bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Germination Biology of Two Invasive Physalis Species and Implications for Their Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions
Authors: Ozaslan Cumali , Farooq Shahid , Onen Huseyin , Ozcan Selcuk , Bukun Bekir , Gunal Hikmet 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTwo Solanaceae invasive plant species (Physalis angulata L. and P. philadelphica Lam. var. immaculata Waterfall) infest several arable crops and natural habitats in Southeastern Anatolia region, Turkey. However, almost no information is available regarding germination biology of both species. We performed several experiments to infer the effects of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of different populations of both species collected from various locations with different elevations and habitat characteristics. Seed dormancy level of all populations was decreased with increasing age of the seeds. Seed dormancy of freshly harvested and aged seeds of all populations was effectively released by running tap water. Germination was slightly affected by photoperiods, which suggests that seeds are slightly photoblastic. All seeds germinated under wide range of temperature (15–40 °C), pH (4–10), osmotic potential (0 to −1.2 MPa) and salinity (0–400 mM sodium chloride) levels. The germination ability of both plant species under wide range of environmental conditions suggests further invasion potential towards non-infested areas in the country. Increasing seed burial depth significantly reduced the seedling emergence, and seeds buried below 4 cm of soil surface were unable to emerge. In arable lands, soil inversion to maximum depth of emergence (i.e., 6 cm) followed by conservational tillage could be utilized as a viable management option.
Induction of antimicrobial peptides secretion by IL-1β enhances human amniotic membrane for regenerative medicine
Authors: Tehrani Fatemeh A. , Modaresifar Khashayar , Azizian Sara , Niknejad Hassan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDue to antibacterial characteristic, amnion has been frequently used in different clinical situations. Developing an in vitro method to augment endogenous antibacterial ingredient of amniotic epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells is desirable for a higher efficacy of this promising biomaterial. In this study, epithelial or mesenchymal side dependent effect of amniotic membrane (AM) on antibacterial activity against some laboratory and clinical isolated strains was investigated by modified disk diffusion method and colony count assay. The effect of exposure to IL-1β in production and release of antibacterial ingredients was investigated by ELISA assay. The results showed that there is no significant difference between epithelial and mesenchymal sides of amnion in inhibition of bacterial growth. Although the results of disk diffusion showed that the AM inhibitory effect depends on bacterial genus and strain, colony count assay showed that the extract of AM inhibits all investigated bacterial strains. The exposure of AM to IL-1β leads to a higher level of antibacterial peptides secretion including elafin, HBD-2, HBD-3 and cathelicidic LL-37. Based on these results, amniotic cells possess antibacterial activity which can be augmented by inflammatory signal inducers; a process which make amnion and its epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells more suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
X-ray diffraction reveals the intrinsic difference in the physical properties of membrane and soluble proteins
Authors: Robert Xavier , Kassis-Sahyoun Josiane , Ceres Nicoletta , Martin Juliette , Sawaya Michael R. , Read Randy J. , Gouet Patrice , Falson Pierre , Chaptal Vincent 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMembrane proteins are distinguished from soluble proteins by their insertion into biological membranes. This insertion is achieved via a noticeable arrangement of hydrophobic amino acids that are exposed at the surface of the protein, and renders the interaction with the aliphatic tails of lipids more energetically favorable. This important difference between these two categories of proteins is the source of the need for a specific handling of membrane proteins, which transpired in the creation of new tools for their recombinant expression, purification and even crystallization. Following this line, we show here that crystals of membrane proteins display systematically higher diffraction anisotropy than those of soluble proteins. This phenomenon dramatically hampers structure solution and refinement, and has a strong impact on the quality of electron-density maps. A farther search for origins of this phenomenon showed that the type of crystallization, and thus the crystal packing, has no impact on anisotropy, nor does the nature or function of the membrane protein. Membrane proteins fully embedded within the membrane display equal anisotropy compared to the ones with extra membranous domains or fusions with soluble proteins. Overall, these results overturn common beliefs and call for a specific handling of their diffraction data.
