bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis process, magnetic and electronic properties of ferrite nanoparticle MnFe2O4
Authors: Masrour R. , Ben Ali M. , El Moussaoui H. , Hamedoun Mohamed , Benyoussef A. , Hlil E.K. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the manganese ferrite nanoparticle MnFe2O4 and to investigate the structure, size and to study the electronic and the magnetic properties of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles.

Design/methodology/approach
The co-precipitation method is used to synthesize the MnFe2O4. The structure and size were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The superconducting quantum interference device is used to determine the some magnetic ground. From theoretical investigation point of view self-consistent ab initio calculations, based on density functional theory approach using full potential linear augmented plane wave method, were performed to investigate both electronic and magnetic properties of the MnFe2O4. The high temperatures series expansion (HTSE) is used to study the magnetic properties of MnFe2O4.

Findings
The saturation magnetization, the coercivity and the transition temperature varied between 21-43 emu/g, 20-50 Oe and 571-630 K, respectively, have been studied. The gap energy of MnFe2O4 has been deduced. The critical temperature and the critical exponent have been obtained using HTSEs.

Originality/value
In the present work, the authors study the electronic and magnetic properties of MnFe2O4. The results obtained by the experiment and by ab initio calculations were used in HTSE as input to deduce other physical parameters.
Experimental evaluation of the robustness of the growth–stress tolerance trade‐off within the perennial grass Dactylis glomerata
Authors: Bristiel Pauline , Gillespie Lauren , Østrem Liv , Balachowski Jennifer , Violle Cyrille , Volaire Florence 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

A core tenet of functional ecology is that the vast phenotypic diversity observed in the plant kingdom could be partly generated by a trade‐off between the ability of plants to grow quickly and acquire resources in rich environments vs. the ability to conserve resources and avoid mortality under stress. However, experimental demonstrations remain scarce and potentially blurred by phylogenetic constraints in cross‐species analyses. Here, we experimentally decoupled growth potential and stress survival by applying an off‐season stress on contrasting populations of the perennial grass Dactylis glomerata exhibiting a range of seasonal dormancy.

Seventeen populations of D. glomerata, originating from a latitudinal gradient from Norway to Morocco, were subjected to three types of dehydration stress: winter frost in Norway, and summer drought and early spring (off‐season) drought stress in the south of France. Growth rate and two leaf traits (leaf width and leaf dry matter content) suspected to be involved in the adaptation to dehydration stress were monitored under optimal conditions. We quantified plant dehydration survival as the amount of plant recovery after a severe stress.

Nordic populations were found to be winter‐dormant. Winter‐ and summer‐dormant populations better survived frost and summer drought, respectively. However, no trade‐off between growth potential and dehydration survival was detected in non‐dormant plants in early spring when dehydration occurred unseasonably for all populations. Furthermore, Mediterranean populations better survived an early spring drought.

Our results highlight the importance of assessing plant growth potential as a response to seasonal environmental cues. They suggest that growth potential and stress survival trade off when plants exhibit seasonal dormancy but can be functionally independent at other seasons. Consequently, the growth–stress survival relationship could be better described as a dynamic linkage rather than a constant and general trade‐off. Moreover, leaf trait values, such as thinner and more lignified leaves reflecting drought adaptation, may have contributed to the improved drought‐stress survival without resulting in a cost to growth.

Further exploration of the growth–stress survival relationship should permit deciphering the suite of plant traits and trait covariations involved in plants’ responses to increasing stress.

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Root responses to elevated CO2, warming and irrigation in a semi‐arid grassland: Integrating biomass, length and life span in a 5‐year field experiment
Authors: Mueller Kevin E. , LeCain Daniel R. , McCormack M. Luke , Pendall Elise , Carlson Mary , Blumenthal Dana M. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Plant roots mediate the impacts of environmental change on ecosystems, yet knowledge of root responses to environmental change is limited because few experiments evaluate multiple environmental factors and their interactions. Inferences about root functions are also limited because root length dynamics are rarely measured.

Using a 5‐year experiment in a mixed‐grass prairie, we report the responses of root biomass, length and life span to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, elevated CO2 and warming combined, and irrigation. Root biomass was quantified using soil cores and root length dynamics were assessed using minirhizotrons. By comparing root dynamics with published results for soil resources and above‐ground productivity, we provide mechanistic insights into how climate change might impact grassland ecosystems.

In the upper soil layer, 0–15 cm depth, both irrigation and elevated CO2 alone increased total root length by twofold, but irrigation decreased root biomass and elevated CO2 had only small positive effects on root biomass. The large positive effects of irrigation and elevated CO2 alone on total root length were due to increases in both root length production and root life span. The increased total root length and life span under irrigation and elevated CO2 coincided with apparent shifts from water limitation of plant growth to nitrogen limitation. Warming alone had minimal effects on root biomass, length and life span in this shallow soil layer. Warming and elevated CO2 combined increased root biomass and total root length by c. 25%, but total root length in this treatment was lower than expected if the effects of CO2 and warming alone were additive. Treatment effects on total root length and root life span varied with soil depth and root diameter.

