bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring CO2 saturation using time‐lapse amplitude versus offset analysis of 3D seismic data from the Ketzin CO2 storage pilot site, Germany
Authors: Ivandic Monika , Bergmann Peter , Kummerow Juliane , Huang Fei , Juhlin Christopher , Lueth Stefan 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTThe injection of CO2 at the Ketzin pilot site commenced in June 2008 and was terminated in August 2013 after 67 kT had been injected into a saline formation at a depth of 630–650 m. As part of the site monitoring program, four 3D surface seismic surveys have been acquired to date, one baseline and three repeats, of which two were conducted during the injection period, and one during the post‐injection phase. The surveys have provided the most comprehensive images of the spreading CO2 plume within the reservoir layer. Both petrophysical experiments on core samples from the Ketzin reservoir and spectral decomposition of the 3D time‐lapse seismic data show that the reservoir pore pressure change due to CO2 injection has a rather minor impact on the seismic amplitudes. Therefore, the observed amplitude anomaly is interpreted to be mainly due to CO2 saturation. In this study, amplitude versus offset analysis has been applied to investigate the amplitude versus offset response from the top of the sandstone reservoir during the injection and post‐injection phases, and utilize it to obtain a more quantitative assessment of the CO2 gaseous saturation changes. Based on the amplitude versus offset modelling, a prominent decrease in the intercept values imaged at the top of the reservoir around the injection well is indeed associated solely with the CO2 saturation increase. Any change in the gradient values, which would, in case it was positive, be the only signature induced by the reservoir pressure variations, has not been observed. The amplitude versus offset intercept change is, therefore, entirely ascribed to CO2 saturation and used for its quantitative assessment. The estimated CO2 saturation values around the injection area in the range of 40%–60% are similar to those obtained earlier from pulsed neutron‐gamma logging. The highest values of 80% are found in the second seismic repeat in close vicinity to the injection and observation wells.
Wolbachia modifies thermal preference in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Truitt Amy M. , Kapun Martin , Kaur Rupinder , Miller Wolfgang J. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryEnvironmental variation can have profound and direct effects on fitness, fecundity, and host–symbiont interactions. Replication rates of microbes within arthropod hosts, for example, are correlated with incubation temperature but less is known about the influence of host–symbiont dynamics on environmental preference. Hence, we conducted thermal preference (Tp) assays and tested if infection status and genetic variation in endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia affected temperature choice of Drosophila melanogaster. We demonstrate that isogenic flies infected with Wolbachia preferred lower temperatures compared with uninfected Drosophila. Moreover, Tp varied with respect to three investigated Wolbachia variants (wMel, wMelCS, and wMelPop). While uninfected individuals preferred 24.4°C, we found significant shifts of −1.2°C in wMel‐ and −4°C in flies infected either with wMelCS or wMelPop. We, therefore, postulate that Wolbachia‐associated Tp variation within a host species might represent a behavioural accommodation to host–symbiont interactions and trigger behavioural self‐medication and bacterial titre regulation by the host.
Adapting the Police Authority Concept to a Centralised National Police Service: Appearance over Substance in the Republic of Ireland?
Authors: Walsh Dermot 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Republic of Ireland has been convulsed by a series of police corruption scandals over the past fifteen years and they show no sign of abating. In 2015, in an attempt to stem the consequent drain in public confidence in the Garda, the government established a Policing Authority which it presented as ‘the most important single change in the governance of the Garda Síochána in its history’. This article critically examines whether the new Irish Policing Authority can be interpreted as a successful adaptation of the traditional police authority concept to a parliamentary democracy policed by a single, national body. In particular, it considers whether it is equipped to shield the Garda and policing from the influence of partisan political and institutional interests, while at the same time deliver transparent democratic scrutiny of the Garda and policing on behalf of all sections of the community.
