bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overconsolidated clays and flysch for embankments in Slovenia
Authors: Petkovšek Ana , Majes Bojan 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
In Slovenia 512 km of motorways have been constructed since 1994. Most of them run over hilly terrain, where the bedrock is stiff clay and soft argillaceous sedimentary rock. In order to improve the understanding of stiff clays/soft rock behaviour, series of conventional and advanced tests were performed. The inherent suction of freshly compacted material was up to 2000 kPa whereas after construction, it equilibrated at between 100 and 500 kPa. The decrease in suction resulted in material wetting and softening. Therefore, the Proctor compaction diagrams were complemented with the corresponding Soil Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC). The fundamental issue was that during compaction, inherent suction had to be maintained below a certain level and the fills had to be constructed as soil fills. For quality control, the control of soil suction was found to be important as the relative density control. The conventional monitoring with settlement plates, inclinometers and piezometers was complemented with suction and TDR probes and the seasonal water content changes were measured continuously both during and after construction. Several millions of tons of excavated flysch, shales and stiff overconsolidated clays were used for high embankments using this newly developed approach.
Earthworks emissions in construction of a highway
Authors: Pantelidou H. , Nicholson D. , Hughes L. , Jukes A. , Wellappili L. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Accounting for carbon emissions and energy consumption for the production of materials, transportation to and from site and construction plant operation provides an indicator of infrastructure's environmental impact and could assist in engineering option selection.
A comprehensive review of the embodied energy/embodied carbon calculation was carried out for the Highways Agency, producing a simple spreadsheet calculator for geotechnical structures. With a bill of quantities format, the calculator aims to present embodied energy/embodied carbon in concert with cost information and serves as a decision support tool for option selection. Information on this research work can be found on the Highways Agency's Research Compendium website.
Most of the emissions/energy consumption are locked in the construction materials used (production of concrete, steel, asphalt etc from raw materials) with small contributions from the transportation to and from site and all the associated construction work on site.
The carbon emissions related to the construction of a new highway in the UK are discussed, with particular emphasis on the contribution of the associated earthworks and how they compare with the overall construction and operational emissions. Earthworks emissions are calculated to be less than these from the structures and pavement construction. Capitalizing on use of earthworks could help in the effort to reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure.
Isolating the Industrial Contribution of PM2.5 in Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario
Authors: Barker H. W. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHourly measurements of particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) have been made at air-monitoring sites in Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario, Canada, since 2003. These sites are separated by ~6 km; Burlington is right on Lake Ontario while Hamilton has, directly to the east, very heavy industry between it and Lake Ontario. Hence, by taking the difference between measurements at Hamilton and Burlington, it is possible to isolate, during east-wind conditions, PM2.5 that result from emissions from the industrial sectors (primarily steel mills) located in Hamilton’s northeast end. After screening the data for east winds off Lake Ontario, it was found that median background values of PM2.5, of 5–10 μg m−3 are increased by an additional 5–10 μg m−3 by emissions from local sources. On the contrary, however, industrial contributions to PM2.5 in Burlington during south winds are much smaller at ~3 μg m−3 (industrial sectors are due south of Burlington). This difference is likely due either to wind direction–dependent local circulation patterns or to alignment of sources that can concentrate PM2.5 into Hamilton. It was also found that throughout much of 2009, but especially during spring and early summer, the industrial contribution of PM2.5 at Hamilton was reduced relative to other years by amounts that are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level, even when measurements are augmented with large amounts of Gaussian noise. These reductions are consistent with documented reductions in steel production during the global economic crisis that peaked in the first half of 2009.
Impacts of Snow Initialization on Subseasonal Forecasts of Surface Air Temperature for the Cold Season
Authors: Jeong Jee-Hoon , Linderholm Hans W. , Woo Sung-Ho , Folland Chris , Kim Baek-Min , Kim Seong-Joong , Chen Deliang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe present study examines the impacts of snow initialization on surface air temperature by a number of ensemble seasonal predictability experiments using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3) AGCM with and without snow initialization. The study attempts to isolate snow signals on surface air temperature. In this preliminary study, any effects of variations in sea ice extent are ignored and do not explicitly identify possible impacts on atmospheric circulation. The Canadian Meteorological Center (CMC) daily snow depth analysis was used in defining initial snow states, where anomaly rescaling was applied in order to account for the systematic bias of the CAM3 snow depth with respect to the CMC analysis. Two suites of seasonal (3 months long) ensemble hindcasts starting at each month in the colder part of the year (September–April) with and without the snow initialization were performed for 12 recent years (1999–2010), and the predictability skill of surface air temperature was estimated. Results show that considerable potential predictability increases up to 2 months ahead can be attained using snow initialization. Relatively large increases are found over East Asia, western Russia, and western Canada in the later part of this period. It is suggested that the predictability increases are sensitive to the strength of snow–albedo feedback determined by given local climate conditions; large gains tend to exist over the regions of strong snow–albedo feedback. Implications of these results for seasonal predictability over the extratropical Northern Hemisphere and future direction for this research are discussed.
Prevention of demoralization in prolonged bicultural conflict and interaction: The role of cultural receptors I – Description of a natural experiment
Authors: de Figueiredo John M 
Published: October 2012

