bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF CUTTING LENGTH AND BUD REMOVAL ON ROOT YIELD AND STARCH CONTENT OF CASSAVA UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS
Authors: PRASITSARN MAPITA , POLTHANEE ANAN , TRELO-GES VIDHAYA , SIMMONS ROBERT W. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYBud removal of the cuttings at underground level has been claimed by cassava growers in Thailand as a method to increase cassava yield. This practise should be tested experimentally to explain the reason for yield increase. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of bud removal and cutting length on storage root yield and starch content of three cassava varieties. Field experiment was conducted in a split–split plot design with four replications in 2010 and 2011, under rainfed conditions. Three cassava varieties (KU50, RY9 and HB60) were assigned as main plot. Two cutting lengths (15 cm and 30 cm) were assigned as sub plots, and two treatments of buds (buds cut and not cut) were assigned as sub–sub plots. The buds on the cuttings that were inserted into the soil were removed. In 2010, the plants from 15-cm long cuttings subjected to bud removal had higher fresh storage root yield (88.4 Mg ha−1) than did plants from 30-cm long cuttings subjected to bud removal (75.8 Mg ha−1). Cutting of buds also had higher fresh storage root yield (89.1 Mg ha−1) than did non bud-cutting (75.0 Mg ha−1). KU50 had the highest fresh storage root yield (91.4 Mg ha−1), dry root yield (48.4 Mg ha−1) and starch yield (20.1 Mg ha−1). Cutting length of 15 cm had higher starch concentration in storage roots (25.6%) than did cutting length of 30 cm (24.2%). HB60 had the highest starch concentration (27.0%) among cassava varieties tested. The data in 2011 were similar to the data in 2010. The responses of varieties to bud removal and cutting length are discussed.
Impact of the degree of urbanization on composition and structure of helminth communities in the Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) Peters, 1869
Authors: Dugarov Z.N. , Baldanova D.R. , Khamnueva T.R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe effects of the degree of urbanization on the composition and mean abundance of helminth species and the structure of helminth communities in the Mongolian racerunner were investigated along a rural–urban gradient in the region of Ulan-Ude city (the Republic of Buryatia, Russia) and neighbouring rural districts. Racerunners were obtained from key areas and categorized into three grades based on the degree of urbanization. In this study, a total of 208 lizards were examined. The helminth communities in the Mongolian racerunner were studied at the infracommunity and component community levels. The nematode Spauligodon pseudoeremiasi was a sensitive bioindicator of the degree of urbanization in our study. All parameters of helminth infracommunities in the Mongolian racerunner were significantly reduced with increasing degree of urbanization of the key areas. Two parameters of helminth component communities (the proportion of hosts infected with parasites and the Shannon index) were significantly reduced with increasing degree of urbanization. The decline recorded in parameters of helminth infracommunities and component communities in the Mongolian racerunner were probably connected with the attenuation of the relationships between helminths, having a complex life cycle with intermediate hosts along the rural–urban gradient.
Plasmodium knowlesi invasion following spread by infected mosquitoes, macaques and humans
Authors: YAKOB LAITH , LLOYD ALUN L. , KAO ROWLAND R. , FERGUSON HEATHER M. , BROCK PATRICK M. , DRAKELEY CHRIS , BONSALL MICHAEL B. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYPlasmodium knowlesi is increasingly recognized as a major cause of malaria in Southeast Asia. Anopheles leucosphyrous group mosquitoes transmit the parasite and natural hosts include long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. Despite early laboratory experiments demonstrating successful passage of infection between humans, the true role that humans play in P. knowlesi epidemiology remains unclear. The threat posed by its introduction into immunologically naïve populations is unknown despite being a public health priority for this region. A two-host species mathematical model was constructed to analyse this threat. Global sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo methods highlighted the biological processes of greatest influence to transmission. These included parameters known to be influential in classic mosquito-borne disease models (e.g. vector longevity); however, interesting ecological components that are specific to this system were also highlighted: while local vectors likely have intrinsic preferences for certain host species, how plastic these preferences are, and how this is shaped by local conditions, are key determinants of parasite transmission potential. Invasion analysis demonstrates that this behavioural plasticity can qualitatively impact the probability of an epidemic sparked by imported infection. Identifying key vector sub/species and studying their biting behaviours constitute important next steps before models can better assist in strategizing disease control.
