bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The limited prosocial effects of meditation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kreplin Ute , Farias Miguel , Brazil Inti A.
Published: January 2018

Many individuals believe that meditation has the capacity to not only alleviate mental-illness but to improve prosociality. This article systematically reviewed and meta-analysed the effects of meditation interventions on prosociality in randomized controlled trials of healthy adults. Five types of social behaviours were identified: compassion, empathy, aggression, connectedness and prejudice. Although we found a moderate increase in prosociality following meditation, further analysis indicated that this effect was qualified by two factors: type of prosociality and methodological quality. Meditation interventions had an effect on compassion and empathy, but not on aggression, connectedness or prejudice. We further found that compassion levels only increased under two conditions: when the teacher in the meditation intervention was a co-author in the published study; and when the study employed a passive (waiting list) control group but not an active one. Contrary to popular beliefs that meditation will lead to prosocial changes, the results of this meta-analysis showed that the effects of meditation on prosociality were qualified by the type of prosociality and methodological quality of the study. We conclude by highlighting a number of biases and theoretical problems that need addressing to improve quality of research in this area.
Magnetism of coupled spin tetrahedra in ilinskite-type KCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3
Authors: Badrtdinov Danis I. , Kuznetsova Elena S. , Verchenko Valeriy Yu. , Berdonosov Peter S. , Dolgikh Valeriy A. , Mazurenko Vladimir V. , Tsirlin Alexander A.
Published: January 2018

Synthesis, thermodynamic properties, and microscopic magnetic model of ilinskite-type KCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3 built by corner-sharing Cu4 tetrahedra are reported, and relevant magnetostructural correlations are discussed. Quasi-one-dimensional magnetic behavior with the short-range order around 50 K is rationalized in terms of weakly coupled spin ladders (tubes) having a complex topology formed upon fragmentation of the tetrahedral network. This fragmentation is rooted in the non-trivial effect of the SeO3 groups that render the Cu–O–Cu superexchange strongly ferromagnetic even at bridging angles exceeding 110°.
Interatomic Potentials Transferability for Molecular Simulations: A Comparative Study for Platinum, Gold and Silver
Authors: Rassoulinejad-Mousavi Seyed Moein , Zhang Yuwen
Published: January 2018

A perfectly transferable interatomic potential that works for different materials and systems of interest is lacking. This work considers the transferability of several existing interatomic potentials by evaluating their capability at various temperatures, to determine the range of accuracy of these potentials in atomistic simulations. A series of embedded-atom-method (EAM) based interatomic potentials has been examined for three precious and popular transition metals in nanoscale studies: platinum, gold and silver. The potentials have been obtained from various credible and trusted repositories and were evaluated in a wide temperature range to tackle the lack of a transferability comparison between multiple available force fields. The interatomic potentials designed for the single elements, binary, trinary and higher order compounds were tested for each species using molecular dynamics simulation. Validity of results arising from each potential was investigated against experimental values at different temperatures from 100 to 1000 K. The data covers accuracy of all studied potentials for prediction of the single crystals’ elastic stiffness constants as well as the bulk, shear and Young’s modulus of the polycrystalline specimens. Results of this paper increase users’ assurance and lead them to the right model by a way to easily look up data.
Effects of dietary lysine restriction on inflammatory responses in piglets
Authors: Han Hui , Yin Jie , Wang Bin , Huang Xingguo , Yao Jiming , Zheng Jie , Fan Wenjun , Li Tiejun , Yin Yulong
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lysine restriction on inflammatory responses in piglets. 38 male piglets with similar body weight of 9.62 kg were randomly divided into control group (basal diet) and lysine-restricted group (diet containing 70% lysine of the control diet). The results showed that lysine restriction increased the serum concentration of IgG an IgM. Piglets fed the lysine-restricted diet exhibited overexpression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the kidney (P < 0.05) and IL-6 and IL-4 in the spleen (P < 0.05). The mRNA abundances of IL-4 in the kidney (P < 0.05) and IL-10 in the liver (P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the lysine-restricted group compared with the control group. Meanwhile, lysine restriction increased the mRNA level of Tlr8 in the kidney (P < 0.05) but decreased the mRNA level of Tlr8 in the liver (P < 0.05). Finally, lysine restriction markedly enhanced extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in the kidney and liver and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) was activated in the liver and spleen in response to dietary lysine restriction. In conclusion, lysine restriction affected inflammatory responses in the kidney, liver, and spleen via mediating serum antibody volume, inflammatory cytokines, Tlrs system, and ERK1/2 and NF-κB signals in piglets.
Diastolic dysfunction is more apparent in STZ-induced diabetic female mice, despite less pronounced hyperglycemia
Authors: Chandramouli Chanchal , Reichelt Melissa E. , Curl Claire L. , Varma Upasna , Bienvenu Laura A. , Koutsifeli Parisa , Raaijmakers Antonia J. A. , De Blasio Miles J. , Qin Cheng Xue , Jenkins Alicia J. , Ritchie Rebecca H. , Mellor Kimberley M. , Delbridge Lea M. D.
Published: January 2018