Synthesis. Sub‐additive effects of CO2 and warming suggest studies of elevated CO2 alone might overestimate the future capacity of grassland root systems to acquire resources. In this mixed‐grass prairie, elevated CO2 with warming stimulated total root length and root life span in deeper soils, likely enhancing plant access to more stable pools of growth‐limiting resources, including water and phosphorus. Thus, these root responses help explain previous observations of higher, and more stable, above‐ground productivity in these projected climate conditions.
Differential Scavenging Among Pig, Rabbit, and Human Subjects,
Authors: Steadman Dawnie Wolfe , Dautartas Angela , Kenyhercz Michael W. , Jantz Lee M. , Mundorff Amy , Vidoli Giovanna M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDifferent animal species have been used as proxies for human remains in decomposition studies for decades, although few studies have sought to validate their use in research aimed at estimating the postmortem interval. This study examines 45 pig, rabbit, and human subjects placed in three seasonal trials at the Anthropology Research Facility. In an earlier paper, we found that overall decomposition trends did vary between species that could be due to differential insect and scavenger behavior. This study specifically examines if scavenger behavior differs by carrion species. Daily photographs, game camera photographs, written observations, and Total Body Score (TBS) documented scavenging and decomposition changes. Results show that raccoons were the most commonly observed vertebrate scavenger, that scavenging was most extensive in winter, and that certain human subjects were preferred over other humans and all non‐human subjects. Finally, scavenging activity greatly reduces the accuracy of postmortem interval estimates based on TBS.
Discovering genes responsible for silk synthesis in Bombyx mori by piggyBac‐based random insertional mutagenesis
Authors: Feng Xing‐Bao , Zheng Zi‐Wen , Zhang Xian , Gu Jun , Feng Qi‐Li , Huang Li‐Hua 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSilkworm mutants are valuable resources for both transgenic breeding and gene discovery. PiggyBac‐based random insertional mutagenesis has been widely used in gene functional studies. In order to discover genes involved in silk synthesis, a piggyBac‐based random insertional library was constructed using Bombyx mori, and the mutants with abnormal cocoon were particularly screened. By this means, a “thin cocoon” mutant was identified. This mutant revealed thinner cocoon shell and shorter posterior silk gland (PSG) compared with the wild type. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of all the three fibroin genes, including Fib‐H, Fib‐L and P25, were significantly down‐regulated in the PSG of mutants. Four piggyBac insertion sites were identified in Aquaporin (AQP), Longitudinals lacking protein‐like (Lola), Glutamyl aminopeptidase‐like (GluAP) and Loc101744460. The mRNA levels of all the four genes were significantly altered in the silk gland of mutants. In particular, the mRNA amount of AQP, a gene responsible for the regulation of osmotic pressure, decreased dramatically immediately prior to the spinning stage in the anterior silk gland of mutants. The identification of the genes disrupted in the “thin cocoon” mutant in this study provided useful information for understanding silk production and transgenic breeding of silkworms in the future.
Tracing the Pathways from Research to Innovation: Evidence from Case Studies
Authors: Barjolle Dominique , Midmore Peter , Schmid Otto 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe complex process through which agricultural research stimulates innovation and achieves policy goals has commonly been treated as a ‘black box’ in the scientific literature. Statistical correlations between measured expenditure and impacts, where satisfactorily established, have mostly led to details of the research and innovation system being ignored. However, identifying and exploring causal chains of impact propagation can strengthen agricultural innovation. IMPRESA investigated impact mechanisms for research‐based innovations in six case studies using a Participatory Impact Pathway Assessment approach. Several suggestions result for improving performance and public support for agricultural research. Planning for impact is needed at the design phase of research so that expected advances in technology and their consequences can be explored. At that stage and throughout the research process, soft social skills are required to promote uptake. Greater impact can be achieved through the close involvement of key public and private sector stakeholders, using stakeholder mapping as a supporting tool. There is a strong argument for the close involvement of relevant social scientists and professional facilitators from the design phase of research through to its ultimate impacts. Funding frameworks and the specification of calls for tenders would function more effectively by giving more flexibility for stakeholder engagement.
The Current State of the Russian Agricultural Sector
Authors: Kuzminov Ilya , Gokhberg Leonid , Thurner Thomas , Khabirova Elena 
Published: April 2018

