bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Major Allergen 1 Activates the Innate Immune Response of the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Warmbold Christine , Uliczka Karin , Rus Fiorentina , Suck Roland , Petersen Arnd , Silverman Neal , Ulmer Artur J. , Heine Holger , Roeder Thomas 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Some allergens with relevant protease activity have the potential to directly interact with host structures. It remains to be elucidated whether this activity is relevant for developing their allergenic properties. The major goal of this study was to elucidate whether allergens with a strong protease activity directly interact with modules of the innate immune system, thereby inducing an immune response. We chose Drosophila melanogaster for our experiments to prevent the results from being influenced by the adaptive immune system and used the armamentarium of methods available for the fly to study the underlying mechanisms. We show that Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus major allergen 1 (Der p 1), the major allergen of the house dust mite, efficiently activates various facets of the Drosophila innate-immune system, including both epithelial and systemic responses. These responses depend on the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway via activation of the NF-κB transcription factor Relish. In addition, the major pathogen associated molecular pattern recognizing receptor of the IMD pathway, peptidoglycan recognition protein–LC, was necessary for this response. We showed that Der p 1, which has cysteine protease activity, cleaves the ectodomain of peptidoglycan recognition protein–LC and, thus, activates the IMD pathway to induce a profound immune response. We conclude that the innate immune response to this allergen-mediated proteolytic cleavage represents an ancient type of danger signaling that may be highly relevant for the primary allergenicity of compounds such as Der p 1.
CD47 Deficiency Does Not Impede Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Transmigration but Attenuates Granulopoiesis at the Postacute Stage of Colitis
Authors: Bian Zhen , Guo YaLan , Luo Youqun , Tremblay Alexandra , Zhang Xiugen , Dharma Sanam , Mishra Aarti , Liu Yuan 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that CD47, an essential cell-surface protein, plays an important role in polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transmigration across tissue cells and extracellular matrix. In the current study, the role of CD47 in PMN transmigration and infiltration into tissues was further evaluated by investigating the function of CD47−/− PMN and inflammatory conditions induced in CD47−/− mice. Using in vitro time-course assays, we found that CD47−/− PMN exhibited no impediment, but slightly enhanced response to and transmigration toward, the chemoattractant fMLF. In vivo analysis in CD47−/− mice by inducing acute peritonitis and aggressive colitis observed consistent results, indicating that both PMN and monocytes effectively infiltrated inflammatory sites despite the absence of CD47 on these leukocytes or the surrounding tissue cells. Although PMN transmigration was not delayed in CD47−/− mice, fewer PMN were found in the intestine at the postacute/chronic stage of chronic colitis induced with sustained low-dose dextran sulfate sodium. Further analysis suggested that the paucity of PMN accumulation was attributable to attenuated granulopoiesis secondary to assessed lower levels of IL-17. Administration of exogenous IL-17A markedly increased PMN availability and rapidly rendered severe colitis in CD47−/− mice under dextran sulfate sodium treatment.
Educational Values Inventory among Marine Engineering Students at JBLFMU-Molo
Authors: Navarra Gene Lee M. , Alimen Rolando A. 
Published: December 2012

This study explored the educational values held by first-year marine engineering students at John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation during the 2002-2003 academic year. Researchers surveyed 298 students using a 24-item "Educational Values Inventory." Analysis revealed interesting trends: students most valued aesthetics ("appreciating beauty") and leadership ("organizing people"), while valuing art and philosophical/religious courses the least. Socially, they prioritized understanding social problems, while vocational values focused on preparing for their chosen profession. Interestingly, the least valued aspects were understanding scientific theories and specific vocational courses. These findings offer valuable insights into the educational priorities of marine engineering students, potentially informing curriculum development and student support services.
Financial Analysis and Risk Assessment of Grouper Cage Culture Systems in Negros Occidental
Authors: Abeto Mario N. 
