bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ACCESS TO IMPROVED HYBRID SEEDS IN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT AND REHABILITATION OF COCOA FARMS
Authors: ASARE RICHARD , AFARI-SEFA VICTOR , MUILERMAN SANDER 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYPoor access to improved seeds in West and Central Africa has compromised crop yields and productivity as most farmers source the bulk of their seeds from informal channels. The use of farmer produced seeds has mostly resulted in high seedling mortality thereby presenting challenges to cocoa rehabilitation programmes across the sub region. With the aid of a mobile data collection system (MDCS), the first of its kind to enhance accuracy of survey results in an improved seed supply system through brokerage and linkages among diverse actors, this study assesses Ghanaian farmers’ access to improved hybrid cocoa seeds and provides evidence on the socio-cultural factors that affect field performance of such planting materials. Results show that farmers value a seed brokerage system (SBS), which is facilitated through group bulk purchase, timely acquisition and delivery of seeds. The study also revealed that farm size, land use type and gender have significant effect on survival rate of transplanted hybrid cocoa seedlings over two dry seasons. Regardless of the rehabilitation process, mean survival rate was high (79%) although an 11% (p < 0.000) difference occurred between gender with men recording a higher rate. The majority of farmers prefer cultivating cocoa on forest and fallow lands, implying continues degradation of forest areas. There is therefore an urgent need for a change of mind set, to advocate for land recycling to spare forest areas to thrive.
Simplified variational principles for non-barotropic magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Yahalom Asher 
Published: March 2016

Variational principles for magnetohydrodynamics were introduced by previous authors both in Lagrangian and Eulerian form. In this paper we introduce simpler Eulerian variational principles from which all the relevant equations of non-barotropic magnetohydrodynamics can be derived for certain field topologies. The variational principle is given in terms of five independent functions for non-stationary barotropic flows. This is less than the eight variables which appear in the standard equations of barotropic magnetohydrodynamics which are the magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}$ the velocity field $\boldsymbol{v}$, the entropy $s$ and the density ${\it\rho}$.
VINCULACIONES POLÍTICAS EN UN RÉGIMEN DE BANCA LIBRE: EL CASO DE LA CRISIS BANCARIA DE 1878 EN CHILE
Authors: Briones Ignacio 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTIn 1878 Chile experienced a banking crisis which brought an end to the Chilean free-banking period based on convertibility initiated in 1860. Using monthly bank balance sheets and other primary sources, I analyze the period and argue that one important explanation for the crisis was the growing relationship between banks and government through state loans to finance fiscal deficits and privileges to the issuing banks. I claim that the crisis emerged from a large bank loan in late 1877 which induced over-issuance and depreciation expectations leading, logically, to a bank run. The Chilean case provides valuable evidence of an element frequently neglected by the free-banking literature: the links between banks and government.
Formation control of networked mobile robots with guaranteed obstacle and collision avoidance
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Yamchi Mohammad , Mahboobi Esfanjani Reza 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYThis note presents a novel method to design a controller for the formation of networked mobile robots, where the communication between the members of the group is affected by variable time-delay. The control objective is twofold: to maintain the formation during the motion along a desired path and guarantee no collisions with obstacles or adjacent robots. Initially, an innovative dynamical model is formulated for the system; afterwards, the notion of model predictive control is employed to ensure collision avoidance with guaranteed stability. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the suggested method.
Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β promotes autophagy to protect mice from acute liver failure mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α
Authors: Ren F , Zhang L , Zhang X , Shi H , Wen T , Bai L , Zheng S , Chen Y , Chen D , Li L , Duan Z 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOur previous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity protects mice from acute liver failure (ALF), whereas its protective and regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Autophagy is a recently recognized rudimentary cellular response to inflammation and injury. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that inhibition of GSK3β mediates autophagy to inhibit liver inflammation and protect against ALF. In ALF mice model induced by d-galactosamine (d-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), autophagy was repressed compared with normal control, and d-GalN/LPS can directly induce autophagic flux in the progression of ALF mice. Autophagy activation by rapamycin protected against liver injury and its inhibition by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or autophagy gene 7 (Atg7) small interfering RNA (siRNA) exacerbated liver injury. The protective effect of GSK3β inhibition on ALF mice model depending on the induction of autophagy, because that inhibition of GSK3β promoted autophagy in vitro and in vivo, and inhibition of autophagy reversed liver protection and inflammation of GSK3β inhibition. Furthermore, inhibition of GSK3β increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and the downregulated PPARα by siRNA decreased autophagy induced by GSK3β inhibition. More importantly, the expressions of autophagy-related gene and PPARα are significantly downregulated and the activity of GSK3β is significantly upregulated in liver of ALF patients with hepatitis B virus. Thus, we have demonstrated the new pathological mechanism of ALF that the increased GSK3β activity suppresses autophagy to promote the occurrence and development of ALF by inhibiting PPARα pathway.