What does Malawi's Fertiliser Programme do to Private Sector Fertiliser Sales? A Quasi‐Experimental Field Study
Authors: Kaiyatsa Stevier , Ricker‐Gilbert Jacob , Jumbe Charles 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMalawi implemented reforms to its Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) during the 2015/16 agricultural season that allowed certain large‐scale, private sector fertiliser dealers to sell subsidised fertiliser at their network of retail stores in select districts on a pilot basis. At the same time, small‐scale independent fertiliser dealers were excluded from participating in the pilot. We use a unique panel dataset of large‐scale corporate fertiliser dealers and small‐scale independent fertiliser dealers collected before and after the policy change to estimate the impacts of the FISP on those who participated in the pilot and those who did not, using a difference‐in‐differences estimator. Results indicate that large‐scale dealers who sold the FISP fertiliser under the pilot programme in 2015/16 did not have their commercial sales either crowded‐in or crowded‐out by the FISP pilot. Instead, the average volume of fertiliser sold at each of their retail stores increased by 59% due to an increase in subsidised fertiliser sales. Conversely, small‐scale independent fertiliser dealers who were not allowed participate in the pilot had their commercial sales crowded‐out by the programme. They experienced a 60% decline in the volume of commercial fertiliser sales on average at each store. This implies that the FISP reforms have mainly benefited large‐scale fertiliser dealers who sell 90% of the fertiliser in Malawi, but caused some harm to the many small‐scale independent fertiliser dealers who sell about 10% of the private sector's fertiliser in Malawi, but often operate their businesses in more remote areas.
The emerging roles of protein homeostasis‐governing pathways in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cheng Ji , North Brian J. , Zhang Tao , Dai Xiangpeng , Tao Kaixiong , Guo Jianping , Wei Wenyi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPathways governing protein homeostasis are involved in maintaining the structural, quantitative, and functional stability of intracellular proteins and involve the ubiquitin–proteasome system, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum, and mTOR pathway. Due to the broad physiological implications of protein homeostasis pathways, dysregulation of proteostasis is often involved in the development of multiple pathological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases that feature pathogenic accumulation of misfolded proteins, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by two pathological hallmarks, amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques and tau aggregates. Knockout or transgenic overexpression of various proteostatic components in mice results in AD‐like phenotypes. While both Aβ plaques and tau aggregates could in turn enhance the dysfunction of these proteostatic pathways, eventually leading to apoptotic or necrotic neuronal death and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, targeting the components of proteostasis pathways may be a promising therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
An approach to estimate bidirectional mediation effects with application to body mass index and fasting glucose
Authors: Talluri Rajesh , Shete Sanjay 
Published: July 2018

SummaryObesity and type 2 diabetes are major public health issues with known interdependence. Genetic variants have been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or both; thus, we hypothesize that some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with both conditions may be mediated through obesity to affect type 2 diabetes or vice versa. We propose a framework for bidirectional mediation analyses. Simulations show that this approach accurately estimates the parameters, whether the mediation is unidirectional or bidirectional. In many scenarios, when the mediator is regressed on the initial variable and the outcome is regressed on the mediator and the initial variable, the resulting residuals are correlated because of other unmeasured covariates not in the model. We show that the proposed model provides accurate estimates in this scenario, too. We applied the proposed approach to investigate the mediating effects of SNPs associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity using genetic data from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort. Specifically, we used body mass index (BMI) as a measure for obesity and fasting glucose as a measure for type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the top 6 SNPs associated with both BMI and fasting glucose. Two SNPs (rs3752355 and rs6087982) had indirect effects on BMI mediated through fasting glucose [0.2677; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.0007, 0.6548) and 0.3301; 95% CI (0.0881, 0.8544), respectively]. The remaining four SNPs (rs7969190, rs4869710, rs10201400, and rs12421620) directly affect BMI and fasting glucose without mediating effects.