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct pathology characterized by early emergence of diastolic dysfunction. Increased cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes is more marked for women, but an understanding of the role of diastolic dysfunction in female susceptibility to diabetic cardiomyopathy is lacking. To investigate the sex-specific relationship between systemic diabetic status andin vivooccurrence of diastolic dysfunction, diabetes was induced in male and female mice by streptozotocin (5x daily i.p. 55 mg/kg). Echocardiography was performed at 7 weeks post-diabetes induction, cardiac collagen content assessed by picrosirius red staining, and gene expression measured using qPCR. The extent of diabetes-associated hyperglycemia was more marked in males than females (males: 25.8 ± 1.2 vs 9.1 ± 0.4 mM; females: 13.5 ± 1.5 vs 8.4 ± 0.4 mM, p < 0.05) yetin vivodiastolic dysfunction was evident in female (E/E′ 54% increase, p < 0.05) but not male diabetic mice. Cardiac structural abnormalities (left ventricular wall thinning, collagen deposition) were similar in male and female diabetic mice. Female-specific gene expression changes in glucose metabolic and autophagy-related genes were evident. This study demonstrates that STZ-induced diabetic female mice exhibit a heightened susceptibility to diastolic dysfunction, despite exhibiting a lower extent of hyperglycemia than male mice. These findings highlight the importance of early echocardiographic screening of asymptomatic prediabetic at-risk patients.
Handling method alters the hedonic value of reward in laboratory mice
Authors: Clarkson Jasmine M. , Dwyer Dominic M. , Flecknell Paul A. , Leach Matthew C. , Rowe Candy
Published: January 2018

Mice are the most widely used model species for drug discovery and scientific research. Consequently, it is important to refine laboratory procedures and practices to ensure high standards of welfare and scientific data quality. Recent studies have identified that the standard practice of handling laboratory mice by their tails increases behaviours indicative of anxiety, which can be overcome by handling mice using a tunnel. However, despite clear negative effects on mice’s behaviour, tunnel handling has yet to be widely implemented. In this study, we provide the first evidence that tail handling also reduces mice’s responses to reward. Anhedonia is a core symptom of clinical depression, and is measured in rodents by assessing how they consume a sucrose solution: depressed mice consume less sucrose and the size of their licking bouts when drinking (their ‘lick cluster sizes’) also tend to be smaller. We found that tail handled mice showed more anhedonic responses in both measures compared to tunnel handled mice, indicative of a decreased responsiveness to reward and potentially a more depressive-like state. Our findings have significant implications for the welfare of laboratory mice as well as the design and interpretation of scientific studies, particularly those investigating or involving reward.
Coffee Intake as a Risk Indicator for Tooth Loss in Korean Adults
Authors: Song In-Seok , Han Kyungdo , Ryu Jae-Jun , Choi Yeon-Jo , Park Jun-Beom
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the association between coffee intake and tooth loss. This study hypothesized that the intake of coffee would increase the prevalence of tooth loss in Korean adults. Subject information was obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010–2011. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, anthropometric and biochemical status, metabolic health and glucose tolerance status, as well as oral health behaviors were evaluated. The number of remaining teeth was negatively associated with the frequency of coffee intake (p-value < 0.05). Daily coffee consumers had significantly higher levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (all p-value < 0.05). Individuals with less than 20 remaining teeth had higher BMI, WC, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL-C (all p-value < 0.05). Finally, participants who drank coffee on a daily basis were more likely to have fewer remaining teeth. The prevalence of having less than 20 remaining teeth was 69% higher in groups with daily coffee intake than those with coffee intake of less than once a month after adjustment for potential covariates (Odds Ratio [95% CI] = 1.69 [1.35, 2.13]). In conclusion, daily coffee consumption is closely associated with tooth loss in Korean adults.
Size at emergence improves accuracy of age estimates in forensically-useful beetle Creophilus maxillosus L. (Staphylinidae)
Authors: Matuszewski Szymon , Frątczak-Łagiewska Katarzyna
Published: January 2018

Insects colonizing human or animal cadavers may be used to estimate post-mortem interval (PMI) usually by aging larvae or pupae sampled on a crime scene. The accuracy of insect age estimates in a forensic context is reduced by large intraspecific variation in insect development time. Here we test the concept that insect size at emergence may be used to predict insect physiological age and accordingly to improve the accuracy of age estimates in forensic entomology. Using results of laboratory study on development of forensically-useful beetle Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Staphylinidae) we demonstrate that its physiological age at emergence [i.e. thermal summation value (K) needed for emergence] fall with an increase of beetle size. In the validation study it was found that K estimated based on the adult insect size was significantly closer to the true K as compared to K from the general thermal summation model. Using beetle length at emergence as a predictor variable and male or female specific model regressing K against beetle length gave the most accurate predictions of age. These results demonstrate that size of C. maxillosus at emergence improves accuracy of age estimates in a forensic context.
Uncovering hidden disease patterns by simulating clinical diagnostic processes
Authors: Ramezanpour Abolfazl , Mashaghi Alireza
Published: January 2018

