bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validating a Basic Assumption of Using Cesium‐137 Method to Assess Soil Loss in a Small Agricultural Catchment
Authors: Ni L.S. , Fang N.F. , Shi Z.H. , Chen F.X. , Wang L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough the fallout radionuclide 137Cs technique has been widely used to provide soil redistribution estimates in recent decades, some researchers have recently challenged the usefulness of this technique. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the usefulness of the 137Cs technique to study soil redistribution, especially in areas that suffer from severe soil erosion and where the 137Cs inventory distributions vary. This study analyses the abundance of 137Cs deposited in sediment trapped by a check dam over 31 years in a small agriculture catchment in the Loess Plateau, which has experienced some of the most extensive agricultural soil erosion in the world. The 137Cs inventory and soil loss were evaluated, and the results indicated that the sediment deposition rate behind the check dam was approximately 38 cm/year. The specific soil erosion rate of the catchment is estimated to be 178 t ha−1 year−1. A geochemical properties fingerprinting method indicated that the ratio of the inter‐gully erosion from cropland to gully erosion was 0·46:0·54 during the investigated period of 31‐year period. Our results suggest that the 137Cs technique cannot be directly used in the study catchment. Gully erosion is the main type of soil erosion that occurs in the loess catchment, and the amount of gully erosion changes from year to year. Therefore, the abundance of 137Cs cannot be used to estimate soil redistribution where gully erosion is severe. However, after calibration, the inter‐gully soil loss was consistently related to 137Cs abundance, which means that the 137Cs technique can be used at the plot or slope scale on the Loess Plateau. Our results also reveal the particle‐size selectivity of soil detachment and sediment deposition during runoff‐erosion events. The average 137Cs content of the fine group couplets is 63% greater than the 137Cs content of the coarse group. When the studied section spans more than 15 years, the 137Cs inventory is consistent (R2 = 0·95, p < 0·01) with soil loss, which means that the selectivity may be offset over a long period. Our results confirm that the 137Cs method requires careful planning when applied at the catchment scale. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional morphology of eutectic silicon in as‐cast Al‐20 wt% Si alloy with ultrasonic treatment
Authors: Zhang Z. , Liu X. , Bao L. , Hu W. , Le Q. , Cui J. 
Published: February 2017

Three‐dimensional morphology of eutectic silicon in as‐cast Al‐20 wt% Si alloys with ultrasonic treatment above liquidus has been investigated in this paper. The results show that ultrasonic treatment above liquidus could not refine the primary silicon phase very well, but is capable of modifying the morphology of eutectic silicon. The fracture of eutectic silicon occurred resulting in both huge reduction of silicon grain sizes and changes of morphology from large plate‐like to interconnected thin flake and coral‐like. The evolution mechanisms of the eutectic silicon morphology in Al‐20 wt% Si alloys with ultrasonic treatment were also preliminarily discussed.
Fructose downregulates miR‐330 to induce renal inflammatory response and insulin signaling impairment: Attenuation by morin
Authors: Gu Ting‐Ting , Song Lin , Chen Tian‐Yu , Wang Xing , Zhao Xiao‐Juan , Ding Xiao‐Qin , Yang Yan‐Zi , Pan Ying , Zhang Dong‐Mei , Kong Ling‐Dong 
Published: February 2017

ScopeFructose induces insulin resistance with kidney inflammation and injury. MicroRNAs are emerged as key regulators of insulin signaling. Morin has insulin‐mimetic effect with the improvement of insulin resistance and kidney injury. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of morin against fructose‐induced kidney injury, with particular focus on miR‐330 expression change, inflammatory response, and insulin signaling impairment.Methods and resultsmiR‐330, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)/sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor (S1PR)1/3 signaling, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)/NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and insulin signaling were detected in kidney cortex of fructose‐fed rats and fructose‐exposed HK‐2 cells, respectively. Whether miR‐330 mediated inflammatory response to affect insulin signaling was examined using SphK1 inhibitor, S1PR1/3 short interfering RNA, or miR‐330 mimic/inhibitor, respectively. Fructose was found to downregulate miR‐330 expression to increase SphK1/S1P/S1PR1/3 signaling, and then activate NF‐κB/NLRP3 inflammasome to produce IL‐1β, causing insulin signaling impairment. Moreover, morin upregulated miR‐330 and partly attenuated inflammatory response and insulin signaling impairment to alleviate kidney injury.ConclusionThese findings suggest that morin protects against fructose‐induced kidney insulin signaling impairment by upregulating miR‐330 to reduce inflammatory response. Morin may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of kidney injury associated with fructose‐induced inflammation and insulin signaling impairment.
