bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Leishmania secretory proteins to design B and T cell multi-epitope subunit vaccine using immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Khatoon Nazia , Pandey Rajan Kumar , Prajapati Vijay Kumar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal form of leishmaniasis which affects 70 countries, worldwide. Increasing drug resistance, HIV co-infection, and poor health system require operative vaccination strategy to control the VL transmission dynamics. Therefore, a holistic approach is needed to generate T and B memory cells to mediate long-term immunity against VL infection. Consequently, immunoinformatics approach was applied to design Leishmania secretory protein based multi-epitope subunit vaccine construct consisting of B and T cell epitopes. Further, the physiochemical characterization was performed to check the aliphatic index, theoretical PI, molecular weight, and thermostable nature of vaccine construct. The allergenicity and antigenicity were also predicted to ensure the safety and immunogenic behavior of final vaccine construct. Moreover, homology modeling, followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study was also performed to evaluate the binding affinity and stability of receptor (TLR-4) and ligand (vaccine protein) complex. This study warrants the experimental validation to ensure the immunogenicity and safety profile of presented vaccine construct which may be further helpful to control VL infection.
Scale-dependent changes in the functional diversity of macrophytes in subtropical freshwater lakes in south China
Authors: Fu Hui , Zhong Jiayou , Fang Shaowen , Hu Jianmin , Guo Chunjing , Lou Qian , Yuan Guixiang , Dai Taotao , Li Zhongqiang , Zhang Meng , Li Wei , Xu Jun , Cao Te 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEcological processes are generally scale-dependent and there is little consensus about the relative importance of deterministic versus stochastic processes in driving patterns of biological diversity. We investigated how the relationship between functional dispersion and environmental gradients changes with spatial scale in subtropical freshwater lakes. The functional alpha and beta dispersions of all the tested traits were significantly under-dispersed across spatial scales and along environmental gradients. Results showed more functional similarity within communities in leaf dry mass content and flowering duration but less functional turnover among communities in all the tested traits at regional scales (Yunnan-Guizhou plateau and the middle and low reaches of the Yangtze River). The strengths and directions of environmental effects on the functional alpha and beta dispersions depended on the selected traits, diversity metrics and spatial scales. Surprisingly, broad-scale factors - elevation and water transparency - decreased the functional turnover for most traits along the gradients, whereas fine-scale factors - water depth - produced the opposite patterns along the gradient, depending on the trait selected. Our study highlights the dominant role of deterministic assembly processes in structuring the local functional composition and governing the spatial functional turnover of macrophyte communities across multiple spatial scales.
Spatio-temporal variations of PM2.5 concentrations and the evaluation of emission reduction measures during two red air pollution alerts in Beijing
Authors: Cheng Nianliang , Zhang Dawei , Li Yunting , Xie Xiaoming , Chen Ziyue , Meng Fan , Gao Bingbo , He Bin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo effectively improve air quality during pollution episodes, Beijing released two red alerts in 2015. Here we examined spatio-temporal variations of PM2.5 concentrations during two alerts based on multiple data sources. Results suggested that PM2.5 concentrations varied significantly across Beijing. PM2.5 concentrations in southern parts of Beijing were higher than those in northern areas during both alerts. In addition to unfavorable meteorological conditions, coal combustion, especially incomplete coal combustion contributed significantly to the high PM2.5 concentrations. Through the CAMx model, we evaluated the effects of emission-reduction measures on PM2.5 concentrations. Through simulation, emergency measures cut down 10% – 30% of the total emissions and decreased the peaks of PM2.5 concentrations by about 10–20% during two alerts. We further examined the scenario if emergency measures were implemented several days earlier than the start of red alerts. The results proved that the implementation of emission reduction measures 1–2 days before red alerts could lower the peak of PM2.5 concentrations significantly. Given the difficulty of precisely predicting the duration of heavy pollution episodes and the fact that successive heavy pollution episodes may return after red alerts, emergency measures should also be implemented one or two days after the red alerts.
Fractal properties of shoreline changes on a storm-exposed island
