bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited support for the “abundant centre” hypothesis in birds along a tropical elevational gradient: implications for the fate of lowland tropical species in a warmer future
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. , Beehler Bruce M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimSince Darwin, ecologists have assumed that species tend to be abundant in the centre of their geographic distributions and rare at their range edges. We test two predictions of this abundant centre hypothesis: (a) that species are common in the centre of their range and rare at the edges and (b) that empirical distributions along environmental gradients are well described by symmetric bell‐shaped curves.LocationA reef‐to‐ridgetop elevational gradient in the Yopno–Urawa–Som Conservation Area (YUS CA) on the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea.TaxonBirds.MethodsWe use mist net capture rates to quantify species’ abundances as a function of range position, then fit a series of models with different shapes, including symmetric curves, to species’ empirical abundance distributions.ResultsSpecies peak abundances were located near species’ low elevation range edges, high elevation range edges and everywhere in between. Real abundance distributions were fit well by symmetric curves in fewer than half of the species we analysed. Most lowland species have high abundances at their low elevation margin near sea level.Main conclusionsWe find only limited support for the abundant centre hypothesis. Most lowland species appear to currently occupy a “truncated” realized niche, suggesting that they will be able to persist at low elevations even as temperatures increase and that lowland biotic attrition is unlikely. In addition to analyses, we present (a) a full species list for the 256 species recorded thus far within the YUS CA, with elevational limits for all forest species and (b) the raw data from our extensive mist net surveys. This information provides valuable baseline data that can be used by future biodiversity scientists to evaluate the changes in the YUS avifauna and will be generally useful to biodiversity scientists studying tropical elevational gradients.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Resting Cyst Formation in Colpoda aspera
Authors: Jiang Chuanqi , Wei Wei , Yan Guanxiong , Shi Tuanyuan , Miao Wei 
Published: June 2018

AbstractResting cyst formation is a remarkable survival strategy used by ciliates in response to the adverse environmental conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying encystment are poorly understood. Here, the genetic basis of encystment in Colpoda aspera was examined through RNA sequencing to identify transcriptome‐wide changes in gene expression between vegetative and encystment stages. After de novo assembly, 49,543 transcripts were identified. Gene annotation and pathway mapping analysis revealed marked changes in biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and autophagy pathways during cyst formation. In addition, some differentially regulated genes were predicted to function in the interconnected cAMP, AMPK, mTOR, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, potentially forming a regulatory network for encystment. The present study conducted a large‐scale assessment of Colpoda aspera genomic resources and provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying cyst formation.
A Simple Computational Theory of General Collective Intelligence
Authors: Krafft Peter M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractResearchers have recently demonstrated that group performance across tasks tends to be correlated, motivating the use of a single metric for the general collective intelligence of groups akin to general intelligence metrics for individuals. High general collective intelligence is achieved when a group performs well across a wide variety of tasks. A number of factors have been shown to be predictive of general collective intelligence, but there is sparse formal theory explaining the presence of correlations across tasks, betraying a fundamental gap in our understanding of what general collective intelligence is measuring. Here, we formally argue that general collective intelligence arises from groups achieving commitment to group goals, accurate shared beliefs, and coordinated actions. We then argue for the existence of generic mechanisms that help groups achieve these cognitive alignment conditions. The presence or absence of such mechanisms can potentially explain observed correlations in group performance across tasks. Under our view, general collective intelligence can be conceived as measuring group performance on classes of tasks that have particular combinations of cognitive alignment requirements.
Single‐voxel and multi‐voxel spectroscopy yield comparable results in the normal juvenile canine brain when using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lee Alison M. , Beasley Michaela J. , Barrett Emerald D. , James Judy R. , Gambino Jennifer M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractConventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of canine brain diseases are often nonspecific. Single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy techniques allow quantification of chemical biomarkers for tissues of interest and may help to improve diagnostic specificity. However, published information is currently lacking for the in vivo performance of these two techniques in dogs. The aim of this prospective, methods comparison study was to compare the performance of single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy in the brains of eight healthy, juvenile dogs using 3 Tesla MRI. Ipsilateral regions of single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy were performed in symmetric regions of interest of each brain in the parietal (n = 3), thalamic (n = 2), and piriform lobes (n = 3). In vivo single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy metabolite ratios from the same size and multi‐voxel spectroscopy ratios from different sized regions of interest were compared. No significant difference was seen between single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy metabolite ratios for any lobe when regions of interest were similar in size and shape. Significant lobar single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy differences were seen between the parietal lobe and thalamus (P = 0.047) for the choline to N‐acetyl aspartase ratios when large multi‐voxel spectroscopy regions of interest were compared to very small multi‐voxel spectroscopy regions of interest within the same lobe; and for the N‐acetyl aspartase to creatine ratios in all lobes when single‐voxel spectroscopy was compared to combined (pooled) multi‐voxel spectroscopy datasets. Findings from this preliminary study indicated that single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy techniques using 3T MRI yield comparable results for similar sized regions of interest in the normal canine brain. Findings also supported using the contralateral side as an internal control for dogs with brain lesions.
Wide distributions and cryptic diversity within a Microstomum (Platyhelminthes) species complex
Authors: Atherton Sarah , Jondelius Ulf 
Published: June 2018