Scoping the role and education needs of practice nurses in London
Authors: Procter Susan , Griffiths Lauren , Fanning Agnes , Wallman Lizzie , Loveday Heather P. 
Published: March 2017

Aims
To identify education priorities for practice nursing across eight London Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs); to identify the education, training, development and support needs of practice nurses in undertaking current and future roles.

Background
The education needs of practice nurses have long been recognised but their employment status means that accessing education requires the support of their GP employer. This study scopes the educational requirements of the practice nurse workforce and working with educational providers and commissioners describes a coherent educational pathway for practice nurses.

Method
A survey of practice nurses to scope their educational attainment needs was undertaken. Focus groups were carried out which identified the education, training, development and support needs of practice nurses to fulfil current and future roles.

Findings
A total of 272 respondents completed the survey. Practice nurses took part in three focus groups (n=34) and one workshop (n=39). Findings from this research indicate a practice nurse workforce which lacked career progression, role autonomy or a coherent educational framework. Practice nurses recognised the strength of their role in building relationship-centred care with patients over an extended period of time. They valued this aspect of their role and would welcome opportunities to develop this to benefit patients.

Conclusion
This paper demonstrates an appetite for more advanced education among practice nurses, a leadership role by the CCGs in working across the whole system to address the education needs of practice nurses, and a willingness on the part of National Health Service education commissioners to commission education which meets the education needs of the practice nurse workforce. Evidence is still required, however, to inform the scope of the practice nurse role within an integrated system of care and to identify the impact of practice nursing on improving health outcomes and care of local populations.
Structure and function of the Zika virus full-length NS5 protein
Authors: Zhao Baoyu , Yi Guanghui , Du Fenglei , Chuang Yin-Chih , Vaughan Robert C. , Sankaran Banumathi , Kao C. Cheng , Li Pingwei 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) has infected over 1 million people in over 30 countries. ZIKV replicates its RNA genome using virally encoded replication proteins. Nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) contains a methyltransferase for RNA capping and a polymerase for viral RNA synthesis. Here we report the crystal structures of full-length NS5 and its polymerase domain at 3.0 Å resolution. The NS5 structure has striking similarities to the NS5 protein of the related Japanese encephalitis virus. The methyltransferase contains in-line pockets for substrate binding and the active site. Key residues in the polymerase are located in similar positions to those of the initiation complex for the hepatitis C virus polymerase. The polymerase conformation is affected by the methyltransferase, which enables a more efficiently elongation of RNA synthesis in vitro. Overall, our results will contribute to future studies on ZIKV infection and the development of inhibitors of ZIKV replication.
The Case of the Disappearing (and Re-Appearing) Particle
Authors: Aharonov Yakir , Cohen Eliahu , Landau Ariel , Elitzur Avshalom C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA novel prediction is derived by the Two-State-Vector-Formalism (TSVF) for a particle superposed over three boxes. Under appropriate pre- and post-selections, and with tunneling enabled between two of the boxes, it is possible to derive not only one, but three predictions for three different times within the intermediate interval. These predictions are moreover contradictory. The particle (when looked for using a projective measurement) seems to disappear from the first box where it would have been previously found with certainty, appearing instead within the third box, to which no tunneling is possible, and later re-appearing within the second. It turns out that local measurement (i.e. opening one of the boxes) fails to indicate the particle’s presence, but subtler measurements performed on the two boxes together reveal the particle’s nonlocal modular momentum spatially separated from its mass. Another advance of this setting is that, unlike other predictions of the TSVF that rely on weak and/or counterfactual measurements, the present one uses actual projective measurements. This outcome is then corroborated by adding weak measurements and the Aharonov-Bohm effect. The results strengthen the recently suggested time-symmetric Heisenberg ontology based on nonlocal deterministic operators. They can be also tested using the newly developed quantum router.