Published: December 2012

The study assessed the financial and risk exposures of grouper cage farming in Negros Occidental. Through survey questionnaire administered to 68 grouper cage growers in the four grouper growing areas in Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Hinigaran, and Sagay, the study appraised the feasibility and viability of grouper cage farming and established a benchmark for cage farmers in making crucial investment decisions in mariculture development. Data on the financial analysis and risk indicators were analyzed using the mean, range, and standard deviation. Data were presented by province and by LGUs. Results of the study showed that a return of investment (ROI) of 29.95% is realized which is far behind the ROI of some aquaculture projects like shrimp hatchery (40%) and grouper culture in ponds (82%). Likewise, the analysis showed a payback period of 3.88 years which seems not economically feasible as it posed a high risk of payment default when capital is sourced from banks. It is also noted that the length of the cropping cycle is prolonged from normally 8 months to 10.6 months average and had a long recovery period (3 years and 6 months) for the capital invested. Though the project is not financially attractive in some variables, the project is still feasible in most important variables like profit per crop (Php26,541.76) and profit margin (29.91%). Among the four LGUs, Binalbagan showed the best performance in both financial analysis and risk indicators indicating the area is attractive for mariculture project. Â Keywords - financial analysis, risk assessments, grouper cage culture, risk exposure indicators
Cooperative breeding and maternal energy expenditure among aka foragers
Authors: Meehan Courtney L. , Quinlan Robert , Malcom Courtney D. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectives:Previous research among foragers and theory suggests that nonmaternal caregivers offer essential assistance, which supports female reproduction and the costs associated with lengthy child development. Mothers' face trade‐offs in energy allocation between work and childcare, particularly when mothers have an infant. These trade‐offs likely have crucial impacts on the pace of reproduction and child health. Caregivers can help mothers with childcare or they can reduce a mother's nonchildcare workload. If caregivers assist mothers by substituting childcare, then maternal energy expenditure (EE) in other work activities should increase. If caregivers assist mothers by substituting labor, then maternal EE in work activities should decrease when caregivers are present.Methods:Utilizing detailed, quantitative behavioral observations and EE data, we test these propositions with data from 28 Aka forager mothers with children <35 months old. We isolate paternal, grandmaternal, and other caregiver effects on maternal EE and childcare in multivariate analyses.Results:Our results show that caregivers (largely grandmothers) significantly reduce mothers' work EE by as much 216 kcal across a 9‐hour observation period, while fathers and juveniles appear to increase maternal EE. Direct childcare from grandmothers decreases maternal direct care by about one‐to‐one indicating a labor substitution. Direct childcare from fathers decreases maternal care by almost 4 to 1, resulting in a net reduction of total direct care from all caregivers.Conclusions:Our results indicate that there are multiple pathways by which helpers offset maternal work/childcare trade‐offs. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2013. © 2012Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonographic appearance of submandibular glands in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Cheng Sammy C.H. , Ying Michael T.C. , Kwong Dora L.W. , Wu Vincent W.C. 
