bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New biomolecular tools for aerobiological monitoring: Identification of major allergenic Poaceae species through fast real‐time PCR
Authors: Ghitarrini Sofia , Pierboni Elisa , Rondini Cristina , Tedeschini Emma , Tovo Gloria R. , Frenguelli Giuseppe , Albertini Emidio 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGrasses (Poaceae) are very common plants, which are widespread in all environments and urban areas. Despite their economical importance, they can represent a problem to humans due to their abundant production of allergenic pollen. Detailed information about the pollen season for these species is needed in order to plan adequate therapies and to warn allergic people about the risks they take in certain areas at certain moments. Moreover, precise identification of the causative species and their allergens is necessary when the patient is treated with allergen‐specific immunotherapy. The intrafamily morphological similarity of grass pollen grains makes it impossible to distinguish which particular species is present in the atmosphere at a given moment. This study aimed at developing new biomolecular tools to analyze aerobiological samples and identifying major allergenic Poaceae taxa at subfamily or species level, exploiting fast real‐time PCR. Protocols were tested for DNA extraction from pollen sampled with volumetric and gravimetric methods. A fragment of the matK plastidial gene was amplified and sequenced in Poaceae species known to have high allergological impact. Species‐ and subfamily‐specific primer–probe systems were designed and tested in fast real‐time PCRs to evaluate the presence of these taxa in aerobiological pollen samples. Species‐specific systems were obtained for four of five studied species. A primer–probe set was also proposed for the detection of Pooideae (a grass subfamily that includes also major cereal grains) in aerobiological samples, as this subfamily includes species carrying both grass allergens from groups 1 and 5. These, among the 11 groups in which grass pollen allergens are classified, are considered responsible for the most frequent and severe symptoms.
A new strategy to infer circularity applied to four new complete frog mitogenomes
Authors: Jacob Machado Denis , Janies Daniel , Brouwer Cory , Grant Taran 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe applied a novel strategy to infer sequence circularity and complete assembly of four mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of the frog families Bufonidae (Melanophryniscus moreirae), Dendrobatidae (Hyloxalus subpunctatus and Phyllobates terribilis), and Scaphiopodidae (Scaphiopus holbrookii). These are the first complete mitogenomes of these four genera and Scaphiopodidae. We assembled mitogenomes from short genomic sequence reads using a baiting and iterative mapping strategy followed by a new ad hoc mapping strategy developed to test for assembly circularization. To assess the quality of the inferred circularization, we used Bowtie2 alignment scores and a new per‐position sequence coverage value (which we named “connectivity”). Permutation tests with 400 iterations per specimen and 1% or 5% chance of mutation at the ends of the putative circular sequences showed that the proposed method is highly sensitive, with a single nucleotide insertion or deletion being sufficient for circularity to be rejected. False positives comprised only 2% of all observations and possessed significantly lower alignment scores. The size, gene content, and gene arrangement of each mitogenome differed among the species but matched the expectations for their clades. We argue that basic studies on circular sequences can benefit from the results and bioinformatics procedures introduced here, especially when closely related references are lacking.
The environmental zero‐point problem in evolutionary reaction norm modeling
Authors: Ergon Rolf 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThere is a potential problem in present quantitative genetics evolutionary modeling based on reaction norms. Such models are state‐space models, where the multivariate breeder's equation in some form is used as the state equation that propagates the population state forward in time. These models use the implicit assumption of a constant reference environment, in many cases set to zero. This zero‐point is often the environment a population is adapted to, that is, where the expected geometric mean fitness is maximized. Such environmental reference values follow from the state of the population system, and they are thus population properties. The environment the population is adapted to, is, in other words, an internal population property, independent of the external environment. It is only when the external environment coincides with the internal reference environment, or vice versa, that the population is adapted to the current environment. This is formally a result of state‐space modeling theory, which is an important theoretical basis for evolutionary modeling. The potential zero‐point problem is present in all types of reaction norm models, parametrized as well as function‐valued, and the problem does not disappear when the reference environment is set to zero. As the environmental reference values are population characteristics, they ought to be modeled as such. Whether such characteristics are evolvable is an open question, but considering the complexity of evolutionary processes, such evolvability cannot be excluded without good arguments. As a straightforward solution, I propose to model the reference values as evolvable mean traits in their own right, in addition to other reaction norm traits. However, solutions based on an evolvable G matrix are also possible.
