bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nosocomial and Community-Acquired Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in patients with liver cirrhosis in China: Comparative Microbiology and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Shi Lei , Wu Dan , Wei Lei , Liu Suxia , Zhao Peng , Tu Bo , Xie Yangxin , Liu Yanan , Wang Xinhua , Liu Liying , Zhang Xin , Xu Zhe , Wang Fusheng , Qin Enqiang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. This study was performed to compare the microbiological characteristics of nosocomial and community-acquired episodes of bacterial peritonitis in China. Five hundred and seventy-five strains were isolated from the ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients from the Beijing 302 Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014. The patients in the community-acquired SBP (n = 264) and the nosocomial SBP (n = 311) groups exhibited significant differences in clinical symptoms (P < 0.01). In both groups, most of the bacteria were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Enterococcus. There were more frequent gram-positive cocci (G+ C) in the nosocomial group (n = 170). Compared with the community-acquired group, the proportion of Enterococcus was significantly increased in the nosocomial group (9.0% vs. 16.6%, P < 0.05). The resistance rate of the main pathogenic bacteria to the recommended first-line drug in the guideline was very high. Community-acquired and nosocomial SBP groups exhibited differences in clinical symptoms and antibiotic susceptibility tests. Optimal treatments should be provided for these patients. We recommend that cefoperazone/sulbactam or piperacillin/tazobactam should be used for the empirical treatment of SBP.
Diplosporous development in Boehmeria tricuspis: Insights from de novo transcriptome assembly and comprehensive expression profiling
Authors: Tang Qing , Zang Gonggu , Cheng Chaohua , Luan Mingbao , Dai Zhigang , Xu Ying , Yang Zemao , Zhao Lining , Su Jianguang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBoehmeria tricuspis includes sexually reproducing diploid and apomictic triploid individuals. Previously, we established that triploid B. tricuspis reproduces through obligate diplospory. To understand the molecular basis of apomictic development in B. tricuspis, we sequenced and compared transcriptomic profiles of the flowers of sexual and apomictic plants at four key developmental stages. A total of 283,341 unique transcripts were obtained from 1,463 million high-quality paired-end reads. In total, 18,899 unigenes were differentially expressed between the reproductive types at the four stages. By classifying the transcripts into gene ontology categories of differentially expressed genes, we showed that differential plant hormone signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and transcription factor regulation are possibly involved in apomictic development and/or a polyploidization response in B. tricuspis. Furthermore, we suggest that specific gene families are possibly related to apomixis and might have important effects on diplosporous floral development. These results make a notable contribution to our understanding of the molecular basis of diplosporous development in B. tricuspis.
Potential application of an Aspergillus strain in a pilot biofilter for benzene biodegradation
Authors: Sun Da , Zhang Kun , Duan Chuanren , Wu Wei , Deng Daiyong , Yu Donghong , Shahzad M. Babar , Xu Dake , Tang Ju , Luo Li , Chen Jia , Wang Jinxuan , Chen Yidan , Xie Xiang , Wang Guixue 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA biofilter with fungus was developed for efficient degradation of benzene, which can overcome the potential risk of leakage commonly found in such services. Results indicated that the optimum parameter values were temperature 40 °C, pH 6, and 500 mg L−1 of the initial benzene concentration. Besides, the empty bed residence time and inlet load range of biofilter were set to 20 s and 21.23–169.84 g m−3 h−1 respectively. Under these conditions, this biofilter can obtain the maximum removal efficiency of more than 90%, the eliminating capacity could be up to 151.67 g m−3 h−1. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate three filler materials for packing fungus biofilm. This is the first study introducing an Aspergillus strain for benzene removal and these results highlight that the development of this biofilter has the potential scaling-up application as gas-processing of industrial wastes.
An improved method for identification of small non-coding RNAs in bacteria using support vector machine
Authors: Barman Ranjan Kumar , Mukhopadhyay Anirban , Das Santasabuj 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBacterial small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are not translated into proteins, but act as functional RNAs. They are involved in diverse biological processes like virulence, stress response and quorum sensing. Several high-throughput techniques have enabled identification of sRNAs in bacteria, but experimental detection remains a challenge and grossly incomplete for most species. Thus, there is a need to develop computational tools to predict bacterial sRNAs. Here, we propose a computational method to identify sRNAs in bacteria using support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The primary sequence and secondary structure features of experimentally-validated sRNAs of Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 (SLT2) was used to build the optimal SVM model. We found that a tri-nucleotide composition feature of sRNAs achieved an accuracy of 88.35% for SLT2. We validated the SVM model also on the experimentally-detected sRNAs of E. coli and Salmonella Typhi. The proposed model had robustly attained an accuracy of 81.25% and 88.82% for E. coli K-12 and S. Typhi Ty2, respectively. We confirmed that this method significantly improved the identification of sRNAs in bacteria. Furthermore, we used a sliding window-based method and identified sRNAs from complete genomes of SLT2, S. Typhi Ty2 and E. coli K-12 with sensitivities of 89.09%, 83.33% and 67.39%, respectively.
