bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of the preparation conditions ofPd‐ZrO2andAuPd‐ZrO2nanoparticle–decorated functionalisedMWCNTs: Electron spectroscopy study aided with theQUASES
Authors: Lesiak B. , Zemek J. , Jiricek P. , Malolepszy A. , Stobinski L. 
Published: August 2017

The Pd, AuPd, and ZrO2nanoparticle–decorated functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) were reported as efficient catalysts of formic acid (FA) electro‐oxidation. Different preparation conditions influence their chemical and structural properties analysed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy aided with the quantitative analysis of surfaces by electron spectroscopy. Different reduction procedures such as NaBH4, a polyol microwave‐assisted method (PMWA), and a high pressure microwave reactor (HPMWR) were applied for decorating ZrO2/f‐MWCNTs with Pd and AuPd nanoparticles. The ZrO2nanoparticles are attached through oxygen groups to the surface of f‐MWCNTs. In NaBH4and HPMWR procedures, Pd nanoparticles precipitate predominantly on ZrO2of nearly nominal stoichiometry, whereas in PMWA procedure, Pd and AuPd nanoparticles precipitate predominantly on the surface of f‐MWCNTs, bridging with oxygen groups and ZrOx(x < 2) and leading to Pd‐O‐Zr phase formation. Strong reducing procedures (NaBH4and FA) led to smaller Pd nanoparticle size, Pd oxide content, and PdOxoverlayer thickness in contrary to weak reduction procedures (HPMWR and PMWA). The highest content of Pd‐O‐Zr phase appeared for Pd predominant precipitation on ZrO2nanoparticles (HPMWR) in contrary to Pd and AuPd predominant precipitation on surface of f‐MWCNTs (NaBH4 ~ FA > PMWA). Larger content of Pd‐O‐Zr phase in AuPd‐decorated ZrO2/f‐MWCNTs in contrary to Pd‐decorated sample (PMWA) could be justified by different electronic properties of nanoparticles. The FA treatment of Pd and AuPd‐ZrO2/f‐MWCNTs samples provided decreasing Pd oxide content, overlayer thickness, nanoparticle size, increasing nanoparticle surface coverage and density, amount of Pd‐O‐Zr, what results from reduction of oxygen groups bridging with Pd and ZrOxnanoparticles, also through Pd‐O‐Zr phase.
Actein alleviates 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin‐mediated cellular dysfunction in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Choi Eun Mi , Suh Kwang Sik , Jung Woon‐Won , Park So Young , Chin Sang Ouk , Rhee Sang Youl , Pak Youngmi Kim , Chon Suk 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe environmental pollutant 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) is known to affect bone metabolism. We evaluated the protective effects of the triterpene glycoside actein from the herb black cohosh against TCDD‐induced toxicity in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells. We found that TCDD significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis and autophagy in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells (P < .05). In addition, TCDD treatment resulted in a significant increase in intracellular calcium concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cardiolipin peroxidation, whereas pretreatment with actein significantly mitigated these effects (P < .05). The effects of TCDD on extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK), aryl hydrocarbon receptor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor, and cytochrome P450 1A1 levels in MC3T3‐E1 cells were significantly inhibited by actein. The levels of superoxide dismutase, ERK1, and nuclear factor kappa B mRNA were also effectively restored by pretreatment with actein. Furthermore, actein treatment resulted in a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen content, as well as in the expression of genes associated with osteoblastic differentiation (ALP, type I collagen, osteoprotegerin, bone sialoprotein, and osterix). This study demonstrates the underlying molecular mechanisms of cytoprotection exerted by actein against TCDD‐induced oxidative stress and osteoblast damage.
RNA on the brain: emerging layers of post‐transcriptional regulation in cerebral cortex development
Authors: Lennox Ashley L. , Mao Hanqian , Silver Debra L. 