Runoff from biocrust: A vital resource for vegetation performance on Mediterranean steppes
Authors: Rodríguez‐Caballero Emilio , Chamizo Sonia , Roncero‐Ramos Beatriz , Román Raúl , Cantón Yolanda 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDryland vegetation is limited by water scarcity, and usually appears in the form of sparsely distributed patches within a heterogeneous unvegetated matrix often covered by biological soil crust. Biocrusts usually act as runoff sources, whereas vegetation acts as sinks, reinfiltrating most of the run‐on from upstream biocrusted areas. Alteration of biocrusts by human disturbances or climate change may exert a strong impact on soil erosion, promoting rill formation, increasing flow connectivity between source areas and reducing run‐on inputs to vegetation, strongly affecting ecosystem functioning. The role of biocrust runoff in vegetation productivity, which to date has not been studied in depth, must therefore be understood to predict the consequences of such changes. In this study, we analysed the response of Machrochloa tenacissima to run‐on exclusion for two years and compared it to the performance of plants of the same species receiving runoff from biocrusted source patches. The results showed that plants receiving run‐on had more photosynthetically active biomass, net C uptake rates and water‐use efficiency than plants under run‐on exclusion. Differences between treatments became wider over time, especially after rainfall, when the differences in water availability were greatest. These results lead to the conclusion that run‐on is a crucial water input for dryland vegetation. Any alteration of unvegetated areas usually covered by biocrust may have important effects on vegetation productivity similar to those from changes in precipitation pattern, and would result in a new, eco‐hydrological equilibrium of the whole ecosystem.
The impact of aerobic exercise training with vascular occlusion in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Tanaka Yasushi , Takarada Yudai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of aerobic exercise training with vascular occlusion in patients with chronic heart failure.Methods and resultsThirty patients with post‐infarction heart failure were randomized to an interventional exercise group (IG; n = 15) or a control exercise group (CG; n = 15). Exercise was performed at an intensity of 40–70% of the peak VO2/W for 6 months. Patients in the IG remained seated on the saddle of the cycle ergometer with their feet on the pedals. Pneumatic tourniquets were applied to the proximal ends of their thighs with appropriate pressure resulting in a 40–80 mmHg increase in the systolic blood pressure that is required for vascular occlusion (208.7 ± 7.4 mmHg). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the intervention and its effect on exercise capacity and serum BNP levels. There were no significant differences between the IG and CG in patient characteristics at study entry. Peak VO2/W in the IG significantly increased compared with that in the CG; the change in the serum BNP levels was significantly larger in the IG than in the CG.ConclusionsThese results suggest that aerobic exercise training with vascular occlusion can improve exercise capacity and serum BNP levels in patients with chronic heart failure.
The 2‐(4‐Phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethanol‐Based Phosphinite Ligand Ph2POCH2CH2[1,2,3‐N3C(Ph)C(H)] – Synthesis, Transition‐Metal Complexes, and Structural Studies
Authors: Choubey Bimba , Prasad Pandey Sameer , Mague Joel T. , Balakrishna Maravanji S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is MaravanjiàS. Balakrishna from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India. The cover image shows the new triazole‐based phosphinite ligand and its ability to stabilize various coordination modes.
Insects as Food: Fatty Acid Profiles, Lipid Classes, and sn‐2 Fatty Acid Distribution of Lepidoptera Larvae
Authors: Guil‐Guerrero José L. , Ramos‐Bueno Rebeca P. , González‐Fernández María J. , Fabrikov Dmitri , Sánchez‐Muros María J. , Barroso Fernando G. 
Published: March 2018

The aim of this work is to assess the fatty acid (FA) profiles, the lipid classes, and the positional distribution of FA within the triacylglycerol (TAG) structure of the lipids extracted from Lepidoptera larvae, compared with Diptera and Coleoptera ones. The major essential FA in most species was α‐linolenic acid (ALA), at 62.5 mol% of total FA in Caligo memnon. Oleic acid (OA) was found in high amounts in Galleria mellonella, at 44.8 mol% of total FA. The n‐6/n‐3 ratio was below 1 in 12 of the 15 species surveyed, reaching 14.8 in Oryctes nasicornis. As for lipid fractions, an increase in the amounts of stearic and linoleic acids in the phospholipids fraction was observed. Distribution of FA in the sn‐2 position of TAG is assessed through enzymatic hydrolysis reaction. Bombyx mori larvae contain ALA at 49.1 mol% of total FA at the sn‐2 position of TAG, while OA is the main FA in sn‐2 position in G. mellonella (88.5 mol% of total FA). Overall, Lepidoptera larvae constitute a rich source of specifically located at the sn‐2 position OA and ALA, and similar or better than current sources. Initial data on other insect orders also points in this direction.Practical Applications: The present study develops knowledge about the lipid classes of Lepidoptera larvae, as well as on their regiospecific FA profiles. The data from Lepidoptera species are compared to other ones obtained from samples belonging to Diptera and Coleoptera. Insects are rich in essential amino acids; therefore if they contain omega‐3 and omega‐9 FA, would be healthy alternatives to other commonly consumed animal foods, which tend to be rich in saturated and omega‐6 FA. Therefore, it is necessary to check different species to know their FA profile, as well as both the structure of their TAG and their lipid classes. Lepidoptera larvae constitute an alternative source of OA‐ and ALA‐rich oils, which can be devoted for food use, as well as for using in the food and pharmaceutical industries, with agronomic implications.The lipid classes and the regiospecific fatty acid profiles of several Lepidoptera larvae (Class Insecta) with different geographic origin and compared to that of Coleoptera and Diptera is achieved. Enzymatic hydrolysis reaction shows that oleic and α‐linolenic acids are preferably located at the sn‐2 position of triacylglycerols in most of the analyzed species. According to the results of this work, new functional oils extracted from various insect species can be obtained.
