bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hill Slope Stability Analysis using Two and Three Dimensions Analysis: A Comparative Study
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Umrao Ravi Kumar , Singh T. N. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT
Slope instability is very common phenomenon, especially in tectonically active hills of the lesser Himalaya. The deformed, weathered and fragile rocks of the lesser Himalaya are often vulnerable under natural or anthropogenic influences. There were several cases of slope failure along highway sections in Uttarakhand Himalaya. The study was carried out along a highway section of NH-109. The factor of safety (FoS) is commonly most acceptable parameter that analyses the health of slopes. The two dimensional (2D) numerical analysis techniques are commonly used to obtain the FoS. It is observed that many times FoS obtained from 2D analysis techniques do not qualify the actual conditions and are usually lower in value as compared to ground conditions. This, in turn, increases the cost of remedial measures used for protection of slopes. This paper presents a comparative study of 2D and 3D numerical analysis based on the finite difference method (FDM) using fast Langrangian analysis of continua (FLAC) codes. The study indicates that there is no appreciable difference between FoS values obtained from 2D and 3D analysis based on the selected slope conditions. The difference ranges from 0.02 to 0.07 for analysed cases in uniform rock mass. The study also exhibits some of the important analytical observations and effects of variables on resultant FoS.
A New Model of Exact Reclamation of Post-mining Land to Address Land Acquisition Problem in Indian Coal Mining Industry
Authors: Singh Pawan Kumar , Mishra Arvind Kumar , Singh Deepanshu Ranjan 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT
Indian coal mining industry is in transition phase with the growing demand of coal and is likely to escalate further with the need of ultra-mega power projects as well as announcement of smart cities projects. Although, there exist sufficient coal reserves in India, continuous acquisition and possession of coal bearing land is required to minimize the existing gap prevailing between coal demand and supply. The solution of the problem lies not only in modification of laws and policies of industry, but also in modification of mining engineering practices towards sustainable development. This paper critically examines the cause of the problem in the light of Indian laws and practices of the industry. In this paper a method of exact reclamation of post-mining land has been designed as a solution to make easier land acquisition by way of proposing a system of returning back the exact reclaimed land to its owners under corporate social responsibility activity of the industry. The proposed conceptual model of interlinking corporate social responsibility with land exchange will encourage sustainable development practice by mining engineers, and may turn around the public image of the industry.
Counseling for Fetal Central Nervous System Defects
Authors: Aggarwal Shagun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFetal central nervous system defects are one of the commonest antenatally detected abnormalities. They consist of a wide array of lesions with heterogeneous etiologies and outcomes. Counselling of the family in such cases forms an integral part of management. However, this can be challenging due to diagnostic and prognostic uncertainties for many defects. Some lesions like anencephaly, holoprosencephaly, and lissencephaly, have an invariably poor outcome, and decision regarding pregnancy termination is straightforward. On the other hand, lesions like mild ventriculomegaly, isolated corpus callosum agenesis and posterior fossa lesions have a highly variable outcome, ranging from normal to severe handicaps, hence counseling for these is difficult. Detailed sonography by an expert sonologist and fetal MRI can help in detection of additional cerebral or extracerebral abnormalities, which being associated with a poor prognosis, can help in accurate counseling. An often-neglected aspect of counseling is the possibility of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, due to an underlying genetic etiology in many of these defects. This can be assessed by pedigree information, suitable genetic testing and postmortem examination in case of pregnancy termination. Diagnosis of the genetic abnormality helps in accurate recurrence-risk prediction as well as early and timely prenatal diagnosis in at-risk pregnancies.
The function of two P450s, CYP9M10 and CYP6AA7, in the permethrin resistance of Culex quinquefasciatus
Authors: Gong Youhui , Li Ting , Feng Yucheng , Liu Nannan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCytochrome P450 monooxygenases play a critical role in insecticide resistance by allowing resistant insects to metabolize insecticides. Previous studies revealed that two P450 genes, CYP9M10 and CYP6AA7, are not only up-regulated but also induced in resistant Culex mosquitoes. In this study, CYP9M10 and CYP6AA7 were separately co-expressed with cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) in insect Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells using a baculovirus-mediated expression system and the enzymatic activity and metabolic ability of CYP9M10/CPR and CYP6AA7/CPR to permethrin and its metabolites, including 3-phenoxybenzoic alcohol (PBOH) and 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (PBCHO), characterized. PBOH and PBCHO, both of which are toxic to Culex mosquito larvae, can be further metabolized by CYP9M10/CPR and CYP6AA7/CPR, with the ultimate metabolite identified here as PBCOOH, which is considerably less toxic to mosquito larvae. A cell-based MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity assay revealed that Sf9 cells expressing CYP9M10/CPR or CYP6AA7/CPR increased the cell line’s tolerance to permethrin, PBOH, and PBCHO. This study confirms the important role played by CYP9M10 and CYP6AA7 in the detoxification of permethrin and its metabolites PBOH and PBCHO.
Comparison of microRNA expression profiles of Kashin-Beck disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wu Wenhong , He Awen , Wen Yan , Xiao Xiao , Hao Jingcan , Zhang Feng , Guo Xiong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractKashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic osteochondropathy with unclear pathogeny. In this study, we compared the microRNA expression profiles of 16 KBD patients, 16 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 16 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 16 healthy controls in their blood specimens. miRNAs expression profiling was performed using Exiqon miRCURY LNATM miRNAs Array. miRNAs target genes were predicted using miRror suite. Another independent mRNA expression profile dataset of 20 KBD patients and 15 healthy controls were integrated with the miRNA expression profiles of KBD. We identified 140 differently expressed miRNAs in KBD vs. Controls. GO enrichment analysis found that hypoxia, Wnt receptor signaling pathway and vitamin B6 biosynthesis related GO terms were significantly overrepresented in the target genes of differently expressed miRNAs in KBD vs. Control. 18 differently expressed common miRNAs were identified in KBD vs. Control, KBD vs. OA and KBD vs. RA. Integrating the lists of differently expressed miRNA target genes and mRNA differently expressed genes detected 6 common genes for KBD. Our results demonstrated the altered miRNAs expression profiles of KBD comparing to healthy controls, OA and RA, which provide novel clues for clarifying the mechanism of KBD.
Sorafenib and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid-loaded imageable microspheres for transarterial embolization of a liver tumor
Authors: Choi Jin Woo , Park Ju-Hwan , Cho Hye Rim , Chung Jin Wook , Kim Dae-Duk , Kim Hyo-Cheol , Cho Hyun-Jong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSorafenib (SOF; an angiogenesis inhibitor) and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA; a contrast agent for computed tomography imaging)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (MSs) were fabricated. Embolization, drug delivery, and tracing the distribution of MSs for liver cancer therapy were accomplished with the developed MSs after their intra-arterial (IA) administration. SOF/TIBA/PLGA MSs with 24.8–28.5 µm mean diameters were prepared, and the sustained release of SOF from MSs was observed. Lower systemic exposure (represented as the area under the curve [AUC]) and maximum drug concentration in plasma (Cmax) values of the SOF/TIBA/PLGA MSs group (IA administration, 1 mg/kg) in the results of the pharmacokinetic study imply alleviated unwanted systemic effects (e.g., hand and foot syndrome), compared to the SOF solution group (oral administration, 10 mg/kg). In a rat hepatoma model, the increase of microvessel density (MVD) following arterial embolization (i.e., reactive angiogenesis) was partially limited by SOF/TIBA/PLGA MSs. This resulted in the SOF/TIBA/PLGA MSs group (IA administration, single dosing, 1 mg/kg) showing a smaller tumor size increase and viable tumor portion compared to the TIBA/PLGA MSs group. These findings suggest that a developed SOF/TIBA/PLGA MS can be a promising therapeutic system for liver cancer using a transarterial embolization strategy.
Profiling the MAPK/ERK dependent and independent activity regulated transcriptional programs in the murine hippocampus in vivo
Authors: Blüthgen Nils , van Bentum Mirjam , Merz Barbara , Kuhl Dietmar , Hermey Guido 
Published: March 2017