Published: August 2017

Embryonic development is a critical period during which neurons of the brain are generated and organized. In the developing cerebral cortex, this requires complex processes of neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and migration. Each step relies upon highly regulated control of gene expression. In particular, RNA splicing, stability, localization, and translation have emerged as key post‐transcriptional regulatory nodes of mouse corticogenesis. Trans‐regulators of RNA metabolism, including microRNAs (miRs) and RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs), orchestrate diverse steps of cortical development. These trans‐factors function either individually or cooperatively to influence RNAs, often of similar classes, termed RNA regulons. New technological advances raise the potential for an increasingly sophisticated understanding of post‐transcriptional control in the developing neocortex. Many RNA‐binding factors are also implicated in neurodevelopmental diseases of the cortex. Therefore, elucidating how RBPs and miRs converge to influence mRNA expression in progenitors and neurons will give valuable insights into mechanisms of cortical development and disease. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e290. doi: 10.1002/wdev.290This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory RNA
Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease
The Effect of Participating in a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Surveillance Network on the Time Trend of SSI Rates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abbas Mohamed , Tartari Ermira , Allegranzi Benedetta , Pittet Didier , Harbarth Stephan 
Published: August 2017

This systematic literature review reveals that participating in a surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance network is associated with short-term reductions in SSI rates: relative risk [RR] for year 2, 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79–0.82); year 3 RR, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.90–0.94); year 4 RR, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96–1.00).Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1364–1366
Substantial drag reduction in turbulent flow using liquid-infused surfaces
Authors: Van Buren Tyler , Smits Alexander J. 
Published: August 2017

Experiments are presented that demonstrate how liquid-infused surfaces can reduce turbulent drag significantly in Taylor–Couette flow. The test liquid was water, and the test surface was composed of square microscopic grooves measuring $100~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$ to $800~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$, filled with alkane liquids with viscosities from 0.3 to 1.4 times that of water. We achieve drag reduction exceeding 35 %, four times higher than previously reported for liquid-infused surfaces in turbulent flow. The level of drag reduction increased with viscosity ratio, groove width, fluid area fraction and Reynolds number. The optimum groove width was given by $w^{+}\approx 35$.
Influence of Rigid, Stress-Free and Yielding Base of a Composite Structure on the Propagation of Rayleigh-Type Wave: A Comparative Approach
Authors: Chattopadhyay A. , Verma A. K. , Chaki M. S. , Singh A. K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper, case wise studies have been made to investigate the possibility of propagation of Rayleigh-type wave in a composite structure comprised of two transversely-isotropic material layers with viscoelastic effect. The common interface between the layers is considered to be rigid whereas the base has been considered as rigid, stress-free and yielding in three different cases (Case-I, II and III). Closed-form of frequency equation and damped velocity equation has been established analytically for propagation of Rayleigh-type wave in a composite structure for all three cases. In special cases, frequency equations and damped velocity equations for the case of composite structure with rigid, stress-free and yielding base have been found in well-agreement to the established standard results pre-existing in the literature. Numerical and graphical computation of phase and damped velocity of Rayleigh-type wave propagating in the composite structure comprised of double transversely-isotropic viscoelastic Taylor sandstone material layers (Model-I) and double isotropic viscoelastic material layers (Model-II) have been carried out. Significant effect of anisotropy and width ratio of layers, dilatational and volume viscoelasticity associated with viscoelasticity of layer medium and yielding parameter associated with yielding base of composite structure on phase and damped velocities of Rayleigh-type wave for the considered models have been traced out. The comparative study has been performed to unravel the effect of viscoelasticity over elasticity and anisotropy over isotropy in the present problem.