Microstomum lineare is a common species of fresh and brackish waters found worldwide. Three genes (18S, CO1 and ITS) were sequenced from specimens of M. lineare collected from four countries, and the levels of cryptic diversity and genetic structuring were assessed. Results showed M. lineare has very wide haplotype distributions suggesting higher than expected dispersal capabilities. In addition, three new species were described on the basis of molecular taxonomy: Microstomum artoisi sp. nov., Microstomum tchaikovskyi sp. nov. and Microstomum zicklerorum sp. nov.
Preface
Authors: Md Siraj Maheyzah 
Published: June 2018

Information Assurance and Security (IAS) is a field of research that focus on the management and protection of knowledge, information and data. It combines two fields:Information assurance, which focuses on ensuring the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of information and systems. These measures may include providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities.Information security, which emphasizes on the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction in order to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability.Information systems play an important role in the infrastructure that supports commerce, banking, telecommunications, health care, and national security, driving the need for qualified IAS specialists.This special issue is a platform for Master of Science (Information Security) students to publish their final year project/research findings. The papers published in this issue have been reviewed by at least 3 reviewers or lecturers in the area of IAS. The scopes of research area conducted by the students are:- Information Security Awareness, Evaluation, Maturity Model/Metamodel- Security Issues in Cloud- Spam Email/Review/Web Detection- Biometrics Recognition- Privacy Preserving Data Mining- Cyber Security Analytics and Visualization- Digital Forensics and Investigation- Others
Ontology of Mutation Testing for Java Operators
Authors: Sualim Sherolwendy , Mohamad Radziah , Saadon Nor Azizah 
Published: June 2018

Operators are special characters within the Java language to manipulate primitive data type. Java operators can be classified as unary, binary and ternary. The design of Java operator sometimes becomes confusing when it comes to testing tools as they had the same function with different label in every testing tool. Therefore, in order to map the knowledge of operators correctly, this research has proposed ontology that is dedicated to mutation testing as a means to define the formal specification of concepts and documentation of knowledge of Java operators. Existing papers on ontology did not specify further on entities and properties of operators. Some papers only focus on mutation testing but not the operators. Thus, this paper will present the ontology clearly with the aim to ease end user to identify and understand every classes, properties and relations in Java operators.
Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid composition in the fresh water fishes in North Sulawesi
Authors: Pontoh Julius , Tumiwa Drayen 
Published: June 2018

