bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biotechnology and synthetic biology approaches for metabolic engineering of bioenergy crops
Authors: Shih Patrick M. , Liang Yan , Loqué Dominique 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe Green Revolution has fuelled an exponential growth in human population since the mid‐20th century. Due to population growth, food and energy demands will soon surpass supply capabilities. To overcome these impending problems, significant improvements in genetic engineering will be needed to complement breeding efforts in order to accelerate the improvement of agronomical traits. The new field of plant synthetic biology has emerged in recent years and is expected to support rapid, precise, and robust engineering of plants. In this review, we present recent advances made in the field of plant synthetic biology, specifically in genome editing, transgene expression regulation, and bioenergy crop engineering, with a focus on traits related to lignocellulose, oil, and soluble sugars. Ultimately, progress and innovation in these fields may facilitate the development of beneficial traits in crop plants to meet society's bioenergy needs.
Comparative effects of three 48-week community-based physical activity and exercise interventions on aerobic capacity, total cholesterol and mean arterial blood pressure
Authors: Mann Steven , Jimenez Alfonso , Domone Sarah , Beedie Chris 
Published: March 2016

AimInsufficient research examines the treatment effectiveness of real-world physical activity (PA) interventions.PurposeWe investigated the effects of 3 interventions on directly measured cardiovascular variables. All treatments and measures were administered in community settings by fitness centre staff.MethodsParticipants were sedentary individuals receiving no medication to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (n=369, age 43 ±5 years). In a semirandomised design, participants were allocated to a structured gym exercise programme (STRUC), unstructured gym exercise (FREE), physical activity counselling (PAC) or a measurement-only control condition (CONT). Measures were: predicted aerobic capacity (VO2: mL kg min), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP: mm Hg) and total cholesterol (TC: mmol/L), and were taken at baseline and 48 weeks.ResultsData analysis indicated a statistically significant deterioration in TC in CONT (0.8%, SD=0.5, p=0.005), and a statistically significant improvement in MAP in STRUC (2.5%, SD=8.3, p=0.004). Following a median split by baseline VO2, paired-sample t tests indicated significant improvements in VO2among low-fit participants in STRUC (3.5%, SD=4.8, p=0.003), PAC (3.3%, SD=7.7, p=0.050) and FREE (2.6%, SD=4.8, p=0.006), and significant deterioration of VO2among high-fit participants in FREE (−2.0%, SD=5.6, p=0.037), and PAC (−3.2%, SD=6.4, p=0.031).ConclusionsSeveral forms of PA may offset increased cholesterol resulting from inactivity. Structured PA (exercise) might be more effective than either unstructured PA or counselling in improving blood pressure, and community-based PA interventions might be more effective in improving VO2among low-fit than among high-fit participants.
Quantification of organic acids in ruminal in vitro batch culture fermentation supplemented with fumarate using a herb mix as a substrate
Authors: Pisarčíková J. , Váradyová Z. , Mihaliková K. , Kišidayová S. 
Published: March 2016

Two 24 h in vitro batch culture experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of fumarate addition (10 mmol L−1) on the ruminal fermentation parameters of selected medicinal herbs, and the effects of different doses of fumarate (0, 10, or 30 mmol L−1) on ruminal metabolism of organic acids when a high-concentrate diet (meadow hay and barley grain, 400/600, w/w) was supplemented with a mix of medicinal herbs (Artemisia absinthium L., Melissa officinalis L., Malva sylvestris L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Plantago lanceolata L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., and Althaea officinalis L.). Depending on the concentration, fumarate treatment decreased methane production (by 10–11%) and increased propionate proportions (by 5–13%) with high-concentrate diets. The organic acid (fumaric, succinic, malic, and lactic acid) concentrations in the batch culture were measured at intervals of 0, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. The time and organic acid concentrations with 10 mmol L−1 fumarate were well correlated (R 2 = 0.846). The amount of succinate was accumulated and metabolized more slowly than that of fumarate (>24 h). The addition of fumarate and a herb mix could positively influence in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters of high-concentrate diets by increasing the levels of propionate and succinate as well as the pH, and by decreasing of methane emissions.
Supplementation of pre-weaning diet with l-arginine has carry-over effect to improve intestinal development in young piglets
Authors: Yang X.F. , Jiang Z.Y. , Gong Y.L. , Zheng C.T. , Hu Y.J. , Wang L. , Huang L. , Ma X.Y. 
Published: March 2016