Dislocation-pipe diffusion in nitride superlattices observed in direct atomic resolution
Authors: Garbrecht Magnus , Saha Bivas , Schroeder Jeremy L. , Hultman Lars , Sands Timothy D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDevice failure from diffusion short circuits in microelectronic components occurs via thermally induced migration of atoms along high-diffusivity paths: dislocations, grain boundaries, and free surfaces. Even well-annealed single-grain metallic films contain dislocation densities of about 1014 m−2; hence dislocation-pipe diffusion (DPD) becomes a major contribution at working temperatures. While its theoretical concept was established already in the 1950s and its contribution is commonly measured using indirect tracer, spectroscopy, or electrical methods, no direct observation of DPD at the atomic level has been reported. We present atomically-resolved electron microscopy images of the onset and progression of diffusion along threading dislocations in sequentially annealed nitride metal/semiconductor superlattices, and show that this type of diffusion can be independent of concentration gradients in the system but governed by the reduction of strain fields in the lattice.
Genetic Mutation and Exosome Signature of Human Papilloma Virus Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Kannan Anbarasu , Hertweck Kate L. , Philley Julie V. , Wells Robert B. , Dasgupta Santanu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHuman papilloma virus-16 (HPV-16) associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC) is increasing alarmingly in the United States. We performed whole genome sequencing of a 44 year old, male HPVOPC subject diagnosed with moderately differentiated tonsillar carcinoma. We identified new somatic mutation in MUC16 (A.k.a. CA-125), MUC12, MUC4, MUC6, MUC2, SIRPA, HLA-DRB1, HLA-A and HLA-B molecules. Increased protein expression of MUC16, SIRPA and decreased expression of HLA-DRB1 was further demonstrated in this HPVOPC subject and an additional set of 15 HPVOPC cases. Copy number gain (3 copies) was also observed for MUC2, MUC4, MUC6 and SIRPA. Enhanced expression of MUC16, SIRPA and HPV-16-E7 protein was detectable in the circulating exosomes of numerous HPVOPC subjects. Treatment of non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells with exosomes derived from aggressive HPVOPC cells harboring MUC16, SIRPA and HPV-16-E7 proteins augmented invasion and induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) accompanied by an increased expression ratio of the EMT markers Vimentin/E-cadherin. Exosome based screening of key HPVOPC associated molecules could be beneficial for early cancer diagnosis, monitoring and surveillance.
Acidic pH environment induces autophagy in osteoblasts
Authors: Zhang Zhichao , Lai Qingguo , Li Yanan , Xu Chao , Tang Xiaopeng , Ci Jiangbo , Sun Shaolong , Xu Bingbing , Li Yan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOsteoblasts (OBs) play an important role in bone fracture healing, yet the extreme adverse microenvironment in fracture sites has a negative impact on the survival of OBs. Therefore, it is important to study how OBs behave in the complex fracture microenvironment. Studies have shown that autophagy plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and defending the cell against adverse microenvironments. In this study we found the induction of autophagy in OBs at femoral bone fracture sites, which may be a result of ischemia, oxidative stress and hypoxia within the local area. At fracture sites a low pH environment also developed. Until now it has been unclear whether the induction of autophagy in osteoblasts is triggered by the acidic pH environment. Therefore, we cultured OBs in vitro in media of different pH values, and found both autophagy and apoptosis increased in OBs in acidic conditions. However, when autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) was used, apoptosis increased significantly compared with that without CQ. Thus indicating that inhibition of autophagy may promote apoptosis in OBs in an acidic environment, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy to decrease cell apoptosis in OBs through the use of drugs that modulate the autophagic state.
