bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Disintegration Mechanisms and Measurement Techniques
Authors: Markl Daniel , Zeitler J. Axel
Published: March 2017

Pharmaceutical solid dosage forms (tablets or capsules) are the predominant form to administer active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to the patient. Tablets are typically powder compacts consisting of several different excipients in addition to the API. Excipients are added to a formulation in order to achieve the desired fill weight of a dosage form, to improve the processability or to affect the drug release behaviour in the body. These complex porous systems undergo different mechanisms when they come in contact with physiological fluids. The performance of a drug is primarily influenced by the disintegration and dissolution behaviour of the powder compact. The disintegration process is specifically critical for immediate-release dosage forms. Its mechanisms and the factors impacting disintegration are discussed and methods used to study the disintegrationin-situare presented. This review further summarises mathematical models used to simulate disintegration phenomena and to predict drug release kinetics.
The Intersection of Oncology Prognosis and Cancer Rehabilitation
Authors: Smith Sean Robinson , Zheng Jasmine Yiqian
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

This review examines the delivery of rehabilitation care to cancer patients with relation to disease prognosis. This includes the evaluation when patients are referred for rehabilitation services and the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions across the cancer continuum.

Recent findings

Although prognosticating life expectancy is difficult, referrals for rehabilitation interventions appear to be affected by physician attitudes towards patients with advanced disease, in part because of misconceptions about the nature of rehabilitation for oncology patients. Rehabilitation may also be underutilized in long-term survivors with no evidence of disease. Despite this, our review found that rehabilitation in advanced disease, end-of-life, geriatric cancer patients, and in long-term survivors can be beneficial. There is a relative dearth in studies on rehabilitation interventions specifically at the end-of-life.

Cancer rehabilitation can be helpful to patients along the spectrum of cancer prognoses. Examining more accurate ways to prognosticate life expectancy, improving communication and education between oncologists and rehabilitation team members, and modifying survivorship plans to include patient education on functional changes over time may improve the delivery of rehabilitation care.
Effect of high fat diets on the NTPDase, 5′‐nucleotidase and acetylcholinesterase activities in the central nervous system
Authors: Kaizer Rosilene Rodrigues , Spanevello Rosélia Maria , Costa Eduarda , Morsch Vera Maria , Schetinger Maria Rosa Chitolina
Published: March 2017

High fat diets are associated with the promotion of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (AD). This study aim investigate the high fat diets role to promotion of AD using as biochemistry parameter of status of central nervous system through the NTPDase, 5′‐nucleotidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in brain of young rats. The intake of high fat diets promotes an inhibition of purinergic and cholinergic functions, mainly in the long‐term exposure to saturated and saturated/unsaturated diets. The AChE activity was decreased to supernatant and synaptosomes tissues preparations obtained from cerebral cortex in average of 20%, to both groups exposed to saturated and saturated/unsaturated diets, when compared to the control group. Very similar results were found in hippocampus and cerebellum brain areas. At same time, the adenine nucleotides hydrolysis in synaptosomes of cerebral cortex were decreased to ATP, ADP and AMP after the long‐term exposure to high fat diets, as saturated and saturated/unsaturated. The inhibition of ATP hydrolysis was of 26% and 39% to saturated and saturated/unsaturated diets, respectively. ADP hydrolysis was decreased in 20% to saturated diet, and AMP hydrolysis was decreased in 25% and 33% to saturated and saturated/unsaturated diets, respectively, all in comparison to the control. Thus, we can suggest that the effects of high diets on the purinergic and cholinergic nervous system may contribute to accelerate the progressive memory loss, to decline in language and other cognitive disruptions, such as AD patients presents.
Correlation of fracture parameters during onset of crack in middle tension specimen
Authors: Starvin M.S. , Ganesh K.C. , Pandiyarajan R.
Published: March 2017

The present study addresses the implementation of finite element analysis and the prediction of fracture parameters in a middle tension (MT) specimen that was fabricated using AISI 4140 steel. The correlation of fracture parameters with external loads and crack sizes was investigated. A Finite Element code was developed to simulate the fracture model. The contour integral method was applied in the calculation of stress intensity factor and J-integral in the cracked specimen. The ASTM standard empirical formula was used to calculate the stress intensity factor (SIF) and the numerical predictions were validated. A standard laboratory experiment was also carried out using the MT specimen to calculate the crack growth rate in this specific material. The SIF values were almost linear with external load but it was decreasing as the crack size increases. The crack requires minimum load for crack propagation as the crack size increases. Similarly the J-integral was accelerated with increase in crack size.

