bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Community Structure and Functions of Benthic Invertebrates with Nickel Concentrations: Analyses from Field Surveys
Authors: Takeshita Kazutaka M. , Misaki Takahiro , Hayashi Takehiko I. , Yokomizo Hiroyuki 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Field surveys provide valuable empirical information about the effects of heavy metals on the biological integrity of river ecosystems. To evaluate the effect of nickel (Ni) on aquatic organisms, we conducted field surveys of benthic invertebrates and Ni concentrations at 45 sites in 19 rivers in Japan. We examined the relationships between 11 structural or functional measures of benthic invertebrate communities and free Ni ion concentrations with a 90th quantile regression model. Among the measures, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) richness, total wet biomass of all invertebrates, and total abundance of filter feeders were negatively associated with free Ni ion concentrations. The total abundance of mud burrowers and their percentage contribution to the abundance of all invertebrates as well as the total abundances of collector-gatherers and predators were positively associated with the Ni ion concentrations. The free ion concentrations of Ni associated with a 5% reduction of one of the 3 measures from its 90th quantile value at reference sites (EC5) were estimated to be 0.2 to 7.6 µg/L. The point estimates of EC5 were similar in order of magnitude to the environmental quality standard for Ni in the European Union. However, the usefulness of simple point estimates of effective concentrations based on quantile regression lines should be carefully examined because the uncertainties in our EC5 values were large. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1728–1737. © 2019 SETAC
Machine learning for wearable IoT‐based applications: A survey
Authors: Al‐Turjman Fadi , Baali Ilyes 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper gives an overview about applying machine learning (ML) in wearable Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). It highlights the main challenges and open issues for deploying ML models in such sensitive networks. The WBAN is an emerging technology in the last few years, which attracts lots of interest from the academic and industrial communities. It enables a wide range of IoT‐based applications in medical, lifestyle, sport, and entertainment. WBAN are constrained in many aspects such as those related to power resources, communication capabilities, and computation power. Moreover, these networks generate ample amount of sensory data. To overcome the limitations of these networks and make use of the big data generated, artificial intelligence is the best way to deal with gigantic data and help in automating several aspects of the network and its applications. This survey paper aims at reporting numerous ways ML is used to benefit these networks, the design factors that are considered when implementing the ML algorithms, and the communication technologies used in connecting wearable WBAN in the IoT era. The reported studies are based on real overviewed experiment and extensive simulation results.
Level set function–based immersed interface method and benchmark solutions for fluid flexible‐structure interaction
Authors: Thekkethil Namshad , Sharma Atul 
Published: May 2019

SummaryUsing a hybrid Lagrangian‐Eulerian approach, a level set function–based immersed interface method (LS‐IIM) is proposed for the interaction of a flexible body immersed in a fluid flow. The LS‐IIM involves finite volume method for the fluid solver, Galerkin finite element method for the structural solver, and a block‐iterative partitioned method–based fully implicit coupling between the two solvers. The novelty of the proposed method is a level set function–based direct implementation of fluid‐solid interface boundary conditions in both the solvers. Another novelty is the computation of the level set function from a geometric method instead of differential equations commonly used in level set methods—the novel geometric as compared to the traditional method is found to be more accurate and less time‐consuming. The LS‐IIM is demonstrated as second‐order accurate. Verification study is presented first separately for both the solvers and then together for four fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) problems, with different levels of complexity including lid‐driven flow, channel flow, and free‐stream flow. Benchmark solutions are presented for two class of FSI problems: first, easy to set up and less time‐consuming and, second, a reasonably challenging and complex FSI problem involving sharp edges and forced‐motion of the flexible structure. The benchmark solutions are proposed at steady state for the first problem, after a verification study with two open‐source solvers and, at periodic state, after a validation with published experimental results for the second problem. Our benchmark solutions may be useful for verification study in future.
Chemical compound identification and antibacterial activity evaluation of cinnamon extracts obtained by subcritical n‐butane and ethanol extraction
Authors: Liang Ying , Li Yi , Sun Aidong , Liu Xianjin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFour important Cinnamomum species in China including C. cassia, C. loureiroi, C. wilsonii, and C. burmannii were chosen to be extracted by subcritical n‐butane and ethanol. The chemical compounds of extracts were identified by GC‐MS and HPLC‐MS, and the antibacterial activities were evaluated by agar‐well diffusion assay and twofold microdilution broth method. There were 47 compounds identified in n‐butane extracts and 11 compounds in ethanol extracts totally. The major compounds in n‐butane extracts varied significantly among different Cinnamomum species, and (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and coumarin were major compounds for C. cassia with area percentage of 74.32%; (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and α‐copaene for C. loureiroi with area percentage of 67.83%; linalool, (E)‐cinnamaldehyde, and citral for C. wilsonii with area percentage of 58.74%; and eugenol, (E)‐cinnamaldehyde, and coumarin for C. burmannii with area percentage of 76.43%. The maximum compounds in ethanol extracts were (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and (Z)‐cinnamaldehyde, and others varied among the Cinnamomum species. All cinnamon extracts showed antibacterial activities that n‐butane extracts were much more sensitive than ethanol extracts. The inhibition zone for N‐butane extracts against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella anatum was from 18.98 to 37.45 mm while for ethanol extracts from 7.11 to 10.11 mm. The minimum bactericidal concentrations for n‐butane extracts were ranged from 0.31 to 2.50 mg/ml and for ethanol extracts ranged from 20.00 to 160.00 mg/ml. N‐butane extracts of C. cassia and C. loureiroi processed much higher antibacterial activities than C. wilsonii and C. burmannii. N‐butane extracts of C. cassia and C. loureiroi have the potential to be used as food biopreservative.
