bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Proinflammatory Secretome Mediates the Impaired Immunopotency of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Elderly Patients with Atherosclerosis
Authors: Kizilay Mancini Özge , Lora Maximilien , Shum-Tim Dominique , Nadeau Stephanie , Rodier Francis , Colmegna Inés 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis (ATH). Due to their potent immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are evaluated as therapeutic tools in ATH and other chronic inflammatory disorders. Aging reduces MSCs immunopotency potentially limiting their therapeutic utility. The mechanisms that mediate the effect of age on MSCs immune-regulatory function remain elusive and are the focus of this study. Human adipose tissue-derived MSCs were isolated from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. MSCs:CD4+T-cell suppression, a readout of MSCs’ immunopotency, was assessed in allogeneic coculture systems. MSCs from elderly subjects were found to exhibit a diminished capacity to suppress the proliferation of activated T cells. Soluble factors and, to a lesser extent, direct cell-cell contact mechanisms mediated the MSCs:T-cell suppression. Elderly MSCs exhibited a pro-inflammatory secretome with increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8/CXCL8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2). Neutralization of these factors enhanced the immunomodulatory function of elderly MSCs. In summary, our data reveal that in contrast to young MSCs, MSCs from elderly individuals with ATH secrete high levels of IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8 and MCP-1/CCL2 which mediate their reduced immunopotency. Consequently, strategies aimed at targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines produced by MSCs could enhance the efficacy of autologous cell-based therapies in the elderly.
Quantitative distribution analysis of alumina inclusion particles in ferritic stainless steels by using laser‐induced breakdown optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Nakahata Syoko , Kashiwakura Shunsuke , Wagatsuma Kazuaki 
Published: February 2017

This paper describes an analytical method for determining the spatial distribution of alumina inclusion particles in several ferritic stainless steels by laser‐induced breakdown optical emission spectrometry with a single‐shot laser scanned on the sample surface. For this purpose, an irradiation system, which comprised a Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser with an average energy of 50 mJ/pulse and a precisely driven X‐Y‐Z sample stage, was prepared. A Czerny–Turner‐mounting spectrograph equipped with an ICCD detector was employed for a time‐resolved measurement of the laser‐induced breakdown optical emission spectrometry signal. The intensity ratio of Al I 396.152 nm to Cr I 396.368 nm was measured each for the single shot, while the irradiation positions were step‐wise moved in the X‐Y direction and then the same sampling area was repeatedly irradiated by subsequent laser shots in the Z direction. The number of alumina particles was mapped from the intensity ratio of Al/Cr each for the irradiation points in both the lateral and in‐depth directions, enabling the distribution of alumina particles to be presented. The resolution of our measuring system was 40 μm in the lateral position and 6–7 μm in the depth direction, which were mainly determined by the crater size of a laser shot. A typical size of the alumina particles (several μm) was smaller than their resolutions; nevertheless, the suggested method would be still more effective to give the distribution of alumina particles, especially the coarse ones, because of its rapid response for the analytical result. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spread of tau down neural circuits precedes synapse and neuronal loss in the rTgTauEC mouse model of early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pickett Eleanor K. , Henstridge Christopher M. , Allison Elizabeth , Pitstick Rose , Pooler Amy , Wegmann Susanne , Carlson George , Hyman Bradley T. , Spires‐Jones Tara L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSynaptic dysfunction and loss is the strongest pathological correlate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with increasing evidence implicating neuropathological tau protein in this process. Despite the knowledge that tau spreads through defined synaptic circuits, it is currently unknown whether synapse loss occurs before the accumulation of tau or as a consequence. To address this, we have used array tomography to examine an rTgTauEC mouse model expressing a P301L human tau transgene and a transgene labeling cytoplasm red (tdTomato) and presynaptic terminals green (Synaptophysin‐EGFP). All transgenes are restricted primarily to the entorhinal cortex using the neuropsin promotor to drive tTA expression. It has previously been shown that rTgTauEC mice exhibit neuronal loss in the entorhinal cortex and synapse density loss in the middle molecular layer (MML) of the dentate gyrus at 24 months of age. Here, we observed the density of tau‐expressing and total presynapses, and the spread of tau into the postsynapse in the MML of 3–6, 9, and 18 month old red–green‐rTgTauEC mice. We observe no loss of synapse density in the MML up to 18 months even in axons expressing tau. Despite the maintenance of synapse density, we see spread of human tau from presynaptic terminals to postsynaptic compartments in the MML at very early ages, indicating that the spread of tau through neural circuits is not due to the degeneration of axon terminals and is an early feature of the disease process.
Different population responses of three sympatric rodent species to acorn masting—the role of tannin tolerance
Authors: Onodera Rokuya , Akimoto Yuka , Shimada Takuya , Saitoh Takashi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRodent population dynamics are predicted to respond positively to the masting of acorns, but diverging results have been published. This study tested the hypothesis that population responses to acorn masting vary depending on differences in the tolerance to tannins of different rodent species. The effects of acorn abundance on the rodent population densities were analyzed using a dataset obtained in Hokkaido, Japan. Specifically, population fluctuations of three rodent species (Apodemus speciosus, A. argenteus, and Myodes rufocanus) and the abundance of Quercus crispula acorns have been monitored since 1992. Acorn production in previous years had a positive effect on the annual population growth rates of A. speciosus; however, this trend was not clear in the other two species. Tannin tolerance, assessed by body weight changes in an acorn feeding experiment, exhibited clear differences among the rodent species; namely, the body weight of A. speciosus increased, whereas that of the other two species decreased. The observed responses to acorn masting of populations of the three sympatric rodent species reflected tannin tolerance. It suggests that only populations of species with high tannin tolerance positively respond to acorn masting. Previous studies tend to overlook species‐specific abilities of coping with tannins in acorns. Our results emphasize the necessity of evaluating the tannin tolerance of rodents and the tannin content of acorns to understand how rodent population dynamics and acorn production are related.
Bacterial community shift for monitoring the co-composting of oil palm empty fruit bunch and palm oil mill effluent anaerobic sludge
Authors: Zainudin Mohd Huzairi Mohd , Ramli Norhayati , Hassan Mohd Ali , Shirai Yoshihito , Tashiro Kosuke , Sakai Kenji , Tashiro Yukihiro 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
A recently developed rapid co-composting of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic sludge is beginning to attract attention from the palm oil industry in managing the disposal of these wastes. However, a deeper understanding of microbial diversity is required for the sustainable practice of the co-compositing process. In this study, an in-depth assessment of bacterial community succession at different stages of the pilot scale co-composting of OPEFB-POME anaerobic sludge was performed using 454-pyrosequencing, which was then correlated with the changes of physicochemical properties including temperature, oxygen level and moisture content. Approximately 58,122 of 16S rRNA gene amplicons with more than 500 operational taxonomy units (OTUs) were obtained. Alpha diversity and principal component analysis (PCoA) indicated that bacterial diversity and distributions were most influenced by the physicochemical properties of the co-composting stages, which showed remarkable shifts of dominant species throughout the process. Species related to Devosia yakushimensis and Desemzia incerta are shown to emerge as dominant bacteria in the thermophilic stage, while Planococcus rifietoensis correlated best with the later stage of co-composting. This study proved the bacterial community shifts in the co-composting stages corresponded with the changes of the physicochemical properties, and may, therefore, be useful in monitoring the progress of co-composting and compost maturity.
Determination of Substrate Preferences for Desaturases and Elongases for Production of Docosahexaenoic Acid from Oleic Acid in Engineered Canola
Authors: Yilmaz Jenny Lindberg , Lim Ze Long , Beganovic Mirela , Breazeale Steven , Andre Carl , Stymne Sten , Vrinten Patricia , Senger Toralf 
Published: February 2017

