bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land use change has stronger effects on functional diversity than taxonomic diversity in tropical Andean hummingbirds
Authors: Tinoco Boris A. , Santillán Vinicio E. , Graham Catherine H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLand use change modifies the environment at multiple spatial scales, and is a main driver of species declines and deterioration of ecosystem services. However, most of the research on the effects of land use change has focused on taxonomic diversity, while functional diversity, an important predictor of ecosystem services, is often neglected. We explored how local and landscape scale characteristics influence functional and taxonomic diversity of hummingbirds in the Andes Mountains in southern Ecuador. Data was collected in six landscapes along a land use gradient, from an almost intact landscape to one dominated by cattle pastures. We used point counts to sample hummingbirds from 2011 to 2012 to assessed how local factors (i.e., vegetation structure, flowering plants richness, nectar availability) and landscape factors (i.e., landscape heterogeneity, native vegetation cover) influenced taxonomic and functional diversity. Then, we analyzed environment – trait relationships (RLQ test) to explore how different hummingbird functional traits influenced species responses to these factors. Taxonomic and functional diversity of hummingbirds were positively associated with landscape heterogeneity but only functional diversity was positively related to native vegetation coverage. We found a weak response of taxonomic and functional diversity to land use change at the local scale. Environment‐trait associations showed that body mass of hummingbirds likely influenced species sensitivity to land use change. In conclusion, landscape heterogeneity created by land use change can positively influence hummingbird taxonomic and functional diversity; however, a reduction of native vegetation cover could decrease functional diversity. Given that functional diversity can mediate ecosystem services, the conservation of native vegetation cover could play a key role in the maintenance of hummingbird pollination services in the tropical Andes. Moreover, there are particular functional traits, such as body mass, that increase a species sensitivity to land use change.
Epigenetic population differentiation in field‐ and common garden‐grown Scabiosa columbaria plants
Authors: Groot Maartje P. , Wagemaker Niels , Ouborg N. Joop , Verhoeven Koen J. F. , Vergeer Philippine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPopulations often differ in phenotype and these differences can be caused by adaptation by natural selection, random neutral processes, and environmental responses. The most straightforward way to divide mechanisms that influence phenotypic variation is heritable variation and environmental‐induced variation (e.g., plasticity). While genetic variation is responsible for most heritable phenotypic variation, part of this is also caused by nongenetic inheritance. Epigenetic processes may be one of the underlying mechanisms of plasticity and nongenetic inheritance and can therefore possibly contribute to heritable differences through drift and selection. Epigenetic variation may be influenced directly by the environment, and part of this variation can be transmitted to next generations. Field screenings combined with common garden experiments will add valuable insights into epigenetic differentiation, epigenetic memory and can help to reveal part of the relative importance of epigenetics in explaining trait variation. We explored both genetic and epigenetic diversity, structure and differentiation in the field and a common garden for five British and five French Scabiosa columbaria populations. Genetic and epigenetic variation was subsequently correlated with trait variation. Populations showed significant epigenetic differentiation between populations and countries in the field, but also when grown in a common garden. By comparing the epigenetic variation between field and common garden‐grown plants, we showed that a considerable part of the epigenetic memory differed from the field‐grown plants and was presumably environmentally induced. The memory component can consist of heritable variation in methylation that is not sensitive to environments and possibly genetically based, or environmentally induced variation that is heritable, or a combination of both. Additionally, random epimutations might be responsible for some differences as well. By comparing epigenetic variation in both the field and common environment, our study provides useful insight into the environmental and genetic components of epigenetic variation.
