bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Modularity, Seeding, and Product Inhibition on Peptide Autocatalytic Network Dynamics
Authors: Hordijk Wim , Shichor Shira , Ashkenasy Gonen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChemical networks often exhibit emergent, systems‐level properties that cannot be simply derived from the linear sum of the individual components. The design and analysis of increasingly complex chemical networks thus constitute a major area of research in Systems Chemistry. In particular, much research is focused on the emergence of functional properties in prebiotic chemical networks relevant to the origin and early evolution of life. Here, we apply a formal framework known as RAF theory to study the dynamics of a complex network of mutually catalytic peptides. We investigate in detail the influence of network modularity, initial template seeding, and product inhibition on the network dynamics. We show that these results can be useful for designing new experiments, and further argue how they are relevant to origin of life studies.
Improving intergroup relations between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland via E‐contact
Authors: White Fiona A. , Turner Rhiannon N. , Verrelli Stefano , Harvey Lauren J. , Hanna Jeffrey R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNorthern Ireland is characterised by extensive segregation between its predominantly Catholic and Protestant communities. With the aim of overcoming this segregation, the current study experimentally evaluated the effectiveness of electronic or E‐contact as a novel indirect contact and prejudice‐reduction strategy. Here, Catholic and Protestant participants were not required to meet physically but were involved in a collaborative and goal‐orientated online interaction with a member of the other community. As predicted, E‐contact improved both Catholics’ and Protestants’ outgroup attitudes via improved contact expectancies and reduced intergroup anxiety. These findings provide support for the contemporary role of online interactions in actively overcoming the physical and psychological barriers that often prevent prejudice reduction in segregated communities.
Description of Complex Fluids Electrochemical Data in the Frame of Percolation Model
Authors: R. Nigmatullin Raoul , Sidelnikov Artem V. , Budnikov Herman C. , Maksyutova Elza I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn the paper, the percolation model (PM) developed earlier for description of data associated with complex fluids was successfully applied. As an example, we analyzed the virgin olive oil electrochemical data. In spite of the fact that this complex fluid as olive oil contains more than 100 different chemical components, it becomes possible to describe the dependencies J(U) (defined in electrochemistry as the voltammograms (VAGs)) in terms of the percolation model. This model takes into account the behavior of the conducting/percolation currents in meso‐region and dependencies of the fractal dimension versus applied potential U. It was proved that this model was applicable for three basic regions: cathode region (where positive charges are mainly concentrated), capacitor (Faraday) region and anode region (where negative charges were mainly located). For these three basic conventional regions known in electrochemistry, we obtained the excellent coincidence of the fitting function obtained in the frame of PM with experimental data. These results prove that this meso‐model can be applicable for description of wide set of data including different complex solutions and fluids.
Rapid and sensitive double‐label based immunochromatographic assay for zearalenone detection in cereals
Authors: Wang Du , Zhang Zhaowei , Zhang Qi , Wang Zhongzheng , Zhang Wen , Yu Li , Li Hui , Jiang Jun , Li Peiwu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA double‐label immunochromatographic based assay (DL‐ICA) was developed to monitor zearalenone (ZEN) levels in cereals, based on Eu3+ nanoparticles (EuNP). The DL‐ICA exhibited excellent sensitivity, reliability and selectivity in real samples. It showed low limits of detection (0.21–0.25 μg/kg) and broad analytical ranges (up to 120 μg/kg). The total analytical time, including sample preparation and DL‐ICA execution, was reduced by 15 min compared with HPLC. The recovery rates ranged from 95.0–118.4%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) <11.6%. Inter‐ and intra‐day validations were assessed, recovery rates of 89.3–106.9% and RSD of 2.3–9.7% were obtained, suggesting considerable stability and reliability for the assay. An excellent correlation was observed between DL‐ICA and a reference HPLC method (R2 = 0.9899). Compared to current immunoassays, the current DL‐ICA is inexpensive, highly sensitive, and rapid. Therefore, DL‐ICA constitutes a novel tool for monitoring mycotoxins in food and feed to ensure safety.
Substrate specificity of α‐humulene synthase from Zingiber zerumbet Smith and determination of kinetic constants by a spectrophotometric assay
Authors: Alemdar Semra , König Jan Christoph , Seidel Katja , Kirschning Andreas , Scheper Thomas , Beutel Sascha 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTerpene synthases are the key enzymes in terpene biosynthesis that provide a structurally complex and highly diverse product spectrum. A suitable and reliable analytical assay is indispensable to measure terpene synthase activity accurately and precisely. In this study, a malachite green assay (MG) was adapted to rapidly assay terpene synthase activity and was validated in comparison to an already established gas chromatography assay. A linear correlation between both assays was observed. Kinetic properties for the previously described sesquiterpene synthase α‐humulene synthase (HUM) from Zingiber zerumbet Smith were investigated for the bioconversion of the monoterpene precursors geranyl pyrophosphate (2E‐GPP) and neryl pyrophosphate (2Z‐NPP) as well as for the sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl pyrophosphate (2E,6E‐FPP). Also, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GS‐MS) was carried out to identify the products of the bioconversion of (2E)‐GPP and (2Z)‐NPP.