AbstractProduction of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plant seed oils has been pursued to improve availability of these omega‐3 fatty acids that provide important human health benefits. Canola (Brassica napus), through the introduction of 10 enzymes, can convert oleic acid (OLA) into EPA and ultimately DHA through a pathway consisting of two elongation and five desaturation steps. Herein we present an assessment of the substrate specificity of the seven desaturases and three elongases that were introduced into canola by expressing individual proteins in yeast. In vivo feeding experiments were conducted with 14 potential fatty acid intermediates in an OLA to DHA pathway to determine the fatty acid substrate profiles for each enzyme. Membrane fractions were prepared from yeast expression strains and shown to contain active enzymes. The elongases, as expected, extended acyl‐CoA substrates in the presence of malonyl‐CoA. To distinguish between enzymes that desaturate CoA‐ and phosphatidylcholine‐linked fatty acid substrates, we developed a novel in vitro method. We show that a delta‐12 desaturase from Phytophthora sojae, an omega‐3 desaturase from Phytophthora infestans and a delta‐4 desaturase from Thraustochytrium sp., all prefer phosphatidylcholine‐linked acyl substrates with comparatively low use of acyl‐CoA substrates. To further validate our method, a delta‐9 desaturase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was confirmed to use acyl‐CoA as substrate, but could not use phosphatidylcholine‐linked substrates. The results and the assay methods presented herein will be useful in efforts to improve modeling of fatty acid metabolism and production of EPA and DHA in plants.
Fault structures and their geoelectric parameters in the epicentral zone of the 27 September 2003 Chuya earthquake (Gorny Altai) from resistivity data
Authors: Nevedrova N.N. , Deev E.V. , Ponomarev P.V. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This paper presents an integrated measurement technique based on DC methods (vertical electrical sounding, electrical resistivity tomography) which was used to identify faults and determine their geoelectric parameters in the western part of the Chuya basin. New information on the structure of the Chagan River valley located in the zone of the disastrous 27 September 2003 Chuya earthquake has been obtained from the results of these methods. Geoelectric cross-sections of the sedimentary sequence and the upper part of the basement were obtained from VES data, showing the block structure of the study area. Electrical resistivity tomography sections confirm the presence of a major fault between basement blocks of different heights and indicate the presence of faults bounding the valley on its right side and in the southwestern part.
Genesis and evolution of high-pCO2 groundwaters of the Mukhen spa (Russian Far East)
Authors: Shvartsev S.L. , Kharitonova N.A. , Lepokurova O.E. , Chelnokov G.A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
We present the chemical and isotope compositions of the water and gas phases of the unique Mukhen cold high-pCO2 spa. Estimated δ18O, δD, and δ13CTIC values and data on geology and hydrogeology of the studied area indicate that the source of the groundwaters is meteoric waters, whereas carbon dioxide is of deep genesis and numerous regional faults are gas-feeding channels. Calculations of equilibrium reactions in the water–rock system show that the upper-aquifer waters (HCO3–Ca–Mg) with low TDS are undersaturated with carbonate minerals, montmorillonites, and aluminosilicates but are oversaturated with kaolinite, whereas the lower-aquifer waters (HCO3–Na) with high TDS are oversaturated with calcite, dolomite, and clay minerals but are undersaturated with main aluminosilicates. We propose a new concept of the formation of these groundwaters, demonstrating that long interaction between rocks and groundwaters in the presence of CO2 and considerable precipitation of secondary minerals are responsible for the high TDS of the lower-aquifer waters (up to 14 g/L) and their geochemical type (HCO3–Na) and unusual isotope composition (δ18O = −25.2‰, δD = −69.0‰).
Contingent solutions to the center manifold equation
Authors: Aubin Jean-Pierre , Da Prato Guiseppe 
Published: February 2017