Gründungsertüchtigungen/Neugründungen im historischen, sensitiven Gefüge des Pergamonmuseums auf der Museumsinsel in Berlin‐Mitte
Authors: Patron Josef‐A. , Keller Ralph 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDas zwischen 1910 und 1936 errichtete Dreiflügelgebäude zur Präsentation vorwiegend antiker Großobjekte bedarf nach 100jähriger Standzeit einer Grundinstandsetzung. Für die Wiedererlangung einer vollen Museumsfunktionalität und Herstellung der den Ausstellungsobjekten gerechten klimatischen Randbedingungen sind umfangreiche Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen, Neugründungen und Tieferlegungen der Kellergeschosssohlen unabdingbar.Die Auswertung der Archivunterlagen ergab, dass die Gründung des Pergamonmuseums auf mehreren Ebenen in einer Tiefe zwischen 6 und 18 m unter Gelände erfolgte. Die in der Gründungsfläche vorhandene tiefe geologische Einkolkung führte zu großen Problemen bei der konzipierten Flachgründung nach Bodenaustausch im Schutz einer Wasserhaltung. Die erst 1912 vorliegenden Ergebnisse der Bodenerkundungen im Bereich des bis dato überbauten Südflügels zeigten, dass die organische Einkolkung bis ca. –12 m NHN reichte. Dies erforderte eine grundlegende Veränderung der Gründung in diesem Bauabschnitt. Sowohl die 1912 zur Verfügung stehenden Wasserhaltungsanlagen als auch die Tiefgründungselemente waren nicht in der Lage, den ca. 45 m unter Gelände liegenden tragfähigen Baugrund zu erreichen.Die hohen Anforderungen an das Verformungsverhalten der Bestandsstrukturen und insbesondere der während der Sanierung noch in musealer Nutzung befindliche Südflügel des Pergamonmuseums bedingten ein entsprechendes Reaktionsmonitoring, das mit dem Baugeschehen permanent abgeglichen werden musste. Es wurden sowohl Erschütterungs‐ als auch Setzungsverläufe erfasst und als entscheidendes Kriterium bei der Wahl der noch möglichen Sanierungstechnologien des Spezialtiefbaus eingesetzt. Die gewählten Lösungsansätze vor Ort, sowohl in der Errichtungsphase als auch während der jetzigen Instandsetzung werden im Beitrag dargestellt und diskutiert.
Spatial Econometrics and Network Analysis as Means to Assess the Assumption of Independence in Higher Education Research
Authors: González Canché Manuel S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA common and truly relevant question that many institutional researchers commonly ask is why are so many students dropping out of their declared major? This chapter guides institutional research professionals through the rationale and steps to identify and address one of such factors: outcome dependence, a pragmatically and timely relevant endeavor when considering the current emphasis on outcome‐based or performance‐based funding policies.