Highlights Fracture analysis carried out on 4140 steel middle tension specimen using FEA. Correlation of fracture parameters with loads and crack sizes was carried out. The ASTM standard was employed to validate FEA results and obtained accurate results.
Why in the world did they reshore? Examining small to medium‐sized manufacturer decisions
Authors: Gray John V. , Esenduran Gökçe , Rungtusanatham M. Johnny , Skowronski Keith
Published: March 2017

Small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are moving their manufacturing operations from low‐cost countries back to high‐cost countries, reversing earlier offshoring decisions. These reshoring decisions cannot be completely explained by changing location‐related costs. To better understand why SMEs are reshoring, we evaluate nine product‐line decisions – six to reshore and three to remain offshore – and codify four empirical observations. We then integrate these observations with relevant literature to develop and analyze a system dynamics model of SMEs' offshoring and reshoring decisions. Synthesizing the above, we articulate propositions regarding SMEs’ reshoring decisions. We conclude by discussing these decisions through the lens of the heuristic decision‐making literature, providing managerial and policy implications.
Prevalence and Predicting Factors for Commonly Neglected Sexual Side Effects to External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Frey Anders , Pedersen Christian , Lindberg Henriette , Bisbjerg Rasmus , Sønksen Jens , Fode Mikkel
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Changes in sexual function other than erectile dysfunction are sparsely investigated after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Aim

To investigate orgasmic dysfunction, urinary incontinence during sexual activity, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis in patients with prostate cancer treated with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

Methods

In February 2015, men treated with EBRT at our center 3 months to 5 years previously (N = 519) received a study-specific questionnaire. This was developed from purpose-built questions and validated tools including the Erection Hardness Scale. All patients had received a radiation dose of 78 Gy. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered according to disease characteristics.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcome measurements were prevalence rates and predictors of these side effects as identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

One hundred nine patients were eligible (sexually active and had completed androgen deprivation therapy) for inclusion. Twenty-four percent reported anorgasmia, 44% reported a decreased intensity of their orgasms, and 40% reported that the time it took to reach orgasm had increased. Eleven percent reported anejaculation. Fifteen percent reported orgasm-associated pain. Only 4% reported urinary incontinence during sexual activity. Subjective penile length loss in excess of 1 cm was reported by 42%. Twelve percent reported an altered curvature of their penis after EBRT. Six percent reported painful erections. Twenty-seven percent reported decreased sensitivity in the penis after EBRT, 2% reported a cold sensation, and 2% reported paresthesia. Increasing time since final treatment increased the risk of penile sensory disturbances (odds ratio = 1.05; P = .028).

Conclusion

Orgasmic dysfunction, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis are common side effects of ERBT. Patients should be properly informed of the occurrence of these side effects before deciding which treatment to pursue.
Glandular odontogenic cyst: a report of four cases
Authors: Ogura Ichiro , Tsuchimochi Makoto , Ono Junya , Kanri Yoriaki , Okada Yasuo , Fujii Kazuyuki , Yamaguchi Akira , Sekimoto Tsuneo
Published: March 2017

A glandular odontogenic cyst is a developmental cyst that is a clinically rare and histopathologically unusual type of odontogenic cyst. In this article, we describe four cases of glandular odontogenic cyst. Glandular odontogenic cyst was defined as a well‐defined unilocular lesion on panoramic radiographs and multidetector computed tomography. Furthermore, the connection of the cyst to the periodontal tissue was one of the common features of the four cases. The results of the present study indicate the clinical and imaging features of glandular odontogenic cyst.
Building a Nazi Europe
Authors: Gutmann Martin R.
Published: March 2017

In a compelling new study, Gutmann offers an in-depth examination of the Swedish, Swiss and Danish men who worked and fought for the SS, during the Second World War. Dispelling a host of myths regarding foreign collaboration with Hitler's regime, it reveals how these men were highly motivated to affect a National Socialist revolution across North-Western or 'Germanic' Europe. Working behind Berlin desks, they played a pivotal part in shaping the Nazi New Order and actively participated in the regime's brutal atrocities on the Eastern Front and on the streets of Western Europe. The book argues that these men became a focal point for infighting in the regime regarding the role of non-Germans in National Socialism. Building a Nazi Europe sheds new light on historical conceptions of fascism, collaboration, transnational history and the holocaust.
THE SPACE OF HYPERKÄHLER METRICS ON A 4-MANIFOLD WITH BOUNDARY
Authors: FINE JOEL , LOTAY JASON D. , SINGER MICHAEL
Published: March 2017

Let $X$ be a compact 4-manifold with boundary. We study the space of hyperkähler triples $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{1},\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{2},\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{3}$ on $X$, modulo diffeomorphisms which are the identity on the boundary. We prove that this moduli space is a smooth infinite-dimensional manifold and describe the tangent space in terms of triples of closed anti-self-dual 2-forms. We also explore the corresponding boundary value problem: a hyperkähler triple restricts to a closed framing of the bundle of 2-forms on the boundary; we identify the infinitesimal deformations of this closed framing that can be filled in to hyperkähler deformations of the original triple. Finally we study explicit examples coming from gravitational instantons with isometric actions of $\text{SU}(2)$.
Development of target fabrication for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion at research center of laser fusion
Authors: Wang Tao , Du Kai , He Zhibing , He Xiaoshan
Published: March 2017

As the basic conditions for laser inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research, the targets are required to be well specified and elaborately fabricated. Because of the characteristics of the targets, the research and fabrication process is a systematically tough task, which needs fundamental and deep insights into film deposition, mechanical machining, precise measurement and assembly, etc. As a result, knowledge of material science, physics, mechanical as well as electronics is a necessity for target researchers. In this paper, we give introductions to the state of art on target fabrication for ICF research at Research Center of Laser Fusion (RCLF) in China.
Floral abundance, richness, and spatial distribution drive urban garden bee communities
Authors: Plascencia M. , Philpott S.M.
Published: March 2017