SummaryRussia's agriculture produces around 3.7 per cent of the country's GDP, employs 9.2 per cent of the national workforce and contributes around 6 per cent of the country's exports. The sector has shown remarkable resilience in the face of wider economic turbulence. Self‐sufficiency rates for the main agricultural commodities are relatively high. Agricultural exports have grown very significantly since 2000 especially for wheat and meslin (wheat and rye mixture). Meat production has been growing steadily, particularly in the poultry and pork sectors. Whilst the agri‐food sector has great potential to play an even more prominent role in Russia's economy, it suffers from relatively low productivity and an outdated technological base. The main drive for efficiency has come mainly from the relatively large‐scale agricultural firms, who generated more than half of the total value of agricultural output in 2016. Foreign policy instability, including economic sanctions, the devaluation of the national currency and declining economic growth have weakened the sector and caused an increase in the prices of imported goods and equipment. At the same time Russian products have replaced high value‐added imports and Russia's agricultural producers are expanding into new markets.
Editorial: the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide—knowns and unknowns. Authors' reply
Authors: Zamani M. , Derakhshan M. H. , Zamani V. , Shokri‐Shirvani J. 
Published: April 2018

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Zaman et al and Tsipotis and Leontiadis papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14561 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14609.
Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy using the Revo‐i robotic surgical system: surgical technique and results of the first human trial
Authors: Chang Ki Don , Abdel Raheem Ali , Choi Young Deuk , Chung Byung Ha , Rha Koon Ho 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and proficiency of the Revo‐i® robotic platform (Meere Company Inc.) in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa).Patients and MethodsA prospective study was carried out on 17 patients with clinically localized PCa treated between 17 August 2016 and 23 February 2017 at our urology department using the Revo‐i. Patients underwent Retzius‐sparing robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RS‐RARP). The primary objective was to describe the RS‐RARP step‐by‐step surgical technique using the Revo‐i. In addition, the safety of the Revo‐i was assessed according to intra‐operative and the postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery. Early oncological outcomes were also assessed according to surgical margin status and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Continence was defined as use of no or only one pad. Surgeons’ satisfaction with the Revo‐i was assessed using the Likert scale.ResultsAll surgeries were completed successfully, with no conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery. The median patient age was 72 years. The median docking time, console time, urethrovesical anastomosis time and estimated blood loss were 8 min, 92 min, 26 min and 200 mL, respectively. One patient was transfused intra‐operatively as a result of blood loss of 1 500 mL. Postoperatively, two patients received blood transfusion, and there were no other serious/major complications. The median hospital stay was 4 days. At 3 months, four patients had positive surgical margins, one patient had BCR, and 15 patients were continent. Most of surgeons were satisfied with the Revo‐i performance.ConclusionsThe first human study for the treatment of patients with localized PCa using the Revo‐i robotic surgical system was carried out successfully. The peri‐operative, early oncological and continence outcomes are encouraging. Further prospective studies are warranted to support our preliminary results.
Mnemonic Institutions and Residential Clustering: Jewish Residential Patterns in Toronto
Authors: Harold Joshua , Fong Eric 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we envisage how the sociohistorical experiences of groups are related to their residential patterns. We posit that the residential clustering of a group can be strongly related to the group's mnemonic institutions, which are organizational symbols of collective identity that link the present to the past. We present the case of Jewish residential clustering patterns in Toronto to demonstrate our arguments. We employ 2001 Canadian Census tract‐level data to show Jewish residential clustering patterns in relation to the presence of a synagogue or Jewish community center, the mnemonic institutions of Jews.
Soluble ST2 regulation by rhinovirus and 25(OH)-vitamin D3 in the blood of asthmatic children
Authors: Haag P , Sharma H , Rauh M , Zimmermann T , Vuorinen T , Papadopoulos N G , Weiss S T , Finotto S 
Published: April 2018

Summary
Paediatric asthma exacerbations are often caused by rhinovirus (RV). Moreover, 25(OH)-vitamin D3 (VitD3) deficiency during infancy was found associated with asthma. Here, we investigated the innate immune responses to RV and their possible modulation by 25(OH)-VitD3 serum levels in a preschool cohort of children with and without asthma. The innate lymphoid cell type 2 (ILC2)-associated marker, ST2, was found up-regulated in the blood cells of asthmatic children with low serum levels of 25(OH)-VitD3 in the absence of RV in their airways. Furthermore, in blood cells from control and asthmatic children with RV in their airways, soluble (s) ST2 (sST2) protein was found reduced. Asthmatic children with low 25(OH)-VitD3 in serum and with RV in vivo in their airways at the time of the analysis had the lowest sST2 protein levels in the peripheral blood compared to control children without RV and high levels of 25(OH)-VitD3. Amphiregulin (AREG), another ILC2-associated marker, was found induced in the control children with RV in their airways and low serum levels of 25(OH)-VitD3. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory soluble form of ST2, also known as sST2, in serum correlated directly with interleukin (IL)-33 in the airways of asthmatic children. Furthermore, RV colonization in the airways and low serum levels of 25(OH)-VitD3 were found to be associated with down-regulation of sST2 in serum in paediatric asthma. These data indicate a counter-regulatory role of 25(OH)-VitD3 on RV-induced down-regulation of serum sST2 in paediatric asthma, which is relevant for the therapy of this disease.
Anti-nuclear antibodies in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Nisihara R , Machoski M C C , Neppel A , Maestri C A , Messias-Reason I , Skare T L 
Published: April 2018