This study tested the hypothesis that pre-weaning supplemental arginine may have a carry-over effect on intestinal growth and development of piglets immediately after weaning. Fifty-four [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] piglets were fed a milk replacer diet supplemented with 0 (control), 4, or 8 g kg−1 of l-arginine from d 4 to 21 of age (6 replicate pens of 3 piglets per group). Piglets were then weaned to a common corn–soybean meal diet and fed for another 21 d. On day 42, 6 pigs per treatment were randomly selected for blood and tissue sampling. Arginine supplementation improved body weight of the piglets on d 42, average daily gain during d 22–31 (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 8 g kg−1 arginine decreased feed:gain (F:G) ratio in piglets during d 22–31 (P = 0.010). Compared with controls, 8 g kg−1 arginine improved villous height in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; villous area in duodenum and jejunum; relative intestine weight; and plasma contents of insulin at d 42 (P < 0.05). Arginine supplementation increased mucosal protein content in all 3 segments of the small intestine (P < 0.05). These novel results clearly demonstrate a carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation with arginine on enhanced intestinal growth and development in the early post-weaning period.
Soil-surface carbon dioxide emission following nitrogen fertilization in corn
Authors: Gagnon Bernard , Ziadi Noura , Rochette Philippe , Chantigny Martin H. , Angers Denis A. , Bertrand Normand , Smith Ward N. 
Published: March 2016

Improvement in use efficiency of N fertilizers can potentially better sustain agriculture by reducing N2O emissions from soils, but little is known about its impact on soil CO2 emissions. A study, involving both a field experiment and a laboratory incubation, was conducted in eastern Canada to determine the N fertilization effect on soil CO2 emissions. In laboratory, we incubated nine different types of soil with and without 150 kg N ha−1 as KNO3 or (NH4)2SO4. The N-fertilized soils had lower CO2 emissions compared with the no-N control soils for six of them. Among fertilizer sources, emissions of CO2 were on average 22% lower with KNO3 than with (NH4)2SO4. The field experiment conducted on a clay soil included three sources of N (urea-NH4NO3, CaNH4NO3, and aqua NH3) at 0–200 kg N ha−1 band-incorporated at the six-leaf corn stage. Under field conditions, most CO2 was emitted between N application and grain maturity with cumulative seasonal soil emissions greater in the control (4.9 Mg C ha−1) than in the N treatments (average of 4.0 ± 0.3 Mg C ha−1). Evidence suggested that both heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration seemed affected, whereas the NO3-based source had a more depressing effect on CO2 emissions than did the NH4 source.
Multi-input DC-AC Inverter for Hybrid Renewable Energy Power System
Authors: Rosli Mohd Azman , Yahaya Nor Zaihar , Baharudin Zuhairi 
Published: March 2016

The objective of this paper is to design a multi-input dc-ac inverter integrated photovoltaic array, wind turbine and fuel cell in order to simplify the hybrid power system and reduce the cost. The output power characteristics of the photovoltaic array, wind turbine and fuel cell are introduced. The operational principle and technical details of the proposed multi-input dc-ac inverter is then explained. The proposed inverter consists of a three input flyback dc-dc converter and a single phase full bridge dc-ac inverter. The control strategy for the proposed inverter to distribute the power reasonably to the sources and it achieved a priority of the new energy utilization is discussed. This multi-input dc-ac inverter is capable of being operated in five conditions and power delivered to the ac load can be either individually or simultaneously. First to third condition occurs when the power delivered from either renewable energy sources individually, fourth condition happens when power is demanded from two sources simultaneously, and finally when power are available from three sources simultaneously. The proposed inverter has been simulated by employing NI Multisim 12.0 circuit simulator.
Replacement of Analog Automatic Voltage Regulator using Digital Technology
Authors: Mukti Ersalina Werda , Wijanarko Sulistyo , Muqorobin Anwar 
Published: March 2016

