bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential of ligninolytic enzymatic complex produced by white‐rot fungi from genus Trametes isolated from Bulgarian forest soil
Authors: Krumova Ekaterina , Kostadinova Nedelina , Miteva‐Staleva Jeni , Stoyancheva Galina , Spassova Boryana , Abrashev Radoslav , Angelova Maria 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBecause of the crucial role of ligninolytic enzymes in a variety of industrial processes, the demand for a new effective producer has been constantly increasing. Furthermore, information on enzyme synthesis by autochthonous fungal strains is very seldom found. Two fungal strains producing ligninolytic enzymes were isolated from Bulgarian forest soil. They were identified as being Trametes trogii and T. hirsuta. These two strains were assessed for their enzyme activities, laccase (Lac), lignin peroxidase (LiP) and Mn‐dependent peroxidase (MnP) in culture filtrate depending on the temperature and the type of nutrient medium. T. trogii was selected as the better producer of ligninolytic enzymes. The production process was further improved by optimizing a number of parameters such as incubation time, type of cultivation, volume ratio of medium/air, inoculum size and the addition of inducers. The maximum activities of enzymes synthesized by T. trogii was detected as 11100 U/L for Lac, 2.5 U/L for LiP and 4.5 U/L for MnP after 14 days of incubation at 25°C under static conditions, volume ratio of medium/air 1:6, and 3 plugs as inoculum. Among the supplements tested, 5% glycerol increased Lac activity to a significant extent. The addition of 1% veratryl alcohol had a positive effect on MnP.
Riparian spiders indicate the magnitude and sources of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination at a large contaminated sediment site
Authors: Walters David M. , Otter Ryan R. , Kraus Johanna M. , Mills Marc A. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We investigated polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination at the Ashtabula River (northeast OH, USA) area of concern following remedial dredging using araneid and tetragnathid spiders. The PCB concentrations remain elevated in the area of concern compared with reference conditions. Patterns of contamination were strikingly similar between taxa, but were higher in tetragnathids at the most contaminated sites. Spider PCB homolog distributions identified 2 PCB sources to the area of concern. Based on these findings, we recommend situations where these taxa can be used alone, in concert, or combined into a composite “spider” sample to assess environmental contamination. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2467–2474. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
QoS optimization‐based dynamic secondary spectrum access model
Authors: Khan Mubbashar Altaf , Jamali Mohsin M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCognitive radio (CR) is believed to be the future communication technology that provides the solution to the radio spectrum scarcity problem. Quality of service (QoS) and secondary radio spectrum pricing are two important aspects of the ongoing research on CR. The primary users (PUs) have guaranteed QoS while the secondary users (SUs) can make only opportunistic access to the radio spectrum. The SUs coexist with the PUs on a noninterfering basis and must vacate the bands under their use, if required by the PUs. Good QoS can be exercised by an allocation of whitespaces with QoS appropriate to the SUs that minimize the mobility probability. If the pricing issues are not addressed properly, they may result in economic viability challenges and/or pose existential threats to the CR technology. This research proposes a QoS optimization‐based dynamic secondary spectrum access model using genetic algorithm along with a pricing and a payment methodology for the sales to secondary spectrum markets. The trade‐off between the spectrum allocation and the economic parameters for the secondary radio spectrum trade is considered. An extensive simulation is created to analyze the QoS optimization and pricing for the secondary radio spectrum trade. The results indicate that the profitability and sales in the secondary spectrum market are based on the fitness of the offered QoS with respect to that requested by the SUs. An increase in the QoS provided to the SUs is realized at the cost of a slight increase in the unit cost of the secondary spectrum.
The effects of haploid selection on Y chromosome evolution in two closely related dioecious plants
Authors: Sandler George , Beaudry Felix E. G. , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Wright Stephen I. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe evolution of sex chromosomes is usually considered to be driven by sexually antagonistic selection in the diploid phase. However, selection during the haploid gametic phase of the lifecycle has recently received theoretical attention as possibly playing a central role in sex chromosome evolution, especially in plants where gene expression in the haploid phase is extensive. In particular, male-specific haploid selection might favor the linkage of pollen beneficial alleles to male sex determining regions on incipient Y chromosomes. This linkage might then allow such alleles to further specialize for the haploid phase. Purifying haploid selection is also expected to slow the degeneration of Y-linked genes expressed in the haploid phase. Here, we examine the evolution of gene expression in flower buds and pollen of two species of Rumex to test for signatures of haploid selection acting during plant sex chromosome evolution. We find that genes with high ancestral pollen expression bias occur more often on sex chromosomes than autosomes and that genes on the Y chromosome are more likely to become enriched for pollen expression bias. We also find that genes with low expression in pollen are more likely to be lost from the Y chromosome. Our results suggest that sex-specific haploid selection during the gametophytic stage of the lifecycle may be a major contributor to several features of plant sex chromosome evolution.