Fatigue modulates dopamine availability and promotes flexible choice reversals during decision making
Authors: Iodice Pierpaolo , Ferrante Claudio , Brunetti Luigi , Cabib Simona , Protasi Feliciano , Walton Mark E. , Pezzulo Giovanni 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDuring decisions, animals balance goal achievement and effort management. Despite physical exercise and fatigue significantly affecting the levels of effort that an animal exerts to obtain a reward, their role in effort-based choice and the underlying neurochemistry are incompletely known. In particular, it is unclear whether fatigue influences decision (cost-benefit) strategies flexibly or only post-decision action execution and learning. To answer this question, we trained mice on a T-maze task in which they chose between a high-cost, high-reward arm (HR), which included a barrier, and a low-cost, low-reward arm (LR), with no barrier. The animals were parametrically fatigued immediately before the behavioural tasks by running on a treadmill. We report a sharp choice reversal, from the HR to LR arm, at 80% of their peak workload (PW), which was temporary and specific, as the mice returned to choose the HC when the animals were successively tested at 60% PW or in a two-barrier task. These rapid reversals are signatures of flexible choice. We also observed increased subcortical dopamine levels in fatigued mice: a marker of individual bias to use model-based control in humans. Our results indicate that fatigue levels can be incorporated in flexible cost-benefits computations that improve foraging efficiency.
Lateral Antimicrobial Resistance Genetic Transfer is active in the open environment
Authors: Chamosa Luciana S. , Álvarez Verónica E. , Nardelli Maximiliano , Quiroga María Paula , Cassini Marcelo H. , Centrón Daniela 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHistorically, the environment has been viewed as a passive deposit of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, where bacteria show biological cost for maintenance of these genes. Thus, in the absence of antimicrobial pressure, it is expected that they disappear from environmental bacterial communities. To test this scenario, we studied native IntI1 functionality of 11 class 1 integron-positive environmental strains of distant genera collected in cold and subtropical forests of Argentina. We found natural competence and successful site-specific insertion with no significant fitness cost of both aadB and blaVIM-2 antimicrobial resistance gene cassettes, in a model system without antibiotic pressure. A bidirectional flow of antimicrobial resistance gene cassettes between natural and nosocomial habitats is proposed, which implies an active role of the open environment as a reservoir, recipient and source of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, outlining an environmental threat where novel concepts of rational use of antibiotics are extremely urgent and mandatory.
Transition from Anomalous Hall Effect to Topological Hall Effect in Hexagonal Non-Collinear Magnet Mn3Ga
Authors: Liu Z. H. , Zhang Y. J. , Liu G. D. , Ding B. , Liu E. K. , Jafri Hasnain Mehdi , Hou Z. P. , Wang W. H. , Ma X. Q. , Wu G. H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe report experimental observation of large anomalous Hall effect exhibited in non-collinear triangular antiferromagnet D019-type Mn3Ga with coplanar spin structure at temperatures higher than 100 K. The value of anomalous Hall resistivity increases with increasing temperature, which reaches 1.25 μΩ · cm at a low field of ~300 Oe at room temperature. The corresponding room-temperature anomalous Hall conductivity is about 17 (Ω · cm)−1. Most interestingly, as temperature falls below 100 K, a temperature-independent topological-like Hall effect was observed. The maximum peak value of topological Hall resistivity is about 0.255 μΩ · cm. The appearance of the topological Hall effect is attributed to the change of spin texture as a result of weak structural distortion from hexagonal to orthorhombic symmetry in Mn3Ga. Present study suggests that Mn3Ga shows promising possibility to be antiferromagnetic spintronics or topological Hall effect-based data storage devices.