Authors: Zhong Xiaojing , Yu Peng , Chen Shenliang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractExtreme storm events and their consequent shoreline changes are of great importance for understanding coastal evolution and assessing storm hazards. This work investigates the fractal properties of the spatial distributions of shoreline changes caused by storms. Wavelet analysis and upper-truncated power law (UTPL) fitting are used to study the power spectra of shoreline changes and to evaluate the upper limits of the cross-shore erosion and accretion. During a period affected by storms, the alongshore shoreline change patterns are strong on the 15 km scale but are weak with lower spectral power on the 20 km scale. The areas adjacent to the eroded shoreline are usually accrete, and the cross-shore extent of erosion is larger than that of accretion when the coast is affected by storms. The fractal properties of shoreline changes due to storms are found to be temporally continuous: the effects of later storms build on the preceding shoreline conditions, including both the effects of previous storms and the subsequent shoreline recoveries. This work provides a new perspective on the various scales of the spatial variations of the morphodynamics of storm-affected shorelines.
Transcriptomic analysis of nickel exposure in Sphingobium sp. ba1 cells using RNA-seq
Authors: Volpicella M. , Leoni C. , Manzari C. , Chiara M. , Picardi E. , Piancone E. , Italiano F. , D’Erchia A. , Trotta M. , Horner D. S. , Pesole G. , Ceci L. R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNickel acts as cofactor for a number of enzymes of many bacteria species. Its homeostasis is ensured by proteins working as ion efflux or accumulation systems. These mechanisms are also generally adopted to counteract life-threatening high extra-cellular Ni2+ concentrations. Little is known regarding nickel tolerance in the genus Sphingobium. We studied the response of the novel Sphingobium sp. ba1 strain, able to adapt to high Ni2+ concentrations. Differential gene expression in cells cultured in 10 mM Ni2+, investigated by RNA-seq analysis, identified 118 differentially expressed genes. Among the 90 up-regulated genes, a cluster including genes coding for nickel and other metal ion efflux systems (similar to either cnrCBA, nccCBA or cznABC) and for a NreB-like permease was found. Comparative analyses among thirty genomes of Sphingobium species show that this cluster is conserved only in two cases, while in the other genomes it is partially present or even absent. The differential expression of genes encoding proteins which could also work as Ni2+-accumulators (HupE/UreJ-like protein, NreA and components of TonB-associated transport and copper-homeostasis systems) was also detected. The identification of Sphingobium sp. ba1 strain adaptive mechanisms to nickel ions, can foster its possible use for biodegradation of poly-aromatic compounds in metal-rich environments.
Synthesis-free PET imaging of brown adipose tissue and TSPO via combination of disulfiram and 64CuCl2
Authors: Yang Jing , Yang Jian , Wang Lu , Moore Anna , Liang Steven H. , Ran Chongzhao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPET imaging is a widely applicable but a very expensive technology. On-site synthesis is one important contributor to the high cost. In this report, we demonstrated the feasibility of a synthesis-free method for PET imaging of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) via a combination of disulfiram, an FDA approved drug for alcoholism, and 64CuCl2 (termed 64Cu-Dis). In this method, a step-wise injection protocol of 64CuCl2 and disulfiram was used to accomplish the purpose of synthesis-free. Specifically, disulfiram, an inactive 64Cu ligand, was first injected to allow it to metabolize into diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a strong 64Cu ligand, which can chelate 64CuCl2 from the following injection to form the actual PET tracer in situ. Our blocking studies, western blot, and tissue histological imaging suggested that the observed BAT contrast was due to 64Cu-Dis binding to TSPO, which was further confirmed as a specific biomarker for BAT imaging using [18F]-F-DPA, a TSPO-specific PET tracer. Our studies, for the first time, demonstrated that TSPO could serve as a potential imaging biomarker for BAT. We believe that our strategy could be extended to other targets while significantly reducing the cost of PET imaging.
Large spontaneous exchange bias in a weak ferromagnet Pb6Ni9(TeO6)5
Authors: Koteswararao B. , Chakrabarty Tanmoy , Basu Tathamay , Hazra Binoy Krishna , Srinivasarao P. V. , Paulose P. L. , Srinath S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe report the magnetic and dielectric behavior of Pb6Ni9(TeO6)5, a new compound comprising the honeycomb-like layers of S = 1 spins, through detailed structural, magnetic and dielectric investigation. An antiferromagnetic-type transition at 25 K (TN) with weak-ferromagnetic behavior is revealed. Interestingly, a large value of coercive field of 1.32 T at 2 K is observed. The isothermal magnetization after zero-field-cooled condition, it exhibits the presence of large spontaneous exchange bias (SEB) with a magnitude of 0.19 T at 2 K; which is rare in single bulk materials, especially without external doping. The value of |HEB| further enhances to 0.24 T under 16 T field-cooled condition, confirming the presence of large exchange bias in the material.
Reporting of Socioeconomic Status in Pediatric Language Research
Authors: Inglebret Ella , Bailey Shana , Clothiaux Jeanne Amie , Skinder-Meredith Amy , Monson Kayla , Cleveland Lesli 
Published: August 2017

