bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mouse urothelial genes associated with voiding behavior changes after ovariectomy and bladder lipopolysaccharide exposure
Authors: Acevedo‐Alvarez Marian , Yeh Judy , Alvarez‐Lugo Lery , Lu Ming , Sukumar Nitin , Hill Warren G. , Chai Toby C. 
Published: April 2018

AimsSymptoms from overactive bladder (OAB) and cystitis secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI) can be similar in post‐menopausal women. Effects of ovariectomy (OVX) on voiding behavior after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intravesical exposure (surrogate for cystitis) in mice were measured. Urothelial genes associated with micturition changes were identified.MethodsFemale C57BL6/J mice underwent OVX or sham surgeries (n = 10 for each). Voiding spot assays (VSA) were performed prior to surgery, 4 weeks post‐surgery, and each time after 3 consecutive days of transurethral instillation of LPS. In another experiment, mice underwent either sham (n = 9) or OVX (n = 9) surgeries. Urothelial RNAs were collected 4 weeks post‐surgery, day 1 and day 3 after LPS instillation. Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Arrays (entire 34 K transcripts) were used for microarray hybridization. A set of criteria was utilized to identify gene expression changes that mimicked voiding behavior changes.ResultsThree days after LPS exposure, OVX mice persisted with overactive whereas sham mice normalized voiding behavior. Nine urothelial paralleling voiding behavior changes were identified: IL6 (interleukin 6), IL6rα (Interleukin 6 receptor α), Ptgs2 (Prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase 2 or COX‐2), Ereg (epiregulin), Dusp6 (dual specificity phosphatase 6), Zfp948 (zinc finger protein 948), Zfp52 (Zinc finger protein 52), Gch1 (GTP cyclohydrolase 1), and Amd (S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase). Three other genes, coding unknown proteins, were also identified: GM12840, GM23134, and GM26809.ConclusionsOVX mice persisted with increased voiding frequency after LPS. Urothelial genes that could mediate this voiding behavior include IL6, COX‐2, and S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase.
Accurate computations with collocation matrices of a general class of bases
Authors: Mainar E. , Peña J.M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we provide algorithms for computing the bidiagonal decomposition of the collocation matrices of a very general class of bases of interest in computer‐aided geometric design and approximation theory. It is also shown that these algorithms can be used to perform accurately some algebraic computations with these matrices, such as the calculation of their inverses, their eigenvalues, or their singular values. Numerical experiments illustrate the results.
Computational Krylov‐based methods for large‐scale differential Sylvester matrix problems
Authors: Hached M. , Jbilou K. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn the present paper, we propose Krylov‐based methods for solving large‐scale differential Sylvester matrix equations having a low‐rank constant term. We present two new approaches for solving such differential matrix equations. The first approach is based on the integral expression of the exact solution and a Krylov method for the computation of the exponential of a matrix times a block of vectors. In the second approach, we first project the initial problem onto a block (or extended block) Krylov subspace and get a low‐dimensional differential Sylvester matrix equation. The latter problem is then solved by some integration numerical methods such as the backward differentiation formula or Rosenbrock method, and the obtained solution is used to build the low‐rank approximate solution of the original problem. We give some new theoretical results such as a simple expression of the residual norm and upper bounds for the norm of the error. Some numerical experiments are given in order to compare the two approaches.
Infinite horizon linear quadratic tracking problem: A discounted cost function approach
Authors: Najafi Birgani Soleiman , Moaveni Bijan , Khaki‐Sedigh Ali 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe discounted cost function approach is one of the main approaches to the infinite time horizon problems in economics and market. This paper introduces a causal and optimal solution based on the discounted cost function approach for infinite horizon linear quadratic tracking problem with disturbance rejection and the problem of disturbance tracking by presenting the theoretical foundations. It is shown that the proposed method has the ability to solve the problems where the reference inputs and disturbance signals are not asymptotically stable. Two numerical examples, a grid connection of voltage source power electronic converter as a SISO system and a load frequency control of a 2‐area nonreheat thermal power system as a MIMO example, are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Optimal control for a nonlinear mathematical model of tumor under immune suppression: A numerical approach
Authors: Sweilam N. H. , AL‐Mekhlafi S. M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn this paper, optimal control for a novel nonlinear mathematical model of tumor under immune suppression is presented. The proposed model is governed by a system of fractional differential equations, where the fractional derivative is defined in the Caputo sense. Modified parameters are introduced to account for the fractional order. Necessary and sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence and the uniqueness of the solution of the control problem are given. Two control variables are proposed to minimize the cost of interventions. Two simple numerical methods are used to study the nonlinear fractional optimal control problem. The methods are the generalized Euler method and the nonstandard generalized Euler method. The stability analysis and the truncation error of the nonstandard generalized Euler method are given. Comparative studies are implemented.
