bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of an Antarctic Flavobacterium strain with agarase and alginate lyase activities
Authors: Lavín Paris , Atala Cristian , Gallardo-Cerda Jorge , Gonzalez-Aravena Marcelo , De La Iglesia Rodrigo , Oses Rómulo , Torres-Díaz Cristian , Trefault Nicole , Molina-Montenegro Marco A. , Laughinghouse IV H. Dail 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSeveral bacteria that are associated with macroalgae can use phycocolloids as a carbon source. Strain INACH002, isolated from decomposing Porphyra (Rhodophyta), in King George Island, Antarctica, was screened and characterized for the ability to produce agarase and alginate-lyase enzymatic activities. Our strain INACH002 was identified as a member of the genus Flavobacterium, closely related to Flavobacterium faecale, using 16S rRNA gene analysis. The INACH002 strain was characterized as psychrotrophic due to its optimal temperature (17ºC) and maximum temperature (20°C) of growth. Agarase and alginate-lyase displayed enzymatic activities within a range of 10°C to 50°C, with differences in the optimal temperature to hydrolyze agar (50°C), agarose (50°C) and alginate (30°C) during the first 30 min of activity. Strain Flavobacterium INACH002 is a promising Antarctic biotechnological resource; however, further research is required to illustrate the structural and functional bases of the enzymatic performance observed during the degradation of different substrates at different temperatures.
Synthesis, thermal and magnetic behavior of iron oxide-polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Suhasini A. , Kumar K.P. Vinod , Maiyalagan T. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites of various concentrations were prepared using iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles as filler in an 80:20 ratio of the polyurethane diol and polycaprolactone hybrid. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy studies were performed to find out the interaction of the nanoparticles with the polymer blend. Fe2O3 in the polymer composites was in the nanoscale and uniform dispersion was achieved, as revealed by X-ray diffraction. The thermal stability of the blend was assessed through thermogravimetry analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images ensured the development of the polymer hybrid around Fe2O3 nanoparticles and the prepared composites were indeed in the nanoscale. The magnetic behavior of the prepared nanocomposites is superparamagnetic with high magnetization values, as assessed by vibrating sample magnetometry analysis.
Classifying ordered-disordered proteins using linear and kernel support vector machines
Authors: Kandemir Çavaş Çağın , Yildirim Selen 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Introduction
Intrinsically disordered proteins occur when the deformations happen in the tertiary structure of a protein. Disordered proteins play an important role in DNA/RNA/protein recognition, modulation of specificity/affinity of protein binding, molecular threading, activation by cleavage. The aim of the study is the identification of ordered-disordered protein which is a very challenging problem in bioinformatics.

Methods
In this paper, this kind of proteins is classified by using linear and kernel (nonlinear) support vector machines (SVM).

Results
Overall accuracy rate of linear SVM and kernel SVM in identifying the ordered-disordered proteins are 86.54% and 94.23%, respectively.

