bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverted U-shape of Estonian Higher Education: Post-Socialist Liberalism and Postpostsocialist Consolidation
Authors: Saar Ellu , Roosalu Triin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis chapter provides a description of the basic features of the higher education system in Estonia in the historical perspective, paying special attention to the period during the Soviet time right before the USSR collapse and exploring the developments during the following period up to 2015. It is understood that both the social and political system during the period of socialism, as well as changes in the society during the postsocialist period right after the country became independent, have an impact on the current period. On the other hand, changes in the Estonian higher education system are greatly impacted by external factors, especially processes of Europeanisation and internationalisation of higher education. Tendencies towards standardisation of higher education provision, on the one hand, as well as maintaining differentiation between higher education institutions will be highlighted.The analysis distinguishes four periods of the postsocialist higher education system in Estonia, characterised by different traits. 1988–1992 can be considered a period of chaotic, individually and institutionally driven changes; 1993–1998 saw the major expansion of the higher education system in combination with the development of legal frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms; 1999–2005 indicated the wave of reforms, including following the principles of the Bologna process; from 2006 onwards, new measures are put in place to strengthen the (international) competitiveness and sustainability of the shrinking higher education sector. The main strand of differentiation between the higher education institutions largely follows their formal statuses that stem from the soviet period: the applied higher education institutions on the one hand and the academic universities providing bachelor, master’s and doctoral level education on the other. The further differentiation can be made based on the research intensity of the universities as well as based on their legal status, with some being declared national universities by their dedicated laws.
The Effect of Splitting Timing on Mixing in a Jet with Double Injections
Authors: Hadadpour Ahmad , Jangi Mehdi , Bai Xue Song 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
We present large-eddy simulation (LES) of a high-pressure gas jet that is injecting into a quiescent inert environment. The injection is through a nozzle with a diameter of 1.35 mm. Four injection strategies are considered in which the results of a single continuous injection case are compared with those of double injection cases with different injection splitting timing. In all double injection cases, the injection pulsing interval is kept the same, and the total injected mass is equal to that of the single injection case. On the other hand, the splitting timing is varied to investigate the effects of various injection splitting strategies on the mixture formation and the penetration length of the jet. Results show that the jet penetration length is not so sensitive to the splitting timing whereas the mixing quality can significantly change as a result of shifting the onset of injection splitting toward the end of injection. Especially, it is found that by adopting a post-injection strategy where a single injection splits into the main injection and late small injection near the end of injection period the mixing between the injected gas and ambient air is significantly improved. This trend is not as obvious when the injection splitting timing shifts toward the beginning or even in the middle of injection period. The increase of entrainment in the tail of each injection is one of the underlying physics in the mixing improvement in double injection cases. In addition to that, splitting a single injection into two smaller injections increases the surrounding area of the jet and also stretches it along the axial direction. It can potentially increase the mixing of injected gas with the ambient air.
Occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in floor and elevated surface house dust from Shanghai, China
Authors: Niu Dong , Qiu Yanling , Li Li , Zhou Yihui , Du Xinyu , Zhu Zhiliang , Chen Ling , Lin Zhifen 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
House dust is the main source of human exposure to flame retardants by ingestion. This study investigated the occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust from 22 houses in Shanghai, China. House dust was separately collected from the floor and elevated furnishings surface (mostly between 0.5 and 2 m height) for comparison. The concentrations of ∑22 PBDEs ranged from 19.4 to 3280 ng/g (with a geometric mean of 203 ng/g) and from 55.1 to 792 ng/g (with a geometric mean of 166 ng/g) in floor dust (FD) and elevated surface dust (ESD), respectively. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, accounting for about 73.1% of total PBDE burdens. In terms of congener profiles, the comparison of FD and ESD revealed no significant differences except for the ratio of BDE-47/BDE-99. ESD samples displayed a ratio of BDE-47/BDE-99 very similar to commercial penta-BDE products DE-71 while the ratio in FD was exceptionally higher. Significant correlation was found between concentrations of commercial penta-BDE compositions in FD and ESD (p < 0.05). Except for some occasional values, PBDE levels in house dust exhibited temporal stability. Human exposure to PBDEs via dust ingestion was estimated. The highest daily intake of PBDEs was for toddlers by using 95th percentile concentrations of PBDEs via high dust ingestion in FD (23.07 ng/kg bw/day). About 20-fold difference in exposure estimates between toddlers and adults supports that toddlers are facing greater risk from indoor floor dust. Expectedly, this study highlighted the point that residents in Shanghai were exposed to low doses of PBDEs in house dust.