Background: This article examines how symbols and sentiments are exchanged to produce a synthesis of two cultures in the context of prolonged bicultural conflict and interaction, thereby minimizing or preventing sociocultural disintegration and the resulting demoralization. This process will be shown to be anchored on the discovery of certain thematic areas (cultural receptors) in which social roles or cultural mandates are missing, unclear, ambiguous or congruent. Material: The setting of this research is the history of Goa, a former Portuguese state on the western coast of India, where the exchange between the Portuguese and Indian cultures lasted longer than four centuries (1510–1961). Both published and unpublished sources were studied. Discussion: From 1510, the year of the beginning of the Portuguese rule, until 1540, the local traditions and leadership patterns were respected. This was followed by a period of religious intolerance during which attempts were made to encourage Hindus to convert to Christianity and to wipe out the bicultural interaction. Finally a new era of tolerance and cultural integration started around 1773 and continued until 1961. The bicultural interaction persisted and a hybrid culture developed around cultural receptors. Conclusions: The history of Portuguese Goa is a natural experiment that allows us to examine the role played by cultural receptors in the adaptation to acculturative stress.
Hierarchical linear modeling: Applications to social work research
Authors: Putnam-Hornstein Emily 
Published: October 2012

Summary Using examples and nomenclature familiar to social workers, this article provides a brief, nontechnical introduction to hierarchically structured data and multilevel modeling. Findings Data structured hierarchically consist of units clustered within higher-level groups, such as individuals nested within families and families nested within counties. Longitudinal observations can also be thought of as having a hierarchical structure, with repeated measures clustered within a given individual. Because lower-level units within a group tend to be systematically more similar to one another than to units from another group, there is often a need to make statistical adjustments for within-group dependence. Hierarchical or multilevel modeling provides a method for researchers to account for possible within-group correlations while also explicitly modeling group-level attributes and membership, acknowledging the potential importance of contextual effects on lower-level outcomes. Applications Although hierarchical or multilevel modeling has been discussed (and used) extensively by researchers in other disciplines and fields, it has been more recently adopted as a modeling tool by social work researchers. Because hierarchical modeling is now a commonly employed technique, it is important that those in the field have a basic understanding of these models so that they remain informed consumers of research. This article offers a conceptual overview of hierarchical linear models written for social work practitioners, policy-makers, and other consumers of social welfare research.
A genome-wide survey for prion-regulated miRNAs associated with cholesterol homeostasis
Authors: Montag Judith , Brameier Markus , Schmädicke Ann-Christin , Gilch Sabine , Schätzl Hermann M , Motzkus Dirk 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) into a pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). It is known that neurodegeneration is often accompanied by the disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis. We have recently identified a set of genes that were upregulated after prion infection of N2a neuronal cells (Bach et al., 2009).

Results
We have now used ultra-deep sequencing technology to profile all microRNAs (miRNA) that could be associated with this effect in these N2a cells. Using stringent filters and normalization strategies we identified a small set of miRNAs that were up- or downregulated upon prion infection. Using bioinformatic tools we predicted whether the downregulated miRNAs could target mRNAs that have been previously identified to enhance cholesterol synthesis in these cells. Application of this joint profiling approach revealed that nine miRNAs potentially target cholesterol-related genes. Four of those miRNAs are localized in a miRNA-dense cluster on the mouse X-chromosome. Among these, twofold downregulation of mmu-miR-351 and mmu-miR-542-5p was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The same miRNAs were predicted as putative regulators of the sterol regulatory element-binding factor 2 (Srebf2), the low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) or the IPP isomerase.