Discussion and conclusion
Since kernel SVM gives the best discriminating scheme, it can be referred that it is a very satisfying method to identify ordered-disordered structures of proteins.
Aerodynamic Performance and Flow Characteristics of an Industrial Centrifugal Blower Volute with Varied Cross-Sectional Shapes/Area Ratios
Authors: Hariharan C. , Govardhan M. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
An industrial centrifugal blower with different volutes is investigated numerically for its aerodynamic performance and flow characteristics. Towards this, six different volutes are designed from a combination of three cross sectional shapes (parallel, rectangular and circular) and two area ratios (ratio 4.0 and ratio 5.0). A detailed analysis is carried out at design and off-design mass flow rates. Parallel wall volutes not only perform better but also improve stage performance among all cross sectional shapes explored. Parallel and rectangular volutes with ratio 4.0 exhibit higher stage performance, while, circular volute performs better with ratio 5.0. Flow inside the volutes is characterized in terms of circumferential pressure distribution at volute inlet, pressure recovery coefficients and velocity distribution across different cross sections. This detailed flow field investigation revealed the underlying physics behind the loss mechanism inside different volutes. The overall investigations suggest that the parallel wall volute is most compact and efficient one.
Sound Wave Propagation in Immiscible AgBr+LiCl Melts
Authors: Stepanov Victor P. , Minchenko Vladimir I. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The velocity of sound wave propagation was measured for the biphasic region of AgBr+LiCl melts using the pulse method at temperatures from melting point to mixing temperature. It was found that temperature dependences of sound velocities on the saturation lines have opposite signs because of the different effect of thermal motion of the particles and the phases’ composition at the sound velocity. The difference between the sound velocities in the coexisting phases, Δu, is described by the exponential equation Δu≈(Tc−T)θ where the exponent is 0.865. This index is close to the values found in salt families formed with silver iodide and lithium and sodium halides but occurs at a lower value than that found for alkali halide melts between each other. The sound velocities in the phases take the same value 1612 m s−1 at the upper critical consolute temperature Tc=843 K. For a family of stratified silver halide containing melts, the versatility of the temperature dependence of the sound velocity near the critical point of mixing is declared. The sound velocity is discussed from the viewpoint of the different character of chemical bonds of salts.
Comparison of Jamar and Bodygrip Dynamometers for Handgrip Strength Measurement
Authors: Guerra Rita S. , Amaral Teresa F. , Sousa Ana S. , Fonseca Isabel , Pichel Fernando , Restivo Maria T. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Guerra, RS, Amaral, TF, Sousa, AS, Fonseca, I, Pichel, F, and Restivo, MT. Comparison of Jamar and Bodygrip dynamometers for handgrip strength measurement. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1931–1940, 2017—Studies that compared the agreement between Jamar and other models of dynamometers for handgrip strength (HGS) measurement have exhibited variability in the provided results. The lack of comparability between dynamometers led to the development of the Bodygrip dynamometer. This study aims to examine the reliability of the Bodygrip for HGS measurement, to compare it with the Jamar, and to explore the HGS differences between instruments considering the ergonomic effect of using the Bodygrip with 2 different handles. A cross-sectional study was conducted in free-living (n = 114, 18–89 years) and inpatient (n = 50, 65–93 years) volunteers. Nondominant HGS was tested randomly with the Jamar and Bodygrip, the latter using 2 different handles—curved and straight types. Handgrip strength was obtained for each participant under the same conditions. Each individual performed 2 HGS measurements with each dynamometer, and the maximum HGS value was considered for dynamometers comparison. Differences in the maximum HGS value between the 2 devices (Jamar-Bodygrip), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland and Altman plots, and limits of agreement were obtained. Correlation between the highest HGS measurement obtained for the nondominant hand with the Jamar and with the Bodygrip using each handle was excellent (ICCs: 0.93–0.95). Mean differences of −0.5 (limits of agreement: −4.6; 3.5) kgf with the curved handle and of 1.0 (−7.7; 9.7) kgf with the straight handle for the free-living participants were obtained, whereas for inpatients these values were −1.0 (−3.8; 1.9) kgf and 2.1 (−3.3; 7.5) kgf, respectively, for the curved and straight handles. The Bodygrip is comparable to the Jamar in free-living adults and in hospitalized older adults, exhibiting excellent interinstrument reliability. The Bodygrip with the curved handle produces results closer to the Jamar when compared with Bodygrip with the straight handle, which emphasizes the importance of grip handle ergonomics to measurement reliability.
Physiological Profile and Activity Pattern of Minor Gaelic Football Players
Authors: Cullen Bryan D. , Roantree Mark T. , McCarren Andrew L. , Kelly David T. , O'Connor Paul L. , Hughes Sarah M. , Daly Pat G. , Moyna Niall M. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Cullen, BD, Roantree, M, McCarren, A, Kelly, DT, O'Connor, PL, Hughes, SM, Daly, PG, and Moyna1, NM. Physiological profile and activity pattern of minor Gaelic football players. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1811–1820, 2017—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological profile and activity pattern in club- and county-level under-18 (U-18) Gaelic football players relative to playing position. Participants (n = 85) were analyzed during 17 official 15-a-side matches using global positioning system technology (SPI Pro X II; GPSports Systems, Canberra, Australia) and heart rate (HR) telemetry. During the second part of this study, 63 participants underwent an incremental treadmill test to assess their maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) and peak HR (HRmax). Players covered a mean distance of 5,774 ± 737 m during a full 60-minute match. The mean %HRmax and %V̇o

2
max observed during the match play were 81.6 ± 4.3% and 70.1 ± 7.75%, respectively. The playing level had no effect on the distance covered, player movement patterns, or %HRmax observed during match play. Midfield players covered significantly greater distance than defenders (p = 0.033). Playing position had no effect on %HRmax or the frequency of sprinting or high-intensity running during match play. The frequency of jogging, cruise running, striding (p = 0.000), and walking (p = 0.003) was greater in the midfield position than in the forward position. Time had a significant effect (F
(1,39) = 33.512, p-value = 0.000, and

JOURNAL/jscr/04.03/00124278-201707000-00008/inline-formula1/v/2023-08-19T002737Z/r/image-tiff