Published: December 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the sonographic (US) appearances of submandibular glands in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after external beam radiotherapy (RT) and compare them with those of healthy subjects.MethodsA total of 81 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with RT and 66 healthy subjects were recruited and underwent submandibular gland US. Bilateral submandibular glands were assessed for their size, echogenicity, echogenicity margin sharpness, and echotexture.ResultsThe mean ± SD transverse dimension of submandibular glands in patients treated with RT (2.5 ± 0.4 cm) was significantly smaller than that of healthy subjects (3.3 ± 0.4 cm) (p < 0.05). Submandibular glands in patients treated with RT tended to be heterogeneous (72%) with hypoechoic areas (46%) and ill‐defined margins (89%). However, there were no statistically significant differences in echogenicity and conspicuity of intraglandular ducts of submandibular glands between patients and healthy subjects.ConclusionsRT‐induced changes of the submandibular glands were demonstrated on US. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 41:472–478, 2013;
Optimization of Reaction Conditions in the Enzymatic Interesterification of Soybean Oil and Fully Hydrogenated Soybean Oil to Produce Plastic Fats
Authors: Pacheco Consuelo , Palla Camila , Crapiste Guillermo H. , Carrín María E. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSemisolid fats obtained from oils and fats through enzymatic interesterification have interesting applications. The effect of certain reaction parameters (enzyme concentration, moisture content, reaction time, substrate ratio, temperature, and agitation level) over the enzymatic interesterification of fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO) and refined soybean oil (SO) using two immobilized enzyme types (Lipozyme RM IM and Lipozyme TL IM), was studied with a fractional factorial design (FFD). The reaction products were analyzed with respect to melting point (mp), by‐products content and triacylglycerols (TAG) composition. It was found that substrate ratio, reaction time, and their interaction presented the most significant contributions to mp, varying this from 43.4 to 61.5 °C. The highest contributions to by‐product content were presented by time and its interaction with the amount of molecular sieves, mainly for Lipozyme TL IM. Through the models obtained, theoretical conditions to achieve minimal by‐product generation and mp were found, being 5.0 % (w/wsubst.) of any of both lipases, 24 h, 70:30 (oil:fat, % w/w), 65 °C, 230 rpm, and absence of molecular sieves. Regression models for TAG groups as a function of significant factors and interactions were constructed, offering useful information to establish the reaction conditions for obtaining a product with a target mp or chemical composition.
Synthesis of Wax Esters from Crude Fish Fat by Lipase of Burkholderia sp. EQ3 and Commercial Lipases
Authors: Ungcharoenwiwat P. , H‐Kittikun A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe lipase from Burkholderia sp. EQ3 was used to synthesize wax esters in comparison with commercial lipases. The supernatant of Burkholderia sp. EQ3 was collected from a liquid basal medium with 1 % fish oil after 12 h cultivation (1.90 U/ml of lipase activity). The crude lipase was prepared by acetone precipitation of the culture supernatant (4.70 U/mg and 9.40 purification folds). The crude fish fat obtained by hexane extraction of waste fat from the wastewater pond of a canned tuna factory and cetyl alcohol were used for wax esters synthesis. Five commercial lipases were screened in comparison with crude lipase from Burkholderia sp. EQ3 in wax esters synthesis. The optimum conditions for wax esters synthesis from crude fish fat using Novozyme 435 were enzyme 1 U, substrate molar ratio of crude fish fat to cetyl alcohol 1:2 (115.30 mg of crude fish fat and 66.67 mg of cetyl alcohol) in hexane at 37 °C and 200 rpm with 90.81 % (TLC–FID peak area) after one h of reaction. The optimum conditions for the synthesis by crude lipase from Burkholderia sp. EQ3 were crude lipase 40 U, substrate molar ratio of crude fish fat and cetyl alcohol 1:2 in isooctane at 30 °C and 200 rpm with 95.07 % (TLC–FID peak area) after 6 h of reaction. The synthesized wax esters were mainly composed of cetyl palmitate and cetyl oleate.
BlueSNP: R package for highly scalable genome-wide association studies using Hadoop clusters
Authors: Huang Hailiang , Tata Sandeep , Prill Robert J. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Summary: Computational workloads for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are growing in scale and complexity outpacing the capabilities of single-threaded software designed for personal computers. The BlueSNP R package implements GWAS statistical tests in the R programming language and executes the calculations across computer clusters configured with Apache Hadoop, a de facto standard framework for distributed data processing using the MapReduce formalism. BlueSNP makes computationally intensive analyses, such as estimating empirical p-values via data permutation, and searching for expression quantitative trait loci over thousands of genes, feasible for large genotype–phenotype datasets.