miR-141 is involved in BRD7-mediated cell proliferation and tumor formation through suppression of the PTEN/AKT pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Y , Zhao R , Wang H , Luo Y , Wang X , Niu W , Zhou Y , Wen Q , Fan S , Li X , Xiong W , Ma J , Li X , Tan M , Li G , Zhou M 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBromodomain containing 7 (BRD7) was identified as a nuclear transcriptional regulatory factor. BRD7 functions as a tumor suppressor in multiple cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we reported a novel mechanism of BRD7 in NPC progression. We demonstrated that the expression of miR-141 was remarkably increased in NPC tissues and was negatively correlated with the expression of BRD7 and the survival rate of NPC patients. Decreased expression levels of miR-141, including the primary, the precursor and the mature forms of miR-141, were found in BRD7-overexpressing HEK293, 5-8F and HNE1 cells compared the control cells, while there was no obvious effect on the expression levels of the two critical enzymes Drosha and Dicer. BRD7 can negatively regulate the promoter activity of miR-141, while no obvious binding site of BRD7 was found in the potential promoter region of miR-141. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-141 can significantly promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in NPC, and rescuing the expression of miR-141 in BRD7-overexpressing NPC cells could partially reverse the tumor suppressive effect of BRD7 on cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the activation of the PTEN/AKT pathway mediated by the overexpression of BRD7 could be inhibited by rescuing the expression of miR-141, which accordingly results in the partial restoration of cell proliferation and tumor growth. Our findings demonstrate that the BRD7/miR-141/PTEN/AKT axis has critical roles in the progression of NPC and provide some promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of NPC.
Sodium–hydrogen exchanger NHA1 and NHA2 control sperm motility and male fertility
Authors: Chen Su-Ren , Chen M , Deng S-L , Hao X-X , Wang X-X , Liu Y-X 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOur previous work identified NHA1, a testis-specific sodium–hydrogen exchanger, is specifically localized on the principal piece of mouse sperm flagellum. Our subsequent study suggested that the number of newborns and fertility rate of NHA1-vaccinated female mice are significantly stepped down. In order to define the physiological function of NHA1 in spermatozoa, we generated Nha1Fx/Fx, Zp3-Cre (hereafter called Nha1 cKO) mice and found that Nha1 cKO males were viable and subfertile with reduced sperm motility. Notably, cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis by soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) was attenuated in Nha1 cKO spermatozoa and cAMP analogs restored sperm motility. Similar to Nha1 cKO males, Nha2Fx/Fx, Zp3-Cre (hereafter called Nha2 cKO) male mice were subfertile, indicating these two Nha genes may be functionally redundant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that male mice lacking Nha1 and Nha2 genes (hereafter called Nha1/2 dKO mice) were completely infertile, with severely diminished sperm motility owing to attenuated sAC-cAMP signaling. Importantly, principal piece distribution of NHA1 in spermatozoa are phylogenetically conserved in spermatogenesis. Collectively, our data revealed that NHA1 and NHA2 function as a key sodium–hydrogen exchanger responsible for sperm motility after leaving the cauda epididymidis.
