bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qatar University culture collection: A source of biodiversity and numerous applications
Authors: Al Ghazal Ghamza , Bounnit Touria , Al Muraikhi Mariam , Rasheed Rihab , Dalgamouni Tasneem , Saadaoui Imen , Al Jabri Hareb 
Published: April 2017

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in different environments (sea water, fresh water, waste water soil, rocks….) and under various conditions (Light, pH, temperature, salinity….). During their phases of growth, they produce a variety of metabolites such as lipids, proteins and carbohydrates in large amounts over a short period of time. These metabolites can be processed into both biofuels and other useful bioproducts. Microalgal lipids can be converted to biodiesel via process called transesterification. The use of biodiesel will decrease the emission of harmful gases, which can help in reducing the greenhouse effects and global warming. It is nontoxic, biodegradable and has the potential to replace the conventional diesel fuel. The isolation of autochthonous microalgae, with high lipid-contents and biomass productivities, is a crucial aspect of the development of commercial production of microalgae-based biodiesel as well as food security. This is especially important for deployments in climates such as are found in Qatar, a peninsula in the west Arabian Gulf, which is characterized by an extreme desert climate. 53 autochthonous strains of microalgae were isolated from various freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments in Qatar that led to the establishment of the Qatar University Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae (QUCCCM). Strains were identified via ribotyping and characterized in terms of growth rate and lipid production. The molecular identification of the isolated strains showed a biodiversity and 13 different known genera were identified. Among them, Chlorella is the most abundant freshwater known genus (22.64%), followed by Chlorocystis (13.21%). Growth rate study evidenced a thermo and halotolerant Nannochloris isolate QUCCCM31. The strain is able to tolerate 45°C and wide salinity range 35–100 ppt. Determination of lipid content and lipid profiling indicated the presence of promising strains for biodiesel production such as Nannochloris sp. (strain QUCCCM31) with a promising FAME profile for biodiesel production. This study proved a biodiversity inside the Qatar University Culture collection with strains having different applications such as Biofuel as an environmental friendly alternative to the fossil fuel, and/or source of food and feed.
تأثير المكتبات الجامعية في الإعتماد المؤسسي
Authors: محيي الدين حسانة , عواد محمود 
Published: April 2017

إن الجامعات في العالم حالياً في سباق مع الزمن للحصول على الإعتماد المؤسسي والإعتماد الأكاديمي، حيث يعتبر الإعتماد الفيصل في تقرير مستوى الجامعة وطلابها. سوف تتناول هذه الدراسة أهمية الإعتماد بالنسبة للجامعات، مؤسسات الإعتماد الدولية، العناصر والشروط المطلوبة من الجامعات للحصول على الإعتماد المؤسسي والتي تعتبر في هذا الإطار المكتبة الجامعية إحدى أهم الشروط للحصول على الإعتماد.وعليه، سوف يتم أيضاً تناول جامعة بيروت العربية كدراسة حالة، حيث أنها حصلت على الإعتماد المؤسسي في العام 2015 من مؤسسة الإعتماد الأكاديمي الدولية الألمانيةFIBAA ، وسوف يتم عرض الخطوات كافة التي سارت بها المكتبة لمساعدة مؤسستها الأم جامعة بيروت العربية للوصول إلى الإعتماد.
معايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بجامعة السلطان قابوس
Authors: بنت سعود البداعية شيماء , بن سيف العوفي علي , بن زهران الحجي خلفان 
Published: April 2017

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على مدى تطبيق معايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بجامعة السلطان قابوس وذلك بالاستناد على معايير مكتبات التعليم العالي ومؤشرات دوبي Dube، بالإضافة إلى الكشف عن الصعوبات التي تحد من تطبيق تلك المعايير. اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج المزجي، واستخدمت الإستبانة كأداة لجمع البيانات الكمية من مجتمع الدراسة البالغ عددهم 109 موظفا، بينما استخدمت المقابلة الشفوية شبه المقيدة كأداة تكميلية للحصول على بيانات مفصلة ومتعمقة في موضوع الدراسة. بلغ عدد الاستبانات الصالحة للتحليل 85 استبانة، في حين استخدم التحليل الموضوعي (Thematic Analysis) لتحليل البيانات النوعية. ومن أهم النتائج التي توصلت إليها الدراسة ما يلي:١. كشفت الدراسة عن وجود تطبيق عالٍ إلى متوسط لمعايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بالجامعة، إذ حصل معيار الدور التعليمي على أعلى درجة موافقة في تطبيقه وبلغ متوسطه الحسابي 4.10، في حين حصل معيار البنية الأساسية والمرافق على أدنى درجة موافقة في تطبيقه وبلغ متوسطه الحسابي 3.37.٢. أظهرت النتائج فروقا ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى الدلالة = 0.05 α تبعا لمتغير الخبرة في محور معيار خدمات المعلومات ولصالح ذوي الخبرات التي تفوق 15 سنة.٣. أفاد 75% من العاملين في المكتبات الأكاديمية بالجامعة إلى وجود صعوبات إدارية، ومالية، وتقنية، ولغوية تحد من تطبيقهم لمعايير ضبط الجودة.