Prognostic impact of final kissing balloon technique after crossover stenting for the left main coronary artery: from the AOI-LMCA registry
Authors: Nishida Koji , Toyofuku Mamoru , Morimoto Takeshi , Ohya Masanobu , Fuku Yasushi , Higami Hirooki , Yamaji Kyohei , Muranishi Hiromi , Yamaji Yuhei , Furukawa Daisuke , Tada Tomohisa , Ko Euihong , Kadota Kazushige , Ando Kenji , Sakamoto Hiroki , Tamura Takashi , Kawai Kazuya , Kimura Takeshi ,   The AOI LMCA Stenting Registry Investigators
Published: April 2018

AbstractIt is still uncertain whether the final kissing balloon technique (FKBT) is mandatory after crossover stenting for the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Assessing Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for LMCA (AOI-LMCA) registry, a 6-center retrospective registry, enrolled 1809 consecutive patients for LMCA stenting in Japan. In the present analysis, 5-year clinical outcomes were compared between non-FKBT (n = 160) and FKBT (n = 578) groups in patients treated with crossover stenting with drug-eluting stents from the LMCA to the left anterior descending artery. Propensity score-matched analysis was also performed in 160 patient pairs. In the entire study population as well as in the propensity-matched population, the cumulative 5-year incidence of the primary outcome measure (target lesion revascularization: TLR) was not significantly different between the FKBT and non-FKBT groups (10.7 versus 14.3%, P = 0.49, and 11.8 versus 14.3%, P = 0.53, respectively). In the sensitivity analysis by the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, the effect of FKBT relative to non-FKBT for TLR remained insignificant (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.47–1.69, P = 0.72). Regarding the TLR location, there were no significant differences in the cumulative incidences of TLR for LMCA-only, for the main branch, and for the side branch between the 2 groups (2.2 versus 1.3%, P = 0.93, 11.8 versus 9.1%, P = 0.71, and 8.2 versus 7.6%, P = 0.82, respectively). FKBT after a 1-stent strategy for LMCA crossover stenting did not affect TLR and other clinical outcomes during 5-year follow-up.Clinical Trial Registration: Assessing Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Left Main Coronary Artery Stenting Registry (AOI LMCA Stenting Registry). http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index/htm/. Unique Identifier: UMIN000014706.
Extracting Hydrocarbon From Shale: An Investigation of the Factors That Influence the Decline and the Tail of the Production Curve
Authors: Lovell A. E. , Srinivasan S. , Karra S. , O'Malley D. , Makedonska N. , Viswanathan H. S. , Srinivasan G. , Carey J. W. , Frash L. P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUnderstanding physical processes that control the long‐term production of hydrocarbon from shale formations is important for both predicting the yield and increasing it. In this work, we explore the processes that could control the tail of the production curve by using a discrete fracture network method to calculate the total travel time from the rock matrix to small‐scale fractures to the primary hydraulic fracture network. The factors investigated include matrix diffusion, extent of the small‐scale fracture zone (or tributary fracture zone/TFZ) consisting of natural, reactivated and induced fractures, and the percentage of free hydrocarbon in the primary fracture network. Individual and combined parameter spaces are explored for each of these to understand the limits of these parameters as well as any systematic correlations between pairs of parameters. Although recent studies have shown that the matrix diffusion in virgin shale influences the production tail only after nearly 20 years, we demonstrate that matrix diffusion in the region of the TFZ significantly impacts production within the first year itself. Additionally, we found that the depth of TFZ fracturing region had no effect on the shape of the production curves although the total mass of the hydrocarbon produced increases with the depth. We also show that one can fit the production data using a site‐specific set of parameters representing the diffusion in the TFZ, depth of the TFZ, and the free hydrocarbon in the large‐scale fractures.