New paleoscolecid worms from the early Cambrian north margin of the Yangtze Platform, South China
Authors: Yang Yuning , Zhang Xingliang , Zhao Yuanlong , Qi Yiru , Cui Linhao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Cambrian Yanwangbian assemblage (Series 2, Stage 4) in South Shaanxi, China, is one of the Burgess Shale–type faunas as it represents the only relatively diverse Cambrian biota from the north margin of the Yangzte Platform, South China. The paleoscolecids (Cycloneuralia) illustrated herein are one of the major components of the fauna, although they appear to be much less abundant than skeletonized fossils, according to available collections. A new taxon,Shaanxiscolex xixiangensisnew genus new species, is described based on the scleritome pattern: each annulus has two rows of alternatingHadimopanella-type plates positioned close to the borders, and a mosaic pattern of microplates occurs between the plates and within intersegmental furrows. The occurrence of the new taxon confirms a fairly diversified and widespread distribution of paleoscolecidan worms recognized in the early Cambrian of South China. Moreover, the ecology of paleoscolecids is reappraised based on burial position of theS. xixiangensisand gut contens of Cambrian taxa from South China, hinting that paleoscolecids (at least some taxa) were both deposit feeders and carnivores, as well as active bioturbators in the substrates of the Cambrian sea, which sheds new light on the ‘Cambrian Substrate Revolution.’
Lowland forest collapse and early human impacts at the end of the African Humid Period at Lake Edward, equatorial East Africa
Authors: Ivory Sarah J. , Russell James 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn Africa, the early Holocene was characterized by wetter, warmer conditions than today, followed by rapid aridification at ~5.2 ka. However, a lack of lowland vegetation records has prevented a detailed evaluation of forest response to Holocene climate change. Additionally, although modern vegetation communities are linked to human disturbance, few studies have addressed how prehistoric human activities helped engineer the character of modern African ecosystems. Understanding the architecture of lowland and highland forests is important to prevent further degradation from climate/land-use change. We present an 11,000 yr fossil pollen record from Lake Edward, Uganda. We show that Guineo-Congolian forests dominated the highlands and lowlands in equatorial East Africa in the early Holocene, highlighting the importance of rainfall and temperature in controlling forest communities. These forests remained until ~5.2 ka, when the climate became drier. The lacustrine ecosystem response to aridification was abrupt; however, forest decreased gradually, replaced by deciduous woodlands. Woodlands dominated until after an arid period at 2 ka; however, forest did not recover. Increased disturbance indicators and grasses suggest that the arrival of Iron Age people resulted in the modern fire-tolerant vegetation. Although late Holocene climate played a role in vegetation opening, the modern ecosystem architecture in East Africa is linked to early human activities.
“But it is not getting any safer!”: The Contested Dynamic of Framing Canada's Military Mission in Afghanistan
Authors: DeCillia Brooks 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Canadian government and military struggled to control its media framing of the war in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2009. This content analysis (n= 900) critically investigates the mediated dynamic of framing Canada's military mission in Afghanistan. This study found that while journalists overwhelmingly indexed their stories to elite sources, they frequently impeached the frames sponsored by government and military leaders. Journalists used elite criteria to fact check the frames of military and government leaders. Most of the coverage was episodic and event-oriented rather than thematic and contextual. While Canadian journalists challenged official claims of improving security, for instance, their coverage lacked context and critical appraisal of Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, raising questions about journalism's normative role in Canadian democracy.
Occurrence and diversity of arthropod-transmitted pathogens in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in western Austria, and possible vertical (transplacental) transmission ofHepatozoon canis
Authors: HODŽIĆ ADNAN , MROWIETZ NAIKE , CÉZANNE RITA , BRUCKSCHWAIGER PIA , PUNZ SYLVIA , HABLER VERENA ELISABETH , TOMSIK VALENTINA , LAZAR JUDIT , DUSCHER GEORG G. , GLAWISCHNIG WALTER , FUEHRER HANS-PETER 
Published: August 2017

SUMMARYRed fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most abundant wild canid species in Austria, and it is a well-known carrier of many pathogens of medical and veterinary concern. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of protozoan, bacterial and filarial parasites transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods in a red fox population in western Austria. Blood (n= 351) and spleen (n= 506) samples from foxes were examined by PCR and sequencing and the following pathogens were identified:Babesia canis,Babesiacf.microti(syn.Theileria annae),Hepatozoon canis,Anaplasma phagocytophilum,CandidatusNeoehrlichia sp. andBartonella rochalimae. Blood was shown to be more suitable for detection ofBabesiacf.microti, whilst the spleen tissue was better for detection ofH. canisthan blood. Moreover, extremely low genetic variability ofH. canisand its relatively low prevalence rate observed in this study may suggest that the parasite has only recently been introduced in the sampled area. Furthermore, the data presented here demonstrates, for the first time, the possible vertical transmission ofH. canisfrom an infected vixen to the offspring, and this could explain the very high prevalence in areas considered free of its main tick vector(s).
