bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the extent of access and benefit sharing in the wildlife trade: lessons from horticultural orchids in Southeast Asia
Authors: HINSLEY AMY , ROBERTS DAVID L. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYThe equitable sharing of benefits from natural resources is a key target of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Trade in its native species is one way in which a country can potentially benefit from its natural resources, and even small-scale traders can now access global markets online. However, little is known about the extent of benefit sharing for many products, and the extent to which the appropriate processes and permits are being used. We surveyed online trade in a lucrative and widely sold product in Southeast Asia (horticultural orchids) to assess the extent of access and benefit sharing. In total, 20.8% (n = 1120) of orchid species from the region were being sold. Although seven out of ten countries were trading, five had very little or no trade in their native species, and the majority of recently described endemic species being traded from non-range states had no reported Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora exports from their country of origin. We suggest that addressing access and benefit-sharing gaps requires wider recognition of the problem, coupled with capacity building in the countries currently benefitting least: Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. The priority should be to increase botanical capacity and enable these countries to better control the commercialization and trade of their native species.
The effect of temperature on the initial development of Brycon amazonicus Spix & Agassiz, 1829 as tool for micromanipulation of embryos
Authors: Cristina da Silva Regiane , Pereira dos Santos Matheus , Senhorini José Augusto , Paes Maria do Carmo Faria , Valentin Fernanda Nogueira , Fujimoto Takafumi , do Nascimento Nivaldo Ferreira , Yasui George Shigueki , Nakaghi Laura Satiko Okada 
Published: September 2017

