bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Methods Pursued in Valuing the Risks of Life Assurance Companies
Authors: C. J.  
Published: July 2016

I propose to bring under your consideration this evening, the investigation of a question which has been a good deal discussed from time to time; and which, I observe, is attracting some notice at the present day. It is one of some interest and importance to persons engaged in our pursuits, and I therefore trust that the endeavour to throw a little more light upon it will not be altogether unacceptable.The question I allude to has reference to the mode of valuing the risks of a Life Assurance company. The actuaries, with some exceptions, of what I may, perhaps, without impropriety call the old school, contending that the same elements should be used in valuing as those upon which the Table of Premiums is constructed. So that, for instance, an office charging premiums deduced from the Northampton Table, should, according to their view, make its valuations in accordance with the data from which those premiums are deduced; whilst some of the more modern practitioners advocate the using, in these valuations, tables based upon what may be considered—as far as our present knowledge goes—a true rate of mortality, and a true rate of interest.
Sketch of the recent Progress of the Assurance of Life and Property on the Continent
Authors: Brown Samuel 
Published: July 2016

In laying before the members of the Institute of Actuaries this hasty sketch of the Progress of the Assurance of Life and Property on the Continent, I beg to offer a few words of explanation on what induced me to attempt it.Understanding that several actuaries and managers of Foreign Assurance Companies were likely to be in England at this time, without any general acquaintance with, or means of introduction to, those who are engaged in similar pursuits and studies in this country, the council of the Institute were led to propose a general meeting and conference, and to offer to them the hospitality and attentions which all classes and professions are vying with each other in paying to our distinguished foreign visitors.
Phenotypes on demand via switchable target protein degradation in multicellular organisms
Authors: Faden Frederik , Ramezani Thomas , Mielke Stefan , Almudi Isabel , Nairz Knud , Froehlich Marceli S. , Höckendorff Jörg , Brandt Wolfgang , Hoehenwarter Wolfgang , Dohmen R. Jürgen , Schnittger Arp , Dissmeyer Nico 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPhenotypes on-demand generated by controlling activation and accumulation of proteins of interest are invaluable tools to analyse and engineer biological processes. While temperature-sensitive alleles are frequently used as conditional mutants in microorganisms, they are usually difficult to identify in multicellular species. Here we present a versatile and transferable, genetically stable system based on a low-temperature-controlled N-terminal degradation signal (lt-degron) that allows reversible and switch-like tuning of protein levels under physiological conditions in vivo. Thereby, developmental effects can be triggered and phenotypes on demand generated. The lt-degron was established to produce conditional and cell-type-specific phenotypes and is generally applicable in a wide range of organisms, from eukaryotic microorganisms to plants and poikilothermic animals. We have successfully applied this system to control the abundance and function of transcription factors and different enzymes by tunable protein accumulation.
Genetic lineage tracing defines myofibroblast origin and function in the injured heart
Authors: Kanisicak Onur , Khalil Hadi , Ivey Malina J. , Karch Jason , Maliken Bryan D. , Correll Robert N. , Brody Matthew J. , J. Lin Suh-Chin , Aronow Bruce J. , Tallquist Michelle D. , Molkentin Jeffery D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCardiac fibroblasts convert to myofibroblasts with injury to mediate healing after acute myocardial infarction (MI) and to mediate long-standing fibrosis with chronic disease. Myofibroblasts remain a poorly defined cell type in terms of their origins and functional effects in vivo. Here we generate Postn (periostin) gene-targeted mice containing a tamoxifen-inducible Cre for cellular lineage-tracing analysis. This Postn allele identifies essentially all myofibroblasts within the heart and multiple other tissues. Lineage tracing with four additional Cre-expressing mouse lines shows that periostin-expressing myofibroblasts in the heart derive from tissue-resident fibroblasts of the Tcf21 lineage, but not endothelial, immune/myeloid or smooth muscle cells. Deletion of periostin+ myofibroblasts reduces collagen production and scar formation after MI. Periostin-traced myofibroblasts also revert back to a less-activated state upon injury resolution. Our results define the myofibroblast as a periostin-expressing cell type necessary for adaptive healing and fibrosis in the heart, which arises from Tcf21+ tissue-resident fibroblasts.
