bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human-specific epigenetic variation in the immunological Leukotriene B4 Receptor (LTB4R/BLT1) implicated in common inflammatory diseases
Authors: Wilson Gareth A , Butcher Lee M , Foster Holly R , Feber Andrew , Roos Christian , Walter Lutz , Woszczek Grzegorz , Beck Stephan , Bell Christopher G 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Background
Common human diseases are caused by the complex interplay of genetic susceptibility as well as environmental factors. Due to the environment’s influence on the epigenome, and therefore genome function, as well as conversely the genome’s facilitative effect on the epigenome, analysis of this level of regulation may increase our knowledge of disease pathogenesis.

Methods
In order to identify human-specific epigenetic influences, we have performed a novel genome-wide DNA methylation analysis comparing human, chimpanzee and rhesus macaque.

Results
We have identified that the immunological Leukotriene B4 receptor (LTB4R, BLT1 receptor) is the most epigenetically divergent human gene in peripheral blood in comparison with other primates. This difference is due to the co-ordinated active state of human-specific hypomethylation in the promoter and human-specific increased gene body methylation. This gene is significant in innate immunity and the LTB4/LTB4R pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of the spectrum of human inflammatory diseases. This finding was confirmed by additional neutrophil-only DNA methylome and lymphoblastoid H3K4me3 chromatin comparative data. Additionally we show through functional analysis that this receptor has increased expression and a higher response to the LTB4 ligand in human versus rhesus macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Genome-wide we also find human species-specific differentially methylated regions (human s-DMRs) are more prevalent in CpG island shores than within the islands themselves, and within the latter are associated with the CTCF motif.