Choosing a sequence of observations (often with stochastic outcomes) which maximizes the information gain from a system of interacting variables is essential for a wide range of problems in science and technology, such as clinical diagnostic problems. Here, we use a probabilistic model of diseases and signs/symptoms to simulate the effects of medical decisions on the quality of diagnosis by maximizing an appropriate objective function of the medical observations. The study provides a systematic way of proposing new medical tests, considering the significance of diseases and cost of the suggested observations. The efficacy of methods and role of the objective functions as well as initial signs/symptoms are examined by numerical simulations of the diagnostic process by exhaustive or Monte Carlo sampling algorithms.
Mendelian randomisation study of the relationship between vitamin D and risk of glioma
Authors: Takahashi Hannah , Cornish Alex J. , Sud Amit , Law Philip J. , Kinnersley Ben , Ostrom Quinn T. , Labreche Karim , Eckel-Passow Jeanette E. , Armstrong Georgina N. , Claus Elizabeth B. , Il’yasova Dora , Schildkraut Joellen , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Olson Sara H. , Bernstein Jonine L. , Lai Rose K. , Schoemaker Minouk J. , Simon Matthias , Hoffmann Per , Nöthen Markus M. , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Chanock Stephen , Rajaraman Preetha , Johansen Christoffer , Jenkins Robert B. , Melin Beatrice S. , Wrensch Margaret R. , Sanson Marc , Bondy Melissa L. , Turnbull Clare , Houlston Richard S.
Published: January 2018

To examine for a causal relationship between vitamin D and glioma risk we performed an analysis of genetic variants associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels using Mendelian randomisation (MR), an approach unaffected by biases from confounding. Two-sample MR was undertaken using genome-wide association study data. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 25(OH)D levels were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We calculated MR estimates for the odds ratio (OR) for 25(OH)D levels with glioma using SNP-glioma estimates from 12,488 cases and 18,169 controls, using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods. A non-significant association between 25(OH)D levels and glioma risk was shown using both the IVW (OR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90–1.62, P = 0.201) and MLE (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.98–1.48, P = 0.083) methods. In an exploratory analysis of tumour subtype, an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and glioblastoma (GBM) risk was identified using the MLE method (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.43–0.89, P = 0.010), but not the IVW method (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.37–1.04, P = 0.070). No statistically significant association was shown between 25(OH)D levels and non-GBM glioma. Our results do not provide evidence for a causal relationship between 25(OH)D levels and all forms of glioma risk. More evidence is required to explore the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and risk of GBM.
Intracellular tracing of amyloid vaccines through direct fluorescent labelling
Authors: Mold Matthew , Kumar Manpreet , Mirza Ambreen , Shardlow Emma , Exley Christopher
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition that progressively causes synaptic loss and major neuronal damage. Immunotherapy utilising Aβ as an active immunogen or via passive treatment utilising antibodies raised to amyloid have shown therapeutic promise. The migratory properties of peripheral blood-borne monocytes and their ability to enter the central nervous system, suggests a beneficial role in mediating tissue damage and neuroinflammation. However, the intrinsic phagocytic properties of such cells have pre-disposed them to internalise misfolded amyloidogenic peptides that could act as seeds capable of nucleating amyloid formation in the brain. Mechanisms governing the cellular fate of amyloid therefore, may prove to be key in the development of future vaccination regimes. Herein, we have developed unequivocal and direct conformation-sensitive fluorescent molecular probes that reveal the intracytoplasmic and intranuclear persistence of amyloid in a monocytic T helper 1 (THP-1) cell line. Use of the pathogenic Aβ42 species as a model antigen in simulated vaccine formulations suggested differing mechanisms of cellular internalisation, in which fibrillar amyloid evaded lysosomal capture, even when co-deposited on particulate adjuvant materials. Taken collectively, direct fluorescent labelling of antigen-adjuvant complexes may serve as critical tools in understanding subsequent immunopotentiation in vaccines directed against amyloidosis and wider dementia.
Insights into RNAi-based antiviral immunity in Lepidoptera: acute and persistent infections in Bombyx mori and Trichoplusia ni cell lines
Authors: Santos Dulce , Wynant Niels , Van den Brande Stijn , Verdonckt Thomas-Wolf , Mingels Lina , Peeters Paulien , Kolliopoulou Anna , Swevers Luc , Vanden Broeck Jozef
Published: January 2018

The control of viral infections in insects is a current issue of major concern and RNA interference (RNAi) is considered the main antiviral immune response in this group of animals. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of key RNAi factors can help to protect insect cells against viral infections. In particular, we show that overexpression of Dicer2 and Argonaute2 in lepidopteran cells leads to improved defense against the acute infection of the Cricket Paralysis Virus (CrPV). We also demonstrate an important role of RNAi in the control of persistent viral infections, as the one caused by the Macula-like Latent Virus (MLV). Specifically, a direct interaction between Argonaute2 and virus-specific small RNAs is shown. Yet, while knocking down Dicer2 and Argonaute2 resulted in higher transcript levels of the persistently infecting MLV in the lepidopteran cells under investigation, overexpression of these proteins could not further reduce these levels. Taken together, our data provide deep insight into the RNAi-based interactions between insects and their viruses. In addition, our results suggest the potential use of an RNAi gain-of-function approach as an alternative strategy to obtain reduced viral-induced mortality in Lepidoptera, an insect order that encompasses multiple species of relevant economic value.
Genetic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of three Chinese ethnic groups using the Huaxia Platinum System
Authors: Wang Mengge , Wang Zheng , He Guanglin , Jia Zhenjun , Liu Jing , Hou Yiping
Published: January 2018