Virus‐induced gene silencing database for phenomics and functional genomics in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Senthil‐Kumar Muthappa , Wang Mingyi , Chang Junil , Ramegowda Venkategowda , del Pozo Olga , Liu Yule , Doraiswamy Vanthana , Lee Hee‐Kyung , Ryu Choong‐Min , Wang Keri , Xu Ping , Van Eck Joyce , Chakravarthy Suma , Dinesh‐Kumar Savithramma P. , Martin Gregory B. , Mysore Kirankumar S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractVirus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an important forward and reverse genetics method for the study of gene function in many plant species, especially Nicotiana benthamiana. However, despite the widespread use of VIGS, a searchable database compiling the phenotypes observed with this method is lacking. Such a database would allow researchers to know the phenotype associated with the silencing of a large number of individual genes without experimentation. We have developed a VIGS phenomics and functional genomics database (VPGD) that has DNA sequence information derived from over 4,000 N. benthamiana VIGS clones along with the associated silencing phenotype for approximately 1,300 genes. The VPGD has a built‐in BLAST search feature that provides silencing phenotype information of specific genes. In addition, a keyword‐based search function could be used to find a specific phenotype of interest with the corresponding gene, including its Gene Ontology descriptions. Query gene sequences from other plant species that have not been used for VIGS can also be searched for their homologs and silencing phenotype in N. benthamiana. VPGD is useful for identifying gene function not only in N. benthamiana but also in related Solanaceae plants such as tomato and potato. The database is accessible at http://vigs.noble.org.
Weed presence altered biotic stress and light signaling in maize even when weeds were removed early in the critical weed‐free period
Authors: Horvath David P. , Bruggeman Stephanie , Moriles‐Miller Janet , Anderson James V. , Dogramaci Munevver , Scheffler Brian E. , Hernandez Alvaro G. , Foley Michael E. , Clay Sharon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWeed presence early in the life cycle of maize (typically, from emergence through the 8 to 12 leaf growth stage) can reduce crop growth and yield and is known as the critical weed‐free period (CWFP). Even if weeds are removed during or just after the CWFP, crop growth and yield often are not recoverable. We compared transcriptome responses of field‐grown hybrid maize at V8 in two consecutive years among plants grown under weed‐free and two weed‐stressed conditions (weeds removed at V4 or present through V8) using RNAseq analysis techniques. Compared with weed‐free plant responses, physiological differences at V8 were identified in all weed‐stressed plants and were most often associated with altered photosynthetic processes, hormone signaling, nitrogen use and transport, and biotic stress responses. Even when weeds were removed at V4 and tissues sampled at V8, carbon: nitrogen supply imbalance, salicylic acid signals, and growth responses differed between the weed‐stressed and weed‐free plants. These underlying processes and a small number of developmentally important genes are potential targets for decreasing the maize response to weed pressure. Expression differences of several novel, long noncoding RNAs resulting from exposure of maize to weeds during the CWFP were also observed and could open new avenues for investigation into the function of these transcription units.
Protective effects of sarsasapogenin against early stage of diabetic nephropathy in rats
Authors: Liu Yao‐Wu , Hao Yun‐Chao , Chen Ya‐Jing , Yin Shen‐Yuan , Zhang Meng‐Ya , Kong Li , Wang Tao‐Yun 
Published: April 2018

Rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AA, family Liliaceae) has been widely used in China for thousands of years to treat febrile diseases and diabetes. Steroidal saponins from AA show good antidiabetes effects and ameliorate diabetic complications. This study was designed to investigate the effects of sarsasapogenin (Sar), a major sapogenin from AA, on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats, and to explore the possible mechanisms. Diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups treated orally with Sar (0, 20, or 60 mg/kg) and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, whereas normal rats for Sar (0 or 60 mg/kg) and carboxymethylcellulose sodium. We found that chronic treatment with Sar for 9 weeks significantly ameliorated renal dysfunction of diabetic rats, as evidenced by decreases in albuminuria, kidney weight index, serum uric acid, and morphologic changes such as extracellular matrix expansion and accumulation (fibronectin and collagen IV levels, etc.). Meanwhile, Sar treatment resulted in decreases in interleukin‐18, NLRP3, and activated caspase 1 levels as well as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) levels in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. However, Sar has no effects on the above indices in the normal rats. Therefore, Sar can markedly ameliorate diabetic nephropathy in rats via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and AGEs–RAGE interaction.