Conclusions
This result further emphasises the exclusive nature of the human immunological system, its divergent adaptation even from very closely related primates, and the power of comparative epigenomics to identify and understand human uniqueness.
Replication of Ordered Mesostructure on the Surface of 2D Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica Film as Exemplified by the Formation of Striped Cu Nanopatterns
Authors: Kobayashi Maho , Kanno Yosuke , Kuroda Kazuyuki 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The surface of 2D hexagonal mesoporous silica film has been successfully etched with ammonium fluoride to form an uncovered and well-defined mold surface. The surface can be effectively used to replicate striped Cu nanopatterns with the same mesoscale periodicity by vapor deposition of Cu.
Determination of Chromium Speciation in Tap Water Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Film Technique
Authors: Guo Lianwen , Chen Hong , Zhang Yangyang , Bo Le , Li Jianrong 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
A dual diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT) device method for in situ fractionation of dissolved inorganic Cr was developed by simultaneously deploying two types of DGT devices with different binding phases in tap water. The concentration of Cr(III) in the tap water determined by a DGT device with sodium poly(aspartic acid) (PASP) solution as the binding phase (PASP DGT) was 3.18 µg L−1, and the recoveries of the spiked Cr(III) were 97.9%–105.3%; the concentration of Cr(VI) in the tap water determined by a DGT device with poly(quaternary ammonium) salt (PQAS) solution as the binding phase (PQAS DGT) was 2.92 µg L−1, and the recoveries of the spiked Cr(VI) were 98.2%–107.7%. The ratios of the total Cr measured by DGT to the total Cr measured by ICP-MS were 102.9%–105.7%.
Reinforcement of carboxylated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (XNBR) with graphene nanoplatelets with varying surface area
Authors: Laskowska Anna , Marzec Anna , Zaborski Marian , Boiteux Gisele 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP-C) with specific surface areas varying from 300 to 750 m2/g were investigated as novel reinforcing fillers for carboxylated acrylonitrile- butadiene rubber (XNBR). The effects of graphene nanoflakes loadings up to 15 parts per hundred rubber (phr) on the rheometric characteristics, stress-strain behavior, crosslink density (ν), resistance to UV radiation and thermo-oxidative aging of the XNBR/ZnO/graphene xGnP-C composites were investigated. Substantial improvement in the mechanical properties of XNBR with increased contents of xGnP-C filler was achieved. It was found that the addition of 5 phr of graphene significantly increased UV stability, tensile strength (TS) and modulus at 100%, 200% and 300% elongation of rubber material. The effect was more pronounced for composites containing graphene with the highest specific surface area 750 m2/g. The chemical information on the functional groups on the xGnP-C surface was obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method. In this case, the reinforcing effect of graphene xGnP-C may result from an additional chemical bonding which is possible between the -COOH groups of the rubber and the reactive, oxygen-containing groups on the filler surface.
Study of nanoclay blends based on poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6-dicarboxylate) prepared by reactive extrusion
Authors: Zouai Foued , Bouhelal Said , Cagiao M. Esperanza , Benabid Fatma Zohra , Benachour Djafer , Calleja Francisco J. Baltá 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The success of processing compatible blends, based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6-dicarboxylate) (PEN)/clay nanocomposites in one step by reactive melt extrusion is described. Untreated clay was first purified and functionalized “in situ” with a compound based on an organic peroxide/sulfur mixture and (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) as the activator for sulfur. The PET and PEN materials were first separately mixed in the molten state with functionalized clay. The PET/4 wt% clay and PEN/7.5 wt% clay compositions showed total exfoliation. These compositions, denoted nPET and nPEN, respectively, were used to prepare new nPET/nPEN nanoblends in the same mixing batch. The nPET/nPEN nanoblends were compared to neat PET/PEN blends. The blends and nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques. Microstructural and nanostructural properties were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that the exfoliation of tetrahedral clay nanolayers is complete and the octahedral structure totally disappears. It was shown that total exfoliation, confirmed by wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements, contributes to the enhancement of impact strength and tensile modulus. In addition, WAXS results indicated that all samples are amorphous. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study indicated the occurrence of one glass transition temperature Tg
, one crystallization temperature Tc and one melting temperature Tm for every composition. This was evidence that both PET/PEN and nPET/nPEN blends are compatible in the entire range of compositions. In addition, the nPET/nPEN blends showed lower Tc and higher Tm values than the corresponding neat PET/PEN blends. In conclusion, the results obtained indicate that nPET/nPEN blends are different from the pure ones in nanostructure and physical behavior.
Compressibility and solid-state sintering behavior of W-Cu composite powders