AbstractActivity-dependent alteration of the transcriptional program is central for shaping neuronal connectivity. Constitutively expressed transcription factors orchestrate the initial response to neuronal stimulation and serve as substrates for second messenger-regulated kinase signalling cascades. The mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK conveys signalling from the synapse to the nucleus but its genetic signature following neuronal activity has not been revealed. The goal of the present study was to identify ERK dependent and independent activity regulated transcriptional programs in the murine hippocampus. We used generalized seizures combined with the pharmacological intervention of MEK activation as an in vivo model to determine the complete transcriptional program initiated by ERK after neuronal activity. Our survey demonstrates that the induction of a large number of activity-regulated genes, including Arc/Arg3.1, Arl5b, Gadd45b, Homer1, Inhba and Zwint, is indeed dependent on ERK phosphorylation. In contrast, expression of a small group of genes, including Npas4, Arl4d, Errfi1, and Rgs2, is only partially dependent or completely independent (Ppp1r15a) of this signalling pathway. Among the identified transcripts are long non-coding (lnc) RNAs and induction of LincPint and splice variants of NEAT1 are ERK dependent. Our survey provides a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptomic response conveyed by ERK signalling in the hippocampus.
Stability of R2* and quantitative susceptibility mapping of the brain tissue in a large scale multi-center study
Authors: Wang Rongpin , Xie Guangyou , Zhai Maoxiong , Zhang Zhongping , Wu Bing , Zheng Dandan , Hong Nan , Jiang Tao , Wen Baohong , Cheng Jingliang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMulti-center studies are advantageous for enrolling participants of varying pathological and demographical conditions, and especially in neurological studies. Hence stability of the obtained quantitative R2* and susceptibility in multicenter studies is a key issue for their widespread applications. In this work, the stabilities of simultaneously obtained R2* and susceptibility are investigated and compared across 10 sites that are equipped with the same scanner and receiver coil, the same post-processing process was used to achieve consistent experiment setup. Two healthy adult volunteers (one male and female) participated in this study. High intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained for both susceptibility (0.94) and R2* (0.96). The coefficients of variance for all measurements obtained were smaller than 0.1, the largest variations of measurements in all the chosen ROIs fall within ±20% from the median value. Higher level of stability was obtained in R2* as compared to susceptibility at 1 mm resolution (P < 0.05) and at 1.5 mm (P < 0.01).
Engineering Structurally Interacting RNA (sxRNA)
Authors: Doyle Francis , Lapsia Sameer , Spadaro Salvatore , Wurz Zachary E. , Bhaduri-McIntosh Sumita , Tenenbaum Scott A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRNA-based three-way junctions (3WJs) are naturally occurring structures found in many functional RNA molecules including rRNA, tRNA, snRNA and ribozymes. 3WJs are typically characterized as resulting from an RNA molecule folding back on itself incisbut could also form intranswhen one RNA, for instance a microRNA binds to a second structured RNA, such as a mRNA.Trans-3WJs can influence the final shape of one or both of the RNA molecules and can thus provide a means for modulating the availability of regulatory motifs including potential protein or microRNA binding sites. Regulatory 3WJs generated intransrepresent a newly identified regulatory category that we call structurally interacting RNA or sxRNA for convenience. Here we show that they can be rationally designed using familiarcis-3WJ examples as a guide. We demonstrate that an sxRNA “bait” sequence can be designed to interact with a specific microRNA “trigger” sequence, creating a regulatable RNA-binding protein motif that retains its functional activity. Further, we show that when placed downstream of a coding sequence, sxRNA can be used to switch “ON” translation of that sequence in the presence of the trigger microRNA and the amount of translation corresponded with the amount of microRNA present.
Statistical significance of seasonal warming/cooling trends
Authors: Ludescher Josef , Bunde Armin , Schellnhuber Hans Joachim 
Published: March 2017