Successful vitrification of whole juvenile testis in the critically endangered cyprinid honmoroko (Gnathopogon caerulescens)
Authors: Higaki Shogo , Kuwata Natsue , Tanaka Kotaro , Tooyama Ikuo , Fujioka Yasuhiro , Sakai Noriyoshi , Takada Tatsuyuki 
Published: August 2017

SummarySperm cryopreservation is a valuable conservation method for endangered fish species. Here we report an easy and efficient cryopreservation method for juvenile whole testis by vitrification and successful sperm production from the vitrified whole testis viain vitrospermatogenesis in the critically endangered cyprinid honmoroko (Gnathopogon caerulescens). Juvenile testis (approximately 10 mm in length and 1 mm in width), consisting predominantly of spermatogonia, were aseptically dissected out and adherent fatty and non-testicular tissues were subsequently removed. Then, the testes were rapidly cooled on a nylon mesh by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen after serial exposures to pretreatment solution (PS), containing 2 M ethylene glycol (EG) and 1 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), for 20 or 30 min and vitrification solution (VS), containing 3 M EG, 2 M DMSO, and 0.5 M sucrose, for 5, 10, or 20 min. The highest survival rate of testicular cells (84.0%) was obtained from testes vitrified by immersion in PS for 20 min and in VS for 10 min. Spermatogonia were recovered from the vitrified testis by dissociation and cell culture produced many haploid sperm. Fertility and developmental competence were confirmed byin vitrofertilization assays. These results indicate that the vitrification of juvenile whole testis provides a new strategy to preserve the genetic resources of endangered fishes without affecting their reproductive population.
Lemaza: An Arabic why-question answering system
Authors: AZMI AQIL M. , ALSHENAIFI NOUF A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractQuestion answering systems retrieve information from documents in response to queries. Most of the questions arewho-andwhat-type questions that deal with named entities. A less common and more challenging question to deal with is thewhy-question. In this paper, we introduceLemaza(Arabic forwhy), a system for automatically answeringwhy-questions for Arabic texts. The system is composed of four main components that make use of the Rhetorical Structure Theory. To evaluateLemaza, we prepared a set ofwhy-question–answer pairs whose answer can be found in a corpus that we compiled out of Open Source Arabic Corpora.Lemazaperformed best when the stop-words were not removed. The performance measure was 72.7%, 79.2% and 78.7% for recall, precision andc@1, respectively.