Facile Synthesis of Ni(OH)2 Modified Disposable Pencil Graphite Electrode and its Application for Highly Sensitive Non‐enzymatic Glucose Sensor
Authors: Chelaghmia Mohamed Lyamine , Nacef Mouna , Affoune Abed Mohamed , Pontié Maxime , Derabla Tahar 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, a low‐cost, disposable, sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor was developed for glucose determination, which is based on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) modified with nickel hydroxide. Cyclic voltammetry was used to deposit nickel on PGE. The morphology and composition of the unmodified and modified PGE electrodes were characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). The performance of the as modified electrode towards the electrooxidation of glucose in alkaline media was evaluated with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry techniques. A linear relationship between the concentration of glucose and oxidation peak currents was observed in two concentration ranges of 0.004–3.5 mM and 3.5–9.0 mM. The detection limit was 2 μM at signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. In addition to a fast response time (<2 s), the proposed sensor preserved 93 % of its original response towards glucose after 28 days. Also, the sensor showed a good reproducibility and high selectivity for glucose oxidation in the presence of common interfering species. The use of Ni(OH)2/PGE sensor was successfully tested in the determination of glucose in human blood serum for the first time in the literature.
Silver Hexacyanoferrate (III) on a Hybrid Graphene Oxide/PAMAM Dendrimer Surface and Application as an Electrocatalyst in the Detection of Isoniazid
Authors: Silvestrini Fernandes Daniela , Silveira Bonfim Kely , do Carmo Devaney Ribeiro 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe polyamidoamine dendrimer PAMAM was covalently bound to graphene oxide via amide formation between any peripheral amine group dendrimer and the carboxyl groups present in graphene oxide. This material (GOP) was characterized by different spectroscopic techniques, namely Raman Spectroscopy, X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD). The hybrid material was shown to adsorb silver, that in turn complexes with hexacyanoferrate (III) ions (GOPAgH). The complexed hybrid material was electrochemically investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Some electroanalytical parameters, such as different supporting electrolytes, the supporting electrolyte concentrations, hydrogen ion concentration effects and scan rate were evaluated in order to obtain optimum responses. The GOPAgH material was successfully tested in the electrocatalytic detection of Isoniazid using a graphite paste electrode with Limits of Detection and Quantification of 5.0×10−6 mol L−1 and 1.7×10−5 mol L−1, respectively.
Earthquake soil‐structure interaction of nuclear power plants, differences in response to 3‐D, 3 × 1‐D, and 1‐D excitations
Authors: Abell José A. , Orbović Nebojša , McCallen David B. , Jeremic Boris 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIn soil‐structure interaction modeling of systems subjected to earthquake motions, it is classically assumed that the incoming wave field, produced by an earthquake, is unidimensional and vertically propagating. This work explores the validity of this assumption by performing earthquake soil‐structure interaction modeling, including explicit modeling of sources, seismic wave propagation, site, and structure. The domain reduction method is used to couple seismic (near‐field) simulations with local soil‐structure interaction response. The response of a generic nuclear power plant model computed using full earthquake soil‐structure interaction simulations is compared with the current state‐of‐the‐art method of deconvolving in depth the (simulated) free‐field motions, recorded at the site of interest, and assuming that the earthquake wave field is spatially unidimensional. Results show that the 1‐D wave‐field assumption does not hold in general. It is shown that the way in which full 3‐D analysis results differ from those which assume a 1‐D wave field is dependent on fault‐to‐site geometry and motion frequency content. It is argued that this is especially important for certain classes of soil‐structure systems of which nuclear power plants subjected to near‐field earthquakes are an example.
Evolution of river planforms downstream of dams: Effect of dam construction or earlier human‐induced changes?