In urban landscapes, gardens provide refuges for bee diversity, but conservation potential may depend on local and landscape features. Foraging and population persistence of bee species, as well as overall pollinator community structure, may be supported by the abundance, richness, and spatial distribution of floral resources. Floral resources strongly differ in urban gardens. Using hand netting and pan traps to survey bees, we examined whether abundance, richness, and spatial distribution of floral resources, as well as ground cover and garden landscape surroundings influence bee abundance, species richness, and diversity on the central coast of California. Differences in floral abundance and spatial distribution, as well as urban cover in the landscape, predicted different bee community variables. Abundance of all bees and of honeybees (Apis mellifera) was lower in sites with more urban land cover surrounding the gardens. Honeybee abundance was higher in sites with patchy floral resources, whereas bee species richness and bee diversity was higher in sites with more clustered floral resources. Surprisingly, bee species richness and bee diversity was lower in sites with very high floral abundance, possibly due to interactions with honeybees. Other studies have documented the importance of floral abundance and landscape surroundings for bees in urban gardens, but this study is the first to document that the spatial arrangement of flowers strongly predicts bee abundance and richness. Based on these findings, it is likely that garden managers may promote bee conservation by managing for floral connectivity and abundance within these ubiquitous urban habitats.
Stability of nano-sized permethrin in its colloidal state and its effect on the physiological and biochemical profile of Culex tritaeniorhynchus larvae
Authors: Mishra P. , Balaji A.P.B , Dhal P.K. , Suresh Kumar R.S. , Magdassi S. , Margulis K. , Tyagi B.K , Mukherjee A. , Chandrasekaran N.
Published: March 2017

The occurrence of pesticidal pollution in the environment and the resistance in the mosquito species makes an urge for the safer and an effective pesticide. Permethrin, a poorly water-soluble pyrethroid pesticide, was formulated into a hydrodispersible nanopowder through rapid solvent evaporation of pesticide-loaded oil in water microemulsion. Stability studies confirmed that the nanopermethrin dispersion was stable in paddy field water for 5 days with the mean particle sizes of 175.3 ± 0.75 nm and zeta potential of −30.6 ± 0.62 mV. The instability rate of the nanopermethrin particles was greater in alkaline (pH 10) medium when compared with the neutral (pH 7) and acidic (pH 4) dispersion medium. The colloidal dispersion at 45°C was found to be less stable compared with the dispersions at 25 and 5°C. The 12- and 24-h lethal indices (LC50) for nanopermethrin were found to be 0.057 and 0.014 mg l−1, respectively. These results were corroborative with the severity of damages observed in the mosquito larvae manifested in epithelial cells and the evacuation of the midgut contents. Further, the results were substantiated by the decrease in cellular biomolecules and biomarker enzyme activity in nanopermethrin treated larvae when compared to bulk and control treatment.
Real-time PCR assay for distinguishingFrankliniella occidentalisandThrips palmiArnika Przybylska, Żaneta Fiedler, Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska
Authors: Przybylska Arnika , Fiedler Żaneta , Frąckowiak Patryk , Obrępalska-Stęplowska Aleksandra
Published: March 2017

Thrips palmiandFrankliniella occidentalis(order Thysanoptera) are thrips species that represent major plant pests. They are polyphagous insects capable of adversely affecting crop production. As such, in the European Union, these thrips species should be regulated as quarantine organisms.T. palmiandF. occidentaliscan cause considerable damage to susceptible plants by feeding on them and transmitting several viruses responsible for serious plant diseases. Successful pest control strategies are based on an early, fast, and reliable diagnosis, which precedes the selection of appropriate steps to limit the effects of harmful organisms. We herein describe a novel diagnostic approach that enables the sensitive and species-specific detection (and differentiation) of these pests in a duplex polymerase chain reaction assay, which was adapted for both standard and real-time quantitative assays. Our method is based on the amplification of a 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer 2 ribosomal DNA fragment that is conserved betweenT. palmiandF. occidentalis.
English possessive gender agreement in production and comprehension: Similarities and differences between young monolingual English learners and adult Mandarin–English second language learners
Authors: POZZAN LUCIA , ANTÓN-MÉNDEZ INÉS
Published: March 2017