Before the 90’s, many power plants in Indonesia were equipped with analog controllers and now those power plants are still in operation to produce electricity. One of those controller parts is Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR). If a failure occurs in the AVR, the economic solution is by replacing the damaged electronic component with new component. However this method will not solve the problem if the components are not available in local market or become obsolete. Purchasing the new AVR that compatible with other controller parts cannot be done again because the analog controllers are no longer produced by the vendor. Furthermore, replacement of all the controllers with the current technology become expensive. According to this, an alternative solution is proposed in this paper by designing an AVR that compatible with other controller parts and considering the availability of the electronic components in local market. ATmega8 microcontroller is used to implement a digital AVR and employing op amp based as its signal conditioning. The result shows that the digital AVR can reduce hardware size and power consumption. The digital AVR also meets the computation rate of the computation signal.
3LRM-3 Layer Risk Mitigation Modelling of ICT Software Development Projects
Authors: Firdose Salma , Rao L. Manjunath 
Published: March 2016

With the adoption of new technology and quality standards, the software development firms are still encountering the critical issues of risk modelling. With the changing dynamics of customer needs, potential competition has being mushrooming in the global IT markets to relay a new standard of software engineering which has higher capability of sustaining risk. However, till date, it is still theoretical to large extent from research viewpoint. Hence, this paper presents a mathematical model called as 3LRM that is designed with the simple approach keeping in mind the real-time issues of risk factors in software engineering for ICT software development project. The study has also identified requirement volatility as one of the prominent source of risk and hence, the framework intends to identify a risk as well as mitigating the risk to a large extent. The paper is illustrated with some of the simple statistical approaches of random probability.
A Study on the Effect of Consumer Involvement and Affect Intensity before and after Plagiarism Suspicion on the Purchase Intention of Music Goods
Authors: Jo Jin-Wan , Shin Mi-Hae , Kim Young-Chul 
Published: March 2016

This study aims to examine the effect of consumers' involvement and affect intensity on the purchase intention of music items. In particular domestically, there is no clear standard for judgment of plagiarism, and thus it is expected that plagiarism suspicion is likely to affect consumers' involvement and affect intensity, and as a result, their purchase intention as well. Accordingly, consumer characteristics (involvement, affect intensity) were chosen as independent variables, and consumers' purchase intention on music items as a subordinate variable, respectively. The first questionnaire-based survey was conducted before the awareness of plagiarism suspicion, followed by the second survey after the awareness of plagiarism suspicion. It turned out that the higher level of involvement and affect intensity, both of which are consumer characteristics, the higher level of purchase intention of music goods. While plagiarism suspicion caused C.R values to decrease in every item, a significant difference was observed only in the relation of ‘involvement - purchase intention’. This study shows that music items which involve plagiarism suspicion result in changes in consumers' purchase intention, which will cause damage to the creators and performers of related music items. Thus, for the development of the music industry and creative activity, tools and standards that can clearly distinguish plagiarism need to be developed.
A cognitive approach for evaluating the usability of Storage as a Service in Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Roy Sharmistha , Pattnaik Prasant Kumar , Mall Rajib 
Published: March 2016

Cloud computing is a style of computing which thrives users requirements by delivering scalable, on-demand and pay-per-use IT services. It offers different service models, out of which Storage as a Service (StaaS) is the fundamental block of Infrastructure cloud that fulfills user’s excess demand of elastic computing resources. But considering the competitive business scenario choosing the best cloud storage provider is a difficult task. Thus, usability is considered to be the key performance indicator which evaluates the better cloud storage based on user’s satisfaction. This paper aims to focus on the usability evaluation of StaaS providers namely Google drive, Drop box and One drive. This paper proposed a fuzzy based AHP model for measuring user satisfaction. Usability evaluation is carried out based on user feedback through Interview and Questionnaire method. Analysis of user feedback is done based on the fuzzy approach in order to remove vaguness. Whereas, AHP model is used for measuring satisfaction degree of the different cloud storage services and it solves the problem of selecting best cloud storage.
Designing and Simulation of Surrounding Supporting Multicast Routing Protocol
Authors: Mahaboob Jani Shaik , Umar Syed , Prasada Rao P.V.R.D , Gutta Sridevi 
Published: March 2016