Tracking the spatiotemporal variations of statistically independent components involving enrichment of rare-earth elements in deep-sea sediments
Authors: Yasukawa Kazutaka , Nakamura Kentaro , Fujinaga Koichiro , Iwamori Hikaru , Kato Yasuhiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDeep-sea sediments have attracted much attention as a promising resource for rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY). In this study, we show statistically independent components characterising REY-enrichment in the abyssal ocean that are decoded by Independent Component Analysis of a multi-elemental dataset of 3,968 bulk sediment samples from 101 sites in the Pacific and Indian oceans. This study for the first time reconstructs the spatiotemporal variations of the geochemical signatures, including hydrothermal, hydrogenous and biogenic calcium phosphate components that were closely involved in the formation of REY-rich mud over the past 65 million years. An underlying key factor of significant REY-enrichment is a sufficiently low sedimentation rate that enables the mud to accumulate REY from seawater. In the early Cenozoic, a remarkably small supply of aeolian dust, compared with any other time and region, facilitated the deposition of very high-grade REY-rich mud in the South Pacific. This indicates an important link between the genesis of the seafloor mineral resources and Earth’s dynamic phenomena such as climate change and plate tectonics.
Cdk5 Modulates Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity and Motor Learning in Dorsolateral Striatum
Authors: Hernandez Adan , Tan Chunfeng , Mettlach Gabriel , Pozo Karine , Plattner Florian , Bibb James A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe striatum controls multiple cognitive aspects including motivation, reward perception, decision-making and motor planning. In particular, the dorsolateral striatum contributes to motor learning. Here we define an approach for investigating synaptic plasticity in mouse dorsolateral cortico-striatal circuitry and interrogate the relative contributions of neurotransmitter receptors and intracellular signaling components. Consistent with previous studies, we show that long-term potentiation (LTP) in cortico-striatal circuitry is facilitated by dopamine, and requires activation of D1-dopamine receptors, as well as NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and their calcium-dependent downstream effectors, including CaMKII. Moreover, we assessed the contribution of the protein kinase Cdk5, a key neuronal signaling molecule, in cortico-striatal LTP. Pharmacological Cdk5 inhibition, brain-wide Cdk5 conditional knockout, or viral-mediated dorsolateral striatal-specific loss of Cdk5 all impaired dopamine-facilitated LTP or D1-dopamine receptor-facilitated LTP. Selective loss of Cdk5 in dorsolateral striatum increased locomotor activity and attenuated motor learning. Taken together, we report an approach for studying synaptic plasticity in mouse dorsolateral striatum and critically implicate D1-dopamine receptor, NMDAR, Cdk5, and CaMKII in cortico-striatal plasticity. Furthermore, we associate striatal plasticity deficits with effects upon behaviors mediated by this circuitry. This approach should prove useful for the study of the molecular basis of plasticity in the dorsolateral striatum.
Experimental multistable states for small network of coupled pendula
Authors: Dudkowski Dawid , Grabski Juliusz , Wojewoda Jerzy , Perlikowski Przemyslaw , Maistrenko Yuri , Kapitaniak Tomasz 
Published: July 2016

AbstractChimera states are dynamical patterns emerging in populations of coupled identical oscillators where different groups of oscillators exhibit coexisting synchronous and incoherent behaviors despite homogeneous coupling. Although these states are typically observed in the large ensembles of oscillators, recently it has been shown that so-called weak chimera states may occur in the systems with small numbers of oscillators. Here, we show that similar multistable states demonstrating partial frequency synchronization, can be observed in simple experiments with identical mechanical oscillators, namely pendula. The mathematical model of our experiment shows that the observed multistable states are controlled by elementary dynamical equations, derived from Newton’s laws that are ubiquitous in many physical and engineering systems. Our finding suggests that multistable chimera-like states are observable in small networks relevant to various real-world systems.