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are attractive to genetic applications like forensic, anthropological and population genetics studies. The Huaxia Platinum System was specifically developed to allow co-amplification and detection of all markers in the expanded CODIS core loci and the Chinese National Database. In this study, in continuation to our previous validation study, 568 unrelated individuals were firstly genotyped to investigate the effectiveness of this novel assay in 3 main ethnic groups of China (Han, Tibetan and Yi). The combined power of discrimination (CPD) were 0.9999999999999999999999999992, 0.999999999999999999999999992, 0.999999999999999999999999998, respectively, and the combined power of exclusion (CPE) were 0.9999999999, 0.999999995, 0.999999998, respectively. Next, genetic relationships along administrative and ethnic divisions were analyzed using pairwise genetic distances, multidimensional scaling (MDS), principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic analysis. The Han ethnicity showed a high genetic homogeneity all across China, and significant genetic differences existed between Han groups and some minority groups, most prominently for the Tibetans, the Uyghurs, the Kazakhs, the Miaos, the Zhuangs and the Dais. Aforementioned results suggested that the Huaxia Platinum System is polymorphic and informative, which provides an efficient tool not only for human forensics, but also for population genetics studies.
Physical Limitations of Phosphor layer thickness and concentration for White LEDs
Authors: Tan Cher Ming , Singh Preetpal , Zhao Wenyu , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: January 2018

Increasing phosphor layer thickness and concentration can enhance the lumen flux of white LED (W-LED). In this work, we found that increasing the phosphor layer thickness and concentration can increase its temperature, and there is also a maximum thickness and concentration beyond which their increase will not lead to lumen increase, but only temperature increase. Higher thickness and higher concentration also results in warm light instead of White light. The maximum thickness and concentration are found to be limited by the scattering of light rays with higher % decrease of blue light rays than the yellow light rays. The results obtained in this work can also be used to compute the temperature and thermo-mechanical stress distribution of an encapsulated LED, demonstrating its usefulness to the design of encapsulated LED packages. Simulation software like ANSYS and TracePro are used extensively to verify the root cause mechanisms.
Presence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in recreational lake water in Tianjin, China: a preliminary study
Authors: Xiao Shumin , Zhang Yan , Zhao Xiaoyun , Sun Liping , Hu Sike
Published: January 2018

Little is known about the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in recreational water in China. A total of 52 samples were collected from recreational lakes in Tianjin during a high-occurrence season (June–October) for the waterborne cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, and the occurrence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were investigated. The results showed that 82.7% (43) and 98.1% (51) of samples were positive for Cryptosporidium oocyst and Giardia cysts, respectively. The mean concentration of parasites was 3.65 oocysts/10 L and 12.58 cysts/10 L, respectively. Molecular characterization revealed that the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum, C. andersoni, C. hominis, C. meleagridis, C. fragile, C. ubiquitum, and Giardia lamblia assemblage A, B and D. The protozoan contamination in the studied lakes may originate from animal feces on ground, which was washed into the lake by stormwater runoff. Nevertheless, there is a potential risk of infection during recreational activities in the lake because the dominant detected protozoan genotypes are common human pathogens. Moreover, microbial indicators analysis does not adequately indicate the protozoan contamination in recreational water. The information from this study will be valuable for future protozoan source tracking, and any further control interventions against Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia infection associated with recreational water.
Impact of overexpression of cytosolic isoform of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase on soybean nodulation and nodule metabolome
Authors: Krishnan Hari B. , Song Bo , Oehrle Nathan W. , Cameron Jeffrey C. , Jez Joseph M.
Published: January 2018

Nitrogen-fixing nodules, which are also major sites of sulfur assimilation, contribute significantly to the sulfur needs of whole soybean plants. Nodules are the predominant sites for cysteine accumulation and the activity of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASS) is central to the sulfur assimilation process in plants. Here, we examined the impact of overexpressing OASS on soybean nodulation and nodule metabolome. Overexpression of OASS did not affect the nodule number, but negatively impacted plant growth. HPLC measurement of antioxidant metabolites demonstrated that levels of cysteine, glutathione, and homoglutathione nearly doubled in OASS overexpressing nodules when compared to control nodules. Metabolite profiling by LC-MS and GC-MS demonstrated that several metabolites related to serine, aspartate, glutamate, and branched-chain amino acid pathways were significantly elevated in OASS overexpressing nodules. Striking differences were also observed in the flavonoid levels between the OASS overexpressing and control soybean nodules. Our results suggest that OASS overexpressing plants compensate for the increase in carbon requirement for sulfur assimilation by reducing the biosynthesis of some amino acids, and by replenishing the TCA cycle through fatty acid hydrolysis. These data may indicate that in OASS overexpressing soybean nodules there is a moderate decease in the supply of energy metabolites to the nodule, which is then compensated by the degradation of cellular components to meet the needs of the nodule energy metabolism.
Single gold nanoparticle plasmonic spectroscopy for study of chemical-dependent efflux function of single ABC transporters of single live Bacillus subtilis cells
Authors: Browning Lauren M. , Lee Kerry J. , Cherukuri Pavan K. , Huang Tao , Songkiatisak Preeyaporn , Warren Seth , Xu Xiao-Hong Nancy
Published: January 2018

Single gold nanoparticle plasmonic spectroscopy for probing the efflux function of single ABC transporters of single live cells.
Liquid crystal based sensing device using a smartphone
Authors: Nandi Rajib , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: January 2018

