bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond the black box: promoting mathematical collaborations for elucidating interactions in soil ecology
Authors: Bennett Alison E. , Preedy Katharine , Golubski Antonio , Umbanhowar James , Borrett Stuart R. , Byrne Loren , Apostol Kent , Bever James D. , Biederman Lori , Classen Aimée T. , Cuddington Kim , de Graaff Marie‐Anne , Garrett Karen A. , Gross Lou , Hastings Alan , Hoeksema Jason D. , Hrynkiv Volodymyr , Karst Justine , Kummel Miro , Lee Charlotte T. , Liang Chao , Liao Wei , Mack Keenan , Miller Laura , Ownley Bonnie , Rojas Claudia , Simms Ellen L. , Walsh Vonda K. , Warren Matthew , Zhu Jun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractUnderstanding soil systems is critical because they form the structural and nutritional foundation for plants and thus every terrestrial habitat and agricultural system. In this paper, we encourage increased use of mathematical models to drive forward understanding of interactions in soil ecological systems. We discuss several distinctive features of soil ecosystems and empirical studies of them. We explore some perceptions that have previously deterred more extensive use of models in soil ecology and some advances that have already been made using models to elucidate soil ecological interactions. We provide examples where mathematical models have been used to test the plausibility of hypothesized mechanisms, to explore systems where experimental manipulations are currently impossible, or to determine the most important variables to measure in experimental and natural systems. To aid in the development of theory in this field, we present a table describing major soil ecology topics, the theory previously used, and providing key terms for theoretical approaches that could potentially address them. We then provide examples from the table that may either contribute to important incremental developments in soil science or potentially revolutionize our understanding of plant–soil systems. We challenge scientists and mathematicians to push theoretical explorations in soil systems further and highlight three major areas for the development of mathematical models in soil ecology: theory spanning scales and ecological hierarchies, processes, and evolution.
Ecosystem services and disservices of bear foraging on managed timberlands
Authors: Mendia Shannon M. , Johnson Matthew D. , Higley J. Mark 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe literature on ecosystem services has been criticized for inadequately acknowledging culture values and for de‐emphasizing economic disservices. While economic loss due to tree damage by American black bears (Ursus americanus, hereafter bears) may negatively affect timber production, it also alters forest structure and habitat that may contribute to forest wildlife diversity, including culturally significant species. We examined the relationship between bear damage to Douglas‐fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesiivar.menziesii) and response of cavity‐nesting birds on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. We measured disservices from bear damage by calculating current and future timber revenue loss, and ecosystem services by calculating forest structural complexity, abundance and diversity of cavity‐nesting birds, and woodpecker activity. Bear damage was correlated negatively with tree growth and positively with estimated timber loss. Forest structural complexity was positively correlated with bear damage, and cavity‐nester abundance and woodpecker foraging activity were positively correlated with forest structural complexity and bear damage. Pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) and red‐breasted sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus ruber) used bear‐damaged trees out of proportion to their availability, and pileated woodpeckers selected for more structurally complex sample units. Information from this study advances our understanding of the potential for bear foraging to negatively affect economic revenue and the trade‐offs with habitat conditions favoring other important wildlife species. Understanding the costs and benefits of bear damage can help guide management decisions vital to forest managers both on and off tribal lands.
Effect of lightning impulse prestress on AC partial discharge characteristics in cast resin transformer
Authors: Maruyama Hirofumi , Matsuo Kensuke , Kozako Masahiro , Hikita Masayuki , Iida Kazuo , Umemura Tokihiro , Nakamura Yusuke , Nakamae Tetsuo , Maeda Teruhiko , Higashiyama Masakazu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIt is crucial for cast resin transformer to detect void and delamination existing in the cast resin because these defects reduce insulation performance of cast resin equipment. Furthermore, defects are likely to be mixed in cast resin because of several surface boundaries between resin and conductor. It is considered that detecting partial discharge (PD) is effective to diagnose equipment of power equipment. However, it is reported that withstand lightning impulse voltage test may give influence on AC partial discharge test, especially partial discharge inception voltage. This paper deals with accumulated charge in a void under AC voltage to investigate the effect of the impulse voltage prestress on subsequent AC PD characteristics in cast resin transformer. AC PD characteristics were compared before and after impulse application. In addition, recovery of PD characteristics was measured to investigate charge decay. As a result, the mechanism of prestress effect is revealed and surface charge density is estimated quantitatively in cast resin transformer.
