bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scleroderma Peripheral B Lymphocytes Secrete Interleukin‐6 and Transforming Growth Factor β and Activate Fibroblasts
Authors: Dumoitier Nicolas , Chaigne Benjamin , Régent Alexis , Lofek Sébastien , Mhibik Maissa , Dorfmüller Peter , Terrier Benjamin , London Jonathan , Bérezné Alice , Tamas Nicolas , Varin‐Blank Nadine , Mouthon Luc 
Published: December 2016

ObjectiveTo study the role of B lymphocytes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsPeripheral B cell subpopulations and the production of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were analyzed using flow cytometry and multiplex assay. The fibroblast proliferation rate upon incubation with supernatants from B cells isolated from SSc patients or healthy controls was assessed using XTT, bromodeoxyuridine, and Ki‐67. Collagen production was assessed using a collagen assay.ResultsNinety untreated patients (12 males) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for SSc (23 with diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc] and 67 with limited cutaneous SSc [lcSSc]) and 30 healthy controls were recruited. Increased proportions of B cells expressing CD69 and CD95 were identified among the patients with SSc. B lymphocytes from dcSSc patients versus lcSSc patients and healthy controls expressed increased proportion of cells positive for CD5 (mean ± SD 24.12 ± 7.93% versus 14.09 ± 6.58% [P = 0.03] and 14.21 ± 5.34% [P = 0.01]), CD86 (39.89 ± 22.11% versus 17.72 ± 13.98% [P = 0.0007] and 11.68 ± 11.09% [P < 0.001]), IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R; 33.64 ± 23.12% versus 17.91 ± 13.62% [P < 0.0001] and 12.08 ± 8.68% [P = 0.0009]), or IL‐21R (32.55 ± 20.19% versus 5.76 ± 4.40% [P < 0.0001] and 5.93 ± 3.29% [P < 0.0001]). In addition, the levels of IL‐6 (mean ± SD 314.3 ± 317.8 pg/ml versus 6.10 ± 2.58 pg/ml; P = 0.0007) and TGFβ (mean ± SD 1,020 ± 569 pg/ml versus 163.8 ± 98.69 pg/ml; P = 0.001) secreted by B lymphocytes from patients with SSc were increased compared to healthy controls. Fibroblast proliferation and collagen production were also significantly increased in the presence of B cell supernatant from SSc patients as compared to healthy controls.ConclusionThe numbers of activated B cells were increased in SSc patients, and the up‐regulation of CD5, CD86, IL‐6R, and IL‐21R discriminated between patients with dcSSc and those with lcSSc. Peripheral B lymphocytes from SSc patients secreted both IL‐6 and TGFβ, and they activated fibroblasts in vitro.
Natural Product Kuwanon‐L Inhibits HIV‐1 Replication through Multiple Target Binding
Authors: Martini Riccardo , Esposito Francesca , Corona Angela , Ferrarese Roberto , Ceresola Elisa Rita , Visconti Laura , Tintori Cristina , Barbieri Alessandro , Calcaterra Andrea , Iovine Valentina , Canducci Filippo , Tramontano Enzo , Botta Maurizio 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn recent years many advances have been made in the fight against HIV‐1 infection. However, the lack of a vaccine, together with the increasing resistance to the highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART), make HIV‐1 infection still a serious global emergency. Thus, new compounds with original modes of action are continuously required, and natural products have ever been a very interesting class of pharmacologically active molecules. Some of them have been used since ancient times against viral infections. Here we present a work in which we suggest that kuwanon‐L, a natural product active as an HIV‐1 integrase (IN) inhibitor, might exert its overall antiviral activity through binding to multiple viral targets. Specific enzymatic tests, together with a time‐of‐addition (TOA) experiment, support our hypothesis of binding both to IN and to reverse transcriptase (RT). Overall, this compound can be considered an attractive lead for the development of new classes of antiviral agents able to overcome the problem of resistance, due to its ability to exert its action by binding simultaneously to multiple viral targets.