A portable, inexpensive, and lightweight smartphone based sensing device using liquid crystals for commercial uses.
Assembly of [Cu2(COO)4] and [M3(μ3-O)(COO)6] (M = Sc, Fe, Ga, and In) building blocks into porous frameworks towards ultra-high C2H2/CO2and C2H2/CH4separation performance
Authors: Zhang Jian-Wei , Hu Man-Cheng , Li Shu-Ni , Jiang Yu-Cheng , Qu Peng , Zhai Quan-Guo
Published: January 2018

Porous MOFs built from paddle-wheel-like [Cu2(COO)4] and trigonal prismatic [M3(μ3-O)(COO)6] SBUs exhibit ultra-high C2H2storage as well as C2H2/CO2and C2H2/CH4separations at room temperature.
Diastereodivergent synthesis of bispirooxindolesviaasymmetric Friedel–Crafts/aldol cascade reaction: co-catalyst effects on diastereoselective outcomes
Authors: Li Nai-Kai , Fan Wei-Tai , Zhang Jun-Qi , Sun Bing-Bing , Chen Jun-Bo , Wang Xing-Wang
Published: January 2018

The metal- and organo-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts/aldol cascade reaction has been developed to give diastereodivergent bispirooxindoles in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity.
Unexpected differences in the reactivity between the phosphorus and arsenic derivatives [(CpBIGFe)2(μ,η4:4-E4)] (E = P and As)
Authors: Heinl S. , Timoshkin A. Y. , Müller J. , Scheer M.
Published: January 2018

Different reaction pathways were determined between thermolysis and photolysis reactions of the butterfly complex [{CpBIGFe(CO)2}2(μ,η1:1-As4)] (1b) in comparison to its P analogues. The thermolysis leads to novel arsenic-rich compounds, whereas the photolysis of [{CpBIGFe(CO)2}2(μ,η1:1-E4)] (1a: E = P; 1b: E = As) exclusively results in the decarbonylation products.
Cooperative 5- and 10-membered ring interactions in the 10-helix folding of oxetin homo-oligomers
Authors: Ragab Sherif S. , Kassir Ahmad F. , Guillot Régis , Scherrmann Marie-Christine , Boddaert Thomas , Aitken David J.
Published: January 2018

A 10-helix conformer is stabilized by a parallel network of 5-membered ring interactions, providing a foldamer architecture featuring a series of bifurcated 5-ring/10-ring H-bonds.
Intercalation of metformin into montmorillonite
Authors: Rebitski Ediana P. , Aranda Pilar , Darder Margarita , Carraro Raffaele , Ruiz-Hitzky Eduardo
Published: January 2018

Metformin hydrochloride is spontaneously intercalated into layered silicates like montmorillonite by an ion-exchange mechanism, producing a promising controlled release system.
Influence of pH and low-molecular weight organic compounds in solution on selected spectroscopic and analytical parameters of flowing liquid anode atmospheric pressure glow discharge (FLA-APGD) for the optical emission spectrometric (OES) determination of Ag, Cd, and Pb
Authors: Swiderski Krzysztof , Dzimitrowicz Anna , Jamroz Piotr , Pohl Pawel
Published: January 2018

Atmospheric pressure glow discharge operated in contact with a flowing liquid anode (FLA-APGD), was used.
Acoustic separation in plastic microfluidics for rapid detection of bacteria in blood using engineered bacteriophage
Authors: Dow P. , Kotz K. , Gruszka S. , Holder J. , Fiering J.
Published: January 2018

A plastics based acoustophoretic device coupled into an engineered bacteriophage assay capable of detecting trace pathogens in a bacteremia model.
Assessment of the electron donor properties of substituted phenanthroline ligands in molybdenum carbonyl complexes using molecular electrostatic potentials
Authors: Remya Geetha S. , Suresh Cherumuttathu H.
Published: January 2018

Molecular electrostatic potential analysis of substituent effects in phenanthroline ligands clearly suggests that the coordination strength of the ligand to a metal complex is highly predictable solely from the quantification of substituent effects.
Alkylating probes for the G-quadruplex structure and evaluation of the properties of the alkylated G-quadruplex DNA
Authors: Sato Norihiro , Takahashi Shuntaro , Tateishi-Karimata Hisae , Hazemi Madoka E. , Chikuni Tomoko , Onizuka Kazumitsu , Sugimoto Naoki , Nagatsugi Fumi
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we report the development of a new G-4 alkylating molecule and the evaluation of the properties of the alkylated G-4 DNA.
Facile preparation of Prussian blue/polypyrrole hybrid nanofibers as robust peroxidase mimics for colorimetric detection ofl-cysteine
Authors: Song Na , Zhu Yun , Ma Fuqiu , Wang Ce , Lu Xiaofeng
Published: January 2018

Prussian blue/polypyrrole hybrid nanofibers as efficient peroxidase mimics for the sensitive detection ofl-cysteine have been developed.
Dynamic molecular assemblies toward a new frontier in materials chemistry
Authors: Akutagawa T.
Published: January 2018

