bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cheating, facilitation and cooperation regulate the effectiveness of phage‐encoded exotoxins as antipredator molecules
Authors: Aijaz Iqbal , Koudelka Gerald B. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTemperate phage encoded Shiga toxin (Stx) kills the bacterivorous predator, Tetrahymena thermophila, providing Stx+ Escherichia coli with a survival advantage over Stx− cells. Although bacterial death accompanies Stx release, since bacteria grow clonally the fitness benefits of predator killing accrue to the kin of the sacrificed organism, meaning Stx‐mediated protist killing is a form of self‐destructive cooperation. We show here that the fitness benefits of Stx production are not restricted to the kin of the phage‐encoding bacteria. Instead, nearby “free loading” bacteria, irrespective of their genotype, also reap the benefit of Stx‐mediated predator killing. This finding indicates that the phage‐borne Stx exotoxin behaves as a public good. Stx is encoded by a mobile phage. We find that Stx‐encoding phage can use susceptible bacteria in the population as surrogates to enhance toxin and phage production. Moreover, our findings also demonstrate that engulfment and concentration of Stx‐encoding and susceptible Stx− bacteria in the Tetrahymena phagosome enhances the transfer of Stx‐encoding temperate phage from the host to the susceptible bacteria. This transfer increases the population of cooperating bacteria within the community. Since these bacteria now encode Stx, the predation‐stimulated increase in phage transfer increases the population of toxin encoding bacteria in the environment.
Measurement of large strain properties in calf muscles in vivo using magnetic resonance elastography and spatial modulation of magnetization
Authors: Tan Kristy , Jugé Lauriane , Hatt Alice , Cheng Shaokoon , Bilston Lynne E. 
Published: April 2018