Timing malaria transmission with mosquito fluctuations
Authors: Pigeault Romain , Caudron Quentin , Nicot Antoine , Rivero Ana , Gandon Sylvain 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTemporal variations in the activity of arthropod vectors can dramatically affect the epidemiology and evolution of vector-borne pathogens. Here, we explore the “Hawking hypothesis”, which states that these pathogens may evolve the ability to time investment in transmission to match the activity of their vectors. First, we use a theoretical model to identify the conditions promoting the evolution of time-varying transmission strategies in pathogens. Second, we experimentally test the “Hawking hypothesis” by monitoring the within-host dynamics of Plasmodium relictum throughout the acute and the chronic phases of the bird infection. We detect a periodic increase of parasitemia and mosquito infection in the late afternoon that coincides with an increase in the biting activity of its natural vector. We also detect a positive effect of mosquito bites on Plasmodium replication in the birds both in the acute and in the chronic phases of the infection. This study highlights that Plasmodium parasites use two different strategies to increase the match between transmission potential and vector availability. We discuss the adaptive nature of these unconditional and plastic transmission strategies with respect to the time scale and the predictability of the fluctuations in the activity of the vector.
Development of a rheological model for creep strain evolution in steel and aluminium at high temperature
Authors: Torić Neno , Glavinić Ivana Uzelac , Burgess Ian W. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThe paper presents a rheological model capable of reproducing the temperature‐, stress‐, and time‐dependent strain component, which occurs in steel and aluminium during exposure to high temperature. The model is capable of providing the creep strain output for the primary, secondary, and tertiary creep phases for both steel and aluminium. Constitutive parameters of the rheological model are calibrated using 2 recent coupon test studies based on the European steel grade S275JR and aluminium grade EN6082AW T6, both of which are currently used in the construction industry. The calibrated constitutive parameters are valid within the temperature range, within which creep is expected to occur (400‐600°C for steel and 200‐300°C for aluminium). The rheological model proposed in the paper can easily be used for application in finite element–based computer codes.
The Sustainable Development Goals: Contextualizing Africa's Economic and Health Landscape
Authors: Cerf Marlon E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe sustainable development goals (SDGs) encompass 17 goals with targets and indicators, collectively striving to improve national, regional, continental, and global development. SDG 8 strives for improved and sustainable economic growth. Africa's population is estimated to increase markedly and rapidly over the next few decades. The African demographic dividend presents opportunities to be harnessed, but several socioeconomic challenges exist that may constrain progress for achieving the SDGs. Poverty and inequality are pervasive in Africa and constrain economic and health gains. SDG 3 aims for good health and well‐being for all ages and has 13 targets linked to 26 indicators. Collectively, SDG 3 targets aim to improve health outcomes by reducing mortality, ending epidemics, and preventing diseases to ensure affordable and quality healthcare access for all. The dynamic African health landscape and scarcity of healthcare human capital also present challenges for advancing SDG 3. The implementation of the SDGs presents major and complex challenges but ultimately yields rewards. Advancement across all SDG 3 targets is necessary for the benefit of healthier global citizens.
FastSKAT: Sequence kernel association tests for very large sets of markers
Authors: Lumley Thomas , Brody Jennifer , Peloso Gina , Morrison Alanna , Rice Kenneth 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe sequence kernel association test (SKAT) is widely used to test for associations between a phenotype and a set of genetic variants that are usually rare. Evaluating tail probabilities or quantiles of the null distribution for SKAT requires computing the eigenvalues of a matrix related to the genotype covariance between markers. Extracting the full set of eigenvalues of this matrix (an matrix, for n subjects) has computational complexity proportional to n3. As SKAT is often used when , this step becomes a major bottleneck in its use in practice. We therefore propose fastSKAT, a new computationally inexpensive but accurate approximations to the tail probabilities, in which the k largest eigenvalues of a weighted genotype covariance matrix or the largest singular values of a weighted genotype matrix are extracted, and a single term based on the Satterthwaite approximation is used for the remaining eigenvalues. While the method is not particularly sensitive to the choice of k, we also describe how to choose its value, and show how fastSKAT can automatically alert users to the rare cases where the choice may affect results. As well as providing faster implementation of SKAT, the new method also enables entirely new applications of SKAT that were not possible before; we give examples grouping variants by topologically associating domains, and comparing chromosome‐wide association by class of histone marker.