A Fresh Look at the Debate on the Causes of Poor Performance of Certain Irrigation Schemes: The Complexity of Hydraulic Behaviour of Canal Systems
Authors: Plusquellec Hervé 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe paper starts with a retrospective review of the debate on the causes of poor performance of irrigation schemes in the 1990s which resulted in a sharp decline in the interest of financing agencies in the irrigation sector and a shift to a new model of irrigation projects focusing on participatory irrigation management associated with rehabilitation works. Evidence is overwhelming that many new‐type projects have had mixed results. It is evident that improved management alone cannot boost the performance of poorly designed irrigation systems. Design flaws should be corrected.This paper goes on to discuss the complexity of the hydraulics of irrigation canals and the intricate behaviour of a hierarchy of canal systems with innumerable numbers of nodes that should respond to changes in demand and supply. Minor differences at the head of main canals may result in serious deviations from the planned operation and even extreme differences in delivery or chaos at the tail ends. It was only in the mid‐1980s that hydraulic academics studied these phenomena of instability related to the sensitivity of control structures and their interaction. Admittedly occasional observers from other disciplines could not identify the technical causes of the poor performance of some irrigation schemes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic skin lesion area determination of basal cell carcinoma using optical coherence tomography angiography and a skeletonization approach: Preliminary results
Authors: Meiburger Kristen M. , Chen Zhe , Sinz Christoph , Hoover Erich , Minneman Michael , Ensher Jason , Kittler Harald , Leitgeb Rainer A. , Drexler Wolfgang , Liu Mengyang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCutaneous blood flow plays a key role in numerous physiological and pathological processes and has significant potential to be used as a biomarker to diagnose skin diseases such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The determination of the lesion area and vascular parameters within it, such as vessel density, is essential for diagnosis, surgical treatment and follow‐up procedures. Here, an automatic skin lesion area determination algorithm based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images is presented for the first time. The blood vessels are segmented within the OCTA images and then skeletonized. Subsequently, the skeleton is searched over the volume and numerous quantitative vascular parameters are calculated. The vascular density is then used to segment the lesion area. The algorithm is tested on both nodular and superficial BCC, and comparing with dermatological and histological results, the proposed method provides an accurate, non‐invasive, quantitative and automatic tool for BCC lesion area determination.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging of wear and corrosion products within joint capsule tissue from total hip replacements patients
Authors: Liu Songyun , Hall Deborah J. , McCarthy Stephanie M. , Jacobs Joshua J. , Urban Robert M. , Pourzal Robin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractImplant debris generated by wear and corrosion is a prominent cause of joint replacement failure. This study utilized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging (FTIR‐I) to gain a better understanding of the chemical structure of implant debris and its impact on the surrounding biological environment. Therefore, retrieved joint capsule tissue from five total hip replacement patients was analyzed. All five cases presented different implant designs and histopathological patterns. All tissue samples were formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded. Unstained, 5 μm thick sections were prepared. The unstained sections were placed on BaF2 windows and deparaffinized with xylene prior to analysis. FTIR‐I data were collected at a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1 using an Agilent Cary 670 spectrometer coupled with Cary 620 FTIR microscope. The results of study demonstrated that FTIR‐I is a powerful tool that can be used complimentary to the existing histopathological evaluation of tissue. FTIR‐I was able to distinguish areas with different cell types (macrophages, lymphocytes). Small, but distinct differences could be detected depending on the state of cells (viable, necrotic) and depending on what type of debris was present (polyethylene [PE], suture material, and metal oxides). Although, metal oxides were mainly below the measurable range of FTIR‐I, the infrared spectra of tissues exhibited noticeable difference in their presence. Tens of micrometer sized polyethylene particles could be easily imaged, but also accumulations of submicron particles could be detected within macrophages. FTIR‐I was also able to distinguish between PE debris, and other birefringent materials such as suture. Chromium‐phosphate particles originating from corrosion processes within modular taper junctions of hip implants could be identified and easily distinguished from other phosphorous materials such as bone. In conclusion, this study successfully demonstrated that FTIR‐I is a useful tool that can image and determine the biochemical information of retrieved tissue samples over tens of square millimeters in a completely label free, nondestructive, and objective manner. The resulting chemical images provide a deeper understanding of the chemical nature of implant debris and their impact on chemical changes of the tissue within which they are embedded.
Magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal conversion properties of Gd‐C nanocomposites for interstitial lymphography
Authors: Yao Yaqi , Suo Lulu , Liu Shien , Zeng Wenxia , Shan Jun , Zhang Canying , Wu Daxiong , Shang Wei , Zhu Haitao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDual‐functional agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided photothermal therapy (PTT) of lymph cancer are highly desired. Signal enhancement, selectivity between lymphatic nodes/vessels and blood vessels, and photothermal conversion property are the criteria for such dual‐functional agent. In the current work, we demonstrated the potential of Gd‐C nanocomposites as dual‐functional agents for the MRI and PTT of lymph node cancer. Gd‐C nanocomposites were synthesized via a hydrothermal carbonization approach with gadolinium chloride as Gd source and citric acid (CA) as C source. The particle size of the nanocomposites ranges from 40 to 100 nm which is smaller than the intercellular space of lymphatic vessels but much larger than that of the blood vessels. The nanocomposites were successfully applied to the MRI of cervical lymph nodes of rabbits. The signal enhancement of the lymph nodes reached the maximum value of 434% at 10 min after injection, without displaying any blood vessel. The Gd‐C nanocomposites also exhibited strong photothermal conversion effect. Under the illumination of an 808 nm laser, the aqueous suspension containing 1.0 wt % Gd‐C nanocomposites gave a maximum temperature rise of 28.2 °C and a light utilization efficiency of 30.4%. The results indicate that Gd‐C nanocomposites have significant potential in MRI guided PTT of lymph cancer.