Understanding silicate hydration from quantitative analyses of hydrating tricalcium silicates
Authors: Pustovgar Elizaveta , Sangodkar Rahul P. , Andreev Andrey S. , Palacios Marta , Chmelka Bradley F. , Flatt Robert J. , d’Espinose de Lacaillerie Jean-Baptiste 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSilicate hydration is prevalent in natural and technological processes, such as, mineral weathering, glass alteration, zeolite syntheses and cement hydration. Tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5), the main constituent of Portland cement, is amongst the most reactive silicates in water. Despite its widespread industrial use, the reaction of Ca3SiO5with water to form calcium-silicate-hydrates (C-S-H) still hosts many open questions. Here, we show that solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of29Si-enriched triclinic Ca3SiO5enable the quantitative monitoring of the hydration process in terms of transient local molecular composition, extent of silicate hydration and polymerization. This provides insights on the relative influence of surface hydroxylation and hydrate precipitation on the hydration rate. When the rate drops, the amount of hydroxylated Ca3SiO5decreases, thus demonstrating the partial passivation of the surface during the deceleration stage. Moreover, the relative quantities of monomers, dimers, pentamers and octamers in the C-S-H structure are measured.
Geometry-invariant resonant cavities
Authors: Liberal I. , Mahmoud A. M. , Engheta N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractResonant cavities are one of the basic building blocks in various disciplines of science and technology, with numerous applications ranging from abstract theoretical modelling to everyday life devices. The eigenfrequencies of conventional cavities are a function of their geometry, and, thus, the size and shape of a resonant cavity is selected to operate at a specific frequency. Here we demonstrate theoretically the existence of geometry-invariant resonant cavities, that is, resonators whose eigenfrequencies are invariant with respect to geometrical deformations of their external boundaries. This effect is obtained by exploiting the unusual properties of zero-index metamaterials, such as epsilon-near-zero media, which enable decoupling of the temporal and spatial field variations in the lossless limit. This new class of resonators may inspire alternative design concepts, and it might lead to the first generation of deformable resonant devices.
VEGFR2 pY949 signalling regulates adherens junction integrity and metastatic spread
Authors: Li Xiujuan , Padhan Narendra , Sjöström Elisabet O. , Roche Francis P. , Testini Chiara , Honkura Naoki , Sáinz-Jaspeado Miguel , Gordon Emma , Bentley Katie , Philippides Andrew , Tolmachev Vladimir , Dejana Elisabetta , Stan Radu V. , Vestweber Dietmar , Ballmer-Hofer Kurt , Betsholtz Christer , Pietras Kristian , Jansson Leif , Claesson-Welsh Lena 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe specific role of VEGFA-induced permeability and vascular leakage in physiology and pathology has remained unclear. Here we show that VEGFA-induced vascular leakage depends on signalling initiated via the VEGFR2 phosphosite Y949, regulating dynamic c-Src and VE-cadherin phosphorylation. Abolished Y949 signalling in the mouse mutant Vegfr2Y949F/Y949F leads to VEGFA-resistant endothelial adherens junctions and a block in molecular extravasation. Vessels in Vegfr2Y949F/Y949F mice remain sensitive to inflammatory cytokines, and vascular morphology, blood pressure and flow parameters are normal. Tumour-bearing Vegfr2Y949F/Y949F mice display reduced vascular leakage and oedema, improved response to chemotherapy and, importantly, reduced metastatic spread. The inflammatory infiltration in the tumour micro-environment is unaffected. Blocking VEGFA-induced disassembly of endothelial junctions, thereby suppressing tumour oedema and metastatic spread, may be preferable to full vascular suppression in the treatment of certain cancer forms.
Implementation of quantum and classical discrete fractional Fourier transforms
Authors: Weimann Steffen , Perez-Leija Armando , Lebugle Maxime , Keil Robert , Tichy Malte , Gräfe Markus , Heilmann René , Nolte Stefan , Moya-Cessa Hector , Weihs Gregor , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Szameit Alexander 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFourier transforms, integer and fractional, are ubiquitous mathematical tools in basic and applied science. Certainly, since the ordinary Fourier transform is merely a particular case of a continuous set of fractional Fourier domains, every property and application of the ordinary Fourier transform becomes a special case of the fractional Fourier transform. Despite the great practical importance of the discrete Fourier transform, implementation of fractional orders of the corresponding discrete operation has been elusive. Here we report classical and quantum optical realizations of the discrete fractional Fourier transform. In the context of classical optics, we implement discrete fractional Fourier transforms of exemplary wave functions and experimentally demonstrate the shift theorem. Moreover, we apply this approach in the quantum realm to Fourier transform separable and path-entangled biphoton wave functions. The proposed approach is versatile and could find applications in various fields where Fourier transforms are essential tools.