SummaryPrimordial germ cell (PGC) transplant is a promising tool in aquaculture; however, successful use of this technique requires in depth knowledge of the early stages of embryo and larval development. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of different temperatures (22, 26, and 30°C) on the early development of B. amazonicus. The newly fertilized eggs were distributed into tanks with controlled temperature and oxygenation. Samples were collected at pre-established times and analysed under light and fluorescence microscopy. Temperature influenced the speed and duration of each stage of early development, including hatching time. The highest pronuclei fusion rate was observed 8 min post-fertilization (mpf) at 22 and 26°C, and 6 mpf at 30°C. The duration of the 512–1000 blastomeres phase during in the blastocyst stage was 1 h 30 min at 22°C, and 25 min at 26 and 30°C. Hatching occurred at 24 h 30 mpf at 22°C, 16 h post-fertilization (hpf) at 26°C, and 11 h 30 mpf at 30°C. The rate of morphologically normal larvae was 88.34% at 22°C, 90.49% at 26°C, and 73% at 30°C. Malformations of the head, yolk sac, heart, and tail were observed in all temperatures. Nevertheless, B. amazonicus embryos were able to develop satisfactory in all three temperatures tested. These results enable embryo manipulation at different temperatures to optimize the micromanipulation time of embryos and larvae for biotechnological studies.
A vascular endothelial growth factor A genetic variant is associated with improved ventricular function and transplant-free survival after surgery for non-syndromic CHD
Authors: Mavroudis Constantine D. , Seung Kim Daniel , Burnham Nancy , Morss Alexandra H. , Kim Jerry H. , Burt Amber A. , Crosslin David R. , McDonald-McGinn Donna M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Cohen Meryl S. , Nicolson Susan C. , Spray Thomas L. , Stanaway Ian B. , Nickerson Deborah A. , Russell Mark W. , Hakonarson Hakon , Jarvik Gail P. , Gaynor J. William 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe have previously shown that the minor alleles of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) single-nucleotide polymorphism rs833069 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) single-nucleotide polymorphism rs2758331 are both associated with improved transplant-free survival after surgery for CHD in infants, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesised that one or both of these minor alleles are associated with better systemic ventricular function, resulting in improved survival.MethodsThis study is a follow-up analysis of 422 non-syndromic CHD patients who underwent neonatal cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Echocardiographic reports were reviewed. Systemic ventricular function was subjectively categorised as normal, or as mildly, moderately, or severely depressed. The change in function was calculated as the change from the preoperative study to the last available study. Stepwise linear regression, adjusting for covariates, was performed for the outcome of change in ventricular function. Model comparison was performed using Akaike’s information criterion. Only variables that improved the model prediction of change in systemic ventricular function were retained in the final model.ResultsGenetic and echocardiographic data were available for 335/422 subjects (79%). Of them, 33 (9.9%) developed worse systemic ventricular function during a mean follow-up period of 13.5 years. After covariate adjustment, the presence of the VEGFA minor allele was associated with preserved ventricular function (p=0.011).ConclusionsThese data support the hypothesis that the mechanism by which the VEGFA single-nucleotide polymorphism rs833069 minor allele improves survival may be the preservation of ventricular function. Further studies are needed to validate this genotype–phenotype association and to determine whether this mechanism is related to increased vascular endothelial growth factor production.
The Politics of ‘Dolphin-Safe’ Tuna in the United States: Policy Change and Reversal, Lock-in and Adjustment to International Constraints (1984–2017)
Authors: CEZAR RODRIGO FAGUNDES 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecently, the World Trade Organization (WTO) granted Mexico the right to retaliate against the US as a compensation for losses related to the US ‘dolphin-safe’ label (May 2017). Despite the diversity of works on the issue, few analyze the changes in the US approach to dolphin protection as a result of international and domestic pressures related to the tuna–dolphin controversy. This paper seeks to understand such changes and their consequences using the process tracing method. It shows that (1) the US approach to dolphin protection passed through a process of policy change motivated by trade and diplomatic concerns mediating dolphin protection, and that (2) it was partially reversed in court as an outcome of the concessions offered to get the policy change approved. Finally, the paper argues that (3) this process led to the lock-in of the US ‘dolphin-safe’ label and to its expansion in response to recent WTO decisions.