Opening of Hess Deep Rift at the Galapagos Triple Junction
Authors: Smith Deborah K. , Schouten Hans 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAt the Galapagos triple junction, the westward propagating Cocos‐Nazca (C‐N) Rift breaks into ~0.5 Ma crust accreted at the East Pacific Rise. Rifting transitions to full magmatic seafloor spreading in the wake of the propagating tip. The 25‐km‐long Hess Deep rift is the transitional segment from rifting to spreading. Intrarift ridge (IRR), located within Hess Deep rift, is interpreted as a detachment fault, which exhumes deep‐seated rocks to the seafloor. Although transitional segments must have occurred throughout the westward propagation of C‐N Rift, IRR is the only obvious detachment fault along the base of the Rift scarps in the last ~5 Ma of its propagation. IRR formation may be in response to a decrease in spreading rate (~40 to <20 mm/yr) and presumed lower melt supply, resulting from the formation of the Galapagos microplate ~1.4 Ma, which now controls the opening at the C‐N Rift tip.
China's “Exported Carbon” Peak: Patterns, Drivers, and Implications
Authors: Mi Zhifu , Meng Jing , Green Fergus , Coffman D' Maris , Guan Dabo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOver the past decade, China has entered a “new normal” phase in economic development, with its role in global trade flows changing significantly. This study estimates the driving forces of Chinese export‐embodied carbon emissions in the new normal phase, based on environmentally extended multiregional input‐output modeling and structural decomposition analysis. We find that Chinese export‐embodied CO2 emissions peaked in 2008 at a level of 1,657 million tones. The subsequent decline in CO2 emissions was mainly due to the changing structure of Chinese production. The peak in Chinese export‐embodied emissions is encouraging from the perspective of global climate change mitigation, as it implies downward pressure on global CO2 emissions. However, more attention should focus on ensuring that countries that may partly replace China as major production bases increase their exports using low‐carbon inputs.
The deubiquitinase USP21 stabilizes MEK2 to promote tumor growth
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Cui Kaisa , Prochownik Edward V , Li Youjun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDeubiquitinases (DUBs) play essential roles in normal cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, the molecular mechanisms of DUBs on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In this study, based on analysis of several HCC datasets, we found that theUSP21gene, which encodes a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family, is highly amplified and overexpressed in HCCs, with the extent of this up-regulation significantly correlating with poor clinical outcomes. Inhibition of USP21 in HCC cell lines decreased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, cell cycle progression, and in vivo tumor growth. Conversely, ectopic expression of USP21 transformed the normal human hepatocyte line HL-7702 and increased the tumorigenicity of the HCC cell line MHCC97L. Mechanistically, USP21 stabilized MEK2 by decreasing its polyubiquitination at Lys48, thereby activating the ERK signaling pathway. Importantly, MEK2 partially mediated the optimal expression of USP21-mediated oncogenic phenotypes. These findings indicate that USP21-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of MEK2 play a critical role in HCC development.
Piezo1 is a mechanically activated ion channel and mediates pressure induced pancreatitis
Authors: Romac Joelle M.-J. , Shahid Rafiq A. , Swain Sandip M. , Vigna Steven R. , Liddle Rodger A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMerely touching the pancreas can lead to premature zymogen activation and pancreatitis but the mechanism is not completely understood. Here we demonstrate that pancreatic acinar cells express the mechanoreceptor Piezo1 and application of pressure within the gland produces pancreatitis. To determine if this effect is through Piezo1 activation, we induce pancreatitis by intrapancreatic duct instillation of the Piezo1 agonist Yoda1. Pancreatitis induced by pressure within the gland is prevented by a Piezo1 antagonist. In pancreatic acinar cells, Yoda1 stimulates calcium influx and induces calcium-dependent pancreatic injury. Finally, selective acinar cell-specific genetic deletion of Piezo1 protects mice against pressure-induced pancreatitis. Thus, activation of Piezo1 in pancreatic acinar cells is a mechanism for pancreatitis and may explain why pancreatitis develops following pressure on the gland as in abdominal trauma, pancreatic duct obstruction, pancreatography, or pancreatic surgery. Piezo1 blockade may prevent pancreatitis when manipulation of the gland is anticipated.
