an encoding of the bulk dynamics in a locally holographic manner.
Compact Q-balls and Q-shells in a multi-component ℂPN model
Authors: Klimas P. , Kubaski L. C. , Sawado N. , Yanai S. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Coupled multi-component ℂPN models with V-shaped potentials are analyzed. It is shown that the model has solutions being combinations of compact Q-balls and Q-shells. The compact nature of solutions permits the existence of novel harbor-type solutions having the form of Q-balls sheltered by Q-shells. The relation between the energy E and Noether charge Q is discussed both analytically and numerically. The energy of the solutions behaves as E ∼ |Q|α, α < 1, i.e., as for the standard Q-ball. Furthermore, the ratio E/Q for various configurations in the multi-component model suggests that the solutions are at least classically stable.