Analysis of the influence of natural adsorbent functionalization (Moringa oleifera) for Pb(II) removal from contaminated water
Authors: de Oliveira Tavares Fernanda , de Moraes Pinto Laura A. , Marinozi Vicentini Jean C. , Vieira Marcelo F. , Bergamasco Rosângela , Vieira Angélica M. S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDue to lead (Pb) being highly toxic and harmful to living beings, several techniques have been studied aiming at its removal from contaminated water, with great emphasis on the adsorption process. In this sense, the objective of this study was to investigate if the chemical functionalization in biosorbents of Moringa oleifera pods promotes greater potential in the process of removing lead from aqueous solution. To this end, characterization of biomass was performed by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and zero load point. Additionally, the parameters that influence the efficiency of lead biosorption have been investigated. From the studied parameters, the optimal conditions obtained for both analyzed biosorbents are as follows: 30 min to equilibrium, pH 6 and 25°C temperature. Biosorption studies revealed kinetic modeling of data were better represented by the pseudo‐second model. In relation to adsorption isotherms, the model that best fit the experimental data were the Langmuir model for both biosorbents. When comparing the biosorbents studied, it was concluded that chemical functionalization carried out using basic treatment agent was the most efficient in removing lead ions (II), and the maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 38.52 mg/g.
Bayesian variable selection using partially observed categorical prior information in fine‐mapping association studies
Authors: Alenazi Abdulaziz A. , Cox Angela , Juarez Miguel , Lin Wei‐Yu , Walters Kevin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSeveral methods have been proposed to allow functional genomic information to inform prior distributions in Bayesian fine‐mapping case–control association studies. None of these methods allow the inclusion of partially observed functional genomic information. We use functional significance (FS) scores that combine information across multiple bioinformatics sources to inform our effect size prior distributions. These scores are not available for all single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) but by partitioning SNPs into naturally occurring FS score groups, we show how missing FS scores can easily be accommodated via finite mixtures of elicited priors. Most current approaches adopt a formal Bayesian variable selection approach and either limit the number of causal SNPs allowed or use approximations to avoid the need to explore the vast parameter space. We focus instead on achieving differential shrinkage of the effect sizes through prior scale mixtures of normals and use marginal posterior probability intervals to select candidate causal SNPs. We show via a simulation study how this approach can improve localisation of the causal SNPs compared to existing mutli‐SNP fine‐mapping methods. We also apply our approach to fine‐mapping a region around the CASP8 gene using the iCOGS consortium breast cancer SNP data.
Calf massager: Intervention for body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing
Authors: Ramalingam Kalai Selvan , Karuppiah Karmegam , Ramaiya Shiamala Devi , How Vivien , Perimal Enoch Kumar , Sadeghi Naeini Hassan , Sambasivam Sivasankar , KC Mani Kulanthayan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMany occupations require workers to stand for long periods of time without proper interventions, which causes discomfort in the back and lower limbs. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effectiveness in alleviating body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing through the use of a calf massager. This study was conducted among male workers at a manufacturer with production line workers and the list was obtained from the HR Department and simple random sampling was done by number categorization. A total of 100 respondents (50 respondents for both the control and the experimental groups) participated in this study. The experiment took place in a room with a similar setup for the production line. Each respondent was requested to perform the simulated task for 2 hr. For the experimental group, the calf massager was turned on every 15 min. At every 15‐min interval after turning on the calf massager, respondents from both groups were required to evaluate their discomfort level on a Borg's scale CR‐10 questionnaire. The results showed that the level of body discomfort among respondents in the experimental group reduced (20–30%) compared with that of the control group. Multivariate analysis results revealed that the discomfort rating for the lower back, knees, thighs, calves, and feet was significantly lower (p < .05) among the experimental group compared with the control group. For lower body parts, the lower back region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 90th, 105th, and 120th min; the thigh region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 120th min; the knee region was statistically significant (p < .05) at the 105th and 120th min; the calf region was statistically significant (p < .05) at all minute intervals except the 15th and 45th min, while the feet region, was statistically significant at the 105th and 120th min. Therefore, this study indicates that calf massage treatment is capable of reducing body muscle discomfort during prolonged standing and highlights the significance of calf massage.