Mutual fitness benefits arise during coevolution in a nematode-defensive microbe model
Authors: Rafaluk-Mohr Charlotte , Ashby Ben , Dahan Dylan A. , King Kayla C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSpecies interactions can shift along the parasitism-mutualism continuum. However, the consequences of these transitions for coevolutionary interactions remain unclear. We experimentally coevolved a novel species interaction between Caenorhabditis elegans hosts and a mildly parasitic bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis, with host-protective properties against virulent Staphylococcus aureus. Coinfections drove the evolutionary transition of the C. elegans–E. faecalis relationship toward a reciprocally beneficial interaction. As E. faecalis evolved to protect nematodes against S. aureus infection, hosts adapted by accommodating greater numbers of protective bacteria. The mutualism was strongest in pairings of contemporary coevolved populations. To generally assess the conditions under which these defensive mutualisms can arise and coevolve, we analyzed a model that showed that they are favored when mild parasites confer an intermediate level of protection. Our results reveal that coevolution can shape the transition of animal-parasite interactions toward defensive symbioses in response to coinfections.
Geochemistry and geochronology of the Shihuiyao ophiolite from the Kelameili suture in East Junggar: Constraint on the tectonic evolution of the Kelameili Ocean
Authors: Liu Junfeng , Xu Xiaoyi , Wang Lei , Li Yong 
Published: May 2018

The Kelameili suture located between the eastern Tianshan Junggar Plate and the Harlik island arc in east Tianshan. This suture is well known as identifying the Kelameili ophiolite and the Tucker Takezale ophiolitic melange. This paper first reports a new discovery of the Shihuiyao ophiolite, which is 70 km away from the Takezale ophiolitic mélange to the east. It is mainly composed of the variable serpentinized peridotite, metagabbro, and minor siliceous rocks. The serpentinite and gabbros are characterized by high content of Al2O3 and normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB)‐type rare earth element compositions. These rocks also show a typical characteristic of origin of island arc setting with depletion of high‐field strength element (HFSE) and enrichment of large‐ion lithophile element (LILE). The LA‐ICP‐MS dating of zircon grains from gabbros gave a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 352 Ma, which was interpreted to represent the age of the Kelameili Ocean. This paper provided an important constraint on the tectonic evolution of the Kelameili Ocean.
Stochastic modelling of a diffusive wave for flood propagation using the random walk particle tracking method in a hypothetical city
Authors: Noor Kashif , Elfeki Amro M. M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDeterministic numerical schemes have been widely used for the solution of the diffusive wave (DW) equation, however, these schemes are computationally costly and suffer instability issues. This paper presents a stochastic random walk particle tracking (RWPT) method to solve such an equation for a dam‐break flow problem. Three different wave duration scenarios are presented for simulations of the DW for flood flows in a hypothetical city. The hypothetical city is represented by a domain of size 2,000 m by 500 m in x and y directions, respectively. The domain is divided into 25 m by 25 m cells. A dam is located at the upstream of the hypothetical city. Each scenario has a distinct propagation pattern after the dam is breached. Analysed and presented are 18 different simulations, which are composed of three different building configurations, two different bed slopes, and three different shapes of hydrographs. In this method, the flood volume is divided into a large number of particles where each particle carries a fixed amount of the flood volume. These particles undergo convective and diffusive movements, and their superposition represents propagation of the DW in the flow domain. The solution algorithm of the RWPT‐based equations is used to compute flood inundation depths in the hypothetical city. Comparison is drawn among the simulated results from three different shapes of the inflow hydrographs. The proposed stochastic method has two major advantages over traditional deterministic schemes: (a) greater efficiency, thus lesser computational costs, and (b) no instability issues.
Small arrays of maximum coverage
Authors: Das Shagnik , Mészáros Tamás 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGiven a set S of symbols, and integers and , an array is said to cover a t‐set of columns if all sequences in appear as rows in the corresponding subarray of A. If A covers all t‐subsets of columns, it is called an ‐covering array. These arrays have a wide variety of applications, driving the search for small covering arrays. Here, we consider an inverse problem: rather than aiming to cover all t‐sets of columns with the smallest possible array, we fix the size N of the array to be equal to and try to maximize the number of covered t‐sets. With the machinery of hypergraph Lagrangians, we provide an upper bound on the number of t‐sets that can be covered. A linear algebraic construction shows this bound to be tight; exactly so in the case when v is a prime power and divides k, and asymptotically so in other cases. As an application, by combining our construction with probabilistic arguments, we match the best‐known asymptotics of the covering array number , which is the smallest N for which an ‐covering array exists, and improve the upper bounds on the almost‐covering array number .