The evolutionary origins of pesticide resistance
Authors: Hawkins Nichola J. , Bass Chris , Dixon Andrea , Neve Paul 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDurable crop protection is an essential component of current and future food security. However, the effectiveness of pesticides is threatened by the evolution of resistant pathogens, weeds and insect pests. Pesticides are mostly novel synthetic compounds, and yet target species are often able to evolve resistance soon after a new compound is introduced. Therefore, pesticide resistance provides an interesting case of rapid evolution under strong selective pressures, which can be used to address fundamental questions concerning the evolutionary origins of adaptations to novel conditions. We ask: (i) whether this adaptive potential originates mainly from de novo mutations or from standing variation; (ii) which pre‐existing traits could form the basis of resistance adaptations; and (iii) whether recurrence of resistance mechanisms among species results from interbreeding and horizontal gene transfer or from independent parallel evolution. We compare and contrast the three major pesticide groups: insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Whilst resistance to these three agrochemical classes is to some extent united by the common evolutionary forces at play, there are also important differences. Fungicide resistance appears to evolve, in most cases, by de novo point mutations in the target‐site encoding genes; herbicide resistance often evolves through selection of polygenic metabolic resistance from standing variation; and insecticide resistance evolves through a combination of standing variation and de novo mutations in the target site or major metabolic resistance genes. This has practical implications for resistance risk assessment and management, and lessons learnt from pesticide resistance should be applied in the deployment of novel, non‐chemical pest‐control methods.
Laryngeal dysplasia and narrow band imaging: Secondary analysis of published data supports the role in patient follow‐up
Authors: Paleri Vinidh , Sawant Rupali , Mehanna Hisham , Ainsworth Holly , Stocken Deborah 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundClinicians have recognised the role of narrow band imaging (NBI) in the management of head and neck cancer in several studies. However, a recent systematic review was unable to pool the data on diagnostic efficacy in this setting owing to the heterogeneity in the published data.MethodsSecondary analysis of data, utilising Bayes' theorem, from meta‐analyses and randomised trials.ResultsIn patients with a histological diagnosis of mild dysplasia who show no abnormalities on NBI, the post‐test probability of malignancy is estimated to be 2.3%, compared to 10.3% with conventional white light imaging (WLI). For severe dysplasia, similar post‐test probabilities after NBI and WLI are estimated to be 8.0% and 29.7%, respectively. Post‐test probabilities in this setting indicate the chance of missing malignancy following a negative NBI or WLI in patients who undergo no further intervention. This study also provides a nomogram designed for use in this setting.ConclusionsThis study identifies the evidence base for use of NBI in the follow‐up for laryngeal dysplasia.
Expression of 15‐lipoxygenase‐1 in Merkel cell carcinoma is linked to advanced disease
Authors: Fochtmann‐Frana Alexandra , Haymerle Georg , Schachner Helga , Pammer Johannes , Loewe Robert , Kerjaschki Dontscho , Perisanidis Christos , Erovic Boban M. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the expression of 15‐lipoxygenase‐1 (ALOX15) in primary tumour specimens predicts lymph node metastasis and subsequently clinical outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients.MethodsA retrospective medical chart review of 33 patients was performed between 1994 and 2014. Eleven out of 33 (33%) Patients with primary MCC stages I and II were categorised as group I. Twenty two out of 33 (67%) Patients with regional lymph node metastases and/or distant metastases were defined as group II. All available tumour samples were immunostained for ALOX15, Podoplanin and MCPyV large T‐protein antibody.ResultsALOX15 expression was observed in 19/23 (83%) primary tumour samples and in all lymph node metastasis. Primary tumours in patients with stage III and IV disease showed a higher expression rate of ALOX15 compared to patients with early stage disease (11/12 (92%) and 8/11 (73%), respectively). In group I, five patients (45%) were MCPyV positive, whereas in group II, 15 patients (68%) were MCPyV positive. The median lymphatic vessel density in ALOX15 negative group I primary tumour samples was lower compared to the median lymphatic vessel density in ALOX15 positive group I primary tumour probes (2.7 range, 1‐4.3 vs 4.7 range, 4.0‐7.3). Furthermore, all 17 samples of MCC metastases showed ALOX15 expression with a median lymphatic vessel density (not lymph node metastases) of 5.3 (range 2.0‐7.3).ConclusionIn the current study, we were able to show ALOX15 expression in the primary MCC sample and the metastasis sample. Based on the findings of the current study, expression rate of ALOX15 in primary MCC and metastases is possibly linked to an increased lymphatic vessel density.