Preparation and thermal properties of mineral-supported polyethylene glycol as form-stable composite phase change materials (CPCMs) used in asphalt pavements
Authors: Jin Jiao , Lin Feipeng , Liu Ruohua , Xiao Ting , Zheng Jianlong , Qian Guoping , Liu Hongfu , Wen Pihua 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThree kinds of mineral-supported polyethylene glycol (PEG) as form-stable composite phase change materials (CPCMs) were prepared to choose the most suitable CPCMs in asphalt pavements for the problems of asphalt pavements rutting diseases and urban heat islands. The microstructure and chemical structure of CPCMs were characterized by SEM, FT-IR and XRD. Thermal properties of the CPCMs were determined by TG and DSC. The maximum PEG absorption of diatomite (DI), expanded perlite (EP) and expanded vermiculite (EVM) could reach 72%, 67% and 73.6%, respectively. The melting temperatures and latent heat of CPCMs are in the range of 52–55 °C and 100–115 J/g, respectively. The results show that PEG/EP has the best thermal and chemical stability after 100 times of heating-cooling process. Moreover, crystallization fraction results show that PEG/EP has slightly higher latent heats than that of PEG/DI and PEG/EVM. Temperature-adjusting asphalt mixture was prepared by substituting the fine aggregates with PEG/EP CPCMs. The upper surface maximum temperature difference of temperature-adjusting asphalt mixture reaches about 7.0 °C in laboratory, and the surface peak temperature reduces up to 4.3 °C in the field experiment during a typical summer day, indicating a great potential application for regulating pavement temperature field and alleviating the urban heat islands.
Endoscope-assisted resection of nonneoplastic space-occupying lesion in oral and maxillofacial areas
Authors: Li Yanan , Xue Runqi , Lai Qingguo , Xu Bingbing , Yuan Kuifeng , Tang Xiaopeng , Ci Jiangbo , Sun Shaolong , Zhang Zhichao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractEndoscope-assisted oral and maxillofacial surgeries have been applied to the resection of tumors with minimal invasion and good cosmetic outcomes. However, with regard to endoscope-assisted resection of nonneoplastic space-occupying lesion (NSOL) in oral and maxillofacial areas which differ from tumors in treatment, there are no systematic reports. Therefore the advantages and limitations of the endoscopy-assisted approach (EAA) in resection of NSOL remain unclear. In this novel study we describe endoscope technique for resection of NSOL in face and submandibular areas and compare the feasibility and effectiveness of EAA with external approach (EA). Eleven patients underwent EAA and 20 patients underwent EA procedures. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes of the patients were evaluated. The resection of NSOL with EAA was completed successfully with a shorter hospitalization duration, less bleeding, a smaller incison and better satisfaction with appearance than with the EA procedure (P < 0.01). Our study showed that endoscope-assisted resection of NSOL is technically safe, feasible and practicable. Good cosmetic results with minimal invasion can be achieved with this new technique and therefore this may be a promising new standard procedure in oral and maxillofacial areas.
In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities and mechanism of heteropolytungstates against Candida species
Authors: Li Han , Gong Hongwei , Qi Yanfei , Li Juan , Ji Xufeng , Sun Jiaheng , Tian Rui , Bao Hao , Song Xiangfu , Chen Qiang , Liu Guoliang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe antifungal activities of heteropolytungstates, α-1,2,3-K6H[SiW9V3O40] (SiW-3), K13[Ce(SiW11O39)2]·17H2O (SiW-5), K13[Eu(SiW11O39)2]·25H2O (SiW-10), K6PV3W9O40 (PW-6), α-K4PVW11O40 (PW-8), were screened in 29 Candida albicans, 8 Candida glabrata, 3 Candida krusei, 2 Candida parapsilosis, 1 Candida tropicalis, and 1 Cryptococcus neoformans strains using the CLSI M27-A3 method. SiW-5 had the highest efficacy with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <0.2–10.2 μM in vitro. The antifungal mechanism, acute toxicity and in vivo antifungal activity of SiW-5 were then evaluated in C. albicans. The results showed that SiW-5 damaged the fungal cell membrane, reduce the ergosterol content and its main mode of action was through inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Real-time PCR showed that ERG1, ERG7, ERG11 and ERG28 were all significantly upregulated by SiW-5. An acute toxicity study showed the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of SiW-5 for ICR mice was 1651.5 mg/kg. And in vivo antifungal studies demonstrated that SiW-5 reduced both the morbidity and fungal burden of mice infected with C. albicans. This study demonstrates that SiW-5 is a potential antifungal candidate against the Candida species.