Authors: Ardestani Mohammad , Rafiei Mohsen , Salehian Sina , Raoufi Mohammad Reza , Zakeri Mohammad 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn this research, compressibility and the effect of cold compaction pressure on sintered density of tungsten (W)-15% wt copper (Cu) and W-75% wt Cu composite powders were investigated. The powders were prepared by milling and reduction of WO3/CuO powder mixtures. The crystalline size and lattice strain of WO3 and CuO were determined using Debye-Scherrer’s formula after mechanical milling. Heckel and Panelli-Ambrosio equations were used to evaluate cold compaction behavior of the reduced powders. The results showed that Heckel equation represents better correlation between compaction pressure and relative density of W-75% wt Cu composite powders. However, it was confirmed that the preferred relation for evaluating the compaction behavior of W-15% wt Cu composite powders is Panelli-Ambrosio equation. The green compacts were sintered at 1000°C. It was shown that, by increasing the cold uniaxial pressure prior to sintering, the difference between green and sintered densities of W-15% wt Cu composite powder compacts was decreased. However, the W-75% wt Cu powders showed a different manner and higher compaction pressures led to higher densification during sintering.
Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Adsorbent Properties of Carbon From Leather Buffing Dust and Sawdust
Authors: Putshaka J. D. , Adamu K. I. , Jauro A. , Tanko S. F. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Tannery solid waste in the form of buffing dust and conventional feedstock such as sawdust were used to produce adsorbents (activated carbon) under the same experimental conditions. The adsorbent from both feedstocks were produced after carbonization at temperatures of 500°C–800°C and characterized. Adsorption performance of the activated carbon samples produced was comparatively studied using methylene blue as adsorbate. Results reveal that activated carbon obtained from sawdust after carbonization at 800°C exhibited better adsorption properties than its counterpart produced at the same temperature. Conversely, activated carbon produced from tannery buffing dust after carbonization at 500°C displayed superior adsorption capacity than that obtained from sawdust at the same temperature. The effect of carbon dosage and time on adsorption by both carbon samples was also determined. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model used in this study reveals that, although the Freundlich isotherm had a better fit (R2 = 0.980) for tannery buffing dust than sawdust (R2 = 0.943), Langmuir isotherm exhibited the best overall fit R2 = 0.9893 and R2 = 0.9896 for sawdust and tannery buffing dust, respectively. The low temperature used in production and the good adsorption performance of activated carbon obtained from tannery buffing waste in this study makes it a more cost effective adsorbent to produce than activated carbon produced from sawdust.
Field Test Method for Residual Stress in Plain Concrete Pavements and Structures
Authors: Castaneda Daniel I. , Henschen Jacob D. , Lange David A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractResidual stresses form in concrete structures and rigid pavements as a result of differential shrinkage, loss of subgrade support, and physical restraint by the superstructure. These stresses diminish a concrete member's capacity to carry its design load, making the structure vulnerable to premature cracking and failure. Few methods for quantifying the residual stress in concrete exist, although several methods have been developed for measuring material stresses in metals and rocks. Here, a new field test method for concrete pavements and structures, inspired by the ASTM E837 method for measuring residual stress in steel, is presented. The test is performed by installing strain gages on the surface of a concrete pavement or structure and then saw-cutting around the gages to isolate the gages from the bulk concrete material. The difference between the strain reading before and after the saw-cuts is used to compute the stress present at the surface of the concrete material. The method was developed and validated in laboratory experiments, and finite element modeling was conducted to enhance understanding of the three-dimensional strain distribution around saw-cut notches in materials with residual stress. Full-scale testing on plain concrete pavements demonstrated the method's potential as a field test method.
A Higher-Complex Carbohydrate Diet in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Achieves Glucose Targets and Lowers Postprandial Lipids: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Hernandez Teri L. , Van Pelt Rachael E. , Anderson Molly A. , Daniels Linda J. , West Nancy A. , Donahoo William T. , Friedman Jacob E. , Barbour Linda A. 
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVE
The conventional diet approach to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) advocates carbohydrate restriction, resulting in higher fat (HF), also a substrate for fetal fat accretion and associated with maternal insulin resistance. Consequently, there is no consensus about the ideal GDM diet. We hypothesized that, compared with a conventional, lower-carbohydrate/HF diet (40% carbohydrate/45% fat/15% protein), consumption of a higher-complex carbohydrate (HCC)/lower-fat (LF) Choosing Healthy Options in Carbohydrate Energy (CHOICE) diet (60/25/15%) would result in 24-h glucose area under the curve (AUC) profiles within therapeutic targets and lower postprandial lipids.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using a randomized, crossover design, we provided 16 GDM women (BMI 34 ± 1 kg/m2) with two 3-day isocaloric diets at 31 ± 0.5 weeks (washout between diets) and performed continuous glucose monitoring. On day 4 of each diet, we determined postprandial (5 h) glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TGs), and free fatty acids (FFAs) following a controlled breakfast meal.