Water temperatures in the headwaters of the Volga River: Trend analyses, possible future changes, and implications for a pan‐European perspective
Authors: Bui M.T. , Kuzovlev V.V. , Zhenikov Y.N. , Füreder L. , Seidel J. , Schletterer M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWater temperature is a physical property influencing abiotic and biotic parameters in an aquatic ecosystem. In different Central European rivers and lakes, a general trend of water temperatures in the range of +0.05 to +0.8 °C per decade was identified. Our case study analyses whether similar patterns apply to the headwaters of the Volga River, in the East European plain. Based on a dataset of water temperatures for 2008–2015, we investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of water temperature along the Tudovka River and estimated backward as well as predicted future changes from development scenarios throughout the 21st century. Stochastic models were applied to track trends and variations in water temperature. Furthermore, the correlation between water temperature and air temperatures was used to model historical water temperatures and to predict possible changes in the future, under the effects of climate change. Based on climate change scenarios, an increase of the mean water temperatures as well as changes regarding the ice cover can be expected until the end of this century. The conditions described for the headwaters of the Volga River system represent a valuable dataset for medium and large rivers in the East European plain and serve as a basis for future management.
Soybean Lecithin‐Mediated Nanoporous PLGA Microspheres with Highly Entrapped and Controlled Released BMP‐2 as a Stem Cell Platform
Authors: Wei Daixu , Qiao Ruirui , Dao Jinwei , Su Jing , Jiang Chengmin , Wang Xichang , Gao Mingyuan , Zhong Jian 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInjectable polymer microsphere‐based stem cell delivery systems have a severe problem that they do not offer a desirable environment for stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation because it is difficult to entrap a large number of hydrophilic functional protein molecules into the core of hydrophobic polymer microspheres. In this work, soybean lecithin (SL) is applied to entrap hydrophilic bone morphogenic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) into nanoporous poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA)‐based microspheres by a two‐step method: SL/BMP‐2 complexes preparation and PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microsphere preparation. The measurements of their physicochemical properties show that PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres had significantly higher BMP‐2 entrapment efficiency and controlled triphasic BMP‐2 release behavior compared with PLGA/BMP‐2 microspheres. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo stem cell behaviors on PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres are analyzed. Compared with PLGA/BMP‐2 microspheres, PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres have significantly higher in vitro and in vivo stem cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and matrix mineralization abilities. Therefore, injectable nanoporous PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres can be potentially used as a stem cell platform for bone tissue regeneration. In addition, SL can be potentially used to prepare hydrophilic protein‐loaded hydrophobic polymer microspheres with highly entrapped and controlled release of proteins.
Template‐Free Fabrication of Mesoporous Alumina Nanospheres Using Post‐Synthesis Water‐Ethanol Treatment of Monodispersed Aluminium Glycerate Nanospheres for Molybdenum Adsorption
Authors: Saptiama Indra , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Suzuki Yoshitaka , Tsuchiya Kunihiko , Fukumitsu Nobuyoshi , Sakae Takeji , Kim Jeonghun , Kang Yong‐Mook , Ariga Katsuhiko , Yamauchi Yusuke 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis work reports the template‐free fabrication of mesoporous Al2O3 nanospheres with greatly enhanced textural characteristics through a newly developed post‐synthesis “water‐ethanol” treatment of aluminium glycerate nanospheres followed by high temperature calcination. The proposed “water‐ethanol” treatment is highly advantageous as the resulting mesoporous Al2O3 nanospheres exhibit 2–4 times higher surface area (up to 251 m2 g−1), narrower pore size distribution, and significantly lower crystallization temperature than those obtained without any post‐synthesis treatment. To demonstrate the generality of the proposed strategy, a nearly identical post‐synthesis “water treatment” method is successfully used to prepare mesoporous monometallic (e.g., manganese oxide (MnO2)) and bimetallic oxide (e.g., CuCo2O4 and MnCo2O4) nanospheres assembled of nanosheets or nanoplates with highly enhanced textural characteristics from the corresponding monometallic and bimetallic glycerate nanospheres, respectively. When evaluated as molybdenum (Mo) adsorbents for potential use in molybdenum‐99/technetium‐99m (99Mo/99mTc) generators, the treated mesoporous Al2O3 nanospheres display higher molybdenum adsorption performance than non‐treated Al2O3 nanospheres and commercial Al2O3, thereby suggesting the effectiveness of the proposed strategy for improving the functional performance of oxide materials. It is expected that the proposed method can be utilized to prepare other mesoporous metal oxides with enhanced textural characteristics and functional performance.