Remote tactile sensing system integrated with magnetic synapse
Authors: Oh Sunjong , Jung Youngdo , Kim Seonggi , Kim SungJoon , Hu Xinghao , Lim Hyuneui , Kim CheolGi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMechanoreceptors in a fingertip convert external tactile stimulations into electrical signals, which are transmitted by the nervous system through synaptic transmitters and then perceived by the brain with high accuracy and reliability. Inspired by the human synapse system, this paper reports a robust tactile sensing system consisting of a remote touch tip and a magnetic synapse. External pressure on the remote touch tip is transferred in the form of air pressure to the magnetic synapse, where its variation is converted into electrical signals. The developed system has high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. The remote sensing system demonstrated tactile capabilities over wide pressure range with a minimum detectable pressure of 6 Pa. In addition, it could measure tactile stimulation up to 1,000 Hz without distortion and hysteresis, owing to the separation of the touching and sensing parts. The excellent performance of the system in terms of surface texture discrimination, heartbeat measurement from the human wrist, and satisfactory detection quality in water indicates that it has considerable potential for various mechanosensory applications in different environments.
Peretinoin, an acyclic retinoid, inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing sphingosine kinase 1 expression in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Funaki Masaya , Kitabayashi Juria , Shimakami Tetsuro , Nagata Naoto , Sakai Yuriko , Takegoshi Kai , Okada Hikari , Murai Kazuhisa , Shirasaki Takayoshi , Oyama Takeru , Yamashita Taro , Ota Tsuguhito , Takuwa Yoh , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSphingosine-1-phospate is a potent bioactive lipid metabolite that regulates cancer progression. Because sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK 1/2) are both essential for sphingosine-1-phospate production, they could be a therapeutic target in various cancers. Peretinoin, an acyclic retinoid, inhibits post-therapeutic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma via unclear mechanisms. In this study, we assessed effects of peretinoin on SPHK expression and liver cancer development in vitro and in vivo. We examined effects of peretinoin on expression, enzymatic and promoter activity of SPHK1 in a human hepatoma cell line, Huh-7. We also investigated effects of SPHK1 on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine using SPHK1 knockout mice. Peretinoin treatment of Huh-7 cells reduced mRNA levels, protein expression and enzymatic activity of SPHK1. Peretinoin reduced SPHK1 promoter activity; this effect of peretinoin was blocked by overexpression of Sp1, a transcription factor. Deletion of all Sp1 binding sites within the SPHK1 promoter region abolished SPHK1 promoter activity, suggesting that peretinoin reduced mRNA levels of SPHK1 via Sp1. Additionally, diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatoma was fewer and less frequent in SPHK1 knockout compared to wild-type mice. Our data showed crucial roles of SPHK1 in hepatocarcinogenesis and suggests that peretinoin prevents hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing mRNA levels of SPHK1.
The choice of cryopreservation method affects immune compatibility of human cardiovascular matrices
Authors: Schneider Maria , Stamm Christof , Brockbank Kelvin G. M. , Stock Ulrich A. , Seifert Martina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractConventional frozen cryopreservation (CFC) is currently the gold standard for cardiovascular allograft preservation. However, inflammation and structural deterioration limit transplant durability. Ice-free cryopreservation (IFC) already demonstrated matrix structure preservation combined with attenuated immune responses. In this study, we aim to explore the mechanisms of this diminished immunogenicity in vitro. First, we characterized factors released by human aortic tissue after CFC and IFC. Secondly, we analyzed co-cultures with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, purified monocytes, T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages to examine functional immune effects triggered by the tissue or released cues. IFC tissue exhibited significantly lower metabolic activity and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines than CFC tissue, but surprisingly, more active transforming growth factor β. Due to reduced cytokine release by IFC tissue, less monocyte and T cell migration was detected in a chemotaxis system. Moreover, only cues from CFC tissue but not from IFC tissue amplified αCD3 triggered T cell proliferation. In a specifically designed macrophage-tissue assay, we could show that macrophages did not upregulate M1 polarization markers (CD80 or HLA-DR) on either tissue type. In conclusion, IFC selectively modulates tissue characteristics and thereby attenuates immune cell attraction and activation. Therefore, IFC treatment creates improved opportunities for cardiovascular graft preservation.