خرجت الدراسة بمجموعة من التوصيات أهمها تأسيس لجنة مختصة بضبط الجودة في المكتبة مهمتها تهيئة المناخ التنظيمي المناسب لتطبيق الجودة، والإشراف على تنفيذ عملياتها، وحل الصعوبات التي تعترض تطبيقها.
تأثير تطبيق معايير الأمن الدولية للمعلومات في الرقمنة على جودة وأمن المعلومات في المكتبات: مركز التميز للخدمات الجامعية حالة دراسية
Authors: الخلايلة مهند , علاونة أفنان 
Published: April 2017

فرض التطور الكبير في علم المكتبات وارتباطه بتكنولوجيا المعلومات من دخول بعض المصطلحات إلى المكتبات التقليدية من أجل تحويلها إلى مكتبات إلكترونية و الوصول إلى مكتبات بلا جدران، ومن هذه المصطلحات رقمنة المعلومات والتي تعتبر الآن من أهم التوجهات التي تسير المكتبات من خلالها نحو إيجاد مجتمع معرفي إلكتروني، وإتاحته بين أيدي الباحثين وتسهيل الوصول الى المعلومات. ومن ناحية أخرى فإن نشر المحتوى المعرفي للمكتبات بعد رقمنته، يعد خطوة تواجه العديد من التحديات في مجال جودة وأمن المعلومات من حقوق ملكية، والحفاظ على الناتج الرقمي الخاص بالمكتبات.يقوم هذا البحث بتسليط الضوء على سياسات الرقمنة في مركز التميز الذي يجمع المكتبات الجامعية العشر للجامعات الحكومية، في قاعدة بيانات واحدة وضمن سياسات موحدة للرقمنة وقواعد البيانات الالكترونية ونظام الفهرسة الموحد. وتبحث الدراسة الى مدى تراعي هذه السياسيات معايير الأمن للمعلومات والى أي حد يؤثر تطبيق هذه المعايير على جودة هذه المعلومات والبيانات وأمنها، خصوصاً أنها تعتبر منصة مشتركة بين الجامعات الحكومية العشر في الأردن. وسيتناول البحث من ناحية أخرى، مدى تأثير تطبيق الحوسبة السحابية كتكنولوجيا مستخدمة حاليا في الرقمنة وتخزين المعلومات على أمنها وجودتها في عينة الدراسة نفسها.يستخدم البحث أداة الاستبيان لجمع المعلومات وبرنامج التحليل الاحصائي (SPSS)، لتحليل البيانات والوصول الى النتائج.
A Longitudinal Examination of Parenting Influences and School Engagement among African American and Latino Male Youth
Authors: Leatherwood Darnell , Voisin Dexter R. 
Published: April 2017

Some racial minority males lag behind their White counterparts with regards to school engagement. However, few studies have examined this association longitudinally nor explored whether such a relationship might be mediated by youths’ own educational aspirations. Therefore, both considerations are addressed in this study. Among a sample of 226 African American and Latino male youth and their caregivers, measures were assessed for parenting influences (i.e., monitoring, discipline, educational, economic and life aspirations), youth educational aspirations, and school engagement (i.e., motivation and attainment). Parents’ education and life aspirations for their sons and the youths’ educational attainment were positively and significantly related. Moreover, the relationship between parents’ educational and life aspirations and academic engagement (i.e., school motivation and educational attainment) were mediated by youths’ educational aspirations. Implications for promoting the school engagement of these youth are discussed based on these findings.