Fresh water fish is one of the nutritious food sources for the people in Indonesia including in North Sulawesi. Other than its protein, the fish oil has an important source of energy as well as nutraceutical of the people. Some fatty acids, especially omega three fatty acids have been known for their function in prevention of some artery diseases. There is not so much information available about the fatty acid composition in the fresh water fishes. Therefore, the purposes of this research are to determine the present of fatty acids and their composition in the fresh water fishes. The fish samples including, tilapia (mujair), carp (ikan mas), catfish (lele), snakehead (gabus) have been collected from various parts in North Sulawesi. Fatty acids were identified using standard fatty acid mix and measured for their concentration using gas chromatographic technique. The main fatty acids are following to their abundancy: oleic acid varies from 27.24 % for snakehead to 42.22 % for catfish; palmitic acid varies from 22.32 % for carp to 26.91 % for snakehead fish; and linolenic acid varies from 11.89 % for snakehead to 22.46 % for carp. Among the fresh water fishes, the snakehead fish has a unique fatty acid composition, it has high concentration of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, DHA).
Photocatalytic oxidation of nitrite ion over carbon nitride
Authors: Jasman Siti Maryam , Lintang Hendrik Oktendy , Lee Siew Ling , Yuliati Leny 
Published: June 2018

Nitrite ion (NO2-) is a toxic inorganic contaminant, which is widely used in industry and agriculture as a food preservative and a fertilizing agent. One of the methods to reduce the toxicity of the NO2- is by oxidizing it into less hazardous compounds, such as nitrate ion (NO3-). In this study, we demonstrated that a simple and green photocatalytic process can be employed to oxidize the NO2- to NO3- over a metal free-carbon nitride photocatalyst under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The carbon nitride was synthesized via pyrolysis of urea precursor by a thermal polymerization process at 823 K for 4 hours. The prepared carbon nitride was then characterized by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), diffuse reflectance UV-visible (DR UV-vis), fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometers, as well as nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analyzer. All the characterization results supported the successful synthesis of the carbon nitride. The carbon nitride was then used as the photocatalyst for oxidation of NO2- to NO3- under UV light irradiation for 3 h. The decrease of the NO2- and the formation of the NO3- were analyzed by using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with Hypersil GoldTM PFP column. The mobile phase used was a mixture of methanol (MeOH) and water (H2O) with the ratio of MeOH:H2O was 30:70. The addition of orthophosphoric acid was required to set the pH at 2.5. The flow rate was fixed at 0.8 ml min-1 and the monitored wavelength was 220 nm. It was revealed that carbon nitride could oxidize NO2- to NO3- with a moderate conversion of 15%. Fluorescence quenching showed that there were good interactions between the emission sites of carbon nitride and the NO2- molecules. The good interactions would be one driving force for the carbon nitride to act as a good photocatalyst to oxidize the NO2- to NO3-. The oxidation pathway by the photogenerated species was also proposed.
Floristic diversity and medical interest of Djebel Aissa national park flora (Ksours Montains,Algeria)
Authors: Mohammed Benaissa , Ahmed El Haitoum , Kouider Hadjadj 
Published: June 2018

Declared national park since 2003 in the province of Naâma in Algeria, it covers an area of around 24 400 hectares. Djebel Aissa national park offers particularly favorables conditions for the development of important floristic diversity with endemic and / or rare taxa.The inventory of the plant biodiversity in the park revealed the existence of 379 taxa belonging to 52 families and 233 genera. An important endemics number has recorded: 24 North Africa, 23 Algerian-Moroccan,4 North Africa and Iberian Peninsula, 5 Algerian, 6 Saharan, 1 Algerian-Tunisian, 1 ibero-algero-Moroccan and 2 ibero –Moroccan. 65 species were reported as rare or very rare, including 15 quite rare species, 36 rare species, 12 very rare species and 2 extremely rare species.
Anticancer activity of novel soursop leaves active compound (sf-1603) through apoptotic induction in liver cancer
Authors: Tejasari Maya , Sastramihardja Herri , Abdurachman Siti Aminah , Prasetyo Dwi 
Published: June 2018