It is important to measure the large deformation properties of skeletal muscle in vivo in order to understand and model movement and the force‐producing capabilities of muscle. As muscle properties are non‐linear, an understanding of how the deformation state affects the measured shear moduli is also useful for clinical applications of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to muscle disorders. MRE has so far only been used to measure the linear viscoelastic (small strain) properties of muscles. This study aims to measure the shear moduli of human calf muscles under varying degrees of strain using MRE. Nine healthy adults (four males; age range, 25–38 years) were recruited, and the storage modulus G′ was measured at three ankle angle positions: P0 (neutral), P15 (15° plantarflexed) and P30 (30° plantarflexed). Spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) was used to measure the strain in the calf associated with the ankle rotations between P0 to P15 and P0 to P30. SPAMM results showed that, with plantarflexion, there was a shortening of the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which resulted in an expansion of both muscles in the transverse direction. Strains for each ankle rotation were in the range 3–9% (in compression). MRE results showed that this shortening during plantarflexion resulted in a mean decrease in G′ in the medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.013, linear mixed model), but not in the soleus (p = 0.47). This study showed that MRE is a viable technique for the measurement of large strain deformation properties in vivo in soft tissues by inducing physiological strain within the muscle during imaging.
Predictors of Mainland Chinese students’ well‐being
Authors: Skrzypiec Grace , Askell‐Williams Helen , Zhao Xueqin , Du Wenping , Cao Fei , Xing Lihong 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThere has been substantial research in the United States, Europe, and Australia about factors influencing students’ well‐being. However, such research has been relatively rare in Mainland China. We administered four predictor scales (School Satisfaction, Self‐Concept, Relationships, and Resilience) and three outcome scales (Flourishing, Mental Health, and Children's Well‐Being) to 2,756 primary and middle school students in Mainland China. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the measured concepts were salient to the participants. Structural equation modeling using MPlus showed that Resilience was a strong predictor of all outcome measures, particularly for Mental Health and Positive Emotional State. Global Self‐Concept was the most notable predictor for Positive Outlook, whereas School Satisfaction was the strongest predictor of Flourishing. The results indicate potential areas for school‐based competency‐building initiatives to promote Mainland Chinese students’ well‐being.
Optimization of bioreducible micelles self‐assembled from amphiphilic hyperbranched block copolymers for drug delivery
Authors: Yang Huiru , Zhao Xuezhi , Zhang Xiaolong , Ma Liwei , Wang Baoyan , Wei Hua 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTDendritic polymers‐based unimolecular micelles with enhanced stability are attractive carriers. However, the preparation of dendrimers or dendrons with higher generation remains substantially synthetic challenge due to the increased steric hindrance, multistep and tedious preparation, and low yields. The adoption of Boltorn H40, a commercially available dendritic polymer of Boltorn family containing multiple hydroxyl groups with various functionalities as a dendrimer‐based starting core template for the generation of hyperbranched polymers, offers a straightforward solution to address this problem. To develop universal strategies toward H40‐based amphiphilic block copolymers, the “grafting from” and “grafting to” approaches were both applied in this study. The reduction‐insensitive block copolymers, H40‐b‐poly(ɛ‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate) (H40‐b‐PCL‐b‐POEGMA), were synthesized by “grafting from” including sequential ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The core structure and the polymer composition of the nonreducible amphiphilic hyperbranched block copolymers were optimized toward better properties and performance for drug delivery applications, and H40‐PCL15‐b‐POEGMA23 was screened as the best polymer construct relative to H20‐PCL15‐b‐POEGMA23 and H40‐PCL15‐b‐POEGMA32 in terms of micelle stability and drug loading capacity. Therefore, the reducible H40‐b‐PCL‐SS‐POEGMA with an identical core and polymer composition to that of H40‐PCL15‐b‐POEGMA23 was further prepared by “grafting to” using click coupling between H40‐PCL‐azide and P(OEGMA)‐alkyne. The delivery efficacy evaluated by an in vitro cytotoxicity study revealed that the resulting DOX‐loaded reducible micelles of H40‐PCL15‐SS‐POEGMA23 produced greater cytotoxicity in cancer cells than in normal cells and macrophages, therefore, are promising carriers for anticancer drug delivery. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1383–1394
Disulfide‐centered poly(methyl acrylates): Four different stimuli to cleave a polymer
Authors: Fritze Urs F. , Craig Stephen L. , von Delius Max 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTA series of poly(methyl acrylates) incorporating a disulfide center was subjected to four different stimuli to cleave the SS bond, as the weakest member of the chain. Four polymers with molecular weights in the range of 25–93 kDa were synthesized via Cu‐based atom transfer radical polymerization starting from a difunctionalized disulfide‐containing initiator. In tetrahydrofuran, the labile disulfide center was cleaved directly by mechanical force generated by ultrasound irradiation, whereas in chloroform, competing cleavage was also triggered by radical species that were generated by non‐mechanical sonolysis. A reductive cleavage was observed upon treatment with reducing agent, and a clean reversal of the cleavage via oxidation could be obtained if the terminal bromide was first removed via hydrogenolysis. This modified polymer allowed studies on a fourth strategy for the cleavage of the disulfide, namely, dynamic covalent exchange reactions with a fluorine labeled small molecule. While partially based on established protocols, this comparative study underscores the versatility of the disulfide bond for applications in stimuli‐responsive and adaptive materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1404–1411
iProtGly‐SS: Identifying protein glycation sites using sequence and structure based features