Authors: Słowik Marcin , Dezső József , Marciniak Adam , Tóth Gabriella , Kovács János 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWhen studying the evolution of landscape, it is difficult to discriminate the influence of anthropogenic from natural causes, or recognise changes caused by different sources of human action. This is especially challenging when the influence of certain sources is overprinted. For instance, although dam closure is the most common method of altering river courses, dam construction is often preceded by hydro‐technical works such as channel straightening, embankment construction or sediment mining. Both dam construction and the hydro‐technical works that precede dam closure can result in changes in the balance between sediment supply and transport capacity, and often, changes in river planform.The main objective of this study was to verify whether the works preceding dam closure are an important driver of river planform changes on the lower Drava River (Hungary). The case study is based on geological and geophysical surveys, as well as the analysis of historical maps covering an anabranching, 23 km long valley section. We show that channel straightening conducted prior to dam closure resulted in a transition from a meandering to sinuous planform with channel bars. Dam construction itself then caused enhanced incision, exposure of bar surfaces, vegetation encroachment and the formation of an anabranching planform. Based on this study, we developed models of alluvial island and channel planform evolution downstream of dams. Dam construction enhances channel incision, narrowing, and the reduction of flow caused by earlier hydro‐technical works. Many rivers downstream of dams experience episodes of anabranching or wandering, with a multi‐thread pattern replacing sinuous, braided and meandering courses. When incision continues, river patterns evolve from anabranching to sinuous via the attachment of alluvial islands to floodplains. However, the timing and sequence of these changes depend on hydrological and sediment supply regimes, geomorphic settings and anthropogenic actions accompanying dam construction. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2‐AG limits Theiler's virus induced acute neuroinflammation by modulating microglia and promoting MDSCs
Authors: Mecha Miriam , Feliú Ana , Machín Isabel , Cordero Cesar , Carrillo‐Salinas Francisco , Mestre Leyre , Hernández‐Torres Gloria , Ortega‐Gutiérrez Silvia , López‐Rodríguez María L , de Castro Fernando , Clemente Diego , Guaza Carmen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe innate immune response is mediated by primary immune modulators such as cytokines and chemokines that together with immune cells and resident glia orchestrate CNS immunity and inflammation. Growing evidence supports that the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) exerts protective actions in CNS injury models. Here, we used the acute phase of Theiler's virus induced demyelination disease (TMEV‐IDD) as a model of acute neuroinflammation to investigate whether 2‐AG modifies the brain innate immune responses to TMEV and CNS leukocyte trafficking. 2‐AG or the inhibition of its hydrolysis diminished the reactivity and number of microglia at the TMEV injection site reducing their morphological complexity and modulating them towards an anti‐inflammatory state via CB2 receptors. Indeed, 2‐AG dampened the infiltration of immune cells into the CNS and inhibited their egress from the spleen, resulting in long‐term beneficial effects at the chronic phase of the disease. Intriguingly, it is not a generalized action over leukocytes since 2‐AG increased the presence and suppressive potency of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the brain resulting in higher apoptotic CD4+ T cells at the injection site. Together, these data suggest a robust modulatory effect in the peripheral and central immunity by 2‐AG and highlight the interest of modulating endogenous cannabinoids to regulate CNS inflammatory conditions.
An easy synthetic protocol for imidazo‐1,4‐oxazines and evaluation of their toxicities
Authors: Kuzu Burak , Genç Hasan , Taşpinar Mehmet , Tan Meltem , Menges Nurettin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractImidazo‐1,5‐alkynyl alcohol derivatives were synthesized, and they were cyclized to imidazo‐1,4‐oxazines by means of cesium carbonate. Propargyl‐allene isomerization was examined, and the reaction mechanism was proposed. Moreover, cytotoxicity of synthesized molecules against LN405 cell lines was investigated by means of structure‐activity relationship (SAR). With SAR study, toxicities of some functional groups have been shown. In addition, two lead compounds were tested against DNA damaging.