There are no effective standard treatments for unresectable stage of liver cancer have been established. These insights lead the pursuit of targeted therapeutic strategies for reactivating apoptosis to eradicate cancer cells. It was hypothesized that active compound in the soursop leaves will be able to induce apoptosis. Objective of the study is to explore the role of novel soursop leaves active compound (SF-1603) in apoptosis induction to find a new agent for liver cancer therapy. This study was use HepG2 cell line culture seeded in DMEM / F12. There were control group and 3 intervention group given SF-1603 with different concentration. Apoptosis detection was done using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) method. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear regression. The result showed the cells undergoing apoptosis in the control group less than treatment groups. There was a strong positive correlation (r=0.847) between the rate of apoptosis and a concentration of SF-1603, reflected the apoptotic effect with a dose-dependent manner. The study conclude, the novel soursop leaves active compound SF-1603 had the strong ability to induce apoptosis on liver cancer cell line culture, so it can be used as a candidate for new agent for liver cancer therapy.
Assessment of metal pollution using enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) in sediments of selected Terengganu rivers, Malaysia
Authors: Sukri Nor Sayzwani , Aspin Siti Amirah , Kamarulzaman Nurul Liyana , Jaafar Nurul Fazlina , Mohd Ghazi Rozidaini , Shafiee @ Ismail Nor Shahida , Yaacob Siti Hajar , Kedri Farah Khaliz , Zakaria Mohamad Pauzi 
Published: June 2018

Anthropogenic activities that happen in Terengganu River were contributed to sediment pollution at that area. The sediment pollution occurred when sediment are additional influenced with chemical adsorption between the metals, grain size, and organic matter. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the metal pollution using Enrichment Factor (EF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) and compared with the previous study. A total of 15 sediment samples were collected from 5 different rives and metal concentration were analyzed using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (ASS). The metal concentration ranged as followed: Cr (0.48-12.80 mg/kg), Cu (0.38-15.20 mg/kg), Mg (202.00-2769.00mg/kg), K (63.36-1730.00 mg/kg), Mn (4.27-33.70 mg/kg), Zn (2.05-31.30 mg/kg) and Cl (141.00-584.00 mg/kg) respectively. Enrichment Factor (EF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used as a pollution indicator to access the sediment pollution in selected Terengganu Rivers. The mean Enrichment Factor (EF) value indicated in decrease order Cl (34.70) > Zn (23.44) > Cu (10.37) > Cr (1.95) > K (1.58) > Mg (1.16)> Mn (0.87). Meanwhile, Pollution Load Index (PLI) value showed below than 1 in all sampling stations. When compared with previous study, Mg and Cl metals need to take further action due to dramatically increased within seven years. The output from this study will be useful for environmental management at Terengganu Rivers.
Report on five species of harpacticoid copepods from vegetative area of Sungai Pulai, Johor
Authors: Kassim Zaleha , Hasnan Hazwani Hanim , Zainal Syazleen , Ahmad Ishak Nurul Huda 
Published: June 2018

Bottom vegetation is known as preferred habitat for many types of meiofauna such as copepods. The conditions of sea bottom that include vegetation could contribute to the copepod’s assemblage. Being an important diet for fish larvae, information on copepod species promotes effort for conservation of both fish species and marine ecosystem. Nonetheless, identification and taxonomic report on copepods from such areas are still scanty. Samples of copepods were collected by scrapping the uppermost 10cm of sediment of bottom area at Sungai Pulai’s seagrass-bed during low tide. Sediment was decanted to extract the copepods which later be preserved in 5% buffered formalin. Body parts were dissected under microscope and prepared for taxonomic study. All drawings made with the help of Lucida tube were used for comparison with established key of identification. Five families were noted in this study; Ameridae Monard, Lang, Parastenhelia Thompson & A. Scott, Dactylopusiidae Lang, Tisbidae Sars and Diosaccidae Sars. Harpacticoid copepod species described from this study were Ameira sp. (Ameridae Monard, Lang), Parastenhelia sp. (Parastenhelia Thompson & A. Scott), Paradactylopodia sp. (Dactylopusiidae, Lang), Idyanthepusilla (Tisbidae, Sars) and Stenhelia sp. (Diosaccidae Sars). Further study on functional morphology would explain their adaptability to both conditions of sea bottom.
Evaluation of antioxidant properties of phycobiliproteins and phenolic compounds extracted from Bangia atropurpurea
Authors: Punampalam Rajalakshmi , Khoo Kong Soo , Sit Nam Weng 
Published: June 2018