Fully nonlinear statistical and machine‐learning approaches for hydrological frequency estimation at ungauged sites
Authors: Ouali D. , Chebana F. , Ouarda T. B. M. J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe high complexity of hydrological systems has long been recognized. Despite the increasing number of statistical techniques that aim to estimate hydrological quantiles at ungauged sites, few approaches were designed to account for the possible nonlinear connections between hydrological variables and catchments characteristics. Recently, a number of nonlinear machine‐learning tools have received attention in regional frequency analysis (RFA) applications especially for estimation purposes. In this paper, the aim is to study nonlinearity‐related aspects in the RFA of hydrological variables using statistical and machine‐learning approaches. To this end, a variety of combinations of linear and nonlinear approaches are considered in the main RFA steps (delineation and estimation). Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and generalized additive models (GAMs) are combined to a nonlinear ANN‐based canonical correlation analysis (NLCCA) procedure to ensure an appropriate nonlinear modeling of the complex processes involved. A comparison is carried out between classical linear combinations (CCAs combined with linear regression (LR) model), semilinear combinations (e.g., NLCCA with LR) and fully nonlinear combinations (e.g., NLCCA with GAM). The considered models are applied to three different data sets located in North America. Results indicate that fully nonlinear models (in both RFA steps) are the most appropriate since they provide best performances and a more realistic description of the physical processes involved, even though they are relatively more complex than linear ones. On the other hand, semilinear models which consider nonlinearity either in the delineation or estimation steps showed little improvement over linear models. The linear approaches provided the lowest performances.
Space geodetic tools provide early warnings for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Authors: Aoki Yosuke 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDevelopment of space geodetic techniques such as Global Navigation Satellite System and Synthetic Aperture Radar in last few decades allows us to monitor deformation of Earth's surface in unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. These observations, combined with fast data transmission and quick data processing, enable us to quickly detect and locate earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and assess potential hazards such as strong earthquake shaking, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. These techniques thus are key parts of early warning systems, help identify some hazards before a cataclysmic event, and improve the response to the consequent damage.
An Efficient One–pot Procedure for the Direct Preparation of 4,5‐Dihydroisoxazoles from Amides
Authors: Slagbrand Tove , Kervefors Gabriella , Tinnis Fredrik , Adolfsson Hans 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA Mo(CO)6 (molybdenumhexacarbonyl) catalyzed reductive functionalization of amides to afford 5‐amino substituted 4,5‐dihydroisoxazoles is presented. The reduction of amides generates reactive enamines, which upon the addition of hydroximinoyl chlorides and base undergoes a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction that gives access to the desired heterocyclic compounds. The transformation of amides is highly chemoselective and tolerates functional groups such as nitro, nitriles, esters, and ketones. Furthermore, a versatile scope of 4,5‐dihydroisoxazoles derived from a variety of hydroximinoyl chlorides and amides is demonstrated.magnified image
Brief Report: Blockade of TANK‐Binding Kinase 1/IKKɛ Inhibits Mutant Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING)–Mediated Inflammatory Responses in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Frémond Marie‐Louise , Uggenti Carolina , Van Eyck Lien , Melki Isabelle , Bondet Vincent , Kitabayashi Naoki , Hertel Christina , Hayday Adrian , Neven Bénédicte , Rose Yoann , Duffy Darragh , Crow Yanick J. , Rodero Mathieu P. 
Published: April 2017

ObjectiveGain‐of‐function mutations in TMEM173, encoding the stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) protein, underlie a novel type I interferonopathy that is minimally responsive to conventional immunosuppressive therapies and associated with high frequency of childhood morbidity and mortality. STING gain‐of‐function causes constitutive oversecretion of IFN. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of a TANK‐binding kinase 1 (TBK‐1)/IKKɛ inhibitor (BX795) on secretion and signaling of IFN in primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with mutations in STING.MethodsPBMCs from 4 patients with STING‐associated disease were treated with BX795. The effect of BX795 on IFN pathways was assessed by Western blotting and an IFNβ reporter assay, as well as by quantification of IFNα in cell lysates, staining for STAT‐1 phosphorylation, and measurement of IFN‐stimulated gene (ISG) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression.ResultsTreatment of PBMCs with BX795 inhibited the phosphorylation of IFN regulatory factor 3 and IFNβ promoter activity induced in HEK 293T cells by cyclic GMP‐AMP or by genetic activation of STING. In vitro exposure to BX795 inhibited IFNα production in PBMCs of patients with STING‐associated disease without affecting cell survival. In addition, BX795 decreased STAT‐1 phosphorylation and ISG mRNA expression independent of IFNα blockade.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the effect of BX795 on reducing type I IFN production and IFN signaling in cells from patients with gain‐of‐function mutations in STING. A combined inhibition of TBK‐1 and IKKɛ therefore holds potential for the treatment of patients carrying STING mutations, and may also be relevant in other type I interferonopathies.