A Universal 3D Voxel Descriptor for Solid-State Material Informatics with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Kajita Seiji , Ohba Nobuko , Jinnouchi Ryosuke , Asahi Ryoji 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMaterial informatics (MI) is a promising approach to liberate us from the time-consuming Edisonian (trial and error) process for material discoveries, driven by machine-learning algorithms. Several descriptors, which are encoded material features to feed computers, were proposed in the last few decades. Especially to solid systems, however, their insufficient representations of three dimensionality of field quantities such as electron distributions and local potentials have critically hindered broad and practical successes of the solid-state MI. We develop a simple, generic 3D voxel descriptor that compacts any field quantities, in such a suitable way to implement convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We examine the 3D voxel descriptor encoded from the electron distribution by a regression test with 680 oxides data. The present scheme outperforms other existing descriptors in the prediction of Hartree energies that are significantly relevant to the long-wavelength distribution of the valence electrons. The results indicate that this scheme can forecast any functionals of field quantities just by learning sufficient amount of data, if there is an explicit correlation between the target properties and field quantities. This 3D descriptor opens a way to import prominent CNNs-based algorithms of supervised, semi-supervised and reinforcement learnings into the solid-state MI.
Ergogenic effects of precooling with cold water immersion and ice ingestion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Choo Hui C. , Nosaka Kazunori , Peiffer Jeremiah J. , Ihsan Mohammed , Abbiss Chris R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis review evaluated the effects of precooling via cold water immersion (CWI) and ingestion of ice slurry/slushy or crushed ice (ICE) on endurance performance measures (e.g. time‐to‐exhaustion and time trials) and psychophysiological parameters (core [Tcore] and skin [Tskin] temperatures, whole body sweat [WBS] response, heart rate [HR], thermal sensation [TS], and perceived exertion [RPE]). Twenty‐two studies were included in the meta‐analysis based on the following criteria: (i) cooling was performed before exercise with ICE or CWI; (ii) exercise longer than 6 min was performed in ambient temperature ≥26°C; and (iii) crossover study design with a non‐cooling passive control condition. CWI improved performance measures (weighted average effect size in Hedges’ g [95% confidence interval] + 0.53 [0.28; 0.77]) and resulted in greater increase (ΔEX) in Tskin (+4.15 [3.1; 5.21]) during exercise, while lower peak Tcore (−0.93 [−1.18; −0.67]), WBS (−0.74 [−1.18; −0.3]), and TS (−0.5 [−0.8; −0.19]) were observed without concomitant changes in ΔEX‐Tcore (+0.19 [−0.22; 0.6]), peak Tskin (−0.67 [−1.52; 0.18]), peak HR (−0.14 [−0.38; 0.11]), and RPE (−0.14 [−0.39; 0.12]). ICE had no clear effect on performance measures (+0.2 [−0.07; 0.46]) but resulted in greater ΔEX‐Tcore (+1.02 [0.59; 1.45]) and ΔEX‐Tskin (+0.34 [0.02; 0.67]) without concomitant changes in peak Tcore (−0.1 [−0.48; 0.28]), peak Tskin (+0.1 [−0.22; 0.41]), peak HR (+0.08 [−0.19; 0.35]), WBS (−0.12 [−0.42; 0.18]), TS (−0.2 [−0.49; 0.1]), and RPE (−0.01 [−0.33; 0.31]). From both ergogenic and thermoregulatory perspectives, CWI may be more effective than ICE as a precooling treatment prior to exercise in the heat.