Obese Subjects With Specific Gustatory Papillae Microbiota and Salivary Cues Display an Impairment to Sense Lipids
Authors: Besnard Philippe , Christensen Jeffrey E. , Brignot Hélène , Bernard Arnaud , Passilly-Degrace Patricia , Nicklaus Sophie , Pais de Barros Jean-Paul , Collet Xavier , Lelouvier Benjamin , Servant Florence , Blasco-Baque Vincent , Verges Bruno , Lagrost Laurent , Feron Gilles , Burcelin Rémy 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSome obese subjects overeat lipid-rich foods. The origin of this eating behavior is unknown. We have here tested the hypothesis that these subjects could be characterized by an impaired fatty taste sensitivity linked to a change in the gustatory papillae microbial and salivary environment. The composition of microbiota and saliva surrounding the circumvallate papillae was analyzed in combination with the orosensory lipid detection threshold in normal weight (NW) and obese (O) adults. Microbial architecture was similar to what was known in feces, but with an increased frequency of Proteobacteria. No difference in the orosensory sensitivity to lipids and composition of oral microbiota and saliva was observed between NW and O subjects. By contrast, specific bacterial and salivary signatures were found in lipid non-tasters, irrespectively of BMI. A multivariate approach highlighted that the salivary flow, lysozyme activity, total antioxidant capacity and TM7 bacterial family discriminated between tasters and non-tasters. Subgroup analysis of obese tasters (OT) versus obese non-tasters (ONT) identified specific bacterial metabolic pathways (i.e. phosphotransferase and simple sugar transport systems) as being higher in ONT. Altogether with the identification of a set of significant salivary variables, our study suggests that an “obese tongue” phenotype is associated with decreased orosensory sensitivity to lipids in some obese subjects.
Essential Role of the a3 Isoform of V-ATPase in Secretory Lysosome Trafficking via Rab7 Recruitment
Authors: Matsumoto Naomi , Sekiya Mizuki , Tohyama Koujiro , Ishiyama-Matsuura Eri , Sun-Wada Ge-Hong , Wada Yoh , Futai Masamitsu , Nakanishi-Matsui Mayumi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSecretory lysosomes are required for the specialised functions of various types of differentiated cells. In osteoclasts, the lysosomal proton pump V-ATPase (vacuolar-type ATPase) is targeted to the plasma membrane via secretory lysosomes and subsequently acidifies the extracellular compartment, providing optimal conditions for bone resorption. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this trafficking of secretory lysosomes. Here, we demonstrate that the lysosome-specific a3 isoform of the V-ATPase a subunit plays an indispensable role in secretory lysosome trafficking, together with Rab7, a small GTPase involved in organelle trafficking. In osteoclasts lacking a3, lysosomes were not transported to the cell periphery, and Rab7 was not localised to lysosomes but diffused throughout the cytoplasm. Expression of dominant-negative (GDP-bound form) Rab7 inhibited lysosome trafficking in wild-type cells. Furthermore, a3 directly interacted with the GDP-bound forms of Rab7 and Rab27A. These findings reveal a novel role for the proton pump V-ATPase in secretory lysosome trafficking and an unexpected mechanistic link with Rab GTPases.