Dynamic molecular assemblies with protonic, ionic, and molecular motions can be coupled with intrinsic π-electronic functions, offering a new direction in the future of materials chemistry.
Gadolinium-conjugated star-block copolymer polylysine-modified polyethylenimine as high-performanceT1MR imaging blood pool contrast agents
Authors: Huang Zhongjie , Chen Yicun , Liu Daojun , Lu Chao , Shen Zhiwei , Zhong Shuping , Shi Ganggang
Published: January 2018

Core–shell copolymers have received widespread attention because of their unique properties, such as suitable for surface modification and increasing the functionality.
Probing the stereoselectivity of OleD-catalyzed glycosylation of cardiotonic steroids
Authors: Zhu Xue-Lin , Wen Chao , Ye Qing-Mei , Xu Wei , Zou Deng-Lang , Liang Guang-Ping , Zhang Fan , Chen Wan-Na , Jiang Ren-Wang
Published: January 2018

The glycosyltransferase OleD variant as a catalyst for the glycosylation of four pairs of epimers of cardiotonic steroids (CTS) was assessed.
In vivoanalysis of the effects of CoCrMo and Ti particles on inflammatory responses and osteolysis
Authors: Li Juehong , Li Yamin , Peng Xiaochun , Li Bin , Qin Hui , Chen Yunsu
Published: January 2018

CoCrMo particles induced a more severe inflammatory response and greater osteolysis than Ti particlesin vivoin mice.
Novel magnetic g-C3N4/α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 composite for the very effective visible-light-Fenton degradation of Orange II
Authors: Wang Zhuliang , Fan Yiping , Wu Rong , Huo Yaoxing , Wu Hao , Wang Fang , Xu Xiaohong
Published: January 2018

A novel magnetic heterogeneous g-C3N4/α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 catalyst was firstly synthesized and exhibited very effective visible-light-Fenton degradation of Orange II at neutral pH.
Application of pyrite and chalcopyrite as sensor electrode for amperometric detection and measurement of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Wang Y. , Zhao K. J. , Tao D. P. , Zhai F. G. , Yang H. B. , Zhang Z. Q.
Published: January 2018

The sensing performance of solid-state amperometric sensors based on natural sulfide minerals, i.e., pyrite and chalcopyrite, has been characterized for the detection and measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in aqueous medium.
Strategic combination of Grignard reagents and allyl-functionalized ionic liquids as an advanced electrolyte for rechargeable magnesium batteries
Authors: Lee Boeun , Cho Jae-Hyun , Seo Hyo Ree , Na Su Bin , Kim Jong Hak , Cho Byung Won , Yim Taeeun , Oh Si Hyoung
Published: January 2018

A novel strategic approach for preparing highly efficient electrolytes for rechargeable Mg batteries is proposed through the reaction between Grignard reagents and allyl-functionalized ionic liquids.
Manipulation of the crystallization of perovskite films induced by a rotating magnetic field during blade coating in air
Authors: Lin Yichuan , Ye Xiaoqin , Wu Zhiming , Zhang Chunquan , Zhang Yulong , Su Haifeng , Yin Jun , Li Jing
Published: January 2018

A rotating magnetic field (RMF) was employed to manipulate the crystallization of perovskite films during blade coating.
Regulating the starting location of front-gradient enabled highly efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells via a facile thiol–amine solution approach
Authors: Fan Qingmiao , Tian Qingwen , Wang Houlin , Zhao Fengming , Kong Jun , Wu Sixin
Published: January 2018

The introduction of a double-gallium (Ga) gradient plays a key role in pushing the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) solar cells to a more competitive level.
Conceptual design of three-dimensional CoN/Ni3N-coupled nanograsses integrated on N-doped carbon to serve as efficient and robust water splitting electrocatalysts
Authors: Ray Chaiti , Lee Su Chan , Jin Bingjun , Kundu Aniruddha , Park Jong Hyeok , Chan Jun Seong
Published: January 2018

Easily designed N-doped carbon/CC supported CoN–Ni3N nanograsses exhibit remarkable full electrochemical water splitting activity with excellent stability.
Layered P2–O3 sodium-ion cathodes derived from earth abundant elements
Authors: Bianchini Marco , Gonzalo Elena , Drewett Nicholas E. , Ortiz-Vitoriano Nagore , López del Amo Juan Miguel , Bonilla Francisco J. , Acebedo Begoña , Rojo Teófilo
Published: January 2018

We report a manganese-rich P2/O3-cathode material for Na-ion batteries demonstrating suppression of the P2 to OP4 phase transition upon charge.
Skin–core structured fluorinated MWCNTs: a nanofiller towards a broadband dielectric material with a high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Cheng , Huang Benyuan , Wang Xu , Li Yulong , Wang Zaoming , Lai Wenchuan , Zhang Xiaojiao , Liu Xiangyang
Published: January 2018

A novel skin–core structured fluorinated MWCNT nanofiller was prepared to fabricate epoxy composite with broadband high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss.
Self-assembly and photoactivation of blue luminescent CsPbBr3 mesocrystals synthesized at ambient temperature
Authors: Fu Xiaoming , Zhang Chi , Peng Zhiwei , Xia Yong , Zhang Jianbing , Luo Wei , Zhan Rui , Li Honglang , Wang YuHuang , Zhang Daoli
Published: January 2018