How Does Treatment Self-Selection Affect Inferences About Political Communication?
Authors: Leeper Thomas J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEcological validity is vital to experimental research because designs that are too artificial may not speak to any real-world political phenomenon. One such concern is treatment of self-selection: if individuals in the real-world self-select treatments, such as political communications, how well does the sample average treatment effect estimate the effects of message exposure for those individuals who would—if given the choice—opt-in to and out of receiving treatment? This study shows that randomization masks effect heterogeneity between individuals who would select different messages if given the choice. Yet, such selections are themselves complex, revealing additional challenges for realistically studying treatments prone to self-selection. The evidence of effect heterogeneity raises questions about the appropriateness of random assignment experiments for studying political communication and the results more broadly advance our understanding of citizens’ selection into and responses to communications when, as they often do, have choice over what messages to receive.
A surface-stabilized ozonide triggers bromide oxidation at the aqueous solution-vapour interface
Authors: Artiglia Luca , Edebeli Jacinta , Orlando Fabrizio , Chen Shuzhen , Lee Ming-Tao , Corral Arroyo Pablo , Gilgen Anina , Bartels-Rausch Thorsten , Kleibert Armin , Vazdar Mario , Andres Carignano Marcelo , Francisco Joseph S. , Shepson Paul B. , Gladich Ivan , Ammann Markus 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOxidation of bromide in aqueous environments initiates the formation of molecular halogen compounds, which is important for the global tropospheric ozone budget. In the aqueous bulk, oxidation of bromide by ozone involves a [Br•OOO−] complex as intermediate. Here we report liquid jet X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements that provide direct experimental evidence for the ozonide and establish its propensity for the solution-vapour interface. Theoretical calculations support these findings, showing that water stabilizes the ozonide and lowers the energy of the transition state at neutral pH. Kinetic experiments confirm the dominance of the heterogeneous oxidation route established by this precursor at low, atmospherically relevant ozone concentrations. Taken together, our results provide a strong case of different reaction kinetics and mechanisms of reactions occurring at the aqueous phase-vapour interface compared with the bulk aqueous phase.
Inorganic semiconducting materials for flexible and stretchable electronics
Authors: Yu Ki Jun , Yan Zheng , Han Mengdi , Rogers John A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent progress in the synthesis and deterministic assembly of advanced classes of single crystalline inorganic semiconductor nanomaterial establishes a foundation for high-performance electronics on bendable, and even elastomeric, substrates. The results allow for classes of systems with capabilities that cannot be reproduced using conventional wafer-based technologies. Specifically, electronic devices that rely on the unusual shapes/forms/constructs of such semiconductors can offer mechanical properties, such as flexibility and stretchability, traditionally believed to be accessible only via comparatively low-performance organic materials, with superior operational features due to their excellent charge transport characteristics. Specifically, these approaches allow integration of high-performance electronic functionality onto various curvilinear shapes, with linear elastic mechanical responses to large strain deformations, of particular relevance in bio-integrated devices and bio-inspired designs. This review summarizes some recent progress in flexible electronics based on inorganic semiconductor nanomaterials, the key associated design strategies and examples of device components and modules with utility in biomedicine.
Room-temperature cavity quantum electrodynamics with strongly coupled Dicke states
Authors: Breeze Jonathan D. , Salvadori Enrico , Sathian Juna , Alford Neil McN. , Kay Christopher W. M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe strong coupling regime is essential for efficient transfer of excitations between states in different quantum systems on timescales shorter than their lifetimes. The coupling of single spins to microwave photons is very weak but can be enhanced by increasing the local density of states by reducing the magnetic mode volume of the cavity. In practice, it is difficult to achieve both small cavity mode volume and low cavity decay rate, so superconducting metals are often employed at cryogenic temperatures. For an ensembles of N spins, the spin–photon coupling can be enhanced by $$\sqrt N$$