Microbiota Modulates Behavior and Protein Kinase C mediated cAMP response element-binding protein Signaling
Authors: Zeng Li , Zeng Benhua , Wang Haiyang , Li Bo , Huo Ran , Zheng Peng , Zhang Xiaotong , Du Xiangyu , Liu Meiling , Fang Zheng , Xu Xuejiao , Zhou Chanjuan , Chen Jianjun , Li Wenxia , Guo Jing , Wei Hong , Xie Peng 
Published: July 2016

AbstractEvolutionary pressure drives gut microbiota–host coevolution and results in complex interactions between gut microbiota and neural development; however, the molecular mechanisms by which the microbiota governs host behavior remain obscure. Here, we report that colonization early in life is crucial for the microbiota to modulate brain development and behavior; later colonization or deletion of microbiota cannot completely reverse the behaviors. Microarray analysis revealed an association between absence of gut microbiota and expression in cAMP responding element-binding protein (CREB) regulated genes in the hippocampus. The absence of gut microbiota from birth was shown to be associated with decreased CREB expression, followed by decreases of protein kinase C beta (PRKCB) and AMPA receptors expression and an increase of phosphorylation CREB (pCREB) expression. Microbiota colonization in adolescence restored CREB and pCREB expression, but did not alter PRKCB and AMPARs expression. The removal of the gut microbiota from SPF mice using antibiotics only reduced pCREB expression. These findings suggest that (i) colonization of the gut microbiota early in life might facilitate neurodevelopment via PKC–CREB signaling and (ii) although GF mice and ABX mice display reduced anxiety-related behaviors, the molecular mechanisms behind this might differ.
Establishment of a γ-H2AX foci-based assay to determine biological dose of radon to red bone marrow in rats
Authors: Wang Jing , He Linfeng , Fan Dunhuang , Ding Defang , Wang Xufei , Gao Yun , Zhang Xuxia , Li Qiang , Chen Honghong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe biodosimetric information is critical for assessment of cancer risk in populations exposed to high radon. However, no tools are available for biological dose estimation following radon exposure. Here, we established a γ-H2AX foci-based assay to determine biological dose to red bone marrow (RBM) in radon-inhaled rats. After 1–3 h of in vitro radon exposure, a specific pattern of γ-H2AX foci, linear tracks with individual p-ATM and p-DNA-PKcs foci, was observed, and the yield of γ-H2AX foci and its linear tracks displayed a linear dose-response manner in both rat peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and bone-marrow lymphocytes (BMLs). When the cumulative doses of radon inhaled by rats reached 14, 30 and 60 working level months (WLM), the yields of three types of foci markedly increased in both PBLs and BMLs, and γ-H2AX foci-based dose estimates to RBM were 0.97, 2.06 and 3.94 mGy, respectively. Notably, BMLs displayed a more profound increase of three types of foci than PBLs, and the absorbed dose ratio between BMLs and PBLs was similar between rats exposed to 30 and 60 WLM of radon. Taken together, γ-H2AX foci quantitation in PBLs is able to estimate RBM-absorbed doses with the dose-response curve of γ-H2AX foci after in vitro radon exposure and the ratio of RBM- to PBL-absorbed doses in rats following radon exposure.
Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in obese, lean and miniature pig breeds
Authors: Yang Yalan , Zhou Rong , Mu Yulian , Hou Xinhua , Tang Zhonglin , Li Kui 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification involved in diverse biological processes. There is significant phenotypic variance between Chinese indigenous and western pig breeds. Here, we surveyed the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of blood leukocytes from three pig breeds (Tongcheng, Landrace and Wuzhishan) by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing. The results showed that DNA methylation was enriched in gene body regions and repetitive sequences. LINE/L1 and SINE/tRNA-Glu were the predominant methylated repeats in pigs. The methylation level in the gene body regions was higher than in the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of genes. About 15% of CpG islands were methylated in the pig genomes. Additionally, 2,807, 2,969 and 5,547 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified in the Tongcheng vs. Landrace, Tongcheng vs. Wuzhishan and Landrace vs. Wuzhishan comparisons, respectively. A total of 868 DMGs were shared by the three contrasts. The DMGs were significantly enriched in development- and metabolism-related biological processes and pathways. Finally, we identified 32 candidate DMGs associated with phenotype variance in pigs. Our research provides a DNA methylome resource for pigs and furthers understanding of epigenetically regulated phenotype variance in mammals.