Glucocorticoids Decrease Longitudinal Bone Growth in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients by Stimulating the FGF23/FGFR3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Delucchi Ángela , Toro Luis , Alzamora Rodrigo , Barrientos Victor , González Magdalena , Andaur Rodrigo , León Pablo , Villanueva Francisco , Galindo Mario , Las Heras Facundo , Montecino Martín , Moena Daniel , Lazcano Andrea , Pinto Viola , Salas Paulina , Reyes María Loreto , Mericq Verónica , Michea Luis 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT
Renal transplantation (RTx) is an effective therapy to improve clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with terminal chronic kidney disease. However, chronic immunosuppression with glucocorticoids (GCs) reduces bone growth and BMD. The mechanisms causing GC-induced growth impairment have not been fully clarified. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a peptide hormone that regulates phosphate homeostasis and bone growth. In pathological conditions, FGF23 excess or abnormal FGF receptors (FGFR) activity leads to bone growth impairment. Experimental data indicate that FGF23 expression is induced by chronic GC exposure. Therefore, we hypothesize that GCs impair bone growth by increasing FGF23 expression, which has direct effects on bone growth plate. In a post hoc analysis of a multicentric randomized clinical trial of prepubertal RTx children treated with early GC withdrawal or chronic GC treatment, we observed that GC withdrawal was associated with improvement in longitudinal growth and BMD, and lower plasma FGF23 levels as compared with a chronic GC group. In prepubertal rats, GC-induced bone growth retardation correlated with increased plasma FGF23 and bone FGF23 expression. Additionally, GC treatment decreased FGFR1 expression whereas it increased FGFR3 expression in mouse tibia explants. The GC-induced bone growth impairment in tibiae explants was prevented by blockade of FGF23 receptors using either a pan-FGFR antagonist (PD173074), a C-terminal FGF23 peptide (FGF23180-205) which blocks the binding of FGF23 to the FGFR-Klotho complex or a specific FGFR3 antagonist (P3). Finally, local administration of PD173074 into the tibia growth plate ameliorated cartilage growth impairment in GC-treated rats. These results show that GC treatment partially reduces longitudinal bone growth via upregulation of FGF23 and FGFR3 expression, thus suggesting that the FGF23/Klotho/FGFR3 axis at the growth plate could be a potential therapeutic target for the management of GC-induced growth impairment in children.
Molecular cloning, expression, purification, and functional characterization of SP‐22 gene from Bombyx mori
Authors: Salah Eldein Elshareef , Abdalla Mohnad , Eltayb Wafa Ali , El‐Arabey Amr Ahmed , Ganash Magdah , Alshammari Fawaz D. , Barreto George , Ashraf Ghulam Md 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSerine protease (SPs) is one of the immune enzyme's molecules that play a main role in the variation of a physiological process by controlling protease actions in vertebrates. For example, signaling cells, protector and improvement, which are included in melanization, are utilized to cascade with the meddling pathogens and defense the harmed tissue in insects. In this study, we explore the biochemical process of (SP‐22) from Bombyx mori. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) discloses that BmSP‐22 is expressed in all tissues including the fat body. The formative expression profile of BmSP‐22 reveal that BmSP‐22 messenger RNA is expressed constitutively in larvae. Injection of recombinant BmSP‐22 into B. mori larvae reduces significantly the transcript levels of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body. Our results suggest that BmSP‐22 plays an important role in the innate immunity of B. mori and possibly in other insects.
LncRNA CRNDE promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by upregulating SIX1 through modulating miR‐337‐3p
Authors: Tang Dan , Zhao Lijin , Peng Cijun , Ran Kaiqiong , Mu Rui , Ao Yu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundLong noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is emerging as a vital regulator in various cancers. Recently, it was found that lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) plays an oncogenic role, promoting cell proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of lncRNA CRNDE remains unclear.MethodsThe expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and sineoculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) expression was determined by Western blot analysis. RNA pull‐down, luciferase and Western blot analysis assays were used to examine the target relationship between lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p as well as between miR‐337‐3p and SIX1. The functional effects of lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p were examined in vitro by using cell viability, colony formation, wound scratch, transwell assays, and in vivo in a xenograft tumor mouse model.ResultsLncRNA CRNDE was overexpressed in tumor tissues of patients with HCC. LncRNA CRNDE downregulation significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that lncRNA CRNDE interacted with miR‐337‐3p and decreased its expression, thereby increasing the protein expression of miR‐337‐3p's target, SIX1. In addition, in vivo experiments using a xenograft tumor mouse model revealed that lncRNA CRNDE served as an oncogene, partly through sponging miR‐337‐3p and upregulating SIX1 in HCC.ConclusionsIn this study, we report a newly identified regulatory mechanism lncRNA CRNDE/miR‐337‐3p/SIX1 axis, suggesting a promising therapeutic target in HCC.