Second language learners of English occasionally establish gender agreement between a possessive determiner and the local noun that follows it, rather than with its target antecedent (*“Maryi loves hisi brother”). The production and comprehension profiles of adult Mandarin second language learners of English and monolingual English-speaking children were examined to establish (a) if such errors result from an inherent tendency to establish agreement locally within the noun phrase or rather from transfer of first language agreement procedures, and (b) if these errors are production specific or rather reflect nontarget grammatical representations, thus also affecting comprehension. The results of the elicited production portion of the study support the hypothesis that gender agreement errors in learners’ production of possessives result from a generalized tendency to establish local agreement. The results of the comprehension portion of the study suggest that the observed tendency for local agreement within the noun phrase is production specific and does not characterize learners’ grammatical representations as a whole.
Hepatic angiodynamic profile in paediatric patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1 and type 2
Authors: Giordano Paola , Francavilla Mariantonietta , Buonamico Paolo , Suppressa Patrizia , Lastella Patrizia , Sangerardi Maria , Miniello Vito L. , Scardapane Arnaldo , Lenato Gennaro M. , Sabbà Carlo
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Background: Liver involvement is a common manifestation of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Although a number of studies have been carried out in adult patients, no study has ever been focused on investigating HHT-related hepatic involvement in paediatric patients. The present study aimed for the first time to systematically estimate the prevalence of HHT-associated liver involvement and to characterize HHT-associated hepatic angiodynamic features in paediatric age. Patients and methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey in an HHT paediatric cohort, subclassified as HHT1 and HHT2 according to the mutated gene. The evaluation of the angiodynamic profile was performed by duplex ultrasound examination. Investigation by multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in patients >12 years. Results: MSCT/MRA examination disclosed silent hepatic involvement in 7/20 (35.0 %) children, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia in two cases. Diameter of common hepatic artery was significantly larger in HHT2 (0.45 ± 0.15 cm) compared to HHT1 (0.33 ± 0.09, p < 0.01) and control children (0.32 ± 0.08, p < 0.05). None of the patients had clinical manifestations of liver involvement. Angiodynamic profiles were different between paediatric and adult HHT patients. Conclusions: Liver involvement can be detected in paediatric HHT patients, albeit with a lower frequency compared to adults. Paediatric HHT2 children show a higher frequency of liver involvement and a trend to hepatic artery dilation when compared to HHT1 children.
Cognitive Performance in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia Across the Lifespan
Authors: Herold Christina Josefa , Schmid Lena Anna , Lässer Marc Montgomery , Seidl Ulrich , Schröder Johannes
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Chronic schizophrenia involves neuropsychological deficits that primarily strike executive functions and episodic memory. Our study investigated these deficits throughout the lifespan in patients with chronic schizophrenia and in healthy controls. Important neuropsychological functions were tested in 94 patients and 66 healthy controls, who were assigned to three age groups. Compared with the healthy controls, patients performed significantly poorer on all tests applied. Significant age effects occurred on all tests except the digit span forward, with older subjects scoring well below the younger ones. With respect to cognitive flexibility, age effects were more pronounced in the patients. These findings underline the importance of cognitive deficits in chronic schizophrenia and indicate that diminished cognitive flexibility shows age-associated differences.
Observation of optomechanical buckling transitions
Authors: Xu H. , Kemiktarak U. , Fan J. , Ragole S. , Lawall J. , Taylor J. M.
Published: March 2017

Correlated phases of matter provide long-term stability for systems as diverse as solids, magnets and potential exotic quantum materials. Mechanical systems, such as buckling transition spring switches, can have engineered, stable configurations whose dependence on a control variable is reminiscent of non-equilibrium phase transitions. In hybrid optomechanical systems, light and matter are strongly coupled, allowing engineering of rapid changes in the force landscape, storing and processing information, and ultimately probing and controlling behaviour at the quantum level. Here we report the observation of first- and second-order buckling transitions between stable mechanical states in an optomechanical system, in which full control of the nature of the transition is obtained by means of the laser power and detuning. The underlying multiwell confining potential we create is highly tunable, with a sub-nanometre distance between potential wells. Our results enable new applications in photonics and information technology, and may enable explorations of quantum phase transitions and macroscopic quantum tunnelling in mechanical systems.
Basal paravian functional anatomy illuminated by high-detail body outline
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Pittman Michael , Zheng Xiaoting , Kaye Thomas G. , Falk Amanda R. , Hartman Scott A. , Xu Xing
Published: March 2017

Body shape is a fundamental expression of organismal biology, but its quantitative reconstruction in fossil vertebrates is rare. Due to the absence of fossilized soft tissue evidence, the functional consequences of basal paravian body shape and its implications for the origins of avians and flight are not yet fully understood. Here we reconstruct the quantitative body outline of a fossil paravian Anchiornis based on high-definition images of soft tissues revealed by laser-stimulated fluorescence. This body outline confirms patagia-bearing arms, drumstick-shaped legs and a slender tail, features that were probably widespread among paravians. Finely preserved details also reveal similarities in propatagial and footpad form between basal paravians and modern birds, extending their record to the Late Jurassic. The body outline and soft tissue details suggest significant functional decoupling between the legs and tail in at least some basal paravians. The number of seemingly modern propatagial traits hint that feathering was a significant factor in how basal paravians utilized arm, leg and tail function for aerodynamic benefit.
Thinning sea ice weakens buttressing force of iceberg mélange and promotes calving
Authors: Robel Alexander A.
Published: March 2017