Availability and implementation: http://github.com/ibm-bioinformatics/bluesnp
Contact: rjprill@us.ibm.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ToxPi GUI: an interactive visualization tool for transparent integration of data from diverse sources of evidence
Authors: Reif David M. , Sypa Myroslav , Lock Eric F. , Wright Fred A. , Wilson Ander , Cathey Tommy , Judson Richard R. , Rusyn Ivan 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Motivation: Scientists and regulators are often faced with complex decisions, where use of scarce resources must be prioritized using collections of diverse information. The Toxicological Prioritization Index (ToxPi™) was developed to enable integration of multiple sources of evidence on exposure and/or safety, transformed into transparent visual rankings to facilitate decision making. The rankings and associated graphical profiles can be used to prioritize resources in various decision contexts, such as testing chemical toxicity or assessing similarity of predicted compound bioactivity profiles. The amount and types of information available to decision makers are increasing exponentially, while the complex decisions must rely on specialized domain knowledge across multiple criteria of varying importance. Thus, the ToxPi bridges a gap, combining rigorous aggregation of evidence with ease of communication to stakeholders.
Results: An interactive ToxPi graphical user interface (GUI) application has been implemented to allow straightforward decision support across a variety of decision-making contexts in environmental health. The GUI allows users to easily import and recombine data, then analyze, visualize, highlight, export and communicate ToxPi results. It also provides a statistical metric of stability for both individual ToxPi scores and relative prioritized ranks.
Availability: The ToxPi GUI application, complete user manual and example data files are freely available from http://comptox.unc.edu/toxpi.php.
Contact: reif.david@gmail.com
Planet-mediated precision reconstruction of the evolution of the cataclysmic variable HU Aquarii
Authors: Zwart S. Portegies 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are binaries in which a compact white dwarf accretes material from a low-mass companion star. The discovery of two planets in orbit around the CV HU Aquarii (HU Aqr) opens unusual opportunities for understanding the formation and evolution of this system. In particular, the orbital parameters of the planets constrain the past and enable us to reconstruct the evolution of the system through the common-envelope phase. During this dramatic event, the entire hydrogen envelope of the primary star is ejected, passing the two planets on the way. The observed eccentricities and orbital separations of the planets in HU Aqr enable us to limit the common-envelope parameter αλ = 0.45 ± 0.17 or γ = 1.77 ± 0.02 and measure the rate at which the common envelope is ejected, which turns out to be copious. The mass in the common envelope is ejected from the binary system at a rate of ${\dot{m}} = 1.9\pm 0.3\,{\rm M}_{\odot }\,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. The reconstruction of the initial conditions for HU Aqr indicates that the primary star had a mass of MZAMS = 1.6 ± 0.2 M⊙ and a mZAMS = 0.47 ± 0.04 M⊙ companion in a a = 25–160 R⊙ (best value a = 97 R⊙) binary. The two planets were born with an orbital separation of aa = 541 ± 44 R⊙ and ab = 750 ± 72 R⊙, respectively. After the common envelope, the primary star turns into a 0.52 ± 0.01 M⊙ helium white dwarf, which subsequently accretes ∼0.30 M⊙ from its Roche lobe filling companion star, grinding it down to its current observed mass of 0.18 M⊙.
The initial conditions of the Universe from constrained simulations
Authors: Kitaura Francisco-Shu 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
I present a new approach to recover the primordial density fluctuations and the cosmic web structure underlying a galaxy distribution. The method is based on sampling Gaussian fields which are compatible with a galaxy distribution and a structure formation model. This is achieved by splitting the inversion problem into two Gibbs-sampling steps: the first being a Gaussianization step transforming a distribution of point sources at Lagrangian positions – which are not a priori given– into a linear alias-free Gaussian field. This step is based on Hamiltonian sampling with a Gaussian–Poisson model. The second step consists on a likelihood comparison in which the set of matter tracers at the initial conditions is constrained on the galaxy distribution and the assumed structure formation model. For computational reasons second-order Lagrangian perturbation theory is used. However, the presented approach is flexible to adopt any structure formation model. A semi-analytic halo-model-based galaxy mock catalogue is taken to demonstrate that the recovered initial conditions are closely unbiased with respect to the actual ones from the corresponding N-body simulation down to scales of a ∼5 Mpc h−1. The cross-correlation between them shows a substantial gain of information, being at k ∼ 0.3 h Mpc−1 more than doubled. In addition the initial conditions are extremely well Gaussian distributed and the power spectra follow the shape of the linear power spectrum being very close to the actual one from the simulation down to scales of k ∼ 1 h Mpc−1.