Inactivation kinetics and residual activity of CYP3A4 after treatment with erythromycin
Authors: Ishikawa Yuko , Akiyoshi Takeshi , Imaoka Ayuko , Ohtani Hisakazu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to characterize the inactivation kinetics of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by erythromycin, which involves mechanism‐based inhibition (MBI), in detail. In addition to an MBI assay based on the conventional method in which erythromycin and recombinant CYP3A4 were pre‐incubated for 15 min, the study also evaluated the long‐term MBI kinetics of this reaction by pre‐incubation for 120 min. Mechanism‐based inhibition profiles were obtained using three typical substrates, testosterone, midazolam and nifedipine. In the long‐term assay, erythromycin evoked a time‐dependent biphasic reduction in enzyme activity, but some residual activity (α) was detected in the terminal phase. The inactivation rate constant obtained in the presence of 30 μm erythromycin using nifedipine as a substrate was 1.44‐fold higher than that acquired using testosterone, while there was no difference among the α values obtained with the three substrates. In the short‐term assay, time‐dependent monophasic inactivation was observed. To extrapolate these data to in vivo, the extent of the increase in the area under the curve (AUC ratio) induced by erythromycin was estimated from the results of the conventional short‐term experiment and the long‐term experiment examining residual activity. The AUC ratio estimated from the long‐term kinetics (2.92) was closer to the clinically reported values (3.3–4.42). In conclusion, the relatively long‐term evaluation of the kinetics of CYP3A4 inactivation revealed that the enzyme was not fully inactivated by erythromycin. To improve the estimation of the extent of the drug–drug interactions induced by MBI from in vitro data, longer‐term investigations of the target enzyme's inactivation profile might be necessary.
Identification of dynamic load for prosthetic structures
Authors: Zhang Dequan , Han Xu , Zhang Zhongpu , Liu Jie , Jiang Chao , Yoda Nobuhiro , Meng Xianghua , Li Qing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDynamic load exists in numerous biomechanical systems, and its identification signifies a critical issue for characterizing dynamic behaviors and studying biomechanical consequence of the systems. This study aims to identify dynamic load in the dental prosthetic structures, namely, 3‐unit implant‐supported fixed partial denture (I‐FPD) and teeth‐supported fixed partial denture. The 3‐dimensional finite element models were constructed through specific patient's computerized tomography images. A forward algorithm and regularization technique were developed for identifying dynamic load. To verify the effectiveness of the identification method proposed, the I‐FPD and teeth‐supported fixed partial denture structures were investigated to determine the dynamic loads. For validating the results of inverse identification, an experimental force‐measuring system was developed by using a 3‐dimensional piezoelectric transducer to measure the dynamic load in the I‐FPD structure in vivo. The computationally identified loads were presented with different noise levels to determine their influence on the identification accuracy. The errors between the measured load and identified counterpart were calculated for evaluating the practical applicability of the proposed procedure in biomechanical engineering. This study is expected to serve as a demonstrative role in identifying dynamic loading in biomedical systems, where a direct in vivo measurement may be rather demanding in some areas of interest clinically.
Numerical analysis of crimping and inflation process of balloon‐expandable coronary stent using implicit solution
Authors: Bukala Jakub , Kwiatkowski Piotr , Malachowski Jerzy 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe paper presents an applied methodology for numerical finite element analysis of coronary stent crimping and the free inflation process with the use of a folded noncompliant angioplasty balloon. The use of an implicit scheme is considered as the most original part of the work, as an explicit finite element procedure is very often preferred. Hitherto, when the implicit solution was used for the finite element solution, the simulated issue was largely simplified. Therefore, the authors focused on the modelling methodology with minimum possible simplification, ie, a full load path (compression and inflation in single analysis), solid element discretization, and sophisticated contact models (bodies with highly different stiffness). The obtained results are partially compared with experimental data (radial force during the crimping procedure) and present satisfactory compliance. The authors believe that presented methodology allow for significant improvement of the obtained results, as well as potential extension of the research scope, compared to previous efforts performed using the explicit integration scheme. Moreover, the presented methodology is believed to be suitable for sensitivity and optimization studies.