Authors: Islam Md Mofijul , Saha Sanjay , Rahman Md Mahmudur , Shatabda Swakkhar , Farid Dewan Md , Dehzangi Abdollah 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGlycation is chemical reaction by which sugar molecule bonds with a protein without the help of enzymes. This is often cause to many diseases and therefore the knowledge about glycation is very important. In this paper, we present iProtGly‐SS, a protein lysine glycation site identification method based on features extracted from sequence and secondary structural information. In the experiments, we found the best feature groups combination: Amino Acid Composition, Secondary Structure Motifs, and Polarity. We used support vector machine classifier to train our model and used an optimal set of features using a group based forward feature selection technique. On standard benchmark datasets, our method is able to significantly outperform existing methods for glycation prediction. A web server for iProtGly‐SS is implemented and publicly available to use: http://brl.uiu.ac.bd/iprotgly-ss/.
Eukaryote specific folds: Part of the whole
Authors: Kauko Anni , Lehto Kirsi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe origin of eukaryotes is one of the central transitions in the history of life; without eukaryotes there would be no complex multicellular life. The most accepted scenarios suggest the endosymbiosis of a mitochondrial ancestor with a complex archaeon, even though the details regarding the host and the triggering factors are still being discussed. Accordingly, phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated archaeal affiliations with key informational systems, while metabolic genes are often related to bacteria, mostly to the mitochondrial ancestor. Despite of this, there exists a large number of protein families and folds found only in eukaryotes. In this study, we have analyzed structural superfamilies and folds that probably appeared during eukaryogenesis. These folds typically represent relatively small binding domains of larger multidomain proteins. They are commonly involved in biological processes that are particularly complex in eukaryotes, such as signaling, trafficking/cytoskeleton, ubiquitination, transcription and RNA processing, but according to recent studies, these processes also have prokaryotic roots. Thus the folds originating from an eukaryotic stem seem to represent accessory parts that have contributed in the expansion of several prokaryotic processes to a new level of complexity. This might have taken place as a co‐evolutionary process where increasing complexity and fold innovations have supported each other.
Bayesian probability of predictive agreement for comparing the outcome of two separate regressions
Authors: Stevens Nathaniel T. , Rigdon Steven E. , Anderson‐Cook Christine M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe concept of a Bayesian probability of agreement was recently introduced to give the posterior probabilities that the response surfaces for two different groups are within δ of one another. For example, a difference of less than δ in the mean response at fixed levels of the predictor variables might be thought to be practically unimportant. In such a case, we would say that the mean responses are in agreement. The posterior probability of this is called the Bayesian probability of agreement. In this article, we quantify the probability that new response observations from two groups will be within δ for a continuous response, and the probability that the two responses agree completely for categorical cases such as logistic regression and Poisson regression. We call these Bayesian comparative predictive probabilities, with the former being the predictive probability of agreement. We use Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the posterior distribution of the model parameters and then the predictive probability of agreement. We illustrate the use of this methodology with three examples and provide a freely available R Shiny app that automates the computation and estimation associated with the methodology.
Fulfilling the 2(N+1)2 Hirsch rule in smaller hollow fullerenes. Evaluation of long‐range magnetic behavior and NMR patterns of C28, , C24N4, and C28H4
Authors: Muñoz‐Castro Alvaro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe formation of different 32 π‐electron systems derived from a prominent small fullerene given by C28, allows to evaluate several approaches ensuring an electronic shell closure in terms of the characteristic chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and long‐range magnetic response properties for spherical aromatic compounds. Our results show that the inclusion of extra electrons and the doping of the cage, are able to sustain a long‐range shielding cone when an external field is oriented in a specific orientation. Such properties are inherent characteristics of spherical aromatic compounds, which are not obtained in the neutral C28 fullerene, and in the exo‐bonded approach leading to C28H4. Thus, the doping of the cage is suggested as the most suitable approach to modify the overall count of electrons, leading to the expected response properties for further design of highly aromatic fullerenes.
Lattice Vibration and Raman Scattering in Anisotropic Black Phosphorus Crystals
Authors: Mao Nannan , Zhang Shuqing , Wu Juanxia , Zhang Jin , Tong Lianming 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHere, an overview of recent advances on the Raman spectroscopic studies of 2D black phosphorus (BP) crystals is provided, covering the fundamentals of Raman scattering such as the crystal symmetry and the assignment of the phonon modes, the Raman selection rule that can be used to determine the crystalline orientation, the interlayer coupling that gives rise to the interlayer shear and breathing modes, and the effects of perturbation such as temperature, strain, and pressure. Due to the low in‐plane symmetry of BP, particular attention is given to the anisotropic electron–photon and electron–phonon interactions in BP, which have strikingly distinct characteristics compared with other isotropic 2D materials. The abnormal polarized Raman scattering of anisotropic BP crystals and its dependence on the excitation energy, thickness, and phonon modes are discussed from the viewpoints of the complex Raman tensors and the optical birefringence effect. Furthermore, the calibration of the Raman selection rule in anisotropic BP crystals is discussed, and the versatility of Raman spectroscopy in characterizing the structure of BP, such as the layer number, the type of edges, and the crystalline orientation are considered.
Order-theoretic properties and separability of some sets of quasi-measures
Authors: Lipecki Zbigniew 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Let