Bangia atropurpurea is a freshwater red filamentous alga. In this study, we report on the recovery yield of purified phycobiliproteins, total phenolic content (TPC) and their antioxidant capacity. B. atropurpurea suspended in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), saturated with ammonium sulphate and further isolated R-phycoerythrin and phycocyanin from phycobilisome structure by gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. Phenolic compounds extracted by variable polarity solvents to exhibit optimum yield. Folin–Ciocalteu method was used to determine the TPC, while 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to quantitate the antioxidant activity of phycobiliproteins and phenolic compounds. B. atropurpurea predominantly contains R-phycoerythrin 54.80 % of the total protein extracted at purity ratio A562 to A280 of 4.45 while, phycocyanin displayed 16 % recovery yield at purity ratio A615 to A280 of 2.18. The purified R-phycoerythrin exhibited better antioxidant activity than phycocyanin extract and BHT synthetic antioxidant by exhibiting (IC50%=7.66 ±0.81µg/mL) and 54.74 ± 0.11 mg GAE/1g extract for, DPPH scavenging and FRAP assay, respectively. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of purified R-phycoerythrin and phycocyanin proteins have showed apparent single band at molecular weight of 19.6 kDa and 17.5 kDa, respectively. The methanol-soluble extract displayed the utmost TPC, 80.97±0.53 mg GAE/1g extract compared to phenolic content in other organic solvents used for extraction. In accordance with TPC, methanol-soluble extract exhibited as the most effective DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reduction, (IC50%=14.63±0.79 µg/mL) and 37.79±0.27 mg GAE/1g extract, respectively. The presence of R-phycoerythrin, phycocyanin and phenolic compounds in an array, amplifies the antioxidant property of B. atropurpurea.
Design and development of polymerase chain reaction thermal cycler using proportional-integral temperature controller
Authors: Kim Soon Chong , Anusha Devi Nawoor , Beng Gan Kok , Then Sue-Mian 
Published: June 2018

A thermal cycler is used to amplify segments of DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is an instrument that requires precise temperature control and rapid temperature changes for certain experimental protocols. However, the commercial thermal cyclers are still bulky, expensive and limited for laboratory use only. As such it is difficult for on-site molecular screening and diagnostics. In this work, a portable and low cost thermal cycler was designed and developed. The thermal cycler block was designed to fit six microcentrifuge tubes. A Proportional-Integral temperature controller was used to control the thermal cycler block temperature. The results showed that the maximum temperature ramp rate of the developed thermal cycler was 5.5 °C/s. The proportional gain (Kp) and integral gain (Ki) of the PI controller were 15 A/V and 1.8 A/Vs respectively. Finally, the developed thermal cycler successfully amplified six DNA samples at the expected molecular weight of 150 base pair. It has been validated using the Eppendorf Mastercycler nexus gradient system and gel electrophoresis analysis
Computation of splicing languages from DNA splicing system with one palindromic restriction enzyme
Authors: Ismail Nurul Izzaty , Fong Wan Heng , Sarmin Nor Haniza 
Published: June 2018

In DNA splicing system, the potential effects of sets of restriction enzymes and a ligase that allow DNA molecules to be cleaved and reassociated to produce further molecules are studied. A splicing language depicts the molecules resulting from a splicing system. In this research, a C++ programming code for DNA splicing system with one palindromic restriction enzyme for one and two (non-overlapping) cutting sites is developed. A graphical user interface, GUI is then designed to allow the user to insert the initial DNA string and restriction enzymes to generate the splicing languages which are the result of the computation of the C++ programming. This interface displays the resulting splicing languages, which depict the results from in vitro experiments of the respective splicing system. The results from this research simplify the lenghty manual computation of the resulting splicing languages of DNA splicing systems with one palindromic restriction enzyme.