In the Wireless sensor networks having of multi-hop transmission in the Adhoc networks. These Adhoc networks having advantages of limited bandwidth and mobility which is more useful for the changing of and usage of various protocols, so that these Adhoc networks having energy conservation, simple to construct, robustness. In this paper we are proposing a new protocol called Surrounding supporting multicast routing protocol [SSMRP]. This protocol uses the mesh networks to enhance the resilience against change of node. This SSMRP utilizes the node locality which reduces the overhead of the route maintenance and it also reduces the route for good data transmissions. In this paper we clearly explain how the data will be delivered efficiently by reducing the overheads.
Use of Photovoltaics in Microgrid as Energy Source and Control Method Using MATLAB/SIMULINK
Authors: Rahman Sumaiya , Rahman Hasimah Abdul 
Published: March 2016

<p>Microgrid in power system has drawn wide attention due to its significant benefits in terms of sustainable energy system in recent years. This approach is the most economical alternative to conventional energy system which uses Renewable Energy (RE) resources. RE sources ensure pollution free and clean environment by emitting zero CO<sub>2</sub>. This paper proposes a design of a microgrid system using solar photovoltaics (PV) as the Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and a controlling method for managing the components of microgrid by using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The results show that microgrid system is promising as alternative to replace the fossil fuel based energy system. Integration of an effective controller can help to manage the loads and resources, resulting in more stable and reliable. </p>
Vertical Structure of Upper-Ocean Seasonality: Extratropical Spiral versus Tropical Phase Lock
Authors: Chen Ge , Wang Xuan , Qian Chengcheng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSeasonality is a fundamental feature of the coupled ocean–atmosphere system. The hemispherically opposite general pattern at the air–sea interface is well known, but its penetrative behavior below the sea surface is poorly understood. Over 10 years of Argo data reveal for the first time the spiral-like structure of vertical seasonality in the upper extratropical ocean: the amplitude (strength of annual sea temperature variability) decreases rapidly with depth while the phase (peaking time) rotates from August (February) at the sea surface to December (June) at the bottom of the mixed layer in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere under a clockwise representation. It is found that, analogous to the Ekman current spiral, the oceanic seasonality is almost reversed at approximately 500-m depth with about 5% of the surface intensity left. In contrast, the seasonality of subtropical oceans below the thermocline exhibits a phase-lock pattern around May and October to the north and south of the equator, respectively. Meanwhile, a systematic westward progression of annual phase corresponding to the warmest month is observed in the equatorial regions between 10°S and 10°N. It is suggested that the seasonality spiral of extratropical oceans occurs as a result of the vertical decay of solar penetration in tandem with delayed annual maximum mixing in the context of buoyancy and turbulent induced convections, while the month of full summer appears to be “constant” May (October) in the subtropical oceans of the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere under the stratified subsurface layer due to a 9-month trapping of penetrating solar energy from May (October) to next January (June). The vertically locked westward annual phase progression in the equatorial regions is likely to be a consequence of the first baroclinic mode of β-refracted annual Rossby waves. The spiral and phase-lock behaviors of the upper oceans are of critical significance to the understanding of mixed layer and thermocline dynamics.
Are We Getting Any Better? A Study on Repair Integrity in 1600 Consecutive Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repairs
Authors: McColl Hayden , Lam Patrick Hong , Murrell George A. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives: Post-operative retear is the most common surgical complication following rotator cuff repair with reported rates ranging from 11% to 94%. There have been a number of advancements in the technology and management of rotator cuff repair which may have improved retear rates. The aim of this study was to determine if there has been any improvements in rotator cuff repair integrity in our centre and, to identify any changes in the management of rotator cuff tears that may have impacted post-operative re tear rate. Methods: This observational single cohort study used running average analysis to examine 1600 consecutive patients who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by a single surgeon, and had cuff integrity assessed by ultrasound six months post operation. Exclusion criteria included revision rotator cuff repairs, isolated subscapularis repairs, and irreparable tears. Results: Retear rates over the course of our study ranged from 3% to 34%, with the mean retear rate being 15%. The retear rate at the commencement of our study was 18% and decreased to 5% by the end. Reductions in retear were associated with; more passive rehabilitation, more attention to post-operative abduction sling use, increased surgical team experience. Increases in retear rates were associated with; increased false positives with a more sensitive ultrasound machine and, learning curves with new equipment for surgeon and sonographer. Conclusion: A significant decrease in retear rate following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was observed over the course of our study with the re-tear rate at the end of the study being 5%. While the study design does not allow us to directly attribute changes in retear rate to changes in management, our results suggest that less aggressive rehabilitation, abduction sling use and increased surgeon experience decrease postoperative retear.
Factors associated with medication adherence in school-aged children with asthma
Authors: Chan Amy H.Y. , Stewart Alistair W. , Foster Juliet M. , Mitchell Edwin A. , Camargo Carlos A. , Harrison Jeff 
Published: March 2016