Family violence knowledge in culturally diverse communities and organisational preparedness to disseminate information
Authors: Satyen Lata , Hansen Ashlyn , Supol Meu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIssue addressedFamily violence presents a significant threat to the physical and psychological health of individuals and communities, with women from culturally diverse groups experiencing an increased risk of exposure to family violence and barriers to accessing support. It is necessary to examine the knowledge of family violence among these communities and their preferred source of knowledge to facilitate successful family violence prevention strategies.MethodsThirty‐one women (19 Indian and 12 Burmese) completed surveys on their knowledge of family violence, while 10 representatives from community organisations completed surveys on their readiness to participate in family violence prevention efforts. This was followed by 54 community organisations disseminating information about family violence through a poster.ResultsFindings showed that the level of knowledge among culturally diverse communities is variable, with Indian women showing a greater understanding of a range of aspects of family violence compared to Burmese women. Findings also indicated a high degree of preparedness within organisations serving these communities to address family violence.ConclusionThe findings from the present study elucidate the state of family violence‐related knowledge amongst the Indian and Burmese communities in a large municipality in Melbourne, Australia, and provide insight into community readiness to diffuse family violence‐related information. This increased understanding could be used to enhance family violence prevention efforts in culturally diverse communities.So what?This study provides justification for the need for educational family violence prevention efforts within the Burmese and Indian communities. It also informs us of the importance of engaging with community organisations to implement family violence prevention strategies.
Memory and attention during an alcohol hangover
Authors: Devenney Lydia E. , Coyle Kieran B. , Verster Joris C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate attention, memory functioning, and mood in a natural setting with real‐life alcohol consumption levels.MethodsSeventy‐four participants with a mean (SD) age of 24.5 (7.0) years old participated in a naturalistic study. A between subjects design was applied comparing a hangover group with an (alcohol‐free) control group. Participants in the hangover group consumed a mean (SD) of 13.8 (10.2) alcoholic drinks the night before testing. Cognitive tests included the Stroop test, Eriksen's flanker test, a divided attention test, intradimensional–extradimensional set shifting test, spatial working memory test, and free word recall test.ResultsThe hangover group had increased reaction times compared with the control group. Selective attention (Stroop and Eriksen's Flanker test performance) was significantly impaired during alcohol hangover. However, the number of errors did not differ significantly between the groups in any task. Mood assessments revealed that the hangover group reported significantly higher levels of drowsiness and clumsiness compared with the control group.ConclusionSelective attention was significantly impaired during alcohol hangover. The differences between the hangover and control group did not reach significance for other forms of attention or memory.
Thyroid structure and function in long‐term lithium‐treated and lithium‐naïve bipolar patients
Authors: Kraszewska Agnieszka , Ziemnicka Katarzyna , Jończyk‐Potoczna Katarzyna , Sowiński Jerzy , Rybakowski Janusz K. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare the structure and function of the thyroid in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) receiving long‐term lithium treatment, with BD patients never receiving lithium.MethodsNinety‐eight patients (68 female and 30 male), aged 62 ± 13 years, receiving lithium for 3–47 years (mean 19 ± 10 years), and 39 patients (27 female and 12 male), aged 57 ± 10 years, receiving other mood‐stabilizing drugs but never treated with lithium, were included. The thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4) were estimated, and the ultrasonographic study of the thyroid gland was performed.ResultsCompared with patients not receiving lithium, lithium‐treated patients had significantly higher concentrations of TSH and fT4 and the lower concentration of fT3. However, the percentage of hypothyroidism was not different in both groups. Lithium‐treated patients also had significantly higher thyroid volume, the higher number of focal changes >1 cm, and more frequent goiter. The structural changes were not related to the hormones' concentrations.ConclusionsThe results show a significant association between long‐term lithium treatment and the increase of TSH and fT4, the decrease of fT3, higher thyroid volume, and more frequent goiter and nodular goiter. The effect of lithium on thyroid structure was not associated with its effect on thyroid hormones.