SignificanceThe question whether a seasonal climatic trend (e.g., the increase of spring temperatures in Antarctica in the last decades) is of anthropogenic or natural origin is of great importance because seasonal climatic trends may considerably affect ecological systems, agricultural yields, and human societies. Previous studies assumed that the seasonal records can be treated as independent and are characterized by short-term memory only. Here we show that both assumptions, which may lead to a considerable overestimation of the trend significance, do not apply to temperature data. Combining Monte Carlo simulations with the Holm–Bonferroni method, we demonstrate how to obtain reliable estimates of the statistical significance of seasonal climatic trends and apply our method to representative atmospheric temperature records of Antarctica.
“Can you call it Okinawan Japanese?”: World language delineations of an endangered language on YouTube
Authors: Petrucci Peter R. , Miyahira Katsuyuki 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article addresses a language-versus-dialect discussion that arose out of a series of language lessons on YouTube. Designed to teach Uchinaaguchi, an endangered Ryukyuan language, the video lessons come in two versions, one for Japanese speakers and the other for English speakers. In either version, the video turns to an adroit combination of semiotic modes in an attempt to delineate Uchinaaguchi as a language distinct from Japanese. However, as we demonstrate here, when an endangered language appears on Internet platforms like YouTube, it tends to be framed in one or more world languages, a situation that problematizes the “singularity” of the endangered language (Blommaert, J. 1999. “The Debate Is Closed.” In Language Ideological Debates, edited by J. Blommaert, 425–438. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter). In the case of the Uchinaaguchi lessons, this is especially apparent in viewer commentary written primarily in English and/or Japanese. The analysis of this commentary reveals the ideological effects that world languages can bring into the discussion and delineation of endangered languages online.
Cpipe: a comprehensive computational platform for sequence and structure-based analyses of Cysteine residues
Authors: Soylu Inanc , Marino Stefano M 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Summary
Due to their chemical plasticity, Cysteine residues (Cys) can serve many different functions. Identification and classification of reactive Cys isn’t a trivial job: currently, no available tool exists for an all-round, comprehensive (inclusive of all different functional types) analysis of Cys; herein we present a computational platform called Cpipe, dedicated to this task: it implements state-of-the art protocols, elaborating and displaying a wealth of information, sufficiently orthogonal to allow a thorough evaluation of all major aspects of Cys reactivity.