Radiation induces progenitor cell death, microglia activation, and blood-brain barrier damage in the juvenile rat cerebellum
Authors: Zhou Kai , Boström Martina , Ek C. Joakim , Li Tao , Xie Cuicui , Xu Yiran , Sun Yanyan , Blomgren Klas , Zhu Changlian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPosterior fossa tumors are the most common childhood intracranial tumors, and radiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments. However, irradiation induces long-term adverse effects that can have significant negative impacts on the patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to characterize irradiation-induced cellular and molecular changes in the cerebellum. We found that irradiation-induced cell death occurred mainly in the external germinal layer (EGL) of the juvenile rat cerebellum. The number of proliferating cells in the EGL decreased, and 82.9% of them died within 24 h after irradiation. Furthermore, irradiation induced oxidative stress, microglia accumulation, and inflammation in the cerebellum. Interestingly, blood-brain barrier damage and blood flow reduction was considerably more pronounced in the cerebellum compared to other brain regions. The cerebellar volume decreased by 39% and the migration of proliferating cells to the internal granule layer decreased by 87.5% at 16 weeks after irradiation. In the light of recent studies demonstrating that the cerebellum is important not only for motor functions, but also for cognition, and since treatment of posterior fossa tumors in children typically results in debilitating cognitive deficits, this differential susceptibility of the cerebellum to irradiation should be taken into consideration for future protective strategies.
Syntheses of Diverse Natural Products via Dual-Mode Lewis Acid Induced Cascade Cyclization Reactions
Authors: Lee Chi-Sing , Du Guangyan , Wang Gaopeng , Ma Wenjing , Yang Qianqian , Bao Wenli , Liang Xuefeng , Zhu Lizhi 
Published: April 2017

The σ/π-binding properties of a series of Lewis acids was studied using DFT calculations. The results led to the identification of Zn(II)/In(III) as a suitable dual-mode Lewis acid for use in promoting cascade cyclization reactions. Based on this finding, we developed three new types of dual-mode Lewis acid induced cascade cyclization reactions and have demonstrated the utilities of each process in natural product synthesis.1	Introduction2	Dual-Mode Lewis Acids3	Prins/Conia-Ene Cascade Reaction and its Applications4	Diels–Alder/Carbocyclization Cascade Reaction and Applications4.1	First Generation Diels–Alder/Carbocyclization Cascade Reaction and its Application4.2	Second Generation Diels–Alder/Carbocyclization Cascade Reaction and its Applications5	Michael/Conia-Ene Cascade Reaction and its Applications6	Conclusion
Lost in success: women’s maritime careers in Eastern and Southern Africa
Authors: Bhirugnath-Bhookhun Meenaksi , Kitada Momoko 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article examines how women managers in the maritime sector in Eastern and Southern Africa perceive the meaning of “success” in their careers and how their work impacts on their lives. Eastern and Southern Africa have experienced the highest economic growth of the sub-African regions in the last few decades. As the majority of these countries are either coastal states or islands, the role of the maritime sector is large, contributing significantly to boosting the local economies. Despite the sector’s traditionally male-dominated work environment, some women have reached managerial positions and have performed as remarkably as their male counterparts. However, this study highlights that to be successful in their maritime careers, women managers tend to live a work-led life rather than one that is work-life balanced. There is a lack of research on the work-life balance of the women labour force in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly in the maritime sector. Here, a phenomenological method was adopted in which a survey was conducted to address this gap. A total of 45 responses were analysed to identify the challenges that Eastern and Southern African women managers are facing in the maritime sector today. Interviews were also carried out to further understand the meaning of career success to these women professionals engaged in the maritime sector. Although opportunities for women to participate in the formal economy have increased as a result of rapid industrialization in the regions, women are still expected to carry out the majority of domestic jobs associated with their traditional gender roles. The research concludes that the lack of a work-life balance model failed to increase women managers’ agency within the “man-made” system of the maritime industry. Given the particularities of each country, which impact on the actual realization of these women’s aspirations, the article also acknowledges the importance of targeted capacity-building programmes by the International Maritime Organization for women at a regional and international level. This article is published as part of a collection on the role of women in management and the workplace.
Internal Medicine Resident Perspectives Regarding Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Usage
Authors: Laake Ann M. , Bernabe Gayle , Peterson James , Liappis Angelike P. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Focus groups held with internal medicine residents discussed their perspectives regarding broad-spectrum antibiotic (BSA) usage. Residents knew of BSA-associated adverse events, but they did not associate such events with increased patient morbidity and mortality, and they were more likely to use BSA in situations with diagnostic uncertainty and sick patients.
Racial Justice Advocacy, Political Representation, and the Contemporary Interest Group Universe
Authors: Forrest M. David , Strolovitch Dara Z. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Advocacy organizations have long been a crucial conduit for the construction, articulation, and representation of the interests and identities of African Americans, Latin@s, American Indians, Asian Pacific Americans, and other racialized groups in the United States. These organizations promise to provide a measure of “insider” political access to racialized “outsider” groups by opening up the policy making process and offering them an institutionalized and compensatory source of representation. The extent to which this promise has been fulfilled, however, has been the subject of much debate. This chapter argues that while advocacy organizations have substantially improved the political representation and position of racialized groups, they continue to face many challenges in attempting to fulfill their potential. Suggestions are made about how scholars and activists might clarify these challenges and better confront and dismantle the many inequalities and forms of white privilege that continue to mark American politics, economics, and society.