Change in alcohol and tobacco consumption after a diagnosis of head and neck cancer: Findings from Head and Neck 5000
Authors: Penfold Chris M. , Thomas Steven J. , Waylen Andrea , Ness Andrew R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundTobacco and alcohol consumption are risk factors for developing head and neck cancer, and continuation postdiagnosis can adversely affect prognosis. We explored changes to these behaviors after a head and neck cancer diagnosis.MethodsDemographic and clinical data were collected from 973 people newly diagnosed with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, or laryngeal cancer. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were additionally collected 4 and 12 months later.ResultsThe prevalence of high alcohol consumption reduced from 54.3% at diagnosis to 41.4% at 12 months, and smoking reduced from 21.0% to 11.7%. Changes in behavior were dynamic, for example, 44% of smokers at 12 months were not smoking at diagnosis or 4 months. Several factors were associated with alcohol consumption, whereas only tumor site and comorbidities were associated with smoking.ConclusionA diagnosis of head and neck cancer can result in important changes in alcohol consumption and smoking prevalence. However, these changes are dynamic in the first year after diagnosis.
CAREGIVER'S DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND YOUNG CHILDREN'S SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DELAYS: A CROSS‐SECTIONAL STUDY IN POOR RURAL AREAS OF CHINA
Authors: Wei Qianwei , Zhang Cuihong , Zhang Jingxu , Luo Shusheng , Wang Xiaoli 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTPoverty and its associated factors put people at risk for depression. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms (DS) of primary caregivers and socioemotional development (SED) delays of young children in poor rural areas of China, and to explore the association between them. Cross‐sectional data of 2,664 children aged 3 to 35 months and their primary caregivers were used for analysis. Characteristics of the child, caregiver, and family were collected through face‐to‐face caregiver interviews. DS were assessed by the Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale (W.W. Zung, 1965, as cited in World Health Organization, ), and SED was evaluated by the Ages and Stage Questionnaires: Social‐Emotional (J. Squires, D. Bricker, & L. Potter, 1997). The χ2 test, stratification analysis, and logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association. Among the caregivers, 40.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] [38.4, 42.1]), reported DS. Caregivers who were male, older and ethnic minorities as well as had a low level of education, a low family income, or more children were more likely to have DS. Of the children, 24.4% (95% CI [22.8, 26.0]) were recognized with SED delays. Older children displayed more delays than did younger children, but no significant differences between males and females were found. SED delays were significantly associated with mother outmigrating, male caregivers, older age, ethnic minorities, and low education or families with a single parent, low‐income, and having more children. Caregivers having DS, odds ratio (OR) = 2.40, 95% CI [1.99, 2.88], was a significant predictor of increased odds of SED delays; other factors were single‐parent family, OR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.37, 2.89], inadequate care, OR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.30, 2.21], physical punishment, OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.33, 1.95], ethnic minorities, OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.17, 1.71], and child age in months, OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.02, 1.04], according to the logistic regression analysis. DS are prevalent among caregivers with young children in poor rural areas. Interventions to improve the mental health of caregivers and their parenting behaviors are needed to improve children's SED.
Moving beyond the comprehensive in vitro proarrhythmia assay: Use of human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes to assess contractile effects associated with drug‐induced structural cardiotoxicity
Authors: Yang Xi , Papoian Thomas 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDrug‐induced cardiotoxicity is a potentially severe side effect that can adversely affect myocardial contractility through structural or electrophysiological changes in cardiomyocytes. Human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) are a promising human cardiac in vitro model system to assess both proarrhythmic and non‐proarrhythmic cardiotoxicity of new drug candidates. The scalable differentiation of hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes provides a renewable cell source that overcomes species differences present in current animal models of drug toxicity testing. The Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative represents a paradigm shift for proarrhythmic risk assessment, and hiPSC‐CMs are an integral component of that paradigm. The recent advancements in hiPSC‐CMs will not only impact safety decisions for possible drug‐induced proarrhythmia, but should also facilitate risk assessment for non‐proarrhythmic cardiotoxicity, where current non‐clinical approaches are limited in detecting this risk before initiation of clinical trials. Importantly, emerging evidence strongly suggests that the use of hiPSC‐CMs with cardiac physiological relevant measurements in vitro improves the detection of structural cardiotoxicity. Here we review high‐throughput drug screening using the hiPSC‐CM model as an experimentally feasible approach to assess potential contractile and structural cardiotoxicity in early phase drug development. We also suggest that the assessment of structural cardiotoxicity can be added to electrophysiological tests in the same platform to complement the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay for regulatory use. Ideally, application of these novel tools in early drug development will allow for more reliable risk assessment and lead to more informed regulatory decisions in making safe and effective drugs available to the public.