Roquin recognizes a non-canonical hexaloop structure in the 3′-UTR of Ox40
Authors: Janowski Robert , Heinz Gitta A. , Schlundt Andreas , Wommelsdorf Nina , Brenner Sven , Gruber Andreas R. , Blank Michael , Buch Thorsten , Buhmann Raymund , Zavolan Mihaela , Niessing Dierk , Heissmeyer Vigo , Sattler Michael 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe RNA-binding protein Roquin is required to prevent autoimmunity. Roquin controls T-helper cell activation and differentiation by limiting the induced expression of costimulatory receptors such as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 4 (Tnfrs4 or Ox40). A constitutive decay element (CDE) with a characteristic triloop hairpin was previously shown to be recognized by Roquin. Here we use SELEX assays to identify a novel U-rich hexaloop motif, representing an alternative decay element (ADE). Crystal structures and NMR data show that the Roquin-1 ROQ domain recognizes hexaloops in the SELEX-derived ADE and in an ADE-like variant present in the Ox40 3′-UTR with identical binding modes. In cells, ADE-like and CDE-like motifs cooperate in the repression of Ox40 by Roquin. Our data reveal an unexpected recognition of hexaloop cis elements for the posttranscriptional regulation of target messenger RNAs by Roquin.
Cortical contributions to the auditory frequency-following response revealed by MEG
Authors: Coffey Emily B. J. , Herholz Sibylle C. , Chepesiuk Alexander M. P. , Baillet Sylvain , Zatorre Robert J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe auditory frequency-following response (FFR) to complex periodic sounds is used to study the subcortical auditory system, and has been proposed as a biomarker for disorders that feature abnormal sound processing. Despite its value in fundamental and clinical research, the neural origins of the FFR are unclear. Using magnetoencephalography, we observe a strong, right-asymmetric contribution to the FFR from the human auditory cortex at the fundamental frequency of the stimulus, in addition to signal from cochlear nucleus, inferior colliculus and medial geniculate. This finding is highly relevant for our understanding of plasticity and pathology in the auditory system, as well as higher-level cognition such as speech and music processing. It suggests that previous interpretations of the FFR may need re-examination using methods that allow for source separation.
Genome-wide study for circulating metabolites identifies 62 loci and reveals novel systemic effects of LPA
Authors: Kettunen Johannes , Demirkan Ayşe , Würtz Peter , Draisma Harmen H.M. , Haller Toomas , Rawal Rajesh , Vaarhorst Anika , Kangas Antti J. , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Pirinen Matti , Pool René , Sarin Antti-Pekka , Soininen Pasi , Tukiainen Taru , Wang Qin , Tiainen Mika , Tynkkynen Tuulia , Amin Najaf , Zeller Tanja , Beekman Marian , Deelen Joris , van Dijk Ko Willems , Esko Tõnu , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , van Leeuwen Elisabeth M , Lehtimäki Terho , Mihailov Evelin , Rose Richard J. , de Craen Anton J.M. , Gieger Christian , Kähönen Mika , Perola Markus , Blankenberg Stefan , Savolainen Markku J. , Verhoeven Aswin , Viikari Jorma , Willemsen Gonneke , Boomsma Dorret I. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Eriksson Johan , Jula Antti , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kaprio Jaakko , Metspalu Andres , Raitakari Olli , Salomaa Veikko , Slagboom P. Eline , Waldenberger Melanie , Ripatti Samuli , Ala-Korpela Mika 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGenome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci linked with complex diseases, for which the molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Comprehensive molecular profiling of circulating metabolites captures highly heritable traits, which can help to uncover metabolic pathophysiology underlying established disease variants. We conduct an extended genome-wide association study of genetic influences on 123 circulating metabolic traits quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics from up to 24,925 individuals and identify eight novel loci for amino acids, pyruvate and fatty acids. The LPA locus link with cardiovascular risk exemplifies how detailed metabolic profiling may inform underlying aetiology via extensive associations with very-low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride metabolism. Genetic fine mapping and Mendelian randomization uncover wide-spread causal effects of lipoprotein(a) on overall lipoprotein metabolism and we assess potential pleiotropic consequences of genetically elevated lipoprotein(a) on diverse morbidities via electronic health-care records. Our findings strengthen the argument for safe LPA-targeted intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Age and gender specific estimation of visceral adipose tissue amounts from radiological images in morbidly obese patients