Specialist services in early diagnosis and support for older people with dementia in England: Staff roles and service mix
Authors: Ahmed Saima , Hughes Jane , Davies Sue , Stewart Karen , Orrell Martin , Clarkson Paul , Challis David ,   Members of the HoSt‐D (Home Support in Dementia) Programme Management Group
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesThis study investigated staff roles and tasks in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) and memory clinics, which are provided within a framework determined by local Clinical Commissioning Groups.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey design was used to collect data in England in 2015. Teams were identified by mental health providers (n = 68) and invited to complete a questionnaire.ResultsFifty‐one NHS Trusts responded to the request. The response rate varied. Data were obtained for all Clinical Commissioning Groups areas in 3 of the 9 regions in England, but only half in one of them. CMHTs were significantly more likely to have larger staff groups. Compared with memory clinics they were also more likely to have staff that were not professionally qualified. The occupational therapist role showed a strong association with the provision of all services in CMHTs. Both CMHTs and memory clinics provided information and advice about dementia. CMHTs provided more services associated with the support of a person with dementia at home.ConclusionVariations in the staff mix in CMHTs and memory clinics reflected their different functions. There was limited evidence in both of profession specific interventions relating to the provision of support, information, therapy and education, associated with either diagnosis or long‐term support. The potential for a single service to undertake both diagnostic and long‐term support and the associated costs and benefits are areas for future research.
Metabolomics of the amniotic fluid: Is it a feasible approach to evaluate the safety of Chinese medicine during pregnancy?
Authors: Shan Jinjun , Xie Tong , Xu Jianya , Zhou Huifang , Zhao Xia 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe use of Chinese medicines (CMs) during pregnancy has long been a major public health concern. Although CMs have been shown to be effective in treating infertility and preventing miscarriage, their use has been restricted, mainly because of limited knowledge of their potential toxicity. Accurate toxicology data are urgently required to assess whether these CMs are safe for maternal health and fetal development. Amniotic fluid (AF) contains carbohydrates, lipids and phospholipids, urea and proteins, all of which aid in the growth of the fetus and reflect the mother's health status as well. The changes in metabolomic patterns of AF are related to pathophysiological occurrences during the course of pregnancy. In this review, we provide a summary of the research performed in recent years on metabolomic AF samples, and use our previous study as an example to explore the feasibility of metabolomics of AF to evaluate the safety of CMs during pregnancy. We believe that metabolomics of AF play a far more important role than traditional morphology methods in the safety evaluation of CMs for pregnancy, with a higher sensitivity and correlation.
The cardioprotective effect of thymoquinone on ischemia‐reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart via regulation of apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Xiao Junhui , Ke Zun‐Ping , Shi Yan , Zeng Qiutang , Cao Zhe 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThymoquinone (TQ), as the active constituents of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed oil, has been reported to have potential protective effects on the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of TQ on myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury in Langendorff‐perfused rat hearts. Wister rat hearts were subjected to I/R and the experimental group were pretreated with TQ prior to I/R. Hemodynamic parameters, myocardial infarct size, cardiac marker enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were assayed. Compared with the untreated group, TQ preconditioning significantly improved cardiac function, reduced infarct size, decreased cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB) levels, suppressed enedoxidative stress, and apoptosis. In addition, TQ treatment promoted autophagy, which was partially reversed by chloroquine (CQ), a kind of autophagy blocker. Our study suggests that TQ can protect heart against I/R injury, which is associated with anti‐oxidative and anti‐apoptotic effects through activation of autophagy.
Protective properties of Huperzine A through activation Nrf2/ARE‐mediated transcriptional response in X‐rays radiation‐induced NIH3T3 cells
Authors: Zhu Huan‐Feng , Yan Peng‐Wei , Wang Li‐Jun , Liu Ya‐Tian , Wen Jing , Zhang Qian , Fan Yan‐Xin , Luo Yan‐Hong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHuperzine A (HupA), derived from Huperzia Serrata, has exhibited a variety of biological actions, in particular neuroprotective effect. However, the protective activities of HupA on murine embryonic fibroblast NIH3T3 cells after X‐rays radiation have not been fully elucidated. Herein, HupA treatment dramatically promoted cell viability, abated a G0/G1 peak accumulation, and ameliorated increase of cell apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells after X‐rays radiation. Simultaneously, HupA notably enhanced activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes, inhibited activity of lipid peroxide, and efficiently eliminated production of reactive oxygen species in NIH3T3 cells after X‐rays radiation. Dose‐dependent increase of antioxidant genes by HupA were associated with up‐regulated Nrf2 and down‐regulated Keap‐1 expression, which was confirmed by increasing nuclear accumulation, and inhibiting of degradation of Nrf2. Notably, augmented luciferase activity of ARE may explained Nrf2/ARE‐mediated signaling pathways behind HupA protective properties. Moreover, expression of Nrf2 HupA‐mediated was significant attenuated by AKT inhibitor (LY294002), p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB202190) and ERK inhibitor (PD98059). Besides, HupA‐mediated cell viability, and ROS production were dramatically bated by LY294002, SB202190, and PD98059. Taken together, HupA effectively ameliorated X‐rays radiation‐induced damage Nrf2‐ARE‐mediated transcriptional response via activation AKT, p38, and ERK signaling in NIH3T3 cells.