RESULTS
There were no between-diet differences for fasting or mean nocturnal glucose, but 24-h AUC was slightly higher (∼6%) on the HCC/LF CHOICE diet (P = 0.02). The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) revealed modestly higher 1- and 2-h postprandial glucose on CHOICE (1 h, 115 ± 2 vs. 107 ± 3 mg/dL, P ≤ 0.01; 2 h, 106 ± 3 vs. 97 ± 3 mg/dL, P = 0.001) but well below current targets. After breakfast, 5-h glucose and insulin AUCs were slightly higher (P &lt; 0.05), TG AUC was no different, but the FFA AUC was significantly lower (∼19%; P ≤ 0.01) on the CHOICE diet.

CONCLUSIONS
This highly controlled study randomizing isocaloric diets and using a CGMS is the first to show that liberalizing complex carbohydrates and reducing fat still achieved glycemia below current treatment targets and lower postprandial FFAs. This diet strategy may have important implications for preventing macrosomia.
Functor of extension in Hilbert cube and Hilbert space
Authors: Niemiec Piotr 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIt is shown that if Ω = Q or Ω = ℓ 2, then there exists a functor of extension of maps between Z-sets in Ω to mappings of Ω into itself. This functor transforms homeomorphisms into homeomorphisms, thus giving a functorial setting to a well-known theorem of Anderson [Anderson R.D., On topological infinite deficiency, Michigan Math. J., 1967, 14, 365–383]. It also preserves convergence of sequences of mappings, both pointwise and uniform on compact sets, and supremum distances as well as uniform continuity, Lipschitz property, nonexpansiveness of maps in appropriate metrics.
Upper bounds on relative class numbers of cyclotomic fields
Authors: Louboutin S. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
We explain how one can use the explicit formulas for the mean square values of L-functions which we established elsewhere to obtain explcit upper bounds on relative class numbers of cyclotomic number fields. As an example, we show that the relative class numbers of the cyclotomic fields of conductor 4p, p ≥ 3 a prime, are less than or equal to 8√p(p/16)(p−1)/2.
Microsatellite loci for Orthophytum ophiuroides (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) species adapted to neotropical rock outcrops
Authors: Aoki‐Gonçalves Felipe , Louzada Rafael B. , De Souza Lívia Moura , Palma‐Silva Clarisse 
Published: March 2014

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Orthophytum ophiuroides, a rupicolous bromeliad species endemic to neotropical rocky fields. These microsatellite loci will be used to investigate population differentiation and species cohesion in such fragmented environments. The loci were tested for cross‐amplification in related bromeliad species.• Methods and Results: Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from an enriched library of O. ophiuroides. The loci were tested on 42 individuals from two populations of this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to nine and the expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.870 and from 0.369 to 0.958, respectively. Seven loci successfully amplified in other related bromeliad species.• Conclusions: Our results suggest that the microsatellite loci developed here will be useful to assess genetic diversity and gene flow in O. ophiuroides for the investigation of population differentiation and species cohesion in neotropical mountainous habitats.
Interaction with a Problem Solving Multi Video Lecture: Observing Students from Distance and Traditional Learning Courses
Authors: Viel Caio César , Rodrigues Kamila Rios da Hora , Melo Erick Lazaro , Bueno Renato , Pimentel Maria Da Graça Campos , Teixeira Cesar Augusto Camillo 
Published: March 2014

The recording of lectures has become common as a way to produce video-based instructional material. Even though the material is often produced using more than one video source - the instructor and the slide, for instance - the result is usually a single video stream.
We built a system prototype that allows the recording of several video streams associated with a lecture, including the instructor, projected slides, and information presented by the instructor via a computer (software or other videos, for instance). The several video streams, orchestrated using contextual and control information, are used to produce an interactive multi video object.
The interactive nature of our novel multi video object offers students several alternatives for watching the lecture. When the multi video is used by students of traditional and distance learning courses, is opportune to investigate if there are differences in how students watch and interact with the multi video.
We captured a problem solving lecture in the theme of Database Design our system. The resulting interactive multivideo object was offered to two groups of students as extra learning material, in preparation for exams. One of the groups attended a traditional, classroom-based course, and the other group attended a distance learning course. In this paper we first give a brief overview of our system, and then we present observations of how both groups of students interacted with the multi video multimedia learning object. We could observe, for instance, that students from the traditional course used the alternative views allowed by multi video more than students from the distance learning course, while students from the distance learning course spent more time watching and interacted more with the interactive multi video.
Hydro-climatic Change in Japan (1906-2005): Impacts of Global Warming and Urbanization
Authors: Higashino Makoto , Stefan Heinz G. 
Published: March 2014