‘Would it not be better to get someone out workin?’: ‘Safe prejudice’ against Polish workers
Authors: McVittie Chris , McKinlay Andy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOne recurring criticism of immigrant groups is their alleged failure to be employed and contribute to the host society. Here we examine how speakers mobilise a criticism that has attracted less research attention: that through their economic activity immigrant groups usurp others’ employment entitlements. Discourse analysis of data from seven focus group discussions about pre‐Brexit Polish immigration into the UK, involving 31 UK nationals, shows that participants accomplish exclusionary outcomes in two divergent ways. The first attributes qualities to Polish workers but also makes explicit the consequences of these attributions for UK nationals, rendering speakers’ investment in such claims visible. The second relies on the production of category pairs, within which claims can be made for the category that excludes Polish workers. This use of categories comprises ‘safe prejudice’, a form of prejudice not previously identified but which is less open to challenge than other forms of prejudiced talk.
A dual‐process motivational model of attitudes towards vegetarians and vegans
Authors: Judge Madeline , Wilson Marc S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractVegetarians and vegans comprise a minority of most western populations. However, relatively little research has investigated the psychological foundations of attitudes towards this minority group. The following study employs a dual process model of intergroup attitudes to explore the motivational basis of non‐vegetarians' attitudes towards vegetarians and vegans. Participants were 1,326 individuals recruited through advertisements in a national newspaper in New Zealand. Non‐vegetarian participants first completed measures of ideological attitudes and social worldviews, and then were randomly assigned to complete a measure of outgroup attitudes towards either vegetarians or vegans. Although non‐vegetarians' attitudes towards both vegetarians and vegans were generally positive, attitudes towards vegans were significantly less positive than attitudes towards vegetarians, and male participants expressed significantly less positive attitudes towards both outgroups than female participants. The structural equation model predicting attitudes towards vegetarians and vegans fit the data well and explained a significant amount of the variance in attitudes.
Pathways to intercultural accuracy: Social projection processes and core cultural values
Authors: Mor Shira , Toma Claudia , Schweinsberg Martin , Ames Daniel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe present research examines intercultural accuracy—people's ability to make accurate judgments about outgroup values—and the role of social projection processes. Across four studies, U.S. and British participants showed low overall levels of intercultural accuracy for Chinese students’ individualistic and collectivistic values. In line with recent changes toward individualism in China, we observed different levels of intercultural accuracy, hinging on whether the criterion values of Chinese were assessed before (2001) or after (2015) this shift. Important for the study of social projection, we observed that U.S./British participants projected their values onto the outgroup. Social projection tendency (measured in Study 2 and manipulated in Study 3) was associated with greater intercultural accuracy. The relationship between projection and accuracy also depended on the shifts in individualistic values of Chinese. Important for the study of intergroup relations, accuracy was positively associated with interest in future relationships with the Chinese.