Effects of panax notoginseng saponin on the pathological ultrastructure and serum IL‐6 and IL‐8 in pulmonary fibrosis in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Jizhou , Li Qing , Shao Qiqi , Song Jingling , Zhou Bin , Shu Peng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPanax notoginseng saponin (PNS) constitutes the major effective components of Panax notoginseng, which is widely used to treat microcirculatory disturbance associated diseases. In this study, we designed to investigate the effect of PNS on the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and further explored its mechanism. A total of 40 healthy Japanese White rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (control group; PF model group; PNS prevention group; PNS treatment group; and western medicine [prednisone acetate] treatment group). Expression of hydroxyproline (HYP), fibronectin (FN), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in serum was detected using corresponding detection kits. Western blot was applied to detect the expression of p50 and p65 in pulmonary tissues. The pathological variations of the cardiac and pulmonary ultrastructure were observed under both the optical and electron microscope. PF models were established successfully. The results showed that compared with the other groups, PNS groups (PNS prevention and treatment group) apparently relieved the cardiopulmonary injury, and reduced IL‐6 and IL‐8 expression levels in the serum. Furthermore, the PNS groups performed better in relieving cardiopulmonary injurythan other groups. Both the PNS groups and the western medicine treatment group presented an obvious role in relieving PF. We concluded that PNS could reduce the expression of AST, LDH, CK, IL‐6, and IL‐8 in serum of the rabbits, relieve the pathological ultrastructure of cardiopulmonary injury, alleviate PF. And it might be attributed to the inhibition on the NF‐κB signaling pathway.
The influence of parenting practices and neighborhood characteristics on the development of childhood aggression
Authors: Miller Grace Maloney , Tolan Patrick H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe present study examined the way in which neighborhood impoverishment, neighborhood social processes, and parenting practices relate to the development of aggressive behavior among children aged 6–8 years raised in low‐income neighborhoods. A total of 424 children (male = 207, female = 217) and their families participated in the study. Hierarchical linear regression revealed that neighborhood impoverishment, neighborhood social processes, and parental monitoring/supervision were associated with childhood aggression 2 years later. Neighborhood social processes did not mediate the relation between neighborhood impoverishment and childhood aggression, nor did parental monitoring/supervision mediate the relation between neighborhood characteristics and childhood aggression. Children residing in neighborhoods with substantial poverty are at greater risk of developing aggressive behavior. Strong neighborhood social processes and high levels of parental supervision/monitoring are associated with lower levels of aggression. Despite the protective benefits of neighborhood social processes and high‐quality parenting, neighborhood economic deprivation continues to elevate risk of developing aggressive behavior.
Recovery of biogeochemical processes in restored tropical dry forest on a coal mine spoil in La Guajira, Colombia
Authors: Barliza Jeiner Castellanos , Peláez Juan Diego León , Campo Julio 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOpen‐cast coal mining eliminates vegetation, alters physical and chemical characteristics of soils, and therefore limits the establishment of native vegetation by lack of sufficient moisture, increase bulk density, and low organic matter content. Restoration of extremely degraded areas through plantation of fast growing species is expected to accelerate the recovers of soil organic matter and nutrient cycles. The purposes of this study were to compare intrasystem cycling of C, N, P, and base cations in native and restored forests at an open‐cast coal mine in a dry region of Colombia. Leaf‐fall, standing leaf litter, and their N, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents were measured for 1 year in native forests and restored forests of various ages (7, 10, and 21 years). The exploitation of coal in La Guajira degraded soil fertility, and although tree planting was sufficient to achieve the partial recovery of soil chemistry and N cycling relative to reference conditions (i.e., native forest), a P deficiency in forest function remained unresolved even 21 years after restoration. The restoration of biogeochemical processes, particularly of critical processes of the P cycle, requires additional human interventions (such as the application of nutrient‐rich litterfall from native forests of the region) that favor nutrient dynamics and lead to the recovery of a self‐sustaining ecosystem. Thus, multiple efforts are needed for the restoration of these dryland forests to recover ecosystem services (such as soil fertility) that improve C sequestration and help mitigate climate change.