Conclusions
The results demonstrate that joined profiling by ultra-deep sequencing is highly valuable to identify candidate miRNAs involved in prion-induced dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis.
Alternative mRNA fates identified in microRNA-associated transcriptome analysis
Authors: Carroll Adam P , Tran Nham , Tooney Paul A , Cairns Murray J 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules which function as nucleic acid-based specificity factors in the universal RNA binding complex known as the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC). In the canonical gene-silencing pathway, these activated RISC particles are associated with RNA decay and gene suppression, however, there is evidence to suggest that in some circumstances they may also stabilise their target RNA and even enhance translation. To further explore the role of miRNA in this context, we performed a genome-wide expression analysis to investigate the molecular consequences of bidirectional modulation of the disease-associated miRNAs miR-181b and miR-107 in multiple human cell lines.ResultsThis data was subjected to pathways analysis and correlated against miRNA targets predicted through seed region homology. This revealed a large number of both conserved and non-conserved miRNA target genes, a selection of which were functionally validated through reporter gene assays. Contrary to expectation we also identified a significant proportion of predicted target genes with both conserved and non-conserved recognition elements that were positively correlated with the modulated miRNA. Finally, a large proportion of miR-181b associated genes devoid of the corresponding miRNA recognition element, were enriched with binding motifs for the E2F1 transcription factor, which is encoded by a miR-181b target gene.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that miRNA regulate target genes directly through interactions with both conserved and non-conserved target recognition elements, and can lead to both a decrease and increase in transcript abundance. They also multiply their influence through interaction with transcription factor genes exemplified by the observed miR-181b/E2F1 relationship.
Comparison of methanogen diversity of yak (Bos grunniens) and cattle (Bos taurus) from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China
Authors: Huang Xiao Dan , Tan Hui Yin , Long Ruijun , Liang Juan Boo , Wright André-Denis G 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Methane emissions by methanogen from livestock ruminants have significantly contributed to the agricultural greenhouse gas effect. It is worthwhile to compare methanogen from “energy-saving” animal (yak) and normal animal (cattle) in order to investigate the link between methanogen structure and low methane production.

Results
Diversity of methanogens from the yak and cattle rumen was investigated by analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from rumen digesta samples from four yaks (209 clones) and four cattle (205 clones) from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area (QTP). Overall, a total of 414 clones (i.e. sequences) were examined and assigned to 95 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using MOTHUR, based upon a 98% species-level identity criterion. Forty-six OTUs were unique to the yak clone library and 34 OTUs were unique to the cattle clone library, while 15 OTUs were found in both libraries. Of the 95 OTUs, 93 putative new species were identified. Sequences belonging to the Thermoplasmatales-affiliated Linage C (TALC) were found to dominate in both libraries, accounting for 80.9% and 62.9% of the sequences from the yak and cattle clone libraries, respectively. Sequences belonging to the Methanobacteriales represented the second largest clade in both libraries. However, Methanobrevibacter wolinii (QTPC 110) was only found in the cattle library. The number of clones from the order Methanomicrobiales was greater in cattle than in the yak clone library. Although the Shannon index value indicated similar diversity between the two libraries, the Libshuff analysis indicated that the methanogen community structure of the yak was significantly different than those from cattle.

Conclusion
This study revealed for the first time the molecular diversity of methanogen community in yaks and cattle in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area in China. From the analysis, we conclude that yaks have a unique rumen microbial ecosystem that is significantly different from that of cattle, this may also help to explain why yak produce less methane than cattle.
Cloning, ligand-binding, and temporal expression of ecdysteroid receptors in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Tang Baozhen , Dong Wei , Liang Pei , Zhou Xuguo , Gao Xiwu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a devastating pest of cruciferous crops worldwide, and has developed resistance to a wide range of insecticides, including diacylhydrazine-based ecdysone agonists, a highly selective group of molt-accelerating biopesticides targeting the ecdysone receptors.

Result
In this study, we cloned and characterized the ecdysone receptors from P. xylostella, including the two isoforms of EcR and a USP. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed striking conservations among insect ecdysone receptors, especially between P. xylostella and other lepidopterans. The binding affinity of ecdysteroids to in vitro- translated receptor proteins indicated that PxEcRB isoform bound specifically to ponasterone A, and the binding affinity was enhanced by co-incubation with PxUSP (K
d =3.0±1.7 nM). In contrast, PxEcRA did not bind to ponasterone A, even in the presence of PxUSP. The expression of PxEcRB were consistently higher than that of PxEcRA across each and every developmental stage, while the pattern of PxUSP expression is more or less ubiquitous.

Conclusions
Target site insensitivity, in which the altered binding of insecticides (ecdysone agonists) to their targets (ecdysone receptors) leads to an adaptive response (resistance), is one of the underlying mechanisms of diacylhydrazine resistance. Given the distinct differences at expression level and the ligand-binding capacity, we hypothesis that PxEcRB is the ecdysone receptor that controls the remodeling events during metamorphosis. More importantly, PxEcRB is the potential target site which is modified in the ecdysone agonist-resistant P. xylostella.
The spatial epidemiology of tuberculosis in Linyi City, China, 2005–2010
Authors: Wang Tao , Xue Fuzhong , Chen Yongjin , Ma Yunbo , Liu Yanxun 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health burden in many developing countries. China alone accounted for an estimated 12% of all incident TB cases worldwide in 2010. Several studies showed that the spatial distribution of TB was nonrandom and clustered. Thus, a spatial analysis was conducted with the aim to explore the spatial epidemiology of TB in Linyi City, which can provide guidance for formulating regional prevention and control strategies.