Authors: Linder Nicolas , Schaudinn Alexander , Garnov Nikita , Blüher Matthias , Dietrich Arne , Schütz Tatjana , Lehmann Stefanie , Retschlag Ulf , Karlas Thomas , Kahn Thomas , Busse Harald 
Published: March 2016

AbstractImage-based quantifications of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volumes from segmented VAT areas are increasingly considered for risk assessment in obese patients. The goal of this study was to determine the power of partial VAT areas to predict total VAT volume in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40 kg/m2) as a function of gender, age and anatomical landmarks. 130 morbidly obese patients (mean BMI 46.5 kg/m2; 94 females) underwent IRB-approved MRI. Total VAT volumes were predicted from segmented VAT areas (of single or five adjacent slices) at common axial landmark levels and compared with the measured ones (VVAT-T, about 40 slices between diaphragm and pelvic floor). Standard deviations σ1 and σ5 of the respective VAT volume differences served as measures of agreement. Mean VVAT-T was 4.9 L for females and 8.1 L for males. Best predictions were found at intervertebral spaces L3-L4 for females (σ5 = 688 ml, σ1 = 832 ml) and L1-L2 for males (σ5 = 846 ml, σ1 = 992 ml), irrespective of age. In conclusion, VAT volumes in morbidly obese patients can be reliably predicted by multiplying the segmented VAT area at a gender-specific lumbar reference level with a fixed scaling factor and effective slice thickness.
Microsatellite alteration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients from a betel quid-prevalent region
Authors: Lin Jin-Ching , Wang Chen-Chi , Jiang Rong-San , Wang Wen-Yi , Liu Shih-An 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe investigated the frequency of microsatellite alteration and their impact on survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients from an endemic betel quid chewing area. We collected 116 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma specimens along with corresponding surgical margins which were confirmed by pathological examination. Ten oligonucleotide markers were chosen for the assessment of microsatellite alteration. The specimens were amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by automatic fragment analysis. There were 44 specimens (37.9%) with microsatellite instability (MSI) in at least one marker while more than half of the specimens (n = 68, 58.6%) had loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in at least one marker. Though MSI/LOH was not correlated with the survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, presence of MSI in the tumor-free surgical margins was associated with local recurrence (odds ratio: 15.14; 95% confidence interval: 6.451 ~ 35.53; P < 0.001). Genomic assessment of surgical margin can help surgeons to identify head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients who are at risk of developing local recurrence in a betel quid-prevalent region.
From morphology to biochemical state – intravital multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging of inflamed human skin
Authors: Huck Volker , Gorzelanny Christian , Thomas Kai , Getova Valentina , Niemeyer Verena , Zens Katharina , Unnerstall Tim R. , Feger Julia S. , Fallah Mohammad A. , Metze Dieter , Ständer Sonja , Luger Thomas A. , Koenig Karsten , Mess Christian , Schneider Stefan W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe application of multiphoton microscopy in the field of biomedical research and advanced diagnostics promises unique insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. In the present study, we combined multiphoton-based intravital tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (MPT-FLIM) within the scope of a clinical trial of atopic dermatitis with the aim of providing personalised data on the aetiopathology of inflammation in a non-invasive manner at patients’ bedsides. These ‘optical biopsies’ generated via MPT were morphologically analysed and aligned with classical skin histology. Because of its subcellular resolution, MPT provided evidence of a redistribution of mitochondria in keratinocytes, indicating an altered cellular metabolism. Two independent morphometric algorithms reliably showed an even distribution in healthy skin and a perinuclear accumulation in inflamed skin. Moreover, using MPT-FLIM, detection of the onset and progression of inflammatory processes could be achieved. In conclusion, the change in the distribution of mitochondria upon inflammation and the verification of an altered cellular metabolism facilitate a better understanding of inflammatory skin diseases and may permit early diagnosis and therapy.