Efficacy of species-specific protein antibiotics in a murine model of acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection
Authors: McCaughey Laura C. , Ritchie Neil. D. , Douce Gillian R. , Evans Thomas J. , Walker Daniel 
Published: July 2016

AbstractProtein antibiotics, known as bacteriocins, are widely produced by bacteria for intraspecies competition. The potency and targeted action of bacteriocins suggests that they could be developed into clinically useful antibiotics against highly drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens for which there are few therapeutic options. Here we show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa specific bacteriocins, known as pyocins, show strong efficacy in a murine model of P. aeruginosa lung infection, with the concentration of pyocin S5 required to afford protection from a lethal infection at least 100-fold lower than the most commonly used inhaled antibiotic tobramycin. Additionally, pyocins are stable in the lung, poorly immunogenic at high concentrations and efficacy is maintained in the presence of pyocin specific antibodies after repeated pyocin administration. Bacteriocin encoding genes are frequently found in microbial genomes and could therefore offer a ready supply of highly targeted and potent antibiotics active against problematic Gram-negative pathogens.
Arabidopsis AtERF014 acts as a dual regulator that differentially modulates immunity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Hong Yongbo , Huang Lei , Li Dayong , Song Fengming 
Published: July 2016

AbstractERF transcription factors play critical roles in plant immune responses. Here, we report the function of AtERF014, a nucleus-localized transcriptional activator, in Arabidopsis immunity. Expression of AtERF014 was induced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) and Botrytis cinerea (Bc). AtERF014-overexpressing (OE) plants displayed increased Pst resistance but decreased Bc resistance, whereas AtERF014-RNAi plants exhibited decreased Pst resistance but increased Bc resistance. After Pst infection, expression of salicylic acid (SA)-responsive genes AtPR1 and AtPR5 in AtERF014-OE plants and of a jasmonic acid/ethylene-responsive gene AtPDF1.2 in AtERF014-RNAi plants was intensified but expression of AtPDF1.2 in AtERF014-OE plants and of AtPR1 and AtPR5 in AtERF014-RNAi plants was weakened. After Bc infection, expression of AtPR1 and AtPR5 in AtERF014-OE plants was attenuated but expression of AtPR1, AtPR5 and AtPDF1.2 in AtERF014-RNAi plants was strengthened. Pathogen- and flg22-induced ROS burst, expression of PTI genes and SA-induced defense were partially suppressed in AtERF014-RNAi plants, whereas pathogen-induced ROS and flg22-induced immune response were strengthened in AtER014-OE plants. Altered expression of AtERR014 affected expression of pectin biosynthetic genes and pectin content in AtERF014-RNAi plants was decreased. These data demonstrate that AtERF014 acts as a dual regulator that differentially modulates immunity against Pst and Bc in Arabidopsis.
No impact of transgenic cry1C rice on the rove beetle Paederus fuscipes, a generalist predator of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Meng Jiarong , Mabubu Juma Ibrahim , Han Yu , He Yueping , Zhao Jing , Hua Hongxia , Feng Yanni , Wu Gang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractT1C-19 is newly developed transgenic rice active against lepidopteran pests and expresses a synthesized cry1C gene driven by the maize ubiquitin promoter. The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is a major non-target pest of rice and the rove beetle (Paederus fuscipes) is a generalist predator of N. lugens nymphs. As P. fuscipes may be exposed to the Cry1C protein through preying on N. lugens, it is essential to assess the potential effects of transgenic cry1C rice on this predator. In this study, two experiments (a direct feeding experiment and a tritrophic experiment) were conducted to evaluate the ecological risk of cry1C rice to P. fuscipes. No significant negative effects were observed in the development, survival, female ratio and body weight of P. fuscipes in both treatments of direct exposure to elevated doses of Cry1C protein and prey-mediated exposure to realistic doses of the protein. This indicated that cry1C rice had no detrimental effects on P. fuscipes. This work represents the first study of an assessment continuum for the effects of transgenic cry1C rice on P. fuscipes. Use of the rove beetle as an indicator species to assess potential effects of genetically modified crops on non-target arthropods is feasible.