‘Two-level’ measurements of processing speed as cognitive markers in the differential diagnosis of DSM-5 mild neurocognitive disorders (NCD)
Authors: Lu Hanna , Chan Sandra S. M. , Lam Linda C. W. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractProcessing speed is an updated diagnostic factor for neurocognitive disorders (NCD) in DSM-5. This study investigated the characteristics of processing speed and their diagnostic values in NCD patients. A flanker test was conducted in 31 adults with NCD due to vascular disease (NCD-vascular), 36 patients with NCD due to Alzheimer’s disease (NCD-AD), and 137 healthy controls. The processing speed was evaluated using two measurements: mean reaction time (RT) and intra-individual variability of RT. Mean RT represents the global processing speed. Intra-individual variability of RT is the short-term fluctuation of RT and consists of two indices, which are intra-individual coefficient of variation of reaction time (ICV-RT) and intra-individual standard deviations (iSD). We observed elevated ICV-RT and iSD in NCD-AD and NCD-vascular patients. Additionally, there was a slowed RT in NCD-AD patients. The intra-individual variability of RT had a moderate power to differentiate NCD subgroups. The mean RT was able to discriminate the NCD-AD from NCD-vascular patients. Our findings highlight the clinical utility of the combined ‘two-level’ measurements of processing speed to distinguish between individuals with different cognitive status. Furthermore, the ‘two-level’ features of processing speed embedded in the psychometric property may also reflect the diverse aetiology underlying certain ‘disease-specific’ neurocognitive disorders.
Surface Pollen Distribution from Alpine Vegetation in Eastern Tibet, China
Authors: Zhang Yun , Kong Zhaochen , Yang Zhenjing , Wang Li , Duan Xiaohong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe explore the relationship between modern pollen spectra and vegetation patterns in the Eastern Tibet, China in order to provide information on the representation of pollen taxa and improve the general knowledge of vertical pollen transport. Forty-two modern pollen samples collected in surface soil along two altitudinal transects allowed conclusions on vertical pollen dispersal from the alpine region of Dingqing County, Changdu district in Tibet. Discriminant analyses and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of 24 pollen taxa were used to further discuss the difference of modern pollen spectra in these alpine vegetation zones. The surface pollen assemblage is divided into three pollen zones, such as subalpine shrub meadow, montane coniferous forest and shrub steppe with sparse trees. Altitude and precipitation are two primary factors contributing to changes in surface pollen assemblage from alpine vegetation in the eastern Tibet. Large amounts of spruce pollen at higher elevations above the timberline might be introduced from lower elevations by upslope winds. Therefore, the interpretation of spruce pollen in the fossil record must take into account long distance upward wind transport. Moreover, the destruction of coniferous forest in the study area is well illustrated in the modern pollen rain.
Effects of four kinds of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with different frequency spectrum bands on ovariectomized osteoporosis in mice
Authors: Lei Tao , Li Feijiang , Liang Zhuowen , Tang Chi , Xie Kangning , Wang Pan , Dong Xu , Shan Shuai , Liu Juan , Xu Qiaoling , Luo Erping , Shen Guanghao 
Published: March 2017

AbstractElectromagnetic fields (EMF) was considered as a non-invasive modality for treatment of osteoporosis while the effects were diverse with EMF parameters in time domain. In present study, we extended analysis of EMF characteristics from time domain to frequency domain, aiming to investigate effects of four kinds of EMF (LP (1–100 Hz), BP (100–3,000 Hz), HP (3,000–50,000 Hz) and AP (1–50,000 Hz)) on ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis (OP) in mice. Forty-eight 3-month-old female BALB/c mice were equally assigned to Sham, OVX, OVX + LP, OVX + BP, OVX + HP and OVX + AP groups (n = 8). After 8-week exposure (3 h/day), LP and BP significantly increased serum bone formation markers and osteogenesis-related gene expressions compared with OVX. Bedsides, LP and BP also slightly increased bone resorption activity compared with OVX, evidenced by increased RANKL/OPG ratio. HP sharply decreased serum bone formation and resporption markers and osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis related gene expressions compared with OVX. AP had accumulative effects of LP, BP and HP, which significantly increased bone formation and decreased bone resporption activity compared with OVX. As a result, LP, BP and HP exposure did not later deterioration of bone mass, microarchitecture and mechanical strength in OVX mice with OP. However, AP stimulation attenuated OVX-induced bone loss.