At many marine-terminating glaciers, the breakup of mélange, a floating aggregation of sea ice and icebergs, has been accompanied by an increase in iceberg calving and ice mass loss. Previous studies have argued that mélange may suppress calving by exerting a buttressing force directly on the glacier terminus. In this study, I adapt a discrete element model to explicitly simulate mélange as a cohesive granular material. Simulations show that mélange laden with thick landfast sea ice produces enough resistance to shut down calving at the terminus. When sea ice within mélange thins, the buttressing force on the terminus is reduced and calving is more likely to occur. When a calving event does occur, it initiates a propagating jamming wave within mélange, which causes local compression and then slow mélange expansion. The jamming wave can also initiate widespread fracture of sea ice and further increase the likelihood of subsequent calving events.
Ser/Thr protein kinase PrkC-mediated regulation of GroEL is critical for biofilm formation in Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Arora Gunjan , Sajid Andaleeb , Virmani Richa , Singhal Anshika , Kumar C. M. Santosh , Dhasmana Neha , Khanna Tanya , Maji Abhijit , Misra Richa , Molle Virginie , Becher Dörte , Gerth Ulf , Mande Shekhar C. , Singh Yogendra
Published: March 2017

PrkC is a conserved Ser/Thr protein kinase encoded in Bacillus anthracis genome. PrkC is shown to be important for B. anthracis pathogenesis, but little is known about its other functions and phosphorylated substrates. Systemic analyses indicate the compelling role of PrkC in phosphorylating multiple substrates, including the essential chaperone GroEL. Through mass spectrometry, we identified that PrkC phosphorylates GroEL on six threonine residues that are distributed in three canonical regions. Phosphorylation facilitates the oligomerization of GroEL to the physiologically active tetradecameric state and increases its affinity toward the co-chaperone GroES. Deletion of prkC in B. anthracis abrogates its ability to form biofilm. Overexpression of native GroEL recovers the biofilm-forming ability of prkC deletion strain. Similar overexpression of GroEL phosphorylation site mutants (Thr to Ala) does not augment biofilm formation. Further analyses indicate the phosphorylation of GroEL in diverse bacterial species. Thus, our results suggest that PrkC regulates biofilm formation by modulating the GroEL activity in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The study deciphers the molecular signaling events that are important for biofilm formation in B. anthracis.
Botulinum hemagglutinin-mediated selective removal of cells deviating from the undifferentiated state in hiPSC colonies
Authors: Kim Mee-Hae , Sugawara Yo , Fujinaga Yukako , Kino-oka Masahiro
Published: March 2017

The undifferentiated state of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) depends on their cell–cell and cell–substrate adhesions. In this study, we report that exposure to botulinum hemagglutinin (HA), an E-cadherin function-blocking agent, selectively removed cells that deviated from the undifferentiated state in hiPSC colonies. After HA treatment, cell–cell adhesion was disrupted, deviated cells detached from colony centers, and dividing cells filled these spaces. Because E-cadherin-mediated adhesion was disrupted in undifferentiated cells, stress-fiber formation and focal adhesions were diminished; however, these were subsequently restored, and the cells retained expression of undifferentiated stem cell markers and their differentiation potential. In contrast, actin structures and focal adhesions were lost from deviated cells, and they subsequently died. In undifferentiated and deviated cells, the cadherin/integrin-regulator Rap1 was localized at cell–cell adhesions and in the cytoplasm, respectively. Concurrent HA and Rap1-inhibitor treatment accelerated the deviated-cell detachment and delayed the recovery of hiPSC morphology, but this effect was significantly attenuated by co-treatment with Rap1 activator. Thus, Rap1 regulated E-cadherin–integrin interplay in hiPSC colonies exhibiting deviation, while HA-mediated selective removal of these deviated cells helped maintain the undifferentiated state in the remaining hiPSCs.
Air-coupled ultrasound detection using capillary-based optical ring resonators
Authors: Kim Kyu Hyun , Luo Wei , Zhang Cheng , Tian Chao , Guo L. Jay , Wang Xueding , Fan Xudong
Published: March 2017

We experimentally demonstrate and theoretically analyze high Q-factor (~107) capillary-based optical ring resonators for non-contact detection of air-coupled ultrasound. Noise equivalent pressures in air as low as 215 mPa/√Hz and 41 mPa/√Hz at 50 kHz and 800 kHz in air, respectively, are achieved. Furthermore, non-contact detection of air-coupled photoacoustic pulses optically generated from a 200 nm thick Chromium film is demonstrated. The interaction of an acoustic pulse and the mechanical mode of the ring resonator is also studied. Significant improvement in detection bandwidth is demonstrated by encapsulating the ring resonator in a damping medium. Our work will enable compact and sensitive ultrasound detection in many applications, such as air-coupled non-destructive ultrasound testing, photoacoustic imaging, and remote sensing. It will also provide a model system for fundamental study of the mechanical modes in the ring resonator.
In vivo microscopic voxel-based morphometry with a brain template to characterize strain-specific structures in the mouse brain
Authors: Hikishima Keigo , Komaki Yuji , Seki Fumiko , Ohnishi Yasuyuki , Okano Hirotaka J. , Okano Hideyuki
Published: March 2017