Simultaneous band-gap narrowing and carrier-lifetime prolongation of organic–inorganic trihalide perovskites
Authors: Kong Lingping , Liu Gang , Gong Jue , Hu Qingyang , Schaller Richard D. , Dera Przemyslaw , Zhang Dongzhou , Liu Zhenxian , Yang Wenge , Zhu Kai , Tang Yuzhao , Wang Chuanyi , Wei Su-Huai , Xu Tao , Mao Ho-kwang 
Published: July 2016

Significance
The emergence of organic–inorganic hybrid lead triiodide perovskite materials promises a low-cost and high-efficiency photovoltaic technology. Although the high-power conversion efficiency of this technology has been successfully demonstrated, further improvement appears to be limited without further narrowing the band gap while also retaining or even synergistically prolonging the carrier lifetime. We report a synergistic enhancement in both band gap narrowing and carrier-lifetime prolongation (up to 70% to ∼100% increase) of organic–inorganic hybrid lead triiodide perovskite materials under mild pressures below ∼0.3 GPa. This work could open new territory in materials science, and new materials could be invented using the experimental and theoretical guidelines we have established herein.
HbA1c levels are associated with severity of hypoxemia and not with apnea hypopnea index in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rusu Adriana , Bala Cornelia Gabriela , Craciun Anca‐Elena , Roman Gabriela 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of untreated sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) on glycemic control, evaluated by HbA1c, in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsThe study sample consisted of 100 consecutive adult (≥18 years) patients with T2D without a prior diagnosis of sleep apnea recruited from an outpatient diabetes clinic. All patients underwent an in‐hospital cardiorespiratory study using a three‐channel portable sleep diagnostic tool; 64 were found to have sleep apnea, 36 were not. Information on medical history, body weight, height, sleep apnea symptoms, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, and HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels were recorded.ResultsAfter adjusting for factors known to affect HbA1c (gender, age, diabetes duration, diabetes treatment, body mass index [BMI], and waist circumference), HbA1c was higher in patients with than without SAS (8.4 % vs 7.6 %, respectively; P = 0.04). A positive correlation was found between the presence of sleep apnea and HbA1c (r = 0.24; P = 0.02). After adjusting for confounding factors (including BMI), only mean and lowest O2 saturation during sleep were significantly associated with HbA1c (β = −0.23 [P = 0.03] and β = −0.24 [P = 0.007], respectively). After further adjusting for waist circumference, only lowest O2 saturation during recording remained independently associated with HbA1c (β = −0.21; P = 0.05).ConclusionsThe presence of sleep apnea is associated with poorer glycemic control in patients with T2D. In patients with sleep apnea and T2D, greater levels of oxygen desaturation are associated with poorer glycemic control.
Resource suitability modulating spatial co‐occurrence of soil‐forager termites (Blattodea: Termitoidea)
Authors: Araújo Ana P Albano , Cristaldo Paulo F , Florencio Daniela F , Araújo Fernanda S , DeSouza Og 
Published: July 2016

AbstractResource can regulate animal foraging range, which in turn determines the chances of species co‐occurrence. Here, we addressed the question of whether resource determines the co‐occurrence of soil‐forager termite species (i.e. those foraging in subterranean tunnels). Eight quadrats (4 × 4 m) were marked in seven sites of Brazilian Atlantic rainforests, giving a total area sampled of 896 m2. Inside each quadrat, we measured the co‐occurrence of soil forager species and the resource suitability (N:C ratio of the soil and litter biomass). The number of records of more than one soil‐forager termite species at a single foraging spot, relative to the total number of foraging spots detected in each forest, was taken as a surrogate for spatial co‐occurrence. We tested whether termite co‐occurrence was mediated by random or nonrandom processes. Data were subjected to linear regression to test how the termite species co‐occurrence responds to resources. We compared this method with a null model analysis. Soil‐forager termites comprised 885 records, 20 species and 14 genera. From those records, 29% indicated species co‐occurrence. Co‐occurrence was not random: occurred more frequently when resource suitability was very high or very low. This result suggests an optimised use of space by termite communities.