bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of the NR2A subunit in the forebrain impairs long‐term social recognition and non‐social olfactory memory
Authors: Jacobs S. A. , Tsien J. Z. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAnimals must recognize and remember conspecifics and potential mates, and distinguish these animals from potential heterospecific competitors and predators. Despite its necessity, aged animals are known to exhibit impaired social recognition memory. As the brain ages, the ratio of NR2A:NR2B in the brain increases over time and has been postulated to underlie the cognitive decline observed during the aging process. Here, we test the hypothesis that an increased NR2A:NR2B subunit ratio underlies long‐term social recognition memory. Using transgenic overexpression of NR2A in the forebrain regions, we investigated the ability of these mice to learn and remember male and female conspecifics, mice of another strain and animals of another rodent species, the rat. Furthermore, due to the importance of olfaction in social recognition, we tested the olfactory memory in the NR2A transgenic mice. Our series of behavioral experiments revealed significant impairments in the NR2A transgenic mice in long‐term social memory of both male and female conspecifics. Additionally, the NR2A transgenic mice are unable to recognize mice of another strain or rats. The NR2A transgenic mice also exhibited long‐term memory impairments in the olfactory recognition task. Taken together, our results provide evidence that an increased NR2A:NR2B ratio in the forebrain leads to reduced long‐term memory function, including the ethologically important memories such as social recognition and olfactory memory.
Measuring and explaining large‐scale distribution of functional and phylogenetic diversity in birds: separating ecological drivers from methodological choices
Authors: Calba Sarah , Maris Virginie , Devictor Vincent 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimInvestigations into how different facets of biodiversity are related has become a central research agenda in ecology. Here, we use a large‐scale and high‐resolution data set on bird distribution to examine the robustness of the relationships between species diversity and functional or phylogenetic diversity.LocationFranceMethodsWe measured the functional and phylogenetic diversity of 1914 bird assemblages monitored over 10 years with a standardized protocol. We investigated the consequences of incorporating abundance versus presence–absence data, changing the number and identity of traits considered, or varying the spatial scale used to estimate functional and phylogenetic diversity. We further examined the outcomes of different null model procedures that aim to reveal ecological processes influencing the distribution of each facet of diversity.ResultsWe found that the shape and strength of the relationship between species diversity and functional diversity are structured by several methodological choices. We show that increasing the quantity of information yielded by the indices (in particular, including abundances or increasing the number of traits considered) decreases the amount of functional redundancy estimated. Reducing the number of functional traits used to estimate functional diversity can change and even reverse the relationship of interest. Moreover, using alternative null models, we highlighted the specific role of environmental filtering and the link between species abundances and their functional originality (defined for a given species as the average of the functional distances with other species). The same tests applied to phylogenetic diversity revealed that its relationship with species diversity varies differently suggesting that this latter index cannot be used as a proxy for functional diversity.Main conclusionsOur results show that the identification of patterns and processes linking species diversity to functional or phylogenetic diversity vary with methodological choices. We further show that the study of these sources of variation via robustness tests allows ecologically meaningful information to be separated from pure artefacts.
Synthesis of La2O3–ZrO2–Y2O3 with Various Y2O3 Contents via Hydrothermal Method: A Phase Evolution and Sintering‐Resistance Properties Study
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Chunjie , Li Chao , Zhang Aihua , Cheng Yongliang 
Published: February 2014

Lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7) with various Y2O3 contents was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The effects of Y2O3 on structure evolution and sintering‐resistance properties of the products and sintered ceramics were studied by X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimeter, Raman spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative analysis indicates that La2Zr2O7 containing 3~12 wt% Y2O3 mainly keep a pyrochlore‐type structure. The lattice parameter and average crystallite size of the products are closely related to the content of Y2O3. The sintering behaviors of compacted body were also investigated, and 3 wt% Y2O3‐La2Zr2O7 shows the highest sintering‐resistance property among the five samples.
Torulopsis versatilis strains with increased salt tolerance carry mutations in the glycerol transporter gene FPS1
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Wang Cong , Wang Chunling , Cao Xiaohong , Hou Lihua 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe salt‐tolerant Torulopsis versatilis mutant strain, T3‐5, is able to grow in YPD medium containing 22% salt, whereas the original strain, T, used for soy sauce fermentation was only able to grow in the presence of 20% or less. Biochemical analyses showed that strain T3‐5 had a 22% higher intracellular glycerol level than T. Sequencing of the glycerol transporter gene FPS1 revealed a change from G to A at position 198 upstream of the start codon, changes from G to A at positions 93 and 1084, respectively, within the FPS1 gene, and insertions of T base at positions 285 and 310, respectively, downstream of the termination codon when comparing the corresponding sequences of strains T and T3‐5. An inverse relationship between osmotic pressure and the FPS1 transcription level was observed for both T and T3‐5 using qPCR. Therefore, it is possible that lower transcription levels of FPS1 are at least partly responsible for increased osmotolerance in strain T3‐5. Overexpression of T and T3‐5 FPS1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in lower salt tolerance, especially in the presence of 12% salt. The data suggest that decreased expression levels of and/or alteration in the FPS1 protein contributed to increased salt tolerance of T3‐5.