Hydro-climatic change in Japan from 1906 to 2005 has been analyzed using local climate data from four large metropolitan areas, four cities, and eight rural areas. Mean annual and seasonal air temperature records (Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA) show linear warming trends at all 16 study sites with a strong dependence on population (density). Over the 100 year period investigated, the average warming has been the least (1.06°C) at the rural sites, higher (1.77°C) in the urban areas and cities, and highest (2.70°C) in the large metropolitan areas. The more sparsely populated rural sites had warming trends from 0.73 to 1.24°C per 100 years. In the business district of Tokyo, an average warming of 3.07°C in 100 years was recorded. Warming in Japan has been higher in winter than in summer, and has accelerated significantly since 1981. Average warming at all 16 stations was 3.1 times higher in the recent 25 years (1981-2005) than in the last century (1906-2005). The 1906-2005 average warming at the rural sites (1.06°C) was higher than the global warming reported by the IPCC (0.74°C). Mean annual precipitation has decreased, on average, by 3% (60 mm) number of days with precipitation by 8% (29 days) at the 16 study sites in 100 years (1906-2005), and average daily precipitation intensity has increased by 4%. Annual precipitation amounts have changed the most (7%) in medium sized cities, and the least (2%) at rural study sites; they have also been higher in the warmer south (8%) than in the cooler north (1%) of Japan. Precipitation intensity increases are uncorrelated with air temperatures or their increases. Changes in precipitation from 1906 to 2005 in Japan are more likely caused by global climate change rather than by local urban heat island effects.
Mono-Symptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis in Lebanese Children: Prevalence, Relation with Obesity, and Psychological Effect
Authors: Merhi Bassem Abu , Hammoud Ahmad , Ziade Fouad , Kamel Raymond , Rajab Mariam 
Published: March 2014

Introduction Nocturnal enuresis is involuntary urination while sleeping after a certain age, usually five years, when children should have established bladder control. The prevalence has been found to be up to 20% in five year old children, and it is considered the most common urological childhood complication. Material and Methods This study was conducted on Makassed School children aged 5–18 years. This was a two-step study, the first step was a questionnaire distributed to the children to be answered by their parents. The second step included individually meeting with every child who met the inclusion criteria and his/her parents and physically examining the child. Results 11,440 questionnaires were distributed to school children aged 5–18 years, to be answered by their parents. Of the 7270 parents who responded back, 6620 reported no enuresis, 90 (1.25%) reported only diurnal enuresis, 107 (1.5%) reported diurnal and nocturnal enuresis, and 453 parents reported their child having nocturnal enuresis only. The data collected was analyzed according to age, sex, area, body mass index (BMI), and the PMQOL-SF score. The prevalence of mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) in Lebanon was found to be 5.3%. The results showed that the prevalence of MNE is inversely proportional to age. The prevalence of male to female ratio was 1.4:1. As for the prevalence according to different geographic areas, the results have shown that the North had the majority of cases with 7.6% prevalence. Results showed that 82.4% of children had a score more than 50, and only 28% of parents had a score above 50. Discussion The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in Lebanon is lower than that in neighboring countries such as Turkey 8 and Saudi Arabia, 9 but higher than that in Italy 10 and Hong Kong. Our study has managed to show the same results, with a peak in incidence at seven years then dropping back to 0% at the age of 16. Our study has shown a male to female predominance but the male to female ratio was 1.4:1, a value lower than that described in earlier studies. Our study has shown that more than 80% of children were psychologically affected whereas only less than 30% of parents were affected. Conclusion To our knowledge, this was the first study in Lebanon conducted to determine the prevalence of MNE. The relatively low prevalence rate found may be because of differences in genetic predisposition, psychosocial or environmental conditions, and traditional and cultural backgrounds. No relation was found between obesity and nocturnal enuresis. The psychological impact on children is significant but that on the parents is minimal.