Event-related potential data from a guess the number brain-computer interface experiment on school children
Authors: Mouček R. , Vařeka L. , Prokop T. , Štěbeták J. , Brůha P. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGuess the number is a simple P300-based brain-computer interface experiment. Its aim is to ask the measured participant to pick a number between 1 and 9. Then, he or she is exposed to corresponding visual stimuli and experimenters try to guess the number thought while they are observing event-related potential waveforms on-line. 250 school-age children participated in the experiments that were carried out in elementary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic. Electroencephalographic data from three EEG channels (Fz, Cz, Pz) and stimuli markers were stored. Additional metadata about the participants were collected (gender, age, laterality, the number thought by the participant, the guess of the experimenters, and various interesting additional information). Consequently, we offer the largest publicly available odd-ball paradigm collection of datasets to neuroscientific and brain-computer interface community.
Role of oxygen functional groups in reduced graphene oxide for lubrication
Authors: Gupta Bhavana , Kumar Niranjan , Panda Kalpataru , Kanan Vigneshwaran , Joshi Shailesh , Visoly-Fisher Iris 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFunctionalized and fully characterized graphene-based lubricant additives are potential 2D materials for energy-efficient tribological applications in machine elements, especially at macroscopic contacts. Two different reduced graphene oxide (rGO) derivatives, terminated by hydroxyl and epoxy-hydroxyl groups, were prepared and blended with two different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for tribological investigation. Epoxy-hydroxyl-terminated rGO dispersed in PEG showed significantly smaller values of the friction coefficient. In this condition, PEG chains intercalate between the functionalized graphene sheets, and shear can take place between the PEG and rGO sheets. However, the friction coefficient was unaffected when hydroxyl-terminated rGO was coupled with PEG. This can be explained by the strong coupling between graphene sheets through hydroxyl units, causing the interaction of PEG with the rGO to be non- effective for lubrication. On the other hand, antiwear properties of hydroxyl-terminated rGO were significantly enhanced compared to epoxy-hydroxyl functionalized rGO due to the integrity of graphene sheet clusters.
Acute and chronic mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency differentially regulate lysosomal biogenesis
Authors: Fernández-Mosquera Lorena , Diogo Cátia V. , Yambire King Faisal , Santos Gabriela L. , Luna Sánchez Marta , Bénit Paule , Rustin Pierre , Lopez Luis Carlos , Milosevic Ira , Raimundo Nuno 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMitochondria are key cellular signaling platforms, affecting fundamental processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation and death. However, it remains unclear how mitochondrial signaling affects other organelles, particularly lysosomes. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) impairments elicit a stress signaling pathway that regulates lysosomal biogenesis via the microphtalmia transcription factor family. Interestingly, the effect of mitochondrial stress over lysosomal biogenesis depends on the timeframe of the stress elicited: while RC inhibition with rotenone or uncoupling with CCCP initially triggers lysosomal biogenesis, the effect peaks after few hours and returns to baseline. Long-term RC inhibition by long-term treatment with rotenone, or patient mutations in fibroblasts and in a mouse model result in repression of lysosomal biogenesis. The induction of lysosomal biogenesis by short-term mitochondrial stress is dependent on TFEB and MITF, requires AMPK signaling and is independent of calcineurin signaling. These results reveal an integrated view of how mitochondrial signaling affects lysosomes, which is essential to fully comprehend the consequences of mitochondrial malfunction, particularly in the context of mitochondrial diseases.