N

through collective spin excitations known as Dicke states. For sufficiently large N the collective spin–photon coupling can exceed both the spin decoherence and cavity decay rates, making the strong-coupling regime accessible. Here we demonstrate strong coupling and cavity quantum electrodynamics in a solid-state system at room-temperature. We generate an inverted spin-ensemble with N ~ 1015 by photo-exciting pentacene molecules into spin-triplet states with spin dephasing time $$T_2^*\sim 3$$

T

2

*

~
3
μs. When coupled to a 1.45 GHz TE01δ mode supported by a high Purcell factor strontium titanate dielectric cavity ($$V_{\mathrm{m}}\sim 0.25$$

V

m

~
0.25
cm3, Q ~ 8,500), we observe Rabi oscillations in the microwave emission from collective Dicke states and a 1.8 MHz normal-mode splitting of the resultant collective spin–photon polariton. We also observe a cavity protection effect at the onset of the strong-coupling regime which decreases the polariton decay rate as the collective coupling increases.
Comparison of Structural and Functional Properties of Wheat Starch Under Different Soil Drought Conditions
Authors: Zhang Weiyang , Gu Junfei , Wang Zhiqin , Wei Cunxu , Yang Jianchang , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDrought influences cereal crop yield and quality. However, little is known about changes in the structural and functional properties of wheat starch under soil drought conditions. In this study, two wheat cultivars were subjected to well-watered (WW), moderate soil-drought (MD), and severe soil-drought (SD) from 7 tillers in the main stem to maturity. The structural and functional properties of the resultant endosperm starch were investigated. In comparison with WW soil, the MD increased starch accumulation in grains, the proportion of large starch granules, amylose and amylopectin long branch chain contents, and average amylopectin branch chain length, which were accompanied by the increase in activities of granule bound starch synthase and soluble starch synthase. MD treated-starch had a lower gelatinization enthalpy, and swelling power, but a higher gelatinization temperature, retrogradation enthalpy, and retrogradation percentage when compared to WW conditions. The MD also increased starch resistance to acid hydrolysis, amylase hydrolysis, andin vitrodigestion. The SD had the opposite effects to the MD in all cases. The results suggest that soil drought more severely affects amylose synthesis than amylopectin synthesis in wheat grains, and moderate soil-drought improves molecular structure and functional properties of the starch.
Reliable Detection of Implicit Waveform-Specific Learning in Continuous Tracking Task Paradigm
Authors: Yang Limin , Wan Feng , Nan Wenya , Zhu Frank , Hu Yong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractImplicit waveform-specific (IWS) learning during a typical continuous tracking task paradigm has been reported for decades, as evidenced by better tracking improvement on the repeated segment of a specific target waveform than random segments. However, the occurrence of the IWS learning in such a task paradigm has been challenged by several unsuccessful results in recent literature. This research concerns reliable detection of the induced IWS learning and to this end, proposes to use the similarity between the cursor and the target along the direction corresponding to the waveform pattern as the performance measure. A 3-day experiment designed with full examination on IWS learning including a practice phase, an immediate test phase and a consolidation test phase after 24 hours was conducted to validate the feasibility and sensitivity of the Pearson’s correlation coefficient on the vertical movementrvin this study. Experiment results indicate thatrvis more sensitive in detecting the IWS learning in all phases compared to the conventional root mean square error (RMSE) performance measure. The findings confirm the importance of the performance measure in implicit learning research and the similarity measure in accordance with the waveform could be promising for waveform-specific learning detection in this paradigm.
Interleukin-6 blockade attenuates lung cancer tissue construction integrated by cancer stem cells
Authors: Ogawa Hiroyuki , Koyanagi-Aoi Michiyo , Otani Kyoko , Zen Yoh , Maniwa Yoshimasa , Aoi Takashi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn the present study, we successfully generated lung cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells by introducing a small set of transcription factors into a lung cancer cell line. In addition to properties that are conventionally referred to as CSC properties, the lung induced CSCs exhibited the ability to form lung cancer-like tissuesin vitrowith vascular cells and mesenchymal stem cells, which showed structures and immunohistological patterns that were similar to human lung cancer tissues. We named them “lung cancer organoids”. We found that interleukin-6 (IL-6), which was expressed in the lung induced CSCs, facilitates the formation of lung cancer organoids via the conversion of mesenchymal stem cells into alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive cells. Interestingly, the combination of anti-IL-6 antibody and cisplatin could destroy the lung cancer organoids, while cisplatin alone could not. Furthermore, IL-6 mRNA-positive cancer cells were found in clinical lung cancer samples. These results suggest that IL-6 could be a novel therapeutic target in lung cancer.
Retention of Mitochondria in Mature Human Red Blood Cells as
the Result of Autophagy Impairment in Rett Syndrome
Authors: Sbardella Diego , Tundo Grazia Raffaella , Campagnolo Luisa , Valacchi Giuseppe , Orlandi Augusto , Curatolo Paolo , Borsellino Giovanna , D’Esposito Maurizio , Ciaccio Chiara , Di Cesare Silvia , Pierro Donato Di , Galasso Cinzia , Santarone Marta Elena , Hayek Joussef , Coletta Massimiliano , Marini Stefano 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRett Syndrome (RTT), which affects approximately 1:10.000 live births,
is a X-linked pervasive neuro-developmental disorder which is caused, in the vast
majority of cases, by a sporadic mutation in the Methyl-CpG-binding protein-2
(MeCP2) gene. This is a transcriptional activator/repressor with presumed
pleiotropic activities. The broad tissue expression of MeCP2 suggests that it may be
involved in several metabolic pathways, but the molecular mechanisms which provoke
the onset and progression of the syndrome are largely unknown. In this paper, we
report that primary fibroblasts that have been isolated from RTT patients display a
defective formation of autophagosomes under conditions of nutrient starvation and
that the mature Red Blood Cells of some RTT patients retain mitochondria. Moreover,
we provide evidence regarding the accumulation of the p62/SQSTM1 protein and
ubiquitin-aggregated structures in the cerebellum of Mecp2 knockout mouse model (Mecp2−/y) during transition from the non-symptomatic to the
symptomatic stage of the disease. Hence, we propose that a defective autophagy could
be involved in the RTT clinical phenotype, which introduces new molecular
perspectives in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.
Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 Is Associated with Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cai Rongrong , Huang Rong , Han Jing , Sun Haixia , Sun Jie , Xia Wenqing , Tian Sai , Dong Xue , Shen Yanjue , Wang Shaohua 
Published: September 2017