Sustainable Seafood and Vegetable Production: Aquaponics as a Potential Opportunity in Urban Areas
Authors: Wu Fan , Ghamkhar Ramin , Ashton Weslynne , Hicks Andrea L 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Global population growth will increase pressures on current food systems in order to supply adequate protein and produce to the increasingly urban world population. The environmental impact of food production is a critical area of study as it influences water and air quality, ecosystem functions, and energy consumption. Aquaponics (in which seafood and vegetables are grown in a closed-loop system) has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of food production. A review of the current environmental and economic considerations is provided in order to identify current research gaps. Research gaps exist with respect to 1) diversity of aquatic and plant species studied; 2) inconsistent bounds, scope, and lifetime across studies; 3) diverse allocation of the environmental and economic impacts to the coproducts; 4) scale of systems considered; 5) transportation of produced food; and 6) presence of heavy metals, pests, and pathogens with human health implications. These aspects require increased attention to close the existing gaps prior to widescale deployment of these systems for increased sustainable food production toward satisficing human needs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1–12. © 2019 SETAC
Standardization of diagnosis for coiling of the umbilical cord around fetal neck by ultrasound
Authors: Chen Yan‐Hong , Liu Xiao , Xu Chun‐Mei , Yan Si‐Ping , Hu Qiao , Long Fei‐Wen , Qin Gui‐Can 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo elucidate classification of coiling of the umbilical cord around fetal neck (CUFN) by ultrasound and forming factors of entanglement angle of CUFN.MethodsFrom January 2006 to December 2012, color Doppler ultrasonic was used to observe the blood flow vector of umbilical artery, and prospective descriptive observation was made for entanglement direction and type of 707 single fetuses taking prenatal examination in our hospital during the middle and late trimester of pregnancy and having umbilical cord echo around the neck. The relationship of position of fetus, position of placenta and entanglement direction of umbilical cord with the entanglement angle of umbilical cord is analyzed.ResultsAmong the 707 fetuses, 634 had one circle of coiling, 43 had two circles of coiling, two had three circles of coiling, and 28 had CUFN. According to entanglement direction, 361 had entanglement from left to right and 318 had entanglement from right to left According to entanglement type, 305 were C‐shaped type (43.14%), 85 were O‐shaped type (12.02%), 289 were α‐shaped type (40.88%), and 28 were L‐shaped type (3.96%).ConclusionColor Doppler ultrasound was used to detect the entanglement direction of umbilical cord and establish the five‐type classification of umbilical cord around the neck, laying the foundation for the feasibility of establishing the normalization of diagnostic standard of umbilical cord around the neck.
Listeriolysin O immunogenetic adjuvant enhanced potency of hepatitis C virus NS3 DNA vaccine
Authors: Pouriayevali Mohammad H. , Bamdad Taravat , Sadat Seyed M. , Sadeghi Seyed A. , Sabahi Farzaneh , Mahdavi Mehdi , Aghasadeghi Mohammad R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem all over the world. Among HCV proteins, nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) is one of the most promising target for anti‐HCV therapy and a candidate for vaccine design. DNA vaccine is an efficient approach to stimulate antigen‐specific immunity but the main problem with that is less immunogenic efficiency in comparison with traditional vaccines. Several approaches have been applied to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA. Recently, bacteria‐derived substances are considered as one of the most attractive adjuvants for vaccines, which among them, Listeriolysin O (LLO) of Listeria monocytogenes is a toxin with an extremely immunogenic feature. We investigated detoxified form of LLO gene as genetic adjuvant to modulate NS3 DNA vaccine potency. Immunogenic truncated NS3 gene sequence of HCV (1095‐1380aa) and detoxified LLO gene region (5‐441aa) were amplified by PCR and cloned into the pcDNA3.1 plasmid separately. The expression of recombinant proteins (pc‐NS3, pLLO) was confirmed in HEK293T cell line by western blotting. BALB/c mice models received three doses of different formula of plasmids in two‐week intervals and two weeks after the final immunization, the immune responses were evaluated by specific total antibody level, lymphocyte proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine levels assays. To evaluate in vivo cytotoxic activity, tumor challenge was performed. The recombinant plasmids were successfully expressed in mammalian cell line, and coadministration of pc‐NS3 with pLLO induced the highest titer of total IgG against NS3 antigen compared with other controls. Determination of IgG subclasses confirmed the efficient increase in mixed responses with Th1 dominancy. Furthermore, significant levels of cytokines (p < .05) and lymphocyte proliferation responses (p < .05) indicated the superiority of this regimen. The findings may have important implication for LLO gene application as genetic adjuvant in immune response against HCV.
LncRNA NBAT1 suppresses cell proliferation and migration via miR‐346/GSK‐3β axis in renal carcinoma
Authors: Xue Sheng , Wang Sheng , Li Jian , Guan Han , Jiang Shengqun , Guo Yuanyuan , Li Qingwen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLong non‐coding RNA (LncRNA) neuroblastoma associated transcript 1 (NBAT1) was demonstrated to be significantly downregulated in renal carcinoma (RCC) cells. However, the function and mechanism of NBAT1 in RCC is poorly understood. The expression of NBAT1 and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β)‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin‐related proteins were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and western blotting in RCC cell lines. Cell viability, migration, and invasion were estimated by CCK‐8 and Transwell assay. The association of miR‐346 with GSK‐3β expression was verified using luciferase assay. NBAT1 was significantly downregulated in RCC cells, and inhibited RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, NBAT1 negatively regulated miR‐346 expression. In addition, miR‐346 overexpression and the knockdown of GSK‐3β, a direct target of miR‐346 could overturn the inhibitory effect of NBAT1 on Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. NBAT1 functioned as an endogenous sponge by competing for miR‐346 binding to GSK‐3β and therefore alleviated RCC cells.