Impact of protected areas on poverty, extreme poverty, and inequality in Nepal
Authors: den Braber Bowy , Evans Karl L. , Oldekop Johan A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractProtected areas (PAs) are key for biodiversity conservation, but there are concerns that they can exacerbate poverty or unequal access to potential benefits, such as those arising from tourism. We assess how Nepalese PAs influence poverty, extreme poverty, and inequality using a multidimensional poverty index, and a quasi‐experimental design that controls for potential confounding factors in non‐random treatment allocation. We specifically investigate the role of tourism in contributing to PA impacts. Nepali PAs reduced overall poverty and extreme poverty, and crucially, did not exacerbate inequality. Benefits occurred in lowland and highland regions, and were often greater when a larger proportion of the area was protected. Spread of benefits to nearby areas outside PAs was negligible. Furthermore, older PAs performed better than more recently established ones, suggesting the existence of time lags. Although tourism was a key driver of poverty alleviation, PAs also reduced extreme poverty in areas with fewer tourists.
Genetic and demographic analysis of European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and Species Survival Plan (SSP) Western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla populations
Authors: Moreno Rivas M. , Rodríguez Teijeiro J. D. , Abelló Mª T. 
Published: July 2018

Since the late 1990s, European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)‐member zoos have worked collaboratively to achieve a self‐sustaining population for gorilla through the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the United States has similarly worked through the Species Survival Plan (SSP). These populations are all registered in the International Studbook for the Western Lowland Gorilla Gorilla g. gorilla Savage & Wyman, 1847, which is updated annually. Demographic and genetic analyses of these data are carried out to monitor population development. This paper presents the results of the genetic and demographic analysis of EAZA and AZA populations of the Western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla, considering the individuals registered since the beginning of the studbook (1950) until 2014, and the analyses are mainly focused on the results for both populations around the last decade. The data have been gathered from the 2014 international studbook and data registered in the Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System (Sparks). Genetic and demographic analyses were carried out using PMx software. The results of the demographic analyses show that the EEP population is growing, demonstrating positive life parameters; for example, a finite growth rate of λ = 1·007, an instantaneous growth rate of r = 0·007 and a net reproductive rate of R0 = 1·160. However, the results of the demographic analyses for the SSP population show a general tendency for population reduction; that is, a finite growth rate of λ = 0·992, an instantaneous rate of growth rate r = −0·008 and a net reproductive rate of R0 = 0·864. When comparing the results from both populations it would appear that the application of strict breeding policies in the SSP for a few years had a noticeable impact on the SSP demographic results.
Circulating monocytes accelerate acute liver failure by IL‐6 secretion in monkey
Authors: Guo Gang , Zhu Yongjie , Wu Zhenru , Ji Hongjie , Lu Xufeng , Zhou Yongjie , Li Yuanmin , Cao Xiaoyue , Lu Yanrong , Talbot Prue , Liao Jiayu , Shi Yujun , Bu Hong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAcute liver failure (ALF) is associated with high mortality, and a poor understanding of the underlying pathophysiology has resulted in a lack of effective treatments so far. Here, using an amatoxin‐induced rhesus monkey model of ALF, we panoramically revealed the cellular and molecular events that lead to the development of ALF. The challenged monkeys with toxins underwent a typical course of ALF including severe hepatic injury, systemic inflammation and eventual death. Adaptive immune was not noticeably disturbed throughout the progress of ALF. A systematic examination of serum factors and cytokines revealed that IL‐6 increase was the most rapid and drastic. Interestingly, we found that IL‐6 was mainly produced by circulating monocytes. Furthermore, ablation of monocyte‐derived IL‐6 in mice decreased liver injury and systemic inflammation following chemical injection. Our findings reveal a critical role of circulating monocytes in initiating and accelerating ALF, indicating a potential therapeutic target in clinical treatment for ALF.