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a low-grade chronic inflammatory diseases, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline. We aim to evaluate associations between inflammatory markers and the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in T2DM. This study of 140 diabetic patients involved 71 with MCI and 69 controls. Clinical parameters, neuropsychological tests, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass and activity were measured. The results showed significantly higher plasma hsCRP, IL-6, Lp-PLA2 mass and activity in MCI group compared to controls. In T2DM with MCI, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was positively correlated with education level and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), but inversely correlated with age, glycosylated hemoglobin, intima-media thickness (IMT), hsCRP, IL-6, and Lp-PLA2 mass and activity. Correlation analysis showed that both plasma Lp-PLA2 mass and activity were positively correlated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and IMT but negatively associated with MoCA score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated higher hsCRP, Lp-PLA2 mass, Lp-PLA2 activity, and lower HDL-c to be independent risk factors increasing the possibility of MCI in T2DM. In conclusion, plasma Lp-PLA2 and hsCRP were found to be associated with the risk of MCI among T2DM patients.
Enhanced skyrmion stability due to exchange frustration
Authors: von Malottki S. , Dupé B. , Bessarab P. F. , Delin A. , Heinze S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSkyrmions are localized, topologically non-trivial spin structures which have raised high hopes for future spintronic applications. A key issue is skyrmion stability with respect to annihilation into the ferromagnetic state. Energy barriers for this collapse have been calculated taking only nearest neighbor exchange interactions into account. Here, we demonstrate that exchange frustration can greatly enhance skyrmion stability. We focus on the prototypical film system Pd/Fe/Ir(111) and use an atomistic spin model parametrized from first-principles calculations. We show that energy barriers and critical fields of skyrmion collapse as well as skyrmion lifetimes are drastically enhanced due to frustrated exchange and that antiskyrmions are metastable. In contrast an effective nearest-neighbor exchange model can only account for equilibrium properties of skyrmions such as their magnetic field dependent profile or the zero temperature phase diagram. Our work shows that frustration of long range exchange interactions – a typical feature in itinerant electron magnets – is a route towards enhanced skyrmion stability even in systems with a ferromagnetic ground state.
Using computer simulation models to investigate the most promising microRNAs to improve muscle regeneration during ageing
Authors: Proctor Carole J. , Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression through interactions with target sites within mRNAs, leading to enhanced degradation of the mRNA or inhibition of translation. Skeletal muscle expresses many different miRNAs with important roles in adulthood myogenesis (regeneration) and myofibre hypertrophy and atrophy, processes associated with muscle ageing. However, the large number of miRNAs and their targets mean that a complex network of pathways exists, making it difficult to predict the effect of selected miRNAs on age-related muscle wasting. Computational modelling has the potential to aid this process as it is possible to combine models of individual miRNA:target interactions to form an integrated network. As yet, no models of these interactions in muscle exist. We created the first model of miRNA:target interactions in myogenesis based on experimental evidence of individual miRNAs which were next validated and used to make testable predictions. Our model confirms that miRNAs regulate key interactions during myogenesis and can act by promoting the switch between quiescent/proliferating/differentiating myoblasts and by maintaining the differentiation process. We propose that a threshold level of miR-1 acts in the initial switch to differentiation, with miR-181 keeping the switch on and miR-378 maintaining the differentiation and miR-143 inhibiting myogenesis.