Purpose
This study examined language-focused research articles published in 3 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association journals to: (a) determine the proportion that reported the socioeconomic status (SES) of pediatric participants and (b) identify the indicators used to represent SES in these articles.

Method

Researchers reviewed articles published from 2000–2015 in
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools,
the
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology,
and the
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
(language section) that involved pediatric participants and focused on language development, as well as on assessment and intervention for language disorders.

Results
For the 3 journals combined, 417 out of the total 652 (64%) pediatric language articles reported SES of the participants. Over the 16-year period there was an increase in SES reporting of 31.8% (55.6% to 73.3%). The types of SES indicators used represented education, income, and occupation.

Conclusion
Although SES reporting for pediatric participants in language-based studies increased over the 16-year period examined, over 1 quarter of studies published in the 3 journals combined still do not report SES. This is a concern. When determining the generalizability of research findings to specific children, it is important for speech-language pathologists to be able to identify the SES background of research participants.
SCALA: In situ calibration for integral field spectrographs
Authors: Lombardo S. , Küsters D. , Kowalski M. , Aldering G. , Antilogus P. , Bailey S. , Baltay C. , Barbary K. , Baugh D. , Bongard S. , Boone K. , Buton C. , Chen J. , Chotard N. , Copin Y. , Dixon S. , Fagrelius P. , Feindt U. , Fouchez D. , Gangler E. , Hayden B. , Hillebrandt W. , Hoffmann A. , Kim A. G. , Leget P.-F. , McKay L. , Nordin J. , Pain R. , Pécontal E. , Pereira R. , Perlmutter S. , Rabinowitz D. , Reif K. , Rigault M. , Rubin D. , Runge K. , Saunders C. , Smadja G. , Suzuki N. , Taubenberger S. , Tao C. , Thomas R. C. ,   The Nearby Supernova Factory
Published: August 2017