Quality attributes and their relations in fresh black ripe ‘Kalamon’ olives (Olea europaea L.) for table use – phenolic compounds and total antioxidant capacity
Authors: Tsantili Eleni 
Published: February 2014

SummaryQuality attributes were investigated in fresh Greek black table ‘Kalamon’ olives prior to processing. Fruit weight, dimensions, respiration and ethylene production rates, firmness, peel colour, moisture, oil content, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the concentration of total phenolics (TP) and phenolic compounds (hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, tyrosol, verbascoside, luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside, luteolin, rutin) were determined in olives from different orchards. There was a significant effect of orchard on most attributes, but not on fruit firmness. Verbascoside, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol were the major phenolics, and the presence of verbascoside in ‘Kalamon’ olives is revealed for the first time. Positive correlations were found among fruit weight, dimensions, respiration and ethylene. TAC was positively related mainly to TP, hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside and rutin, but inversely to oleuropein. Luteolin was inversely related to luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside. Colour darkening was directly related to TAC, while colour parameters were positively and moderately affected by oil and moisture.
Effect of industrial juice concentrate processing on phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of black carrots
Authors: Suzme Sezen , Boyacioglu Dilek , Toydemir Gamze , Capanoglu Esra 
Published: February 2014

SummaryBlack carrot concentrate has gained increasing interest in recent years as a natural colourant due to its substantial content of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins. Black carrot concentrate production includes several steps, some of which are milling, mashing, pressing, pasteurisation and concentration. In this study, every step of black carrot concentrate processing was investigated to elucidate both the quantitative and qualitative changes in antioxidative compounds using spectrophotometric, HPLC‐based and LC‐QTOF‐MS‐based analyses. The results obtained indicated that processing the raw black carrot material into its concentrate led to an overall reduction of 70%, 73% and 44% in total phenolic, total flavonoid and total monomeric anthocyanin contents on a dry weight basis, respectively. Moreover, concentrate processing resulted in 67% and 71% decreases in total antioxidant capacity, determined using DPPH and CUPRAC methods, respectively, on dry weight basis. Untargeted LC‐MS‐based metabolomics analysis enabled the identification of ten phenolic components including seven anthocyanins and three phenolic acids. HPLC‐based quantification of individual anthocyanins revealed cyanidin‐3‐xylosyl (feruloylglucosyl)galactoside as the major anthocyanin component.
Telomeric transcriptome from Chironomus riparius (Diptera), a species with noncanonical telomeres
Authors: Martínez‐Guitarte J. L. , de la Fuente M. , Morcillo G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAlthough there are alternative telomere structures, most telomeres contain DNA arrays of short repeats (6–26 bp) maintained by telomerase. Like other diptera, Chironomus riparius has noncanonical telomeres and three subfamilies, TsA, TsB and TsC, of longer sequences (176 bp) are found at their chromosomal ends. Reverse transcription PCR was used to show that different RNAs are transcribed from these sequences. Only one strand from TsA sequences seems to render a noncoding RNA (named CriTER‐A); transcripts from both TsB strands were found (CriTER‐B and αCriTER‐B) but no TsC transcripts were detected. Interestingly, these sequences showed a differential transcriptional response upon heat shock, and they were also differentially affected by inhibitors of RNA polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. A computer search for transcription factor binding sites revealed putative regulatory cis‐elements within the transcribed sequence, reinforcing the experimental evidence which suggests that the telomeric repeat might function as a promoter. This work describes the telomeric transcriptome of an insect with non‐telomerase telomeres, confirming the evolutionary conservation of telomere transcription. Our data reveal differences in the regulation of telomeric transcripts between control and stressful environmental conditions, supporting the idea that telomeric RNAs could have a relevant role in cellular metabolism in insect cells.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Khalil A. , Abdalrahim M. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Jordanian patients with chronic illnesses towards prevention and early detection of chronic kidney disease.BackgroundPatients with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes need to adopt healthy attitudes and practices and gain knowledge regarding prevention and early detection of kidney disease to decrease the prevalence of dialysis‐related complications and costs.MethodsA total of 740 patients were recruited from out‐patients clinics in Jordan. Knowledge, attitudes and practices about kidney disease prevention and early detection were measured using the Chronic Kidney Disease Screening Index which was developed by the researcher and tested for validity and reliability.ResultsThe results revealed that most of the participants have knowledge about kidney disease; however, half of them had wrong information related to signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease. The majority of the participants were not aware about the importance of discovering health problems at early stages.Conclusion and implicationsImprovement in population understanding about chronic kidney disease is needed to advance their awareness and practices to make appropriate decisions towards health promotion and better quality of life.Implication for policy developmentNurses need to be involved in development of protocols for screening and intervention programmes, taking into consideration the cultural issues and the financial status of individuals at risk for kidney disease. Governments should adopt a public health policy for chronic kidney disease that supports programmes for screening and programmes for improving public awareness for kidney disease prevention.