= 0.462) on distance covered and %HRmax, both of which showed a reduction between playing periods. Gaelic football is predominantly characterized by low-to-moderate intensity activity interspersed with periods of high-intensity running. The information provided may be used as a framework for coaches in the design and prescription of training strategies. Positional specific training may be warranted given the comparatively greater demands observed in the midfield playing position. Replicating the demands of match play in training may reduce the decline in distance covered and %HRmax observed during the second half of match play.
Predicting the Maximum Dynamic Strength in Bench Press: The High Precision of the Bar Velocity Approach
Authors: Loturco Irineu , Kobal Ronaldo , Moraes José E. , Kitamura Katia , Cal Abad César C. , Pereira Lucas A. , Nakamura Fábio Y. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Loturco, I, Kobal, R, Moraes, JE, Kitamura, K, Cal Abad, CC, Pereira, LA, and Nakamura, FY. Predicting the maximum dynamic strength in bench press: the high precision of the bar velocity approach. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 1127–1131, 2017—The aim of this study was to determine the force-velocity relationship and test the possibility of determining the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in “free weight” and Smith machine bench presses. Thirty-six male top-level athletes from 3 different sports were submitted to a standardized 1RM bench press assessment (free weight or Smith machine, in randomized order), following standard procedures encompassing lifts performed at 40–100% of 1RM. The mean propulsive velocity (MPV) was measured in all attempts. A linear regression was performed to establish the relationships between bar velocities and 1RM percentages. The actual and predicted 1RM for each exercise were compared using a paired t-test. Although the Smith machine 1RM was higher (10% difference) than the free weight 1RM, in both cases the actual and predicted values did not differ. In addition, the linear relationship between MPV and percentage of 1RM (coefficient of determination ≥95%) allow determination of training intensity based on the bar velocity. The linear relationships between the MPVs and the relative percentages of 1RM throughout the entire range of loads enable coaches to use the MPV to accurately monitor their athletes on a daily basis and accurately determine their actual 1RM without the need to perform standard maximum dynamic strength assessments.
Alcohol Regulates BK Surface Expression via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Velázquez-Marrero Cristina , Burgos Alexandra , García José O. , Palacio Stephanie , Marrero Héctor G. , Bernardo Alexandra , Pérez-Laspiur Juliana , Rivera-Oliver Marla , Seale Garrett , Treistman Steven N. 
Published: October 2016

It has been suggested that drug tolerance represents a form of learning and memory, but this has not been experimentally established at the molecular level. We show that a component of alcohol molecular tolerance (channel internalization) from rat hippocampal neurons requires protein synthesis, in common with other forms of learning and memory. We identify β-catenin as a primary necessary protein. Alcohol increases β-catenin, and blocking accumulation of β-catenin blocks alcohol-induced internalization in these neurons. In transfected HEK293 cells, suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling blocks ethanol-induced internalization. Conversely, activation of Wnt/β-catenin reduces BK current density. A point mutation in a putative glycogen synthase kinase phosophorylation site within the S10 region of BK blocks internalization, suggesting that Wnt/β-catenin directly regulates alcohol-induced BK internalization via glycogen synthase kinase phosphorylation. These findings establishde novoprotein synthesis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling as critical in mediating a persistent form of BK molecular alcohol tolerance establishing a commonality with other forms of long-term plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlcohol tolerance is a key step toward escalating alcohol consumption and subsequent dependence. Our research aims to make significant contributions toward novel, therapeutic approaches to prevent and treat alcohol misuse by understanding the molecular mechanisms of alcohol tolerance. In our current study, we identify the role of a key regulatory pathway in alcohol-induced persistent molecular changes within the hippocampus. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates BK channel surface expression in a protein synthesis-dependent manner reminiscent of other forms of long-term hippocampal neuronal adaptations. This unique insight opens the possibility of using clinically tested drugs, targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, for the novel use of preventing and treating alcohol dependency.
Reward Expectancy Strengthens CA1 Theta and Beta Band Synchronization and Hippocampal-Ventral Striatal Coupling
Authors: Lansink Carien S. , Meijer Guido T. , Lankelma Jan V. , Vinck Martin A. , Jackson Jadin C. , Pennartz Cyriel M.A. 
Published: October 2016

The use of information from the hippocampal memory system in motivated behavior depends on its communication with the ventral striatum. When an animal encounters cues that signal subsequent reward, its reward expectancy is raised. It is unknown, however, how this process affects hippocampal dynamics and their influence on target structures, such as ventral striatum. We show that, in rats, reward-predictive cues result in enhanced hippocampal theta and beta band rhythmic activity during subsequent action, compared with uncued goal-directed navigation. The beta band component, also labeled theta's harmonic, involves selective hippocampal CA1 cell groups showing frequency doubling of firing periodicity relative to theta rhythmicity and it partitions the theta cycle into segments showing clear versus poor spike timing organization. We found that theta phase precession occurred over a wider range than previously reported. This was apparent from spikes emitted near the peak of the theta cycle exhibiting large “phase precessing jumps” relative to spikes in foregoing cycles. Neither this phenomenon nor the regular manifestation of theta phase precession was affected by reward expectancy. Ventral striatal neuronal firing phase-locked not only to hippocampal theta, but also to beta band activity. Both hippocampus and ventral striatum showed increased synchronization between neuronal firing and local field potential activity during cued compared with uncued goal approaches. These results suggest that cue-triggered reward expectancy intensifies hippocampal output to target structures, such as the ventral striatum, by which the hippocampus may gain prioritized access to systems modulating motivated behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHere we show that temporally discrete cues raising reward expectancy enhance both theta and beta band activity in the hippocampus once goal-directed navigation has been initiated. These rhythmic activities are associated with increased synchronization of neuronal firing patterns in the hippocampus and the connected ventral striatum. When transmitted to downstream target structures, this expectancy-related state of intensified processing in the hippocampus may modulate goal-directed action.
Choice Behavior Guided by Learned, But Not Innate, Taste Aversion Recruits the Orbitofrontal Cortex
Authors: Ramírez-Lugo Leticia , Peñas-Rincón Ana , Ángeles-Durán Sandybel , Sotres-Bayon Francisco 
Published: October 2016