Fabrication of Surface‐enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) – Active Electrodes by Silver Sputtering Deposition for Electrochemical SERS Analysis
Authors: Zhu Zicheng , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Saito Masato , Fan Bin , Tamiya Eiichi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSERS‐active screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) are extensively applied for electrochemical SERS biosensors with the advantages of portable, inexpensive cost, fast measurement, and sensitive detection. In our work, a useful fabrication method of sputtering deposition for SERS‐active SPEs was proposed. Two kinds of working electrodes of SPE which were carbon electrode and gold electrode were successfully deposited by silver nanoparticles. Besides, the sputtering experiments of different substrates (paper, glass epoxy and polyethylene terephthalate) of the SPE were also conducted. The comparison of SERS enhancement of rhodamine 6G (R6G) on different kinds of SERS‐active SPEs was introduced. In addition, the relationship between the surface roughness and SERS enhancement has been investigated. The enhancement factor (EF) of Ag/carbon and Ag/gold electrode were estimated as 2.8×105 and 2.2×107, respectively. From the SERS experiments, the lower background noise of SERS signals could be observed through sputtering deposition method compared with the citrate reduction method. Furthermore, spectro‐electrochemical analysis of uric acid was studied. The SERS signals were strongly increased upon the modulation of the applied voltage. These results demonstrated the applicability of this mass producible fabrication method for producing SERS‐active SPEs, as well as, highlighting the future potential of commercial bio‐applications.
Oriented, One‐Dimensional Tin Dioxide–Titanium Dioxide Composites as Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kacica Clayton T. , Wang Louis S. , Chadha Tandeep S. , Biswas Pratim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHighly oriented columnar nanostructures of tin dioxide (SnO2) and a composite tin dioxide material with a thin titanium dioxide coating (SnO2–TiO2) are fabricated using aerosol chemical vapor deposition (ACVD) and are utilized as high‐capacity anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries. The SnO2 nanostructures exhibit a specific capacity of 445 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a rate of 1 C, but experience substantial capacity fade at a charge rate of 2 C, and a capacity of 251 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. To enhance the capacity retention a coating of TiO2 is applied to the electrodes. Comparatively, the SnO2–TiO2 electrode exhibits a capacity of 497 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a charge rate of 2 C. Diffusion measurements indicate that no inhibition of lithium diffusion occurs due to a thin TiO2 coating. The superior capacity retention of the composite electrode may be attributed to the protection of SnO2 from irreversible reactions using a TiO2 coating.
Modelling biome‐scale root reinforcement and slope stability
Authors: Hales Tristram C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRapid changes in the composition of hillslope vegetation due to a combination of changing climate and land use make estimating slope stability a significant challenge. The dynamics of root growth on any individual hillslope result in a wide range of root distributions and strengths that are reflected as up to an order of magnitude variability in root cohesion. Hence the challenge of predicting the magnitude of root reinforcement for hillslopes requires both an understanding of the magnitude and variability of root distributions and material properties (e.g. tensile strength, elasticity). Here I develop a model for estimating the reinforcement provided by plant roots based on the distribution of biomass measured at the biome level and a compilation of root tensile strength measurements measured across a range of vegetation types. The model modifies the Wu/Waldron method of calculating root cohesion to calculate the average lateral root cohesion and its variability with depth using the Monte Carlo method. The model was validated in two ways, the first against the predicted depth‐reinforcement characteristics of Appalachian soils and the second using a global dataset of landslides. Model results suggest that the order of magnitude difference in root cohesions measured on individual hillslopes can be captured by the Monte Carlo approach and provide a simple tool to estimate root reinforcement for data‐poor areas. The model also suggests that future hotspots of slope instability will occur in areas where land use and climate convert forest to grassland, rather than changes between different forest structures or forest and shrubland. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Lumbriculus variegatus is a function of dissolved silver and promoted by low sediment pH
Authors: Rajala Juho E. , Vehniäinen Eeva-Riikka , Väisänen Ari , Kukkonen Jussi V. K. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to benthic organisms is a major concern. The use of AgNPs in industry and consumer products leads to increasing release of AgNPs into the aquatic environment—sediments being the major sink. Effects of sediment pH on the toxicity of AgNPs to benthic oligochaeta Lumbriculus variegatus were studied in a 23-d toxicity test. Artificially prepared sediments (pH 5 and 7) were spiked with varying concentrations of uncoated AgNP, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated AgNP, and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as dissolved Ag reference. Number of individuals and biomass change were used as endpoints for the toxicity. The toxic effects were related to the bioaccessible concentration of dissolved Ag in the sediments, assessed with a 2-step extraction procedure. The toxicity of 2 AgNPs was similar and greatly enhanced in the acidic sediment. Because the toxic effects were well related to the bioaccessible concentration of dissolved Ag in the sediments, the toxicity of sediment-associated AgNPs to L. variegatus is suggested to be a function of dissolved Ag rather than a result from NP-specific modes of toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1889–1897. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
Toxicity of silver (Ag) nanoparticles to benthic oligochaeta Lumbriculus variegatus was found to be higher in the more acidic sediment. Toxicity was explained by increased dissolution of silver nanoparticles in the acidic test sediment.