Correlation between CO Oxidation and H Adsorption/Desorption on Pt Surfaces in a Wide pH Range: The Role of Alkali Cations
Authors: García Gonzalo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIt is well‐known that hydrogen adsorption/desorption on Pt open surfaces sites (110 and 100) shows a dependence on the pH below a pure Nernstian shift. Also, it is recognized that the oxidation of CO (and organic molecules) on Pt open surface electrodes occurs at more negative potentials in alkaline media than in acidic solutions. In contrast, both electrochemical processes develop a pure Nernstian behavior at the close‐packed Pt(111) over the whole pH range. The current work employs experimental results of hydrogen desorption and carbon monoxide oxidation on Pt electrodes with different surface orientations over a wide pH range to reveal that the unusual Nernstian behavior observed at open surface sites is linked to an electrochemical process for both reactions, owing to the fact that similar absolute values are detected. Furthermore, the nature and concentration of alkali cations appear to play an important role in the mutual electrochemical process.
Metal–Organic Framework Supported on Processable Polymer Matrix by In Situ Copolymerization for Enhanced Iron(III) Detection
Authors: Liu Chun‐Sen , Chen Min , Tian Jia‐Yue , Wang Lei , Li Min , Fang Shao‐Ming , Wang Xi , Zhou Li‐Ming , Wang Zhuo‐Wei , Du Miao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a promising class of porous materials. However, MOFs show poor processability that impedes their full potential in applications. This work develops a composite strategy to skillfully load MOFs on a polymer plate to afford processability for these powder materials. A predesigned mesoporous MOF with active −NH2groups around the pore walls was prepared and its copolymerization with the −NCO groups of macromonomers (polyurethane acrylate) could be facilely induced by an initiator under mild conditions. Notably, the target MOF–polymer composite is transparent, elastic, and shows enhanced Fe3+detection compared with that of the individual MOF functional component. This result can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of the composite with newly formed chemical bonds between the MOF particle and polymer matrix.
Phosphatase‐Stable Phosphoamino Acid Mimetics That Enhance Binding Affinities with the Polo‐Box Domain of Polo‐like Kinase 1
Authors: Hymel David , Burke Terrence R. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract(2S,3R)‐2‐Amino‐3‐methyl‐4‐phosphonobutanoic acid (Pmab) is a phosphatase‐stable analogue of phosphothreonine (pThr), which has been used in a variety of biological contexts. Among these applications are peptidomimetic ligands that bind to the polo‐box domain (PBD) of polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) with affinities approaching that of the corresponding pThr‐containing peptides. However, Pmab is not widely used, because there are no direct, high‐yield preparations of suitably protected reagent. We have now achieved an efficient synthesis of protected Pmab, as well as variants with different substituents at the 3R center. When incorporated into our peptidomimetic scaffold, these new Pmab analogues exhibit Plk1 PBD‐binding affinities that are several‐fold higher than Pmab, yet retain good selectivity for Plk1 relative to the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3. These findings will significantly impact the future development of PBD‐binding inhibitors, as well as ligands directed against a broad spectrum of pThr‐dependent processes.