RAPID analysis of variable stiffness beams and plates: Legendre polynomial triple‐product formulation
Authors: O'Donnell Matthew P. , Weaver Paul M. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryNumerical integration techniques are commonly employed to formulate the system matrices encountered in the analysis of variable stiffness beams and plates using a Ritz based approach. Computing these integrals accurately is often computationally costly. Herein, a novel alternative is presented, the Recursive Analytical Polynomial Integral Definition (RAPID) formulation. The RAPID formulation offers a significant improvement in the speed of analysis, achieved by reducing the number of numerical integrations that are performed by an order of magnitude. A common Legendre Polynomial basis is employed for both trial functions and stiffness/load variations leading to a common form for the integrals encountered. The Legendre Polynomial basis possesses algebraic recursion relations that allow these integrals to be reformulated as triple‐products with known analytical solutions, defined compactly using the Wigner (3j) coefficient. The satisfaction of boundary conditions, calculation of derivatives and transformation to other bases is achieved through combinations of matrix multiplication, with each matrix representing a unique boundary condition or physical effect, therefore permitting application of the RAPID approach to a variety of problems. Indicative performance studies demonstrate the advantage of the RAPID formulation when compared to direct analysis using Matlab's ‘integral’ and ‘integral2’. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in children and adolescents—Outcome and patterns of relapse when utilizing a nonsurgical strategy for lymph node staging: Report from the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Malignant Mesenchymal Tumour 89 and 95 studies
Authors: Rogers Timothy , Minard‐Colin Veronique , Cozic Nathalie , Jenney Meriel , Merks Johannes H. M. , Gallego Soledad , Devalck Christine , Gaze Mark N. , Kelsey Anna , Oberlin Odile , Stevens Mike , Spicer Richard D. , Bergeron Christophe , Martelli Helene 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPurposeTo report the results from International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Malignant Mesenchymal Tumors studies (MMT 89 and 95) of males with nonmetastatic paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma.MethodsFrom 1989 to 2003, 159 patients were included. Radical inguinal orchidectomy was recommended, but retroperitoneal lymph node (LN) assessment was based on imaging alone. The treatment was stratified by stage (SIOP tumor‐node‐metastasis staging system) and histology.ResultsMedian age at presentation was 5.6 years (range 0.3–17.6) and 120 patients were of <10 years (75%). Patients ≥10 years had tumors of >5 cm more frequently compared to patients of <10 years (54% vs. 22%, P = 0.0004). The 5‐ year overall and progression‐free survivals were 94% and 83%, respectively. Seventy‐eight percent of relapses occurred in the retroperitoneal LN. Thirty‐one percent of stage N0 patients of age ≥10 years developed node relapse, compared with 8% of N0 patients aged <10 years (P = 0.0005).ConclusionsOlder patients with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma have a significant risk of LN relapse. These results support a surgical approach to LN staging in this subgroup of patients.
Chorionic villus sampling in the cell‐free DNA aneuploidy screening era: careful selection criteria can maximise the clinical utility of screening and invasive testing
Authors: Kane Stefan C. , Reidy Karen L. , Norris Fiona , Nisbet Deborah L. , Kornman Louise H. , Palma‐Dias Ricardo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo quantify the impact of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening on chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test indications and outcomes in a tertiary maternity service.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of all CVS procedures performed for any indication on singleton pregnancies at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, and at Women's Ultrasound Melbourne, Australia, between August 2008 and February 2015. Karyotypes were classified according to pathogenicity and detectability by standard cfDNA screening panels.ResultsA total of 2051 CVS procedures, 25 373 twelve‐week scans and 2394 cfDNA tests were performed. The CVS rate per 12‐week scan fell from 9.8 to 3.9% following introduction of cfDNA screening. The yield of pathogenic chromosomal anomalies per CVS increased from 12.9 to 25.2%, with 70% of pathogenic results now comprising T21, up from 52%. Sixteen (5.3%) of the pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities identified on CVS would not have been predicted by current cfDNA tests.ConclusionsThere is an evolving tension between improved screening performance for common aneuploidies offered by cfDNA testing, and the increasing diagnostic utility of molecular karyotyping. However, the risk of not identifying pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities is low if cfDNA screening is offered in the absence of a structural fetal anomaly, increased nuchal translucency or relevant family history. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AHP‐IFM Target: An Innovative Method to Define Reliability Target in an Aerospace Prototype Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Di Bona Gianpaolo , Silvestri Alessandro , Forcina Antonio , Falcone Domenico 
Published: February 2017