Probiotic supplementation promotes a reduction in T‐cell activation, an increase in Th17 frequencies, and a recovery of intestinal epithelium integrity and mitochondrial morphology in ART‐treated HIV‐1‐positive patients
Authors: d'Ettorre Gabriella , Rossi Giacomo , Scagnolari Carolina , Andreotti Mauro , Giustini Noemi , Serafino Sara , Schietroma Ivan , Scheri Giuseppe Corano , Fard Saeid Najafi , Trinchieri Vito , Mastromarino Paola , Selvaggi Carla , Scarpona Silvia , Fanello Gianfranco , Fiocca Fausto , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Antonelli Guido , Brenchley Jason M. , Vullo Vincenzo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroductionHIV infection is characterized by a persistent immune activation associated to a compromised gut barrier immunity and alterations in the profile of the fecal flora linked with the progression of inflammatory symptoms. The effects of high concentration multistrain probiotic (Vivomixx®, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome, Italy in EU; Visbiome®, Dupont, Madison, Wisconsin in USA) on several aspects of intestinal immunity in ART‐experienced HIV‐1 patients was evaluated.MethodsA sub‐study of a longitudinal pilot study was performed in HIV‐1 patients who received the probiotic supplement twice a day for 6 months (T6). T‐cell activation and CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell subsets expressing IFNγ (Th1, Tc1) or IL‐17A (Th17, Tc17) were stained by cytoflorimetric analysis. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on intestinal biopsies while enterocytes apoptosis index was determined by TUNEL assay.ResultsA reduction in the frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell subsets, expressing CD38+, HLA‐DR+, or both, and an increase in the percentage of Th17 cell subsets, especially those with central or effector memory phenotype, was recorded in the peripheral blood and in gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) after probiotic intervention. Conversely, Tc1 and Tc17 levels remained substantially unchanged at T6, while Th1 cell subsets increase in the GALT. Probiotic supplementation was also associated to a recovery of the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier, a reduction of both intraepithelial lymphocytes density and enterocyte apoptosis and, an improvement of mitochondrial morphology sustained in part by a modulation of heat shock protein 60.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the potential beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation for the reconstitution of physical and immunological integrity of the mucosal intestinal barrier in ART‐treated HIV‐1‐positive patients.
Targeted Disruption of NF1 in Osteocytes Increases FGF23 and Osteoid With Osteomalacia-like Bone Phenotype
Authors: Kamiya Nobuhiro , Yamaguchi Ryosuke , Aruwajoye Olumide , Kim Audrey J , Kuroyanagi Gen , Phipps Matthew , Adapala Naga Suresh , Feng Jian Q , Kim Harry KW 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1, OMIM 162200), caused by NF1 gene mutations, exhibits multi-system abnormalities, including skeletal deformities in humans. Osteocytes play critical roles in controlling bone modeling and remodeling. However, the role of neurofibromin, the protein product of the NF1 gene, in osteocytes is largely unknown. This study investigated the role of neurofibromin in osteocytes by disrupting Nf1 under the Dmp1-promoter. The conditional knockout (Nf1 cKO) mice displayed serum profile of a metabolic bone disorder with an osteomalacia-like bone phenotype. Serum FGF23 levels were 4 times increased in cKO mice compared with age-matched controls. In addition, calcium-phosphorus metabolism was significantly altered (calcium reduced; phosphorus reduced; parathyroid hormone [PTH] increased; 1,25(OH)2D decreased). Bone histomorphometry showed dramatically increased osteoid parameters, including osteoid volume, surface, and thickness. Dynamic bone histomorphometry revealed reduced bone formation rate and mineral apposition rate in the cKO mice. TRAP staining showed a reduced osteoclast number. Micro-CT demonstrated thinner and porous cortical bones in the cKO mice, in which osteocyte dendrites were disorganized as assessed by electron microscopy. Interestingly, the cKO mice exhibited spontaneous fractures in long bones, as found in NF1 patients. Mechanical testing of femora revealed significantly reduced maximum force and stiffness. Immunohistochemistry showed significantly increased FGF23 protein in the cKO bones. Moreover, primary osteocytes from cKO femora showed about eightfold increase in FGF23 mRNA levels compared with control cells. The upregulation of FGF23 was specifically and significantly inhibited by PI3K inhibitor Ly294002, indicating upregulation of FGF23 through PI3K in Nf1-deficient osteocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that Nf1 deficiency in osteocytes dramatically increases FGF23 production and causes a mineralization defect (ie, hyperosteoidosis) via the alteration of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. This study demonstrates critical roles of neurofibromin in osteocytes for osteoid mineralization. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.