A switched‐capacitor skew‐tent map implementation for random number generation
Authors: Valtierra José Luis , Tlelo‐Cuautle Esteban , Rodríguez‐Vázquez Ángel 
Published: December 2016

SummaryPiecewise linear one‐dimensional maps have been proposed as the basis for low‐power analog and mixed‐signal true random number generators (TRNGs). Recent research has moved towards conceiving maps that operate robustly under the consideration of parameter variations. In this paper, we introduce an oscillator circuit mapping a low‐complexity map known as the skew‐tent. This oscillator is employed as the basis for a TRNG scheme. Simulation results in TSMC 0.18 μm validate the chaotic oscillator and the randomness of the TRNG scheme is verified with the NIST test suite 800‐22. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persistence of alprazolam in river water according to forced and non‐forced degradation assays: adsorption to sediment and long‐term degradation products
Authors: Jiménez Juan J. , Sánchez María I. , Muñoz Beatriz E. , Pardo Rafael 
Published: December 2016

Alprazolam is a pharmaceutical compound that it is detected in surface waters. Some degradation studies in aqueous solutions and pharmaceutical products are available, but there is no reliable information about its stability in river water. Here, assays have been conducted under forced biological, photochemical, and thermal conditions, and under non‐forced conditions, to estimate the fate of alprazolam in river water and know its degradation products. The forced assays indicated that the biological and photochemical degradation of alprazolam was negligible; heating at 70°C for a long time barely affected it. The degradation of alprazolam in river water at 100 μg/L was about 5% after 36 weeks, keeping the water under a natural day‐night cycle at room temperature and limiting partially the exposure to sunlight as happens inside a body of water; no change in concentration was observed when the monitoring was performed at 2 μg/L. The results suggest the persistence of alprazolam in surface water and a possible accumulation over time. Residues were monitored by ultra‐pressure liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight/mass spectrometry after solid‐phase extraction; nine degradation products were found and the structures for most of them were proposed from the molecular formulae and fragmentation observed in high‐resolution tandem mass spectra. (5‐chloro‐2‐(3‐methyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)phenyl)(phenyl)methanol was the main long‐term transformation product in conditions that simulate those in a mass of water. The degradation rate in presence of sediment was equally very low under non‐forced conditions; adsorption coefficients of alprazolam and major degradation products were calculated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of biodiversity strengthen over time as ecosystem functioning declines at low and increases at high biodiversity
Authors: Meyer Sebastian T. , Ebeling Anne , Eisenhauer Nico , Hertzog Lionel , Hillebrand Helmut , Milcu Alexandru , Pompe Sven , Abbas Maike , Bessler Holger , Buchmann Nina , De Luca Enrica , Engels Christof , Fischer Markus , Gleixner Gerd , Hudewenz Anika , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , de Kroon Hans , Leimer Sophia , Loranger Hannah , Mommer Liesje , Oelmann Yvonne , Ravenek Janneke M. , Roscher Christiane , Rottstock Tanja , Scherber Christoph , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Scheu Stefan , Schmid Bernhard , Schulze Ernst‐Detlef , Staudler Andrea , Strecker Tanja , Temperton Vicky , Tscharntke Teja , Vogel Anja , Voigt Winfried , Weigelt Alexandra , Wilcke Wolfgang , Weisser Wolfgang W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractHuman‐caused declines in biodiversity have stimulated intensive research on the consequences of biodiversity loss for ecosystem services and policy initiatives to preserve the functioning of ecosystems. Short‐term biodiversity experiments have documented positive effects of plant species richness on many ecosystem functions, and longer‐term studies indicate, for some ecosystem functions, that biodiversity effects can become stronger over time. Theoretically, a biodiversity effect can strengthen over time by an increasing performance of high‐diversity communities, by a decreasing performance of low‐diversity communities, or a combination of both processes. Which of these two mechanisms prevail, and whether the increase in the biodiversity effect over time is a general property of many functions remains currently unclear. These questions are an important knowledge gap as a continuing decline in the performance of low‐diversity communities would indicate an ecosystem‐service debt resulting from delayed effects of species loss on ecosystem functioning. Conversely, an increased performance of high‐diversity communities over time would indicate that the benefits of biodiversity are generally underestimated in short‐term studies. Analyzing 50 ecosystem variables over 11 years in the world's largest grassland biodiversity experiment, we show that overall plant diversity effects strengthened over time. Strengthening biodiversity effects were independent of the considered compartment (above‐ or belowground), organizational level (ecosystem variables associated with the abiotic habitat, primary producers, or higher trophic levels such as herbivores and pollinators), and variable type (measurements of pools or rates). We found evidence that biodiversity effects strengthened because of both a progressive decrease in functioning in species‐poor and a progressive increase in functioning in species‐rich communities. Our findings provide evidence that negative feedback effects at low biodiversity are as important for biodiversity effects as complementarity among species at high biodiversity. Finally, our results indicate that a current loss of species will result in a future impairment of ecosystem functioning, potentially decades beyond the moment of species extinction.