Hundreds of inbred mouse strains are established for use in a broad spectrum of basic research fields, including genetics, neuroscience, immunology, and cancer. Inbred mice exhibit identical intra-strain genetics and divergent inter-strain phenotypes. The cognitive and behavioral divergences must be controlled by the variances of structure and function of their brains; however, the underlying morphological features of strain-to-strain difference remain obscure. Here, in vivo microscopic magnetic resonance imaging was optimized to image the mouse brains by using an isotropic resolution of 80 μm. Next, in vivo templates were created from the data from four major inbred mouse strains (C57Bl/6, BALB/cBy, C3H/He, and DBA/2). A strain-mixed brain template was also created, and the template was then employed to establish automatic voxel-based morphometry (VBM) for the mouse brain. The VBM assessment revealed strain-specific brain morphologies concerning the gray matter volume of the four strains, with a smaller volume in the primary visual cortex for the C3H/He strain, and a smaller volume in the primary auditory cortex and field CA1 of the hippocampus for the DBA/2 strain. These findings would contribute to the basis of for understanding morphological phenotype of the inbred mouse strain and may indicate a relationship between brain morphology and strain-specific cognition and behavior.
Identifying Novel Transcriptional and Epigenetic Features of Nuclear Lamina-associated Genes
Authors: Wu Feinan , Yao Jie
Published: March 2017

Because a large portion of the mammalian genome is associated with the nuclear lamina (NL), it is interesting to study how native genes resided there are transcribed and regulated. In this study, we report unique transcriptional and epigenetic features of nearly 3,500 NL-associated genes (NL genes). Promoter regions of active NL genes are often excluded from NL-association, suggesting that NL-promoter interactions may repress transcription. Active NL genes with higher RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment levels tend to display Pol II promoter-proximal pausing, while Pol II recruitment and Pol II pausing are not correlated among non-NL genes. At the genome-wide scale, NL-association and H3K27me3 distinguishes two large gene classes with low transcriptional activities. Notably, NL-association is anti-correlated with both transcription and active histone mark levels among genes not significantly enriched with H3K9me3 or H3K27me3, suggesting that NL-association may represent a novel gene repression pathway. Interestingly, an NL gene subgroup is not significantly enriched with H3K9me3 or H3K27me3 and is transcribed at higher levels than the rest of NL genes. Furthermore, we identified distal enhancers associated with active NL genes and reported their epigenetic features.
Dengue virus infection increases microglial cell migration
Authors: Jhan Ming-Kai , Tsai Tsung-Ting , Chen Chia-Ling , Tsai Cheng-Chieh , Cheng Yi-Lin , Lee Yi-Chao , Ko Chiung-Yuan , Lin Yee-Shin , Chang Chih-Peng , Lin Liang-Tzung , Lin Chiou-Feng
Published: March 2017

Activated microglial cells are present in dengue virus (DENV)-infected brains; however, the possible effects of DENV on microglia remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated DENV caused infection, including viral entry, RNA replication, viral protein expression, and virus release, in the murine microglial cell line BV2. DENV infection caused an increase in the formation of the multipolar phenotype in vitro and in vivo without affecting cell growth and cytotoxicity. DENV infection considerably increased cell motility and disrupting either actin filaments or clathrin retarded such effect. Increase in cell migration was only occurred by DENV infection following a clathrin-regulated endocytosis of DENV entry. Ultraviolet-inactivated DENV did not affect cell migration, and pharmacologically blocking toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and TLR3-related signaling pathways reduced the DENV-induced increase in cell migration. These results demonstrate an advanced effect of DENV infection on microglial migration via a mechanism involving viral entry, RNA release, and TLR3 signal activation.
Development of improved vaccine cell lines against rotavirus
Authors: Wu Weilin , Orr-Burks Nichole , Karpilow Jon , Tripp Ralph A.
Published: March 2017

Rotavirus is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis among very young children. In developing countries, rotavirus is the major cause of mortality in children under five years old, causing up to 20% of all childhood deaths in countries with high diarrheal disease burden, with more than 90% of these deaths occurring in Africa and Asia. Rotavirus vaccination mimics the first infection without causing illness, thus inducing strong and broad heterotypic immunity against prospective rotavirus infections. Two live vaccines are available, Rotarix and RotaTeq, but vaccination efforts are hampered by high production costs. Here, we present a dataset containing a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen that identified silencing events that enhanced rotavirus replication. Evaluated against several rotavirus vaccine strains, hits were validated in a Vero vaccine cell line as well as CRISPR/Cas9 generated cells permanently and stably lacking the genes that affect RV replication. Knockout cells were dramatically more permissive to RV replication and permitted an increase in rotavirus replication. These data show a means to improve manufacturing of rotavirus vaccine.
MicroRNA screening identifies miR-134 as a regulator of poliovirus and enterovirus 71 infection
Authors: Orr-Burks Nichole Lynn , Shim Byoung-Shik , Wu Weilin , Bakre Abhijeet A. , Karpilow Jon , Tripp Ralph A.
Published: March 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate virus replication through multiple mechanisms. Poliovirus causes a highly debilitating disease and though global efforts to eradicate polio have sharply decreased polio incidence, unfortunately three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remain polio-endemic. We hypothesize that understanding the host factors involved in polio replication will identify novel prophylactic and therapeutic targets against polio and related viruses. In this data set, employing genome wide screens of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we identified miRNAs which significantly suppressed polio replication. Specifically, miR-134 regulates poliovirus replication via modulation of ras-related nuclear protein (RAN), an important component of the nuclear transport system. MiR-134 also inhibited other Picornaviridae viruses including EV71, a growing concern and a high priority for vaccination in Asian countries like China. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for miRNA regulation of poliovirus and other Picornaviridae viruses in host cells, and thereby may provide a novel approach in combating infection and a potential approach for the development of anti-Picornaviridae strategies.
Databases Facilitating Systems Biology Approaches in Toxicology
Authors: Johnson Dale E. , Heslin Ann M. H.
Published: March 2017