Direct dating of thick‐ and thin‐skin thrusts in the Peruvian Subandean zone through apatite (U–Th)/Heand fission track thermochronometry
Authors: Gautheron Cécile , Espurt Nicolas , Barbarand Jocelyn , Roddaz Martin , Baby Patrice , Brusset Stéphane , Tassan‐Got Laurent , Douville Eric 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAlthough the structure of the central Peruvian Subandean zone is well defined, the timing of thrust‐related exhumation and Cenozoic sedimentation remain poorly constrained. In this study, we report new apatite (U–Th)/He(AHe) and fission track (AFT) ages from thrust‐belt and foreland strata along three published balanced cross sections.AHedata from the northern, thick‐skinned domain (i.e. Shira Mountain, Otishi Cordillera and Ucayali Basin) show youngAHeages (ranging from 2.6 ± 0.2 to 13.1 ± 0.8 Ma) compared withAFTages (ranging from 101 ± 5 to 133 ± 11 Ma). In the southern Camisea Basin, where deformation is mainly thin‐skinned,AHeandAFTages have been both reset and show young cooling ages (3.7 ± 0.8 Ma and 8 ± 2 Ma respectively). Using low‐temperature thermochronology data and the latest fission track annealing andHediffusion codes, the thermal history of the study area has been reconstructed using inverse modelling. This history includes two steps of erosion: Early Cretaceous and late Neogene, but only Neogene sedimentation and exhumation varies in the different sectors of the study area. From a methodological point of view, largeAHedata dispersion point to the need for refinement ofAHedamage and annealing models. The influence of grain chemistry on damage annealing, multiple age components and the possibility of fission tracks as traps for He need further consideration. For the central Peruvian Subandes,AHeandAFTages combined with balanced cross sections emphasize the dominant control of Paleozoic inheritance rather than climate on Cenozoic infilling and exhumation histories. Finally, our data provide the first field example of how thick‐skinned thrust‐related deformation and exhumation in the Subandes can be directly dated throughAHethermochronology.
Appetite‐regulating hormones from the upper gut: disrupted control of xenin and ghrelin in night workers
Authors: Schiavo‐Cardozo Daniela , Lima Marcelo M. O. , Pareja José Carlos , Geloneze Bruno 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveShift work is associated with circadian rhythm disorder, impaired sleep and behavioural changes, including eating habits, predisposing to obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. It involves a neuro‐hormonal dysregulation of appetite towards positive energy balance, including increased ghrelin and decreased leptin, but little is known about other hormones, such as xenin, derived from the upper gut (like ghrelin), and lower gut hormones. Our objective was to compare night workers with day workers in relation to appetite‐regulating hormones and other metabolic parameters.DesignCross‐sectional, observational study.ParticipantsTwenty‐four overweight women, divided into night shift workers (n = 12) and day shift workers (n = 12).MeasurementsBMI, waist circumference, fat mass percentage; diet composition; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; lipids; adipokines; meal tolerance test curves of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, PYY3‐36, oxyntomodulin, xenin, GLP‐1; insulin sensitivity (Stumvoll index).ResultsNight workers, as compared with day workers, had greater body fat mass percentage and tendency to greater waist circumference despite similar BMI; greater energy intake; impaired sleep; lower insulin sensitivity; increased triglycerides and tendency to increased C‐reactive protein; similar levels of leptin and other adipokines. Night workers had a blunted post‐meal suppression of ghrelin (AUCi0–60 min 19·4 ± 139·9 vs −141·9 ± 9·0 ng/ml·60 min, P < 0·01); blunted rise of xenin (AUC0–180 min 8690·9 ± 2988·2 vs 28 504·4 ± 20 308·3 pg/ml·180 min, P < 0·01) and similar curves of PYY3‐36, oxyntomodulin and GPL‐1.ConclusionCompared with day workers within the same BMI range, night workers presented a disrupted control of ghrelin and xenin, associated with behavioural changes in diet and sleep and increased adiposity and related metabolic alterations.