Summary
To study the prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in breast cancer patients and its association with tumour characteristics. Ninety-one patients with breast mass detected by image studies and assigned to conduct diagnostic biopsy and eventual surgical treatment were studied for demographical, tumour data and presence of ANA. Serum of positive ANA patients was screened for the extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) profile. As comparison, 91 healthy individuals matched for age and from the same geographical area were included. In this sample 72 of 91 (79·1%) had malignant lesions (83% ductal infiltrative carcinoma). ANA was positive in 44·4% of patients with malignant tumour and in 15·7% of those with benign lesions (malignant versus benign with P = 0·03). Controls had ANA positivity in 5·4%, and when compared with tumour samples showed P &lt; 0·0001. The most common immunofluorescence pattern was a fine dense speckled pattern. In the ANA-positive patients with malignant lesions, seven had positivity for ENA profile (three for anti-RNP and anti-Sm, one for just anti-RNP, two for anti-Ro and anti-La e two for just anti-La). It was not possible to associate ANA positivity with tumour histological characteristics or staging or with patient's age. A negative association of ANA with hormonal (oestrogen or oestrogen plus progesterone) receptor status was found (P = 0·01). In this sample, there was a high prevalence of ANA positivity in breast cancer patients with a negative association with the presence of hormonal receptors. More studies are needed to understand the real value of this finding.
Youth‐led activities associated with positive competence changes in a community‐based program for adolescents
Authors: García‐Poole Chloe , Byrne Sonia , Rodrigo María José 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study examined the types of youth‐led activities performed during the community‐based program “Building My Future” and their impact on personal, problem‐solving, and community competences. At‐risk and non‐at‐risk adolescents (N = 410) participated in 49 groups in the local social services. Different types of pre‐intervention and intervention activities and the meetings held with external resources were associated with pre‐post changes in self‐concept, productive task orientation, connectedness, coping skills, participation, and integration with the community, using cluster analyses. Results showed that adolescents who performed the pre‐intervention activity carried out more modules and performed more intervention activities. Performing group dynamics as a pre‐intervention activity, carrying out creative activities, volunteering, excursions, and games, but no sports, and meeting up with associations were related to the most positive changes in at‐risk groups. Non‐at‐risk groups that mainly participated in amusing activities experienced a decrease in their competence scores. This shows the relevance of the types of self‐selected activities carried out when promoting positive development and can serve as guidance for future community work.
Effects of JAK1/2 inhibition on bone marrow stromal cells of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Zacharaki Dimitra , Ghazanfari Roshanak , Li Hongzhe , Lim Hooi Ching , Scheding Stefan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivePhiladelphia‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) commonly share hyperactive JAK‐STAT signaling affecting hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and their progeny. The JAK1/2 inhibitor Ruxolitinib has remarkable clinical efficacy, including spleen reduction, improvement of constitutional symptoms, and bone marrow (BM) fibrosis reversal. Whether this is due to inhibition of JAK2‐mutated HSC only, or whether Ruxolitinib also affects BM stroma is not known.MethodsThis study investigated potential effects of Ruxolitinib on BM mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), which are not only major regulators of hematopoiesis but also contribute to fibrosis, from 10 healthy donors and 7 JAK2V617F‐positive MPN patients.ResultsRuxolitinib moderately inhibited the growth of healthy donor MSC (HD‐MSC) and MSC from JAK2V617F+ MPN patients (P‐MSC) in short‐ and long‐term assays. The clonogenic potential of HD‐MSC was not affected by Ruxolitinib. JAK‐STAT signaling, however, was markedly inhibited in both HD‐MSC and P‐MSC, the latter of which showed higher expression of fibrosis‐associated and hematopoiesis‐maintenance genes. Moreover, Ruxolitinib reduced MSC secretion of MCP‐1 and IL‐6.ConclusionRuxolitinib affected JAK2 signaling in MSC at clinically relevant doses, which is likely to contribute to the normalization of the inflammatory milieu in MPNs. Thus, combined HSC and stroma‐directed interventions have the potential to improve constitutional symptoms and reduce stromal proliferation in MPNs.