The on-going enhancement of information sources and tools to augment the understanding of chemical toxicity in human and environmental systems is a critical aspect of systems toxicology. This chapter highlights multiple free on-line information sources and tools categorized into toxicity-related; chemical–gene–protein interactions; biological pathway–network relationships; chemistry, structural alert, and quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR)-related; and drug and drug-target information. These databases and tools represent the latest non-commercial sources for expanded research and safety assessment in toxicology research.
Linking Environmental Exposure to Toxicity
Authors: Oki Noffisat , Leonard Jeremy , Nelms Mark , Bell Shannon , Tan Yu-Mei , Burgoon Lyle , Edwards Stephen
Published: March 2017

As the number of chemicals and environmental toxicants in commerce continue to increase, so does the need to understand the links between exposure to these stressors and any potential toxic reactions. Assessing the impact of these stressors on public health as well as our environment requires an understanding of the underlying mechanistic processes connecting their introduction into the environment to the associated adverse outcomes.

Traditional in vivo methods of toxicity testing have become too costly and inefficient. In recent times, in vitro high-throughput toxicity screening methods have been introduced to reduce the burden of in vivo testing and keep pace with the ever increasing number of required tests. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept has been adopted by many in the toxicology community as a framework for linking the biological events that occur from the point of contact with these stressors and the resulting adverse outcome. This provides a mechanistic framework for understanding the potential impacts of perturbations that are measured via in vitro testing strategies. The aggregate exposure pathway (AEP) has been proposed as a companion framework to the AOP. The goal of the AEP is to describe the path the introduction of the stressor into the environment at its source to a target site within an individual that is comparable with the concentrations in the in vitro toxicity tests. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive view of the source to adverse outcome continuum.

Standardizing our representation of the mechanistic information in this way allows for increased interoperability for computational models describing different parts of the system. It also aids in translating new research in exposure science and toxicology for risk assessors and decision makers when assessing the impact of specific stressors on endpoints of regulatory significance.
Chemical Similarity, Shape Matching and QSAR
Authors: Radchenko E. V. , Makhaeva G. F. , Palyulin V. A. , Zefirov N. S.
Published: March 2017

The similarity property principle, implying that similar structures (should) possess similar properties, lays the basis for the detection, analysis and interpretation of patterns in the known data on the properties (including biological activities) of chemical compounds, as well as for using these patterns to predict the properties for novel structures or to design the structures with desired properties. This chapter begins with the discussion of the molecular similarity analysis and activity landscapes. Then the applications of the quantitative structure–activity/property relationships (QSAR/QSPR) analysis are considered, including the prediction of the biological activities, pharmacokinetic properties and toxicities as well as the relevant physico-chemical properties of drugs, drug-like compounds and organic chemicals in general. A number of the convenient open web-based QSAR/QSPR services are presented. The authors focus on basic ideas and representative examples, on more recent results, and on the techniques and services that are immediately available for solving some of the practical problems of computational pharmacology and toxicology.
Network Pharmacology Research Approaches for Chinese Herbal Medicines
Authors: Johnson Dale E.
Published: March 2017

Network pharmacology has been defined as a process that encompasses a network approach to represent and analyze the complex biological systems underlying diseases and drug actions. It has become a critical part of drug discovery, drug design, and drug development, and has become an important aspect of research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The basic principle is to create a biological network using bioinformatics and other software tools that deconstructs a disease or condition into genes, gene products, and related associations such as connectivity and feedback. When interrogated, the network will provide intuitive information on therapeutic interventions from herbal ingredients in TCM formulations and with TCMs in combination therapy with Western drugs. Network pharmacology establishes a pragmatic network model and predicts drug target(s) from information available in several online databases. By constructing drug–target–disease networks, information from screening technologies and bioinformatics tools can be used to predict and optimize the efficacy and safety of a single component or combinations of components of both Chinese herbal medicines and Western therapeutics. Several examples are presented which highlight how network pharmacology approaches connect new technologies into the holistic concepts of centuries old traditional medicine.
Emergence of novel hydrogen chlorides under high pressure
Authors: Zeng Qingfeng , Yu Shuyin , Li Duan , Oganov Artem R. , Frapper Gilles
Published: March 2017

HCl is a textbook example of a polar covalent molecule, and has a wide range of industrial applications.
A recyclable, recoverable, and reformable hydrogel-based smart photocatalyst
Authors: Mai Ngoc Xuan Dat , Bae Joonwon , Kim Il Tae , Park Sung Hoon , Lee Go-Woon , Kim Ji Hyeon , Lee Daeho , Son Hyung Bin , Lee Young-Chul , Hur Jaehyun
Published: March 2017