Systematic Review of Published Primary Studies of Neuropsychology and Neuroimaging in Trichotillomania
Authors: Slikboer Reneta , Reser Maree P. , Nedeljkovic Maja , Castle David J. , Rossell Susan L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectives: Existing models of trichotillomania (TTM; hair pulling disorder) rely heavily on a biological predisposition or biological pathogenesis of the disorder, but fail to capture the specific neuropsychological mechanisms involved. The present systematic review aims to scope existing neuropsychological studies of TTM to explore gaps in current models. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to detect all published primary studies using neuropsychological and neuroimaging measures in a cohort of individuals experiencing TTM. Studies addressing neuropsychological function were divided into domains. Findings from imaging studies were considered within brain regions and across methodology. Results: Thirty studies with a combined 591 participants with TTM, 372 healthy controls and 225 participants in other types of control group were included. Sixteen studies investigated neuropsychological parameters, and 14 studies pursued neuroimaging technologies. Available studies that used neuropsychological assessments and reported a statistically significant difference between those with TTM and controls ranged in effect size from 0.25 to 1.58. All domains except verbal ability and visual ability reported a deficit. In neuroimaging studies, several structural and functional brain changes were reported that might be of significance to TTM. Only tentative conclusions can be made due to the use of multiple methodologies across studies, a major limitation to meaningful interpretations. Conclusions: Positive neuropsychological and neuroimaging results require replication, preferably with multi-site studies using standardized methodology. Increased standardized testing and analyses across the literature, as a whole, would improve the utility and interpretability of knowledge in this field. (JINS, 2018, 24, 188–205)
Association of vegetarian diet with inflammatory biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Haghighatdoost Fahimeh , Bellissimo Nick , Totosy de Zepetnek Julia O , Rouhani Mohammad Hossein 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveVegetarian diets contain various anti-inflammatory components. We aimed to investigate the effects of vegetarianism on inflammatory biomarkers when compared with omnivores.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.SettingLiterature search was conducted in Science Direct, Proquest, MEDLINE and Google Scholar up to June 2016. Summary estimates and corresponding 95 % CI were derived via the DerSimonian and Laird method using random effects, subgroup analyses were run to find the source of heterogeneity and a fixed-effect model examined between-subgroup heterogeneity.SubjectsStudies were included if they evaluated effects of any type of vegetarianism compared with omnivores on circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers. No restriction was made in terms of language or the date of study publications.ResultsEighteen articles were included. Pooled effect size showed no difference in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in vegetarians v. omnivores (Hedges’ g=−0·15; 95 % CI −0·35, 0·05), with high heterogeneity (I2=75·6 %, P<0·01). A subgroup analysis by minimum duration of vegetarianism showed that a minimum duration of 2 years vegetarianism was associated with lower hs-CRP levels v. omnivores (Hedges’ g=−0·29; 95 % CI −0·59, 0·01), with moderate heterogeneity (I2=68·9 %, P<0·01). No significant effect was found in studies using a minimum duration of 6 months of vegetarianism, with low heterogeneity. Vegetarianism was associated with increased IL-6 concentrations (0·21 pg/ml; 95 % CI 0·18, 0·25), with no heterogeneity (I2=0·0 %, P=0·60).ConclusionsThe meta-analysis provides evidence that vegetarianism is associated with lower serum concentrations of hs-CRP when individuals follow a vegetarian diet for at least 2 years. Further research is necessary to draw appropriate conclusions regarding potential associations between vegetarianism and IL-6 levels. A vegetarian diet might be a useful approach to manage inflammaging in the long term.
Inspecting Maude variants withGLINTS
Authors: ALPUENTE M. , ESCOBAR S. , SAPIÑA J. , CUENCA-ORTEGA A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper introducesGLINTS, a graphical tool for exploring variant narrowing computations in Maude. The most recent version of Maude, version 2.7.1, provides quite sophisticated unification features, including order-sorted equational unification for convergent theories modulo axioms such as associativity, commutativity, and identity. This novel equational unification relies on built-in generation of the set ofvariantsof a termt, i.e., the canonical form oftσ for a computed substitution σ. Variant generation relies on a novel narrowing strategy calledfolding variant narrowingthat opens up new applications in formal reasoning, theorem proving, testing, protocol analysis, and model checking, especially when the theory satisfies thefinite variant property, i.e., there is a finite number of most general variants for every term in the theory. However, variant narrowing computations can be extremely involved and are simply presented in text format by Maude, often being too heavy to be debugged or even understood. TheGLINTSsystem provides support for (i) determining whether a given theory satisfies the finite variant property, (ii) thoroughly exploring variant narrowing computations, (iii) automatic checking of nodeembeddingandclosednessmodulo axioms, and (iv) querying and inspecting selected parts of the variant trees.