Methods
The study was based on the reported cases of TB, between 2005 and 2010. 35,308 TB cases were geo-coded at the town level (n = 180). The spatial empirical Bayes smoothing, spatial autocorrelation and space-time scan statistic were used in this analysis.

Results
Spatial distribution of TB in Linyi City from 2005 to 2010 was mapped at town level in the aspects of crude incidence, excess hazard and spatial smoothed incidence. The spatial distribution of TB was nonrandom and clustered with the significant Moran’s I for each year. Local G

i

* detected five significant spatial clusters for high incidence of TB. The space-time analysis identified one most likely cluster and nine secondary clusters for high incidence of TB.

Conclusions
There is evidence for the existence of statistically significant TB clusters in Linyi City, China. The result of this study may assist health departments to develop a better preventive strategy and increase the public health intervention’s effectiveness.
Association between bisphenol A exposure and body mass index in Chinese school children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang He-xing , Zhou Ying , Tang Chuan-xi , Wu Jin-gui , Chen Yue , Jiang Qing-wu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
There is increasing evidence suggesting that Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide, can interfere with the body’s natural weight control mechanisms to promote obesity. However, epidemiological studies for this are limited, especially for children.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the association between BPA exposure and body mass index (BMI) in school children. Three primary and three middle schools were randomly selected from 26 primary and 30 middle candidate schools in Changning District of Shanghai City in China. According to the BMI-based criteria by age and sex for screening of overweight or obese children, we randomly chose 20 obese, 10 overweight, and 30 normal weight children aged 8-15 years of age from each selected school. First morning urine was collected and total urine BPA concentrations were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of urine BPA concentrations and daily intake estimates with BMI.

Results
BPA was detected in 84.9% of urine samples with a geometric mean of 0.45 ng/mL. The daily intake estimates ranged from 0.03 μg/day to 1.96 μg/day with a geometric mean of 0.37 μg/day. The average urine BPA concentrations and daily intake estimates were similar for boys and girls, but significantly higher in older children than younger ones, and showed an increasing trend with BMI. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that urine BPA concentrations were significantly associated with increasing BMI values in all subjects after adjustment for age and sex and the results were similar before and after corrected by urine specific gravity. When stratified by age or sex, the associations remained significant in females and in those 8-11 years of age before corrected by specific gravity. Similar results were shown for the association between BMI and daily intake estimates.

Conclusions
There is a possibility that BPA exposure increases BMI in school children. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm BPA exposure as a contributor to increased BMI in children.
Muscle cells challenged with saturated fatty acids mount an autonomous inflammatory response that activates macrophages
Authors: Pillon Nicolas J , Arane Karen , Bilan Philip J , Chiu Tim T , Klip Amira 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Within adipose tissue of mice fed a high fat diet, resident and infiltrating macrophages assume a pro-inflammatory phenotype characterized by the production of cytokines which in turn impact on the surrounding tissue. However, inflammation is not restricted to adipose tissue and high fat-feeding is responsible for a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in muscle. Although skeletal muscle is the major disposer of dietary glucose and a major determinant of glycemia, the origin and consequence of muscle inflammation in the development of insulin resistance are poorly understood.We used a cell culture approach to investigate the vectorial crosstalk between muscle cells and macrophages upon exposure to physiological, low levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Inflammatory pathway activation and cytokine expression were analyzed in L6 muscle cells expressing myc-tagged GLUT4 (L6GLUT4myc) exposed to 0.2 mM palmitate or palmitoleate. Conditioned media thereof, free of fatty acids, were then tested for their ability to activate RAW264.7 macrophages.Palmitate -but not palmitoleate- induced IL-6, TNFα and CCL2 expression in muscle cells, through activation of the NF-κB pathway. Palmitate (0.2 mM) alone did not induce insulin resistance in muscle cells, yet conditioned media from palmitate-challenged muscle cells selectively activated macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype.These results demonstrate that low concentrations of palmitate activate autonomous inflammation in muscle cells to release factors that turn macrophages pro-inflammatory. We hypothesize that saturated fat-induced, low-grade muscle cell inflammation may trigger resident skeletal muscle macrophage polarization, possibly contributing to insulin resistancein vivo.