Sauchinone controls hepatic cholesterol homeostasis by the negative regulation of PCSK9 transcriptional network
Authors: Chae Hee-Sung , You Byoung Hoon , Kim Dong-Yeop , Lee Hankyu , Ko Hyuk Wan , Ko Hyun-Jeong , Choi Young Hee , Choi Sun Shim , Chin Young-Won 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWhole-transcriptome analysis and western blotting of sauchinone-treated HepG2 cells demonstrated that sauchinone regulated genes relevant to cholesterol metabolism and synthesis. In particular, it was found that the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was downregulated, and the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was upregulated in sauchinone-treated HepG2 cells. Consequently, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake was increased. As a transcriptional regulator of PCSK9 expression, sterol regulatory elements binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) was proposed by transcriptome analysis and western blotting. Oral administration of sauchinone increased hepatic LDLR through PCSK9 inhibition in obese mice and showed the reduced serum LDL-C levels and downstream targets of SREBP-2. Thus, it is evident that sauchinone reduces hepatic steatosis by downregulating the expression of hepatic PCSK9 via SREBP-2.
Scale Effects on the Ballistic Penetration of Graphene Sheets
Authors: Bizao Rafael A. , Machado Leonardo D. , de Sousa Jose M. , Pugno Nicola M. , Galvao Douglas S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCarbon nanostructures are promising ballistic protection materials, due to their low density and excellent mechanical properties. Recent experimental and computational investigations on the behavior of graphene under impact conditions revealed exceptional energy absorption properties as well. However, the reported numerical and experimental values differ by an order of magnitude. In this work, we combined numerical and analytical modeling to address this issue. In the numerical part, we employed reactive molecular dynamics to carry out ballistic tests on single, double, and triple-layered graphene sheets. We used velocity values within the range tested in experiments. Our numerical and the experimental results were used to determine parameters for a scaling law. We find that the specific penetration energy decreases as the number of layers (N) increases, from ∼15 MJ/kg for N = 1 to ∼0.9 MJ/kg for N = 350, for an impact velocity of 900 m/s. These values are in good agreement with simulations and experiments, within the entire range of N values for which data is presently available. Scale effects explain the apparent discrepancy between simulations and experiments.
An in vitro transepithelial migration assay to evaluate the role of neutrophils in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) induced epithelial damage
Authors: Deng Yu , Herbert Jenny A. , Smith Claire M. , Smyth Rosalind L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLarge numbers of neutrophils migrate into the lungs of children with severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease. It is unclear how these cells contribute to viral clearance and recovery from infection or whether they contribute to disease pathology. We have developed a novelin vitromodel to study neutrophil migration through airway epithelial cells (AECs), the main cellular target of RSV infection. Our model reproduces a physiologically relevant cell polarity and directionality of neutrophil migration. Using this model, we found that RSV infected AECs induced rapid neutrophil transepithelial migration. We also detected increased AEC damage associated with RSV infection, with a further increase in epithelial cells shedding from the Transwell membrane following neutrophil migration. This was not observed in the mock infected controls. Neutrophils that migrated through the RSV infected AECs showed increased cell surface expression of CD11B and MPO compared to neutrophils that had not migrated. In conclusion, ourin vitroco-culture assay can be used to identify critical mechanisms that mediate epithelial cell damage and promote inflammation in children with severe RSV disease.
High-resolution reconstruction of the United States human population distribution, 1790 to 2010
Authors: Fang Yu , Jawitz James W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWhere do people live, and how has this changed over timescales of centuries? High-resolution spatial information on historical human population distribution is of great significance to understand human-environment interactions and their temporal dynamics. However, the complex relationship between population distribution and various influencing factors coupled with limited data availability make it a challenge to reconstruct human population distribution over timescales of centuries. This study generated 1-km decadal population maps for the conterminous US from 1790 to 2010 using parsimonious models based on natural suitability, socioeconomic desirability, and inhabitability. Five models of increasing complexity were evaluated. The models were validated with census tract and county subdivision population data in 2000 and were applied to generate five sets of 22 historical population maps from 1790–2010. Separating urban and rural areas and excluding non-inhabitable areas were the most important factors for improving the overall accuracy. The generated gridded population datasets and the production and validation methods are described here.