$${{\mathfrak {M}}}$$

M

and

$${{\mathfrak {R}}}$$

R

be algebras of subsets of a set

$$\Omega $$

Ω

with

$${\mathfrak {M}}\subset {\mathfrak {R}}$$

M
⊂
R

. Denote by

$$E(\mu )$$

E
(
μ
)

the set of all quasi-measure extensions of a given quasi-measure

$$\mu $$

μ

on

$${\mathfrak {M}}$$

M

to

$${\mathfrak {R}}$$

R

. We present some results on the coincidence of the bands, in

$${\mathfrak {R}}$$

R

, generated by

$$E(\mu )$$

E
(
μ
)

and extr

$$E(\mu )$$

E
(
μ
)

. Moreover, we show that if

$$\mu $$

μ

is atomic, then

$$E(\mu )$$

E
(
μ
)

is contained in a principal band in

$${\mathfrak {R}}$$

R

if and only if it is separable. Another sufficient condition for the separability of

$$E(\mu )$$

E
(
μ
)

is also presented.
Impact of Environmental Education on Beginning Preservice Teachers’ Environmental Literacy
Authors: Dada Deborah O. , Eames Chris , Calder Nigel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOne of the goals of environmental education is the development of environmental literacy. The development of environmental literacy for preservice teachers is critical if they are to be confident and competent to deliver environmental education in schools. Little is known about the impact of environmental education on preservice teachers’ environmental literacy and their subsequent practices as teachers within schools in New Zealand. This study used a mixed-methods approach with a pretest and posttest design to examine the environmental literacy of preservice teachers enrolled in a compulsory environmental education paper as part of their Bachelor of Teaching program at a New Zealand university. The perceptions of the preservice teachers’ preparedness to teach environmental education was also examined. Findings indicate that despite only slight shifts in preservice teachers’ environmental literacy, their confidence to teach environmental education significantly increased after completing the paper. Increases in the strength of correlations between environmental knowledge and affective dispositions were observed upon completing the environmental education paper. Implications of findings for teacher education programs are discussed. This study could inform curriculum design and teaching and learning practices for effectively preparing preservice teachers to promote the development of the environmental literacy of students in their future schools.
A Sea Country Learning Partnership in Times of Anthropocenic Risk: Offshore Coral Reef Education and Our Story of Practice
Authors: Whitehouse Hilary , Taylor Marie , Evans Neus (Snowy) , Doyle Tanya , Sellwood Juanita , Zee Ruth 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis is a researched account of an offshore coral reef education partnership formed during a time of rapid environmental change (the coral bleaching events in the years 2015 to 2017). The aim of the partnership is to encourage a learning connection with Sea Country. Framed as civic environmentalism, this article explores the dimensions of practice between a reef tourism provider, local schools, a local university, and local Indigenous rangers that enables primary, secondary and university students, rangers, and educators to travel together on day trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef and islands and have immersive and sharing educational experiences. Offshore environmental education and higher quality marine education is increasingly important in the Anthropocene, when Australian reefs are subject to the pressures of climate change and other impacts other impacts that diminish their resilience.
Dietary minerals, reproductive hormone levels and sporadic anovulation: associations in healthy women with regular menstrual cycles
Authors: Kim Keewan , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Michels Kara A. , Schliep Karen C. , Plowden Torie C. , Chaljub Ellen N. , Mumford Sunni L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAlthough minerals are linked to several reproductive outcomes, it is unknown whether dietary minerals are associated with ovulatory function. We hypothesised that low intakes of minerals would be associated with an increased risk of anovulation. We investigated associations between dietary mineral intake and both reproductive hormones and anovulation in healthy women in the BioCycle Study, which prospectively followed up 259 regularly menstruating women aged 18–44 years who were not taking mineral supplements for two menstrual cycles. Intakes of ten selected minerals were assessed through 24-h dietary recalls at up to four times per cycle in each participant. Oestradiol, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex-hormone-binding globulin and testosterone were measured in serum up to eight times per cycle. We used weighted linear mixed models to evaluate associations between minerals and hormones and generalised linear models for risk of anovulation. Compared with Na intake ≥1500 mg, Na intake <1500 mg was associated with higher levels of FSH (21·3 %; 95 % CI 7·5, 36·9) and LH (36·8 %; 95 % CI 16·5, 60·5) and lower levels of progesterone (−36·9 %; 95 % CI −56·5, −8·5). Na intake <1500 mg (risk ratio (RR) 2·70; 95 % CI 1·00, 7·31) and Mn intake <1·8 mg (RR 2·00; 95 % CI 1·02, 3·94) were associated with an increased risk of anovulation, compared with higher intakes, respectively. Other measured dietary minerals were not associated with ovulatory function. As essential minerals are mostly obtained via diet, our results comparing insufficient levels with sufficient levels highlight the need for future research on dietary nutrients and their associations with ovulatory cycles.
Complicit Suffering and the Duty to Self-Care
Authors: LaGuardia-LoBianco Alycia W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMoral questions surrounding suffering tend to focus on obligations to relieve others’ suffering. In this paper, I focus on the overlooked question of what sufferers morally owe to themselves, arguing that they have the duty to self-care. I discuss agents who have been shaped by moral luck to contribute to their own suffering and canvass the ways in which this damages their moral agency. I contend that these agents have a duty to care for themselves by protecting and expanding their agency, which involves precluding further destruction of agency and ensuring the continued ability to self-care.
The Funding of Long-Term Care in Canada: What Do We Know, What Should We Know?
Authors: Grignon Michel , Spencer Byron G. 
Published: April 2018

RÉSUMÉLes dépenses liées à la perte d’autonomie en soins de longue durée représentent une part croissante des dépenses en soins de santé, mais il n’est pas facile d’en appréhender le montant total ou bien la source de financement en se fondant sur les données publiées. Nous utilisons des séries de statistiques publiées régulièrement ainsi que des publications occasionnelles pour colliger des estimations validées de la part occupée par les dépenses en soins de longue durée relativement aux dépenses totales en soins de santé, ainsi que celle des dépenses en soins de longue durée financés de manière privée comparativement à celle des soins fournis en institution. Pour chaque série de statistiques, nous comparons les estimations publiées (par l’ICIS ou l’OCDE) à notre estimation validée. Notre conclusion est que l’utilisation de statistiques publiées régulièrement sans ajustement pourrait conduire à des interprétations erronées sur le niveau et l’évolution des dépenses en soins de longue durée au Canada, ainsi que sur la distribution de ces dépenses entre les secteurs privé et public ou bien entre les soins institutionnels et les soins à domicile.