Blue luminescent CsPbBr3 mesocrystals, which are ordered superstructures composed of crystalline nanoparticles aligned along well-defined crystallographic directions, have been investigated for their self-assembly and photoactivation phenomenon.
[Yb(AAZTA)(H2O)]−: an unconventional ParaCEST MRI probe
Authors: Delli Castelli Daniela , Tei Lorenzo , Carniato Fabio , Aime Silvio , Botta Mauro
Published: January 2018

An unexpectedly slow water exchange rate makes [Yb(AAZTA)(H2O)]−a ParaCEST agent.
Counseling Issues: Addressing Behavioral and Emotional Considerations in the Treatment of Communication Disorders
Authors: Lieberman Aaron
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Counseling is an important fundamental professional activity and an established component of the speech-language pathology/audiology scope of practice as documented by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2004a, 2016a). Appropriate incorporation of counseling into practice can optimize service provision, help address comorbid behavioral and emotional reactions to communication disorders, and enhance prognosis. Practitioner insecurity in incorporating counseling into practice has been documented by Phillips and Mendel (2008), as well as Atkins (2007). This tutorial seeks to present general counseling constructs and treatment applications primarily utilizing a humanistic counseling perspective.

Method

This tutorial incorporated relevant publications from communication disorders and counseling psychology literature databases over a 3-year period. The tutorial evolved through interviews with practicing speech-language pathology practitioners and educators and was undertaken to provide transparency and clarity to support the assertions and recommendations offered.

Results

This tutorial organizes and presents general counseling considerations along with specific suggestions, which can help practitioners who are seeking to expand their understanding, skill, and confidence in incorporating counseling into their practice. The tutorial identifies some of the potential and impactful comorbid emotional and behavioral responses to experiencing a communication disorder and/or to the treatment process for the communication disorder issue(s). Theoretically grounded considerations for mitigating such potentially impactful responses are offered.

Conclusion

Continued and enhanced efforts may be necessary to meet American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's mandate for universal incorporation of empirically supported counseling approaches and in advancing universal speech-language pathology/audiology training in this area. It is hoped that this tutorial serves as an initial guide for addressing this need until universal preparation and practice is achieved.
Modelling the carbon AGB star R Sculptoris
Authors: Brunner M. , Maercker M. , Mecina M. , Khouri T. , Kerschbaum F.
Published: January 2018

Context. On the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), Sun-like stars lose a large portion of their mass in an intensive wind and enrich the surrounding interstellar medium with nuclear processed stellar material in the form of molecular gas and dust. For a number of carbon-rich AGB stars, thin detached shells of gas and dust have been observed. These shells are formed during brief periods of increased mass loss and expansion velocity during a thermal pulse, and open up the possibility to study the mass-loss history of thermally pulsing AGB stars.

Aims. We study the properties of dust grains in the detached shell around the carbon AGB star R Scl and aim to quantify the influence of the dust grain properties on the shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED) and the derived dust shell mass.

Methods. We modelled the SED of the circumstellar dust emission and compared the models to observations, including new observations of Herschel/PACS and SPIRE (infrared) and APEX/LABOCA (sub-millimeter). We derived present-day mass-loss rates and detached shell masses for a variation of dust grain properties (opacities, chemical composition, grain size, and grain geometry) to quantify the influence of changing dust properties to the derived shell mass.

Results. The best-fitting mass-loss parameters are a present-day dust mass-loss rate of 2 × 10−10 M⊙ yr−1 and a detached shell dust mass of (2.9 ± 0.3) × 10−5 M⊙. Compared to similar studies, the uncertainty on the dust mass is reduced by a factor of 4. We find that the size of the grains dominates the shape of the SED, while the estimated dust shell mass is most strongly affected by the geometry of the dust grains. Additionally, we find a significant sub-millimeter excess that cannot be reproduced by any of the models, but is most likely not of thermal origin.
The VMC survey
Authors: Niederhofer Florian , Cioni Maria-Rosa L. , Rubele Stefano , Schmidt Thomas , Bekki Kenji , de Grijs Richard , Emerson Jim , Ivanov Valentin D. , Oliveira Joana M. , Petr-Gotzens Monika G. , Ripepi Vincenzo , Sun Ning-Chen , van Loon Jacco Th.
Published: January 2018

We use deep multi-epoch point-spread function (PSF) photometry taken with the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) to measure and analyze the proper motions of stars within the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tucanae (47 Tuc, NGC 104). The observations are part of the ongoing near-infrared VISTA survey of the Magellanic Cloud system (VMC). The data analyzed in this study correspond to one VMC tile, which covers a total sky area of 1.77 deg2. Absolute proper motions with respect to ~9070 background galaxies are calculated from a linear regression model applied to the positions of stars in 11 epochs in the Ks filter. The data extend over a total time baseline of about 17 months. We found an overall median proper motion of the stars within 47 Tuc of (μαcos(δ),  μδ) = (+5.89 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.13 (systematic), −2.14 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.08 (systematic)) mas yr−1, based on the measurements of ~35 000 individual sources between 5′ and 42′ from the cluster center. We compared our result to the proper motions from the newest US Naval Observatory CCD Astrograph Catalog (UCAC5), which includes data from the Gaia data release 1. Selecting cluster members ( ~2700 stars), we found a median proper motion of (μαcos(δ),  μδ) = (+5.30  ± 0.03 (statistical) ± 0.70 (systematic), −2.70 ± 0.03 (statistical) ± 0.70 (systematic)) mas yr−1. Comparing the results with measurements in the literature, we found that the values derived from the VMC data are consistent with the UCAC5 result, and are close to measurements obtained using the Hubble Space Telescope. We combined our proper motion results with radial velocity measurements from the literature and reconstructed the orbit of 47 Tuc, finding that the cluster is on an orbit with a low ellipticity and is confined within the inner ~7.5 kpc of the Galaxy. We show that the use of an increased time baseline in combination with PSF-determined stellar centroids in crowded regions significantly improves the accuracy of the method. In future works, we will apply the methods described here to more VMC tiles to study in detail the kinematics of the Magellanic Clouds.
Probing the nature of AX J0043−737: Not an 87 ms pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Maitra C. , Ballet J. , Esposito P. , Haberl F. , Tiengo A. , Filipović M. D. , Acero F.
Published: January 2018