A Brief Survey of Modern Optimization for Statisticians
Authors: Lange Kenneth , Chi Eric C. , Zhou Hua 
Published: February 2014

SummaryModern computational statistics is turning more and more to high‐dimensional optimization to handle the deluge of big data. Once a model is formulated, its parameters can be estimated by optimization. Because model parsimony is important, models routinely include non‐differentiable penalty terms such as the lasso. This sober reality complicates minimization and maximization. Our broad survey stresses a few important principles in algorithm design. Rather than view these principles in isolation, it is more productive to mix and match them. A few well‐chosen examples illustrate this point. Algorithm derivation is also emphasized, and theory is downplayed, particularly the abstractions of the convex calculus. Thus, our survey should be useful and accessible to a broad audience.
The Integrated Design Process from the Facilitator's Perspective
Authors: Lee Jeehyun 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe focus of this study was to clarify the integrated design process from an educational standpoint, and identify its influencing factors and the role of facilitator. Through a literature review, the integrated design process and the role of facilitator were framed, and through the case study, the whole process of integrated design and the facilitator's role were analysed from the preparation phase to the assessment phase. The integrated design studio was conducted for 16 weeks with third‐year undergraduate students who had various academic backgrounds. The integrated design studio was composed of three integration elements: integration of knowledge, integration of research and development methods and systematic integration of process. Each phase of the integrated design process and the facilitating role of the instructors were empirically analysed. After the integrated design studio, the students' perspective on its effectiveness and the difficulties encountered were analysed quantitatively. The results showed that the effective integration in design education should place a high importance on integration of knowledge and R&D phases, and the facilitator's role should be focused to maximise the multidisciplinary collaboration effect.
Concepts as Context: Thematic Museum Education and its Influence on Meaning Making
Authors: Hubard Olga 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThematic art museum education programmes – programmes where visitors make meaning of various artworks in relation to a specific preselected theme – are conspicuous within interactive museum education on both sides of the Atlantic. How do thematic programmes influence visitors' experiences with art? In this article, I explore this question based on data collected in a museum education class at a graduate school of education. The findings emphasise how the selection of a particular theme inevitably shapes the way viewers read an artwork. Viewers who are compelled by aspects of an artwork that do not ‘fit’ within the assigned theme feel frustrated in thematic programmes. These viewers contend that the thematic approach flattens the rich, multidimensional – and multi‐thematic – experiences that artworks invite. By the same token, the data suggest that the limits that themes set can promote in‐depth exploration of certain interpretive avenues in the work and yield feasible, insightful interpretations that might otherwise remain obscure. Ultimately, this article is a reminder that the themes museum educators select – or their absence – inevitably shape the way individual artworks come to life as viewers interact with them.
Research into Teachers' Receptivity for Arts Infused Curricula in Taiwan
Authors: Giffen Cheng Yueh Hsiu , Chou Wen‐Shou , Cheng Chun Wen 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe main purpose of this study was to understand the common attitudes and behaviours of teachers in Taiwan with regard to the implementation of arts infused curricula, as well as the individual problems these teachers encounter. From these results, we extracted reference data for the benefit of schools and policymakers in promoting arts infused curricula. The model of receptivity theory and the interrelated factors of influence shown therein were particularly useful in interpreting the attitudes and behaviours of teachers with regard to arts infused education. Teacher receptivity theory is usually applied to measure the relationships between the implementation of a new curriculum and the attitudes/viewpoints of teachers with regard to the new curriculum. With the aid of teacher receptivity theory, this study explored the difficulties and obstacles faced by teachers when implementing arts infused curricula, as well as the attitudes, behavioural intentions and considerations of these teachers. The methodology of this study included both a review of the literature and in‐depth interviews. Using the interview data, this research compiled 16 key factors of consideration for teachers with regard to arts infused curricula. These factors influence the attitudes and behaviour of teachers in relation to these curricula.
Reforming the School Curriculum and Assessment in England to Match the Best in the World – A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Steers John 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article traces the development of a new National Curriculum in England following the general election of 2010. The prevailing political ideology of an approach based on securing ‘core knowledge’ in a limited range of preferred ‘academic’ subjects and its deleterious impact on the arts in schools is described. The vigorous debate accompanying these ‘reforms’ is summarised.