Aims. The scientific yield of current and future optical surveys is increasingly limited by systematic uncertainties in the flux calibration. This is the case for type Ia supernova (SN Ia) cosmology programs, where an improved calibration directly translates into improved cosmological constraints. Current methodology rests on models of stars. Here we aim to obtain flux calibration that is traceable to state-of-the-art detector-based calibration.
Methods. We present the SNIFS Calibration Apparatus (SCALA), a color (relative) flux calibration system developed for the SuperNova integral field spectrograph (SNIFS), operating at the University of Hawaii 2.2 m (UH 88) telescope.
Results. By comparing the color trend of the illumination generated by SCALA during two commissioning runs, and to previous laboratory measurements, we show that we can determine the light emitted by SCALA with a long-term repeatability better than 1%. We describe the calibration procedure necessary to control for system aging. We present measurements of the SNIFS throughput as estimated by SCALA observations.
Conclusions. The SCALA calibration unit is now fully deployed at the UH 88 telescope, and with it color-calibration between 4000 Å and 9000 Å is stable at the percent level over a one-year baseline.
Arc restores juvenile plasticity in adult mouse visual cortex
Authors: Jenks Kyle R. , Kim Taekeun , Pastuzyn Elissa D. , Okuno Hiroyuki , Taibi Andrew V. , Bito Haruhiko , Bear Mark F. , Shepherd Jason D. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Neuronal plasticity peaks early in life during critical periods and normally declines with age, but the molecular changes that underlie this decline are not fully understood. Using the mouse visual cortex as a model, we found that activity-dependent expression of the neuronal protein Arc peaks early in life, and that loss of activity-dependent Arc expression parallels loss of synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex. Genetic overexpression of Arc prolongs the critical period of visual cortex plasticity, and acute viral expression of Arc in adult mice can restore juvenile-like plasticity. These findings provide a mechanism for the loss of excitatory plasticity with age, and suggest that Arc may be an exciting therapeutic target for modulation of the malleability of neuronal circuits.
Beyond icosahedral symmetry in packings of proteins in spherical shells
Authors: Mosayebi Majid , Shoemark Deborah K. , Fletcher Jordan M. , Sessions Richard B. , Linden Noah , Woolfson Derek N. , Liverpool Tanniemola B. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
The design and construction of man-made structures at microscopic scales are one of the key goals of modern nanotechnology. With nature as inspiration, synthetic biological building blocks have recently been designed that self-assemble into quasi-spherical shells or cages. Whereas many natural protein building blocks self-assemble into highly symmetric ordered shells (e.g., viruses), our study shows that surprisingly even a small amount of (unavoidable) flexibility in the synthetic building blocks leads to stable disordered configurations. Our work provides a new design paradigm: Modulating the flexibilities of the components, one can control the regularity of the packing and, consequently, the surface properties of a synthetic cage.
Adiponectin protects against development of metabolic disturbances in a PCOS mouse model
Authors: Benrick Anna , Chanclón Belén , Micallef Peter , Wu Yanling , Hadi Laila , Shelton John M. , Stener-Victorin Elisabet , Wernstedt Asterholm Ingrid 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have reduced fertility and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, together with adipocyte size, is the strongest factor associated with insulin resistance in PCOS. The potential causal relationship among adiponectin levels, infertility, and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS is, however, unknown. Exploiting mouse models, we found that adiponectin is indeed involved in PCOS-related insulin resistance, and, albeit to a much smaller extent, is also involved in the development of reproductive dysfunction. Thus, increased levels of adiponectin can prevent prepubertal androgen-induced metabolic dysfunction in dihydrotestosterone-exposed mice with PCOS-like traits. Collectively, our findings support the notion that altered adipose tissue functionality is a key mediator of metabolic dysfunction in women with PCOS.
Subacute Toxicity Effects of Deltamethrin on Oxidative Stress Markers in Rainbow Trout
Authors: Elia Antonia Concetta , Giorda Federica , Pacini Nicole , Dörr Ambrosius Josef Martin , Scanzio Tommaso , Prearo Marino 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide that is considered extremely toxic to aquatic organisms. We evaluated the effect of subacute doses (0.033, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg) of deltamethrin on micronucleus frequency and oxidative stress markers in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 d after intracoelomic injection. No genotoxic damage was recorded, as no specimen showed a micronucleus number above the physiological range. Deltamethrin exposure elicited a transient reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase and a persistent decrease in glutathione reductase activity. Overall, the lower antioxidant enzyme activity in the deltamethrin-treated fish was mainly dose-dependent.
Received May 27, 2016 accepted June 18, 2017 Published online August 9, 2017
Redistributing load using wearable resistance during power clean training improves athletic performance
Authors: Marriner Caleb R. , Cronin John B. , Macadam Paul , Storey Adam 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA popular method to improve athletic performance and lower body power is to train with wearable resistance (WR), for example, weighted vests. However, it is currently unknown what training effect this loading method has on full‐body explosive movements such as the power clean. The purpose of this study was to determine what effects WR equivalent to 12% body mass (BM) had on the power clean and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Sixteen male subjects (age: 23.2 ± 2.7 years; BM: 90.5 ± 10.3 kg) were randomly assigned to five weeks of traditional (TR) power clean training or training with 12% BM redistributed from the bar to the body using WR. Variables of interest included pre and post CMJ height, power clean one repetition maximum (1RM), peak ground reaction force, power output (PO), and several bar path kinematic variables across loads at 50%, 70%, and 90% of 1RM. The main findings were that WR training: (1) increased CMJ height (8.7%; ES = 0.53) and 1RM power clean (4.2%; ES = 0.2) as compared to the TR group (CMJ height = −1.4%; 1RM power clean = 1.8%); (2) increased PO across all 1RM loads (ES = 0.33–0.62); (3) increased barbell velocity at 90% 1RM (3.5%; ES = 0.74) as compared to the TR group (−4.3%); and (4) several bar path kinematic variables improved at 70% and 90% 1RM loads. WR power clean training with 12% BM can positively influence power clean ability and CMJ performance, as well as improve technique factors.
Current Concepts in the Treatment of Renovascular Hypertension
Authors: Herrmann Sandra M , Textor Stephen C 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Renovascular disease (RVD) remains a major cause of secondary and treatment-resistant hypertension. Most cases are related either to fibromuscular or atherosclerotic lesions, but a variety of other causes including arterial dissection, stent occlusion, and embolic disease can produce the same syndrome. Recent studies emphasize the kidney’s tolerance to moderate flow reduction during antihypertensive drug therapy and the relative safety of medical therapy to control blood pressure. Several prospective trials in moderate RVD fail to identify major benefits from endovascular revascularization for moderate atherosclerotic disease. However, high-risk and progressive renovascular syndromes are recognized to be relatively refractory to medical therapy only and respond better to combining renal revascularization with ongoing medical therapy. Clinicians caring for complex hypertension should be familiar with pathogenic pathways, imaging techniques, and a rational approach to managing renovascular hypertension in the current era.
Psychosocial Pathways to Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Late-Life Memory Trajectories
Authors: Zahodne Laura B , Sol Ketlyne , Kraal Zarina 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Objectives
Blacks and Hispanics are at increased risk for dementia, even after socioeconomic and vascular factors are taken into account. This study tests a comprehensive model of psychosocial pathways leading to differences in longitudinal cognitive outcomes among older blacks and Hispanics, compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Methods
Using data from 10,173 participants aged 65 and older in the Health and Retirement Study, structural equation models tested associations among race/ethnicity, perceived discrimination, depressive symptoms, external locus of control, and 6-year memory trajectories, controlling for age, sex, educational attainment, income, wealth, and chronic diseases.

Results
Greater perceived discrimination among blacks was associated with lower initial memory level via depressive symptoms and external locus of control, and with faster memory decline directly. Greater depressive symptoms and external locus of control among Hispanics were each independently associated with lower initial memory, but there were no pathways from Hispanic ethnicity to memory decline.

Discussion
Depression and external locus of control partially mediate racial/ethnic differences in memory trajectories. Perceived discrimination is a major driver of these psychosocial pathways for blacks, but not Hispanics. These results can inform the development of policies and interventions to reduce cognitive morbidity among racially/ethnically diverse older adults.