Crumpling and Unfolding of Montmorillonite Hybrid Nanocoatings as Stretchable Flame‐Retardant Skin
Authors: Chang Ting‐Hsiang , Tian Yuan , Wee Daniel L. Y. , Ren Hongliang , Chen Po‐Yen 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFlame‐retardant coatings are widely used in a variety of personnel or product protection, and many applications would benefit from film stretchability if suitable materials are available. It is challenging to develop flame‐retardant coatings that are stretchable, eco‐friendly, and capable of being integrated on mechanically dynamic devices. Here, a concept is reported that uses pretextured montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid nanocoatings that can undergo programed unfolding to mimic the stretchability of elastomeric materials. These textured MMT coatings can be transferred onto an elastomeric substrate to achieve an MMT/elastomer bilayer device with high stretchability (225% areal strain) and effective flame retardancy. The bilayer composite is utilized as flame‐retardant skin for a soft robotic gripper, and it is demonstrated that the actuated response can manipulate and rescue irregularly shaped objects from a fire scene. Furthermore, by depositing the conformal MMT nanocoatings on nitrile gloves, the firefree gloves can endure direct flame contact without ignition.
Unprecedented Centimeter‐Long Carbon Nitride Needles: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications
Authors: Barrio Jesús , Lin Lihua , Amo‐Ochoa Pilar , Tzadikov Jonathan , Peng Guiming , Sun Jingwen , Zamora Félix , Wang Xinchen , Shalom Menny 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFree standing centimeter‐long 1D nanostructures are highly attractive for electronic and optoelectronic devices due to their unique photophysical and electrical properties. Here a simple, large‐scale synthesis of centimeter‐long 1D carbon nitride (CN) needles with tunable photophysical, electric, and catalytic properties is reported. Successful growth of ultralong needles is acquired by the utilization of 1D organic crystal precursors comprised of CN monomers as reactants. Upon calcination at high temperatures, the shape of the starting crystal is fully preserved while the CN composition and porosity, and optical and electrical properties can be easily tuned by tailoring the starting elements ratio and final calcination temperature. The facile manipulation and visualization of the CN needles endow their direct electrical measurements by placing them between two conductive probes. Moreover, the CN needles exhibit good photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production owing to their improved light harvesting properties, high surface area, and advantageous energy bands position. The new growth strategy developed here may open opportunities for a rational design of CN and other metal‐free materials with controllable directionality and tunable photophysical and electronic properties, toward their utilization in (photo)electronic devices.
Toward a more coherent model for science education than the crosscutting concepts of the next generation science standards: The affordances of styles of reasoning
Authors: Osborne Jonathan , Rafanelli Stephanie , Kind Per 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this article, we argue for a new rationale for the science curriculum that is more coherent and more useful than the crosscutting concepts of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In an effort to provide both clarity and justification for the science curriculum, we contend that a framework based on the idea that there are sixstyles of scientific reasoningwill better guide teachers, curriculum designers, and assessment developers. While the NGSS set out to articulate the learning outcomes of the science curriculum as a set of performance expectations within three major scientific disciplines, we argue that the crosscutting concepts have no scholarly basis for what the sciences have in common. The consequence is that the NGSS make no case for the over‐arching importance of specific performance expectations, include cross cutting concepts inconsistently across different grades, and provide no rationale for each standard. In contrast, we argue that the framework ofstyles of scientific reasoningdoes offer a coherent curriculum framework for the science curriculum from grades K through 12, a justification for each performance expectation, and a vision of how each standard might support the development of scientific reasoning. Implications for curriculum designers and educators are discussed.
Objectivity, subjectivity, and emotion in school science inquiry
Authors: Davis James P. , Bellocchi Alberto 
Published: April 2018

AbstractScience inquiry is an important part of educational reform focusing on improvements to pedagogy. Developing students' capacities and understandings about the design and conceptualization of scientific research informs contemporary curriculum and teaching practices. Althoughobjectivityis regarded as a fundamental aspect of scientific research, limited studies in school contexts have consideredhowstudents generate objectivity during situated classroom practices of science inquiry. A cognitive view of objectivity informs existing research, neglecting the localized production of objectivity during classroom practices and associated emotional experiences. To inform understandings about objectivity, we adopt an ethnomethodological orientation for understanding students' situated practices during science inquiry tasks. Transcripts produced from video recordings of group interactions are collected into salient episodes using ethnomethodological conventions. We extend beyond the fine‐grained ethnomethodological description to analyze transcript data by drawing on a theoretical perspective from the microsociology of emotion. Outcomes include an understanding ofhowobjectivity came to exist through the dialectic relationship between objectivity and subjectivity that are linked via emotional experience. Suggestions are provided to inform future research investigating relationships between emotion, objectivity, student identity, and learning in different science inquiry contexts.
Characterization of ISO 14001 implementation
Authors: Sorooshian Shahryar , Qi Lim Cai , Li Fei Lee 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEnvironmental degradation caused by human activities is of concern to society, government, industry, companies, and the people who are able to enjoy improved lifestyles because of industrial activities. However, all of these parties also have a responsibility to support and conserve the environment and act responsibly toward the earth. This article, which includes a systematic literature review and draws upon the authors’ practical experience, summarizes the benefits, motives, and difficulties in implementing environmental management systems using the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 14001 framework.