Adherence to preventive asthma treatment is poor, particularly in children, yet the factors associated with adherence in this age group are not well understood.Adherence was monitored electronically over 6 months in school-aged children who attended a regional emergency department in New Zealand for an asthma exacerbation and were prescribed twice-daily inhaled corticosteroids. Participants completed questionnaires including assessment of family demographics, asthma responsibility and learning style. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with adherence was conducted.101 children (mean (range) age 8.9 (6–15) years, 51% male) participated. Median (interquartile range) preventer adherence was 30% (17–48%) of prescribed. Four explanatory factors were identified: female sex (+12% adherence), Asian ethnicity (+19% adherence), living in a smaller household (−3.0% adherence per person in the household), and younger age at diagnosis (+2.7% for every younger year of diagnosis) (all p<0.02).In school-aged children attending the emergency department for asthma, males and non-Asian ethnic groups were at high risk for poor inhaled corticosteroid adherence and may benefit most from intervention. Four factors explained a small proportion of adherence behaviour indicating the difficulty in identifying adherence barriers. Further research is recommended in other similar populations.
isomiR-SEA: an RNA-Seq analysis tool for miRNAs/isomiRs expression level profiling and miRNA-mRNA interaction sites evaluation
Authors: Urgese Gianvito , Paciello Giulia , Acquaviva Andrea , Ficarra Elisa 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Background
Massive parallel sequencing of transcriptomes, revealed the presence of many miRNAs and miRNAs variants named isomiRs with a potential role in several cellular processes through their interaction with a target mRNA. Many methods and tools have been recently devised to detect and quantify miRNAs from sequencing data. However, all of them are implemented on top of general purpose alignment methods, thus providing poorly accurate results and no information concerning isomiRs and conserved miRNA-mRNA interaction sites.

Results
To overcome these limitations we present a novel algorithm named isomiR-SEA, that is able to provide users with very accurate miRNAs expression levels and both isomiRs and miRNA-mRNA interaction sites precise classifications. Tags are mapped on the known miRNAs sequences thanks to a specialized alignment algorithm developed on top of biological evidence concerning miRNAs structure. Specifically, isomiR-SEA checks for miRNA seed presence in the input tags and evaluates, during all the alignment phases, the positions of the encountered mismatches, thus allowing to distinguish among the different isomiRs and conserved miRNA-mRNA interaction sites.

Conclusions
isomiR-SEA performances have been assessed on two public RNA-Seq datasets proving that the implemented algorithm is able to account for more reliable and accurate miRNAs expression levels with respect to those provided by two compared state of the art tools. Moreover, differently from the few methods currently available to perform isomiRs detection, the proposed algorithm implements the evaluation of isomiRs and conserved miRNA-mRNA interaction sites already in the first alignment phases, thus avoiding any additional filtering stages potentially responsible for the loss of useful information.