Reframing the payments for ecosystem services framework in a coupled human and natural systems context: strengthening the integration between ecological and human dimensions
Authors: Lewison Rebecca L. , An Li , Chen Xiaodong 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
As challenges to biodiversity mount, land-use policies have been implemented to balance human needs and the integrity of ecological systems. One such program, Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), incentivizes resource users to protect ecosystem services and has been implemented around the world to reduce soil erosion, create or improve wildlife habitats, and improve water quality and other environmental goals. The PES policy, at its core, is a concept that aims to capture the reciprocal relationships between human systems and ecological function and process. As such, PES epistemologically embodies a coupled human and natural systems approach.

Outcomes:
Yet, despite this conceptual alignment, the on-the-ground implementation or evaluation of PES typically does not adopt this coupled approach and PES programs have little integration between socioeconomic, sociocultural, human demographic, and ecological elements. To advance the evolution of PES, we consider what and how socioeconomic and ecological factors have been incorporated into PES program implementation and evaluation. We also present a conceptual model to articulate how PES research can capture the reciprocal relationships among socioeconomics, demography, and ecology and discuss the quantitative modeling approaches that can support this conceptual development, i.e., structural equation and agent-based modeling, and latent trajectory models.

Conclusions:
By strengthening the conceptual framework for PES within a coupled human and natural systems approach and identifyinganalytical approaches that can be used to quantify and characterize these complex cross-disciplinary relationships, we aim to support the evolution and advancement of PES, in service of more meaningful and positive outcomes for human well-being and ecological sustainability.
Simulating land-use change and its effect on biodiversity conservation in a watershed in northwest China
Authors: Liang Youjia , Liu Lijun 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Land-use management strategies play a major role in biodiversity change. In many parts of the world, local governments are under increasing pressure to regulate human activity to mitigate negative impacts on ecosystems.

Outcomes/other:
This study aimed to analyze the effects of different land-use patterns on biodiversity change across a typical artificial desert watershed. We first analyzed land-cover change based on past and future management scenarios in a watershed spanning Gaotai, Linze, and Ganzhou counties in northwest China. We then analyzed the effect of different land-use patterns on biodiversity change in the watershed. We found that the crucial land-cover changes are likely to occur in the wetland reserves and areas established for the Grain for Green Project around the oases, and such changes could affect biodiversity throughout the entire watershed landscape.

Discussion:
The use of spatial analysis to illustrate explicit changes in ecosystems is useful in fostering biodiversity awareness and the need for decision-making at different scales.

Conclusion:
Thus, these findings indicate that land-use management strategies for the middle and southeast parts of the watershed are particularly important for future management of biodiversity and the integrated ecosystem services of the entire watershed landscape.
The impacts of suspended mariculture on coastal zones in China and the scope for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
Authors: Wartenberg Reece , Feng Limin , Wu Jia Jun , Mak Yim Ling , Chan Leo L. , Telfer Trevor C. , Lam Paul K. S. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction
: China is responsible for more than 60% of global aquaculture production. As the frontiers of food production have expanded, the cultivation of marine organisms in coastal zones and the open ocean has grown rapidly. The dominant mariculture industry in China is suspended mariculture, which uses net cages, ropes, or other structures suspended in the water column to cultivate aquatic organisms. This systematic, quantitative review provides a clear and comprehensive account of research that has investigated the adverse impacts of suspended mariculture in China and reviews research that has applied Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems for mitigating impacts. This work builds on 218 peer reviewed papers that have been published in English-language journals.

Outcomes
: Eighteen impacts were identified, including chemical, ecological, physical, and socioeconomic impacts. Eighteen measures for improving suspended mariculture were recommended consisting of government department, farm management, and ecological engineering measures. IMTA was the most frequently recommended measure. The capabilities of IMTA for bioremediation and increased farm production were the most frequently studied advantages. Seven other benefits have been explored but remain understudied. The current challenges facing the expansion of commercial IMTA include limited use of new technology, limited skills development, decreasing production of low trophic-level species, biogeographic and temporal barriers, and negative system feedbacks.

Conclusion
: Despite challenges, implementing commercial IMTA is a promising measure for reducing the impacts of suspended mariculture because it presents a range of secondary benefits that can improve the overall sustainability of aquaculture in the coastal zone.