Visual Evidence—of What?
Authors: Osborne Robin 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
If slavery is thought of as a legal status, slaves are hard to detect in much of the visual evidence surviving from antiquity. Frequently, legal status has to be deduced from the way in which a figure is treated (free persons’ bodies were inviolate, slaves’ bodies were not). If slavery is thought of as a condition, or set of conditions, then the visual evidence is far less reticent. Scenes of domination, labour, service are widely found in Greek and Roman art of all sorts. This chapter explores such scenes in both Greek and Roman art and analyses the way in which the composition and context of the visual images construct arguments for understanding domination, labour, and service in particular ways.
The Discourse of Deservingness
Authors: Watkins-Hayes Celeste , Kovalsky Elyse 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article examines the trope of deservingness, one of the most enduring narratives used by government officials, the media, and the larger public to classify poor people and to determine whether they are worthy of assistance. It first considers the concept of deservingness and how it fits into popular explanations of poverty and the work of distributing public resources. It then describes the use of the concept of deservingness throughout the history of poor relief in the United States, with particular emphasis on how race, gender, and citizenship have been deployed to shape deservingness narratives in two important areas of social provision: cash assistance and health care. Finally, it reviews recent trends in the deployment of the deservingness/undeservingness discourse, highlighting areas that require more analysis.
Segregation and the Perpetuation of Disadvantage
Authors: Massey Douglas S. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article examines how segregation contributes to the perpetuation of disadvantage over time and across generations. It first traces the historical origins of segregation and reviews early substantive and theoretical work done on the subject at the University of Chicago. It then considers the most commonly used measure of segregation as well as the social mechanisms by which residential segregation is produced, with particular emphasis on the paradigmatic case of African Americans in the twentieth century. It also discusses newer mechanisms that have been advanced to promote racial-ethnic segregation in the twenty-first century and how it fosters socioeconomic inequality through the spatial concentration of poverty. Finally, it describes current levels and trends with respect to both racial and class segregation in cities around the world.
Intergenerational Mobility
Authors: Fox Liana , Torche Florencia , Waldfogel Jane 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article reviews current research on intergenerational mobility, which indicates opportunity for children to move beyond their social origins and obtain a status not dictated by that of their parents. Mobility tends to be measured by the extent of association between parents’ and adult children’s socioeconomic status (measured by social class, occupation, earnings, or family income). Stronger associations mean more intergenerational transmission of advantage (often referred to as persistence) and less mobility, whereas weaker associations indicate less persistence and more mobility. The article begins with a discussion of theoretical and methodological approaches to measuring intergenerational mobility. Drawing on research in economics and sociology, it then examines the evidence on the degree of mobility and persistence as well as possible underlying mechanisms. Finally, it compares mobility in wealthy and developing countries and suggests directions for future research.
Capability Deprivation
Authors: Hick Rod , Burchardt Tania 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article examines capability deprivation as the basis for analyzing poverty. The capability approach, developed initially by Amartya Sen, questions the “informational space” on which considerations of poverty, inequality, justice, and so forth, should be based. According to the capability approach, the appropriate “space” for analyzing poverty is not what people have, nor how they feel, but what they can do and be. After providing an overview of the concepts that comprise the capability approach, this article discusses three key questions within the literature regarding the nature of the approach, namely: the question of functioning and/or capabilities, the question of a capability list, and the question of aggregation. It also describes some prominent empirical applications that have been inspired by the capability approach and concludes with an assessment of the current state-of-the-art literature on the capability approach.
Newton and Cambridge Platonism
Authors: Hutton Sarah 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article discusses Isaac Newton’s relations with two older colleagues at the University of Cambridge, Ralph Cudworth and Henry More, two of the so-called Cambridge Platonists,. It shows that there are biographical links between them, especially between More and Newton. Despite differences in theological outlook (e.g. on the Trinity), they shared intellectual interests and scholarly approach. All three were critical of Descartes, and More, like Newton, posited infinite space. In addition, there were parallels in their investigations of biblical prophecy—thanks to their debt to the Cambridge Bible scholar Joseph Mede. Newton drew on Cudworth and, like More, examined the texts of the Kabbala denudata. It is argued here that, although Newton differed from them in his conclusions, More and Cudworth were a significant part of Newton’s intellectual background.