“A unique little microcosm”: Exploring a self‐sustaining community project which harnessed social action in a public space
Authors: Waters Hannah C. , Davidson Sarah 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGovernment policy in England encourages communities to capacity build from within. Community psychology has explored the role of community resilience in this process. But what happens if a community appears to lack formalized resources? This article considers such a community in which a grassroots community center thrives outside the boundaries of formalized community organizations. It aimed to find out how this community mobilized, the benefits for those connected, and how the center survives. A grounded theory ‘center as a living organism’ was constructed from the accounts of eleven participants. Results indicate how community centers play a role in promoting individual and community level well‐being and preventing distress. The importance of learning from progressive community initiatives and more partnership working between National Health Service, statutory, voluntary, and community groups is indicated. Effective engagement with and across communities to promote resilience and well‐being is also a theme of the responses to recent events in England, such as the terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.
A potential antiapoptotic regulation: The interaction of heat shock protein 70 and apoptosis‐inducing factor mitochondrial 1 during heat stress and aestivation in sea cucumber
Authors: Wang Shasha , Li Xingke , Chen Muyan , Storey Kenneth B. , Wang Tianming 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) has become a good model organism for studying environmentally induced aestivation in marine invertebrates. A characteristic feature of aestivation in this species is the degeneration of the intestine. In the current study, we hypothesized that energy conservation and cytoprotective strategies need to be coordinated in the intestine to ensure long‐term survival during aestivation, and there was potential relationship between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and apoptosis‐inducing factor mitochondrial 1 (AIFM1) during extreme environmental stress. AIFM1 is a bifunctional flavoprotein that is involved in the caspase‐independent activation of apoptosis. The gene and protein expression profiles of AjAIFM1 and AjHSP70 in intestinal tissue during aestivation were analyzed and results showed an inverse correlation between them, AjAIFM1 being suppressed during aestivation whereas AjHSP70 was strongly upregulated. Comparable responses were also seen when intestinal cells were isolated and analyzed in vitro for responses to heat stress at 25°C (a water temperature typical during aestivation), compared with 15°C control cells. Combined with co‐immunoprecipitation studies in vivo and in vitro, our results suggested that AjHSP70 protein may have potential interaction with AjAIFM1. To determine the influence of heat stress on apoptotic rate of intestinal cells, we also assessed the DNA fragmentation by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling assay, and results also supported a potential antiapoptotic response in sea cucumber during heat stress. This type of cytoprotective mechanism could be used to preserve the existing cellular components during long‐term aestivation in sea cucumber.
A numerical model for solving time delay and phase inconsistency problem in the data acquisition system of very long baseline interferometry
Authors: Wan Guo Chun , Liu Wen Jing , Yin Gui Zhu , Tong Mei Song 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe developed an advanced data acquisition system for the very long baseline interferometry used for deep‐space detection in recent years. However, there are serious time delay and phase inconsistency problems in the data acquisition system, which greatly increase the complexity of subsequent processors and reduce measurement accuracy. To solve the problem, we establish a numerical model to analyze the specific reasons and propose a novel scheme to achieve a much better performance by optimizing the mixed digital direct synthesizer (DDS) for frequencies. We find that the DDS module cannot output an accurate phase and correct this inaccuracy by changing the original design of DDS module. Simulation and measurement results show that the redesign of DDS can remove the inconsistency of time delay and phases and improve the mixed performance.