Curcumin suppressed the prostate cancer by inhibiting JNK pathways via epigenetic regulation
Authors: Zhao Wanli , Zhou Xudong , Qi Guisong , Guo Yuexian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCurcumin is a component of turmeric and is isolated from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Curcumin was reported to have therapeutic effects on prostate cancer. Yet the molecular mechanism of curcumin remains unclear. In this study, mouse prostate cancer xenograft model was established and subjected to curcumin treatment. GST‐c‐Jun pull down kinase assays were performed to study the phospho‐c‐Jun level. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay kit was utilized to detect the cell viability. Immunoblotting and qRT‐PCR were performed for target gene expression analysis. Curcumin inhibited growth of prostate cancer in vivo as well as promoted apoptosis of LNCaP cells in vitro. Curcumin inhibited JNK pathway and repressed H3K4me3 in LNCaP cells. Combined use of curcumin and JQ‐1 inhibited the prostate cancer efficiently. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits JNK pathway and plays a role in epigenetic regulation of prostate cancer cells by repressing H3K4me3.
Community violence and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in urban youth: The moderating influence of friend and parent support
Authors: Affrunti Nicholas W. , Suárez Liza , Simpson David 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSeparate lines of research have demonstrated that community violence predicts posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in youth and that social support is one protective factor against the development of PTSD symptoms. The current study sought to examine the associations between primary and secondary exposure to community violence and the moderating role of parent and friend support on these relations. Participants were 96 urban youths (aged 6–17 years; 58.4% racial/ethnic minority; 51% female) and a caregiver recruited from a university mental health clinic. Results indicated that both primary and secondary exposure to community violence predicted PTSD symptoms. Friend support, but not parent support, moderated the association between primary, but not secondary, exposure to community violence and PTSD symptoms. The findings suggest that friend support is a salient protective factor for urban youth who may be at risk of PTSD symptoms due to exposure to community violence.
Dynamic diffusion tensor imaging of spinal cord contusion: A canine model
Authors: Liu Changbin , Yang Degang , Li Jianjun , Li Dapeng , Yang Mingliang , Sun Wei , Meng Qianru , Zhang Wenhao , Cai Chang , Du Liangjie , Li Jun , Gao Feng , Gu Rui , Feng Yutong , Dong Xuechao , Miao Qi , Yang Xinghua , Zuo Zhentao 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the dynamic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of changes in spinal cord contusion using a canine model of injury involving rostral and caudal levels. In this study, a spinal cord contusion model was established in female dogs using a custom‐made weight‐drop lesion device. DTI was performed on dogs with injured spinal cords (n=7) using a Siemens 3.0T MRI scanner at pre‐contusion and at 3 h, 24 h, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post‐injury. The tissue sections were stained for immunohistochemical analysis. Canine models of spinal cord contusion were created successfully using the weight‐drop lesion device. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value of lesion epicenter decreased, while the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values increased, and the extent of the curve was apparent gradually. The site and time affected the DTI parameters significantly in the whole spinal cord, ADC (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.077, respectively); FA (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.002, respectively). Immunohistological analysis of GFAP and NF revealed the pathologic changes of reactive astrocytes and axons, as well as the cavity and glial scars occurring during chronic SCI. DTI is a sensitive and noninvasive imaging tool useful to assess edema, hemorrhage, cavity formation, structural damage and reconstruction of axon, and myelin in dogs. The DTI parameters after contusion vary. However, the curves of ADC, MD, and RD were nearly similar and the FA curve was distinct. All the DTI parameters were affected by distance and time.