Beta‐lapachone inhibits pathological retinal neovascularization in oxygen‐induced retinopathy via regulation of HIF‐1α
Authors: Park Sung Wook , Kim Jin Hyoung , Kim Ko‐Eun , Jeong Moon Hee , Park Hyunsung , Park Bongju , Suh Young‐Ger , Park Woo Jin , Kim Jeong Hun 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRetinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the most common cause of blindness for children. Despite evidence that hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1α ‐VEGF axis is associated with the pathogenesis of ROP, the inhibitors of HIF‐1α have not been established as a therapeutic target in the control of ROP pathophysiology. We investigated the hypothesis that degradation of HIF‐1α as a master regulator of angiogenesis in hypoxic condition, using β‐lapachone, would confer protection against hypoxia‐induced retinopathy without affecting physiological vascular development in mice with oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR), an animal model of ROP. The effects of β‐lapachone were examined after intraocular injection in mice with OIR. Intraocular administration of β‐lapachone resulted in significant reduction in hypoxia‐induced retinal neovascularization without retinal toxicity or perturbation of developmental retinal angiogenesis. Our results demonstrate that HIF‐1α–mediated VEGF expression in OIR is associated with pathological neovascularization, not physiological angiogenesis. Thus, strategies blocking HIF‐1α in the developing eye in the pathological hypoxia could serve as a novel therapeutic target for ROP.
Ischaemia‐related cell damage in extracorporeal preserved tissue – new findings with a novel perfusion model
Authors: Taeger Christian D. , Müller‐Seubert Wibke , Horch Raymund E. , Präbst Konstantin , Münch Frank , Geppert Carol I. , Birkholz Torsten , Dragu Adrian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTissue undergoing free transfer in transplant or reconstructive surgery always is at high risk of ischaemia‐related cell damage. This study aims at assessing different procedures using an extracorporeal perfusion and oxygenation system to investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1‐α as marker for hypoxia and of the pro‐apoptotic protein Caspase‐3 in skeletal muscle to elucidate potential improvements in tissue conservation. Twenty‐four porcine rectus abdominis muscles were assigned to five different groups and examined after they had been extracorporeally preserved for 60 min. time. Group I was left untreated (control), group II was perfused with a cardioplegic solution, group III was flushed with 10 ml of a cardioplegic solution and then left untreated. Group IV and V were perfused and oxygenated with either an isotone crystalloid solution or a cardioplegic solution. Among others, immunohistochemistry (Caspase‐3 and HIF‐1‐α) of muscle samples was performed. Furthermore, oxygen partial pressure in the perfusate at the arterial and venous branch was measured. Expression of Caspase‐3 after 60 min. was reduced in all groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, all groups (except group III) expressed less HIF‐1‐α than the control group. Oxygenation leads to higher oxygen levels at the venous branch compared to groups without oxygenation. Using an extracorporeal perfusion and oxygenation system cell damage could be reduced as indicated by stabilized expressions of Caspase‐3 and HIF‐1‐α for 60 min. of tissue preservation. Complete depletion of oxygen at the venous branch can be prevented by oxygenation of the perfusate with ambient air.
Valsartan ameliorates ageing‐induced aorta degeneration via angiotensin II type 1 receptor‐mediated ERK activity
Authors: Shan HaiYan , Zhang Siyang , Li Xuelian , yu Kai , Zhao Xin , Chen Xinyue , Jin Bo , Bai XiaoJuan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAngiotensin II (Ang II) plays important roles in ageing‐related disorders through its type 1 receptor (AT1R). However, the role and underlying mechanisms of AT1R in ageing‐related vascular degeneration are not well understood. In this study, 40 ageing rats were randomly divided into two groups: ageing group which received no treatment (ageing control), and valsartan group which took valsartan (selective AT1R blocker) daily for 6 months. 20 young rats were used as adult control. The aorta structure were analysed by histological staining and electron microscopy. Bcl‐2/Bax expression in aorta was analysed by immunohistochemical staining, RT‐PCR and Western blotting. The expressions of AT1R, AT2R and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were detected. Significant structural degeneration of aorta in the ageing rats was observed, and the degeneration was remarkably ameliorated by long‐term administration of valsartan. With ageing, the expression of AT1R was elevated, the ratio of Bcl‐2/Bax was decreased and meanwhile, an important subgroup of MAPKs, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activity was elevated. However, these changes in ageing rats could be reversed to some extent by valsartan. In vitro experiments observed consistent results as in vivo study. Furthermore, ERK inhibitor could also acquire partial effects as valsartan without affecting AT1R expression. The results indicated that AT1R involved in the ageing‐related degeneration of aorta and AT1R‐mediated ERK activity was an important mechanism underlying the process.