Elasticity of population growth with respect to the intensity of biotic or abiotic driving factors
Authors: Lee Charlotte T. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDemographic analysis can elucidate how driving factors, such as climate or species interactions, affect populations. One important question is how growth would respond to future changes in the mean intensity of a driving factor or in its variability, such as might be expected in a fluctuating and shifting climate. Here I develop an approach to computing new stochastic elasticities to address this question. The linchpin of this novel approach is the multidimensional demographic difference that expresses how a population responds to change in the driving factor between two discrete levels of intensity. I use this difference to design a perturbation matrix that links data from common empirical sampling schemes with rigorous theory for stochastic elasticities. Although the starting point is a difference, the products of this synthesis are true derivatives: they are elasticity with respect to the mean intensity of a driving factor, and elasticity with respect to variability in a driving factor. Applying the methods to published data, I demonstrate how these new elasticities can shed light on growth rate response within and at the boundary of the previously observed range of the driving factor, thus helpfully indicating nonlinearity in the observed and in the potential future response. The stochastic approach simplifies in a fixed environment, yielding a compact formula for deterministic elasticity to a driving factor.
Fusing multiple existing space‐time land cover products
Authors: Rodríguez‐Jeangros Nicolás , Hering Amanda S. , Kaiser Timothy , McCray John 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLand cover (LC) is a critical variable driving many environmental processes, so its assessment, monitoring, and characterization are essential. However, existing LC products, derived primarily from satellite spectral imagery, each have different temporal and spatial resolutions and different LC classes. Most effort is focused on either fusing a pair of LC products over a small space‐time region or on interpolating missing values in an individual LC product. Here, we review the complexities of LC identification and propose a method for fusing multiple existing LC products to produce a single LC record for a large spatial‐temporal grid, referred to as spatiotemporal categorical map fusion. We first reconcile the LC classes of different LC products and then present a probabilistic weighted nearest neighbor estimator of LC class. This estimator depends on three unknown parameters that are estimated using numerical optimization to maximize an agreement criterion that we define. We illustrate the method using six LC products over the Rocky Mountains and show the improvement gained by supplying the optimization with data‐driven information describing the spatial‐temporal behavior of each LC class. Given the massive size of the LC products, we show how the optimal parameters for a given year are often optimal for other years, leading to shorter computing times.
The Zero Lower Bound and Economic Determinants of the Volatility Surface in the Interest Cap Markets
Authors: Kim Myeong‐Hyeon , Kim Changki , Hwang Injun 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe address an important yet unanswered question: what would be the economic determinants of the implied volatility during the zero lower bound periods? To answer this question, we examine time variations of the cap market implied volatility and investigate economic determinants on slopes and curvatures of the implied volatility curves. We find that unexpected unemployment and inflation shocks play an important role in explaining implied volatility curves for different maturities. We associate negative jumps in the volatility dynamics (Jarrow, Li, & Zhao, 2007) with two unexpected macroeconomic shocks. Our results provide an important implication for practitioners who prepare future exit strategies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:578–598, 2017
Resetting the bar: Statistical significance in whole‐genome sequencing‐based association studies of global populations
Authors: Pulit Sara L. , de With Sera A. J. , de Bakker Paul I. W. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of common disease have been hugely successful in implicating loci that modify disease risk. The bulk of these associations have proven robust and reproducible, in part due to community adoption of statistical criteria for claiming significant genotype‐phenotype associations. As the cost of sequencing continues to drop, assembling large samples in global populations is becoming increasingly feasible. Sequencing studies interrogate not only common variants, as was true for genotyping‐based GWAS, but variation across the full allele frequency spectrum, yielding many more (independent) statistical tests. We sought to empirically determine genome‐wide significance thresholds for various analysis scenarios. Using whole‐genome sequence data, we simulated sequencing‐based disease studies of varying sample size and ancestry. We determined that future sequencing efforts in >2,000 samples of European, Asian, or admixed ancestry should set genome‐wide significance at approximately P = 5 × 10−9, and studies of African samples should apply a more stringent genome‐wide significance threshold of P = 1 × 10−9. Adoption of a revised multiple test correction will be crucial in avoiding irreproducible claims of association.