The ability to select an appropriate behavioral response guided by previous emotional experiences is critical for survival. Although much is known about brain mechanisms underlying emotional associations, little is known about how these associations guide behavior when several choices are available. To address this, we performed local pharmacological inactivations of several cortical regions before retrieval of an aversive memory in choice-based versus no-choice-based conditioned taste aversion (CTA) tasks in rats. Interestingly, we found that inactivation of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), but not the dorsal or ventral medial prefrontal cortices, blocked retrieval of choice CTA. However, OFC inactivation left retrieval of no-choice CTA intact, suggesting its role in guiding choice, but not in retrieval of CTA memory. Consistently, OFC activity increased in the choice condition compared with no-choice, as measured with c-Fos immunolabeling. Notably, OFC inactivation did not affect choice behavior when it was guided by innate taste aversion. Consistent with an anterior insular cortex (AIC) involvement in storing taste memories, we found that AIC inactivation impaired retrieval of both choice and no-choice CTA. Therefore, this study provides evidence for OFC's role in guiding choice behavior and shows that this is dissociable from AIC-dependent taste aversion memory. Together, our results suggest that OFC is required and recruited to guide choice selection between options of taste associations relayed from AIC.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSurvival and mental health depend on being able to choose stimuli not associated with danger. This is particularly important when danger is associated with stimuli that we ingest. Although much is known about the brain mechanisms that underlie associations with dangerous taste stimuli, very little is known about how these stored emotional associations guide behavior when it involves choice. By combining pharmacological and immunohistochemistry tools with taste-guided tasks, our study provides evidence for the key role of orbitofrontal cortex activity in choice behavior and shows that this is dissociable from the adjacent insular cortex-dependent taste aversion memory. Understanding the brain mechanisms that underlie the impact that emotional associations have on survival choice behaviors may lead to better treatments for mental disorders characterized by emotional decision-making deficits.
Coordinated Interaction between Hippocampal Sharp-Wave Ripples and Anterior Cingulate Unit Activity
Authors: Wang Dong V. , Ikemoto Satoshi 
Published: October 2016

Hippocampal–cortical interaction during sleep promotes transformation of memory for long-term storage in the cortex. In particular, hippocampal sharp-wave ripple-associated neural activation is important for this transformation during slow-wave sleep. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been shown to be crucial for expression and likely storage of long-term memory. However, little is known about how ACC activity is influenced by hippocampal ripple activity during sleep. We report here about coordinated interactions between hippocampal ripple activity and ACC neural firings. By recording from the ACC and hippocampal CA1 simultaneously in mice, we found that almost all ACC neurons showed increased activity before hippocampal ripple activity; moreover, a subpopulation (17%) displayed a further activation immediately after ripple activity. This postripple activation of ACC neurons correlated positively with ripple amplitude, and the same neurons were excited upon electrical stimulation of the CA1. Interestingly, the preripple activation of ACC neurons was present during the sleep state, but not during the awake state. These results suggest intimate interactions between hippocampal sharp-wave ripples and ACC neurons in a state-dependent manner. Importantly, sharp-wave ripples and associated activation appear to regulate activity of a small population of ACC neurons, a process that may play a critical role in memory consolidation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe hippocampus communicates with the cortex for memory transformation. Memories of previous experiences become less dependent on the hippocampus and increasingly dependent on cortical areas, such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, little evidence is available to directly support this hippocampus-to-cortex information transduction hypothesis of memory consolidation. Here we show that a subpopulation of ACC neurons becomes active just after hippocampal ripple activity, and that electrical stimulation of the hippocampus excites the same ACC neurons. In addition, the majority of ACC neurons are activated just before ripple activity during the sleep state, but not during the awake state. These results provide evidence supporting the hypothesis of hippocampus-to-cortex information flow for memory consolidation as well as reciprocal interaction between the hippocampus and the cortex.