Theabrownin triggers DNA damage to suppress human osteosarcoma U2OS cells by activating p53 signalling pathway
Authors: Jin Wangdong , Zhou Li , Yan Bo , Yan Li , Liu Fucun , Tong Peijian , Yu Wenhua , Dong Xiaoqiao , Xie Li , Zhang Jin , Xu Yiqiao , Li Chunqi , Yuan Qiang , Shan Letian , Efferth Thomas 
Published: July 2018

AbstractOsteosarcoma becomes the second leading cause of cancer death in the younger population. Current outcomes of chemotherapy on osteosarcoma were unsatisfactory to date, demanding development of effective therapies. Tea is a commonly used beverage beneficial to human health. As a major component of tea, theabrownin has been reported to possess anti‐cancer activity. To evaluate its anti‐osteosarcoma effect, we established a xenograft model of zebrafish and employed U2OS cells for in vivo and in vitro assays. The animal data showed that TB significantly inhibited the tumour growth with stronger effect than that of chemotherapy. The cellular data confirmed that TB‐triggered DNA damage and induced apoptosis of U2OS cells by regulation of Mki67, PARP, caspase 3 and H2AX, and Western blot assay showed an activation of p53 signalling pathway. When P53 was knocked down by siRNA, the subsequent downstream signalling was blocked, indicating a p53‐dependent mechanism of TB on U2OS cells (p53 wt). Using osteosarcoma cell lines with p53 mutations (HOS, SAOS‐2 and MG63), we found that TB exerted stronger inhibitory effect on U2OS cells than that on p53‐mut cell lines, but it also exerted obvious effect on SAOS‐2 cells (p53 null), suggesting an activation of p53‐independent pathway in the p53‐null cells. Interestingly, theabrownin was found to have no toxicity on normal tissue in vivo and could even increase the viability of p53‐wt normal cells. In sum, theabrownin could trigger DNA damage and induce apoptosis on U2OS cells via a p53‐dependent mechanism, being a promising candidate for osteosarcoma therapy.
Gypenosides improve diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting ROS‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Chen Xi , Zong Beibei , Yuan Hongmin , Wang Zhizeng , Wei Yinxiang , Wang Xuance , Liu Guangchao , Zhang Jun , Li Shulian , Cheng Guanchang , Wang Yaohui , Ma Yuanfang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNLRP3 inflammasome activation plays an important role in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), which may relate to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gypenosides (Gps), the major ingredients of Gynostemma pentaphylla (Thunb.) Makino, have exerted the properties of anti‐hyperglycaemia and anti‐inflammation, but whether Gps improve myocardial damage and the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that high glucose (HG) induced myocardial damage by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and then promoting IL‐1β and IL‐18 secretion in H9C2 cells and NRVMs. Meanwhile, HG elevated the production of ROS, which was vital to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, the ROS activated the NLRP3 inflammasome mainly by cytochrome c influx into the cytoplasm and binding to NLRP3. Inhibition of ROS and cytochrome c dramatically down‐regulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and improved the cardiomyocyte damage induced by HG, which was also detected in cells treated by Gps. Furthermore, Gps also reduced the levels of the C‐reactive proteins (CRPs), IL‐1β and IL‐18, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and consequently improved myocardial damage in vivo. These findings provide a mechanism that ROS induced by HG activates the NLRP3 inflammasome by cytochrome c binding to NLRP3 and that Gps may be potential and effective drugs for DCM via the inhibition of ROS‐mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.