Mobilization of X‐ray amorphous and crystalline aluminum and iron phosphates by common soil extraction procedures
Authors: Prietzel Jörg 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSoil extraction with 0.1 M NaOH completely dissolves X‐ray amorphous as well as crystalline AlPO4 and FePO4. Extraction with acidic NH4 oxalate completely mobilizes X‐ray amorphous AlPO4 and FePO4 in addition to phosphate adsorbed to poorly‐crystallized Al and Fe minerals, but only a minor portion of crystalline AlPO4 and FePO4. Extraction with dithionite‐citrate‐bicarbonate mobilizes X‐ray amorphous AlPO4 and FePO4 as well as crystalline FePO4, but only a minor portion of crystalline AlPO4.
Oxidative stability of sesame and flaxseed oils and their effects on morphometric and biochemical parameters in an animal model
Authors: Figueiredo Priscila S , Candido Camila J , Jaques Jeandre AS , Nunes Ângela A , Caires Anderson RL , Michels Flavio Santana , Almeida Jeeser A , Filiú Wander FO , Hiane Priscila A , Nascimento Valter A , Franco Octavio L , Guimarães Rita CA 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDSesame and flaxseed oils, which are rich in essential n‐6 and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, are widely consumed. We have determined the optical behavior with respect to the quality and identity of cold‐pressed sesame and flaxseed oils. The effects of these oils and their combinations on metabolic parameters in animal models were also measured.RESULTSFlaxseed oil emitted carotenoid fluorescence (500–650 nm), although it was more unstable than sesame oil, which had a larger induction period by the Rancimat method. The greater stability of sesame may be a result of the lower quantity of linolenic fatty acids. These oils were added to the feed of 56 rats, whereas animal fat was used for the control group. The sesame oil, flaxseed oil and sesame + flaxseed oils groups showed a significantly reduced adiposity index and blood glucose compared to the control group, whereas total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein and triglycerides were lower in flaxseed oil and sesame + flaxseed oils (P < 0.05). Sesame + flaxseed oils had reduced levels of low‐density lipoprotein and non‐high‐density lipoprotein (P < 0.05), indicating an anti‐atherogenic effect in this group.CONCLUSIONSesame oil was more stable than flaxseed oil. In an animal model, the diets with polyunsaturated fat sources proportions of 1:1 n‐6:n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, improved the metabolic parameters, implying cardioprotective effects. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A wide view auto‐stereoscopic 3D display with an eye‐tracking system for enhanced horizontal viewing position and viewing distance
Authors: Suzuki Daichi , Hayashi Shuji , Hyodo Yosuke , Oka Shinichiro , Koito Takeo , Sugiyama Hiroki 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis paper describes the development of auto‐stereoscopic three‐dimensional (3D) display with an eye‐tracking system for not only the X‐axis (right–left) and Y‐axis (up–down) plane directions but also the Z‐axis (forward–backward) direction. In the past, the eye‐tracking 3D system for the XY‐axes plane directions that we had developed had a narrow 3D viewing space in the Z‐axis direction because of occurrence of 3D crosstalk variation on screen. The 3D crosstalk variation on screen was occurred when the viewer's eye position moved back and forth along the Z‐axis direction. The reason was that the liquid crystal (LC) barrier pitch was fixed and the LC barrier was able to control the only barrier aperture position. To solve this problem, we developed the LC barrier that is able to control the barrier pitch as well as the barrier aperture position in real time, corresponding to the viewer's eye position. As a result, the 3D viewing space has achieved to expand up to 320–1016 mm from the display surface in the Z‐axis direction and within a range of ±267 mm in the X‐axis direction. In terms of the Y‐axis direction, the viewing space is not necessary to be considered, because of a stripe‐shaped parallax barrier.