AbstractReliability target definition is a crucial aspect of any reliability analysis. In literature, there are two types of analysis. The first one, called ‘bottom‐up’, goes back to the system's target using data of units through a fault tree analysis. Reliability data of components could be only partially available, particularly in the case of innovative systems. In the second type of analysis, called ‘top‐down’, starting from similar systems, the target of each unit is defined, by applying allocation techniques. Also, in this case, reliability data of similar systems might not be available, and the choice of the most appropriate technique could be tricky. The purpose of the present research is to combine the advantages of both usual approaches. The newly developed approach is based on the integrated factors method, whose values are adjusted trough a multicriteria method, the analytic hierarchy process, depending on the importance of each factor and each unit. The innovation of the proposed model consists in its dynamism, as most of the literature methods use constant weights for the factors involved in reliability allocation. No method takes into account the assignment of a different level of significance (weight) to different units of the system, simultaneously with the considered factors. The developed approach has been applied on an aerospace prototype system. The results show the goodness of the new method and its ability to overcome the problems noted in literature. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient private subset computation
Authors: Dou Jiawei , Gong Linming , Li Shundong , Ma Li 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe consider how to privately determine whether a private set owned by Bob is a subset of another private set owned by Alice. This problem has many applications in online collaboration. We first propose an encoding method to encode a set to a vector, which can reduce a set computation problem to a vector computation. Based on this encoding scheme and two different homomorphic encryption schemes, we present two efficient protocols for private subset problem in case where both private sets are subsets of a known universal set. These protocols are secure both in the semi‐honest model and in the malicious model. We then show how to use these protocols to privately determine whether a private number is a factor of another private number. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Coculture on Calcium-Induced Differentiation of Normal Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Sah Shyam Kishor , Kim Hae Young , Lee Ji Hae , Lee Seong-Wook , Kim Hyung-Sik , Kim Yeon-Soo , Kang Kyung-Sun , Kim Tae-Yoon 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The influence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on keratinocytes in altered microenvironments is poorly understood. Here, we cocultured umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs with normal human epidermal keratinocytes to evaluate their paracrine effect in the presence of high extracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration. High Ca2+ environment to keratinocytes can disrupt normal skin barrier function due to abnormal/premature differentiation of keratinocytes. Surprisingly, we found that MSCs suppress both proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes under a high Ca2+ environment in transforming growth factors β1 (TGFβ1)-dependent manner. Furthermore, we determined that MSCs can regulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and protein kinase C pathways in Ca2+-induced differentiated keratinocytes. Knockdown of TGFβ1 from MSCs results in decreased suppression of differentiation with significantly increased proliferation of keratinocytes compared with control MSCs. MSCs-derived TGFβ1 further induced growth inhibition of keratinocyte in high extracellular Ca2+ environment as analyzed by a decrease in DNA synthesis, accumulation of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, cdc2, and increased mRNA level of p21, and independent of TGFβ1/SMAD pathway. Taken together, we found that MSCs-derived TGFβ1 is a critical regulator of keratinocyte function, and involves multiple proximal signaling cascades.
New insights and changing paradigms in the regulation of vitamin A metabolism in development
Authors: Shannon Stephen R. , Moise Alexander R. , Trainor Paul A. 
Published: February 2017

Vitamin A and its active metabolite retinoic acid are essential for embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Surprisingly, excess or deficiency of vitamin A and retinoic acid can cause similar developmental defects. Therefore, strict feedback and other mechanisms exist to regulate the levels of retinoic acid within a narrow physiological range. The oxidation of vitamin A to retinal has recently been established as a critical nodal point in the synthesis of retinoic acid, and over the past decade, RDH10 and DHRS3 have emerged as the predominant enzymes that regulate this reversible reaction. Together they form a codependent complex that facilitates negative feedback maintenance of retinoic acid levels and thus guard against the effects of dysregulated vitamin A metabolism and retinoic acid synthesis. This review focuses on advances in our understanding of the roles of Rdh10 and Dhrs3 and their impact on development and disease. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e264. doi: 10.1002/wdev.264This article is categorized under:

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms
Birth Defects > Craniofacial and Nervous System Anomalies
Birth Defects > Organ Anomalies
A set of isomeric episomal plasmids for systematic examination of mitotic stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hohnholz Ruben , Pohlmann Kim Julia , Achstetter Tilman 
Published: February 2017

AbstractYeast episomal shuttle vectors (YEp type) are commonly used in fundamental research and biotechnology whenever elevated product levels are desired. Their instability, however, poses an impediment not only in industrial scale fermentation. In order to analyse instability which might be linked to plasmid structure, a series of YEp type plasmids that are identical in size has been assembled, differing only in the overall arrangement of the fragments used. The performance of the eight plasmid isoforms was studied with respect to mitotic stability. While transformation efficiency in two laboratory strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not differ dramatically between the eight plasmids, the plasmids do not, however, perform equally well in terms of segregational stability. Although stable at about 90% plasmid‐bearing cells in selective medium, under non‐selective conditions, three plasmid forms performed better than the other five with an up to 5.7‐fold higher stability as compared with the least favourable isoform. In a subset of four plasmids (including stable and unstable isoforms) copy numbers were determined. Furthermore the functionality of the selection marker was characterized with respect to plasmid‐derived relative HIS3 transcript levels. No significant differences in HIS3 transcript levels could be observed between strains carrying any one of the four plasmids. Ruling out copy number and performance of HIS3, the results indicate nevertheless that plasmid architecture has an impact on mitotic segregation in yeast and that construction of an expression vector should take into account that the plasmid backbone itself might already show a more or less favourable arrangement of its segments. © 2017 The Authors. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Refractory Long‐Term Cholangitis After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ueda Hiroki , Ban Daisuke , Kudo Atsushi , Ochiai Takanori , Tanaka Shinji , Tanabe Minoru 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative cholangitis is one of the major late complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and recurrent cholangitis has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life. However, detailed reports are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of postoperative cholangitis after PD.MethodsBetween January 2007 and December 2013, 155 consecutive patients underwent PD. Of these, 113 patients were included in this study. Cholangitis was diagnosed according to the criteria in the revised Tokyo Guidelines 2013, and repeated cholangitis with three or more episodes was defined as ‘refractory cholangitis’. Data from patients with refractory cholangitis were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsRefractory cholangitis was observed in 21 patients (18.6%). Of these, 17 patients experienced cholangitis within 1 year after PD, and 10 patients had biliary strictures. These patients required an average of two interventional or endoscopic treatments for stricture dilatation, which led to remission. The 2‐year cumulative incidence rate for refractory cholangitis was 18.9% (95% CI 11.65–26.15). Multivariate analysis revealed five risk factors for developing refractory cholangitis: benign disease (odds ratio [OR] 18.52; P = 0.001), long operation time (OR 18.73; P = 0.002), elevated C‐reactive protein (OR 6.55; P = 0.014), elevated alkaline phosphatase (OR 6.03; P = 0.018), and the presence of pneumobilia (OR 28.81; P = 0.009).ConclusionsPostoperative refractory cholangitis after PD usually developed within a year. Almost half of the patients had biliary strictures, and aggressive dilatation might be effective to achieve remission in these patients.
Seasonal change in sexual size dimorphism of the major cheliped in the hermit crab Pagurus minutus
Authors: Yasuda Chiaki I. , Otoda Masaya , Nakano Reiko , Takiya Yuki , Koga Tsunenori 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSexual size dimorphism is a common phenomenon in the animal kingdom, and its seasonal change has been reported in some species that possess traits dimorphic only in males and specialized for male mating success. However, few studies have examined seasonal change in sexual dimorphism of traits possessed by both sexes. Here, we examined the reproductive biology of the hermit crab Pagurus minutus, at a sandflat in the Waka River estuary, Japan, with special reference to seasonal changes in sexual dimorphism of the large claw (major cheliped) size by conducting population and precopulatory guarding‐pair sampling. Previous investigation demonstrated that the major cheliped is used as a weapon, and its size, more than body size, determines the winner in male–male contests of this species. We found ovigerous females from November to April, peaking in January, when 80% of females were ovigerous. Sexual size dimorphism of the major cheliped was observed; the degree of dimorphism increased in the reproductive season, when only males possessed an enlarged major cheliped. In addition, in the reproductive season, precopulatory guarding males had a larger body and larger relative size of the major cheliped than did solitary males, although the major cheliped size in guarding males seemed to reach an upper limit. These results suggest that seasonal change in sexual dimorphism of the major cheliped size in P. minutus strongly reflects sexual selection favoring the development of this natural weaponry, and that the degree of the dimorphism might be limited through natural selection.
Quantification and Determination of Composition of Steryl Ferulates in Refined Rice Bran Oils Using an UPLC‐MS Method
Authors: Cuevas Maitê S. , de Souza Patricia T. , da Costa Rodrigues Christianne E. , Meirelles Antonio J. A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGamma‐oryzanol contains a mixture of steryl ferulates found in rice bran oil. Several studies have attributed nutraceutical properties to this mixture, such as hypocholesterolemic and anti‐inflammatory activities. A method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed and evaluated for the simultaneous quantification of gamma‐oryzanol and identification of five major steryl ferulates directly in refined rice bran oils (RBO) samples. The proposed method was evaluated according to linearity by obtaining standard curves with R2 values above 0.990, and limit of detection values ranged from 1.9 to 5.9 µg/mL, whereas limits of quantification ranged from 5.9 to 17.9 µg/mL; inter‐ and intraday accuracy and precision were within the range required by the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines; recovery levels ranged from 78 to 85% for gamma‐oryzanol, and from 84 to 119% for steryl ferulates. The method can be considered robust in relation to the NH4OH (ammonium hydroxide) content and cone voltage variations, with coefficient of variation and average relative percentage deviation values lower than 7.0 and 4.4%, respectively. The stability during the storage test was maintained in concentrated samples (18.5 µg/mL), with recovered values between 93 and 113%. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of RBO samples, demonstrating that it could be easily used for quality control purposes.