Given a system of ordinary differential equations with lipsehitzian right-hand sides, we state an existence arid uniqueness theorem for a “contingent solution” of the first-order system of partial differential equations characterizing center manifolds, as well as the convergence of the viscosity method.

Résumé

Solution contingente à une équation de variété centrale
. − Étarit donné un système d’équations différentielles à second membre lipschitzien, on démontre un théorème d’existence et d’unicité d’une solution “contingente” du système d’équations aux dérivées partielles du premier ordre Caraetérisant les variétés centrales, ainsi que la convergence de la méthode de viscosité.
Separations and secondary structures due to unsteady flow in a curved pipe
Authors: Krishna C. Vamsi , Gundiah Namrata , Arakeri Jaywant H. 
Published: February 2017

Unsteady flows in highly curved geometries are of interest in many engineering applications and also in physiological flows. In this study, we use flow visualization and computational fluid dynamics to study unsteady flows in a highly curved tube ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}=0.3$) with square cross-section; here, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ is the ratio of the half edge length to the radius of curvature of the tube. To explore the combined effects of curvature and pulsatility, we use a single flow pulse of duration $T$ and peak area averaged axial velocity $U_{p(max)}$, which are independently varied to investigate a range of Dean and Womersley numbers. This range includes cases corresponding to flows in the ascending aorta. We observe radially inward moving secondary flows which have the structure of wall jets on the straight walls; their subsequent collision on the inner wall leads to a re-entrant radially outward moving jet. The wall jet arises due to an imbalance between the centrifugal force and the radial pressure gradient. During the deceleration phase, the low-axial-momentum fluid accumulated in the jet reverses direction and leads to flow separation near the inner wall. We use boundary layer equations to derive scales, which have not been reported earlier, for the secondary flow velocities, the wall shear stress components and the distance ($\hat{P}$) traversed by the secondary flow structures in the transverse plane. We show that $\hat{P}$ predicts the movement of vortical structures until collision. In the limit $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\rightarrow 0$, the Reynolds number based on this secondary flow velocity scale asymptotes to the secondary streaming Reynolds number proposed by Lyne (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 45 (01), 1971, pp. 13–31) in loosely curved pipes. The magnitude of the secondary flow velocity is high and ${\sim}40\,\%$ of $U_{p(max)}$ for physiological flow conditions. We show that the flow separation on the inner wall has origins in the secondary flow, which was reported in a few earlier studies, and is not due to the axial pressure gradient in the tube as proposed earlier. The wall shear stress components, hypothesized to be important in arterial mechanobiology, may be estimated using our scaling relations for geometries with different curvatures and varying pulsatilities.
African Studies Association of the United Kingdom: The 1964 Conference
Authors: Fage J. D. 
Published: February 2017