Foliar application of selenium for protection against the first stages of mycotoxin infection of crop plant leaves
Authors: Kornaś Andrzej , Filek Maria , Sieprawska Apolonia , Bednarska‐Kozakiewicz Elżbieta , Gawrońska Katarzyna , Miszalski Zbigniew 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the application of selenium (Se) ions directly to the leaf surface can protect plants against infection by the fungal toxin zearalenone (ZEA). The experiments were performed for the most common and agronomically important crops such as wheat, oat, and barley (both tolerant and sensitive varieties) because mycotoxin accumulation in plants is the cause of many diseases in animals and people.RESULTSZEA at a concentration of 10 µmol L–1 either alone or in combination with Se (5 µmol L–1 Na2SeO4) was applied to the second leaf of seedlings. Visualization of leaf temperature profiles by infrared thermography demonstrated a decrease in temperature at the location of ZEA infection that was more noticeable in sensitive genotypes. The presence of Se significantly suppressed changes at the site of ZEA application in all tested plants, especially the tolerant genotypes. Microscopic observations confirmed that foliar administration of ZEA resulted in its penetration to deeper localized cells and that damage induced by ZEA (mainly to chloroplasts) decreased after Se application. Analyses of antioxidant enzymes demonstrated the involvement of Se in antioxidation mechanisms, in particular by activating SOD and CAT under ZEA‐induced stress conditions.CONCLUSIONThe foliar application of Se to seedling leaves may be a non‐invasive method of protecting crops against the first steps of ZEA infection. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Microencapsulated betacyanin from colored organic quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): optimization, physicochemical characterization and accelerated storage stability
Authors: Aguilar‐Tuesta Silvana , Mamani‐Navarro Wile , Espinoza‐Silva Clara , Basilio‐Atencio Jaime , Condezo‐Hoyos Luis 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDBetalains are presently gaining popularity as pigments for use as natural colorants and/or bioactive compounds in functional foods. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been recognized as an extremely nutritious grain and has recently been found to be a novel and good betalain source. Microencapsulation has been studied as a protected‐delivery procedure to stabilize betalains. There are no studies about microencapsulation of betacyanins extracted from quinoa using spray‐drying technology.RESULTSOptimal microencapsulation was obtained at a drying temperature of 165 °C, a rotameter air flow rate of 47 mm (940 L h−1) and 10% w/w maltodextrin, which produced good encapsulation yield (58.1%) and efficiency (100%). Optimized maltodextrin–betacyanin microcapsules (diameter 4.4 μm) have low moisture (1.64 ± 0.08%) and water activity (0.127 ± 0.006), a betacyanin content of 0.1995 ± 0.0017 g kg−1 and saponin content <0.080 mg kg−1. The oxygen consumption rate by betacyanin was −4.373 × 10−5 bar min−1 at 80 °C and −6.67 × 10−5 bar min−1 at 90 °C, which was accompanied by fading of the color.CONCLUSIONMicroencapsulated betacyanin was optimized by response surface methodology, and its stability was measured under accelerated conditions by oxygen consumption. Microencapsulations contain betacyanin and low saponin concentration, which might confer unique health‐promoting properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The role of production process and information on quality expectations and perceptions of sparkling wines
Authors: Vecchio Riccardo , Lisanti Maria T , Caracciolo Francesco , Cembalo Luigi , Gambuti Angelita , Moio Luigi , Siani Tiziana , Marotta Giuseppe , Nazzaro Concetta , Piombino Paola 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study, by combining sensory and experimental economics techniques, aims to analyse to what extent the production process, and the information about it, may affect consumer preferences. Sparkling wines produced by Champenoise and Charmat methods were the object of the study. A quantitative descriptive sensory analysis with a trained panel and non‐hypothetical auctions combined with hedonic ratings involving young wine consumers (N = 100), under different information scenarios (Blind, Info and Info Taste), were performed.RESULTSThe findings show that the production process impacts both the sensory profile of sparkling wines and consumer expectations. In particular, the hedonic ratings revealed that when tasting the products, both with no information on the production process (Blind) and with such information (Info Taste), the consumers preferred the Charmat wines. On the contrary, when detailed information on the production methods was given without tasting (Info), consumers liked the two Champenoise wines more.CONCLUSIONIt can be concluded that sensory and non‐sensory attributes of sparkling wines affect consumers' preferences. Specifically, the study suggests that production process information strongly impacts liking expectations, while not affecting informed liking. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Process‐Driven Microstructure Control in Melt‐Extrusion‐Based 3D Printing for Tailorable Mechanical Properties in a Polycaprolactone Filament
Authors: Liu Fengyuan , Vyas Cian , Poologasundarampillai Gowsihan , Pape Ian , Hinduja Srichand , Mirihanage Wajira , Bartolo Paulo J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract3D printing techniques are utilized to produce biomaterial scaffolds with porous architectures that enable cell attachment, biological factors, and appropriate mechanical strength. As the basic building block of a scaffold, the individual filaments should have sufficient mechanical properties, comprising high compressive loading, and fracture resistance to mimic the natural tissue organisation. In this contribution, process–structure–property relationships in melt extruded polycaprolactone filaments are investigated by considering crystalline features, tensile properties, and an array of processing parameters. The tensile properties of the filaments are improved significantly with relatively higher screw rotational speed and relatively lower processing temperature resulting in considerable increase in Young's modulus. The favorable properties are attributed to the increased crystal volume fraction and anisotropy. Thus, this study provides initial pathways for the potential control of mechanical properties of bioscaffolds via engineering crystalline structural features in printed filaments.