Availability and Implementation
Cpipe is implemented in Python and freely available at http://cpipe.explora-biotech.com/cpipe/start.py. All major browsers are supported.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
PrimerPooler: automated primer pooling to prepare library for targeted sequencing
Authors: Brown Silas S. , Chen Yun-Wen , Wang Ming , Clipson Alexandra , Ochoa Eguzkine , Du Ming-Qing 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTargeted next-generation sequencing based on PCR amplification involves pooling of hundreds to thousands of primers, for preamplification and subsequent parallel single/multiplex PCR. It is often necessary to allocate the set of primers into subpools, a common issue being potential cross-hybridization. For smaller numbers of primers, pool division can be done manually using trial and error to minimize potential hybridization, but this becomes inefficient and time consuming with increasing numbers of primer pairs. We developed PrimerPooler that automates swapping of primer pairs between any user-defined number of subpools to obtain combinations with low-potential interactions. PrimerPooler performs inter-/intra-primer hybridization analysis to identify the adverse interactions, as well as simultaneous mapping of all primers onto a genome sequence in a single run without requiring a prior index of the genome. This allows detection of overlapping primer pairs and allocation of these primer pairs into separate subpools where tiling approaches are used. Using PrimerPooler, 1153 primer pairs were assigned to three preamplification pools (388, 389 and 376 primer pairs each), then 144 subpools of six- to nine-plex PCR for Fluidigm Access Array PCR, followed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. With optimized experimental protocols, an average of 3269 reads was achieved for the targeted regions, with 95% of targets covered by at least 50 reads, the minimal depth of reads for confident variant calling. PrimerPooler provides a fast and highly efficient stratification of primer pairs for targeted enrichment, thus ensuring representative amplification of the targeted sequences. PrimerPooler is also able to analyse degenerate primers, and is thus also useful for microbiological identification and related target sequencing.
Ways to Write a Milestone: Approaches to Operationalizing the Development of Competence in Graduate Medical Education
Authors: Leep Hunderfund Andrea N. , Reed Darcy A. , Starr Stephanie R. , Havyer Rachel D. , Lang Tara R. , Norby Suzanne M. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
To identify approaches to operationalizing the development of competence in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) milestones.

Method
The authors reviewed all 25 “Milestone Project” documents available on the ACGME Web site on September 11, 2013, using an iterative process to identify approaches to operationalizing the development of competence in the milestones associated with each of 601 subcompetencies.

Results
Fifteen approaches were identified. Ten focused on attributes and activities of the learner, such as their ability to perform different, increasingly difficult tasks (304/601; 51%), perform a task better and faster (171/601; 45%), or perform a task more consistently (123/601; 20%). Two approaches focused on context, inferring competence from performing a task in increasingly difficult situations (236/601; 29%) or an expanding scope of engagement (169/601; 28%). Two used socially defined indicators of competence such as progression from “learning” to “teaching,” “leading,” or “role modeling” (271/601; 45%). One approach focused on the supervisor’s role, inferring competence from a decreasing need for supervision or assistance (151/601; 25%). Multiple approaches were often combined within a single set of milestones (mean 3.9, SD 1.6).

Conclusions
Initial ACGME milestones operationalize the development of competence in many ways. These findings offer insights into how physicians understand and assess the developmental progression of competence and an opportunity to consider how different approaches may affect the validity of milestone-based assessments. The results of this analysis can inform the work of educators developing or revising milestones, interpreting milestone data, or creating assessment tools to inform milestone-based performance measures.
Resveratrol supplementation reduces pain experience by postmenopausal women
Authors: Wong Rachel H.X. , Evans Hamish M. , Howe Peter R.C. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Objective:
Pain is a common complaint among postmenopausal women. It has been postulated that vascular dysfunction caused by estrogen decline at menopause plays a key role in the initiation and progression of degradative joint disease, namely age-related osteoarthritis. We evaluated whether supplementation with resveratrol, a phytoestrogen, could improve aspects of well-being such as chronic pain that is commonly experienced by postmenopausal women.

Methods:
A 14-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention with trans-resveratrol (75 mg, twice daily) was conducted in 80 healthy postmenopausal women. Aspects of well-being, including pain, menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, mood states, and quality of life were assessed by Short form-36 at baseline and at the end of treatment. Rating scales were averaged to provide a composite score representing overall well-being. Cerebral vasodilator responsiveness to hypercapnia was also assessed as a surrogate marker for cerebrovascular function.

Results:
Compared with placebo treatment, there was a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in total well-being after resveratrol supplementation. Both benefits, including measures of quality of life, correlated with improvements in cerebrovascular function.

Conclusions:
Our preliminary findings indicate potential for resveratrol treatment to reduce chronic pain in age-related osteoarthritis. Resveratrol consumption may also boost perceptions of well-being in postmenopausal women. Further investigation to elucidate underlying mechanisms is warranted.