Aims. AX J0043−737 is a source in the ASCA catalogue whose nature is uncertain. It is most commonly classified as a Crab-like pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) following apparent detection of pulsations at ~87 ms from a single ASCA observation. A follow-up ASCA observation was not able to confirm this, and the X-ray detection of the source has not been reported since.

Methods. We studied the nature of the source with a dedicated XMM-Newton observation. We ascertained the source position, searched for the most probable counterpart, and studied the X-ray spectrum. We also analysed other archival observations with the source in the field of view to study its long-term variability.

Results. With the good position localisation capability of XMM-Newton, we identify the counterpart of the source as MQS J004241.66–734041.3, an active galactic nucleus (AGN) behind the SMC at a redshift of 0.95. The X-ray spectrum can be fitted with an absorbed power law with a photon-index of Γ = 1.7, which is consistent with that expected from AGNs. By comparing the current XMM-Newton observation with an archival XMM-Newton and two other ASCA observations of the source, we find signatures of long-term variability, another common phenomenon in AGNs. All of the above are consistent with AX J0043−737 being an AGN behind the SMC.
Incorporating knowledge on the measurement noise in electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Dambrine Marc , Harbrecht Helmut , Puig Benedicte
Published: January 2018

The present article is concerned with the identification of an obstacle or void of different conductivity which is included in a two-dimensional domain by measurements of voltage and currents at the boundary. In general, the voltage distribution is prescribed and hence deterministic. Whereas, the current distribution is measured and contains measurement errors. We assume that some information is given on these measurement errors which can be described by means of a random field. We exploit this extra knowledge by minimizing a linear combination of the expectation and the variance of the Kohn–Vogelius functional. It is shown how these ideas can be realized in numerical computations. By numerical results, the applicability and feasibility of our approach is demonstrated.
Genetic Variation in the von Willebrand Factor Gene in Swedish von Willebrand Disease Patients
Authors: Manderstedt Eric , Lind-Halldén Christina , Lethagen Stefan , Halldén Christer
Published: January 2018

von Willebrand factor (VWF) level and function are influenced by genetic variation in VWF and several other genes in von Willebrand disease type 1 (VWD1) patients. This study comprehensively screened for VWF variants and investigated the presence of ABO genotypes and common and rare VWF variants in Swedish VWD1 patients. The VWF gene was resequenced using Ion Torrent and Sanger sequencing in 126 index cases historically diagnosed with VWD. Exon 7 of the ABO gene was resequenced using Sanger sequencing. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis was used to investigate for copy number variants. Genotyping of 98 single nucleotide variants allowed allele frequency comparisons with public databases. Seven VWD2 mutations and 36 candidate VWD1 mutations (5 deletions, 4 nonsense, 21 missense, 1 splice, and 5 synonymous mutations) were identified. Nine mutations were found in more than one family and nine VWD1 index cases carried more than one candidate mutation. The T-allele of rs1063857 (c.2385T > C, p.Y795 = ) and blood group O were both frequent findings and contributed to disease in the Swedish VWD1 population. VWD2 mutations were found in 20 and candidate VWD1 mutations in 51 index cases out of 106 (48%). VWF mutations, a VWF haplotype, and blood group O all contributed to explain disease in Swedish VWD1 patients.
A Study of Coagulation Changes at Early Stage after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Huang Jian , Zhang Peng , Wang Dawei
Published: January 2018

Coagulation changes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can provide evidence for optimization of timing of perioperative anticoagulation medicine. To evaluate the changes, 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis were recruited for the study and underwent thrombelastography tests pre-, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after TKA surgery and Doppler ultrasound examination 20 to 24 hours after surgery. The results have shown prolonged clotting time (R value) at 6 and 12 hours, while shortened at 24 hours. Similar results have been found in combined clotting and coagulation time (R + K value). However, other parameters, such as coagulation time (K value), coagulation speed (α angle), maximum amplitude (MA), and coagulation index (CI), have not significantly changed except that CI has increased significantly at 24 hours. Further Doppler ultrasound examination did not detect any deep venous thrombosis in all patients. The data showed that coagulation time after TKA within 12 hours, especially within the 6-hour time period, after surgery was significantly higher, while at 24 hours it became lower than the preoperation time. The results suggested that anticoagulation medicine is not necessary during the first 6 to 12 hours, but is required between 12 and 24 hours after surgery to reduce the risk of thrombosis.