The African Studies Association of the United Kingdom held its first Conference at the University of Birmingham from 14 to 17 September, 1964, when about a hundred members came together with a number of guests and observers, including representatives of the African Studies Association of the United States, the Africa-Studiecentrum of the Netherlands, the Scandinavian African Institute, and the German Afrika Gesellschaft. Most of those attending the Conference were accommodated at University House.
The Conference opened on the evening of 14 September with a speech of welcome by the Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University, Sir Robert Aitken, and a Presidential Address by Dr. Margery Perham, C.B.E., President of the Association.
Economics in African Studies
Authors: Dalton George 
Published: February 2017

At universities with Programs of African Studies, the question arises how best to train graduate students in economics who intend to specialize in African economic development: which particular fields within the corpus of pure and applied economics should be stressed, and which other subjects should be added which are not included in traditional economics curricula?
The answer depends upon one's judgment of what African development consists of and which problems of development are most common and most pressing in Africa.
African Studies in the United States
Authors: Brokensha David 
Published: February 2017

Previous listings of African studies offered at American universities have appeared in the Bulletin, most recently in March 1963. This year the information is given in a slightly different form, as it is now possible to describe the general pattern of most African Studies programs in the U.S. If more information is desired, inquiries should be addressed to the directors of the programs. The Editor thanks those who kindly supplied the information, welcomes additional information and will be happy to include it in a subsequent issue of the Bulletin.
Most universities and colleges which have an organized African Studies Program have some or all of certain characteristics, which are for convenience listed here, with individual variations described for each institution. The organization generally consists of a “Program,” “Center,” or “Committee” which is largely an administrative device to bring together members of different disciplines, and to systematize and expand existing courses and seminars. Participating faculty members come mainly from the departments of Political Science, Anthropology, History, Economics, Geography and Sociology. They usually offer such general courses as “Government and Politics of Tropical Africa,” “Problems in Economic Anthropology,” “Peoples of East Africa,” “History of West Africa” and the like. In addition, many institutions have some specialization in discipline and in regional emphasis: such specialization is indicated.
The African-American Institute
Authors: Engel Julien 
Published: February 2017

The African-American Institute quietly rounds its first decade this year, as vastly transformed within during this eventful period as Africa has been without. The Institute's anniversary marks a significant milestone in the history of contemporary U.S. - African relations. The event is perhaps no less noteworthy for the history of area-oriented private American organizations.
The early work of the Institute addressed itself mainly to assisting African students and visitors in this country, and to informing an American public still largely unaware of Africa's growing ferment. It was in 1956, for instance, that AFRICA REPORT began publication, quickly gaining for itself an influential place as America's leading publication on contemporary African affairs.
Folklore as an Agent of Nationalism
Authors: Fernandez James W. 
Published: February 2017

Hopefully there has been enough contact between humanists and social scientists in recent years and enough attempt at creating a common concern with common problems so that the one no longer entirely distrusts the cold and myopic eye of science peering into the literary intricacies of folklore and the other no longer thinks of folklore as a kind of folk entertainment, “a floating segment of culture,” which is marginal to his main concerns. I cannot speak for the humanist, though I should imagine he has learned to put up with the sometimes heavy hand of the anthropologist or political scientist for the sake of the wealth of contextual crosscultural data he gets from him. But speaking for the anthropologist, I would be surprised if there are any of us left today who would not collect what oral narrative we could, exploiting to the fullest the potentialities of such data in arriving at explanations for the workings of society and culture. We recognize well enough that folklore functions within a social and cultural context whose cultural content and social integration it both reflects and determines; We should therefore find some agreement in regarding folklore as having efficacy in human affairs - as being an agent.
That folklore is an agent of particular vitality and potential in Africa is something that can hardly be denied by those who have been there. We have evidence for this in the many extensive collections of traditional verbal art from the different quarters of that continent, and most recently we have only to mention the Herskovits collection in Dahomean Narrative. But folklore is not to be seen only as a manifestation of tribal tradition now on the wane. It must be seen as an aspect of African culture that will enjoy and suffer the greatest exploitation for the sake of the African future. This should surprise neither humanist nor social scientist for they both know well “how inviting, from its very nature the field of folklore is for those who wish to exalt national character and a national destiny.” (Herskovits, 1959: 219). We have watched it being used to these ends in countries as far removed as Ireland and Argentina, and now we see the same thing in Africa. We see, for example, how the concepts and the circumnambient mythologies of “African personality” and “negritude” depend in their expression upon authentic or reinterpreted African folklore. In the matter of migration legends alone one has only to read the work of one of the early African intellectuals to articulate these notions-Cheik Anta Diop's Nations Negres et Culture (1948)-to realize how crucial to the arguments of these cultural pan-Africanists are the migration legends of the various African peoples.