A TiO2/agarose hybrid gel photocatalyst that is recyclable, recoverable, and reformable was fabricated and the optimal photocatalytic conditions were experimentally determined.
Water splitting using a three-dimensional plasmonic photoanode with titanium dioxide nano-tunnels
Authors: Takakura Ryohei , Oshikiri Tomoya , Ueno Kosei , Shi Xu , Kondo Toshiaki , Masuda Hideki , Misawa Hiroaki
Published: March 2017

A three-dimensional plasmonic photoanode using titanium dioxide nano-tunnels loaded with gold nanoparticles for water splitting was developed.
Development of on-line UV-induced volatile species generation for selenium speciation [Se(iv) and SeCN−] by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in petroleum refinery wastewater
Authors: Chandrasekaran K. , Garg Nidhi , Karunasagar D.
Published: March 2017

UV-irradiation of selenocyanate in the presence of formic and nitric acids gives improved vapor generation at room temperature, over hydride generation. Using this, a rapid and sensitive method has been developed for selenium speciation.
Isolation and concentration of bacteria from blood using microfluidic membraneless dialysis and dielectrophoresis
Authors: D'Amico L. , Ajami N. J. , Adachi J. A. , Gascoyne P. R. C. , Petrosino J. F.
Published: March 2017

This paper describes a method to isolate bacteria from blood using selective permeabilization of blood cells, membraneless dialysis, and dielectrophoresis.
Chiral phosphorescent probes for amino acids: hybrids of iridium(iii) complexes with synthetic saponite
Authors: Sato Hisako , Tamura Kenji , Yajima Tomoko , Sato Fumi , Yamagishi Akihiko
Published: March 2017

The effects of amino acids on the emission of iridium(iii) complexes adsorbed by colloidal particles of synthetic saponite lead to the conclusion that the interplay between two intramolecular chiral centers achieved enantioselectivity.
Template-free formation of various V2O5 hierarchical structures as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Ma Yining , Huang Aibin , Zhou Huaijuan , Ji Shidong , Zhang Shuming , Li Rong , Yao Heliang , Cao Xun , Jin Ping
Published: March 2017

Various V2O5 hierarchical structures were successfully synthesized via a template-free method and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance.
Insulating to metallic behaviour in the cation ordered perovskites Ba2Nd1−xFexMoO6
Authors: Coomer Fiona C. , Corr Serena A. , Cussen Edmund J.
Published: March 2017

The series of cation ordered double perovskites Ba2Nd1−xFexMoO6 undergo a compositionally-driven transition from localised to delocalised electronic behaviour, as exhibited in the end members Ba2NdMoO6 and Ba2FeMoO6 respectively.
Charge attachment induced transport – bulk and grain boundary diffusion of potassium in PrMnO3
Authors: Martin Johannes , Gräf Melanie , Kramer Thilo , Jooss Christian , Choe Min-Ju , Thornton Katsuyo , Weitzel Karl-Michael
Published: March 2017

An illustration of the diffusion of potassium through the bulk and along the grain boundaries of PMO.
Isoafricanol synthase from Streptomyces malaysiensis
Authors: Rabe Patrick , Samborskyy Markiyan , Leadlay Peter F. , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: March 2017

A terpene cyclases from Streptomyces malaysiensis was characterised as (+)-isoafricanol synthase and its mechanism was investigated using isotopically labelled substrates.
Swellable functional hypercrosslinked polymer networks for the uptake of chemical warfare agents
Authors: Wilson Craig , Main Marcus J. , Cooper Nicholas J. , Briggs Michael E. , Cooper Andrew I. , Adams Dave J.
Published: March 2017

Porous materials can be used as sorbents for the bulk uptake (and potential deactivation) of chemical warfare agents (CWAs).
Insights into the origin of aggregation enhanced emission of 9,10-distyrylanthracene derivatives
Authors: Zhang Jibo , Ma Suqian , Fang Honghua , Xu Bin , Sun Hongbo , Chan Im , Tian Wenjing
Published: March 2017

Intramolecular rotation around the vinyl moiety plays an important role in the whole AIE process of DSA derivatives.
Pseudo-monocrystalline properties of cylindrical nanowires confinedly grown by electrodeposition in nanoporous alumina templates
Authors: Barriga-Castro Enrique Díaz , García Javier , Mendoza-Reséndez Raquel , Prida Víctor M. , Luna Carlos
Published: March 2017

Four different cylindrical nanowires systems with single-crystal-like properties have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) under different tilting angles.
Co-liquefaction of microalgae and polypropylene in sub-/super-critical water
Authors: Wu Xiuyun , Liang Junmei , Wu Yulong , Hu Husheng , Huang Shaobin , Wu Kejing
Published: March 2017

The co-liquefaction process of D. tertiolecta and PP was investigated and the addition of PP mainly impacts the composition of the bio-oil.
Enhancement of CO2 permeability of poly(vinyl ether)s having oxyethylene chains by the sequence control of crosslinking sites
Authors: Sakaguchi T. , Yamazaki S. , Hashimoto T.
Published: March 2017

Triblock copolymers exhibited high gas permeability than the random copolymers. The triblock copolymers have the crosslinking only at the end segments, which makes the polymer chains more flexible than the random copolymers.